The Cowboy's Autumn Fall

by Shanna Hatfield

  Although her mouth was small, her lips were moist and inviting. She had long legs, a nice curved figure, and apparently worked out by the toned muscles visible in her sleeveless dress. The most important thing Brice noticed was how absolutely perfect she felt in his arms.

  “I enjoyed meeting your parents,” Bailey said, glancing around like she was looking for someone. “Mom and Dad are around here somewhere. I’ll introduce you if I can find them.”

  “I’d like that,” Brice said, knowing it was hard to find anyone in the crowd of hundreds of guests filling the Triple T Ranch yard. Since it was getting late, some of the guests were starting to leave. It wouldn’t be long before Trent and Lindsay tossed the bouquet and said their goodbyes, then the cleanup process would begin.

  Brice promised to help tear down the tents after the crowd cleared out, so he hoped to spend the next few hours with Bailey. He suddenly wondered if she was staying at the ranch or elsewhere. “Where are you staying?”

  “Here at the ranch,” Bailey said, enjoying the feel of Brice’s arms around her. It had been a while since she had allowed herself the pleasure of being close to a man. This particular man was doing funny things to her ability to reason as his warm, leathery scent kept teasing her nose and his engaging smiles kept drawing hers out in return. “I have some business to attend to Monday and then I’ll head back to Denver with the family on Thursday. We all want to make sure we have time to visit with Nana.”

  Brice smiled as he thought about Ester Nordon, grandmother to the rowdy Thompson brothers. She had the same brilliant blue eyes as Trey and Bailey and was known for her gentle yet formidable spirit.

  “You definitely don’t want to miss that opportunity. I’ve had my ears boxed by your Nana more than once,” Brice said with a grin.

  “I’m sure you did nothing to deserve it,” Bailey said, smiling at Brice and finding herself wanting to kiss the mole that rested at the edge of his bottom lip. Shaking her head to rid herself of the notion made her dizzy, so she leaned forward and pressed her cheek against Brice’s firm jaw. She felt his arms tighten slightly around her and let out a contented sigh.

  Usually one to take things slow, Brice felt like he’d been hurtling headlong down an unchartered course since his eyes connected with Bailey’s. He had never before been so enraptured with a woman.

  “Bailey, I know this sounds crazy…” Brice started to say, but was cut off by cheers and clapping when it was announced that Lindsay was ready to toss the bouquet. Turning with his arm around Bailey’s waist so they could watch the fun, Brice cheered when Trent shot the garter in a high arc and Travis captured it by sticking one of his crutches up in the air.

  The crowd went wild with applause when Lindsay tossed the bouquet straight to Tess. Someone hollered “two down, one to go,” causing Tess’ face to turn a bright shade of red. It seemed to be a fact of general agreement that there would be another Thompson family wedding in the near future.

  “That is perfectly splendid,” Bailey said, leaning closer to Brice. “I didn’t realize Travis was that serious about your sister.”

  “He didn’t either until a few weeks ago,” Brice said, taking Bailey’s hand and leading her along with the crowd as they followed Trent and Lindsay out to where a carriage waited to whisk them away. Given the lateness of the hour, Trent and Lindsay were going to spend the night at their cute little cottage down the road then leave in the morning for a week on the Oregon coast. The carriage would drive them the few miles from the Triple T to their house.

  Waving as the carriage rolled down the long driveway, the guests began saying their goodbyes. It didn’t take long for the crowd to depart and the remaining family and friends to dive into the monumental task of tearing down the decorations and picking up the debris left from the celebration.

  Brice and Bailey helped clear off tables, fold linens and carry gifts into the house where Trent and Lindsay would open them upon their return. Bailey was uncommonly thirsty and drank three more cups of punch while she helped move the gifts inside.

  Noticing that plenty of help was making short work of the mess, Brice caught Bailey’s hand and tugged her away from the chatter of the others down to the pond where Lindsay and Trent exchanged vows earlier in the evening.

