Cowboy at the Crossroads

by Linda Warren

  “Cord.”

  But he wasn’t listening. He whistled and Apache came galloping up. He pulled a rifle from his saddle, then fired three times in the air. The sound ricocheted through Becca, returning her to the world of reality. As always, she and Cord had had a moment—that was it. She’d wanted to spend the night with him, but things had turned out so differently.

  Would there ever be time for the two of them?

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CORD SWEPT HER UP into his arms and mounted Apache. How he did that she didn’t know, but one minute she was on the ground and the next she was in the saddle. They set off at a slow, careful pace, and within minutes, they were surrounded by cowboys.

  “You found her,” Gus said. “Thank God.”

  “Yeah, the brakes went out on the Jeep and she crashed into a tree. The Jeep’s in the bushes. I’ve got to get her to a doctor.” With that, he kneed Apache and they took off. She could tell they were going faster than before by the rhythm of her body, but as long as Cord held her, she wasn’t afraid. Behind them she could hear the clap of hooves and she knew the cowboys were following them home.

  When she saw the lights of the ranch in the distance, a peaceful feeling came over her. Cord didn’t stop at the barn. He galloped straight to the house. As he began to lift her from the saddle, Nicki ran from the house, screaming, “Becca, Becca, Becca.”

  Della, Edie and Blanche were right behind her.

  Becca slid to the ground, and Cord caught Nicki before she could crash into her. When he let the child go, Nicki wrapped her arms around Becca’s legs. “Where were you? We looked and looked. Where were you?”

  “Baby,” Cord said. “Becca had a wreck in the Jeep and I’ve got to take her to the doctor.”

  “Oh, are you hurt?” Nicki glanced up at her, frowning.

  “I bumped my head and your father thinks I should get it checked out.”

  “I wanna go, Daddy! I wanna go.”

  “Now, baby…”

  “No, no, no. I wanna go,” Nicki wailed.

  Becca felt as though the top of her head was about to spin right off, but she had to deal with Nicki. She couldn’t leave if the child was upset.

  Before she could say anything, Blanche stepped up. “Come on, sugarplum, stay here with us. You’ll just be sitting in a stuffy old room at the hospital. Stay here and we’ll play that animal game again. Wanna bet I can be a better cow than you?”

  “No, you can’t. I’m the best cow. Daddy said so.”

  Cord knelt beside her. “Go with Blanche, baby,” he said. “It’s way past your bedtime.”

  “’Kay,” she agreed, then flung her arms around Becca’s legs again. “You coming back, Becca?”

  Becca swallowed and bent down, trying not to wince at the pain in her head. “Yes, I’m coming back.”

  “You promise.”

  “I promise,” Becca said with a catch in her voice, and kissed Nicki’s cheek.

  “I love you, Becca.”

  Becca had to swallow again. “I love you, too, sweetie. Now go with Blanche. I bet she’ll make you some hot chocolate if you ask nicely.”

  Blanche took Nicki’s hand, as the cowboys rode up. They were wet and tired and looked at her with woeful eyes.

  “Thanks for searching for me,” she said shyly. She was wet, muddy and tired, too—not to mention in pain—but she’d never felt so cherished.

  Dusty tipped his hat. “Our pleasure, ma’am.”

  “Yep,” Gus said. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Doc.”

  “Okay, everyone,” Cord broke in, taking her by the arm. “I’ve got to get her to the hospital.” He led her to his truck as Gus grabbed Apache by the reins and the cowboys rode to the barn.

  Soon they were on the highway to Houston. Becca felt herself drifting off but knew she shouldn’t fall asleep.

  “Talk to me,” she said. “I have to stay awake.”

  “I was just thinking about the changes you’ve made in the Prescott house. Blanche is taking care of my daughter.” He shook his head. “Never thought I’d live to see that. And she and Edie haven’t had a cross word in days. They can actually eat a meal in peace—or close enough. I’m not sure how that happened, but I know you’ve worked some sort of miracle. And Nicki. I’m so grateful for what you’ve done for her.”

