The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns (13 page)

He rode around the herd that had settled down for the night. Thanks to the recent rains, they had full
stock water troughs and plenty of summer grass to keep them happy. He glanced back toward camp and saw smoke coming from the grills. It was their last night on the trail, and they were going to have steak for supper.

The group of men and the few women deserved it. They’d worked hard. There wasn’t a city slicker in the bunch, which made his job easier. Although he did miss not having a shower, a shave and good sleep for three days. Most of all he missed talking with Lacey. Yet, he couldn’t state his case until they were off the cattle drive. Once home, he needed to make plans. He couldn’t go to Lacey and ask her to share his life if he didn’t have anything to offer her and the kids. He had to talk with Jay to see if he was serious about leasing the land.

He wanted to be more than just Lacey’s business partner.

Jeff walked his gelding back into camp and climbed off. He was hungry, but first he had to check out the area. They had to make sure the bush was cleared so there wouldn’t be any accidents or mishaps.

He caught Colin walking toward one of the portable outhouses for the guests. He tensed, knowing that cool structures were a perfect spot for creatures to get out of the heat.

Jeff stopped one of the ranch hands. “Have you swept the camp for snakes?”

The kid shrugged. “That’s Marty’s job today.”

Jeff didn’t wait to track Marty down. He took off for the outhouse just as Colin pulled open the door. The second he saw the kid freeze, he slowed his pace, hearing the rattling sound loud and clear.

“Don’t move, Colin,” he instructed in a low voice.
He knew that, as a Texan, Trevor would have taught his son about snakes.

“Jeff…” the boy managed.

“I’m right here, son.” Jeff stepped a little closer to get a better look. Not good, the snake was cornered, and passing Colin was his only way out. Jeff couldn’t tell how long the snake was, so he couldn’t judge the striking distance.

Jeff felt someone behind him. Brandon.

“Do you have your gun with you?” Jeff asked, not moving.

“I grabbed your shotgun.”

The idea didn’t sound as good as he first thought. “Better not take the chance, I could miss. The best bet is to slam the door closed before the snake can strike.”

“Tell me what to do,” Brandon asked.

Jeff motioned for his cousin to go to the side of the outhouse door. Then Jeff slowly moved into position to get the boy to safety. With a nod, Brandon threw himself against the metal door and it slammed shut with a bang. At the same time Jeff pushed Colin to the ground, landing on top of the boy.

With the door safely closed, Jeff rolled over, feeling his bad leg hit the hard ground at a funny angle. But his first concern was the boy. He rose up. “You okay, son? The snake didn’t get you?”

Colin managed to shake his head, fighting tears. “I’m okay.”

“Good.” Jeff rolled over onto his back and sat up. Rolling up his pant leg, he exposed his prosthesis while he shifted the rubber boot back into place over his knee, and then tugged his jeans back down.

Colin was watching him. “Did you get hurt?”

Jeff smiled wryly as he put his hat back on. “No, I just zigged when I should have zagged.” He got to his feet as Lacey came running toward them. “Go to your mom, Colin.” He gave the boy a shove and turned back to Brandon.

Grinning, his cousin tossed Jeff the shotgun. “Want to impress your girl?”

“You’re real funny,” he said, then took aim. “Ready,” he called and Brandon opened the door. Within seconds the snake was history and with the help of a knife, it became a trophy. That brought several of the group to see what was going on. After a few slaps on the back to both Brandon and Jeff, everyone wandered back to camp.

Jeff was headed there himself when he heard his name called. He turned, knowing it was Lacey.

“Jeff, thank you. If you hadn’t been there, Colin could have been bitten.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done—”

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, loving the feel of her softness against him. “Ah, Lacey, don’t. Don’t play the what-if game. Colin’s fine now. And I think he’ll remember to check for snakes from now on.” He searched her face, hungry for the sight of her. He’d missed her so much. It would be so easy to lean down and taste her sweet mouth. “You be careful, too.”

She nodded, but didn’t move. “I will.” She swallowed and he could see the rapid pulse in her neck. “I guess I should go start supper.” She gave him a half smile. “You’ve earned the biggest steak.”

She went to leave, then stopped. Before he knew her plans, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. She paused as her gaze locked with his. “Thanks again, Jeff.” She ran off.

