Cowboy's Chocolate Roses (3 page)

Josh pulled his shirt off and used it to wipe the sweat dripping from his brow. The temperature had already risen into the nineties, and March had only just begun; he didn't want to think of what it would be like once the summer actually hit. At least they'd managed to mend the two fences damaged by the damn kids from town. Josh had been stunned when the car lost control and tore through the barbed wire before landing in the river that ran along the edge of the property. Thank God he had been sitting on his veranda and could holler for his men. The water had been deep enough that night after some heavy rain, the fools were lucky the entire vehicle hadn't been completely submerged.

Josh shuddered at the imagery that thought induced. The incident could have very well ended in death.

He shook his head in disgust, remembering the state he'd found them in. He'd never been so reckless and stupid at their age.

Josh stretched, easing the ache he felt in his muscles. On the way back to his truck, his phone started ringing. Looking down, one of his ranch hand's name displayed. He wouldn't call Josh unless something had happened.

He answered. "Hey, Loch, what's up?"

"Hey, boss man. Um, I don't exactly know what's going on, but there's a lady here askin' for you. She said she ain't a reporter, but she's a might too classy for these parts. What should I do?"

If another damned reporter had shown up again, Josh planned to shoot their camera, or whatever other devices they had, before kicking them off his land. He didn't qualify as a hero. He'd done what his parents raised him to do, and he was fixin' to come to blows with the people who kept coming onto his land and wasting his time.

"I'll be right there. Keep an eye on her."

Hanging up, he jumped in his cab and took off down the track to the main house. Parking around the rear, he threw open the back door and stomped through the house, every step he took just working him up more and more. With more force than necessary he flung open the screen in the front, stepping back out of the house. Off to his right, Loch stood watching the woman in front of him. Josh stumbled to a stop, recognizing her immediately. Not a reporter. No, Josh found himself staring at the woman he hadn't been able to get out of his head for the past three months.

Brianna.

His shock faded quickly, replaced by anger. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I-I, ah. I just…"

Christ. The woman looked close to tears. Why? When she had been the one who ditched him, leaving him alone in bed before he'd even woken up.

As if sensing his presence would be more of a hindrance, Loch excused himself, mumbling something about Caleb needing his help.

Trying to keep his voice gentle this time, Josh asked, "What are you doing here, Bri?"

Clearing her throat, she stuttered out, "I-I needed to s-see you."

"Why? I'm pretty sure you said it all when you left before I had opened my lids." Josh let her hear his bitterness, he couldn't hide the fact he felt used.

"I'm sorry. I drank too much, and I couldn't remember who you were. I got scared and panicked." Brianna shrugged her shoulders, her eyes pleading for understanding.

And then her words sank in.

"Wait. How could you forget even meeting me?" he asked incredulously.

"Oh, God. It doesn't take much for me to become drunk, and if I drink too heavily, then it usually blocks out most of the night. At least for a while." She twisted her hands together, gnawing on her bottom lip, just like she had the night they met. "I let my sister's words get to me that night, and I know I shouldn't have. I handled the whole thing badly." She groaned.

Josh didn't really know how to take the admission. So, she drank when she knew she had little tolerance for liquor, and then ran the next morning when she woke? That screamed irresponsibility, regardless of the reasons behind it, and Josh wouldn't deal with someone like that. He had too many people counting on him already.

"Well, I'm glad you came all this way to clear things up, ma'am, but I best be getting back to work. So, maybe I'll see you around," he said, trying to sound cordial.

Josh turned to leave, but paused when she called out. "But I still need to speak to you."

"I'm not sure what else there is to say. You were irresponsible and panicked the next morning. Maybe that's something you should think about." Done with the conversation, Josh just wanted to get back to work.

Bri gasped at his words.

Well, tough
.

"Irresponsible? You want to talk about being irresponsible, then you should really look in the mirror, buddy."

Facing her, Josh noted the extremely pissed look on her face.

"I was apparently drunk, and from the sounds of it, you weren't. So really, protection should have been left up to you, but I guess you were a little
irresponsible
," she bit out.

Josh could feel all the blood drain from his face as the meaning of her words sank in. "You're pregnant?"
She couldn't be.

Receiving a nod, Josh stood there stunned. No, she had to be wrong. He wouldn't make a mistake like not using protection. He tried desperately to think back to that night, but couldn't; it was three damn months ago. Josh became angry, how could he even be sure she told the truth? How could he be sure the baby belonged to him? The timing was suspect for sure.

