A Cowboy's Pride

by Karen Rock

  So far everyone behaved themselves. Even Justin had shot him a half smile when Cole and Katie-Lynn arrived at the church to practice for tomorrow’s wedding. With little time for big announcements about Clyde’s revelations, he’d simply taken his place in the wedding party, amazed the rehearsal and now the dinner went off without a hitch.

  Cole spied Katie-Lynn at the end of a table, speaking animatedly with Brielle Thompson. Katie-Lynn exclaimed over the sparkling engagement ring Justin gave Brielle recently, and Cole pictured the small, heart-shaped ring still in his nightstand drawer. Was it too small for Katie-Lynn now? Was the life he offered her?

  Justin ambled up behind Brielle and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. Hard to believe a man with a death wish like him had turned his life around for a woman.

  Love did strange things to a man.

  Changed him.

  Was Cole changing? He’d stopped being a complete hermit while investigating with Katlynn...but was it enough to win her back? He still preferred obscurity and she wanted the spotlight.

  At Amberley’s shoulder tap, Katie-Lynn turned and embraced the legally blind barrel-racer. The right person motivated you the way Jared Cade inspired his wife, Amberley. He’d refused to let her give up her dreams of touring with a professional rodeo group. In fact, he’d stopped playing pro football to manage her career.

  Love meant making a sacrifice.

  Katie-Lynn’s pretty face glowed beneath lantern lights swinging from the tent poles. Jared joined the women and slung an arm around Amberley. Was Jared happy after giving up the Broncos? Did he regret the sacrifice? Resent his wife?

  Love shouldn’t be conditional.

  True.

  Katie-Lynn said she no longer cared about being a star. Had she decided to come home to him? Tonight, he’d take her to their Say Anything tree. They’d vowed to speak only the truth there. He’d listen, hoping they’d reach some sort of compromise.

  Heath transitioned into a slow song, prompting Jared to sweep Amberley into his arms and waltz her in the space between the tables. James, Sofia and Javi joined them, swaying together, too, James’s daughter, Jesse, dozing on her father’s shoulder. Cole smiled at the domestic scene, imagining himself as a dad, Katie-Lynn by his side. A glimpse of Daryl’s sullen wife, refusing his younger brother when he entreated her to dance, sobered Cole. Daryl ducked his head as he stalked away, but not so fast Cole missed the defeat on his face. His poor brother. It killed Cole to see Daryl miserable.

  “When should we tell them?” Katie-Lynn whispered in his ear, making him jump. She pulled out the empty chair next to him and sat. Her eyes danced, her grin infectious.

  “After dessert?”

  Katie-Lynn followed his gaze to the tower of slightly tilted, mismatched cupcakes Sofia baked for the event. “They’re going to be thrilled. I still can’t believe we solved the feud. I suppose it hardly matters if we find Cora’s Tear now.”

  Cole rubbed his lightly bristled jaw. “We’ve been hating each other for no reason.”

  “What a waste.”

  “Misunderstandings shouldn’t keep people apart.” Cole reached for Katie-Lynn’s hand and cradled it.

  She pressed her palm to his, laced their fingers together and squeezed. “I agree.”

  “Since we’ve solved this mystery...” He probed her eyes, gauging her mood.

  Her gaze fled his, and she withdrew her hand. “Right. We need to talk about us.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” His heart throbbed painfully in his chest. Was she going to reject him? He steeled himself.

  “No.” Her cheeks blew out with the force of her exhale. “It’s just a lot to figure out all at once.”

  His stalled lungs burned. “Pa said love was more a feeling than a knowing.”

  “I—”

  Katie-Lynn cut off at the arrival of a stooped man in a familiar tweed suit. He leaned heavily on his cane, flanked by J.D. What was Peter Stockton doing here? When Cole and his siblings last spoke with him, Mr. Stockton agreed to prepare the filing to appeal the easement decision and sue for restitution.

  “Uh-oh,” Katie-Lynn gasped. “You don’t think—”

  “No.” Cole watched as Mr. Stockton leaned down to ask a question of Javi, James’s son, who, in turn, pointed out his father. “He’s not supposed to serve papers until after the wedding.”

