Falling for the Rebel Cowboy

by Allison B. Collins

  Wyatt handed her the papers and jumped up.

  “What’s wrong? Is that Sadie?” Frankie asked.

  “Yeah. Be right back.” He ran inside, found Sadie lying on her bed by the fireplace. Her face was pinched, and her breathing labored.

  He pulled his phone out, called Luke. “Can you come?” he asked as soon as Luke picked up. “It’s time.”

  “Be there in five.”

  He hung up. “It’s okay, girl. We’ll get through this.” He gently stroked her head and ears the way she liked.

  Frankie crouched next to him. “Is she okay?”

  “She’s about to have her puppies.”

  “Oh. We should go...”

  He looked up at her. “You can stay if you want. Don’t know if you want Johnny to watch, but he can see them later.”

  She smiled at him, rubbed her hand on his shoulder. “Nervous, Grandpa?”

  He tried to grin but looked at Sadie when she whined again. “Guess I am. Will you stay?”

  “Sure. We’ll stay out of the way. But if you need anything, let me know.”

  She walked back outside and murmured to Johnny.

  Wyatt’s nerves jangled and jumped all over the place. When he’d found Sadie wandering the fields, he’d fallen for her the minute she looked up at him with those dark brown eyes and licked his hand.

  Luke walked in, doctor bag in hand. “How’s she doing?”

  “You’re the doc. You tell me.”

  “She looks fine. You have everything ready for her?”

  “Yeah.”

  Sadie yipped, and her face pinched. He rubbed her head gently, murmured to her, prayed she’d be okay and that her puppies would be healthy.

  “Sing to her, Wyatt,” Frankie said quietly.

  He looked up, saw her standing in the open doorway, silhouetted by the light of the outdoor fire pit.

  “It’ll help calm her down. Maybe keep you calm, too?” She smiled at him.

  Maybe she was right. Lord knew he needed to do something to keep from pacing the floor like a nervous dad in a maternity-ward waiting room.

  He started singing, keeping his voice low. Sadie looked up at him and licked his hand, just as another contraction hit her.

  * * *

  A COUPLE HOURS LATER, Francine pulled the covers up over Johnny in Wyatt’s guest room. He’d given out after the third puppy was born. Before then, he’d watched, fascinated, as each pup came into the world and Sadie cleaned them.

  She walked back into the living area, shuffling in the too-big socks Wyatt had given her. He’d also lent her sweats and a flannel shirt so she didn’t have to keep wearing her work clothes and could really relax.

  Luke stood up from his place by the dogs. “She’ll be fine tonight. Just check on them every couple of hours. I’ll stop by in the morning.” He glanced at Francine. “Need me to drop you and Johnny off?”

  She looked at Wyatt. “No, thanks.”

  Luke looked at Wyatt, then back at her, raising his eyebrows. “Okay, then. See you tomorrow.” He gathered up his bag and jacket and let himself out the front door.

  She sank to the floor next to Wyatt, peeked into the dog bed at the four tiny blond puppies. “They’re just precious.”

  Wyatt nodded. “It really is a miracle, isn’t it?” he asked, his voice a little gruff.

  Her heart turned over. This big, strong man who could heave big bundles of hay out of a truck, rope cows, fix tractors and cook like a five-star chef was still moved by the miracle of puppies being born.

  He gently stroked Sadie’s head and down her back. The new mother sighed and laid her head down, closing her eyes.

  Francine tried to stifle a yawn but didn’t succeed.

  “Why don’t you go to sleep? Guest room is made up.”

  “Are you going to sleep?”

  He looked at the dogs. “I’m going to stay up a little longer.”

  “You’re not going to bed at all, are you? You’re going to be on guard duty all night, keeping watch over the puppies and Sadie.”

  He lowered his head, and his hair draped forward to cover his face. “Maybe,” he said.

  She stood up, held her hand out to him. “Come on, cowboy. Let’s give Mom a little room. We can watch from the sofa.”

  He took her hand and stood. “You’re exhausted. You should get some sleep—you don’t need to stay up with me.”

  “I’ll just keep you company for a little while.”

  She led him to the sofa, and they sat side by side.

  He pulled a throw from the back of the sofa and covered them both with it. She snuggled up to him, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  “Have you ever had puppies before?”

  “We’ve always had dogs and cats around the ranch. But Sadie is the first of my own. I don’t think I can go through this again.”

  He was so cute, being so worried for his dog. “It’s all part of life.”

  “I know.” He put his arm around her shoulders, pulled her closer. “You ever want more kids?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it. After the divorce, I threw myself even more into work. Robert burned me pretty bad—guess I’ve been gun-shy about getting too close to anyone.”

  “Haven’t you dated since then?”

  “I went on some first dates, mostly. But it became pretty obvious they only wanted one thing.” She felt his arm tighten around her protectively. “And not what you’re thinking. Those men all wanted me to get to my father. Get jobs with him, higher positions, higher salaries. A few of them found out I had a child and ran like their butts were on fire. So I finally figured it was too much bother and stopped going out.”

  “Jerks. Who wouldn’t love Johnny? He’s a great kid.”

