Her Lucky Cowboy

by Jennifer Ryan

  He walked to the door but stopped when she called to him.

  “Dane.”

  He turned and closed the distance between them again. “Yeah?”

  “You keep calling me sweetheart.”

  “You are mine.”

  “I like it.” Her eyes fell closed again, and she snuggled into the bed and blankets.

  He tucked the blanket around her, leaned down, and kissed her on the forehead. He stood over her, staring at her beautiful face. It took him a second to bring himself to leave her. He’d never forget how she looked in his bed. Exactly where he wanted her every day and night.

  Blake met him at the bottom of the stairs. “How is she?”

  “Passed out. Tired after what happened. The scrapes are bad. So is her knee, but she’ll be fine. What aren’t you telling me?”

  “I called the sheriff’s office. They just pulled up. That was no accident. Someone tried to hit her.”

  “No fucking way.”

  “Come outside. I’ll show you and the deputy the pictures I took.”

  Dane hesitated to leave Bell alone in the house. The thought of someone hurting her on purpose made him furious and afraid for her.

  “She’ll be okay. Come on.”

  The deputy who had stopped by to question Dane about Brandy the night of the benefit stood by his car. He waited for them to come down and join him.

  “What’s this about, Mr. Bowden? I received a report about a hit-and-run.”

  Blake took his cell phone from his back pocket. “I was driving here to see my brother and help out on the ranch today. On my way in, I found Dr. Bell sitting on the side of the road, crying.”

  Dane groaned. He hated thinking of her out there alone, scared and hurt.

  “She told me she was jogging and a car pulled out of some trees and nearly hit her. She scrambled to get out of the way and fell down a fifteen-foot embankment into the drainage ditch. She managed to get back up to the road on her own, but she’s got some nasty scrapes and bruises.”

  “She twisted her knee and can barely walk on it,” Dane said.

  “Where is she now?” the deputy asked.

  “Upstairs, asleep.”

  “I’ll need to speak to her.”

  “Later,” Blake said. “Take a look at these.” Blake showed them the photos. “Now, if I’m sitting in a car inside these trees, I’ve got a clear view down the hill Dr. Bell was running up. The cover isn’t that dense. Look at the ruts he left when he accelerated out of the dirt and onto the road. He left a bunch of beer bottles behind.” Blake pressed his lips together and went to the photo of the street. “I think he saw her fall, thought he hit her, and peeled out of there. Those skid marks prove he left in a hurry. From his vantage point in the car, he wouldn’t have been able to see down the hill where Bell fell.” He brought up the picture of the steep incline down to the ditch.

  “Damn, that’s a far drop.” Dane ran his hand over the side of his head. She must have slid most of the way down on her right side.

  “I saw the skid marks on my way here. I’ll go down and check out the scene. I’ll still need Dr. Bell’s statement. Do you know what kind of car? A truck maybe?”

  “She said a car. Upset and in shock, she could have said car but meant a truck,” Blake explained. “I passed five or six vehicles before I saw her.”

  “I’ll bring her into town later this evening. I want her to rest for now,” Dane said.

  “I’ll get started on the report and take some photos at the scene, too. Send me the ones from your phone. Include a list of the type and colors of the vehicles you can remember,” the officer ordered Blake and handed him his card with his phone and email. Blake typed it into his phone and sent the pictures. “Thanks.”

  “Have you heard anything else about Brandy and Rowdy?” Dane couldn’t help but ask, despite the fact information had been scarce.

  “Nothing new.”

  Dane needed to call Brandy’s mother and find out what she knew and see how she was holding up, taking care of Kaley and her ailing husband.

  “I’ll see you later this evening with Dr. Bell to take her statement. In the meantime, anything else happens, call it in.”

  Dane waited in the driveway while the deputy drove away. He stared at his brother, wondering who the hell would do something so reckless and hateful as to try to run down a woman jogging on the road.

  “What the fuck happened out there?” Dane asked, wishing for a logical answer he’d never get.