Without thinking, he blurted out, "Are you sure it's even mine? You might want to check that first."

"What?" She gaped, and he felt like a heel for just spitting the cruel words out like that, but he wouldn't fall for the deception. Josh simply had too much difficulty believing she just happened to turn up when he started appearing in newspapers for being a hero, and for his multi-million dollar contract with Brian Evans. He had never put much stock into coincidences.

"You heard me, lady. I know why you're here. It's because of the deal with Evans I just signed, but it ain't happening. You can go elsewhere for a husband, 'cause I ain't bitin'." He knew her type. She probably got pregnant by some fella her parents deemed 'lower class' and now feared telling daddy. Boy, had he really pegged her wrong that night.

Josh normally wouldn't talk to a woman so rudely and dismissively, but anger rose in him for her misleading him and getting his hopes up, but most of all, with himself for almost falling for her act.

"I don't need a damned husband, you bastard! You're the only man I have been within two years. I came to tell you that you were going to be a father. I'm keeping the baby, but stupid me didn't want to deprive you of the chance to be a part of the baby's life." Brianna's bottom lip trembled, belying the confidence in her voice. A single tear followed, slipping down her cheek and her hands fisted at her sides.

Josh had a really bad feeling in his gut that he had read the situation all wrong.

Her eyes grew stormy as they narrowed on him. "And for your information, I couldn't give a shit about your contract. Seems I wasn't the only one not paying attention, since you obviously failed to catch my last name. It's Evans, asshole."

Josh stood frozen on the spot as he watched her race back to her car, get in, and tear down the driveway.
Oh, fuck
.
Evans?
Did that mean? And if what she said about being the only one in two years, then…

"You fucked up good and proper there, brother," Caleb muttered, shaking his head. "I've never seen you be such a bastard. You may have just lost us that account with Evans, but worse, you may have just lost your chance to know your own kid."

He hadn't noticed Caleb. His brother stood looking all shades of disappointed and maybe even disgusted. Josh couldn't rightfully blame him; however, he didn't need judgment at the moment. He needed to work out how to fix the mess he had created.

"What the hell should I do then? If you know better, then tell me," he growled at him.

"Think, moron. If she was planning to stay even for the night, then she probably rented a room. And since there is only one place to rent a room in town…"

Randy and Adele's place, but…

"What if she hasn't rented a room, or has, but is planning to leave now?"

"One way to find out. And you might not wanna waste your time."

Without another word to his brother, Josh ran into the house and out the back, jumping into his truck. He sped out just as quickly as Bri had, if not faster, desperate to catch her. He felt wretched at what he had just done and said, and now he might risk the ranch as well. Such a mess, and he could only hope he could fix it in time.

*****

Fury poured off Bri, but so did devastation. So much for being a good guy. A hero? Yeah right, more like an asshole. Blinking through tears, she surprisingly made it back to Adele's in one piece. Pulling into the parking space, she stopped long enough to roughly swipe at her face before getting out quickly and rushing to her room. She had to get out of there.

Bri had no desire to confide in her father, telling him his little girl had gotten in trouble again. He'd been supportive and protective two years ago, and she didn't doubt he would be once more, but this time her actions created her dilemma. He would be so disappointed in her, not to mention what he would do to Josh, because while he might be an asshole, he didn't deserve to lose his home and business. Josh had people who depended on him, and from what little Adele had told her the town relied on his support and donations, as well. No matter how angry he had made her, Bri didn't want others to suffer.

A soft knock alerted her to a presence at her door. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Adele, a small worry frown on her face. "Is something the matter, sweetheart?"

Sighing, Bri turned and sat on the bed, staring down at her hands in her lap. "Just made a really stupid mistake, is all. I thought someone was different, but I guess not."

"Ah. That wouldn't happen to be the same someone who just came screeching into the parking lot like a madman, would it?"

Bri's head whipped up. "What?"

Adele nodded her head, coming to sit beside Bri. "Damn fool, came peeling in here and slamming on the brakes. That boy should know better. He lost both his pa and mama to a car accident, but I guess he was a little more concerned with other things."

She raised an eyebrow.

Bri let it all out, not knowing or caring why she felt a strong need to tell Adele everything. "I'm pregnant, Adele. And yes, it's Josh's."

She told Adele how they had met, what happened when she drank and what happened the next morning. Bri glossed over her reason for running, just saying she'd had a bad experience, but she thought Adele might have understood, to some extent. Through it all, Adele sat and listened, never seeming to judge. When Bri got to this afternoon's events, the older woman looked furious.

