Suited to be a Cowboy

by Lorraine Nelson

  She snuggled in closer, her cast resting comfortably on his chest as the day’s worries drained away and the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear lulled her to sleep.

  Jimmy reluctantly slipped from Melissa’s nice warm bed, quietly dressed, then left through the patio door and crossed the courtyard to his rooms. He would’ve preferred remaining snuggled up to Melissa, but he’d promised Amy a night out. After all the times she’d gone out to the cottage to tend Sherry, he felt he owed her that much.

  Twenty minutes later, showered and dressed, he went looking for her. He found her playing a video game with Aaron. From the boy’s morose expression, Jimmy figured he was losing.

  Amy’s usual attire was lab coat and jeans, so he did a quick double take when he saw her. Her long, chestnut curls were brushed to a shine, held back from her face with a silver clip with a few strands left to hang in soft curls to frame her face. The little black dress she wore was just that—little. It didn’t leave much to the imagination. Her shoulders were bare, her cleavage pronounced, and the hem rode high on her thighs. Dangly silver earrings and necklace, and mile-high heels completed the picture.

  Jimmy couldn’t help it, he whistled. “Lady, you sure do clean up nice.”

  “Darn! You startled me and now I’m losing.” She concentrated on the game for a few more minutes, but her broad smile told him she was pleased by the compliment. When Aaron gave a jubilant shout of victory, she set down the controller.

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Thanks for the game, Aaron. It was fun.”

  “Any time.” The boy’s face was wreathed in smiles.

  Jimmy linked his arm with Amy’s as they left the room and detoured through the kitchen. “Sheila, Melissa’s gone to bed and Aaron is in the game room. Thought I’d let you know.”

  “Thanks, Jimmy. Have a good evening.”

  He nodded and left, wondering what he’d done to earn that look of censure from the cook. They reached his truck and he shrugged it off as he held the door open for Amy, getting an eyeful as she climbed inside. He appreciated the view, as any red-blooded man would, but it didn’t affect his libido like a certain blonde-haired beauty he knew.

  His beautiful boss had him lassoed, heart, mind, and soul, but he determined to enjoy the evening and show Amy a good time. With that in mind, he climbed in behind the wheel and headed for downtown.

  “I’ve missed you, Jimmy,” Amy said as she scooted closer to his side of the truck.

  “I’ve missed you too, darling girl.”

  “Thanks for asking me out tonight.”

  Jimmy laughed. “I’m not sure who asked who, but you’re welcome. It’s the least I can do after you taking such good care of Sherry all these years.”

  “I enjoyed the home visits and the company,” she said, scooting even closer.

  He could feel a noose closing around his neck and tried to ward it off. “Well, it would’ve been awkward to take Sherry to the clinic for check-ups.”

  “Really, I didn’t mind. I love horses and yours is a beauty.”

  “Yes, she is, and I have a question. If she got impregnated by a horse that’s not a purebred, will it ruin her bloodline? Taint it in some way?”

  She shifted over to her own side of the cab and turned to look at him. “It could, but doesn’t always. Why? Do you think one of the ranch stock got to her?”

  “I don’t think. I know. The only question now is, who owns the foal?”

  “You do. It’s Sherry’s baby and she’ll look after it.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Amy. By the way, how do you know Melissa?”

  “Remember the train wreck just before you left town?”

  “Yeah.” He glanced sideways at her. “What about it?”

  “Melissa is the woman who owned the horses that ran amok. When I heard there might be injured horses, I grabbed my medical satchel and headed over to tend them.”

  Jimmy chuckled wryly.

  “What’s so funny?” Amy asked.

  “I’m the city slicker who rounded up her horses.”

  Amy’s sexy laughter filled the cab. “Oh, I missed that. I can just see you barreling down

  Main Street in your business attire. Is that how you got the job out here?”

  He shook his head. “No, that was pure coincidence.” The rest of the miles seemed to go by fast as he filled her in on the details. Before he knew it, he was braking to a stop in the bar’s parking lot. “We’re here.”

