Lasso That Cowboy

by Lynde Lakes

  He put his arm around her and drew her to a wooden bench. For a moment, they just sat there, staring at each other, neither of them able to shake the lingering fear. Not yet. What had almost happened was too horrible.

  “You okay?” he asked finally.

  She nodded and turned to face him. “The terrorists are in custody, right?”

  “All five, locked up like mad dogs.”

  “Are the Feds sure they got them all?” She fought the tremor in her voice.

  “Yeah. And to answer your next question,” he said, grinning and looking ruggedly handsome, “they’re certain they got the right guys. They carried C-4 plastic explosives, timers, and detonators hidden in cameras and cell phones.”

  “Suicide mission?” she asked.

  Luke shook his head. “They’d set their timers for twenty minutes to allow their escape. By getting Nina to open up, you saved a lot of lives, Amber.”

  The husky admiration in his voice meant a great deal, but she needed more. Her heart cried out, Take me in your arms. Quiet my unrelenting shakes.

  “Getting Abu Binalshibh’s name cinched it,” Luke said. “The Feds knew Abu. They’ve been watching him since October 2001. He’d rented a shack on five acres between Vegas and Boulder. At the same time ATF SWAT captured the terrorists at Boulder Dam, another team raided Abu’s shack.”

  Amber struggled to absorb Luke’s words while her heart kept thanking God. The people at the dam were alive!

  “They seized forty weapons,” Luke said, “including assault rifles, thirty explosive devices, thirty-five grenades, a satellite phone, and a computer. In one of the files, they discovered a damning schedule with minute-by-minute details for destruction, including what to wear and how to get rid of fingerprints.” He paused and held her gaze. “You didn’t just stop the disaster today—they had a list of other places they intended to hit, and the dates of attack.”

  Amber rubbed her arms. Would she ever stop trembling? “What if I’d failed?”

  Luke drew her into the curve of his body, making her feel safe. “Some people never know why they’re put on this earth.” His drawl was deep, masterful. “You’re lucky. You know.”

  To save people. True or not, it warmed her heart that Luke believed the beautiful concept… She blushed as a less noble faint hope sprang to mind—that she could also save Luke and Alicia from going on alone, wifeless, motherless.

  A guy with a press badge and a camera rushed past them without looking in their direction and knocked on the sheriff’s door.

  A new realization hit Amber in a crushing blow. “Oh, God, Luke. This is a big news story. Please, you have to get the sheriff and the Feds to keep my name out of this!”

  Luke’s face darkened. “You’re right. I’ll talk to them. We sure as hell don’t need more reporters trampling all over our land.”

  ****

  When Amber and the Ryan brothers returned to the ranch, the men stayed outside talking. The grim looks on their faces told Amber they were discussing the strategy if her name got leaked to the media. Amber stomped into the foyer and headed for the stairs. Drat. Guess an about-to-be-canned nanny had no say here. But no one understood the situation better. If it got out about her part in stopping the terrorists’ attacks, the media would turn her into a heroine and the ranch into a zoo. The Ryan family had suffered through enough publicity while Alicia was missing to last a lifetime. Maybe she should make it easy on them and leave right away. Could she? Or was she still in Matt’s custody?

  Amber met Roberto coming down the wide staircase. He had her suitcases in his hands. Just great! Did that mean Matt was through with her, as he’d not so delicately termed it? Was he taking her to San Antonio to get her out of here? Heat crawled up her cheeks. A moment ago she’d been ready to leave to save the ranch from a media invasion. But this was…insulting…and just plain rude. Matt hadn’t even talked to her about it.

  She gestured toward the bags. “Who’s behind this?” She fought to hold her voice steady.

  “Luke. He called me from the sheriff’s office. He wanted it done before you got back, but—”

  “Luke?” Her heart sank. “Please, put my bags down until I talk to him.”

  Totally confused, she spun on her heels, and ignoring the pain in her shoulder, she ran from the house. Luke was talking to one of the vaqueros. Matt was nowhere in sight.

  “I need to talk to you,” she said. “Alone.”

