by Joann Baker
She had never loved Roger, but she was going to love Cal until her last dying breath.
She held out her arms, and he came to them willingly, eagerly as Kristen embraced the emotion she now recognized.
He settled his weight on top of her, taking her mouth in a hard, wanting kiss as one of his big hands gripped the back of her thigh, pulling her legs apart. She felt the hard heat of his desire as he nudged against her entrance. “Cal,” she muttered his name as he eased gently into her, going slowly until he was firmly sheathed inside her hot, moist depths.
“I’m here, honey.” With slow, measured thrusts, he started their journey together, plunging in and out of her hungry body, at first slow and easy, then fast and hard. As he worked her body into a fever pitch of need only he could extinguish, his mouth continued to torture her wherever he could touch her, taste her. The soft skin below her ear, the vulnerable arch of her throat, the puckered sweetness of her breasts. Soon, their gasps of breath grew louder, each aware of the need to be quiet even as passion rose.
Her hips bucked, rising up into him, seeking more.
Cal’s hips thrust faster as she moved beneath him, seeking fulfillment. “That’s it, baby. Take all of me.”
Within seconds, she found her release, a warm swell of bliss spreading over her. That feeling rose higher when she felt him joining her, felt his warm, sweet release inside of her. Perfection, she thought drowsily as she let sleep overtake her, was being loved by this man.
CHAPTER TEN
CAL MADE HIS way out of the barn, dusting bits of hay from his arms. He’d been working since before sunup trying to make up for Ryder’s absence. Georgia had a rough night, and he hadn’t wanted to leave her. Cal understood perfectly. If Kristen was pregnant…
He stopped, stunned by the rightness of the stray thought. The image of Kristen, pregnant with his child, brought a warmth to his heart that had been missing for a long time. Yes, he’d gone through the motions of living but, as much as he loved his brothers and his grandfathers, something was missing in his life. Kristen filled up the empty space and what he felt spilled over into a wide smile.
“What’s that shit-eating grin all about? I know it can’t be because you’re looking forward to cleaning out Gramps’ store room this afternoon.”
“Gramps wants to expand a little, and he needs the space.” Cal opened the passenger side door and climbed into the ranch pick-up next to Gabe.
“Yeah, well,” Gabe snorted, starting the truck and guiding it with competent ease down the long drive, “that doesn’t make the job any more enjoyable, and it certainly doesn’t answer my question.”
“I just realized that I’m in love with Kristen.” Cal grinned at his older brother, not the least bit embarrassed by the admission.
“Well, hell, I could have told you that weeks ago.”
“No,” Cal searched for words, “I mean, I really love her.”
“No shit, Sherlock.”
The look on Gabe’s face told Cal more than his words. “How’d you figure that out before I did?”
“I…” For a minute Gabe was tempted to tell his brother a secret that weighed on him more and more each year. But now wasn’t the time. “Seen it before, brother.”
“Oh,” Cal nodded, “Ryder and Georgia?”
“Yep. Speaking of the little dirtwad, how’d he manage to get out of this?”
“Georgia’s not feeling well.”
They entered the city limits, and Gabe slowed to the posted speed. “Poor kid. She’s probably never going to want Ryder to touch her again after this.”
Cal chuckled at Gabe’s twisted humor. “I was over there yesterday dropping off some soup that Pops made for her. They were worse than ever with all the touchy-feely stuff.”
Gabe grimaced. “Glad I didn’t see that.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want you to miss out so swing by and pick up Kristen, and we’ll show you what real PDA is supposed to look like.”
“Oh, please no.” Gabe shuddered, turning the big truck down Kristen’s street. “Having to watch you two would make me sicker than Georgia.” He shook his head. “At least she has a good reason for puking her guts out.”
“Hey, it’s not like you ain’t played footsie with more than a few ladies yourself.”
“Ah,” Gabe mused, “but I never brought one home and pushed it in your face.”
