In a dreamy state, she let out a long sigh and tilted her head up. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and happiness enveloped her like a warm blanket. The feeling overtook her every time she set foot on the ranch. Redemption was home and had its own feel, but at times it was a lonely place with only she and Rose to fill the empty spaces. She was a little jealous of her neighbors. Not for how wealthy they were or how much land they owned, but for the love they had for one another. The family bond they shared.
Family gave you a place in the world and made all the hardships of life easier. There was security in knowing someone loved you, cared for you and wanted the best for you. Rose was the only family she had, and nearing eighty. A tiny ache nibbled at her heart when she thought about losing her. When Rose was gone, she would have no more family. Rex had made sure of that.
After she came to live with Rose, her stepfather forbade Frances and Mallory from visiting. He also made it clear Eleanor wasn’t welcome in their home. She missed her mother and sister, but knew any attempts at a reunion would bring Rex’s wrath down on them. He wasn’t a kind man even to his own flesh and blood daughter, but he never accused Mallory of being a burden or a bastard child.
Frances tried to shelter Eleanor from his outbursts of hateful words and angry slaps across the face, but the antidepressants prescribed by her doctor eventually numbed her beyond caring. On a visit to Redemption, Rex dealt the final blow when Eleanor refused to get in the car. A hit from the back of his hand split her lip and sent her running like a caged animal afraid of capture. She ran through rain and tears, crossing fences, meadows and pastures until she came to the old Coldiron home place. A refurbished two story cabin the family rented to out of town hunters. She climbed the steps, found a dry corner and curled up in a ball as exhaustion overtook her. The sound of footsteps opened her eyes, and brought her focus to a young man with rich brown eyes and a tender smile, McCrea. That summer was the start of everything good in her life.
A whinny brought her head down and her eyes to the wood line behind the barn. She recognized the distinct sound of his horse. The sleek black coat of the gelding and the well-defined build of the rider kept her attention. Playing college football had changed McCrea’s physical appearance. He was broader through the shoulders, and his biceps and thighs were more muscular than they had been when he was in high school.
The man was a spectacular sight. His wide brow and set jaw reminded her of an outlaw. That made her grin, but his hips moving in rhythm with the horse’s, made her groan. “He is so fine,” she said after he’d disappeared inside the barn. With her head towards heaven again, Eleanor basked in the last rays of the setting sun, and her love for the outlaw.
“Gotcha!”
She jumped and let out a scream as hands clamped around her waist, pulling her backwards and into a set of strong arms.
“God, Jess!” she yelled, recognizing the cowboy under the tattered pinch front hat.
“You scared the crap out of me!”
Louisa climbed the fence and sat in the spot she had occupied. Slim build with lovely features, she was the youngest of the three children. She was doted upon by her parents and grandparents and protected by her older brothers, but their attention didn’t make her spoiled or bratty. It did make her fiercely independent and headstrong, even if she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. Louisa was complex, but steadfast in her views on her place in the Coldiron family. She was confident, loyal and the best friend anyone could have. Austin would be a lonely place without her.
“I told him not to do it.”
“Sorry, El. I couldn’t resist.” Jess’ blue eyes dazzled in a way which caused women to stumble and swoon. His teasing boyish charm and playfulness made him even more appealing. He was easy going, and loved to flirt in a harmless way.
He raised her back to the top of the fence without effort, stealing her shades as he did, and took a step up. He winced and brushed it off with a grinning wink when he knew she noticed. Two years ago, a hard fall at the National Rodeo Finals ended his bronc riding career and dreams of taking home the championship. A compound fracture of the femur left him with a slight limp, and a thigh full of pins. With one long leg, he straddled the fence so he was facing her. “What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?”
Her eyes followed McCrea from the barn to one of the ranch work trucks. “Admiring the scenery.”
He slid the shades on and followed her eyes. “God, you’re lusting over him again?”
