Stand-Up Cowboy

by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Stephanie Bond

  If he’d pigged out on the heart-shaped sugar cookies she’d brought to the daycare party, she’d be worried about his intake of sweets. But after one bite of the one she’d given him, he’d handed it back. Like her, chocolate was more his speed.

  When she walked with him into the living room, Garrett was crouched next to the fire shifting the logs around. Georgie spared him a quick glance before continuing to the kitchen nook. She went with him, because he wasn’t tall enough to put the tray on the counter.

  He handed it to her and opened the dishwasher. After she rinsed everything, he loaded it on the racks.

  “Good job.”

  “Yep.” He glanced at her. “Grit maked the fire.”

  “Right.” Technically she had, but she’d gladly share credit if it meant Georgie considered it a worthwhile contribution.

  “I maked a Val-tine.” He pointed to it with obvious pride.

  “You did! And I love it.” She walked to the fridge and crouched down so they were both eye-level with the big red heart he’d stuck on the door with Spiderman magnets.

  Inside the heart, two wobbly black circles each contained dots that might be eyes and a curvy line that might be a mouth. A family portrait. She put her arm around his shoulders. “I’ll keep it forever.”

  He nodded. “I know.”

  “Let’s go make s’mores.” She gave him a squeeze and stood.

  “Grit gots boots.”

  Interesting comment. “That’s right.” Evidently he didn’t mind Garrett having boots. Maybe he even liked it. The Babes could be onto something.

  By the time they returned to the living room, the coals glowed invitingly and Garrett had laid out all the supplies. He sat on the right side of the couch, leaving plenty of room on the left for her and Georgie.

  With a hand on his small shoulder, she guided him around the left end and picked up a toasting fork. Sticking a marshmallow on the end, she turned to hand it over. But he wasn’t beside her.

  Instead he’d marched down to Garrett’s end of the couch. He stood in front of him, back straight. “I gots boots.”

  She pressed a hand to her mouth to hold back a startled laugh.

  “Nice boots.” Garrett’s voice sounded strained, as if he might be having trouble keeping a straight face, too.

  And that was it. Georgie walked back to her. She handed him the fork and they started making s’mores. So did Garrett.

  Nobody talked. She was afraid to say anything and upset whatever strange détente was going on. Garrett kept his silence, too. Every so often Georgie would look at Garrett, but he never ventured back there.

  After they’d all made several s’mores, Garrett stood and carried his fork into the kitchen nook. The sound of running water indicated he was washing off the fork.

  Georgie used his stage whisper. “What’s he doin’, Mama?”

  “I think he’s getting ready to leave.”

  “Oh.”

  Was that disappointment in his voice? Sounded like it.

  Garrett came out of the kitchen nook and walked to the front door. “Thanks for the s’mores.” He plucked his coat off the rack and shoved his arms into the sleeves. “Have a good—”

  “Wait.” Getting to her feet, she walked to the door. “We didn’t decide—” She stopped herself before she said something incriminating.

  Garrett pitched his voice low. “Six.” He put on his hat.

  “Got it.” She gazed at him and mouthed the word progress.

  He smiled and gave a short nod. Then he touched two fingers to the brim of his hat and went out the door.

  When she turned, Georgie was staring at the closed door. “Grit goed home.”

  “Yes. Want to make one more s’more before you go to bed?”

  “Yep.” But clearly he missed their silent, boots-wearing guest.

  Well, join the club. So did she.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  His A-game. Yeah, right. D-game was more like it. Garrett swore softly as he turned off the engine of his washed and detailed truck.

  He should have it together by this point in his life. Instead he was more nervous than a green teenager picking up his first date. Loading this night with expectations was a recipe for disaster and he’d done it, anyway.

  He wanted the next twelve hours to be like a slowly toasted marshmallow, a gentle build-up of passion that culminated in the sweetest, most tantalizing love-making either of them had ever experienced. Was that too much to ask? Yes, it was.

  Opening the door, he checked the slushy ground near the running board. For sure he’d get his polished boots covered in muck walking up to the porch. He leaned over and opened the passenger door. Anna’s footing would be just as bad. Her loafers would end up a mess.

  Should’ve paid more attention to the landscape instead of obsessing about the evening ahead. Closing both doors, he backed out and drove in at a different angle so the passenger side was only a few feet from the bottom step.

  Anna came out and waited on the porch as he was resituating his truck. Her white parka covered whatever top she’d worn, but she’d opted for a denim skirt instead of jeans. Red boots had replaced the loafers he was used to seeing.

  He hit the button that lowered the passenger window. “I didn’t like my original parking job.”

  “I was hoping you hadn’t changed your mind about our date.”

  “Not a chance. Hang on and I’ll come around to help you in.”

  “That’s silly. I’ll just—”

  “Please let me.” He opened his door.

  She laughed. “Well, if it means that much to you.”

  “It means that much to me.” He put the window up and climbed out. He’d be damned if he’d just swing by and expect her to hop in.

  The footing wasn’t bad, so his boots didn’t take much punishment as he rounded the hood of the truck, grasped her hand and helped her into the passenger seat.

