He couldn’t change the past. If he could, James would still be alive, married to Joanna, and running the Lazy L with Mitch and their dad.
His past—what he’d experienced and all that he’d learned—had made him the man he’d become. Without it, without the loss of his brother and the nephew Joanna had been carrying, he might not appreciate what he had under his roof right now. He had a son. Best of all, he had a son by the woman he loved.
He and Olivia had both made mistakes. The challenge would be putting those mistakes behind them and building a life together. If he could just get her to see things his way.
And if he could get past the anger that tended to flare whenever he thought of the years he’d missed with Adam.
The crickets and fireflies seemed to have called it a night and maybe he should too. He stubbed out the cigar, ready to hit the sack, but before he could stand, the soft click of a door latch beneath him snagged his attention. Leaning forward in his chair, he saw Olivia slowly making her way down the patio stairs off his bedroom toward the pool. It was late. What was she up to?
He remained glued in his chair, waiting to see why she was up and outside so late. He watched as she glanced around before dropping her robe at the top of the stairs leading into the pool. Silvery moonlight shimmered on her naked body. He sucked in a quiet breath. Seeing her could still steal the breath from his lungs. Seeing her naked body drove him insane. His balls tightened. The zipper of his loose shorts pulled snuggly across his hardening cock. He readjusted himself but never took his eyes off the sight below.
Olivia dropped her crutches on the concrete by the pool stairs. Using the handrail to support her weight, she hopped down each step until she touched the bottom of the pool. After shoving off, she began swimming laps. When she got to the far end, she flipped and returned. She was using more arms than legs to pull herself through the water, although he could see her exercising her injured ankle and knee. After ten laps, she stopped in the deep end and treaded water. When she checked her surroundings again, Mitch made sure he was deep in the shadows.
She swam back to the steps and hobbled out, again giving him a delicious view of her toned shape. He smiled. Who needed bourbon when her effect on him was more intoxicating than alcohol?
He’d expected her to collect her robe and head back into the house. Instead, she tossed the robe around her shoulders and made her way over to the whirlpool. She tapped the power button with the end of one crutch. Water gurgled from the jets and swirled in the deep tub. As she had at the pool stairs, she dropped her robe and crutches and hopped on her good leg into the whirlpool. She sat on one of the benches and leaned against the tub’s wall, her head falling back to rest on the lip. From this distance, he couldn’t hear her sigh as she sank into the hot bubbles, but he had a good imagination. Her shoulders slumped as she relaxed and allowed herself to float amid the bubbling water. After a couple of minutes of inertia, she swished her injured leg in the whirlpool’s turbulence. Was this some type of exercise designed to hasten healing? Was she using the water’s force as a counterforce to her muscular motions? He had no idea if this would help or not, but his hardening cock took notice of her shapely limbs as they drew figure eights in sexy, sinuous movements.
He leaned forward, not that a change in position would improve his view. As it was, he had a straight shot of the scene below. When she made her way closer to the pounding whirlpool jets his mind began tossing out lewd suggestions of how firm shots of water could be used to pleasure her. A burning ache to touch her, to make love to her tortured him.
That’s it. He quietly stood and made his way to bed…but only after a long cold shower.
Growing up on a ranch in hot south Texas required waking before the sun to work the cattle. Mitch rarely needed an alarm. He greeted most mornings ready to hit the ground running. But this morning, the harsh buzz of the alarm was as welcome as drought.
By the light of the moon, Mitch buttoned his jeans and found a clean shirt for the day. After stomping his feet into his battered work boots, he headed downstairs praying Magda had remembered to set the timer on the coffee pot. Most mornings, coffee and maybe a bowl of cold cereal was all he had before heading out. As soon as he reached the bottom step, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and hot biscuits filled his nose. Bless her. Thank goodness he’d had the sense to hire Magda over Joanna’s loud and prolonged protest.
“Hey, Mitch. I’m already to go. See?” Adam sat at the bar, a bowl of half-eaten oatmeal in front of him. As he spoke, he held up his left foot to show off a cowboy boot.
“Morning, buddy. I see that.”
