by R. C. Ryan
“I’m sure, once I get down from the hills, it won’t be so bad.”
“You’re right. It won’t. But it’s getting there that worries us. It’s already too dark to see the trail. One slip, and you could find yourself buried in a ravine.”
“I’ll be fine, Sam.” She made a move to climb in, and his hand tightened on her arm.
“There’s nobody at the ranch to help if you’re in trouble. Finn and Zachariah are in town, more than an hour away.”
“I have my phone.”
“Service is bad enough in good weather. With a storm like this, you’d never be able to reach anyone.”
She gave a sigh of exasperation. “What do you want me to do? Snap my fingers and stop the snow?”
“We think you should stay here tonight.”
She blinked. “Stay here? You want me to sleep in there, with all the wranglers?”
“I know it isn’t the most comfortable place to spend the night. But at least you’ll be safe, not to mention warm and dry.”
“And forced to listen to men snoring.”
He bit back a smile. “But you’ll be safe, Penny, and that’s what matters. You can leave first thing in the morning, if the trail is passable. But for tonight, we just can’t let you go.”
“Let me…?” She sucked in a breath. “I’ve been taking care of myself for years, Sam.”
“But now you work for us. We’re responsible for your safety.”
She looked beyond him, to where Mac stood waiting and watching with a worried frown. With a sigh of resignation, she slammed the truck door and moved along beside Sam.
When they reached the porch, Mac put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Penny. I know this isn’t the most comfortable situation, but it’s just for tonight.” He handed her a steaming mug of coffee. “If you’d like, you can sit out here for a while and relax. I know a lot of the wranglers are wandering around in long johns while their clothes dry by the fire. Sam can let you know when the men are all asleep. Then you and he can fight over who gets the top bunk and who gets the lower one.” He studied her face. “Think you can handle it?”
She nodded. “I’ll be fine, Mac. Remember, I raised three brothers.”
“Good.” Mac turned away and walked inside.
Sam couldn’t help teasing. “I call the bottom bunk.”
She shot him a withering look. “Why?”
He gave a negligent shrug. “I think it’ll be fun watching you climb the ladder to the top, and knowing you’re sleeping just above me.”
She gave a huff of annoyance and turned away to stare morosely into the falling snow.
He tugged on a lock of her hair. “Hey, Money. Look at it this way. Spending the night up in the hills with a bunch of smelly wranglers ought to prove to be a real experience.”
“So is getting sprayed by a skunk. But it isn’t something you’d ever want to repeat.”
He gave a shake of his head, all the while laughing. “I’m betting this will be a step above running into a skunk.”
She joined in his laughter. “Okay. Maybe. But just barely.”
Relieved that she’d found her sense of humor, he touched a big rough palm to her cheek. “Finish your coffee and I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come inside.”
When the door closed behind him, Penny turned to watch the curtain of snow drifting past her line of vision. A snowfall so thick, it now completely obliterated the corral just a hundred yards away.
Though she wouldn’t admit it to Sam, now that she’d had time to assess the situation, she was grateful that she didn’t have to drive through this storm tonight. Without proper roads or familiar landmarks, she could have easily ended up in trouble.
And now, knowing she was here for the night, her work ended until morning, she was free to enjoy the beauty of the season’s first real snowfall.
She settled herself on the porch, her hands closed around the coffee mug, drinking in the sight of a countryside softened by mounds of glittering, pristine snow.
Chapter Eleven
Sam stepped out the cabin door and settled himself beside Penny.
“Sorry it took so long. I thought old Ed Whittier would never hit the sack.”
She looked over with a smile. “I don’t mind. Actually, I’m grateful for the time to just enjoy all this.”
He followed her gaze. “I know what you mean. I always feel like a kid at Christmas each time we have a first snowfall.”
“You do?” She turned to him with a look of surprise. “I guess I figured this storm would mean more work.”
“It does. But it’s work I love.”
“I can see why.” She paused. “Look at all this.”
“Yeah. Like a postcard.”
“It is. And listen.”
He gave her a puzzled look. “I don’t hear anything.”
“I know. It’s as if the snow has blotted out everything. As though I’ve landed in an alternate universe where nothing familiar exists.”
As the muted sound of cattle lowing reached their ears, Sam smiled. “Now that’s a familiar sound. And one I love to hear.”
She nodded. “But the hills all covered in snow make it seem like something otherworldly. Like something out of the old West. Cowboys bundled in dusters tending their herds. Coyotes howling at the moon. No sign of civilization. Just the snow and the hills and the cattle.” She turned to him. “How does it feel knowing all this is yours?”
He paused and seemed to gather his thoughts before answering. “It took me some time to accept that fact. Even after Mac adopted my brothers and me, I didn’t trust him. Hell, I didn’t trust any adult. I figured they were all alike, just willing to use me as hired help, without having to pay me.”
“Why would you think that?”
“My life before coming here wasn’t anything like this. Looking back, I think of it as hell on earth. The worst part about it was being separated from Ben and Finn. My brothers and I vowed we were going to band together and run as far and as fast as we could, and do whatever necessary to stay free.”
