“That’s a relief. I’ve listened real close whenever Kendra talks about you and it sounded like you don’t have one. But if you do, then I take back my request. I would never ask you to betray a steady girlfriend. You can still borrow my horse, though.”
“I’ve discovered that a steady girlfriend is a tricky proposition when I’m working at the guest ranch. The single ladies who stay there like to flirt and they have more fun doing that if they know I’m unattached.”
“But you could lie about it.”
“Not my style.”
She liked that answer and it fit what she’d heard about him so far. “So you haven’t had a girlfriend in a while, then?”
“That’s right.”
“How long?” A dry spell could work to her advantage.
“I guess it’s been about ten months.”
“Well, there you go.”
He glanced at her. “What?”
“You can relieve your frustrations with me and still not have a girlfriend when you go back to your job at the guest ranch. I could be the temporary answer to your prayers.” She noticed a little dent in his cheek that told her he was either grimacing or trying not to smile.
“How much farther?”
“It’s right up ahead. Turn at the yellow mailbox.” The dirt road leading to the two-story frame house wasn’t long. In no time she saw her dad’s lanky frame in a rocker on the front porch. Now that the weather was warmer he was usually there waiting for her.
Looked like he was repairing a bridle. He’d developed a reputation for fixing worn or frayed tack when they’d lived at the ranch and now folks who needed that service mailed it to him. Mostly it was small things like reins, girths and halters, but every so often someone shipped him a saddle. The work gave him something to do and brought in extra money.
“Where should I park?”
“Pull up in front. The yard’s just dirt right now so you can’t hurt anything. Dad and I are planning to lay down some gravel this summer and make a circular drive with a planter in the middle.” She unlatched her seatbelt when the truck stopped. “I’ll introduce you to my dad first and then we’ll walk around to the barn. It’s like a baby barn compared to the one at Wild Creek Ranch, but we only have two horses, so it’s fine.” She hopped down and started toward the porch.
Her dad laid aside the bridle and rose from his rocker. “Where’s your truck, honey bun?”
“It was acting up so Cody gave me a ride home. I’ll take care of the problem tomorrow.” She turned around as Cody swung down and came toward them with his long-legged stride.
What a fine-looking cowboy. No wonder the guest ranch ladies enjoyed flirting with him. She swept an arm in his direction. “Dad, I’d like you to meet Cody McGavin. He’s the youngest of the McGavin brothers. Cody, this is my father, Jim.”
Cody climbed the steps and shook her dad’s outstretched hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Underwood.”
“Same here, and call me Jim. Thanks for bringing my girl home.”
“My pleasure. She’s done a lot for my mom.”
“I heard about your mom’s leg. How’s she doing?”
“Well, thank goodness. Faith said you took a bad spill a while back.”
“Yep.” Her dad rubbed his neck. “That was enough for me. I’m outta that game.” He glanced at Cody. “Care to sit a while? I can offer you a beer.”
“Thanks, but I need to take a rain check.”
“Kendra’s waiting dinner so Cody needs to get back to the ranch.” Faith was touched that her dad had extended the hospitality and wished Cody could stay. Her dad didn’t get out much and hadn’t made any friends yet. “But first I want to take him down to meet Bert. I may be loaning out my horse for a little while.”
“Oh?” Her dad looked surprised. “Why’s that?”
“Long story. I’ll explain later.” She motioned to Cody. “Follow me around back.”
“I fed them already,” her dad called after her. “So don’t let them tell you any different.”
“I won’t.” She walked with Cody around the house to the small barn and the adjacent corral. She was proud of their tiny spread. For the first time in their lives, she and her dad owned property.
“This is nice.” Cody glanced around. “Who takes care of everything?”
“Dad and I share the work. He does the cooking and cleans the inside of the house, plus makes sure the horses are fed and watered. I maintain the barn and the corral. Later this summer we might do some painting.”
He glanced at her. “You sound excited about that.”
