COWBOY, INTERRUPTED

by MISSY HARPER

  “What? So, you think he loves me or something just because he’s been a pain in my ass?” Rylee asked as if he were stupid.

  “I don’t think a thing, darlin. I know the boy does!”

  “Then why has he never said it!” Rylee allowed a little more emotion to escape than she’d intended.

  “Because he’s as ignorant as that horse ya love so much.” Earl smiled down at her. “You tell that ignorant animal everything about you, but does he ever offer ya any decent advice, Rylee?” She blinked up at her husband’s foreman. “No, he doesn’t does he? He just acts like he understands because he loves you so much. It’s no different with Ethan. He acts like he loves you, but he’s too damn ignorant to put it in words.”

  “It’s just a three word sentence, Earl. I don’t think he’s that stupid.”

  “He’s just a cowboy, Rylee, and most of us aren’t too good with words and feelings and such. But, let me ask you something. Is not hearing such a short sentence really worth throwing away a life with the man you’ve loved for years when you know it’s ignorance and not a lack of feeling on his part? Think about it, Rylee, and ask yourself why it’s good enough from Oscar, but not Ethan.” Earl added as he turned and left the barn.

  It only took a minute for her to realize how stupid she’d been about this whole situation. She loved Ethan, and he’d shown her in so many ways that he loved her back. Now it was time to make the ignorant man say it… and say it he would!

  “Who’s the stupid one now, huh, Short Bus?” Rylee said, standing and hugging her horse.

  Ethan walked into his brother’s restaurant hoping for an opportunity to talk with his wife. He knew better than to try calling her, she’d just let it go to voice mail again. He figured if she wasn’t taking his calls yesterday, then she certainly wasn’t going to take them after last night. He’d bet his last dollar she was flaming mad at him right now, hence the trip to the restaurant instead of the ranch. She was a lot less likely to rip into him in a public place… then again, he was dealing with Rylee Van der Brook.

  “Hey, Crystal. Rylee back there somewhere?” He asked the waitress as he leaned on the pizza bar.

  “Sorry, Ethan, she’s not here.” The young girl said with a sad face. Obviously she knew what had happened the night before. “How’s your nose?” Ethan grinned when she scrunched up her own little nose.

  “It’s fine. Bart Kyle hits like a girl.” He smiled his trademark smile and offered her a little wink as he chuckled. “My grandmother hits harder than that guy.” Crystal giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. “So, what time does Rylee come in today?”

  “Oh, Nick said that she was workin from home and to call her cell if we needed her.” Crystal answered, looking as if she was giving him the worst news she would ever have to give a person. He really hoped that Billy or Bobby, or whatever his name was, realized what a sweet girl he had. “Is there something that I can help you with? We still have some of the lunch special left. Want some?”

  “Sure.” Ethan said, knowing he wouldn’t do much more than push it around on his plate, but he just couldn’t make himself tell the sweet little girl no. How strange life had turned out to be. Only a few months ago he would have been all charm and sex appeal in an effort to get this sweet little girl in his bed. Now, he was wonderin if her boyfriend realized how special she was. Boy, life had certainly taken a turn!

  Crystal brought out a steaming plate and set it before him. “Want a beer?” She asked.

  “How about some iced tea.” Ethan smiled up at her and she hurried off to get his drink.

  He took a few bites, but just as everything else since Rylee had handed him those papers, it had no taste. He dropped his fork in his plate and leaned his head in his hands, elbows on the table.

  “Mizta Ethan? Can I talk to you?” Ethan lifted his head, eyebrows raised, to find Ramon standing next to him looking very nervous.

  “I’m not interested in gettin between you and… anybody!” Ethan answered not recalling the name of the man’s lover.

  “Mizta Ethan, please… I need for to talk with you. I worry about Mizz Rylee. She so sad all de time now.” Ethan lifted his head and narrowed his eyes at the man standing beside his table, twisting his hands together as if he were a nervous wreck.

  “What do you mean?” Ethan asked angrily.

  “Please, five minutes, you give me?” Ramon begged in his thick accent. Ethan pointed to the chair across the table from him.

  “Clock’s tickin, Ramon.”

