by R. C. Ryan
“Hot sex?”
That had him laughing. “I was going to say a romantic interlude.”
“Says the blunt-spoken cowboy who didn’t even wait to feed me.”
“Sorry about that. Let me make it up to you.”
As he made ready to roll off the bunk, she stopped him with a hand to his arm. “I’m just having fun with you. I’m not really hungry, at least not for food.”
He turned back to give her a long, appraising look. A slow smile spread across his face. “Why Miss Regan, what a little glutton you are.”
“It takes one to know one.” She batted her lashes. “But I wouldn’t mind some more of those deep kisses.”
“Yes, ma’am. Happy to oblige, ma’am.”
He gathered her close and kissed her until she was humming. And then for good measure he kissed her again and again, until they lost themselves in their very own private paradise.
Casey, barefoot and naked to the waist, his jeans unsnapped, set a blackened coffeepot on a metal rack positioned over the fire, and soon coffee bubbled, filling the little cabin with its wonderful aroma.
Kirby had pulled on his flannel shirt, which fell to her thighs. Working alongside him, she filled two plates with thick slices of beef in gravy and several scoops of Billy’s macaroni and cheese, while Casey added rolls browned on a rack over the flames.
They shared a wooden bench positioned in front of the fireplace, over which they’d placed a warm woolen blanket.
Their feet were propped on the hearth.
“All the comforts of home,” Casey murmured as he dug into his meal.
“It’s really cozy. A little home away from home.” Kirby looked around as she enjoyed her dinner. “My uncle’s ranch wasn’t big enough to need something like this. How many of these cabins do you have?”
“Just two. Over the years we built them as we acquired more land to accommodate the growing herds. Most of the wranglers work on a rotating basis, up here for two weeks, then closer to the ranch so they can get some time in town. Touching base with civilization from time to time keeps them sane. But when they’re up here, this place offers them a place to bunk and shower whenever they’re not with the herd.”
“I’m sure the wranglers appreciate it.”
“Most.” He grinned. “Some of the old-timers actually prefer sleeping out under the stars.”
She set aside her empty plate and sipped strong, hot coffee. “I used to love it when Uncle Frank would let me accompany him to the hills overnight. I can’t think of anything prettier than falling asleep beside a campfire and looking up at a sky full of stars.”
“Yeah.” He crossed one foot over the other. “The first time my dad allowed me to go along with him and Gramps Egan and Ham, I thought I’d died and was in heaven. I remember sitting by the fire listening to Ham talk about his childhood in the wilderness, and the things he had to do to survive. I’d fall asleep to the sound of his voice, and dream that I was doing the things he’d talked about. I was this brave action hero, fighting blizzards and fending off bears and wolves.”
Kirby smiled at the image. “What a wonderful childhood.”
He nodded. “Looking back, I realize that the older folks were doing everything they could to ease us three boys over the loss of our mother. But at the time, I didn’t have a clue. I resented Gram Meg for forcing us to study. I resented my dad and Gramps and Ham for being so strict with us, never letting us out of their sight. Now, of course, I realize they must have been half mad with the reality that it was possible to lose a loved one and have to live with the pain. And that it could happen again.”
Kirby went very still. “I never thought about that. No wonder my uncle took me with him everywhere, even when he was visiting old cronies. I wonder what it did to him to lose his wife, his only brother, and his sister-in-law. And once his daughter left for college, he must have realized that his world was shrinking. All he had left was me.”
“And all you had left was him. That’s a pretty lonely life.”
She shook her head. “He was enough. Whether I was mucking stalls beside him, or riding in the hills, or making a visit to town to load up supplies, he made it all fun.” She looked over. “The same way you and your brothers make everything fun.”
He grinned. “Maybe some things, but I draw the line on barn chores. Making them fun is a stretch.”
“But you do it. All of you. And I hear as much laughter in the barn as I do in the house.”
He grew thoughtful. “They say laughter’s good for the soul.”
“I laughed a lot with Uncle Frank.”
“Why did you leave him and go to DC?”
“I’ve asked myself that question a lot. I haven’t made a lot of good choices. I guess I thought life would be glamorous in a big city.”
“Was it?”
She shook her head. “Honestly? I found myself spending hours in rush-hour traffic, doing a job that didn’t challenge me, rushing to my tiny one-room walk-up with a takeout supper, and then getting up the next morning to do it all again.” In a flurry of frustration Kirby got to her feet and picked up their empty dishes before walking to the small galley kitchen.
She filled the sink with water she’d heated over the stove.
Casey’s voice sounded behind her. “Laughter isn’t the only thing good for the soul. Know what else is?”
Before she could respond he said softly, “Good loving. Especially when the soul is troubled.”
With her hands in the sink she felt his arms encircle her waist from behind. “Casey…”
He pressed his mouth to the little hollow between her neck and shoulder, nuzzling the soft skin until she shivered. “Sunshine, you have to know what you’re doing to me.”
