This Cowboy of Mine--Includes a Bonus Novella

by R. C. Ryan

  Beside him, Kirby accepted hugs from everyone before following suit.

  Billy caught Kirby’s hand. “I put some mac and cheese in with the supplies. You’re going to love it.”

  She laughed with delight. “Thanks, Billy. You know the way to my heart.”

  Jonah tugged on her horse’s reins. “I know somebody else who does, too.”

  She merely arched a brow and held her silence, aware of Ham’s sharp-eyed gaze fixed on her. There wasn’t much that got by the family patriarch.

  Casey nudged Solitaire into a turn, and Kirby’s mount followed. As the two horses forged a path across a pasture, the family waved and shouted. And then, as they rounded the big barns, the voices died and they began an upward trek toward a high meadow, already deep with fresh snow.

  Casey slowed his mount and waited for Kirby’s horse to pull alongside. He reached out for Kirby’s hand. “You’re looking mighty happy, Sunshine.”

  “I am. I called Dan this morning and told him I was back on the clock.”

  “I’m sure that made his day.”

  “Yeah. He said it would be good to check one more thing off his to-do list.” She took in a breath. “And Caroline called to say she’s sorry for the delay, but the bank was asking for a lot of paperwork. She hopes everything will be in order in a few days.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Even better news.”

  She nodded. “So when Myrtle Fox called to say the apartment has been thoroughly cleaned and that it’s ready for a tenant, I had to tell her that I won’t be coming back, except to pick up my things.”

  “How did she take the news?”

  “She said she has two other people asking to rent it, so she’ll hold my things in the back room of her bakery until I can pick them up. She plans on signing a new tenant today.”

  Casey chuckled. “Leave it to Myrtle to have a Plan B. She doesn’t let any grass grow under her feet.”

  Kirby shared his laughter as they continued climbing and wondered at the lightness around her heart. She had the feeling that the dark cloud of disaster that had followed her from DC was finally gone for good.

  “Look.” Hours later, Casey spotted a herd of mustangs.

  While the mares foraged in the snow for grass, the leader stood atop a hill keeping watch. When he spied the mustang behind Casey’s mount, he reared up and issued a warning whinny.

  Kirby turned in the saddle. “Is this our filly’s herd?”

  Casey shook his head. “Afraid not.”

  “How do you know? Is speaking mustang another one of your claims to fame?”

  He chuckled at her little joke. “What that stallion had to say to our filly was definitely not a welcome-home greeting.”

  As if to prove his words the herd, driven by their leader, drifted into the shelter of a nearby woods. All that was left of them were their prints in the snow.

  Casey nudged Solitaire up the hill, leading the mustang.

  Kirby’s horse followed.

  When she drew abreast Casey nodded toward her cell phone. “You recorded the herd?”

  She nodded. “I wonder how many more we’ll see.”

  Casey shrugged. “Hard to say. With so much snow, a lot of the herds will be forced to travel long distances from their usual rangeland looking for food and shelter. But I’m betting we’ll encounter more than a dozen separate herds before we head back.”

  Kirby was smiling as she tucked away her phone. It felt so good to be back doing what she’d come here to do. What was even better, she was sharing it with Casey.

  In the woods, where the snow wasn’t as deep as in the open fields, they were able to dismount and lead their horses.

  Casey turned. “How’s the ankle holding up?”

  “Not even a twinge so far.”

  “You’ll let me know if it starts giving you any trouble?”

  “I will. But I don’t want you to worry. Dr. Peterson said everything looked perfect.”

  He paused beside her. “I’m just reminded of my brother. When Brand broke his leg, he did some damage by not getting therapy before resuming his activities, and he paid a price for it.”

  “As I understand it, his break was serious. Avery told me the surgeons had used titanium rods and pins to repair the damage. Mine was considered a hairline fracture. Barely visible, even with X-rays.”

  “I know.” He put a hand on her arm. “But humor me and give me your word that you’ll let me know if you start to feel fatigued.”