"That stupid boy! What the hell was he thinking? His mama raised him better than that. I have the right mind to go down there and tan his hide, and I promise he won't be walking for a damn week."

Oh, Bri liked Adele. She didn't fight the smile that spread across her face, or the bubble of laughter that broke through her lips. For the first time since that night, Bri felt genuinely happy.

Then Adele's words sank in.

"Wait. Downstairs?" Bri swallowed hard.

She thought that perhaps Adele had sent him home.

"Now don't you worry. My husband, Randy, is there with him, and I told both I was coming up here to sort things out." Adele placed a comforting hand on top of Bri's, squeezing lightly. "I know this may not be what you want to hear, but I think maybe as scared as you were when you found out, that Josh was feeling the same. I'm not excusing what he said or did. The boy is going to have some major groveling to do. My suggestion is, you let him. He was probably feeling a bit hurt when he woke and found you gone."

She added before Bri could protest, "Does he know something happened two years ago? Or did he think the two of you had made a connection, and when he woke, was left with thinking you had lied to have a good night and then ditched him?"

Thinking about it, Bri realized Adele had a point. From what she could barely remember and what she'd been told, they really had hit it off. It must have hurt him to wake alone. Confused and uncertain what step to take next, Bri sent Adele a pleading look.

As if sensing her problem, Adele rose from the bed, gesturing for Bri to do the same. "How's about you go with him, spend some time, and get to know him better. Give him a chance to know you, hmm? I'll keep this room open if you ever feel the need for space, or if things don't work out, you'll have somewhere to go."

Her mind spinning, Bri grabbed at the suggestion. If she didn't have some direction, then she might just lose any semblance of calm she had. "Okay. Let's go downstairs, I'll talk to him and go from there."

"That sounds like a great idea, honey."

Josh sat on a chair in the sitting room by the front entrance, impatiently waiting for Adele to come down with Bri. Twisting his hat in hands, he kept shooting glances to the top of the staircase. His foot tapped on the hardwood floor beneath him, unable to keep still. He wanted to explode.

"Boy, if you don't stop that tappin', I'm gonna tie your legs up and hang you from ceiling." Randy raised an eyebrow at Josh, daring him to see if he were bluffing.

Josh felt like a right fool at the moment, but not even he was stupid enough to test that, because everyone knew Randy Thompson didn't bluff.

"Mind you, I don't think I need to be botherin', since Adele is right mad at you for tearing in here the way you did. Plus, she's been up there a while now, so I'm guessing whatever happened, it won't be your side she be takin'." Randy chuckled.

Josh didn't doubt it, and his gut churned at the thought of Bri walking out that door and leaving before they could at least talk about things. He hoped he hadn't blown it completely, that Bri would still be willing to give him a chance.

Not like I'd deserve it, though.

A creak from the stairway let them know they were about to have company. Standing, with his heart in his throat, Josh waited for Bri to reach the bottom step before he drew her into his arms. He heard a soft gasp come from the woman as she tentatively brought her arms up and placed them on his hips.

"I'm so sorry, lavender." He heard her sigh at the name he had given her that night. "I was scared and angry, but that's no damn excuse. Please, give me another chance. I don't know why you left, but I should have asked before jumping to conclusions. I swear I'll listen, please," he pleaded with her.

He had already come to the decision on his way over that he wasn't above begging, even in front of an audience.

A throat clearing had him pulling back. "I think talking it out would do you two the world of good. Besides, it's not just you that will be affected by this," Adele said, with a pointed look aimed at him.

Josh nodded, taking the warning for exactly what it was. Looking back at Bri, he said, "I'd really like you to come back and stay at Silver Stone, but I'd understand completely if you would rather stay here."

For a moment she said nothing, and he noticed Bri glance up at Adele, who just simply nodded.

"I'd like to stay at Silver Stone. It seemed like a really beautiful place, and we should take the time to discuss things," she said quietly, suddenly looking very tired.

He's protective instincts kicked in and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in closer, supporting her. "Why don't I take you home, and I can ask some people to come over and get your car and things?"

"Oh, I don't know how I feel about a man packing up my clothing." She blushed.

Damn, Josh remembered that blush, and loved it. He remembered what it looked like spread across her entire body as she lay panting and moaning. Nothing had ever taken his breath away like the sight of her letting go. Stopping that thought in its tracks before it took off any further, an idea hit him.

