Danny (Downton Cowboys Book 1)

by Miley Maine

  Familiar magnolia trees and morning glory bushes lined the sides of the road, with greenery everywhere, leading up to the backdrop of the mountains in the distance. The occasional hay bale added a dramatic touch, I was sure. I was used to all of that. But she clearly wasn’t.

  She was visibly in awe of what she was seeing, and I wondered if she hadn’t noticed those things on her way to my ranch.

  And then, as I looked ahead, it struck me. Had she walked all this way, all by herself with a bag that was almost her own weight in the scorching sun?

  Hadn’t anyone offered her a ride?

  Had she refused help?

  Impressive as her resilience was, it was also rather worrying. How far was she willing to take that individuality of hers? And why had she agreed on letting me buy her something if she was so independent?

  The only explanation I could think of was that she was attracted to me.

  “How did you get to my ranch earlier?”

  “A lady with a truck drove me out of town and onto the road. But I kind of wanted to walk the rest of the way.”

  “How come?”

  She casually shrugged. “I didn’t want her to go out of her way for me. She was headed in the opposite direction.”

  Considerate.

  She was quickly gaining points in my book. But if life had taught me anything, it was that nobody was as they seemed. I wanted to be careful around her, but something inside of me just couldn’t keep the guard up for too long.

  I pulled over as we entered the town’s main street, parking at the usual spot everyone knew by now was the Downton space. As I got out of the vehicle, passersby waved their greetings and hollered their hellos.

  “You’re more popular than I thought,” she smiled, taking my hand as I helped her out of the truck.

  When her feet touched the ground, her ginger hair bounced around her face, and I got distracted.

  “Eh,” I tittered. “You better get used to it.”

  She stepped ahead of me, and my eyes lingered on the wavy, curved ends of her shiny locks that swayed down her back, leading my gaze downward to her well-fitted jeans.

  “Where do we begin?” She turned back and glanced at me, the sun hitting her jade eyes at an angle that made them radiate, another kind of magical gleam I had never seen before.

  As though my lungs were laboring hard to keep me standing, a deep breath forced itself into my airways.

  “How you doin’, Mr. Downton?” A shop owner passed us by, distracting me as I politely smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

  “The boutique over there.” I gestured with my chin far toward the left. “They have the cutest dresses.”

  “Danny Boy. How are yah?” Another old man from town patted me on the back as he walked past. He used to be a long-term customer until he decided to sell his ranch to his young nephews and move into a small house downtown.

  “Wow,” she tittered with a sharp exhale. “It’s like walking next to a celebrity.”

  “It’s a small town.” I shrugged in an attempt to not intimidate her with the extent of my influence in those parts.

  Her eyes wandered around, and the shade from her hat subsided. Sunlight hit her glossy lips, and if it was at all possible, they looked even more tantalizing than before.

  I exhaled sharply and kept my eyes on the path, lightly touching the brim of my hat.

  “Mr. Downton, Mr. Downton.” A group of children suddenly appeared from around a corner, leaping in front of us as they greeted me in their own adorable way.

  “Enjoying the weekend?” I chuckled at their small, smiling faces.

  They nodded.

  “When do we get to play with the sheep?” one blonde girl asked.

  “Soon, Abby,” I nodded, playfully ruffling her hair. “Tell your dad to bring you next week.”

  She quickly nodded and grinned, revealing a gap of missing front teeth.

  We continued walking, and I heard Gigi’s lighthearted titter, “And why do they like you?”

  “As you heard.” I slid both hands into my denim pockets. “I let ‘em play with the animals.”

  “That’s really cute.”

  Leaning closer, I lowered my voice. “You’re not allowed to call me cute in public.”

  “Allowed?” she scoffed. “Or what?” She shot me a teasing regard.

  I raised my eyebrows in mock threat. “Don’t do it, Mans.”

