Home on the Ranch: Colorado Cowboy SEAL

by Laura Marie Altom

  Getting back to Arkansas, to her grandparents, used to be her primary goal. Getting home. How, in such a short time, had this dusty town become equally as dear?

  Tears started again.

  She gave them an angry swipe. She was sick of crying. Of losing. When would it be her turn to win?

  On and on she drove. On and on tears flowed.

  Maybe she needed the emotional release. Did the reason even matter? Nothing should matter beyond getting Lark back into her arms.

  She fished through her purse for a travel-sized pack of tissues, swerving just in time to avoid hitting a tumbleweed rolling across the lonely road.

  Launching a new search for gum, she looked down again.

  Her next glance at the road had her slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting a buck mule deer and three does. The car protested the sudden change of speed with a violent fishtail she fought to control. The right front tire hit the blacktop’s edge with enough force to pop. The car lurched still more until she managed to steer it onto the red dirt shoulder.

  “Whew...” After turning off the engine, she unfastened her safety belt and leaned forward, resting her forehead against the wheel.

  She glanced up to find the deer family staring from the other side of the road.

  “Thanks, guys. Maybe consider calling before popping over for a visit?”

  Unbelievable. After waiting all this time for new tires, after barely thirty minutes of drive time, she’d already ruined one.

  She left the car to inspect the damage.

  The sun’s heat bore down as if she were a pushpin on the barren, corkboard-colored landscape. Equally hot wind blew stray hairs into her face.

  Robin rounded the car to inspect the damage. She’d hoped it wouldn’t be too bad, but found the tire shredded.

  Thank goodness Jimmy gave her a spare.

  She unloaded the trunk and finally reached the spare only to find there was no jack. Really? “Really?”

  Looking to the sky, she shouted, “What’s your problem with me? What did I ever do to deserve all of this? Why can’t just one thing go right?”

  As if on cue, sunlight glinted off an approaching truck’s windshield.

  “Thank you. Sorry for the outburst...”

  Stepping to the road’s edge, as the vehicle approached, she waved her arms. When it slowed, she shook her head.

  No way.

  No. Freaking. Way.

  Chapter 14

  Laredo’s familiar red Ford slowed and then pulled onto the shoulder behind her car.

  At first, Robin was elated. Beyond relieved. But then she was annoyed with herself for yet again being in a position requiring her to be saved.

  He turned off his engine and hopped out—jack in hand. “Jimmy called. He found this on the garage floor. Asked me to try catching you—just in case.”

  “Thanks.” Was this a sign? Had she been too hasty and bullheaded in sending him away?

  “I’ll help you change your spare, then get you back on the road.”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  She stood alongside him while he jacked up the car, then removed the bad tire. When his dark T-shirt grew sweat-soaked, he removed it, slinging it around his neck. The sight of his bare chest and back did funny things to her stomach. Even in this most ridiculously inappropriate place, her achy longing for him returned.

  Ten minutes passed with her sitting on a boulder while he worked and she wondered what she could say to make things right between them. She’d hated leaving on rocky terms, but she’d also hated having expected his kiss only to have him back away. Why couldn’t he just say what he meant? Why did he have to be so infuriating to read?

  Did you ever think I might need you?

  Last night, could he have been speaking the truth?

  If he had, that changed everything. It meant she was no longer solely in the position of receiving help, but also gifting help. The notion flooded her with the sort of warmth that went far deeper than that of the overbearing sun.

  “Laredo?”

  “Could you hand me the wrench?” He pointed behind him.

  “Here.” She handed it to him. Probably now wasn’t the best time for a deep conversation.

  I...need you.

  Aside from Lark or her grandparents, had she ever been needed? The notion was as invigorating as it was intoxicating. It reminded her that as long as she was alive, hope for a better future for herself and her daughter was still alive. Maybe instead of wishing for Laredo to be a better communicator, she needed to be a better listener.

  “All done.” He rocked back on his heels.

  “Thanks again.”

  “It was no big deal.” He used his T-shirt to wipe sweat-glistening abs and pecs. Dear Lord...

  Focus.

  “You’re good to go,” he said.

  Apologize for being so snippy over an almost-kiss. Ask him to go with you. To stay with you.

  He gathered his few tools that lay scattered on the hard-packed red dirt.

  “Laredo...”

  “I need to get back to my goats and chickens.” He held out his hand for her to shake. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you. I sincerely hope everything goes well for you in court.”

  “Laredo...”

  “Goodbye, Robin. Hope the rest of your journey is uneventful and safe.” He dumped his tools into a box in the truck’s bed.

  Tell him! Tell him you need him, too!

  She wanted to, but the words refused to come.

  He opened the driver’s-side door with a screech. Climbed behind the wheel. Started the engine.

  Say something! Anything!

  “L-last night...”

  He closed his door with a slam.

  “Last night I was wrong, and you were right.”

  “Let’s not do this.”

  “Listen—about that kiss. You were right, we shouldn’t take our friendship to a physical level. But you said you need me, and I need you, too. I’m tired of being alone—even in my marriage, I was alone. I want you with me. I don’t have a clue where any of this mess with Lark is headed or how long it will ultimately take to clear up. All I do know is that I can’t be alone.”

