The Cowboy's Homecoming

by Donna Alward

  He stopped and looked at her. “You’re asking me to spend four nights with you in a motel?”

  Her courage started to wither. “Too much?”

  “I don’t know.”

  At least he was being honest. She tried hard not to be disappointed, and most of the time she tried not to think about where their relationship was going or what was around the corner. But it was hard. She wanted to spend time with him...real time, not just sneaking in romantic rendezvous every few days.

  “If it would make you more comfortable, I could book you your own room,” she offered. “And you don’t have to come. I just...thought I’d put the offer out there in case you wanted to get away for a few days.” She offered a bright smile. No big deal.

  “Kailey.” He came up beside her again and took her hand. “Believe me, there is nothing I’d like more than four days locked up in a motel room with you.”

  She swallowed. That was how they’d started, after all. In a motel room. She actually hadn’t thought of that until just now. But this wasn’t February, it was September. And clearly this wasn’t a one-night thing. They’d been seeing each other for weeks. Then again, if he went with her and stayed in the motel with her, their secret relationship wouldn’t be so secret anymore.

  “Well, think about it. The offer’s open, but my feelings won’t be hurt if you say no.”

  It was a complete lie, but she wanted it to be true. That should count for something, right?

  “I’d like to go,” he said, squeezing her hand. “You’re right. I have missed the scene, a lot. It’ll be strange not competing, but it’ll be fun, too. And I can give you a hand now and again.”

  “Great,” she said, relieved and a little bit excited. “Come over on Tuesday. The guys can take the trailers and I can drive with you, if that’s okay.”

  “Sounds just fine,” he agreed.

  They were in sight of the house now and he dropped her hand. Kailey held back a sigh. At first the sneaking around had been exciting. Now, though, it was starting to feel old. Instead of a secret it was something different. Something...less. She discovered there was a big difference between wanting to keep something to yourself and wanting to keep it from other people.

  “Thanks for the walk,” she said, slowing her steps. “I suppose I should get inside and give Mom a hand. Her migraines have been acting up, and she’s been trying to keep up with the last of the garden.”

  “Do you ever stop?” he asked. It wasn’t a criticism. One thing she could say about Ry, he didn’t seem threatened by her drive and work ethic. Maybe that came from being raised by a single mom who’d had to work hard to support her family.

  “Occasionally,” she replied.

  They stopped by his truck and he opened the door. Before he hopped in, he pulled her close and kissed her, his soft lips melded to hers.

  She wished she hadn’t noticed that the truck and open door hid them from any eyes that might see what they were up to.

  “G’night, beautiful,” he said, hopping into the cab and throwing her a wink.

  “Good night, Ry.”

  He drove off in a cloud of dust, leaving her standing in the yard.

  She’d walked into this with her eyes wide open, so she couldn’t expect too much. Instead she turned around and headed for the house, prepared to help her mom and keep busy so she didn’t spend any more time thinking about what their relationship was...and wasn’t.

  Chapter Eleven

  To say that Ry was having second thoughts was a massive understatement.

  He pulled into the Brandt yard, duffel bag beside him on the seat, ready for four days of rodeo and four nights with a beautiful woman.

  To anyone else, it had to look as if he had life right by the tail.

  To Ry, it was an uncomfortable realization that he’d agreed to this even though he knew it meant a giant step forward for their relationship. A relationship that was supposed to be based solely on enjoying each other with no plans beyond the here and now.

  But even Rylan knew that you didn’t spend four whole days with a woman without it meaning something.

  The yard was a hive of activity. The hands were in the throes of loading stock into trailers, ready to make the drive to Lewiston. Kailey’s dad was there, too, supervising alongside his daughter, who had her honey-streaked hair pulled up in a ponytail and sunglasses shading her eyes. She lifted her hand to her forehead as if the sun was in her way, and he accepted the truth: he was far more involved with Kailey Brandt than he’d ever wanted to be. Not far behind that little nugget of honesty was a second. It wasn’t caring about her that was freaking him out. It was the fact that he wasn’t freaking out about it that had him panicking.

