The Rebel of Copper Creek (22 page)

T
here was no time to worry about Mad's intentions. A truck from Garvey Fuller's mill arrived with a load of lumber. It was quickly unloaded and stacked next to the barn.

After conferring with Juliet and Jackie, Brady sent his work crews out in different directions with orders to get their specific jobs done quickly and efficiently. Jackie took charge of the wranglers who would go with him to the hills to join forces with Juliet's crew.

“No matter where you go,” Brady said sternly, “remember to keep an eye out for Mitch Cord. He could be anywhere on the property.”

A second crew was dispatched to the house, where they began tearing out the sagging porch, while others climbed to the roof to inspect the shingles. Brady and his crew crawled over the barn, repairing the holes in the roof while testing any beams for decay or rot.

An electrical crew drove up and disappeared inside the house.

A plumber and his assistant arrived, conferred with Brady, and then walked into the house. Minutes later he, too, disappeared inside.

Juliet stood in the doorway of the barn, looking slightly dazed at the sight of all the activity going on around her. She turned to Willow. “I feel so terrible that I can't pay all these kind people.”

Willow smiled. “Have they asked for payment?”

“Not a word. But look at them.” Juliet sighed. “So many people, and so many supplies.” She turned to study the mountain of lumber, and shingles, and boxes of nails and screws and mysterious fittings. “I could never even begin to afford all this.”

Willow touched a hand to her arm. “Since this is Mad's project, why don't you let him worry about it?”

“Mad is doing all this?” Juliet looked as though she might cry. “Why?”

“Maybe he has a soft spot for pretty young widows.” Willow caught her hand. “Come on. Let's go for a ride.”

“In your truck?”

Willow laughed. “On your horses.”

“What about my sons?”

Willow touched a finger to her lips. “Shh. Don't give them another thought. Mad insisted that they'll be with him and Brenna the entire day. I believe, besides getting a few cooking lessons, Casey and Ethan will be sculpting with Brenna.”

“Oh, Willow.” Juliet reined in her mount at the top of the hill, and stared at the land spread out below. “This is the first time I've ever had the chance to see it all from this vantage point.”

Willow drew her mare to a halt. “Drink it in.” She waved an arm. “Now you can see why men are seduced by all this land.”

Juliet's voice grew hushed, as though she were in some great cathedral. “This is what Buddy wanted for his sons. What he wanted for all of us.” She felt tears threaten and blinked furiously. “He should be here instead of me.”

Willow caught her hand. “I know how you feel.”

The young woman's head came up sharply, and she met Willow's direct gaze. “Yes, you do. You're probably the only one here who really understands exactly what I'm going through. I'm so sorry about your loss.”

They sat for long minutes, holding hands and staring at the beauty around them.

“Let's walk a bit.” Willow slid from the saddle and Juliet did the same.

Holding the reins, they led their horses through the tall grass, lifting their faces to the sun.

At length Willow broke the silence. “At first, I thought as you did, that Bear should have been the one to live on here. This is his land. His slice of paradise. He worked his entire life carving out this ranch, these herds, for his sons. But slowly I'm coming to terms with the fact that everything happens in its own time. You and I are here because we were fortunate to love men who loved this land. Even though they can't be here with us any longer, we can carry on their legacy. We do it through our careful management of the things they built here. And we do it through their sons. Our sons. And because of that, this is no longer just theirs, but it's now ours as well. Our land and our legacy.”

As her words sank in, Juliet looked around again, seeing it all in a new light. Though her lashes were still damp with tears, she could feel a lightness around her heart.

“Ever since coming here, I've thought of this as Buddy's land. Buddy's ranch. And yes, his legacy. I've never thought of it as mine, to do with as I please.”

“Nobody would blame you if you sold it and returned to the city.”

“That's what people expect, isn't it?” Juliet turned to Willow. “They think the city girl will either give up or mismanage the old Grayson place.”

“Are they right?” Willow smiled. “Or would you like to prove them wrong?”

Slowly Juliet nodded. “I want to succeed here. Not to prove anybody wrong, but because this is where I want to be. I want to raise my boys here. I want them to love this land the way the Grayson family has loved it for generations. But I also want it to be mine, and not just the old Grayson place.”

Willow gathered her close and hugged her fiercely. “Then do it. Make it yours. Take your life in your hands and make it the success you know it can be.”

Juliet stepped back and took a long, deep breath. “I have a long way to go before I become as comfortable in my role as you are.”

