Hank rolled his window down. “Am I interrupting?”
Ruger gritted his teeth. Obviously by Hank’s wicked grin, his buddy knew exactly what he was doing. Ruger’d give him an ear full later, that was for damn sure.
“I just thought you might like to know that I was checking out some property near here and in about two minutes you’re going to have some company driving by. Preacher and his wife. They’ll be on your Ma’s doorstep within an hour telling her what you’re doing.”
“Thanks for the head’s up,” Ruger growled, still angry. His buddy continued down the road and Ruger turned to say something, but Grace wasn’t in the truck. The door was left open. He slid out and rounded the back, finding her staring at the field of purple wildflowers.
“This place is beautiful,” she said in a soft tone.
My God, was she already regretting the kiss? Telling him about Caroline? “Grace, I—”
She twirled. “I got wrapped up in the moment.”
He pushed his hands into his front pockets, realizing that his body hadn’t received the message that they weren’t going to rehash the kiss any time soon. “We both did.”
“If your friend hadn’t shown up, we might have been in a very awkward position.” She gave a nervous laugh.
“It’s okay to lose control sometimes, Grace.”
“I just did.”
“Yeah, but I already see the regret building in your expression.”
“You’re wrong. I’m not feeling regret. What I’m feeling is…” She sighed as if she couldn’t find the words.
Dragging out his hands, he took a couple steps closer to her, but not too close. “Go ahead.”
“I’m feeling good. Really good. And trust me, I haven’t felt this light in years.”
He burst into smile. “Darlin’, I’m glad to hear that because I’m feeling pretty good myself.”
She held his gaze. “I haven’t shared my story with anyone in so long.”
“Sometimes sharing our demons is like opening a window to the soul and letting them out. We should never be afraid to let go sometimes.”
“I’m not afraid of letting go.”
“Really? You sure?”
She playfully pinched his arm. “The chains are coming off,” she warned.
“Go ahead. I’m ready.”
“Thank you, Ruger. Thank you for everything.”
“I guess we should get back on the road.” He held out his hand for her to take.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SAM WAS PRETTY much like any boy as far as Grace was concerned, except for a few fading bruises on his pale skin. His longish, curly hair touched his collar and he had bright, energetic eyes. He was a bit shy at first, but the longer Grace and Ruger were there with him at the campsite the more he opened up.
Priscilla showed a mixture of appreciation and restless energy having visitors. Grace guessed the woman couldn’t be much older than twenty-five, but there was an unspoken age about her that only came with heartache. Her T-shirt was a little too large for her thin frame and her dirty jeans too short, and she also had a few fading bruises on her arms. When she caught Grace looking at the spots, Priscilla attempted to pull the arms of her shirt lower on her shoulders.
“I can’t say thank you enough for what you did for Sammy.” She ruffled her son’s curls. Although she was a bit on the thinner side, she was a beautiful woman that had a nice, genuine smile, although Grace had a feeling she didn’t share it much.
“He seems like a great kid,” Ruger said.
“He can be a rascal at times, but he’s good. He loves fishing and exploring.” A sadness fell on Priscilla’s expression. “As you know.”
“Mommy, can I go play with my cars?” Sam asked.
“Sure. Go ahead.” She gave Grace a nervous smile. “He loves those little cars. One day maybe I can take him to see a race.”
The little boy sat down in the dirt under the shade of a tree making engine noises.
“What do the docs say?” Ruger asked.
“As you can see, he’s much better and will make a complete recovery. Thankfully, he hadn’t eaten many of the poison berries, yet enough that he’d thrown up and had stomach issues. It could have been so bad. Can I get you something to drink? I think we might have a couple bottles of water left in the cooler.”
Grace got the feeling they didn’t have much. They were staying in a small, ripped tent with a pile of dirty blankets inside. Wrinkled, damp clothes were hung on a string stretched from one tree to another. “I’m okay but thank you.”
