A Cowboy’s Worth: The McGavin Brothers

by Thompson, Vicki Lewis

  He stroked her cheek. “I wouldn’t mind.”

  “I would. I refuse to let this incredible afternoon end in tears, even if they are happy ones.”

  He smiled. “Is it endin’, then?”

  “Guess so. We need to get the horses back to the barn. It’s feeding time. And dinnertime soon after at the ranch.”

  He sighed. “And I look forward to that. Except…”

  “Except?”

  “I’m greedy. I want more time alone with you. Doin’ this.”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  “Promise?”

  “Rory, I would be a fool not to spend every single minute I can with you. Trust me, I’ll be looking for opportunities like this.”

  “That’s all I needed to hear. Now I’m ready to go back. And I’ll tell Kendra tonight about the mess I left in Scotland.”

  “Like I said, she’ll be understanding.”

  “I’ll cling to that thought, lass.”

  * * *

  With only four of them at dinner, Kendra had set two places on one side of the long table and two on the other. She and Quinn sat together and so did Damaris and Rory. The setup couldn’t have been more perfect for either Kendra or Quinn to notice a change in the dynamic.

  Damaris waited, anticipating that first comment. Surely one of them would see that she wasn’t the same person who’d eaten breakfast with them this morning.

  Yes, she’d cleaned up a bit, put on a little makeup and brushed her hair. She didn’t look quite as ravished as she had when she’d first walked into the house. She and Rory had taken turns washing up in their shared bathroom before appearing for dinner.

  But couldn’t Kendra and Quinn tell that she and Rory were giving off sparks? If they did, they gave no indication. Kendra didn’t glance across the table and say Damaris, you’re glowing! Quinn didn’t remark on her extra perkiness.

  Evidently, even though she was all fizzy inside, it didn’t show. During a meal composed of leftover wedding fare, conversation centered on the foal’s birth, whether Ryker and April were having good weather in San Francisco, and which chores would take priority now that life was back to normal.

  “And we will never, and I mean never have another all-equestrian ceremony,” Kendra said. “I don’t care if Trevor and Bryce did think it was cool. Not doing it again.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Quinn raised his beer glass.

  “But what a spectacular way for me to be introduced to Wild Creek Ranch.” Rory pushed aside his empty plate. “I’ll never forget seein’ all those horses and riders lined up, almost like they were in formation.”

  “They were in formation,” Quinn said. “We assigned numbered positions. Only way we could dream of having it work out. What a logistical nightmare. Ryker owes me several beers and a flight in the Beechcraft.”

  “He promised to take me up, too,” Rory said. “Guess I’ll have to ask for a raincheck.”

  “Why?” Kendra glanced at him. “He’ll be back on Sunday.”

  “I’m sorry to say I’ll likely be gone by then.”

  Damaris glanced down at her plate as cold reality sent a chill through her. Under the table, Rory reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “You will?” Quinn looked surprised, too. “I was there when you told Ryker and April goodbye. I could swear you said you’d probably still be around. Has something changed?”

  “Aye.” Rory kept the explanation of his guddle brief. When he was finished, he slipped his hand in Damaris’s again.

  “That’s quite a story,” Kendra said. “But I can’t say I’m sorry it happened since you’re here. I just hate that you have to leave so soon.”

  “At first I thought I’d have to leave tomorrow, but if my brother just needs my deposition to start the process, I can give him that in an online interview. I’ll still book a flight out on Saturday, but it buys me more time here.”

  Quinn put his napkin beside his plate. “Couldn’t the whole thing be handled online?”

  “Maybe, but that wouldn’t be fair to Aleck, me over here havin’ a good time while he’s cleanin’ up my mess for free. And it makes sense that he’ll have a stronger case if I show up in the flesh.”

  Quinn nodded. “I can see that. A man needs to face his accusers.”

  “Exactly. I thought leavin’ would be the kind thing for the lady, but turns out she’s no lady. And I’ve ended up looking cowardly, like I’m guilty of misleadin’ her.”