  “I guess I’ll have to put my magical skills on the market,” she said lightly.

  “I’d be the highest bidder.”

  “Why?”

  He took a deep breath. “Because I don’t want you to leave Triple Creek.” Then he quickly added, “But I’d never ask that of you. I know you have a career and a life waiting for you.”

  “What if I stayed voluntarily?”

  The truck swerved to the right; Cord straightened it immediately. “Don’t say things like that while I’m driving!”

  “It’s true.” She wasn’t ashamed to admit it. “I’d give up everything to be with you.”

  His hands tightened on the wheel. “I don’t want another woman giving up anything for me.”

  “I’m not Anette, Cord.”

  No, she wasn’t. She was young, vibrant and captivating, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He stopped at a red light and turned to her, but the words lodged in his throat. “Oh my God,” he muttered.

  “What?” she asked in a startled voice.

  “Your face,” he said. “The side of your face is blue and there’s blood oozing from one spot. Are you in pain? Why didn’t you tell me you were in pain?”

  “Calm down. I’m sure it’s just a bad bruise.”

  As soon as the light turned green, Cord made it to the hospital in record time. She directed him to The Methodist so she could at least see someone she knew.

  A wheelchair was brought out when they arrived, and a nurse took Becca inside, where Cord filled out the necessary forms.

  Before they’d even reached the waiting area someone called, “Becca Talbert, is that you?”

  Becca turned to see an old friend. “Hi, Candace. Yes, it’s me.”

  Candace eyed her wet and muddy appearance and studied the bruise on Becca’s face. “What happened to you?”

  “I had a car wreck. I’m waiting to be seen.”

  “We can’t have that,” Candace said. “Come on, I’ll take you back and have a look.”

  “Candace, really it’s…”

  But Candace wasn’t listening. She was already wheeling Becca down the hall into an exam room. Cord followed.

  “Candace, this is Cordell Prescott and Cord, this is Dr. Candace Barker.” Becca made the introductions.

  “Nice to meet you,” Cord replied.

  “Same here, but I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to step outside while I exam her.”

  “Sure,” he said, glancing at Becca. “Would you like me to call your parents?”

  “No, please don’t do that.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right out there.”

  “Thanks, Cord.”

  After he left, Candace asked, “How did you manage to get rescued by a tall, handsome cowboy?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  Candace laughed and began to examine her. Becca felt there wasn’t anything seriously wrong, but she had to be sure so she agreed to the tests Candace ordered. Her main concern was getting back to Cord. They’d started to talk in the truck and she wanted to finish their conversation. He’d said he didn’t want another woman to change her life for him. But it wasn’t about changing, in Becca’s opinion. It was about accepting, about making compromises and being together. In a matter of three weeks, she’d fallen madly, wildly in love. She hoped Cord felt the same way. He hadn’t said he loved her.

  She had to talk to him.

  CORD SAT IN THE WAITING AREA and noticed that people were staring at him. He must look a sight. He was wet and muddy from head to toe. He’d tried to wipe off his boots, but they were still caked with mud. He’d lost his hat somewhere and his hair was slicked back and dark with rain.
None of that mattered.

  There was a telephone in a corner of the room, and he wondered if he should call Emily and Jackson. No, Becca had said not to, so he had to respect her wishes. But he felt they needed to know she was hurt. God, would this terrible night ever end?

  He didn’t understand what had happened. They’d never had a problem with that Jeep before. If the brakes gave way, something had to have caused it. He strode over to the phone and called the ranch.

  Edie answered. “Hi, Edie,” he said. “How’s Nicki?”

  “She’s fine. Blanche is upstairs reading her a story.”

  Cord was taken aback for a moment. Blanche was reading to Nicki? There was something wrong with that picture, but he wasn’t going to question it. “Hard to believe, isn’t it?”

  “I know, and don’t ask me what kind of story she’s reading ’cause I’m not interfering.”