  Hundreds of white lights illuminated the area, hanging in the trees and draped over shrubs. It was beyond lovely and Bailey stopped at the bottom of the hill where the trail ended to take it all in.

  Brice watched Bailey and smiled, wondering if she enjoyed evenings like this in Denver. Frogs and crickets created a soft serenade and a slight breeze cooled the warm summer air. In addition to the shimmering white lights around them, a canopy of stars twinkled overhead.

  “Wow,” Bailey said, tipping her head back to stare at the night sky. She wasn’t sure if she moved or Brice did, but she found her head resting against his shoulder and his arm around her waist as they gazed at the stars. It was one of the most romantic moments Bailey had ever experienced.

  Feeling completely unlike herself, she spun around, throwing her arms around Brice’s neck and putting her lips to his.

  Brice’s surprise rapidly gave way to acceptance as his arms went around her and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

  Sure her lips were on fire, Bailey was torn between wanting the kiss to end immediately and go on forever. Tremors rocked through her and her heart felt like it might take flight from her chest in its frenzied beating.

  “Brice, I…”

  Lips moving insistently against hers kept her from saying more. It was probably a good thing since she couldn’t remember what it was she was going to say. Brice worked his way from her lips down her neck and back up to her ear. Moaning, she buried her hands in his thick hair. Tipping her head back to give him better access to her neck, he pulled her flush against him.

  Suddenly he released his hold and took a step back as reality crashed down on him. What was he doing? This was Travis’ cousin and from all appearances, she wasn’t the kind of girl to get embroiled in a passionate encounter upon first meeting someone.

  “I’m sorry, Bailey,” Brice said, trying to catch his breath and recapture some small degree of sense.

  “Don’t apologize, Brice,” Bailey said, leaning against him, even though she knew she shouldn’t. She should be offended, annoyed and angry.

  Only she wasn’t.

  She was, however, lightheaded, emboldened, and more interested in the good-looking cowboy standing in front of her than she thought she’d ever be about a man.

  Brice took a series of deep breaths, started to say something and stopped. Swiping a hand over his face, he took another deep breath. It would be way too easy to take advantage of the situation and he wasn’t going to let it happen.

  Finally, Brice turned toward the path leading back to the house, urging Bailey up the trail. “I think we better get back. We both seem to be under some sort of spell.”

  “Spells can be magical,” Bailey said, casting him a look that filled him with renewed longing. The heat in her vivid blue eyes made Brice trip. He had to take a few hurried steps to catch himself, causing Bailey to giggle.

  “Bewitched is more like it,” Brice muttered under his breath. He was doing some fast thinking as they walked back up the hill. If Bailey left Thursday that only gave him about ninety-six hours to convince her she was the woman for him and to stay in Grass Valley permanently.

  “You can’t be bewitched. I can’t wriggle my nose,” Bailey said in a breathy voice, turning her face to Brice. “See?”

  “Yes, I do see,” he said, trying not to kiss her again with her face so close to his. Actually, he was finding it difficult to see anything except the alluring woman who was standing next to him, warm and willing for his attentions. Gently pushing her forward, they continued walking.

  Cresting the hill, it looked like the work was done and those left behind were either going to the bunkhouse, the ranch house, or getting in their cars to go home. He watched Travis li
mp beside Tess as she walked to her car and whisper something in her ear that made her smile. Brice knew he’d have a few minutes before he needed to leave since Tess was his ride home and she obviously wasn’t quite ready to tell Travis good night.

  Leading Bailey around the corner of the ranch house where it was dark and quiet, he put his arms around her and let her warmth seep into him. He never imagined holding a woman would make him feel like he was finally complete, but that’s exactly how he felt with Bailey.

  “Can I see you tomorrow?” Brice asked as Bailey pressed against his chest, melting into him while obliterating his restraint.

  “Umm, hmm,” she said, eyes closed and face upturned to his. Feeling weightless and wonderful, she grinned. “But you better kiss me good night first.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Brice said, dropping his head to her mouth, giving her a kiss that made bright lights explode behind his eyes and his gut clench with heat.

  Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned so far into him, he was all but holding her up.

  “Oh, Brice, I think I just love you,” she said with a giggle followed by a hiccup. She toyed with the wave of his hair that fell across his forehead and purred in his ear. “You’re so sweet and sexy.”

  Pulling back, Brice studied her, trying to determine if she was sincere in what she was saying. Bailey had been somewhat reserved and quiet when they first met. As the evening progressed she became more and more relaxed and now she was quite… uninhibited. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was drunk, but all he’d seen her drink was punch.

  Narrowing his eyes, Brice realized the punch must have been spiked. Thinking back, he remembered seeing the rotten Bradshaw boys hanging around the punch bowl when no one else was around. They were famous for their ability to spike just about anything in liquid form.

  “Punch, Bailey. How much punch did you have, sugar?” Brice asked, gently untangling her arms from around his neck and helping her walk around the corner of the house.

  “I don’t know. Five or nine or eleventy-three cups,” Bailey said, knowing she sounded stupid, but unable to keep her mouth shut. Feeling flushed and dizzy, she was having the most difficult time simultaneously holding open her eyes and moving her feet forward. Despite that she felt completely light and without care. She giggled again and leaned against Brice’s arm. “It was yummy.”

  “I’m sure it was,” Brice said dryly, trying to keep her walking upright in her high heels.

  The third time she stumbled, Brice sighed and picked her up in his arms. Hurrying up the back steps, through the mud room and into the kitchen, he wasn’t surprised to see a few people milling around. Sierra was there talking to an older woman who looked enough like her, he assumed she was her mother.

  “My gracious, is she hurt?” the woman asked as Brice tried to set Bailey down and she refused to let go of his neck.

  “No, but she’s probably going to have a humdinger of a headache tomorrow,” Brice said, bending his head and sliding it out of Bailey’s grasp. He set her down on her feet, but her legs were wobbly and she tilted dangerously to the right.

  “I hate to ask, but would you mind? I’m her mother, Mary Bishop” the woman said, pointing toward the great room. She tried to hide a smirk behind her hand. “I can’t believe she’s snockered.”

  “No problem. Just point me in the right direction. South or North Wing?” Brice said, happy to help as he picked up Bailey, enjoying the feel of her body close to his, even if she was drunk.

  “South,” Mary said leading the way. Knowing the house well, Brice followed Mary and Sierra through the kitchen and dining area, past the great room and down the hall to the south wing of the house. “I’m Brice Morgan, a good friend of Travis.”

  “Thank you, Brice. I hate to meet you under this embarrassing circumstance, but it’s our pleasure. My apologies for Bailey,” Mary said, sounding more amused than distraught over Bailey’s drunken state. “I can honestly say she’s never been drunk before. I don’t know what inspired her to do so this evening.”

  Brice laughed and both Sierra and Mary turned to look at him. “It’s not her fault. I think the punch was spiked. I mistakenly thought she found me handsome and clever. Guess it’s just the punch.”

  Sierra smiled, glad to see her sister show some spark of interest in a man regardless of how drunk she may have been.

  “Oh, she liked you, Brice, or she would never have danced with you in the first place. She’s not much of a socializer,” Sierra said, sharing a knowing look with her mother.

  Brice carried Bailey into a guest room and gently placed her on the bed. When she reached up looking like she would kiss him again, he turned his face so all she got was his cheek. It wasn’t that he didn’t want about a thousand more kisses from her, he just preferred she be sober without her mom and sister watching.

  “Well, isn’t that something?” her mother said, observing the way Bailey was clinging to Brice.

  “I told you, Mom,” Sierra whispered, having already informed her mother about the cowboy who swept Bailey off her feet. “Now do you believe me?”

  “Yes, I do,” Mary said, watching as Brice kissed Bailey on the forehead and told her good night.

  He turned and gave them both a grin before walking toward the door. Mary put a hand on his arm, smiling warmly before he stepped into the hall.

