Lone Rider

by Lindsay McKenna

  Taking the reins, Tara said, “Okay. Well, maybe she’s back on Bar C property.”

  Harper mounted. “We’ll keep an eye out. If we do see her, we’ll try to get a cell-phone photo of her for the Forest Service. If she’s the one that’s collared, she’s probably the local bear and she’s in her territory hunting.” He motioned to Tara to move ahead of him and start up the slight incline.

  “They travel about twenty miles a day in search of food,” Tara said over her shoulder, nudging Socks forward with her heels.

  “Yes, but if that’s the local sow, how did she get onto Bar C property? Probably through some broken-down area of our fence line we haven’t spotted yet,” Harper said, unhappy.

  Grimacing, Tara nodded. “We’ll stay alert.” She hated the idea of a grizzly in the immediate area. Both of them carried .30-06 rifles in leather sheaths behind their saddle fenders. And both knew how to use them if they had to defend themselves against such a bear. What was worse? The sow had cubs and she would be superprotective and more willing to charge anyone she thought was an enemy to her babies. One thing Tara knew for sure: one never got between the mother and the cubs. That was a sure death warrant for the stupid person who did it. A sow would charge anyone who cut her off from protecting her babies. Leaning forward in the saddle, she urged Socks into a slow trot up the grassy knoll.

  June 16

  Tara loved her pale apricot bridesmaid’s dress. It was knee length, with a heart-shaped bodice and lace around her shoulders and down her arms. She felt feminine and beautiful.

  She stood with Shay and Dair as Kira walked down the aisle in her antique cream-colored wedding dress, her father, Les, looking proud of his beautiful daughter as he slowly escorted her to the man she was going to marry. He was teary-eyed, self-consciously wiping his eyes every now and again. On the other side of the Unity minister, Monica Doharty, stood tall and handsome Garret Fleming. Beside him was his best man, Reese. Noah and Harper flanked him as proud-looking groomsmen. They were all wearing tan cowboy business suits, black ribbon ties at their throats, their best set of cowboy boots cleaned and polished, their black Stetsons in place, standing with their inherited military posture with shoulders thrown back. Her heart swelled with the organ music, and she gripped the small bouquet of red, orange and white roses in her hand. There were two-foot-long ribbons beneath it, the same color as the flowers. The church was packed with everyone in the valley, coming to celebrate Kira and Garret’s wedding. The temperature of the June afternoon was in the seventies, sunny and perfect as far as Tara was concerned.

  Tara remembered going to this church since she was a child. Monica, the minister, was forty-five years old and the mother of three grown children. She had taken over the position as minister from Myron Campbell, who’d retired four years earlier. Tara had grown up with Reverend Campbell on the pulpit. She liked the warmth of Monica, her alto voice, her obvious maternal care for her flock. She loved coming to Sunday church services, finding strength in Monica’s sermons from the Bible, as did so many others in the valley.

  On the groom’s side of the aisle were her mother and father in the second row. Tara loved her parents so much. They were trying their best to embrace and understand the toxic PTSD symptoms she’d gotten. She’d had many long, deep talks with them about them the past few months. They’d only grown closer, more supportive of her, knowing what to recognize in her when she was having a bad day. She loved them for trying to understand the hellish storm that lived within her.

  Gaze drifting across the assemblage, she saw Kira was radiant in her shoulder-length lace veil. Looking toward Garret, she saw tears in his eyes; he was struggling to battle them back. Her own throat tightened. And to get a small piece of happiness like this? Tara was overwhelmed with sudden emotion, Kira’s face blurring for a moment as she sniffed and tried not to cry herself.

  There were very few dry eyes in the church as Monica later pronounced Kira and Garret man and wife. The reception was going to be held in the huge church hall, an annex to the main red-brick building. It could handle up to five hundred people. After Garret proudly walked his wife down the aisle and they left to walk over to the annex, everyone genially followed.

