Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys

by D'Ann Lindun

  His words came slow. “Just want to see some more of the world before I go back and settle down, I guess.”

  “I’ve never been anywhere else,” Lily confessed. “Lonesome Valley has always been my home and vacations have been few and far between. I would like to see Ireland someday, though.”

  “I hear its real pretty,” Will said. “Courtesy of the Army most of my travel has been to the Middle-East. And a stint in Japan.”

  “Big difference.”

  A chuckle rumbled out of him. “A bit.”

  “Do you want return to either of those places?” Lily asked.

  A shadow crossed his handsome face, the humor vanishing. “No. I’ve had a bellyful of war. And I didn’t like Asia.”

  “Why not?”

  “Just too different than what I like. I’m not into sushi and Saki.” He rolled to his back and put his hands under his head. “I like country music, hamburgers and beer.” He turned his head and smiled. “I’m a simple guy.”

  Her ballerina butterflies did another fast spin in her tummy. “Me, too.”

  “You’re a simple guy?” He laughed, the sound deep and rich.

  Her cheeks heated. “No, but I love country music and cookouts.”

  “The best,” he agreed.

  Before she could think it through, Lily said, “We could have a barbeque on Sunday. You could meet some of my friends; get to know a few people.”

  What the hell was she doing? She hadn’t had a party of any kind since way before Jeff took ill. Why start now? There wasn’t really time in the middle of planting season. But hadn’t Jeff’s untimely death taught her to live a little? She took a deep breath. “Interested?”

  “It sounds like fun,” Will said. “Thanks.”

  What had she just done besides add a whole pile of work on herself? The right thing. Making a newcomer feel welcome in her community. Then why did her stomach pinch a little at the thought of all the local girls getting a look at this man?

  Although ridiculous, this felt too much like a date for her comfort level.

  Better if he did meet someone young and cute.

  Will eyed her intently. “What do you do for fun?”

  Nothing. Lily couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a good time. “Not much. Go to dinner with Maggie, yard sales when I have time.”

  God, she sounded dull as dishwater. Like an old woman. Where had the Lily gone who’d liked to drink beer with her friends? Take the boat to the lake and spend all day fishing with Jeff? Laugh freely, turn the radio up loud and dance at the drop of a hat?

  Jeff died and so had she in a way. Long before he got sick they had somehow settled into a routine of work with no play.

  Will spoke. “Speaking of Gran, she left the horses here. Said I could ride anytime. Maybe you’d like to come along sometime?”

  “I’d love it,” she said instantly.

  “Good. It’s a deal. I bet there’s some beautiful country around here to explore.” He smiled and her lips pulled up too. “It’s been way too long since I’ve been on a horse.”

  “Me, too,” Lily said. “We had an old draft mare I used to ride around and my friends sometimes let me get on their horses. But I’ve never had one of my own.”

  “You’ve been missing out,” he said. “There’s nothing like having a good horse under you with just your thoughts to keep you company.”

  “I can imagine.” Why did it sound like they were talking about more than riding horses here? Lily glanced at the pile of covered sculptures in the corner. “We talked about buying a couple a few times, but just never seemed to get around to it.” Now that she thought about it Jeff had made time for his art. Why hadn’t she also pursued things that made her happy and fulfilled?

  “I had a few nice geldings, but gave them to my brothers when I left home for the service.” Will sipped his tea. “When I get settled again I’ll buy another. Maybe get some mares and raise a few foals. My older brother has a nice stallion and I wouldn’t mind having a few colts by him.”

  “You could pasture them here if you decide to stay in Lonesome Valley.” Lily’s face heated. Why had she made such a crazy offer? Just because the fifteen acres behind the house sat empty was no reason to get further involved with this man. Plus, she’d just made it sound like she was trying to keep him around far into the future when they’d just met.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Great.” Lily hoped he forgot about it. She’d spoken on impulse and almost instantly wished her words back. She probably had no cause for concern. By the time fall rolled around, Will would most likely be heading down the road toward his next adventure.

