Her Cowboy Groom (Blue Falls, Texas Book 5)
Page 8
But as she pulled the painting from the trunk, she realized the vehicle drawing near didn’t sound like Owen’s truck. Or any of the other vehicles she’d heard coming and going at the ranch since her arrival. When she glanced over her shoulder, she nearly dropped the painting.
Panic rose like bile in her throat, threatening to choke her, as she recognized the black SUV. She wanted to run into the house and hide until Michael went away, the same as she had done the day his wife delivered her life-shattering news. But he evidently wasn’t going to give up until she told him face-to-face that she never wanted to see him again. She’d never once been scared of Michael, but his determination to find her coupled with the fact that she was alone at the ranch caused a swell of unease in her.
When he stepped out onto the dusty drive in his expensive leather shoes and crisply pressed pants, he looked more out of place than a ballerina at a biker bar.
“Thank goodness I finally found you,” he said as he walked toward her.
Linnea refused to retreat, but she did place the painting between them at an angle that forced him to stay a few feet away. “Why are you here?” Even though her insides were churning, she managed to keep any hint of upset out of her voice.
“We need to talk.”
“No, we don’t.”
“You haven’t answered any of my calls.”
The way he was acting like the injured party made anger bubble up in her chest. “Perhaps that’s because I blocked your number. And maybe you need to learn to take a hint.”
“You need to let me explain.”
“Is that right? I don’t think there’s any way for you to explain the fact that you planned to marry me while you were already married.”
Beyond Michael, Linnea caught sight of another vehicle popping over the hill in the road. Her heart leaped as she realized it was Owen’s truck pulling a horse trailer. Part of her wanted to sigh in relief, but another didn’t want him to cross paths with Michael, not after he’d offered to give Michael a good beating. She wanted Michael to really listen to her and leave, even if a small part of her knew it was going to hurt all over again to watch him drive away.
“I know I messed up, but I’m here to make it all up to you. I left Danielle and filed for divorce. We can be together now just like we planned.”
She just stared at him as Owen drove past them toward the barn. “I think you missed the part where the divorce should have come first before you nearly made me into a bigamist.”
“I made a mistake, but I know you still love me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have run to the middle of nowhere because I’d hurt you.”
He didn’t actually turn up his nose at the ranch, but she heard it in his voice. “I came to the ranch because I didn’t want to see you ever again.”
“You don’t mean that.” He sounded so condescending, as if she were a little woman who didn’t know her own mind. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was as if he were a different person. Not once in the months she’d known him had he attempted to make her feel small and stupid, but he was certainly in that ballpark now. Not that she was going to allow it.
“I assure you, I mean every word. Now, I want you to turn around and leave, and never contact me again.” She turned for the house, not wanting to have to look at him one second longer.
Michael grabbed her arm, startling a gasp out of her. His fingers dug into her flesh.
“Let me go right now.”
“I’m not done talking.”
“You’d better do as she says.” Owen’s voice was deadly calm, but when Linnea looked at him approaching she saw a fury burning in his eyes.
“Move along, cowboy. This isn’t your business.”
“If you don’t remove your hand from Lin’s arm and step away, you’re going to wish you had.”
At first, Linnea didn’t think Michael was going to heed Owen’s warning. But then he must have scraped together a few shreds of common sense and released her.
Michael’s mouth pressed into a tight line as he stared at Owen. Then he shifted his gaze to Linnea. “So he’s the reason you’re avoiding me. How long have you been shacking up with him?”
Owen moved toward Michael so fast that Linnea barely had time to step between them and press her hand firmly against Owen’s chest.
“Don’t. He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.”
“Well, it’s working.”
“He’s not worth it.”
She glanced over her shoulder in time to see a satisfied smirk on Michael’s face. It was almost enough to convince her to let Owen deliver on his promise of pummeling her ex. But Michael was a man with means, connections, and she refused to be the reason he targeted Owen or any of the rest of the Brodys. When she was reasonably certain Owen wasn’t going to attack Michael, she turned around to face the man she’d almost married. Standing there looking at what must be the real Michael Benson, she couldn’t believe she’d ever even been attracted to him, let alone loved him.
“If you don’t leave within the next thirty seconds, I’m going to call the sheriff to remove you forcibly.”
Despite her threat, he stared at her for several seconds. “You’ll come to your senses soon.”
“I already have.”
She stood her ground until his vehicle made the turn onto the road and he gunned it toward town. Only then did the shaking start. That’s also when she realized she’d been holding onto the painting during the entire altercation. Her tight grip on it faltered, and she dropped it into the dirt.
Owen steadied her, one hand on her back and the other on her arm. “You okay?”
Her head swam. “I think I need to sit.”
Owen guided her to the porch steps and eased her down before kneeling in front of her. He framed the left side of her face with his hand. “Did he hurt you?”
