Come Closer, Cowboy

by Debbi Rawlins

  “Brave woman asking me that.”

  “Brave or stupid.”

  His gaze intensified, making her skin prickle.

  “What?” she said, her mouth starting to go dry. “Stop it.”

  “You have any idea what I want to do to you right now?” He’d lowered his deep voice until it was gravelly and sexy, making her so hot that she wanted to crawl out of her own skin.

  She hung in there, refusing to break eye contact, but he was so going to pay for this. Later. When she had him alone.

  Jeez. She’d been holding her breath and didn’t know it. When she finally exhaled, she sounded like a damn steam engine. This had to stop. “I have some good news,” she said. “The electrician said the stage is almost ready. He has just one more thing to do. And the singer from Boot Stompin’ called. They’re starting next Friday night.”

  “That’s great, sweetheart.” His hand moved toward hers then stopped.

  Dammit, she wanted to touch him, too. So why didn’t she? “I don’t know about a second night yet. We’ve agreed on two months to see how it works out for them to drive this far.”

  He glanced toward the back. “Is this the busiest you’ve been tonight?”

  “We had about thirty customers at one point. I counted seventeen a few minutes ago.”

  “Not bad.”

  “Some of the crew from that miniseries are here. Camera guys maybe, but I’m not sure.” She nodded at their table.

  “Ah, shit.”

  “What? You know them I take it.”

  “The big guy in the tan shirt. I know him in passing. He’s a stuntman. And a real hell-raiser when he drinks too much.”

  “I don’t think he has so far.”

  “Hey, Ellison. Goddamn it, boy, is that you?”

  Mallory winced. “Did I call attention to you? I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine. You didn’t do anything.” Gunner lifted a hand in acknowledgment.

  “Well, get over here and I’ll buy you a drink.” He had a booming voice that seemed to bounce off every surface.

  Gunner didn’t respond until the big guy stood. “Hold on, Jenkins. I’ll be over in a minute.”

  “Leave if you want,” Mallory said, feeling as if this was somehow her fault. “I can meet you at the house later.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll have a beer with him if it’ll keep his big mouth shut.”

  “Why? Don’t do it for me. Ignore him, Gunner.”

  He gave her another private wink. “It’s okay. Promise.”

  She watched him head to the table, a weird feeling of foreboding tightening her chest. It was crazy. There was no basis for it. And then she noticed one of the customers sitting at the bar motioning to her. “Do you want another whiskey?” she asked.

  “Yes, ma’am. But this will be my last one,” he said, pushing his empty glass toward her. “And if my wife calls, you just tell her you didn’t see me all night. You hear?”

  Mallory smiled at the mischief in his faded blue eyes. “Since I don’t know your name that shouldn’t be hard to do.”

  “He’s just pullin’ your leg. Clem ain’t even married.” His friend elbowed him. “No woman in her right mind would have him.”

  “I don’t know,” Mallory drawled. “A nice-looking man like him, I bet the women line up to bring him supper on Sundays.”

  Clem hooted. “You hear that, Lester?” he said to his friend who choked out a laugh. Clem leaned closer as she set his drink down. “Honey, I’d never make you wait in line.”

  They all laughed at that. Then Lester said, “What would she want with an old coot like you when she’s got that big strapping young man who’s gonna be Ben Wolf’s new partner?”

  Mallory must’ve misheard him. “Who are you talking about?”

  “Your fella over there.” Lester nodded in Gunner’s direction. “The sheriff told me about it. You know Grace?”

  Clem swung him a look. “You don’t know the sheriff. Just because she says hi to you don’t mean nothing.”

  “Oh, all right. I overheard her and that fella talking when he was getting things set up at the bank.”

  Mallory was vaguely aware of the two men bickering about Clem putting on airs, but she felt light-headed and couldn’t seem to breathe. She told herself there had to be more to the story. Or that the older man was confused. But flashing back to several odd comments, too much of it already made sense. But how could he do this to her?

  Gunner. Living in Blackfoot Falls? He’d never last. And when he left for good, she’d be...shattered.

