The Cowboy's Wish (The Govain Cowboys Book 3)

by Janalyn Knight

  Lennie laughed and took a sip of her beer. "What would I do without you? I should have called you this week instead of feeling terrible. I'm my own worst enemy."

  Daisy raised her can to her lips. "You're just now figuring that out?"

  After a moment of silence, Lennie asked. "So, you think I should see Dylan then?"

  Another eye roll from her sexy friend. "Duh."

  Lennie cracked up.

  "You need to have some fun and he's a great guy. I don't see the problem. Except your daddy. That's a big one. But I have your back on that. Let's just say you and me, we'll be spending lots of time together." With a sly smile, she crossed her legs and took another swallow of beer.

  Lennie grinned, a weight lifting from her heart. "Enough about me, what's happening in my bestie's life?"

  As Daisy launched into a description of her latest date with her current beau, Lennie relaxed into the cushions of the comfortable couch. There was no place she'd rather be than right here with her childhood friend, drinking a cold beer. A tiny smile creased Lennie's lips. Unless it was in Dylan's arms.

  DYLAN WIPED THE SWEAT from his brow and replaced his hat. He'd just thrown feed to one of the herds in the pasture that lay partially in Reeves County, extending into Pecos County. The Black Angus cattle looked fine. One cow was starting to show her age, and the drain from feeding her large heifer calf was taking its toll. He made a mental note to tell Caleb. At some point, maybe this year or the next, the decision to take her to auction would have to be made.

  Climbing back into his truck, he checked his phone. Damn, he wished Lennie would text. Chances of that were slim to none but he still peered hopefully at his screen every few minutes. He'd texted her last night, and she'd seem different—less wary. She still wasn't talkative, though. Texting with her was like pulling hen's teeth.

  He tapped his phone with his thumb. After chewing his lip for a few seconds, he typed:

  Thinking of you. As always. Don't work too hard.

  He was pushing—he knew it. But, dammit, if he didn't, they'd never get together. And that's what he wanted. What he needed. Tapping send, he tossed his phone in the console and started the truck, heading across the pasture.

  A few minutes later, he had a new text. Slowing to a crawl, he lurched for his phone, nearly dropping it in his haste. She'd answered. He grinned and brought it to his lips for a saucy kiss.

  You're too late. I already worked way too hard.

  He hit the brakes and came to a complete stop on the pasture road. Almost immediately his phone sounded again.

  You're in my brain, cowboy. A damned distraction.

  His grin widened.

  Right where I want to be for now. But, don't worry. Won't be long before I'm in that sweet little heart of yours.

  A minute went by.

  Your confidence slays me. How you make tracks from a simple text to me falling in love with you, I don't know.

  This was too easy. His fingers flew.

  One step at a time, of course. Dinner, Saturday night in Odessa. Nobody will know us there.

  When he didn't hear from her after a couple of minutes, he texted:

  You there?

  She answered:

  Thinking of the sneaky logistics and wondering if I'm at all ready for this, cowboy.

  Sneaky logistics? He laughed.

  You're tough. You can handle anything. Speaking of sneaky, where can I pick you up?

  It took her a moment to answer.

  I'll clear it with Daisy and stay with her that night. Pick me up at her place. I'll send you the address. Damn, I feel like I'm fifteen again.

  He raised his brows, and teased:

  Now, who were you sneaking around with when you were fifteen?

  She shot back:

  Like I'd tell you.

  He shook his head, grinning. Lennie was finally coming out of her shell, and he loved it.

  I'll get it out of you.

  His fingers tightened their grip when he read a moment later:

  You can try, but don't count on it. Enough of this lollygagging around. Some of us actually have work to do.

  He sighed.

  TTYL.

  Taking his foot off the brake, he picked up speed. Though elated at the prospect of dinner with Lennie, he was unhappy at having to wait several days to see her. Damn this stupid feud! In a sane situation, he could ask her over tonight to eat dinner with his folks. Instead, he'd be keeping his mouth shut, meeting Lennie on the sly, and hoping like hell word of their relationship didn't get to her father.

