by June Faver
Gracie mumbled a hurried prayer, ending with “an’ God bless Mommy, an’ Gran, an’ Ty. Amen.”
Leah’s breath caught in her throat. How could this big cowboy come to mean so much to them both in so few hours? How is Gracie going to feel when he’s gone? She swallowed hard. How am I going to feel?
She leaned down to brush a kiss on her daughter’s forehead and pulled the covers up under her chin. “You go to sleep now.”
Dutifully, Gracie snuggled down beneath the quilt and closed her eyes, her angelic expression the picture of peace and contentment.
Gazing at her child’s sweet face, a knot formed in Leah’s chest. This is the best place for us. I haven’t been able to give Gracie much up until now, but that will change. Things will get better.
Leah thought about her options. Maybe she could get a job back in Langston. It was the closest town and where Gracie would be enrolled in school come September. She wasn’t quite sure what she might be able to do, but she was used to hard work, so surely someone would give her a chance.
The house was quiet. Tiptoeing out of their room, Leah padded down the hall toward the kitchen in her bare feet. Silently, she took a glass out of the cupboard and filled it with water from the tap. Moonlight spilled in through the window, bathing her in a soft glow as she lifted the glass to her lips. When she’d finished, she set the empty glass in the sink.
Turning, she almost stumbled over Lucky. The dog had been so quiet she hadn’t heard him approach. Leaning down, she stroked his head. “Hey there, stealth doggy. You snuck up on me.” She spoke in hushed tones, barely above a whisper.
The dog swished his tail from side to side.
“Do you need some water too? I put a big bowl right over here.” She checked the corner of the kitchen where she had left one of Gran’s mixing bowls earlier but found it empty. “Oh, thirsty doggy. Let me give you a refill.” She held the bowl under the tap and set it on the floor, tucked in the corner so no one would run into it. “There you go.”
The dog began to lap noisily. Leah knelt down beside him to run her hand over the silky fur. “Good boy,” she whispered and rose from her crouch. When she turned, she ran smack into a brick wall. A warm, muscled brick wall with arms. She stifled a scream as she pushed off the wall and was gathered into a rough embrace.
“Easy, Leah.”
“Oh, Ty! You scared me.” Swallowing hard, she braced her hands against his powerful bare chest. The sensation sent her heart into a flutter. Longing surged through her. Longing for what, she wasn’t quite certain, but longing nonetheless.
“Sorry,” he murmured, his voice deep and raspy. “I thought Lucky was getting into something.” He held her firmly against his warm torso.
She swallowed again. “N-no. I’m sorry I woke you.” Gazing up, she couldn’t read his expression in the darkness.
He expelled a breath, staring down at her moon-washed face. “You are just too pretty for my own good.”
A rage of desire swirled low in her belly. Her pulse pounded in her ears. With no direction, she rose on her tiptoes and lifted her chin.
He made a sort of growl back in his throat before his arms tightened around her and he lowered his head. His kiss was soft, tentative at first, and then deepened. Lifting her off her feet, he devoured her mouth with hungry kisses. Heat from his bare flesh infiltrated her thin gown, setting fire to her desire.
His hunger seemed to fuel hers as the kiss continued to escalate.
Passion bloomed in her chest, sending a flush of pleasure throughout her being. When she came up for air, she had wrapped both arms around his neck. Gasping, she shivered. Everything was happening too fast. The room seemed to be spinning, or was it just her head? Heat emanating from his warm skin sent a spiral of lust to her core. She stroked her fingertips against the side of his face. The rough stubble of his beard rasped against her cheek, her neck, her shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Holding her tight, he gave her a squeeze before setting her on her feet. “I had no business doing that.”
Stunned, Leah stepped back, “No, I…I mean…”
Ty rubbed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “I’m sorry.” He stepped away, and giving one rueful glance at her, he strode from the kitchen, leaving Leah leaning against the cabinet, tingling in the aftermath of their encounter.