  “Thank you, Brice. I hope we’ll see you again before we leave the ranch.”

  “I’d like that,” Brice said, tipping his head to both Sierra and Mary. “I look forward to seeing the lovely Bishop ladies soon.”

  Rather than retracing his steps through the house, Brice walked to the end of the wing and went out the door, hurrying around to the side yard where Tess was parked. Seeing Travis with his hands buried in Tess’ hair, Brice grinned.

  “I think you two have done more than enough of that for one evening. Come on, Tessie, let’s head home,” Brice teased as he walked up to the car.

  Tess jerked away from Travis, giving her brother a stern glare that only made him laugh.

  “Thanks, dude,” Travis said, shaking his head at his friend. “Don’t think we didn’t notice you saying goodnight to Bailey a minute ago.”

  Brice stopped the snappy retort he was going to give Travis and instead climbed into Tess’ car.

  Watching his sister blow a kiss to Travis, he felt compelled to blow one as well and bat his eyelashes dramatically, earning an elbow in his side from Tess.

  Heading down the driveway, Tess was quiet while she seemed to pull her thoughts away from Travis. When Brice glanced at her again, she offered him a teasing smile. He was going to have to be careful or Tess would give him a hard time about his attraction to Bailey.

  “You like Bailey, don’t you?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Maybe,” Brice said trying to sound uninterested.

  “She’s quite pretty with all that honey-colored hair and those intense blue eyes. I wonder how come she and Trey are the only ones to inherit Nana’s eye color.”

  “Don’t know. Just the way genes work I suppose.”

  “I happened to notice you two getting pretty friendly out back a little while ago. Don’t you think that is kind of pushing the limit considering you just met her?” Tess asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “I would say yes, except I figured out she was drunk.”

  “Drunk! How’d she get…oh, the punch,” Tess said, turning off the road into their driveway.

  “So it was the punch,” Brice said, slapping his leg. “Let me guess, the Bradshaw boys?”

  “I assumed so,” Tess said, parking the car and turning off the lights. “Travis said they asked a couple of their hands to keep an eye on the punch bowl, but there were a few minutes when it went unguarded. I guess we should have thrown it out, but Travis didn’t think the boys had time to dump anything into the bowl.”

  “Well, apparently they did,” Brice said, keeping a hand on Tess’ elbow to steady her as they walked
through the gravel to the back sidewalk. “I thought Bailey was completely taken with my undeniable charm and dashing good looks. Instead it was just the punch talking.”

  Tess laughed as they went in the back door.

  “Maybe, but I hope it at least had something good to say.”

  Brice grinned. It definitely had something to say. Something along the lines that love at first sight wasn’t such a far-fetched crazy notion after all.

  Chapter Two

  “Falling in love consists merely in uncorking

  the imagination and bottling the common sense.”

  Helen Rowland

  The sultry scent of woods on a warm, crisp autumn afternoon blended with well-worn leather invaded Bailey’s dreams. She could feel strong, muscled arms around her and kept envisioning sparkling brown eyes, filled with heat and mischief.

  Turning on her side in bed, she breathed deeply, inhaling the delicious scent that made her think of cowboys, harvest moons, and love.

  Love?

  That was completely ridiculous. Frowning she opened one eye to see Sierra pulling back the drapes and letting the bright summer sunshine fill the room.

  Pain shot through Bailey’s head and she thought she might be violently ill. Rolling onto her back, she moaned and placed a pillow over her head. The entire room was spinning, her throat was dry, and she wanted to cry.

  With startling clarity, everything that happened the previous evening came rushing back to her and she wished more than anything that a cavernous hole would open up and swallow her, bed and all, into its dark depths.

  What had she done?

  “Oh,” she whispered, clutching the sheet tightly in her hand in hopes it would help stop the spinning. She heard Sierra close the drapes then felt her weight dip the mattress near her head.

  “Hey, sleepyhead. We’re all ready to leave for church,” Sierra said, lifting the pillow from Bailey’s face. “Mom thought you might want to go. Brice will be there.”