Valentine Cowboys

by Cat Johnson

  She remembered Justus and Dakota’s hands on her, inside her, Dakota touching her in a place no one ever had before. She knew her justification was bullshit. It had been much more than kissing and the mere memory of it had her insides twisting, wanting more.

  Melody drew in a shaky breath. “All right.”

  “All right? You mean—”

  “I made my decision and yes, I think I want to see you two again.”

  Justus whooped in her ear. “That’s great. Wait until I tell Dakota.”

  Great, now he’d go rushing off and tell Dakota they were going to get lucky tonight. She began to feel like this was a huge mistake. More, she began to feel like a whore. “Justus?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m not sure I’m ready for sex yet.”

  “Wait. You’re a virgin?” The shock in his tone made her laugh.

  “No. I don’t sleep around but no, I’m not a virgin. I’ve definitely had sex before.” Though her college boyfriend never knew how to touch her the way these two cowboys had last night.

  “Phew. How about this…what if we meet and have a beer and see how the three of us get along?”

  “Like a three-way date?”

  “Yes, but only we’ll know that. To everyone else, it’ll look like three old friends hanging out.”

  “And then?”

  “And then it’ll end just like any other date. Dakota and I will try and kiss you goodnight and hope you’ll let me…I mean us.”

  She smiled. “I’ll let you kiss me.”

  “And more?” There was a smile in Justus’s voice.

  If last night was any indication, yeah, she’d let him do more. Melody laughed. “Maybe. Okay, we’ll give this thing a try. Tonight?”

  “We’ve got some stuff happening here at the ranch that needs our attention. One of the heifers is close to calving. Can I get back to you after I check with Dakota?”

  Calving. Jeez, she’d forgotten how rural her hometown was after living in the city for so long. “Sure. Just let me know.”

  “Will do, and Melody, I had a really good time last night and I’m really looking forward to our date, and that kiss.”

  She smiled. What the hell, might as well tell him the truth. “Me too, Justus.”

  Damn. Now her panties were wet, just from his voice and the promise of a kiss. She was in big trouble. If she was put under the spell of those two again, she had a feeling there’d be a whole lot more than a good night kiss, and maybe that wouldn’t be bad.

  Hell, chances were she wouldn’t get this job. Having two guys to soothe her damaged psyche and make her forget reality for a little bit, two really nice guys at that, in spite of this crazy plan, might be exactly what she needed. Between student loans, her parents, and rejections from countless job applications, it was amazing to Melody she managed to get up and dressed every day. Some mornings she had to fight the urge to crawl into a ball and hide under the covers all day.

  The only reason she’d even been in the bar last night was because she’d seen a help-wanted sign in the window and figured it couldn’t hurt to explore her options. Fine arts degree or not, a job was a job, even if it was slinging beer at the local hangout. Unfortunately, it had been for a part-time dishwasher and paid minimum wage, no tips.

  Wrong or not, being with Justus and Dakota made her feel alive again. Made her forget her worries, at least for a little while. Made her remember the good old days and simpler times, when the only thing to worry about was if the boy in the row next to her liked her or not.

  She smiled. He liked her all right. So did the boy next to him. And she liked them too.

  Chapter Four

  “Oh my God.” The horse glanced up as Justus flipped his cell phone shut and said the words aloud, even though he was alone except for the animals. Melody wanted to see them again. Maybe they’d be together tonight. He had to find Dakota.

  Justus ran out of the barn, stopping only long enough to close and secure the door. He flipped the latch shut, spun around and nearly crashed head on into Dakota. The blood was rushing so loudly in his ears he hadn’t even heard the sound of Dakota’s boots on the packed snow and gravel behind him.

  Red-cheeked, Dakota stuffed his hands into his coat pockets. “One of the younger heifers is about to have her calf. Her water sac’s just starting to show and she’s acting like she’s having contractions.”

  Ignoring that Dakota had once again forgotten his gloves, Justus shook his head at this new information. “Shit. That calf’s definitely coming tonight. Where’s the heifer now?”