“I am excited. Until two months ago, all I’d ever painted were houses and barns that belonged to someone else. I hate that Dad had the accident, but he got an insurance settlement and the silver lining is this place.”
“Where were you before?”
“We’d worked on a ranch down near Billings for sixteen years. But I wanted to get Dad away from the bad memories so I looked for a small town close to the mountains with ranches in the area so I could find a job. Eagles Nest is perfect.” She took note of where the sun was in the sky. “You need to get moving. Let’s go see Bert and Ernie so you can be on your way.”
The double doors into the barn worked smoothly because she’d seen to it. She rolled them back and stepped inside. “When I walked into this efficient little barn with only two stalls and a cubicle just big enough for our tack, I knew this was our spot. The house is perfect, too. I’ve always wanted to live in a two story and sleep upstairs. I have the whole top floor because Dad wanted the downstairs bedroom.”
“I’m happy for you, Faith.” His voice was filled with warmth for the first time. Not just friendliness, but actual emotional warmth.
She looked over her shoulder where he stood silhouetted in the doorway and wished the light were different so she could see his face. “Thank you.”
Both horses poked their heads out of their stalls and Bert, who was in the first one, made a throaty little noise that was his typical greeting.
Faith walked over and rubbed the white blaze that ran from his forelock to the tip of his nose. “This is Bert.”
Cody came to stand beside her. “I had a feeling, since his name’s on the door.”
“I had to do that.”
“Because otherwise they couldn’t remember where they belonged?”
“Exactly. They were forever hopping into the wrong stall.”
“I figured that was it.” He gave her a quick smile before stepping closer and stroking Bert’s glossy neck. “Hey, Bert. How’s it going, buddy?”
She’d had enough light to see that amazing smile before he turned away. If he accepted her proposition, then she’d find out what his mouth felt like when he kissed her. She’d fantasized about that a fair amount. She’d been kissed once before and she’d liked it until the encounter had turned ugly. Nothing involving Cody could ever turn ugly.
He would touch her, too, maybe stroke her body the way he was stroking Bert’s chestnut coat. Little squiggly sensations traveled down her arms and legs. “Obviously, the bay is Ernie, and you should probably pet him, too, or he’ll get jealous.”
“Can’t have that.” With a final pat, Cody moved away from Bert’s stall and transferred his attentions to Ernie.
Faith was a little shaky, which was probably an adrenaline rush. She folded her arms and took a deep breath. “So what do you think? Would Bert work for you?”
“He’s a fine horse. I’d have to see if my saddle fits but I’m guessing it would. I’d want to ride him a little to make sure we get along.”
“You’ll get along. I’ve known Bert since he was a colt. You won’t find a sweeter ride.”
Cody turned toward her. “Wouldn’t he miss you and Ernie?”
“Yes, but this would do him so much good and he’d have you with him twenty-four seven.” She swallowed a lump of nervousness. “Now that you’ve seen him and you’ve had a chance to roll the idea around in your mind, what do you say?�
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He gave Ernie a last scratch and walked back toward her. “Faith, giving a man your virginity should be something special.”
Her heart hammered. “That’s why I want to give it to you.”
“I don’t deserve to take that gift. Since you’ve waited this long, why not hold off until you find the man who’ll share your life?”
“That’s…that’s not the way I see things working out.”
“Why not?”
“I’m just not the type. Besides, my dad and I have a home now. We’re settling in and it’s enough for me.” She hesitated. “But I want to know what it’s like.”
“Meaning…”
“Sex.”
“Oh.”
“Someone gave me a box of books last year and what happens in those books sounds nice. Fun, even.” She gazed up at him. “I know you could show me and you’d be kind to a beginner.”
He studied her intently for several seconds. “What if I’m not all you want me to be?”
“I’m not worried about that.”
“I sure as hell am.” He flinched. “Sorry. That kind of language doesn’t belong in a discussion about lovemaking.”