It took her a moment to settle on an answer. In truth, she could still feel the bite of his fingers digging into her arm, but she didn’t want to say anything that might send Owen racing after him. “No, I’m fine.”
Owen’s eyes narrowed a fraction as if he knew she was lying. “I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
“It’s not your fault. I wasn’t even here when you left, and I never imagined he’d show up.” She glanced toward the road, half afraid Michael would return. “I know you might not believe this, but I’ve never seen him like that. It was as if I was witnessing a Jekyll and Hyde thing.”
“People don’t always show their true colors.”
There was more behind those words than trying to make her feel better. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”
“Maybe I am.”
Was it possible that someone had hurt Owen? He was so happy-go-lucky and known for being a class-A flirt that she’d never considered he’d ever loved and lost. Chloe hadn’t said anything about Owen being serious about anyone, but maybe she didn’t know.
Instead of asking, however, she shifted her gaze to the trailer behind his truck. A chocolate-brown horse had its head stuck out on one side. “You got another horse.”
“Yeah. I’ve had my eye on him for a while. I think he’ll make a good mount for a roper.”
When she glanced at Owen, it was almost as if she could see the gears working in his head. “You really like evaluating horses, don’t you?”
His gaze connected with hers. “What makes you say that?”
“The look you get on your face, sort of a mixture between excitement and like you’re running complex mathematical equations in your head.”
He laughed. “I guarantee it’s not the latter. Just ask Mrs. Johnston, my high school algebra teacher. I think she might have thrown a party when I passed her class.”
She smiled, imagining Owen fidgeting in a class like that. She honestly had a hard time seeing him being able to stay inside long enough to complete a full day of school. He was as much a part of the Texas landscape, in her mind, as live oak trees, mesquite and a hot western wind.
His eyes narrowed a fraction. “Are you sure you want to talk about this right now after what just happened?”
Unconsciously, she touched her arm where Michael’s fingers had dug into her flesh. “Honestly, I’d like to talk about anything but what just happened. I’d like to forget it.”
“I understand, but I don’t like the fact that he came all this way and thought he could manhandle you.”
“I let him know I wasn’t interested anymore, so he should stay away now.” She wanted to believe that, didn’t want to think that the man she’d been head over heels in love with might cause her harm. Deep down she wasn’t so sure, but she hoped that was only her insecurity whispering to her and not an actual threat.
Owen reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. She tried not to think about how much she liked the strong, work-roughened feel of it. Still, she found herself hoping he didn’t release her any time soon. While she was typically very independent and capable of taking care of herself, Michael’s appearance had shaken her and she latched onto the protected feeling she got sitting next to Owen.
“So, the rodeo stock?”
Owen ran his thumb across her knuckles as he glanced toward the horse trailer. “I rode the amateur rodeo circuit for a while. I enjoyed it, but not enough to really do it full-time and try to make the big time. I was waiting my turn to ride one night when I started assessing the strengths and weaknesses of all the other riders’ horses. That’s when I realized I was more interested in the animals than riding them.”
“Makes sense that you’d like animals, since you grew up on a ranch.”
“Yeah, but the focus here has always been more on the cattle, not the horses.”
“Maybe you can change that, diversify.”
He stopped his absent rubbing of her hand and looked straight into her eyes. “That’s exactly what I want to do. It makes more financial sense to me.”
“Plus, it’s something that actually interests you.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love the ranch. It’s home.”
She placed her hand atop his. “Owen, you don’t have to explain to me. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to forge your own path. I actually think it’s smart—for your happiness as well as financially.”
Linnea noticed the look of surprise on his face. “What?”
“You’re amazing.”
Those two words sent a wave of warmth through her, making her smile. “I can’t imagine why.”
“Because most women would be sitting here freaking out about Michael right now. Instead, you’re able to see something no one ever has.”
“Well, first off, freaking out isn’t going to do me any good at all. And I’m sure your family knows what your dream is and supports it.”
“Maybe on some level, but you seem like you believe I might actually succeed.”
“Why would I believe otherwise? The world is full of stories of people finding their passion and turning it into successful business ventures.”
He looked as though he was on the verge of saying something else when the sound of an engine caught their attention. Linnea hated to admit it, but a moment of panic welled within her. Owen must have felt her tense, because he squeezed her hand.
“It’s only Chloe.” With that realization, he released her and stood. “If you’re okay, I better unload the horse and get him situated in the barn.”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
Owen’s eyes met hers again, and her heart fluttered.
“No, thank you,” he said.
She was so busy telling herself to look away from him as he turned and walked toward the barn that it took her several seconds to realize how much feeling he’d put into that thank-you. Did he really not think anyone believed in him? Was he right?
Chloe pulled to a quick stop not far from the porch and hopped out of her car. As she approached, Linnea saw what looked like concern on her face.
“You saw Michael, didn’t you?”
