Not Just Another Cowboy (Silhouette Special Edition)

by Finch, Carol

  While Chance dialed he silently cursed Dan Tipton. That irresponsible jerk must have really done a job on Alexa. Well, there were a hell of a lot of good and decent cowboys on the circuit. Sure, some of them believed in having a rowdy time, but not necessarily at someone else’s expense. Not everyone followed Dan Tipton’s philosophy of cheating on his wife.

  Alexa was dead on her feet, but determined to put the kitchen in order before she tucked Zack in bed. She had seen Chance drive off in the jalopy truck Howard had offered for use during Chance’s employment at Rocking T. No doubt, Chance had taken her suggestion to check out the local bar and its hovering barflies.

  So why was she disappointed in him? she asked herself while she practically scraped the Teflon finish off her skillet. Rodeo cowboys were notorious for their raucous nightlife. She knew that, had lived with it during her marriage. Why did she want Chance Butler to be different? Why should she care if he was or wasn’t? He was just another walkaway cowboy who came and went from her life.

  Alexa stifled the warm, tingling sensation prompted by the lingering memory of seeing Chance half-dressed. She couldn’t believe that she was actually pondering the outrageous possibility of accepting a date with him. She knew he would be entertaining company, and she could use a diversion from her daily routine....

  But it was never going to happen, she assured herself sensibly. Aside from the gossip that would fly around Willowvale, Howard would buck and kick to such extremes that he’d throw a shoe. He’d made it clear, on numerous occasions, that he didn’t expect her to have a relationship with another man after Dan died. Howard was protective and possessive of his family, and he wanted things left exactly as they were.

  Since Alexa’s parents had died in a small plane crash when she was in high school, she had no family except a younger sister. Her father’s modest savings had been swallowed up by final expenses, leaving two young girls to struggle for survival. When Alexa met and married Dan, this ranch had become Alexa’s home. Living life the way Howard expected her to was the price she paid for remaining at Rocking T.

  Alexa had learned to accept responsibility and obligation early in life. She had raised her kid sister, Debra, as best she could. That hadn’t been easy, because Deb had gone through a traumatic crisis after their parents’ deaths.

  There had been times when Alexa wondered if she had married Dan just to ensure Deb had the security of a home, until she went to college. Certainly Alexa had loved Dan—or thought she did—in the beginning. She had been swept off her feet by a man six years her senior. But Dan’s affection had been distributed nationwide, and Alexa found herself on the heartbreaking end of one-sided marriage vows.

  Well, that was all muddy water under the bridge, Alexa reminded herself. She had to make the best of her life, just as she always had. There wasn’t time for self-pity and complaint. Besides, what did she have to complain about? She had inherited half this ranch. She had a bright, loving son and a father-in-law who adored Zack. Howard was protective of her, even if he wasn’t too thrilled with her construction project, which went against the grain and tradition of a dyed-in-the-wool rancher.

  But every once in a while, Alexa found herself wishing for more.

  Aren’t you entitled to a life, too?

  Chance’s question returned to torment her. No, she couldn’t allow herself such self-indulgent thoughts. She did not need a man, had proved that hundreds of times in the past ten years. She could lead a productive, rewarding life with a successful bed-and-breakfast to manage.

  The roar of bad mufflers on the bucket-of-rust truck drew Alexa’s attention. She saw the flash of headlights, saw the interior cab lights flick on as she peered out the kitchen window. Her gaze was magnetically drawn to the sinewy silhouette in the front yard.

  A moment later there was a firm rap at the door.

  Alexa found Chance standing on the porch, his arms laden with plastic bags. He limped inside, uninvited, to deposit the sacks on the kitchen counter.

  “I’m having a few friends over for the weekend,” he announced matter-of-factly. “Howard said I could have guests if I wanted them. I didn’t think you’d mind preparing extra food if I paid for it.”

  She stared at him as if he had horns sprouting from the sides of his head. “Didn’t think I’d mind? I planned to spend Saturday framing the rest of the upstairs bedrooms in the barn. Do you expect me to be two places at once?”

