COWBOY, INTERRUPTED

by MISSY HARPER

  There was a quick look of anxiety that crossed through his eyes before he hid it away, but he wasn’t fast enough. She knew the last thing he wanted was to be found in bed with her. That would mean he’d be stuck with her forever, or face losing the Van der Brook’s.

  “Let’s get in the shower.” He said as he kissed the top of her head and threw his legs over the edge of the bed. She pulled away and a strange look came across her face.

  “Do you mean… together?” She asked, just above a whisper, suddenly remembering her nakedness and pulling at the sheet to cover herself. They may have made love, twice, but the facts were still the same. One time had been due to lust and the other guilt on his part. So she really had no desire to hop in the shower with him and pretend they were in love… no matter how loud her stupid, troublemaking girl parts were screaming. They could just put their luffa’s away, because she and Ethan weren’t in love. They were only lovers, and it would only hurt her more if she pretended any longer.

  “We’re married, Runt. It’s okay for us to shower together.” He assured her. “Besides, shower sex is awesome, baby.” He promised, flashing his trademark grin at her.

  “I’m sure, but… I could use a minute to myself… if that’s okay?” Ethan tried real hard to hide his disappointment, but he felt as if she’d just slipped a little farther out of his reach. He was already agreeing to give up his wife on a, hopefully, very temporary basis, and now she wanted some time for herself. He wasn’t ready to give her up just yet. He wanted just a few more moments with her before he had to pretend she hadn’t become his entire world last night.

  “Okay, but be quick about it. I expect some real banging at the door to happen pretty soon.” Ethan said, lying back down and forcing a grin across his face.

  Chapter 18

  Facing The Van Der Brook’s

  Ethan stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and one in his hand that he used to dry his hair. He saw Rylee seated on the edge of the bed and couldn’t miss the slightly green tinge her face had taken on. He grinned at her as he reached into his bag to grab a clean pair of jeans and a shirt.

  “Not feelin so good?” He asked as he stepped into his jeans and zipped them up half way.

  Rylee shook her head and then bolted off the bed. She slid across the bathroom floor on her knees and hugged the toilet as the contents of her stomach made their protest known. Ethan walked calmly into the bathroom and turned on the cold water, wet a rag, and placed it on the back of her neck as he held her hair out of her face.

  “It’s okay, Runt. You’re gonna live, I promise.” Ethan soothed her, but the underlying chuckle could still be heard in his voice. All things considered, he was being an excellent husband, but she didn’t think the situation could get more embarrassing… that is until she heard actual pounding on the door and her brother’s angry voice coming from the hallway.

  “Oh, God. Tell me that’s all in my head.” She moaned and leaned her cheek against the wall.

  “Stay here. I’ll deal with him.” Ethan said in answer to her terrified expression. Ethan stood and headed toward the bedroom. He grabbed a shirt, quickly snapped it and tucked it into his jeans. He stopped with his hand on the door knob. “Are we still waiting?” He asked, looking back at her. She shook her head yes and laid her cheek on the toilet seat. Maybe being sick would make their story somewhat believable.

  “Where the hell is my sister!” Tanner demanded as he shoved his way into the room causing Ethan to stumble back a bit. Ethan pointed toward the bathroom, and as if on cue, Rylee began to hurl again. Ethan stepped around his friend and went to assist his wife, showing little concern for the angry bull now in his hotel room.

  Tanner watched the gentle way Ethan held the hair out of his sister’s face, and how he rubbed her back and then held her close, wiping her mouth as she leaned back in his arms when the puking stopped.

  “You alright for a minute, Runt?” Ethan asked as she shivered in his arms. He reached up and pulled down a towel from the towel rack and wrapped it around his new wife’s shoulders. “There you go, that ought to help.” He told her as he dropped a tender kiss on the top of her head before standing to face Tanner.

  “Did you find her?” It was Rory’s voice coming through the open doorway, but Rylee didn’t look up.

  “Yeah, she was with Ethan just like we figured!” Tanner spat out taking note of the rumbled sheets on the king sized bed.

