The topic then turned to Mac’s music. “I don’t understand why you never wanted more than just entertaining a bunch of cowboys after a long day at work,” Flint said. “Hell, you sound better than most of the singers I hear on the radio.”
“Oh, there was definitely a time I thought I’d sing in front of huge audiences and tour the country in a big RV. I’d be wealthy, and adoring female fans would throw their underwear on the stage.”
Flint laughed. “All of that sounds pretty good except the underwear part.” He sobered. “So what happened?”
“I grew up and I found my home here. The only audience I really want now is a special woman and eventually a couple of kids.”
“Speaking of women, have you ever heard any gossip about Maddy Taylor dating anyone?”
Mac looked at him in surprise. “Maddy from the grocery store?”
Flint nodded, wondering why the heck he had even asked.
“I’ve never heard any gossip of any kind about her. And, I’ve definitely never heard anything about who she might be dating. Why?” Mac looked at him in amused speculation.
“I was just curious. I haven’t seen her at the grocery store for a while and I wondered what might have happened to her.”
“Now that you mentioned it I haven’t seen her around lately, either,” Mac replied. “So what’s your interest?” His amusement was back sparkling in his eyes. “She’s a mighty pretty young woman.”
Flint forced a laugh. “I’ve got no interest in her like that. I was just in the grocery store earlier and she popped into my mind and I realized I hadn’t seen her there for a while.” He really wished he hadn’t brought it up at all.
Thankfully, the conversation turned to other topics. By four-thirty the barn was all cleaned up and the two men headed to their rooms to shower before dinner.
As Flint showered, he couldn’t help that his thoughts remained on the woman in his cabin. Something had happened to her, something bad. She’d always been a bright ray of sunshine in the grocery store, but the sunshine was nowhere inside the Maddy who had jumped off his sofa and wielded a knife. What had happened to her?
None of your business, cowboy, a little voice whispered over and over again in his head. She’d told him not to ask questions and he would abide by her wishes. Besides, her car had been towed and as soon as it was fixed she’d be out of his cabin and off to wherever she intended to go.
He ate dinner with the other men and then left to head back to the cabin. He knew his time on the Holiday Ranch was drawing to the end. His aching body was like a ticking time bomb and he wanted the cabin to be completely finished when the bomb eventually went off.
He was eager to get started on the porch. The concrete had already been poured and the posts were set. All the wood he needed had been delivered a week ago. So now all he had to do was lay the floor and build a roof.
There were deer and all kinds of other wildlife in these woods and he could easily envision himself in the future sitting on the porch in the early mornings when the deer came out to wander and birds sang their musical songs.
Even though he had only spent a couple of nights there, when he pulled up in front of the cabin there was a sense of homecoming for him.
To his surprise Maddy opened the front door, apparently having heard his truck pull up. “Hey,” she said as he got out of the truck.
She looked considerably better than she had earlier in the day. Her eyes were as clear as the blue Oklahoma sky and the smile she offered him appeared slightly tentative, but genuine.
“I’m just going to work out here for a while,” he said as he pulled a toolbox out of the pickup bed and set it on the ground.
“No problem,” she replied. “I noticed you have one of those fancy pod coffeemakers inside and lots of pods, but I don’t drink coffee. Would you like me to make you a cup and bring it out here to you?”
Once again he looked at her in surprise. He wasn’t accustomed to any woman doing anything for him. “Sure, that sounds great.”
“How do you drink it?”
“Just black is fine.”
She went back inside and he grabbed several planks of the pine deck wood from the pile on the side of the house and moved it closer to where it would be used.
He tried not to think about how odd it was that Maddy Taylor was inside his cabin and making him a cup of coffee. Everything felt so surreal since the moment he’d found her hiding in the hay in the barn.
She came out carrying the cup of coffee. “Thanks,” he said as he took the cup from her. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes, thank you. I made myself some scrambled eggs and toast a little bit earlier,” she replied. She looked at the wood. “So you’re going to make a front porch?”
“A covered porch.” Flint took a sip of the brew. “Eventually, I plan to sit on the porch and see the deer that frequent this area while I drink my morning coffee.”
“Oh, that sounds like that would be wonderful. Do you mind if I sit out here and watch you work for a little while? It’s so pleasant out here with the tree shade.”
“Uh...sure. I’ve got a lawn chair you can use.” He went to the side of the house where a fold-up lawn chair leaned against the cabin. He grabbed it, carried it around and opened it so she could sit just out of the way of his work.
He wasn’t sure why she wanted to sit out here. He’d never had an audience when he worked before and he found the whole thing rather awkward.
Since everything was ready for him to lay the deck, he began by placing the long pine planks down. By this time of night his back and hip joints were usually screaming in pain and tonight was no different.
He swallowed the groans that threatened to escape from him each time he bent over. He was acutely aware of her and there was no way in hell he’d want her or anyone else to see or hear his pain.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she said.
“Yeah, it is,” he agreed. He grabbed the hammer and a handful of nails from his toolbox.