  Chance shrugged nonchalantly, infuriating her. “You’ll manage, Superwoman. Besides, this is your chance to repay me for the favor of framing the barn this afternoon. And next time you decide to repay me by pointing me toward those glossy honky-tonk angels who hang out at the local bar, don’t bother. You probably find this hard to believe, but I can manage to get my own dates when I want them.”

  Damn, the man was more perceptive than she’d given him credit for being. He seemed to have her figured out, but he was sadly mistaken if he thought she was such a good sport that she intended to spend the weekend chained to the damned stove! Cook for him and his cronies? Like hell!

  “You can cook for your own guests, cowboy,” she snapped. “I’ve got more important things to do with my time.”

  “Consider this practice for cooking at your B-and-B,” he suggested, undaunted.

  “Consider packing your gear and leaving Rocking T, as of tonight,” she hissed, outraged by his presumptuousness, his domineering attitude. “I’ve got news for you, pal, I’m in control of this ranch. And I don’t take orders from temporary hired hands.”

  “Howard hired me,” he reminded her calmly.

  “And he can fire you. All I have to do is imply that you tried to get up close and personal and you’ll be history.”

  Chance closed the space between them in deliberate strides. Despite his limp, he could be very intimidating when he wanted to be, she noted. Six feet three inches of brawny, well-muscled cowboy was nothing to sneeze at. Alexa reflexively retreated when Chance loomed over her, sporting that mischievous grin that was as dangerous as it was devastating.

  “If and when I come on to you, sweetheart, you’ll know it,” he said in an ultrasexy voice that sent gooseflesh flying down her arms. “When I pull you good and close like this—”

  He hooked his index fingers in the belt loops of her jeans, towing her forward, until her hips collided with his.

  Alexa’s knees knocked together the instant her body came into contact with muscled, masculine contours. Lord! The man was as radioactive as a neutron bomb.

  “When we are well and truly up close and personal, like this—”

  His head lowered to hers, his sensuous mouth only a hairbreadth from her trembling lips. Alarm bells clanged in her head, but she found herself rooted to the floor. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think past that appealing scent of his cologne, the wicked temptation in his eyes, the devilishness in his smile.

  If her wobbly legs collapsed like a folding table and dumped her in an unceremonious heap at his feet she was going to die of humiliation. The powerful threat of his male body, the undeniable attraction, were destroying her sense of balance, her sense of well-being. The man rattled her, no question about that!

  “That’s when you’ll know that I’m coming on to you, Green Eyes,” he whispered in a voice like liquid velvet.

  Alexa knew he was about to kiss her, could see the glint of heightened desire in those entrancing eyes that burned like flaming mercury in the light. The betraying thought that she actually wanted to test her reaction to this no-account cowboy shocked her. Like a fool, she stood there staring up at him, waiting in nervous anticipation of something she wanted—and didn’t want.

  To her relief, or disappointment—she still wasn’t sure which—Chance released her as gently as he had drawn her against him.

  “But...I never make unwelcome advances toward women,” he murmured, his gaze still fixed on her lips. “I don’t believe in using my overpowering strength and size to my advantage, unless I’m bulldogging or lassoi
ng a steer in timed rodeo events.”

  Chance tipped his hat politely, then limped toward the door. “See ya at breakfast, Al.”

  When the door creaked shut behind him, Alexa braced her arms on the counter for needed support. Damn, Chance Butler nearly knocked her legs out from under her and he’d barely even touched her! Alexa shuddered to think what would have happened if he had actually kissed her. The man was definitely a threat to her feminine senses, her emotional equilibrium.

  Damn it, she had sworn off will-o’-the-wisp cowboys after her marriage to Dan. How could she be such a hypocrite?

  Alexa inhaled a deep, fortifying breath, determined to clear her clogged senses of the scent, feel and sight of Chance—the lady-killer—Butler. Alexa had made one crucial mistake in her life already. She was not about to repeat it. No matter how devastating Chance was, she was going to keep her distance. And he could damned well think again if he thought she was going to cook all the food he toted into her kitchen! She’d let him and his friends starve to death!