  “Well, I know you didn’t think I’da let her out of my sight, or left her somewhere in the shape she was in.” Ethan said as he stepped out of the bathroom and found himself staring down a complete Van der Brook firing squad.

  “You fucked my sister! Didn’t you?” Tanner accused as he struck Ethan hard across the jaw. Ethan held out his hand to ward off any further attack. He didn’t want to fight with his best friend.

  “Tanner!” Rylee’s weak cry could hardly be heard from the bathroom.

  “No, I can honestly say thats never happened.” Ethan answered honestly as he stared straight into his best friend’s eyes and rubbed at his jaw. It wasn’t a lie. He had made sweet passionate love to her… twice, and no one would ever convince him it was anything other than that. Even if Tanner didn’t view it that way and thought he’d done nothing but use her, he was still wrong. Rylee wasn’t just Tanner’s sister, she was Ethan’s wife, and Tanner’d do well to remember that… once he actually knew about it.

  “You gonna stand there and lie to me when I’m lookin at that bed, and my sister’s been in your room all night! It even smells like sex in here!” Tanner gritted through his teeth, wanting nothing more than to beat his friend to a bloody pulp. Oliver’s big hand came to rest on his bother’s shoulder.

  “Dude, it smells like puke to me.” Oliver chimed in from just inside the door, wrinkling up his nose against the smell. “Maybe you need to work on your skills if you’re confusing the two.” Regina pushed past them all as Rylee stumbled out of the bathroom and headed back toward the bed, mumbling incoherently.

  “Had a little too much fun last night?” Regina asked her daughter as she adjusted the blankets to hide the evidence of her daughters activities. Rylee fell onto the bed with all the grace of a limp noodle.

  “Way too much! I’m never drinking again. You’re all terrible people for letting me drink so much!” Rylee moaned as almost everyone in the room chuckled. Tanner continued to glare at Ethan. Thor finally stepped forward and looked Ethan in the eye.

  “Son, I’m gonna ask you one question, and I want a straight answer.” Rylee buried her head in the blankets because she knew what her father was going to ask, and she knew Ethan wouldn’t lie to the man. He’d skirted Tanner’s question, and paid dearly for it, but her father wouldn’t leave open the same door her brother had. The jig was up, they were going to have to confess everything, and her whole family would bare witness to the fact she had a husband out of duty, or maybe fear, and certainly pity, but definitely not love.

  “Ask me anything, Thor. I’ll be straight with you.” Ethan assured him, looking him in the eye.

  “Did you…” His words trailed off as Regina shot him a stern look that told him to change his question. “Did you treat my daughter with respect last night, Son?” Thor demanded as he narrowed his eyes at Ethan, assuring him he was asking more than one question. Ethan released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and relaxed his shoulders.

  “With the utmost, Thor. I would never hurt Rylee, she’s my little Runt.” He answered as he offered her father a slow grin. Thor was no fool. He knew there was more to this story, but out of respect for his daughter’s privacy, he’d let it go, for now. He’d have a talk with Regina when they had a moment alone and find out why she’d wanted him to stop. She must know something he didn’t… that was how it usually seemed to be with her.

  “Boys, get your sister. Let’s see if we can’t get some food in her, and try to make our flight. Can’t even begin to imagine how pissed she’ll be if we
all miss our flights.” Thor announced.

  “It’d be her own fault.” Rory grumbled as he and Tanner moved forward to help Rylee off of the bed. Ethan put out his arm to stop them and placed his body between them and his wife.

  “I got her.” He said as he turned toward his wife and helped her sit up. She leaned her throbbing head against his stomach, with her shoulders slumped and her arms hanging down beside her against the edge of the bed. Her mouth was pushed open against his stomach in a most unattractive fashion, and Ethan thought she was about the cutest thing he’d ever laid eyes on.