* * *
Ty watched Leah glide silently to the back of the house. He stared after her for a moment, then threw himself down on the sofa and pulled the coverlet over his head. His heart pounded against his ribs like a wild animal straining to be freed from its cage.
He had never wanted a woman more than he wanted Leah. He could still taste her kisses. He could still feel her arms clinging to him. It was all he could do to keep from taking her right there on the countertop.
He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. If only he had met Leah under different circumstances, at a different time in his life, things might have been different. He felt a momentary pang of regret. But he couldn’t let anything stand in the way of his music career. This was his one chance to make it, a golden opportunity he would be a fool to pass up.
Heaving a sigh, he tossed back the cover and stood up. He strained to hear if anyone else was moving about in the darkness, but the only sound was that of his own pulse drumming in his ears.
Noiselessly, he twisted the knob on the front door. He stepped out on the front porch, allowing Lucky to slip out with him. The moon bathed everything in bright contrasts. It looked like an old black-and-white movie. The shadows were ebony-black, and all the other surfaces ranged from bright white through a full spectrum of grays.
Ty sucked in a deep breath. The air tasted of rain nearby. A clean, earthy scent. Rubbing his face with both hands, he tried to clear his head. Tried to erase the soft scent of Leah from his senses. He struggled to focus on what he needed to do.
Tomorrow, he would fulfill his promise to these unfortunate females and spend the day making as many repairs as he could around this godforsaken place. At most, he could give them two days, but that was absolutely all he could spare. Then, he would hightail it to Dallas. There was the gateway to his future. Not here on a broken-down ranch with a whisper-thin old lady, a young girl in a cast, and a beautiful, frightened woman with whiskey-colored eyes and lips that tasted like “stay.”
Ty listened to the night sounds. A cricket chirped. The breeze stirred the high grasses. The old house creaked. Just keep breathing in and out. Don’t try to be a savior. He raked his fingers through his dark, unruly hair. Gotta keep my focus.
* * *
Fern woke up before sunrise. She lay for a few moments, staring up into the darkness. Some sound…some infinitesimal noise outside. She forced herself to take a deep breath, letting it out silently. On alert, her hearing seemed to be heightened. A slight rustling sent spirals of fear fluttering through her chest.
She slipped out of bed. Without making a sound, she opened the drawer of her bedside table and withdrew the .45-caliber revolver that had been her husband’s. Fully loaded, it was heavy but comforting. “Don’t you worry, Albert,” she whispered. “I won’t let them weasels hurt our girls.” She held it close to her chest as she quietly twisted the knob on her bedroom door.
The whole house was sleeping. The door to the room where Leah and Gracie slept was closed as Fern crept down the hallway. Once in the front room, she saw the big lump of cowboy curled up on her sofa, the blanket pulled up almost over his head. Noiselessly, she slipped past him, glad he didn’t snore. Just the soft sound of his regular breathing.
Tyler’s dog, Lucky, stood by the door. It looked like he was on alert too. He glanced at her and then back to staring at the door, his tail wagging slightly as though eager to go outside.
Fern opened the front door a crack, peering out into the darkness. She heard nothing out of the ordinary and slipped through to stand on
the porch, the dog coming with her.
The air was cool, whispering across her flesh like a spiderweb, setting all her senses into overdrive. The moon was just a sliver in the black sky.
She jumped at the sound of someone running across the dirt.
She heard a low growl from Lucky before he took off, racing toward the road.
Her throat closed up. She couldn’t breathe but stood clutching the gun, listening in the darkness. As she stood, on alert for the slightest sound, the silence was broken by the slam of a vehicle door and the roar of a badly tuned motor as it sped away.
Her jaw tight, she peered into the darkness, relaxing as Lucky came loping toward her, tail wagging. He looked satisfied with himself as though he knew he had chased the enemy from her door. “Good boy,” she whispered, stroking his head. “Let’s you an’ me git back inside.”
Turning, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was something dark stuck to the front door.
