The Cowboy's Homecoming

by Donna Alward

  She looked up at him, knowing the time to lay herself bare had come and that she finally had to trust someone with everything. “I can’t say it’s any one defining moment,” she said, staying in the circle of his arms. “Rather it’s a lifetime of making the ranch my life. I’m a woman in a man’s world. And the ranch is successful, so on some level that’s threatening. At least that’s what Colt said.”

  “Threatening?” Rylan laughed. “Honey, if we’re talking about how capable and bossy you are, let me tell you, it’s sexy as hell.”

  Her body warmed all over from the praise. “Not everyone is as liberated as you, Duggan. I fight for credibility in this industry, but now and again I have to blow off steam. I have no one to blame but myself. I’m the fun girl, you see. Not the keeper girl. Because the ranch always comes first.”

  Rylan frowned. “Do you realize how often you label yourself? Why do you do that? Why do you have to be anything other than just Kailey?”

  No one in her life had ever asked her that before. “Ry, my parents are wonderful, but there has always been an unspoken ideal that I’m representing the ranch and have to act accordingly. Over time I suppose I’ve been afraid to show anyone the real me. Even my friends.”

  “And who is the real you, Kailey?”

  She sank her hands into his hair and gazed into his eyes. “The real me is a rancher, a woman, someone who wants a lover and a family and a place to call home. And that woman would have scared you to death six months ago.”

  He closed his eyes briefly. “You did. Scare me to death, that is. That’s why I left that morning, you know. I could see all of it in your eyes and it terrified me. God, we’re peas in a pod, aren’t we? So determined to never let anyone close, so we never get hurt.”

  “Except we couldn’t stay away from each other.”

  “No. We couldn’t. And then, of course, what I wanted changed. I had to stop running at some point. Crooked Valley was as good a place as any.”

  “And I had to open my heart to someone. I know you were telling the truth about the note. I admire what you did, too. It was responsible, honorable. Hell, Ry, it’s what I would have done if Rattler had been my horse. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I was just...”

  “Scared,” he finished. “And so was I.”

  “I have a hard time trusting, Rylan. But I can’t keep holding on to that one mistake. Everything you’ve done since coming back to Crooked Valley has proved I can believe in you. And the rest I’ll take on faith. I believe in you, Ry.”

  Finally, finally he said the words she’d been dying to hear.

  “I love you, Kailey. I thought I could go through life not having to risk my heart to anyone, but then there you were. Stay or go, that won’t change. I love you. And you’ve said you love me. All that remains is deciding what we’re going to do about it.”

  He loved her. Her heart sent up a wild hosanna and a smile blossomed on her lips. “We can talk about the future later,” she replied. Right now they had more important matters to take care of. “Can you please kiss me first, Rylan? I’ve been dying for you to kiss me again.”

  He cupped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her close, kissing her with a singular intent that sent her heart racing.

  “I love you,” he murmured, sliding his lips over the crest of her cheek. “And I missed you. So much.”

  “Me, too. Nothing was right...”

  “I had everything I was supposed to want and it was gray and meaningless...”

  “I thought I’d sent you away for good. Ruined everything...”

  “Not a chance.” His lips captured hers again and before long jackets dropped to the ground and their hands were skimming over warm skin, dying to be close once more.

  “It’s cool out here,” he proclaimed. “I don’t want this to be rushed and prickly on the grass and whatever else. I want to love you properly, Kailey. I want to make up for lost time and make things right.”

  She ran her hands over his shoulder blades, loving the feel of the warm skin beneath his shirt. “You’re going to make me wait?”

  He captured her arms and his fingers circled her wrists. “Only for a little while. I need you to listen to me first, okay? Because I don’t want to be the one to screw things up this time.”

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  He twined his fingers with hers. “Kailey Brandt,” he said, his gaze clinging to hers, “I was not looking for love. You weren’t on my radar at all. And I was dreading seeing you again when I came back in May. I knew I’d been a total ass in February. I definitely didn’t deserve for you to give me another chance. But you did.”

  He squeezed her fingers. “I told myself it was fun and light and easy, but I knew exactly what I was in for when you asked me to go to Idaho with you. That night before I left...something changed. There was a moment when I looked in your eyes and I could see my future laid out in front of me. I wasn’t scared anymore. I wanted to go home, look after Rattler, and figure out how everything fit together. I wasn’t prepared for you, sweetheart. Not prepared, not looking. And suddenly there you were.”

  Her eyes stung, touched by the sincerity in his voice and gaze.

  “I know you’re scared. I’m scared, too. Scared to love you. Scared I might disappoint you. Scared I’m not the man you deserve.”

  His lip wobbled, and she sniffed, trying to hold herself together but not sure how long she could.

  “I’ve never trusted anyone, not since I was five years old. But I trust you, Kailey. I love you. And somehow we’ll make it all come together. You somehow became my everything. My reason for breathing, my light in the darkness.”

  How long had she been waiting for someone to say those words to her, to mean them, to love her so much he couldn’t go on without her? She was deliriously happy and humbled by it, and she held tight to his hands as she responded. “You’re my everything, too, Rylan. Nothing seems to work when you’re not in my life.”

