True-Blue Cowboy--Includes a bonus novella

by Sara Richardson

  “No,” Charity said. “You can’t tell her until it’s a done deal.”

  Dev nodded, munching on his barbecued meat. “Blake Wilder’s not gonna let that go easily. You’d best break the news to him before you get Everly all excited.”

  “Right.” If he went now, he could get back and catch her after everyone else left. Then it would just be him and her and he could say the things he hadn’t been able to put into words before.

  He headed to the truck. “Don’t worry about doing the rounds with Everly tonight,” he called to Dev. “I’ll be back in time.” He’d make sure.

  “Roger that. I doubt we have to worry anyway. With all the noise and people around, I’d guess that cat is long gone.”

  He still wouldn’t take any chances. “I’ll be back,” he said again, climbing into the driver’s seat. “Don’t tell her. I want it to be a surprise.” He wanted her to hear it from him. He wanted to tell her how much he cared about her. How much she’d changed things for him.

  He rehearsed what he’d say to her during the forty-minute drive all the way up the winding mountains, past the ski lodge, and on to where Blake had said his house sat.

  It was the only structure on the street. Mateo wouldn’t call it a home. It was more like an ultramodern ski chalet—all concrete and glass and wooden beams fit together in squared, clean lines.

  He jumped out of the truck and took long purposeful strides up to the massive front door. If he wanted to be back in time to help Everly with the animals, he had to make this quick. The drive had taken him much longer than he’d thought.

  While the doorbell chimed, Mateo tapped his foot impatiently.

  Finally, Blake answered.

  “Mateo.” The man stepped out onto the stamped concrete veranda. “This is a surprise.”

  “I just came to tell you I’m keeping the farm.” He didn’t have time to sugarcoat it.

  “Excuse me?” Blake almost looked amused.

  “I’m not developing the land,” Mateo said more slowly. “I decided to renew Everly’s lease. Which means the farm stays.”

  Blake seemed to get the idea this wasn’t a joke. “We had a verbal agreement.”

  “I never committed to anything. I never signed the contract.” And he knew his rights. “We talked about it. I looked over your proposal. And I decided I don’t want to move forward.”

  “Because of a woman?” Blake looked past him as if he needed time to think. “What can I do to change your mind?” His sharklike eyes fixed on Mateo’s face. “You want a higher percentage? I can make that happen. I can make anything happen. Tell me what it’ll take.”

  Well, damn. Anything? That could amount to a hell of a lot of money. His conviction wavered. Was he crazy for giving up on an opportunity like this?

  Yep. He totally was. He was crazy. And he might’ve been conflicted on the money part, because…man, that was a lot of money to turn his back on. But he wasn’t conflicted about his feelings for Everly.

  “It doesn’t matter what you offer me,” he said firmly. “The deal is off.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Everly walked across the meadow in front of the farmhouse, picking up stray cups and plates and napkins. Her friends had taken care of most of the cleanup, but as soon as the sun had started to set, she sent them all on their way.

  Jessa had practically fallen asleep at a table when she thought no one was looking. Naomi had already spent hours away from her sweet family setting up and working on all of the details in the days leading up to the farewell. Kate and Jaden had to leave for a weekend trip to visit her parents. And Darla…well, she would’ve stayed, but truthfully, Everly had wanted to be alone for a while.

  In another month, she’d have to give up her evening walks on the farm. Staring out at the rolling hills and soft grass in the meadows, it was impossible for her to imagine what it would look like with a bunch of condos stacked everywhere. But she didn’t have to think about that. Not tonight, anyway. She could enjoy the stillness, the fading light of the sunset, the calming breeze.

  Breathing it all in, Everly let herself into the chicken yard and shooed the hens and ducks into the coop for the night. Surprisingly, Dev hadn’t shown up to escort her around this evening, which was just as well. She’d loved the party, but she was all chatted out.

  “Good night, chicks.” She locked up the coop and hiked around the back of the property to the goat pens. “Uh-oh.” The gate stood wide open, and Tilda, Honey, Trunchbull, and Wormwood were nowhere to be seen. That wasn’t good. So many people had been in and out of there during the evening; she should’ve checked on them earlier.

