“Austin,” she whispered as she leaned closer to him.
When she looked up at him, all he wanted to do was bend down, and kiss her on the lips. Not in the way he’d kissed her that morning. But in a gentle way that showed him just how he felt about her.
He felt her hands make their way up his shoulders and behind his neck. Everything about being this close to her intoxicated him. He could barely breathe and yet, all he wanted to do was breathe her in. Memorize the feeling of her body next to his. In this moment, he realized, she couldn’t go back to New York.
That he couldn’t go back to life before he met her. It was foolish to think that he could be with anyone else, much less alone here. His life would never be the same.
She pushed up onto her toes, until her lips were inches from his ear. He closed his eyes, as he allowed his heart to swell with feelings for her. Feelings that he’d never felt for anyone. Georgia’s memory was a distant blip on his past. And right now, Emma was his entire future.
“Do you mean it?” she asked. Her voice was breathy on his ear.
He hesitated. What could he say to that? Tell her that yes, it was all true. That he meant every word of it? What if she didn’t feel the same? What if she was just pretending? Suddenly, the memory of standing on the strip alone hit him like a Mack truck.
He desperately wanted to tell her he had feelings for her. But, how could he do that and protect himself at the same time? His feelings could take over his heart, but his mind was fighting back.
“Did you?” He pulled back to look at her. He wanted to see her reaction. Her expression would tell more than her words.
There was a look of uncertainty in her eyes. For a moment, he allowed himself to believe that she cared for him in a way that was building up inside of himself. In a way that was rapidly making him realize that there was no turning back. His life could never be the same.
Gran’s loud sigh drew their attention over to her.
“Well, I have to say, if you’re lying, you both are pretty good at it.” She narrowed her gaze in his direction. “But, if getting married was my stipulation then I guess you fulfilled it.” She walked over and grabbed her discarded purse. “I’ll head into town and find Porter, if he hasn’t been run out of town from malpractice. I’ll sign the papers and head out tonight. I’m needed in Orlando tomorrow.”
Austin pulled back from Emma and nodded. “Thanks, Gran.” He moved to give her hug.
When he pulled back, she raised her hand and rested it on his cheek. “I just wanted you to find happiness. Not make you miserable and push you into something you don’t want. You have to know that.”
Austin nodded and then dipped down and kissed her cheek. “I know, Gran.”
She smiled up at him. “I can be stubborn, but I love you.” Then she turned her attention over to Emma. “Take good care of my grandson. And you’ll be okay in my book.”
Emma nodded. “Yes. I promise.”
Gran broke away and stepped up to Emma. She studied her for a moment, before opening her arms. “I believe you,” she said as she wrapped her arms around Emma.
From where Austin stood, he could see her tighten but then relax and wrap her arms around Gran. The sight of the two of them embracing causing his heart to swell. Two important women in his life getting along? He couldn’t ask for anything more.
Well, if Emma’s words were true, that would be nice. But for now, he’d feel happiness in this lie he’d created for himself.
Gran pulled back but kept her hands on Emma’s shoulders. “I’ll see you next time I come up?”
Emma nodded. “Sure.”
Austin stared at her. What did that mean? She was staying? Did he dare hope? Or was it the lie. It was eating him up inside that he couldn’t figure out what was happening.
Gran patted her shoulder and then turned and made her way toward the back door. “Love you, Austin,” she said as she turned the handle and pulled the door open.
“You too, Gran.”
After a final wave the door was shut and Austin was left alone in the kitchen with Emma.
Not sure what to do or say, he turned and glanced over at her. She was watching him as if she too were struggling.
“So,” he said, stepping closer to her. All the questions he had were on the tip of his tongue. He wanted to ask them.
“Austin, I think—”
Austin’s phone rang out causing him to curse inside. Emma glanced down at his phone.
“Hang on,” he said, pulling out his phone and swiping it on.
“Hello?” he asked.
“Austin? We’ve got a problem.”
Austin’s heart sank from the panic in Sean’s voice. “What?” he asked.
“Seems a few cows got loose and one is tangled pretty badly in some barb wire. I need to go after the other ones. You need to get out here right now.”
The line died.
Austin shoved his phone into his pocket.
“I have to go.”
Emma’s expression had turned serious. “I’m coming with you,” she said, slipping on her shoes.
“You can’t,” he said, shaking his head.
“Oh, yes I can.” She followed after him.
“Emma, no.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “I can help. Please.” The look in her eyes caused him to pause.
Against his better judgement, he growled and nodded. “Fine. But you listen to everything I say.”
Emma nodded. “Of course.”
“Come on,” he said as he pulled open the door and jogged over to his truck. A sinking feeling settled in his gut. One that said he should not bring her with him. But he ignored it. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?
Chapter Seventeen
Emma
Austin was quiet as he drove his truck through the field. Emma bounced and jostled but decided it was best to keep quiet. Her emotions were all over the place but right now, it seemed like Austin needed silence, so she’d give that to him.
Plus, it allowed her to process her own thoughts which she desperately needed to do. After their intimate moment in the kitchen, once again, her feeling for Austin were just as confusing as they had been earlier that day. Her resolve to keep him at an arms-length went flying out the window when he started confessing his feeling to her.
