She shifted on her sandaled feet and gestured toward the box holding a small feast. “Since you haven’t eaten anything since breakfast, I thought you might be hungry.”
Leaning back in his chair, he folded his hands over his flat belly, his initial aloofness ebbing into something far more seductive. “Yeah, I seemed to have developed a sudden appetite,” he murmured.
A distinct tingle shot through her at his double entendre. “Ahh, good. Got a blanket?” She nearly cringed—when had their conversation taken on such a sexual slant?
“A blanket?” Male interest glimmered in his eyes. “What for?”
“I was thinking we could spread it out beneath the tree right outside the stables and eat there.”
He didn’t move, just kept her trapped within his stormy, reckless gaze. “Why can’t we just eat in my office?”
“Because it’s too stuffy in here,” she said meaningfully.
The corners of his mouth twitched with a hint of humor, but he didn’t follow through with that teasing promise. He never did.
She sighed, a long drawn out sound bordering on impatience. “Come on, Rafe. It’s a gorgeous day, and I’m sure you could use the break from all this tedious paperwork.”
He said nothing, though she could sense him wavering between accepting her invitation, or remaining in the solitude of his office.
“Don’t make me beg for your company, Dalton.”
“No, I don’t suppose that would be a pretty sight.” He stood and rounded his desk. “You win. Outside it is.”
A few minutes later they were sitting beneath a shade tree on an old, soft blanket Rafe had retrieved from a shelf in the tack room. She sat with her legs crossed, while Rafe opted to stretch his out. A pleasant breeze blew, fluttering the ends of her ponytail along her neck.
Withdrawing the meal she’d made, she handed him two ham and cheese sandwiches, garnished with lettuce and tomatoes. He unwrapped the first one and took a big bite, chewing heartily.
Enjoying Rafe’s ravenous appetite, Lauren popped open both of their cans of soda and set them in the empty box so they wouldn’t topple over. Then she reached for her own sandwich and pulled off the plastic wrap.
“So, why didn’t you want to go to the Cody Rodeo today?” she asked conversationally, then filled her mouth with succulent ham and tangy cheese.
His robust chewing stopped, and his gaze gleamed with instant suspicion. She’d been prepared for hostility for her blatant prying, yet it never materialized. It amazed her how much he’d changed from the first day she’d meet him, and the potential he had to be the kind of charming man a woman could fall real hard for, as he’d been before his accident.
Shaking his head in mock disgust, he took a drink of his soda to wash down the bite in his mouth. “I should have guessed there was an ulterior motive to you bringing me food and suggesting this cozy picnic.”
She didn’t deny his accusation. “You can’t blame me for wondering.”
He tried real hard to look irritated, but fell short of the mark. “You don’t leave anything alone, do you?”
“I like solving puzzles, and you, Rafe Dalton, are one big mystery.” She opened the bag of grapes and popped one into her mouth. “Now tell me why.”
He polished off his first sandwich and shrugged, the movement stiffer than the nonchalant gesture it should have been. “All that walking would have taken a toll on my leg.”
A slow, knowing smile claimed her mouth. “Liar.”
His lips flattened in exasperation. He obviously hadn’t expected her to call him on his convenient excuse.
“Tell me the truth, Rafe,” she encouraged softly. “Please?”
“Why does this matter so much to you?”
Because I care and I want to know everything about you—who you were, and why you’ve become the man you are. “I just think if you talk about whatever it is that’s bothering you, you might feel better.”
He cast her a dubious look.
“It seems to work for the kids I deal with.”
A caustic sound erupted from his throat. “I’m a grown man, Lauren.”
“Who carries a lot of blame and guilt for something that isn’t necessarily your fault,” she replied pointedly. “Same difference.”
He didn’t reply, just averted his gaze to something in the distant pasture, his entire body tense. Calmly, she finished her sandwich, waiting for him to direct their conversation. More than anything, she wanted this man to open up and trust her with his darkest secrets, but she refused to pressure him further. The next move would be up to him.
