"How's your day going, besides worrying?" he asked.
It was as if he were there beside her, his arm snuggling her close. She filled him in on the details of her day.
In a little while, Dylan had to go. "I'm fixing to head out with one of the boys to check cattle. I'll call you tonight. Love you."
Dropping her phone into the console, suddenly her day was okay. All she'd needed was to hear her lover's voice. How had she ever thought life was fine before him?
Smiling, she headed back to the ranch house. Someway, somehow, this relationship had to work.
THE NEXT MORNING, THE ringing of Lennie's phone woke her from a sound sleep. Groggy and grumpy, she fumbled on the night stand for it and slammed it against her ear, growling, "Lennie, here."
Dylan laughed. "Hey, sunshine, wake up."
She looked at the time and put the phone back to her ear. "I'm not ready to wake up. Some of us work later than others, you know."
He said quietly, "Sorry, I thought you'd be up. I wanted to see if we could meet at our pasture place again today. I need to see my girl."
Yawning, her pulse picked up at the thought of kissing him or even just snuggling into his arms. "I think I can arrange that, cowboy. But are you sure you want to see a grouch like me?"
"Well, hell yeah. Meet me at noon. I'll bring lunch. And, Lennie?"
"Hm?"
"Whatcha wearing?"
She grinned. "I'll have on my Wranglers and a t-shirt. Oh, and my hat and boots."
"Dammit, girl. You know what I mean."
Laughing, she described, in detail, her old sleep shirt and panties.
"Aah, that will get me through the morning."
She shook her head, still grinning. "You're a terrible man."
"Just a man, honey. Just a man."
While she dressed, she remembered how her cowboy looked undressed and understood why he'd asked his question. The sexy, naked vision sent tingles to places that had been dormant for way too long before the advent of Dylan in her life. Noon now seemed like too damned long to wait.
There would be time to feed the herd in the Brewster County pasture and see how the new bull was settling in before meeting Dylan. But first, she was going out to one of the other herds where she'd noticed a cow and calf missing the other day. It was probably nothing because cows sometimes strayed some distance from a herd for one reason or another. However, if she wasn't with the others this morning, Lennie had a problem.
After a quick breakfast, she headed out to check on the lost cow. With her hand relaxed on the wheel, her mind settled on Dylan. Despite the early wakeup, it had been nice to open her eyes to the sound of his voice. It had reminded her of the morning they'd spent at the hotel. While she'd slept in, he'd gone down to the buffet for coffee and donuts, returning quietly to the room. Leaning down, he'd placed a slow, gentle kiss on her lips and watched her eyes open. His sexy smile had sent her heart thumping, despite her sleepy brain. His morning loving was even better than what they'd shared at midnight. Her coffee was stone cold by her first sip, but it had so been worth it.
Her thoughts returned to business once she entered the pasture and headed out to check the herd's favorite haunts. In this dry desert land, it took a lot of acres per unit, or cow/calf pair, so pastures were large. She took her time, looking in places a single cow could hide while she searched for the herd.
A short time later, she caught sight of the cattle and approached them. Unperturbed since a truck always meant food, the bull watched her pull up and stop a little way from his harem. Lennie looked over the cattle and quickly determined that the missing cow wasn't among those scattered around their herd sire. "Shit." She pulled a bag of feed out of the back and hurriedly dumped piles of cubes around for the milling cattle.
Chunking the empty sack in the back of the truck, she shaded her eyes from the sun and scanned the sky, taking her time and looking clear to the horizon in every direction. She sucked in a breath. At the far edge of her vision, tiny flecks of black appeared in the sky. "Son of a bitch!"
Climbing into the truck, she drove in that direction, bumping across the uneven ground and edging around outcrops. The black specks grew larger, soon taking on a circular pattern in their flight. Nature’s garbage men were on the job.
Checking the sky every few seconds, she was able to hone in on the area of their obsession. As she got close, she could see a group of buzzards feeding on something in the distance. "Dammit!" Gunning the engine, she sped toward the birds. This couldn't be happening again. She'd already lost a calf to predation.