  “Don’t challenge me, Downton.” Lowering her gaze, her eyelids fluttered, and her eyelashes laid a brief shadow over her cheeks.

  Oh, how my lips longed to caress those freckles.

  We were halfway through to the shop when she broke the silence once more.

  “Most people worship money, don’t they?” she mused.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Even the ones that aren’t saying hello to you right now? I can see the way they look at you,” she shrugged. “And, consequently, me.”

  “You don’t think it’s because you’re gorgeous?” I immediately regretted saying that.

  “Wha—” she chortled, widening her eyes. “I decree that I have never been stared at so many times in my entire life. It’s definitely you.”

  “Well, if you’re right, it’s not about my money.”

  “No?”

  “No.” I gave her the most serious look, one that told her I wasn’t joking around. “These people are genuine. We have a relationship that was built on mutual respect, and now growing on admiration and even love.”

  Her eyes quickly looked downward, and I knew that she was embarrassed by her earlier assumption.

  I looked back ahead. “Again, like I said. It’s the problem with the world. Most people wouldn’t even imagine this kind of dynamic.” I stopped walking as we arrived at the little wooden front. “Here we are.”

  I opened the door for her and let her lead the way in, enjoying the mild chimes of the little crystals hanging at the entryway.

  “Danny Downton, as I live and breathe.” The owner, Mrs. Thomas, greeted me with open arms.

  “Howdy, Marsha.” I hugged the old woman who must have been my own mother’s age.

  “Hello, Dear.” She patted me on the back before breaking our embrace. “And who’s this?” The grin on her face and the twinkle in her grey eyes revealed how excited she was to see me with a lady friend.

  “Gigi.” She immediately leaned forward, extending a hand to shake. “Gigi Mans, pleased to meet you.”

  “Hi, Gigi.” Marsha’s eyes appreciatively scanned Gigi’s entire body before turning to me with an approving look. “Danny’s friends are my friends.”

  “Ah, that’s very kind of you.” Gigi subtly wrung her hands.

  It was obvious that she wasn’t accustomed to that sort of treatment.

  “Marsha, Gigi’s my guest at the ranch.” As a way to show what I was there for her, I placed my hand on the small of Gigi’s back. “She just extended her stay and needs a dress.”

  “The entire boutique is yours, Dear.” She gave her a loving gaze. “Pick whatever dress you want. It’s on the house.” Her smile grew bigger.

  “Wha—no, I couldn’t possibly.” Surprise was clear in her voice and on her face.

  “I insist. Danny’s like my own son.”

  I chuckled. “Thanks, Marsha.”

  Shaking her head, she took a couple of steps toward me and kindly cradled my face with her small, wrinkly hands. “No need, Sweetheart.” The phone on her desk started to ring. “I’d better get that.” Then she turned to Gigi as she walked away. “I’m sure everything here would look perfection, on you.”

  Wide-eyed, Gigi raised both shoulders as she looked at me and mouthed, “What?”

  I leaned over and whispered, “She means it. Trust me.”

  Letting her shoulders slouch, she let out a resigning sigh as her eyes began to explore the shop.

  I secretly prayed that she wouldn’t think I was one of those rich assholes who abused their power. I genuinely wasn’t.


  “Check this out.” I grabbed her hand and led her to one of the racks at the center of the wall. A dozen floral print dresses were displayed in varying lengths.

  “Hmm.” Her eyes studied them for a moment, contemplating which one to try on. She reached out, and her fingers touched the fabric of a long, yellow sundress with little purple flowers.

  “Try it on,” I urged, excited to see her in something other than denim and a shirt.

  “Yeah? Not too bright?”

  I couldn’t hold my titter. “Nothing would outshine you.”

  Once again, I instantly regretted being so straightforward with my flirting.

  The corner of her lips curled up with the shadow of a smile, and she pulled the dress out by the hanger.

  “The fitting room’s over there.” Marsha’s voice came from behind me as she ushered Gigi in.