  Dakota hooked a thumb toward the dog at his heels. “Misty and I got her into the calving shed while she was still on her feet. I didn’t want her lying down out there in the field. It’s going to be a long cold night for all of us and I, for one, want to at least be out of the wind for it.”

  Tail wagging and ears forward, Misty circled Dakota’s legs. She got excited when there was work to be done. Herding dogs as a breed enjoyed their jobs, but Justus would likely lock her in the bunkhouse for the night. That heifer didn’t need to be worrying about where the dog was while she was giving birth. Too many things could go wrong. Then again, it could go perfectly smoothly. Either way, they didn’t need Misty as a distraction during it.

  Justus shook his head. “Blue was hoping to be home before any of them calved.”

  “Well then he should have moved his trip up by a week because unless he’s at the airport right now, he’s going to miss this one.” Dakota cocked a brow.

  “I know he was worried about this heifer in particular because it’s her first time.” They’d have to call Blue and let him know what was going on.

  Dakota blew out a long breath. “Hell, I’m worried about her too. Besides being a first-calf heifer, she’s small. We should have kept her away from the big bulls and only let her breed with one on the small side.

  Justus frowned. “None of the Maverick bulls are small. We’re known for the size of our animals.”

  Dakota sighed. “Doesn’t matter now. We gotta deal with it ourselves.”

  “Damn, I hope that calf is at least facing the right way.” Justus glanced up at Dakota. “What if it’s not?”

  His friend shrugged beneath the bulk of his jacket. “Then we’ll have to call the vet.”

  Emergency vet visits cost money. That cut into profits. “Blue rotated that one calf himself last year.”

  “That one wasn’t breech, it was just turned the wrong way. And besides, Blue’s not here.”

  No, he wasn’t, but Justus sure wished he were. This would be the first time Blue wasn’t here during calving season. That meant this would be the first time he and Dakota were all on their own. They definitely had to call Blue.

  Justus realized his cell phone was still in his hand and the reason he’d come to find Dakota in the first place hit him. “Aw, crap.”

  “What?”

  “Melody called.” Justus held the phone up. “That’s what I was on my way to tell you. She wants to go out.”

  “She wants to go out?” Dakota’s eyebrows shot up. “With both of us, like I said? Why did she call your phone? What exactly did she say?”

  Fragments from the conversation swirled in Justus’s mind, along with the realization Dakota was acting a little jealous that Melody had called his phone. He’d gone along with this crazy plan because everything had moved so fast, and was so crazy with them and Melody in the truck. Her pants half off, his hands all over her, but now Justus realized Dakota was right. This situation was a firestorm waiting to happen.

  It had to be completely even between them both or nothing at all. If Justus went out with Melody alone, it could very well cost him his friendship with Dakota. At the very least it would change it. He’d known it on some level before but now he really felt it as Dakota glared at him—Melody had to be with them both or not at all. And how the fuck would that work in the long run? Justus couldn’t imagine it. He couldn’t think that far ahead. It hurt his head and
his heart because he knew the answer. The three of them couldn’t work for more than a short fling. The local pastor wouldn’t exactly agree to marry them all, now would he?

  Justus shook the disturbing thoughts from his head. He couldn’t deal with them now. And maybe that was the answer. Have fun and enjoy being with her while they could and deal with the future later.

  He blew out a breath and watched it freeze in the air before him. “She said lots of things, and she called my phone because I wrote my number first, but I guess we’ll have plenty of time to talk about it while we’re waiting it out in the calving shed all night.”

  This would take all night, too. Older cows could deliver in two hours, but first-calf heifers could take six hours, and that’s even if things went smoothly. He better go tell Mrs. Jones they wouldn’t be eating dinner inside either. They’d have to eat something they could bring with them to the shed. Damn, this night was gonna suck. Just when he thought they’d be enjoying a beer, and hopefully more, in the company of Melody, they’d have to put off their fun until tomorrow night.

