Her Secret Cowboy

by Debra Holt

  “You’re a vet. You remember that, right? Ouch! Are you trying to take my head off?”

  “Stop being such a baby. And it’s okay. I’ve treated jackasses before.”

  “I know your usual patients can’t tell you this, but your bedside manner is lacking.”

  Rissa took something else out of her bag. She gave him a steady gaze. “Do you really want to upset a woman with a long needle at her disposal?” She held up something that could make a bull faint at the sight of it.

  “You win.”

  “We’re getting you X-rayed. Just to be on the safe side.”

  Dev shook his head, then grimaced when the movement wasn’t the wisest thing to do in that moment. “No need.”

  “Yes, there is. We need to verify you lost your brain someplace on the way to the rodeo. Why else would you do something so brainless?”

  “Maybe I wanted to get someone’s attention.”

  Shutting her bag with a decisive click of the lock, she stood. “I’d say you got it. Only I hate to tell you this, but your girlfriend’s a little busy with some cowboy behind the chutes. So she missed your heroic movement. And you’re right. We can forget the X-rays. I’ll certify you are brainless.”

  Rissa was already out in the hall when she heard a noise behind her. Dev was trying to follow but had stumbled against the doorframe on the way out. He reached for the wall to steady himself.

  A stab of compassion kept her from turning away. “You are certifiable. You need to sit down before you fall. The ambulance will be here soon and can take you to the ER to have your head examined properly. They need to also check out the rest of you and see if you did more damage to the areas already trying to heal.”

  “Not until we finish a very important conversation here.”

  Rissa sat her bag on the metal cabinet next to her. Her patience was being tried to the max. “We weren’t having a conversation. You were supposed to be listening to medical instructions.”

  “I’m talking about the one where you said something about my girlfriend and a cowboy behind the chutes. Who are you talking about?”

  “Noel. Hate to tell you but guess she prefers a bronc rider instead of a bullfighter. Or maybe she enjoys both of you. And to think I thought Dev Braxton had changed.” She had said enough. What was the use except to make a bigger fool of herself?

  She hadn’t counted on him being able to get his balance working in such quick fashion. The hand on her elbow stopped her flight and she turned to face him. She jerked her elbow, but he was determined and kept hold of it.

  “I think I’m not the one with the muddled brain,” he said. “I don’t know what idea you have in your head about Noel Peters, but you are way off base.”

  “I know what I saw. And you can save your breath. I don’t care what the excuse is.”

  “Well, I do care that you get the facts straight before you run away again. Noel is not my girlfriend and never has been.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but I think that’s what I told you… when she is getting hot and heavy in the kissing department with a cowboy that isn’t you, then I think that’s a good indication that she may have replaced you.”

  “You have it all figured out?” He was closer to her and they were basically alone in the alley behind the holding pens. “Well, here’re some facts for you. If the guy she was kissing was tall and a bronc rider, then that would be Sonny… her husband. They’re still in the honeymoon stage you might say. They’ve been involved since they were both in high school. It took a while for Dad Peters to give his blessing to a rodeo cowboy.”

  “She doesn’t use her married name?”

  “She prefers to keep things separate on the rodeo circuit when she competes. Any other questions you need answered before I ask mine?”

  She was feeling like an idiot. “Ask so I can leave.”

  “Do you think you might give me a ride home? I might not be feeling too good after all.”

  “The only place you’re going is to the ER.” Her take-charge button was flipped to on.

  “I don’t need to go in an ambulance. I’ll drive myself if I have to go.”

  “And you are just hardheaded enough to do it. I’ll drive.”

  “There goes that awesome bedside manner again.”

  She didn’t waste her breath with a comeback. Once outside, Chance met them, and his arguments didn’t work either. With him on one side and her on the other, they made it to her vehicle. She could see that Dev might be getting a bit stiff, especially where the animal had given him a good kick in his hip area.

  Once at the hospital, she was glad to turn him over to the staff there. She waited in the family waiting room while his doctor and the ER team checked him over. Chance and Rio came as soon as they ended the rodeo and turned things over to the tear-down crew.

  “We’ve got this, Doc, if you want to head home. We know it’s been a long day.” Rio spoke his concern as he handed her a bottled water from the machine in the room.

  “Amen to that.” Chance had come through the door from the exam rooms and heard Rio’s remarks. “Looks like they’re going to keep him here overnight for observation. And they can knock him out for his own good, if needed. They’ll probably release him in the morning, and I’ll pick him up then.” He reached out and gave Rissa a hug. “Thanks for being here, Rissa. He’s not the easiest patient, but we appreciate you doing what you could at the arena and bringing him here despite his demands to the contrary.”

  “No thanks are needed. I was glad to do what I could. You all need to take your own advice and go home and crash. He may be very sore tomorrow… in more ways than one. Good luck with that.” Rissa smiled at the two men and took her leave.

  She felt a pull of disappointment that she had not been able to see Dev once more before she left. But what would she say? What use was there to do that? She had made a fool of herself with her false accusation that only showed her petty jealousy. Still, it was hard to walk away and leave him inside the hospital… alone.