  Yeah, right, Al. You’ve spent your adult life placing the wants and needs of others before your own. You think you’re going to become self-centered overnight?

  Alexa muttered under her breath as she put away the food, then flicked off the light. She was the kind of person who took in stray dogs—like the lame-legged dalmatian puppy someone had dumped out at the ranch, the puppy Zack fell in love with immediately. No way could she dispose of that pup—or let grown men go hungry.

  For years she had projected an air of toughness so her husband wouldn’t know how much it hurt her to be slighted and betrayed. But on the inside, she was a tenderhearted softy. Somehow she would find time to squeeze in cooking. She had learned to do two things at once during her hectic days. Why not go for three?

  Chapter Three

  Breakfast was a silent affair. Howard’s arthritis was acting up and he had his hands full managing to hold on to his coffee cup. Zack was sleeping late—a habit he developed after rising early to catch the school bus during the week. Chance devoured his eggs, sausage and hash brown potatoes like a man who had been on prison rations for years. Alexa picked at her food and stared everywhere except at Chance, who had seated himself directly across from her.

  “I decided to take you up on your offer to invite guests for the weekend,” Chance told Howard. “All of my guests are rodeo cowboys who knew Dan. I’m sure you’ll recognize the names, since you read ProRodeo Sports News.”

  Howard perked up immediately. Chance figured he would.

  “I don’t want to impose, but I wondered if you would mind if some of the boys practiced their skills in your arena. You know, sort of casual competition ”

  Howard sat up a little straighter in his chair. “No, glad to have the cowboys in for the weekend. It’s been a while since Dan and his friends used the arena and chutes for practice. I don’t mind a bit.”

  Chance spared Alexa a discreet glance. She was silently fuming, he suspected. Her feathers might be ruffled now, but later she would thank him for this weekend—he hoped.

  “I know Alexa won’t mind feeding a few more mouths,” Howard said. “She’ll enjoy seeing some of Dan’s friends again.”

  Alexa would be nothing of the kind, judging by the annoyed glance she shot Chance. If looks could kill, Chance figured he would have been pushing up daisies on the north-forty.

  “I suppose the men are passing through on their way to the rodeo at the fairgrounds in Tulsa.” Howard reached over to refill his coffee cup, and Alexa automatically took the cup from his deformed hand to prevent a spill. “I’ve been thinking about taking Zack down to watch the events—”

  “No.” Alexa had kept silent as long as she could stand. Zack was not going to follow in his father’s footsteps and become the extension of his grandfather’s broken dreams. Her son was going to receive the higher education she’d been deprived of. Zack was going to become a chemical engineer, brain surgeon—whatever he wanted, as long as he wasn’t a rodeo cowboy!

  When Howard glared at Alexa, Chance felt the tension floating around the kitchen. Clearly, there was a private conflict of opinion at work here. He had unintentionally stirred up a hornets’ nest.

  “I don’t see the harm,” Howard gritted out.

  “Zack is just a little kid,” Alexa pointed out. “He needs to be at home, not kicking around bucking chutes like a rodeo rat.”

  “It’s the only way to learn the profession,” Howard maintained. “Rodeo and ranch are in that boy’s blood.”

  “Then I’ll get him a transfusion,” Alex shot back.

  Chance decided it was time to defuse what was about to become an explosive situation. “Breakfast was terrific.” He smiled cheerily. “I haven’t eaten this well in years. Since you’re anxious to start work in the barn loft, I’ll tidy up the kitchen before I feed the cattle.”

  When Alexa quickly accepted the offer and strode from the house, Howard scowled at her departing back. “I don’t know what’s gotten into that woman. If she isn’t careful she’ll mother Zack to death. I won’t let that happen.”

  “Maybe she just doesn’t want her son leading the rambling life that rodeo cowboys lead,” Chance put in tactfully. “From a woman’s standpoint I doubt the prospect has much appeal. Constant travel puts strains on family obligations, I suspect.”

  Howard considered that for a moment. “Maybe. There was always someplace Dan had to be. Alexa was left on the ranch a lot, but she should have understood the situation.”