  “Just shoot me, Ethan. Just leave me here to die. If I was a horse you wouldn’t think twice about it! You’d do the humane thing, and put me out of my misery.” She moaned with her eyes closed and arms dangling beside his legs. He smoothed his hand over her head and grinned lovingly at her. He wanted to lean over and kiss her so bad.

  “Nope, can’t do it.” He said as he brought his other hand up to rub between her slumped shoulders.

  “But it’s the humane thing to do!” She whined as he began to laugh, as did most of the room.

  “You slammed em back, Runt, now it’s time to pay up! Plus, I’d miss your sweet, sunny disposition if I had to be humane and shoot you.” Ethan joked as he placed his hands beneath her arm pits and lifted her to her feet.

  “Just leave me here. Forget you ever knew me.”

  “No can do, my little black ray of sunshine. Think you can walk?” Rylee shook her head yes and leaned her cheek against his chest.

  “Only because you’re not giving me another choice.” She mumbled.

  “Think you can walk without pukin on me?” He teased, brushing her hair out of her face.

  “Don’t try me, Hawkins!” Although still suspicious of Ethan’s tender behavior, her brothers began to relax a bit as he helped her from the room. They weren’t convinced nothing had happened, and certainly weren’t happy about the situation, but at least Rylee seemed to be alright, and Ethan didn’t seem to be grabbing his jeans and heading for his truck.

  “We’re on the next floor. Let’s get her into some clean clothes and then we can see about getting something into her stomach.” Regina said as they left Ethan’s room.

  “Yeah, and mom won’t be needing any of your help for that clothing part either, Ethan.” Tanner informed him.

  “Whew, that’s a relief! She was quite the handful in the shower this morning.” Ethan joked as he looked back over his shoulder with a big grin for his friend. Rylee’s elbow hit him hard in the ribs.

  “You know you were never in the shower with me, Hawkins! Quit givin my brother a hard time before you get your butt kicked in the hallway!” Rylee demanded of a laughing Ethan. He held her face in his hands and kissed her forehead before he realized he was doing it.

  “We know that, Runt, but look at his face. He’s so damn easy to rattle.” Ethan teased over his shoulder again, sending Tanner a big grin.

  “I know, I do it to him all the time.” Rylee said, giggling for the first time that morning. Ethan looked down at her and savored the moment. Damn, he wanted to kiss her again!

  He knew from the look on Tanner’s face that he would not be getting any alone time with his wife unless his friend knew the truth. Rylee grabbed her head as they entered the elevator and slumped against her husband. Ethan leaned down and dropped another sweet little kiss on the top of her head. He sighed and held her close, wondering how he’d ever lived without her.

  Let Tanner punch me again… she’s worth it. Ethan thought grinning peacefully to himself.

  When the elevator doors opened, Thor pressed the room keycard into Ethan’s hand. “We’ll be there in just a second.” He said, nodding for Ethan to go on without him.

  “Boys, go down and get us a table.” Thor said to his sons before they could all get off the elevator.

  Ethan looked at the keycard in his hand, nodded and headed off down the hall glad for the few minutes alone he may have with his new wife. He heard Tanner argue and Thor fuss before the sounds of the boys getting back on the elevator reached his ears. He opened the door Thor had indicated and took his wife inside.

  As soon as the door closed he pulled her close and kissed her lips tenderly. He pulled her head to rest against his chest and rubbed his hands up and down her spine.

  “You okay? We can still call your parents in here and tell them everything if you want. I’m sure they’d keep it quiet for a while if we asked them.” He offered as she looked up at him with those big tiger-striped eyes.

  “No, I think it’s right to wait for a while.” She whispered.

  “Me, too.” He said as he took her face into his hands and kissed her like she had always dreamed he would.

  “Alright, start talking. Why’d you stop me back there?” Thor demanded of his wife.

  “Are you blind, Thor?” She asked, shocked that he didn’t see what was going on.

  “No, all the more reason for my original question!”

  “It was a pointless and prying question, Thor. It’s not really any of our business, and I’m pretty sure you already know what happened in that room last night. There was no reason to give the boys anymore ammunition than they already had. We realize she’s a grown woman, but they still think of her as a kid.” She fixed her husband with her eyes.

