Cowboy Boone (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 4)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  She stepped under the overhang of the building, leaned against the cool brick wall and closed her eyes. The rain carried on the breeze soaked her face and she didn’t care.

  “Daisy?”

  Flicking her eyes open, she found Boone standing a few feet away. The glow of the security light caught his concerned expression.

  “Boone?”

  “What are you doing?” he asked in a husky drawl.

  Pushing off the wall, she wiped the wetness from her lashes. “I don’t think that’s any of your business. You’re not my brother.”

  “Well, if I were your brother, I’d toss you over my shoulder and take you back inside, or home to sleep off the drunk.”

  With a loud sniff, she waved her hand through the air as if to wipe away his words. “Go back inside, Boone. You don’t want to keep Talia waiting. I imagine a woman like her would get the attention of a lot of men if she’s left alone too long.” She understood all too well her words were splattered with jealousy, but in time she’d extract all those silly emotions. He could have Talia and she’d have…who? She’d wasted a lot of time hoping he’d want her too.

  “I don’t care about Talia, but I do care that you’ve drank too much and are about to make a big mistake.”

  She laughed which came out more as a snort. “Give me a break. Don’t you worry about me. I can handle my alcohol, and a man. I’m sober and know exactly what I’m doing,” she hissed.

  One corner of his mouth lifted as if he found her humorous. “I don’t know what’s come over you, Frog, but—”

  “Frog? Did you call me that god-awful name again? That’s it! I’ve had it up to here with you calling me that.” She sliced her hand through the air a few inches above her head. “Do you realize how demeaning it is to be named after a slimy, green amphibian? No, I bet you don’t. Or how you and my brother ruffle the top of my hair like I’m a dog. I’m not a dog if you haven’t noticed. I’m a woman! A thirty-year old woman who can sleep with any man she wants to sleep with.” The dam had broken and now the words poured out. “I get that you don’t see me. I could rip my clothes off and prance around this parking lot and you still wouldn’t see me as anything but Brody’s little sister. Well, Boone Hawke, that’s your loss because I promise you my skin isn’t slimy and definitely not green.” She pointed her finger into the center of his chest, wishing she could ignore how muscular he was. “While you’re feeling up Talia tonight I’ll be with Mitch, a man who sees me, and wants me. Yes, do you hear that? He. Wants. Me.”

  “You finished?”

  Feeling a bit lighter after her outburst, she exhaled and crossed her arms over her chest, tapping the toe of her boot against the concrete. “Maybe.” She looked at him through the veil of her lashes.

  “It’s my turn.” He took a step, then another. She backed up, sandwiched between two strong walls—one being his beefy chest. He lowered his face closer, mere inches from hers. His warm, whiskey spiked breath brushed her cheek. She inhaled a whiff of his masculine, clean scent that targeted her nipples. “If calling you Frog bothers you so much, I won’t do it again.” He pressed his palms into the wall on either side of her head, imprisoning her in his personal space. His gaze locked with hers. “As far as you being Brody’s little sister, you are his sister.” As if to make her squirm, he picked up a tendril of her hair, rolled it around his knuckle then brought it to his nose. His jaw tightened. “Trust me, you wouldn’t have to get naked for me to notice that you’re not “little” any longer.” He stared down at her for a long time then dropped the strand of hair, taking a wide step back. “Is this for me?” He jutted his chin. “The outfit?”

  This was her moment. She could tell him the truth about her feelings. What would he say? Would he drag her against him and kiss her and announce his own feelings? Or would he laugh at her and never talk to her again? She couldn’t live in the same town as him if that happened.

  She opened her mouth, but nothing came except for a tiny squeak. She planted her hand against her stomach where a flock of butterflies had taken up residence.

  His shoulders dropped some. “I hope Mitch appreciates how wonderful you are.” He took a step for the door then looked back at her. “I’ll help with the committee. Whatever you need. I’m not so callous that I can’t see the importance of a park and a nice place for kids to play or making this town the best it can be. I’m not as self-absorbed as people want to believe.”