  “Mizz Rylee, she have been very much sad since her trip to Las Vegas. I know what happen there supposed to stay there and all, but it not, Mizta Ethan. She is broken.” Ramon said, struggling for words and touching his gentle hand to his chest.

  Ethan shoved his chair back and started to stand. He didn’t have to sit here and listen to this! He’d done everything he could to make her happy! She was the one that wanted out, not him! Ethan was stilled by a gentle, but very firm hand on his arm just above the wrist.

  “Please, I not say tha it’z your fault, Mizta Ethan. I am very much worried about her. Please listen… if you love her?” Roman stood his ground and stared up into Ethan’s eyes until he took his seat again. There was obviously more to this gentle man than met the eye.

  “Mizz Rylee, she tough on de ow-side, but not so tough on de inside. She tender and break easy on inside. I see this because she iz like me, Mizta Ethan. She needs tenderness and kind words tha make her feel… safe.” He told Ethan, searching for the right word and not sure that he’d found it.

  “My English is no very much good, Mizta Ethan. I try to say tha she is like me, and you are like my Jorge. He no like to talk about feelings. It make him uncomfortable so he not do it too much. I know tha he love me. He do things for me all the time!”

  “Spare me the details.” Ethan grumbled. Ramon laughed and finally Ethan smiled at the man.

  “I no give you details, Mizta Ethan. I want you to listen, no?” Both men laughed before Ramon continued. “Sometime things, they get bad, or sometime I just think tha maybe things change for him, or maybe I read his actions wrong. Then I start to think tha he no love me anymore, maybe he never do love! Things get real bad and we start to fight…”

  “Like that fight you two had in the kitchen?” Ethan asked. “Throwin lettuce and shit…” Ethan added as if it had been the dumbest thing he’d every witnessed.

  “Si!” Ramon beamed a huge smile at Ethan. “My Jorge, he recognize tha I need to hear the word. Sometime words are very important, Mizta Ethan. My Jorge, he give them to me, not all the time, but always when I need to hear.” Ramon placed his hand on Ethan’s arm again.

  “You give Mizz Rylee the word, Mizta Ethan. She need to hear, she like me and you like my, Jorge. You not give her the word… you lose her, Mizta Ethan.” Ramon removed his hand from Ethan’s arm and stood up.

  Ethan sat there thinking for a few minutes. Could the answer be that simple? Was that what she needed? Ethan thought back over all the time they’d spent together and tried to remember if he’d actually ever said the words to her. He couldn’t remember a single time he’d said it out loud. He remembered lots of times when he’d showed her, but never had he given her the words. Ramon was right… he was just like Jorge, however disturbing that might be!

  He stood up and grabbed Ramon’s face with both of his hands and planted a big, smacking kiss right on his mouth. “Thank you, Ramon, and tell Jorge I said to eat his heart out!” Ethan grinned and turned to leave the restaurant.

  Chapter 27

  Spoilin For A Fight

  The Van der Brooks had just sat down to eat dinner when the back door flew open, banging against the side of the house. Ethan strode in looking more predatory than he ever had before. His eyes searched out Rylee and held her fast. He stalked across to the table and placed his hand on Regina’s shoulder.

  “Momma Gina, I’m gonna need you to go pack a bag for Rylee. She’s gonna be needing it.” He told Rylee’s
mother as Rylee bolted to her feet. Ethan never took his eyes off of his wife and grinned a little at her reaction.

  “Okay.” Regina replied, trying to hide her smile as she headed for the stairs.

  “Okay!” Rylee exclaimed, shocked that her mother would even consider such a thing. Regina simply smiled at her daughter and kept on walking. Thor tried not to smile too much, but he knew where this was headed, and he was damn proud of the boy.

  “Hello, Runt.” Ethan cheerfully announced as he slowly stalked toward her. Tanner started to rise from his seat, but Thor held out his hand, motioning for his son to stay out of it. “I realize you haven’t been speaking to me for the past couple a days, but I think it’s only fair to let you know that has ended, and we’re gonna have a little talk.”

  “I’m not interested in having a talk with you, Ethan, so just march your arrogant, demanding little self out of my kitchen.” Rylee shot back, firming up her jaw and settling in for a fight she’d been looking forward to all day! She’d known he’d show up sooner or later. His pride would eventually demand it.

