Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Tanyon clenched Sam’s shoulder. “You did good. Come back on Wednesday. I’ll get ya a better bucking bull.”

  Sam touched the tip of his hat. “Damn, thanks. I’ll be here. Appreciate it.” He walked away with a smile.

  “Hey, you own a helmet?”

  Sam pivoted. “Nope. I’m not wearing one.”

  “Wednesday you’re wearing one. Flap Jack Jones isn’t a bull to fool around with. He’s yours Wednesday. Try one of my helmets in the tack room. If you can’t find one to fit, go buy one.”

  “Sure.”

  Karis moved up to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Wow, you’re sweaty. Honey, you’re a great trainer.”

  “Coming from someone who knows nothing relating to bull riding…” He grinned. “Thanks. Hey, wanna go to a rodeo later on?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Tanyon asked Fox, “You got this bull?”

  Fox nodded to Karis, then replied, “Yeah, Boss.”

  “Thanks.” He took Karis’s hand and strode away from the chute. “You’re welcome to come watch Wednesday. They’ll be more guys here, but Sam is the only one serious out of this group. He’ll be good one of these days.”

  “If I can get back from a trail by then, I’ll be here. It’ll be fun. Do you have an extra cowboy hat around? Mine flew off on the last ride. I didn’t climb down the hill to get it. Maybe someone who needs a new one will come across it.”

  Tanyon draped his arm over her shoulder. “I’m sure we can find one. Pretty soon you’re be all freckles if you don’t protect your skin.”

  “I use sunscreen. You look hot all sweaty like this. Shouldn’t you get out of the sun?” Cocking her hip to bump against him, she said, “I don’t mean the temperature kind of hot. Want to sneak up into my bedroom? You must’ve had tons of women lusting after you when you rode bulls.”

  “I did. Drop it.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  “What, the women? Hell no. They got in the way.”

  “I meant bull riding. I could tell you wanted to climb on if Sam wasn’t on him.”

  “I miss it a helluva lot, but I wouldn’t have had much more of a career at my age. Kids like Sam are good at their game these days. They’re getting younger all the time. They didn’t wait until they were old to start riding the circuit like I did.”

  “Old? What were you twenty-three when you left the Army?”

  “Old for bull riding, darlin’. Now, I am old. Forty’s old for a bull rider even if I had been riding and learning since a preteen.”

  They strode through the horse barn. Outside the door, he drew her into his arms. “Let’s go get a cold beer then take a horseback ride. I still have some adrenalin to burn off. We’ll look for your hat.”

  She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I’ll find a hat and grab my boots.”

  Tanyon removed his hat and stuck it on her head. He smiled. “It’s a little big. There’s no breeze today, but woman, if you lose my Stetson, you will go find it.”

  “You mean this sweat-soaked, ratty Stetson?”

  “Watch it, Cowboy. He’s my favorite hat.”

  She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes against the sun. Karis smirked. “All right, if you find my favorite damn keys.”

  ∞∞∞

  Two and a half weeks later, he’d dragged himself through the day after little sleep last night. Tanyon slapped the letter down. He rested his elbows on the edge of his desk, clenched his head with both hands, and took a deep breath. The court date glared at him. Stress brought them on. Maybe when this was over, the nightmares would go away again. There’d been no luck finding the ranch hand who held the future of the Two-Five in his hands. His dad had more flyers made and mailed to ranchers in a hundred-mile radius. They should’ve offered a reward for information. A tap interrupted his thoughts.

  “You look like you need a strong drink.”

  “I do, Uncle Max.” He ran his fingers through his long hair to get it back in place. “I have a court date. It’s too soon.”

  “I’ll go get you a shot.”

  “No, I can’t. Maybe later.”

  “Can I get you anything? A cup of coffee? Piece of pie?”

  “I appreciate it, but not now.” He stood, folded the letter, and stuffed it into a drawer. “I have to see my dad.” Tanyon strode toward the door, stopped beside Max, and set his hand on his shoulder. “I need you around here.” He exited the room. Tanyon sent a text to Karis, needing to know how long before she’d be at the ranch. She’d recently returned from Phoenix, and he’d missed her.