Willow laughed, a soft, girlish sound. “I see I have you as fooled as everyone else. Here's the naked, painful truth. Every day now, I wake up wondering if I can live up to the MacKenzie legacy. And every night, as I fall into bed, I realize I'm another step closer to my goal. But it isn't easy. Because every day of my life, I miss Bear with an ache around my heart that never leaves me.”

Juliet's eyes rounded. “Thank you for your honesty.”

“Thank you for listening. There's something special about sharing the truth with someone who has experienced something so similar. And your loss isn't quite as fresh as mine.” She pulled herself into the saddle and turned to Juliet. “Tell me. Does it get easier?”

Juliet mounted before saying softly, “I'd like to say it does, but I'm still hurting, and still trying to find my way through this maze.” She glanced shyly at Willow. “Can I ask you something personal?”

Willow nodded. “Ask away.”

“Do you think you could ever love again? Or would you feel guilty?”

Willow fell silent before finally saying, “I haven't really thought about it. My loss is so fresh. But I do think I'd have to work through a great deal of guilt if I found myself attracted to another man.”

Juliet's words were little more than a whisper. “Yes. That damnable guilt. As though somehow, by allowing myself to love another man, I'll be betraying the first man I ever loved.”

“Exactly.” Tears welled up in Willow's eyes. “And yet, I know Bear would be the first one to tell me that I had a right—in fact, I had a direct order from him—to have a future with someone I loved, if that person was deserving of my love and loved me back.”

The two women sat, silent and teary-eyed, sharing the moment.

“Come on,” Willow called at last. “I'll race you back to the barn.”

With their hair streaming out behind them, and their laughter carried on the breeze, they urged their horses into a run.

The entire ranch was swarming with workmen. The house, the barns, and even the bunkhouse roof and walls were being patched, mended, repaired. The mountain of wood and supplies had dwindled to a small pile, while several stake trucks sat idling, heaped with debris.

Juliet and Willow turned their horses into the corral before pausing at the doorway of the barn.

Inside, Brady was walking around staring upward while men with hoses poured water over the newly repaired roof. Satisfied that they'd patched every leak, he called for them to turn off the faucets.

Seeing the two women, he walked over and tipped his hat. “The barn's in good shape now, Juliet. We'll be checking out the roof on your house in about an hour.”

She shook her head in wonder. “I can't believe how much work you've done already.”

“It doesn't take long with a crew this size.” He smiled at Willow, his gaze sweeping over her face with a long, lingering look. “Did you have a good ride?”

“A really good ride.” She glanced at Juliet. “And a good visit, too.”

He stared after them as the two women linked arms and started toward the house.

The sun was sinking low on the horizon when Brady moved between the house, the barn, and bunkhouse, to call the workmen together for supper.

Ash and Griff had set long planks across wooden horses set up under a giant cottonwood tree, while Whit hauled covered roasting pans from the house to a buffet table set up next to the porch.

When everything was ready, they carried Mad down the newly made steps of the bigger, wider porch and out into the grass where his wheelchair had been parked.

Everyone lined up to fill their plates before taking seats at the makeshift tables.

“Great roast beef, Mad,” one of the wranglers shouted.

“Try the lasagna,” another called.

“The fried chicken. It's the best,” Whit said between mouthfuls.

“Thanks, lads. I did my best.” Mad was beaming as the compliments continued to flow.

Casey and Ethan, seated on either side of him, regaled their mother with a recitation of the entire afternoon.

“First, Auntie Brenna set up our studio in the parlor,” Casey said.

“Auntie Brenna?” Juliet shot a look at Ash and his wife, seated in the shade of the tree while they tasted each other's food.

“Uh-huh. Auntie Brenna said when she was growing up in Copper Creek, she called everybody in town auntie or uncle. It's a sign of 'spect.”

“Do you know what that means, lad?” Mad asked.

The little boy shrugged. “I guess she held up signs whenever she saw specks of dust on them.”

Mad nearly choked on his food as he struggled to hold back the laughter.

“So, Auntie Brenna made you a studio?” Juliet asked.

The little boy nodded. “And me and Efan made so many things out of clay, Auntie Brenna said we were both genies.”

“Let me guess.” Ash winked at Juliet before turning to Casey. “Could she have called you a genius?”

“Yes. Bof of us. Genies.” While the others laughed, Casey seemed not to notice. “And then Grandpa Mad let me stir the gravy,” he said solemnly. “And Efan and me got the first taste of his famous chocolate cake.”

“Do you remember why it's famous, lad?” Mad asked.

The little boy nodded. “'Cause years ago it won a blue ribbon at a county fairy.”