  Chance wondered if the fact had occurred to Howard, who was wrapped up in his son’s world and teemed with fatherly pride, that Alexa was the one who suffered most by her husband’s lengthy absences.

  “I know it’s a sore spot among the married cowboys,” Chance added. “After a couple of years of constant separation I imagine a woman might start wondering what’s the sense of being married. Alexa may have wondered the same thing occasionally.”

  Howard frowned pensively. Chance suspected the old man was beginning to recall a few tense moments in this household. There were bound to have been some, given Alexa’s staunch refusal to lead her son down the trail to rodeos.

  “Well, maybe,” Howard conceded, “but I don’t see why I can’t take Zack to a rodeo every now and then. It’s not like I plan to load him up every weekend and drag him away from Alexa, you know.”

  You’re doing it again, Butler. Poking your nose in places it doesn’t belong, Chance caught himself thinking.

  Despite his better judgment, his personal reservations, he kept getting in deeper with the Tiptons. Who the hell did he think he was? The Tiptons’ counselor? He was here to recuperate from an injury that kept him off the circuit. What right did he have to meddle in this family’s affairs?

  No right at all, just an uncontrollable urge to help a woman who held his admiration, respect...and his growing attraction. Hell, this ticklish situation might blow up in his face, and what was he going to do about it? Walk away, just as Alexa expected his kind to do?

  Geez, maybe he should have rented a room at Sleep E-Z Motel for a month. Well, it was too late now, he realized. He had gotten attached to that talkative kid who asked more questions than a college entrance exam. And admitting that Alexa had gotten under his skin was a gross understatement. That little scene he’d staged in the kitchen last night had deprived Chance of needed sleep. He kept wondering how that feisty female would have reacted if he had kissed her. The mere prospect of kissing her had had Chance tossing and turning half the night. Swallowing a pain pill at two in the morning was all that had saved him from total insomnia.

  Before Chance got all hot and bothered over a woman who was off-limits to him, he stood to gather the plates from the table. He wondered if thrusting his hands into cold dishwater would be as effective as a cold shower.

  A half hour later he was assured that it wasn’t.

  Chance heard hiccuping sobs coming from behind the barn. It sounded as if Zack was blubbering like an abandoned
child. Chance knew how that felt. He’d done some serious crying in private during his troubled childhood.

  When Chance limped around the corner of the barn, he found Zack scrunched down in the dewy grass, slamming a baseball into his glove repeatedly.

  “Something wrong, kid?” he asked softly.

  Zack wiped his tears on the hem of his striped T-shirt, then looked across the rolling pasture. “Don’t wanna talk about it,” he mumbled.

  Chance ambled closer to lean leisurely against the barn. “Sometimes talking things out, man to man, helps. Take me for instance. I’ve been feeling left out because of this burn leg. I can’t do all the things I used to do because of it, either. All my friends are entering rodeos and I’ve been left behind for a few weeks.”

  Watery eyes lifted to Chance, causing a constricting sensation in his chest. “We picked teams to play baseball in gym class at school yesterday. I was picked last,” Zack confided in a trembly voice. “Nobody wanted me....”

  Another sob and hiccup escaped the little squirt. Chance slipped his hand under Zack’s arm to hoist him to his feet. “I’ve been itching to play some catch with you since I got here,” he confided. “But I didn’t want to crowd in on the time you spend playing with your mom. How about if I give you a few pointers that will make the rest of those third graders sit up and take notice of your baseball skills?”

  Zack’s face glowed with excitement. “Do you think you could help me get better at baseball?”

  Chance nodded. “I’m willing to give it a try if you are. You’d be doing me a favor, too, because I need some exercise to limber up my stiff leg.”

  Beaming in anticipation Zack tramped off twenty paces, then whipped around. After they had warmed up their throwing arms, Chance limped over to take Zack’s arm through the proper pitching motion. For the next half hour he encouraged and instructed Zack.

  The boy’s eyes were dancing with enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment when his fastball smacked into Chance’s bare hand “Wow! I’m gonna tell Mom that I’m getting better and you’re helping me!”