Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys

by D'Ann Lindun

  Weaving her way through the throngs of dancers she managed to get to the bathroom. After washing her hands, Lily exited the washroom and not paying close attention to her surroundings, bumped into someone. “Oops. I’m sorry.”

  “Not a problem,” a girl replied with a friendly smile. “My fault.”

  The same girl Will had been dancing with. Lily’s tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Up close, the tall blonde was stunning with perfect skin, straight white teeth and a figure that should have been featured in a swimsuit magazine. Not only gorgeous, but nice. No wonder Will was into her. With her million freckles and wild red hair Lily felt like a weed next to a rose.

  Mumbling another apology, Lily scooted by the girl and made her way back to the table. Polly and Monte had stopped dancing and were sitting at the table sipping longnecks. When they spotted her Monte stood and Polly beamed. “There you are. I thought maybe you’d skipped out on us.”

  Lily took the seat Monte had given up. “Thank you. I wouldn’t do that. I went to the lady’s room.”

  “Have you danced?” Polly asked.

  “No.”

  “Then it’s time you do.” Before Lily could protest Monte grabbed her hand, dragged her onto the dance floor and began swinging her around to fast moving country tune.

  Monte was a good dancer. Lily saw why Polly enjoyed dancing with him. When the music changed to a slow tune he led her back to the table and thanked her for the dance. Then he took Polly’s hand and led her away again.

  Although her friend in no way was deliberately trying to make her feel bad, Lily couldn’t consider herself more like a third wheel if she tried. She made up her mind to go home if Polly could catch a ride with Monte. Her fingers curled around her purse strap when a familiar voice spoke.

  “Would you like to dance?”

  Startled, she looked over her shoulder at Will. “Won’t your date mind?”

  “I’m not on a date.”

  He looked so sexy she almost drooled. Instead, she lifted her drink and sipped while her mind raced. What did he mean he wasn’t on a date? She’d seen him kissing the tall blonde with her own eyes. Slowly, she set the drink on the table and nodded. “Okay.”

  Stiff at first, Lily found it impossible to resist when Will led her to the dance floor and pulled her close. He smelled like the forest, clean and fresh. His arms around her waist, his thighs, his belt buckle pressing against her reminded her he was a man. Solid. Strong. Hard. His warm breath on her ear made her lower belly quiver.

  He made her melt.

  She couldn’t lose her mind. He’d been kissing a beautiful girl only a short time before. He kissed her a few days ago. It wasn’t as if they were in any kind of relationship. He was free to be with anyone he liked. But she wasn’t made that way. She wasn’t about to become his plaything.

  If he wanted a causal fling he needed to find someone else.

  “Let me go.” She struggled free, turned and fled. Blindly pushing through the crowd until she reached the exit. Gasping, she leaned across the brick wall trying to calm her pounding heart.

  The door opened and Will stepped out. He walked toward her. “You okay?”

  “Fine. I got too hot.” That was the truth anyway.

  “It’s more than that. You’re upset.” He stepped closer. “Did I step on your toes?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  “I’m tired. I want to go home.” She dug in her purse for her keys, then remembered she’d given them to Polly. “You need to go back to your date.”

  “I told you I’m not on a date. I met a friend from the old days and he and his wife brought Taylor along. We caught up and danced a few times,” he said.

  And kissed. How convenient he left that part out. Disappointed, Lily turned away. “It’s none of my business.”

  Enlightenment crossed his features. Will caught her arm and pulled her back toward him. “You saw that kiss.”

  Lily’s chest tightened and she could only nod.

  “She planted one on me, Lily. Not the other way around.” He pulled her close so their bodies mashed together. “Taylor’s a sweet girl, but not who I want to go out with.”

  “It’s none of my business,” Lily whispered.

  Dipping his head until his lips brushed hers he said, “I think it is.”

  Heart pounding, she shoved his solid chest. “I’m not making out with you in a parking lot while another girl wonders where you’re at, date or not.”

