Her Fated Cowboy (Harland County Series)

by Donna Michaels

  “Damn it. I am not going to do that again.” She swiped at her cheeks and turned to face the ocean.

  Feeling lower than she had in years, Jordan sank to her knees and squeezed back more tears. She was returning to California in two days. Two days.

  What am I going to do?

  She’d hoped Cole would’ve come to his senses by now, but judging by the way he avoided looking at her when they ended up in the same room, she knew he’d made up his mind to shut her out. The cold tyrant was back...and his indifference hurt like hell.

  Dragging in a shaky breath, she opened her eyes and watched absently as Ember grazed nearby. Hoof beats pounded in the distance, the sound hitting her ears and stopping her heart. Cole? She jumped to her feet. No. Connor. Pulse returning to normal, she slumped back against the tree as he approached.

  “Jordan, I thought that was you,” he said pleasantly as he dismounted and sent his steed to graze near hers.

  “Hello, Connor,” she greeted, determined to keep the disappointment from her voice. “What brings you out here?”

  He frowned. “I’ll be honest with you, Jordan. It’s about Cole.”

  Heart flopping, she vaulted upright. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?”

  “He’s okay, Jordan. Nothing happened—at least not physically.” He gasped both her arms and lightly squeezed. “I was just hoping you could enlighten me as to my brother’s strange behavior the past three days. And yours too, for that matter,” he added, looking at her through narrowed eyes.

  The lump in her throat kept her quiet.

  “I mean the two of you were so cozy the first few days and now you’re barely in the same room for more than five seconds. What gives?” He released her to cross his arms over his chest. His normally friendly, pleasant gaze was serious and intense.

  No sense in making something up, the cowboy was too astute. She lifted her shoulders. “I wish I knew, Connor. Those first four days were incredible and now Cole expects me to forget them and go on with my life as I did before.” She tossed her hands in the air while tears filled her eyes. “Well, I can’t do that. I didn’t do such a good job of forgetting Cole before, except for Eric. But this time it’s worse. Much, much worse.”

  Gaze full of compassion, Connor remained silent.

  She walked to Ember and stroked the mare’s flowing mane. “God, Connor.” Her hands stilled and she turned in his direction, unable to keep the ache from her voice. “What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to go on without him?”

  In two strides, he was at her side, wrapping his strong arms around her, pulling her against his broad chest. “It’ll be okay, Jordan. You’ll see.”

  Calmed by his strength and his friendly embrace, she looked up at him. “You sound so sure.”

  “I am sure, darlin’.” He brushed the hair from her cheek as he spoke. “Because from what you’ve just told me, Cole is running scared right now. Give him some time and he’ll come to his senses.” He winked down at her.

  She hiccupped. “It didn’t work the last time.”

  He tapped her nose. “Because you were both very young.” His confidence and gesture made her smile. “That’s better. Just trust me, Jordan. I know my brother. His feelings for you are very strong.”

  “I know.” Nodding, she pulled in a breath. “That’s why this hurts so much.”

  He snorted. “My brother is in for a rude awakening if he thinks his feelings for you are going to disappear when you go back to California.”

  “I told him that.” She eyed Connor. It almost sounded as if he was speaking from experience. Putting her troubles aside, she placed her hands on his shoulders and reached up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “You know, Connor, you’re something else. Those ex-fiancés of yours were damn fools. Don’t you for one minute think those breakups were all your fault.”

  He dropped her gaze and cleared his throat. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled for the second time in three days. And both had happened in the last two minutes, thanks to the Marlboro man.

  He nodded and ambled to his horse. “Just, remember what I said, Jordan. Don’t give up on Cole.” He swung his large frame into the saddle. “He’ll come to his senses just give him some time.”

  “I will, Connor. I’ve waited almost eleven years already, what’s a few more weeks?” She believed this down to her toes, and yet…

  Her throat heated. What if she was wrong?

  When the silver Subaru drew to a stop, Jordan ran to greet its occupants. Smiling, she helped Megan from the front seat and looked at her friend’s swollen belly.

