How Far Will You Go?

by Barbara Baldwin

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  Whiskey Creek Press

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Copyright ©2005 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?

  by

  Barbara Baldwin

  WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Published by

  WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  Whiskey Creek Press

  PO Box 51052

  Casper, WY 82605-1052

  www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com

  Copyright ©

  2005 by Barbara Baldwin

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  ISBN 1-59374-451X

  Credits

  Cover Artist: ESCORPIO

  Editor: Nikita Gordyn

  Printed in the United States of America

  WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT

  HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?

  ****Excellent

  Ms. Baldwin has written an excellent tale of mystery, suspense and romance. The characters are interesting and the story line compelling and smooth and it pulls you right into the plot, while the sexual encounters are smoothly blended into the tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this love story.

  —Kim at MayReviews.com

  Rating: 5 hearts

  Ms. Baldwin writes with superior penmanship. The pages in this story just seem to turn themselves. This book reverberates with carnal passions and unforgettable moments. Ms. Baldwin keeps the sexual tension taut and you can almost see the sparks flying. After reading this tale of love, you will want your own cowboy to cozy up to. It is a keeper for this reviewer.

  —Janalee at LoveRomances.com

  The pretty young gal and the handsome cowboy set the pages on fire of this novel and more. I loved the book and I'm ready to move to Dexter Colorado and find a Lou Kincaid! Don't pass this one up it's a real keeper!

  Overall rating:

  Sensuality rating: Very sensual

  Reviewer: Louise Riveiro-Mitchell

  July 11, 2005

  Dedication

  To my daughter, Cassie—HAPPY WEDDING

  And to my critique partners, Cathy Stang and Sandy Vink (w/a Jessica Matthews). Thanks for your constant support, understanding and much valued insight.

  Finally, to Anne B, who thinks I'm great! You will be in this position one day and I'll be cheering from the sidelines.

  Chapter 1

  Kelly Baker had always been the one willing to take a dare. That attribute had led to her breaking her leg by jumping off a garage roof in grade school, getting rip-roaring drunk on beer at a party in middle school, and losing her virginity to Lou Kincaid after the Spring Fling when she was a sophomore in high school.

  That last thought slammed into her chest, constricting her breathing when the aforementioned person walked into the Crystal Water Café late one summer afternoon.

  Walked wasn't exactly how Kelly would describe the arrogant swagger and rolling gait of the boy she hadn't seen in the last ten years. In fact, boy certainly wasn't the right word either, but then again her brain had turned to mush the moment he had come through the door. She never would have recognized him if it hadn't been for the scar curving across his cheek to the edge of his jaw.

  So why was he showing up in Dexter now?

  "Are you listening, Kelly?” Maggie rattled the papers under Kelly's nose.

  "What?” She couldn't drag her gaze from the tight jeans clad butt that had just straddled a stool up at the counter. Loukota Kincaid, in the flesh. And oh, there was so much more to his flesh than there had been in high school.

  "The reunion. Hello?” Maggie tried to capture her attention again, then turned to see what Kelly was staring at.

  "Oh, my,” her best friend breathed. “I forgive you."

  Kelly didn't bother answering, her gaze riveted on Lou, or what she could see from the back, which was enough to make her heart beat faster and her breath catch.

  Of course, he looked nothing like the kid that she had made out with back in high school. Then, he had worn glasses and had braces on his teeth and he had been several inches shorter than her five foot, eight inch gangly frame. What had started out as a dare from her friends had turned into the most mind-boggling sex she had ever had.

  Well, given that she was a virgin when she and Lou wrestled in the hayloft at his parents’ ranch, she hadn't had anything to compare it to back then. However, even in her naivety she had realized that nineteen-year-old Lou had certainly known his way around a girl's erogenous zones.

  "Who on earth is that hunk?” Maggie whispered, though Kelly figured her voice could probably be heard next door.

  "Shh. It's Lou Kincaid."

  "No way!"

  "Yes, way."

  "But he was...” Her friend gestured with her hands, apparently unable to come up with any adjectives to properly describe him.

  "A nerdy, Future Farmer of America, hayseed cowboy?” Kelly quirked a brow.

  Her friend's eyes grew round as she nodded. “And you made out with him!"

  "Yeah,” Kelly sighed. The dare had been only to neck, get a hickey to prove she had, and report back to her friends. She had never even told Maggie what had really happened.

  "Man, how come he didn't look like that in high school?” Maggie groused.

  He had; or at least Kelly had seen the potential when he had stripped down in the hayloft, tossing his glasses to the ground. She remembered his eyes, dark with passion, so different when not hidden behind the thick lenses of his glasses. Working on the ranch and wrestling steers had given him broad shoulders and tight muscles even back then, but Kelly could see he had filled out considerably in the years since.

  "Are you going to wait on him?” Maggie hunched over the table to whisper to her.