  “I don’t know. I can only say what it looked like to me. Whoever was driving that car had to see her coming. If he didn’t want to get caught out there doing whatever he was doing, then why not drive out and down the road at a normal pace? She probably wouldn’t have thought twice about it.”

  “Unless she might have recognized them. She meets a lot of people at the hospital and clinic. Any one of them might have recognized her.”

  “Why run her down?” Blake asked. “She’s the nicest person I know. She helps people. Who would want to hurt her?”

  “I don’t fucking know, but if I find out and get my hands on them, they’ll wish they never did something as stupid as this,” Dane vowed.

  “Things are getting serious between you two, huh?”

  “Not getting serious. They are serious.”

  “You’re different with her.”

  “God, I hope so. I’ve tried damn hard to get to know her without screwing this up.”

  “You really like her.”

  “She’s different. She makes me think. She makes me want to be better.”

  “All good things, bro. I’m happy for you.”

  “How come you didn’t bring Justin?”

  “He and Gillian went to breakfast with Uncle Lumpy.”

  Dane always laughed under his breath at the man’s name. “You didn’t join them.”

  “I came to see how you’re doing and check in with your guys on the progress they’ve made with the fencing.”

  “It’s all done. I finished the south pasture yesterday.”

  “Don’t let the doc hear you say that. She finds out you’ve slowly been working your way back to running the ranch, she’ll have your ass.”

  “Don’t I know it. I only took care of about three hundred feet of fence. We’re all good for the horses to arrive tomorrow.” Dane couldn’t wait for the twenty quarter horses to be delivered. With them and the ten his father had left for him to take care of and breed, he’d have the start of a good business, along with the three hundred head of cattle he had on the property already.

  “We’ll be here bright and early in the morning. I’ve assembled a good herd for you from several ranches.”

  “Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problem. I didn’t think you’d be interested in the horses more than the cattle.”

  “I’ll keep the cattle business going, but I need more of a challenge. Breaking and training horses will be just the thing I need.”

  “No breaking horses until your leg is a hundred percent.”

  “The ones you’re sending me won’t need to be broke. That’ll be next year. I’ll be all healed up by then.”

  “Go take care of your girl. I’ll check on your crew.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for everything, but especially finding Bell this morning and bringing her here. The thought of her left out on the road . . .”

  Blake clamped his hand on Dane’s shoulder. “I know, bro. I don’t want to think about it either. She’s tough. Had to be to grow up the way she did. She’d have gotten herself here on her own if she’d had to.”

  Dane didn’t doubt it. “I’ll catch you later.”

  Blake took off for the stables. Dane went back into the house and up the stairs. He stood in his bedroom’s doorway staring at the beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. He needed to do something, whatever it took, to make her want to stay.

  Chapter 13

  “Fuck!” Rowdy hit his palm
on the Mercedes’ steering wheel.

  He loved this ride. Smooth. Fancy with all the gadgets. Still, he missed his truck. He pulled the bottle of whiskey from in between the seats and took a swig. He stared at his bag of coke on the passenger side floorboard. Luckily, it hadn’t dumped out. He needed another fix after he’d fucked up killing Dane’s new bitch. He thought he’d hit her, but now he didn’t think so.

  He kept his speed at the limit and tried not to look at any of the oncoming drivers. He didn’t want anyone to notice him.

  “Damn.” He smacked his hand on the wheel again. “I almost had her.”

  He’d found Dane’s place in the middle of nowhere and scouted it out the last few days. He’d even snuck up on the porch and watched Dane kicking back and talking on the phone, the TV on. He didn’t catch much of the conversation, but he did catch his girl’s name. Bell. He followed him the other night when he drove down to her place and sat out front kissing her in the front seat of his truck.

  Rowdy waited for the clothes to come off and Dane to fuck her good, but instead, nothing happened. She got out and went back inside. Dane left with a smile on his face that Rowdy didn’t get at all. He’d been turned down and left out in the cold. Still, the man drove away smiling. Which could only mean he really had a thing for the dark-haired bitch.

