Lassoing The Last Dance (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight Book 4)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “Umm, I don’t know. It kind of slipped out. Maybe another time.”

  “Tonight. Please?” An elf owl bubbled out its own love song in the warm night. The creaky cry of the killdeer piped in, too. Had they come out to entertain them tonight? In the distance, saguaros stood tall, reigning over the cholla, brittlebush, and shrub. She inhaled the scent of dirt and fresh air. Mmm. This was Heaven in his arms.

  With his breath against her hair, he continued, “I’ll hear your voice, I’ll know the sigh. Understand each sound you make. While I’m dreaming in the moonlight, I’ll know the craving, feel the ache…”

  This was all new to her. It wasn’t until she heard those breathless words coming from his husky voice, did she know she liked him reciting words of love to her. “Go on.”

  “Uh uh.”

  “Is that the end?”

  “Nope. It has one more stanza.” He gave her a light kiss on the temple. “You ready to go inside for the night?”

  Roxanne leaned into him. He attempted to release her to go inside, but she brought his arms around her to remain where they were. As Nora had said, he was the whole package. She took hold of his arm on the way inside. “Will you give me a copy?”

  “If you don’t show it to anyone, not even Nora, especially her. I don’t need the guys razzing me in the barn.” He held the door and when they got in the living room, he picked up his notebook to hand over. “This is the rest of it.” He left the room.

  Tears rushed to her eyes while scanning over the words. She read the rest of it out loud:

  “It’s there in my dreams you’ll linger, until the night yields to the dawn. When I wake from dreaming in the moonlight, the dream of you won’t be gone.”

  Holy bah-jeepers! What a guy. No, I won’t be gone, either.

  He came to the doorway holding out a black t-shirt. “You can sleep in this tonight. Nothing, would be better. I assume you’re not sleeping on the couch?” Randy blinked a couple times but grinned.

  She held up the notebook to point at the words, but her throat became too dry to speak. She rushed to hold him as tight as she could while still clenching the notebook. “I love you.”

  He smoothed his hand down her back, and whispered, “Come to bed, Rox.” He kissed her lips with passion, and ended with what had become his signature kiss—the gentle, yet so sexy, tug to her bottom lip. Then, he’d kiss her again to seal the moment. The kind of kiss that curled her toes and made her wet, shamelessly wet—to shamelessly want him again. “You’ll pay hell to ever get me to sleep on the couch again. Take your clothes off.”

  ***

  A light sleeper most nights, Roxanne was jarred awake at the sound of tires on gravel. She turned her head to see Randy sound asleep. A door shut, which woke him.

  “Dammit!” A tap at the front door got him out of bed in a rush. He took a step from the bed, but turned back. “Stay here. I’ll take care of this mess.”

  His ex-girlfriend. I’m not staying here. Not wanting to take time for the prosthetic, she pulled on the red and white heart PJ bottoms and knotted the bottom on the left side so they didn’t drag. She took a deep breath and grabbed the crutches he had brought in from her car last night.

  She got to the doorway in time to see Randy knocked to the floor. “Nate!”

  “There you are. What’d you do, buy a rundown ranch? Didn’t get hurt enough to keep you down, huh?” He eyed her from head to toe before Randy slammed him against the wall.

  Randy held him with his fingers wrapped around Nate’s throat.

  “Yes, asshole, I’m hurt enough! What the hell are you doing here? You have no right to anything in my life.”

  “Get the hell out of my house.” Randy threw him to the floor, then grabbed him back up. “Better yet, stay so I can kill you, you sorry piece of—”

  He slammed Nate against the wall again, pinning him there. Pictures fell and shattered to the floor. A slug to the stomach didn’t stop Nate from fighting back until they both hit the floor. Nate grabbed a knife from his belt and went for Randy’s side, slashing, but Randy fought off the attack. Roxanne knocked the knife away with her crutch.

  “Get out!” Randy pushed him out the door, and they fought on the porch, flopping around until they rolled down the steps. Roxanne rushed to get her phone and dialed 911. Then a car started and spun away before she got back to the door. “Randy. Are you all right?”

