The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker

by Valerie Comer

  James’s mom stepped out of the office at Lauren’s approach. “Over here. Poor beauty.”

  “What happened?” Lauren set down her bag and took a good look at Jigsaw. The horse seemed reluctant to put weight on her front left leg, and her head drooped. Lauren glanced at James’s mom.

  Amanda shook her head. “I don’t know how much to tell you. James went out for a ride last night and took a tumble. He managed to get a hold of Eli, who brought him home, but they couldn’t find the mare. Jigsaw showed up about an hour ago a little worse for a night in the wild.”

  Lauren’s mouth opened and snapped shut. She’d wager a bet James hadn’t pitched off Jigsaw’s back in all the years since the mare was green broke. How had that possibly happened? The vision of his square back retreating last night settled in her memory. Was she responsible? And if that had been his reaction to seeing her with Luke, why did the thought make her heart despair and exult at the same time?

  No matter. She was on the clock, and her first duty was to Jigsaw. She slid back the stall door and approached the mare, crooning softly.

  * * *

  Call him a glutton for punishment, but James couldn’t resist making his slow way to the stable once he’d seen Lauren’s Wrangler pull into the yard. He didn’t even try to tell himself it was only concern for Jigsaw, although that was definitely a factor. No, he needed to see Lauren. Needed to see if she was happy, even if it killed him. Had he taken too long?

  He winced, not just from the pain in his ankle. Of course, he’d taken too long. Fourteen years was at least five or ten too many. He was some kind of idiot.

  James paused before entering the stable and turned his eyes skyward. “God? I could use a hand here. Your will be done.” It might’ve been a short prayer, but he meant it all the same.

  Voices from the back corral lured him through the building and into the summer sunshine where Mom watched as Lauren led Jigsaw in a large circle, focused on the mare’s steps. He came up beside his mother.

  “Want me to stay?” Mom asked softly.

  Did he? No. It was time to man up and lay it all out to the woman he loved. If she convinced him she loved Luke Torrington instead, his mom didn’t need to bear witness. Likewise, if James finally — finally — had the opportunity to kiss Lauren with fourteen years’ worth of pent-up emotion. He shook his head.

  Mom squeezed his arm and slipped away, leaving James leaning on the rail, keeping the weight off his wrapped ankle. Watching Lauren put his horse through its paces, stroking the sore leg, pursing her lips. Then she looked over and realization dawned on her face. Awareness that Mom had stepped away, leaving James on guard.

  “How is she?” James’s voice sounded rusty to his own ears, like he hadn’t used his vocal chords in a month, but he had. He’d done a lot of yelling in the dark last night.

  “Her muscles are strained, but I think she’ll be okay with some rest. We’ll watch for inflammation and do what we can to keep her leg cool.”

  He liked the sound of that ‘we.’

  Lauren stepped closer, the mare at her heels. She slipped a piece of apple to Jigsaw, who eagerly filched it. Then she was standing in front of him, a four-rail, chest-high fence between them.

  He should have gone inside the corral while she wasn’t looking. That barrier might as well be a mountain with his sore ankle.

  She was so close he could smell vanilla shampoo over the aroma of horse. “Lauren.”

  “What happened?”

  It took him a second to realize she meant Jigsaw. What had Mom told her? It didn’t much matter. This was his moment. “The short version or the long one?”

  Her gaze flicked to his face then down at the reins in her hands. “Whichever you want.”

  “I love you, Lauren.”

  The words hung in the air. One second. Two seconds. Three. Maybe she wasn’t ready to hear it.

  “You do?” Her voice squeaked, just a little.

  “I’ve loved you for half my life. I told myself I was being a good guy, allowing you to find your own way to happiness, whether that was with me or someone else, but I know now it was the chicken’s way out. How could you know if I never told you?”

  She sucked in her bottom lip.

  The sight killed him. “Last night I saw you with Luke. That’s when I knew I was too late. I did something stupid. Took Jigsaw out on the road at a full canter. An owl swooped us, she reared, and I hit the blacktop. She bolted.”