“Fair, lad.” Though Mad tried to correct him, it was too late. Everyone was laughing too hard to hear him.

“So,” Whit asked with a straight face. “Did the county fairy turn the blue ribbon pink?”

Casey turned to Mad. “Could she do that?”

Mad shrugged his shoulders and, while the others continued laughing, gave up trying to explain.

“I bet the county fairy wishes she could be here to taste Mad's famous fried chicken.” Whit winked at Juliet, who was sipping lemonade and grinning from ear to ear. It was clear that she was having a wonderful time.

Seeing her so relaxed, Griff leaned close to whisper, “Now this is what living with the MacKenzies is all about.”

She touched a hand to his shoulder. “You're so lucky to have found them. I can't remember the last time I've had such a fantastic day.”

“When you consider how it started this morning, that's quite a turnaround.”

She nodded.

And as the teasing and laughter continued swirling around her, she found herself marveling at how far this day had come.

She'd been so stunned by that message painted on the wall of her barn. And so desperately afraid that she would find danger at every turn. Yet here she was, at the end of a day that had seen her buildings repaired, savoring a wonderful meal and enjoying the company of this amazing family. And all because of her connection to Griff.

Connection
. Now wasn't that the perfect word?

Though they were very different, she felt somehow connected to him.

She glanced at him. Did he feel it, too?

He chose that very moment to turn to her, and she felt the oddest sensation deep inside.

As though his heart had touched hers.

She gave him a happy, relaxed smile, and he returned it with one of his own.

Across the table, Mad studied the two people, seeing the love in their eyes. He wondered if they even knew yet what they were feeling.

Probably not. Love was funny that way. One minute you were feeling all alone in the universe. The next you were wondering how you could have ever survived without that special someone.

He chuckled. They'd know soon enough. Love had a way of sneaking up and, without any warning, shooting an arrow straight through the heart.

“What so funny, Grandpa Mad?”

At Casey's question he merely grinned. “Life, lad. This crazy life we lead is the funniest, grandest thing in the whole world.”

I
t was late by the time the last truck drove out of the yard and moved along the gravel drive toward the distant highway.

Juliet's wranglers formed a convoy of trucks to return to the hills and the herd, while Jackie Turner bid good night and took himself off to the newly remodeled bunkhouse, after enjoying three helpings of everything. The MacKenzie wranglers left in a second convoy, led by Brady.

Long after they'd gone, Mad insisted on staying to help with the cleanup. While his grandsons removed all trace of litter from the yard, the women joined Mad in the kitchen, washing roasting pans and every pot and pan Juliet owned before returning them to their proper shelves in the cupboards.

Juliet turned to Willow. “I'm so glad you thought to bring plastic and paper, or I'd have run out of dishes.”

“Don't thank me.” Willow nodded toward Mad, seated at the table regaling Casey and Ethan with stories of his childhood. “This was his party from beginning to end.”

Juliet surprised the old man by walking up behind him and throwing her arms around his neck. Bending close she pressed a kiss to his cheek. “How can I ever thank you for today, Mad? You can't imagine what all this means to me.”

He patted her hand. “I'd know a little about feeling helpless in the face of trouble. One of the best things about being my age is, I don't have to ask permission when I want to do something for somebody. I just do what I want, and ask forgiveness later.”

She knelt down beside his wheelchair. “There's nothing to forgive. This was the kindest, sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me.”

“I'm glad, lass.” He glanced across the room at Griff, who was watching Juliet just as he had throughout the entire day. It was plain his grandson couldn't keep his eyes off her.

Taking pity on him, Mad managed a fake yawn. “And now, if you don't mind, I'm ready to leave.” He turned to Ash, who had agreed to fly him home in the Cessna, parked behind the barn. “Get me to my chariot, lads. This old body is ready for bed.”

There were hugs all around as everyone bid good night to Juliet, Griff, Casey, and Ethan.

As his grandsons were wheeling him out the door, Mad winked at Casey and Ethan, whose eyes were practically closing. “Bid your mother good night, lads, and get yourselves off to bed.” He winked. “And that's an order.”

“Goodnight, Grandpa Mad,” Casey called.

Ethan waved as Mad was carried out the door.

Both boys ran upstairs to peer out their bedroom window as Mad was settled into the plane. And as it lifted into the air, the boys waved until it was just a speck in the sky.

Juliet and Griff climbed the stairs and watched as Casey and Ethan turned from the window.

“Need some help getting into your pajamas?” Griff asked.

Without hesitation both boys threw themselves into his arms.

With a soft chuckle he muttered, “I guess I got my answer. Come on, little wranglers. You've put in a long, satisfying day.”