  And she’d be counting hay bales and settling in for another long, lonely winter.

  A ragged sigh slipped out of her.

  Will shot her a concerned look. “You okay?”

  Having someone to talk to was really nice. Addictive, even. “Just tired. I should pack it in,” she said.

  “I’ll walk you home.” Will stood and held out his hand to help her up.

  Lily took it and the warmth of his skin against hers felt good. “Thank you.”

  They walked out of the apartment, through the barn and across the yard. The entire way Will kept his palm on her back..

  She’d crossed the short distance from the barn to the house a million times, in both daylight and dark, but she kind of liked the way Will’s palm felt on her back. She glanced at the star laden sky. “It’s a beautiful night.”

  “It is.” Will stopped and tipped his head back.

  Beside him, Lily did the same. In silence, they stood in the dark night looking into the universe. How many nights had she stared into the sky praying Jeff rested up there in Heaven? Too many to count.

  Will pointed. “There’s the Big Dipper.”

  “Yes.” Lily indicated its smaller counterpart. “And the Little Dipper, too.”

  “I see it. I’ve always loved a clear mountain sky,” Will said. “The air is so clear, so sharp.”

  “I sometimes sit on my porch at night and watch the planets wondering who lives on them,” Lily confessed with a little chuckle.

  “I don’t think it’s all that farfetched.” Will smile flashed in the moonlight. “Why not? Who says there aren’t other life forms out there?”

  “Not me.” Lily shivered. “But I don’t want to meet one.”

  “Me either.” His husky voice sent a different kind of shiver dancing up and down her spine.

  “You would kick their alien rears?” Lily laughed lightly. “If anyone could kick an alien’s butt it would be a soldier.”

  Instantly, almost as though she’d thrown a bucket of cold water over him, his smile vanished. “You better get inside.”

  His tone, while not cold, had lost its warmth and teasing vibe. What had she said or done to make him freeze up? Her mind raced back over their last few exchanges and nothing jumped out at her. But something had obviously not gone over well.

  “I’m fine from here,” she said. “Goodnight.”

  “Have a good evening, Lily.”

  “You, too.” She walked away from him without looking back.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Lily groaned and hit the snooze button one more time. 4:45 came entirely too early. It especially came too soon after a night spent tossing and turning. Still undecided about Will, she’d wrestled with her problem most of the night.

  The third time the alarm sounded, Lily hit the OFF button and stumbled out of her cozy bed to face the day. A shower woke her enough that she could hold her eyes open while she dressed and pulled on her boots. With a yawn, she fastened her unruly curls into a braid. Sunscreen smeared over all her exposed skin finished off her routine. If she didn’t watch it she’d be one big freckle after a few hours in the sun.

  Stepping into the hallway, Lily smelled coffee. And bacon. And eggs. Her stomach growled. Her single piece of chicken last night seemed a long time ago. Was she imagining things? Jeff had never once risen
before her to make breakfast. It just never occurred to him he should.

  In the doorway of the kitchen she stopped and stared. The coffeepot gurgled, filling the room with its delectable aroma. The crackle of bacon frying made her stomach growl again

  . Will stood with his back to her at the stove. Lily stepped into the room. “Good morning.”

  Will spun around and smiled. “Howdy.”

  Apparently he’d gotten over whatever she’d said to upset him last night. She opened her mouth to say so, then rethought it. She moved to the cupboard and withdrew a cup. “You found everything, I see.”

  “I did.”

  “Smells good.” Why was her heart pounding so fast? He made her so nervous and she didn’t have a clue why.

  “Just bacon and eggs. Anyone could make them.” He turned back toward the stove.

  “I’m not a good cook.” Lily tried not to stare at his backside encased in worn Wranglers. “Just so you know.”

  He looked over his shoulder. “Good thing I am then.”

