CHAPTER NINE
Rusty Sage was no longer alive.
Boone couldn’t seem to wrap his brain around the fact that the man was gone. He’d just gotten used to the idea that the man was his stepfather.
The minister’s monotone eulogy seemed to go on forever.
Boone shifted his gaze to the mahogany and gold trimmed casket. Rusty’s worn and cracked saddle was arranged on top, surrounded by a flower garland ornamented with a banner that read, “Husband. Father. Grandfather” that Daisy had made.
As the pastor spoke of Rusty Sage’s good character and commitments to the community, Boone scanned the filled pews. Hank and Helena sat next to him, holding hands. Her free hand was planted on her large baby bump.
Further down sat Livvy next to Jane who had her husband with her. He cradled their baby in a soft-looking blanket.
In the first seat was his ma who looked to be holding it together with a stoic and admiral expression. Mindy, however, leaned into Creed’s side. He had his arm around her, supporting her with his strength.
Many times over the three days since Rusty’s passing Boone had witnessed both Mindy and his mother sobbing.
The jam-packed church reminded Boone of a man’s legacy. What he left behind meant something. This sent his thoughts down a morbid path. Who would show up at his funeral?
Life was short.
Rusty had been told by docs that he’d suffered extensive, irreparable damage to his heart, and a week later he’d been out riding on Sage Ranch and had a heart attack. A hand had found him later. He’d died doing what he loved.
It didn’t seem fair that he’d only had a year with Abby. Death couldn’t be classified as fair though, not for anyone.
Boone wondered, if he had only days to live what would he want in those final hours?
He’d want to be with Daisy.
Looking across the aisle, Daisy sat with Chynna and Poppy. As if sensing that she was being watched, she brought her chin up and their gazes locked. She offered him a comforting smile and he smiled back. A cotton ball sized lump lodged in his throat. He hadn’t seen her since the cabin. Remembering how they’d spent the night together brought a familiar warmth in the chambers of his heart. She’d been more than he could imagine, but with the arrival of the morning light came reality. They’d agreed to keep what they’d shared private.
Daisy lowered her gaze to the flower she held. A lovely red rose.
He’d done a good amount of thinking since he’d heard about Rusty. The man had loved Abby for over half his life and yet decades had passed until the man had worked up enough bravery to tell her how he felt.
All those years he’d carried around the secret.
Boone looked to his ma. There came a small break in her reserve. Her shoulders gently shook as she wiped a tear away. He wished he could do something, say something, to help her. They were all hurt because they were a family and loved each other.
But Boone felt incredibly alone.
He looked across the aisle again.
Brody sat behind Daisy. He seemed a bit off the last few days. Did he have a suspicion what happened at the cabin? Not possible. No one knew.
The pastor’s tone lifted as he hit his stride, talking about the promised afterlife, which resulted in more sniffles from the congregation.
Even Boone felt a kick in his gut.
The tug of war between his heart and his head had been going on for too long. He craved to put some distance between him and his sparring emotions. He wished he could take his tricked-out truck and just cruise the backroads to clear his fuzzy head, like he would when he was younger.
An image of Daisy sitting in the passenger seat, her bare feet propped up on the dash, her fingers thrumming against her bare thighs exposed in the fringed shorts developed in his mind.
Lowering his gaze to his lap, he tried focusing on the rest of the tribute, but his brain waves were too hyper.
Finally, a prayer was given, and the church started to empty.
Relatives, friends, and acquaintances stopped and offered their condolences to both Mindy and Abby. Boone couldn’t take any more. He slipped out of the pew and pushed through a side exit door. He needed to get out and get some fresh air before he exploded.
He’d separated from the crowd who’d gathered outside of the front double doors and moved off into the polished lawn.
“Boone, wait up.”
Daisy.
Retracing his steps across the grass, he met her halfway. He’d thought he needed a moment alone, but seeing her, he realized she was just what he needed. She took his hand. What more than likely had been meant as a quick touch turned into a jolt of awareness.
“I’m sorry about your loss,” she offered.
“Thanks. He was a good man.”
“I’ll see you at the farm, right? I hear everyone’s leaving here and headed there.”
“Hell, I don’t know.” He forced his fingers through his hair and glanced across the well-kept lawn. “Funerals aren’t much my thing.”
“I don’t think they’re much for anyone,” she said in a soft voice. “I know it must be difficult to see your ma in so much pain. She’s very brave.”
Those words lassoed his heart. “Especially when there’s nothing my brothers and I can do.”
She searched his face. “Boone, this isn’t something you need to try and fix. Only time can mend your momma and Mindy’s broken hearts. Rusty loved them dearly and if anyone was ever happy it had to be him. He stopped at the flower shop a few days before…” She didn’t finish the sentence. “You know, he stopped in to buy Abby flowers. We had a nice talk and he was very fond of his life. I think even if he knew the outcome, he wouldn’t have chosen any different path.”
He roved his gaze down her blue sundress with small white flowers. “You look great, Daisy.”
“Thank you.” The tip of her tongue came out to roll over her bottom lip as if she could still taste him there.
“You know what I need? A ride on the backroads just to clear my head. Want to come along?” Man, he shouldn’t have asked, but he wanted her with him.