Her hand shook as she reached out to touch it. It was wet and cold with short fur. Shrinking backward, she stifled the scream raging in her throat.
A dead rat.
Swallowing hard, she gathered her courage and pulled the rodent off the door. She felt like screaming, not in fear, but in anger. How dare they come onto her property to leave this mess? If they thought they could frighten an old lady off her land, they had another think coming.
Outraged, Fern marched to the place behind the barn where she burned trash. She put the rat in the metal barrel, moving some trash to cover it.
Lucky sat waiting for her.
“No sense letting something like this scare the girls. They have enough problems without any of mine adding to them.”
She walked back to the house, entering and securing the door behind her. Lucky settled on the floor beside his sleeping master.
* * *
The next morning, Ty awoke with a start. He was disoriented at first, not remembering how he had come to be curled up on a lumpy sofa. He smelled bacon and heard kitchen sounds. He sat up, anxious to see Leah again. Then his resolutions from the night before hit him like a truck. Pressing his lips together, he exhaled. Distance. I have to keep my distance.
He groped in his duffel for a T-shirt and his worn jeans. These would do for working around this little ranch. He carried them in a bundle to the kitchen, where he found Fern Davis managing a stove and two cast-iron skillets. Bacon sizzled in one, and sliced potatoes were browning in the other. He felt a pang, recalling his mother preparing big breakfasts for her men.
She smiled when she saw him. “Howdy, young feller. I can’t tell you how glad I am you decided to stay for a while. We sure can use the help.”
“Uh…well, I’m glad to help out, ma’am.” He had wanted to clean up before putting on his clean but ragged-out jeans and faded tee, but at the moment, he felt the need to be wearing more clothes. Clutching his soon-to-be-donned garments to his bare chest, he backed toward the hallway. “Just heading to the bathroom.”
Fern nodded. “Second door on the left.”
Ty turned and made a break for it. When he put his hand on the doorknob, Leah was just coming out. He swallowed hard.
Looking as though she had just stepped out of the shower, she wore a terry bathrobe, and her hair was still damp. Glancing away, she ducked her head and whispered a greeting. “G’morning, Ty.”
“Ah, good morning, Leah.” The thought of her nakedness underneath the robe hit him like a freight train. He held up his bundle of clothing, plastering on a fake smile. “Getting ready to do some work.” Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She glanced up. “I see. I hope there’s some hot water left for you.” Her voice sounded soft and wistful.
He stared at her mouth, harnessing the desire to haul her closer for another taste of her kisses. “I…uh…I’ll make do.”
She nodded and turned away, padding down the hall in worn scuffs.
He watched her retreating backside as he tried to contain the ache in his chest. What’s wrong with me? I know what I have to do…so I better get after it. He stepped into the still-steamy bathroom and closed the door firmly behind himself.
Chapter 3
Leah dressed hurriedly. She’d been embarrassed by her earlier encounter with Ty. She hadn’t even bothered to dry her hair. He probably thought she looked like a drowned rat. She expelled a pent-up breath. Who cares what he thinks? He’s not interested in me at all.
He looked even more attractive in the morning. The dark stubble of beard around his jawline was sexy as hell, and the expression in his eyes was smoking hot. His body could best be described as ripped. An involuntary smile teased her lips. He’d looked so cute holding his bundle in front of himself, as though he could hide his broad bare chest behind a little wad of clothing.
She concentrated on helping Gracie get dressed. Holding her shirt, she guided the cast through the armhole. “There you go. Let’s see if we can help Gran with breakfast.”
Gracie’s smile lit up her whole face, reminding Leah of what was really important in her life. This is all about my daughter. I’m here to protect her and give her a better life.
When they stepped out into the hall, the scent of bacon wrapped around them and buoyed them toward the kitchen. Eddie ran out and headed to the kitchen ahead of them.
Gran was expertly juggling skillets on the old gas stove, but she looked up and grinned when they entered. “Good morning, my sweethearts. I hope you slept well.”