  Kelly's stomach dropped. It was slow that afternoon at the Crystal Water Café, so she had told Maggie to come down to go over plans for the reunion. She looked down at the candy-striped apron she wore over a white tee shirt and jean shorts. There was nothing wrong with hard work, so why was she suddenly embarrassed that Lou might think she still worked in her mom's café after all these years?

  She had no idea what he had done with his life since he left the small town of Dexter, Colorado after graduation. Two years later, she had gone off to college and a career, and had only come home six months ago to help her mom after her dad died. From the looks of his clothes, he must still be riding the rodeo circuit, but somehow, she just knew he had made something more of himself.

  Probably something grand that involved lots of prestige and money. And with his looks, no doubt had women at his beck and call. Now why did that disturb her so much?

  "Ouch!” She jerked her arm back when Maggie pinched her. “You've been doing that to me since grade school and I wish you'd stop!” she hissed under her breath.

  "Well, geez, maybe if you paid attention, I would
n't have to.” Maggie wrinkled her nose. “Get your butt over there and talk to him."

  Kelly sighed. Her mom was off this afternoon and Bill apparently wasn't coming out of the kitchen. In the middle of a weekday afternoon, that only left her. She slid out of the booth.

  "Okay, but no snickers from the peanut gallery. And for God's sake, don't holler my name across the room. Maybe he won't recognize me."

  She quickly came around the end of the counter, grabbing a menu along the way. She laid it on the counter in front of him, willing her voice to come out normal.

  "May I help you?"

  The minute he lifted his head and his gaze found hers, she had to clutch the edge of the counter to keep from melting right into a puddle. Those eyes were just as dark as she remembered, his hair just as black. He wore it rather long, and the wind had blown it into a tousled, bad boy style. His western shirt was open part way down his chest and she could see that he was deeply tanned. Whatever he did with his life, he apparently did it without a shirt the majority of the time. The very thought made her hot.

  Without taking his eyes off her, he lifted the menu. His hands were big; the faintest hint of dark hair dusting his knuckles. Her breasts ached with the thought of those hands caressing her. Damn, it had been ten years and it wasn't like she had been celibate since then.

  She returned her gaze to his face. He quirked a brow in question. She wasn't about to offer any information about herself, if that was what he wanted. Thank God her mom didn't require them to wear nametags.

  "What'll you have?” she said instead.

  That brought a grin to his lips. His mouth had changed. His lips were fuller and his smile quirked up higher on one side than the other. She noticed a tiny spot of gold on one of his front teeth, right where it touched the next.

  "What are you offering?” The innuendo in his words had her stomach rolling. Since he didn't act like he recognized her, she could only assume that he talked to all women that way. That thought effectively shut down her raging hormones.

  "You're too late for breakfast and too early for dinner,” she said. “So about all you'll get is a burger and fries."

  "That's all?” The grin was still there and try as she might, she couldn't keep an answering smile off her lips.

  "There might be some pie left,” she conceded.

  "If I remember, Nancy's peach pie is the best in five counties. Got any of that?"

  She turned to get his pie and thought about telling him that her mother didn't bake the pies any more. She did.

  "Can I have some coffee to go with that?"

  She placed the pie in front of him and poured a mug of coffee. She automatically moved the cream and sugar within reach, knowing that was how he drank it. He reached for the sugar at the same time and their hands touched.

  Absolute awareness shot through Kelly, hotter than the Front Range in July. She could feel her face flush, her breasts swell, and an ache began between her thighs. Her hand shook as she quickly pulled it back, knowing she had to get away from him before she did something really stupid. Like jerk his body right over the counter and ravage him on the spot.

  She fled to the kitchen without looking back.

  * * * *

  Kelly Baker. Lou couldn't believe it was her. He had only come to the Crystal Water Café in hopes of asking her mother her whereabouts. He hadn't actually expected her to be working here in Dexter after all these years.

  He'd had the hots for her from the minute she started high school but had refrained from acting on it because he knew the minute he asked her out, there was no way he was going to stop with a few good night kisses at the door. Besides, he had been the geek with glasses and braces, and she had played volleyball and ran with the most popular kids in school. But when she had asked him to the Spring Fling dance his senior year, he had readily accepted, even though he had found out it was because of a dare from her friends.

  Now, one particular part of his male anatomy jerked to attention as she turned and practically ran to the kitchen. Damn, she had a sweet ass. She had certainly filled out to generous proportions since he had last seen her.

  He took a bite of pie and rolled his eyes heavenward. Colorado peach pie; there was nothing better. For all the traveling he did, overseas and stateside, he still favored the simple food he had been brought up on. Meat and potatoes, fresh vegetables, fruit in the summer, and peach pie.

