Bareback For Cowboy

by Mackie, Lawna

  Fearfully he flipped it open.

  Cade,

  I didn’t want to wake you…you were so tired after last night with the storm, and then charging to my rescue again. Thank you for that.

  Mrs. Shaffer was leaving early this morning, and I decided to catch a ride with her. She said she’d drop me at the airport.

  I can’t tell you what a wonderful time I’ve had with you in just a few short days. You had to have known that as a teenager, I had the wildest crush on you! These last few days made my dreams come true. You are everything I always knew you would be, generous, kind, respectful, extremely sexy, and a pleasure to be with.

  I feel like I’ve been cramping your style. I’m from Paris and you’re…well, from a different world. I didn’t want you to feel obligated to spend any more time with me. You already have my heart and always will, but I know you don’t feel the same way, and I’m okay with that. I think I’ve loved you since the first moment I met you (goodness, I wasn’t very old back then). I had to leave before I embarrassed myself and told you all this in person.

  I know you’ll do fabulous today and, of course, you’ll win big. Thank you again for everything.

  All my love,

  Sophia

  His heart thumped heavily. He could hear his blood pumping through his veins, and for a brief moment, his stomach rolled in protest. He crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it across the room.

  Gabbing a pair of jeans from his closet, he pulled them on and headed out the door.

  Unlike the stormy night before, the sun shone brightly as he marched up the stairs to the house and opened the door.

  “Mom,” he bellowed. “Mom!”

  Coming down the hall, she pulled on the ties to her robe. “My goodness, Cade, you’ll wake the dead.”

  “Why did you let her go?” he shouted.

  Walking to the coffee pot, she shook her head. Pouring two cups, she pointed him to the table and carried a cup of brew to him. “This is not my fault, son.”

  Twisting the cup between his fingers, he hung his head. “She wasn’t supposed to leave yet.”

  She stood one more time and returned with a throw. “Here. I can see you didn’t even think to put a shirt on before charging in here.”

  “She can’t take care of herself.” He stood, pacing in front of the window. “Do you know she has terrible nightmares? Not only nightmares, but she sleepwalks. It’s happened twice, and last night she ended up stark naked in the arena with Mystic.”

  “And what are you prepared to do about that? She has a life like you do.”

  His mother was right. What was he prepared to do about that? Follow her to Paris? Beg her to stay? Where would it lead?

  He returned to the table and sat feeling totally defeated. He hadn’t felt this way since his father passed away years ago. A lump formed in his throat, and he gulped down a slurp of coffee, choking his emotions back. “I didn’t want her to leave,” he blurted out but couldn’t look up at his mom.

  Her hand reached out taking his. “She’s in love with you, you know? Has been all of her life, I suspect.”

  He nodded his head. “She left me a note.”

  “The question is, how do you feel about her? I love you, son, but I won’t have you messing with her heart if you can’t return her sentiments. She doesn’t deserve that. I think of her like a daughter.”

  Again he nodded but lifted his head, hoping the tears swimming in his eyes wouldn’t fall. “You’re right, Mom.” He kissed the back of her hand, took another drink of coffee, and stood. “I have to go.”

  “I love you, son.”

  “I know, Mom. I love you, too.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The watering hole never changed. The small bar in his hometown outside Calgary held locals and every now and again a few tourists. Tipsie stood beside the pool table while Pounder took aim with the cue ball and sent the triangle formation of balls scattering. “You’re done this time.” He pointed his stick at Tipsie and took a swallow of beer.

  Cade didn’t make a habit of hanging out in the dimly lit tavern, but he had to admit he’d found himself here often since the Stampede. Pounder continued his streak and sank a few more balls.

  Falcon, his lead hand from the ranch, sat beside him, and Cade knew he was biting his tongue. There was no sense in prolonging the inevitable. “Spit it out, Falcon, speak what’s on your mind.” He took a swig from his bottle of beer.

  “When are you going to get your shit together?” The dark-haired man glared, shaking his head at him. It was a good thing they hadn’t had much to drink, or he might have taken offense at that question. The problem was, Falcon was right. His universe hadn’t seemed okay since Sophia snuck out of his bed three months ago.

  “It’s really none of your business,” he replied.

  “Like hell it’s not. I care about the ranch as much as you do. You’re not taking care of things like you should be.”

  “Go to hell, Falcon!”

  “It’s true! Winter is around the corner, the rodeo season is done, but you’re not dealing with things at the ranch. Get over her or do something about it.” Falcon’s ice-blue eyes bore into him.

  “I called her. She didn’t return my call.”

  Tipsie and Pounder stopped their play and turned to stare at him but didn’t speak a word.

  The waitress approached the table. “Another round, boys?”

  Cade was grateful for the interruption.

  Falcon pulled some bills from his pocket and handed them to her. “We’re done, Tally. Thanks.” The young waitress smiled shyly at him. She had a thing for Falcon, along with a string of other women.