  It was nice to fall into line after the new couple with Harper at her side. He gave her a wink and a tender smile, and she felt warmth cascade through her. If only she could read what was in his eyes! Was he thinking that someday they might fall in love so deeply that they couldn’t imagine life without each other? Knowing that her dreamy, idealistic side was taking hold of her, Tara shared a tremulous smile in return, moved by the wedding. She made no apology for the tears streaming down her cheeks, not caring if it mussed the little bit of makeup she’d put on with Shay’s help. There was lots to do to help Kira and Garret open all the wedding gifts that were stacked on many tables and helping with the catered food that had been provided by Kassie from the restaurant, as well as the western band that was setting up right now in the annex.

  Once they got to the roomy building, Tara loved how it was decorated, gold and white ribbons emanating from a central chandelier that sparkled brightly with crystals. Everything was perfect. Shay, Dair and Tara had worked long into the night, making sure it looked like a beautiful fairyland for Kira and Garret.

  There was nothing greater than working with other vets because they knew how to come together as a flawless team to make the 450 people who were to attend the reception feel at ease and welcomed. Kira was teary and Garret held and kissed her several times. It made Tara’s heart melt. The fierceness that these male vets had for their women impressed her so much. They were a special group of men who adored their women. More than once, Tara would look up and see Harper across the room, pulling out chairs for the visitors, and glance in her direction. The warmth that had begun in the church only tripled because the look he gave her was more than just lust. There was something new in his expression, a thoughtfulness, a realization of some deeper connection with her, was what she could sense in the moment.

  How badly she wanted to be with Harper right now, but there was simply too much for her to do along with Dair and Shay, to keep things on track and moving forward. Maybe tonight, after Kira and Garret left for the Jackson Hole Airport to take their Hawaiian honeymoon, she could once more be with him.

  *

  “How are you doing, Tara?”

  Harper walked at her side, his arm around her waist, the night sky twinkling with stars thrown across the black vault of the heavens. It was chilly and he had taken off his coat and placed it around her shoulders once they had stepped outside the annex. It was almost ten p.m. and the valley folks were making the most of the western band inside, dancing until ten thirty p.m., when they would call it a night.

  “Better now,” she murmured, looking up into his shadowed features. They walked slowly through the crowded church parking lot.

  “Good. I think we pulled off a good reception for Garret and Kira, don’t you?”

  Nodding, she rested her head against his shoulder. “Absolutely. It went off perfectly. Vets work so well together. There wasn’t a hitch in it. Kira and Garret got to relax and just enjoy this special time with each other, which is what we all wanted.”

  “And even though the bride was beautiful,” he said, kissing her brow, “you were, too. First time I’ve seen you in a dress, Tara, and I gotta tell you, you look incredible.”

  She laughed softly as he stopped and unlocked the door to his pickup. “Thanks. I’m glad Kira let us wear low, comfortable sandals. I never wear those foot-damaging torture devices called heels. All they do is ruin a woman’s foot and cause horrible bunions.”

  He smiled as he opened the passenger door for her. He inhaled the honeysuckle scent of her shampoo. For the wedding, Tara had left her hair down, the blond strands gleaming, emphasizing the beauty of her wide blue eyes that he wanted to drown himself within. The rustle of the sleek fabric, her graceful movements, all conspired to make him ache for her. Did he want her? Yes. Bu
t he wasn’t the type of man to chase women for sex. There had to be something more, much more, than just lust involved. It had to be meaningful. And judging by the yearning looks she’d traded with him off and on throughout the reception, they were on the same level of understanding. Where would tonight lead them?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Harper was driven to kiss Tara as they entered their home. He’d seen it in her eyes throughout the evening. They were too busy making sure everything went smoothly for Kira and Garret to do anything about it. Now? They were alone. And he was desperate for some intimate, quiet time with her.

  “Hey,” he said, touching her elbow as they entered the kitchen, “would you like to have a glass of wine or something with me in the living room? We barely got to say five words to each other tonight.”

  “Yes … I’d like that …” She stepped away from his hand on her elbow and picked up the sides of her dress. “I feel like a princess, but right now, I’m more like Cinderella and it’s approaching midnight.”