  “Wait here.”

  No more had Will disappeared inside than Polly came out with a concerned look on her face. “There you are. I saw you take off and was worried. You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Lily sagged against the wall.

  Polly leaned against the wall, too and fanned her face. “Who’s the hottie you were dancing with?”

  “That’s Will.”

  Like a fish gasping for water, Polly opened and closed her mouth a couple times. “The guy who works for you and lives in Jeff’s studio?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And he just happened to show up here tonight?” Polly played with some bangles on her arm. “And asked you to dance?”

  “He met a friend—” Lily took a deep breath “—who brought along an old girlfriend.”

  “But I just saw him dancing with you.”

  “Yeah.” Lily dug in her purse for a stick of gum. Finding one at the bottom, she unwrapped the spearmint stick and popped it in her mouth. “Will says he’s not into her, but when we first walked in they were kissing right in the middle of the dance floor.”

  “Damn.”

  “I know.”

  Polly turned so her shoulder rested against the wall. “How into this guy are you, Lil? Because from what I saw he’s hot as hell. And young. He won’t stay on the market long around here. That girl kissing him is a perfect example. She’s making her move and she’s not being subtle. If you want to keep him, you’d better stake your claim fairly soon.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I didn’t stutter.”

  Lily forced the words out, “Are you suggesting I sleep with him?”

  “Yep. That’s what I’m saying.” Polly nodded vigorously.

  “You must be drunk,” Lily sputtered. Who was this person and what had she done with her friend?

  “You know I’m not. We talked about this before and I stand by what I said. Life’s too short to waste. If this guy makes you happy, then why not?” Polly arched her brows.

  “Because I have ten years on him for one thing,” Lily said. “My boobs aren’t where they used to be and my hips aren’t a twenty-year-old’s any more either. That girl who kissed him looks like a model.”

  Polly studied Lily’s breasts and hips with a critical eye. “You could pass for someone in their late twenties and you know it.”

  Lily snorted. “Right.”

  “I’m going to take my own advice.” Polly glanced around, then whispered. “Monte wants to take me home and I’m going to let him.”

  Lily opened her mouth to ask if that was a good idea, then closed it with a snap. Polly was a grown woman. If she wanted to take a chance who was she to rain on her parade? “Have fun. Be careful.”

  “Speaking of caution, I’m supposed to take you home.” Polly dug in her pocket for Lily’s keys. “Are you ready?”

  “Past ready. But won’t that interfere with your date?”

  “It won’t take that long to run you to your place,” Polly said. “Monte will wait.”

  “Uh, no.” Lily made a quick decision. “I’ll ask Will if he’ll drive me instead.”

  “I hope that means you’ll take my advice.” Polly handed Lily her keys.

  “It means I’m going to see if Will can drive me home so you can have your big night.” Lily linked her arm through Polly’s. “Let’s go find him.”

  The band had really fired up and the dance floor was packed with bodies when they went back inside. The volume made it impossible to talk
, but no words were needed when Lily spotted Will in the hallway where the bathrooms were located. He stood talking to the same girl who he’d kissed earlier.

  They appeared to be in a deep discussion until he shook his head and she frowned.

  Lily had started to turn away when he left the girl and came toward her. She waited until he got close and blurted the first thing that came to mind. “Could you take me home?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Sure.”

  “I’ve had too much to drink,” she hastened to explain. “And my friend has, well, met someone.”

  Laughter rumbled out of him. “You two don’t do this much, do you?”

  “Never.” Polly hurried toward Monte who stood waiting at the bar. She called over her shoulder, “See you later, Lily.”

  Lily glared at Will. “I’m not a barfly and neither is my friend.”

  “I know, Lily.” He placed his hand on the small of her back. “I’d love to take you home. But first I’m buying you breakfast.”

