“I’m still thinking it through. He’s been so patient with me. I spoke with him yesterday and promised he’d have my answer by next week.”
“Don’t go,” Caroline blurted, then covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Maddie smiled sadly. This decision would change her entire life. She’d just settled in Hope Wells, having made some truly wonderful friends. Her practice was growing and if she decided to rebuild her office here, she wouldn’t have a problem making ends meet. She truly liked living in Hope Wells, but she often wondered how difficult it would be to live in a small town and bump into Trey from time to time. How difficult would it be to see him move on with his life—to see him with another woman?
Sometimes, accepting Nick’s proposal and moving to Denver made all the sense in the world, and at other times, like right now, as she stared into the sweet caring eyes of her best friend, moving away wasn’t even a possibility.
“Caroline, you don’t have to be sorry. I understand. I’d miss you and Annabelle so much if I left but—”
“You have much more to consider. You’re talented and intelligent and that Denver clinic would be lucky to have you. Tell me, what does that stubborn cowboy have to say about you leaving?”
Maddie stared at her latest selection, deciding the dress wasn’t right and hung it back on the rack. With a deep sigh, she turned to her friend as heartfelt emotions caught her by surprise. She hadn’t intended to get misty-eyed, but darn if tears didn’t pool up. She held them back and spoke quietly. “Let me put it this way. I think it’d be easier on both of us if I left.”
“Oh, Maddie.”
Maddie shrugged and Caroline put her arm around her as they exited the shop.
“I know what you need,” Caroline said after a minute of silence, her voice light, filled with whimsy. “We’ll worry about a new dress later. What you need is sexy lingerie!”
Maddie stared at her friend for a moment, then a bubble of laughter escaped. “What?”
“Trust me. When I was going through my heartache with Gil, nothing perked me up more than buying something soft and feminine and…sinful.”
Maddie’s mood changed immediately and she grinned. The idea began growing on her. “I feel better already.”
“There. You see what I mean. Just wait until we find you something sensational. You’ll feel so glamorous, you won’t have a care in the world.”
“Sounds good to me. But where do we find this sensational something?”
“Leave it to me. I know this place…”
With sunlight fading on the horizon Trey walked into the house and hung his hat upon a peg in the kitchen. He let out a long weary sigh, grateful he’d been able to catch up on chores that seemed to accumulate far too rapidly for a small ranch. His barn roof leaked, for one, a discovery he’d made during that last T-storm they’d had. Fences were down on the south pasture and he’d had to check on several cows heavy with calf, one being nearly ready. He’d moved her into a barn stall just minutes ago and he’d have to check on her every hour or so, a precaution he’d instituted after losing both cow and calf out in the pasture during calving last year.
Trey opened the refrigerator, grabbed a Coors and took one long cooling swig. The beer refreshed his parched throat and lent him some measure of comfort. Though he thought it best to avoid Maddie whenever possible, he had to admit that he missed being with her. He missed seeing her bright eyes alight when something surprised her. He missed seeing her sweet smile when something delighted her. He missed her energy and that way she had of making everyone around her feel good.
She’d been a breath of fresh air, a sweet-natured, strong-willed woman who had brought his mundane ranch to vibrant life. And as he tipped his bottle and took another tall drink, thinking up more of Maddie’s virtues, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a pastel pink shopping bag tipped over on the entry table, its contents spilled out in one big frilly heap on the plank wood floor.
Curious, Trey strode over to the antique table and set his beer down next to the pink shopping bag that read in delicate black letters, Double-Dare. He bent on one knee and lifted a garment up. Black Fishnet Boyshort, the tag claimed along with the Double-Dare logo. He ran his fingers along the panties, tracing a black stitched rose strategically placed on the garment obviously designed to tease and torment. He placed it carefully in the bag and lifted up the next two items attached by a tiny transparent cord. Embroidered Demi-Bra and Bikini Panties. Red/Nude said the fancy tag. The bra and panties were sheer except for the etching of crimson embroidery meant to barely cover a female’s most private assets.