  Something had to be done about this but he'd be damned if he knew what it was. At some point, somehow, he and Lennie would need to come clean because he wasn't about to let her go. She was what he'd been looking for before he even knew he was looking.

  SATURDAY HAD FINALLY arrived. Dylan finished his chores early and was at loose ends—something he hated. Prowling the house like a caged mountain lion, he watched the minute hand inch its way around the face of the mantle clock. He'd plotted the location to Daisy's house on his phone app and told his parents he was going out with friends for the evening.

  From his chair in the office, Caleb spotted Dylan as he headed to his bedroom. "Hey, baby brother, what's up with you today? You look ready to pounce on something."

  Dylan rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm terrible when I have time on my hands. I hate waiting around. I'm going out tonight."

  Caleb raised his brows but kept silent.

  "I told mom I was seeing some of my buddies, but really I'm taking Lennie to dinner."

  Caleb nodded. "I figured. I'm happy for you. Does her dad know?"

  Dylan grimaced. "Are you kidding? We're meeting at her friend's house. It doesn't feel right but I can't figure out what else to do. With her father's physical condition, we don't want to upset him. And this would, in a big way."

  "That's the truth." Caleb's eyes roved over Dylan's face. "You realize that you need to tell him, though, eventually. Mom and Dad, too."

  Dylan blew out a loud breath and nodded. "We'll figure that out when the time comes. Right now, I'm just glad she agreed to dinner." He grinned. "That girl's tough."

  Caleb smiled. "The best kind of woman."

  Laughing, Dylan turned to go. "You got that right, brother."

  After a shower, he dressed carefully. Winning Lennie's heart wouldn't be easy. Skeptical at his every word, she was a challenge, and one he was damned sure going to enjoy.

  He examined his finished reflection in the mirror. Starched Wranglers, check. Maroon button-down dress shirt, fresh from the cleaners, check. Newest championship bronc-riding buckle, perfect. He should catch Lennie's eye tonight in this get-up. Settling his best summer Stetson low on his head, he moved for the door.

  Thirty-five minutes later, he pulled into the small apartment complex and parked outside Daisy's door. She was on the second story and after beeping the locks on his truck, he hustled up the stairs. Curtains twitched in the corner window and he grinned. His girl was waiting.

  At his crisp knock, Lennie opened the door.

  He sucked in a breath. She looked sexy as hell in a lime-green clingy top tucked into her Wranglers, exposing her surprisingly delicate, yet muscular arms. With Lennie's large personality, it was easy to forget that she wasn't that big. Her blonde hair brushed her shoulders, and those amazing blue eyes scanned him, leaving little tingles in their wake. He smiled. "You look beautiful."

  She rolled her eyes and smiled back. "Surprised? I do clean up once in a while, cowboy." She waved him inside. "Daisy wants to say hi."

  Her friend appeared, wiping her hands on a tea towel. "Hey, Dylan. You probably don't remember me. I remember you, though. I'm Daisy."

  He smiled and shook her hand. "Hi. I have a terrible memory, I'm sorry. It's nice to meet you."

  Looking mildly disappointed, Daisy replied, "I hope you all have fun. I'll be gone for the night, by the way."

  Lennie threw a I can't believe you just said that g
lance at her friend and turned to Dylan. "Let's go, cowboy."

  He grinned. "Thanks for the scoop, Daisy. I can tell we're going to be friends."

  She laughed and waved goodbye.

  Lennie growled and preceded him out the door.

  The drive to Odessa was more than an hour, and he looked forward to getting to know Lennie better. He turned on Hwy 385 and settled back in his seat, glancing at her profile out of the corner of his eye. She appeared stoic, as ever. "How was your day? Does your help work on Saturdays?"

  She turned toward him. "I have one full-time hand, Randy, and a few guys I can call in when I need them, though it's mostly just a kid named Todd. Help is pricey, and I keep it to a minimum. I work alone on Saturdays unless we need to go through a herd or something like that. Saves on salary. I'm lucky. Randy's flexible, and I can always count on him."

