Cupid Cures: Small Town Western Contemporary (Return to Cupid, Texas Book 5)

by Sylvia McDaniel

  Tempe sighed. Why did everyone believe the evil bureaucracy wanted to put them out of business. "Mr?" she asked, wanting to know his name.

  "David Jones of the Big J Ranch."

  "Mr. Jones, I've been to three ranches. Before I go out, I have no idea how large a ranch or how many cows they own. In all three cases, they were not a commercial outfit, only your neighbors. So far two heifers have been put down and the owner's cattle quarantined until we run tests. Once completed, the quarantine will be lifted if there are no other signs of infection. I'm waiting on the test results of the other animal."

  The memory of the reporters shouting questions to her like she was the enemy came back and she had to fight the impulse to run. To dodge their queries and race out the door. A shudder rippled through her, centering in her chest radiating pain from that terrible time.

  She'd gotten signed releases from the two ranchers she had put down heifers. The bull...she glanced at his owner standing in the back of the crowded room. Less than twenty minutes ago, the test results came back and he was not going to be happy at the outcome.

  The USDA and the disease gave her no choice. The animal was an infectious threat that could contaminate other ranchers' herds. Especially if he liked to tear through fences to get what he wanted.

  The irritating man jumped up. "Tell us who you quarantined."

  Taking a deep breath, she pushed down the urge to run. Didn't they understand the infection was the enemy, not her, she was trying to help. "That's not my place. If they choose to come forward that's their decision."

  A rumble of dissatisfaction came from the men and she felt like they were a band of tribal men circling the fire preparing to sacrifice her to the volcano.

  Cody stood. "One of them was my heifer. Now we're testing the herd."

  "How did she become infected?" The man shouted at Cody.

  Right now, Tempe didn't like the way this meeting was going and as soon as she could, she would end it. These men came here looking for the blood of a salaried employee of a dreaded bureaucracy, convinced she would harm them. Her job was only to protect the public. Nothing she did was personal, but rather protective of the environment and the U.S. Meat supply.

  "I'm not willing to say anything until I'm certain. There is no need to panic and Miss Tangier is working with me to get my herd tested before round up."

  When she put the ban on selling his cattle, Cody had been livid, but here he was defending her. Shocked gripped her as she listened to him, warmth spiraling through her.

  "It's a damn conspiracy," the man screamed. "Don't be fooled into thinking they're here to help you. The government will shut your business down and ruin you. Our best bet is to run this woman out of town. After all, why are we listening to what the USDA says? They're just another bureaucracy."

  The reporters shouted at her that she must have known what her father had been doing. Protecting him and their wealth. Funny, her father would never discuss his business, telling her he must guard the confidentiality of his clients and their interests.

  A teenager about to enter college, all she understood was that he ran an investment firm, nothing more. Now she was once again being accused of ruining people. Even trying to help, people didn't appreciate what she did.

  Beside her, Kyle tensed and his chair scooted back as he came to his feet, holding up his hand. "Stop. Listen to yourselves. You all know me and I've been taking care of your animals for years. In fact, I'm the one who suspected something was wrong with Cody's heifer and sent the tests off to the USDA. If the contamination spreads everyone's herds are in danger. We want to safeguard your livelihood and our beef."

  Running his hand through his hair, Kyle said, "Now we've warned you. The way I see it there are two choices. Ignore our warnings when you see a heifer or a bull with suspicious behavior or you can call us. We're here to, run tests and keep the rest of your animals from catching this debilitating sickness. As a doctor, it's a simple choice, be aware or risk losing your entire herd."

  Ryan moved to stand close to her.

  Kyle and him exchanged a glance. "This meeting is adjourned. The doctor and myself will remain here for a few minutes to answer any questions you may have, unless someone gets out of line. Then we'll be gone."

  His brothers, Drew and Jim closed in around her as if to shield her. They had her back. There was no reason to fear. Tears welled up in her eyes. No one ever safeguarded her. Never.

  Not even when her mother was alive and her father in jail. Not even as a child. There had been no need until her father destroyed all their lives.

  A little old man who had obviously been around for many years, walked up to the front. "Ma'am, we had an outbreak of this disease back in the forties. It decimated entire herds. Keep up the good work. Don't mind, none of these young fools. They haven't seen the destruction."

  "Thank you," she said. "My intent is not to cause harm, but to stop an epidemic."

  "And you will," he said and shuffled out the door, his legs bowed from riding horses for years.

  Looking at Kyle, she smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. There was so much to like about this man, that it pained her to think of leaving. But for his safety, she would. "Thank you."

  With a shrug of his shoulders, he shook his head. "These blockheads don't understand. Somewhere they got the notion that everyone is just out to screw em."

  Turning back to his brothers, she shook her head, unable to believe they would defend her. "Thank you."

  "For what?" Jim asked. "All you were doing is trying to inform the public. A couple of hot heads always ruin it for everyone."

  Drew frowned. "Actually, I thought you handled that perfectly. Let me know when you get tired of working for the government and no longer want to be a vet. You've got a job anytime with me in the law office."

