The Cowboy

by Joan Johnston

  “Has Mr. Blackthorne been notified that his son was injured?” the nurse asked Callie.

  “Uh. No,” she replied.

  “I’ll take care of that,” the nurse promised.

  Callie wanted to ask the woman not to call Blackjack, but she wasn’t sure how serious Trace’s injuries were. What if he was dying? Trace would want his family with him. Even if they were Blackthornes.

  Hannah had already been examined before they arrived and deemed not to be any the worse for wear—except for a few singed hairs. Sam and Luke had taken her home, while Callie waited at the hospital for news of Trace.

  “Mrs. Blackthorne?”

  Callie didn’t realize at first who the doctor was addressing. Then she remembered she’d told the hospital she was Trace’s wife to ensure she’d be kept informed of his condition. “Yes,” she said, rising from her chair. “What is it, doctor? Is Trace all right?”

  “The few burns he has are superficial, but he seems to have breathed a great deal of smoke,” the doctor said.

  Callie waited for an explanation. The doctor cleared his throat and continued.

  “We’re not sure yet of the extent of the damage to your husband’s lungs. There’s some upper airway edema, but I don’t see the need yet to intubate him. We’ll know more over the next twenty-four hours. He regained consciousness—”

  “He’s awake?” Callie interrupted, unable to contain her excitement.

  “He was awake, but we’ve sedated him and moved him to a private room where he can be watched for signs of difficulty breathing.”

  “I want to stay with him,” Callie said.

  “He won’t know you’re there,” the doctor said in a gentle voice.

  “I want to stay with him,” she repeated.

  “Very well. The nurse can tell you which room he’s in.”

  Callie followed the nurse to Trace’s room and sank into the chair beside his bed. It was soothing to hear the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor. Trace was alive. He’d regained consciousness, if only briefly. Callie knew he’d get well. Nothing could go wrong now. It just couldn’t. Because if he survived—and if he still wanted her—she had made up her mind to go with him to Australia.

  “How is he?”

  Callie was startled by the sound of Blackjack’s voice, when she hadn’t heard the door opening or closing. “He’s been sedated,” she replied. “They don’t know yet how bad the damage is to his lungs.”

  Blackjack exhaled as he sank back against the closed door.

  Callie noticed the deep lines in his forehead, the creases on either side of his mouth, the gray pallor of his skin. “Are you all right?”

  He patted a hand against his heart. “I just got a little scare when the call came. That’s all.” He straightened and crossed to Trace’s bedside. He put a hand out to touch his son’s cheek.

  Callie found it difficult to watch the tender gesture. It made Blackjack seem human, when he’d been the bogeyman all her life.

  “Are you going to stay here when he leaves for Australia?” Blackjack asked.

  Callie was surprised by the question. Confused about what to say. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

  He lifted his brow. “We’re talking about my son. That makes it my business. And, of course, I’m always interested in anything that might hurt Three Oaks.”

  Callie felt her blood chill. “Why are you saying something you know will make me want to stay here? Don’t you want your son to be happy?”

  “I don’t want my son to go at all,” Blackjack replied.

  “You’re wrong if you think he’ll stay here in Texas on my account,” Callie said. “Trace has already made it clear he’s going back home to Australia.”

  She’d used the word home on purpose, to hurt Blackjack, but a flicker of annoyance was the only response she got.

  “I think you underestimate your hold on my son,” Blackjack said. “If you stick to your guns, he’ll come around.”

  “I’ll bear that in mind,” Callie said. “I think you ought to know that even if I decide to go with him, you won’t have an easy time getting your hands on Three Oaks.”

  “It was clever of you to get Trace to pay the inheritance taxes,” Blackjack conceded. “And it was a good move to get him to split the winnings from the Futurity. But that barely gets Three Oaks out of the red.”

  Callie smiled. “But we are, in fact, out of the red. And now that my brother Sam is back in the saddle, so to speak, things will run more smoothly and efficiently.”

  “If you say so.”

  “And my mother—”

  “Yes. About your mother.”

  Callie’s chin came up. “What about her?”

  “I heard a rumor she’s gone back to training cutting horses.”

  “She has,” Callie confirmed. “What about it?”

  “It seems providential, since I now have a breeding operation, to have a trainer in such close proximity.”

  Callie stared at Blackjack, her eyes going wide as understanding dawned. “Are you suggesting that you might hire my mother to train your cutting horses?”

  “Why not?” Blackjack said. “I imagine Three Oaks can use the money.”

  And he would have an excuse to see her mother. Callie felt sick. “You have to stay away from her,” she whispered.

  Blackjack met Callie’s gaze and said, “I can’t.”

  “If you love my mother so damned much, why didn’t you marry her the first time you had the chance?” Callie blurted. The instant the words were out of her mouth, she wished them back. But it was too late for that.

  “I made a mistake,” Blackjack admitted. “A tragic mistake. I didn’t realize what was really important until it was too late. I’ve regretted it ever since.” He looked Callie straight in the eye and said, “For my son’s sake, I hope you don’t make the same mistake.”

