Her jaw had slowly dropped as Dylan spoke. His father wasn't angry? And he wanted to help the Duncans? A slow burning heat started at her chest, rising up her neck, until it flushed her cheeks. Did Roy Govain think they were a charity case? How utterly humiliating! "Dylan, I can't believe your father wasn't mad about you seeing me when he found out. You're really lucky. I appreciate his offer to help. Now I know why you're so nice. But, we're okay over here. We can take care of ourselves." She hoped Dylan didn't hear the tremor in her voice. All she wanted to do was hang up and hide her face in the blessed dark. How could she ever face Dylan again?
He rushed to reassure her. "Dad knows that. Your family has been here in Texas as long as we have. But your father is ill and that makes you a man short. Neighbors help each other. That's all this is about. Your father wouldn't accept our help, but you're not your dad. You and I know it's time for this feud to end. There's something else, too, Lennie. You have your mom and dad to think of. The ranch supports them. Just think how far ahead you'll be with the help of some extra cowhands for a few weeks."
She laid quietly for a while. There was pride, and there was stupidity. His line about her parents hit home. "Dylan, thank you. And, thank your father and Caleb. Of course, I could use the help." She paused, then whispered, "It's just hard to accept, you know?"
"I know, honey," he said softly. "While you're being all sweet, get ready to accept the fact that I'm paying for the repairs we do while I'm there. No argument."
Her eyes narrowed, and she had to clench her teeth to hold back her words. Holy hell. She would feel like a charity case. But this all benefited her parents and the ranch that supported them. She could swallow her pride for that. And bless the Govains for offering. "I'm accepting. I'm accepting."
He laughed. "Good girl. Now there's just one more thing."
"Crap. What?"
"Whatcha wearing?"
She burst out laughing. "I almost forgot about that. You're in for a surprise, cowboy. I dug out some of my fancy stuff."
"No."
"Yes. I'll give you a hint. Midnight blue."
"Ah. I love that color. Is it silky?"
"Yep."
"Is it lacey?" He sighed loudly.
She grinned. "Oh, yeah, baby."
"Oh, my God. Is it long or short?"
"It barely covers my tush."
He groaned. "How come I'm just now hearing about this? Did you own it before we went to Odessa?"
"Yep."
"And why was it not in your suitcase?" he growled.
"I didn't think you could handle it."
He laughed. "Tomorrow. Lunch. Bring it."
She giggled. "Okay, tough guy, but it won't be nearly as nice without me in it."
He growled again. "Just wait until I get you in my arms."
"I can't wait, cowboy."
Sighing, he said, "I miss you, Lennie. Seriously, I do."
It was damned hard only having his voice for closeness. "I feel it, too. I'm happy you told your Dad. He sounds kind."
"He's a great guy. A little tough, but he hides a heart of gold."
"Dylan?"
"Hm?"
"I'm gonna go. I have a lot to think about. Dream of me?" She would dream of him.
"Well, hell yeah. What else do you think I do at night?"
"Good night. And, Dylan?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you." She didn't say that much, but it felt good to say it now.
"Honey, I love you. Good night."
Switching the light off, her mind whirled with possibilities. She had to come up with a list of the most important things that needed to be done while she had the extra help. Three weeks would fly by, and there was so much to do. Prioritization was key. Excited and hopeful for the first time since her father's stroke, she let her mind work on the problem until sleep finally overtook her.
THE NEXT MORNING, SHE woke full of energy, which was unusual. Then she remembered Dylan's offer and knew why. Rushing to get dressed, she counted the items she'd added to her to do list before falling asleep the night before. With pen and paper in hand, she headed for the breakfast table.
Her mom brought her a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. "Good morning, honey. You look bright-eyed today."
Lennie grinned. "Lots to do, that's for sure." Head bent, she began her list.
Her mom hadn't moved. "What's that you're writing?"
Lennie froze, then plopped her hand over the list. "Just scribbles. Uh, what's on your agenda for the day, Mom?"