Sliding to a stop a few feet from the feeding buzzards, they scattered, taking to the air in a confusion of hissing and grunting complaints. Now that she could see the carcass, it couldn't be the full-grown cow, but was probably her calf. Cussing under her breath, Lennie approached and leaned down to inspect what was left of it. The carcass was fresh and it didn't take much to figure out what had happened. It wasn't coyotes that had made this kill. Something bigger had crushed the bones. This pretty much nailed it. A cougar had claimed her ranch as its territory.
In Texas, cougars were considered a non-game species and could be hunted at any time as long as you had a hunting license. She respected the big cats and their right to live in the wilds of West Texas, but when one went after her livestock, she had to do something about it. She'd lost the income from two calves now, one of whom would have grown up into a producing cow in her herd. Lennie had a hunter she used in rare cases like this, and she made that phone call now.
Gut sick at her loss, she drove around the area, searching places a cow might hide. Not far from her calf's body, Lennie found the momma. Honking her horn, Lennie got her started in the direction of the herd and followed her until she was sure the cow would make it the rest of the way to the other cattle on her own.
Lennie clenched the steering wheel as she headed to the Brewster County pasture. How many more financial hits could she take? She'd need to ask her dad if this predation was new or if he'd dealt with it before her arrival.
When she found the Brewster herd, it looked fine. Though the new bull was young, he appeared to have a handle on watching over his girls.
Acid churned in Lennie's belly as she distributed cubes to the milling cattle. Her contented feeling from earlier in the morning had fled. Her father's medical bills, the loss of another calf, the unending and expensive repairs—it was all too much.
By the time she reached the pasture fence for her meeting with Dylan, her bottled up feelings were ready to blow. She didn't know if she would break down and cry, or get angry.
The truck’s air conditioner blew full blast on her face, but still she felt hot. Her skin prickled and when she looked at her hands, they shook. Get a grip Lennie. You're being a fool. Nothing's different today. Life has sucked for a long time. She took a deep breath and let it out. Then did it again. Now she didn't feel mean, but she damn sure felt like crying.
Dylan drove up and parked at the fence then motioned for her to come on over.
Damn. Please don't let me bawl like a baby. She climbed down from the truck and crossed over the fence.
Dylan reached across the seat and pushed her door open for her. The console was up, of course. "Come here, girl." Then he must have caught sight of her face. "Lennie, get on over here. What's happened?"
His sympathy would be her undoing, and she kept her eyes down. "It's been a hell of a day, is all."
He scooped her toward him and held her close, kissing her forehead. "Tell me about it."
It wasn't just one thing. Everything was awful. Her eyes filled, and she squeezed them shut. Shit. This is the worst.
He cupped her cheek. "Look here, tough stuff. You can tell me. And I don't care if you cry. Even big ol' cowboys like me do it once in a while."
Her eyes shot open.
He grinned. "You heard me right."
Her mouth relaxed where she'd bitten her lip, then she remembered the calf's loss, and the tears she'd feared o
verflowed.
Dylan wiped them with his thumbs and kissed her nose. "Tell me what happened, sweetheart."
Before she could speak, he pulled her into his chest.
It was easier to talk with her eyes closed and her face pressed against him. The words spilled out of her about the cougar moving in and losing another calf, and about her financial worries. She talked until her heart eased.
Dylan listened, stroking her hair with gentle hands. When she'd talked herself out, he kissed the top of her head. "Honey, your life is so hard right now I could die. I'd give anything to help. But if I did, it might hurt your daddy, and I can't do that. Still, I can love you and hold you and ease your burden that way." He held her away from him and met her gaze. "We'll see each other every day from now on. You won't be alone anymore."
Her chest loosened, and she raised her hand to his cheek. "Thank you, Dylan."
He pulled her fingers to his lips for a gentle kiss. "You hungry? I brought good stuff. Annie packed it. She thinks you're awesome, by the way."
By the time she'd finished lunch, her outlook was amazingly improved.
Dylan walked her to her truck, but before she opened her door, he leaned her against it, pressing his body to hers, and kissed her thoroughly. "Miss Lennie, I know you're busy or there'd be a lot more kisses where that came from. If we're going to be seeing each other every day, we can't take forever about it. So, I'm letting you go."