  “Boone?”

  He hesitated at the door.

  She was ready to tell him the truth—needed to tell him the truth—when Mitch pulled up and he rolled down the passenger window to yell out to her. “Come on, Cinderella. Your chariot awaits.”

  “You better go, Daisy. You don’t want to keep your prince waiting.” Boone disappeared inside and Daisy was left standing in the cold feeling like she had lost her prince and he was back inside Pelican.

  “I’m sorry, Mitch. I thought I could, but I can’t,” Daisy said as they sat in his truck on the street in front of her small house. He’d kissed her and she felt nothing. “It’s not you. It’s me.”

  “Wow. The old standby rejection.” Although he took her rebuff like a champ, he’d pressed himself against the driver’s door as if to gain as much separation between them as possible. She didn’t blame him.

  “You’re a nice guy. Handsome. Sweet and kind—”

  “Drive that wooden stake deeper won’t you.” He held his chest melodramatically.

  “I guess I’m screwing this up.” She swallowed the acid coming up into her throat, partially from too much alcohol and mostly because she didn’t want to hurt him. She should have been more careful with his emotions and she’d made him believe there could be more between them. “I’ve been in love with—”’

  “Boone,” he finished her sentence with an exhale.

  She snapped her chin up. “You knew? Is it that obvious?”

  “For those who have eyes. I don’t want to come off as a creep, but I do watch. No sense in me denying that I’ve liked you for a long time. I guess I foolishly thought you’d give up on Boone eventually and I’d have my chance. Was tonight to make him jealous?”

  A car drove by and the headlights feathered against Mitch’s face. She could see the sincerity in his eyes. She had to be brutally honest with him. “It wasn’t to make him jealous, but I guess I was hoping to gain his interest. We both feel foolish now. I’ll never be more than Brody’s little sister and I realize that.”

  Mitch chuckled and raked his hand down his cheek. “There’s that unwritten code between friends. Sisters are off limits. You mess with a friend’s sister and that’s like challenging a man to a duel.”

  “But Brody seems okay with you and me.” She was completely lost on this rule stuff and it seemed like a double standard.

  “I have a theory about that. I think if Brody thought I was truly a threat he’d have a problem, but deep down he knows Boone is a threat, for several reasons. I can tell you something, a man never likes being put between a rock and hard place. Even if Boone feels the same, he’s loyal to Brody. A man’s pride is as important as his loyalty.”

  “Why do you think you’re not viewed as a threat?”

  He shrugged. “Because I’m not willing to face the duel. I like you a lot, but if I’m completely honest, my heart is caught up somewhere else too and I can’t seem to get it back.”

  “Your ex?”

  With a nod, he stared through the window. “Caring for someone is a funny thing. Sometimes we just don’t know what we have until it’s gone. Maybe I should have been more willing to face a duel to show Katherine how much I care—love—her. Her family wanted her with someone richer. I tucked my tail between my legs and walked.”

  An ache spread through her chest. “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s not too late.”

  “She doesn’t want to see me. Take it from a man who knows, if you really like Boone then don’t give up on him.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’
re one of the good ones.”

  His smile returned. “If Boone has one brain cell, he’ll sweep you off your feet. Under the circumstances, I think it’s best I bow out of co-chairing.”

  She understood completely. After saying “Goodbye” she slid out of his truck and made her way up to the door.

  Inside the house, she was greeted by Liger, her ten-year-old yellow tiger cat, and Bruno, a mixed Boxer she rescued last year. He’d been left on the side of the road after being hit by a car. He still walked with a limp, but he’d recovered and seemed happy to hang out in front of the fire. The two acted like they hadn’t seen her in weeks. “It’s good to be loved.” She gave them each a scratch then went to the kitchen. Pouring herself a tall glass of water, food for the animals, then stared at the screen of her phone.

  Mitch wasn’t co-chairing now and Boone had volunteered so be it.

