The Cowboy's Choice

by Janalyn Knight

  As the band played the next song, she sipped her drink, hyper-sensitive to the touch of Adam's fingertips on her arm. He leaned in to speak in her ear and his breath moved a strand of her hair, sending tingles straight through her. Sliding her hand to his thigh, she caressed him, loving him so much in that moment that she wanted to kiss him hard, in front of everyone. She bit back a grin and took a sip of wine. Down, girl.

  Adam kissed her cheek, sending goosebumps down her chest, tightening her nipples. This silk blouse will show everything. She turned her face to him, spotting Eve and Caleb heading toward them, and waved them over.

  Caleb held a chair for Eve. "Hey, you all, sorry we're late."

  "No problem, the music just started," Adam said.

  Eve gave Lara a hug. "It's great to see you. I'm looking forward to this. We haven't been out in forever."

  Lara grinned. "Having you all with us will make tonight a lot more fun."

  Caleb left to get their drinks as Adam asked, "How is my adorable niece?"

  Eve rolled her eyes. "Feisty. That's what took so long. She didn't cooperate with a single thing. I think she knew we were leaving her."

  The next song started, a cowboy waltz, and Adam drew Lara to her feet. On the dance floor, he pulled her in close, and they glided away, swirling and swaying to the music. He was a wonderful, expressive dancer, and she felt every movement of his tall, muscular body against hers. Too soon, the song was over and he kissed her cheek, releasing her.

  Back at the table, Adam ordered her another glass of wine and himself a beer.

  Caleb and Eve had also danced. Caleb held Eve’s chair for her as she said, "Whew, it's been a while since we've been on a dance floor. Thank God I didn't step on his toes."

  Lara laughed. "I was worried, too. Adam's such a great dancer, though, I don't have a chance to misstep." She turned to him and smiled.

  He nodded, tipping his hat.

  Having to nearly shout over the music, for the next couple of songs Caleb talked about a problem he was having with one of the bulls.

  Then they all danced again. She watched Caleb and Eve out of the corner of her eye. Eve wasn't short, but Caleb's tall frame would make any woman look tiny. He would have dragged his wife all over the dance floor if he hadn't shortened the steps he took with those long legs of his. They were a beautiful couple and men and women alike turned to look at them as they danced by.

  Lara and Eve had to yell to be heard but managed to get in some girl talk while the guys spoke about the ranch. After a few more dances, Eve motioned to Lara before she could sit down, and they headed for the ladies' room.

  After finishing in the stalls, they both put on more lipstick. Eve looked over at Lara and said, "I've never seen Adam this happy. He practically glows."

  Eve's words sent a warm wave rippling through Lara. She met Eve's gaze in the mirror. "He's a good man. I'm lucky he cares for me."

  Eve put her arm around Lara as they walked out the door and said, "I'm ready for another glass of wine."

  A little while later the waitress stopped by and asked Adam if he wanted another beer. "Nothing for me. Lara, would you like more wine?"

  She covered her glass. "No thanks." When the waitress walked away, Lara turned to Adam, "I'm already getting tired. Any more wine and I'll fall asleep on you."

  He scooted his chair a couple of inches closer. "Come here, babe." Wrapping his arm around her, he snuggled her against him and kissed her cheek.

  She lifted her face, inviting his kiss.

  With infinite gentleness, he brushed her lips with his, and said, "I love you, darling."

  Tucking her face into his chest, knowing that her heart, her life, was safe with him—she let herself trust Adam completely.

  THE NEXT MORNING, ADAM listened to the chest of a very sick little boy. It being Sunday, his parents didn't feel they should wait another day for a visit to their pediatrician. Little Blake had a fever of 105 degrees and a terrible cough. Tossing his stethoscope over his head, Adam made some notes on Blake's chart and ordered the necessary tests.

  His mother asked, "What do you think is wrong with him?"

  Adam looked up. "I think we've caught it in time. He doesn't appear to have pneumonia though X-rays will give me a better look. We'll also take some blood work. I'll start him on antibiotics and something for his cough and fever and someone will be down to give him a breathing treatment in a little while."