  The sound of an engine brought Melissa awake with a jolt to find herself alone in the bed. She rose and made her way to the window in time to see Jimmy’s truck head down the driveway. Her chest squeezed so tight she could barely breathe as she noticed his passenger—Amy.

  He left my bed and ran right over to dress and take out another woman. How could he? Men! That was it! She was through with them. Marcus, Jimmy…they were all cast from the same mold and she’d do well to remember that. Rats…every last one of them.

  She headed straight for the shower. She’d wash the scent of him out of her hair and be done with him. And if hot tears mixed with the stinging spray, she didn’t allow herself to acknowledge them. Dressed in pajamas, she angrily stripped the bed and took everything to the laundry room. Then she slipped into the kitchen, made some popcorn and hot cocoa, and carried it through to the living room. She’d watch television for a while to get her mind on something else and then head back to bed.

  As she munched, she watched TV, but she hadn’t a clue what was on. Jimmy hadn’t lied to her about going out with Amy. It’s just that after all they’d been and done together, she felt…what?

  Jealous, that’s what. Jimmy had never once asked her out and she felt cheated, an outsider. She’d been an easy conquest…maybe too easy. It hurt thinking that she’d been used just because she was convenient and willing. Then again, Marcus had wined and dined her until he’d put that ring on her finger. In that respect, Jimmy was probably doing her a favor with his “no strings, no regrets” mantra. And he was honest about dating Amy tonight. Hadn’t tried to hide it at all. Her ex had never been truly honest one day during their life together.

  For all his faults, Jimmy hadn’t misled her. But his taking another woman out after being in her bed didn’t show any respect for her. Had he kept the date with the vet because she’d denied him certain pleasures tonight? Surely not! The man had never struck her as being sex-starved. So why?

  Was it just an outing between friends? Or had there once been more than friendship between them? Amy had certainly stayed glued to his side all day, but Jimmy hadn’t seemed to mind. True, he’d volunteered to search the river with the men, taking him away from close proximity, but on his return, Amy gravitated toward him without wasting any time.

  That’s it! She’d been there and overheard when the woman had coerced Jimmy into agreeing to a night out. Amy had chased him all day, not the other way around. And Jimmy was too nice a man to call her on it. But that left some big questions. How did Amy expect the night to end? Had Jimmy told her about them?

  Huh! What was there to tell? Their horses mated and so did they. They’d slept together. Big deal. She and Jimmy had no real relationship other than that of employer to employee.

  And if she was pregnant? Well, she’d encourage him to buy that ranch sooner rather than later. Once the accounts were caught up, he’d told her she’d only need him one or two days a week. She could disappear on those days. And maybe, once the child was born, he would’ve already moved on and she wouldn’t have to see him or deal with him at all. That thought brought more pain than pleasure. He’d come to mean so much in such a short time. And he would make such a great father. Just look at the patience and understanding he’d shown toward Aaron. Was she doing Jimmy a disservice by not telling him?

  She didn’t yet know if she was with child, but she hoped so. She rubbed her belly. “Your daddy might not be big on commitment, little one, but I’ll love you and care for you as long
as I live.”

  When her mind kept wandering to Jimmy and Amy and what they might be doing, she finished her drink and went to her room. Calmer now, she remade her bed with fresh linens and crawled in, perversely wishing she could smell his scent on her sheets.

  After the hard day they’d put in tending the sick horses, Jimmy was amazed at Amy’s energy. She danced to every tune, fast, slow, or somewhere in between. It didn’t seem to matter. She was totally uninhibited and her sexy moves put the local girls to shame. Thankfully, not all the dances were with him. He wasn’t much of a partygoer. Jimmy considered himself more of a people watcher, content to sit on the sidelines and observe the goings-on.

  Amy returned to their table to sit with him during the band’s intermission breaks. She sidled her chair close to his…so close he could smell the whiskey on her breath. At a guess, she was now drinking it straight. He looked at her now empty glass, which didn’t tell him a thing.

  “Want a refill?” he asked.

  “In a minute. Why did you bring me here if you didn’t want to dance?” she asked.