Eyes narrowed, her mother asked, "What's going on, Lennie?"
Folding the paper and putting it in her back pocket, Lennie scrambled for a safe answer. "Just getting organized. So, how's your day looking? Going into town today?"
She pursed her mouth. "No, Lennie. Why?"
Shoveling down a bite of eggs, she replied, "No reason. I know how hard you work here and thought you could use the break, is all."
Her mom shook her head and walked back to the sink.
Lennie ate hurriedly and, with a final bite of toast, made her escape. This keeping secrets from her mom was crap. It only got worse with time, and her mom was obviously fed up with Lennie's shenanigans.
First, she needed to talk to her dad. She found him in the living room as her mom had already given him his breakfast. “Dad, we have a cougar on the place. I’ve lost one calf to him for sure, and probably a second. Is this something new?”
Her father appeared surprised and shook his head unsteadily. “New. Where?”
She explained the details. “I’ve called in Jake. Hope to hell he gets him quick.”
Her father nodded. “Good.” Spittle ran from the corner of his mouth and he wiped it slowly with his good hand.
She bent and kissed the top of his head. “Love you, Dad. I’ll keep you posted.”
Heading out to the barn to find Randy, she pulled her list from her pocket. That cowboy would be glad to hear they'd be getting more help for a little while. The poor guy met himself going and coming with the ranch chores, just like she did.
Randy was tending to the cattle in the barn—cows that needed extra care for one reason or another.
She waited patiently for him to finish, wanting his full attention. It was important that the subject she'd be discussing be kept from her father.
Finally, he put the pitchfork against the round bale and walked over to her. "What's on the agenda today, boss?"
She waved her paper at him. "I have some good news and some bad news. We're going to have three new hands around here for a few weeks."
His eyes widened. "Really?"
She nodded. "You didn't hear the bad news. They're from Roy Govain."
"Oh, hell. Your daddy's gonna shit himself."
Reaching for Randy's arm, she said, "We can't tell him. Listen, I've been seeing Dylan Govain. Mom and Dad don't know. Dylan told Roy how hard things have been since Dad's illness, and Roy wants to help. I wanted to turn it down, but I realized I need to do whatever I can to take care of Mom and Dad. Anything we do has to stay secret."
Randy nodded. "Right."
"I've made a list of the most important things to get done while they're here. Tell me if I've missed anything."
Randy relaxed and crossed his arms.
"Barn roof repair—that has to happen before winter. Fix the tires on mobile head gate—someone needs to air those up and haul ass to town to buy new ones. Replace the bad boards on the flat-bed trailer floor—that thing's a wreck. Grease and replace the gear oil in the windmills—we missed doing it last year. Replace the blades on the north pasture windmill that got damaged in that little twister. Weld the bad pipe at the Little Butte pasture pen."
Randy grinned. "If we get all that done in three weeks, I'll be a mighty happy man."
"It's a lot, but I can dream."
Randy unfolded his arms. "Good for Roy Govain. He's a real Texan, helping you like this."
Lennie nodded, smiling. "Listen, you work on that bad stretch
of fence we talked about in the south pasture today. We can't let that go any longer or we'll have cattle scattered all over hell and back. I'll work the fence in the Brewster County pasture. The only place it's not sagging is where we border the Govains. The last thing I need is for that new little bull to get fence busting ideas." She gathered tools and some wire and climbed in her truck, feeling better about starting her day than she had in ages.
By lunch time she was hot and sweaty, and her enthusiasm for the day had waned. Fence mending would do that to a person. There wasn't a more boring or detested ranch chore. When she drove up to meet Dylan he hopped out of his truck and walked around to the passenger side, waiting for her. Damn, he had a fine ass.
Smiling, she got out, pushing down on the fence and slicing her legs over.
When she got close, Dylan grabbed her and pulled her into a hug, then clasped her behind the neck, kissing her so thoroughly she lost her breath. He smiled. "I've missed you something awful today."