  “Thanks, Edie. I appreciate your restraint. Things are definitely changing in our house.”

  “Becca said it’s time to let go of all the bitterness and hatred, and she’s right. I’m too old to keep this up. Besides, Blanche is your mother and Clay’s and Colton’s.”

  “Yeah,” he said, trying to digest this startling revelation of Edie’s.

  “How’s Becca?”

  “They’re examining her. We’ll be back as soon as we can. Is Gus around?”

  “He’s in the kitchen with Della. They were just fixing to leave. I’ll see if he’s still here.”

  Cord waited, and it wasn’t long before Gus came on the line. “Hey, Cord. How’s the doc?”

  “Being examined,” he answered, then added, “Gus, would you do something for me?”

  “Sure, anything. You name it.”

  “At first light, get the boys to pull the Jeep to the barn and ask Smithy to go over it with a fine-tooth comb. I want to know why those brakes failed.”

  “You think it wasn’t an accident?”

  “I don’t know, but there has to be a reason the brakes didn’t work. Smithy keeps our vehicles in good running order, and he’ll figure out what went wrong.”

  “Sure enough. We’ll get to the bottom of this. You just take care of the doc.”

  “I will. See you in the morning.”

  He hung up with a somber expression. He had to have some answers—for himself and for Becca. He ran both hands over his face in a weary gesture, trying not to think about their conversation in the truck. But he couldn’t block out her words. What if I stayed voluntarily? I’d do anything to be with you. He wanted to grab at everything she was offering, but he had to do what was best for her. He still felt so confused, so bitter, over Anette’s death. Colton was right; he couldn’t drag Becca into his misery. But how did he let go of something he wanted with all his heart?

  WHEN CORD WAS ALLOWED to see Becca, she was sitting on the side of an exam bed, wearing a bandage on her forehead. Her skin was so pale, it terrified him. His heart jackknifed into his throat, and he knew in that instant that he’d never be able to walk away from Becca. He could remind himself of all the reasons he should, but when he looked into her dark eyes all those reasons disappeared.

  “Ah, Mr. Prescott,” Dr. Barker said when she noticed him. “Becca has a bad bruise and a slight concussion. She’ll be fine in a few days. She just has—”

  “I know the drill, Candace,” Becca broke in.

  Candace winked at Cord. “She’s on the stubborn side, so make sure she takes it easy.”

  “Don’t worry. I will.”

  “I’ll sign these release forms and you can be on your way.” Candace rolled the wheelchair over.

  “I can walk. I don’t need that thing.”

  “Hospital procedure,” Candace said calmly. “You know that.”

  Cord practically lifted her off the bed into the chair.

  “Thanks,” she said to Candace.

  “No problem.” Candace smiled. “Working with Dr. Arnold doesn’t mean you can’t visit us poor souls still here in the hospital.”

  “I’ll remember that.” Becca returned her smile.

  AS THEY LEFT THE EMERGENCY ROOM parking lot, Cord asked, “Would you like to go by your parents’ place?”

  “It’s the middle of the night, Cord. I’m not waking them up.”

  “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”

  She turned to look at him. “I’m not ten years old.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, of course not. I just want you to feel better.”

  “What’ll make me feel better is to go home to Triple Creek.” The word home had slipped out, but she wouldn’t take it back. Even without her realizing it, that was what Triple Creek and the people there had become to her.

  When they stopped at a red light, she caught his gaze and could almost feel the wall he was trying to erect between them. “Don’t do that.”

  “What?”

  “You’re trying to think of everything you can to keep us apart—Anette, Colton, my career, my age—and they’re simply excuses to mask what you’re really feeling.”

  “I want what’s best for you.”

  Her eyes didn’t waver from his. “You’re what’s best for me.”

  “Becca.” He reached out his hand to touch her face. She linked her fingers with his.

  “When my head stops throbbing, we’ll talk about this again. But right now, I just want to go home and go to bed.”

