Cowboy's Sweetheart (Sugar Coated Cowboys Book 3)

by Stephanie Berget

  “What Willa?” He had to work to make his words sound natural.

  She leaned back and forth, trying to see past him. “Can Vivi come with us?”

  Vivi appeared at his side, her cheeks pink and laughter in her voice. “Of course I will.”

  Willa tilted her head as she looked from Byron to Vivi. “Why is your shirt on inside out?”

  Without missing a beat, Vivi said, “It’s supposed to be that way. It’s a fashion statement.”

  Willa nodded, pulled her lip between her teeth then turned to Byron. “Is Vivi your girlfriend?”

  ~-~

  Vivi still blushed every time she thought of what Willa almost saw. It had been a week, and she still laughed when she remembered how Byron struggled to answer Willa’s question.

  She couldn’t laugh too much though. If she hadn’t recently read a romance novel where the heroine had used the fashion statement excuse, she’d have been at a loss for words, too.

  Fear and excitement raced alternately through her when she thought of being alone with Byron again. He’d made sure someone else had been with them since their encounter with Willa, but Vivi had come up with a plan.

  She watched as he rode toward the hills. Micah had told her where Byron was going. She’d paid attention and now could catch, saddle and ride Worry by herself.

  She reveled in the cool fall air and the total silence of riding through the hills. She’d given Byron a half hour’s head start. When they’d gotten far enough from the house, she urged Worry into a ground-covering trot.

  Byron had worked his horse down a steep ravine and come up on the other side. He’d stopped the colt and looked back. She saw the moment he noticed her.

  Vivi waved and turned Worry down the narrow trail.

  Byron had dismounted and was waving both arms. She waved back just before he disappeared as she descended the slope. She could hear him calling to her, but couldn’t hear the words. She’d be over there soon enough.

  The trail got steeper and switched back. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea and she stiffened and pulled on the reins. Worry stopped and waited in a spot where the bank rose straight up on one side and nearly straight down on the other.

  Vivi made herself relax in the saddle, but kept a tight hold on the reins. Byron’s words came back to her. If you get into trouble to trust Worry. Even when she stroked his neck he stood like a statue. She sucked in a breath and loosened her grip. She placed her hand on Worry’s neck and gave him some slack in the reins.

  He stood for another moment then began taking small steps down the steep slope. The animal eased them to the bottom. She was looking for the best place to climb the other side when Byron crashed through the underbrush.

  “What the hell are you doing? I told you I’d come to you.”

  Well, heck, she’d been so proud of herself for remembering Byron’s words and very proud of Worry for taking care of her. “I brought you a picnic lunch, but if you don’t want it, I’ll just go back to the ranch.” She turned Worry and started back the way she’d come.

  “Wait,” Byron called. “Follow me up.” When she didn’t move, he added, “Please.”

  The climb to the top was made in silence. When they broke out onto the meadow, she was amazed at the view. Across the ravine toward the house, the cows grazed. The view of the mountains, painted in shades of blue and purple, took her breath away.

  Byron stopped and dismounted. “What were you thinking? You can’t just go riding wherever you want. It’s dangerous.” He towered over her, and his overprotective attitude made her grit her teeth.

  “I spent most of my life listening to a man put me down. I swore when Father died, I’d never do that again. If you’ll show me the safe way back to the ranch, I’ll stay out of your way.” She stood her ground, although looking as far up as she had to do with Byron probably took away some of her attitude.

  Byron took off his hat, wiped his forehead with his sleeve and resettled the straw. He slipped a set of hobbles off his saddle and knelt beside the colt. The he tied the Mecate to a branch, leaving enough slack for the colt to drop his head and graze on the dried grass. When he walked over to where Vivi stood, he hobbled the older horse then took off his bridle.

  “Worry won’t run away?”

  “Not if the other horse stays here.” Byron took her hand and led her to a fallen log. He sat down and patted the place beside him. “I’m sorry I yelled. You scared me.”