“Yes, I am,” she said without an ounce of shame and snatched the hat from his head. Somewhere along the way, her childish infatuation for McCrea had grown into love, and her toe-tingling desire and falling down attraction made it hard to be around him. So, admiring him from afar seemed to be the best way to get her daily fix.
The hat swallowed her head. “And a lot of good it does me. He doesn’t know I’m alive.” The obstacle threatened her bliss. She was a fool for the man and he hadn’t a clue.
“Sure he does.” Jess jumped down, laid his arms over the rail, and rested his chin on both hands. “He’s just playing hard to get.”
“Nope.” The dingy brown hat he’d had since high school, wobbled back and forth in a bobble head motion, and fell over her eyes. He thinks I’m a kid.” Would McCrea ever see her as something other than the girl next door? Or would she always be his little sister’s annoying friend? She tilted her head back so she could see him. “You’ve got a fat head; you know that?”
He frowned, taking offense in her claim. “My head is just the right size, thank you, and any man with eyes could see you’re not a kid anymore.”
“Maybe I should wear a dress to the bachelor party.” She lifted a jean-clad leg and twisted her foot from side to side. “I have decent legs.”
With a finger, he eased the shades to the end of his nose and eyed her legs. “I didn’t think you were working the party tonight.”
“I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I can’t show up looking fabulous.” Tonight McCrea would see her as a woman. She would be sexy and flirty and everything would be different between them.
“Yeah, that’s a great idea!” Louisa belted out with enthusiasm. “The little yellow dress you wore to the barbecue would be perfect.”
“Did I leave it in your room?”
“It’s hanging in the closet.”
Jess gave his collar a tug. “That dress is indecent.”
Louisa slapped his chest with the back of her hand. “It is not.”
Eleanor measured a high spot on her thigh. “I could shorten the length to get his attention.”
“McCrea won’t be the only guy at the bar tonight and if you walk in there with a skirt that high, they’ll be another damn fight.” The play left his eyes. “You’re not a slut, so don’t try to act like one.”
He was right. She wasn’t a slut, but she was so country plain McCrea would never notice her. “There’s no way I can compete with Vanessa Worley.”
“Set your sights for competition a little higher, will you?” He pushed the shades back in place, and craned his neck up to get a better view of the pasture in front of them. “Where is the old tramp at today? She’s usually hot on his heels.”
“Don’t be surprised if we find her hiding in the bed of his truck,” Louisa laughed.
“Tell me about it. With her around, I don’t have a chance.” Eleanor kicked the rail with the back of her boot, feeling frustrated at her inadequacy. “What I’d give for just a kiss.”
“You should do something to make him jealous.” Jess made his eyebrows bounce up and down and flashed her a devilish grin. “Make him think he’s got competition.”
“He’s right,” Louisa agreed. “Tell McCrea you have a date.”
“But I don’t.”
Jess sighed dramatically, and bent his head to study the ground before throwing up both hands. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Do what?” the women asked in unison.
“Be your date for toni
ght.” He dusted off the shoulders of his dirty work shirt, and rested his hands on his hips to mimic a James Dean stance. “I had plans, but…”
She closed her eyes with a grimace. “I’m pathetic.”
“Be serious, Jess.” Louisa leaned to one side, and bumped Eleanor with her shoulder. “I have no idea what you see in McCrea.”
Jess poked his head into the narrow space between them. “Me neither. You could do so much better.”
Louisa put a finger to her brother’s forehead, and pushed him backward. “You’re annoying. You know that?”
“Maybe.” Without warning, he plucked Eleanor from the railing, tossed her over his shoulder, and spun her around, smacking her bottom. “But I am fun.”
She shielded her backside with both hands and his hat tumbled to the ground. “Stop that! Put me down!”
He hauled her around to the front of him, and grinned. “Come on, El. Let me be your date.”
Struggling against his strong hold was futile. She was his prisoner until the game was over. “No, I’m not going to be a pity date. I’ll ask Conner.”