  She replied: If you’re outside, look west.

  He faced west and saw them coming. Sighing, he grabbed his clipboard and went in to take stock of the food supply for a run to the feed supply store. For years, he’d been planning to build a bigger storage area so he didn’t have to go to town once a month or so. Of course, he couldn’t now. Not when the future of the ranch was uncertain. Karis and the other riders stopped outside the barn. She wouldn’t like what he had to say.

  She pulled her hair out of a ponytail. “Hi. Did you need something?”

  “Yeah.” He called the newest ranch hand over and handed him Joanie Girl’s reins. “Can you untack this horse?”

  “Yeah, I got time.” The young guy nodded to Karis then walked away with Joanie Girl.

  “I can untack my horse. What’s going on?”

  “Come to my mom and dad’s with me? I’ll only be there a minute or two. I need to talk to my dad. And you.” He eyed the scar on her forehead then took the clipboard back into his office.

  She followed. “Are you sure it’ll be quick? I need to talk to you as well.”

  Talk to me? A shudder went down his back. “Yes, ma’am. I have work here to finish.”

  “All right, let me get cleaned up.”

  “You look fine.”

  “I’m muddy from being on the trail twice today. I’m changing.”

  Tanyon scoffed. “All right but hurry up.”

  She headed for the house, but he fell in beside her. He glimpsed her observing him. Maybe his furrowed brow explained why. He tried not to frown.

  Karis eased her arm around his. “What’s wrong?”

  Max poked his head out from the kitchen. “Dinner won’t be long. I need to call your brothers, and I have no idea where Ronni is.”

  “She’s at Mom and Dad’s. Karis and I are headed over there. Keep dinner warm if there’s any left.”

  “They’ll be some. I haven’t let you down yet.”

  “I know.” He said to Karis, “Sorry, I assumed you’d come.”

  She rushed up the steps. “I’ll be quick.”

  “You don’t need a shower.” Her glower over her shoulder said it all. She’d take a shower. When had he become a dictator? He sighed and entered the kitchen.

  Max lowered the door on the oven. “Go easy on her. She had another call from her mom today. I overheard some of it.”

  Tanyon got a bottle of water from the fridge. “Care to elaborate?”

  “Nope.” Max busied himself with setting plates in a stack on the island.

  “Then why say anything?” He padded off to his office to collect the letter. His attitude made him rude to his uncle, again. Nerves rattled him since he had opened the mail. He couldn’t lose the ranch. Many lives here depended on him to right this situation.

  His family could be put out over a lie. He had to find Nick, the transient ranch hand. Karis and his uncle conversed. He exited his office. She stood in the kitchen doorway not showered by the looks of her hair—dry and not wet, and she hadn’t had time to dry it.

  “Go easy on him,” his uncle said. “His court date arrived today.”

  “Damn, Uncle Max, blab much?” Rolling his eyes, he entered from behind Karis.

  Her gaze followed him around the table. “Oh?”

  Tanyon put on another of his hats. “I planned on telling you. Are you ready?”

  She held up her purse.

&n
bsp; “Catch ya later, Uncle Max.” The scent of her perfume followed her to the door. He caught her hand and squeezed. “News from your mom, I hear?”

  She gave an incredulous glimpse over her shoulder. “Max keeps no secrets, does he? What a guy.”

  “He didn’t tell me why. Don’t tell him anything you don’t want repeated, but yeah, he was right. My court date came today. I kept forgetting to return my lawyer’s calls. Now I know what she wanted.” Sparky stood before them wagging his tail. Someone had let him sneak outside. He held the truck door open for Karis. Instead of getting in right away, she tossed her purse to the seat then waited in front of him, tenderly cupping her hands around his face—the sincerity in her gaze making him close his eyes to appreciate her loving touch.

  “Honey. When is it?”

  “Two weeks from now. It’s my own fault for not taking my lawyer’s calls. I would’ve had more notice if I had my head in the right place. I fear our Sedona trip is delayed. I need to see my lawyer. What did your mom want?’