  She laughed softly. “Yeah. But Johnny and me, we’ve been fine without them. How about you? You ever want kids?”

  He was quiet for so long, she didn’t think he’d answer.

  “I honestly don’t know. I told you I had a lot of problems in school. It was rough after my mom died. I saw what it did to Pop. I think he dated some over the years, but nothing serious. It wasn’t till Kelsey brought her mother and Maddy here this summer that he fell in love. And when I say fell, I mean he fell hard for Bunny, from the minute they met. She’s just what he needs. Hell, she’s what we all needed but didn’t know it till then.”

  He scratched his chin, and she noticed the white scar there, almost buried by the stubble. “How’d you get the scar?” She lightly touched it.

  “Uh...bar fight a few years ago.”

  “I hope you won.”

  He shrugged. “Don’t really remember.”

  “You’ve had quite a life, haven’t you?”

  “I’m not a saint, Frankie. Never said I was.”

  She remembered what he’d said about being gone for a long time. “The other night you told me you’d left Montana for a while. How long were you gone?”

  “Several years.”

  “What did you do?”

  He hesitated.

  “You don’t have to tell me. It’s none of my business.”

  “I had to get away from here. Away from people who knew me as nothing more than trouble. I told you I bought that old motorcycle and rebuilt it. One day I just got on my bike and headed south. Worked odd jobs at ranches. Eventually ended up in south Texas, where I lucked into a good job on a ranch. I got along with the foreman, and he taught me everything I know about ranching today.”

  “What made you decide to come home?”

  The silence was palpable. Something had happened to him there, she just knew it.

  “Ran into some...trouble...on the border, figured it was time. I’d grown up a lot by then, missed my brothers. Missed the ranch, the land. Montana is a lot different than Texas. Took a long tim
e to figure out this is where I belong. And I had fences to mend here at home.”

  He still wasn’t telling her everything. But maybe he’d eventually trust her enough to open up. And, she realized, maybe she’d found a man she could trust enough to open up to right back.

  Till then, she’d just have to keep the startling truth she’d just realized to herself.

  That she’d fallen head over heels in love with this enigmatic, brooding, caring, protective, softhearted rebel cowboy.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Wyatt woke with a start the next morning, his arm asleep, still wrapped around Frankie’s shoulders. Adrenaline whooshed from his chest down to his legs. He hated having those damn dreams. He’d finally figured out he had them more when he was under stress or was feeling closed in.

  Then he’d dream he was back in prison, with nowhere to run. He’d have to keep his back to the wall and his fists raised and ready to hit.

  He’d made sure to keep his image as a badass intact for his own protection. It hadn’t always worked, and he’d spent time in solitary confinement. Which he didn’t mind, really. It was better than being in the infirmary after getting jumped and beaten up. He’d rather be alone, imagining he was back home in Montana rather than in a hot-as-hell Texas prison in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by desert, rocks, scorpions and orange jumpsuits.

  This was the first time he’d woken up after a dream with someone, even if it was just on his couch. He and Frankie had talked for hours, and she’d kept him sane while he worried about Sadie and her puppies.

  He looked down at her sleeping in his clothes. She’d come a long way from the rigid woman in the pressed pink suit and matching shoes that first day.

  A lightning bolt struck him square in the heart.

  He was in love with her.

  Francine Wentworth. Executive vice president of a prestigious company in New York.

  Wealthy, beautiful, smart, sophisticated.

  Why the hell was she hanging around him?

  Was he just a novelty, a departure from the men who used her to get to her father? A fun fling so she could break out of her mold briefly then move on to a better fit?

  He didn’t think that was it. At least, he hoped it wasn’t.

  Her phone beeped, and she stirred in his arms, then sat straight up, pushing her hair out of her face. “Oh, hi.”

  “Mornin’.”

  “Did you get any sleep?” she asked.

  “Some.”

  “Sorry I passed out you.”

  He kissed her forehead. “You needed the rest.”

  She slid her phone out of her pocket, read the display. “I need to get going. Can I use the bathroom?”

  “You don’t need to ask.”

  She walked out, gave him a little breathing room. He wanted her so bad.

  It’d been torture to have her fall asleep in his arms and not be able to take her to bed and make love to her till they both melted from exhaustion. But he wouldn’t risk it with Johnny in the cabin with them. It wasn’t right.

  The front door opened, and he looked up to see Heather walk in. Crap. He hadn’t realized it was that late.

  “Heather, we need to canc—”

  “Ooh! Sadie had her babies! I want to see them.” She hurried over to the dog bed and crouched down. She patted Sadie’s head and crooned softly over the pups.

  She practically bounced over to him, and threw her arms around him. “Congratulations, Papa!”

  He put his hands on her hips to push her away just as Frankie walked in with Johnny, both of them fully dressed. The blood drained from Frankie’s face, and she stopped dead.

  Heather finally stepped back and saw them. “Hello!”

  Frankie looked from Heather to him. “We need to go. Come on, John Allen.”

  “I want to see the puppies,” Johnny said.

  “Later. Mr. Wyatt is—” She sniffed. “Busy.”

  “Frankie, wait.”

  “You don’t have to go, we’re just going to study,” Heather said.