Like a ragdoll, he lifted her off the ground, took her hand, and spun her around in a grand waltz. “Oh, that kid’s not a threat to McCrea.”
She laughed at the dance. “And you are?”
He let her slide to the ground and whirled her out. “Hell, yeah. You know that I’m a ladies’ man.”
“Oh, good grief,” she said laughing as he yanked her back into his arms. “Will you stop it?”
“Not until,” his fingers darted along her ribs making her double over. “You agree.”
“Stop!” She tucked her elbows in to shield herself. “Please!”
“I told you I was fun.”
She jerked free while swatting at his hands. “Stop it!”
He made a leap forward, triggering her jump backward. “Nope! You’re mine, lady!”
She dodged his hand, snatched his hat from the ground, and sat it on her head. “Don’t make me hold it hostage.”
His blue eyes squinted with her threat. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, but I would. So if you want to see it again, you’d better call a truce.”
The thought of losing his hat made his hands fall. “That’s dirty. Using a man’s hat against him.”
She grinned, and prepared to run. Having been a victim to his bluffs more than once made her leery of him. “A girl has to do something.”
In a flash, he bolted towards her.
She spun around, ready to run for home, and plowed face first into McCrea’s chest. The collision plastered the hat against her face, and left her clutching his shirt for balance.
His leather-clad fingers grasped her forearm and gently hauled her closer. “You running to or from, darlin’?”
Darlin’? The way he drawled out the word made her lower belly tighten. “From.”
As he raised the hat, a smile which could only be construed as teasing broke his lips. “That’s too bad.”
“Can I have my hat back now?” Jess cut in with a begrudging frown.
McCrea slung the hat to him while keeping a hand at her waist. It was an odd gesture, seeing how he usually went out of his way not to touch her.
Jess tried reshaping the bent brim. “Where have you been?”
“Granddad’s been looking for you,” Louisa said from her perch on the top rail.
McCrea’s face hardened with furrowed lines across his forehead. “At the Point.” Promise Point was his sanctuary from the world and a place he visited often.
Jess crossed his arms and leaned against the rail. “That bad, huh?”
“Could be. I’ll know more after I talk to him.”
“Are you going to Tubs tonight?” Jess questioned.
At times McCrea’s eyes could be soft, and beautiful with gold specks when he laughed or teased. Other times, they were black, void of color and drilled into the depths of her soul. They were like that now. Drilling into her as if looking for answers. “Hell, yes,” he said, wiping dirt from her chin with his forefinger. “I need a distraction.”
The tender action was innocent. Something he would do to a small child, but when the worn leather glove skimmed her skin, heat gathered between her thighs.
“A word of warning,” Jess said. “He’s still pissed about last week.”
“Yeah, I know, but,” McCrea dropped his hand to peel away the gloves. “I didn’t start the fight, and he can’t expect me not to defend myself.”
“We all know that, but Willard’s granddaddy and ours go way back.” Jess slapped his shoulder. “And that means you’d better walk the line if you want to get back into Wade’s good graces.”
McCrea shoved his gloves into his back pocket and headed towards the house.
Eleanor watched him disappear through the double doors of the house. “He looks worried.”
“He is.” Jess took his hat off and scratched his head.
“He finally told Granddad he didn’t want to be a rancher,” Louisa said.
“What?” Everyone always assumed McCrea would follow in his dad and granddad’s footsteps. After all, ranching was in their blood. But he was a different man now. Time away from home had changed him. He was more withdrawn and more complex, and the carefree boy she’d fallen in love with seemed lost. Replaced by a man with drive and determination. A man who rarely smiled and laughed even less.
“That’s the same as blasphemy to Wade,” Jess threw in.
“Yep.” Louisa jumped down from the fence “They’ve been knocking heads since he came home from college.”
“I feel like this whole mess is my fault. Maybe I should explain what happened to Wade.”