  “I let Worry go where he wanted. Just like you said.” Vivi couldn’t understand what his problem was. She’d done as he’d instructed.

  Byron sat with his forearms resting on his thighs, his head hanging. “If you’d gotten scared and tried to turn him around, he could have fallen, taking you with him.”

  “But you told me what to do. I trust you.” She put her hand on his thigh, but resisted the urge to stroke up his leg. “I’m not a stupid airhead. I can follow instructions.”

  His sigh carried all the weight of his worries. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  She did let her hand move up his leg and back down. “I’m okay. I promise to try not to do things to make you crazy, but I’m an adult and I can make decisions for myself. Besides, Worry takes care of me.” She grinned. “I’m fine. Are you hungry?”

  He nodded but his smile wasn’t there.

  “Look, I promise to be more careful, but I can’t live just so you won’t worry.”

  After retrieving the saddlebags from Worry’s back, Vivi pulled a thin blanket from inside and spread it on the ground. She’d made sandwiches, had a small bag of chips and a large plastic bag of Cary’s famous chocolate chip cookies.

  Maybe she could get him in a sugar coma and have her way with him. The thought made her chuckle, and she looked up to see Byron watching her, his eyes dark and his gaze smoldering. Had he read her thoughts?

  She ducked her head, the smile still on her face and unwrapped one of the turkey sandwiches. “I’m not much of a cook, but I can make a mean sandwich.”

  Byron still watched her as he reached out. His voice was gentle, but his words shocked her. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, uh. The truth?”

  “Yes.” Byron touched her hand as he took the sandwich, and a jolt ran up her arm.

  “I wanted to be alone with you.” She felt a blush crawl up her cheeks, but stared him straight in the eye. If he rejected her, that was that, but she wasn’t backing down on what she wanted. Life was too short.

  He studied her for so long, she thought about climbing on Worry and riding away.

  Byron cleared his throat. “One more question.”

  “Okay.” She braced herself. This should be easier. She’d always thought if a woman threw herself at a man, he’d take what she offered. That’s what all the books and movies showed.

  She wasn’t expecting forever. She liked Byron. She did, but she knew he wasn’t ready to share his life. He probably never would be ready.

  “Why are you standing way over there?” Byron held out his hand.

  “I thought I might add a little mystery to our relationship, not throw myself at you the very first thing. Not that we have a relationship.” This wasn’t going at all like she’d planned. “Just sex. That’s what we have. You’re my Benefit Friend.”

  “Friend with benefits?” Byron waited, his hand still out.

  She loved the way it felt when Byron took her hand, his large warm one wrapping around hers. He dropped to the ground and tugged on her until she sat beside him.

  “I’m not sure I’ve ever had a woman come straight out and ask for sex. You’re sure?”

  The humor in his voice turned her on. Everything about Byron Garrett turned her on. She crawled into his lap and straddled his legs, facing him. “Sure as a windy day in March.”

  “Another one of your Google sayings?”

  “Yes,” she said, her voice a whisper.

  Byron slid his hand beneath her jacket and shirt to the bare skin of her back. He ran a
finger up her spine, slowing over each vertebra. He stroked her skin with one hand and cupped the back of her head with the other.

  When his lips touched hers, Vivi sighed. Out here, nothing could interrupt them. She ran her hands over his biceps and up to his shoulders. Winding her arms around his neck, she pulled him close. The soft snort barely registered in her subconscious as she fell into Byron’s kisses.

  A loud snort seconds later caught their attention. Both horses stood stiff, their heads in the air, their ears perked in the same direction.

  Byron scrambled to his feet, almost dropping her in his haste. “Aw, shit!” The colt pulled back. The branch broke with a crack just as Byron caught the tail end of the Mecate. Despite the hobbles, the colt tried to run, and it took all of Byron’s strength to keep the animal from escaping.

  Vivi looked for what had scared the colt and gasped as a dark brown bear stood to his full height.