Cal’s grin vanished as he caught an undercurrent of something intense behind Gabe’s spirited words. Something had been eating at his eldest brother for a long time, but Cal had long since given up on getting him to talk. “Hey, if you want, we can make it just us guys. You know, order pizza, cuss and sweat.”
Gabe curled his hands around the wheel, tightening his hold until the knuckles shown white. Heaving a deep breath, he released it slowly, letting his fingers—and his body—relax. Just because life was about to monumentally change once again was no reason to bring his brother down. Besides, his brother was happy. This time, change was a good thing.
“Nope.” He pulled the truck to a stop in front of Kristen’s house. “Besides, I need to talk to Ivy.”
Cal put a restraining hand on Gabe’s arm, preventing him from getting out of the truck. “About what?”
“Don’t worry,” Gabe said quietly, “I’m not going to cause a scene.” He made a crisscross motion across his heart and held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
Cal moved back and opened his own door, closing it with a definite click. He joined Gabe as they walked to the door. “You were never a boy scout, shithead.”
“Well, girl scout’s honor then.”
“Hmmph,” Cal snorted, “you were definitely not a girl scout.”
“Nope,” Gabe grinned, pushing the doorbell before Cal could do it, “but I knew a few and they—”
“Hi.”
Both men turned. Kristen stood in the door, a beautiful smile on her face directed at Cal.
“Hi,” he returned.
“Aw, hell,” Gabe muttered, going around her and leaving the two of them standing there gazing at one another like lovesick puppies.
“Is he sick or something?” Kristen blinked.
No,” Cal hesitated, “Gabe just wanted to speak with your mother for a minute. If she’s available.”
“Yes, I…” Kristen glanced over her shoulder. Her mother grimaced, then nodded. “Come in, please.”
Cal stopped just inside the door, standing with Kristen as Gabe walked over to the couch.
“What’s going on?” she whispered.
Cal shrugged. “Beats me. Just said he needed to talk to your mom before we headed over to the store.”
“I can’t imagine…” Kristen stopped as Gabe began to speak.
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for any trouble I may have caused you with the whole bar episode. It was my fault and…”
Ivy stood, waving off the apology. “You didn’t put the drinks in my hand, and you certainly didn’t force them down my throat.”
“Still,” Gabe continued, “I wanted to apologize for dragging you into my pity party. It was never my intention to cause any ill will between you and your daughter.”
Kristen met her mother’s brief glance.
“My daughter has felt nothing for me but ill will for most of her life.” She shrugged. “Having a drink with you can’t possibly make her feelings for me any worse.” She sat back down on the couch and held up her magazine. “Now if you all will excuse me, I’ll get back to reading about the lifestyles of the rich and famous.”
Kristen frowned, searching for words to repudiate her mother’s assertion as Gabe rejoined them.
“Let’s roll.”
She felt Cal’s hand close around hers as he led her out the door after Gabe. As long as she could remember, she and her mother had been at odds, the words they had often exchanged contentious and unpleasant. Tonight, her mother had looked…wounded. As if what Kristen thought about their relationship and Ivy personally actually matt
ered.
“Hey, are you alright?”
Kristen jerked at the sound of Cal’s deep voice close to her ear. Pasting on a smile, she looked up at Cal, feeling a jolt at the tender look on his face. “I’m fine.”
Cal knew better but didn’t push the issue. “Hey?” He stopped her, allowing Gabe to reach the truck ahead of them. “How about a ride up to the mesa tomorrow?”
Since nothing else had happened, Kristen and her mother had moved back to the rental house and Kristen had finished up at the ranch. They’d only seen each other in the evenings and he missed her.
“I’d like that.” Her hand tightened in his. “A lot.”
“Good,” Cal pulled her toward the truck, eager to get the night over with. “I’ll have the horses saddled and ready by eight.”
“I’ll be there by seven-thirty.”
“Oh, good Lord,” Gabe called through the open truck window, “if you two don’t stop making googly eyes at one another, we’ll still be at the store in the morning.”
“Damn it,” Cal muttered.