“It’s not your fault,” Louisa reassured her.
“Wade’s always been hard on McCrea,” Jess said.
“Mom says it’s because he and granddad are so much alike.” Louisa hung an arm around her shoulder. “You staying for supper?”
“No. I promised Grandma I’d be back before then.” She hugged Louisa. “I’ll see you tonight?’
Louisa cringed. “Sorry, El I can’t come. I have a ton of things to do before I leave on Friday. Mom’s helping me pack.” She hugged her again. “Promise you’ll be careful.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m used to being around drunks. Besides, McCrea and Jess will be there if I need looking after.”
“You know I won’t let anything happen to our little El,” Jess taunted and handed her shades back.
Louisa grabbed his ear and gave it a hard tug. “You’d better not.”
He yanked away, nursing his lobe. “Damn, Lou! That hurt.”
She climbed over the fence and jumped down to the other side. “See you later.”
“We’ll have a girls’ night out before we leave,” Louisa yelled. “Just the two of us.”
Eleanor waved as she headed towards home. “You bet!”
Chapter Two
The Deal
“You can’t do this.” Even as McCrea said it, he knew damn good and well his granddad could do anything he wanted, including take away his inheritance. “That land is mine! You promised it to me!”
“Get a grip on that temper,” Hardin directed his son from the leather sofa across the room.
McCrea did as he was told by grinding his teeth and rethinking his strategy. “We’ve talked about this for years. Can you at least tell me why you’ve suddenly changed your mind?” This time his voice wasn’t as loud or as demanding. Respect would get him farther than anger. “Why now? Why after all I’ve done to prove myself worthy?”
His Granddad Wade was in his usual spot. Hands behind his back, facing the large picture window near his desk as he looked out over the ranch handed down to him from his father. The old man spent years working the land, but in recent years had been forced to slow down. His heart wasn’t as strong as it once was, and McCrea suspected the death of his grandmother three years ago had something to do with it. “You’re not ready for it.”
&n
bsp; McCrea began pacing the room. He’d earned a degree in ranch management just to appease his granddad, and he’d been ranching since he was old enough to mount a horse. “I couldn’t be more ready than I am now.”
What would he do if Wade refused to give him the land? Be a rancher like the two of them? Hell, no. He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life running cattle from one pasture to another with an ass end view of an animal he had grown to despise.
He could always leave, and go up north to Wyoming. He had cousins there who would help him find a place and get started.
A bitter taste worked its way up his throat. No, that wasn’t the life he wanted, and by God, it wasn’t the life he would settle for. He was a Texan and wanted his own spread in Hill Country to do with as he pleased. “Will you talk some sense into him?” he asked his father.
Hardin tossed his hat onto the couch, and crossed an ankle over his knee. “It’s his land to do with as he pleases.”
Wade’s wrinkled fingers gathered the curtain and swung it open. “This view is something I never get tired of. Rolling hills, fertile pastures. It used to regenerate me. Fourteen hour days were nothing. Now, I’m lucky if I get in four without having to rest.”
“You’re recovering, Dad,” Hardin reminded him. “You’ll be back to your old self in no time.”
They all knew that was a lie. The heart attack he had suffered in the spring had been a bad one. McCrea would never forget the night it happened. Calving season produced nearly twice as many calves as expected, and Wade insisted on being present for as many births as possible. They were his herd, and in his eyes, his responsibility.
It was just McCrea and his granddad bringing the calf into the world. Witnessing the birth of any animal was a unique experience. Being the first to see it, hold it and sometimes the one who watched it take its last breath put everything into prospective. That was the case with this particular birth. At first, he thought it was the sight of that dead calf being pulled from its mother that brought Wade to his knees. Hand clutched tight to his chest, pale complexion, sweaty face…. That night made McCrea realized his granddad wasn’t indestructible, and that it was just a matter of time before he left them. “What did Doc Bowman say?”
Goodnight Kisses Page 2
