Cowgirl Education: a Camden Ranch Novel

by Jillian Neal

  “Oh, no, sir, that’s not necessary.”

  “It absolutely is necessary. I won’t take no for an answer. If Dr. St. James is willing to share his home, the least I can do is walk you to your car.” Dr. Newsome gestured towards the doors. Holly had no choice but to follow him to the security complex. “Dr. St. James, would it be all right with you if Ms. Camden followed you to your home after the symposium this evening?”

  “Of course. No problem at all. I’ll be here should anyone need anything,” Dec’s hardened gaze was laced with worry and vengeance. Holly had no idea how to reassure him that everything would be fine.

  As she walked beside her second-favorite professor to the other end of campus, for the thousandth time that semester alone, she wished she could just go home.

  Two and a half hours later, Holly and Dr. Newsome exited the security complex. She’d been interviewed by four security guards and a police officer who’d all managed to make her feel like it might’ve somehow been her fault she was being stalked. However, they’d also explained that ten other women in undergraduate and graduate programs all over campus had complained of either a man or two men photographing them or of pictures of them showing up online that they didn’t know were being taken. All of them were from campus or nearby housing. Somehow, knowing she wasn’t the only one made her feel a little better.

  None of them had been given copies of their photographs, however. The police seemed to think it was nothing more than a peeping tom case. They agreed to review all security footage in the parking lots, but disagreed with Dec’s assumption that the photographer was working for someone else. Apparently, it wasn’t unusual for peeping toms to eventually turn over photographs to rid themselves of both evidence and guilt. The police had promised to patrol campus more often as well, but unless the photographer himself had been caught on camera and could be identified that was all they could really do.

  Exhausted, uneasy, and embarrassed that Dr. Newsome was following her to her apartment, Holly tried to focus on the fact that she was going to get to move in with Dec at least for the near future. Only problem, Holly had never lived with any male other than her brothers.

  This entire day was more than she could quite wrap her head around. She pulled into her apartment parking lot with Dr. Newsome’s Caddy on her tail.

  “Of course,” she sighed. “The cavalry’s here.” Standing in the parking lot, arms crossed, scowls etched on their chiseled faces, and shit-kickin’ boots complete with spurs in place, were her three big brothers.

  “Holly, dear, do you know these men?” Dr. Newsome’s voice shook, though he bravely exited his car.

  “Yes, sir. These are my brothers. You might remember Luke. He graduated from UN, and this is Grant and Austin.”

  “Tuck and Wes can be here in an hour if we need ‘em,” Luke informed her.

  “Brock’s already on his way,” Grant explained.

  “I do not need the Kilroy boys nor anyone else from the Glen to come fight my battles for me,” Holly huffed. Truthfully, she was glad to see them. Caught in an odd moment where her childhood and her adult life danced far too closely, she let the relief wash over her as she raced into Luke’s arms.

  “I gotcha’.”

  “You know we ain’t gonna let nobody do nothing to you,” Grant vowed. “Luke brought his suit. He knows his way around campus. He’ll take you to your fancy shin-dig tonight. Austin and I are going shitlicker huntin’.”

  Dr. Newsome gave them a placating chuckle. “I do appreciate you boys wanting to care for your sister, but we’ve let the police know and she’s made arrangements to stay somewhere else for a while. I’m sure there’s no need for violence.”

  “And who the hell are you?” Austin drawled.

  “Austin.” Holly smacked her brother’s arm.

  “I’m Dr. Richard Newsome, the head of psychological research at the University.”

  “Well, thank you for seeing Holl back here, Doc, but we got everything under control. We’ve got a fair amount of experience hazing tenderfoots.”

  “I will have no hazing on University property, Mr. Camden,” Newsome decreed. Holly wanted to crawl inside her own boots.

  “They won’t do anything like that, Dr. Newsome. I promise they’ll be on their best behavior, and hazing tenderfoots means teaching city-boys never to mess with cowboys. It’s not hazing like you’re thinking of, exactly.”

  “Yes, well, like I said, I do wish you’d leave this to the proper authorities.”