Kristen giggled at the expression on the big cowboy’s face, wondering if he knew just how adorable he looked with the flush of embarrassment riding his high cheeks. She bit her lip as he helped her into the truck. When he squeezed in beside her, she reveled in the heat of his big body next to hers, feeling the tempo of her heart increase.
He may not know where they were going, but Kristen knew she was already there. She loved Cal. Had from the first time he’d walked into the office with that scowl on his handsome face.
Kristen hummed as she got ready the next morning for her ride with Cal. Since the mornings were turning cooler, she dressed in a lightweight thermal shirt and a denim jacket. A pair of jeans and her boots and she was ready. Smiling widely, she picked up the brand new tan Stetson Cal had surprised her with last night as they helped in his grandfather’s store. While the store was known as a hardware store, it was much more than that. It was what Kristen had always envisioned a general store in the old west would have been like. It carried a little bit of everything. Silas had decided to add a section featuring items for babies. It didn’t take a genius to figure out where he’d gotten that idea from.
Entering the kitchen she was surprised to find her mother up and about. Ivy usually slept until noon, if not later.
“Going out with your cowboy, again?”
“Yes, Mother, I am.” Kristen took a coffee mug from the dish drainer and poured herself a cup from the pot her mother had made.
“Shouldn’t you be working?”
Kristen sighed, refusing to allow her mother’s mood to affect hers. “Uncle Otis said I could take a few days off.”
“Ummp. And that’s why that man has never been able to move away from this one horse town.”
“If you don’t like this one horse town, then why don’t you go back home?”
A flash of what almost appeared to be hurt crossed her mother’s face. “Maybe I should pack. I can always spend some time with Roger. At least he treats me with respect.” Ivy turned her back on Kristen and left the room, her bearing as regal as a queen’s.
Kristen sighed and put down her mug. There was no winning with her mother. More than a twinge of sadness washed over her. What she wouldn’t give to have a closer relationship with her. Unfortunately, she just didn’t see a way. Too much had passed between them.
She lifted her cup, then sat it back down. Pushing herself to her feet, she dashed the bitter liquid into the sink. Refusing to let the familiar weight of guilt pull her down, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She had a cowboy to meet. Now that was a relationship she felt good about. Grabbing her keys, she gave one last look at her mother’s closed door before leaving the house.
Twenty minutes later, Kristen pulled up in front of the ranch house. With an eagerness she didn’t try to hide, she hurried to the door, knocking briefly before letting herself inside. “Hello,” she called out. It had been almost a week since she’d been inside the big house but she felt as if she was coming home.
She knew that one of the many facets of attraction she felt for Cal had to do with the fact that he came with a family—even if one of those family members was a pain-in-the-ass. As if conjured by her very thoughts, Gabe walked down the staircase dressed in a pair of unbuttoned jeans, carrying a plaid work shirt. She had to admit he might be grumpy as hell, but he was good looking. Almost as good looking as Cal.
Almost.
“What is with you people in love? Can’t you sleep in?” Gabe glared at her as he put on his shirt.
A blush stole across Kristen’s cheeks. Was it so obvious that she was in love with Cal? Lusted after him? Well, that was as plain as the nose on her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she parried pertly.
“Like hell.” His mouth almost curved into a grin, but he caught himself just in time. Oh, he’d had his doubts about this woman, whether she was good enough for his brother. Just as he had with Georgie. Hell, more than likely, he had allowed his soured attitude about women to cloud his judgment.
Women were trouble. The heartbreaking kind.
“Is Cal up?”
Gabe snickered but kept his snarky thought to himself. “He’s out in the barn saddling up the horses. Been up since before Gramps this morning making you some kind of special lunch.”
“Really?” She followed him into the kitchen where the smell of coffee and cinnamon rolls filled the air.
“Yep.” He took down two coffee mugs then turned to her with them still in his hand. “You want coffee or are you headed down to the barn?”
“To the barn,” she grinned at him. On impulse, she walked over to him and stood on her tiptoes to place a kiss on this cheek. “But thanks for asking.”