  Pacing, she ran her fingers roughly through her hair then tugged on it. “I have to go back to her. I should have stayed. At least she asked for help, but I wish she would’ve let me know when I was there. I missed the signs. However, all my time was spent with the kids and at the clinic so Mom could have a break. I’m calling my brother. He needs to share in this too. Running back to the military before his leave was up, isn’t going to get him out of this.”

  None of them had dealt with this in a year’s time. What made him think they would now? Tanyon took hold of her hand before she pulled out hair. Wait. If he remembered correctly, it wasn’t too far off from the anniversary of Rory’s murder. He’d better tread lightly. “Seth is serving his country. He needs to deal with this on his own time.”

  “My mom needs him. He’s not dealing with this. I don’t see how he can defend his country when he isn’t in a state to defend himself. He needs to come home to deal with his own emotions before he gets himself killed or ends up with a dishonorable discharge. I must go back home until Seth gets there. The kids need me now.” Karis shook her hand free from his, lowered her head, and pinched between her eyes.

  He brought her into his arms, so not wanting to remind her of the date, but she’d never forget it. “I’ll include bonus pay to cover you while you’re gone.”

  Karis pressed her cheek against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist to bring him close. “How is paying me when I didn’t work, fair?”

  “Be quiet and take the check when I give it to you. Use it to get the kids something special. Do you still have my credit card?”

  “Yes, I have your card. It feels like I’ve barely worked here in all this time. Why is that?” She rooted through her purse.

  He shrugged and placed his hand over hers with the credit card. “Cancel the room. I meant for your bonus check to be deposited. Keep the card for emergencies. You may need it. After all, you are driving one of my trucks.”

  “I can’t take your charity. Have you even looked for my keys?”

  “Take it. It’ll make me feel better to know you’ll be safe traveling. Use it if necessary, for anything.” He stuffed it back into her purse. A voice inside asked if having her keep it would guarantee her coming back. A guarantee? Bullshit. He couldn’t think negative shit, when he knew she loved him.

  Karis gave a subtle smile. “Thanks. I don’t plan on using it, but if I do, I’ll pay you back at the end of the month.”

  “Whatever, but it’s my truck to pay for.” He indicated for Sparky to jump into the backseat. “Get in, Karis.” He hurried around to hop in and they left. “Maybe at home this time you’ll remember your extra key fob instead of blaming me.”

  “You lost them. Dammit. I hate to tell you this, but… The extra key ring with the fob is probably locked in my car. In previous years, I’d bring it with me to have a spare while here. With the chaos after I got home last year, I don’t remember taking it out, and I haven’t needed it. There, I said it.”

  Tanyon cocked his head and gave a smug grin. “Want me to call a locksmith?”

  “If I didn’t have another vehicle to drive, I wouldn’t hesitate, but since you’re good with loaning me your truck, I’ll get by until you find my keys. If they don’t turn up soon, I will call a locksmith.”

  They pulled up at his parents’ home, and his dad rushed out before he shifted into park.

  “Tanyon, Tanyon, good news. We know where Nick is. Moments ago, I received a call—”

  “Fantastic. I need to go get him. Where is he?”

  “Not far. Winslow. Let’s take my truck. We’ll miss dinner so Mom threw us together a couple sandwiches. You coming, Karis? Bout time you got back here to visit us old folks. We’ll toss together a couple more. Come on.” Jesse patted Sparky as the dog wagged his tail at full speed.

  “I’m not coming this time, Jesse.”

  “Not this time?” Tanyon asked, taking her arm to move out of earshot.

  “I can’t. I…I need to leave as soon as I go back to the ranch to get a few things.”

  Ronni rushed out the door. “I’m going with you, Dad. Hi, Sparky! Karis.”

  Tanyon’s heart clenched. Words wouldn’t come out. Leaving now?

  “You two work it out, but don’t take too long.” His dad went inside, Ronni right behind him.

  Now what could he do? The agonizing memory of last year enveloped his body. Dammit, but this was bad timing!

  Karis drew him into an embrace and held him tight. “I’m coming back.”

  With a heavy heart, he gave a quick look over her shoulder to the dirt, remembering last year she left saying the same thing. “Uh-huh. You told me that before.”