Her patience was rewarded. Very quietly, he said, “Not only haven’t I been to a rodeo since my accident, the Cody Rodeo holds a lot of memories for me.”
“Good memories?”
“Mixed in with some bad,” he admitted, plucking a few grapes from their stem and tossing them into his mouth.
When he didn’t elaborate, she prompted him. “Tell me.”
“The Cody Rodeo is where I first competed as a young boy, or rather, where my father pushed me to compete when I really wasn’t ready to,” he finally said. “My dad rode, too, except he was never good enough to claim the championship, so that became his obsession with me.”
Drawing her knees up in front of her, she wrapped her arms around her legs. “It was up to you to live his dream for him?”
“Yep. And the thing was, I wanted to please my father, and since it seemed the only way I could do that was to compete and win, claiming the PRCA title became my sole obsession, too. A very destructive one.” His tone dripped self-disgust.
Lauren handed Rafe a chocolate chip cookie, which he accepted, then took one for herself. “What did your mother have to say about you competing?”
“She was a quiet woman and didn’t say much of anything, and never questioned my father’s decisions.” He glanced at her, his eyes reflecting shadows of pain and sorrow. “She died when I was twelve, which was a very difficult time for Kristin and I, especially when my father didn’t take the time to properly mourn my mother’s passing. He was too intent on competing, and winning, and his son and daughter’s needs took second place to that obsession. I did the best I could with raising Kristin, but my father didn’t make it easy.”
“You were just a kid yourself.”
His features twisted with resentment. “Somebody had to be there for Kristin, because my father sure as hell wasn’t.”
So many responsibilities for someone so young, she thought. “And so you kept on competing?”
“Yeah, my father kept on pushing and I kept on competing, but I didn’t win the PRCA title until after my father died of a heart attack.” He reached for another cookie and reclined on his side on the blanket, looking up at her. “How’s that for irony?”
She offered him a gentle smile, hoping to offset the bitterness suddenly swirling in the air between them. “Your championship title is still something to be proud of.”
“You think so?” He held her gaze for a long second, seemingly contemplating his own self-worth. “I paid a steep price for that title, and nearly killed myself and another rider. That’s hardly something to be proud of.” He scrubbed an agitated hand through his thick hair and gave a self-depreciating laugh. “I inherited those same demanding, aggressive qualities I came to despise in my own father. I hated what my old man did to me, but his lessons were so ingrained, I pressured a kid to get on a deadly bull before he was ready.”
Lauren’s throat tightened, and for once, she felt at a loss for words to soothe such deep pain.
With a long, harsh sigh, he rolled to his back, folded his hands beneath his head, and stared up at the few clouds dotting the blue sky. “And you know what the worst part is? I don’t trust myself with kids anymore, and I can only imagine what kind of father I’d be.” His big body shuddered, and he squeezed his eyes shut, as if to block the awful thought. “And dammit, I’m no hero!” he muttered gruffly.
Lauren hugged her legs tighter to her
chest, hurting for Rafe, way deep inside, for the lonely boy he’d been, and the cynical man he’d become. She ached to tell him he’d be a kind, caring father, but knew he’d never believe her. But she could make him forget all the burdens he carried, just for a little while, and gave into the impulse to lean over and kiss him, very softly on his lips.
His eyes opened, and before she could back away, his hand reached out and curled around the back of her neck, keeping her face inches from his. “What was that for?” His voice was low and raspy, and very curious.
She touched her tongue to her bottom lip, suddenly nervous. “I like the way kissing you makes me feel. Warm. Excited. Eager for more.” Her reckless honesty, and the male heat in his eyes, caused her face to flush, but she didn’t hold back. “Do you feel something, too?”
A faint, proprietary light entered his gaze, and Lauren’s heart gave a distinct thump in her chest. Then, abruptly, he let her go and stood, breaking the seductive spell that had gripped them both. “I’ve got paperwork to do,” he said, not looking at her. “Thank you for lunch.”