  She ran her fingers through Blake's hair. "Thank goodness. We were so worried when his fever climbed so high."

  Adam smiled as he turned to go. "We'll fix him up before we send him home. He'll be just fine."

  Adam handed Blake's chart to the nurse and opened the door, his mind already on Lara again. When he took her home last night, she'd drawn him straight to the bedroom, kissing him passionately and unbuttoning his shirt as she said, "I love you, Adam. I want to make love to you and show you just how much." And she had. Her desire for him had been so exciting, so erotic, he'd been hard put to last until she could come with him.

  At the bar, when she'd said she truly trusted him, he knew, at last, they had a foundation that a loving marriage could rest on. And, with her lovemaking last night, she knew it, too. Starting today, they could build a relationship based on trust and friendship. One he hoped would lead to marriage in the not-too-distant future.

  He sat at his desk in the center of the ER and sent a quick text:

  Missing you terribly. Hope you slept in. Loved last night and love you.

  She texted back:

  Miss you, too. Wish you didn't have to work today. I'm sure you're tired. Love you.

  He grinned and picked up the next patient's chart, imagining the kiss he'd give her when he saw her after work. Life didn't get any better than this.

  LARA FLIPPED ON HER Mercedes’ blinker, slowing down to turn into Adam's subdivision. The past two weeks had flown by. She and Adam had grown as close as they had ever been. Spending almost every night together, either at her home or his, she'd come to depend on having his arms wrapped around her when she fell asleep. He was cooking tonight, and she looked forward to drinking wine and visiting with him while he walked back and forth in his manly apron.

  Parking in his driveway, she gathered her bag and purse and headed for his door, wishing the weather were better. She should hire a yardman. She compared her yard to Adam's. His place was always so perfectly groomed, and she was consistently behind.

  Adam answered the door and gave her a hug. "Dinner's cooking, come on in."

  She followed him to the kitchen and sat at the bar as he poured her a glass of sauvignon blanc. "It smells fabulous in here, Adam. It's what? Oregano and garlic? Maybe thyme? Tell me what we're having."

  "Greek chicken breasts and a Greek salad and, following the theme, coconut lime dessert made with Greek yogurt."

  "You're amazing. I can't wait to eat." The narrow bib of the apron accentuated his broad chest. Little ripples of desire raced up her belly. He was her man, and she couldn't get enough of him. "I see you've started the salad." She dipped her nose in the bowl, smelling the oregano-covered tomato wedges and sliced onions. "Yum. I'm starving."

  Adam stood at the stove, browning the chicken breasts. "I marinated these overnight in the fridge. I love Greek food. I wish Ft. Stockton had a Greek restaurant."

  A warm, delicious feeling filled her. He looked so domestic, standing there in his apron, holding the handle of the skillet and turning the meat. She imagined him, ages from now, as her husband, still caring for her. Sipping her wine, she accepted that a future like this could be hers.

  Adam forked the chicken breasts on a small platter and put them on the dining room table. They were eating inside tonight because of the weather. Rain was on the way and wind blew fiercely outside. He returned to the fridge and pulled out a bag of cucumbers, bell pepper, olives and feta cheese, dumping it into the salad bowl. Stirring everything together, he liberally added olive oil.

  After setting the salad o
n the table beside the chicken, he took off his apron and refilled their wine glasses. "Let's eat. I'm starving, too."

  The rich aroma coming from the food made her mouth water. "How did you become such a good cook?"

  He grinned. "The internet, babe. Isn't that what everyone does nowadays?"

  She served salad on her plate. "I can't wait to try this, and it looks so simple to make."

  "I only do simple."

  After forking a piece of chicken and setting it next to her salad, she handed the platter to Adam. "I'm finding it harder and harder to keep up with your prowess in the kitchen."

  He raised his brows. "So, it's a competition? I'll have to remember that and study more."

  She grinned. "Cut me some slack. I'm not used to this whole cooking thing yet." Sipping her wine, which was wonderful with the savory scent of the food, she relaxed into the back of her chair. As hungry as she was, it was fabulous to sit here and enjoy the effortless experience of dinner with her lover.