  18

  “GET MY BUDDY here a drink and put it on my tab,” Jenkins hollered at Elaine even before Gunner sat down. “Would ya do that for me, darlin’?”

  She glanced at Gunner, frowning as if she wasn’t sure what to do.

  He shook his head. “Nothing for me, Elaine. I’m not drinking tonight.”

  “You call yourself a stuntman? Not drinking,” Jenkins muttered. “That’s bullshit. Bring him a shot.”

  Gunner ignored the ignorant bastard.

  The other guy sitting at the table introduced himself as Bruce. Whether or not he was okay with the loudmouth wasn’t clear. But he seemed relieved when Gunner took a seat.

  “So what the hell you doing way up here in this shit hole, Ellison?” Jenkins glanced toward the bar. “Besides hitting on that pretty bartender.”

  “We’re friends.” Gunner kept his voice low, hoping the idiot got the message to leave Mallory alone. “Mal and I go way back.”

  “Just friends, huh?” He twisted around to get another look. “So you wouldn’t mind if I hit that.”

  Gunner bit down hard. He flexed his hands to keep them from fisting. Then he did the only thing he knew to do without causing a load of trouble. He laughed.

  Jenkins stared blankly at him.

  “So what? You guys are working on the miniseries?” Gunner looked from Jenkins to Bruce, who seemed eager to answer when Jenkins cut him off.

  “What the hell were you laughing at?” He stared at Gunner the whole time he drained his beer.

  “I laugh at jokes.”

  “Is that right?” The bastard frowned. “Why would you think I was joking?”

  Gunner laughed again. “Christ, Jenkins, she’s so far out of your league all you’d do is make an ass out of yourself.”

  Jenkins’s eyes got mean. He leaned across the table toward Gunner. “Just because you’re too stupid to fuck her doesn’t mean I am.”

  Bruce twitched and bumped the big man’s shoulder. “Come on, Jenkins, let’s get out of here.”

  “Get off.” He jabbed his elbow hard into Bruce’s ribs. But Jenkins kept Gunner in his sights and Gunner was fine with that. “Maybe you’re scared of women. Maybe I should go show her how a real man does it.”

  Elaine approached, glaring. “Okay, that’s enough—”

  Gunner waved her back. “I’m going to tell you as nicely as I can, and only once. You need to settle up and leave.”

  “Fuck you.” Jenkins turned to Elaine and demanded another drink.

  Bruce got to his feet. “We’re outta here,” he said to the two men coming from the back room. “You don’t come with us now, Jenkins, you’re walking.”

  “I ain’t leaving until I get me a piece of that blonde’s ass,” he said, taunting Gunner with a smug grin.

  “Okay.” Gunner scraped back his chair and stood. He’d hoped the guy’s buddies would’ve stepped in and convinced Jenkins to leave. But they were all standing back, watching.

  Gunner wouldn’t look at Mallory. He knew she was still behind the bar, so that was good. No telling what she’d heard, though.

  Elaine stepped in front of him. “I called the deputy. He should be here soon.”
>
  Soon wasn’t soon enough for a guy like Jenkins. “Thanks, Elaine,” Gunner said. “You’d better stay out of the way now.”

  With a small, resigned shake of her head, she moved back.

  Gunner stood in front of Jenkins. “You’re really going to make me do this.”

  Jenkins snarled, his right hand already forming into a fist. “You can try, boy.”

  Gunner grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him out of the chair. Shit. The son of a bitch weighed a ton. Jenkins took a swing but it went wide and Gunner barely had to duck.

  “Come on, let’s go,” Gunner said, so damn tempted to clock the asshole. Five years ago he wouldn’t have thought twice about throwing a punch. But all he wanted now was to drag him toward the door and avoid damaging anything.

  Jenkins cursed him up one side and down the other. The bastard was heavy as hell and trying to knock Gunner’s head off. When Jenkins kicked a chair over, that was it. Luckily, they’d gotten as far as the dance floor. Gunner stopped and punched Jenkins. He landed flat on his back.