Pressed against him like she was, she could tell just how much he'd missed her. Grinning, she kissed him with a smack. "I've missed you too, cowboy, though how you could miss such a stinky cowgirl is beyond me."
"You don't stink. You smell like roses." He cupped her breasts, squeezing them gently.
She hooted. "Like hell I do. I've been mending fence all morning. I know what I smell like."
He grinned "Let's get you into some air conditioning." Opening the door, he helped her scoot over next to his seat. "Don't think I won't be kissing my stinky girl, though."
Laughing, she reached for the cold water he'd set in her cup holder. Counting the hours until lunch every day had become her habit. Stolen time with Dylan made her hard work and long hours bearable.
He climbed in and made good on his promise, giving her a quick smack on the lips with a wide grin. "We have spaghetti today, and it should still be warm. I ran back to the house to pick it up."
She moaned. "Sounds delicious. I'm starving."
He passed her a container and took one for himself. "So, shall the boys and I start at your place on Monday?"
She pushed the remaining niggle of her pride away. "That would be perfect. I made a list of some things I could use help on."
He nodded. "Whatever you need, Lennie. What's first?"
"I've got to get the barn roof repaired before winter. I figure we could do that first." Now she second guessed herself. Would he think that was too big a job?
"No problem. Let me take a look, and Randy and I can come up with a list of materials. I'll pick them up in town. We should be able to knock that out fast with several of us working on it."
Having that roof fixed would be a huge problem off her shoulders. She and Randy never had the time to stop ranch work and get it done, not to mention the expense the materials would make in her budget. "Dylan, I can't thank you and your family enough for all this."
He slid his arm around her and pulled her into his chest. With a kiss on her temple, he reassured her. "We're happy to do it. So, what else can we help with?"
She got out her list and read it to him.
To his credit, he didn't flinch at the amount of work involved. "The best way to get all that accomplished is to divide and conquer."
A little dazed at his easy acceptance at what would be a hard few weeks, she pulled his face down for a kiss. Tracing his mouth with the tip of her tongue, she kissed him with deft slow sweeps of her lips, knowing she would arouse him, and wanting him to understand how much he meant to her.
"Mm, come here." He drew her closer, holding the weight of her breast in his palm, capturing her mouth, kissing her deeply until she sighed with pleasure. "Sweet Lennie." He caressed her cheek. "How did I live without you for so long?" He grinned and released his grip. "I need to let you finish your lunch."
She picked up her fork and shoved a bite in her mouth as her tummy grumbled at the smell of food. Her body had no ladylike manners. "This is delicious. Tell Annie I said so, okay?"
He nodded; his mouth full.
A few minutes later, finished with her spaghetti, she put the lid on. "I realized one thing while I worked the fence line today. If we're working at the barn, there's a good chance my mom will see us at some point. I have to tell her about this."
"Damn. How will that go?"
She chewed her lip, looking out the windshield. "I hope she'll take it okay, once she gets over being shocked. I don't know, though."
He clasped her hand and brought it to his lips. "Call me after you tell her. I know it won't be easy, honey."
She nodded.
After lunch, when he walked her to her truck, he took her in his arms, lifted her off her feet and kissed her hard. "You call me as soon as you talk to your mom. I'll be praying for a good outcome. Okay?"
"I will. Thanks." She gave the brim of his hat a little yank and climbed in the truck. She had a long afternoon of fence mending ahead of her, but with these new memories of Dylan, it wouldn't be so bad. It was dinner, and her mother, that she had to worry about.
LENNIE WALKED ON EGGSHELLS as she entered the kitchen. She'd actually showered before going in for dinner, telling herself it would please her mother, but now she wondered if she had only been playing for time.
Her mother came in the room and eyed her night clothes. "Hey, honey. Want me to make you a plate?"
"Thanks, Mom." Seating herself at the table, she watched her mother as she spooned food from the pots on the stove. Was she in a good mood? Was she tired? "How's it going, Mom?