  “Tilda! Honey!” Surely those two would hear her and come running. She scanned the hill, the scrub oak, the stand of aspen trees farther to the west, but there was nothing. They must’ve wandered off in search of greener grasses to munch. “Come on, you hooligans,” she called, trudging up the hill. They couldn’t have gotten too far.

  When she reached the top, a faint bleat quickened her steps. “Tilda?” She jogged around the gnarly bushes, peering over the tops of them, her heart beating faster. Maybe she should’ve brought the rifle.

  Another bleat came louder, then another. Everly broke through the scrub oak into a clearing. All four goats ran at her, sailing right on past, headed for home.

  Relief pounded in her lungs. “Oh, thank—”

  The mountain lion emerged from behind a boulder, its eyes trained on the goats.

  “No.” Adrenaline surged hot and fast, flinging her into action. She snatched a hunk of rock off the ground and threw it in the cat’s direction. “Go on!” She checked over her shoulder, but the goats were already out of sight.

  The mountain lion paced back and forth not more than twenty feet from where she stood, as though trying to decide if she was a threat.

  Everly’s mouth went dry. She backed up slowly, not looking away. She had to get to the house. Maybe Dev would come. Maybe he was already there looking for her…

  The lion prowled closer, its frightening gaze unrelenting.

  “Please, no.” Everly stumbled, her knees buckling. Her breath sliced in and out of her lungs like a knife blade. The cat moved so much faster than she could going backward. She had to run or she wouldn’t have a chance.

  As she turned, Everly picked up a stick and threw it, screaming as loud as she could manage. Then she took off in a sprint, blindly running for the hill. Goliath cat was behind her. She could feel it, hear its breath, its paws thudding into the ground. Nausea burned up her stomach and stung her throat.

  She fought the drag of fear in her muscles, fought so hard to keep going, but she already knew she’d never be able to outrun a mountain lion.

  “Everly?” Mateo stepped inside the house, hoping like hell she’d answer him. Something felt off. Everything was quiet and dim. No lights, no sounds from the animals.

  She’d probably gone out again. Maybe to the Chocolate Therapist with Darla. But if she had, why would her door be unlocked? She wasn’t expecting him tonight.

  Okay. He tried to shake the worry that had sunk into his gut. She had to be out with the animals. Probably waited around for Dev, and went out to take care of things herself when the deputy didn’t show. Mateo bounded outside and down the porch steps, not slowing until he’d reached the chicken coop off the west side of the property. The lock had already been set, and it was silent. No obnoxious honking from Walter. No clucks from the hens putting him in his place. Everything was too still.

  Mateo started for the goat pens, but commotion on the hill drew his attention. The four goats came tearing down, bleating and running scared.

  Shit. Mateo tore out his phone and dialed Dev. “Get over here,” he growled the second the line clicked. “To the farm. Now. I can’t find Everly.”

  “Not this again,” the deputy grumbled.

  “Get the fuck over here!” Mateo shoved the phone back into his pocket and sprinted into the house. His hands shook too hard to unlatch the l
ock on the gun safe, so he threw the table over and used the poker from the fireplace to smash it open. He snatched up the rifle and tore back outside, running like hell in the direction the goats had come from.

  Halfway up the hill, a scream split his eardrums. “Everly!” Where the fuck was she? “Everly!”

  Another scream answered. So close. Mateo raised the rifle and sent a shot into the sky. He thrashed into the scrub oak, trampling branches, fighting his way through. He had to get to her. Jesus, he had to get to her…

  Up ahead, a form came into view. The mountain lion. The fucking mountain lion. Steadying his hands, Mateo raised the rifle again and took a shot. The cat yelped and darted away, giving him a clear view of the ground where Everly lay.

  “No.” He ran, stumbling over rocks and branches, securing the rifle under his arm so he could pull out his phone. Never taking his eyes off her, he hit the emergency call button.