Or his fake feelings. She still wasn’t sure if any of it was true.
As her heart began to pick up speed she did know one thing. She wanted it to be true. All of it. She wanted him to care about her just as much as she was finding herself caring for him.
Was that too much to ask?
She glanced out the window and sighed. Probably. Austin didn’t want to get married. He didn’t want a wife. Which pretty much meant, he didn’t want her. No matter how much she wanted him.
“When we get there, I’m going to need you to listen to everything I say.” He glanced over at her. His expression had turned serious.
She nodded. “Of course.”
He turned his gaze forward again. “I mean it. Animals that are hurt are unpredictable. One kick from a heifer and she could break your leg or put you in a coma.” His voice grew quiet as his eyes narrowed.
She allowed herself to think that perhaps, the thought of her getting injured bothered him. But then, she couldn’t think about that right now. She couldn’t get wrapped up in her thoughts about Austin again. She acted irrationally when that happened. And from the seriousness of his tone, she knew that was the last state she should be in.
Five minutes ticked by before Austin slowed next to a patch of fence. Emma held her breath. An adolescent black cow was tangled in the fencing. It was complaining very loudly. It jolted from side to side, the wire digging deeper and deeper into its hide.
Austin cursed under his breath. “We gotta get her out of there before she digs the fencing farther into her skin,” he said as he pushed open the door and hopped out.
Emma stared at the giant animal. Besides the zoo, anim
als didn’t exist in New York. Well, only ones that could fit in rich women’s purses. Her heart pounded as she opened her door. She wanted to help, she just wasn’t sure how.
Austin had already slammed his door and was heading to the bed of the truck when she shut her own door. Making her way over to him, she watched as he removed a pair of wire cutters.
“What are we doing with those?” she asked. And then as soon as she did, she felt stupid. What was the matter with her? Of course, they were going to cut the animal loose. It wasn’t a tangle in a necklace chain. It was a real, live, breathing animal. And it was hurt.
Austin glanced over at her. “You aren’t going to do anything. You are going to stand off so you don’t get hurt.” He gave her a pointed look as he passed by.
Emma wanted to tell him that he could use her. That she was helpful, but decided against fighting him. Instead, she stopped talking and followed after him.
Austin stopped when he was a few feet away. She could see his gaze roaming around the animal. It moaned in protest and shifted where it stood. Emma watched. Every movement it made caused the burs to deepen. Blood oozed from every puncture.
The wire was wrapped around its middle and around its neck. One of its legs was tangled up as well. Emma stared at it. How had this happened?
“Austin, what I can I do?” she asked, stepping forward. Sure, she wasn’t the biggest animal lover but it was killing her to see this animal in so much pain.
“Just, stay there,” he said, raising his hand.
Emma wanted to fight back. She was useful. She could help.
He let out some soft words as he approached the animal. It shifted and moaned again. Austin reached out his hand and gingerly pressed it on the cow’s nose. It moved again, bucking its head in his direction.
“Hey, now. Hey, now,” he said, his voice calm. “I’m going to get you out of there.” He moved his hand down past its shoulder to where the wire had dug deep into its back.
The moment he touched the wire, the animal protested and began stomping its free legs. Austin jumped out of the way as the cow whipped its head in his direction.
Now out of range from the animal’s distress, Austin paced in front of it. His expression was stony as he stared at the animal.
Emma felt completely helpless. She wanted to do something but wasn’t sure what.
“Austin?” she asked, stepping toward him.
He held up his hand to stop her. His jaw muscles were twitching. “The problem is, every band we cut loose will enable the animal to move more. She’ll try to pull away once she feels the pressure release.”
Emma studied him. Was he asking her opinion or was he just working the ideas out in his mind? She decided it was probably best to allow him to keep talking to himself.
He stopped and then moved closer to the animal. “I’m just going to have to go for it.” Grabbing the wire cutters in both hands, he approached the cow. She protested and shifted as he got closer.
Helpless, Emma watched as he moved closer to the animal. Once he reached it, he laid his hand on its back and spook under his breath. Emma studied his lips, wondering what it was that he was saying. The cow stilled as she turned her ear closer to him. He methodically rubbed his hand on her back.
“Come here,” he said, nodding toward Emma.
She hesitated and then moved closer to him.
“Stay away from her hooves but I need to you rub her back and tell her everything is going to be okay.” He moved his hand out of the way as he motioned at her to take his place.
Emma sucked in her breath as she rested her hand on the animal’s shoulder. The muscle was tight, and the hind was rough. Emma hadn’t expected that.
“Are you sure this is going to be okay?” she asked, glancing over at him.
Austin met her gaze. There was a look of uncertainty but then he nodded. “Yes. We’ll be fine.”
Emma nodded. If she were honest with herself, she believed him. Her heart swelled with trust. If he had confidence in her that she could do it, then she could do it.
She stared whispering soothing things under her breath as she inched closer to the animal. She felt Austin’s gaze leave her face and turned to focus on the wire wrapped around the animal’s shoulders. He readied the wire cutters and then turned to her.