  “No offense, Doc, but she’s our baby sister. We are the proper authorities,” Grant vowed.

  “Grant, would you shut up,” Holly spoke through her clenched teeth. As glad as she’d been to see her brothers and get a reminder of home, she was going to Dec’s after the symposium and nothing was going to stop her, not a stalker, not a peeping-tom, and not her big brothers.

  Dec paced back and forth in the empty corridor outside the banquet room in Singleton Auditorium. He’d texted Holly seven times then realized she must’ve still be with Newsome and unable to text him back.

  An hour before the symposium was set to begin, his phone mercifully rang. He answered instantly. “Baby? Please say you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine, just listen.” Her whisper was so low he raised the volume on his phone as high as it would go just to be able to hear her. “My brothers are here. I freaked out in the parking lot and didn’t want to walk all the way back in alone. I thought you were still in your meeting so I called my mama. I should’ve known she’d send them out. I swear I will get rid of them after the symposium.”

  Dec didn’t particularly care who was with her as long as she was safe. Just then he was elated her brothers were in town. He’d already alerted Kade, Wyatt, Garrick, and Brett to drive around campus and her apartment building looking for anyone suspicious. Her brothers could help them. “It’s fine, sweetheart. Are they staying with you tonight?”

  “No. I’ll think of something. They need to get back to the ranch anyway. They just want to check everything out, I think.

  “I’m just so glad you’re all right. I went down to the security office myself when I hadn’t heard from you. They told me about the other women.”

  “Definitely freaky.” She was trying so hard to sound brave and unaffected, and she was failing miserably. His heart shattered all over again.

  “I swear, I will keep you safe, honey.” Dec still couldn’t believe she was going to be able to live with him, at least until this thing was resolved.

  “It’s okay. We’re leaving soon. I just want to be with you.”

  “I’ll be right here.”

  It wasn’t until Holly, bedecked in a low-cut satin blouse the precise shade of her eyes and a grey pencil skirt that showed off her delicate curves to perfection paired with a fancy pair of cowgirl boots, entered the auditorium on the arm of a man she favored, who was dressed in dark Wranglers, a suit-coat, a starched button-down complete with a bolo, rather nice cowboy boots, and a Stetson, that Dec managed to remember all that was at stake.

  The hall was filling up with invited guests and speakers. He should’ve gone to find his seat but he stood there staring, speechless. She was so seductively sweet. She was supposed to be on his arm. He was supposed to keep her safe. She was his. Thoughts of what she was wearing under the dress had him dropping his clasped hands to shield his bulging zipper line.

  “Dr. St. James, I’d like to introduce you to my oldest brother, Luke,” she managed, though panic broadcast from every inch of her. The tiny freckles scattered across her visible cleavage darkened as she fought a blush.

  “Very nice to meet you. Holly is a delightful student. One of UN’s best.” Dec offered Luke his hand. Everything about this was wrong. I’m Declan. I’m madly in love with your sister and intend to make her mine in every possible way. I’ll do anything in my power to take care of her and make certain she is happy for the rest of this life and the next. That was how introductions with her family were supposed to ha
ve gone.

  “Luke, this is Dr. St. James, one of my professors.”

  “Sir.” Luke tipped his hat in what looked like a move he performed numerous times a day. “Been more’n a day or two since I was here. This building still kept by that sonuvabitch boot-lickin’ family that thinks they own the moon?” His low baritone voice rumbled through the hall.

  Dec had to laugh. Given time, he and Luke would get along just fine. “The Singletons, and yes. Also that is Dr. and Mrs. Singleton Sr. and their son right over there. Might want to keep it down.”

  “Luke got his veterinary degree here several years ago,” Holly explained.

  “I did, and they needed their horns clipped when I was here. Can’t imagine what they’re like now.”

  Before either Dec or Holly could respond, Trevor Jr. left his parent’s side and descended upon them. “Ms. Camden, Dr. St. James, all the usual suspects. Who might you be?” He turned on Luke.

  From the narrowing of Luke’s eyes and the cock of his jaw, Dec wondered if Trevor was intelligent enough to see that Luke Camden was not a man he wanted to take on.