She turned in his arms, unmindful of the water that dripped from her hands onto his shirt. “Washing dishes turns you on?”
“Yeah. And you in my shirt, looking better than I ever could. Hell, everything about you turns me on.”
She flushed before admitting, “It’s the same thing you do to me.”
There was that sexy smile that always managed to squeeze her heart.
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Let’s leave the dishes for later. I have something much better in mind.”
“I just bet you do.” She smiled dreamily as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bunk across the room.
As they undressed each other and tumbled into bed, their lovemaking wasn’t rushed, as the first had been. Now it was slow and easy, as though they had all the time in the world.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kirby awoke to the wonderful fragrance of coffee.
For a moment she lay very still, getting her bearings, as she recalled her amazing night with Casey. They’d made slow, delicious love, before washing the dishes and banking the fire. Throughout the night they’d dozed, then woke up for more loving, before sharing all the little things about their childhoods that they’d never shared with anyone else.
He’d been as interested in her history as she’d been in his, and they were surprised to find so many similarities in the lives they’d lived growing up just miles apart.
She’d learned so many new and fascinating things about him. Not only his love for this land, and the animals he tended, but the high regard he had for his family. Despite the teasing, there was a deep well of love here. He’d regaled her with tales of his childhood escapades with his brothers, and she loved seeing the bold, brash boy he’d been.
“’Morning, sleepyhead.” Casey settled on the edge of the bunk and held out a steaming mug. “Coffee?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.” She sat up, oblivious to her nakedness, and accepted the coffee, taking a long drink before handing it back. “Something smells wonderful. Did you make breakfast, too?”
“I did.” He set aside the cup and brushed her hair from her eyes. “But you’re going to have to wait awhile to eat.”
She arched a brow. “Why?”
“Because I have
something else in mind first.”
As his words penetrated her sleep-fogged brain, her smile grew. “Oh, you mean…Now who’s the glutton?”
“I see we’re on the same wavelength, Sunshine.” He settled himself beside her and gathered her into his arms.
Against her mouth he murmured, “It’s the perfect beginning to a really special day.”
And then there were no words as they lost themselves in their newly discovered passion.
Kirby finished the last of her steak and eggs. “That was fantastic. Bless Billy.”
Beside her, Casey finished another mug of coffee. “The man can cook.”
“You’re not bad yourself.”
He grinned. “It’s easy, as long as I have the right supplies and a fire to cook them on.”
“I’m impressed by your camping skills.”
“I had good teachers.” He caught her hand. “Are you fortified for a hike in the hills?”
She nodded. “Maybe we’ll run across some more mustangs.”
“That’s the plan.” He followed her to the kitchen where they washed their dishes and set them aside before pulling on their hiking gear.
After banking the fire, they left the little cabin behind and saddled their horses. Soon they were high in the hills, looking out on the snow-covered land where it was easy to imagine that they were the only people in the world.
“That makes four more herds.” Smiling, Kirby clicked off as many photos as she could before the mustangs drifted into the cover of the forest.
“We’d better think about getting back to the cabin. It’ll be dark soon.” Casey held the horses’ reins as Kirby tucked away her phone and pulled herself into the saddle.
As they crested a hill and looked down at the range shack, Casey reached over and held Kirby’s hand.
At the tender gesture she turned to look at him. The smile he gave her had her heart swelling inside her chest. How was it possible that this cowboy had the power to turn a simple day in the hills into something special?
“Last one to reach the cabin has to make dinner,” he called as he let go of her hand.
Unable to resist the challenge, she dug her heels into her mount. Though the snow was belly-deep in places, both horses, sensing food and shelter, made a valiant effort to run.
With Casey’s horse just a fraction behind her, Kirby spurred her horse on, reaching the cabin’s porch first. She leapt from the saddle and stood laughing as Casey dismounted.
“Looks like I get to be a lady of leisure tonight.”
He was grinning, and as they led their horses into the lean-to behind the cabin, she had the distinct impression that he’d held back just enough to allow her to win.
She decided to humor him. After all, a win was a win.
When the horses had been tended to, they walked arm in arm to the cabin, grateful for shelter from the biting cold.
Casey added kindling to a couple of logs and soon had a fire burning on the grate.
He started toward the galley kitchen. “Are you up for some grilled chicken?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Kirby rummaged through the saddlebags and discovered some sliced vegetables and some wooden skewers. “Look what Billy prepared for us.”
“Great. We’ll grill them with the chicken.” Casey popped the tops of two longnecks and handed one to Kirby.
He took her hand and led her to the blanket-covered bench. “Since you won the race, you get to sit here and watch while I slave over a hot fire.”
They were laughing as he set the food on the wire rack over the flames before joining her on the bench. As they stretched out their legs toward the warmth of the fire, they tipped their beers and sighed with the pure pleasure of it.
Kirby put a hand on his. “I love this cabin.”
He twined his fingers with hers. “I know what you mean. I’ve loved it since I was a kid. Of course now I’ll love it even more, because of what we shared here.”
