“Thank you, Braise.”
She followed Wes as he led his horse through the door and her gaze naturally followed his broad back in the tight fitting black T-shirt and his buns in Wranglers. She had an urge to whistle through her teeth, but that would cross a boundary and have a few people talking.
Outside, she found Louisa and ran her hand down the horse’s rump as she rounded to her left side. The horse waved her dark tail happily and shifted restlessly. “You know what the saddles for, don’t you, girl?” She petted the horse’s head, scratching her behind one ear.
“She’s as gentle as they come,” Lucas said as he climbed atop his gelding and rode to the group of hands waiting.
“Where have you been all my life, Louisa” Sammie whispered. She had missed this more than she realized. Sliding her foot into the stirrup, she pulled herself up into the soft leather saddle and took the reins in her fist. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Lucas watching her, a scowl in its usual place on his lips. When she rode toward the pack, he nodded in her direction as they took off toward the pasture.
“Your father and the hands will go out to the west pasture, and you, Braise, and I will take care of the east pasture. This way, we’ll get done quicker.”
“Is this a routine check for diseases or did they find a sick cow?” she asked once they were in the pasture.
“Braise found a cow yesterday morning with pink eye who’d been cooling off in the pond. We check often for these illnesses because they happen naturally, but because you’re shy of enough hands the routine checks don’t happen as often as they should. We want to catch any diseases or illnesses as soon as possible and hopefully before they can spread to the other cattle. I’ve known ranchers to lose a hundred cattle over one overlooked sick heifer.” Wes rode next to her and she wondered why he wasn’t leading the way. Did he feel it necessary to stay by her side?
“Where’s the sick cow you found, Braise?”
“Being taken care of and treated with antibiotics. Presley Dean will keep a close eye on her,” he answered.
“Presley is the new vet? What happened to her daddy?”
“He retired,” Wes said.
“I must say, I’m glad to see my daddy didn’t send you packing this morning,” she said as she looked into the sun slowly rising, turning the land into bright green.
“I think he doesn’t have to like me being here, but he must realize this is for the best. Seeing him out here proves a point. He’s willing to do his part.”
“I don’t think it’s you that he doesn’t want here.” She sighed.
“Give him some time. Some people need a little more time to wrap their head around how things are. By the way, Brie couldn’t stop talking about you last night. Took me almost all night to get her to fall asleep.”
“She is such an intelligent little girl.”
Braise rode ahead. He understood the need for Sammie and Wes to talk.
He moved his jaw as if he had something to say, but debated whether he should. Finally, with a sigh of determination, he shrugged. “This is a whole new layer between us and I’m not sure what’s appropriate or wrong to say, but do you think about our child? What he or she would have been like? What it would be like to be a mother? You must because you said you want another chance for a baby.”
She glanced at his profile. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what things would have been like had Logan not…” She couldn’t finish, not wanting to muddy up the conversation talking about what the coward had done. “Anyway, yes, I would like a baby.”
“I can’t help but wonder myself.” He tipped his hat back and looked toward the sky.
“I certainly have learned a respect for each day and the things that we’re blessed with.”
“That’s something we all should have,” the deep, rich tone of his voice sent shivers spiraling through her.
Sammie looked over at him and his smoky blue gaze was on her, nailing her with an intensity that seeped warm honey through her veins. She was both excited and angry at the onslaught of sensations in her body. She couldn’t believe how much she still wanted him.
“Watch for snakes. We’ve been seeing a lot of them lately. Must be the weather.”
She shivered. “I hate snakes.”
“I know you do.”
He rode ahead by a horse’s length as if to end any conversation with her. She followed behind relaxing in the saddle and the gentle lulling. Her gaze automatically drifted back to Wes and his broad shoulders and how skilled he was in the saddle. Ranching was in his blood.
“There they are.” He pointed.
They found the first group of cattle just over the ridge munching on grass. Wes and Braise took off at a cantor toward the cattle. She clicked her tongue and squeezed her knees and Louisa followed. The horse responded easily to her commands, which she hadn’t doubted she would. From the moment, she’d laid eyes on the mare, she’d known she was special and Sammie ached to breed her.
“There’s a straggler,” Wes said.
“She also has a limp,” Sammie added.
“I’ll grab her.” Wes turned his horse and headed in the direction of the cow who was a bit of a distance behind the herd. Sammie followed along, watching as he slid his rope from his shoulder and slipped it into a loose lasso as he prepared to wrangle the cow. His arm muscle coiled as he twirled the rope high above his head, let it go and the rope glided around the cow’s neck. She mooed and fought, but he was very gentle as he took her down. Braise was already out of his saddle, helping soothe the agitated cow.
“You got her from here, Braise?” Wes asked.
“I’ll radio and have Bernie come pick her up in the trailer. Looks like she might have the beginnings of foot rot.”
“We’ll ride ahead and check out the rest of the livestock,” Wes said, looping his rope back over his shoulder.
Alone with him now, Sammie watched him slowly round the herd, skillfully examining the cattle from his saddle. She knew he had an eye for anything out of the norm and could spot it easily. She enjoyed watching him work, how his large hands held the reins and the way his muscles coiled in his arms. Sweat beaded between her breasts that even the slight cool breeze couldn’t ease. He dismounted then and moved through the herd, inspecting them closer.