She glanced over her shoulder at the church then back at him, wearing a smile that dang near knocked his boots off. “Sure. How about you pick me up down the street?”
Damn, he’d almost forgotten that they had a crowd watching. “Okay. In five?”
“Yes.” She turned and headed back up the stretch of grass and he had to peel his gaze away before someone noticed.
Climbing into his truck, he started it and drove to the end of the street and waited.
Five minutes turned into ten.
What was taking so long?
He closed his eyes and pulled his hat over his face. He’d almost fallen asleep when he heard a rap on the window. He sat up and the hat fell to his lap. His smile was lost when he saw that it wasn’t Daisy at the passenger door but instead Brody.
Boone swallowed hard and motioned for his buddy to get in.
“What the hell are you doing?” Brody asked after he slid in.
“Taking a moment to myself.” Boone glanced in the rearview mirror as sweat beaded his forehead.
“Man, I can’t believe Rusty is gone. I just saw him a few days ago and he seemed energetic and happy. Goes to show you a man never knows what life’ll serve him.”
“You heading out to the farm?”
“Probably.”
“Looks like the church parking lot is almost empty.” Boone looked though the back window, searching for Daisy’s truck. Where was she? If she came to his truck Brody would know...
“Pretty much.”
Boone turned back around in the seat and scratched his smooth jaw. He saw Brody’s frown. “You okay, man?”
“Why do you ask?” Brody shifted into the seat.
“You seem upset, I guess.”
“Maybe.”
Boone glanced up and saw Daisy’s truck in the mirror. She was driving slow as if ready to pull over. Would she s
ee that he wasn’t alone? He felt a little sick. “What would be bothering you?” Boone muttered.
“I need to figure out what to do with my life. Since I’ve come back home, I feel like I’m banging my head against the wall.”
Daisy’s truck picked up speed and sped by.
Boone heaved a sigh.
Yet, disappointment weighed him down. He’d wanted to see her, spend some time with her.
Maybe it was for the best that Brody had ruined the opportunity.
“Did you hear me, buddy?” Brody asked.
“Sorry. What did you say?” Boone rubbed his forehead.
“I’m the one who should be sorry. Here I am venting when you don’t feel like hearing my problems today. How about we drive out to the farm together?”
“Sounds like a plan. I could use some food.” Starting the engine, Boone headed out of town.
*****
Daisy shimmied back into her panties and smoothed down the skirt of her sundress. “Thank you.”
Boone zipped his jeans and fixed her with a narrowed gaze. “For what?”
“I needed this. When I saw Brody sitting in your truck, I thought for sure this couldn’t happen.” They’d snuck off from the farm and he’d taken her right there, in the woods, against a tree. A lot of women would feel disrespected being treated as such, but Daisy felt euphoric. There were times a woman wanted to be made love to and then there were other times she wanted to be man-handled passionately. Since the night at the cabin she’d craved him anyway she could get him.
He scratched his jaw. “For a moment I thought we were busted.”
She sashayed over to him and fixed the collar of his white button-down shirt. “He has no clue about us. I haven’t told anyone, not even my sisters. Have you told anyone?”
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
“Don’t look so guilty. We’re not committing a crime.” She could sense that he was a bit off.
“I’m not guilty…well, maybe a little. Rusty’s death has me a bit off kilter I guess.”
She took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Abby’s a strong woman, but I feel her strength will weaken when she’s away from people.”
He rubbed his eyes. “I agree.” He blew out a heavy breath. “We should probably get back. Any longer and someone might come looking for us.”
“Okay. I’ll go first.” With a kiss on his cheek, she followed the path out of the woods.
She was almost back to the house when she heard, “Nice walk, Daisy?”
Jerking her gaze up, she found Talia coming her direction. A lethal smirk marred her features.
“I needed some fresh air,” Daisy said.
“Really?” Talia crossed her arms over her chest as her crimson lips parted in a wide smile. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Could you elaborate?” The breeze caught Daisy’s hair and she tugged it behind her ear. What had Talia seen?
“You and Boone.” Talia seethed.
“I have no clue what Boone is doing. I’m guessing he’s at the house comforting his ma.” She darted a gaze over Talia’s shoulder, hoping Boone didn’t come out of the woods yet.
“No, he’s not. Odd, right? You two disappeared about the same time I also saw his truck parked outside your shop last night. Something very fishy is going on here.”
Daisy wanted to say, “Maybe it’s your breath” but she bit her tongue and drew blood. “Listen, Talia. I don’t know what you’re getting at, but Boone and I have been spending a lot of time together because we’re still working out the final details of the concert. As far as where I was walking it seems odd that you’re stalking me.” Truly, Daisy had no clue why Boone’s truck was sitting by the flower shop last night because she didn’t see him.
Talia’s eyes opened wide. “Stalking you. Pfft. Little ol’ boring you? I’d have more fun watching paint dry.” She laughed.
“Exactly. Boring me. What would a man like Boone want with a woman like me, right?”
“Right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Relief spread over Talia’s face.
“Hello, ladies,” Boone said as he strolled over to them, a paper plate of food in his hand.
