“Red wouldn’t leave you here alone with this big guy. No way.”
She took exception to that. “He says Starburst likes me.”
Drake nodded. “Starburst’s kind of picky about people. I think he knows I like you, so he behaved himself. He’s a decent guy.” Drake affectionately patted the animal’s neck.
Luce was relieved to hand over the reins. “I assume that’s what Red thought, too, or he’s just so used to horses he figures everyone is as comfortable with them.”
“Hard to tell with Red. He seems like a down-to-earth soul, but he’s a sight more complicated than that. He might’ve thought that you needed a nudge and counted on Starburst to realize it, too.”
“Do I need to apologize for not growing up on a ranch?”
He shook his head. “Now, don’t try to make me feel sorry for you.”
“Sorry for me?”
“Everyone should grow up on a ranch.”
It wasn’t as if she didn’t realize she was being teased. “My parents have a beach house in Malibu, besides the place in Napa.”
“Little rich girl, huh?” He regarded her in that singular way he had. “You very carefully avoid the subject of your family. You want to study wild horses, but you’re obviously not used to being around the domestic variety. Your camping equipment is top-of-the-line, and even though you dress down, I think you seem like a Napa girl. I’m guessing you got the invitation from my mother because she knows your family.”
It didn’t surprise her that Blythe hadn’t completely explained the situation to her son, considering the shameless matchmaking going on.
Okay, maybe it was time to come clean. Luce looked into those very blue eyes. “My mother and yours were best friends all through school in California. They took vacations together and were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings—real best friends. I wrote to your mother, but I suspect there was a private conversation between the two of them. Trust me, I would never have agreed to stay at the house if I didn’t know something about the person who invited me.”
“I wondered.”
“Yes.” She put her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you ask before?”
“That information should be offered, not gained by prying into your life.”
A valid argument—and perhaps an example of why animals liked him so much. He was laid-back and considerate and didn’t invade a person’s space. Usually...
He shrugged. “I just did.”
“Right,” she conceded. “And I answered. Now I’m headed up there.” She pointed in the direction of the mountains. “If we’re going together, let’s get moving.”
He checked the cinch, probably out of habit. “We can. Let me saddle your horse first.”
Her what?
“Drake, listen, I—”
“You’ll take Grace’s mare, Molly, since she’s gentle. It’ll be faster for both of us.”
He was already opening a stall and leading out a very beautiful horse and slipping a halter on her. “Wait while I get the tack. Give her a carrot. Hold your hand out flat like this.” He demonstrated. “That way she won’t accidentally bite you, because she does love her carrots. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Luce tentatively held out the carrot he’d given her, following his instructions. It worked out—hand intact, horse docile and happy as she crunched away.
Drake returned with the tack and made short work of it, expertly handling the straps and stirrups, then turned to help her into the saddle. “Ready? I’ll take your pack.”
As she handed it over, he looked at her skeptically. “There’s a tent in here?”
“Seven pounds or so. All-weather, plus a thermal blanket. I’ve camped before. Oh, and a lunch, courtesy of Harry.”
“Then you’re ready.”
No, she really wasn’t. “I didn’t count on this when I got up.”
“On what? Riding a horse? Things aren’t always what we expect them to be. Happens to all of us. I’ll give you a leg up. Just relax, and she’ll do the rest.” He caught her around the waist and balanced her as she tentatively put one foot in the stirrup. “It’ll be fine,” he reassured her.
Easy for him to say. However, she did manage to land in the saddle. As he adjusted the stirrup length, he said, “Hold the reins loosely and only use them to communicate with the horse, let her know what you want her to do. This little lady is well trained or Slate would never let Grace ride her. She’ll probably just do whatever my horse does. The worst thing that can happen is you fall off, and even the most experienced rider takes a tumble now and then. You get up, dust yourself off and climb back on—just like that old cliché says.”
Two seconds later, he was in the saddle, too, and Molly was docilely following Starburst out of the stable.
Once she’d begun to relax, and the horses were walking at a sedate pace, the experience wasn’t as intimidating as she’d feared. In fact, with Drake right next to her, the ride was a surprisingly soothing and pleasant experience. Beautiful mountains, handsome man, cool breeze... What more could a girl want?
He pointed to a huge animal grazing by itself in an enclosed pasture. “That’s Sherman. Jim Galloway’s lined up some good leads on new bulls for me. Sherman’s done his time. My father picked him out and I’m pretty fond of that cranky critter. I’m hoping to get one a lot like him. He’s dangerous—all bulls can be dangerous—but he’s cooperative unless he’s riled up. He hates change, so if we keep his routine the same, he’s fine. By the way, did you know Slate wasn’t always Mr. Showbiz? He competed on the rodeo circuit for a couple of years during college. He was decent at it, too. Those trophies in his office aren’t just for his documentaries.”
“I noticed them when I was in there.” She stopped, not wanting to mention the image of a moonlit kiss. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen your office.