  “Put Worry’s reins around his neck, now, and see if you can get the bridle on. Hurry.” Byron struggled to get his colt under control.

  The bear stood still, probably wondering what all the fuss was about, then dropped to all fours and crashed through the brush into the ravine.

  The colt trembled but calmed with the bear gone. He wasn’t relaxed by any means. Byron crooned to the animal, trying to reassure him. Worry watched until the bear was out of sight, flicked his ears a couple of times then dropped his head.

  Vivi managed to get the bridle on him and led her horse over the Byron. “Wow, I’ve never seen a bear. How cool.”

  “Wouldn’t have been cool if we’d have had to walk back.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Lester Charters opened his email account to find yet another message from Viola. He thought briefly of deleting it without opening it, but Viola was a tenacious little thing, and she’d just write back.

  Dear Mr. Charters,

  I just wanted to keep you apprised of what’s happening in my search for a suitable property for my art studio. I’m sending you the listings for two possible places, one in Bend, Oregon and one in the resort community of Crooked River Ranch. Quite honestly, neither one seems perfect but they’re the closest I’ve found so far. I’ll look at them next week. If nothing comes up, I’ll expand my search parameters into Washington and Idaho.

  Sincerely,

  Viola Beckett

  He opened the attachments. The property in Bend was so run down he was surprised she’d even look at it. It would take a small fortune to fix up. The price of the Crooked River Ranch property almost made him choke. Not that she couldn’t afford it. Her grandfather had left her a large fortune, but he had the money tied up, working for her—and for him.

  He thought for a moment then typed his reply.

  My dear Viola,

  Not to dash your hopes, but I’d advise against the Bend property no matter how good of a bargain the realtor says it is. The Crooked River property is beautiful. After you visit it why don’t you send me a list of the pros and cons you see with the house and surrounding property. We’ll go through them together and make sure it is the place for you and your beautiful art. Buying your first home is a big decision, and we want you to have the perfect place.

  Take care and I’ll talk to you soon.

  Sincerely,

  Lester Charters

  ~-~

  Twice, he’d had Vivi in his arms, willing and warm then something or someone had interrupted them. Who had he pissed off?

  He turned to find Vivi with Worry bridled. “Good old Worry. I’m not sure if there’s anything that could upset him.

  “He’s amazing. Will your young horse be this quiet when he gets older?”

  “They’re all different. He’ll get better, but he’s pretty high strung. I doubt if he’s another Worry.” Byron bent down and worked the hobbles loose.

  “You said Worry was a good horse the first time I rode him. He’s more than good, he’s the best.”

  “We need to head back. I don’t think that bear will bother us. They’re usually happy to leave people alone if we leave them alone, but he’s spooked this colt, and I sure don’t want to meet the animal on the narrow ravine trail. We’ll have to take the long way home.”

  Handing the reins to Byron, Vivi gathered the lunch things.

  It didn’t help his out of control libido to watch her bend, her cute little ass outlined in the denim. If he didn’t get his hard on to go away, it was going to be an uncomfortable ride home.

  Vivi folded the blanket and stowed the food in the saddlebags. She took the reins and mounted her horse like she’d done it all her life.

  Hard to imagine that just two months ago she’d never ridden. Byron felt a jolt of pride in her determination and drive. When Vivi set her mind to something nothing stopped her.

  He shortened one rein just in case the colt decided running off was his best option then swung into the saddle. He reached over and took Vivi’s hand. Just another touch of her soft skin to keep him going until they could be alone. It didn’t last more than a second before the colt danced away.

  Vivi asked one question after the other about the bear.

  “I haven’t seen a bear for several years. Must be a young one that’s moved into the area.”

  “Won’t they hurt the cows?”

  The worry on her face almost made Byron smile. She was as soft hearted as they came. “ON very rare occasions, they might hurt a calf, but like all mothers, mama cows will defend their babies with their lives.”

  Her voice dropped to a whisper, and if he’d been any farther away, he wouldn’t have heard. “Not all mothers.”