Olivia stood at the stove, one crutch under her right arm. Looking over her shoulder, she said, “Adam. Finish your breakfast if you want to go with Mitch.”
Adam shoved a heaping spoon of oatmeal into his mouth. When he grinned at Mitch, oatmeal coated his teeth. Mitch ruffled Adam’s hair as he passed on the way to the coffee pot.
“Thanks,” he said, pulling a mug from the cabinet. “Magda doesn’t always remember to set the coffee timer.”
“No problem. Since I had to get up with Adam anyway, I went ahead and made biscuits and sausage. I didn’t know if you ate before you worked, or came home later in the morning.
Mitch pried open a hot, fluffy biscuit, enjoying the steam and aroma. “Magda isn’t much of a morning person, so if I get breakfast, it’s usually something cold and on the run. This is a treat. Thanks.”
He noticed Olivia wore jeans and a shiny pair of unscuffed boots. “You going with us this morning?”
She glanced at Adam, then back to Mitch. “I am. I thought maybe Adam could ride with me. I know you have work to do and he’ll just be in the way.”
“No. I want to ride with a real cowboy,” Adam cried.
“Adam—”
“No, Momma. Please. Mitch promised.”
Olivia sighed and opened her mouth to respond.
“I did promise,” Mitch said as he slid a sausage patty into a steaming biscuit. “Besides, I have plenty of hands this morning. He won’t be in the way.”
She turned so her back was to her son. “Mitch,” she whispered. “Adam is so young. You’re not used to little boys. We can follow in the truck, or in the Rhino ATV.”
The whole time she spoke, she nervously turned her coffee mug on the counter. He heard a surprising fear in her voice. Olivia had been a speed demon, a daring barrel rider, but everything in her manner reflected the nervousness of an inexperienced rider. What was making her so antsy? It couldn’t be about him taking Adam on a horse. She knew he’d been riding since before his feet could touch the stirrups. Did she honestly think he couldn’t protect Adam? The idea infuriated him.
“What’s the problem?” He spoke a low tone so Adam couldn’t overhear. “I grew up on a horse. My son needs to be able to ride too.” Then in a harsher tone he added, “Do you think I’d let anything happened to him? Don’t be ridiculous. He’ll be fine.”
Olivia chewed on her bottom lip. “I really wish you had spoken with me before promising him he could go with you this morning.”
“Why? So you could have said no?”
“Hey. What are y’all whispering about?”
Olivia smiled at her son. “Just grown-up stuff. You wouldn’t be interested.”
Adam huffed. “You always say that when you don’t want to tell me something. You know I’m almost six.”
“Not hardly.” Olivia tossed a look at Mitch. “You better make sure he comes back in one piece. And don’t think you’re going without me.”
“Fine. Come along. I’ve got a spunky, little mare you’ll love.” When her face paled at the mention of the lively mare, he added, “I thought you’d like that.”
She shook her head. “I’ve already called down to the barn this morning and spoken with Hobbs. He said he knew just the horse to give me.”
“Yeah,” Adam said with a mouth full of oatmeal. “She said she wanted something old and slow.”
�
��Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Olivia said.
Chapter Ten
Mitch pulled a beat-up, mud-covered Ford F-350 around to the front of the house and stopped. Olivia and Adam climbed into the front seat, her jeans catching on the tears in the seat repaired with strips of duct tape. Looking around the truck, she laughed. “You didn’t have to pull out the fancy truck just for us.”
Mitch grinned and put the vehicle in first gear. “Anything to impress you guys.”
Adam bounced on the seat. “How far, huh? How far?”
Mitch shifted into second. “Not far.”
“I’m a little surprised you built the house so far from the barn.”
Mitch frowned. “Joanna wasn’t much of a horse woman. Said the smell of horses made her ill.”
“Hmm. Well, to each their own, I guess.” Olivia turned to look out the window. “You have a beautiful place, Mitch.”
“Thanks. I’ve enjoyed being home again.”
He stopped in front of a large red barn. Cowboys in jeans, dirty boots and sweat-stained hats milled around waiting to get the day started.