  She glanced at him and smiled. “I think you spit-shined this truck.”

  “I think you’re right. Are those new boots?”

  “They sure are. When I was in the store with Georgie yesterday, I noticed they were having a half-price sale on red ones for Valentine’s Day. Georgie and I went back today and I bought these.”

  “Snazzy.” He closed the door, hurried around, and swung into the driver’s seat. “Your first pair of boots?” He pulled the door shut, enclosing them in the warmth from the heater.

  “I used to have some.” She buckled up. “Before I met Brad, my girlfriends and I would go dancing at a country-western place in Indianapolis. Brad didn’t dance, especially country, and I gave them away. But I like these even better. Can’t wait to try ’em on the dance floor.”

  “And here I thought I’d be introducing you to something new.”

  “You are. I’m letting someone keep my kid overnight. I still can’t believe I’m doing it. Henri’s promised to call or text if she has any issues.”

  “He’s in good hands.” He put the truck in gear and headed out. They were off. And chatting like normal. Good start.

  “It’s like when I put him in daycare, except different. I’ve never left him overnight with anyone. I felt very weird driving away from Henri’s, but as time goes by, I’m adjusting to it.”

  “Was Claire already there?”

  “She was. The minute Georgie saw her, he was all in. Then Henri brought out her little stuffed moose named Ben to meet Carl. After the two furry friends got acquainted, she took us all down to the basement to show off Charley’s trains.”

  “Charley had trains?”

  “Sure did.”

  “That’s news to me.”

  “Nobody’s touched them since he died. She couldn’t face those trains and the Brotherhood couldn’t bear to go down there, either. She almost hired someone to dismantle everything and find a buyer, but she couldn’t bring herself to do that, either. It’s a gorgeous layout.”

  “Georgie must be over the moon. I would have been at his
age.”

  “He was delirious when he saw them. Claire was dazzled, too. I confess I was fascinated, myself. I mean, who didn’t have a train set that ran around the Christmas tree at some point in their childhood?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Did you like trains?”

  “Loved ’em. Wasn’t in the cards for me to own any though. I could buy a train set now, but what would be the point? I have nowhere to put it.”

  “You don’t need to buy one. Just go ask Henri if you can mess around with Charley’s. I think dusting them off for the kids and getting them running again did her heart good.”

  “Probably.”

  “If Henri’s okay with the trains, now, maybe the Buckskin gang could have fun with them again.”

  “I’ll bet they would.” He hesitated. “This might not work out, but trains might be something else Georgie and I could agree on. Besides boots.”

  “Wasn’t that amazing when he made a point of showing you his? I think you had to be part of his decision to get some. Ed didn’t put any pressure on him to go this route.”

  He grinned. “I don’t think it’s wise to force anything on Georgie.”

  “You picked up on that, huh? By the way, he was sad when you left last night.”

  “You think so?”

  “Definitely. We made a couple of s’mores afterward, one for each of us, but his heart wasn’t in it. He loved going back to shop for my boots today, though. He walked up and down the aisles, pointing out boots that looked like yours.”

  “How do you know he was thinking about me?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. It might have been the way he pointed at each pair and said either Grit or nope, not Grit.”

  “Wow. That does feel like progress.”

  “That’s not all. Tonight, when I left Henri’s and told him goodbye, he touched two fingers to the brim of his hat.”

  “Where’d he learn that?”

  “You did it last night as you were leaving.”

  “I suppose I did. It’s an automatic thing with me.”

  “Well, he noticed and he copied you.”

  “I’ll be damned.”

  “For the record, I noticed, too. That’s the kind of move that gets my heart thumping.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “It’s polite, subtle and sexy. I don’t like seeing you leave, but you sure look good doing it.”

  He glanced at her. “You always look good. I like your hair like that.” She’d worn it down and added some waves. He couldn’t wait to get his hands in it. Taking a quick breath, he returned his attention to the road.

  “That’s nice of you to say. I’ve been so kid-focused since Georgie was born that I haven’t spent much time on myself. I got out the curling iron tonight for the first time in months.” She ran her fingers through the dark, glossy strands.

  The motion sent a sweet fragrance his way. Her shampoo, most likely. He’d be treated to that scent while they danced at the Moose. Later he’d be surrounded by it when they… uh-oh. His body liked that prospect a little too much. And they were only a few minutes into the evening.

  She’d stopped talking. Was it just him, or had the temperature in the cab gone up several degrees? Her breathing had changed, too.

  She shifted in her seat. “All I brought tonight was my phone and my key.”

  “That’s…” He paused to clear the huskiness from his throat. “That’s all you should need.” Should he mention what he’d brought?

  “I noticed there’s a duffle in the back seat.”

  “It’s a change of clothes.” And condoms. “In case I need to head straight to the barn. I have barn duty in the morning.”

  “I promise not to make you late.”

  He met her gaze. The air sizzled and he broke eye contact immediately. Driving off the road wouldn’t add to their evening’s enjoyment. “I know you wouldn’t. It’s me I’m worried about.”

  “Are you prone to oversleeping?” She sounded amused.

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Well, I might. For almost three years I’ve had a kid who needs attention first thing in the morning. What a luxury not to have that responsibility.” The teasing note was still in her voice.