  I’ve got you figured out, Hawkins! Now, you’re gonna admit it right here in front of everyone… since we all know that’s how you like it. You’re going to make this right, Ethan Hawkins! Rylee mentally demanded as she planted her feet and prepared for battle.

  “Too, bad.” Ethan said, leaning slightly forward as he took another predatory step toward her. “I reckon that’s another lesson I’m gonna have to teach you…”

  “Not in my kitchen, Son.” Thor said as another shiver ran down his spine. Ethan chuckled under his breath and grinned at Rylee.

  “Don’t worry, Thor. I’m gonna take her home before I give her anymore of those lessons.” His eyes danced as he spoke, and Rylee narrowed hers at him, wondering what it was she was missing.

  “I want you to leave, Ethan.” Rylee said firmly, knowing there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening.

  “No you don’t.” He replied as he took another step. This step brought her within arms reach so she took a step back. They continued this dance until her back was against the kitchen stove, again.

  “Yes, I do. Get out, Ethan!” Ethan only laughed and moved a little closer to her.

  “Liar.” He loudly whispered.

  Like fishing in a barrel with a pistol. Rylee smiled to herself, making sure she kept her angry, ticked off face in place for Ethan.

  “I’m not only stayin, but we’re gonna have this talk. Then I’m gonna take you home with me, cause I’m tired of playing games with you, Runt.” Tanner bolted to his feet at his friends words. Oliver and Rory kept their seats.

  “Sit down, Tanner!” Ethan commanded. Tanner’d seen his last time to keep him from his wife. “This is between me and my wife, and you don’t have to worry about me hurting her. Hell, you don’t even have to worry about her not wanting me here, does he, Runt? You’re just spoilin for a fight, aren’t you? I can see it in your eyes.” Rylee simply raised an eyebrow at him as if to say bring it on, buddy! “Not to worry, Runt. I’m here to give ya exactly what you need.”

  Shock stopped Tanner, and he looked at his father and brother’s. Rory had a similar look on his face, but not Oliver or Thor. Tanner took his seat and glared over at Oliver.

  “I’m not speaking to you, and I’m damn sure not going anywhere with you. I don’t go anywhere with men that roll around on the ground like boys when they have a problem with each other. So, you may as well get back in your fancy truck and go home, Ethan!”

  “That may be, but the last time I checked you were still my wife, Runt. So, if I go home, you’re comin with me. That’s how it’s gonna work from now on.”

  “I signed the papers! We aren’t married anymore, Ethan. You can’t just come in here and make demands of me anymore.” Ethan pulled the folded papers from his back pocket and held them up for her to see.

  “These the papers you talking about?” He asked reaching around her with his other hand. Rylee jumped when the gas burner came to life, but Ethan was there pressing her back into the stove. “Careful, Runt. Wouldn’t want ya to get burned by the flames.”

  A flicker to the side caught her attention, and she looked over to see their annulment papers burning in his hand. “This is what I think of the papers you signed, and just for Tanner’s sake, I never demanded anything from you. You gave it to me freely and loved every minute of it. If ya don’t believe me, ask your dad.” He tossed the burning papers in the sink and then planted a hand on the kitchen counter on either side of her.

  “Aren’t you confident… and I’ll just have my lawyer print another set of papers.” Rylee said, lifting her chin farther in the air.

  Say it, Ethan. I dare you, you coward. Tell me you love me! Rylee mentally challenged, wanting nothing more than to punch him in the stomach if he didn’t get to the point.

  “You do that, Runt. I’ll just set them on fire too, and I’ll keep doing it till there ain’t a tree left in all of Montana. I. Don’t. Care! Now, your gonna listen to me, and do you know why you’re gonna listen?” He asked, leaning in dangerously close to her, immediately prompting Rylee’s girl parts to grab their pom pom’s and begin to cheer on their hero!

  “No, but I’m sure you’re planning to enlighten me.” Ethan smiled at her. Damn he loved it when she got all feisty and self-righteous.

  “You’re gonna listen to me, because I kissed a man for you today, Runt.”