  What a pussy. Gunner hadn’t hit him all that hard but he was out cold.

  He looked at Mallory then. “You want to press charges or let his friends take him?”

  She looked pale. And angry, sad and helpless all at once. The place had practically cleared except for the three old codgers sitting at the bar with their jaws in their laps. Was she upset about that? Did she blame him that people had left?

  “I just want him out of here,” she said so softly he barely heard. Something in her tone sent a razor-sharp zing down his spine, and he wanted everyone gone. Now.

  Bruce and the other two finally dragged Jenkins out the door.

  Gunner walked past Mallory and the three old guys with their ears primed, and waited for her to join him at the other end.

  She moved slowly, her head down, stopping about three feet away. “You too,” she said, her voice low and shaky as she looked into his eyes. “You have to go.”

  “Mallory...”

  She shook her head, and he saw she was trembling.

  “I tried my best not to throw a punch, but I had to make him leave before he started breaking things.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She gestured at the sign behind her.

  No Fighting, or You Will Be Banned.

  She’d been staring at him when he met her gaze. “You can’t be serious,” he said, trying to keep his voice down.

  “I am. I can’t start making exceptions.” Her dismissive shrug pissed him off. But something else was going on. Anger simmered in her eyes, turning them a fiery green. “Shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not as if you live here. You’ll be leaving soon, right?”

  Jesus. His gut clenched. The way she’d said it, he knew she’d heard about him partnering with Ben. Gunner had no idea what or how much she knew, only that she knew something. It seemed impossible since he’d just finalized the decision today. But then again, this was typical small-town bullshit. A flicker of gossip or news always managed to spread like wildfire.

  “Oh, wait. Maybe you aren’t going anywhere.” Mallory glared at him as though she hated his guts. “Maybe you plan on—”

  “I was going to tell you tonight. I swear it,” he said, tempted to kick out the nosy old geezers trying their best to listen. “Can we go to your house and talk?”

  “I’m working. You have to leave. We have nothing to talk about.” Mallory lifted her chin. “I believe that covers everything.”

  “You have to let me explain.” Sweat dampened the back of his neck. But a tiny bit of hope flared when she moved farther away from the old guys.

  “No explanation necessary. You wanted sex,” she said in a hushed voice. “I agreed because I thought you’d be gone soon. You got what you wanted, so—” Her voice broke. “Just go.”

  “The thing is,” he said, holding on to his own temper, “I don’t just cut and run. I might screw up but I stick around long enough to explain myself.”

  Mallory looked startled at first. Then, her expression softened for a moment...before she lowered her lashes, as though she couldn’t bear to look at him. “Go back to California,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper and as distant as the Rockies.

  * * *

  IT FIGURED SHE’D run out of tissues at 4:45 in the morning. With the brisk mountain air cooling the house she should have been snuggled under the covers, sound asleep. Not crying and wiping her nose, wishing last night had been nothing but a bad dream.

  Mallory grabbed a roll of toilet paper and took it with her to her bedroom. Her gaze fell on Gunner’s pillow and she felt a stab of longing.

  Screw that. It wasn’t his pillow because he would never spend the night in her bed again. In fact, if she never laid eyes on him again it would be fine. No...great. Perfect even.

  She’d had to hear about his future plans from a complete stranger? And not just any plans. He had to know how much a move to Blackfoot Falls would impact her.

  Stupid ass.

  Did he think she would’ve cut him off if she’d known he was going to stay? Was the sex more important to him than being honest with her? The thought of it made her stomach clench.

  Ben hadn’t said a word, either. Grace could’ve hinted, though. Didn’t women have some kind of unspoken sisterhood thing going on? But what did Mallory know? Except how to pour drinks.

  And dammit, she’d thought she knew Gunner.

  Apparently not.

  The guilty look on his face when she’d confronted him wasn’t about to fade from her memory anytime soon. God, she was stupid. If she’d been listening instead of walking around in a haze of lust she would’ve wised up. Those weird remarks she’d blown off? Had she willfully ignored every single sign?