  He looked around the old café. The girl who had been sitting with Kelly when he first came in was gone. He could barely hear Kelly's voice talking to someone in the kitchen. The cook he supposed. He drained his coffee mug and thought about banging it on the counter so she would have to come out and give him a refill.

  He smiled when he thought of her nervousness. He didn't know if it was because she recognized him or not since she hadn't said anything. Damn, he couldn't get over the fact that she was right here in town. He contemplated his good fortune.

  Of course, he wasn't back home on vacation. He was working, but given the circumstances, he figured there would be plenty of free time on this job.

  Absently lifting his mug again, he frowned, then simply reached over the counter and grabbed the handle to the coffee pot, filling it himself. He groaned at the stretch of muscles as he carefully sat back down. Why had he said he'd use the rodeo as a cover for his work this time? Although he frequently rode, he no longer followed the rodeo circuit, and his muscles were telling him he was too old to be doing it now.

  He'd been practicing for nearly a week out at his folks and though his cutting time was getting better, his dad had laughed when he said he was entering the competition at the fair.

  "I'd suggest you print yourself up some credentials stating you're a salesman or some such,” Louis Kincaid had said just that morning when Lou had fallen off one of the mustangs his dad was taming. His dad knew what he really did for a living, but as far as Mom knew, he simply owned his own security company. If she knew it was far more involved and dangerous than that, she would probably try and forbid him from leaving the house, even though he was thirty years old.

  Checking his watch, he noticed it was close to chore time and it would take him a good thirty minutes to get out to the ranch. Kelly still hadn't ventured out of the backroom and he grinned as he shook his head. Well, maybe she just needed a little incentive and Lou figured he was just the man for the job.

  Taking a couple bills from his wallet, Lou jotted a note on a napkin and left it all by his empty plate. Whistling, he walked out the door into the late afternoon sunlight.

  * * * *

  "Oh, God, he knows.” Kelly practically whimpered when she saw his note. She had surreptitiously been keeping an eye on him from the kitchen but couldn't make herself come out until she saw him leave. Now, she looked down at the scribbled words and clutched the napkin to her breast.

  How about a roll in the hay? It said, followed by only the initial ‘L'.

  She quickly looked out the café windows but he had already disappeared. A dozen questions bounced around in her head. Where was he staying? What had brought him back to Dexter? And most importantly, did he really mean what he had written on the napkin?

  The bell over the door tinkled and she gave a sigh. There would be no time to find out the answers to her questions now.

  "Hey, Kelly, what's happening?"

  "Hi, Heather. I'm glad you're here. I'll let you take over and I'll get busy on tomorrow's pies.” Heather was another of the waitresses who worked the evening shift. She was only eighteen and would be leaving for college in the fall, but for the time being, she was efficient and could handle just about anything that came up.

  While Heather started fresh coffee and filled the various condiment containers, Kelly went into the kitchen, automatically getting out the ingredients for her piecrusts. She usually made the crusts at night, putting them in the fridge so it was less to do in the morning. Her mom opened the café at six and Kelly would come in later and make pies, helping wait tables if it got t
oo busy for Becky and Mom.

  She worried about her mother, who hadn't been the same since her dad died. He had only been fifty-six, but the cancer had taken him quicker than the doctors had expected. Kelly had mixed emotions about her dad's death. They had never been close; in fact, had fought constantly but she loved her mother dearly, and it had scared her to death when she had gone into a deep depression even before her dad died. That had been the impetus for quitting her job with the Pentagon and staying in Dexter after the funeral.

  She rolled the pastry into a neat circle, almost perfectly matching the size to the pie plate she slipped it into. She laughed at her flour-coated hands. Little over half a year ago, these same hands could fly over a computer keyboard faster than you could see; translating computer language; breaking codes, and doing myriad other tasks that her job as computer analyst required.

  Oh, well, life was unpredictable, and at times, she enjoyed the slower, laid back pace of Dexter better than the high level, hectic life in DC.

  Especially now, she added, as she took the folded napkin out of the pocket of her apron when she hung it on the peg for the night. She thought about calling Lou's folks, figuring even if he wasn't staying out at the Rocking K, they would probably know how to contact him. Her stomach flip-flopped at the thought.

  What would she say? Hi, where's Lou? I want his body.

  While it was true beyond a shadow of a doubt, she decided she was going to wait for him to call her. After all, it had been ten years; what was another day or two?

  She tucked the napkin into her bra with a sigh, knowing that another day or two meant an equal number of nights when she would probably not get any sleep at all. And if she did, her dreams would be full of a dark-haired man with the face of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint.

  * * * *

  Lou had helped his dad with the chores, eaten supper with both his parents, and now at two in the morning he sat in a small, cramped hidey-hole in the side of the mountain waiting for something to happen. There was no moon to lighten the hills and gully that he scanned with the infrared binoculars, yet if a twig moved, he would know it.