She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I have some say about this too, cowboy," and she kissed him every bit as thoroughly until he moaned.
When she pulled back, she laughed. "Call me tonight. I might even wear something sexy, in case you ask."
He laughed. "Hot damn!" and headed back to his truck.
Her phone rang. The hunter was on his way.
DYLAN GOT BACK TO THE ranch and went straight to the barn where Caleb was supervising the unloading of the feed delivery from a semi-truck. The ranch had it delivered from the mill in bulk. A cowboy on a skidsteer worked busily moving the wooden pallets of cow cubes and horse pellets to the feed room which was located at the side of the barn. A pickup truck could even back up right to wide double doors for easy loading.
Caleb stood in the barn entrance facing the open back of the semi, clipboard and pen in hand. He nodded as Dylan stopped beside him, then returned his gaze to the cellophane-wrapped pallets, gauging the number of bags on each as it came off the truck. "What's up, baby brother?"
Dylan shoved his hands in his pockets. "Not much, I guess."
Caleb glanced at him again, this time taking the time to examine his face. "Something's going on. What is it?" Returning his eyes to the invoice, he made another tick. "Does this have anything to do with Lennie?"
Dylan scuffed the toe of his boot in the dirt of the barn floor. "Yeah." If only he had his life lined out like Caleb did. This relationship with Lennie was a damned mess. "She needs help but I can't do a thing about it. It's tearing me up."
His father's authoritative voice came from behind him. "What's tearing you up, son?"
Shit! Dylan spun around.
His father stood with his hands on his hips, his stern, yet not unkind, eyes inquiring. He must have come in through the feed room.
Dylan had a choice—lie or come clean. He chose not to lie. He met his father's gaze unflinchingly. "Dad, I've been seeing Lennie Duncan. She's having a tough time of it right now, and that's what's bothering me. I can't do anything to help because her dad doesn't know we're seeing each other. Lennie's afraid to tell him because of his bad health."
His father's expression had gone from open inquiry to firm disapproval. "The last thing you need to do is get involved with Evan Duncan's daughter. Dammit, what’re you thinking, Dylan? That man will never give you the go ahead. He's an ass." His mouth settling into a thin line, he stared hard at his youngest son.
Dylan held his ground. "Dad, I love her, and I won't quit seeing her. I don't know how we'll handle her father yet, but we'll figure it out somehow. Right now, I'm worried about Lennie. She's under pressure. Money is tight, there are repairs, and a cougar's killing her cattle."
His dad's eyes darkened with worry. "Has she lost anything in the Brewster pasture? That's near us."
"No, not so far. But she can't go on like this. Her father's medical bills are mounting, and he's not getting any better. She worries all the time. It breaks my heart."
His father's face lost its chiseled-stone expression. "She's young to be facing such things. Does she have some good hands?"
Dylan shook his head. "They can't afford much. She has one cowboy who knows his stuff, and he's full time. The only other help she has is a young part-time hand when she can afford him. She works so hard, Dad."
His father glanced at Caleb, who had kept silent during the exchange. "You knew about this, I guess?"
Caleb nodded.
His dad let out a loud breath. "Caleb, is there anything we can do?"
"We loaned her one of our young bulls. She had to haul off one of hers that kept busting down fences. He got over into our pasture a couple of times."
Roy Govain raised his brow. "We did, did we?"
Caleb grinned. "Uh-huh."
Roy nodded. "We must be able to do more for the girl. Dylan, why don't you and two of the men work with her for a few weeks. See if you can't help her get caught up on some things that are causing her to worry. And," he glanced at Caleb, "don't be afraid to spend some money if you need to."
A rush of pride in his old man swept through Dylan's chest. His dad was old school. You stood by your neighbors. It didn't matter that Evan Duncan couldn't stand the sight of a Govain. Duncan was in trouble and Roy Govain would help. Dylan reached for his dad, giving him a warm hug.
The old rancher returned it, if a little stiffly.