Suddenly he broke into a big grin. “Just wait until we get back, Lacey Guthrie,” he breathed. “I’m coming for you. This time I’m not letting you get away with a kiss on the cheek, and I’m definitely not letting you go.”

T
HE
next day around noon, they arrived at their destination, the Circle B Ranch. All steers and wranglers were accounted for. Jeff rose up in the saddle from about fifty yards out and spotted his dad, Uncle Cade and Uncle Chance waiting at the pens ready to separate the herd, the mamas from their calves.

There were more ranch hands to take over so the guests could go to their quarters, clean up and rest for the celebration later, although some of them wanted the full experience and planned to stay and help with the branding.

Jeff was going to pass this time. His job as trail boss was completed and he was headed to the cabin. After three nights on the hard ground, his single bunk looked pretty good to him. He planned to come back here tonight, and if he was lucky he’d have a date.

After he’d taken care of his horse, he walked over to the food trailer and Lacey. Colin was the first to see him.

“Hi, Jeff,” the boy called.

Jeff tugged on the boy’s hat. “Hi, Colin. You did a great job on the drive. Your dad would have been proud.”

The kid’s face lit up. “Thanks. It was fun, but I think I like working with horses better.”

Jeff leaned forward. “So do I.”

They both laughed as Emily joined in. “Mom said when I get older I can ride with the herd like Colin did.”

Jeff couldn’t resist the little girl and lifted her into his arms. “Well, you let me know when that is, and I’ll help you practice herding cows.”

Her blue eyes widened as she looked over her shoulder. “Mom, Jeff’s going to teach me.”

Lacey stopped her chores. “That’s nice, Em. But right now you need to gather your things from the truck so we can go home.”

“You’d better get busy.” He set the girl down and the two kids took off.

Finally alone with Lacey, he turned to her. “Are you coming to the party later?”

Lacey shook her head. “I haven’t worked Fancy in days.”

“Will’s been doing a pretty good job with the filly. Of course, he’s not you, but Fancy seems to like him.”

“Thank you both for handling things while I was away. That’s the reason I need to stay home tonight.”

Jeff wasn’t going to let it go. “How about I come by and help you? The two of us can get it done faster and you can rest. You worked hard during the drive and deserve to have some fun.”

Lacey didn’t need to spend any more time with the man. “You don’t have to do this, Jeff.” She glanced away. “We made a mistake that night, and somehow we need to move past it and go on.”

“Is that what you want? Just to forget everything?”

She could never do that. God help her, he would always have a piece of her heart. “It’s for the best.”

She just needed a way to stop loving him, to get things back to there being just business between them.

“We’re not going to the party,” Lacey said to her son hours later after they’d finished chores. “We’re all tired from the trip and we need to spend a quiet night at home.”

“But you’ve got to go, Mom. Jeff will be there. I know Mr. Hank will want to thank you, too.”

“I’m sure he’ll understand why I can’t make it tonight. Besides, you kids start back to school tomorrow.”

“We can go, too. Zach’s going with his parents.”

“Zach is a Randell. They’re family.”

Colin looked agitated. “We can be Randells, too, if you’d just go.”

Lacey’s head shot up to look at her son. “Colin, why would you say that?”

“Because Jeff told me—” He stopped. “Oh, never mind.” He started out of the room.

“Colin Trevor Guthrie, you come back here.”

“Oh, boy, you’re in trouble,” Emily whispered as her brother marched past her and stood in front of his mother.

“Please explain to me what you meant by that.”

The boy released a long breath. “Jeff told me he wants to win you back.”

She raised her hand. “Jeff talked to you about this?”

“Yeah, he asked me how I felt about him wanting to marry you.”

Emily squealed and Lacey was speechless. Jeff wanted to marry her!

The boy went on to say, “He said he wouldn’t take our daddy’s place, but wanted to know if I’d mind if he helped raise us and married you.”

Emily marched up to them. “Hey, he didn’t ask
me.
”

Colin glared at his sister. “Don’t you want Jeff to be our new dad?”

She nodded. “Oh, Mom, please say yes. Jeff tells me stories about Daddy. He reads to me and he even kissed my dolly goodnight. I want him to be my new daddy so you’re not sad anymore.”

Lacey fought her rising hope. “Oh, honey, I’m not sad, I have you and Colin.”

“Is it because Jeff doesn’t have a leg?” Colin asked.