  Lauren fingered the reins.

  Why didn’t she say anything? Maybe he really was too late. An enormous lump stuck in his throat, and he took a step back. “I just wanted you to know.” Another step back.

  Less talking. More kissing. Had that been Meg’s advice or Tori’s? Maybe both of them. But that was before Luke Torrington. It also didn’t account for a stupid corral fence. Another step back.

  She stood there, frozen, staring at the ground. Like a statue.

  Had he really said everything he needed to say? Words, yeah. But not emotions. He was a guy. He was bad at feelings. But if getting the emotions out — or not — was what stood between him and the woman he loved, then he needed to get over it.

  Now.

  He’d promised himself it would be all on the line. He’d promised God.

  The gate was too far around. James put one foot on the second rail and hoisted himself up. Then over. Instead of hopping off the top like he normally would, he lowered himself a bit more carefully. That ankle stung like crazy.

  He tugged the reins from Lauren’s passive hands and looped them over the nearest post then turned back toward her. “Lauren. Did you hear me? I love you.” And then he rested his hands on her waist and gave a little tug.

  She stumbled forward, and her gaze caught on his, her eyes wide.

  At least now she was looking up. He’d never before considered how hard it might be to kiss a woman who stared at the ground. Giving her just enough time to duck away if she wanted to, he lowered his head until his mouth covered hers.

  Half a lifetime of longing surged within him, but he held back until her lips became pliant under his. At her slightest response, he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her, holding her securely.

  Lauren’s lips parted, and she kissed him back. Not like a woman who was in love with some other guy, some city slicker, but like a woman who wanted to be right here, right now. With James.

  * * *

  James loved her.

  The words ricocheted around in Lauren’s mind like bolts of lightning. He loved her. He held her close, hands splayed over her back, his lips daring her not to believe the words they’d spoken.

  He loved her. She could taste it on his persuasive mouth. Smell it on his minty-fresh breath. Feel it in the way their bodies melded as his hands smoothed her coveralls and gathered her ever tighter.

  She couldn’t say how long they stood there, kissing like they had a decade to make up for. Then Jigsaw whuffled over Lauren’s shoulder, tickling her ear with warm, moist breath. Lauren giggled against James’s mouth and felt his lips curve upward.

  She opened her eyes to see his grin. “Jigsaw approves. Not that I much care.”

  The mare nickered, and James reached over and nudged her head away. Then his forehead rested on Lauren’s, and he looked deeply into her eyes. “Please tell me you love me.”

  Was this real? Or was she going to wake up with a tear-soaked pillow and a headache the size of Montana?

  Those blue eyes, so intense beneath his cowboy hat, looked clear into her soul. “Lauren?”

  If this were a dream, she could say whatever she wanted, and he’d never be the wiser. Right? “I love you, James Carmichael.”

  Relief eased over his features. “You had me worried there for a minute.” His mouth curved upward amid his neatly trimmed beard.

  “I didn’t mean to.” She touched a finger gently to his lips. “I can’t believe this is real. That you’re real.”

  “Believe it.” He kissed her, shorte
r this time, but no less persuasively.

  Her legs nearly buckled beneath her. She’d laughed when Denae talked about heroines who swooned. Chalk one up for first-hand knowledge. Lauren fisted his denim shirt. Was it to keep him close and kissable, or was it to keep upright? She wasn’t sure, but yes to more kissing.

  “So, how’s Jig... Oh, never mind.” Tori’s voice.

  Lauren tried to pull away — okay, she didn’t try that hard — but James took his time releasing her lips. His eyes twinkled at Lauren before turning to take in his sister. “Did you want something? Kind of busy here.”

  “Well, let me be the first to congratulate you both on coming to your senses. I’ve never seen anyone so dense before, but you two made me wonder if there was any hope for the human race. Or at least the part of the human race with the surname Carmichael.”

  Lauren’s cheeks warmed, and she turned her face away from Tori.

  James chuckled and pressed her head against his chest, tangling his fingers in her short curls. “Just because we don’t jump at your command doesn’t mean there’s no hope, sis. How about you take Jigsaw back to her stall and make yourself scarce?”