  Justus looked up at Dakota, who was frowning at him. “Okay, listen. I’m gonna go tell Mrs. Jones what’s going on and that we’ll be missing dinner. You go back to the shed, check on the heifer and call Blue. Then I’ll meet you there and we’ll call Melody together and figure out when we’ll be able to see her. All right?”

  “All right, but you and I are going to talk about that phone call and how this is going to work.” Dakota scowled.

  “We will. No problem.” Justus went to turn toward the house and then turned back. “Dakota?”

  He glanced over his shoulder, Misty at his heels. “Yeah?”

  “Together or not at all.”

  Dakota nodded and headed for the calving shed.

  “Oh, and lock the dog up in the bunkhouse for the night,” Justus called after him.

  “Will do.” Dakota raised a bare hand but didn’t stop.

  “And get your damn gloves while you’re there!” Justus yelled.

  He heard Dakota laugh. “Yes, Mom.”

  Chapter Five

  “It’s the young first-calf heifer you were worried about.” In the calving shed, Dakota stood near the door and held the phone to his ear as he told his boss what was happening. Signal sucked out in the pasture, but luckily they got some spotty signal in the barn and here in the calving shed, if you stood by the door in just the right spot.

  “Shit. I wanted to be there for that one. My flight’s not scheduled for until tomorrow. Maybe I can try and get on one today.” The frustration was clear in Blue’s tone.

  “Blue, by the time you get here, she’ll be done.”

  “Being her first time, it’s gonna take her a good six hours—”

  “And even if you can get a reservation on a flight today, by the time you get to the airport, sit on a plane from New York to Denver, connect to Yampa Valley, and then drive to the ranch, it’ll all be over.”

  Blue sighed. “I know, you’re right. You call the vet if anything at all goes even a little bit wrong. Don’t try to handle it yourself. Promise me.”

  “I will, Blue.” Dakota glanced at the heifer. Her water sac was already starting to protrude and if he looked closely, he could just see a hoof showing. As long as that was a front foot and not a rear one, it wasn’t breech and they were good…if the calf’s head was pointing down and not bent backward. And if the calf was upright and not lying on his back inside his mother. There were a lot of ifs to watch for.

  “Call me if anything happens—good or bad.”

  Dakota glanced at the combination clock/thermometer hanging on the wall and cringed. It was already nearly suppertime. “It could be pretty late. I don’t wanna wake you up.”

  “I don’t care. Do it anyway.” Blue’s tone was firm, leaving no doubt in Dakota’s mind he had better call him or pay the price later.

  “All right. I’ll call no matter what.”

  “And make sure the calf’s breathing when it comes out and if it’s not—”

  “I’ll clear the mucous and give it a slap and if that doesn’t work I’ll get the hose and breath into its nose.” Dakota shook his head. You’d think it was Blue’s baby being born, and not one of the hundred-plus calves they’d see born this season alone.

  “Just one nostril—”

  “While I hold the other nostril and its mouth closed. I know, Blue. I’ve seen you do it hundreds of times.”

  “Okay, I’ll talk to you later then.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Bye, Dakota.” There was a sigh in Blue’s voice.

  “Bye, Blue.” Dakota smiled and disconnected the call just as Justus came through the door.

  “Look what Mrs. Jones did for us when I told her we wouldn’t be able to leave here to eat dinner in the main house.” He held up a basket holding two short fat thermoses and two tall thin ones.

  Dakota frowned. “What’s in ’em?”

  “Hot beef stew and even hotter coffee.” Justus grinned and put the basket holding the containers, napkins, and cutlery down on the bench along the wall.

  “Good.” They were going to need both the food and the coffee for the long night they had ahead.

  “You call Blue?” Justus glanced at Dakota then back to the heifer.

  “Yup, just hung up with him.” Dakota blew on his cold hands. “He’s being a worrier.”

