Reuniting with the Cowboy

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  His phone rang and he dug it out of his pocket. Mitch. “Hello?”

  “Those persons of interest we discussed. No record. Upstanding citizens.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “We’re talking Boy Scouts. Literally. Any more trouble?”

  “No.” Cody scratched between the dog’s ears. “Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree—pun intended.”

  “I hope so. You let me know if there are any more incidents.”

  “I will. Thanks.” Cody ended the call.

  Maybe the other night had been an accident. Kids playing a prank or taking a dare. Doubtful, but maybe. Or maybe it was just a onetime thing. Just in case, he had to stick close to Ally. To make sure she stayed safe.

  But how could he keep his heart in check while he protected her?

  * * *

  Her mom and the volunteers from the youth group traipsed the property with various dogs while Ally walked the Border collie spaniel.

  The kiss discussion was a whole day ago, but her heartbeat hadn’t gotten back to normal yet.

  She smelled good. Cody thought she smelled good. Back in high school, anyway.

  Now she smelled like...horse sweat, manure and worse.

  But twelve years ago, had Cody been attracted to her?

  No, she’d just been sad and he’d wanted to make her feel better. She knew it then and she knew it now. Why couldn’t her heart catch on?

  If he’d felt anything for her, he wouldn’t have left for the rodeo, wouldn’t have stayed gone so long.

  And besides, she did not need a man in her life. Not Cody. Or anyone else. She had to stop thinking about him and concentrate on finding homes for her strays.

  Gravel crunched in her drive.

  Past her regular hours, clients with emergencies tended to make frantic calls first, and her usual volunteers had already arrived and were walking dogs.

  “Let’s go see who it is, Oreo.” She turned the dog back toward the clinic.

  As she rounded the building Cody headed toward the barn.

  With a woman.

  Her heart stammered. His girlfriend? Fiancée?

  She couldn’t do this. Meet the woman in Cody’s life. Not with her hair more out of her braid than in. Not with manure on her boots. She turned away and tried to hurry Oreo out of their sight.

  “Ally, there you are,” Cody called.

  Ally’s shoulders fell. Out of all the horse ranches in Aubrey, why had the one next to her stayed vacant until Cody Warren decided to play ranch?

  “Ally, over here.”

  Straightening her shoulders, she pasted a smile on her face and turned around.

  “Hey.” Feet forward, one step at a time.

  Way too fast, the gap between them closed. The woman looked familiar.

  “This is my dog.” Cody bent to scratch Oreo. “Or he will be when I get a bit more recovered.”

  For you or for your girlfriend?

  “We bonded last night, didn’t we, boy? I’d take him now if it wasn’t for my knee, but Ally’s holding him for me.” Cody looked up at her. “You remember my sister, Tara?”

  His sister. Ally looked past the blond hair, recognized the familiar green eyes and smile. “Of course.” A fit of relieved laughter clogged in her throat. Did she sound as giddy as she felt?

  “It’s great to see you.” Tara hugged her.

  “You, too. I didn’t recognize you at first.”

  “Well, what can I say?” Tara patted her locks. “I’m a hairdresser. When I get bored, I change my color. So, where is she?” Tara rubbed her hands together much the same way Cody did when anticipating food.

  “She who?”

  “Remember?” Cody winked at her. “I told you to hold Buttercup until I could check with Tara?”

  The wink rattled her already-shaky heart. “Oh. Of course. You’d like to see her.”

  “Actually, I want to take her home.”

  “Without meeting her first? She’s not full-blood.”

  “I know and I was reluctant at first, but not because of her breeding.” Tara’s eyes misted and she pressed a hand to her chest. “I’ve still got footprints on my heart from Ginger and I initially said no. But Cody told me how sweet Buttercup is and showed me a picture. I couldn’t resist, so here I am.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Ally transferred Oreo’s leash from one hand to the other as the dog grew restless. “I know you’ll provide a good home for her. But there are a few things to consider before you see her. Didn’t you get married?”

  “Yes. We live in Dallas.”

  “Does your husband like dogs?”

  “Oh, yes. Jared is a major animal lover.” Tara’s smile turned dreamy. “I wouldn’t have married him if he wasn’t.”

  “What about children?”

  “Not yet, but definitely planned in the future.”

  “Chihuahuas aren’t the best breed with small children.” Oreo persisted in wrapping his leash around Ally’s legs. “They can be protective of their people and aggressive, so they’ve been known to nip toddlers for simply climbing into Mommy’s lap.”

  “I didn’t realize.” Tara’s eyes widened.

  “But she’s not all Chihuahua. So it may not be an issue and if it is, if properly trained or kept separate until the child is older, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Oh, good.”

  “Now, what about where you live?” Ally stepped out of the corkscrew Oreo had created. “Apartment? House? Do you have a yard?”

  “We’re in a subdivision, a house with a fenced-in yard.” Tara knelt to scratch behind Oreo’s ears. “We kept Ginger in the mudroom with a doggy door while we were gone. Whoever got home first romped with her in the backyard and sometimes we’d take her for a walk in the evening. When we were home, she had the run of the house.”