“There you are!” Talia’s face turned two shades of red. “I was looking all over for you. Where have you been?”
“I was at the guest house for a while. I needed a moment to myself. Have you two been walking?” He was as cool as an arctic winter.
Daisy smiled as Boone’s gaze held hers.
“Uh, no. I don’t care much for walking,” Talia said. “Unless it’s with a masculine fellow like you. How about walking me back to the house?” She looped her arm through his.
With a curse under her breath, Daisy followed the two back to the house, denying herself the pleasure of picking up a clod of grass and hitting Talia in the back of the head. The woman was as sneaky and bitter as they come. Thankfully, she seemed convinced that Boone wouldn’t want Daisy. A pressure burrowed in the center of her chest. She wanted to yell it off the rooftop that she and Boone had been sleeping together, but what would that solve?
A mess—a complete disaster.
They’d agreed to keep their affair a secret and she’d respect his feelings.
As she stepped back into the house she continued onto the bathroom while Boone and Talia joined others in the living room.
Daisy wanted to puke at Talia’s sneakiness and the way she slithered up to Boone like the snake she was.
Her thighs were still sensitive from Boone’s touch and a kernel of truth nestled in her stomach as she stared at her reflection in the mirror above the sink. On the outside she looked like her old self, but on the inside she’d changed. A transformation. Under Boone’s attention she’d blossomed.
She sighed. What were they doing?
Admittedly, Daisy was jealous. Talia could openly show her attraction for Boone, but Daisy had to keep her feelings secret. Even from him. If she told him how much she cared for him she had a feeling their “secret romance” would come to a screeching halt.
So, she continued pretending the only thing she wanted from him was a roll between the sheets…or up against the tree in the woods behind his house.
Daisy had never been so…what? Reckless? Sexual? Impulsive?
What they were doing teetered on the brink of lying and she didn’t like feeling like she was fibbing to her family. Especially her sisters. Yet, she didn’t want to take the risk that she’d ruin things between her and Boone. Sneaking around was kind of—a lot—hot. Although she had a surging desire to go out and tell Talia to keep her hands-off her man.
Her man?
No.
As far as Daisy knew, they weren’t exclusive.
She guessed that would have been a good conversation to have.
Turning on the faucet to splash her face with cold water, she noticed the whisker burns on her neck and the scrapes from the tree bark on her chest.
Oh crap.
Remembering how he’d pressed her against the rough bark of the tree, lifted her skirt and tore away her thong to slam into her with hunger and thirst made her blush. How she’d responded to his touch in a wild frenzy left her woozy. She’d bent over, stuck out her bottom and cried out as he rode her right there in the middle of the woods.
Anyone could have seen.
The best thing for her to do was to leave the farm before someone saw the marks that were getting redder by the second.
She stepped out of the bathroom and heard Talia’s laughter flowing from the living room. Daisy couldn’t bear being near anyone right now. She was ready to go home.
“Hey, come here, Daiz.” It was Brody who’d spotted her passing and called out to her.
Ugh. How rude would it be to pretend she hadn’t heard him?
“Daisy?”
She couldn’t ignore him.
Stepping into the room, she offered everyone a forced smile. Feeling Boone’s gaze on her,
she deliberately didn’t look his way. Brody was sitting in the high back chair near the fireplace and Hank and Helena, Creed and Ruger Wilde were sitting on one couch and Boone and Talia were sitting on the other. Conscious of the significant marks on her skin, she pulled the ends of her hair over one shoulder.
“Where are you going?” Brody asked.
“Home,” she answered.
“Why are you leaving so soon? Hot date?”
“She probably has flowers to deal with,” Talia said. “You’d rather spend your time with daisy’s and sunflowers, right?”
Jetting a death glare toward the obnoxious woman, Daisy opened her mouth to defend herself when Brody touched her shoulder.
“What the hell. Did you get into a fight?” He inspected her neck closer.
“What are you talking about?” She played dumb.
“There. Scratches. On your neck and chest.” He pointed.
She could no longer keep from meeting Boone’s gaze. His eyes widened slightly. She guessed she flushed ten shades of red as every eye in the room turned to look at her.
“Oh…those? I was attacked by a rose bush.” She laughed to help ease the tension in her voice, but it fizzled. “Yesterday. Being out in the sun made the scratches worse.”
Talia laughed which was more like a cackle. “Some rose bush. Looks like you’ve been hugging trees.”
Daisy swiped her gaze to Talia wishing she could let loose.
“As a kid she used to literally hug trees.” Brody laughed.
“Brody.” She gave him the silent death stare.
“She’s always cared for the environment. I remember when we were kids and a couple trees were being cleared in our back yard she climbed onto an old oak branch and refused to come down. The workers were all around her, cutting down rotten trees while she just sat there on that branch protecting that poor, tree.”
She couldn’t deny she’d always been sentimental when it came to Mother Nature and her natural beauty, but not everyone would understand.
“What’s not to respect about someone willing to stand up for what she believes in.”
Daisy whipped her chin up and swallowed. Boone had come to her defense. He offered her a grin that reached every part of her like a warm caress.
Cowboy Boone (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 4) Page 10