  “That sonofabitch is not getting away.” He ran into the house and pulled his handgun out of the drawer beside the bed.

  She dropped a crutch and grabbed hold of the back of his shirt. “Don’t go after him. I called 911. Let them take care of it this time. Please don’t go…”

  He stood in front of her, breathing hard. Blood dripped from the wound on his cheek that had been broken open.

  She dropped into the kitchen chair and blew out a breath. “I didn’t know he’d come here. Hell, I didn’t know he was in Canyon Junction. A friend of mine back home has been keeping track of him, but he slithered away.”

  “We haven’t made it a secret about seeing each other. I let my guard down and didn’t notice him ever following us. I let you down.”

  “It doesn’t matter that we didn’t keep us secret. We aren’t a secret! You didn’t let me down. Come over here please, so I can look at your face.”

  “I’ll take care of it. I’m killing that bastard.” He tromped toward the bathroom down the hallway.

  She never should have brought him into this. Randy could’ve been killed. They both might have been. It was all her fault for getting back with Randy. In the bedroom, she closed the door to get dressed. He tapped.

  “I’ll be right out.”

  “I’m coming in.”

  “I’ll be right out.” She changed his t-shirt and pulled on her own blouse and pants. She yanked open the door. Randy waited with his hand against the jamb.

  “I knew you were going to do this. Don’t leave.”

  “This is my fault, and now your life is in danger—”

  “My life has been in danger before. With that asshole back, it isn’t safe for you to go. If he knows where I live, he knows where you live.”

  Dammit! “Randy, he thinks I live here. Didn’t you hear?”

  He moved out of the doorway to let her through, but grasped her arm to prevent her from going forward. “Wait here for the sheriff.”

  He helped her to sit on the sofa, closed the curtains across the windows, and locked the door. Sirens blasted in the distance until they reached his drive. Randy stood at the door with his back against it and his arms folded. Waiting. “Has he ever been to Canyon Junction before?”

  “A few times with me early on but we stayed with my dad. Oh, no! Dad has to know he’s here.” She picked up her phone from the table to call him.

  “Wait, didn’t your dad move recently?”

  She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. He had moved since Nate visited, and her dad had an unlisted number. “Yes, but I need to let him know just in case. People around here talk you know, and if Nate asked where he lived, they might tell him.”

  “They won’t talk to a stranger. I’ll speak to the sheriff while you call him then I’ll bring them inside.” He pulled the door open and Sheriff Thompson had come onto the porch while a deputy searched the exterior with a spotlight.

  ***

  Randy closed the door behind him, leaving Roxanne inside to talk to her dad. “He’s gone, Leon. That sonofabitch needs to be dead. You have no idea what he’s done to her, and now he knows where I live.”

  “We’ll do our best to find him. Did you see what he was driving?” Leon checked out Randy’s face. “Got one over on you, huh? Did you get him back?”

  Randy dabbed at the blood on his face. “I thought it was someone else before opening the door. This is a mending horse bite, but yeah, Nate caught me off guard. It’ll be all right. He left in a black car. I didn’t get the make, but it was new, probably a rental since he lives in Oklahoma.”

&nb
sp; “Who is this guy? You say he knows her?”

  “He’s Roxanne Connor’s ex-husband.” Leon called over to Steve when he came around from the barn and gave him the vehicle information, which wasn’t much help. They had another call come in, and Steve had to leave.

  “Come on inside, Leon, to talk to Roxanne. I’ll make coffee.”

  “I’m coffee’d out but thanks for the offer. It’s been a sleepless night. That’s why I got here so fast. We just finished up a call.”

  “You should talk to Roxanne to understand what this maniac is about. There’s a detective on the case back in Oklahoma. She can put you in contact with him. Nate’s a real bastard, Sheriff, and her life is in danger until he’s caught.” He held the door for them to enter.

  Roxanne waited on the sofa. “Howdy, Roxanne. Long time no see, as they say. Wish it was under different circumstances.” Leon went toward where Roxanne waited and sat in the chair closest to her. His gaze went to the crutches leaning against the couch.