“But you were all so young.”
“Old enough to make a pact. We were desperate. We knew one thing. We were never going to let any law separate us again.”
Her voice was hushed. “I’m trying to imagine having my brothers taken away from me when we were young. I would have been so afraid for them. And so lonely without them.” She turned. “It must have been really painful for the three of you.”
He shrugged, unwilling to let his mind go there. “I’d rather talk about the here and now.”
She understood his reluctance and quickly changed the subject. “Are the men asleep?”
He grinned. “If you listen, you’ll hear the snore roar coming from inside. They’re all sleeping like babies. Or maybe I should say baby bullfrogs.”
She was laughing as she got to her feet.
Sam stood beside her, and stared into her eyes before his gaze lowered, centering on her mouth.
In that instant she knew he was going to kiss her. And though she’d warned herself about the consequences of falling under his spell, she felt a flutter of anticipation. After all, what could be the harm? It was only a kiss.
He lowered his head and brushed her lips with his. Just the merest brush of mouth to mouth, but the effect was electric.
Her arms came around his neck and she returned his kiss with a hunger that invited more.
He took what she offered with a wild, almost desperate need that caught them both by surprise.
With a moan he moved his hands inside her parka and drew her closer. “You taste so damned good.” His hands moved along her sides, his thumbs encountering her breasts.
“Sam.” She felt the sexual tug that left her gasping.
“Don’t tell me to stop. Not yet.” He murmured the words against her throat.
“You can’t…we can’t…” Her words were swallowed by his mouth on hers, as he backed her across the porch until she scraped the wall
of the cabin.
Without a thought to the consequences, she slid her hands inside his parka, and she felt the ripple of corded muscles with each touch. “Sam.” Her voice was breathy. “We have to stop.”
“I know. We will.” But he didn’t. Instead, he kissed her again, long and slow and deep, until a little moan escaped her lips.
“I wish we were really in that alternate universe you talked about, Money.” His words, whispered against her neck, had her shivering. “This scene would have a…” He nibbled his way to the little dip between her collarbone and shoulder. “Very different ending.”
Penny was so lost in the kiss, all she could do was hold on while his lips whispered over her face, from her forehead to her cheek to the corner of her mouth.
When at last he lifted his head, she sucked air into her starving lungs and wondered why she felt suddenly chilled. The heat of the moment dissolved.
Resting his forehead on hers, he closed his eyes and dragged in a labored breath. Then he took a step back and lowered his hands to his sides.
“You go ahead inside and get ready for bed.”
“What about you?”
He shook his head. “I need a long walk in the snow. I’ll check on the cattle in the corral before I come in. By then I should be cooled down enough to sleep. And you’ll be safely in your bunk.”
“Good night, Sam.” She touched a hand to his cheek.
He closed his fingers around her wrist and she felt her pulse leap.
With a dangerous gleam in his eye he smiled. “Good night, Money. I hope one of us gets some sleep.”
Penny lay in the upper bunk, fully dressed except for her boots.
She heard the door open and close. Heard the slight shuffling as Sam nudged off his boots and climbed into the lower bunk.
“You asleep, Money?”
At his whispered words she smiled in the darkness. “No.”
“Want to climb down here? I’ll warm your feet.”
“They’re warm enough.”
“You can warm mine, then. They’re freezing. Come on down.”
“Not a chance.”
“I could climb up there.”
“Don’t try it, cowboy.”
He sighed. Twisted. Turned. “You’re cruel, you know that?”
“Yeah. That’s me. You can call me Mean Miss Money.”
That had him chuckling. “I’d like to be teacher’s pet.”
“Good try.”
Across the room someone snorted, then began snoring again.
She couldn’t resist saying, “This is so romantic.”
“You want romance? I could…”
“Good night, Sam.”
She rolled to her side and drew the blanket to her chin. She couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to lie beside Sam Monroe. He was funny and charming. And oh so sexy, without even trying. And despite the men asleep all around her, the only one she could think of, the only one who mattered, was Sam.
It was the last thought she had before sleep finally overtook her.
Though the cabin was still dark, and the men in the bunks still snoring, Penny was instantly awake. Awake and alert to a shadowy figure standing by the window.
Curious, she climbed from the upper bunk and padded in her stocking feet across the room.
Mac was holding a mug of lukewarm coffee and frowning as he stared intently out the window at the falling snow.
He turned and gave her a forced smile. “Sorry, Penny. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Are you worried about getting the herd through this snow?”
“I’m worried about Mary Pat, and hoping she isn’t stranded somewhere out there.”
“So that’s what has you awake. Tell me, Mac. How many years has she been doing this?”
He shrugged. “Too many. Thirty years or more.”
“Thirty years.” Penny shook her head in wonder. “I’m betting she’s learned a lot about survival.”
“Of course. But in a storm like this…” His voice trailed off.
“In all those years of delivering services to lonely ranchers, an awful lot of people have come to love Mary Pat. How could they not?”