His smile was wry. “Don’t have one. I keep a ledger and receipts on an old table in the tack room and I bring them to the accountant once a month. Can you picture me sitting in an office? No, thanks. My mother handles everything to do with the house and, of course, Mace takes care of the winery.”
“I see what you mean. But I can’t picture you in tennis whites, either, although I know you played in college.”
“I needed something physical to do if I couldn’t have all this for four years.” He gestured at the vista around them. “Sending that ball over the net at a hundred miles an hour releases the frustration.”
“I heard you could’ve gone pro.” She was pushing it, getting so personal, but that wasn’t any more personal than what he’d done—yanking her into his arms and kissing the heck out of her.
“I hate crowds.”
That was the Drake Carson she was coming to know. Explanation over in three words. A possible Grand Slam title and cheers from the stands? No, thank you. I’d rather saddle up, ride out at dawn and get back after dusk, dirty and tired.
The man wasn’t interested in glamour, but she wasn’t, either. All those fancy wine-tasting parties with appetizers and swirly dresses were fine once in a while, but they weren’t anything special. Not to her—no doubt because she’d grown up with people who talked about the stock market at dinner and drove cars that cost more than some people’s houses. Drake was right; she was a rich kid, and her parents would’ve been happier if she’d decided to become a doctor or a lawyer. Ecology was just more interesting. She loved nature and that was why she enjoyed hiking so much. Looking at film and photographs of the great outdoors was fine, but experiencing it was very different. When her father had suggested a trip to Europe, he’d meant Rome and Paris and London; she’d accepted his offer and hiked the Alps instead.
“I prefer being outside myself.” Luce drew a deep breath. “This is a breathtaking place, but so is Napa.”
“Are we making comparisons
here? Or choices?”
What a question! She floundered for an answer. “Should I be? The only choice I made this morning was to let you force me up on this horse.”
“You chose to let me force you? Hmm. Sounds like a bit of a contradiction.”
“Give me a break,” she said tartly. “I’m concentrating on not falling off.”
“Or into my arms?”
Now she truly had no idea what to say. Drake Carson was teasing her. Again. She came up with a retort, although it took her a moment. “At least you don’t seem to have any lack of confidence, despite your flaws.” A little weak, perhaps, but it was the best she could do under the circumstances.
They were in a meadow of wildflowers that smelled heavenly. He swept off his hat and scratched his head, pretending to consider that, but his mouth was twitching with laughter. “Flaws, huh? Care to be more specific? I’m always up for self-improvement.”
“No, you aren’t. You do what you think you should do, and that’s that.”
“I hate to be the one to tell you this, but that’s not a flaw. You’d better pick another one.”
“You...you argue with your younger brother a lot.”
“Nope, that doesn’t work, either. He argues with me. Go on.” He replaced his hat and adjusted it. “If you continue at this rate, I’ll start to feel damn near perfect.”
“You’re...too tall,” she said with a laugh.
“Too tall for what?”
She didn’t respond but rushed into her next bogus complaint. “You talk to your dogs more than you talk to people.”
“Hey, Harold and Violet are smarter than most people. So if I want intelligent conversation, I usually do pick them. They’re also very good listeners. Besides, aren’t I talking to you now? That was a compliment, by the way. I said most people.”
“So, you’re saying I’m smarter than your dogs?”
“Oh, heck, no. I was talking about people, remember.”
If she could throw something at him, she would, but then she’d probably fall off and there was nothing available to chuck in his direction, anyway. She agreed with Grace; he was very funny.
And far too attractive.
He pointed at a spot she recognized. “I’m thinking we should pitch the tent there, by that spring. I’d leave Molly with you, but I can’t, not with the other horses nearby.” He studied the location, a small, protected valley. “Good cover for when it starts to blow.”
She looked at the cloudless blue sky. “Are you sure—”
“I’m sure.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE CLOUDS WERE THICKENING.
“You aren’t going to leave that pretty little girl up on that mountain by herself.”
Drake glanced up. Red wasn’t asking, he was telling. Right behind him stood Ryder, and the kid looked as bent out of shape as the old man.
Well, they could back off, both of them. He’d been busting his ass to get everything done so he could take off and he didn’t need them crowding him. “Uh, no, I’m not. I’m waiting for Jax Locke to get here so I can talk to him about those two sick cows.”
“Wind’s picking up.”
“You told me it would.” Drake straightened. “I checked my phone and the Doppler confirms you have it right, as usual.”
“Get going. I’ll talk to the doc.” For the second time that day, Red had Starburst saddled and ready to go. He handed over a large insulated bag. “This here’s a present from Harry. Supper. Don’t know what’s in there, but I bet it’s good.”
He’d bet on that, too. He accepted the cooler. “Any instructions?”
“Didn’t think you needed any. Just do what comes naturally, son.” Red guffawed at that remark. Luckily, Ryder had gone back to mucking out stalls.
Oh, news about the condoms had gotten around for sure, but by now Drake was resigned to that. “I meant for the food, Red.”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist that one.” He was still chuckling. “Nah, Harry knows a campfire meal might be kind of difficult tonight, so she kept it simple. No instructions. All she said was enjoy.”