Her mother glanced over her shoulder as she put the serving spoon back in the pot. Raising her brows, she said, "Fine, honey. How are you?"
"Great. Just great." Crap, she sounded too eager. She was never great after a long day.
Her mom set the plate in front of Lennie. "I'm glad you're eating in here tonight. I've missed our talks."
Damn, a bullet straight to the heart. Her mom's life out here in the boonies was a lonely one. Lennie had thought only of herself as she took her dinners in her room so she could talk to Dylan. "I've missed them, too, Mom." The bite Lennie took nearly stuck in her throat as she considered what a crappy daughter she'd been. Her calls with Dylan would have to happen later in the evening from now on. "Tell me what you did today."
Her mom always had a large garden, and she talked about that in detail now.
Lennie smiled, content, knowing she gave her mother something she needed just by listening.
When her mother wound down, Lennie put her fork on the edge of her plate. Her voice lowered, she said, "Mom, I need to tell you something, and I hope to God you won't be mad at me."
Her mother's eyes widened and she nodded.
"I've been seeing Dylan Govain, the youngest of the boys, for a while now. We love each other."
Her mother's mouth opened, but no sound came out.
"You can't tell Dad, Mom. I don't know what it would do to him. I have a reason for telling you now."
Her mom said warningly, "Lennie, your—"
"Mom, wait, let me explain. I didn't mean for this to happen. It just did. The Govains are not the terrible people I always thought they were. Dylan's sweet and kind and—"
Her mother's eyes narrowed.
"Anyway," Lennie went on without taking a breath, "Dylan has been worried at the responsibility I've been shouldering and how stressed I've been—"
Her mother's eyes darkened with worry, "Honey, what—"
"No, listen, Mom. Roy, Dylan's dad, found out about us—it was an accident—but when Dylan told him how things have been since Dad's stroke, he wanted to help. He especially wanted to help me."
Her mom sucked in her bottom lip, her eyes wary, but she didn't interrupt again.
"He's sending Dylan and two cowhands over here to help me out for a few weeks. We're going to take care of a lot of things that Randy and I haven't been able to get to like repairing the barn roof and oiling the windmills. At first, I was too proud to accept, but then I realized that taking care of
this ranch and you and Dad was the most important thing in my life, and I'd do anything to make that happen." She examined her mom's expression, hoping for acceptance. "I really appreciate Roy's offer. It's more than kind, especially given the feud that's stood between our families for so long."
Her mom stared down at her hands which lay crossed on the table.
Lennie didn't think her mom was ever going to speak. At last she said, "It's a fine thing Roy's doing for my daughter. I'm grateful for that. Is this Dylan the boy that went off to rodeo college?"
"Uh-huh. But he studied to be a teacher. He's been hired as the new Ag teacher at the high school."
She nodded and was quiet some more. Then said, "Honey, I'm glad you found your man, but that he's a Govain gives me no joy. This may kill your father. I mean it." She met Lennie's gaze. "What are you going to do about your daddy?"
Her heart in her throat, she replied, "I don't know, Momma. I'm worried about that, too. Right now, while he's still so sick, I don't want him to know. I told you because I figured you'd see the extra help at some point. And, well, because I've been wanting to tell you forever."
Her mom's mouth quirked up. "I couldn't figure out what was going on. You always tell me everything, and you acting so different didn't make sense. I'm glad you came clean." Though she still appeared worried, she seemed to accept her daughter's news. "You be careful, Lennie. So, so careful. I don't want your father to get a whiff of any part of this."
"Yes, Momma." Lennie washed her dishes and put them in the drainer, relief so strong in her that she thought she might fly.
Back in her room, she dialed Dylan.
He picked up instantly. "Tell me what happened."
"She took it way better than I thought she would. She said she appreciates your dad helping her daughter." Lennie filled him in on the rest of the conversation. "Dylan, stressing over telling her took everything out of me. I can't move a muscle."
The Cowboy's Wish (The Govain Cowboys Book 3) Page 9