  He should just come up with a good excuse and make his apologies. They could distance themselves slowly, ease away from each other and just be friends again.

  Then he thought of Kailey’s sharp tongue and hot temper and realized that would never be an option. She was too much of a firecracker.

  A smile bloomed on her face the moment she saw his truck, and he saw her lean over and say something to her dad. The senior Brandt had a stern face that Rylan couldn’t read, but he could take a pretty good guess. Kailey was his only child and a daughter, no less.

  He hopped out of the truck. “Looks like you’re in the thick of it,” he called out, crossing the yard.

  “Nearly done. Jim’s loading the bulls now. We should be on the road in the next thirty. Your timing’s great.”

  They walked back over to where Mr. Brandt was standing with his arms folded across his chest. Formidable. Rylan couldn’t help but respect him for it.

  “Afternoon, Mr. Brandt.” He held out his hand. “Good to see you again.”

  Brandt shook his hand, a firm grip that held just a little bit of threat. “Duggan. Heard you’re traveling with this circus this afternoon.”

  “Yes, sir. The accident sidelined me and I have to confess, I’ve missed it. I’m looking forward to watching some events, lending a hand when I can.”

  Kailey had started chewing on a fingernail, but she dropped her hand as if she’d suddenly realized she was doing it. “Oh, Rylan, I booked your room for you.”

  “Thanks for looking after that,” he said, understanding. Perhaps they weren’t as far apart on this relationship thing as he thought. She was certainly making an effort to make it appear as though they weren’t together.

  There was a shout and Kailey trotted off to see what the fuss was about, leaving Rylan beside her dad.

  “Rylan, I’m not a stupid man. I can see how things are.”

  “Yes, sir.” He’d half expected to get some sort of “talk” this afternoon. Brandt wasn’t going to beat around the bush. Rylan figured that was where Kailey got her direct nature.

  “I don’t need to say anything more, do I, son?”

  Rylan shook his head. “No, sir. That’s your little girl out there and she’s also the person who’s going to run this ranch. In other words, she’s not a woman to trifle with.”

  “You might be smarter than I gave you credit for,” Brandt said gruffly.

  Rylan looked Kailey’s father in the eye. “Begging your pardon, sir, but you know Kailey better than me. So I’m sure you know that she’s made her wishes and thoughts crystal clear. She is one of the most forthright women I’ve ever known.”

  Brandt chuckled a little. “That doesn’t scare you?”

  “Of course not. Women are hard to understand. One who says exactly what she means? That’s like breaking the secret code right there.”

  There was silence again as they both watched Kailey shut the trailer and latch it, then dust off her hands.

  “Just for the record,” Brandt said, his voice firm once again. “I’m not entirely happy about this situation.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “But she’s a grown woman. She’s got to make her own choices and I respect that.”

  “Me, too,” Rylan agreed.

  “All right then,
” Brandt said.

  A few minutes later the convoy was rolling out the yard, Kailey perched on Rylan’s truck seat, her eyes alight with excitement. “So,” she said, her tone a little too conversational to be natural. “You and my dad. Talk about anything interesting?”

  Rylan looked over and then back at the road. “The weather.”

  “Right.” She laughed a little. “Try again.”

  “Let’s just say we understand each other and leave it at that.”

  “He’s not going to show up at the motel tonight with a shotgun?”

  Rylan shook his head. “I doubt it. After all, I’ll be in my own room.”

  When Kailey didn’t offer a smart remark, he glanced over at her. Damned if she wasn’t blushing. “Kailey?”

  She bit down on her lip. “Well, there isn’t exactly another room. I just said that so Dad would think we weren’t staying together.”

  He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed. “You don’t think his spies will fill him in the moment we get back?”