  A little tickle of delight danced up her spine at his touch. “I’d like that.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Will escorted Lily to his truck and opened the door for her. She climbed inside and buckled up. He circled the truck, climbed inside and drove out of the Silver Spur parking lot. His mind was on the conversation he’d just had with Taylor. He’d been honest—told her although he enjoyed dancing and visiting he didn’t want to pursue a relationship. She’d been a little annoyed, but not overly upset. He figured she had guys lined up to date her.

  The entire evening showed him the woman he wanted was the one next to him. He couldn’t stop thinking about Lily since the kiss they’d shared at the lake. He couldn’t wait to do it again.

  For once the cascading guilt over Amy’s death didn’t wash over him when he considered moving on. He didn’t think he’d live long enough to completely leave the remorse behind, but maybe he’d learned to live with it. Question was, could Lily once he told her the truth?

  He turned into the parking lot of The Mineshaft, the one café in Lonesome Valley, and pulled into a space near the door. After letting Lily out, he guided her inside the small diner to a booth in the back. He slid in beside her, grinning as her eyes widened. Deliberately, he let their thighs bump. Although by the way his jeans tightened at the contact maybe he ought to quit before he put himself in a painful situation.

  A waitress with bags under eyes approached with two menus. “Hi. What can I get you to drink?”

  “Coffee for me,” Lily said. “Lots of cream, please.”

  “Just black for me,” Will said.

  “Back in a jiffy.” The waitress hustled away.

  “What do you want to eat?”

  Lily studied the menu like she’d never seen one before. Maybe she hadn’t. What the hell had been wrong with her husband that he didn’t take her out and shown her off more? If she were his he’d show her the world.

  “A Spanish omelet,” she decided.

  “Sounds good.”

  The waitress brought their coffee and they gave her their orders. After she left, Lily toyed with the edge of her paper napkin. Finally she spoke. “I didn’t expect to see you at the bar tonight.”

  “I didn’t know you and your friend were going there.” Will sipped his coffee. Fresh made. Surprisingly good. “If I had I wouldn’t have gone there and rained on your parade.”

  She snorted. “What parade?”

  “It seemed as if your friend was having a good time.” He could feel her gaze on the side of his face and he turned toward her. “But you weren’t?”

  Faint pink tinged her cheeks. “Not my thing, hookups.”

  He met her gaze evenly. “Mine either.”

  She swallowed. “I’m not that hungry. We could leave…”

  Will knew what she was offering and it took every ounce of his strength to not throw a bill on the table and race her straight to the nearest bed. But he wasn’t one hundred percent sure she was sober and he refused to wake up tomorrow with taking advantage of a drunk woman on his conscience. He shifted. “You need to sober up.”

  She giggled. “I’m not drunk.”

  “You’re not completely sober either.”

  “Maybe not.” She sipped her coffee. “But I know what I want.”

  Will took a long drink of ice water. “Which is?”

  Her cheeks blazed, but her gaze held steady. “You.”

  A million thoughts raced through his head. How had he gotten so lucky? He didn’t deserve a woman like her. Because of him Amy was dead. Could he risk love again? “You are drunk.”

  “I’m not.” She put her trembling hand over his. “I know what I’m doing. I’ve been living in a vacuum for a long time. Even before Jeff died. I want to live again. And you make me feel alive.”

  The waitress appeared with their meals, giving him a minute to compose his thoughts. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” The waitress refilled their cups. “Will there be anything else?”

  “No, thanks.”

  After she walked away, he poured ketchup over his hash browns. “Are you asking me out, Lily?”

  She nibbled her bottom lip. “Are you going to make me say it again?”

  His appetite vanished and he pushed his plate away. “There are things you don’t know about me. Things that might make you feel differently.”

  Her fingers curled around his tightened. “I know everything I need to about you, Will. You’re kind, sweet, considerate…”

  “You’re embarrassing me.” He grinned at her.

  “Just telling the truth.”

  Gently, he pushed her plate in front of her nose. “Eat. We’ll finish this conversation later.”