  Tori laughed. “I’ll take her, though she seems inordinately interested in what you two are doing. But I’ll warn you, Matt and the trail riders will be back any minute, so I’m not sure you really want to keep smooching in a busy, stinky corral. Sorry, Jigsaw. It’s true.”

  “Good point.” James looped his arm around Lauren’s shoulder and took a step toward the gate before he grimaced.

  She looked up at him. “You okay?”

  “Not exactly. Let’s just say Creighton Road isn’t a soft place to land when you and your horse part ways unexpectedly.”

  “Aw, you poor baby.” Tori’s voice took on a slightly sarcastic air. “Did anyone ever tell you riding full tilt at night was a bad idea, or did you just figure that out for yourself? Lauren, take this poor cowboy out of here. Make him put his feet up or something. He’s off duty today.”

  Realization and responsibility swept over Lauren. “Oh! I’m not.”

  James’s fingers massaged her shoulder as he limped out of the corral with her at his side. “Busy day at the clinic?”

  “There’s always plenty going on.” Skipping out would be fun. Wyatt would be okay... right? No, Lauren was a grownup. A partner in the business. She tugged James toward the Wrangler in the parking lot. “I should get back to work.”

  He gathered her close and kissed her again. “Come back as soon as you’re off?”

  “I’ll bring pizza,” she promised.

  “Deal.” He opened the Jeep door for her. “Extra pepperoni—”

  “And add jalapeños.” She knew the drill. She knew this man… better than she ever had before.

  Lauren glanced out the side window as she turned onto the road toward Saddle Springs. James stood in the middle of the gravel parking lot watching her. He grinned and lifted his hand as she drove around the next bend.

  She squealed and drummed her hands on the steering wheel as soon as he was out of sight. James loved her. She loved him. Finally, finally, the future looked bright.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Ready to get wet?” Kade held Cheri over the end of the dock jutting into the small lake in the moonlight. She squealed and clutched his neck.

  “Water’s great!” called Denae, although James noticed she’d grabbed a terry cover-up since her last swim.

  He and Eli had built the new dock in the cove between their two houses — a place to launch early morning paddles and fishing expeditions, a place to swim. Maybe they’d build a raft like the one across by the resort someday, but James hadn’t had time to get overly nostalgic about old times in the two weeks since he and Lauren had first kissed. This dock had already been half-built. He’d just needed incentive to finish it off, and he’d had that in spades.

  Lauren. She leaned back against his chest right now, nestled between his drawn-up knees. James’s heart hadn’t stopped soaring since the fifth of July, the day after he’d thought his hopes dissolved forever. He nuzzled her short, curly hair then found her neck, marveling that the Lord had finally nudged them together.

  Kade leaped off the dock, still holding a kicking Cheri. They bobbed up seconds later, flicking wet hair off their faces. Cheri dove at Kade, grabbed his head, and dunked him again. Garret dove in, followed by Carmen. Much splashing ensued.

  “James?” Lauren whispered against his cheek.

  His arms clenched around her. “Hmm?”

  “Thank you for loving me.”

  “My pleasure.” He trailed kissed down her neck. “Want to swim? Promise I won’t throw you in.”

  She shivered. “I’m done, I think. Just enjoying sitting here. With you.”

  “Like old times, only better.” Much better, because he’d never had the pleasure of Lauren relaxing against him any other time their group had gotten together. A few friends from their teen years had left Saddle Springs, and several new ones had joined them. They were older now, responsible adults. Behind them on the hillside, James’s new house had begun to take shape. The house where, if all went well, he and Lauren would live, love, and raise a family.

  In the water, Cheri wrapped her arms around Kade as they kissed. Their relationship had turned out different than anyone expected back in high school, but look at them now, passionately in love and building a home — made of timber and made of trust — for their family. Tonight, they’d hired a teen babysitter for their two and Carmen’s daughter, who was enjoying a sleepover.

  “Much better than old times,” murmured Lauren. “Need me to help with the cake or anything?”