  Randy went to the kitchen to make coffee, but reconsidered. He joined them in the living room, eased close beside her, and took her hand from her lap to calm her fears. She had crossed her leg over her residual limb probably to hide it from prying eyes.

  After they both talked with Sheriff Thompson, Roxanne had given him the detective’s business card. He’d request a photo from Oklahoma so they’d have Nate’s description.

  “He likes to hang out in bars, so maybe start there.” Roxanne sighed.

  Leon checked his watch. “Well, too late to check the bars now.”

  After all the information had been given about the events that took place tonight, Roxanne gave him a brief description, thanked him for coming, and Randy walked outside with Leon.

  “If he comes back, Leon, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

  Leon donned his hat. In his car, he sat a moment staring up at Randy. Then he backed out without responding. Saying those words to the sheriff wasn’t the brightest idea he’d ever had. Inside, Randy offered to carry her back to bed, but she’d have none of that, so he handed her the crutches.

  “I have to be independent but thank you.” She rose on her good leg, tucked the crutches under her arms, and went in ahead of him. “I figured it was Kim knocking tonight.”

  “Me too. Let’s go to breakfast before visiting the sheriff’s department. Afterward, I’d like you to accompany me to Jake Lawton’s ranch. I won’t be long over there.”

  She stopped at the door and peered at the floor. “It isn’t your job to keep me safe. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  Maybe you need a bodyguard. “It is my job because I want a future with you, and if he kills you…” Randy stepped around to face her. He lifted a hand in front of him. “I might as well be dead, too. Understand?”

  Roxanne nodded when they entered the bedroom. “I understand. Please don’t say things like that.”

  It was the only thing he could think of to say. He appreciated her understanding, but he needed her to know how much he cared for her.

  Chapter 11

  By the time they left the JL Ranch, the sun sat low in the sky. They drove to Roxanne’s. While she showered, he ordered Chinese carryout they’d pick up on the way to his house. In a roundabout way, he had to find a reason to keep her with him tonight. Nate might not know where she lived, but he wouldn’t take the chance of waiting around to find out. She’d catch on to his plan soon, and he’d have to let her go home. Nonetheless, having her around like this gave him both joy and excitement.

  Roxanne came out wearing loose black pants and a sleeveless, pink top with a deep V in the front, showing off cleavage that caught his attention. Her arms were toned, and the sun today gave her skin a warming glow.

  She picked up a restaurant flyer that had come in the mail. “I’m starved. Watching you do all the work today at Jake’s wore me out. I hear you’re in demand around here.”

  “I never intended on staying so long.” He went to her and lifted a long lock of drying hair that had started to wave a bit. He liked it wavy. “I want you to ride the new horse I bought. You’ll like him. I ordered Chinese food from the same place you liked when you used to visit.”

  “Good. I remember. You know what? Let’s ride after we eat.” Roxanne chuckled. “A lot later after we eat.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll stop by Dane’s on the way home to bring my horse over to my place for a while. You can drive my truck over and I’ll ride him. It isn’t far by going the back way.”

  “Whoopee! Sounds fun.” Roxanne ringed her arms around his neck. “You do know I can’t stay every night at your place, right? I have to get on with life, check on my storage units, talk to my manager, and—”

  He placed his finger over her lips. “I know, Rox. I know. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

  “Okay, but we will talk. I know what’s bothering you.” She paused. “Tomorrow.”

  On the way to Dane’s, Randy called him to let him know they’d be picking up the horse for an hour or so. Having his horses at his ranch was all the more reason to get at least a part of his barn and a couple stalls in shape. Tomorrow night after work, he’d begin repairing the stalls.

  Roxanne entered the barn with him. He got the horse out of the stall. It was a fairly new barn and the loft was filled with hay—hay that he and Davy had helped stack. “I’ll get the tack.”

  She tucked her thumbs around her belt loops. “It’s kind of nice watching my young cowboy work up a sweat.”