  Cord didn’t say another word. He couldn’t. Happiness was unfurling inside him with such speed that it made nonsense of everything he was thinking.

  WHEN THEY ENTERED through the back door, the lights were on and Blanche was sitting at the kitchen table in a black negligée drinking coffee. She rose.

  “How you doing, sugar?”

  “A bit of a headache, but I’m fine.”

  “Well, I’m off to bed.” Blanche yawned. “Didn’t want to go to sleep in case Nicki woke up.”

  “Thanks, Blanche,” Cord said. “That means a lot to me.”

  Mother and son stared at each other for a moment, then Blanche walked out of the room.

  Cord picked up her cup and sniffed it.

  “What are you doing?” Becca asked.

  “Seeing what she drinking ’cause she’s sure not acting like herself.”

  “What’s that saying? Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

  His mustache twitched. “Yeah, I should leave well enough alone. Now, it’s time to get you to bed.”

  Becca slowly made her way up the stairs with Cord supporting her. When they reached her room, he said, “Just undress and get in bed.”

  “I can’t.”

  “What?”

  “I can’t go to bed without a bath.”

  “Surely that can wait. You’re dead on your feet.”

  “I can’t rest or sleep without a bath. I’m filthy.”

  “All right.” He sighed. “But I’m not leaving.”

  “Fine.” She moved into the bathroom and closed the door. Turning on the taps full blast, she stripped out of the dirty clothes. Then she eased into the water. Her body was aching and the hot water felt heavenly.

  “You okay?” Cord called through the door.

  “Yes. Stop worrying.”

  “I’m gonna take a shower. Be right back.”

  “Okay.”

  Cord rushed to his room, removing his clothes as he went. The wet boots were difficult to pull off, but he managed. He stepped into the shower, shampooed his hair and washed, doing everything as fast as he could because he didn’t want to leave Becca for too long. He quickly dried off, slipped into a pair of clean jeans and a T-shirt, then darted back to her room.

  He tapped on the door. “Becca, you okay?”

  “Yes, but could you hand me my T-shirt? It’s in the top dresser drawer.”

  “Sure.” He found it without a problem, opened the door a crack and handed it to her.

  “Thanks.” As she slipped it over
her head, the room spun crazily. She gripped the vanity to keep from falling. “Cord!” came out as a desperate cry.

  He pushed open the door and took in the situation at a glance. She was trembling and her skin had gone a pasty white. He gathered her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

  Pulling the sheet over her, he said, “Get some rest. Reaction is setting in.”

  “Please don’t leave,” she begged.

  He nodded and sat down on the bed. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

  “I’d like that.” She sighed, then added, “But I don’t like that you’re so far away.”

  He didn’t, either, but he was trying very hard to keep his head clear, which was a wasted effort where she was concerned. He stretched out on his side and draped one arm over her wasit.

  With her head beneath his chin, she placed her hand on his chest. Her fingers felt his taut muscles and she drew strength from his closeness. “Oh, yes.” She sighed heavily. “I like this much better.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Go to sleep.”

  “Cord.”

  “Hmm.”

  I love you echoed through her head as she drifted into sleep.

  Cord knew she was asleep but he continued to hold her. Whatever she’d been about to say had curved her lips into an enchanting smile. Unable to resist, he gently touched her mouth with his own. She moved against him and every nerve in him came alive. He hadn’t thought it was possible to have this overpowering need and love for anyone. With Anette it hadn’t been this strong. Or if it had, he’d forgotten, with all the other problems in their marriage. Problems they couldn’t work out. Problems that had ultimately led to her death. He never forgot that fact. He didn’t want Becca to feel that kind of unhappiness. He knew they were two very different women, yet he couldn’t rid himself of those doubts.

  At the hospital, when he’d looked into Becca’s eyes, he had known he couldn’t walk away from her. His feelings for her went too deep for that. But one fear tortured him day and night. Could he make her happy?

  Oh, Becca, where do we go from here?