  Lily’s lips pulled in a return smile. “I guess it is.”

  Will turned toward the table carrying two plates. He set one in front of her. “Eat, before it gets cold.”

  Lily slid into her seat and eyed the pile of food. Good Lord. She couldn’t eat all this. If she attempted it she’d fall asleep on the tractor, fall off and be run over. She took a bite and sighed. The bacon was crispy, the scrambled eggs fluffy. If all Will’s cooking was this good, maybe falling off the tractor would be worth it.

  She coughed.

  So not funny.

  Will looked up from his plate. “You okay?”

  “Fine, thanks.” She sipped her hot coffee, then added a little cream and two heaping tablespoons of sugar.

  “Good. I thought for a moment there my eggs were gagging you.” He eyed her spoon going round and round in her cup. “All that sugar’s not good for you.”

  “What are you, my mom?” she shot back.

  “Nope. Just somebody who thinks you don’t like my eggs.”

  “They’re delicious.” She lifted a forkful and ate them just to prove it. She ate too much to show her appreciation. Finally, she shoved her plate away. “I’m stuffed.”

  “You barely ate,” Will said.

  “I ate more than I have since Jeff died—” She trailed off. Sharing her trials and tribulations with a stranger was not going to happen. If she felt the need to unburden herself she could always go to grief group where the people understood her pain.

  Will’s eyes filled with sympathy. “Jeff was your husband?”

  She nodded, suddenly choked up. “Yeah.”

  “That’s rough,” he said kindly.

  Anger filled her. He was so young. How could he possibly know about life after the death of a spouse? “What would you know about it?”

  His big hands resting on either side of his now-empty plate fisted. “More than you’d think.”

  Instant remorse filled Lily and she reached across the table to touch his hand. “I’m sorry.”

  His fingers curled around hers. “It’s okay. I get it.”

  Instantly, she pulled free. “We should get to work. It’s not getting any earlier.”

  He rose and placed their dishes in a sink full of soapy water. When he moved to grab the dishrag she stopped him. “You cooked, I’ll wash.”

  With a shrug, he said, “Okay, but it’s not a biggie.”

  Silently, she washed their plates and silverware, then placed them in the drainer to air dry. She toweled her hands. “Ready?”

  He turned away from the coffee pot where he’d been filling her thermos. “Yep.”

  “Another day, another dollar.” She opened the door and stepped outside. Still dark. The sun wouldn’t be up for another half hour or so and a few stars still littered the morning sky. As she followed the meandering path from the house to the barn some of her lilacs had begun to bloom and their sweet scent filled her senses. In spite of not being a morning person, Lily loved the feeling of being the only one up in the early hours.

  Except she wasn’t alone.

  Will was with her.

  The thought staggered her a little and she stumbled. Before she even had time to react, Will’s arms circled her waist. He pulled her so close her body pressed against the hard length of his. “You okay?”

  “Fine.” Did she sound as breathy as a teenage girl? He didn’t immediately release her, not until she wiggled to be free.

  “Be careful.”

  “I will.” She stepped away from him on legs more shaky than before.

  Lily’s mind churned as she led the way to the barn. She hadn’t dated since Jeff’s death and had had no desire to do so. Being a widow, keeping her husband’s memory alive, was all she needed. Now, she wondered if being alone for the next thirty or forty years would be okay as she’d previously imagined.

  The big John Deere with its hood up took her mind off her widowhood and brought her back to present. Will approached the enormous machine. “What’s wrong with it?”

  “I’m not sure. I think the radiator hose might have broken.”

  He began tinkering with the tractor.

  While he messed with the John Deere Lily moved to the smaller, older Case tractor and climbed aboard. She turned the key and it roared to life. Patting the steering wheel she breathed a sigh of relief. “Good girl.”

  Will turned away from the tractor. “You’re right. The hose broke. Do you have a spare?”