Drake sensed another bad joke on the way and staved it off by mounting his horse with lightning speed. “I trust you to deal with the situation if those cows need to be quarantined. I don’t want the entire herd getting sick.”
“I was handling cattle before you were born. Good call to bring in the vet, but I’m guessing he’ll agree with me that those two just ate some plant they shouldn’t have. I’ve seen it before.” Red waved him off. Drake pointed at the dogs. “Stay.”
Both obediently sat down. At least someone listened to him.
It was one thing to spend a stormy night in a tent with a beautiful woman, and another to share the experience with two wet dogs.
He went before Red could repeat enjoy. He wouldn’t have put it past the old coot.
The air smelled like rain, and that rising breeze sounded faintly like a wail. Part of him said he shouldn’t have left Luce alone for most of the day, but another part reminded him that she was an intelligent and determined woman, smart enough to take care of herself. Besides, he’d had plenty to do. The first time they met, he’d explained that he wouldn’t babysit her, hadn’t he?
And yet... If he could, he’d keep an eye on her all day—and night.
He was looking forward to the nighttime shift, in particular.
The darkening sky told him the storm was bound to roll in before sunset. He squinted up at the slate-gray clouds roiling overhead and gave Starburst a gentle nudge to pick up the pace. The horse didn’t like the distant sound of thunder, his ears going back.
“You’ll have shelter soon,” he said reassuringly, patting the horse’s neck. “I chose a good spot.”
He had. It was a place where he and Slate and Mace had fashioned a lean-to for their horses, back when they were teenagers and still camped out fairly often. It was hardly master construction, but he’d left it because it reminded him of those outings, and no one saw the place, anyway. Truth be told, he’d replaced part of the roof last fall, just in case he ever had the urge to spend a night.
Good decision. The trees sighed as he got closer to the ridge, and flashes of lightning illuminated the silhouette of the mountains.
When he pulled up and slid off the horse, the drizzle had already started, and his boots made a soggy noise as he hit the ground.
Although the tent had been pitched, it was empty.
Oh, hell.
He stood there, holding the reins, trying to make a decision. He figured that was the moment he first knew he was in love with Luce Hale, because he was ready to jump back on his horse and go looking for her.
Good luck with that. There was a lot of country out there, and she could walk places he couldn’t get to on horseback. He wasn’t even sure what direction she’d gone.
She’d done some camping; she wasn’t inexperienced.
She’d know enough to come back to the site—wouldn’t she?
Drake hated waiting around, but right now, it was the most sensible thing to do.
Another hour passed before Luce finally turned up, and by then, the weather was really going to hell. The wind was practically tearing the tent off its pegs.
He was inside, fretting, thinking he couldn’t recall the last time he’d been so on edge.
When someone unzipped the flap of the tent, he actually ran a shaking hand over his face.
She was back. Thank God.
He was instantly furious. “It’s about time! Where’ve you been?”
Luce stumbled through the opening, lost her balance and landed squarely on top of him. There was no room to stand—and he had no objections at all. It took him two seconds flat to realize she was soaking wet and shivering. Her teeth were chattering. “I ju
mped in the stream. Not like I had a lot of choice. Oh, thank heaven, you’re warm. Take off your shirt.”
She certainly wasn’t warm. Wet, cold and delightfully female. But she was shaking so much he could hardly understand her.
He stripped off his T-shirt and dropped it. “Jumped in? Why?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ll get to that. For now, just help me off with my clothes. I’m so cold my fingers don’t work.”
Well, he wasn’t about to refuse that request. He did have questions about her fall in the river, but...
“Hold still.” He unfastened the buttons on her blouse. Underneath she wore a camisole thing with a built-in bra; he helped strip that off, too, and she settled against him, bare breasts to his bare chest.
It felt as wonderful as he’d predicted. This had been coming all along and he’d known it, but he hadn’t expected it to happen quite this way. Outside, the wind was shrieking.
He asked,” You aren’t hurt?”
She buried her face in his neck. “No...no. Frozen, but not hurt. What do you do up here, pour ice into your rivers?”
“Mountain runoff.” He kissed her underneath her ear. They were very close to altogether naked. He’d had fantasies about this. Her hair was damp and he smoothed it back, combing it with his fingers. “Any warmer?”
“Yes, thanks.”
“Get as close as you want.”
“I want closer. Take off my jeans.”
That would be his pleasure, as long as she was okay with it. His voice was huskier than he’d intended. “Luce, if I do...”
“Take them off. While you’re at it, take yours off, too.”
“You sure?”
“I am. But I’m so seriously cold I know I couldn’t work the zipper.”
It was really going to happen. He helped her out of her wet jeans and some very sexy panties he hoped she’d selected just for him. He’d probably set a world record at getting out of his own clothes.
He held her until she stopped shivering. In their intimate position, there was no doubt that she could feel he was interested in a lot more. Her arms were tight around his neck, but they relaxed bit by bit until she sighed against his chest. “Much better.”
Always a Cowboy Page 12