  Kendra leaned back in her chair. “That must stick in your craw.”

  “Aye.”

  “Listen, if Aleck agrees to this, I have a laptop you can use instead of your phone. That would be easier.”

  “I’d surely appreciate that. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I mostly work on my desktop anyway. And since this will be a highly personal interview, I advise you not to do it in your room or anywhere in the house where you might be interrupted or overheard. You can use the cabin. It has internet, too.”

  “That’s a great idea.” Damaris had been meaning to go up there ever since she’d arrived. “You’d have complete privacy.”

  “I don’t remember seein’ a cabin.”

  “You might not have noticed it,” Kendra said. “It’s up the hill a ways and blends in with the trees. It was built by the original homesteaders.”

  Rory nodded. “Now you say that, I might’ve heard somethin’ about it from Gran and Grandpa.”

  “It was Ian’s and my home when my folks were alive, then a play area for the kids. Zane lived in it for a while. That’s when we did most of the renovations and added internet capability. Ryker spent time in it when he came home from the service. Last year I let Quinn stay there while he repaired his Harley.”

  “Yeah, I fell in love with that cabin.”

  Kendra poked him. “You fell in love with me, doofus.”

  He gave her a slow grin. “I fell for you long before I ever set foot in that cabin. But staying in a place with so much history was a nice bonus.”

  “It sounds like exactly what I need,” Rory said. “I don’t know how many sessions Aleck will be wantin’, though, even if he agrees to this. Will it be a problem, me tyin’ up your laptop and the cabin?”

  Kendra waved a hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t need either one this week. I just hope your brother goes along with this.”

  “I’ll find out at quarter-to-five in the mornin’.”

  “Which will come sooner than we think.” Kendra stood. “I can’t speak for the rest of you, but I’m ready to clean up the kitchen and pack it in. I have a busy week starting tomorrow.”

  “Me, too.” Quinn got up, too. “I’m starting a new project.”

  “Oh, hey!” Rory pushed back his chair and stood. “I can’t believe I didn’t say this earlier. I saw Mated for Life in the Guzzlin’ Grizzly today when Damaris took me on a tour of Eagles Nest. Absolutely amazin’. Sent shivers down my spine.”

  “Thank you.”

  Rory began gathering dishes. “I’d love to see more of your work.”

  “Well, I have some prints for sale in the GG Country Store, and there’s another large original in the lobby of Raptors Rise.”

  “We should go over there tomorrow.” Damaris picked up the serving dishes and carried them into the kitchen. “You wanted to anyway.”

  “I do. That’s another reason I can’t leave yet. I haven’t been inside Pie in the Sky, either, and I need more riding lessons.”

  “That’s right.” Kendra opened the dishwasher and began loading it. “You and Damaris went out today. How’d it go?”

  “He did a spectacular job.” Damaris gave Kendra her most earnest gaze. “He has an instinctive feel for it.”

  “He does?” Quinn’s forehead wrinkled. “I didn’t quite see that yesterday.”

  “Jetlag can really mess with a body,” Rory said. “I’m much more focused today. And rested.”

  “That’s good.” Kendra switched on th
e dishwasher.

  “In fact, I wouldn’t mind takin’ a walk to the barn so I can get one more look at that wee foal. Anyone want to come with me?”

  Damaris made sure she didn’t grin like an idiot. “I’m up for that.”

  “Sounds lovely,” Kendra said, “but I’m in for the night.”

  “Me, too.” Quinn ran water in the sink and squirted dish soap for a few hand washables.

  Kendra tossed a dishtowel over her shoulder. Then she glanced at Rory. “Weren’t you just down there when you brought Diablo and Jake back?”

  “Aye. But since I’ll only be here a few more days, I can’t get too much of that bonnie foal.”

  “No, I suppose not.” The gleam in Kendra’s eyes could mean she was catching on.

  “I’m gonna grab a sweatshirt.” Damaris left the kitchen before she started laughing. Two minutes later she went out the door with Rory. “She’s on to us.”