“I’m fine too. We came to make sure he was doing okay,” Ruger said. “If he needs anything let me know.”
“Very kind of you both. Too bad Gam isn’t here to tell you how grateful he is. He was so worried.” Something fell over her expression.
A noticeable darkness also flooded Ruger’s expression.
Feeling the growing tension, Grace asked, “Gam is…?”
“My boyfriend.” Priscilla looked away to watch Sam play. “He managed to land a job finally. It’s not much, loading up junk cars, but it pays the bills. Tomorrow is Sammy’s birthday so we’ll be able to get him a cupcake.” She gave a shaky laugh. She stood, grabbed the broom that was propped against a pole, and swept the dirt floor around the firepit. Her whole demeanor changed.
“Hard work pays off,” Ruger said in a tight tone.
Grace noticed the new creases around his eyes. Had he seen Priscilla’s bruises too? “I was thinking,” Grace said. “Why don’t you and Sam come to dinner tomorrow night? Ruger and I are planning a gathering, with a few friends and family. Nothing big or fancy. Isn’t that right, Ruger?”
His gaze narrowed, but he caught on fast. “Yeah. A gathering.”
“We’ll have lots of food, especially dessert.”
“Well,” Priscilla hesitated. “I don’t know…”
“Sam can visit with the horses and the animals. There’s plenty of space for him to play.” Grace wasn’t sure what had come over her but suddenly she felt that inviting Priscilla and Sam to visit was the right thing to do. Grace could see their struggle living here at the campsite and she wanted to help.
“But Gam…well…”
“Of course, Gam is invited too.” Grace heard Ruger’s grunt.
The wheels seemed to turn in Priscilla. “I couldn’t ask you to go to so much trouble—”
“We’d love to have you. About six okay?” Grace smiled.
“Thank you. I can’t promise but we’ll try.”
“I want to go see the horses,” Sam piped in.
“You do?” Priscilla’s eyes lit. “I guess we will definitely try then.”
Ruger stood. “We should be heading out now. We look forward to seeing you both tomorrow.”
Saying goodbye, Grace and Ruger headed for the truck. He put his hand on the small of her back and he walked with her to the passenger door to open it.
Once they were pulling away from the campground, Ruger asked, “Gam is invited too?”
“Sorry, but I knew if I didn’t extend the invitation to him she would have automatically told us no.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Did you see how her attitude changed when his name was mentioned?” Ruger pounded his fist lightly against the steering wheel.
“I did. I’m going to make Sam a cake.”
“You’re going to make it?”
“Well, and make everyone sick? I’ll grab one from the bakery. Who are we going to invite? Your mom, Chynna, the ranch hands maybe?”
“Do you really think Priscilla and Sam will come?”
“I hope so. It won’t be a total loss if they don’t come though. I enjoy spending time with the hands, your mother and…” She stopped herself.
“And?” he urged.
“All of you.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “If Priscilla comes maybe I’ll get the chance to speak to her. Get to know her and her situation better.”
“You need to be careful, Grace. I know
Gam and he’s a row short of a garden. He’s into some serious activity and he won’t like anyone threatening his lifestyle.”
“Someone needs to offer help to Priscilla and Sam.”
“I think time will naturally remedy the issue. I’m sure Gam will be back behind bars before the year is up and then maybe Priscilla and Sam can move on without his deadweight.”
“That seems like such a negative outlook. Don’t we want Gam to do well?”
Ruger snorted. “I admire your positivity, but I’ve known the man for an awfully long time. He’s had his hand in a lot of terrible things. Being put away for a short time was a teaser for him.”
“That’s very sad.”
“Especially for Priscilla and Sam.”
The rest of the ride was spent in silence—a nice, relaxing silence. When they pulled onto the ranch, they parted ways. Ruger had work on the property and Grace went inside to paint.
A knock came on the door just as Grace finished the first coat of paint.
She opened it to find Chynna with an armful of pizza boxes. “I thought I’d offer some help.”