"How about I ask my hand, Brandon, and his wife, Shelly, to come over. Bran can get the car and Shelly can get your stuff?"

"They won't mind doing that? Won't it be out of their way to come back to the ranch after work?"

"No. They live there. I had a house built for them, about a year ago now, when they got married."

"You built them a house? On your land?" She squinted at him.

He chuckled. "Could you imagine a married couple living in a bunkhouse?" He could just see Shelly pulling all his men up by the short hairs when they didn't clean up after themselves. Noticing the peculiar expression Bri wore, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just that…that was very sweet of you," she whispered.

"I ain't sweet, just practical," he groused, feeling his cheeks heat at her compliment.

"I'm sure," she said, a small smile on her face.

Josh wanted to argue, but her smile hooked him. He suddenly felt like a teenage boy with butterflies flying around in his stomach.

"Come on. Let's get you settled, huh? You look beat."

Bri let out a yawn, and cupping a delicate hand over her mouth, nodded.

The trip back to the ranch didn't take long. Bri had gone quiet, however the silence felt more comfortable than awkward. Spotting the ranch when he turned down the dirt road, Josh found himself hoping she liked the place.

His home filled him with pride. The house, all on one level, had six bedrooms, two studies, and a library. Josh had added to it over the years since his parents had been gone. Everything about it had screamed his ma, and when she passed away, he wanted to make it his. He had built an entertainment room he and the men liked to use on occasion, with a pool table and air hockey table. He'd even gone the extra mile and installed a large entertainment theatre system. He had renovated so many rooms, but the one thing Josh truly loved? His wrap around veranda. He'd always wanted one, and when his parents passed and the place fell to him, no one could have stopped him from adding it.

Parking the truck in front of the house, he quickly jumped out to help Bri. She seemed startled when she glanced up and saw him, but she smiled. Josh didn't really feel that he had deserved the tender looks she gave him, but he'd take them. Leading her up the veranda steps and to the front door, he let them inside.

Josh showed her into the lounge and gestured to the sofa. "Why don't you take a seat while I give Brandon a call? Did you want a drink or anything?"

"I'd love a drink and I wouldn't mind something to eat, if that's okay?" she asked when her stomach growled, and her blush returned. "I, ah… I didn't really stop to eat or anything."

"You should be taking better care of yourself. That don't matter now, you're here and that's my job."

Bri frowned. "Josh—"

"Nope. Don't want to hear it," he cut her off, "I'm gonna go to the kitchen and grab you something while I make the call."

Walking out of the room before she had a chance to argue, he pulled out his phone and dialed Brandon. While he waited for him to pick up, Josh set about removing what he needed from the fridge.

"Hello?" his friend answered.

"Hey, man. I've got a favor to ask."

Brandon's chuckle filtered through the phone. "This have anything to do with the woman you tore on out of here after?"

Josh paused what he was doing and frowned. "How'd you know about that?"

"Man, everyone knows cowboys are worse than little old ladies sitting around the bingo table on a Friday afternoon." Brandon snickered.

Josh heard Shelly in the background asking questions, and wanted to groan, wondering how long it would take the woman to make up an excuse to 'pop in'.

"So Caleb opened his big mouth, huh?" Josh asked, although knowing his brother, he already knew the answer.

"You know it. So what's up?"

"I was wondering if you and Shelly wouldn't mind heading over to Adele and Randy's. Bri has some stuff there, and I was more focused on getting her back here and settled that—"

"That you didn't stop to pack her things," the other man finished. "Too afraid of letting her out of your sight?"

"For even a second," he sighed, propping himself against the kitchen bench. "I screwed up, man. I'm surprised after what I said she even gave me a chance to speak."

"Look, the way I see it is, she has given you another shot, so don't blow it," Brandon advised. "Shelly and I will go grab Bri's stuff and drop it off while you focus all your attention where it is needed."

"Thanks, I'll see you later then."

"Welcome." Josh went to hang up, when Brandon added, "Oh, and Josh?"

"Yeah?"

"Congratulations."

Josh stared unblinkingly at his phone for a moment longer after Brandon had hung up. His friend's words slowly sunk in, as did the idea of him becoming a father.

Damn.

The thought of his impending fatherhood brought him back to Bri, and the food he had been preparing for her.

After heating up some leftover lasagne and scooping it onto two plates, Josh grabbed a pitcher of iced tea, a couple of glasses, and took it all to the lounge on a tray. Taking a seat in the armchair closest to Bri, he set the food and drink on the table, indicating she should dig in.

