Love at Last

by Melissa Foster

  “These are more than uncomfortable,” Callie said.

  “Are they getting worse? Coming closer together than what you’ve been experiencing?” Daisy asked.

  “Most definitely.” Callie bit her lower lip. “How much longer is the rodeo?”

  “Forget the rodeo, baby girl,” Catherine said. “Let’s get your doctor on the phone.”

  Callie dug out her phone and handed it to Catherine. “Dr. Weiss should be on my recent call list.”

  “What can we do?” Rachel asked as panic rose in Callie’s eyes.

  Daisy rubbed Callie’s back. “Let’s get her up so she can change positions.” She helped Callie to her feet. “Braxton Hicks tend to go away when you move around.”

  Cal turned and put a hand on Rachel’s back as the girls made their way out of the crowded aisle. “Everything okay, darlin’?”

  “I think so, but we’re checking. Callie’s having some discomfort. I’ll be right back.” She set his hat back on his head and gave him a quick kiss, which he deepened.

  “Wow, don’t ever stop that, okay?” she said before turning to join the girls.

  Cal smacked her butt, and when she spun around, surprised, he blew her a kiss.

  She caught up to the girls as they walked along the grass, and a few minutes later, Callie grabbed her belly again and whimpered. Suddenly there was a flurry of excitement, as Catherine relayed what was happening to Callie’s doctor, and everyone spoke at once, trying to help Callie and figure out if she was in labor.

  “Okay, that’s it,” Daisy said, as soon as the next contraction relented. “We need to get you to the hospital. Braxton Hicks do not make it so you can’t breathe. We need Wes.”

  “Cal can get him!” Rachel ran to Cal and grabbed the back of his shirt. He spun around and she said, “Callie’s in labor! We need Wes.”

  “Labor?” Jake spun around. “Where is she?”

  “I’ll get Wes,” Luke said. “Where’s Daisy?”

  “Daisy’s with her.” Rachel pointed to where she’d left the girls. “The girls are all over there, but they’re a little panicky, too.”

  “Let me get Wes. You take care of the girls,” Cal said.

  Luke took one step and turned back toward Cal. “My horses?”

  “I’ve got this, Luke. Give me your truck keys. I’ll get the horses situated, then bring your truck back here. Can you get a ride back?” Cal asked.

  “I can get a ride.” Luke handed him his keys. “Daisy has a set of keys, so just lock these in the glove compartment. Thanks, man.”

  “No problem. Go be with your family.”

  “I’ll help you,” Rachel offered as Luke and his brothers bolted toward the girls.

  Cal took her hand and said, “Let’s go, beautiful.”

  He plowed through the crowd, hanging on tight to her hand all the way up to the gates to the arena. He looked larger than life, confident, and in charge as he relayed the information to a burly guy in a flannel shirt, who then spoke into a radio, and moments later, another guy was standing on a platform waving a white flag and pointing at Wes.

  Wes dismounted his horse, handed the reins to another guy, and ran out of the ring, wide-eyed and hopped up on adrenaline. He panted out, “What’s up?”

  Cal was dead calm and focused as he said, “Callie’s in labor. You’ve got to go.”

  “Holy shit. We’re in labor!” Wes slapped Cal on the back, hugged Rachel, and hollered, “We’re in labor!” He took off like his feet were on fire in Callie’s direction.

  Rachel grabbed her chest to try to slow her racing heart. “How can you be so calm?”

  Cal gathered her in his arms and gazed into her eyes, sending her already frantic heart into overdrive. “Darlin’ when you grow up on a ranch, you learn quickly that in times of crisis, panicking spooks people as much as it does animals.”

  “Well, that’s impressive. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to be that calm when everyone else is going crazy.”

  “Lucky for you, you won’t need to. I’ll be right there by your side, holding you tight and keeping you steady in the midst of the stampede.”

  As he lowered his lips to hers, she silently prayed for a stampede.

  Chapter Four

  AFTER THE RODEO, Cal helped Cutter load Wes’s horses into the trailer so he could take them to the dude ranch, and Rachel helped carry tack and blankets. She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, which he loved. She helped him load Luke’s horses into his trailer, and once they were safely situated, Cal took her hand and led her out of the barn, toward the craft tent.