  “No.” Lily turned off the Case. The bigger tractor was new—still heavily mortgaged—so keeping spare parts around for it wasn’t the norm.

  “You’re not going anywhere without one.” He wiped his hands on a rag. “Is there a supply store nearby?”

  “There’s a farm and ranch store in Lonesome Valley that should have the right part.” Lily sighed. Half a day would be wasted going after it. “I’ll grab my purse.”

  “I’ll drive.” Will dug in his pocket for keys.

  Lily’s gazed followed his fingers as they dipped inside the faded blue denim. Her face flamed when he looked up and caught her staring. Their gazes caught and held. It had to be the low light that made his hot and intense.

  Lily swallowed.

  She spun away before she embarrassed herself further.

  Why in God’s name had she been looking at the enticing bulge in his jeans? It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen a man’s private parts before. Just because it had been awhile was no excuse for being unladylike. She hurried toward the house to get her purse. The sun had begun to rise over the mountains illuminating the valley. Lily wished it would stay dark a little longer. Better to hide her burning cheeks.

  She found her purse, but stalled going back out until her face cooled. Damn curse of being a redhead—freckles and pale skin that colored at the least provocation. She tucked an errant strand of hair into her French braid.

  She’d been imagining things in the barn. There hadn’t been heat in Will’s eyes. A man like him—all young and muscles and sex appeal—wouldn’t find a woman ten years his senior attractive. He’d want a woman his own age complete with perky boobs and a cute little ass. And why shouldn’t he? He was young and single. His love life meant nothing to her.

  With a sigh, Lily headed outside.

  Will had pulled up to her front doorstep and stood holding his pickup door open.

  Lily climbed into the big truck. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” He closed the door, rounded the front and stepped in.

  Twisting her hands in her lap, Lily fought to find something to say. “It’s going to be nice today. Finally warming up.”

  “It’s been a long, cold winter,” Will agreed.

  Were they really discussing the weather? What else would they talk about? Current events? Lily had been too busy and too tired to pay much attention to the news. Without Maggie around to keep her up on the events of Lonesome Valley she didn’t know much of the local gossip. Maggie. A good topic.

>   “How’s Maggie? Have you heard?”

  He glanced at her. “No. I thought you might’ve.”

  “Not a word. But it’s only been a week.” It felt like a month since Maggie left town.

  “I hope she’s having a ball.”

  “I’m sure she is.” A little sting of envy pained Lily. What it must feel like to leave everything behind and just go. Shed all your troubles and take off for parts unknown. Had Will done that when he joined the service? “Maggie said you were military. What branch?”

  “Army. I joined out of high school.” His jaw worked. “Went straight to Iraq after boot camp. Did three tours.”

  Lily gaped at him. “Back to back?”

  “No. I had time off between two and three.” He seemed fascinated by a herd of cattle in a field. “Took some courses. Couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do, so I re-enlisted.”

  “You don’t miss it this time?”

  When he looked her way his eyes were bleak. “No.”

  She recognized grief when she saw it and her heart constricted. “I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks.”

  Although curiosity flooded her, Lily remained quiet. He’d share when and if he felt like it. For several weeks after Jeff died she’d been in shock and denial. Only the friendship and shoulders of the grief group carried her through. That reminded her—the group met tonight. Should she go?

  She didn’t want to she realized with a jolt.

  She’d been reluctant to go last week when Maggie had been there. Without her friend to push her, Lily had absolutely no desire to go to the meeting. There was no contract; people were free to come and go as they recovered or didn’t find the group helpful any longer. But her friend Polly would be disappointed if Lily didn’t show up tonight.

  A little bite of guilt nibbled at her. Members counted on having others to listen and help them through their dark days. Just because she’d made it to the other side didn’t mean she should just leave without a word.

  Mind made up, she decided to go at least one more time.

  “You’re a long ways off.”

  Startled, she glanced in Will’s direction. “I was just thinking that it’s time to quit my grief group.”