Trey swallowed hard, and though he’d just finished a beer, his mouth suddenly dried up like desert tumble-weed. His mind wandered to secret places he normally didn’t visit, imagining Maddie wearing this set, her soft creamy skin encased in tantalizing red. She was a woman who enjoyed wearing sexy lingerie and the contrast from her day-to-day clinical demeanor to her nighttime hot-blooded nature turned him on. Big-time. Trey took one last look at the matching bra and panties, then shoved them into the bag.
The last item he picked up was labeled Lace Babydoll/Vintage Look. The mauve-colored nightie plunged at the neckline and dipped down so deep that Trey wondered why they even bothered. He inhaled sharply, touching the soft lace, noting that the short hem would hardly cover what needed covering, but then, that wasn’t quite the intent, he thought wryly. And then he saw the matching thong, a skimpy piece of lace attached by a mere thread.
Trey stared at the nightie, his heart in his throat, his groin growing tight. He couldn’t help but to imagine Maddie wearing this, looking the picture of innocence and sin all at the same time, flowing into his arms, her body pressed against his until neither of them could take a complete breath. He visualized running his palms over the soft lace, caressing her breasts, then moving his hands lower, testing the thong with his fingers, creating sizzling shivers until both of them were ready to combust.
He remembered Maddie so well, the heat of her body, the smell of her skin, the flaming burn of their lovemaking. So when the front door opened and Maddie entered, Trey couldn’t mask the lust on his face. He wouldn’t even try.
“T-Trey?”
She stood over him in mild shock, her hair in coppery disarray, her face smudged with dirt, her jeans coated with straw and grass stains. She looked a wreck, so much so that Trey had to smile. He had to because he loved her so damn much, that he saw past all of that to the beautiful, sexy, perfect woman underneath. He loved her so damn much that his heart burned clear through his chest. She was the woman he wanted beyond life itself. The woman he wouldn’t hurt and could never have.
“What are you doing with my…things?”
Trey lifted the babydoll up. “You mean these? I found them on the floor when I walked in. The bag had tipped over.”
“And you were nice enough to pick them up?”
Trey shook his head and stood, still holding the nightie. “Honey, there was nothing nice about what I was thinking.”
Even through the dirt on her face, Trey noticed her blush. He placed that last garment into the bag. “Did you leave them for me to see?”
Maddie’s face colored again, this time with anger. She grabbed the bag from his hand. “I had an emergency call the minute I walked through the door. I must have set the bag down there without realizing it.”
Trey scrubbed his jaw, contemplating. “Makes sense. So, did you buy them for your date with Jack?”
Maddie closed her eyes and cursed. Trey had never heard her use such language and when she opened her eyes, staring deeply into his, she spoke quietly. “I bought them for no one in particular. And it’s not a date, just dinner with a friend.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Maddie shook her head and ran a hand through her wayward hair. She cast him a look of frustration and despair. “Trey, what do you want from me?”
Everything. “Nothing, Maddie.”
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“When I walked in here a minute ago, it didn’t look like you wanted nothing. It looked as though you had something definite on your mind.”
“What do you want me to say?” he rushed out. “That even dirt-stained and muddied up, you’re prettier than any woman I’ve ever laid eyes on? That I held those sexy clothes in my hands and envisioned you wearing them for me? That I want you, with or without that fancy lingerie, regardless of how much you’d end up being hurt in the end. All that’s true, Maddie. But I’m not going to do it. I told you once before, wanting you and doing right by you are two different things.”
Maddie bit down on her lip, but the green in her eyes lit with full vital force. And she aimed all that potent energy in his direction. “Maybe the wanting and doing right by me are one and the same, Trey. Maybe you’re all wrong about us. Have you ever considered that?”
Trey shook his head. “No. I’m not wrong.”
The Walker Curse still plagued him. He’d never get out from under the genetic scar that deprived him of faith and trust. Maddie was a keeper. He’d known that from the very start. She deserved more than the heartache he’d send her way one day.