“How’d you know I was running late?” Grace didn’t realize it was already five-thirty.
“I didn’t, but after we spoke earlier, and you said you had a lot of painting to finish, I wanted to help. Pizza is always a big hit.”
“Come inside.” Grace stepped back to let her friend in. “How will I ever repay you?”
“Honey, you don’t have to. We’re friends, and this,” she handed over the boxes. “Is what we do around these parts.”
“Thank you so much. You’re staying, right?”
“I wish I could, but I have a delivery for the nursery. My sister’s a bit tied up, so I promised I’d help.”
“Let’s do dinner soon. It’s on me.”
“You betcha.”
Once Chynna left, and Grace was washed up and the pizza boxes were on the table, Ruger and his crew were strolling into the kitchen. The men seemed to not mind at all that they were eating take out.
Grace was exhausted, so she was a little quiet and listened to the men discuss the festival. They were so excited which heightened her excitement too. At times she’d feel Ruger’s gaze on her, but when she’d look he’d turn away. Was he remembering the heated kiss they’d shared earlier?
Grace had lots of time to think while painting and she’d decided she needed to tell Ruger the truth. Whatever was happening between them was growing fast and she couldn’t deceive him.
Tonight, she’d tell him who she was.
“I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you, Harvard. It’s wonderful news about the baby.”
His eyes lit. “Yes, ma’am. She had her first ultrasound. Would you like to see the picture?” He was already reaching for his wallet from his back pocket.
“I’d love to.” His enthusiasm touched her.
He produced the black and white photo. His pride glistened in his eyes. “I know it’s hard to see…”
“I can see the baby.” Grace felt something joyful and thankful she felt no sorrow. “Is this your first child?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He returned the photo, handling it with such caution that it brought tears to Grace’s eyes. “We had no clue she was pregnant. I can’t believe she’s already three months along.”
“You’ll be a great father. I’m sure.” She patted his shoulder. Catching Ruger’s gaze on her, she could see the curiosity in his expression. He gave her a sincere smile and she smiled back, silently assuring him that she was okay.
After the men left, Ruger excused himself to make some calls and she stood at the sink looking out the window—looking for bravery.
Grabbing a couple of beers from the fridge, she took them outside and walked the worn path to the guest house. She knocked and heard him call out, “It’s unlocked. Come in.”
Stepping inside, she found him at the kitchen counter. He’d lost his hat, shirt, and his jeans were unbuttoned, and the waist settled low on his toned hips. “I came bearing gifts.”
“I’m glad.” He took one of the bottles.
He must have showered because a strong scent of woodsy soap lingered in the air. She liked it. A lot. “Are you finished with your calls?”
“Yes. Want a glass for that?”
“No. beer always taste better from the bottle. How’s the side? You’re moving quicker.”
“It’s better. It no longer hurts. I have a feeling you didn’t come out here just to bring me a beer and ask about the cut.” He sat down on the arm of the small beige couch.
She popped the lid to the bottle and sipped the ice-cold liquid, wishing it took away some of the tension in her muscles. Looking around at the bare walls, she strolled across the room, set the bottle on the nightstand next to his belt and a book titled Training horses, then she went to sit at the bottom of the bed. The mattress was firm, but the thin blanket was soft. She pressed her fingers in the plush material and leaned back on her hands, running the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip.
He didn’t hide his admiration of her. His gaze took a leisurely stroll down her breasts, hips, and legs, and he could have easily touched her and caused the same erratic sensations. She needed to remember why she’d come.
Swallowing against the construction building in her throat, she sat up and nervously smoothed her hands down her thighs “I wanted to speak to you.”
He stood and crossed the space between them. When he sat next to her on the bed his weight caused her to fall against him. “You look worried. What’s wrong? Were you hurt looking at the pictures of Harvard’s baby?”
“No. Not at all. I’m so happy for him.”