  He stepped back, his gaze moving from her shoes up to her head. “You’re not going to turn into anything else but who you are.” His voice lowered as he saw a flush spread across her face. Harper reached out, barely grazing that warm, smooth cheek of hers, watching her eyes go soft with longing—for him. He could feel it. Wanting to taste her lips on his once more. “Are you going to change first?”

  She made a muffled sound and dropped the fabric, giving him a grin. “Well, I’m waffling because I hate wearing bras and I want to get out of this one.”

  His brows rose. “Really?” The color of her cheeks deepened. Her shyness was endearing to him. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Oh, sure, Harper. Your whole life is about seeing details. I’m sure you knew I don’t wear a bra when I work around here. I only wear one if I go horseback riding or something special, like tonight.”

  It was his turn to feel heat crawling into his face as he held her teasing look. She looked so beautiful to him, her gold hair slightly mussed, framing her features. Beneath the lamplight above them, he could see caramel and sunshine colors intermixed. He wanted to slide his fingers through those silky strands. “Mmm,” he said. “How about I get you some wine? I’m pretty tanked up and topped off with that punch from the party,” and he touched his belly area.

  “Okay,” she said, a little breathless. “I’m going to change and I’ll meet you on the couch.”

  Harper wanted nothing more. “I’ll climb into some familiar clothes, too,” and he grinned. Watching her pirouette around, the fabric shimmering against her lithe body, the lace across her shoulders and enclosing her arms, Harper enjoyed the photo of Tara that he took with his heart. Turning, he followed her, and they each went to their own bedroom.

  No one was more surprised than he was later when he sat in the corner of the couch, having gotten Tara her glass of white wine and setting it on the coffee table in front of him. He’d opted for a red T-shirt, jeans and sock feet. She reappeared in her soft gray gym pants and a loose-fitting, sleeveless pink tank top. Her hair was brushed, a gleaming cape around her shoulders. Best of all, she was barefoot. Smiling, Harper was going to stand up as she drew near, but she waved him to sit back down.

  “This looks good,” she said, giving him a grateful look, reaching for the wineglass.

  “You weren’t hitting the punch bowl like I was,” he offered, smiling as she settled down next to him, nestling her hip and then her long torso against his left side. Harper was surprised by her move. Since the bear incident, their familiarity had dissolved, much to his frustration. Lifting his left arm, she leaned into him after curling her legs beneath her. He liked her snuggling up.

  “I wasn’t anywhere near the punch bowl. Me and the girls were at the gifts table, opening them up so Kira and Garret didn’t have to spend time doing it themselves.”

  “I should have thought about that,” Harper said, frowning. They were across the way at the food tables, helping Kassie and her staff keep the appetizers coming out warm. It had been a hungry crowd. And the food had been delicious.

  Sipping the wine, she licked her lower lip and relaxed completely against him. “You guys were just as busy as we were. Don’t feel bad about it.”

  Moving his fingers lightly up and down her upper arm, he said, “You’re worth remembering, Tara.”

  “Well,” she said lightly, “it appears Noah and Dair are thinking about getting married, too. They haven’t set a date, but we’ll be old hands at this the next time around,” and she smiled.

  Her lips were sculpted, without any lipstick on them, and it took everything Harper had to remain relaxed even though his body was burning up with need for Tara. She was happy, and it was the first time since the bear incident he’d seen her buoyant. “Those two are definitely in love, no question.”

  “Dair is hesitant, but I understand why.” She slanted a look up at him. “Her PTSD stuff.”

  “But she’s got to see that Reese and Shay have worked it out. And so have Kira and Garret.”

  “I know, but she’s an amputee, Harper. It’s tough to have the lower half of one of your legs missing. She makes it hardly noticeable, and I admire her so much for her grit and wanting to fit in.”

  “If anyone can convince her, it will be Noah. He’s good with horses and women,” and he grinned a little, watching her lips lift.

  “You’re right. Noah has a special touch, but with Dair, he’s exactly what she needs.”