As she walked out the door, she heard him mutter the word ‘women.'
Kristen thought if she’d known how to whistle, she would have been doing it as she walked out of the ranch house and towards the barn to Cal. She realized she had never felt this carefree and happy her entire life and all because of a cowboy. Who would have thought that?
Maybe she had more of her uncle’s pioneer stock in her than she thought because this was a way of life she could very quickly come to love.
The barn door was closed, and it took a few minutes to open it. Thankfully, the Anderson boys kept their place in tip-top shape so sliding the door along the well-oiled track was easy as pie. She frowned as she walked inside. There were no lights on. The last time she’d come to the barn with Cal, the place had been as well lighted as the inside of a mall. Now, the only light source was from the windows high in the hayloft and along the back wall. “Cal?” she called quietly. Walking further into the slightly gloomy-feeling building, a sense of unease traveled up her spine. “Cal,” she called again. “Are you in here?”
Hearing a snort from a stall in the back, she made her way towards the sound. Gabe had said he was getting the horses ready for their ride. Maybe she could help. If she was going to be a cowboy’s woman, she knew she had a lot to learn.
“Cal, Gabe said—” Her voice froze in her throat at the scene before her. Cal was laying on the ground, unconscious, a deep cut on his forehead spilling blood onto the straw covered floor.
“Oh, my God!” Kristen cried, falling to her knees beside his prone form. Her first instinct was to gather his head in her lap. No, she couldn’t move him, she thought desperately. She needed to get help. “I’ll be right back, darling.” Her words were more for her than the unmoving man on the floor. She surged to her feet. “I need to get Gabe.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.” A menacing voice sounded from behind her, and she whirled around. She fully expected to see the cowhand that had made threats to her and the Anderson family. Instead, her eyes widened in shocked surprise at the man standing before her holding the leads of two saddled horses in his hand.
“Roger?”
“The one and only, sweetheart.”
“Did…did you do th
is?” She waved her hand indicating Cal’s prone figure.
“Had to. He was getting in the way.”
“In the way of what?” Incredulous disbelief coated her voice.
“Of you and me, of course.”
Kristen’s mind whirled. Her ex-fiancé was completely off his rocker, she thought. And the love of her life was laying on the floor, injured because of him. Anger, swift and sharp rose inside her. She stalked forward only to have her path blocked by the two horses she presumed Cal had already gotten ready for their early morning ride. “Roger,” she said between clenched teeth, “I have no idea what you’re doing, but if you don’t let me pass so I can get help, the inside of a jail cell is the only thing you’ll be seeing for the next twenty years. I’ll make damn sure of it.”
Roger gave a sigh and rolled his eyes. “You always were a drama queen, Kristen. That’s one of the things I disliked about you. You never would just, well, conform.”
“And I’m not going to now.”
Kristen stepped forward again, and this time Roger grabbed her arm, his grip hard and hurting. A knife appeared in his hand, the blade gleaming in the early morning light. “We’re going for a ride.”
Kristen struggled as Roger marched her out of the barn, the hooves of the horses, barely missing Cal. Roger, though only slightly taller than Kristen, was stronger than he appeared. With the knife held to her side, he maneuvered her and the horses readily into the yard. He got on his horse and ordered her onto hers. It was the same one she had ridden the day she and Cal had gone to the mesa.
Kristen was shaking now, fear coursing through her veins. Her main thought was how seriously Cal was injured. Roger had shown signs in the past that his anger could easily get out of control—a fact her mother had overlooked frequently as she threw them together at every opportunity until Roger had proposed.
He had somehow managed to get the jump on a man twice his size. She debated simply making a run for it back to the house but realized Roger could, and probably would, go back into the barn with Cal. There was no telling what the man would do.
Her mouth in a straight line, she mounted the docile horse, wishing fretfully for it to act up and take a chunk out of Roger’s nubby leg. He waited impatiently for her to be seated and took off as soon as her butt hit the saddle, holding the reins of her horse tightly in his hand.