  “Yes, Dad.”

  “Okay. I get it. I won’t nag.” At her little laugh he arched a brow. “Well, maybe just a little.”

  “I promise to tell you if I need to rest.”

  “Good.” He pulled himself into the saddle as they entered a high, snow-filled meadow. “Time to let our horses do the work.”

  Kirby mounted and looked around, giving a sigh of pleasure at the scene spread out before them.

  The snow-covered hills gently folded into one another, dazzling like a sea of diamonds beneath a blinding sun.

  “Look.” Kirby pointed behind them. “Ours are the only prints. This is like our own private world.”

  Casey nodded. “It’s why I love coming up here whenever I can get away. There’s a sense of order and timelessness. No schedules. No chores. Just nature, the way it’s always been.”

  He paused, his attention caught by something in the distance. “Look up there.”

  On a distant hillside stood a black stallion, watching over his herd of mares.

  “That stallion is one of the reasons why I became a vet.”

  At her questioning look he explained. “He was a newborn, and I found him shivering in a snowstorm. With Ham’s help I brought him to our barn and gave him food and shelter until he was able to make it on his own. I named him Storm, and though I turned him loose, I’ve charted his progress through the years. His herd numbers almost two dozen at last count.”

  “Storm.” Touched by his story, Kirby turned to Casey. “Could this be our mustang’s herd?”

  When the scent of the herd reached the wild horse, she lifted her head and gave a sharp whinny.

  The stallion answered, and the mustang reared up, pawing the air and tugging sharply on the rope.

  Casey smiled. “I’d say we have our answer.”

  He dismounted and ran a hand over the mustang’s head before removing the rope.

  The stallion gave another whinny and the mustang started toward the herd. Though her first steps were hesitant, as though relearning how to navigate through the deep snow, she was soon galloping at full speed.

  Caught up in the moment, Kirby dismounted and stood beside Casey, watching with rapt attention.

  When the filly reached the herd, the stallion raced to challenge her. For a moment Kirby held her breath as the two beautiful animals made a slow turn around one another. Then the filly stepped into the circle of horses, nuzzling one or the other before pawing the ground and dipping her head to nibble range grass.

  Kirby turned, wrapping her arm around Casey’s. “At long last, she’s home with her family.”

  “Hey, now.” Seeing tears streaming down Kirby’s cheeks, he put an arm around her and drew her close. “There’s no reason to cry. She got her happy ending.”

  “I know. These are happy tears.” She was blubbering, but she couldn’t stop. “That was so simple, and so beautiful.”

  He gathered her against him and murmured against her temple, “Yeah. Wouldn’t it be great if everything in life could be that simple?”

  She felt the deep rumble of his voice vibrate through her, and her tears continued. The rough, scratchy collar of his parka rubbed against her cheek and she welcomed it, as she welcomed his arms, his voice, his breath warming her face.

  Sensing her tension he framed her face with his big hands. “You all right?”

  “Yeah.” She sniffed before continuing. “Just feeling a little overwhelmed. I wanted her…” She shrugged. “I wanted her to stop and look back, mayb
e. I wanted her to be torn between the kind human who saved her life and the family she’d always known. Like they do in the movies.”

  “Ah.” He drew out the word before his mouth curved into a wide smile. “I didn’t realize what a romantic you are.”

  She managed to smile through her tears. “Yeah, that’s me. A hopeless romantic.”

  “Not hopeless, Kirby. Not you. I believe a little romance is good for the soul.” He lowered his face to hers and brushed a soft kiss over her lips.

  Despite the fact that he kept the kiss soft and easy, she could feel the heat of it.

  Before she could react, he stepped back. “We won’t need to find a cave tonight. There’s a range shack not far from here. We’d better move. Darkness comes early in the hills.”

  He waited until she mounted before coiling the mustang’s rope and pulling himself into the saddle.

  By the time the sun had made its arc across the sky, and the snow-covered hills were shadowed by the peaks of the Tetons, they arrived at one of the family’s cabins.