“It has been special, hasn’t it?”
“You made it special.”
She glanced at their joined hands. “We made it special.”
He leaned close to brush a kiss over her mouth. “What would you say about holding off our supper for a while?”
Seeing the smoldering heat in his eyes she stood and began leading him toward the bunk. “I think cold chicken sounds perfect.”
“I overcooked the vegetables.”
They were sitting side by side under the covers, enjoying a lukewarm supper.
“I think they’re fine.” She opened her mouth as he offered her a bite of his grilled red pepper.
“Want another beer?”
She shook her head. “I think I’ll make a pot of coffee.”
She scrambled out of bed and filled the pot with water and coffee before setting it over the glowing coals.
When it finished brewing, she held up a mug. “Want some?”
He nodded, and she poured some into two mugs before carrying them to the bunk. They sipped in companionable silence.
“I could get used to this,” Casey said.
She chuckled. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Maybe, instead of just another day or two, we should throw out all the rules and stay up here for the winter.”
“What would we do for food?”
“I guess I’d have to roam the hills and hunt.”
“And I’d have to dress whatever game you brought home and cook it.”
“Or…” He grinned. “We could just head home and let Billy worry about all that.”
She was laughing. “I like the way you think.”
“Good.” He set aside his mug before placing hers beside it and gathering her into his arms. “Because what I’m thinking is—”
“You’re worse than a glutton. You’re insatiable.”
“All your fault. Once you let me taste the forbidden fruit, I was lost.”
Her laughter ended in a sigh as, with soft, easy kisses and slow, practiced touches, they slipped away to a world of pleasure beyond belief.
Chapter Twenty-Five
’Morning, Sunshine.”
Kirby awoke to find Casey perched on the edge of the bunk, watching her. “Good morning. How long have you been awake?”
He brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “Just long enough to make a fresh pot of coffee.” He frowned slightly. “And to check on the weather.”
She smoothed his forehead. “And…?”
“There’s a storm rolling in. I know we were hoping for another day at least, but this one looks big. The snow’s already falling, and the clouds over the Tetons are thick enough to suggest a blizzard that could trap us up here for a week or more.”
She lowered her finger to his cheek. “Would that be so bad?”
He closed a hand over hers. “It would be heaven. But I can’t spare that much time away.”
“I know.” She felt the sharp sting of reality crowding in. “And I need to call Caroline to see if her lawyer has the papers ready to sign.”
“There you are. Let’s cling to the positive.” He drew her up beside him. “We’ll need to get on the trail soon.” He leaned close and brushed his mouth over hers. “But if we skip breakfast there might be time for one more…”
“Talk about looking for something positive.” She couldn’t help laughing. “I guess we could eat later, along the trail.”
“A woman after my own heart. Thank heaven.” He stretched out beside her, all the while brushing soft, wet kisses along her throat until she was humming with pleasure. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise. And if we’re lucky, we’ll make it home in time for a hot dinner with the family.”
She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him close. Against his lips she whispered, “Right now, I’d rather have my hot cowboy.”
“Your wish is…”
Neither of them needed the words.
Several more inches of snow had fallen overnight, forcing them to be cautious
as they made their descent.
Gusts of snow stung their faces, nearly blinding them at times. As the north wind picked up speed, they hunched deeper into their parkas and lowered their heads to avoid the worst of it.
As the horses picked their way through the drifts, Casey looked over at Kirby. “I’m glad we aren’t on foot or you’d be buried under all this snow.”
She laughed. “And you’d have to put me on your shoulders.”
He shot her a surprisingly solemn look. “I wouldn’t mind in the least. I hope you know I’d do whatever necessary to keep you safe.”
Touched, she reached over to take his hand. “I know that, Casey. It means the world to me.”
He looked at their joined hands. “You’re special to me, Sunshine.”
“I’m glad. Because you’re special to me, too.” She thought about saying more, but the time wasn’t right.
When her horse stumbled, she released his hand to concentrate on the difficult journey ahead of them.
Though they hoped to make it back to the ranch in time for supper, the severity of the storm had her narrowing her goal. It would be enough to simply make it back safely, no matter how long it took.
As they broke free of the woods and entered Merrick land, the blizzard raging in the higher elevations was only a memory. Here in the flat meadow, there were no more than a few inches of fresh snow, and the wind had grown calm.
When the horses rounded a bend, Casey pointed. “Look. Down there. Home.”
Kirby had long ago stopped feeling her fingers or toes. But the moment she caught sight of the ranch in the distance, her flagging energy was revived, and for some strange reason she didn’t want to probe too deeply, she felt like weeping.
The horses, now in familiar territory and sensing food and shelter at the end of their long journey, began to strain against the reins in their eagerness.
Kirby turned to Casey. “Should we give them their heads?”
He laughed. “Why not? They’re as eager as we are.” He couldn’t resist adding, “Last one there has to unsaddle and feed them.”