  “Not much longer now, huh, sweetheart?”

  “I sure hope not,” came Shawn’s impassioned reply from the other side of the vehicle.

  She laughed and met him in front of the car for a hug. “Are you trying to say she’s getting hard to live with?”

  Shawn put his hands up. “I am not going there.” His gaze fell lovingly on his wife. “No, she’s been wonderful through all of this.”

  Pain crushed Jordan’s already flattened heart. She turned her attention to the barking in the back seat and opened the door. Kneeling down, she hugged her dog, tight. God, she’d missed him. She rubbed his belly then hugged him some more, while Bullet whined and lavished her with love for a good two minutes.

  “It’s good to see you too, boy.” She held him close and fought back tears. Time for that later. She swallowed and stood to walk her friends to the veranda where everyone sat sipping lemonade.

  “Megan, Shawn. I’m so glad you could make it.” Her mother shot to her feet and greeted them with a hug as they stepped onto the porch.

  “Yes, it wouldn’t be the same without you here,” her father said, standing behind her mother.

  “Oh, we wouldn’t miss it.” Megan beamed, elbowing Shawn. “Right, honey?”

  “Right.” He nodded, rubbing his gut. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. McCall.” Turning to the other couple, he extended his hand.

  “It’s nice to have you here, son.” Mr. McCall pumped Shawn’s arm and slapped his shoulder while Mrs. McCall gingerly hugged Megan.

  “So nice to finally meet you.”

  “Likewise,” Megan said with a grin.

  Jordan scratched her temple. The way they all greeted, you’d swear they’d talked before. Which was ridiculous, of course…wasn’t it? She stepped forward, eager to get through the rest of the introductions.

  “Kerri’s inside cooking so let—.”

  “Where else would she be?” Her friend cut her off and chuckled.

  “Indeed,” Connor said under his breath.

  Megan’s gaze flew to hers and she slowly raised a brow.

  Jordan swallowed a snort. Yeah, that’s the cowboy. “Connor, I’d like you to meet my friend Megan and her husband, Shawn.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am. Shawn,” he said, shaking each of their hands.

  “Ma’am? I’ve never been called that before.”

  “That’s a darn shame,” Connor said, tipping his hat. “A pretty, married woman like you deserves some respect.”

  Well I’ll be… A flush crept into her friend’s cheeks, deepening the green of her eyes.

  “I could get used to it here.” Megan turned to touch her husband’s arm. “Texas is good for my ego.”

  “And I’m not?” Shawn frowned.

  “Of course you are, but you have to say things like that to me. You’re my husband.”

  Megan patted Shawn’s arm and his gaze softened to a look of complete devotion. Jordan’s inside squeezed tight. Deep breaths… She shifted her stance to combat the pain and glanced over at Cole.

  He stood just outside of the crowd, regarding her with the bleakest expression she’d ever seen. Her heart lurched but shouldn’t have bothered because his cold mask immediately fell into place.

  “You must be, Cole.” Shawn stepped forward, taking the lead again.

  “Yes.” Cole shook his hand. “How was your drive in?”

>   “Surprisingly good.”

  “Good?” Megan snorted, one hand on her belly the other rubbing her back. “Not from where I was sitting, watermelon pressing my bladder every time we hit a pebble. Yeah, it was a complete joy ride.”

  “Sorry, hun.” Shawn dropped an arm around her shoulder and drew her near. “I’ll do my best to avoid the pebbles on the way home. Okay?” He kissed the top of her head then turned to Cole. “This beautiful, pregnant ball of fun is my wife, Megan.”

  “Nice to meet you, Megan,” Cole said, shaking her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Yeah? I’ve heard a lot about you, too.” Her gaze shot to Jordan, flush back in her cheeks again. “You’re right, Jordan, they do grow them big in Texas.”

  The McCall’s laughed, along with her parents, Shawn and Connor. Jordan did her best to turn her lips up appropriately, noticing Cole had trouble doing the same.

  “Okay,” Mrs. McCall said, clasping her hands. “Let me show you to your room. I’m sure you’d like to freshen up, or perhaps, stretch out after that long drive.”