  “The festival is closing soon,” she said, hurrying to keep up with his long strides. “Don’t we have to take care of Luke’s horses?”

  “We do, and we will.” He stole a quick kiss and said, “But first we need to get our candles.”

  “Oh gosh, I totally forgot with all the excitement.”

  They rushed across the fairgrounds and got to the crafts tent just as the candlemaking booth was closing down. They retrieved the candles and put them in Cal’s truck.

  On the way back to the trailer, Cal stopped and gathered Rachel in his arms. “I’m sorry our night’s been hijacked.”

  She returned his embrace and said, “I’m not. I got to see you doing all the things you love, and the way you jumped in without hesitation to help Luke and Wes? Seeing that was almost as much of a heartwarmer as seeing you with Li’l Hal.”

  He brushed his lips over hers, feeling his emotions swell. “Heartwarmer, huh? What do I have to do to turn that heartwarming into an aphrodisiac?”

  “You already cornered that market by simply being yourself. No props necessary.”

  “Darlin’, that’s about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” He touched his lips to hers again, and she pushed her hands into his hair as she’d done earlier, knocking his hat to the ground. They both smiled into the kiss.

  “Want to try my shirt next?”

  “Maybe,” she whispered. “But I think we need to kiss some more.”

  She didn’t have to ask twice.

  An hour later they arrived at Luke’s ranch. Rachel helped Cal get the horses situated in the barn.

  “Hey, darlin’,” he said as she petted one of the horses. “I know Luke likes to calm his girls down for the night after events, kind of like tucking your kids into bed. Would you mind if I took a few minutes to brush the two that were in the show? It’s a really mellow time for the horses. One of my favorite times of the day, although I don’t usually do it this late.”

  “I don’t mind.” She came to him, hooking her finger through his belt loop. “Think you can teach me how? I’ve never taken care of a horse.”

  “Really? Sweetheart, I’d love to show you how.” He gathered her in his arms again and said, “You are even more remarkable than I thought you were.”

  “Because I want to learn to do the things that you take pleasure in?”

  “You’d best be careful choosing your words, because what you just said? Mm-mm. That can be taken the wrong way.”

  “How do you know it’s not meant to be taken that way?” She went up on her toes and kissed him.

  His entire body heated up.

  “Down, boy,” she whispered as their lips parted.

  “You’re torturing me, baby. Pure, exquisite torture.”

  She giggled as he grabbed a brush and they went into one of the stalls.

  “This is Chelsea.” He stroked the horse’s cheek, and the horse pressed her muzzle to his chest. “Hey there, sweet girl. You did a great job today. We’re going to brush you down, nice and easy.” He moved the horse’s mane to the far side of her neck and said, “Chelsea’s a tobiano. See how her base coat is black and the white patches cross over her spine?”

  When Cal groomed a horse, he was completely focused on the animal, but as he moved behind Rachel and set the brush in her hand, his body grazed hers. Her sweet scent overrode the familiar smell of the barn, and he had trouble concentra
ting on anything but her.

  “Gypsy horses have thicker coats than other horses,” he explained, needing to take his mind off how soft Rachel’s body was. He placed his hand over hers and brought the brush to the horse’s neck. “They appreciate a good brushing because they tend to get itchy. Usually I’d start with a curry comb to bring the dirt to the surface, but we’re calming her down, not grooming her. You want to use long, slow strokes for relaxation.” Holding Rachel’s hand over the brush, he moved it down Chelsea’s neck. “Like this.”

  “Long and slow,” she repeated breathlessly.

  “That’s it,” he said as she brushed the horse.

  Her every move brought their bodies closer together, heating him up anew. She smelled so sweet, and he wanted her so bad, he couldn’t resist releasing her hand and gathering her hair over one shoulder. As he lowered his mouth to her neck, pressing a kiss there, her hand stilled. He did it again, and her breath left her lungs on a long, nearly silent sigh. She leaned back, and he knew she could feel how hard he was. And damn did she feel good. He felt a little guilty, kissing her when she’d asked to learn how to care for the horse. He reluctantly put space between them.