  “Someone who ain’t impressed with pompous city-slickers.”

  Holly’s beaming grin said she was pleased her brother had sized Trevor up that quickly.

  “What are you smiling at, Camden? Give me a little time. I’m gonna wipe that smile off of your smug face soon enough. In fact, Dad says Dr. Newsome’s considering announcing his pick tonight.”

  Suddenly, Luke had Trevor by the knot of his tie. Trevor went up on his tiptoes trying to jerk away but only managing to dance in order to breathe. “Listen up, you half-wit corncracker, I hear about you gettin’ anywhere near her face, I’ll rearrange yours seven ways from Sunday. Won’t even dirty up my coat. I take it by them ridiculous loafers you’re wearin’ that you ain’t ever had a taste of work boots, but I’ll bury mine so far up your skinny ass your first taste of leather will be covered in your own shit.”

  “Luke,” Holly was trying not to laugh. “Let him go.”

  With the quick release of his hand, Trevor stumbled backwards. Dec ran his hand over his face to keep from laughing. This was too good. “Perhaps we should all go find our seats,” he offered what he hoped sounded like a suggestion from a relatively uninvolved professor.

  “We’re sitting at the head table with Dr. Newsome,” Holly explained for both Trevor and Luke’s benefit.

  “The Singleton family has their own table,” Trevor huffed.

  “Oh good, then you can sit in Daddy’s lap and cry when I’m named Newsome’s protégé.”

  Luke and Dec shared a sly grin. “Come on, Holl.” Luke offered her his arm. It crushed Dec. She should’ve been walking in on his arm.

  As it turned out, Dec had been placed at Newsome’s table as well. Several top members of the staff had. Luke’s name had been quickly added to a placecard and had been switched with Professor Dilentoie’s, who’d graciously given up her seat after hearing about the photographs.

  “All they have is sissy wine,” Luke grumbled to his sister.

  “This is a psychology symposium, Luke, not a night at Saddleback’s,” Holly sighed.

  “Much as it costs to go here, you’da thought they could at least get a cheap bottle of Crown.” Luke flipped through the program at his place. “Merciful Jay-sus, Holl, there’s like twelve speakers.”

  “You’re the one who insisted on bringing me.”

  “Should’a made Grant come. Lordy knows he could use some learnin’.”

  “You used to say that about Austin.”

  “Yeah, but Summer beat some sense into him.”

  “So, maybe Grant needs a woman to teach him a few things.”

  “I ain’t disagreein’ with that a’tall. Please tell me they’re at least feedin’ us. I’m half-starved.”

  “They are.” Holly shared a quick exasperated glance with Dec. He managed a discreet wink that no one else noticed.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Okay, Luke was right. This is as boring as watching paint dry. Holly shifted in her seat as Dr. Singleton took his. He’d welcomed all of the speakers, thanked them for being there, and had then spent twenty minutes lauding his own credentials and enumerating his substantial donations to the University. He’d then given his own father some plaque for being a donor and had then gone on to exult his son for carrying on the family legacy.

  “Crowbait horse thinks he’s running Kentucky,” Luke spat under his breath. Holly nodded her adamant agreement.

  As dinner was served, Holly braced for Luke’s inevitable analysis of the lobster and rice.

  “Are they shittin’ me? They’re feeding us bait ‘fore they jaw us to death?”

  “Luke, please.”

  Dec, at least, found this comical and took a sip of his water to keep from cracking up.

  “How do you even eat this?”

  “Use the fork and the crackers.” Holly pointed to the implements beside his plate.

  “So, I’m makin’ my own meal. You know, I left Indie home with a roast in the oven.”

  “You didn’t have to come.”

  That brought Luke up short. “I didn’t mean it like that, sugar. You know I’d do anything in the world for you.”

  “Yes, I know. Now shut up and stop complaining. You’re embarrassing me.”

  “Fine. Fine. But can we go out somewhere after this?”

  “You can.”