  “You said you wanted to sample the nightlife around here and I obliged.”

  “That’s it? That’s the only reason you asked me out?”

  She sounded petulant, so unlike her usual self.

  “Yes, that’s why we’re here. I’m afraid I’m not much into night scenes of this sort.”

  “I thought you liked me.”

  Now she sounded downright whiny.

  “I do like you. You’ve been a great friend.”

  “Ouch! Thanks for the slap in the face. Do you know how many times I’ve drooled over you? Laid awake aching for you? I waited for you to make a move, yet you never did.”

  “I’m sorry, Amy.”

  “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

  Jimmy knew exactly who she was referring to and didn’t even attempt to hide it. “Yes, I am. I love Melissa and her son, but there’s no future in it for me.”

  “Then join the club. I’m already there. I’ll have that drink now. Jack on the rocks.”

  The lineup at the bar was three deep, but Jimmy was glad for the respite. He was in no hurry to get back to Amy and the conversation they’d been having. By the time he returned with their drinks, Amy was back on the floor, dancing to a fast number, her skirt flying out around her, showing the full length of her long, slender legs.

  Men gravitated toward Amy and he didn’t blame them. She was a knockout when she geared up for a night out. The cowboys seemed to stand in line, waiting for one dance to end and the next to start. There was no shortage of partners, for which his body was grateful. Amy was having the time of her life and showed no intention of slowing down or stopping.

  They’d been there for three hours already and it was after midnight. He hated to spoil her fun, but he was dog-tired. He waited for her to glance his way, tried to get her attention to no avail. Finally, he crossed to where she was dancing with a cowboy, intending to cut in and make it the last dance of the evening. He tapped the man’s shoulder, earned a glare for his efforts, and the cowboy whisked Amy away. Flabbergasted at the man’s rudeness, Jimmy tried again. This time the man stopped dancing long enough to punch him in the mouth.

  Jimmy fell back and nursed his jaw. “Damn it, man. What’d you do that for? That’s my date and that hurt.” The cowboy raised his arm for another punch, but this time Jimmy saw it coming. He sidestepped at the last minute and the fist flew by, along with the man.

  “Come on, Amy. Time to leave.” He grabbed her arm and half-dragged her off the dance floor.

  “But Jimm-y-y, I’m having fun.”

  He turned to speak to her and got sucker punched again. After that, chaos erupted and the bar had a full-fledged brawl on their hands. A bottle flew by. He heard the sound of wood cracking and glass shattering as it hit the floor. The lights came on, blinding him momentarily with their brilliance.

  Jimmy got a few more good punches in and held his own, but as soon as he could get free, he grabbed Amy and made for the door, not stopping until they reached his truck.

  “You all right?” she asked, once they were on their way.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” He took one hand off the wheel to rub his jaw, working it to make sure nothing was broken. “I’m not sure what happened back there, but now I know why I prefer to go to dinner or a movie.”

  “Oh.”

  He glanced her way. “Oh? That’s all you can say?”

  “Weelll, I’m s-sor-r-y you got hurt.” She hiccupped. “But why couldn’t we have s-stayed? The club closes in half an hour anyway.”

  Jimmy realized from her slurred speech that she was more than half in the bag. “We worked hard today and I’m tired. I was falling asleep at the table, so I figured it was time to head out. What I didn’t expect was for that cowboy and his friends to gang up on me. Thank God for the bouncers.”

  “Well sor-r-ry I was having such a good time while you sat there bored.”

  In the face of her sarcasm, he remained quiet. Before they reached the ranch, she’d ceased mumbling. Her head lolled to the side and she fell asleep against his shoulder. After he parked the truck, he helped her into the house, not an easy feat. She stumbled and giggled, leaning heavily on him all the way. It was as if a dead weight was hanging off his shoulder.

  He was glad when they reached her room. He opened the door and picked her up, then crossed the room to lay her on the bed. He slipped off her shoes and pulled the spread over her. She was already asleep.

  “Good night, my pretty vet. Sweet dreams.”