  His eyes were troubled, though, as he gazed down at her. “I can’t just up and leave Crooked Valley, though. I have to stay to take on my third, which will ensure Lacey and Duke’s futures. I need to do that for them. I need to know I...I did something important. I can’t be the add-on anymore.”

  “You’re no afterthought. Especially not to me, Ry. You know that, right?”

  His eyes softened. “I’m working on believing you. And I love hearing you say it.”

  She touched his cheek. “We’ll figure it out. The most important thing is we’re together.”

  She remembered saying to Lacey and Carrie that when a person loved another, they should be willing to follow them anywhere. Right now, in this moment, she knew that she would make that sacrifice to be with Rylan. He was the one. She also knew that he would never ask her to make that sacrifice, because he understood her better than anyone she’d ever known.

  Which was exactly how she’d always believed it should be.

  “Rylan?”

  “Yes, honey?”

  She tilted up her chin and smiled. “Is this a proposal?”

  The sideways grin she loved crept up his cheek. “Well, shoot. It would be if you let me get to it.”

  While the horses grazed nearby and the creek burbled over the rocks, Rylan got down on one knee and Kailey put her hand over her mouth, thrilled and surprised and overwhelmed that her greatest hopes had come true.

  “Kailey, will you marry me? I don’t know what the future holds, but I promise I want to be the one standing beside you as we find out.”

  She nodded, tears clogging her throat and preventing her from answering. But she figured he got the answer anyway as he stood up and she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Eight months later

  THE SPRING ROUNDUP was in full swing. Today the event was at Crooked Valley. Local ranchers, including the Brandts, all pitched in to help Duke and the rest of the crew brand, vaccinate and neuter cattle. It was busy, dusty, dirty, tiring work, and at
the end of the day Lacey and Carrie put on a huge spread of food including grilled ribs, cornbread, baked beans and a smorgasbord of other delights that were guaranteed to please workers and neighbors alike.

  Amber, now finishing kindergarten and ready to move into first grade, was in charge of plates, napkins and cutlery and made sure everything was replenished for the workers. Carrie spooned up the beans, Evan’s head peeking out over the top of a baby backpack. Kailey grinned at the sight of the red curls and touched her tummy, wondering when the right time would be to tell Rylan the good news. She’d just taken the test two days ago, and figured they’d get today over with before he got to play protective daddy.

  Lacey was working the grill, basting the ribs with her homemade sauce, and Kailey watched as Quinn stepped up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. He said something and Lacey laughed, then they shared a quick kiss before he moved on again. Recently they’d begun the screening process for adopting, hoping for a brother or sister for Amber.

  A year and a half ago, Joe had been ill and the future of the ranch had been uncertain. Now it was full of life again, and children, and hope.

  “Hello, gorgeous.” A pair of strong hands came to rest on her shoulders. “Tired?” He gave her shoulders a little rub and she let out a satisfied breath.

  “A little. Good day, though. Days like today remind me what ranching is supposed to be like. And community.”

  “Me, too. I’d forgotten for a long time, I think.”

  She turned her head and looked up at him, his strong jawline and twinkling eyes. Her husband for the past seven months. Their wedding had been low-key and lovely. Neither had wanted a long engagement or a big production. A month after the proposal, they’d tied the knot in the country church with only their families in attendance, and then had gone back to the Brandt house for a homemade prime rib dinner. Their honeymoon had been spent in Glacier National Park, a romantic three nights in the mountains sleeping in the cozy quarters of Rylan’s camper. Since then they’d moved into Quinn’s house—the bungalow was a convenient halfway mark between the Brandt and Duggan properties. Instead of selling off the bucking stock side business, they’d come to an agreement with Brandt and operated as a subcontractor, so both ranches reaped the benefits without being in competition with each other.

  “Do you need to stay late tonight?” she asked. As good as the day had been, she was tired, and could use some quiet time. Like a warm bath and a cuddle on the couch with her favorite cowboy.

  “I should be good to go by eight or so.”

  “Sounds fine.”

  Duke strolled by, dirty from head to toe, and gave Ry a slap on the back. “Hey, you newlyweds. It’s about time you got on with the baby-making business, don’t you think?”

  Kailey saw him wink at Carrie, and with a laugh she patted her tummy and then raised her eyebrows at Rylan and Kailey.

  “Wait,” Kailey said. “Are you saying that you and Carrie...”

  Duke’s grin was huge. “We said we wanted to have our kids close together. So they’d grow up together.”

  He looked at Rylan as he said it, and the brothers shared a look that a year ago never would have happened. So many fences had been rebuilt within the family, all due to Joe’s crazy will.

  “Congrats,” Rylan replied, shaking his brother’s hand.

  “Well, you’re a healthy lookin’ guy. No reason why this should be taking so long.”

  Kailey’s heart pounded in anticipation. “Um, who said it was taking too long?”

  Duke stared, but she only had eyes for her husband. All it took was a quick nod on her part and he let out a whoop that could be heard all over the farm yard. “When?” he asked her, and she laughed.