Lacey gasped. “Of course not. That doesn’t matter to me.” She looked back and forth between her kids. “What about your dad?”

“Dad told me Jeff was like a brother to him,” Colin said. “Remember how he always talked about him?” Her son studied her. “Do you love Jeff?”

Her kids’ gazes were leveled on her, waiting for an answer. “I loved your dad. You know that, don’t you?”

They both nodded. “Can’t you love Jeff, too?” Colin added.

“Yeah, Mom,” Emily confirmed. “So put on a pretty dress and go to the party and tell him.” She smiled. “Just like Beauty and the Beast, you can dance with him.”

Colin groaned at his sister’s fairytale reference, but didn’t say anything.

Lacey felt her own excitement building. Her heart pounded with hope and fear as she looked at her children. “Kids, I might need to go to the party by myself.”

Music played in the background as Jeff walked along the patio. He took another drink of water. He didn’t want anything clouding his thoughts or senses.

He watched as couples two-stepped around the makeshift dance floor. Most of them were Randells, and none of the women were Lacey. He wasn’t sure she would even show up, and his hopes were fading that he could say all the right things to finally win her over.

“Jeff?”

Hearing Lacey’s voice, Jeff turned so quickly that he stumbled a little, reminding himself of his limitations. But once he saw her, he wasn’t backing away.

He smiled. “You made it.”

She nodded. “I found a sitter at the last minute.”

“I’m glad.” He looked over the woman he usually saw in jeans and T-shirts. Tonight she had on a long white gauzy skirt with a turquoise Indian print blouse which exposed her delicate shoulders, and a chain belt hugged her small waist. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Thank you, maybe later. You could ask me to dance.”

He swallowed. “I’m not sure I can keep up.”

The music ended and a soft ballad replaced the quick beat. She took him by the hand and led him away from the crowded patio to the garden. She stepped onto the manicured lawn. “This looks like a good spot to practice.”

Jeff didn’t hesitate to draw her into his arms. The top of her head rested against his chin. With a love song in the background, his arms tightened and he pulled her against him so her breasts were pressed to his chest. She fitted perfectly. He couldn’t speak, too afraid to break the spell between them.

About halfway through the song, Lacey pulled back and looked up at him. “I missed you when I was in Florida.”

“I’ve missed you, too. Since the second you left the cabin that morning.” His eyes searched her face. “Please believe me when I say I regret all the stupid things I said to you. It wasn’t you, it was my insecurities talking.” He stopped as the moonlight played across her face. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Keep talking. It sounds good so far.”

He stopped moving. “I don’t exactly feel like talking right now.”

Jeff pulled Lacey back into his arms, then lowered his mouth to hers. At first he tried to go slow, but she tempted him so the kiss turned hungry and sparks went off. By the time he lifted his head they were both breathless.

“Oh, Lace. As much as I like where this is headed, this isn’t the place. And there’s too much I want to say to you.” He wanted more than just a few stolen nights. He had to let her know he wanted them to truly be partners, in every way. “Okay, can we at least take this somewhere more private?”

Lacey felt as giddy as a teenager. At first, she’d thought she was crazy to get talked into this, but she couldn’t deny her feelings for Jeff any longer. “Just to talk?”

“We definitely need to begin there,” he said. “Because I want this to be a beginning for us, Lacey. I want more than a business partnership.”

Her spirits quickly lifted. “I want that, too.”

Jeff’s mouth spread into a sexy grin. “Hold that thought. I need to tell Brandon I’m leaving.” He grabbed her hand and walked her back to the edge of the patio. “I’ll be right back.” He gave her one last kiss and hurried off.

Lacey couldn’t stop smiling as she watched several of the guests dancing. One of them was Jay Randell, busy talking with several young girls. He spotted her and waved, then came over to her. “Hey, Lacey, how about a dance?”

She smiled. “Sorry, all my dances are taken tonight.”

Jay raised an eyebrow. “So Jeff finally won you over.”

She nodded. Did everyone know what had been going on between them? “We’re working on things.”

“That’s more good news to make my day. My loan was approved, so if you’re agreeable we can go ahead and discuss the land lease.”

Lacey frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I guess Jeff hasn’t told you about my offer to lease the acreage up by the cabin.”

Lacey shook her head and remained calm.