  He placed his hand over hers and continued brushing the horse with her. But she leaned into him again, and he felt her heart beating hard and fast through her back.

  “Like this?” she asked softly.

  “Perfect.”

  She leaned her head to the side, exposing the creamy expanse of her neck, and he couldn’t resist kissing her again. “You smell like flowers.” He inhaled deeply and pressed his lips beside her ear. “So sweet.”

  Her hand slowed again, and she said, “Premiere, by Gucci. It’s my favorite.”

  “And mine now.”

  He kissed her cheek again, and his body thrummed with desire. He kissed her neck, closing his eyes and watching scenes play out of stripping her down and making love to her right there in the barn. His eyes flew open as reality crashed in. This wasn’t his barn. The last thing he wanted to do was break their connection, but he forced himself to move beside her. She was so beautiful as she concentrated on the horse, stealing glances at him, and blushing with each one. Cal’s hands itched to touch her. He grabbed a second brush and moved to the other side of the horse, needing a barrier between them before he crossed a line he shouldn’t.

  “Can you do that?” she asked. “Brush both sides at once without bothering the horse?”

  “Sure. We’re supposed to be connecting with her. It’s safer if I’m over here.”

  Her pale green eyes filled with desire, and it took all of his concentration not to forget the brushing altogether.

  They worked in silence for a few minutes, the heat between them as palpable as the horse. Rachel must have felt it, too, because with a shaky voice, she asked, “Do you groom your horses at night?”

  “Not usually. But I like to hang out with the horses in the evening. It’s peaceful, and horses are social animals. They like having me around.”

  “I like having you around, too.” Her sexy eyes darted to him.

  They stole furtive glances over the horse’s back as they finished brushing her.

  “What about her legs?” Rachel asked when he came to her side.

  “We’re just tucking her in, so there’s no need.”

  They left Chelsea’s stall and went to care for the other horse who had been in the show. “This is Shaley, a real sweetie. Like you.” He pulled Rachel closer and kissed her, long and deep. It was the type of kiss that left no room for doubt of how much more he wanted. And when their lips parted, he didn’t want to let her go. But Cal was a man of his word, and Luke was counting on him. And though Luke didn’t ask him to brush the horses, he couldn’t take care of one and not the other.

  He forced himself to take a step back, and they went to work brushing Shaley. They talked about Callie and Wes, and the festival, which made the time pass quicker. Cal finished before Rachel did, and he wrapped his arms around her from behind as she brushed the horse.

  He knew he shouldn’t, but he kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, “Your skin is so soft. I’ve wanted to touch it, to kiss you, for so long.”

  Her hand slowed, and he said, “I’m sorry for distracting you. It’s not fair to the horse or to us. I just can’t resist you.”

  “If I promise not to stop brushing, will you keep kissing me?” she asked softly.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to deny you a thing, darlin’.” He lowered his lips to her neck again, and he opened his mouth, giving her neck a little suck. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and he drew back. “Too much?”

  “No,” she said breathlessly. “Please…”

  “Remind me never to offer to brush someone else’s horse again, okay, darlin’?”

  As he lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing and licking, she breathed harder, swallowed several times, but she never stopped brushing the horse, and that tugged at his heart. He put his hand on her hip, holding her against him as he moved the collar of her sweater to the side, baring her beautiful shoulder, and kissed her there. Desire welled up inside him, throbbing through his veins like fire. He opened his mouth wider, grazing her neck with his teeth, and pressed his hand to her waist, then higher. His thumbs brushed the sides of her breasts, and she inhaled a ragged breath. His hands moved over her stomach, down the front of her thighs, as he continued his exploration of her soft, warm shoulder, tasting his way up the column of her neck, until they were both barely breathing and Rachel was trembling all over.

  “I’m sorry,” he said half-heartedly. “You’re supposed to feel a connection with the horse.” He lowered his hands to her waist and stepped back.

  “I feel a connection,” she whispered. “With you both.”

  The horse looked back at them, as if to say, I’m good. You two can go now.