Lauren watched Rafe walk away, toward the stables, a withering sensation settling in her belly. Stubborn man. Just as he refused to deal with his past, he was equally unwilling to acknowledge the growing feelings between them.
Chapter Seven
Rafe’s stomach tumbled with nerves and anticipation. No matter how many times he tried to tell himself the gift he was about to give Lauren was out of concern for her soft, smooth skin getting burned, his heart wasn’t fully convinced of his noble gesture. The women’s Stetson he’d bought for her served a dual purpose, and a selfish one at that. Ultimately, he wanted to see that radiant smile of hers that never failed to warm that cold, lonely part of his soul, and he enjoyed witnessing her unabashed delight, and the way her blue eyes lit up with pleasure over the simplest things.
A tiny frown formed on his brow as he headed through the living room to the front porch, where he knew Lauren was enjoying her morning cup of coffee. He wasn’t sure when her vibrancy and capricious nature had become such an important part of his day, yet every morning when he woke, she was the first thing he thought of. And during the day, she consumed his thoughts, too. The nights were the worst, because he’d remember her kisses, her gentle touch, and his desire for her would keep him tossing and turning until dawn.
The woman tied him up in knots like nobody ever had, and though he knew what he was beginning to feel for this woman treaded into dangerous territory, he craved everything about her: her generosity, her warmth, and her beauty that went deeper than just her features.
Stopping at the screen door, he indulged in a quiet, private moment of just looking at her, enjoying the gentle serenity that claimed her expression as she sipped from the mug in her hands and gazed out at the horses in the pasture. She stood by the porch railing, wearing a pink t-shirt and a pair of jeans that molded to her sleek curves and long legs. Today, she wore her hair down, and the ends curled ever-so-slightly along her shoulders.
Desire and longing rumbled through him before he could stop the reaction. She looked like she belonged here, on his ranch, and in his life. Realizing the impossibility of those thoughts, he firmly banned them from his mind, along with the feelings she evoked in him. Lauren didn’t belong in the country, but led a fast-paced life in the city working a job she loved. Three more days, and she’d be gone from Cedar Creek and his life, and he’d have nothing but memories to remember her by.
Pushing open the screen door, he stepped out onto the porch. She turned around at the sound of his booted steps, greeting him with one of her breath-stealing smiles.
“I just love it here,” she said on a soft sigh of breath. “It’s so quiet and peaceful and gorgeous. Especially in the morning.”
Moving closer to her, he slid his fingers over the brim of the hat he held in his hands. “I’m sure your favorable impression of Wyoming would change come winter. They can be pretty long and harsh, not to mention dealing with a whole lot of confinement during blizzards and storms.”
“Depends on who and what you’re confined with,” she said with a whole lot of sass and enough sensual insinuation to make his blood heat at the possibilities. She took another drink of coffee, her gaze dropping to the beige Stetson he held. “Did you get yourself a new hat?”
Suddenly feeling awkward, he thrust the gift toward her. “No, I bought it for you.”
She glanced from the hat, to his face, but didn’t take the present he offered. “You did?” Her voice was breathless with expectation.
He nodded jerkily and affected concern. “That delicate skin of yours is going to turn to leather if you’re not careful about protecting it.”
That lovely smile he’d hoped for made its appearance, making his insides tighten and his heart hammer in his chest. She set her cup of coffee on the railing, and took the hat, sliding her fingers over the soft beaver pelt. “Wow, my very own Stetson. Does this make me a genuine cowgirl?”
“At least for three more days.”
Her smile faltered just a bit at his reminder of how soon she’d be leaving, making him wonder if she dreaded Sunday’s arrival as much as he was beginning to. She’d not only captivated him, but she’d charmed the residents of Cedar Creek as well with her sunny disposition and generous heart. When he’d gone into town yesterday afternoon to purchase her Stetson while she and Chad were visiting with Kristin, Sally, and Randy, quite a few people had approached him to comment on Lauren, and how much they liked her. From there, conversations evolved to his participation in Chad’s wish, and admiration for his unselfish gesture, as well.