  It became even more evident when Rowdy followed her to work the next day at the hospital. He picked her up again on her way home. She and Dane went to dinner together. Some swanky restaurant. Dane wore a suit. She wore a pretty blue dress. Rowdy watched them through the window, his rage boiling in his gut with every smile and laugh they shared. He had that once with Brandy. Dane took it away, moved on, and never looked back at the wreckage he left in his wake.

  Well, if he wanted this Bell lady, Rowdy would take her away.

  He’d missed this time. He wouldn’t miss again.

  Chapter 14

  Bell woke up by degrees, starting with the aches and pains in her body. She opened her eyes and stared at Dane, sitting in the chair he’d moved from the window to the bed. He was reading a book, with his bad leg propped on the mattress next to her.

  The relief she felt just seeing him watching over her washed through her and melted her heart. Drawn to him, she took him in, from the dark T-shirt stretched tight across his chest, shoulders, and massive biceps to his lean legs encased in denim. His hair was raked back, his eyes intent on the book. She longed to get closer to him and all his strength and the comfort he made her feel.

  “See anything you like?” His deep voice resonated in her heart.

  “It’s strange waking up with a man, but I sure do like seeing you.”

  Dane dropped his foot to the floor, closed the book, and leaned forward. “I’ll take it. How are you feeling?”

  “Sore. How long have I been asleep?”

  “A couple of hours.”

  “What are you reading?”

  “A book about harvesting healthy grains. I’m thinking about working one of the fields. I need to get the soil ready and figure out the best type of grain to plant for our climate and growing season. I thought I’d talk to some of the people I know who grow grasses and grains and see what’s worked for them, but I wanted to read up about it so I know what to ask.”

  “Smart.”

  “Yeah, I learned that from you. You read about everything. I thought I’d give it a shot. It passes the time while I’m laid up.”

  “That’s quite a stack of books.”

  “I’d forgotten how much I like to read. I’ve been working my way through some mystery crime series.”

  “I’d like to borrow them when you’re done.”

  “Sure. I called the clinic. They completely understood and asked another doctor to cover for you. Someone who probably owed you for always covering for them.”

  “Thanks for taking care of that, and me.”

  He set the book on top of the stack of others on the bedside table, then reached out and combed his fingers through her hair. “I’d like to take care of you all the time if you let me.”

  “I could really use a hug.” She scooted back on the bed and made room for him. She patted the empty space beside her.

  “You’re asking for trouble.”

  “I need you to hold me.”

  His dark eyes narrowed on her, but he leaned forward and slid onto the bed beside her. He reached for her, wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled close to his chest. She let out a heavy sigh, completely at ease to be enclosed in his strong arms. In fact, she wanted to feel him against her even more and scooted closer. She smoothed her hand up his back over all the taut muscles.

  “Be still,” he grumbled.

  She slid her hand down his back to his waist, dipped her hand under his shirt, and smoothed it up his warm, bare skin. God, the man felt so good.

  “You’re playing with fire, sweetheart.”

  Emboldened by the fact he’d said he wanted to take care of her and the sweet way he’d already done so after her accident, she said, “I’m kind of cold. Warm me up.”

  He rolled and pushed her to her back, then leaned over her on his elbow and stared down at her. All he did was allow her to reach her other hand around him. Now she ran both hands up his shirt and over his smooth skin.

  “You’re in no condition to play games like this.”

  “Who’s playing?”

  “I am not going to take advantage of you after you were hurt and scared this morning.”

  “I’m perfectly fine now. You are not taking advantage.” She pulled her hands from his back and reached up to his face. She brought him down for a soft kiss. “You’re doing that chemistry thing again.” She kissed him, this time sweeping her tongue out to trace his lip and dive deep. She pulled back. “You know that thing where we both say, ‘Do it again.’ ” She kissed him long and deep, dipping her hands back up into his shirt and kneading her fingers into his taut muscles. She dragged the shirt over his head. He shook out his hair and stared down at her. “Make love to me.”

  “You’re sure.”