  Adam stopped chewing and looked at her. "So, how is it?"

  "Give me a minute." She cut a piece of chicken and popped it in her mouth, letting the spices swirl together as she slowly chewed. "It's fantastic, Adam. I need this recipe."

  He smiled and resumed eating. "I guess I can give my secret away. It's on the counter in the kitchen."

  The salad was just as amazing as it smelled. She speared a wedge of ripe tomato covered in salt and oregano and moaned when she chewed it. "Adam, I'm in heaven. This is to die for."

  "I told you we'd do goodfood tonight." He grinned and took another bite of chicken.

  After dinner, she helped him clean up and they headed to the living room to relax. She'd just snuggled into his chest with her glass of wine when the doorbell rang.

  He frowned.

  "You expecting anybody?"

  "No, I seldom have company."

  She could see the front door from her seat on the couch.

  When Adam answered it, a tall, beautiful blonde in a long rain coat brushed past him and walked into the house.

  Adam turned, following her. "I told you how it stood between us. Please leave," he said sharply.

  Confused, Lara peered at the blonde's face.

  Ignoring him, the woman caught sight of Lara and walked briskly into the living room. "Hello, I'm Demi. I tried calling Adam but couldn't reach him."

  Lara bit her lip. Why was this beautiful woman here, and why had she been trying to call Adam?

  Adam said loudly, "That's because I—"

  The blonde interrupted him. "I really wanted to see him tonight so I thought I'd come by. He loves it when we have sleepovers."

  Lara jerked her head back. Sleepovers? What the hell?

  Adam lurched toward the woman. "Dammit, Demi! Shut the fuck up!"

  Before he could get to her, she unbelted her coat and threw it open, exposing the fact that she wore only a tiny black lace bra and panties and a garter belt holding up sheer black hose. She took a step toward Lara. "He likes it when I wear this, too."

  Adam grabbed her and growled, "You're a bitch for trying a stunt like this."

  Yanking on her arm, she protested, "Let go! Don't you love me anymore? You know you want me, Adam."

  "I never loved you, and you damn well know that."

  He marched her to the door as she struggled against him and shoved her outside, locking it behind her.

  Lara was on her feet, faint from shock.

  He came to her—tried to take her in his arms.

  She drew back. "Adam, I need to go."

  "Lara, I'm not seeing her."

  "She doesn't seem to know that." Her pulse so loud in her ears she could count the beats of her heart, she strode toward the door.

  He took hold of her arm.

  She looked at his hand. "Adam, please."

  His eyes imploring, he said, "We need to talk about this."

  "Not now. I need to think. I have to go."

  Desperate, he said, "It's not what it looks like. I've done nothing to betray you. Please, believe me." He released her and stepped back.

  She walked to the door. Her trust, so new and tender, had departed with the woman in the lace bra and panties.

  Chapter Eleven

  ADAM WATCHED, STUNNED, as Lara closed the door. The fact that she trusted him so little hurt beyond words. He thought they were past something like this. He made himself a whiskey, wanting a buffer against the grief that was fast filling his heart. Once Lara had time to think about what she knew of him, she'd realize that he wouldn't have been sleeping with another woman. That's not who he was. It never had been.

  He collapsed on the sofa, overcome with dread. What if she didn't believe him? What if she didn't trust that he was true to her? He couldn't lose her. Not now. He wanted to text her but she was still driving. The thought of her believing anything that bitch Demi had said cut like a knife. Lara had said she wanted time to think, but what would she be thinking? She needed to hear the truth. But how could that happen if she wouldn't speak with him?

  Lurching to his feet, he paced the room. There had to be a way to fix this. They loved each other. He gulped several swallows of whiskey. He needed to give her room—she'd asked for it—but then they were going to talk. When the truth came out, surely then, she would trust him again.

  LARA DROVE HOME ON automatic, numbness creeping over her. Visions of the woman, Demi, in all her tawdry nearly-naked beauty kept flashing before her. Adam was a man, of course he would be attracted to a woman like that. She grimaced. What did she know of men, though? She could count the guys she'd dated on one hand and still have fingers to spare.