With his help, both boys were out of their clothes and into their pajamas in minutes.

Before Juliet could suggest brushing their teeth, they were in the bed and their eyes were closing. As she turned out the light, she called, “Good night, boys.”

In reply she heard the soft, even breathing that told her they were already fast asleep.

“Look at all this.” After coming downstairs, Juliet danced out onto the new porch and lifted her arms wide before twirling around to admire the structure which was now the width of the house, with a lovely wide railing around three sides, and wide steps with their own safety railing to grab. “Isn't this amazing? It's exactly as I'd always pictured it, if and when I could afford to have it done.”

“It looks perfect here. And smells perfect, too.” Griff inhaled the smell of new wood. “I'm glad you like it. Once we got started, I realized we'd jumped into all this without even asking you what you thought.”

“What I thought?” She laughed. “Oh, Griff. I thought I was in some kind of dream. All those workmen swarming over the place, and all of them doing the dozens of things I'd always wished I could pay to have done. I honestly believed I'd never live long enough to see it all come true.”

He gave a shake of his head. “Mad's quite a guy.”

“Isn't he?” She stared at the slowly darkening sky. “But it isn't just Mad. It's your whole family. Willow. Brenna and Ash. Whit.” Her voice lowered. Softened. “You. Giving up your own comfort to see to mine.”

“I'd give up my life for you.”

He said it so softly she turned, eyes wide, to simply stare at him.

“Griff…”

He touched a finger to her lips. “Don't say a word. Just let me hold you.”

She moved into his arms and lifted a hand to brush a lock of hair from his forehead. And then, framing his face with her hands, she stood on tiptoe to brush his mouth with hers.

He went very still, absorbing the quick rush of heat, the sexual thrill that poured through his system.

Her voice was a whisper on the breeze. “Are you going to kiss me back?”

“Not yet.”

“Why?”

“I need to know how you're really feeling, Juliet. You've admitted there's lingering guilt about betraying Buddy's memory. I don't ever want to add to that guilt.”

When she said nothing, he stepped back.

She caught his hand. “Wait. I need to explain. There
is
guilt. Maybe there always will be. I'm living on Buddy's ranch. I'm the mother of his sons. I want them to know something of their father as they grow up. Those memories of my first love will always be with me. But Willow and I had a lovely, long talk during our ride today. And she made me realize that I'm not alone in these feelings. Maybe every woman who has ever loved and lost someone dear has to deal with this. But even while I grieve my loss, I realize that I have to move on. And when I'm with you I feel—” she took in a long, deep breath “—I feel alive again. I feel brand-new. As though I've walked into this glorious adventure, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings with you.”

She became suddenly shy, as she realized how much she'd revealed.

She released her grasp on his hand and took a step back, breaking contact. “I'll understand if you feel put off by the fact that I will always love Buddy.”

“Is that what you think?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Then what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I'm trying to give you time. I'm afraid if I move too quickly, I'll scare you away again.”

She shook her head. “I don't scare easily, Griff.”

“I've noticed. But this time you'd better mean it. Because once I touch you, I won't be able to stop. I'll just devour you right here.”

She gave a jittery laugh. “Maybe we'd better go inside first.”

“Too late.” He shook his head. “I'm already in way too deep.”

“Oh.” She stepped closer and brushed his mouth with hers.

This time his arms tightened around her, gathering her firmly against him, and she was aware of his arousal. And just as suddenly, aware of her own.

“Oh.” She whispered it again, softly, before his mouth crushed hers.

The kiss spun on and on as he backed her roughly against the door.

“Griff, Jackie might be outside…”

Reaching around her, he managed to open the door enough to back her into the mudroom.

Then his hands were on her, moving over her, touching, kneading. Hers moved around his waist, then up his back, and still it wasn't satisfying enough for either of them. Desperate for more, they changed the angle of the kiss as her fingers dug into the back of his head. His hands were at her shoulders, then down her back before clutching frantically at her hips.

“All these clothes…” In one quick motion he tore at her shirt, ripping the buttons as he managed to free it from the waistband of her jeans.

He reached around her, freeing the hook of her bra. It drifted to the floor.

“Juliet.” His hands were on her, and then his mouth.

She gave a moan of pleasure at the feel of those rough fingertips moving over her, as he began to satisfy his need to touch, to taste. To feast.

Suddenly he reached for the snaps at her waist at the same moment she reached for his. After much fumbling they managed to free themselves of the last of their clothes.