  Dec was still chuckling as the first speaker, Dr. Howard Gardner, began speaking on forms of intelligence. Even Luke seemed fascinated and settled in.

  When Dr. Singleton returned to the podium, Holly eased away from the table. Luke and Dec both turned towards her. “Just have to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

  Dec simply did not possess the strength it would have taken to keep from watching Holly’s exquisite ass caught up in a fitted skirt sway as she exited the auditorium. Her long lush hair danced to the rhythm. He burned for her.

  If he’d been her date, he would have escorted her himself. Her brother kept an eye on her until she was out of sight, but made no move to follow after her. Dec reasoned that brothers were likely never as overprotective as lovers, but it did nothing to soothe his agitated nerves.

  However, when Trevor Singleton slipped out, Luke’s eyes flared with irritation. They stood at the same moment intent on the same target. It was when he locked eyes with Luke Camden, that Dec realized they were had.

  Luke’s jaw cocked to the side. His left eyebrow arched with suspicion. Ignoring the panic that roared in his ears, Dec headed out of the auditorium. Luke was hot on his heels when he found Trevor and Holly face to face.

  “If you think playing teacher’s pet for St. James’ is gonna help you, you’re dumber than you look. I’ve got you by a string this time, Holly, and I plan to take full advantage.”

  “Ms. Camden, is everything all right, dear?” Fury throbbed in Dec’s clenched fists. He longed to pound Singleton into the ground.

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” Her fight was vicious, but a healthy dose of fear resided in those all-telling eyes.

  “Boy, you ain’t real bright now are ya?” Luke shoved Trevor away from Holly and stepped in front of her. “You get in her face or threaten her again, I’ll take you outside and give you the whuppin’ you clearly been needin’ for a long while.”

  “Mr. Singleton, is there some reason you’re standing in front of the lady’s restroom?” Dec summoned his most professional tone.

  “Yeah, I take issue with Holly thinking she can just get up and leave when my father speaks. Won’t matter though. She gets away with everything.”

  “By my count, motherfucker, I’ve had to talk to you three times today. That’s my shit-drivel limit. I’m all tapped outta patience for your family’s self-serving gibberish, Singleton, and I had to pee,” Holly lunged around Luke.

  And there was his cowgirl. God, he loved her.

  Luke’s right arm shot out, keeping her back. “Boy, I’ve see
n her fight. She don’t take shit offa nobody. You don’t wanna go there. Last chick that got into it with her lost half her hair to them claws.”

  Dec lowered his head. The image of Holly fighting both terrified and enlivened him. He called himself a bastard, ordered himself to act as a professor, and drew a deep breath.

  “Trevor, return to your seat. Ms. Camden, calm down. Now.” Oh, she didn’t like that. For a split second, Dec was worried he was going to be the next target of her wrath. He offered her a pleading gaze. She returned an eye roll.

  “Now, Mr. Singleton.” Dec clapped his hand on Trevor’s neck with more force than was warranted, not that he cared. Guiding the asshole out, Dec fought the bile swimming in his gut.

  “You hang on a minute,” he heard Luke instruct Holly, but he refused to look back and confirm her brother’s suspicions.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  “What do you want, Luke? I’m supposed to be in there,” Holly panicked. Her brother knew something. It was written all over his face.

  “I may not be smart enough to be in there speakin’, Holl, but I got enough brains to more’n get me by. I got a real good feelin’ you and the Doc that just left are more’n teacher and student.”

  “That’s insane.”

  “Too bad this school can’t teach you to lie better’n that. Spill it.”

  “There is nothing to spill.” She prayed no one in the auditorium had super hearing or decided to make a trip to the bathroom.

  “I’m waiting, Holl, and you know I am a patient man.” He crossed his arms over his chest to prove his point. “He’s the boyfriend you jumped all over us about when you were home for Aurora Belle, the one mama’s so convinced you’re gonna marry.”

  “We started dating and fell in love before he was assigned to teach here,” Holly’s whisper was so low, Luke leaned in to hear her. “Please, Luke. He means everything to me. I’m in love with him. I swear to you I’d walk away from everything for him, just like you and Indie.”