Reaching forward, she picked up her plate and fork and took a bite, moaning in obvious appreciation.

"Mmm, this smells delicious." Her words were muffled when she scarfed the food down.

Josh's lips tilted up into a smile, the praise warming his heart. "Thanks. I don't know how to cook much, but what I do know, I try to cook well."

Feeling comfortable and just casually talking, reminded him of the Bri he met that night; with her soft smile and laugh like a gentle caress. Josh couldn't work out how they had gone from a wonderful night of lovemaking to her disappearing the next morning.

He asked, "What happened, Bri?"

Bri set her fork down and looked up, biting her bottom lip. "Honestly? I panicked. I didn't plan on drinking the way I did. Hell, I had only had one the entire night…but then Charlotte started with the little comments." Bri shrugged. "I know I shouldn't have let her words get to me, but I'm only human. Then I woke next to a man I couldn't remember, in a place I didn't recognize, and it frightened me."

"Okay, I get that. And it helps me to know you weren't skipping out on me. You were scared, but why run?" He understood he'd probably looked a bit intimidating to her that morning, and he didn't judge her, but it still didn't make a lot of sense to him. Running equaled a pretty extreme reaction.

Bri cleared her throat, and her hands shook a little before she answered, "You're a big man, Josh." She obviously realized how that might sound and blushed again.

Josh kept a straight face to keep her talking.

"I-I mean, your height and build, it's a little t-threatening. I-I don't do well with that."

Something in the way she spoke made Josh think she held something back, and it could explain what happened that morning. He had a suspicion, but he could wait for her to tell him. He had put her through enough for one day. The thought of someone hurting her made him see red. All his protective instincts kicked in and he wished it had happened sooner. Thinking of the things he'd said, the way he'd spoken earlier made him sick, yet she sat talking to him as if he hadn't been a monster.

"I think I get the gist of it," he whispered, placing a hand on hers. "I'm sorry. You've been through a lot in such a short time, and I haven't helped any."

"You were hurt by my disappearing, and probably a little scared. Adele helped me see that. I guess my timing would be a bit strange, the article coming out, and then me turning up after the way I left. And the news about being pregnant…" Turning her hand over and linking their fingers, Bri laughed. "Actually, you weren't wrong in saying I turned up here because of the article. It helped me find you."

Josh tried really hard not to acknowledge how the touch of her hand in his made him feel. He needed to focus. "How long have you been looking for me?"

A self-deprecating laugh bubbled out when she shook her head. "Um, about twenty minutes after you had checked out."

"What?" Josh asked, surprised.

She started looking for him before? He had assumed she began her search when she discovered the pregnancy. God, he really needed to stop assuming things, because regardless of the saying, the only one it made look like an ass was him.

"When I got home, I called my sister to blast her for letting me drink and go home with a strange man who could have hurt me. Needless to say, she reminded me I was a grown woman and when she was done, she told me about you. Charlotte said we really hit it off, and you seemed like a great guy. She also mentioned I'd be a fool to let you slip through my fingers."

"So you called the hotel, and they told you I was gone." He made it a statement. He could see exactly how it played out. "And you didn't know my last name, so they wouldn't give you any details and you couldn't track me down."

Bri nodded. "Pretty much. I tried to move on, even when small parts of the night came back, but then I got really sick and went to the doctor. That was eight weeks ago. This morning Charlotte turned up on my doorstep with the article about you and daddy." She grimaced when she mentioned her dad.

He repeated the action. "I can't believe Brian Evans is your father." He was in so much trouble.

"Uh-huh." She nodded, agreeing with him.

He winced. "You know he's gonna have my balls and my business, right?"

"Daddy won't do that." She didn't quite believe her own words.

"Oh, yes, he would. I'd do the same damn thing if it were my daughter."

Aw, hell. He'd probably just shoot the bastard.

"Good to know." She snickered.

Frowning, it took him a minute to catch on. Then he paled when it hit him, that he might very well have a daughter. "Oh, God."

She didn't snicker again—she laughed her ass off. "Just dawned on you, did it?"

His usual anger at being the butt of the joke never came. Bri didn't intend it to be mean, she simply found him amusing, and he kinda liked that.

What is this woman doing to me?

"Your father is still gonna come after me. You have to be prepared for that. I promise I won't let that interfere, though."

Bri sobered quickly. Deep in thought, her brow furrowed. Her button nose scrunched up, and she gave her bottom lip a workout. Still, nothing could have prepared him for her next words.

"We could tell him we're engaged."