  “Just a sec.” Luke’s innocent grin made her blood boil.

  She leaned against the nearby railing and tapped her foot. She recognized the vaquero. He’d been one of the guys with Luke when he’d lassoed her. Amber rubbed her aching head. The sun bore down, frying her nerves. Luke’s second extended to minutes. Why did he always put her off when she had an urgent need to talk to him?

  The vaquero handed Luke some invoices, and they huddled together, going over them with no sign of finishing soon. Amber glanced at Roberto’s horse. She spied the lasso secured on the saddle horn. An image of the day Luke had lassoed her flashed in her mind, the memory scalding her cheeks. If she had to leave today, this would be her last chance for a little harmless payback, and it would be a great attention getter. Besides, his rudeness made her want revenge.

  Amber slipped her arm out of the sling and grabbed the lasso. In spite of the pain, she got the loop airborne and sent it flying. As it dropped over Luke’s head, she pulled the rope tight with her good arm.

  “What the hell?” He whipped around, and went for his six-shooter. Their gazes met.

  Without breaking eye contact, she said, “Still a little high-strung, are we?”

  He slid the weapon back into its holster. With enough satisfaction to override her pain, Amber reeled him in. She drew him close, tightening the rope until her fist pressed into the steely barrier of his chest. His heart raced wildly against her knuckles, matching her own out-of-control heartbeat.

  Confusion and concern darkened his eyes. “Didn’t know you could rope so good.”

  Amber shook back her hair and lifted her chin, wanting the act of defiance to wrap around him, shake him. “Probably lots about me you don’t know.”

  “Even a strong lady like you shouldn’t be showing off with a fractured shoulder.”

  “I wasn’t showing off. I was getting even.”

  He laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, is that what this is about?”

  “That and more. It’s about scoring two points with one rope—payback, and getting you to listen to me.”

  He laughed again, turning up the flame in her belly another notch.

  “Shucks, Amber,” he drawled. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m willin’ to listen to anything you have to say.” His probing gaze sent mush to her knees. “Where do you want to talk, little darlin’?”

  She tugged on the rope and tried not to grimace in pain. “Don’t call me that.” She gestured with her head. “Barn office.”

  He started to lift the loop over his head. She tightened her hold and walked backward, pulling the rugged, wide-shouldered cowboy along like a balking calf.

  “Come on, Amber,” he muttered. “It’s a little humiliating to—”

  “Next time you lasso a woman, remember how this felt!”

  He looked around, red creeping up his neck. “Hey, we don’t have to do this. I decided long ago that you were the last lady I’d ever lasso.”

  “Just walk.”

  “Realize, I’m cooperating, here.” His voice was low, sexy. “That should get me—”

  She yanked the rope again. “Nothing. So save it, cowboy.”

  He began to limp. She fought a wave of sympathy. Yanking the rope wasn’t good for either of them. She’d probably just doubled her healing time. She was too furious to care. Besides, seeing the look on his face made it all worthwhile.

  They passed a vaquero loading a wagon. The man made no attempt to hide his amusement. Luke groaned. Crossing the compound with him in tow made her fee
l as ridiculous as he obviously felt. Of course, if he didn’t want to go along with this, she couldn’t make him. Why was he letting her get away with it? It didn’t matter—she would get her say and then leave. And everyone would be happy.

  Liar. She wouldn’t be happy. Far from it.

  They entered the barn office, and she slammed the door behind them, shutting out horse whinnies and the scent of fresh hay. She gestured for him to sit down. He sat on the edge of the desk. “This is damned silly, Amber.”

  She eased down next to him, sitting sideways so they faced each other. She fidgeted with the rope, picking at the knot. “This isn’t easy for me, Luke.” She looked up at him. He just stared at her with eyes as dark as the richest earth. She had an urge to grab his hand and press it to her face, but if she did she would surely cry. “I’ve liked taking care of Alicia. More than that, I love her.”

  “I know that.” His voice was low, gentle.

  Amber felt tears pushing at the back of her eyes. She had to switch subjects for a moment, or she’d blubber like a baby. She shoved a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “Who gave you permission to take my bags downstairs?”

