One Wild Cowboy

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  “That was years ago, and he just did that to get my mother’s attention. It’s why she married my dad. Or so the legend goes.”

  Their eyes locked, held. A feeling of peace stole over her.

  “I could challenge him….”

  Emily caught the humor in his glance. “I don’t think so.”

  “So what next?” Dylan asked eventually.

  Emily traced the shape of his hand. “What do I want to happen? Or what do I think will happen?”

  He caught her palm in his. “The latter.”

  Emily relaxed into the comforting warmth of his grip. “I imagine my parents—” she winced as the sound of voices could be heard outside the back door “—will have gotten the news and be stopping by.”

  Seconds later, Shane and Greta walked into the café kitchen, just as Emily had figured. Behind them was an entire contingent of McCabes. Brothers, sister-in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins. Everyone, it seemed, who had been in the vicinity and was remotely available had joined the force.

  Emily’s aunt Claire, a noted lawyer, stepped forward. “You may not be able to sue yet, but you can certainly send a formal cease-and-desist letter….”

  Kevin McCabe, from the sheriff’s department, advised, “I say we start an investigation.”

  And that, Emily found, was just the beginning of the free-flowing support from her family and friends. Everyone had an idea. Everyone was willing to help.

  Everyone except, it turned out, the person she most wanted at her side.

  Chapter Twelve

  Several hours later, Emily found Dylan right where she expected him to be—on his ranch. For once though, he was laboring indoors. “Why did you leave?” she asked quietly, her emotions in turmoil as he ushered her inside his ranch office.

  Looking handsome as could be in a blue chambray work shirt and jeans, he sat behind his oversize oak desk and squinted at the computer screen. “It was a McCabe family caucus. I’m not a McCabe.”

  Emily edged closer, her heartbeat accelerating as she took in the familiar fragrance of sandalwood and spice. “You were welcome to stay.”

  “I thought it was better, under the circumstances, if I didn’t.”

  Emily knew her family in its entirety could be overwhelming. They seemed that way to her sometimes. However, she still wanted Dylan to be a part of her life. And her extended relatives were a huge part of that.

  He pushed Print and, rocking back in his chair, watched the invoices appear in the tray. “What did you come up with?”

  Emily leaned against the corner of his desk. She liked the intimacy of being here with him like this. “My uncle is starting an investigation into who the customers actually were…where they came from. Apparently, after they made the calls to the health department—which were from disposable cell phones—the accusers vanished into thin air.”

  Dylan reached past her for a stack of preaddressed envelopes bearing the Last Chance Ranch logo. “Which makes you think they were part of the scam?”

  Emily studied the movements of his large, capable hands, wondering how he could be so strong and yet so tender, too. “Beau thinks they may have been professional actors. He’s using his connections to check with the talent agencies and theater troupes around the state.” She watched Dylan match the invoices to envelopes. “Hopefully, they’ll find something soon. Unfortunately, Xavier has already tried to get it in the local news.”

  He shifted his gaze to her face. “Any takers?”

  “Not so far.” Emily twisted her lips in consternation. “Everyone smells a setup.”

  Dylan added stamps. “As do I,” he said with a frown.

  Restless, she stood and shoved her hands in the back pockets of her jeans. “All my regular customers are pretty enraged. The phone has been ringing off the hook.”

  Dylan dropped the envelopes in the out basket. He switched off his computer and stood. “Is that why you came out here? To get away?”

  And be with you.

  But not sure how that revelation would go over, Emily swallowed.

  “And help train the mustangs,” she said, wary of driving Dylan away with her sudden neediness. Because that was new, too. This wanting to be with a man more than anything else in the world.

  She pushed on, “I know my family can be overwhelming at times…especially when they’re all together….”

  His expression became inscrutable. “I told you before, I don’t do family drama,” he said.

  Emily remembered but that explanation gave her only partial relief. Maybe because she was starting to want so much more.