  “She’d be blind if she wasn’t. I thought for sure she’d say something at dinner. I can’t stop lookin’ at you.” He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers as they walked quickly through the cool night toward the barn.

  “I can’t stop smiling.”

  “Noticed that.” He chuckled. “Love havin’ that effect on you, lass. And here we are, already.”

  “That’s what happens when you race walk.”

  “I was motivated. Let me get the door.” Lifting the bar holding it shut, he slid it open. “After you.”

  She stepped inside the dim interior and tucked her glasses in her pocket as the door closed behind her. “I know we can’t—oof!” She found herself in his arms, crushed against his broad chest and kissed with enough raw heat to set their clothes on fire.

  Chapter Twenty

  Kissing was all Rory was after, but he’d become so addicted to Damaris’s full lips that he wouldn’t sleep tonight if he couldn’t taste them once more before he went to bed. He might not sleep anyway with his room right next to hers.

  His eagerness had knocked his hat to the floor. He left it there as he delved into the most luscious mouth he’d ever encountered. Cupping her bottom, he drew her close, nestling her against his aching tadger.

  He’d brought nothing with him, though, on purpose. Just a few kisses, and then they’d go back. Holding her was enough for…oh, hey, now, here was a surprise. Warm hands caressed his bare chest. While he’d been kissing, she’d been unbuttoning.

  Lifting his head, he gazed at her. Her face was in shadow. “Dinna expect that of ye.”

  “No?” She pushed his shirt open and pressed her mouth against his hot skin.

  “Ahhh, lass. Ye turn me inside out.”

  “That’s what I had in mind.” She reached for his belt buckle.

  He caught her hands. “I dinna bring anythin’.”

  “I didn’t expect you to. If you had we’d be gone far too long.”

  He tightened his grip on her hands. “And I only craved kissin’ ye.”

  “I know, and I crave kissing you, too…someplace else. I’ve thought about it ever since the glen. It’ll only take a minute. Then we’ll go back.”

  “A minute?”

  “Unless you resist me. Turn me loose so I can—”

  “Nay.” But he was weakening. “I dunna want ye to—”

  “Are you sure?”

  He dragged in a breath.

  “Let me, Rory. Let me make love to your tadger.”

  He lost the fight with himself. The second he’d understood her plan, he’d desperately wanted her to go through with it. Trembling with anticipation, he slowly released her hands.

  She let out a long sigh. “Good.” She wasted no time getting to it, either. She quickly unbuckled, unzipped and dropped to her knees.

  Then…praise be, he was transported to a world where warm fingers and an even warmer mouth were the only sensations that mattered. She wrapped him in pleasure so intense that he almost forgot the horses dozing nearby.

  Just in time he stifled a groan, then gritted his teeth to hold back an even louder one as she increased the pressure and cupped his balls. That last bit did the trick. Fists clenched and head thrown back, he hissed through his teeth and let go. She milked him right proper, until his brain quit working and he feared he’d topple to the ground.

  Gulping in air, he rested his hands on her shoulders to steady himself. “’Tis good. Verra good.”

  “I could tell.” She gave him one last intimate kiss before tucking his happy tadger back inside his briefs. “You were shaking.”

  “Aye.” Tightening his grasp on her shoulders, he pulled her to her feet. “Near fell over.”

  “You’ll sleep well.” She buttoned his shirt and cradled his face in her talented hands.

  “Like a bairn.”

  Rising on her toes, she kissed him on the mouth.

  Damned if the salty taste didn’t stir his loins again. He drew her close. “I want a whole night with ye, lass. A night and the next mornin’, so I can wake with ye in my arms.”

  “I’d love that.” She caressed the bristle on his chin. Then she pulled her glasses out of her sweatshirt pocket and put them on.

  He sucked in another steadying breath. “So that’s where they went. Wondered if I’d knocked ’em off.”

  “I knew you’d want to kiss me so I put them away after we came in.”

  “And you’d already planned on that other?”

  “If you’d let me.”