  Ally offered her hand. “You pass. Buttercup is yours if you want her.”

  “I do. Let’s go get her.” Tara stood and rubbed her hands together again.

  “Let me walk him back.” Cody took Oreo’s leash, his hand grazing Ally’s. Electricity shot all the way to her toes.

  While it took food to excite Cody, and Buttercup got Tara animated, it seemed Cody was Ally’s source of excitement. His nearness propelled her right over the edge of her sanity.

  Which was why she’d held off on agreeing to volunteer for the carnival. Spending a day and a half with him certainly wouldn’t help her keep her right mind. But time at the church with her other two dozen or so four-legged friends who still needed forever homes would be good advertisement.

  More than anything, she wanted to help the abandoned pets in her care. But could she survive working side by side with Cody?

  * * *

  It had taken Tara forever to finalize her purchases—a crate, a leash, a chew toy, along with tick-and-flea preventative—before she’d taken Buttercup and been on her way.

  Cody loved his sister, but he was dying to spend time with Ally alone.

  “So, you’re holding Oreo for me, right?”

  “I told you I would.” Ally pointed to the boarding side of the kennels. “See, I moved him over to the boarder side last night. He belongs to someone.”

  “Do I need to pay you for boarding him?”

  “No. He’s fine until you can take him home.”

  “I wish I could right now.” Cody sat on a hay bale and scratched the dog’s head. “Let me at least provide his food.”

  “I’m just glad he has a home. Whenever you’re well enough, he’s yours.”

  “You hear that, buddy?” The pup’s ears perked up at the enthusiasm in Cody’s voice. He already loved the dog.

  “And now that you’re in the longhorn business, Oreo is great with catt
le.”

  “So you know his history?”

  “His former owner brought him here because Oreo insisted on herding her horses.”

  “His former owner? Not his person?”

  “She obviously was never Oreo’s person.” Ally harrumphed. “I guess I should be glad she brought him here instead of dumping him. Thanks for finding Buttercup a home.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to let Tara have her for a minute there.”

  “I was just being cautious.” Ally raked hay out of a kennel and replaced it with a fresh batch. “I know Tara would never dump a dog, but a lot of the reason there are so many strays is because people aren’t prepared to have a pet. Some breeds have more issues than others, so I make sure my potential adoptive families understand what they’re getting into.”

  “I’m glad she passed. She’d already fallen in love with Buttercup.”

  “Actually, Tara got the brief version since she’s owned a Chihuahua before. If she hadn’t, I’d have gone into the chewing-on-the-couch issues.” The barking around them reached a crescendo as the last of the volunteers exited. “If the potential adoptive family has thought through all aspects of having a pet, there’s more of a chance that both the pet and their person will be happy.”

  “So why didn’t you grill me about Oreo before you agreed to let me be his person?”

  “Because I know you. I remember how much you loved Duke. How patient you were with him. Even as a kid. And I know you’ll love Oreo and take care of him.”

  Memories of his first dog warmed Cody’s insides. That Ally remembered did funny things in his chest.

  “You’ll take care of him no matter where you end up.”

  No matter where he ended up? Apparently he hadn’t convinced her he was settling in Aubrey yet. Even though his longhorns arrived yesterday and she was vaccinating them tomorrow. Maybe he should’ve had a little faith and bought the ranch instead of leasing it.

  The phone rang and she hurried past the kennels to the desk. “Ally’s Vet Clinic and Adopt-a-Pet. May I help you?”

  Cody scratched Oreo’s ears and cooed at him. How did animals reduce full-grown men to baby talk? Probably the same way babies did. Michaela, his niece courtesy of Mitch and Caitlyn, had him making silly faces and doing whatever it took just to get a grin out of her these days.

  And made him think about having his own kids someday. If he lived long enough for it.

  Ally let out a little whoop, whirled around and came running toward him.

  “What?” He stood.

  “You’re so awesome!” She hugged him.

  His arms slid around her waist, sending his pulse into orbit. “I’ve been trying to convince everyone of that for years.”

  “That was a friend of Tara’s. She said you told her all about my shelter. She’s coming tomorrow to get three cats and a dog, maybe even two dogs, for her kids.”

  “That’s wonderful.” But not nearly as wonderful as holding her.

  She pressed her cheek against his chest, probably hearing his erratic heartbeat. Way too soon, she pushed away from him and their gazes locked. Her face neared his as she rose on tiptoe.

  Was she going to kiss him? He closed his eyes in anticipation but her lips brushed his cheek. And then she was gone.

  By the time he found enough courage to open his eyes, she was grabbing a leash off the wall.

  “My volunteer walkers should get here anytime. You can stay and play with the critters if you want. Oh, and that carnival thing you mentioned. I’ll oversee it. I’ve got ponies, rabbits, goats and, of course, cats and dogs lined up. Is that enough?”

  “Sounds great. We still on for tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow? Wednesday? On for what?” She cocked her head to the side.

  “You’re supposed to vaccinate my cattle.”

  “Oh. Yes. I’ll see you then.” She hurried out of the barn.

  He pressed his palm against his cheek, trying to capture the sweetness of her lips on his skin as all his dreams puddled on the hay-strewn barn floor.