  “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

  “Ambulance.” He choked on the breaths firing in and out of his lungs. “Mountain lion attack at the farm.” He let the phone fall from his hand and dropped to his knees beside her.

  There was blood everywhere. On the ground, on her clothes. So much blood. Life flowing out of her. “Everly? Baby? Where do you hurt?” He set the rifle off to the side, keeping it close enough that he could grab it if the lion came back. “Where’s the pain?” He ripped off his shirt and tore it into strips.

  “Mateo?” Her hand patted the ground until she found his.

  “I’m here. Okay? You’re okay.” She had to be okay. “I’m here.” His other hand searched her body, gently turning her so he could find where the blood was coming from. Her left shoulder. Puncture wounds. “I’m so sorry. God, I’m so sorry I didn’t get here sooner.”

  She squeezed his hand harder. “It’s not your fault.”

  But it was. Dev would’ve been here if he hadn’t told him not to come.

  “I sh…sh…shouldn’t have come up here. The goats were missing…” Everly’s body trembled. Tears leaked from her eyes.

  Mateo gently wiped them away. “It’s okay. You’ll be okay.” He’d make sure. He carefully rolled her onto her good side. “I have to stop the bleeding.” Her sleeve was shredded, and underneath the material the flesh on her upper arm had been torn up. He quickly coiled the strips of his shirt around and around her arm, and then tied it tight over the wounds. “Does it hurt anywhere else?” He smoothed his hands down her hips and legs, watching for any sign of pain.

  “N…n…no. Just shoulder.”

  “The ambulance should be here soon.” He grabbed the rifle and switched on the safety. “I’m going to carry you down. Can you hold on to the gun?” They couldn’t risk another encounter with the lion without it.

  She nodded and lifted her right arm so he could tuck the rifle against her. When it was secure, he shifted her and scooped her into his arms, lifting her easily off the ground.

  “I’m s…s…so glad you’re here.” Her breaths came rapidly through chattering teeth, but she smiled up at him. “B…because I’m in love with you. I d…d…didn’t know if I’d get to tell you…”

  “Shhh,” he whispered over her as he painstakingly navigated the rocky slope. “I love you, too.” The words choked him up. “You have my heart. It’s all yours. I gave it to you a long time ago.” That night. That first night when she had been so brave and fragile, sharing her hurts, telling him about her pain. That first night he’d taught her to dance and kissed her. “I was too afraid. I didn’t know how to show you.”

  But he wouldn’t make that mistake again. He would show her now. He would show her for the rest of their lives.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Everly tried to move, but her body was so heavy. Why did she feel so tired? She opened her eyes and the sight of the buzzing fluorescent hospital lights brought everything reeling back—the moment the lion had jumped on her from behind and taken her down, how she’d tried to fight back. And the gunshot. The gunshot that let her know that Mateo had found her, that she’d be okay.

  “Mateo?” She tried to sit up, but her left arm was immobilized in a sling. Everything seemed fuzzy.

  “Easy.” Mateo appeared next to the bed, and she burst into tears at the sight of his face. God, that face. It was the best thing she’d ever seen.

  “Everything’s okay, baby.” He moved her pillows and helped her sit up, but what she really wanted to do was climb into his lap and kiss him as long and as hard as he would let her.

  “What happened? How long have you been sitting here?” She tried to think, but a fog had settled over her mind, making everything past the ambulance ride hazy.

  Mateo eased onto the bed, facing her. His eyes were tired. Scared. “You took a little nap when they gave you the pain meds.” He gathered her hands in his.

  “How long have I slept?” It felt like days. Everything seemed disconnected and out of focus.

  “Only about an hour.” Mateo brushed his thumbs over her knuckles. “But don’t worry. I talked to the doctor, and you get to go home soon.”

  “Oh God.” Her shoulders slumped against the pile of pillows. “Good. I have to get Tilda and Honey and Trunchbull and Wormwood back. They were running. I don’t know where they ended up.”

  “I found them over by the café right before the ambulance left. They’re in the stable, all safe and locked up for the night.”