  “Then I’ll be careful not to disturb you.”

  “What if I want to be disturbed?”

  His jeans began to pinch. “Then I’ll be at your service.”

  She groaned. “You win. I thought I could play this sexy game without it getting out of control.”

  “Is it out of control?”

  “Almost. I have half-a-mind to ask you to turn the truck around.”

  “I have half-a-mind to do it.”

  “But the gang is expecting us.”

  “Yes, they are, and you’ve never been there for one of our outings. We should go, have a nice meal and dance a few times.”

  “I want that, too. I’ve been practicing my shimmy.”

  “Practicing your… shimmy?” Yeah, he was toast.

  “Kate and Millie taught Isabel and me how the other night.”

  “Of course they did.” Way to throw gasoline on the flames, ladies.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Anna had been in the Choosy Moose a couple of times with Brad before Georgie was born. She’d laughed at the large plush moose head mounted over the bar and tapped her foot to the music from the country band.

  Tonight, bright red hearts dangled from the moose’s antlers and she was here with a crowd eager to hit the dance floor. She couldn’t wait to experience the Moose the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

  The Buckskin gang commandeered two adjoining horseshoe-shaped booths. Soon after the servers returned to the kitchen with everyone’s order, the band launched into Kip Moore’s Somethin’ Bout a Truck. The booths emptied out with cries of the truck song.

  Garrett led Anna to the dance floor and called over to CJ and Isabel. “Bet you requested this.”

  “You know it. If Izzy and I only get a couple of dances, this had to be one of them.” CJ twirled Isabel onto the floor.

  “It’s a gang favorite.” Garrett pulled her into his arms. “CJ plays it for us on fire pit nights. Ready?”

  “Sure am.” Giddy with anticipation, Anna matched her movements to his as they circled the floor in a fast two-step. Not long into the dance, he put her through some tricky maneuvers. “If this is a test, bring it on, cowboy.”

  “Dancing with you is a test, all right. Testing the heck out of my self-control.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, ma’am. That tight red top…”

  “I wore it to go with the boots.” She hadn’t dressed provocatively in forever. Hadn’t wanted to.

  “Nice try. You wore it to drive me crazy.”

  She smiled. “Does it?”

  “Take a guess. I’m adding more complicated moves to distract myself from… other things.”

  “I see.” Now she had her mind on other things, too. She bungled a step and accidentally nudged his arm with her breast.

  He tightened his hold. “Playing dirty, are we?”

  “That was your fault. I missed a step because you brought up… the other thing.”

  “I’m doing my level best to keep it down.”

  She flashed him a grin. “I’m sure it’s very hard.”

  He spun her in a double twirl and hauled her up against him. “I’ll let you be the judge.”

  The music ended, but he didn’t let go. Like the rest of the Brotherhood, he’d left his hat on for the dancing. Hats added to the manly visual and the challenge of dancing while wearing it. These guys clearly relished both.

  The Stetson’s brim shadowed Garrett’s eyes, but there was no mistaking the glow of passion in their blue depths. Or the heat coming from his aroused body.

  The band switched to a slow tune, and he began to move, keeping their hips aligned, his gaze locked with hers and his hands clasped behind her back. “You turn me inside out, Anna.”

  “Ditto, Garrett
.” She rested her palms on his chest and matched her breathing to his.

  “After this song, the food should be coming out.”

  “Can’t wait.” She breathed in the scent of his aftershave as his heartbeat vibrated against her palm.

  “I couldn’t care less about the meal.” He massaged the small of her back. “But once we eat it, we’re that much closer to leaving.”

  His low, intimate tone stoked the fire racing through her veins and she shivered. “I know I objected to the eat and run plan before, but—”

  “Tell you what. Let’s at least stay for the traditional line dance with the gang. CJ and Isabel need to leave early, so odds are somebody will ask the band for a line dance tune once everyone’s finished eating.”

  “Then we can go?”

  “Then we can go.”

  A line dance. The perfect opportunity to show off her shimmy.

  Garrett’s prediction was right on target. As plates around the table grew empty, the band announced a line dance she’d learned in Indianapolis, the Cowboy Cha-Cha. She caught Millie’s eye and smiled. Millie gave her a quick thumbs-up. Kate and Isabel exchanged a glance. Game on.

  She turned to Garrett. “I know this one.”

  “Then let’s get out there.” Taking her hand, he led her to the dance floor.

  They lined up beside CJ and Isabel with Jake and Millie in the row ahead of them. Millie turned to give her a wink.

  Garrett tapped Millie on the shoulder. “What are all the signals about, lady? You up to something?”

  “I’m always up to something.”

  Jake laughed. “I’ll vouch for that.”

  The band played the intro to Shania Twain’s I’m Gonna Getcha Good! and Millie threw her hands in the air, let out a whoop and started them off.

  Anna had to concentrate for the first few bars, but once she’d grooved in the pattern, she loosened up enough to deploy her first shimmy. The first one was tentative and Garrett wasn’t watching, anyway. Kate, Millie and Isabel were shimmying their hearts out. Time to go for it.