Despite the tension, she couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve lived and worked alongside trail-hardened cowboys all my life. A swear word now and then doesn’t faze me. I’ve used them plenty of times myself.”
“Maybe so, but I’d bet my hand-tooled saddle that you’ve never discussed this particular topic with those cowhands. And if you ever did, they wouldn’t be using any swear words.”
“That could be true.”
“Look, I know you want an answer and I don’t blame you. But I need to think about this. If you’re willing to wait until tomorrow morning when I pick you up, I promise to decide one way or another by then.”
She didn’t have much choice. If she pushed him now, he’d probably turn her down. He still might, but maybe some time alone to imagine the possibilities would nudge him over to her way of thinking.
“Okay.” She moved a step closer so they were almost touching. “But in case you decide the answer is no, would you be willing to kiss me right now? Then at least I’ll have that.”
He regarded her silently. She thought he would refuse, but then he took off his hat and hooked it on a vacant peg on the wall. He did the same with hers. Her heart beat so loud she was afraid he could hear it.
Moving closer, he framed her face in his big hands and tilted it up. “Close your eyes.”
She squeezed them tightly shut.
“Not that much.” There was a smile in his voice as he brushed his mouth over her eyelids. “Just normal closing, like you’re going to sleep.”
She relaxed her eye muscles. “How’s that?”
“Better.” He pressed his mouth to her forehead and feathered a light kiss over her cheekbones.
She wanted to ask him to do that again. It felt delicious. But he had to get home to his pot roast dinner. She also wanted to put her hands on his chest, but maybe he wouldn’t like that, so she kept them at her sides.
“Now lick your lips.”
She swept her tongue over her mouth. She thought he sucked in a breath but she might have been mistaken.
His breath warmed her mouth, tickling a little. “Leave your mouth open just a little bit. That’s perfect. Now hold still.” He gently touched his lips to hers. Moving slightly, he adjusted the fit and put a little more pressure on her mouth.
Oh, yes. This was lovely. The velvety texture and the subtle movement of his lips against hers made her dizzy. She wondered if she’d pass out from happiness.
Then he pulled back. “Breathe, Faith.”
She opened her eyes.
“You’re holding your breath, aren’t you?”
She nodded.
“Well, stop it.”
With a quick gasp, she drew in a lungful of air. “You’re…supposed to breathe…when you kiss somebody?”
“Yes, ma’am.” There was that dent in his cheek again.
This time she knew he was trying not to smile. “How does that work, kissing and breathing?”
“It just does.” His chest was rising and falling darned fast, almost like he was excited.
That would be great if he was excited about kissing her. She wanted to try it again now that she knew about the breathing thing, but she couldn’t justify keeping him here any longer. She’d promised the visit would be quick. “I’ll remember that for next time.” There might not be a next time but she’d think positive and assume she’d get another chance. “You need to get going.”
“Yes, I do.” He plucked his hat from the wall and handed hers over. “I’ll be here at seven in the morning.”
“I’ll be ready.” She walked him to his truck.
He called out a farewell to her dad, who was still on the porch, then settled behind the wheel. He tapped his fingers against the brim of his hat before starting the truck and driving away.
“Seems like a nice guy,” her dad said from the porch.
“He is.” She went up the steps and sat in the rocker that had been designated as hers. The porch had a good view of the mountains and the sunset. Now that the weather was nice, she and her dad had formed a habit of sitting outside to watch it. “His mom and brother are terrific, too.”
“So what’s this about loaning him Bert?”
She was prepared with half the story. “In a couple of weeks he’s leaving for a two-month exploration of wilderness areas in the mountain ranges between here and Mexico and he needs a horse.”
“I thought Wild Creek Ranch had a stable.”
“It does, but all the horses are used for trail rides every weekend. Cody can’t take one and leave them short. But he hesitated to get another one because the stable is full and he wouldn’t have a place to keep it when he finishes his trip.”