“Hey, I bet he’s planning to surprise you.”

It hadn’t taken Jeff long to find Brandon. After hearing Jeff’s explanation of his early departure, his cousin gave his blessing, along with a key to a cabin in Mustang Valley.

“You’re going to need help to convince her you’re the man for her,” he teased, then grew serious. “Tell her what’s in your heart, Jeff. It’ll work out.”

Jeff went to find Lacey. He saw her standing with Jay and felt a pang of jealousy at the sight of his cousin talking to his girl. When he arrived, she wasn’t smiling any longer.

“Sorry I took so long,” he said, but Lacey didn’t seem happy to see him.

“Guess what, Jeff?” she began. “Jay’s been telling me an interesting story about a plan to lease my land.”

Jeff glared at Jay. “It was just an idea he mentioned in passing. That’s all.”

Jay raised a hand in defense. “Hey, I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” he said, and was wise enough to make a quick departure. “I’d better go.”

Lacey turned and started toward the parking area. Jeff caught up with her at her truck. At least they could talk privately. “I thought we were going to talk, Lace.”

“Seems as if you’ve already discussed things with Jay, so you don’t need me. You men are all alike.” She didn’t need to bring up Trevor’s name, because they both knew who she was referring to.

“I know you think I went behind your back, but I didn’t,” he denied. “It was an idea Jay threw out a few weeks ago. I didn’t know he was even serious until today.”

“I still wanted a say in it.”

He straightened, feeling anger building. “Then you shouldn’t have run off to Florida.” It had really hurt that she hadn’t called him. “Business partners don’t just walk away from one another.”

“Look who’s talking about running off! You’re pretty good at it, too. Ten years ago you couldn’t get away from me fast enough.”

He didn’t look away. “It was for the best. You and Trevor got back together.”

She brushed her pretty blond hair off her shoulders. “So that’s what you told yourself to make it all right? What about me? You gave no thought to
my
feelings. Did you think I made love to you to make Trevor jealous?”

“Of course not.” He took a step closer and she backed away. “I cared about you then and I care about you now.”

She hugged herself. “How can I believe that when
you never contacted me? To find out if I was okay.” Angry tears welled in her eyes. “I wasn’t, Jeff. I wasn’t okay. I was pregnant.”

A baby. Jeff felt the shock down to the pit of his stomach. “Oh, God.” He reached for her and gripped her arms. “You were pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You’d already left for the army.” She brushed away a tear. “You deserved to know, but before I convinced myself to write you, I’d miscarried.”

The pain hurt so badly, he couldn’t concentrate on her words. Lacey had been pregnant. With his child. “You still should have told me.”

“Why? What would you have done? Offered to marry me?”

In a heartbeat. “Yes, I’d have married you.”

She stiffened. “Funny, you didn’t seem to want to be anywhere near me back then.”

“I thought I was doing the right thing. You were Trevor’s girl.”

Another tear slid down her cheek. “That afternoon, I thought I was Jeff’s girl.” She wiped away the tears. “But I learnt fast what I meant to you.”

He’d thought he’d been doing the right thing by leaving. “Did Trevor know about us? About the baby?”

She shook her head. “No. I couldn’t hurt him. He was such a good friend. And he loved me enough to still want to marry me.”

Totally stunned by her revelation, Jeff could only stand there as Lacey walked away without a backward glance.

Hours later, Jeff still hurt.

It was after midnight when he arrived back at the cabin. He’d been driving around, going over and over
what Lacey had said to him. Her words had felt like a kick in his gut. They hurt worse than the bullet that had shattered his leg. She couldn’t have been any plainer than that, taking away the last of his hopes to win her back.

He didn’t blame Lacey. He’d walked away from her twice.

He went into the cabin and lit the lantern, then opened the windows to try and cool the place as Lonesome came to greet him.

Jeff sat down at the table and leaned forward to pet the dog. “Oh, buddy, I’ve messed everything up, when all I wanted to do was help her out. Instead I got too involved and ended up falling in love with her all over again.” He knew that was a lie before the words came out of his mouth. He’d
always
loved her.

The thought of her being all alone and pregnant just about killed him. Back then he’d been so young and stupid. He should have known there’d been a chance it could happen. But he hadn’t thought about that. All he’d wanted was to get out of town, to forget that she belonged to another man. His best friend.