  Sending him a text, she tapped in a simple…

  “Mitch can’t help. You’re in for co-chairing. We need to make plans to discuss details.”

  *****

  Boone straddled the stool after he’d come back in from speaking to Daisy. “Is there a full moon tonight?” he said to Joe who’d taken on the full-time bartender duties at Pelican.

  “No clue. Want another?”

  “Nah. I’m done for the night.” A throbbing had started in the back of his neck and had crawled into his head. There was something in the air, or water. He looked across the space of the bar where Brody was sitting at a table with Astrid. “I have a question, Joe.”

  “Sure.” He flung the towel onto his shoulder and leaned in.

  “What would you be willing to give up for someone you care about?” He swiveled on the stool and propped his elbow on the bar.

  “That’s a loaded question, my friend. Hard to answer if I don’t have the details.”

  “Have you ever had to make a choice between two people?”

  “Wow. That’s deep, man.” Joe scratched his jaw. “Not between two people, but a career and a person.” His expression sobered.

  “I feel like either choice I make I’ll lose someone who means a lot to me.”

  “I don’t know…if I had to answer I’d say don’t make the choice, but let the choice choose you. I’ve always been one to think that we land where we’re supposed to be.”

  “And what if it doesn’t?”

  “Then neither was meant to be,” Joe said confidently.

  Boone was still pondering Joe’s ambiguous advice when he heard, “Looks like you’re carrying the weight of the world on those wide shoulders,” from a soft, seductive voice.

  He turned and Talia moved close. She was back. She placed her hands on both his knees and shimmied herself into the V of his thighs. Damn, she smelled good and looked even better. How easy it would be for him to sink himself deep into her invitation, that was if he felt any inspiration. Not even enough to give him hope.

  “How about you and I go back to my place and let me show you the cure for stress.” Her eyes twinkled.

  Gently pushing her far enough away that he could stand, he offered her a gentle smile. “As enticing as that offer is, I’ll have to decline. The only place I’m headed is home and into my bed, alone. You take care of yourself.” He heard her gasp as he headed for the door. His cell buzzed from his pocket and he pulled it out to read the text message. It was from Daisy. He’d promised he’d help her with the committee, and she was calling his promise in.

  The world had turned on its axis because there was a lot of crazy happening. She’d treated him in a way that confused him. He’d found himself wanting to take her home, even if not for sex, but to hold her.

  Hold her?

  What the ever-loving-hell? He’d never wanted to take a woman home if he knew he wouldn’t have her naked, in his bed, and out before sunrise.

  That settled it. Someone had spiked his drink with a drug that was making him delirious, and yet, he felt damn good. If Daisy were sending him a message, that could mean one thing, or two. She’d decided not to sleep with Mitch, or he was the quickest two-pump-chump in Montana.

  He looked over his shoulder at Brody and felt sick again.

  Boone typed into his phone…

  “We’ll talk at the function on Sunday. Some kind of gender-thing at the farm.” He hit “send.”

  Nothing serious or off-track could happen if they met at a crowded party. Boone couldn’t do anything to hurt his best friend and with Brody there on Sunday too there was no chance Boone would forget his manners. He would forget how sexy and sweet Daisy was…and how much he wanted her.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Daisy turned down the music as she pulled onto the Hawke Farm and drove her ‘53 Ford truck up the gravel lane and parked between two monster Dodges. Several times she’d thought to make up an excuse why she couldn’t come today, but they needed to have their proposal for town council in the morning, so this was their last chance.

  She’d been tense most of the day anticipating Boone changing his mind and not helping. She needed to lock him in.

  Sure, she enjoyed the thought of spending time with him, but more importantly, building a park and bettering Cooper’s Hawk meant a lot to her. People around these parts respected and admired the Hawke family. They could sell a plain hotdog at a steak house.

  That morning she woke up with a hangover. Not from too much alcohol, but from saying too much to Boone last night. She couldn’t remember every detail, which was a good thing because if she did she probably couldn’t bear to come face-to-face with him again. She’d been angry and once she reached that level, which wasn’t often, she tended to spout off.