  He had spent enough time in such a place in recent months. But then again, he did bring this night on himself. If he hadn’t been such a hardheaded male… having to work the bulls of all things. She shook her head. Dev Braxton was a confusing mixture of a man. The more she thought she had him figured out, the more she found there was to confuse her. She needed her bed and some sleep. Maybe tomorrow would start making sense again.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Things did calm down after the events of the night of the Fourth. In fact, they were almost too quiet. Things were slower at the clinic. Many people went on vacations in the heart of the summer month, and others were planting crops or working stock. Rissa left the clinic to head out to the Braxton Ranch. She had managed to stay away from there since the night she deposited Dev at the hospital. Josie had filled her in with bits and pieces of information.

  Dev was back at the ranch and acting like a soreheaded bear while he was supposed to be recuperating. He kept to himself more often than not. Chance and Rio had seen him more than either Josie or Dee had done. Rissa didn’t ask for more details. It was obvious the man didn’t want any contact with her as he had made no move to do so. And it was probably for the best.

  It didn’t make it any easier though. She was really waiting for the day that Josie would tell her he had decided to move on from Braxton. And she wouldn’t blame him. Rissa blocked the pain that threatened to rise up at the thought of his departure. She was taking it one day at a time and most days she had a good handle on it. She’d handle this call from Rio, about a new arrival at the barns, and then maybe she’d go home, cook a meal, and think about taking a vacation someplace. Far away from Braxton and a certain cowboy.

  She pulled into the drive and drove straight to the second barn. There didn’t seem to be any other vehicles in sight. That didn’t necessarily mean anything. Glancing covertly at the house as she passed it by, it seemed quiet and no sign of life there either. Good. She’d take care of what w
as needed and be gone without running into anyone. Taking her bag from the back seat, she moved inside the open doorway to the darker interior.

  She saw no humans. And she didn’t see any four-footed creatures either. What was going on? She took out her cell phone and dialed Rio. It went straight to voice mail. Before she could dial Dee’s number, she heard another sound. She turned to see Gypsy come trotting into the barn, her tag rattling against the square of blue paper attached to her collar.

  “Whatever is going on, Gypsy? Let me see what you have there.” She rubbed the dog’s back as she sat, albeit tail thumping a mile a minute with enthusiasm, and allowed Rissa to unpin the blue square of cardstock.

  “Good girl. Let me see what this is.”

  Gypsy and I are inviting you to join us for dinner.

  Time and place: Here and now

  Dress code: As you are is perfect

  Decision time. For whatever reason, she was brought out to the ranch on a false alarm. And it was obvious that Dev… with his coconspirator, Gypsy… had set her up. The dog gave a short bark from where she had moved to wait in the doorway.

  “Some friend you turned out to be,” Rissa said, moving to stand next to the dog. “Lead the way. Let’s go.”

  Get this over… whatever it is. Gypsy made a beeline for the house and then stood waiting for Rissa to catch up. There was no sign of Dev. She mounted the steps, briefly considering just retreating to her truck while she could. Then there was the sound of boots coming down the polished wood of the hall toward the open front door. Soon, a screened door creaked open and the familiar bright blue gaze settled on her. He looked good, her heart doing the usual squeeze inside her chest at the sight of him. And then he smiled, and she amended the descriptive word to great. She also realized just how much she had missed this man who she had tried so hard to forget… and how much space he occupied in her heart no matter how hard she tried to pretend otherwise.

  *

  Rissa was there, on his porch, looking like any moment she might change her mind and bolt. She was also taking his breath away. In evening gown or scrubs, jeans and a white cotton shirt as at that moment, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He had no idea what words he could find to show her how much he wanted to say what he was feeling inside. Dev had never felt the need to plead his case to anyone at any point in his life. But this was different. This would impact the rest of his life. He had to try.

  “I suppose there never was an emergency with a new horse?”

  She was being her usual straight-shooting self.

  “No. But don’t blame Rio. Just know that I will owe him for a very long time to come. But I didn’t think you’d come if I called and asked you. Would you have?”

  Rissa didn’t hesitate. “Probably not. I don’t know…”

  “And I admit I am not above using the cuteness of my dog either. I didn’t think you could turn her down.”

  “You’re right. She’s too cute. That was a wise move on your part.”

  “And I’m keeping you standing on the porch. Please come in.”

  She stepped into the hall, her soft floral scent filling his senses and reminding him he needed to keep his wits about him. One wrong move and he could ruin what could be his last chance. “I set the table on the back deck again. I know you enjoyed the sunset before.”

  She walked out on the deck and took in his efforts. Rissa nodded. “I like the light blue tablecloth, best dishes, and the vase with flowers… you two have been busy. I’m impressed.”

  “Good. Although I have to say that Gypsy was little help in picking the flowers. She trampled more than she chose.” His grin was infectious. “I have the steaks marinating. I didn’t want to put them on until I knew you’d accept our invitation.”

  She accepted the glass of tea he handed over to her. They both knew there was an elephant in the room, and he wasn’t surprised Rissa decided to take the matter to task first.