  A familiar camera crew appeared. Dread formed like a cannonball in Cole’s stomach and then exploded.

  He must have made a noise because Katie-Lynn now gripped his arm. “Cole. I swear. I have no idea why they’re here.”

  He slanted her a quick, assessing look. “Who invited them?”

  “Not me.”

  To Cole’s horror, J.D. handed James a thick envelope with an official-looking mark on the front. Pa rose from his seat, took Joy by the hand, and joined the group. Cole and Katie-Lynn hurried over, as well, along with the rest of the family. Heath quit playing and a heavy silence descended.

  “James Cade?” asked J.D., looking straight into the camera. He’d teased his blond poof to gravity-defying heights and wore a sleeveless muscle shirt highlighting Katie-Lynn’s tattoo.

  “What’s this about?” Pa demanded.

  “I’m James Cade.” A muscle flickered in James’s jaw. “You’d better have a good reason for interrupting a family get-together.”

  “Gabe, why are you filming?” Katie-Lynn demanded. Her director waved off her comment.

  “Stop. This is a mistake,” Cole thundered, fully gleaning the men’s purpose. Cold, hard dread coiled in his gut.

  “Is this a bad time? Oh, dear,” Mr. Stockton said. “Forgive me. When J.D. suggested we serve the court summons here, I thought it odd, but he assured me...”

  “What did you do?” Katie-Lynn gestured between J.D. and her crew. “Did you contact my show about Cole’s plans?”

  J.D. hung his head. “When a production assistant stopped in for some research, I mentioned the lawsuit. Then Gabe contacted me and...well...he said I’d be on Scandalous History!”

  “That’s no excuse to ambush people and hurt their lives,” Katlynn fired back. Anger blew off her in waves of heat. She had nothing to do with this media stunt, clearly. “Cameras off, Gabe, or I’ll quit, and you’ll miss the biggest scoop of your career.”

  Gabe signaled the cameraman to stop and backed up a step. “You’ve got something better?”

  “Yes. Why didn’t you run this by me first?”

  Gabe shrugged. “I make the calls.”

  “We’re supposed to be a team.”

  “What are the summonses about?” James demanded, chin jutting. “Are you suing us?”

  “Not at the moment,” Cole admitted.

  James tore open the envelope and the group collectively held its breath as he scanned the documents. A moment later he lowered them, his face a thundercloud.

  “Lowlife Lovelands,” James stormed. “Suing us for damages caused by some easement denial none of us has ever heard of?”

  “I assure you it’s quite real,” proclaimed Mr. Stockton. He filled them in on the easement’s litigation history.

  A babble of angry voices rose when he finished.

  “Quiet!” thundered Cole’s father. The group hushed. “Cole. Did you do this?”

  He hung his head slightly. “Yes.”

  “And you hired an ambulance chaser to sue the Cades without telling me?” Pa turned to Mr. Stockton. “No offense meant.”

  Pete Stockton lifted his chin. “None taken.”

  “The timing wasn’t right to include you.” Cole pressed his lips together as regret swelled, threatening to suffocate him.

  “Who else knew?” Pa stared at his sheepish offspring. “You’ve all been keeping this from me?”

  “We didn’t want to cause a problem before the wedding, Pa,” Sierra entreat
ed.

  “Too late,” growled Justin, ripping the papers out of his brother’s hand. “Says here you’re suing us for access to our land and five million dollars in damages.”

  An angry howl erupted from the Cade clan.

  “Now, now,” Joy soothed. “Boyd won’t allow such a thing. We’re going to be one family now. Right, Boyd?”

  Pa stared at his children then back at Joy, the lines around his mouth deepening. “All this time, we should have had access to the Crystal River?”

  “The termination of the easement ruling was a travesty of justice,” Mr. Stockton proclaimed.

  “Boyd,” Joy pleaded. “Please assure me of your intentions.”

  Pa’s features scrunched in fierce concentration. “Understand, Joy. We’re about to lose Loveland Hills. I want no part of restitution payouts, but if the easement was returned, we’d have a viable future.”