He drew in a ragged breath. “If this is just a dream…”

She touched a finger to his lips. “If it is, don't wake me. I want you so badly, Griff.”

He lifted her in his arms and started across the kitchen.

In his ear she whispered, “My room…”

“Too far.” He knew he'd never make it up the stairs.

He tried for the parlor, but even that was too far. The minute she wrapped her arms around his neck, he knew he was done.

In the hallway he lowered her to her feet and kissed her, then kissed her again.

Trembling with need, she wrapped herself around him. He lifted her off her feet and backed her against the wall.

“Don't move.” Sweat beaded his forehead. “If I can just take a minute, I'll get you to the sofa.”

“Griff.” She framed his face with her hands and covered his mouth with soft, butterfly kisses. “I don't need the sofa.”

“That's good.” He returned her kiss, then for good measure kissed her again, slowly, lazily, drawing out all the sweet flavor of her mouth. “'Cause we're never going to make it.”

His breathing was ragged; his heartbeat thundering. If a bomb had gone off, he wouldn't have been able to tear himself away from her. She was all he could taste. All he could focus on. All he wanted and needed.

Because they were both trembling, they dropped to their knees on the floor. His hands were rough as he gathered her into his arms, damp flesh to damp flesh.

It would be so easy to simply take her, fast and furious, and end this almost unbearable hunger. But he wanted, more than anything, to make this first time with her as perfect, as pleasurable, as possible. Her admission of guilt had him wanting to take even more care with her.

And so he forced himself to slow the pace. His kisses gentled, as his lips glided over her face, her neck, the hollow of her throat.

Her little hum of pleasure told him that she was grateful for the chance to breathe. But with each kiss, each gentle touch of his hands up her leg, over her gently rounded hip, her breathing began to speed up.

When his thumbs encountered the swell of her breasts, he felt her body tense, her heart rate accelerate.

When she wound her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth to his, he sensed the change in her and thrilled to it. This was no longer a surrender to passion. This was an all-consuming hunger that matched his. He could read it in her eyes. Taste it on her lips. Hot. Hungry. Desperate.

This was what he'd wanted. Just this.

His touch was no longer gentle, but demanding. His kisses no longer persuasive, but insistent.

Heat rose up between them, clouding their vision, as he ran hot, wet kisses down the column of her throat to her breast and took one erect nipple into his mouth.

She sighed his name, but the word ended abruptly when he moved to the other breast to nibble, to suckle. To feast.

Her hands fisted in his hair. On a moan of pleasure she offered him everything. And he took. With a greed that startled them both. With tongue and teeth and fingertips he drove her up and over the first peak until her eyes glazed with pleasure. He gave her no time to recover before taking her up again.

“Griff.” His name was little more than a frantic whisper.

“I wanted to wait. I wanted to make this perfect.”

She covered his mouth with hers. “It is perfect, Griff. You're perfect.”

He'd wanted to go slowly, but the need was too great. Though he struggled to hold back, he could feel his body so hot with desire, he would surely burn to ash if he didn't soon find relief.

He moved over her and felt her body straining toward him, eager for release. He saw her eyes widen as he entered her. Though he'd wanted to be gentle, the sudden change in her gave him no chance to be in control.

With a soft moan she drew him in, and the beast inside him fought to be free. When she wrapped herself around him, gripping him as tightly as he was gripping her, he knew he'd lost himself completely.

They came together in a fierce, all-consuming storm and began moving, lungs straining, hearts hammering.

He called her name as he felt himself climbing with her to the very center of the universe. And then there were no words as they took each other up and over with a driving, desperate need that had the world exploding in color behind their eyes.

It felt in that final shattering moment, as if they'd left the entire world far behind, to enter another universe.

It was the most amazing journey of their lives.

They lay, still joined, their bodies slick, breathing ragged, heartbeats erratic.

Griff touched his big hand to her cheek and studied her face. “I'm sorry. I never meant to be so rough. You okay?”

She was quiet for so long, he felt his heart stop.

At long last she said, “I'm fine.”

“I got out of control. Sorry.”

She managed a laugh. “I'm not.”

At his raised brow she brushed her mouth over his. “I'm not sorry, Griff. And you weren't rough. You were…amazing.”

He felt his heart begin to beat again. “You mean it? You're not having regrets?”

“Griff.” She leaned up on one elbow to stare down into his eyes. “We agreed to be honest. So here's the truth. I feel…” She sighed. “I feel…like I've just climbed Mount Everest, or walked on the moon. I feel amazing.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him long and slow and deep before pausing for a breath. “I feel…delicious. I feel…so lucky to have found you.”