  She went inside and closed the door behind her. Marsha pulled me a few steps back. “Who is she?” She muttered in a low voice.

  “I told you. A friend.”

  She gave me a suspicious look from under her eyebrows. “I know all of your friends.”

  “Can’t I make a new friend?” I challenged her stare.

  “Well done,” she joked, playfully hitting me on the arm before walking away to tend to a new customer who had just walked in.

  “What’s it look like?” I called through the closed door.

  “I think it works,” her voice rang from inside.

  “Can I see?”

  “Hold your horses, Cowboy.”

  I chortled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  She cracked the door open just enough to peek outside as she popped her head through, hiding the rest of her body behind the large wooden barrier. “I’ll show you if you agree to go on a picnic with me.”

  Her eyes challenged me, and I scratched the back of my head. I remembered that one meeting I couldn’t cancel in the afternoon. “I can’t today. Tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow, you see me in it.” She smiled and immediately pushed the door shut.

  Gigi, such a tease.

  When she came out with the dress folded over her arm, I looked around at the rest of the merchandise. “What about what I’m buying you?”

  “You’re getting me this.” She raised her arm an inch.

  “That’s Marsha.”

  “Oh. Um…” She looked around. “Think I can pull that off?” She pointed at a sun hat with a huge brim that was hanging over the accessory rack.

  I instantly grabbed it. “Without a doubt.” I placed it over Marsha’s counter. “We’ll take this, too.” I faked a frown. “But she insists I pay for it.”

  “What?” She gently nudged me before addressing Marsha, “I’m—”

  “No, you’re not.” I quickly gave Marsha the cash, and Gigi shook her head in dismay.

  “Get used to it.” Marsha giggled as she slid the money into her drawer. “He’s the most generous citizen ‘round here.”

  Gigi giggled softly before looking up at me, her eyes silently paying thanks.

  Stubborn as I knew she would be, Gigi stood her ground, not letting me see her in the dress until we went on that picnic.

  In the morning, I spoke to Michael and made sure to free up a few hours in the middle of the day for me to accommodate some alone time with my guest without being disturbed. I instructed him to move my meetings and visits and informed him of our whereabouts for any emergencies.

  After getting some pre-lunch work done, I went back to the house to pick up Gigi at the agreed hour. Waiting in my truck, I fixed my eyes on the entrance. She had promised to prepare a basket with some lunch and a bottle of wine.

  When she opened the door and walked out, the sight of her took my breath away. Treading down the few stairs toward the driveway, her legs flirted with the flowing fabric, swinging it about as she took each step in the light breeze.

  The large hat laid a shady hue on her face, yet her eyes remained lively and bright. Her shoulders caught the light, glowing like folded angel wings.

  I couldn’t believe how irresistible she looked. My heart raced, banging hard against my chest.

  Before it was too late, I got out of the truck and made my way to the other side, opening the door for her as she approached. I gave her my hand, and she took it as she gracefully pulled up her dress and stepped up into the car.

  “Thanks.” That dimple on her cheek appeared once again.

  Thank you. I thought. For giving me such lovely company.

  The drive to the meadow by the lake only took a couple of minutes…and for that, I was grateful. I couldn’t wait to pour all of my attention onto my breathtaking companion in an atmosphere she was sure to admire.

  I parked the truck at the side of the narrow road that led to the small lake, surrounded by some trees on one side, and green grass with a single large tree on the other.

  Picking up the basket, I walked next to her as I headed toward my favorite source of shade in this secluded part of the property. I sat down, sheltering under the canopy as I left space for her to lean back against the massive trunk.

  We directly faced the lake and the small forest behind it.

  “Wow,” she exhaled as she carefully sat down, her long dress splaying out around her. She looked like a classic painting. “Are we trespassing, or is this yours, too?”

  “It’s mine,” I nodded, pulling out the wine bottle and two glasses. She looked around, admiring the view as I poured us a drink.

