Cowboy Country (89 page)

~*~

An hour later, they left Mika’s carrying their bags. The sun had begun to fall behind the mountains, making it seem later than three p.m., but Liberty assured them there was plenty of time to shop.

They stashed their bags in the pickup, where Tony was still busy under the hood, and continued with their search.

Ava realized she’d bought a lot of things she could wear in Vegas, but weren’t really meant for a working ranch. “I should get some jeans.”

“We’ll go to the Lariat for them,” Liberty said, “unless you want designer jeans.”

“No, something to wear for everyday.” Ava indicated the Wranglers she’d borrowed from Travis. “Like these.”

“You said you wanted heels? We won’t find them at the Lariat. Let’s go to the Mercantile.”

“What’s that?” Ava asked as they walked down the sidewalk. Levi took her hand as if they were lovers. She admired the Victorian houses some painted violet and hyacinth blue. Most had lit Christmas trees in their windows.

“It’s a store that used to be basically a general store, but now it’s part art gallery and part clothing store. Settlers built it for the ranchers and miners who lived around here. Nowadays it caters to the tourist crowd and the rich and famous who hang out around here,” Liberty said. “Turn here.”

The three of them walked halfway up Bowie Street to an enormous log building. They entered through a side doors into a brightly lit, low-ceilinged room. Shoppers moved in a swirl of motion that made Ava long for the Callahans’ secluded ranch. Up until a day ago, she’d thrived on city life. Now she wished to escape it.

Liberty took her elbow. “There are high heels over here. Come with me.”

Levi indicated the cappuccino bar at the end of the room. “Since my heels are fine, I’m going to get another cup of coffee since my last one ended up on the sidewalk. I’ll find you in a minute.”

As they separated, Ava noticed a tall man and a woman stop Levi. The men shook hands and the woman kissed him on the cheek. A pang of jealousy twisted her stomach and she tried to ignore it. He wasn’t hers; she had no claim on him.

She forced herself to examine the high heels, but the fun of it had kind of dimmed. What was the point of buying something sexy to impress a man she had no future with? She didn’t need them; she had racks of sexy shoes back home.

Liberty had found several pairs and was busy trying them on, so Ava wandered to the art side of the building. A lot of the pictures were of the mountains, Native Americans and cowboys. She had never considered herself a connoisseur of western art before, but she found she liked the ones of cowboys—a lot.

One especially stood out to her—a cowboy on a bucking bronco. He wasn’t in an arena, but a log corral, and there were no cheering fans, but it somehow reminded her of Levi, with wide shoulders and straining arms. She stood staring as Liberty joined her.

“Nice picture.”

“Yes.”

“Remind you of someone?”

“Your brother.”

“Which one? I have five.” Liberty slapped her hand to her forehead. “Oh, silly me. You mean Levi. The one you’re in love with.”

Ava’s mouth opened and closed. “I’m no—”

Liberty wagged a finger at her. “Don’t bother denying it. I saw the way you tensed up when Marla kissed him a few minutes ago. Don’t worry about her. She’s a flirt, but harmless. Married to the guy she’s with, both big fans of rodeo. They’ll jaw Levi’s ear off for an hour if he lets them.” They both looked to where the three stood talking. Levi stood taller than the other man, his wide shoulders filling his jacket, slim hips encased in form-fitting jeans. “Besides, my brother’s as into you as you are him. We all thought he gave up on love after Beth, but he’s like a moon-sick calf over you.”

“Even if that’s true, we’re going our separate ways as soon as I’m safe.” She refused to let the thought of never seeing Levi again depress her. Moving away from the picture to some woodcarvings, she picked up a cowboy embracing a woman in a long dress. Pioneers. She twisted it in her fingers, admiring the artist’s handiwork.

“I doubt that very much.”

Still staring at the carving, Ava said, “Why is that?”

“Because Levi never gives up on something he cares about. It’s what made him a world champion.” Liberty indicated the figure in Ava’s hands. “He’s just as solid as that guy there. He won’t quit you if you don’t quit him.”

Ava had already learned how dependable Levi was. His actions of the last few days had proved it over and over again. “I know.”

“Good.” Liberty blew out a breath.

“I think I’ll buy this. What do you think?”