  “Maybe, but then the trip’s over and done with.” Her grin flashed again. “If you asked him what I was like as a kid, he’d tell you I was a great one for asking forgiveness rather than permission.”

  “I bet.”

  “You want to share driving? We’ll probably gas up in Missoula and then go straight through.” She changed the subject.

  “We’ll see. I’m used to long drives, K. And I’m not even hauling anything this time. Six hours is nothing.”

  “Well, let me know then. It’s a pretty drive. I haven’t gone for a few years, but you can’t beat it for scenery.”

  They were content not to talk for a long time. Instead the music on the radio and the sweeping foothills leading to the mountains kept them content. In Missoula they stopped for gas and a quick snack. Dinner would be later in the evening, as they’d have to get the stock settled before any of them could head to the motel for the night.

  At one point Rylan looked over and realized that Kailey had fallen asleep, her head tipped to one side, bolstered a bit by the strap of the seat belt on her shoulder. She was so beautiful, but so wrapped up in the ranch and everything going on that he was pretty sure she didn’t realize how incredible she was.

  He had some decisions to make and soon. He was enjoying Crooked Valley more than he expected. In Wyoming, he’d been a hand on a cattle ranch. It had been good work and he’d had a great boss, but working with the rough stock at Crooked Valley was surprisingly fulfilling. He knew he’d told Duke that he would stay on until Christmas so that the terms of the will would be fulfilled, but the thought of leaving the ranch made him feel a little bit empty inside. Who would care for Rattler and the other horses? Where would he be next summer when Candyfloss foaled? Quinn was doing an okay job, but he’d been happy to leave the decisions to Rylan, saying a smart man played to his strengths and acknowledged his weaknesses. Plus, with Carrie and Duke starting a family, Quinn was taking on more of Carrie’s foreman duties.

  And then there was the woman sleeping beside him. This was the longest he’d ever stayed with anyone. He’d gotten very good at picking out women who were only out for a good time so he could avoid romantic complications. That hadn’t worked with Kailey. He was in it up to his neck.

  And finally, there was the rodeo. It was in his blood. He couldn’t deny that he was looking forward to the next few days because being on the fairgrounds, listening to conversations, smelling the food booths’ savory offerings and watching the events would feel like being home. Heck, it had been his home for the past few years.

  Kailey woke up about a half hour from Lewiston. He figured she must have been tired from the long work days. Once she rubbed her eyes her energy was renewed and she was raring to go. “Oh, my gosh. We’re almost there! I slept a long time.”

  “Yes, you did. Missed the prettiest part, too. But I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

  She smiled. “There’s always the drive back.”

  They made it to the fairgrounds in good time, and everyone worked together to get the stock unloaded and cared for for the night. When Kailey told Dan and Jim she’d hang around for a while to make sure things were okay, they shook their heads.

  “No, ma’am,” Jim said. “One of us will do that. We all usually take turns anyway, and I ain’t got a damned thing going on tonight.”

  “You arguing with the boss, Jim?”

  Rylan chuckled down low. Jim had to know that was a battle he’d lose.

  “No, ma’am. Just suggesting you enjoy tonight ’cause it’s gonna get real busy around here.” Rylan figured Kailey had been right about the chew when Jim spat off to the side. “You and Rylan should go get a nice dinner or something.”

  That she didn’t automatically contradict him surprised Rylan. Finally she gave a shrug. “You’re sure?”

  “Sure I’m sure. We can handle things. We would’ve if you hadn’t come, wouldn’t we?”

  “Yes, I guess you would. Everything’s taken care of at the motel. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Jim had done the talking, but Dan touched the brim of his hat and grinned.

  They were back in Rylan’s truck and Kailey frowned. “You really think everything’s okay?”

  Rylan laughed. “Gosh, you really haven’t traveled with the crew in a while, have you? Look, they’ll make sure everything’s fine and then they’ll grab a few beers and head back to the motel. Could be that having the boss lady along is cramping their style a bit.”