  The woman had expected a warm welcome. Why? Laura rubbed her forehead, her gut leaden. It was all too confusing. What did she really know about Adam? Thirteen years ago, she'd known an innocent boy from an isolated ranch in Texas. That boy had traveled, had time to develop different tastes—different expectations of women. Did he show one kind of man to her and different wants and needs to his other lover? She shivered, the thought too horrible to think about. She loved him—had trusted him. Could he do that to her?

  Back at home, she was too upset for bed, instead she poured a glass of wine and headed to the back porch. After first checking for snakes, she turned off the light and sat in the dark, her thoughts racing. This whole thing felt surreal. How could her life have changed so quickly? The only other time in her life she’d known true joy was her senior year when she and Adam were so in love. Look how that ended. Why should this time be any different?

  She sipped her wine, the hollowness his loss left her with growing worse by the second. What could he say to her now, anyway? The woman didn't just show up out of the blue. And she obviously expected something of Adam. There must be a reason for those expectations.

  Lara rubbed her temples. A headache throbbed, and she seldom got headaches. Her teeth clenched and she relaxed her jaws. Crap. She was a mess. She headed in to run a hot bath. While the water ran, she took something for the headache and topped off her wine. If only she could stop her whirling thoughts. Undressing quickly, she clipped her hair on top of her head.

  Just before she got in the bath, a text came in. Grabbing her phone, she stepped into the steaming hot water, sighing in pleasure as she slid down in the tub, the water coming up to her neck. At the touch of a button, she saw the text was from Adam. Her stomach twisted and she laid the phone on the edge of the tub. Reading that message was the last thing she needed to do. Wetting a washcloth and covering her face with it, the heat seeped into her pores.

  Still ignoring Adam's message, she opened her eyes, removing the cloth and sinking even lower until only her nose was above the water line. The intense heat baked her, relaxed her, dulled her mind. She blew bubbles, thinking of nothing and no one. Wiggling her toes, she imagined her feet buried in the sand at the beach. She needed to make a weekend getaway down to Padre Island. Leave Adam and this shithole of a mess behind. The more she thought about it, the more an escape a
ppealed to her.

  Her dad had always insisted on carrying a day planner. One of the changes she’d recently implemented was making the office calendar electronic. Now she could check her scheduled appointments from her phone at any time. Since she tried not to schedule anything on Fridays, she was free tomorrow, but scrolled through to Monday. She only had one meeting that day. She fired off an e-mail to Beverly; by morning her calendar would be clear. Next, she looked for a place to stay on the island and, twenty minutes later, had booked a condo on the beach. In no time, she found a flight from El Paso to Corpus. After scheduling a car rental, fleeing was a reality.

  Euphoria filled her. It was an incredible relief to escape the loss and dread that meeting Demi had caused.

  The bath water had turned cool so she washed and got out. Taking the last of her wine to the bedroom, she climbed in bed and opened her phone, reading what Adam had to say:

  Lara, sweetheart, I'm so sorry you had to witness that mess tonight. I understand you don't want to talk about it, but I promise you, I am not seeing this woman. Please, believe in me. I love you, honey. Adam

  She wanted to believe him, desperately. But that woman was so sure of herself—had been confident Adam would welcome her. It was too confusing. Too hard.

  I haven't stopped loving you, Adam. I'm going away. To think. Please, let me have this time alone. Lara

  Setting her phone on silent, she turned off the light and lay on her side, a pillow clutched to her belly. Her euphoria had vanished. Was this how it would be again? The thought of returning to how she lived before Adam was too much to face. Instead, she thought of the beach, slow waves rolling in, the sound of seagulls, and curling her toes in the sand.

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Lara got up early and packed for the trip. It was a long drive to El Paso. Always one to get ready fast, she was on the road before long. After stopping for a fast-food breakfast, she merged on IH-10 and set her cruise control. Her mind, now with nothing to do, returned to the night before. She flipped on the radio, found a rock station, and cranked up the volume in hopes of a distraction.