  Falcon was right. He hadn’t been able to pull himself together since Sophia’s departure. About a week ago, he’d gotten up the courage to give her a call but only got her machine. He’d left her a message and expected to hear right back from her.

  “We have to go, fellas. Rachelle’s cooking.” Falcon downed his beer.

  “I love your mother’s cooking. She doesn’t usually invite us all for dinner. What’s the occasion?” Pounder asked.

  Cade took another couple swallows of beer and stood. “I don’t know. She just told me to invite you all for dinner and not to be late.” He looked at his watch. “Falcon’s right, we should go.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  They all piled out of the truck in front of the ranch. Tipsie rubbed his hands together, taking a deep breath. “I can smell that roast all the way out here.”

  The three wandered up the stairs, but Falcon remained beside the truck. Pounder and Tipsie entered the house, and Cade turned to look down at Falcon. A moment of silence passed between them. “I heard what you said, and you’re right. I’ll get over it,” Cade blurted.

  “Hopefully sooner than later.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his gloves. “I’m gonna check on the horses. I’ll be right in.” Falcon turned to the stable.

  With a heavy heart, Cade entered the house. His mom greeted him with a hug and kiss on the cheek. He smiled at the sight of her and rubbed his hand over her head. “Mom, you look great. Your hair is growing back!”

  “I feel good, Cade. The doctor is impressed.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a very long time.”

  “Good news has a way of sneaking up on a person.”

  He didn’t quite know what she meant by that, but it didn’t matter. The cancer was gone and his mom was looking fantastic. “Thanks for inviting them all for dinner.” He looked in Pounder and Tipsie’s direction.

  “Their good friends of yours so they’re always welcome. Where’d Falcon disappear to?”

  “He’s checking on the horses.”

  “Well go on and wash up, dinner will be ready soon.”

  ***

  Cade swirled the ice in his second glass of scotch and stared out the window. It was his favorite time of year. The leaves twirled on the branches in a multitude of colors�
��gold, orange, reds, and yellow.

  He downed the golden liquid and set the glass on the table. He’d definitely had too much to drink. The front door opened and Falcon removed his hat and coat.

  “I can’t deal with that horse! You’d better see if you can settle him down, or he’s gonna climb over the side again.”

  Cade cursed beneath his breath. He hadn’t been able to get rid of Mystic since Sophia left. The poor creature looked as miserable as Cade felt. He wouldn’t even eat his flakes of hay most days. Falcon had been correct; he’d neglected his duties on the ranch.

  Striding to the door, he put his coat and hat on.

  ***

  The stable was silent with no sound from Mystic. What had Falcon been talking about? Before heading toward the arena, he poured another drink and sat for a few minutes gathering his wits. Out of the blue, he’d received a telephone call from a buyer. Somebody actually wanted the horse. The attachment Sophia had to Mystic had kept him from trying to sell the critter. But with a buyer landing in his lap, what could he do? He’d sold Mystic for a good price and tomorrow his new owners would pick him up.

  His senses were thoroughly numb as he headed down the hallway and slowly opened the door to the arena.

  The moment the door closed behind him, he felt all the air leave his lungs. In the center of the arena stood Mystic, with Sophia sitting upon him on a red satin blanket wearing nothing but cowboy boots.

  Her long black hair flowed down her bare back and onto the satin blanket.

  Words refused to come, and his feet moved on their own accord.

  A tear rolled down her cheek.

  Perhaps he was dreaming, because he was staring at the most beautiful sight his eyes had ever beheld. He lifted his hand and ran his fingertips over her knee and up her bare thigh.

  “I got your message,” she whispered breathlessly.

  Cade reached up, grabbed her around the waist, and slowly slid her silken body off the horse and down the length of his wanting limbs.

  Her green eyes stared up at him, and the passion in him erupted. His lips captured hers in a soul-quenching kiss. Struggling for breath, their lips broke their hold, but their eyes remained locked. “Why did you leave?”

  “I thought that’s what you wanted,” she gasped.

  “Never do it again,” he ground out.

  She shook her head, kissing him all over. “I thought if I buried myself in work I’d forget…forget about you and how much you mean to me. I realized I have nothing in Paris. Everything I’ve ever wanted in my life is right here.” Mystic pawed the ground and nudged her softly. “Cade, Mystic and I will never leave your side.”

  “Shit.” he hung his head. “I didn’t know you were coming back. He was as miserable as I was. I sold him yesterday.”

  “I know,” she said with a smile.

  “You do?” He asked puzzled.

  Her fingers undid the buttons on his shirt one by one. Lingering kisses followed. “I was the buyer.” She stopped and smiled. “Do you have room for a wild horse and an even wilder woman who’s head-over-heels in love with you?”

  He scooped her up in his arms with a giant smile. “I guess I can find some space.”

  “I love you, Cade Galloway, always have and always will.”

  “I’m sorry I let you get away…once and only once. You’re my wild filly, and I intend to love you for the rest of my days.” He halted kissing her soft lips and smiled down at her, knowing that for the rest of his life he’d be totally complete with her at his side and in his arms.