  "Oh no," she said, remembering the many lawyers she dealt with in her father's case. Not only for him, but the U.S. attorney's office. "Animals are much safer than attorneys. They're easier to understand than you guys in suits. Thank you for having my back."

  Standing beside her, Kyle grinned at her, creating a tingly sensation in her middle. "That's what my family does. We protect those we believe in."

  "Just don't be stealing the clothes from my hot tub again," Cody said.

  Holding her hands up, she shook her head and laughed. "I didn't. That was Kyle. But he said something about it being a payback."

  Cody grinned. "Yeah, it was."

  Part of her ached to belong to such a group. As a child, she longed for siblings, but in the end had no one, but her mother and father and the few aunts and uncles. But no one in her family believed in her and had her back. No one like the Lawrence boys.

  Later that evening, after all of his brothers and his sister and Cody left, she sat drinking a glass of wine on the patio. Watching the moon rise in the sky while Kyle made sure all the animals in the clinic were fed and been taken out for the night.

  This afternoon had been daunting. For a moment, she truly felt like the crowd wanted to pick her up, haul her out to her car, throw her in and tell her to get out of town.

  As an agent of the USDA, she'd been warned there were times you needed to call for backup. Sometimes the situation called for more than one due to the security and vulnerability of the agents. If things grew worse, she would have to seek help.

  Kyle's family surrounded her. The sheriff stood close to her and for Cody, someone injured in this debacle, to support her, brought a tear to her eye.

  Her father's family and even her mother's all deserted her when they learned of the extent of what her father had done. Everyone did everything they could to distance themselves from his firm. No one wanted their name connected in any way with her father. No matter, he supported and given them money for many years.

  And Kyle, warmth spread through her at how he stood and defended her. At first she feared Mr. Jones would come after her. But with charm boy standing beside her and the rest of the Lawrence brothers sur
rounding her, relief overwhelmed her.

  Even thinking about Kyle, her chest squeezed and excitement filled her at the thought of being with him.

  What did it feel like when you cared about a man? What did falling in love feel like? Never before did she have the opportunity to care for someone. Since Scott Gaston's downfall, she never experienced dating and relationships before now.

  Gazing around at the small town, the lights shining in the darkness, her heart warmed. This little community was special. A place where you could put down roots and stay forever. But not a woman like Tempe.

  Kyle was a wonderful man. A man any woman would be fortunate to fall in love with. All she wanted was to love him heart and soul, but she would be a danger. A danger that if uncovered would derail his life completely. No one deserved to live with the fear of discovery.

  Kyle went up the stairs, knowing instinctively Tempe would be outside. Several nights he found her sitting on his patio peering out at the lights of Cupid, staring at the night sky, relaxing.

  This afternoon's meeting had frightened the hell out of him. If those ranchers ever learned who she really was, they wouldn't run her out of town, they would commit the first public hanging in Cupid. Now he understood why she kept her identity a secret.

  That damn David Jones would be lucky if he didn't hunt the man down and kick his butt. And that surprised him.

  Normally a easy going, laid back guy, Kyle dealt with people by either teasing them until they smiled or handling them succinctly. David made the hair on the back of Kyle's neck stand straight up. It took every ounce of willpower to refrain from jumping off that platform with fists clenched towards David Jones.

  Did he think Tempe was to blame for this disease? If the truth were known old man Smith's randy bull had a problem staying behind a fence and was the one they should be blaming. Ed Smith didn't keep the beast locked up and now the bull was spreading this infection with his rampit loins.

  Or had been until he was told to separate him from the other cattle and fence him in.

  Time that old bull was neutered. Unless he had Brucellosis. Then the only other option was putting him down.

  Opening the door, he stepped out to see Tempe drinking a glass of wine and sitting gazing out into the darkness.

  "Everyone taken care of for the night?" she asked.

  "Yes. My technicians arrive early in the morning and handle the feeding and the walks."

  "For such a small town, you seem to have a lot of business."

  "I'm the only vet and my clients are loyal," he said.

  More and more he realized how fortunate he was to own his practice. To live where he did. The people in the community supported him and entrusted him to care for their animals.

  "Thanks for stepping in and helping me out today." Glancing up at him, her green eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "I'm just an employee carrying out her job and sometimes these people don't understand I don't make the rules and regulations."

  There it was again, that phrase letting him know statues were important to her. Did she recognize how determined to show the world she followed the letter of the law?

  "Have you always been so strict with regards to the rules?" he asked.

  Her brows drew together and she gazed at him a startled expression on her lovely face. With her hand, she pushed back her auburn curls and his gut clenched. The urge to run his hands through her silken strands almost overwhelming him. They hadn't kissed since the night they made love. The night he found out she was a virgin.

  Somehow he felt a sense of pride she had chosen him to be her first. Warmth flowed through him, even though feeling pleasure at being her first was ridiculous. Today he would have protected her at all costs.

  "Until you mentioned it, I never gave it much thought. Before DWJ, I don't remember worrying too much about anything. After DWJ, I make certain I don't get into trouble."

  "What is DWJ?"

  A deep throaty chuckle came from her and he wanted to hear more of that sound. "It's my initials for Dad Went to Jail."