  “Yeah, I know exactly what happened, and aren’t you a little concerned he may hurt our daughter?” Thor asked, sighing heavily and turning away from his wife. “This is Ethan we’re talking about. I love him like a son, Regina, but he doesn’t exactly have the best reputation where women are concerned.” He sighed and turned in a circle, showing an uncharacteristic lack of nonchalance. “I told the boy if he put his hands on her, he better follow it up with a ring… but I don’t know now.”

  “I don’t think Ethan will hurt her, Thor, and invading her privacy’s not going to stop her from getting hurt anyway. Did you see the way he treated her this morning. He wouldn’t even let her brother’s help her off of the bed.” Regina pointed out.

  “That doesn’t mean he won’t revert back to his old ways, Regina.” Thor worried his bottom lip, wishing he had some straw to chew on at the moment.

  “No, it doesn’t, Thor, but there are no guarantees for any couple.” She stopped his pacing by gently grasping his arm. “Look, Ethan has always had a soft spot for Rylee, and his behavior since he came back to Montana tells me that his feelings about her haven’t changed.”

  “And if they have… if they do?” Thor questioned his wife, feeling defeated in his quest to protect his only daughter.

  “Thor, Rylee has loved that boy her entire life. She decided to save herself for him a long time ago, and last night she made good on that. I wish she’d waited, too, but she didn’t. Maybe they’ll stay together and be happy, raise a family right next door to us. Maybe they won’t. But if they’re not meant to be together, then this may be the only way she’ll ever get over him and be able to get on with her life, honey. Sure, she’s been dating, but her heart’s not in it.” Regina reached out and pulled her husband into a warm hug she knew he needed. “I don’t like it anymore than you do, but strangely enough, I think this is what’s best for Rylee. She’ll either finally have her cowboy or she’ll finally be able to get over him.”

  “I see your point.” He sighed. “I guess the next thing you’re gonna tell me is for me and the boys to keep our noses out of it.” He grumbled.

  “You are one smart cowboy, Thor Van der Brook!” She joked, looking up at her husband. “I think they need some time to figure this out on their own, else they would have just fessed up to everything this morning.” She said, turning serious. “It’s not like either of them to lie or avoid a consequence.”

  “Alright, I’ll stay out of it as long as Rylee seems to be happy.” Thor reluctantly agreed. “For now!” He added, heading for their hotel room. “I’m only going to spend so much time not knowing what the hell’s going on in my own daughter’s life.”

  Eth
an pulled out a chair for Rylee at the table as her brother’s watched his every move. Tanner offered his worse glare to his friend. Ethan blew him a kiss… Rylee groaned.

  “Can I get you something to drink, sir?” A pretty waitress asked in a flirty voice after noticing the championship belt buckle at his waist. Ethan never even looked up at her as he continued to situate Rylee and see to her needs.

  “Um, I’ll have a milk and you can bring a Sprite for the Runt here.” He said, grinning at Rylee and not paying any attention to the flirting waitress standing next to him. “And bring me a couple of scrambled eggs and ham. A big order of greasy hash browns is what Rylee needs, so bring that too.” He said, finally looking up at the waitress, but it appeared he only looked up at her to make sure she had gotten his order, then his attention was back on Rylee.

  Thor made conversation and the whole bull riding incident was discussed, much to Rylee’s embarrassment. She sat with her feet up in her chair, arms wrapped around her bent knees and her head leaned into Ethan’s shoulder… mostly so she could hide her face, but it helped with the spinning, too.

  “I can’t believe you let her on that thing.” Regina chastised Ethan with a grin.

  “I can’t believe she stayed on it! That thing’s got some spin to it.” Rory chimed in with his two cents.

  “Don’t talk about spinning!” Rylee moaned into Ethan’s arm. Ethan chuckled, wrapping his arm around her and brushing his hand over her hair, barely resisting the kiss he wanted to drop on her forehead.