  She ushered them inside and everyone retook their seats. Jordan settled down next to her father, Bullet immediately dropping to lie at her feet. The warmth of his fur on her ankle was a comfort and she happily stroked his broad head.

  “Thanks, again for allowing Bullet to visit,” she told Mr. McCall.

  “No problem, Jordan. He’s quite an animal,” he exclaimed, admiring the dog.

  “Yes, he’s something else.” A smile tugged her lips as Bullet looked up with unconditional love and happily wagged his tail. “Eric and I adopted him through the K-9 unit of our precinct. He was past his prime and retired out with honors. I’m very lucky to have him.”

  Especially these past two years. Bullet had been a rock and a constant companion through some very rough times. She glanced at Cole from under her lashes. Her chest tightened. More tough times loomed ahead. She was going to need to lean on Bullet once again.

  Leaving his perch by her side, he padded over to Cole, placed his head on a jean clad knee and whimpered.

  Startled, Cole looked at her for an explanation. She had none. Bullet had never done that before. Could he tell the man held the pieces of her heart? Sense their connection?

  The rest of the evening was pleasant but Jordan was thankful to escape the weight of Cole’s silence and walk into her bedroom that night. Coming out of the bathroom, she spotted Bullet sprawled out on the floor at the foot of her bed, as if he’d been there for years. She stopped dead, struck by how comfortable he was at the ranch. Sensing her attention, he sat up and wagged his tail.

  She put her hands on her hips. “Look at you. You look like King Farouche.” Bullet’s wagging tail swayed his back end as he trotted to her. She knelt down and received her own wet praise. Laughing, she scratched under his collar. “I’ve missed you boy. I’ve missed you so much.” Hugging him, she allowed her tears to fall. “I’ve done it again, Bullet. Just when I thought I put all the pieces back together, my heart is shattered again.”

  Whimpering, he turned his head to lick her tears. She swallowed and pulled back to look him in the eyes. “I know I’ve left you twice, boy, but I’m not going to leave you again. Just you and me, pal.” She received a kiss as a reward.

  A knock rattled her door, causing a small growl from Bullet and a racing heart in Jordan. Maybe it was Cole. She swiped her face, straightened her clothes and rushed to the door.

  Disappointment flooded her body but she forced her lips to smile at her friend. “Hi, Megan, come in.”

  Tail wagging, Bullet nudged Megan’s hand. She bent slightly to rub his head.

  “Judging by her reaction,” her friend talked to the dog as if she wasn’t there, “Jordan was hoping for someone else, boy. Who could that be?”

  Bullet whimpered.

  Shaking her head, Jordan headed to the chair, leaving the sofa for her pregnant friend. She knew Megan was dying to talk about the infamous McCall brothers after hearing about them all these years.

  “Well? What are your thoughts, Megan? Come on. I know you’re dying to dish.”

  Once seated, her friend’s green eyes became as big as saucers. “Holy manflesh! No wonder the two of you used to chase these guys.” She fanned herself with her hand and lowered her voice. “I couldn’t say anything in front of Shawn of course. He wouldn’t understand it’s just a girly reaction but…wow!”

  Jordan laughed. “Yeah, Cole and Connor seem to have that affect on women.”

  Megan snapped a sober gaze to her. “So, what’s going on between you and Cole? He’s reserved when you’re looking but when you’re not, it’s a whole other program,” her friend informed with a shake of her red curls.

  This was news to Jordan. She searched Megan’s face as if it held the answers, then realized her friend was waiting for her to reply. She drew in a breath and sat back. “I think he’s afraid to love again.”

  “Then he’s a fool. Doesn’t he know how lucky he’d be to have you?”

  Damn those tears.

  She swallowed. “I guess not.”

  Megan softened her tone. “You’ve done more than kiss this time, haven’t you?”

  “Yes.” She couldn’t bring herself to say more. Jordan sighed as she wiped her wet face, then patted Bullet who’d come to see why she was upset.

  “So? What’s the problem?”