  Setting down beside her, he picked up her hand. "You do realize that's why you're now a rules follower? The reason why everything is done according to the law."

  Tilting her head sideways, she considered him. "Probably. But don't you see they would love to pin something on me and my dead mother showing the world we knew all along. Don't you think most people believed we were as culpable as my father? Now I have to prove I'm a law abiding citizen, before I never worried."

  She was right. There had been speculation in the news as to whether or not the rest of his family were involved in the business. Thankfully, she'd been in school, but her mother...and then the suicide.

  "Why do you think my mother killed herself?"

  "Your mother couldn't take the stress any longer?"

  "After she lost everything, including her reputation, she became despondent. Even I was not enough to keep her here on earth. Sometimes I think she did it so I would inherit her money to go to school. Sometimes I think she just wore down and couldn't take the pain another day. Either way, it hurt."

  Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed the back of it. "Someday I hope this is all behind you and you're living a life filled with love and promise and happiness."

  All he wanted to do was bring joy into her world. Make her forget what happened or at the very least, give her contentment and joy that would ease her loss.

  A tear rolled down her cheek. "Dammit Kyle, I've been trying not to like you too much, but you surprise me and make me like you every time we're together. Turn off the charm, charm boy."

  With a laugh he shook his head. "You're the first woman who has ever called me that and frankly, I like it."

  Leaning her head against his shoulder, she sighed. "Could that be because it fits?"

  The name did fit. All his life, he managed to smile and talk people into what he wanted. Now he had everything but a wife and family of his own. Until Tempe he hadn't really considered a wife and family, but now...Glancing at the woman sitting next to him, he wondered what life with her would be like.

  Sliding over in the seat, she got as close to him as possible and gazed out at the night sky. "Do you ever wonder what is beyond those stars."

  "Nope," he said and brushed back her hair away from her face. As he leaned down, his lips inches from her own all he could think about was kissing her. "There is too much here on earth that intrigues me to worry what is behind the heavens."

  Right now what intrigued him sat beside him admiring the twinkles of light shining up from Cupid. He wanted Tempe, like he needed his next breath, like he needed sunshine and fresh air. Like he needed to be accepted and loved.

  His mouth covered hers. The taste of wine and sweetness left him wanting to devour her lips. This afternoon fear gripped him at the way David Jones had riled the crowd up against her. Afraid he finally stepped up and taken over.

  Tonight, he longed to find his way back into her arms, back in his bed.

  Breaking the kiss her eyes opened slowly and he seemed to lose himself in her emerald gaze. "Come to bed with me," he whispered against her mouth. "Let me show you the joy of lovemaking."

  An ache spread through his chest and he waited, hoping she would not turn him down. After today he needed to feel her strong arms around him. Tonight he needed to feel her safe and secure in his embrace.

  Slowly, she smiled.

  "Come on charm boy. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but we've got all night."

  "How do you plan on showing me this joy you mentioned?"

  "I'm going to ravish your sweet, beautiful body until you're begging me to stop."

  "Kyle" she groaned against his lips.

  Placing his mouth next to her ear, he nuzzled her neck and earlobe, his tongue sliding across her flesh. A shudder rippled through her, and he smiled, knowing he affected her as much as she was him.

  Standing, he took her by the hand and pulled her into his quarters, shutting and locking the
door behind him. This afternoon the city and the ranchers had mistreated her, but tonight he would give her satisfaction.

  Biting her lip, her eyes wide with expectation and something that looked like desire they stood just inside. Anticipating what was about to happen, before he freed the hunger for Tempe raging through him.

  "Tempe," he gasped.

  She met his gaze head on, her breathing quick and shallow. With sudden realization, he knew she wanted this as much as he did, and her eagerness sent him over the edge. Taking her by the hand, he walked into the bedroom, pulling her inside, shutting the door.

  Pushing her up against the wooden panel, his body covered hers, pressing into her soft voluptuous curves, his rock-solid erection snug against her womanly mound. His mouth came down hard on her full lips expressing his need.

  Moaning deep in her throat, he relished the sound. While he caressed her luscious lips, his hands were busy removing her USDA shirt over her head, needing to reach her skin, to touch that satiny flesh.

  Abruptly, she broke the seal of their mouths and yanked the offending garment over her head, and he tossed his own polo.

  "Let me run my hands over your chest," she said.

  "Yes," he whispered, barely able to talk, his need for her so great.

  Her fingers trailed from his neck down to his waist, where she unsnapped his pants. Leaning down, he pulled off his boots and socks. With a thrust his jeans slid to the floor, she kicked off her shoes and tugged her pants off. They stood in front of the door naked, their breath constricted, lost in the building heat between them.

  Simultaneously, they swayed toward each other, reaching out at the same time, as he dragged her mouth to his, wanting to consume her full lips. A moan rent the air, and he was shocked to realize the groan came from him as he crushed her mouth beneath his, longing guiding him.

  Breaking the seal of their kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers. "Do you know how much I want you?"

  And he did. Today when he deemed her safety had been in jeopardy, he realized he would do whatever he needed to protect her. Watching her talking to those ungrateful bastards he'd never felt more connected to a woman.