  ~*~

  Lily ate her omelet without tasting it. She couldn’t believe she’d taken Polly’s advice and basically propositioned Will like that. She’d never been so forward in her life. Maybe Will was right and she was drunk. No, she wasn’t. She knew what she wanted. Will.

  Her stomach pinched.

  He didn’t return the sentiment.

  She’d made a fool out of herself by throwing herself at him and he’d turned her down. Her fears had been realized. She was too old for him. A wave of humiliation washed over her. God. How could she face him tomorrow? The rest of the summer? She couldn’t.

  “Are you going to finish your hash browns?”

  Listlessly, she pushed her plate to him. “No.”

  She nibbled her toast, but it tasted like sawdust. In fact, she was pretty sure sawdust would taste better and shoved it aside. “Are you ready to go?”

  He finished her potatoes, drank his coffee and nodded. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”

  Refusing her offer to pay half, Will took a credit card from his wallet and paid, leaving a generous tip. Again placing his hand on the small of her back he guided Lily to his truck and opened the door for her. After he started the engine he turned on an Alan Jackson CD.

  “I like this artist,” Lily said. “I have most of his CDs.”

  “I do, too.” Will glanced her direction. “He’s one of my favorites. We listened to him a lot in Iraq.”

  For awhile the only sound in the cab were the words of the country music superstar. The click-click of the signal light alerted Lily they were turning. “Where are we going?”

  “I’ll show you.”

  In the dark it was difficult to see, but Lily recognized Maggie’s house when it came into view. “Your grandmother’s? Why?”

  “I want to show you the orchard.”

  “At night? I’ve seen it.”

  Without answering Will drove past the house and down a winding drive that led into the blooming apple trees. Deep among them he stopped and turned off the engine. He unsnapped his seatbelt and angled her way. Alan Jackson’s voice filled the cab, but Lily was sure she could hear her own heartbeat over the music.

  “Why are we here?”

  “I wanted to talk.” He removed his Stetson and placed
it on the dash.

  “We could have chatted at the diner, or at home.”

  He played with a loose string on the steering wheel cover. “We could have.”

  “But?” She unsnapped her own seatbelt.

  “Let’s look at the stars.” He opened his door and stepped outside, then rummaged around in the backseat and withdrew the same sleeping bag they’d used at the lake.

  Lily’s mouth went dry. Was he asking her to do more than observe the night sky? “Okay.”

  He came around the front of the truck, opened her door and took her hand. “There’s a nice spot over here.”

  Under a canopy of tree branches he spread out the sleeping bag. “This okay?”

  Lily sank onto the makeshift bed. “Perfect.”

  He joined her and laid back, hands under his head. “Lay beside me, Lily.”

  She stretched out alongside him, her heart pounding a wild rhythm.

  He reached for her hand and wound their fingers together, placing their hands on his flat stomach. In silence, they stared through the tree limbs at the lavender sky as the scent of grass and apple blossoms filled the night air.

  Finally, he spoke. “I’ve thought about making love to you almost from the moment I met you, but you need to know something first. After you hear it you may change your mind about being with me.”

  Lily’s stomach knotted. What was he going to tell her? She wet her lips. “What?”

  He turned his head to meet her eyes. “When I was deployed to Iraq I met a girl. Her name was Amy.” He heaved a sigh. “It’s against regulations to date a fellow soldier. But we were so crazy about each other that we broke the rules.”

  “Will—”

  “There’s more.” His hand tightened.

  “I’m listening,” Lily whispered. Was he about to tell her he still loved this other woman?

  “We met at the fire pits and the garage when I worked on equipment. Wherever we could.” His eyes were bleak. “We didn’t want to get thrown out of the service, but we couldn’t stop seeing each other.”

  “Love is so powerful,” Lily said.

  He closed his eyes. “Yeah.”

  “What happened,” Lily prompted gently.

  “We were supposed to meet at the garage, but I was held up by an officer and didn’t get there on time.” A shudder ripped through him. “Amy was taken by insurgents who somehow sneaked in, held her for ransom and eventually killed her.”