“Are you sure about that?” She tossed that question back in his face.
Damn it. No, he wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Maddie had hinted, she’d cajoled and she’d insinuated that Trey was a better man than he thought he was. And all of her sweet-talking had worked its way into his head, making him wonder. Giving him, hope.
“Think about it, Trey.” She said, as she walked out of the room, her hand clasped around the shopping bag filled with sexy lingerie that Trey would never see again.
Eleven
“Maybe I should cancel my plans with Jack,” Maddie said, as she glanced at the laboring cow heavy with calf. She stood with Trey in the maternity stall they’d concocted of sand and sawdust to help the cow deliver safely.
“That’s not necessary,” Trey said, shaking his head. “I’ve delivered more than my fair share of calves. This one isn’t going to be as difficult as we’d thought. You said so yourself. She’s doing a great job on her own.”
Maddie took another glance at the cow straining to deliver her young one. By all means, Trey was right. The cow would probably do fine, but part of Maddie’s deal with Trey was to oversee his livestock and silly as it seemed, she felt guilty leaving Trey to deal with the cow while she went out for dinner. She felt guilty, even through her anger at him. It had taken her days to recover from Trey’s obstinate behavior regarding Storm. And finally, she’d decided it did them both no good to be at odds. Besides, Maddie wasn’t one for holding grudges. “I know you’re right, but—”
“No, buts, Maddie. I’m right.”
Trey had enough confidence for twenty men when it came to ranching dilemmas. Sadly, he just didn’t have much confidence in himself. So instead of Maddie spending Saturday night enjoying his company, she’d agreed to spend the evening with his cousin.
“Won’t Jack be picking you up soon?” he asked.
“Yes, in less than an hour. How come you know so much about my plans?” Maddie asked, baffled by Trey’s obvious nonchalance over her date with Jack. She expected him to be more…something. Yet he didn’t seem annoyed or upset or jealous. In the past, Maddie’s ego had been bruised, but never more than her time here at 2 Hope Ranch, never more than her dealings with Trey.
There were times when Trey would look at her like she was the only woman on the planet and her heart would soar with anticipation. His hot looks spoke of steamy nights ahead, but Trey never acted upon those looks. His actions always belied the heated glances and alluring stares he cast her. She knew he fought an inner battle. She knew he struggled with demons that had existed before they’d ever met. Yet, Maddie had hoped she’d broken through his defenses. She had hoped she’d made a difference in his life.
“Jack squared it with me.”
Maddie’s voice escalated. “He asked your permission?”
Trey let out a wry chuckle. “Hardly. More like he told me his plans, point-blank.” He frowned and added, “Whether I liked it or not.”
It meant something to Maddie that Trey didn’t sound happy about her date with Jack, but she wouldn’t explain her reasons for going. She liked Jack and he seemed so sincere when he’d asked her to go to this benefit with him as a friend. “Well, I’d better get dressed. But if the cow—”
“I’ll come get you if there’s a problem.”
“Promise?”
Trey nodded. “Promise.”
Maddie headed for the shower and once done she dried and curled her hair. She’d decided on a soft peach summertime dress with a frilly flounce at the hem. The dress wasn’t overly fancy, something she’d picked up at a local shop, but a new pair of earrings and matching necklace brought the whole outfit together quite nicely.
She put on a pair of lacy sandals, grabbed her purse and exited the room, dressing in record time so she could take a moment to check on the laboring cow, but the knock came just as Maddie had reached the front door. She opened it to find Jack standing on the porch, wearing a chocolate brown western suit, the exact color of his eyes. Clean-shaven and well groomed, Jack cast her a winning smile. There was nothing ordinary about Walker men—every last one she’d met was as handsome as the devil himself.
“Wow,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “You look great.”
Maddie smiled graciously, returning the compliment. “So do you, Jack. You’re handsome in your uniform, but even more so out of it.”