“How did you ever find this place?”
“Dan Griffin at the realty office found it for me. The minute I saw it, I knew it was the right place for me.”
“So are you thinking of moving here soon?” A light breeze lifted several strands of her hair and the waning sunlight caressed her delicate features.
Oh, she was definitely a distraction. Flint had never really noticed just how pretty she was until now. Her eyes were lined with long, dark lashes and her lips were puffy pillows that invited a kiss.
Jeez, what was wrong with him? Why was he even thinking these thoughts? He wasn’t about to kiss her. He didn’t want a woman in his life. Besides, he didn’t even know her and in any case she was only here until her car got fixed.
She’d asked him a question but damned if he could remember what it was right now. “Uh, I need to hammer down these planks,” he said.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t want to keep you from your work.” Her eyes suddenly widened and she jumped up from the chair. She raced toward the trees and then bent over and threw up.
* * *
Madison’s stomach rolled with nausea. After throwing up once, she raced into the house, vaguely aware of Flint running after her in alarm. She ran into the bathroom and threw up once again, at the same time waving Flint away. “I’m okay,” she finally managed to say to him.
The nausea had finally passed. She closed the bathroom door and rinsed her mouth several times and then brushed her teeth. Thank goodness she’d set her toothbrush in the bathroom earlier. Oh God, how embarrassing. The last thing a woman ever wanted a man...any man...to see was her tossing her cookies.
She opened the bathroom door to find Flint on the other side, his handsome features wreathed with worry lines. “Maddy, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “I just got a sudden bout of nausea. I
t’s all gone now.”
“Was it maybe the eggs? You told me you made scrambled eggs earlier. I didn’t check the date on them. Things are usually pretty fresh at the grocery store.”
“No, I’m sure it wasn’t the eggs. I... I’ve just always had a ridiculously weak stomach.” At the moment she was just tired. “Really, Flint, I’m okay.”
The concern remained on his face. “If you say so.”
She stepped out of the bathroom. “I think maybe I’ll just stretch out on the sofa for a little while. I didn’t get any sleep last night and that might have contributed to my upset stomach.”
“Okay. I’ll be right outside if you need me for anything.”
Minutes later he was back outside and she was on the sofa. She was disappointed. She had been hoping for a little more conversation with Flint. She didn’t care what they talked about; she’d just wanted a little nonthreatening human interaction.
For almost three months she’d been locked up in her trailer, not speaking to or interacting with anyone. She’d quit her job and had her groceries and anything else she’d needed delivered to her house. The only place she’d ventured out during that time was to the library a couple of times.
It had been fear and trauma that had locked her inside the trailer. The utter loneliness had come soon after. Normally, she was a social animal. She’d loved working at the grocery store where she got to visit with people as they came through her line to check out.
It was amazing how much people would tell her about themselves, about their lives, when she was scanning their food items. It was also pretty amazing how much you could learn about people just by seeing what food they chose to put in their home.
Bang. Bang. Bang. The sound of Flint’s hammer hitting wood sounded. She closed her eyes. These nausea bouts never lasted long but always left her tired. Hopefully, in fifteen or twenty minutes or so, she’d feel like going back outside to watch Flint.
And in the brief moments she’d been outside, watching him had been a pleasure. In his dark brown T-shirt and jeans, he was a long, lean glass of hunk.
Despite his leanness, his arms were firmly muscled and his shoulders were broad. He was the type of man she might have once dreamed about. She didn’t dream anymore. She only had nightmares. And she always dreaded the coming of night.
At least for tonight she’d have a real bed rather than the hay in a barn like she’d had last night. She couldn’t believe the good luck that it had been Flint who had found her and he’d had a place to bring her, a place that, according to him, few people knew about.
The car repairs shouldn’t cost too much and could be finished quickly so she could be on her way as far away from Bitterroot, Oklahoma, as possible. It was the only way she would be safe.
As the dark shadows of twilight began to fall, she got up and turned on the lamps on either end table. They provided a cozy, warm golden glow, but they couldn’t stop the anxiety that bubbled up inside her as night approached.
You’re safe here, an inner voice whispered in her head. Nobody can hurt you here. Except Flint. She frowned. So far Flint had been nothing but courteous and respectful toward her. Rationally, she knew not all men were monsters and so far there wasn’t a hint of monster in Flint.
The hammering halted and moments later a soft knock fell on the door. He opened the door and peeked his head in. “I just wanted to check to see if you were all right before I head out of here for the night.”
She motioned him inside and got up off the sofa. “Would you like another cup of coffee before you head back to the ranch?” She just wanted him to stay for a bit and talk to her, to ward off the terror of the night by ending the evening with a little conversation.
He looked at her in surprise. “Uh...okay.”
“Please, sit and let me make it for you.” She hurried over to the coffee machine and placed a pod in it as he washed his hands in the sink. He then moved to the table and sat.
“Did you get a lot of work done?” she asked.
“I got about half of the deck laid. Be careful if you go outside. I wouldn’t want you to trip and hurt yourself.”