  He arched his head back and sighed. He killed the engine, and the sudden silence hung between them.

  The deer had long since scattered.

  “I need to know—” He took off his hat, raking his fingers through sweat-dampened hair. “I need to know if it’s me you need, or will anyone do?”

  “You. Only you.”

  “Why?”

  “I have no idea. That’s like asking why the sky’s blue. It just is.”

  “Actually, there’s a perfectly reasonable scientific explanation for the sky being—”

  Climbing onto the truck’s side rail, clinging to the open window for support, she leaned into the cab, closed her eyes and kissed him. She’d aimed for his lips but landed on his whisker-stubbled chin.

  “You missed...”

  “Because you wouldn’t stop talking...”

  “Wanna try again?”

  Drawing her lower lip into her mouth, she nodded.

  He slipped his big hand into the hair at the base of her head, drawing her closer and closer until finally they landed against each other for a soft, gentle exploration that somewhere along the way turned hard and hungry and desperate.

  “Get in here,” he said when pausing for air.

  She shrieked when he braced his hands beneath her arms, drawing her wriggling and laughing through the window, inching back until landing her in a not-so-graceful heap atop him.

  Their kiss began anew.

  The heat in the cab had grown nearly unbearable, but not as bad as her need for him. She rose up to unfasten her jeans. He helped shimmy them down. His fly was the ne
xt task for her nimble fingers and when he sprung free from boxers, she settled herself atop him, inching him in. At first, the fullness hurt, but then her body grew accustomed to his size and the age-old rhythm.

  Eyes closed, she enjoyed the ride. The escape. The feeling of flying far from her every trouble.

  He sliced his fingers between hers, then folded them, clasping her tighter with each new thrust.

  Higher and higher she climbed in a spiraling swirl of pleasure until crying out when she came with a sudden shocking intensity.

  Inside her, he stiffened when spilling his seed. “I should’ve used a condom.”

  “I shouldn’t have accosted you.” Relishing the feel of him still inside her, she leaned forward, kissing him again.

  “True.”

  A red minivan slowly passed. The male driver smiled while delivering a friendly wave.

  Her cheeks grew even more heated. “That could have been awkward.”

  “Relax. We’re good. Real good.”

  “Not really...” Straightening, she looked to the soaked front of her pink blouse.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My milk released.”

  “Isn’t that good? Less you’ll have to pump?”

  “Yes. But it’s also embarrassing.”

  “Do I look like I care? When we’re done here, I’ll get you a fresh shirt from your suitcase. And then we need to get going.”

  “We?” There went her pulse again. Racing, hoping, praying he would ignore everything she’d said the previous night. “Does that mean you want to come?”

  “I always have. You were the one who decided it wasn’t a good idea.”

  “I was wrong—out of my mind with fear.”

  “And now?”

  She took a moment to consider his question. “I won’t even try denying that I’m still terrified of how long I may be apart from my baby girl, but I’m also equally filled with determination to get her back—no matter the cost.” One more issue needed to be covered, but this one was a doozy. She forced a deep breath. “When you said you need me, did you mean it?”

  “Unfortunately.” He softened his answer with a smile. “It’s a tough thing—admitting I’m not infallible. But there it is. The thought of you being my eyes in the dark is as comforting as eating one of your meals or listening to you sing ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ to Lark. Not to put added pressure on you, but when this whole custody thing is settled, I’d love to explore the idea of you and me becoming something...” He seemed to struggle with his next words. “Hell, I don’t know. I’d like for us to become something formal. A couple. Not right away. But I want you to know my intentions toward you are honorable.”

  “I never thought they weren’t.”

  “Okay. Good. Now that we’ve got that cleared up, we should go.”

  “What about your truck?”

  He groaned. “Jimmy offered to pick it up. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I guess Kyle took a private call concerning your issues and Lulu overheard. She told Sally and Sally told Jimmy—classic small-town game of telephone. Thankfully, they got most of it right. Jimmy and Sally offered to help. They urged me to go after you, but when you said you didn’t want me along for the ride, I took your words at face value.”

  “Well, I’m glad you came after me.” She cupped Laredo’s dear cheek.

  “Me, too. Let me grab you a shirt, then we’ll reload the trunk and get going. Think we can make it to your place by nightfall?”

  “Not a chance. But it doesn’t matter.” She kissed him. “I’m here to help you see.”

  * * *

  They made it to Robin’s apartment just after 2:00 a.m. Once the sun dipped below the horizon, she’d taken over the driving. The thankfully well-lit Spanish-styled building with its tile roof and lush gardens sat on the outskirts of Malibu proper. This early in the morning, the only sign of life was a cat giving itself a bath on a first-floor patio table and the sprinkler system’s swish.

  “Home.” She pulled into a carport and turned off the engine. “At least it used to be home. I’ll probably move as soon as Lark’s custody issue is handled.”

  “You okay?” He opened his door and stepped outside, anxious to stretch after the long ride.