  Callie turned away from Blackjack’s intense gaze to stare at Trace. The chance for a lifetime together with the one person he loved above all others had come and gone for Blackjack. But it wasn’t too late for her and Trace. There was still a chance they could have a wonderful life together. If she would just reach out and grab for it.

  Chapter 21

  CALLIE KEPT VIGIL AT TRACE’S BEDSIDE THE rest of the day, doing her best to cope with the visits from his family. His brother Owen couldn’t stay long, but his sister came and spent most of the afternoon keeping Callie company.

  “I have to go,” Summer said at last. “There’s ranch business that needs attention. Dad doesn’t think he depends on me,” she said with a wink. “But he does. Good luck, Callie. Tell Trace to bring all of you with him for Christmas dinner.”

  Callie couldn’t imagine such a thing, Christmas dinner at the Castle, but rather than argue, she merely said, “I’ll be sure to mention it to him.”

  She had spent several hours sitting alone at Trace’s bedside, with nothing to do but think, when the doctor finally arrived. He did a quick examination and announced that the edema in Trace’s lungs was no worse, so he was taking him off the sedative. “He should wake up soon. You can expect his voice to be a little hoarse, but otherwise, he should make a speedy recovery.”

  Callie was glad Trace’s family had come and gone and that she would be alone with him when he woke up. She had something very important to say to him.

  “Callie.” Trace sounded like he had laryngitis, his voice cracked and husky.

  Callie stood and reached out to grasp his hand. “How are you feeling?”

  “Chest hurts,” he said, as he forced himself into a sitting position in bed.

  “Next time, try not to breathe so much smoke,” Callie teased gently, as she rearranged the pillows behind him.

  “Hannah?”

  Callie squeezed his hand reassuringly and said, “She’s fine. She’s at home. Thank you, Trace.”

  “Couldn’t let anything … happen to one of my girls,” he rasped, as he smiled at her.

  It sound
ed like it hurt for him to talk. “You rest, and let me do the talking.”

  Callie took a fortifying breath and said, “I love you, Trace.” It was amazingly easy. She couldn’t imagine why she hadn’t said it before.

  “I love you,” she repeated. “With my whole heart and soul. I want to share my life with you. I want us to make a new home together, wherever it may be.”

  He closed his eyes and made a gurgling sound in his throat. She watched tears seep out from beneath his closed lids and leaned over to kiss them away.

  “I want to come with you to Australia … if you’ll still have me.”

  He opened his eyes, and she felt her heart leap at his look of unfettered joy.

  “I love you, Callie,” he said in a gravelly voice. “I’ll take you any way I can get you.”

  She laughed as he reached out to pull her into his embrace. She held on tight, realizing how close she had come to losing him.

  “I want to give you a kiss worthy of the moment,” Trace said. “But I don’t think I can hold my breath that long.”

  Callie laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t ever forget this moment,” she said. “Even without the kiss.”

  Trace laughed with her, then stopped when he ran out of air. When he coughed, it sounded like his insides were coming out.

  “Trace? Are you all right?”

  He put a hand to his chest. “I’ll be fine,” he said. “Nothing can keep me down now. I—” He stopped himself in mid-sentence and looked at her. “What about Eli? What does he have to say about all this?”

  “He’s the one who suggested we ought to make a new home in Australia. He’s anxious to see a kangaroo.”

  “I think I can manage that,” Trace said with a wry smile. He paused and said, “What about Three Oaks, Callie?”

  “Three Oaks will survive without me.” It had taken her a long time to come to terms with that fact. “Mom and Sam and Luke can handle things now. Especially since your father plans to hire my mother to train his cutting horses.”

  Trace lifted a singed eyebrow in astonishment. “He does?”

  Callie nodded. “I think he wants to help her, if he can.”

  “And you don’t have a problem with that?”

  “Not anymore,” Callie said.

  “I can hardly believe you’re finally mine,” Trace said.

  “All yours,” Callie confirmed. “Completely and totally, now and forever, yours.”

  “Hey, Trace!” Eli shouted as he came charging through the door.

  “Hey, Trace!” Hannah echoed.

  The two children galloped the short distance from the door to the bed. Eli settled himself beside Trace on the bed, and Hannah climbed into his lap.

  “Are you okay?” Eli asked.

  “Are you okay?” Hannah parroted.

  “I’m fine,” Trace said, gathering the children into his widespread arms. “How about the two of you?”

  “We’re fine,” Eli said. “Hannah’s got some singed hair.”

  Hannah reached up to touch a wiry curl. “From the fire,” she informed him.

  Callie watched as Trace leaned down to kiss Hannah’s blond curls. “They’ll grow back in no time,” he said.

  “Are we going to Australia?” Eli asked.

  “Are we going to see kangaroos?” Hannah asked.

  “Yes and yes,” Trace answered.