  His brow wrinkled in confusion. “Did I need permission? Alicia’s been having nightmares since the kidnapping. I figured she should be home around her own things.”

  “No argument there,” Amber muttered. They’d all been staying here at Matt’s house, and the sooner Alicia got back into her normal routine, the sooner she could put the bad things behind her, “But—What’s that got to do with my bags?”

  “Matt said you’d packed them. I guess I assumed too much. I thought you were ready to come with us.”

  Amber’s face flamed, disappointed in herself for believing the worst. “But you told Matt you weren’t going on the rodeo circuit, and I know you hired me specifically to be Alicia’s nanny on the road.”

  Luke took her arm and gently slid the sling back over it. “So you packed your bags to leave us.” He dropped his hands to his lap. The retreat was more than physical. She could feel him pulling away emotionally as well. The hurt in his voice reached inside of her and tore at the very fiber of her soul. “Where were you going, Amber?”

  She looked down, not sure if it was wise to tell him, yet. “Away. But I wasn’t leaving until tomorrow—after we had a chance to talk. Now with the media threat, I’m willing to go today—that is, if I’m free to go.” She didn’t know what her status was with the authorities. “But not until I’ve had my say.”

  “You may want to leave,” he said in a flat tone, “but it would help Alicia if you’d spend a few days with her at home. Besides, the Feds want to keep you in protective custody for a while longer.” He lifted Amber’s chin and looked into her eyes with a hypnotic gaze that stilled everything within her. “Then there’s the matter of your health. You hit your head again, and Dr. De La Fuente wants to examine you. He’s on his way here. At least stay until he arrives.”

  She gave a small nervous laugh. “You got me with the plea for Alicia.” Her words sounded husky, intimate. She mentally kicked herself for being such a fool. She’d jumped to conclusions about the bags. He wanted her to be with Alicia. Amber felt a surge of hope. Maybe she’d been wrong—perhaps he still trusted her with his daughter.

  ****

  Luke frowned, wondering how to make things right. Amber’s lasso tantrum would have been funny except for two things. Her impulsive action proved she hadn’t forgiven him for his first foul up, and she was furious enough to risk further injury. It was all his fault. He kept messing up. He had bawled her out for not watching his daughter more closely, then backed off from her advances, and hurt her more. He had to make it up to her. Amber was the woman he loved more than life itself and the woman he wanted to be Alicia’s new mama. He couldn’t let her walk out of his life, couldn’t let his little girl lose someone she loved—not again.

  He peeled off the rope and drew Amber into his arms. “I love you.” His throat ached with an emotion as big as the Texas sky, and too profound for him to express. He’d never felt more tender, more moved, as he softly rained kisses on her mouth.

  Between kisses, Amber said in a breathy voice, “I love you, too.”

  The office seemed to brighten at her words. “Did I hear you right?”

  “Yes, but after those things you said to me the day Alicia was kidnapped, I’m not sure we can get passed resentment like that. What if it’s buried inside you, just waiting for—”

  “There’s nothing buried within me except love, admiration and respect for you. Did I say love?”

  Luke drew her closer, careful of her shoulder, and kissed her again. He groaned as the passion that always simmered between them raged hot in his veins. In her ear, he whispered, “I’d like to sweep everything onto the floor and make love to you on this desk.” He couldn’t hold back his laugh. Neither of them were in shape for that. “But between your fractured shoulder and my bum leg we couldn’t do justice to the lovemaking.” He’d waited a long time for her. He could wait a little longer. He touched her face gently, hoping he’d conveyed all of his pent-up love. “I promise you, when we do make love…”

  She withdrew a little and stared up into his face. “I asked you to make love to me once,” she said in a tentative tone that disturbed him. “But too much has happened and just making love is no longer enough.”

  He lightly brushed the line of her cheekbones with his knuckles. “For me either, Amber. I want the wedding rings and the forever after.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “Let me get this straight. Is this a marriage proposal?”