  “Thank you.” Her throat was raw. How could she ever thank him for being there when she needed him?

  “That’s how I knew where to find you.” His voice sounded different. Weighted and quiet. “Those goats. They came tearing down the hill right at me.”

  “They almost got eaten.” The horrible images raced through her mind. The cat’s yellowish eyes, its razor-sharp teeth. She shifted to move closer to Mateo, but pain shot through her left shoulder. Wincing, she reached over to touch the bandages.

  “Careful. You have forty-three stitches in that shoulder. A few open puncture wounds, too.”

  “It feels like a lot more than forty-three stitches.” The pain made her woozy. She rested her head back on the pillow and reached for Mateo’s hand again. She needed that warmth, that strength to fill her. Maybe someday she would stop shaking.

  “But there’s no other damage,” he murmured, moving to sit next to her. “All of your bones and tendons are intact.” Emotion laced the words. “You’re gonna be fine.” He slipped his arms around her and held her close.

  She relaxed against him, letting herself lean into his embrace. “I’m sorry I scared you.” He still looked pale.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” He turned her face to his. “I should’ve been there. It took me longer than I thought it would to get back from Blake’s.”

  “Blake’s?” He’d been with Blake? That’s why he hadn’t made it to the party?

  “When I saw you at that event, how happy you were, how many people care about the farm, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t take it away from you. So I drove to Blake’s house to tell him the deal was off.”

  She struggled to sit upright so she could get a better look at his face. “What about your family?”

  “Ana told me it was time to give up the hero complex.” He smiled, but it was only a shadow of his full grin. “She reminded me that she’ll be fully capable of getting a job once she’s done with school. And after I retire from riding, I’ll find something else. Maybe I’ll raise broncs for the circuit.” He sat taller and moved his face closer to hers. The rims of his eyes were red, as though he’d shed a few tears, too. “I should’ve given up on the investment a long time ago. When I realized how much you loved the farm. That’s all I could think when I saw you lying on the ground. That it was too late. And that I’d taken away what you loved the most.”

  “No. You didn’t.” Everly didn’t bother to wipe away the steady stream of tears. “I would’ve understood, Mateo. You have to know that. I love that you want to take care of your mom and your
sisters. I love that you’re so faithful to them. At the party I realized that I don’t love the farm nearly as much as I love my people.” She leaned forward to brush a kiss over his lips. “You. My book club girls. My favorite retirees.” Everyone who had given her a place to belong when she’d needed it the most. “That’s what matters. I can live anywhere, but I can’t live without the people I love.”

  Mateo rested his forehead against hers. “Can you live with one of them right next door?” His smile gained momentum. “I figure I’m gonna have to park my trailer right alongside the house so I can keep an eye on you all the time. No more chasing delinquent goats by yourself at sunset.”

  Everly stopped just short of kissing his lips again. “If you really want to keep an eye on me, you might have to spend more time in my house than in your trailer.” She raised her eyebrows in an effort to entice him. “Especially at night.”

  “I could get on board with that.” He raised his hand to her face, gently drawing her lips to his. Heat swirled through her as she lost herself in his kiss. God, his lips. They dulled the pain.

  “Whoa. Sorry to interrupt.” Dev stepped into the room, holding his cowboy hat nervously in his hands.

  Everly pulled away. “It’s okay.” Heat danced on her cheeks. “You can come in.”

  “But make it quick.” Mateo still seemed focused on her lips. She gave him a look and mouthed later, which brought out his real smile.

  Dev walked to the foot of the bed. “Just wanted to swing by and tell you the parks and wildlife guys found the cat. The gunshot hit him in the leg, and they put him down. They said from the looks of things he’d been wounded before. Maybe in a fight with another cougar. That’s likely why he was hanging around the farm. He couldn’t hunt like he used to, so he was poaching smaller prey.”

  A relieved sigh whooshed out of her. “That’s good news.” Though it would still be a very long time before she’d be able to walk the property by herself without looking over her shoulder.