  She placed her hand against the side of his neck, leaned in, and gave him a soft kiss on his lips. He wanted more, drawing her to him. He kissed her endlessly to make it last until he saw her again, if he could let her go. Tanyon held her tighter, kissed her harder. Don’t go. It was too soon. “Don’t leave me,” he muttered, kissing the corner of her mouth.

  She tilted her head back. “I have to see to my mom. I’m sorry. The timing is rotten. Didn’t I come back each time after I went to visit the kids and do my interviews?”

  He cowboy’d up, stood straighter, and got his wits together. Gulping, he laid his palm against her cheek. “I have a bad feeling this time. Come back to me.”

  His dad came out with a cooler and got in the truck—started the motor, and Ronni slid to the middle.

  “Here. Take my keys and drive this truck to Phoenix again. I still haven’t found yours. I gotta go, honey. Text me when you get to your mom’s?” He drew her closer. They gazed into each other’s eyes. Any minute she’d be gone again.

  “I will return. Please let me know how it goes with your lawyer. Good luck, honey.” She took his hands from around her and backed up a step, then slowly released her fingers from his. “Honey, I love you. I’ll be back.”

  “This time, I’ll come after you if you don’t. I won’t make that mistake twice.”

  She smiled, repeating as she backed away, “I love you.”

  He stood there watching her leave.

  “Son? Let’s get a move on.” His dad gunned the motor.

  His mom came out the door onto the porch and waved him inside. “Hi, Karis, honey. Tanyon, come here a second. Jesse, you calm down. He’ll be right out.”

  “Yeah, sure, Mom.” He faced his dad and held up his finger to wait then strode up to Karis and kissed her again, and like before, he found it hard to release her. “I love you, Karis. Now, go, please, so I can think straight. Remember,” he said, backing away with his heart pounding. “Text me. Be careful. Hey, hon, tell Max Ronni and I won’t make dinner.”

  “I love you, babe,” she called. “I promise.”

  His shoulders sagged and he sighed, waiting until she got in. He had to trust her. Tanyon rushed up the steps. “What is it,” he asked his mom.

  “Come in. I’ll keep the dog here with
me.”

  He called Sparky and followed his mom to the kitchen as his truck pulled away. He gulped and forced down a lump. During the early days of her being here, he acted as if he could care less. Now, was it too late? Was she gone forever?

  “Here, I cooled the cookies enough to wrap them. Take these with you, darlin’.” She shoved them into his hands.

  “Thanks.” He glimpsed Karis’s keys hanging on the large wooden key holder. How’d they get there? He pulled them off and stuck them into his pocket, remembering his pants on the ground beside his truck. Shit.

  “Oh, honey, Dad found those in the driveway after you all had left the night you were here for dinner. I knew one of ya’s would find them sooner or later.”

  “Thanks. These belong to Karis.”

  “She must’ve dropped them getting into your truck that night.”

  “Um, ah…yeah. Thanks for the food. Love you.” He grinned at the hot memory while hopping into the truck. “Want me to drive, Dad?”

  “You drive on the way home. My eyesight isn’t so great after dark anymore.”

  Ronni gripped the dash. “Let’s go get that guy. I just moved back home. I’m not moving again.”

  “Never?” Tanyon teased.

  Ronni smiled. “Well, not forever, but I’m not ready to go yet.”

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”

  Ronni patted his hand resting on his thigh. “Don’t worry. We’re not losing the ranch. I’ll sweet talk Nick into coming back with us. If that don’t work, I’ll kick his ass and drag him screaming.”

  Her dad bumped her shoulder. “Now, now, darlin’.”

  Tanyon squabbled with his sister as kids. He believed she could damn well kick any man’s ass—the spitfire she’d grown into.

  ∞∞∞

  They opened the sandwiches thirty minutes down the road. “Mom sent cookies fresh out of the oven.”

  “I smelled them when you got in. Tanyon, my boy. I hope you find a woman as good as your mama. Son, I believe you already have, but you need to make your own decisions.”

  Ronni elbowed him in the gut. “Yeah, Bro. Give the girl a chance and stop breaking her heart.”