“Great.” Leah snapped her fingers to get Eddie’s attention. “Gracie is going to take Eddie out for a walk, and I’m here to help with breakfast.” She smiled as her daughter fastened the leash and led the dog out the front door. “Come right back. We’re almost ready to eat.”
Gran waved the spatula at her. “Help yourself to some coffee if you want.”
Leah poured the dark liquid into a mug and inhaled the delicious fragrance. She replaced the battered coffeepot on the trivet and took a sip. Strong.
In a short time, Gracie returned from the walk, Eddie close on her heels.
Leah motioned her to the table. Seating Gracie, she gave her hair a stroke. “Love you, baby.” She turned to her grandmother. “What can I do to help?”
“You can set the table for me and pour milk for Gracie.” Gran nodded toward the old refrigerator.
Leah poured milk into a jelly glass and set it in front of Gracie, who picked it up with both hands and began drinking.
Satisfied that her child was being nourished, Leah picked up her coffee cup. The aroma filled her senses, offering strength and renewal. A new day. A new life. Here I am, ready to meet you head-on.
Smiling, she turned to see Ty. He had been standing in the doorway, staring at her. She felt a flush creep up from her neck but managed a smile. She held up her coffee cup with raised brows, and he nodded.
“Sit right down, young man,” Gran said. “Breakfast is a-comin’ right up.”
Ty grinned and took a seat beside Gracie. They had an exchange in low voices, and something he said caused Gracie to giggle.
Leah wondered why he had to go to Dallas. What could be so all-fired important in the big city? She took down a cup for him and poured from the battered metal coffeepot. When she turned, she felt a little clutch in her chest. He looked so natural, chatting with Gracie. They were both grinning. Why couldn’t there be a man like this in her daughter’s life? Or in mine, for that matter?
The thought hit her that he might be going to meet a woman in Dallas. It made sense that he would have a girlfriend. In fact, she couldn’t imagine that he didn’t have to peel women off him. He was handsome and very masculine…and exuded some kind of sexy vibe, wrapped in a blanket of caring. Of course, he couldn’t really care. He was probably just a nice guy, and she had mistaken his normal niceness for something else.
Leah sucked in a breath, realizing she h
ad been staring at him while his coffee was getting cold. Giving herself a nudge, she propelled her feet forward and placed the cup in front of him. He reached for it, his hand closing around hers before she had a chance to let go. A spark of electricity shimmied up her arm from where their fingers had met. He must have felt it too, because his gaze riveted on hers, intense and smoldering. She flashed a smile and turned back to the stove.
Gran was filling plates with eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes. She thrust two plates into Leah’s hands. “For Gracie and Ty.”
Leah followed orders, delivering the plates to the table and placing them in front of the appropriate diners.
“That looks great,” Ty said.
Gracie nodded her approval.
Leah brought the two remaining plates to the table as Gran directed her to be seated. She chose to sit beside Gracie, leaving the seat beside Ty for Gran.
“I got your biscuits right here,” Gran called. She dumped an iron skillet filled with golden-brown biscuits into a napkin-lined basket and placed it in the center of the table.
“Everything looks great, Miz Fern,” Ty said.
“Have some of my blackberry jam,” she invited. “I put it up last summer. It was a ’specially sweet crop.”
Ty complied, scooping a spoonful of the jam onto his plate.
“Gracie, maybe you can help me feed the chickens after we get done?”
Gracie’s eyes opened wide. “Me? I get to help you?”
“Sure,” Gran said. “In fact, if you do a good job, maybe that can be your chore.”
Leah chuckled. “Feeding the chickens was my special chore when I spent my summers here as a child. I really got to know those hens.”
Gracie grinned and wiggled in her chair. “How about the cows? Can we feed the cows too?”
“Them cows is sittin’ on easy street,” Gran said. “I got ’em in the east pasture for grazin’, and they got the stream right there for drinkin’. When it gets to be winter, we got lots of hay stored up in the barn.” She gave a wink. “Them cows is doin’ good.”