  Joy gasped as if she’d been struck. “Boyd Franklin Loveland. Are you allowing this case to proceed?”

  “I won’t lose my land. It’s my family’s legacy.”

  “But you’re willing to lose me?” Joy’s pained expression pierced Cole, straight through the heart.

  “It doesn’t have to be that way,” Pa entreated.

  “You said I was worth a thousand ranches,” Joy said, brokenly.

  Pa reached out his hand. “Joy...”

  “You’re not trespassing on our land,” James interjected. Firm. Hard.

  “Trespassers will be shot,” Justin growled.

  Jared folded his arms across his chest. “There are valid reasons we’ll block you.”

  “Cattle interbreeding?” Cole challenged, recalling the issues raised in the old lawsuit. “That’d weaken our herd, too. Experienced ranch hands know how to keep the herds apart, unless you’re saying you’re not up to the job.”

  Jared grabbed Justin’s cocked fist in midair.

  “Your operation’s going under,” drawled James with aggravating self-control. “Not ours.”

  Daryl shoved to the front, teeth bared. “Because we’ve been denied water access.”

  “What about your cattle trampling our fences, huh?” Jewel thrust her freckled face between her brothers’. Her expression momentarily softened when she met Heath’s stare. The color between her freckles filled in—pink. “Just last year your cattle took down one of our lines, and we lost twenty head.”

  “We’ve been investigating a cattle-rustling case in the area,” Travis interjected.

  “A convenient cover,” James grumbled.

  “Are you calling us cattle thieves now?” Cole’s fists clenched.

  “My family deserves an apology,” Pa said, low and intent.

  “I’d ask for the same if I thought you’d give it,” Joy replied, her color high. “Why’d we think this would ever work?”

  Pa grabbed the back of a chair. “What are you saying?”

  “Our families will always be on opposite sides. And I’m glad Mr. Stockton served us sooner rather than after—” Her voice caught. When Pa reached for her hand, she jerked it away. “After we made the biggest mistake of our lives.”

  With that, Joy fled the tent, her family hot on her heels.

  “Go to her, Pa.” Sierra tugged at their father’s arm. “Hurry.”

  Pa dragged in a deep, ragged breath. “No. She’s right. We were stupid to think we’d bridge our divide. I won’t let my ancestors’ ranch go under if I have a chance to turn things around. It’s my duty. And a man has his pride. Joy deserves better than a bankrupt, homeless ex-rancher.”

  “But what about love?”

  At Sierra’s question, Pa blinked up at the tented ceiling. “Was an old fool for thinking I’d find it this late in life. Love’s not in the cards for everyone, no matter how much we wish otherwise.”

  Cole’s throat constricted. He’d gone and done the one thing he’d vowed to prevent: hurt his father and ruined his wedding. “Sorry, Pa.”

  Pa’s glistening eyes met Cole’s. “It’s okay, son. We’ve always been alike. You did what I would have done—looked out for your family. For your heritage. Can’t fault you for that.”

  After Sierra escorted their slump-shouldered father to the parking lot, Cole flicked his gaze to Katie-Lynn, who was now deep in conversation with her director.

  Was he like his pa?

  Was love not in the cards for him, either?

  He and his father were both stubborn. By not compromising, he’d driven Katie-Lynn away just as his pa lost Joy. Watching Katie-Lynn doggedly solve an old mystery proved she was good at her job. He’d been wrong to hold her back in the past...but what about now? Could they find a way to compromise?

  His father’s and Joy’s breakup reinforced the need to find a way to compromise or he’d lose Katie-Lynn again.

  This time forever.

  He didn’t want to be alone any longer, even if it meant being part of Katie-Lynn’s world, but how?

  * * *

  “WHERE ARE WE GOING?” Katlynn pleaded when Cole’s horse, carrying them both, plunged down a slope early the next morning. The inside of her bitten cheek stung. “And can I remove the blindfold?”

  “Nope.” Cole’s deep voice, spoken directly into her ear, sent shivers of awareness dancing down her spine.