  At least she’d agreed to the carnival. A whole day and a half spent with Ally.

  Sorry, God. I know that’s not what the carnival is supposed to be about. Help me focus on the kids and not Ally. It’s gonna take lots of work.

  * * *

  Sturdy camouflage muck boots with pink trim and brown coveralls dwarfed Ally. But somehow she looked beautiful in the late-afternoon sunlight.

  “You sure we’ll finish by Bible study time tonight?” Cody forced his attention to the corral, which teemed with longhorns, but his gaze bounced right back.

  “Piece of cake. This is the last of them.” The smudge of mud that lined her cheekbone didn’t take away from her beauty. But it did give him an excuse to touch her.

  He pulled his work glove off and wiped at the smear with his thumb.

  She jerked away. “What?”

  “Just some dirt.”

  She wiped at it with her gloved hand, depositing more grime.

  “You’re only making it worse.” He chuckled. “And I think it’s more than dirt.”

  “Eeeeeewwww.” Her nose crinkled. “Get it.”

  Cupping her chin with one hand, he wiped with the other. And kept wiping long after the suspicious smear was gone.

  Despite their surroundings—a barn lot populated by fifty longhorns, a dozen ranch hands and two of her employees, all covered in sweat and worse—he still smelled her fruity shampoo, a hint of vanilla and fresh hay. He could drown in her milk-chocolate eyes as she looked up at him with trust.

  And there was something else in her gaze. Like she felt something, too.

  She pulled away, pushed stray strands away from her face with her upper arm and opened the chute. The longhorn they’d just finished with shot forward and one of his ranch hands led the next cow into position with a feed bucket.

  They continued that process, and an hour later, Derek gave the final injection, then turned the calf loose. They’d vaccinated all his cattle. Except for stubborn Bessie. The only cow with so much personality he’d already named her. She still stood in the holding pen, refusing to enter the corral to the chute.

  “I’ll get her.” Ally climbed the rail pen.

  Halfway up and before she could swing a leg over, Cody caught her foot. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Let me send one of my hands in.”

  “I’ve done this at least a thousand times.” She rolled her eyes and yanked her boot out of his grasp, swung her leg over the rail. “I can handle her.”

  “You just ran her calf through that chute. Mama cows don’t like it when you take their calves.”

  “Duh.” She climbed down inside the pen.

  “Be careful.” Bessie eyed her warily, the cow’s long horns making Cody wary.

  “Come on, Bessie.” Ally rattled the feed bucket. “Let’s get this one little shot done and then you can get on with your day, be back with your baby.”

  Bessie lowered her head.

  “Ally! Get out of there!” Cody clambered up the fence. Heat shot through his knee as his boot slipped.

  Bessie pawed the ground.

  Ally stood still.

  The longhorn charged.

  Chapter Five

  “Get out, Ally!” Cody’s heart stopped.

  Derek launched over the rail just to the cow’s left and Bessie wheeled toward him as Ally bolted for the opening under the pen. Just before Bessie gored him, Derek climbed the fence, then vaulted over as Bessie rammed her horns into the metal barrier. The steel pin stabilizing the temporary fencing held as Cody jumped down and pulled Ally under to safety.

  Bessie spun toward them and charged. Had his ranch hands driven the rest of the steel pins deep enough to hold? Please, God, keep Al
ly safe. He covered her body with his. Would this scare trigger his aneurysm to burst?

  Horns rammed against metal and Cody expected hooves on his back. Nothing. He turned to see Bessie staggering in the middle of the pen, shaking her head, slobber trailing from her mouth. He rolled off Ally, stood and helped her up, then dragged her farther away.

  Lance pulled off his gloves. “Can one of the hands mount up and drive her?”

  “Or a dog.” Cody kept his eyes on Ally, making sure she didn’t do something stupid again. But from the way she was shaking, she’d probably learned a lesson. “I’ve got a Border collie.”

  “Try the dog first. Ally, you go on home, Derek and I will handle her,” Lance insisted.

  “Be careful.” Obviously rattled, she nodded and started for her house.

  Cody limped after her, matching his hop-along gait to hers. Once they rounded the barn, out of eyesight, he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms.

  She didn’t resist, laying her cheek against his shoulder.

  “Don’t ever do anything like that again.”

  “I’ve done it—”

  “Thousands of times. But this time almost got you killed.” He held her away from him a bit, gave her a gentle shake. “And I couldn’t do a thing. I tried to climb in after you. But this stupid bum knee—I slipped and all I could do was watch those horns barreling toward you. All I want is to keep you safe and I couldn’t.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Just don’t do it again.” Another scare like that could kill him. “You’ve got Lance and Derek to handle the difficult ones. Let them. In fact, why don’t you stick with dogs and cats and let them deal with the livestock.”

  “It’s part of my job.”

  “Your critters need you safe.” He needed her safe. “And in one piece. If Oreo does the trick, you’re free to take him on every cattle call you get. If not, I’ll lend you a ranch hand and a horse. Okay? No more getting in pens with mama cows. Got it?”

  “Got it.” She searched his face.

  Had he given himself away?