Though it had been difficult to accept that particular praise after everything he’d been through the past year, and everything he’d put the townsfolk of Cedar Creek through, he felt as though a fragile truce had developed between him, and the town he’d alienated with his gruff temperament and unsociable mood.
This woman was the sole reason for the drastic change in his attitude. She knew every contemptible thing about him, yet refused to believe the worst. Somehow, she managed to turn every argument he issued on his dark reputation against him, until he’d begun to believe that maybe he’d judged himself, and his actions, too harshly.
“So, what do you think?”
The sound of Lauren’s voice pulled Rafe’s insightful musings back to the woman standing in front of him, now wearing the beige Stetson he’d bought for her. He thought she looked incredibly beautiful, achingly so.
“It’s a perfect fit,” he said, pushing the brim back so he could see her sparkling eyes and put this moment to memory.
“Thank you for the hat,” she said, and tentatively stepped toward him. With one hand resting on his chest, she kissed him lightly on the cheek.
A shaft of heat and awareness zinged through his veins, making him remember the words she’d spoken two days ago that were never far from his mind. I like the way kissing you makes me feel. Warm. Excited. Eager for more. Do you feel something, too?
He hadn’t issued a reply to her question because his answer had scared the hell out of him. Oh, yeah, he felt something, too—that same excitement and eagerness she’d mentioned, and a need that transcended physical desires. He wanted Lauren Richmond, but the emotional hunger he felt for her couldn’t be appeased with a mere kiss. That particular craving went deeper than anything he’d ever experienced for a woman.
Yet he knew if they pursued the mutual desire growing between them, it would only complicate matters. Three more days, and she’d be gone from his life, back to California where she belonged. She’d move on to her next foster case, date one of the eligible, more qualified men her mother set her up with, and forget all about him, as it should be.
The lecture, as sound as it was, did nothing to diminish how badly he wanted to carry this woman off to his bed and make love to her until he had her out of his system. Except he suspected a few quick tumbles wouldn’t be enough—he feared once he had her in that sensual, all-consuming way
, he’d be forever addicted to her brand of loving.
And he’d never be the same again.
“Hey, Rafe,” Chad said as he came out onto the porch, wearing the new leather pair of chaps Kristin and James had bought for him at the Cody Rodeo. “You promised to show me how to rope just like the cowboys do it at the Cody Rodeo. Can we do that this morning?”
Grateful for the interruption, Rafe addressed Chad. “Yep, I did make that promise, didn’t I?” He inclined his head toward Lauren. “You up for a roping lesson?”
“Absolutely,” she said, giving Chad a wink.
They all headed down to an empty paddock, and Rafe retrieved two coiled ropes from the tack room on the way. He met his avid students out in the warm sunshine, and handed one of the lengths of rope to Chad.
“Kinda hard to rope a calf when you don’t have any,” Lauren teased dubiously, sliding her hands into the back pocket of her jeans.
His mouth twitched with the humor he was hard-pressed to hold back lately. “We can use that empty barrel over there, and other props. Trust me,” he drawled lazily, “You’re gonna have hard enough time roping something that’s stationary.”
Rafe spent the next hour patiently teaching Chad and Lauren how to build a small loop, then keep it circling and steady enough to toss out over the barrel. Before long, Chad managed to make a few attempts that landed short of its mark.
“Good try,” Rafe said, praising the young boy so intent on roping the barrel. “It’s all in your wrist. Just keep it relaxed and let the rope out a little at a time until you feel comfortable throwing it.”
“This is hard work,” Lauren grumbled good-naturedly, shaking out her tired arm. Perspiration put a sheen on her flushed face and made her eyes appear deep blue. “I think I need a break. How about a cool drink you two?”
“I’ll take a lemonade, please,” Chad said, his gaze narrowed on his target as he concentrated on roping the barrel. The boy looked tired, but too determined to quit.
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