  “That is the problem,” Jordan corrected. “The connection we have is strong. It can be all consuming and I think that’s what he’s afraid of. He said he’s putting a stop to things before it’s too late.”

  Megan reached out and touched her arm. “It’s already too late, isn’t it?”

  “Hell yeah…at least it is for me. But I’ll tell you, Megan. Cole’s going to find it just as hard to live without me. He just doesn’t know it yet.” She finished with a small laugh and a whole lot of hope.

  “You’ve got that right, honey.” Megan’s chin lifted. “The way he looks at you when you’re not looking is as if he’s trying to memorize everything about you.”

  “I keep telling myself to be patient and he’ll come to his senses. I just hope that it happens before we leave on Sunday.” She closed her eyes and swallowed.

  “Well, then. I suggest you use your time wisely. You know, show him what he’s going to be missing.” Megan snickered.

  Jordan’s eyes flew open. Her friend’s words made enormous sense. “You’re absolutely right, Megan. Not counting tonight, I’ve only got one night left—and hell if I’ll go softly.”

  Megan slapped Jordan’s knee. “Good for you! Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m feeling a bit tired,” she said, and promptly yawned.

  “Yes. You go get some sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ve some planning to do.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cole wasn’t at the bottom of the stairs when Jordan came down for the party the following evening. Why should he be? They weren’t together. The party was for her parents. It was her mom and dad who stood there greeting the guests as they arrived.

  She put on a bright smile and hugged them. “Happy Fortieth, Mom and Dad.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart. And thank you again for the cruise.” Her dad smiled.

  Jordan and Kerri had privately presented them with their gift two hours ago. “Well, the two of you deserve it. And since your present situation finds you in between homes, it seemed like the perfect gift.” She squeezed their hands.

  “You look lovely tonight, honey,” her mom said.

  Smiling, she pushed Jordan’s hair over her shoulder, worn loose and styled to bounce with fat curls—courtesy of Megan’s hot rollers.

  “Thank you.”

  “And this color is perfect for you.”

  Jordan glanced down at her mauve organza dress cut to hug her bodice and accentuate her cleavage.

  “Cole doesn’t know what he’s missing.” Her mother touched her cheek. “Don’t look so shocked. I know there’s something going on between t
he two of you but I won’t pry—for now.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  The door opened, saving her from having to say anything further. Leaving her parents to greet the new arrivals, she headed toward the outdoor party, alone.

  Stepping onto the patio, her gaze immediately drew to Cole’s commanding presence. Impeccable black suit, another white shirt like the one…

  She inhaled and lifted her chin. I can do this.

  With his back to her, he was leaning on the bar, talking to Connor, Kevin, Shawn and Megan. A moment later, his spine stiffened and he slowly straightened from the bar to stand tall.

  Jordan willed him to turn around and held her breath when he did. Dark eyes widened a fraction before he turned away and downed his drink in one gulp.

  Good, McCall. I’m just getting started. Keeping his dark head and broad shoulders in her sight, she strolled straight for him.

  “Jordan, you look incredible.” It was the heartfelt compliment she wanted to hear but from the wrong handsome Texan.

  “Thank you, Kevin.” She smiled and looked him over when she reached the group. Dressed in a cobalt blue dress shirt and navy pants, he could stop traffic. “You look quite dapper yourself.”

  “Jordan always looks great.” Megan’s smile held mischief. “Back in college, you should have seen how many fake drownings they had at the beach on the days she worked. They kept a record and the only thing those days had in common was Jordan Masters on lifeguard duty.”

  Kevin winked. “Can’t say as I blame them.”

  “Maybe those California guys aren’t as dumb as they look, no offense Shawn.” Connor grinned.

  “None taken.” Shawn lifted his beer and laughed. “Eric was smitten the first time she walked into that classroom. He said it felt as if someone sucker-punched him in the gut.”

  “Okay. You can all stop talking as if I’m not here.” Jordan noted Cole was the only one to remain silent. In fact, he hadn’t even turned to look at her. Undeterred, she leaned between him and Connor, making sure to brush against him as she asked the bartender for a glass of wine.