  After securing their horses with plenty of food and water in the lean-to shelter out back, they paused on the long porch, where a fresh stack of firewood stood waiting.

  Kirby watched as he unlocked the door. “Did you know we were close to this?”

  He nodded. “I know every inch of this land.”

  “So this was part of your plan.”

  His smile was quick and dangerous. “You bet. A cave can be handy, when there’s no other shelter available. But nothing beats a roof over your head and a cozy fireplace when two people are out in the cold.”

  He held the door open and said in a mock villain’s voice, “Welcome to my web, said the spider to the fly.”

  She couldn’t help laughing, even though she felt a quick sexual jolt as his hand brushed hers.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Casey coaxed a thin flame to the kindling, and soon a log was blazing on the grate.

  Grateful for the warmth, Kirby shed her parka on a hook by the door before crossing to the fireplace.

  “Hungry?” She nodded toward the bulging saddlebags he’d deposited in the tiny galley kitchen.

  Casey stood, wiping his hands down his pants. “Not yet.” He continued staring into the flames, as though deep in thought.

  She nudged him with her elbow. “A penny for them.”

  He turned, staring into her laughing eyes. “I’m thinking how hungry I am.”

  “But you just—”

  “Not for food.” He touched a finger to her cheek. Just the slightest brush against her skin, but she felt the tingle all the way to her toes.

  Again, he fell silent, and it was on the tip of her tongue to say something to break through his thoughts.

  Before she could speak, he lifted his hands to frame her face. “It’s you I’m hungry for, Sunshine.”

  He plunged his hands into her hair before leaning close to nuzzle her jaw.

  She thought of all the things she wanted to say, but the only sound she could form was a little hum of pleasure as his mouth continued a lazy exploration of her face.

  His voice was a growl against her skin. “What’s that? Did I hear you say, ‘Yes, Casey, I’m hungry for you, too’?”

  She laughed, a clear sound in the quiet of the cabin. But then she looked up into his eyes. Though they were dark with need, she realized that he was as quiet as a wild creature, awaiting an invitation to come closer.

  She shouldn’t have been surprised. Hadn’t she watched him step back from her whenever they got too close, just as she herself had kept some distance between them? Still, his reaction had her intrigued. She had never known a man quite like him. Part rough, tough ranch hand; part gentle healer.

  Hoping to keep things light she reached up, running her hands along his arms. “Why yes, Dr. Merrick. As a matter of fact I happen to be very hungry for—”

  The light-hearted words she’d been about to say were smothered by a kiss so hot, so hungry, she could taste his carefully banked passion, simmering just below the surface. It caught her by such surprise, she was filled with a wild yearning that left her knees weak and her blood heating by degrees.

  “Casey—”

  “One word, Kirby. Yes or no.”

  She felt her heart stop.

  “Yes. Oh, y—”

  “Thank heaven.” His mouth quickly covered hers while his arms came around her, drawing her close. He kissed her with all the force of a raging storm, pouring out all the feelings he’d kept bottled up inside.

  She returned his kiss with equal passion, pressing herself against him, desperate to share those feelings.

  For the longest time he lingered over her lips, as though to satisfy a deep hunger. Then, needing more, he tugged her sweater over her head and tossed it aside.

  Beneath it she wore a wisp of lace that revealed more than it covered.

  “You’re just full of surprises.” There was a smile in his voice as he reached behind her, unhooking it and watching as it drifted to the floor. “Sunshine.” The word was torn from his mouth. “You’re so beautiful.”

  He dipped his head to run kisses down her throat, then lower to capture one erect nipple with his mouth.

  A spear of heat shot through her core, and she was dizzy with need as she clung to him.

  She reached for the buttons of his shirt, needing to feel him, flesh to flesh.

  “Casey.” With a little sigh of pleasure, she ran her hands across his chest and lower, to the flat planes of his stomach.