  “I have never wanted anything more in my life.”

  Dane hoped he had the strength to do this right and not rush her. He’d never expected her to pull him into bed with her. Now that he was here, he meant to love her the way she deserved to be loved. He took things slow, kissing her until she melted into the mattress. Her hands swept up his back, down, around his sides and up his chest. She had strong, nimble fingers that stroked his body and enflamed his need for her.

  She kissed her way along his jaw and down his neck. He dipped his hand inside the oversized T-shirt and spread his fingers wide over her smooth side, then inched his way to her breast and covered it with his palm. She sighed, and the hot air washed over his skin. She arched her back. He squeezed and kneaded the firm mound, plucking her hard nipple between his index and middle finger.

  “More,” she demanded on an exhale.

  Oh, he had more for her. Lots more. He tore her shirt off over her head. He stared down at her creamy skin and pink-tipped breasts. Perfect. “God, you’re beautiful.” He dipped his head and kissed a trail down her neck and chest to her nipple, taking it into his mouth and sucking soft, then hard. Her fingers raked up his back and combed through his hair. She held his head to her breast, and he feasted on the bounty.

  “Ah God, Bell, I want you so damn bad.”

  “I want you. Stop holding back.”

  She read him so well. He was holding back for her sake and his. He wanted this to last, but he felt the need gnawing at his insides.

  “Now who is thinking too much,” she taunted.

  “You asked for it.” He took her other breast into his mouth and sucked hard at the same time he smoothed his hand down her belly, under the sweats, and cupped her in his hand.

  “Yes, I did.”

  He rubbed against her center, brought his hand up, and rubbed his fingers over her soft folds to her wet center, thrusting one finger deep. He pulled free and she
raised her hips, seeking more. He gave it to her, sliding his finger back in, rubbing his palm against her clit. She moaned and made him want more of those sexy little sighs and groans she let loose every time he kissed, licked, sucked at her breasts and pressed his finger deep inside of her.

  He kissed his way down her belly and pulled his hand free from between her legs. She stared down at him, nothing but trust and desire lighting her sparkling blue eyes. He hooked his fingers in her waistband and drew the pants down her legs. She never hesitated or stopped looking at him. Instead, she raised her hips to help him and settled back into the mattress. He smoothed his hands up her legs to her hips and back down her thighs. He replaced the caress with his mouth, kissing his way up one leg and down the other. She relaxed again. He shifted over her leg and lay between her spread thighs. He held himself above her on his hands and planted soft, wet kisses down the center of her belly, all the way to heaven.

  “Dane?”

  “Trust me.” She’d never had a man love her like this. Well, he aimed to show her what making love was all about. He rarely did this with any woman, but with her, he wanted to share everything. He settled back on the mattress, planted his hands on her thighs, spread her legs wider, dipped his head, and licked her soft folds. With her on his tongue, he planted his mouth over her center and thrust his tongue deep. Her hips shifted and came up to meet his mouth. He loved her until she was writhing on the bed, rising up to the edge, but he didn’t let her fall. He wanted to soar with her.

  He kissed the inside of her thigh, and she squeaked out a protest that he’d left her on the brink of exploding in his arms. He rode that line hard but took a deep breath and tried to calm his body even as he undid his jeans and freed his swollen flesh. He pushed his jeans down his legs and pulled his good leg free. The brace hampered his movements, but nothing would stop him from making love to this woman and making her his. Forever.

  He leaned up and kissed her hard and deep, reaching over to the bedside drawer and fumbling for a condom. He grabbed one, tore his mouth from hers, ripped open the package, and leaned to the side to slide it on. He rolled back on top of her. His chest met hers, and she pressed her breasts against him, her hips circling to find him and take him in. He settled between her thighs, pressed the thick head of his penis to her entrance, and joined their bodies in a long, slow glide that made him clench his jaw and close his eyes on the sheer pleasure that washed through him. She was so damn tight he needed to wait a few seconds for her body to adjust. She didn’t wait at all. She rocked her hips into his, and he lost it.