Chloe stopped in her tracks. “Yes, he came to the clinic, wanted me to ‘talk some sense into you,’” she said, using air quotes. “Lin, he...”
“Didn’t seem like the same man who proposed to me? Yeah, I know.”
“Are you okay? He sort of freaked me out.”
“You’re not the only one.” Linnea glanced toward the barn, where Owen was leading the new horse out of the trailer. She might be afraid to get too close to the animals, but she knew a gorgeous piece of horseflesh when she saw it. And a gorgeous man, too. “Luckily, Owen got home when he did.”
“You were here alone when Michael showed up?”
“Briefly. But I’m okay. He’s gone, hopefully for good.” She realized she’d been staring at Owen too long when Chloe went quiet, so she shifted her attention to her friend.
Chloe glanced toward her brother before eyeing Linnea. “Is something going on?”
Linnea searched for a plausible explanation for why she’d been staring at Owen. “I just have conflicted feelings about what happened. I don’t like to be the type of woman who depends on a man, but I can’t deny that I felt safer when your brother drove up.”
Chloe seemed to accept the explanation. “You know Owen and Garrett would do anything for you. You’ve always been like another sister to them.”
That was nice, but Linnea hadn’t been thinking sisterly thoughts toward the youngest Brody sibling. In the depths of her own mind she could acknowledge that as she’d watched him walk toward the barn, she was wondering what it would be like to strip his clothes off and take a proverbial roll in the hay.
She stood before Chloe could see the rush of heat invading her cheeks. “I need to go check in with Katrina.”
“Okay, but if you need anything, even just to talk, call me.”
“I will. Sorry you came over here for nothing.”
“Don’t be silly. I have to make sure my bestie doesn’t need me to open up a can of whoop-ass.”
Linnea laughed at Chloe’s fighter stance. “I think you’d scare him off just doing that.” She gestured toward Chloe’s raised fists and leg seemingly ready to do a side kick. “What is that, anyway?”
Chloe lowered her leg to the ground. “Okay, so maybe I’d just run over him with my car.”
Linnea thought she’d dealt with Michael’s disturbing appearance at the ranch pretty well until she was alone in the guest bedroom a few minutes later. The shaking started again, and she hugged herself and paced to try to make it stop. Never could she have imagined she would be worried about being alone with Michael. Only a short time ago, it had been the perfect way to end a long day. She stared at herself in the full-length mirror and shook her head. How could she have gotten it so wrong with him?
To try to take her mind off Michael, she called Katrina to check how things were going. After they talked business for a few minutes, Linnea sensed Katrina was holding something back.
“What is it?”
“I sold your dress this morning.”
Even though Linnea had been the one to tell Katrina to sell it as quickly as she could, the news still felt like a punch in the chest. She didn’t need or even want it or Michael anymore. It was just one more thread severed from the life she’d thought she was about to embark on.
It was time to chart a new course. Did that include making the move to Blue Falls? Or did it show more strength to return to Dallas and get on with the business of living the life she’d built there?
Linnea stared out the window toward the barn, but Owen wasn’t where she could see him. That was probably a good thing. She didn’t need a good-looking cowboy clouding her already compromised judgment.
Katrina didn’t ask when Linnea was coming back to work, and Linnea didn’t offer, because she honestly didn’t know. All she knew was that just thinking abo
ut the shop space in downtown Blue Falls was exciting. So was remembering what Owen looked like coming to her defense—fierce, determined, strong and sexy as hell.
After ending the call, she leaned her forehead against the windowpane. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about Owen and the feel of his hand on her cheek, holding her hand, wrapping her in his arms so she could cry out her pain. Her mind was telling her that she needed to push all thoughts of Owen Brody away, but her body wasn’t getting the message. Whether it was just a reaction to having her plans for happiness shattered or a genuine attraction, she wanted to find out what Owen was hiding underneath those Wranglers.
Chapter Seven
The new horse tossed his head, as if to show how annoyed he was by Owen’s clumsy efforts to get him unsaddled. Owen couldn’t blame the animal. His mind had been about as far away from training as possible as he’d ridden through some mock roping runs. His gaze had kept going to the house and the road, making sure Michael didn’t return.
He’d allowed Linnea to stop him from slugging Michael earlier, but he still burned with the need to do exactly that. The ass deserved it for how he’d treated Linnea.
But it wasn’t just chivalry and protectiveness making him stick around the main part of the ranch instead of riding out to meet up with Garrett and his dad. Something new and honestly a little scary was stirring inside him every time he was around Linnea. It was as if he was seeing her with a different set of eyes, ones that looked beyond the fact that he’d known her for years to the fact that she was a beautiful, desirable woman. To be honest, he’d been fighting off that desire since she went into the house. It was a small miracle she hadn’t noticed the effect being near her had on him when they were sitting on the front steps. Add in that she evidently believed he’d be successful in his horse training venture, and damn if he hadn’t wanted to carry her inside straight to his bed.