Jack’s brows rose and he chuckled.
“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. You know wh—”
But her cell phone rang just at that awkward moment, and Maddie glanced at the name that popped up on the screen. “It’s Caroline,” she told Jack, leaving the door open so he could come inside. “Excuse me for one second.”
She answered the call privately and when she returned, she had a favor to ask of Jack. “Since we’re early and Caroline needs help with Annabelle, do you think we could stop over there for half an hour? The baby-sitter has to leave and Caroline doesn’t think she can make it back from town in time. I know it’s a huge favor and I certainly don’t want to make us late for the benefit, but Caroline sounded pretty desperate.”
“Not a problem.” Jack glanced at his watch. “The actual dinner doesn’t start until eight. We have more than enough time.”
Maddie beamed him a smile, wondering why she hadn’t fallen for Jack. Everything seemed simple with him. He was easy to talk to, easy to be with and he certainly didn’t entertain any thoughts of the Walker Curse. “Thank you,” she said, closing the door behind them. “You’re a saint.”
Jack opened the car door for her. “That isn’t the way most people would describe me.”
Maddie smiled and took her seat. “How do people describe you?” she asked, enjoying the conversation and the company.
Jack slid into the driver’s seat and turned to her. “Pretty much a big pain in the ass, but with a good sense of humor and a deep sense of loyalty. That’s why my family puts up with me.”
“Because you’re loyal?”
“Nah, because I make them laugh.”
And Maddie laughed.
Jack put the key in the ignition and started the engine just as Maddie caught sight of Trey exiting the barn. She met with his eyes over the distance of the yard and he cast her a long look then gave her a reassuring nod. Maddie immediately understood all went well with the calf’s delivery. Relieved, Maddie sighed as Jack turned the car around and headed out the gate driving toward Caroline’s house.
“Annabelle’s no trouble at all,” Maddie explained to Jack as they climbed up the Portmans’s front steps. “And I’m sure Caroline will be along any minute.”
Jack nodded and when Maddie knocked on the door, a young girl answered. “Hello. You must be Sherry. I’m Maddie, Caroline’s friend and this is Jack Walker. We’re your reinforcements.”
“Hi. Come in.” The young
girl smiled warmly and let them in.
Maddie took two steps into the house before looking up to meet with a swarm of smiling faces that seemed to come out of nowhere. All at once the group chorused, “Surprise!”
A quick tremble passed through Maddie’s body for a moment and she backed up right into Jack. He held her arms steady. “Happy Birthday, Maddie.”
“B-birthday?” she repeated, stunned. She’d put her upcoming birthday out of her mind completely and never suspected a party, much less, a surprise. She glanced around the room, seeing her friends happily sending her birthday wishes and congratulations amid crepe paper decorations, balloons and birthday signs.
Caroline approached her first. “Happy Birthday, dear friend.” They hugged tight, their embrace lasting long enough for Maddie to recover from a truly unexpected surprise. “I had no idea,” Maddie said, with tears pooling in her eyes. “This is so…so great.”
Little Annabelle tugged on the hem of her dress. Maddie bent to pick her up and give her a gentle loving squeeze.
“Did we surprised you?” Annabelle asked.
“Oh, yes. You and Mommy did a good job of surprising me.”
“I helped Mommy do decorating.”
“You did a perfect job, sweetie. Everything is beautiful.”
Maddie swept her gaze at the guests again, this time really seeing each and every one. Jack, of course, had taken a place next to his father, Monty. Both men grinned at her with twinkling eyes. Kit and his wife stood behind them, along with Brittany and Paul, and a half a dozen of Maddie’s closest and dearest clients, people she had come to know very well by treating their animals. Even Darla was here and behind her stood a man, who began to make his way out from the small group.
Maddie set Annabelle down. “Nick!”
He reached her in three strides and Maddie jumped up into his arms, touched that he’d come back to Hope Wells for her birthday. She really hadn’t thought she’d see him again, knowing how swamped he was with his own new enterprise.
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