  She was right about that.

  When he caught her eye, she looked away and pointed. “How long does it take to get back to the ranch?”

  Vivi asked about other wildlife in the area, how his colt was doing, and if he’d liked his sandwich. She kept up the barrage of questions, only being quiet when he had to ride far enough ahead of her that she’d have to shout.

  He’d tried to bring up the subject of her mother once, and she’d shut him down. Dear old mom must be off limits. He was surprised. She’d talked pretty regularly about her dad, the asshole.

  By the time they reached the barn, Byron could see that Vivi was dragging. He offered to take care of Worry, but she wouldn’t have it.

  They were walking toward the ranch house after putting the horses away, when they saw a strange car. Cary and a woman stood by the steps, and as soon as Cary saw them, she waved them over.

  “Vivi, this is Marissa Cole, the realtor I told you about. Marissa, this is Vivi Beckett and Byron Garrett.”

  The woman looked out of place on the ranch. Her cream-colored pantsuit wouldn’t last long in the dirt. She shook Vivi’s hand then turned to Byron. He’d seen the look before. Her gaze wandered over him from his feet to his head, with a stop in between.

  “So nice to meet you Mr. Garrett. Will you be looking at the property too?” Her smile was intended to be friendly, but her expression made Byron think of a coyote with a jackrabbit in its sight.

  He looked at Vivi. “Property?” The word came out harsher than he’d intended, and he could see the confusion on Vivi’s face.

  “Ms. Cole thinks she’s found a home and property that would be perfect for my art studio. I’d love it if you could come look at it with us.” She reached out tentatively and placed her hand on his arm.

  And once again, he had proof positive that he was a fool. His home was the little bungalow on the Circle W. No woman with as much going as Vivi would settle for that. Of course she was looking for a place of her own, and she should. Her talent was remarkable. He cleared his throat and tried to erase the frown from his face. “I’ve got to work. Have fun.”

  He headed back to the barn and found the kittens playing in the aisle. He scooped up the calico and rubbed her beneath the chin. “Looks like it’s just you and me, kid.”

  ~-~

  Vivi had searched the barn and out buildings when she�
�d arrived home, but could find no sign of Byron. The look on his face when he found out she was looking for property had confused her. She had mentioned that, hadn’t she?

  He’d walked away without giving her a chance to explain. Even with the realtor waiting, she should have gone after him, but the manners drilled into her by her parents won out.

  The property search hadn’t gone as well as the realtor had predicted. Ms. Cole chattered all the way to Bend, telling Vivi how perfect each of the properties would be for her business. “Don’t let the condition of the Bend property scare you off. All it needs is a little TLC, and I know just the contractor. You could remodel and make it exactly what you want.”

  “The pictures look like it’s awfully run down.”

  When they’d gotten there, Vivi found the pictures had been right. The house was a tear down, and the property was at the end of a narrow dirt road, way off the beaten path. Even fixed up, it would be hard for customers to find her.

  The house and acreage at the Crooked River development was the opposite. It was an elegant four thousand square foot house, but had no studio space. Neither place was even remotely appropriate.

  During the drive back to the ranch, Ms. Cole continued to use every opportunity to convince Vivi one of the places would be perfect.

  Vivi found Cary in the kitchen, making cupcakes with Willa and Rodie. After talking to each of the kids, she asked, “Do you know where Byron is?”

  “He took the rest of the day off. Said he had something to do in town.”

  Vivi could see that Cary was curious, but this was between her and Byron. “Thanks. See you kids later.”

  Vivi walked to Byron’s bungalow and sat in the old rocker. The light changed from bright to golden until the sun dipped below the horizon. She curled up on his bed to wait.

  The sound of the door opening woke her. Byron filled the doorway, a plastic grocery sack in each hand, and she scrambled to her feet. “I’ve been waiting.”

  He looked her up and down and grunted once before heading into the kitchen and putting the canned goods away. The man she knew had disappeared, and the angry silent man she’d first met was back.