Liberty nodded. “I like it.”

“Me too.”

“Let me pay for it.” Liberty held out her hand and Ava placed the cowboy in her palm.

“Only until I can get some cash.”

“If we’re going to get to the Lariat, we’d better go.”

Levi had finally finished his conversation with the rodeo fans and came toward her. Ava noticed how almost every female head in the room turned to watch his rolling gait. He seemed oblivious to the adoration. “You find what you need?”

“Yes.”

Liberty joined them and handed Ava a small box with her figurines in it. “Here you go.”

Ava thanked her and tucked it into her bag. “I need some jeans if we have time.”

“I have time.” Levi’s easy smile turned her insides to mush.

Levi took her hand again as they walked to The Lariat as a light snow began to fall. Ava couldn’t imagine a more romantic date if she tried. Liberty following a few steps behind reminded her this wasn’t a date, and it wasn’t permanent. The last building at the far end of town, the ranch-wear store stood on a full two acres. Ava had passed stores like it before, but never been inside one.

The sheer magnitude of western wear shocked her. Racks and racks of blouses. Walls of jeans. But she gravitated toward the back of the store, where row after row of boots beckoned her. She’d never had a desire to wear cowboy boots before, although some of her friends had them. Today she had to have some.

Both Levi and Liberty stood beside her as she looked, inhaled the new leather smell. She reached out and stroked a dun-colored pair. Not knowing one brand from another, she admired a pair made of black leather with red roses and green leaves embossed on them. “I love these.”

Levi snorted. “Wouldn’t last a day on the ranch.”

“They’re pretty,” Ava said.

“Pretty isn’t always practical,” he said.

Somehow, she didn’t think he meant just the boots. Her stomach folded up into pieces. When this was over, they would be too. Before they ever got started. “What should I get instead?”

He pointed toward a plain brown pair. “Those.”

She reached for the brown pair, ignoring the black ones. “I’ll take these, then.”

“Try them on.”

“Uh-huh.” She sat on the bench and kicked off her tennis shoes. The brown boots slid on like they’d been made for her. She stood and swaggered from one end of the aisle to the other. “I love them,” she lied.

Her gaze strayed to the black ones. “I want to try those just for fun.”

He handed them to her. “It’s your feet.”

Eagerly, she kicked off the brown ones and pulled on the black pair. They fit like they’d been made for her. But they weren’t practical. They were for dressing up, going out. And she’d spent a lot of money in the last few hours. She had a good amount in savings, but without a job, she should hold onto what she had. With a reluctant sigh, she pulled them off and said, “I’ll get the brown pair.”

“Wise choice,” Levi said. “Better for kicking butt.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

As they left the building, a trio of girls approached. “Liberty, hi!”

She waved. “Hi, strangers.”

“I didn’t know you were in town.” The tallest one frowned in mock annoyance. “You haven’t called me.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Just got here last night.”

“We’re going to DeNito’s for dinner. Do you want to come?”

Liberty hesitated and Levi nudged her. “Go ahead. We’re fine.”

“You sure?”

Levi nodded. “Positive. Go on.”

“Okay. Ava, do you want to come with us?”

She glanced at Levi. “No, but thanks.”

“I came with you.” Liberty still hesitated.

“We’ll take you home.” The tallest one hooked her arm through Liberty’s. “Come on. We have tons to catch up on.”

“Okay.” She addressed Levi and Ava. “I’ll see you at the ranch.”

“See you there.” Levi took Ava’s hand. “Ready?”

She didn’t miss the way the blonde’s eyes narrowed. “Yes.”

The sun fell behind the peaks and the town lit up with Christmas lights strung across the road and almost every house. Ava sighed with longing. She had grown up in a small town, but it didn’t have the charm of Settler, Wyoming. There were a billion lights in Vegas, but none of them made Ava crave roots like the little Christmas village.

No point wishing for something she couldn’t have.

Levi carried her packages to the truck and they jumped in, tired and anxious to get home in time for dinner. The snow began to fall in earnest and Levi turned on the windshield wipers. They made a soft swish-swish against the windshield.

“It’s really coming down,” Levi commented. “Glad we brought a four-wheel drive.”

“Yeah.” Ava gripped the seat so hard her knuckles turned white. “Will we get to the ranch okay?”