  James angled a glance at the moon. Almost time. “I’ve got it, birthday girl. It will only take a few minutes to set out.”

  “It’s your birthday, too.”

  And one he’d never forget. “Thirty. Crazy, huh?” he said lightly.

  Kade hoisted himself onto the dock, gave Cheri a hand up, then wrapped her in a huge towel. Everyone else clambered onto the deck as well. Laughing. Talking. Tossing towels.

  “Excuse me a minute,” James whispered to Lauren as he relinquished his hold and rose to his feet. “Need to toss a few logs on the fire. Get ready for phase three.”

  She grinned up at him, and that was nearly enough for him to gather her in and kiss her again. But... not now. In a minute. Phase one had been hot dogs and potato salad by the fire. Phase two had been playing and swimming. Phase three... James’s gut tightened. More than cupcakes were at stake here, but he’d start with those. The guest ranch chef, Ollie, had arranged the tiered platter and packed freshly-churned ice cream in its own ice-filled cooler.

  James poked at the fire and set a few more pieces of split wood on it. Flames licked at the logs then flared, crackling. He looked up at the sky, where sparks joined the stars. “Thank you, Lord. So many blessings.”

  “Amen,” whispered Lauren, her arm sliding around his waist.

  James gathered her close. “I thought I told you to stay put.”

  “I thought you knew I wasn’t very obedient.”

  He laughed and kissed her. “You’re right. I did know that. Call everyone together, and we’ll have dessert?”

  She looked at him quizzically then nodded, heading back to the dock.

  James lifted the tiered dessert platter onto the folding table. He’d set up a gazebo earlier, lined with solar lights that had gathered sunshine all day and now offered a gentle glow to the buckets of ice where sparkling cider chilled beside wine goblets. The crowning touch on the cupcake on the top tier gleamed slightly in the soft lighting. James closed his eyes for a second, another brief prayer lifting. Please, Lord.

  “Happy birthday to you!” Kade and Garret sang in harmony. Everyone joined in. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday James and Lauren; happy birthday to you!”

  James held his arm out toward Lauren, and she stepped into it. She looked up at him, a contented smile on her lips — a
look he couldn’t resist. He bent and kissed her.

  Sawyer whistled. Everyone laughed.

  The moment of truth.

  James turned Lauren toward the tiers of cupcakes and lifted the top one. “Happy birthday, my love.” He held it out toward her.

  She glanced at him then back at the cupcake as she reached for it.

  He knew the exact second her eyes caught the glint of the diamond ring encircling the chocolate cowboy hat on top of the creamy frosting. He dropped to one knee, still holding it toward her.

  Lauren snatched both her hands back and covered her face, eyes wide and bright in the low light.

  “Lauren, I’ve loved you forever.” James’s voice caught, but he powered through. “Will you marry me?”

  She danced a little jig right there on the spot, her hands still covering her mouth. “Oh, James...”

  “Told you tonight was the night.” Kade’s voice sounded smug.

  The rock James knelt on wasn’t particularly soft, nor was his ankle completely healed. “Lauren?”

  She leaned over him, caressing his face between both her hands. He closed his eyes, enjoying the gentle, loving touch. “Yes,” she whispered, her lips brushing over his.

  “High-five on it!” yelled Sawyer.

  James pulled to his feet, plucked the ring off the top of the cupcake, and slid it on Lauren’s finger. Her look of wonder and delight was all he’d hoped for.

  “High-five. High-five. High-five,” their friends chanted.

  James held up both hands. With one final look at her gleaming left hand, Lauren slapped both her hands into his.

  Cat-calls, whistles, and clapping crescendoed and faded away as he stepped closer, their hands still clasped as he lowered them. “I love you, Lauren.” He pressed his lips to hers, aware of their audience. “Now, will you stop trying to foist me off on someone else?”

  She smiled against his lips. “I’m fine with that. I believe you’ve found your perfect match.” She whirled in his arms and faced their gathered friends. “But I’m not done with all of you yet. Some of you seem to need a bit of help.”