Her dad nodded. “I can see why Bert would be a good option, then.” He’d abandoned the Stetson he used to wear for a baseball cap. She thought he looked better in the Stetson, but he’d stored it in his closet as if trappings like that didn’t fit his new life.
“He could use the exercise, that’s for sure. While Cody has him, I can ride Ernie more often.”
“I can’t decide what to do about that horse.” He sighed and leaned back in his rocker. “I really should find him a new home.”
“Don’t do it yet. I’ll need Ernie to ride while Bert’s gone.” She thought once her dad sold Ernie, his cowboy days would be over for good. Despite what he’d been through after the accident, she hated to see him give up riding completely. He used to love it and he’d passed on that love to her. She’d secretly hoped that once they were settled in this house she’d be able to coax him out for short rides, just the two of them. So far he’d refused.
“You don’t have to twist my arm. I’m happy to procrastinate on that situation. Saying goodbye to Ernie will be very tough, but it’s not fair to him that I’m holding on. He should be with someone who takes him out regularly.”
“Like I said, I have a temporary solution for a couple of months. Then we can revisit the issue.”
He glanced at her. “Meaning I might change my mind about riding?”
“Who knows?”
“I do. I won’t change my mind.” His tone indicated the subject was closed.
No point in challenging that kind of statement. Her dad was a stubborn man and prodding him when he’d taken a stand wouldn’t yield results. Cody wasn’t stubborn, though. He was just reluctant. She might need to be more seductive if she wanted him to agree with her plan.
Most of the heroines in the books were naturally seductive. All they had to do was sashay across a room or send a sidelong glance the hero’s way and he was a puddle of lust. She had no idea how she could influence this decision in her favor, especially if Cody showed up in the morning with rejection on his mind.
At the moment, she had only one source of info on modern day thinking. She turned to her dad. “What first attracted yo
u to Mom?”
He smiled. “That’s an easy one. She smelled great.”
Smelled great? What a strange answer. “Was it soap? Shampoo? Perfume?” If it was perfume, she was screwed. She didn’t possess a single drop of the stuff.
“I don’t know what it was, but she smelled like cookies baking. And you know how I love cookies.”
That gave her a partial solution because most men loved cookies. She knew how to bake them and she had the ingredients, but she couldn’t stuff cookies in her bra tomorrow morning. Wait a minute. She had an idea. It was worth a shot and desperate times called for desperate measures.
Chapter Three
Enjoying pot roast with the family around the massive table in the dining room at Wild Creek Ranch had been big fun. Cody had missed being home. Things could change so fast, like Zane getting engaged to Mandy. She’d been Zane’s good friend since they were three but they’d lost touch after high school when Mandy went off to be a fashion designer in New York.
They were certainly in touch, now. Mandy had moved back and was telecommuting with the New York office. Zane had never looked happier or more excited about the future. It was heartwarming to see how much he and Mandy loved each other.
Aunt Jo had to be over the moon about this new development. She and Mandy had lived on property adjoining McGavin land for years and the bond between the two families was strong.
Recently Aunt Jo had sold her house and land to Zane and moved to a condo in town. During dinner, she’d raved about maintenance-free condo living. Meanwhile, thanks to several generous donors, Zane would soon have a new and improved facility for his raptor rehabilitation project. He’d chosen a location within walking distance of the house that was surrounded by sheltering pines. He and Mandy hadn’t set a date for their wedding, but it would be after Ryker, his and Zane’s oldest brother, came home from his last tour of duty.
The June night was so balmy that everyone voted to have coffee and a piece of Aunt Jo’s chocolate cake out on the porch. Faith’s truck was still sitting in the front yard, so eventually Zane asked what the problem was.
“Starter went out.” Cody was grateful for the dim lighting because he was a lousy liar.
A Cowboy's Honor (The McGavin Brothers #2) Page 2