  Randy chuckled. “You’re gonna keep running with that young cowboy thing, aren’t ya?”

  “Yep! As long as I can.”

  “I look older than you, Roxanne.” Randy laughed to himself. What was two years’ age difference when it came to a lifetime… Ah, hell! He cleared his throat. “Can you drive a stick shift? I mean, can you push in a clutch?”

  Roxanne peered at her left foot. “I don’t know.” Then she replied firmly, “Yes. I can drive your truck.”

  He liked her tenacity. Of course, she could. She could do anything she put her mind to, and tonight, under the slice of moon, she was going to dance, dammit.

  ***

  She drove a ways behind him, which helped to light his way. Before he got to the ranch, he lifted his hand to stop her, and she pulled up beside him. He inclined his head toward his ranch. “Turn the lights off. Reach into my glove box and get my gun.”

  “What’s wrong?” She scooted over to get his handgun, which was in a holster. “Here. Randy?”

  Randy took it, clipped it inside his waistband at the back, and moved to the front of the truck. He looked off toward his silhouetted ranch then came back. “There’s a vehicle at the ranch. Stay here. Keep the lights off and wait in the truck until I come back. Honk the horn if you need me to get back here.” He expected an argument but was glad to see she agreed. “If I can see them, they can see us if they’re looking this way. You know there’s wolves out here, so roll up the windows.”

  “It’s another reason for me to have a pistol.”

  “As long as this maniac is around, yeah, you should have one.” Randy removed his phone from his pocket and silenced the ringer. “Hang tight, Rox. You’ll be okay out here.”

  “I know. Be careful.”

  He rode off but veered to the left to come in around the side of the house. There’d be no fooling around tonight. He’d get the job done and ask questions later. Tonight he’d be prepared. He tied his horse to a post in the back and strode around the house. The squeak of the glider spilled out into the night. Randy cocked his revolver. “Get off my damn porch.”

  The tall guy stood abruptly with his hands held high. “Randy? It’s Zach Bryson.”

  “What? Dammit! What the hell you doing sneaking around, Zachary?”

  “You’re the one sneaking around, dude. Can I put my hands down or do you plan on shooting me?”

  Randy decocked his revolver, holstered his gun at his back, then ran up the steps. “Man, I had no idea you were around.�
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  “Check your phone sometime, and you’ll know these things.” Zach grabbed a hold of him to pull him into a man hug with a big pat to his back. “Damn, Randy, what’s going on?”

  “It’s great to see you.” He unlocked the door to the house. “Go on and make yourself at home. I have to go back to the desert.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’ll explain when I return. My horse is around the back.” Randy stepped off the porch. “I’m glad you came. Stick around.” He jogged around to get his horse, mounted him, and rode in a gallop to where Roxanne waited.

  Roxanne got out when he neared the truck. “What the hell is going on, Randy?”

  “I have no idea.” He pulled his phone out to check voice mail. How’d he miss it? “It’s my Army buddy. A good friend, and he just dropped in. I called him a short time ago to mention a job proposition. Come on.”

  “You mean the one who survived the firefight with you?”

  “Yep, but don’t bring it up first. You’ll like him. He’s a good old cattle ranching cowboy from Idaho.”

  Roxanne got in the truck and followed him toward the Circle D.

  If only he’d known, he wouldn’t have picked up the horse. His barn wasn’t enclosed enough to leave the horse here overnight, either. He’d grab Zach and take Spirit back. At the house, they got out to tie the horse to a hitching post out front. “The food will be cold by now, but damn, I’m starved. I’ll share mine with Zach.”

  Zach came out of the house and down the steps. “Well, looky at you two. What’cha got here, Randy? Been keeping secrets, huh?” He took Roxanne’s hand before she offered it, shaking hard. “Nice to meet you whoever you are.”

  “Roxanne Conner. Nice to meet you. Randy told me about you.”

  “Well, I wish he’d told me about you. You’re a pretty thing.”

  Randy slipped his arm around her shoulder. “She’s gorgeous.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Hey, I got carry-out. Come on.”