  “Wow!” Eli exclaimed. “This is gonna be neat. Wait till I tell all my friends.” He slid off the bed and headed for the door.

  “I gotta tell Grandma,” Hannah said, sliding off the bed after him.

  Eli stopped at the door and said, “It’s all right, Trace. Mom told me.”

  “Told you what?” Trace asked.

  “How you didn’t know I was your kid. So I’m not mad at you anymore for leaving me. I think it’s kind of neat that you’re my dad, if you want to know the truth. Dad.”

  “I see,” Trace said.

  Callie saw the tears brimming in Trace’s eyes and reached out to grasp his hand. He clutched her hand tightly in return, though his gaze remained riveted on Eli.

  “I’m not mad at you, either, Dad,” Hannah said.

  Trace smiled. “Thank you, Hannah.”

  They were out the door a moment later.

  “I guess that settles that,” Callie said. “We’re going to Australia.”

  “We’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for,” Trace said as he gazed after the two children.

  “We’ll manage somehow,” Callie replied. “Your sister invited all of us to the Castle for Christmas dinner.”

  Trace raised a brow. “How do you feel about that?”

  “I think it’s going to give your father another heart attack to have two active children racing around the house.”

  “You’re forgetting my parents raised four children of their own.”

  “I guess so,” Callie replied. It was hard to imagine Trace’s mother and father as parents. She’d thought of them for so long as “the enemy.” Now they were her children’s grandparents. “None of this is going to be easy,” Callie murmured.

  “I never promised it would be,” Trace said. “But we can do it together, Callie. It’ll be easier with time.”

  “And distance,” Callie pointed out. “Don’t forget the distance.”

  “We’ll come back to Texas for visits,” he said. “And there’s no reason why your family can’t come to visit us in Australia.”

  Except, Callie knew, there was always more work to do at Three Oaks than there were people to do it. She couldn’t imagine her mother or sister or brothers finding the time to get away for a trip halfway around the world.

  It was finally dawning on Callie just what she was giving up for a life with Trace. Not just the home she loved, but the close ties with her family.

  Trace seemed to be reading her thoughts, because he said, “You can call them on the phone, Callie. You can e-mail them or write letters. There will be visits. But no, it won’t be the same. We’ll be a long way from civilization. Do you still want to come? Have you changed your mind?”

  Callie felt the tension in his hand where he gripped hers. She knew what he was asking. It would be harder on everybody if she said yes now and changed her mind later. It would be better, if she had reservations, to let him leave without her.

  “I won’t take Eli if you decide not to come,” he said quietly. “I’ll leave him here with you. So you don’t have to come, Callie. Not unless you want to.”

  “What?” Callie was confused by Trace’s abrupt turnaround.

  “You heard me,” he said, his voice even rougher with the edge of tension in it. “I won’t take him away from you. Eli can stay in Texas with you, if you don’t want to come with me.”

  He was giving her the freedom to choose, without the threat of losing her son if she didn’t choose him. Callie pulled herself free of Trace’s hand. “You mean, I can stay here, and you won’t take Eli away from me?” she repeated.

  Trace nodded soberly.

  “Oh, Trace.” Callie didn’t have to think twice. The answer filled her heart and mind and soul. “I’m coming. We’re all coming. The whole family’s coming, me and Eli and Hannah!”

  “I love you, Callie.”

  “And I love you.”

  His lips sought hers, and they came together, two ragged halves of one perfect whole.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  *Those of you who have read my Captive Hearts series set in Regency England are no doubt wondering how Blackthorne became the last name of my Texas family, when Wharton is the family name of the Dukes of Blackthorne. I’ve mentioned in The Cowboy that the first Blackthorne in America was called simply “Blackthorne,” which would have been a common way of referring to the duke in England. I’ve taken the creative license of having Blackthorne become his surname in the American West, where no one asked about a stranger’s past or whether he had any other name beyond the one he gave them.

  *I’ve made up my own names for the cutti
ng horses in The Cowboy, using as my guide the names of horses that are presently among the winners in cutting horse circles. However, the horses in my story are entirely fictitious.

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  I hope you enjoyed reading about Trace and Callie as much as I enjoyed writing about them! The Cowboy is the first in a trilogy of novels about the Blackthorne and Creed families set in Bitter Creek, Texas. In the second book of the trilogy, Texas Ranger Owen Blackthorne matches wits—and trades kisses—with Bayleigh Creed.

  If you’d like to read more about the Blackthorne family, look for my Captive Hearts series set in Regency England, which includes Captive, After the Kiss, The Bodyguard, and The Bridegroom. For those of you intrigued by the creeds and Coburns, you’ll find their history chronicled in my Sisters of the Lone Star trilogy, Frontier Woman, Comanche Woman, and Texas Woman.

  I very much appreciate hearing your comments and suggestions. You can contact me through my website at www.joanjohnston.com, or find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/joanjohnstonauthor. I look forward to hearing from you!

  Happy trails,

  Joan Johnston