  Dylan thought about what she'd said. He'd always taken their cowboys for granted. Having plenty of help had never been a problem on the Govain Ranch. Damn, Lennie struggled with even the most basic aspects of ranching. "Sounds like you have a handle on it. I'm glad you found someone like Randy. A good cowhand is priceless."

  "Randy's a sweet guy. I don't know what I would have done without him when Dad had his stroke. Randy stepped in and ran the place. I talked to Todd, who agreed to work full time for a while, and the two of them kept the ranch going until I finished the last few weeks of school and could get home to handle things."

  Dylan reached across and clasped her hand, threading his fingers with hers. "I wish I had been able to help you during that time. I didn't hear anything about it since I was at school, too. It must have been terrible for you."

  Her fingers tightened slightly, and he caressed her with his thumb. She nodded slowly. "I felt torn in two. I knew I had to finish at A&M, but being so far away was awful. My brother could only stay for a couple of days because he's in school, too. Poor Mom was all on her own." Sighing, she clenched her jaw. "I hope I never have to go through anything like that again."

  Dylan glanced at the road and then back at her. "You'll have my help if it does happen. No matter what, you won't be alone, Lennie."

  She met his gaze and sucked in her lower lip, nodding before looking down the road.

  He squeezed her hand, content to ride in silence for a while. Being with Lennie was easy that way. He didn't feel the need to fill the quiet between them and neither did she.

  Later, he asked, "How is your daddy? Any improvement?"

  Frowning, she said, "Not that I can see, despite his physical therapy. I don't know what he'll do if he can't walk again. I just can't stand the thought of Dad in that wheel chair for the rest of his life."

  The stricken look on her face made him want to pull over and take her in his arms. "Let's pray that doesn't happen. It's still early days. We won't give up hope."

  Lowering her eyes, she nodded. "You're right. I need to give it more time before I worry myself to death."

  He drew her hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "We'll face the outcome together, like I said. You have me now."

  Her eyes soft, a crooked smile crossed her face. "Me and a Govain, facing life together. Ain't that something?"

  "Earth shattering." He grinned. "I like it."

  She squeezed his fingers. "Thanks, Dylan." In a moment, she said, "I kind of like it, too."

  Coming from Lennie, that said a lot. His chest eased and he relaxed his hand on the wheel. She was his girl now, whether she admitted it or not. He looked out his side window and smiled.

  LENNIE'S HEART FLIP-flopped as Dylan released her hand to put the truck in park outside the Red Oak Kitchen where they were having dinner. It had been surprisingly comforting, not to mention how it made her pulse race, to hold hands with the handsome cowboy most of the way to Odessa. Dylan definitely had a sweet side that she'd never anticipated.

  His door shut, and he strode to her side, taking her arm as she stepped down from the high step of the lifted truck.

  Damn, she felt like a girly-girl when he did that. "Why, thank you, cowboy. Your momma taught you manners."

  He grinned. "I'm a Texan. You better believe it."

  His fingers rested lightly at her waist as he escorted her to the door, sending a shiver up her back. Awareness of him had her every nerve on alert.

  The waitress seated them next to a window, and she looked out at the nearly-dark sky. It was so weird to be out on a date. Please, God, don't let anyone who knows me walk into this place. It would kill my daddy to hear who I'm with. Hopefully the chances of that were pretty slim, though Odessa was the only place with a movie theater in two hundred miles, and that was a big draw on a Saturday night.

  Dylan picked up his menu. "You've eaten here before, right?"

  "A long time ago. I like their food." The front door opened and her eyes darted toward it. Dammit. She needed to relax. They were a long way from Ft. Stockton.

  Brows furrowed, Dylan asked, "You okay? You seem jumpy.”"

  "I'm paranoid and that's dumb."

  "We're fine. Relax and enjoy tonight. You work too damn hard to waste a whole evening away from the ranch with worry. And, besides, look at the great company you have." He grinned.