  “I’ve watched Dair since she got here and she’s made huge, positive strides,” Harper said. “I think it’s the environment at the ranch, the fact we’re all PTSD vets. She arrived pretty tense and defensive, but over time, she shed all of that and relaxed. She’s a lot happier than when she first came. But then again? We were all where Dair was when we took a job here at the Bar C. And it’s taken us time to relax, too.”

  She sighed and nodded, sipping the wine. “I don’t know about you, Harper, but for the last few days I’ve ramped down off that PTSD cliff.” She gave him a warm look. “Have you?”

  “Yes,” he admitted, his hand stilling on her shoulder. “Maybe we were looking forward to something happy. Seeing Kira and Garret so damned high on each other? The wedding? What do you think?”

  “I think you’re right. It’s so nice to be part of something that’s good and positive. It’s great to focus on a happy event.” She leaned forward, placing her wineglass on the coffee table. Returning to his embrace, relaxing against him, she placed her hand over his heart. Lashes lifting, she whispered, “I so want us to get back to where we were before the bear intruded. Do you?” and her voice dropped into an aching whisper, her fingers pressing more firmly across the soft fabric.

  For half a heartbeat, Harper was stunned by Tara’s trembling admission. Automatically, he eased his hand through her silky hair, holding her gaze. “I want you in whatever way you want to share yourself with me.” He hesitated, his voice dropping. “I know you have issues, but I think they’re surmountable. And yes, the bear charge tore both of us loose from our fragile moorings. And I want to kiss you …”

  She lifted her chin. “Kiss me, then.”

  His whole world anchored and Harper unconsciously held his breath for a moment as he tipped his head forward to meet her parting lips. His mind canted, he lost the ability to think, only drown in the cushiony softness of her lips meeting his, firm, eager and filled with promise. His heart exploded with a fierce joy as Tara leaned into him, her breasts pressed against his chest, her hand sliding warmly up to his neck, pulling him closer, tighter to him. There was nothing in his life he wanted more than just this with her.

  Harper wasn’t going to lie anymore to himself. He was falling in love with this woman who struggled daily to maintain some kind of normalcy in her ripped-apart life. She was so strong, and he felt that strength as her lips glided wetly against his, taking and giving, her breath ragged. He slid his fingers into her thick hair, relishing the feel of the strands, his nostrils fla
ring as he inhaled a scent that was purely her. A soft moan rose in her throat and he hungrily absorbed it into himself, his entire body erupting in fire and need for her alone. She was so fearless and vulnerable with him.

  In his tumbling thoughts, washed ashore with glowing emotions of joy, he realized Tara trusted him. Harper kept his hands where they were. He wanted to caress her shoulders and back, but he didn’t feel her giving him permission to move or do anything else other than enjoy this life-changing kiss with him. It was enough, and a thread of sweetness flowed through him as he lifted his mouth from hers, kissing each corner and then pressing a soft kiss to each of her closed eyelids.

  Tara sank her head against his upper chest, her arm sliding around his torso, holding him. Harper knew it was love, whether the word was ever verbalized between them or not. The way Tara looked at him, the way she touched him, told him that. There was lust in her grazing touch, and so much more. The awe in her expression, the respect and pride she had for him, was present. It made him feel like the man she had searched for but never found until now. And he wasn’t disappointing her, which was a huge relief.

  Slipping his arm around her back, his other hand cupping her cheek as she lay her head against him, he closed his eyes, savoring the intimacy with her. This was what he needed, had always wanted but thought it impossible to ever have. Olivia had never been cuddly or maternal or wanted this kind of wonderful closeness. Right now, lust took a backseat to greater, more important emotions that clamored brightly within his heart, bringing light to his darkened soul. Tara filled him with hope that despite how broken he was by PTSD, her love, her intimacy with him, filled those cracks and crevices within him and were healing him.

  Never had he felt the welling up of love that he felt for Tara right now. Her honesty gut-punched him and made him realize that his first marriage had been a total sham because both of them had been so immature. Tara brought truth and honor to them as a couple. She played no games. She wasn’t manipulative and she was mature far beyond her years. How brave she was. And she deserved no less from him. Harper kissed her hair, smoothing some strands back against her temple with his fingers.