  “Not even a little bit.” She forced a smile. “Being back feels wrong. Being back without Lark feels like an alternate universe.”

  When she rounded the car to stand beside him, he took her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “We’ll have her back in no time.”

  “I know.”

  “Want me to take a batch of Lark’s gear now? Or wait?”

  “Wait. I left in such a hurry, it’s—Things are... Well, like Kyle said, my place is a mess.”

  “No worries. I once had a roommate who left a sink full of dishes for a six-month deployment. Ended up throwing them away.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “Oh—you wouldn’t believe what pigs my SEAL brothers could be. We had to keep everything spick-and-span during training, but once we had our own places? They let their slob flags fly.”

  He breathed deeply of the moist night air. He’d forgotten how much more pleasurable California weather was than southeastern Colorado.

  “Might as well get this over with.” She released his hand and slung her purse over her shoulder. “Come on... Is the path lit enough for you to see?”

  “Yes. Thanks.” She was the only person with whom he’d ever felt comfortable enough to admit the full extent of his vision problem. He’d never dreamed it could feel good to allow someone to see his vulnerability.

  He followed her down a winding brick path until they reached a flight of stairs, which they climbed, making a left at the top. Five doors down, she stopped in front of the door he assumed led to her unit.

  She fit a key into the dead bolt lock. Inside the dark room, she flipped a switch for an overhead light.

  “Your ex was an animal.” Behind her, it had taken his eyes a moment to adjust to the sudden bright light, but once they did, he saw why she’d been cagey about the state of her abode. This was no ordinary mess, but a crime scene. A former coffee table was now in two pieces. The floor was littered with broken lamps and books. Framed family photos had the glass broken out of them. In the adjoining kitchen, all the cabinet doors were open, dishes smashed on the tile floor. On top of the dishes were canned goods and pasta, crackers and cookies and moldy bread. “It’s a good thing the bastard’s dead. I’d kill him.”

  Back in the living room, sofa cushions had been slashed. Any glass knickknacks or china figurines had been shattered.

  “I’m sorry.” Robin scurried into action. “Please, have a seat and try to get comfortable. I’ll have this place back to shipshape in no time.”

  “Stop.” He grabbed her upper arm. “Before doing anything, we’re going to take pictures. This is more evidence to show the mediator handling your case.”

  “But we can’t prove Chuck did this. He told me as much. He said if I ever tried using his actions against him that he’d accuse me of being crazy and doing the damage myself. He threatened to take Lark from me—or worse. Even after our divorce, I had to shut up and take the abuse. What else could I do?”

  “Ask for help...” Behind him, an elderly white-haired woman stood with a bejeweled three-pronged cane.

  “Mrs. Jerome. H-hello. It’s late. What are you doing up?” Robin greeted the woman Laredo assumed was her neighbor.

  “Heartburn. Arthritis. Constipation. Take your pick. Sleep is my biggest luxury. Now, it’s your turn to answer a question. Where in the world have you been?”

  “It’s a long story.” She cast her guest a faint smile. “Please excuse the mess. I’m afraid I left in a hurry and didn’t have time to tidy.”

  “Stop the BS, Robin. Just because I’m an old lady doesn’t mean I’m stupid. I was here
the day your ex did this. His crazed hollering woke me from a much-needed nap. His equally crazy father woke me again to ask about you and Lark. He said Lark was legally his, but I’m not buying that for a second. Just tell me when and where I need to be to testify against your rat ex. He deserved for that car to smash him like the rodent he was.”

  “Mrs. Jerome, he wasn’t that bad. I—”

  “Things abused women say to try justifying inexcusable behavior.” The outspoken woman turned to Laredo and held out her hand. “Jessica Jerome. Friends over sixty-five call me Jess. Otherwise, Mrs. Jerome will do.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He answered her firm shake with one of his own.

  “What’s your story?” she asked. “How come I’ve never seen you around?”

  “I’m from a small town about twelve hours west of here. Dandelion Gulch. Heard of it?”

  “Oh, sure. You folks have those chicken races. Just read about it online. You’re crazy, too.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, ma’am, I suppose we are.”

  “Good to meet you. These walls are paper-thin. If I hear so much as a peep out of either one of you, I’m calling cops.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She left as suddenly as she’d appeared, closing the door behind her.

  Laredo whistled. “I’ve met admirals who didn’t have balls as big as she does.”

  “Tell me about it,” Robin said with a teary-eyed smile. “She always called police. Every time she tried helping me, talking me into getting help, I refused. I was so afraid of losing Lark if I ever told my deepest, darkest secret. Yet here I am—Chuck’s dead and I’m still terrified of him taking Lark from me.”

  “Shh...” He pulled her into a hug. “Everything’s going to be fine. There’s no way any judge or mediator would award custody to anyone but you.”

  “Hope you’re right.”

  “Of course, I am.” He held her till her tears subsided, then asked, “Any chance your bedroom fared better than the rest of your place?”

  “Hope so...” She locked the front door, then flipped on the light switch for a short hall. At the end, she entered a room to their right, again, turning on the light switch ahead of him.