  But that hadn’t been their agreement she reminded herself. Their agreement had been to be together as long as it was good, without trying to change each other. To live and let live…the way each had become accustomed to doing.

  “Right. Anyway…” Emily moved closer. “We now know what Xavier meant when he said he was going to make me pay. The question is…” She paused to give her words weight. “What is he going to try and do to you?”

  Dylan shrugged. “Nothing much he can do. Financially, I’m in good shape. And I doubt anything he would have to say about my horse-whispering abilities would hold up under scrutiny.”

  Emily relaxed. “True. All potential customers would have to do is look at the mustangs, and how far they have come in just ten days, to know how talented you are.”

  Dylan reached past her to turn off the desk lamp. “I also have a lot of current and former clients who will vouch for me.”

  The near contact sent a thrill shimmering through her. Emily dropped her hands and stepped back. “I still think he’s going to try and hurt you, the way he hurt me today.”

  “And I think we shouldn’t worry about it. Not tonight, anyway.” Dylan slid a hand beneath her elbow and steered her out the door, toward the paddock where the mustangs were quartered. He grinned. “Not when your three pals are waiting to see you.”

  To Emily’s delight, they spent the next few hours working with all three horses. Dylan still would not let Emily get all the way up in the saddle with Ginger—he wanted the horse to get used to Emily’s presence at her side first. So they worked out, this time in complete accordance with Dylan’s wishes. Then they fed and watered the mustangs, before heading to the ranch house.

  “You staying for dinner?” Dylan asked Emily casually as they crossed the threshold.

  Her heartbeat accelerated. “You inviting me?” She worked to keep her voice casual.

  Dylan nodded, matter-of-fact. “We could go out. My treat this time.”

  Emily groaned at the thought. “Please don’t make me go back to town, not tonight. I don’t want to run into anyone who wants to talk about the sabotage, and I sure as heck don’t want to look at the Cowtown Diner from my apartment.”

  “Then here on the ranch, it is. Got anything to change into?”

  Emily had made sure to replenish the “wardrobe” in the trunk of her car. Glad things had returned to normal between them, she winked and picked up the pace. “Several things, as a matter of fact.”

  An hour later, both of them had showered and changed into fresh clothes. Dylan stood at the stove, searing, in a cast-iron skillet, two rib eye steaks he’d pulled from the freezer.

  Realizing this was how “friends with benefits” operated, Emily found a package of mixed veggies to steam in the microwave, and a crusty loaf of bread. Cold bottles of beer and hunks of white cheddar completed the menu.

  “That looks delicious,” she said, as the two of them set their meal on his kitchen table.

  Dylan got out the steak sauce. “I’m good at everything I do. Or hadn’t you noticed?”

  Emily added napkins. “Modest, too.”

  “Hey.” He made no effort to stifle a cheeky grin. “It ain’t braggin’ if you’ve done it.”

  Emily gave him an amused once-over. “Spoken like a true Texan,” she drawled right back.

  His gaze roved her V-necked T and jeans, before returning to her face and hair.
“You look good in here.” His gaze lingered on her lips.

  Emily tingled in every place his eyes had touched, and some places they hadn’t. “Right at home, hmm?”

  He held out her chair. “Like you belong.” He paused, hand on the top rung, then added, more specifically, “On a ranch—not in an apartment in town.”

  Emily’s hopes lifted and fell in short order. Again, she shook it off. So Dylan hadn’t said what she’d initially thought he had meant. So what? He was still paying her a compliment.

  She patted his arm amiably in return. “Those steaks look good.” She turned away. “Let’s eat.”

  Dylan caught her by the waist and brought her back against him. While her pulse raced, he gently nipped her ear, lifted the veil of her hair and kissed her throat. “And after that,” he whispered sexily, “I’ve got plans for us, too….”

  DYLAN WAS AS GOOD as his word.

  Unfortunately, the bedside alarm went off at three-thirty.

  Emily groaned as it continued to blare in her ears. Normally, she didn’t mind getting up and going to the café. Cooking in the early morning to an appreciative crowd was one of her very favorite things.