  “Nothing more than I expected. He’s not used to being away.” Justus scowled a little when he saw Dakota had obviously forgotten his gloves again, but at least he didn’t lecture him on it.

  “Yeah. You call Melody back yet?” Dakota crossed his arms and shoved his bare hands under the armpits of his coat.

  Justus’s brows knit in a frown beneath the brim of his hat. “No, I told you I was waiting so we could call together.”

  “It doesn’t matter anyway.” Dakota shrugged. “We don’t have anything good to tell her. Tonight’s a bust, and tomorrow night Blue’s back.”

  “Crap. I forgot he gets back tomorrow.” Justus let out a huff. “We can still go out with her.”

  “But we can’t bring her back here.” If anything did happen, it would have to be in the truck again. Not that he’d be picky about the place, but a man needed room to work.

  “What about here, tonight?” Justus looked up at Dakota.

  “Here?”

  “Sure. It’s not so bad. And you know most of tonight will be sitting around and waiting on this calf. If everything goes smooth, we won’t have hardly anything to do.”

  “No, but I’m not sure how Melody’s going to feel about this.” Dakota glanced around the calving shed. Yeah, it was clean, and not freezing cold, but not exactly toasty warm either. He supposed they could turn up the electric heater and throw a blanket over some of the hay bales.

  “We won’t know until we ask.” Justus grinned. “Besides, I’m thinking she’s been living in the city long enough that this kinda thing would impress her. Miss Casey sure seemed to take to the ranch stuff.”

  Dakota laughed. “It was Blue that Miss Casey took to, more than the ranch, and you know it.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. He still thinks we don’t notice that he spends most of the night in her room and sneaks back to the bunkhouse just before dawn.” Justus smirked. “Anyway, I’m calling Melody. You on board with inviting her here?”

  The heifer let out a groan of discomfort and kicked out with her rear hoof. Another contraction, but they were still coming far apart. This was going to take a while. Dakota let out a breath. “Sure, what the hell.” At that point they had nothing to lose.

  With one final glance and a nod toward Dakota, Justus pulled out his phone and moved nearer to the doorway. He pushed a few buttons as Dakota realized his heart had kicked into high gear. Then Justus was speaking.

  “Hey, Mel. It’s Justus. There’s been a slight change of plans but I was, well we both were, kind of hoping you’d be up for it. ” Justus listened for a second and then glanced at
Dakota. The anticipation was making it nearly impossible for him to stand still. “I’ll let Dakota tell you what’s happening.”

  Dakota found the phone thrust at him. Clearing his throat, he took a step forward and grabbed it from Justus. “Hey. It’s Dakota.”

  “Hi.” Melody’s soft voice filled his ear, even as his cock grew hard.

  Dakota dragged in a breath. “We thought you might like to get a taste of life on the Maverick ranch.”

  “Um, sure. If that’s all right.”

  “Sure, it’s all right. We’re the only ones here right now so we can’t leave, and we’ve got a heifer about to calve. Now likely everything will go smooth—” he hoped, “—but we still have to be here waiting on her. We thought maybe you’d like to join us. I know it’s not exactly a date but…”

  “No, it’s fine. I’m not really in the mood for hanging out at the bar tonight anyway.”

  “Good. So you know how to get here?”

  “Everybody knows where the Maverick place is,” she laughed. “But that’s about it. I mean I know where the main gate is, but I can’t say I’d know where to go after that.”

  Dakota smiled. “No problem. Cell phone signal is spotty here so you might not be able to call us when you arrive, but if you give me an idea of when you’ll be here, Justus or I will drive out and meet you in the drive at the front gate.”

  “Okay. I guess half an hour?”

  Dakota glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled. “See you in half an hour then. Oh, and Mel, dress warm. We’re in the calving shed so we’re kinda roughin’ it tonight.”

  He could imagine that one of her eyebrows had shot up at that, like it had at the bar when they’d been talking and she hadn’t liked something he’d said. Damn, he found that move sexy, even when she was on the phone and it was all in his imagination.