The thought of being on a horse after so many years made Olivia’s heart claw up into her throat. She locked her fingers together to quell the shakes. It wasn’t falling off a horse that unnerved her. Heck, she’d been bucked lots of times growing up. But every time she looked at Adam, she thanked God he’d lived after such a premature birth. Riding so far into her pregnancy had been foolhardy and rash and made her realize that Adam had to come first. She couldn’t risk another fall and possible long-term injury, or even death, once she’d become a mother.
But she should have known this day would come. This is what happens when you let a cowboy father your baby. The baby will grow up wanting to ride horses, and have a father who’ll encourage it.
Hobbs led a gray mare from the stable. Given the flea-bitten color and swayback, this old gal had some age on her. Olivia caught Hobbs’s gaze and gave him a smile and nod. The mare was exactly what she needed. Slow enough to give her time to adjust again to the back of a horse and fast enough—she hoped—to keep up with Mitch and Adam.
Mitch wheeled the rattle-trap truck off to the side before hopping from the driver’s seat. Adam climbed over and out the driver’s door right behind Mitch. Once Olivia unclasped her fingers to reach for the door handle, she noticed the shake had returned. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she opened her door and stepped out, balancing on her crutches. Man, she hated these things. The sooner she could walk—even hobble—she was tossing them in the closet.
“Hobbs. Why did you saddle Lady Belle?” Mitch walked over to the gray mare and stroked her nose. “Hey, girl. Did mean ol’ Hobbs wake you up too early?”
“She’s for Ms. Gentry,” Hobbs said. “She asked me for a gentle mare, and there’s none more gentle than Lady B.”
Olivia hobbled over as quickly as she could before Mitch could tell Hobbs to saddle a different horse. “She’s perfect,” Olivia said. She slid her fingers down the mare’s velvety nose. “I don’t think I ever get tired of this. I love how soft their hair feels.” She pulled an apple from her pocket. “I brought you something, girl. We’re going to be buddies, right?”
“I have much better horses, Olivia. Bigger. Faster. More like what you’re used to.”
Olivia’s gut roiled at the idea of a different horse. Had she not learned how quickly things change? How quickly life can end? The thought of her beloved horse Alice Cooper after their devastating accident caused a hitch in her breath. If she lived to a hundred, she’d never forget the look in the mare’s eyes right before Travis put her down.
“Olivia? Are you okay?” You’re as white as a sheet.”
Olivia licked her lips and pushed the threatening nausea back down. “I’m fine. I don’t want a different horse, do I, girl?” Olivia moved the apple to the palm of her hand.
Lady Belle’s lips pulled back and her teeth clamped around the red apple.
Olivia laughed and rubbed the horse’s nose. “Very ladylike.”
A look of confusion flashed across Mitch’s face before he shrugged. “Fine. You can ride any horse you want in the stables.”
Olivia noticed Adam was glued to Mitch’s side. Probably thought if he stayed close to Mitch she wouldn’t have the chance to make Adam ride with her.
“C’mon kiddo. Let’s go get our horse,” Mitch said.
“Yeah. I want a fast one. And a big one.” The grin that popped onto Adam’s face was so broad and so bright there was no way she could change her mind, but the thought of Adam on a fast horse whipped the acid in her stomach into a froth. She swallowed against the fear climbing into her throat to join her heart.
Mitch picked up Adam and sat him on a fence rail before turning his back. “Hop on.”
Adam climbed on Mitch’s back and wrapped his legs around Mitch’s waist. Olivia watched as they walked toward the barn, Adam chattering like an over-caffeinated magpie. Mitch’s head nodded as he listened.
Olivia patted Lady Belle’s neck. “Okay, girl. Let’s check your saddle.”
The western-style saddle sat securely on the horse blanket. A single cinch strap was wrapped around Lady Belle’s belly. The belt appeared snug around the horse. It might have been almost six years since she’d ridden, but she remembered all the puffing up tricks. Usually she would gently knee Lady Belle’s gut to make her exhale so the strap could be cinched tight. But on crutches, that would be impossible.