  She should just apologize. But what for? She didn’t owe anyone an explanation.

  When would she stop being a people-pleaser?

  Today. She’d start today.

  What happened at Pelican needed to come to a head for a long time.

  She’d never been good at standing up for herself, partially because she had two sisters who were always willing to take care of her. Chynna with her fists and Poppy with logic. Daisy had never been a fighter and was the quiet sister when compared to the others. Maybe she spent too much time with flowers and animals.

  On the drive there she’d decided to stay focused on the committee. She’d stay in her lane.

  After all, what need did she have for a bad boy? That tempting grin. Bewildering eyes. Low, husky drawl. It all reeked of devilish intentions. She needed someone who could envision settling down with a couple of kids and a farm where they could raise chickens and pigs. Brody outed Boone last night for never wanting kids.

  There…that should be enough of a turn off because she knew she wanted kids.

  All anyone had to do was look at the women he gravitated towards. Talia for one. She was as anti-committal as he was, if not more. Boone was more likely to get struck by lightning twice than to settle down. It didn’t matter that he and Daisy had things in common like baseball games, apple whiskey and an enjoyment of getting their hands dirty. She also felt a light come on inside her when he was near.

  Loneliness. Yes. That’s what she was feeling.

  Tossing and turning most of the night, she’d dissected all the advice Chynna had given her. Some worked for Daisy, and some…well, would only work for a woman like Chynna.

  She was right in the sense that Daisy had become complacent. She could be considered a wall flower…and she liked flowers but didn’t want to become one. A metamorphosis did need to take place but for only herself.

  So, she’d dug into the back of her closet and took out her summer clothes that had been buried underneath practical wear.

  She’d forgotten she owned the pretty red sundress with spaghetti straps, delicate trim and a fitted waist. The deep V was a little less modest than she usually wore, but she had bought a new strapless push-up bra at the mall that did amazing things for the girls. The hem stopped a few inches above her knees and showed off her bronzed skin from working out in the sun. She liked h
ow the soft skirt fluttered about her legs, making her feel feminine. She added a little flare by pairing it with her favorite cowgirl boots and a white flower in her hair.

  Checking herself in the visor mirror, she put on pale pink gloss, smacked her lips together, then climbed out. The wind picked up her skirt, lifting it high on her bottom. Oops. She gave a quick glance around to make sure no one saw her. Luckily, the monster trucks were a wall of protection.

  Grabbing the plate of deviled eggs from the cooler in the backseat, she made sure the plastic wrap was secure. Being invited to a neighbor’s shindig meant never showing up empty handed.

  She strolled up the sidewalk and read the sign, “Come around back.”

  She’d barely rounded the house when the plate of eggs was whisked away and placed on a long table of other casseroles and finger foods, and in a blinding fury Chynna tugged her behind a tree. “You actually managed to talk Boone into co-chairing?” Her sister’s eyes bugged out.

  Smoothing her sundress, Daisy sighed. “Good afternoon to you too.”

  “Anyway, Boone told Brody, who told Ruger, who told Grace, who then told me that Boone is helping. So, the magic of a bit of skin and skirt worked.”

  Daisy pressed a smile to her lips. “No, the power of a mini skirt let me down.”

  Chynna snorted. “Sure. If you say so. I guess that’s why you’re wearing another short skirt today.” She rolled her eyes.

  “This is a sundress and I’m at a party. How else am I supposed to be dressed?”

  “What are you hiding?”

  “Not a thing. I’ve been ridiculous. Boone’s not the man for me. It just took a bit for me to realize as much.”

  “Really?” Chynna’s skeptical gaze made Daisy squirm in her boots.

  “Yes. I said so, didn’t I?”

  “What happened between you and Mitch last night?”

  “Nothing. He took me home and left.”

  “Okay. I guess just forget about Boone and the fact that he’s here with Talia.”