  Had she really believed that just because Gunner had been good with those kids he’d be the kind of man who’d stick around?

  Except that he was sticking around, or had planned to, and that’s what confused her.

  She took a deep shuddering breath and something seemed to shake loose in her brain. She’d been too obsessed thinking sex was the reason he hadn’t told her and had overlooked the obvious answer.

  He couldn’t be completely sure moving to Blackfoot Falls was the right thing to do. And he never would be sure. This wasn’t the life for him. He’d get bored. Maybe he’d last a few months or even a year, but he would eventually tire of the monotony, grow tired of her. Hell, maybe he’d even resent her.

  She was partly to blame. She’d actually begun to think sex could make their relationship stronger. Take them from friendship to a deeper intimacy.

  What relationship? She sniffed, tearing off a piece of toilet paper. She was better off alone.

  Maybe she’d get a dog. A cat might be easier.

  Damn, she couldn’t even figure out who she hated more, Gunner or herself.

  She blew her nose, then stilled when she thought she heard her phone. At 5:00 a.m.?

  Gunner. He’d left angry. Had he been in an—

  Her heart nearly exploded as she ran to answer her cell.

  “Mallory?” It was Sadie. “First, don’t get upset, but there’s been a small fire at the Full Moon—”

  It took her four minutes to wash her face, get dressed and find her car keys, her stomach churning the whole time. The moment she opened her front door she smelled smoke. She hadn’t seen any flames, though, not from her house or even when she turned onto Main Street.

  She parked several yards behind the big old fire truck and opened her door, the acrid stench of burning embers filling her sinuses. Several onlookers were huddled on the street. Sadie was standing on the sidewalk talking to two firemen. Mallory stepped around a huge coiled hose to get to them.

  The Full Moon’s wooden door was open and she told herself not to look in
side as she passed. She did anyway. Her father’s chairs and tables, the new stage, all a charred mess.

  “Let’s talk. You can look later.” Sadie was suddenly beside her, gently steering her toward the firemen.

  The short older man gave her a sympathetic nod when Sadie introduced him as Grover. Mallory didn’t recognize him. The younger man had sat at the bar the other night. He drank Coors.

  “Before we—” She cleared her throat. “Please, tell me, is the bakery okay?” She saw their puzzled looks. “It’s not open yet but we share a wall...”

  “It’s fine,” Sadie said, squeezing her hand. “The fire—”

  Mallory put up a hand. “Did I cause it? Was I careless?”

  “No.” Grover jumped in, all business. “It was an electrical fire that started behind the stage. I know you’ve been renovating but have you had any recent work done?”

  She nodded. “Yesterday,” she said, barely able to get the word out. She owned the bar. It was still her fault.

  “Cecil?” Sadie asked.

  “Yes, but—”

  “Nobody is saying he did it on purpose.” Sadie smiled. “Accidents happen. That’s why we have insurance.”

  Mallory briefly closed her eyes and swallowed.

  “You must have insurance.” Sadie looked worried.

  “I do. With a huge deductible. I planned on changing the policy later after I started making a profit.” Her voice broke.

  “Luckily, you don’t have any structural damage,” Grover said. “We caught the fire early thanks to Boyd Meacham, who was letting his dog out. I’ll know more in the next hour, but it shouldn’t take much to get you back on your feet.”

  “Thanks, Grover,” Sadie said.

  All Mallory could do was nod. No, it might not take much, but having nothing was still nothing. And she didn’t even have Gunner’s shoulder to cry on. It didn’t matter.

  She stood outside the Full Moon, just staring, shocked beyond tears.

  19

  AT 7:45 A.M. GUNNER heard the news from Grace and by 7:50 he was in his truck speeding toward town. It made him sick to think Mallory hadn’t called him herself. Sure, they’d had words last night, and he was still pissed about things she’d said. But it wasn’t as though she’d stubbed her toe, or run out of gas again. Her bar had caught on goddamn fire and she hadn’t called him?