  On a hiss of impatience, he backed her up against the wall, his hands, his mouth avid, eager. The wild throbbing of his heartbeat matched her own. She returned kiss for kiss, touch for touch, desperate with the need to feel him inside her own skin.

  She managed to whisper, “The bunk…”

  “Too far.” He dipped his head, running hot, wet kisses down her throat until she nearly sobbed from the pleasure that was building.

  “Casey, the floor’s too cold.”

  “You think so? I’m burning up. But if you need heat…” In one frantic burst of adrenaline he scooped her into his arms and carried her across the room to the bunk. When he set her on her feet, they both scrambled out of the rest of their clothes, trembling like children on Christmas morning.

  He lifted her onto the cot and stretched out beside her. They came together, hearts pounding, bodies straining.

  “Kirby.” He ran soft kisses over her face, down her throat, then lower, devouring her inch by inch.

  Now that she was free to touch him at will, she couldn’t seem to get enough. The muscles of his arms fascinated her. His hair-roughened chest held her enthralled. And as her fingertips moved lower, she heard his quick intake of breath and thrilled to the knowledge that she had such power over him.

  He buried his lips in the sensitive little hollow of her throat and heard her moan. With a laugh she returned his kisses with a hunger that matched his. But when his lips moved lower, to take her breast, her sighs turned into a gasp of raw need.

  Oh, this was what she’d hungered for. This giddy feeling that her world had tipped upside down, her head spinning, her heart pounding wildly out of control. And all because of this man.

  He moved over her, kissing her, touching her as she lay, too steeped in pleasure to do more than sigh.

  Soon the pleasure became a sharp, gnawing ache and she rose up, clutching at him.

  “Now, Casey.”

  “In a minute. I’ve waited so long. And wanted you for so long. Wanted you like this.” His eyes were hot and fierce as his mouth, that clever mouth, and those strong, workworn fingers, drove her higher, then higher still. “Just like this. All that cool control gone. I’ve been waiting for you to want me the way I’ve wanted you.”

  She felt her body go taut as she reached the first crest. Her hands fisted in the blanket beneath them, but he gave her no time to recover as he took her up and over again.

  “Casey.” His name was torn from her
lips.

  Seeing her wild with need shattered the last of his resolve. Claws of desire shredded his composure. He could wait no longer.

  “Kirby. Oh, God, Kirby.”

  As he entered her, she gripped his shoulders, her fingers digging into his flesh as she began moving with him, climbing with him.

  Hearts pounding, lungs straining, they moved together in a desperate dance, climbing higher then higher still, until they reached a shuddering climax that had them drifting back to earth like millions of glittering stars.

  As Kirby lay very still, waiting for her world to settle, she became aware of the little things she never had time to notice. The rattle of the wind against the cabin door. The hiss and snap of the log on the fire. Casey’s uneven heartbeat keeping time to her own. The strength in the arms still locked around her. The way Casey’s damp hair fell over his forehead in a sweet, boyish way.

  She lifted a hand to brush an errant strand but he stopped her, pressing a kiss to her palm.

  His eyes were intense and fierce. “You okay?”

  “Yes. You?”

  “Mmm.”

  “I guess that’s a yes.”

  His teasing smile came, crinkling his eyes. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted you?”

  “How long?”

  “Since you stormed into that cave like Annie Oakley, ready to do battle.”

  “You’re making that up.”

  “I swear.” He lifted a hand before brushing hair from her cheek. “I never thought I’d admit this, but seeing you holding that rifle really got me hot.”

  “If only I’d known. But I’ll remember that for the future.”

  “No need.” He stroked her face. “You could get me going just by breathing.”

  “Really? Does this mean I’m really sexy, or does it mean you’re just easy?”

  “Both.”

  They chuckled.

  “So.” She put a hand on his chest. “You had this little…seduction here in your cabin all planned?”

  “Not exactly.” He paused. “Sort of. I thought the range shack would be more comfortable. And I was really hoping our being alone up here could lead to…” He shrugged.