  But then, she thought, stretching languidly, most days she hadn’t been up most of the night making love. Most nights she hadn’t fallen asleep wrapped in Dylan’s warm, strong arms.

  He reached over and shut off the sound of country radio. With a moan that echoed her own reluctance, he nuzzled her hair affectionately. “Tell me you heard that.”

  Emily groaned again. “I heard it.” Her voice was muffled against the satiny skin of his shoulder.

  He chuckled, kissing her again. “Tell me you’re getting up.”

  Emily opened her eyes and slowly sat up. “Against my will…I am.” She reached over to take his hand. “Thanks for a great night,” she said softly, knowing she had never felt so appreciated and well loved.

  He kissed her knuckles tenderly. “Ditto.”

  They looked at each other in companionable silence.

  Emily had no idea what was on his mind, but there were many things on hers, none of which were permissible to say under their current arrangement. Things like…I know what we agreed upon but I might be falling in love with you, anyway. Or…I wish I never had to leave, that we never had to be apart again.

  And even…How would you feel if we changed the rules…just a little bit?

  But Emily couldn’t say any of that because she was a McCabe and she had given her word that her fling with Dylan was casual and temporary. And like it or not, she had to honor that commitment as surely as she would have honored any other that she made.

  So she reached over and turned on the bedside lamp.

  Through sheer force of will, she tossed back the covers—and saw Dylan’s gaze drift hotly over everything that wasn’t covered by eyelet lace camisole and tap pants, as well as everything that was.

  Emily felt a flashpoint of desire that resonated deep within her heart. “If I don’t get up now,” she told him, resisting the magnetic pull between them, “we both know what will happen.” The same thing that had happened last night…and the time before that…

  Regret that she was leaving glimmered briefly in his eyes. Fortunately for them both, he too was a realist.

  Dylan threw back his covers and got up. “You’re absolutely right about that,” he agreed gruffly.

  For once in her life, Emily found herself wishing she weren’t quite so independent and strong willed. She headed for her clothes, tossing the casual words over her shoulder. “So…I’m out of here as soon as I’m dressed.”

  Dylan was right behind her. He clamped a possessive hand on her shoulder. “I’ll go to town with you.”

  That was a surprise, since the diner wouldn’t be open for several more hours. Emily turned, curious. “Assigning yourself my protector?”

  Dylan shrugged. “Something like that.” He paused. “Do you mind?”

  Emily shook her head. “Not at all.”

  FOR EMILY AND DYLAN, the next few days were blissfully calm and happy. The two of them worked with the mustangs every afternoon, ate dinner together each night and then made love. Dylan drove into town with Emily in the mornings and had breakfast with her before heading back to the ranch to work.

  Their only worry was another onslaught from their teenage nemesis. Fortunately, the “McCabe posse” was having some success linking the incidents in the café to Emily’s competitor, and they hoped to soon have enough proof to be able to simultaneously pursue legal action and clear her name with the health department authorities.

  “Well, I for one, am glad to see Shillingsworth get what he had coming to him today,” Simone said Thursday afternoon, when the Daybreak Café had finally closed and all that was left was the cleanup.

  Bobbie Sue and Billy Ray brought in filled bins of dirty dishes and silverware and began loading them into the big commercial dishwasher. “The Cowtown Diner didn’t have a single customer today, except for a few tourists who wandered in at midday,” Bobbie Sue said.

  Billy Ray added, “And it’s been that way for the last three days.”

  Andrew walked in from school, backpack slung over his shoulder. “Shillingsworth has started laying off staff. Half my friends who got jobs there got let go yesterday, due to lack of business.”

  The past couple of weeks had been so tumultuous, in so many ways. Emily didn’t want to take anything for granted. She grimaced. “It could still pick up.”

  Everyone else exchanged looks. “I don’t think so,” they all said finally, in unison.

  “People have wised up,” Simone declared. “It doesn’t matter how young or inexperienced or even rich he is. They know who and what he is. They’re not going to support his kind of tactics.”