  “What?” Rylee’s face fell from her shock, and all the fight drained out of her. She was expecting him to profess his feelings for her, not tell her that his horse had started trotting backwards!

  “That’s right, so shut up and listen to me, Rylee, cause I got something I need to say.” Rylee was a bit stunned, and the fact he was right in her face didn’t give her the opportunity to do much thinking… other than about kissing him or punching the jerk that had kissed her husband!

  “Ramon said something today that just made all kinda sense.” Ethan mused as Rylee narrowed her eyes at him. “He said that I was just like Jorge…” Ethan offered his trademark grin.

  “And that seemed to make sense to you?” Rylee challenged, beginning to worry that this conversation may not be going where she’d been expecting.

  “Sure did… smart ass. He said that Jorge prefers to show how he feels instead of talking about it. He also said that sometimes this causes a problem between them because he needs, the word, as Ramon called it.”

  “I’m so glad you two understand each other.” Ethan stopped her with his finger on her lips.

  Damn you, Ethan Hawkins! Say it! Rylee’s patience were growing thin.

  “Don’t talk, Rylee. I know you’re spolin for a fight, and now I even know why. I plan to give you everything you need from now on, so there really isn’t a reason for you to open your smart little mouth… that is, unless you’re ready to kiss and make up.” Ethan smiled when she glared at him.

  “I’ve been struggling the past couple of days, trying to figure out why you signed those damn papers.” Ethan said, shaking his head and switching his weight from one foot to the other. “I mean we both know you love me, and the sex has been… hell, there ain’t even a word for how good that’s been.” Ethan lifted his hands in surrender as all of the men in the room groaned an uncomfortable sound and shifted in their chairs. “We haven’t fought that much… considering who I’m married to and all. Most of the time it’s been real nice between us, so I just couldn’t figure it out.” He admitted, looking down at her and shaking his head in wonder as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  Say it! You know what I need to hear… Rylee’s hands began to shake and she knew she was about to lose it. He was going for sappy, and all she wanted was to brawl with him until her told her he loved her. Damn him!

  “Then I talked to Ramon and he told me about his problem with Jorge. It got me thinking, Runt. I sat there for a while, and then I got it! I knew what I was doing wrong.” He smiled down at her, and she saw it
in his eyes. Rylee felt her heart begin to melt before he had a chance to speak again. “That’s when I kissed him, by the way. It was just a peck, no tongue, so you can put your claws away.” Rylee sighed in defeat.

  “You’re not gonna fight with me, are you?” Rylee’s voice was small.

  “Nope. I’m just gonna fix the problem.” He uncrossed his arms and gently touched her cheek. “I never gave you the word, as Ramon says. I’ve showed you in every way I know how, but I’ve never come right out and told you how I feel.” Rylee’s breath shuttered in her chest, and her eyes filled with tears.

  “I’ve never told you that I love… your feistiness.” He grinned a teasing grin down at her. “Yeah, it’s one of my favorite things about cha.” Ethan winked when she narrowed her eyes at him, clearly having thought he was finally going to give her the word.

  “Ah… you can’t begin to understand how much I love… it when you get all mouthy. Just start goin off on a man. There’s just nothing like my Runt when she’s all worked up about something. It’s down right sexy, baby.”

  “You low down, sorry…” Rylee was ready to give him more worked up than he could handle.

  “Ah… but I love… it most when you’re spoilin for a fight. That’s when you’re damn near irresistible.” He added cutting her off.

  “Damn you, Ethan Hawkins!” Rylee said with fire in her eyes.

  “And those gorgeous eyes, baby. You have no clue what they do to me.” He reached down to gently cup her cheek. “And the way ya smile at me… and get all soft and tender when we make love.”

  “Ethan…” She pleaded as she leaned into his palm, her resolve to fight with him quickly crumbling.

  “That’s right, baby. You’re about the most precious thing I’ve ever come across, Runt. You’re all mine, and ya always will be because I can’t let you go, baby.”

  “Ethan!” Rylee protested, stomping her foot in aggravation as she tried not to cry at his tender words.

  “Are ya ready to be sweet to me, now? Ready to be my little Runt forever, Rylee?” She shook her head and looked down at the floor as a tear slid down her cheek.