Before she could ask for help, a squeal that could only belong to her son drew her attention and stole her breath. She turned to see Mitch leading an enormous beast from the stable. Adam sat high in the saddle of the mahogany-color steed that had to be at least sixteen hands. The idea of Adam falling from such a height practically stopped Olivia’s heart.
Fringe flopped from a pair of miniature leather chaps that had magically appeared on her son’s legs. Adam’s hands squeezed the saddle’s horn. The boy’s face shone like someone had thrown a spotlight on him. When he saw Olivia, he loosened one hand enough to wave.
“Momma. Look at me. I’m riding all by myself.”
Olivia gulped again. Nervous fear swelled in her throat. Forcing a smile on her frozen lips, she said, “I see you, honey. Hold on with both of your hands, okay?”
Mitch led the large animal toward her. While the horse seemed calm and placid as it neared her, Olivia had to force herself to hold her ground, force herself to project a calm exterior.
“He’s a natural,” Mitch said. “Must be in the genes.”
Adam looked at his denim clad legs. “Yep. It’s my new jeans.”
Mitch laughed. “Hobbs. Everyone ready to head out?”
“All except your guest.”
Mitch looked at Olivia, then at her crutches before arching an eyebrow. “Problem?”
Olivia ran her hand under Lady Belle’s stomach band. “I need this tightened. I was trying to figure out how to do that. On crutches it’s a little tough.”
Mitch pursed his lips. “A little tough?” he repeated. “How about a little impossible?” He tossed the reins of his cutting horse to one of the cowboys. “Hold this.” Mitch stepped up beside Olivia. “Scoot over,” he said, then turned toward the horse, leaving Olivia staring at his denim-covered bottom. She might not want to admit it, but the man looked good in jeans. Then the memory of how good he looked all over flashed through her mind and she felt her flush as it rushed up her neck and onto her cheeks.
Her fascination with his shape only intensified when he bent his leg to tap his knee against Lady Belle’s gut to force her to exhale. That action moved the muscles in his rear in such a delectable fashion it had Olivia licking her lips. When he jerked the strap through the rigging ring, securing the saddle tight on the horse’s back, the muscles in his forearm twitched and flexed, reminding her of how strong Mitch was. Reminded her of the time he held her against a shower wall while making love.
“There,” Mitch said, stepping back to admire
his work. He looked at Olivia. “Are you okay? You look a little flushed.”
“I’m fine. Just excited to get going,” she lied.
“Have you thought about how you’re going to get on Lady Belle?”
She gritted her teeth. He knew she was going to need some help. Her lips pressed together as she thought of how to answer him.
“I’ve got an idea.” He picked her up and sat her in the saddle. Her crutches fell to the ground. He picked them up, walked over to his truck and tossed them into the passenger’s seat. “Now, let’s get gone. Daylight’s burning.”
She wanted to be incensed at how he manhandled her into the saddle, but the feel of his strong, hot hands around her waist, the bunching of the muscles in his arms as he’d lifted her, woke a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. Of course, that fluttering could be fear of being on the back of a horse. Or it could be because she was supposed to be sitting with her leg propped up and not riding a horse. But Dr. Gowen would just have to cut her some slack today. No way was Adam going without her nearby.
Olivia checked her watch. Daylight burning, indeed. It was just now six a.m.
Mitch threw himself into the western saddle behind Adam. Gathering the reins in his right hand, he wrapped his left arm around Adam and pulled him snug.
“Grab the horn and hold on,” he instructed Adam.
Adam wrapped all ten fingers around the saddle’s knob. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Hobbs rode out first with the rest of the cowboys close behind at a trot. Mitch wheeled his horse toward the other riders and followed at a somewhat slower pace. Olivia was left in the yard. She clicked her tongue and tapped the heels of her boots against Lady Belle’s side. The horse began to move at a pace appropriate to a snail—perfect as far as Olivia was concerned.
Lady Belle’s broad body between her legs felt as familiar and comfortable as a worn pair of jeans. She’d missed the feel of having a thousand pounds of horseflesh under her control. She leaned forward and patted the old horse’s neck. “Good girl. You’re exactly what I needed today.” And she was. Olivia hadn’t realized how much she’d missed riding until now.
Texas Two Step: Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 1 Page 15