  He laughed and gently put his arm around her. “I reckon it is, li’l darlin’. Now, let’s get Alicia and go home.”

  “There’s one more thing,” Amber said. “I need to go to Edinburg for a few days to face old ghosts.”

  “Fine. But I’m going along. After almost losing you, I’m not ready to let you out of my sight.” The green in her eyes deepened and she smiled as though he’d said some magic words.

  ****

  Later, inside Luke’s living room, he put down their bags and drew Amber into his arms. “It’s good to be home.” He felt something tugging on Amber’s shirt and looked down.

  “Are you really going to be my mommy?” Alicia asked.

  “Yes, Rosebud, if you’ll have me.”

  “Course I will, silly.” Alicia gave her foxy, tinkling laugh that never failed to touch Luke’s heart. “You like ’nilla ice cream jus’ like me,” she said, as if that were her yardstick for a mom.

  Luke knew it wasn’t. He lifted Alicia up, bringing her into the hug.

  “Kiss my new mommy,” she said, in her bossy little voice.

  He did. It wasn’t the kiss he’d give Amber later, but definitely one full of promise.

  ****

  Amber couldn’t believe how quickly Luke arranged everything. They were married within the week in a simple ceremony with just family and a few friends in a garden he’d filled with sixteen huge pots of bougainvillea. When he brushed back her veil and brought his lips gently down on hers for the wedding kiss, it had been like coming home.

  That night, he was a tender lover, wanting only to give pleasure. She’d never felt more cherished. She loved him even more, if possible, for how he orchestrated every agile move to protect her shoulder. In spite of her injuries, the lovemaking was so satisfying and beautiful that probably even the angels wept with joy.

  A month later, Luke came into the kitchen where Amber was making Virginia’s recipe for Texas chili, a dish Luke called, bowl o’ red.

  “Hear the news this morning?” he asked, kissing her temple.

  “Something interesting?”

  “You decide. Ricardo Carrillo was indicted for Rhoades’ and Elmer’s murders and four counts of kidnapping. He also got twenty-five counts for terrorist-conspiracy, and two counts for land fraud. He won’t breathe anything but stale prison air for the next fifty years.”

  “What about Nina?”r />
  “No mention of her. But she’ll get some kind of break for talking.”

  Amber was glad. Without Nina’s help people would have died.

  ****

  Luke and Amber had been married two months before Amber’s fracture had healed enough to allow a full range of movement. When she returned from the doctor, she raced into the house tell Luke the news. He no longer had to hold back, no longer had to treat her like she might shatter. “You can take off the kid gloves,” she said, beaming. “The doc gave his okay.”

  Luke’s eyes lit up. “That calls for a celebration! Let me handle all the arrangements. I’ll make a candlelit dinner for just the two of us. Dress is optional. Lassos and trapezes allowed.”

  She laughed in delight. “Sounds interesting.” To comply with the optional part, she’d wear nothing underneath her dress. But which dress? What could she wear to knock the spurs right off his boots, and absolutely blow him away?

  After her shower, she opened the closet and flicked her gaze over the rainbow of options. She decided on the fiery, long red number she’d bought during a moment of insanity on a shopping trip with Molly. It was slit up one side to the top of her thigh, and was cool and slippery from bodice to ankle.

  Later, stepping into the dining room, she felt like a seductress.

  Luke whistled. “You’re sure all shimmery, darlin’.” Love danced in his eyes, revealing his heart, his soul, and making her the happiest woman in the world.

  “It’s the candlelight.” She knew it was more than smoke and light. The thin silk clung to her nudity just as she’d planned, giving him a preview of what waited for him beneath all the shimmer.

  He hadn’t stopped looking at her, and she brazenly admired him back. He wore a pristine white shirt open to the waist, and black dress jeans that didn’t hide his arousal. Even the icy air flowing from the AC vents couldn’t cool the flames of expectation dancing over her bare shoulders.

  Aromas of mesquite-grilled steak and baked rolls spiked the air. Although it smelled wonderful, she longed to forget the meal he’d placed before her and go to him. But after all his hard work, she wouldn’t rush the celebration.