“Step back,” he said.
Emma removed her hand and did as he asked.
In one swift moment, Austin cut the first wire. The tension was released and the wire sprung from off its body. As if sensing a moment of freedom, the cow mooed and jolted.
“Again,” he said.
Emma’s heart was pounding as she inched closer to the frantic animal.
“It’s okay. It’s okay. We’re going to help you,” she said, keeping her voice as calm as she could.
As she reached out her hand and rested it on the animal, it’s movements slowed again. A feeling of satisfaction rushed through her. She could do this. Maybe a life at Austin’s ranch was possible. Sure, she felt out of her element. But she cared about Austin and if he was willing to take a chance on her, why wouldn’t she do the same?
As the animal stilled, she glanced over at Austin who was watching her. She smiled at him. How could she tell him that this life might be a possibility? That together, they would make a great team.
“This one’s a little deeper,” he said, as he gingerly rubbed his hand across the laceration.
Emma nodded and stepped closer to the animal. It was being so brave. It’s chocolate brown eyes glanced over at her. She felt a kindred spirit to this animal. It was so hard living a life in the unknown. Here, this animal had no idea what was going on, just like she lived in uncertainty with her love life, her job, and pretty much every relationship she’d ever had.
Except with Austin. With him, she was pretty clear about what she wanted. And for the first time, she let herself say the words in her mind.
I love Austin.
That was it. There was nothing else. Those three little words were all she needed. Everything else faded to the background. She loved him. Watching him out here, trying to save this animal just reaffirmed how much she cared about him. How much she didn’t want to leave. Her heart swelled with the thoughts that raced through her mind.
Right now, they’d free this animal and then, she’d tell him how she felt. That she didn’t want to leave. That a life here in Montana living on his ranch was all she needed.
“Get ready to step back,” Austin said.
Emma nodded.
He readied the cutters and then nodded in her direction. She stepped back and watched as he dug the cutters into the skin and snipped the wire. It sprang back, whipping inches from her face.
Out of instinct, she ducked.
“You okay?” he asked.
Emma glanced up to see him walking toward her. His eyebrows were drawn together. Emma touched her face and then glanced down at her finger tips. There was no blood.
“I think so,” she said, straightening.
The cow’s leg was the only thing caught. It was lunging forward, trying to free itself.
She moved toward the animal. “Come on, let’s get this poor girl out of here.”
Austin studied her as if he wasn’t quite sure he believed that she was okay. But then, he nodded and reached out to calm the animal. It kept shifting, but after a few soothing words from Austin, it settled down.
“Last one,” he said.
Emma reached out and kept her hand on the animal’s back. “You’ve got this, girl,” she said, glancing down that the animal.
Austin crouched down next to the leg and then counted down. Just as he reached three, Emma stepped away.
The tension on the wire caused it to whip back again. Just as Emma moved, a searing pain shot through her cheek. She yelped and dipped down, covering her face.
“Emma, move!” Austin’s voice was muffled as she closed her eyes, trying to clear her head.
“What?” she said but it was too late. The now fre
e cow rammed right into her, knocking her to the ground. The world around her spinned as she flew back. Out of instinct, she rolled away, hoping to avoid the hooves of the animal.
When no other pain shot through her body, she realized that the animal had gone. Her head hurt and her body hurt, but she was alive.
“Emma? Emma? Are you okay?” Austin’s voice ripped through her thoughts. She felt his hands surround her arm as he rolled her to her back.
She squinted as she looked up at his concerned expression.
“Austin?” she asked, still confused about what exactly had happened.
“Can you move your arms? Your legs?” She felt his hand roam over her limbs. “I don’t feel anything broken.”
Emma shifted, trying to right herself. “I think I’m okay.”
Austin had stopped moving or talking. She glanced over at him.
“What?”
He was staring at her face. “Your cheek,” he said as he raised his hand and moved his fingers toward her face. “You’re bleeding.”
“I am?” She reached up and winced as she grazed her skin. When she pulled her hand back, she glanced down. Blood smeared her finger tips. “It doesn’t feel bad,” she said. It stung but for the most part it just felt numb.
Austin’s jaw tensed as he shook his head. “I need to get you back to the house. I need to make sure you’re okay.” He reached down and slipped his arms under her knees and around her back. In one swift movement, he lifted her off the ground and began taking large strides toward the truck.
“I think I’m okay,” she breathed. She’d be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t enjoying being this close to him. She wanted to say something, confess the feelings she’d discovered just moments before, but from his strained expression, she could tell it would not be well received. And that wasn’t really how she wanted to declare her feelings. To his pinched lips and worried face.
He loaded her into the car and slammed her door. In less than a minute, he’d rounded the truck and hopped into the driver’s seat. He stuck the key into the ignition and peeled out of the field.
The ride back was quiet. Emma kept glancing over at him, hoping he’d say something. Was he angry? She couldn’t image what would have him mad. They’d freed the animal. He should be celebrating. But from the way he’s knuckles had turned white while he clutched the wheel told her that he was far away from being happy.
Marrying a Cowboy Page 13