  “Yeah,” Andrew said, helping himself to a leftover piece of pie and a glass of milk. “There are too many good guys around here, like Dylan, for anyone to put up with someone that cutthroat and mean-spirited.”

  Emily breathed a sigh of relief. “I just wish it hadn’t happened.” The uneven business had wreaked havoc with her books.

  Which was why she had finally allowed Jeb to bring his friend over to meet her.

  DYLAN HAD JUST FINISHED paying the farrier when Xavier walked into the stable.

  “Falling down on the job, aren’t you, cowboy?” Shillingsworth began.

  Not sure whether to feel sorry for him or just loathe him completely, Dylan took a firm grip on the kid’s arm and propelled him away from the quartered mustangs, who had just had their feet trimmed and their first set of shoes put on.

  Left to the wild, and their own devices, they would not have needed protection on their tender feet, since wild horses moved from place to place only when necessary. But now that they were becoming domesticated, the horses would be expected to cover greater distances, often on hard ground. Hence, protecting their hooves was essential.

  Dylan continued pushing Shillingsworth out the door. “I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than visit me.”

  “You’re right about that.” The kid regarded him with derision. “But I didn’t want to let the opportunity go by to clue you in on your lady friend.”

  “This isn’t high school,” Dylan announced flatly.

  “Meaning what?” Xavier taunted. “Because you and Emily are over twenty, you both have an open relationship? Because if that’s the case it would certainly explain why she’s sitting in the café, getting cozy with that guy her brother took over to meet her a little while ago.”

  Another fix-up engineered by Emily’s brothers? Dylan knew there were supposed to have been three. Only two had happened thus far. Still, he would have expected Emily to refuse the opportunity, now that he and she were so involved.

  “Thanks for your concern,” Dylan told Shillingsworth drily, calmly escorting him all the way to his Corvette. “But Emily and I have an understanding.”

  The restaurateur’s snide expression remained unaltered. “Tha
t covers her cheating on you?”

  Dylan opened the door with his free hand and shoved the spoiled teen behind the wheel.

  It wasn’t cheating… It probably wasn’t anything. There was no reason for him to feel this jealous and threatened. “Goodbye, Xavier.”

  He sneered. “I’m still going to get even with you, you know.”

  Dylan knew the kid would try. In reality, there was very little he could do. He leaned over and offered parting advice with as much kindness as he could muster. “One day soon you’re going to figure out this is not the way to win friends and influence people in Laramie, Texas.”

  “And one of these days, you’re going to have to leave this all behind and go back where you came from, too!” Shillingsworth scoffed.

  He started the engine and spun the car around. Deliberately driving over the lawn around the ranch house, he roared off in a plume of dust.

  Telling himself he had nothing to worry about, Dylan went back to work. He expected Emily to show up the same time Andrew did, around three-thirty. Instead, Simone dropped her son off.

  As had been the case all this week, Andrew showed up dressed in rugged Western clothing, ready to work. “What do you want me to do first, boss?” He squared his hat on his head. Anticipating the usual answer, he looked around for the wheelbarrow and shovel.

  Dylan lifted a staying hand. “I’ve already mucked out the stalls.”

  Andrew raised his brow in surprise. And for good reason, Dylan noted, since that was usually his first job of the day. “It’s time you learned how to lead and saddle a horse,” he explained.

  Excitement shone in Andrew’s eyes. “Ginger?”

  Not quite. “You can learn on my horse, Hercules. For now, Emily is the only one besides me who can help with Ginger.”

  Andrew grinned and followed Dylan into the stable with all the excited swagger of a kid heading to his first rodeo. “Miss Emily is really good with the mustangs, isn’t she?”

  Dylan nodded. Funny, how much he enjoyed working with this kid. He had never figured he would be a mentor. But there was no doubt about it—he was making strides with the once-recalcitrant kid. “You’re right about that.” He smiled. “Emily’s got the McCabe gift with horses.”