“I have no intentions of venturing outside of this cabin until my car is ready or you’re here,” she replied. She carried the coffee to him and then sat across the table from him.
“Oh, that reminds me. I told Larry at the car dealership to call the number here in the cabin so he can speak with you directly about whatever repairs are needed.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “Hopefully, I’ll hear from him soon.”
He curled his hands around the coffee cup. His hands were large and work-worn and she wondered...darn, what was wrong with her? Why would she even wonder what those hands might feel like stroking up and down her back? That was the last thing she should be thinking about.
“So do you have a particular destination in mind when you leave here?” he asked.
“I’m thinking maybe someplace in Wyoming.”
“Have you ever been there before?”
“No, but I’ve read a lot of books set there.” Romance books. She’d read a lot of romance books set in Wyoming where the winters were cold and the cowboys were hot. Of course no cowboy would ever want her now. Nobody would want her.
“I’ve heard it’s beautiful country,” he replied.
An awkward silence ensued and his gaze seemed to go everywhere in the room but on her. “So once you finish the porch is the cabin all done?” she finally asked.
His dark green eyes found hers once again. “For the most part. I still need to trim out my bedroom and take care of a few odds and ends, but nothing major. I don’t know if you noticed it or not but there’s a detached garage in the back and that still needs a bit of work.”
“I didn’t notice. I have to confess, I spent most of the day sleeping.”
“Nothing wrong with that, especially if you’ve picked up a bit of a flu bug.”
Her face warmed. “I’m sure I’m fine,” she assured him. “I’m sorry about throwing up in your trees.”
He smiled at her. It was the first real smile she’d seen since he’d found her hiding in the barn. The gesture crinkled the corners of his eyes and exuded warmth that instantly washed over her.
“Maddy, I spend my time with a bunch of cowboys who sometimes get rowdy on a Saturday night. They drink too much and upchuck in all kinds of places. I’m sure my trees will be just fine.”
“I’m just glad you aren’t mad.”
He raised a blond eyebrow. “Why would I get mad at you about getting sick?”
“I don’t know...so, what does make you mad?” she asked tentatively. It suddenly seemed vitally important that she know this about him, especially if they were going to spend a little time together.
He frowned, obviously in thought. “The usual things that make most people mad: injustice and abuse, especially abuse of women and children. I also don’t much like people who abuse animals. But other than those things, I’m a pretty laid-back guy. There isn’t much that anyone does in my personal life to upset me.” He finished his coffee. “And on that note, I need to head back to the ranch.”
Even though she still wasn’t sure she could trust him, she almost hated to see him go. So far his presence made her feel safe rather than threatened in any way.
“Then I guess I’ll see you about the same time tomorrow night?” She walked with him to the front door. “By then I should have news about my car.”
“Whatever. Maddy, if you need to stay a day or two longer, don’t worry about it. And if you need anything don’t hesitate to call me.”
And then he was gone and she was alone in the night. She sat on the sofa and thought about turning on the television, but she instantly rejected the idea. She wanted to hear if any threat...if any danger came close and she wouldn’t be able to hear that if the television was playing.
Even though Flint had said that only a few of the cowboys on the Holiday Ranch knew of this place, she couldn’t be absolutely sure of that.
The people in Bitterroot loved to gossip and it was totally possible one of those men had mentioned this place while drinking at the Watering Hole, or having dinner at the café. And then that person mentioned it to somebody else who mentioned it to somebody else and so on...
“Stop it,” she whispered aloud to herself. Her brain was overworking in an effort to freak her out, and she couldn’t allow that to happen. She had to stay calm.
Still, she decided to turn off the living area lights and go into her bedroom. With the lights off in the front of the cabin, anyone driving up would think nobody was here. Even though she hoped she wouldn’t have to use it, she carried the butcher knife into her bedroom and placed it beneath the pillow.
Once there she changed out of her dress and into a nightshirt. The lamp next to the bed emitted a soft glow and thankfully, when she’d left the trailer she’d thrown a few paperback books into her suitcase.
The bed seemed to envelop her in softness and she snuggled in and opened one of the books. But there was no escaping reality tonight.
Even though she held the book in her hand, her thoughts were far away from the words printed on the page. She’d told Flint she’d like to go to Wyoming and maybe she would. But she would mourn leaving Bitterroot, which had been her home for the past twenty-eight years.
Her childhood had certainly been difficult, but over the past ten years she’d made a cozy home for herself in the trailer. It had been her happy sanctuary until...
She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and drew in several deep, steadying breaths. She couldn’t go there. If she allowed her mind to take her back, she would be in the throes of a post-traumatic stress episode.
“Just breathe,” she whispered to herself. She closed her eyes and drew in deep breaths. What she needed to do was pray the car repairs didn’t cost too much or take too long so she could leave here for anywhere else. She must have fallen asleep for the next time she opened her eyes, early-morning sunshine was drifting through the window. She’d made it through the night without any nightmares or disturbances.
Cowboy's Vow to Protect Page 3