  “Thank you.” She spoke with a serene voice as I handed her the glass.

  For a few minutes, we sat in silence, sipping wine and listening to the soothing chirps of birds, rustling of leaves, and the smooth motion of the lake. The occasional butterfly made its appearance before instantly vanishing into the warm air.

  She looked at me and smiled. Taking her time, she parted her lips, and the corner of her mouth rose. Her eyelids leisurely closed and opened. She sighed as she looked at the lake once more. “This is so peaceful.”

  “I must’ve come here a thousand times,” I murmured. “But I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at peace.”

  She turned to me, quietly examining my face. After a long pause, she said, “That’s hard to imagine.”

  “My mind’s always workin’. It’s a blessin’ and a curse, really. I worry about the ranch, the herd, the people I support—day and night. I think about my decisions, my life, the future. I’m always thinkin’ about something.”

  “Yeah.” She lowered her gaze as her fingers removed imaginary lint from the hem of her dress. “I know what that’s like.”

  Did she?

  What was troubling her mind?

  I took a sip and unhurriedly swallowed. “But now, I truly can’t explain it.”

  “Try.” Her voice remained as tranquil as the air.

  “You come here by yourself, and your thoughts won’t leave you alone. But you come here with someone—” My lips remained parted as I slowly shook my head, looking down at the glass in my hand.

  She tilted her head and gave me some time.

  “Danny?” My name had never sounded as appealing as it did with the sound of her whisper.

  I let out a long, relaxed exhale. “I can feel this…connection growing between us.” My eyes remained on hers, searching for a reaction. Our bond wasn’t the only thing that was growing, but I wouldn’t voice that. Not in her presence. I kept my hands to myself, cradling the glass in my lap.

  When she smiled, I could see that she could sense it, too.

  I leaned in closer until only a few inches separated us.

  For a split second, I could see in her eyes that she wanted it. Our lips barely touched before she suddenly turned away, hurriedly placing the glass down with one hand as she pushed herself up with the other.

  Before I managed to fathom what was going on, she was already up and marching. Almost as though she were running away from me, she disappeared into a turn down the edge of the meadow without looking back, van
ishing among the trees.

  My mouth was agape as my jaw dropped, and for a minute, I remained frozen in place. Furrowing my eyebrows, I looked around in disbelief. I sat the glass down and placed my palm over the cool grass, struggling to understand what had just happened.

  Mangled, my mind wrestled with a storm of muddled thoughts as it desperately attempted to make sense of her reaction.

  What went wrong?

  Had I just imposed myself on her? Was I misreading all the signs? Was her behavior just her town-girl way of being nice? Was she not attracted to me?

  Did I offend her by being far too forward?

  This was a disaster.

  The moment I had finally found a woman whose company made me comfortable to be myself, I went and did something rash that could potentially lead her to leave me.

  What had I done?

  Oh, Gigi, I was getting so used to having you around. Having you in my life.

  I poured the rest of the wine onto the damp soil and quickly tossed everything into the basket, getting up as I did.

  I had to find her. I needed to apologize.

  As I stood up and dusted my jeans, an ominous thought flashed into my mind.

  Could she still be in love with her old boyfriend?

  My stomach turned.

  Chapter Six

  Gigi

  I decided to make my way back to the house on my own. As I took the stroll down the narrow, tree-lined path, I drew long, deep breaths, letting the fresh air fill my lungs.

  The road was far too tight for Danny’s truck, so I knew that I wasn’t going to run into him there.

  What was I thinking, letting things get so out of control with him the way they did?

  I liked him a lot, of course I did. But I couldn’t afford to get into a relationship with him without revealing everything about myself. Danny Downton was a good man, and he deserved to know the truth before he decided whether or not he wanted to be with me.

  And that intended kiss was only the beginning.

  The walk back took about fifteen minutes, and in that time, I had made up my mind about the sort of talk I was going to have with him.