  “Why am I here? I don’t think you just needed a dinner companion. And why not just call and ask me to dinner?”

  “Would you have said yes? Would you have even answered the call? Maybe let it go straight to voice mail?”

  “You might have a point there.”

  Truth. She was asking no less and deserved nothing less than for all the cards to be placed on the table. Dev set his glass down. As much as he wanted to move closer to where she stood next to the railing, he didn’t want to crowd her space. He was always controlled, every move predicated on achieving his goal, completing the assignment. But nothing prepared him for laying his heart on the line.

  “I seem to recall that we left a conversation open-ended. I might have passed out or something. But I remember the subject. And I want to again state for the record… Noel Peters was never more to me than a client’s daughter and then a friend. And while we are clearing the air in that subject, let me also say that while there was talk about my having fiancées and girlfriends over the years, they were necessary to whatever case I was working on at the time. They were a cover. It may sound cold, but none of them came close to touching any personal feeling within me… none ever touched my heart.”

  “You’re right, it does sound cold. And lonely. But so much about your other life was full of that. I can only imagine. So why tell me all of this now?”

  “I’m trying to get to that. I just want to make this as plain as I can. I’ve lived in shadows and subterfuges too long. But this is too important not to be totally open with you. I came back here to Braxton to get my body and my mind put back together. I didn’t have any real plans after that. I didn’t know if I would even be welcome here… by those outside my family. And when I was least expecting it, the twist in the road threw me a real curveball and our paths crossed… thanks to a certain dog and a big dose of fate.

  “These past few months have taught me a lot about myself and my place in a family and letting others in. And one of those people I let in was you. You were totally unexpected. I’m sorry that my previous life crossed into yours and hurt you. Not once, but twice. I wouldn’t have hurt you on purpose… ever. It doesn’t sound pretty, but you would be termed collateral damage in the case of Tony. I became immune to those things in order to do my job. But you put a real face on it when I found out about your fiancé. For that, I am sorry. But not for doing my job. I can only hope you could find it in you to accept that fact.” He paused for a moment. She was standing so still, watching… listening.

  Dev had no idea if what he was saying meant anything to her. “We got off track a time or two.”

  “Just a time or two? It seemed like a runaway train with a few wrecks thrown in for good measure.”

  Was that a good sign? Was it sarcasm or something else? At least she hadn’t shut him out.

  “The road hasn’t exactly been a smooth one, that’s for sure. But it’s led me to some truths, too. I know that I can’t just apologize with words, but I have to use deeds, too. And I’ve done that, or at least made a decent start. A good number of people here in Braxton have begun to accept me for the real man I never showed them before. And it feels good. My family will be my family no matter what. We all have come through heartaches and disappointments and managed to come out stronger for it. But the one part of my life here that hasn’t gone as smooth, and has me wrapped up in knots is you.”

  “The feeling could be mutual on that score.”

  She was a tough lady. But Dev was still good at reading most people. Her walls could be a mile high, but there were signs that made him have hope and to keep forging ahead. He’d bet that she was fighting a battle to keep up a front… a wall of protection.

  “I’m going to hope that is a good thing. Because the bottom line is that while I came to Braxton, I had no idea I would finally feel like I belong here… I am finally home. I am accepted for who I am. And I have that feeling in large part because of you.

  “You made me examine a lot of things about myself and why I feel the things I do. What I accomplis
hed in life so far. And what I want to do with the rest of it. I don’t have all the answers, but I have a feeling that two heads can be better than one at times. So, no more beating around the bush. I hadn’t planned on you, Rissa Flanagan. I hope you can appreciate how difficult these next words have always been for me to say. Mainly, because I never could mean them before. They were just words… until there was you. I am in love with you, Rissa Flanagan. I can only pray that you can see the real man standing here in front of you with a very real heart that’s yours… if you want it.”

  *

  Her heart was beating so hard it felt as if it would burst from her chest. Rissa had been on a roller-coaster ride of emotions as she listened to Dev’s words. But a few of them had managed to stick in her muddled brain. His gaze had never wavered from hers, the sincerity of his words laid open for her to see and feel. This wasn’t a man used to voicing his mistakes or his feelings, she knew that. And the fact he was trying so hard to do so… for her benefit… wasn’t lost.

  “I realize you’re not the person I first thought you were all those years ago. Maybe I didn’t want to believe it because of what happened to my scholarship chances. It was easier to hold that against you. But then I met the real Dev. And you showed him to me not by just saying the words, but I saw you in action. The way you are with your family, and the way you have reacted to skeptics in the community and pitched in to help even when others wouldn’t… such as the fire.

  “Dev Braxton turned out to be a pretty good guy… as much as I wanted to find something wrong. And I did that because I had a lot of practice guarding against someone coming along and bringing the pain back in my life. But you brought down my defenses. Only then, you shared the truth about Tony with me. As much as it shouldn’t have made me self-protect, those walls came right back up. But I was wrong. And I realized, when my common sense came back, that I was projecting my pain and all the blame for that period of my life on to you… again. And I am very sorry for that.”

  Dev slowly nodded.