Seeing his interest sharpen, she added, “With a big, open, loving heart like Mary Pat’s, I bet she has more friends than she can count.”
Mac nodded. “That she has.”
“There you are. And you have to know any one of them would welcome the chance to have her stay for more than her usual visit. They’d probably fight for the chance to have her stay over so they can pick her brain on a dozen different matters. I can see her sleeping comfortably in one of their ranches right now, after enjoying a fabulous supper and getting caught up in their family lore.”
Mac’s smile came quickly. “You paint a pretty picture, Penny. And you’re right, of course. What was I thinking? I have to believe she’s safe and comfortable.” He turned to look out the window at the snow-covered hills. “She had plenty of time to see this storm blowing in and prepare for survival. And plenty of time to reach a nearby ranch before dark.”
Penny touched a hand to his arm. “Would you like me to make some fresh coffee?”
He turned toward her, shaking his head. “Thanks, but I think I’ll go back to sleep now.” He clapped a hand on her shoulder. “You should do the same.”
“I will. In a few minutes.”
Penny watched as Mac crossed the room and slid between the covers of his bunk.
She turned toward the tiny galley kitchen and nearly bumped into Sam, standing in the shadows.
“Sam.” His name came out in a whoosh as he caught her in his arms before she could slam into him.
He pressed his mouth to her ear. “Shh. Let’s not wake the entire cabin.”
His whispered words sent a cascade of fire and ice trickling along her spine.
For the space of a heartbeat she merely held on. Despite the cold, he was barefoot and naked to the waist, his jeans unsnapped and riding low on his hips.
She looked up into his face. “You scared the daylights out of me.”
“Sorry.” His mouth was inches from hers. “That was a nice thing you did for my dad.”
“It was the truth. I’m sure Mary Pat is staying at someone’s ranch, and safely out of this storm.”
“From your lips, Money…”
She smiled.
“Now, can you ease your own fears just as easily?”
She arched a brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean, you’re better at solving other people’s problems than your own.”
She shot him an arched look.
His fingers tightened on the tops of her arms and he drew her fractionally closer. “I agree that Mary Pat will find a safe shelter from this storm. And so will Curtis. All he needs is some time to grow up.”
“Like you grew up?”
Instead of getting angry, he merely smiled, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. “Yeah. I’ll remind you again. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not one of your little brothers.”
His hands were moving ever so slowly along her arms, across her shoulders, spreading warmth wherever they touched.
With that same gleam of humor he lowered his face and touched his mouth to hers.
If she’d thought he intended a sweet kiss, she was caught completely off guard when his arms came around her, molding her firmly to the length of him. His mouth moved on hers, tasting, coaxing, before taking the kiss deeper, then deeper still.
She was forced to wrap her arms around his waist and hold on to all that warm flesh as the walls began to sway. Beneath her feet the floor dipped and shifted, and she returned his kisses with a need that bordered on desperation.
By the time they came up for air, their chests were heaving, their lungs straining.
He took a deliberate step back, and she was grateful that he kept his hands on her shoulders. She knew if he let go, her trembling legs would betray her and she would slide like a jellyfish
to the floor.
When their breathing returned to normal, he framed her face with his hands and stared down into her eyes.
“I’ll say good night now. But when this cattle drive is over, we have some unfinished business, Money.”
He brushed a quick, hard kiss over her mouth before turning her toward the bunk.
“Now let’s hope we can grab an hour or two of sleep before starting the day.”
Penny climbed to the top bunk and lay with her eyes open, staring at the shadows cast by the flaming embers on the hearth.
Below her, Sam could be heard turning, sighing, before the bunk below her fell silent.
What was she going to do about him?
What had started out as a simple kiss had turned into something very different. All Sam needed to do was touch her and she became completely caught up in needs she’d never had before. The need to be held. The need to be kissed. The need to be loved fully. Completely.
Now that she had some distance from Sam, she could see just how foolish she must look to him. While he was engaging in mindless play, she was allowing herself to think about romance, and love, and happily-ever-after. She couldn’t help herself. She wasn’t the type to indulge in a brief relationship. Maybe it was the loss of her parents. Maybe it was the disintegration of her family as her brothers grew up and left. Whatever the reason, she knew in her heart she was falling hard for Sam, and when it ended, as it surely would when a teaching position opened up, she would have her heart broken.
There was only one solution. She would have to strengthen her resolve to keep her distance from him.
The next time Sam Monroe made a move, she would have to be quick enough to walk away. Even though she didn’t really want to. What she wanted, what she craved, was the very thing she would have to avoid, if she wanted to survive the winter with her heart intact.
Agitated, she lay very still and waited for sleep to take her away from her troubling thoughts.
Chapter Twelve
Miss Penny.” Otis gave a sigh of pure pleasure as he tasted the omelet Penny set in front of him. “I’m sorry you had to spend your night up here on the mountain with all of us, instead of your comfortable room back at the ranch, but I can’t help wishing you could stick around so we could start every morning like this.”