  “This isn’t fair to her—or to us.” He took Rachel’s hand and left the stall. They kissed as he hurriedly put away the brushes and secured the barn, and then they ran back to the truck, holding hands and laughing. When they reached it, he couldn’t wait another second. He took her in his arms and crashed his mouth over hers. She grabbed his shoulders, and her legs circled his waist as they ate at each other’s mouths. She tasted hot and sweet, and she felt like heaven in his arms. And those noises she made totally wrecked him, but they were standing outside Luke’s house, and there was no endgame, not here.

  He tore his mouth away and said, “We’re at Luke’s.”

  “I know. We should have thought to bring two cars. We have to take his truck back.” A spark of heat shone in her eyes and she said, “Drive fast.”

  RACHEL WAS SO nervous on the drive back to the fairgrounds, she could barely breathe. She had a feeling that was going to happen a lot around Cal. He kept her close, driving with one arm around her, his big hand palming her shoulder. The air around them vibrated with sexual tension. At the stoplights, there were no words, only hungry kisses and mournful noises when the light changed and they were forced to part. By the time they reached the fairgrounds she was a tingling bundle of desire. The fairgrounds were dark, and the parking lot was empty, save for a few cars, which Rachel recognized as belonging to Emily and her relatives. She’d sent a quick text to Emily earlier asking about Callie, and Emily had said she was still in labor and that it might be a while. She promised to text as soon as the baby was born. Rachel couldn’t help but think how serendipitous it was that she and Cal’s relationship was coming to life the same day Callie was giving birth.

  They parked Luke’s truck near the other cars, and as they hurried toward Cal’s truck, he hauled her against him.

  “Is your car here?”

  “No. Emily drove me over.”

  He gazed into her eyes, and the silence stretched between them until it pulsed like a heartbeat.

  He touched his forehead to hers and said, “I don’t want to pressure you, but I don’t want this night to end.”

  She didn’t kno
w if she could muster the courage to say what she felt, but she was afraid not to. When she opened her mouth to speak, the truth came easily, and she knew it was not only the right thing to say, but it was the only thing. “Then take me home with you, because I don’t want it to end, either.”

  Twenty heart-pounding minutes later, they were carrying their candles up Cal’s driveaway. She glanced at Cal. His strong features looked even more handsome against the moonlight spilling over the crest of the mountains in the distance. He tipped his face toward hers, and her stomach went a little crazy. Maybe it was the way her emotions swelled every time he looked at her, or the way his kisses turned her inside out. Or maybe it was how he made everything sound romantic and lovely. She didn’t know if it was Cal, or the night, or both, but she had lived in Trusty all her life and she’d never seen such an incredible view as the one before her.

  “Having second thoughts?” he asked carefully.

  “Not on your life,” she said honestly, earning a toe-curling smile.

  He draped his arm over her shoulder, and the vanilla scent of the candle coalesced with the unique scent of Cal. She didn’t wait for him to draw her closer. She turned to him, ready for his kiss. His mouth was soft as silk, his kisses insistent, but it was the sounds of desire rumbling up his throat that sent a rush of heat through her core.

  “Come with me, darlin’,” he said against her lips, and continued kissing her as they made their way up the front steps and into the screened porch.

  He broke their connection only long enough to tuck one of the candles between his arm and his side and unlock the front door. Her gaze landed on the metal sign hanging above two rocking chairs on the porch, which read LONG AFTER THE WIND LEAVES MY SAILS, MY LOVE FOR MY FAMILY WILL STILL PREVAIL. Her heart skipped a beat.

  “You have the sign I had made for your father.”

  He followed her gaze to the sign above the chairs. “You had that made?”

  She nodded. “I saw him at the park with your mother right before he got sick. We sat on a bench chatting for a long time that afternoon. Your dad told me stories about when you and your brother and sister were younger. It was like he was reliving those memories, and I could see how much he enjoyed sharing them. He said that to me, that quote on the sign. I loved it so much, and I thought it said a lot about him, and your family. That’s why I had it made when he got sick. I was going to paint it, like I do with all the others, but paint chips, and I thought, if he couldn’t live forever, at least his thoughts could. My friend’s father works with metal, and he made it for me.”