  Frankie stopped walking. “Yes, so I’ve heard.” She looked pointedly at Wyatt and muttered, “Looked more like you were studying each other.”

  Heather, who apparently didn’t hear, said, “Yeah, for the GED test.”

  Shit.

  Frankie looked at him. “You couldn’t even date someone with a high school diploma?”

  A sharp pain lanced through his chest, his world collapsing all around him. The derision in her voice hurt more than all the name-calling he’d endured in school.

  “Not me, silly. He’s taking the test,” Heather said. Wyatt winced as his tutor clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oops.”

  “What?” Frankie asked, staring at him, her eyes popped wide-open.

  “Heather, could you please leave? Let’s skip today,” he said.

  “Sure. I’m sorry, Wyatt,” she said softly. “Call me to reschedule.” Heather picked up her tote bag and left.

  His chest ached, and it felt like he couldn’t draw a full breath into his lungs. “Can we talk a minute?” He walked to the kitchen area, hoping for a little privacy.

  “Sweetie, why don’t you go look at the puppies? Don’t touch, and be quiet, okay?”

  Johnny tiptoed to the pups and knelt down to look at them.

  Frankie walked up to him, her arms wrapped around her middle as if she were cold.

  “I should have told you that first time you saw her.”

  “You mean that’s the test you told me you’re studying for? I thought it had to do with ranching stuff.”

  “Heather is a teacher who specializes in learning disabilities.”

  Her mouth opened, then snapped shut. Her face softened, and he had to look away. Didn’t want to see the pity he knew would be on her face.

  “Wyatt, I’m sorry for that comment. I was—” She touched his chin, turned his face back to her. “I saw you holding her—”

  “For the record, I wasn’t holding her. She got excited about the puppies and hugged me. I was trying to push her away when you walked in.” Then her words registered. “Were you jealous? You?”

  She nodded, her face turning red, and she looked at the floor. “I’m not proud of it.”

  “Frankie.” He cupped her cheeks so she had to look at him. He kissed her, long and slow, poured his feelings into it, telling her with his lips how he felt.

  He raised his head, watched her till she opened her eyes.

  “Wow. You’re a good kisser, aren’t you?” she sighed.

  He half smiled.

  “You want to talk about it?” she asked.

  He summoned his courage. “I told you I had problems in school. I was never a good student. I listened, knew the subjects, but when it came time to take tests or do classwork, I’d forget it all. When I read, it’s like the letters jump all over the page and don’t form words.”

  “That’s why Johnny said you made up stories for the pictures in his book.”

  “Yeah. I didn’t want him to think I’m stupid.”

  “Oh, honey. He’d never think that. He adores you. Positively worships the ground you walk on.”

  “You grow up with people calling you stupid and lazy, you build up defenses.”

  “No one knew you had a reading problem? None of your teachers? Your family?”

  “Miss Bromfield—the old lady who talked to you at the diner—she spread rumors and lies about me. She was the meanest teacher, so we tended to play tricks on her to get even. But she knew it was me. Said, ‘You can’t fix stupid.’ Everyone was afraid of her, so I guess they thought it easier to just label me a rebel, a lost cause. My family was still reeling from my mother’s death back then. It wasn’t till I was in pr—in Texas that I met someone who told me what my problem is. Dyslexia.”

  She p
aced away, paced back again, hands on her hips. “I want to kick that teacher’s ass,” she whispered so Johnny wouldn’t hear.

  “It was a long time ago. A small town. I didn’t help myself by acting out.”

  “That still doesn’t make it right. I want to... I want to toilet-paper her house. That mean old bat!”

  He laughed, pulled her into his arms. “You would, too, wouldn’t you?”

  “You better believe it.” She put her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

  “Well, don’t do anything yet. She’s the proctor for the state test in a few weeks.” He pointed to the big red X on the calendar hanging on the fridge. “I don’t want to piss her off just yet, or she may not let me pass. Afterward, you can do whatever you want.”

  She started to say something, but her phone rang. Grabbing it from her pocket, she stepped away and answered. “Yes, I’m on the way.” She disconnected. “I’m sorry, I really have to go.”

  “Dad calling you to work?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You know it.” She wrapped her arms around him again. “I really am sorry for what I said. I was angry and it just slipped out, but I didn’t mean it.”

  Pulling her close again, he wrapped his arms around her, loving the way she felt pressed against him. It felt right. He kissed her, long and hard, his lips and tongue tangling with hers till they were both breathless. “See you tonight?”

  She nodded.

  “The harvest festival starts in a couple days just outside town. You and Johnny want to go?”

  “We’d love to. When?”

  “It runs all day on Friday.”

  “I’m going to tell my dad we all need a break. Hopefully he’ll let everyone take the day off—the team needs it after working last weekend.”

  “Great. I’ll make dinner tonight if you want to come over.”

  “Sounds great. See you then.”

  She and Johnny left, and already he couldn’t wait to see them again.

  Frankie really was an amazing woman. She hadn’t flinched when she found out he didn’t have a high school diploma and had trouble reading. And her with a master’s degree.

  Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for them yet.

  Chapter Fourteen