“Sure. I’ve made this trip a million times,” Levi said. “A little snowstorm isn’t going to slow us any.”

Ava tried to relax, but her nerves jumped under her skin. It became impossible to see more than a foot or two in front of them as the snow came down in fat clumps, isolating them inside the cab. Levi held the wheel steady, but it almost felt as they floated inside a cloud.

The town fell behind them and thick forest surrounded the truck.

Through the snowfall, Ava caught glimpses of towering trees, but not much else. The heater blasted into her face and onto her feet, but chills ran up and down her spine. She didn’t know what made her so jumpy, but something had her on edge. Probably that the last time she had driven in a storm, she ended up in the hospital. She rubbed her sore wrist. Glancing at Levi, then she noted he didn’t seem concerned, so she tried to breathe deep and relax.

“Calm down. We’re almost there,” Levi said.

When had he learned to read her so well? She thought she’d hidden her stress pretty well, and yet he could tell she wanted to jump out of her skin? Something ahead caught her eye and she grabbed Levi’s elbow. “Look out!”

“Shit!” Levi slammed on the brakes and yanked the wheel to the right. The pickup went into a skid, sliding sideways.

Ava screamed as visions of her last car wreck flew through her mind.

The truck slammed to a bone-jarring stop, the door pinned against a pine tree. Ava’s arm hurt, but not from a new injury. She had strained it from gripping the seatbelt like a lifeline.

Levi looked at her, eyes full of concern. “You okay?”

“Yes, fine,” she said. “What happened?”

“I almost ran into something sitting in the middle of the road back there.”

Ava looked over her shoulder out the back window, but only saw white swirls. “What? I thought I saw something, but maybe not?”

“Yeah. There’s a pickup sitting sideways,” Levi said. “Stay put. I’ll go take a look.” He opened the door and a blast of icy air filled the cab.

“This doesn’t seem right,” Ava said. “Feels funny. Should I go, too?”

“No. Let me try and back up.” Levi tried the ignition and it refused to turn over. “What the heck?”

Ava’s stomach clenched. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know.” He tried again. Still nothing. “This is odd.”

“Maybe we should go see if that other car could help us before they leave.” Ava’s chills had nothing to do with the cold air outside.

“I’ll look. Stay put.” Levi pushed his door open. “Brrrr. It’s freezing.”

“No way. I’m coming with you.” Ava slid over to his door and stepped out into the storm. She pulled her borrowed jacket close. She’d forgotten to buy a coat. Maybe it was because she liked Levi’s distinctive scent wrapped around her.

Together, they trudged through the ankle-deep snow.

An image slowly became clear through the snow. The white H2 they’d seen in town sat at an angle across the road.

“This doesn’t look good,” Ava muttered.

“No.”

“Right on both counts.” The brunette they’d seen in town earlier stepped out from behind the H2. “Hands up.”

Ava’s breath seemed to whoosh out of her and she asked the only thing she could think of. “Where’s Dario?

“Never mind that,” the woman said. “Get over here and line up against the far side of my truck.”

“You going to shoot us right here in the middle of the road?’ Levi asked.

She waved the gun. “Want to find out?”

They walked around the front of the big vehicle. “My sister and her friends are right behind us,” Levi told her.

For answer, she shoved him so hard he reeled forward. He stumbled and fell facedown in the snow.

Instead of getting back up, he lay prone.

“Levi!” Ava fell to her knees at his side.

“Get up,” the brunette screamed, and pointed the gun at his back.

“Leave him alone. Can’t you see he’s hurt?” Ava’s terror was replaced by rage, and she glared at the woman.

“He’s playing possum,” the woman declared with another wave of her silver pistol.

Ava stood frozen, her eyes narrow and her lips tight. When she spoke, she sounded like an ice cube. “You hurt him, you’re going to wish you’ve never been born. His brothers will hunt you to the ends of the earth to get revenge.”

The brunette glanced her way. “Shut up.”

Like lightning, too fast to see, Levi struck. His legs snaked out, hitting the woman in the calves. Taken off guard, she fell like a dancer tumbling off a stage. Levi dove for her, landing on her with a thud. The pistol went off with a deafening roar and skittered across the snowy road.