  “I found out a couple of days ago.”

  He picked her up and swung her around. When he set her down again, she saw Duke grinning at Carrie and patting his belly to share the news and Quinn and Lacey grinning at them like idiots while Amber piped up, “Why is everyone smiling?”

  It was Rylan, the man who just a year ago had driven into Crooked Valley with no intention of staying, or falling in love, or making plans for the future, who answered her.

  “You’re gonna have another cousin, sweetheart.”

  Amber was off, telling the good news to anyone who would listen, and Rylan turned back to Kailey and looked into her eyes. “Are we ready for this?”

  She smiled at him and shrugged. “Rylan, when have we ever been ready for anything? We just take it as it comes. And it all works out right.”

  He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Jeez, for someone who had trust issues, you’ve really learned to take a lot on faith.”

  “All because of you,” she murmured, gazing up into his eyes. “All because of you.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from HER COWBOY GROOM by Trish Milburn

  http://www.harlequin.com/harlequinexperience

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin American Romance story.

  You love small towns and cowboys! Harlequin American Romance stories are heartwarming contemporary tales of everyday women finding love, becoming part of a family or community—or maybe starting a family of their own.

  Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin American Romance every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Other ways to keep in touch:

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  Chapter One

  Linnea Holland only had five minutes before opening time for her bridal boutique and a busy day of catering to the romantic dreams of Dallas brides-to-be. Still, that was enough time for one more peek.

  She hurried to the back of the building, to the room that held the most gorgeous wedding gown Linnea had ever seen. And it was hers. In two weeks, she would wear the Ellen Clare original design as she walked down the aisle toward her very own prince.

  Okay, so Michael wasn’t an actual prince, but he certainly treated her like a queen. The past six months together had been a whirlwind of fancy dinners in fine restaurants, beautiful flower bouquets delivered to her at the store when he had to go out of town on business and an engagement ring that had taken her breath away. As she stood and stared at the dress with lace so delicate it looked as if it might float away into mist if she touched it, she still couldn’t believe she was going to be Mrs. Michael Benson. Sometimes she pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t in the longest, most realistic dream imaginable.

  Not only was Michael a successful executive with a big investment firm and drop-dead gorgeous, but somehow out of all the women he could have, he’d chosen her, the middle daughter of two teachers. And it had all started when she accidentally bumped into him coming out of a coffee shop, dousing his crisp white shirt and designer suit with a caramel latte. She’d been mortified, and he’d asked her out on the spot, stunning her speechless. He’d just smiled until she’d remembered how to utter a “Yes.”

  It had been the kind of first meeting you saw in movies, and the moment he asked her to marry him she’d been determined to make her wedding like something out of a fairy tale.

  She glanced at the clock and hurried out of the room. She might have a fairy-tale wedding on the horizon, but until then she had a business to run. She reached the front door just as she heard Katrina, her business partner, coming in the back.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Katrina called out.

  Linnea turned the lock on the door, then headed toward the curved white counter in the middle of the store. “You’re not late.”

  “Well, late for me,” Katrina said as she shoved her purse into a drawer behind the counter.

  Linnea smiled at Katrina. “Considering you’re here at least half an hour early every day, I think one day of right on time isn’t going to mar your record.”
>
  The truth was, Linnea couldn’t have asked for a better partner in her business. Katrina possessed a lot of business savvy, loved the boutique as much as Linnea did and was an excellent salesperson. Michael liked to tease them by calling them the odd couple because Katrina was petite with a stylish black bob, while Linnea stood several inches taller and had long, wavy red hair. They might look different, but in all the ways that mattered they were a perfect business match.

  “So, how many times have you been back to stare at your dress this morning?” Katrina asked before taking a drink of her coffee.

  “Only once.”

  Katrina laughed a little. “Going into withdrawal yet?”

  Linnea bumped Katrina’s shoulder with her own. Before she could think of an appropriate response, however, their first appointment of the day arrived— Rena Cavendish and her very demanding mother. Linnea put on her best smile and went to work.

  By the time Rena’s mother finally agreed on the last of the details for her daughter’s wedding, Linnea felt as if she needed about twelve hours of sleep to recuperate. Still, she didn’t let her smile waver as the Cavendish women made their departure. It was her job to make them happy, to make them believe helping them was the absolute highlight of her day. Most of the time, she did love every minute of her job. But there was the occasional mother like Marilyn Cavendish or a true bridezilla who made keeping her smile from faltering extra challenging.

  When Rena and Marilyn disappeared around the corner, Linnea felt like massaging her aching facial muscles. She glanced across the store to where Katrina was aiding a young bride who, by contrast, was as sweet as pie.

  The door chime drew Linnea’s attention. A woman perhaps a few years older than her with blond hair pulled back in a chignon walked in.

  “Good morning,” Linnea said, smiling more naturally this time. “How can I help you?”

  “You’re Linnea Holland.” The fact that the words weren’t a question left Linnea with an odd feeling. Maybe it was the way the woman was staring at her without looking away.