  “Tried to refuse.”

  “I’m glad you gave in.” She smoothed the front of his shirt with her palm. “Let’s go peek in on the foal.”

  “All right.” He’d completely lost track of why they were here. Damaris took up every single brain cell he possessed. He’d not been this addlepated about a woman since his first crush at fifteen.

  After dusting off his hat and putting it on, he followed her to the stall where Licorice and Eclipse were hidden in the shadows.

  She glanced in and turned back to him with a smile. “Not much to see without the overhead lights.”

  He returned her smile. “Didn’t expect there would be. Let’s go.”

  After they left the barn, he recaptured her hand. The night breeze ruffled her hair, bringing the scent of it his way. “If we could have a whole night, I’d spend part of it brushin’ your hair.”

  “You would?”

  “Brushin’ it, sifting it through my fingers, watchin’ how the light plays on it.”

  “That sounds nice.”

  “It would be. I just wish…” He sighed. No point in talking about what he wished. In the distance an owl hooted. Then another answered. “Did you hear that?”

  “The owls? I love listening to them. This is the time of year you hear them more often. They’re pairing up.”

  “It’s the same at home. There they go again.” He climbed the porch steps, reluctant to go inside. “If I didn’t have to get up so early, I’d sit out on the porch and listen to them. But I need to be alert for that call.”

  “Yes, you sure do.”

  He opened the door and waited for her to go in ahead of him. The house was quiet. Only one lamp was on in the living room. “Should we turn that off?”

  “Yes. I’m sure they left it for us.” Damaris switched it off and continued down the hallway.

  He paused at her door and lowered his voice. “I’m goin’ to think positive, that Aleck will go for this idea. If he does, he’ll likely want to have our first video chat sometime after he gets off work at five. That’s mid-mornin’ here. That may be as far as I can plan until I talk with him.”

  “I know.”

  “When Kendra mentioned that cabin, were you thinkin’ the same thing I was?”

  “Probably.”

  “I won’t sneak around, though.”

  “I don’t want to, either. That would feel icky.” She took a quick breath. “Let’s take this one day at a time.”

  “Good advice.” Leaning down, he gave her a slow, sweet kiss. “Goodn
ight, lass. You can have the lavy first.”

  “Okay.” She gave him one more quick kiss. “See you in the morning.”

  “See you in my dreams.” He winked at her and walked the short distance to his room. Guaranteed he’d dream about her all night. And wish like hell she could be sharing his bed.

  * * *

  The tune on Rory’s cell chimed five minutes before he had to make his call. He cursed the chime for interrupting a most excellent time making love with Damaris. Not surprising that he had a woody as he climbed out of bed and shut off the alarm.

  Stumbling to the bathroom in his underwear, he splashed cold water on his face. Considered splashing it on his woody but now that the dream was fading, it was going down of its own accord.

  Back in his bedroom, he closed the door and picked up the phone. Then he took several deep breaths before tapping the screen and putting the phone to his ear.

  “You’re prompt. I’ll give you that.”

  “Good mornin’.”

  “Afternoon, now, by one minute. Have you sorted things out on your end?”

  This’ll only take a minute. He smiled. He’d been so insulted by that…

  “Rory? You there?”

  “Sorry.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Not quite awake yet.”

  “I know it’s early, but we need to get this settled.”

  “Aye. Here’s what I propose. As I understand it, you need my description of the events leading up to my night with Catriona.”

  “Correct. You’ll tell it as you remember, but I’ll be there to ask questions in case I need more clarification.”

  “Could we do it as a video chat?”

  Aleck paused for a beat. “That’s creative, but you still need to come home and show your face.”

  “But maybe not for a few days if you have that video to work from. Or more, if you need them. I can borrow Kendra’s laptop.”

  “It’s the woman, isn’t it?”

  “Her name’s Damaris and yes, she’s part of the reason. She’s incredible. I love bein’ with her. We just…get along.”

  “Could this go anywhere, though? Isn’t she some university professor or somethin’?”