Downing half the bottle, he set it next to hers on the nightstand. “Good.” His warm skin felt nice against hers. “What’s bothering you?” The huskiness of his tone did something to her.
Why couldn’t she seem to say what she needed to say to him?
She shifted so that she faced him, focusing on what he needed to hear, but the instant he placed his large hand over hers she was cast out to sea. Oh, how she wanted to delve in these emotions for a long time. “How is it that you do this to me?”
He leaned a few inches closer, his callused thumb caressing her sensitive skin. “What do I do, sweetheart? Explain it to me.”
“Inside I feel like a bowl of jelly, and yet I feel powerful, like a lioness. I’ve been overtaken by a drug. I’ve found a sliver of peace, here at Wilder Ranch, that I lost a long time ago.”
“You deserve to be happy. You deserve to have peace. What can I do to help?”
“Kiss me. Hold me.”
“That won’t be a problem.” He lowered his mouth over hers. She threaded her fingers into his thick, silky hair as she crawled over his lap, lifting the hem of her sundress high on her hips. Her throbbing thighs pressed against the stiff denim of his jeans, scraping her most sensitive part. She felt his desire and wanted to ride him, to throw all inhibition to the wind and run free.
He lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing the length to the dip in the collarbone where he swirled his tongue. The neck of the dress was pulled away from her bare breasts and he engulfed one tingling nipple in his warm mouth. Her world seemed to be turned upside down.
He closed his teeth around the bud and she jerked, feeling a golden fire in her bloodstream.
“I dream of you so often. Wondering what it’d be like to hold you,” he said against her skin.
A smile overtook her. “I have too.”
“Sweetheart, if you don’t want this, now is the time to tell me. You choose how fast, or how slow, we go. You can have anything you want.” He kissed her cheek, her jaw, the sensitive area close to her ear.
She wanted him. Wanted to have him inside her. “I do, I really do want this,” she whimpered. “I sensed a but in that statement.” He held her in the cradle of his warm eyes.
“It’s just that…”
“Remember I’m a good listener.”
“I
want this. I do. I honestly do. But every time I start to feel pleasure, I feel guilty. Guilt that I’m alive and Caroline isn’t.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she laid her head on his broad shoulder, absorbing his comfort. “I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child, but I do know the pain of losing a loved one. It broke me to lose my father. I don’t know how to overcome the grief, but you deserve joy. If you had suffered the same fate as your child and she would have lived, wouldn’t you want her to move on and be happy? Would you want her to carry the burden of your death every single day?” He threaded his fingers in her hair. “Let it go, sweetheart. I’m here.”
Tears turned into sobs as she laid in his arms. He held her, comforting her. He showed such gentle kindness.
Unsure of how long she stayed in his lap until the tears finally dried up, she heard him say, “Come with me.” She started to slide off his lap, but he caught her, held her against his chest and he lifted them both up to the middle of the bed. He rolled over, but he still didn’t break the connection with her. He continued to smooth her hair, soothing her in his strong arms, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. She looked up at him, caught by the unabashed sincerity she saw in his gaze. How had they gotten here, to this wonderful place? She trusted him. That meant a lot.
“I haven’t wept like that in a long time,” she said in a breathy voice.
“We all need a good release at times. I’ve been there myself.” He played with a tendril of her hair.
“You? Have you cried?”
“Come on. Don’t rub it in, but yes.”
“When Bren left?”
“No, when my pa died. He was the greatest man in my life and he was my best friend. When he passed away, he took a huge piece of me with him.”
Touching his cheek, she enjoyed the feel of his whiskers under her fingers. “Losing someone is never easy.”
“I should have spent more time with him. I should have worked more so he could have worked less. I was too wrapped up in my own needs that I missed the signs that he was overworked and sick.”
“No matter what we do sometimes we can’t change fate.”
“If that’s so, then why are you still persecuting yourself for the death of your daughter?”
Cowboy Wilde (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 2) Page 16