  She looked at him, her worry deepening the crease between her eyes. “Hey,” he added, “that doesn’t mean they won’t do their jobs. It just means that they’ll be extra careful about being well-behaved. You’re their boss. And you’re a lady. There are...sensibilities.”

  She snorted. “Rylan, I’ve been working with ranch hands since I started walking. I think I’ve heard it all.”

  “Yep,” he agreed. “And those men respect you. So they’ll step up and go the extra mile for you this week. You didn’t have to come along. You could have sent someone else. But they know that they work with you, not just for you. And I’m guessing they admire that about you a lot.”

  He knew he did. She was some woman. Tough and strong when she needed to be, and soft and tender, too.

  “So, where do you want to go to eat? Any ideas? I’m starving.”

  They ended up heading through town and stopping at a Mexican place, but instead of sitting to eat, they ordered takeout, stopped for a six-pack of beer, and took it all back to the motel. Kailey insisted she was too dirty and smelly to be in polite company, and what she really wanted was some chow and a hot shower. That suited Ry just fine, and before long they were checked into their room and sitting at the little table with takeout trays of enchiladas and Spanish rice spread over the top and two semi-cold beers ready to wash it all down.

  After their messy but tasty meal, Kailey disappeared into the bathroom for a hot shower and Rylan shoved all their garbage into a paper bag and put it in the waste basket. He cracked open another beer and parted the curtains, staring out the window at his truck parked in front of the room and the rather dreary lot across from the motel. He still wasn’t convinced he should have said yes to the trip. In all his years of traveling to rodeos and fairs he’d managed to stay free of the relationship trap. Sometimes he’d indulged in what was offered, sometimes not, but never had he let his heart get involved. And never had he given any woman false hope for the future. He was terrified that that was what he was doing right now. And hurting Kailey was the last thing he ever wanted to do.

  She came out of the bathroom, letting out a cloud of steam and floral scent. He turned around and his fingers tightened around his beer. She was wrapped in one of the motel’s white towels, nothing more, her wet hair slicked back from her face like a mermaid’s.

  He shut the curtains.

  She was fresh-faced, radiant, devoid of makeup or perfect hair. Just a woman in a tow
el. He swallowed, his throat thick with truth. Not just a woman. His woman. He’d been trying to deny it for some time now, but it was no use. He was falling for her and hard. She was going to make leaving Crooked Valley so difficult, but he wasn’t going to think about that right now. Couldn’t. Right now there was just her, and him, and eight hours before they had to be up and at the roundup.

  * * *

  KAILEY TURNED THE top on her bottle of water and took a long swig. Early September could be cool or it could be blistering hot and today it was hot. She could see the waves of heat shimmering in the air as competition got under way in the afternoon. Today one of their bulls, Brandt’s Boilermaker, would be in the lineup. This was the first year they’d put Boiler in the arena, and so far he’d done well. She had her fingers crossed for an exciting show today.

  Rylan came up beside her carrying two hot dogs. “Hey, you’ve got to eat. I brought some more water, too.” A bottle bulged out the left chest pocket of his shirt. “It’s a hot one for sure.”

  “Thanks,” she answered, taking the hot dog and giving him a smile. Rylan had been different the past few days. Sometimes she got the feeling he was distant, as though his mind was somewhere else. But then other times she was the center of his focus. She’d never felt as cherished or loved as she had these past nights. There was a care in his lovemaking that hadn’t been there before. The fire still burned as hot as ever, but there was more, and she knew she was falling in love with him.

  In her head she knew she should stop. That it was no good. But then another sort of logic reminded her that you couldn’t just dictate feelings and turn them on and off. They were what they were. And with the change in Rylan...well, maybe he was feeling it, too. Maybe they stood a chance...if they just took it slowly.

  “You having fun?” she asked after chewing and swallowing a mouthful of bun.