  She leaned back against the hard planes of his chest. Arms of steel bracketed her body as he guided them to an unknown spot. Why the secrecy about their destination? He’d woken her before dawn, giving her only a minute to dress and meet him outside. She’d forgotten this spontaneous, romantic side of him. Was he taking her somewhere special to discuss their second chance...one he wanted on his terms?

  Could she agree to them?

  A knot twisted the sensitive muscles of her stomach. The tantalizing scent of Cole, leather and a dash of spice on clean male skin, did little to settle her. She’d promised to talk about next steps once they solved the Cade-Loveland mystery. If she and Cole had shared the news last night, would the wedding still be on today? Everything fell apart so suddenly, she hadn’t even informed her film crew yet, hoping Boyd and Joy might still reconcile. With the wedding set to start at 2:00 p.m., though, the chances of their happily-ever-after were dwindling fast.

  Katlynn exhaled a quivering breath as she pictured Boyd’s stricken face and Joy’s tears. Boyd claimed they’d been foolish to try again, insisting some differences couldn’t be breached.

  Did the sentiment apply to her and Cole, too?

  She swayed with Cole as Cash scrambled up another incline, relishing the feel of Cole’s arms wrapped around her. No one made her feel this way. Protected. Cherished. Like she belonged.

  Was it enough?

  She wanted things to be different for them this time around...

  “How much longer?” she asked.

  “I’ll tell you when we get there,” he drawled, sounding more amused than annoyed.

  “You’re an aggravating man, Cole Loveland.”

  “Happy to return the compliment, Katie-Lynn Brennon.”

  He answered her giggle with a deep chuckle that rumbled through her. All around rose the twitter of waking birds accompanied by rustling branches overhead. They must be in a wooded grove based on the thick balsam scent she breathed. Cool air, fresh scrubbed from yesterday’s rainfall, fanned her flushed cheeks. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

  Cole’s muscles tensed. “It’s not your fault. I should have told Pa about the case.”

  “You were trying to save the ranch.”

  Cole’s long exhale blew past her cheek. “But I broke his heart doing it.”

  “He let Joy go. He chose the ranch.”

  She strained to hear his response but only the clip-clop of Cash’s hooves reached her ears. “Cole?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What are you thinking a
bout?”

  “How lonely Pa’s going to be again.” The sad note in Cole’s voice tolled inside her, a hollow sound. Was he thinking of himself, too? Of them? “I’ve seen Pa happy before, but with Joy...he was someone else.”

  “How was he different?”

  “He was...complete.” Cole pressed a feather-light kiss to the crown of her head then rested his chin atop it. “You make me feel that way, too. Whole.”

  “Cole,” she gasped, touched to the marrow of her bones.

  “I reckon everyone’s born with a part of them missing,” he mused, his voice a deep rasp. “The person you love is the piece you spend your life looking for. Some’ll never find it. Others won’t recognize it. Worst is when you don’t hold on to that person when you’re lucky enough to find them.”

  She turned slightly in the saddle and slipped an arm around his lean waist, holding tight. “I’m glad we found each other again.”

  With the reins in one hand, he linked his fingers with hers. “I’m not letting you go without a fight.” He brought Cash to a halt. “You’re my missing piece.”

  He slid off the horse and large hands gripped her waist. As he lowered her to her feet, she clung to his strong forearms. He dropped a kiss against her cheek, then her eyelids through the bandanna, while she tried to control her pounding heart. “Can I take this off?” She touched her bandanna’s knot.

  “Not yet.” He curved a hand around the nape of her neck.

  She started to speak, but his lips found hers. Her mouth parted on a gasp as he kissed her tenderly as if she was the most treasured thing on earth. Her blood sang. Her soul soared. Euphoria.

  His arms tightened around her, crushing her against his chest. With each breath they took, the other seemed to inhale. Their chests rose; their hearts pounded. Little shivers shot through her when he deepened the kiss, stealing her air.

  His fingers dug into her neck in a firm hold. Blindfolded, she wasn’t prepared for the intensity of his kiss, but she quickly caught up, her other senses heightened without her vision. Her lips parted under his onslaught, and a strangled, needful sound rose up to break the silence.