"Dad, I appreciate this. I'll talk to Lennie tonight and see what I can work out. She's got that Duncan pride, but I also know she's desperate. I'll keep you posted."
His father headed to the ranch house just as the driver of the semi shut the back door of the trailer.
Caleb tucked the clipboard under his arm. "Well, that certainly went better than I would have guessed. Dad didn't get on your case too badly."
Dylan rolled his eyes. "I nearly had a heart attack when I heard his voice."
Caleb grinned. "I didn't hear him walk up either. Keeping a secret from Dad was never easy."
"Well, I'm glad it's out in the open. Too bad it won't go that easy with Lennie's dad. She says he'll be livid—she is truly afraid he'll have another stroke if he finds out."
Caleb shook his head. "That's awful. I'm sorry, brother. I don't have any advice except follow your heart. I don't know what I'd do without Eve. I would have done almost anything to have her in my life."
"That's the way I feel, but my hands have been tied. Now, at least I can start to make a difference." He clapped Caleb on the back. "Who can you spare for a few weeks?"
"Take Johnny and Sparks. They'll put in a hard day's work. Just let me know when you want to work over there. We'll set it up."
"Thanks, Caleb." As he headed back up the circular drive to the house, it felt like his boots skimmed the driveway. He'd dropped a heavy load of worry in that barn, thanks to the kindness of his father. Now, he had to make sure Lennie would accept their help.
LENNIE HUMMED UNDER her breath as she dug in a bin at the bottom of her closet that she hadn't opened since she'd moved back from college. It held her sexy nightgowns, something she hadn't planned on wearing again. She pulled out a shimmering midnight-blue gown that barely covered her backside with lace at its low-cut neckline. Examining it in the light, it looked like just the ticket to give a certain cowboy a buzz. Grinning, she tossed it on the bed and headed for the shower.
Thirty minutes later, she sat on her bed, dressed in her silky gown, brushing her hair and smiling.
Her mother knocked on her door and opened it. She gazed at Lennie as if puzzled. "You look pretty, honey. I haven
't seen you wear that before."
Lennie felt heat rising to her cheeks. "Um, yeah, I've had this a long time."
Her mom looked at her some more before adding, "I wanted to tell you that I bought some chocolate ice cream if you want a treat before you go to bed."
"Thanks mom. I might eat some in a little while."
She nodded and eased the door shut.
Damn, her mom was getting suspicious, wondering first about Lennie going to her room for dinner and now about the gown.
Lennie hated keeping things from her mother. They'd always been able to talk to each other about anything. As she leaned back on her pillow, she felt the walls close in. The sneaking, the lies, it all pressed against her, weighing her down. It was like she lived two separate lives—one with her parents as the dutiful daughter—and the other as Dylan's lover. At some point her two worlds would collide, and it terrified her.
Her phone rang. It was Dylan. She sighed. "Hey."
He hesitated. "Something wrong?"
"I think mom knows something's going on. I hate all this—what we have to do to see each other. I feel so, so ... "
"I know. Me, too. What do you think she'd say if you told her?"
Lennie knew what her dad would say, but her mother? "Mom kind of sticks with Dad on stuff, but she looks out for me, too. I honestly can't predict what she'll say."
"Do you think it's worth the risk of telling her? I think you'll feel better if you could talk to your mom about us."
Lennie blew out a breath. It scared her to think her mom might tell her dad. Could she trust her mom to keep the news about Dylan to herself? "I don't know. She might tell Dad."
"She must know how it would affect your dad if he found out. Surely, she wouldn't tell him."
Dylan was right. There was a good chance her mom would keep her knowledge about Dylan secret, if only for that reason. "Maybe I can tell her. Dylan, thanks."
He paused a moment. "Are you ready for some good news?"
This sounded interesting. "Sure."
"I was talking to Caleb about you and me and Dad overheard. I almost freaked out but he actually took the news pretty well. After I explained how worried I am about you, he wants to help. He told me to bring two hands with me and to come work for you for a few weeks so we can help you catch up at your place. He told me to spend what I need to, too."
The Cowboy's Wish (The Govain Cowboys Book 3) Page 8