  She rolled her eyes and smiled, then picked up her menu, putting the worry out of her mind. She'd made the decision to go out with Dylan, now she had to live with it. And he was great company. She glanced across the table just as he looked at her over his menu and wiggled his brows. Crap, he was cute. Smiling, she concentrated on her order.

  Conversation was easy—one of the things she liked about Dylan. "I hear you won Nationals in college your senior year."

  He nodded and she had to give it to him. He looked a little proud, but not smug as some sports champions did. "I drew some great horses. Luck was with me."

  She snorted. "It takes more than luck to ride a saddle bronc. Especially in the championship rounds. I'm sure you deserved that silver buckle. Is it the one you're wearing tonight?"

  "Yeah. It's the first time I've worn it, actually." He widened his eyes dramatically. "I wore it just for you."

  Grinning, she said, "Wow. I'm impressed. I'll have to take a closer look at it later."

  He laughed. "Yeah, I’d like that."

  She narrowed her eyes. "Don't get any ideas, cowboy."

  "I'll get all the ideas I want, Lennie. It's my buckle."

  She shook her head and closed her menu. "I know what I want."

  Eyes staring directly at her, he said, "I've known what I wanted for a long time. She just wouldn't talk to me."

  To her horror, a hot blush rose up her neck. Damn this cowboy! Was he aware of how he affected her? She squinted, examining his expression, and couldn't tell. "You're a pest. Anybody ever tell you that?"

  "With two big brothers, what do you think?"

  "I think you heard it all the time," she growled.

  He closed his menu, still smiling. "Right you are. But I'm your pest now, Lennie. Get used to it."

  She eyed him for a few seconds, and then she couldn't help it. She smiled.

  They both ordered Italian food and talked easily through dinner. She told him what was going on at her ranch, and he spoke about his hopes and fears of becoming the new Ag teacher at the high school. If he only knew how endearing his words were.

  They left the restaurant, and Dylan slung his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to his side.

  Though startled at first, she leaned against him and enjoyed the feel of his hard chest muscles and the way he cuddled her. As he released her to open the truck door, a part of her sighed in disappointment.

  He climbed in his side and flipped the middle console up. "Slide over here, Lennie." He had the devil in his eyes, and no way could she resist it.

  Scooting over, she buckled up and tucked her head into him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Weight fell away from her. This man had her and for the next hour her worries didn't exist.

  He kissed the t
op of her head. "I like holding you, Lennie. You'd better get used to being my girl."

  Grinning into his chest, she said, "I'm your girl, huh?"

  He held her tighter. "You'd better believe it." A few minutes later, as they left the lights of Odessa behind, he asked, "Am I your guy, Lennie?"

  She reached up and cupped his cheek. "God help me, cowboy, you are."

  "I wish I wasn't driving. I want to kiss you so bad."

  She unbuckled and rose to her knees.

  Dylan's eyes widened.

  Taking his face in her hands, she captured his lips with hers, tickling him with her tongue, searching his mouth, kissing him deeply, lovingly, with her whole heart.

  The truck had slowed to a stop on the side of the dark, lonely highway. When she pulled away, Dylan opened his eyes. "I love how you kiss."

  She bit her lip. "Thanks. You make it easy, cowboy." Buckling her seatbelt again, she was shocked to find that her hands were shaking. This man had a hold on her, all right. Hell, this path she was on with Dylan Govain led to certain destruction, and for the first time in her life, she didn't care.

  Snuggled against his chest again, her pulse slowed and she curled her hand around his muscular thigh. This guy, her guy, made her happy, and that was all she would think about.

  They arrived at Daisy's place, and, true to her word, her friend was gone. Lennie unlocked the door to the silent apartment and turned to Dylan.

  "Ask me in, Lennie. Please?"

  She hesitated, unsure of her power to control the heady emotions swirling through her and knowing she wasn't ready to handle what came with sleeping with this Govain cowboy. "Uh....

  "Just for a little while. I promise to behave."

  "Okay." Inside, she locked the door behind them. "I don't know what Daisy has to drink. Let me check," and she headed into the kitchen.