  Unable to sleep, Melissa tossed and turned, imagining all the things Jimmy and Amy could be doing. Where were they? Was Jimmy even coming back tonight? Anguish filled her heart and her mind. Anger had turned to jealousy and then despair. Why couldn’t she fall in love with a faithful man for once?

  Love? Yes, she’d fallen head over heels for an employee. So what? They were both consenting adults. They hadn’t made a commitment to each other. So he wasn’t really cheating on her. But it sure felt like it. What kind of man leaves one woman’s bed to go out with another?

  She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t cry. She turned on her side, hugging the spare pillow, and cried like she’d never cried before.

  Melissa heard the truck pull in during the wee hours of the morning and rushed to the window. There was Jimmy, with Amy clinging to him like a second skin as they walked toward the house—her house. Surely, he wouldn’t have the gall to bed Amy while under her roof.

  She let the curtain drop back into place. She’d seen enough. She paced the floor in the darkness, watching, waiting, for what she didn’t know. Then the lights came on in his room, drawing her closer to the patio doors. He stood there…alone. Was he watching for her? Wanting to know if she’d waited up for him? No way would she give him the satisfaction.

  Inhaling a ragged breath of relief that he was back and in his own room, Melissa crawled back between the sheets. This time, she slept sound, awaking to the cheerful chatter of birdsong at first light.

  She showered and took extra pains with her appearance only to enter the kitchen and discover that Jimmy and Amy had already ridden out to check on the horses. Disgruntled, knowing that he’d usurped her place again, she downed a coffee and headed for the ranch truck.

  Darn it all! She hadn’t remembered the truck being this high off the ground. It was a struggle just to climb in behind the wheel. Used to being able to grab the steering wheel with her right hand and pull herself up, she tried to do the same with her left. All it did was twist her body the wrong way and get her ribs aching.

  Finally, she gave up and went around to the passenger side, climbed in by holding onto the seat back with her left hand and then crawling across the seat to get around the gearshift and behind the wheel. Melissa slumped forward and rested her forehead on the steering wheel. She was exhausted already and hadn’t even made it out of the yard. With a deep breath for fortitude, she reached into her pocket
for the keys and ended up pounding the dash in frustration. Damn it all! This was not starting out to be a good day.

  She opened the driver’s door and retraced her steps to the kitchen, grabbed the keys off the hook by the door, and went back to the truck without exchanging a word with Sheila, although the woman had to be curious as to what she’d been doing. Melissa groaned as she pulled herself back into the cab. Behind the wheel once again, she reached awkwardly with her left hand and inserted the key. The trouble didn’t end there. The truck had a standard shift and she made a false start several times before finally managing to get the truck in gear with her left hand. All that jerking around had her ribs hurting big time, but she was determined to get to that pasture.

  She took the side road to avoid having to stop and start, opening gates, and almost ran off the road while switching gears. Finally, she arrived to see her wranglers working with the horses. Her relief was genuine as her beautiful babies were all on their feet and moving around, albeit sluggishly. Of Jimmy and Amy, she saw no sign.

  “Mornin’ boss,” said Brian as she stepped down from the cab and walked toward him. “We’re getting ready to move the horses closer to the homestead. Did you need anything?”

  “No, just came out to check on my babies. Did we lose any?”

  “Not a one.” Brian smiled. “We were lucky.”

  She nodded. “Very. This could have been fatal for the horses if not for you. Thanks, Brian.”

  “Just doing my job, Missy. But yeah, I’m glad I decided to ride out and check the fence lines. Given a few more hours, this could have been disastrous. How are you doin’?”

  “Sore, but hanging in there. Looks like you have everything under control, so I’ll head back to the house.”

  He tipped his hat in goodbye and she returned to the truck. If he wondered why she climbed in from the passenger side, he didn’t say a word. He didn’t even laugh when she stalled it…twice.

  On impulse, she took the long way home and drove by the pond, intending to sit and think a spell in the morning quiet. The sound of water tumbling down over the rocks always soothed her, and today she needed the calming effect.