He climbed back into the saddle, circled the herd, and came back to her. “Looks like the rest are okay. I want to ride ahead a little farther to make sure we have no more stragglers and survey the land for poisonous plants. Want to come along?”
“Do you really have to ask?” She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to stay beside him.
“I have a friend who will buy a hundred head of livestock if you’re interested in selling some of the cattle.” He gave her a look over his shoulder.
“Didn’t you say that was for the best?”
“You’re in charge right now so the buck stops with you. Now that you have more hands temporarily, selling isn’t as necessary, at least from my point of view unless you need the money.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Have you mentioned this to daddy?”
“You’re the one who asked me to help and that’s what I’m doing. It’s between you and Lucas what you do from there. There comes a point that you two stubborn asses need to communicate.” He clicked his tongue and the gelding took off in a cantor.
She kicked her horse lightly and took off after him. “Thanks for the advice, but as you’ve seen, talking to him is like teasing a bull.”
“Hurt people hurt others.”
His point was valid.
They came upon the pond and he dismounted, tying off his reins to an old fence post. Sammie’s bottom was aching and her thighs were stinging. Although she could still ride, her body reminded her it had been years since she’d been in a saddle. Sliding out, she tied off the horse on another post.
“Let’s take a walk.” Wes placed his hand on the small of her back and they walked towar
d the edge of the pond. The light touch sent ripples of delight and intense awareness up and down her spine, nestling into her bottom. Holy crap! He played her body like a harp.
“I’d like to take you to dinner,” he said a few minutes later.
She smiled. “That came out of nowhere.”
“Not really.” His thumb was making circles on her back and the heat burnt her skin. He had no clue what he was doing to her. “We really haven’t sat down and caught up.”
“I think we did a lot of catching up in the stables.”
“That’s not the same.”
“Are you asking me to dinner because you feel sorry for me?” She couldn’t stand to have his pity.
He turned to face her, his gaze narrowed. “No. I’m asking because I want to take you out. No funny business.”
“Well, if there’s no funny business than what good is that?”
One brow cocked under the brim of his hat. “Just a simple dinner between old friends.”
Old friends? Her chest dropped. She wasn’t sure why it affected her that he called her “old friend” but it did. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt. We could discuss business.”
“Again, that’s not why I’m asking.”
She shrugged. “Alright, let’s have dinner. At the diner?”
He chuckled. “I know a place just outside of town that serves a damn good steak.” He must have realized his blunder just as soon as the words were out because he winced. “And they serve fish and pasta. But if you’d like something else…”
“No, I don’t mind. But what about Brie? I am supposed to watch her this evening.”
“Harley called earlier and asked if she’d like to spend the night with her and Penn, and of course, Brie jumped at the chance. I’m free tonight.”
She wasn’t sure why those words invented naughty thoughts.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“How’s the salad?” Wes asked from across the table.
“It’s delicious.” She’d found herself picking through her food, not having the appetite that she normally did. She chalked it up to wonky nerves. Since Wes had asked her out, she’d been a bundle of chaos. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone on a date where there wasn’t a cell phone standing between them. Most of the men she’d met over the last several years had been duds, including Brady. Although Wes hadn’t called this a date, it certainly felt like one. He’d picked her up at the ranch, complimented her dress that she’d spent two hours finding to wear, and he even opened the passenger door for her. But she needed to remember that he’d called her an “old friend” that was like taking a cold shower.
The candle in the middle of the table flickered golden light over his features. He’d taken off his hat and hooked it on the unused chair and his hair was thick and wavy. He was clean shaven and looked younger. He’d even worn his best shirt and jeans, another reason this felt like a date. A cowboy only wore his best on Sunday and special occasions.
He reached for his beer, wrapping his long fingers around the bottle, and she couldn’t help but remember how he’d touched her earlier. He’d touched her arm as she’d slid into his truck and that part of her still tingled.
“Is this place new?” she said.
“Eight years.”
“I keep forgetting that I haven’t been here for years.” She stabbed a piece of cucumber and brought it to her mouth.
“A lot has changed over the years, and yet, nothing at all.”
“What are people saying about me being back home? I’m sure the rumor mill is still in working condition.”
“You weren’t in town five minutes before tongues started wagging. News gets around fast here. From what I know, not that I partake in all the tongue wagging, most people think you’re here to take over at Tanner.”
“I’m not. I’m here temporarily.” The words slipped out.
He held up a hand in a defensive gesture. “You don’t have to convince me. I get it.”
Sipping from her glass, the wine slid down and puddled in her stomach. “In theory, what if I decided to stay, what would be my prospects? How would a woman deal in business around here?”
“Well, you have your traditional cavemen who aren’t used to dealing with a woman, but I’d say they’re fair. They’d come around, especially if we’re talking often. They all respect Lucas and that would be the deciding factor.”
“Planting cotton would take time.” She rolled her fingers around the rim of her wine glass. “I researched the details.”
“Everything worthwhile takes time, darlin’.”
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“What’s that?” He cut into his steak.
“Why haven’t you offered to buy the land from Lucas? Our properties connect and aren’t you looking to expand?”
He popped the piece of meat into his mouth, chewed and followed it with a drink of beer. “Lucas had never wanted to sell.”
She sat back in her chair. “How about if I want to sell to you? Would you reconsider?”
He dropped his fork and knife. “It’s crossed my mind, but I won’t do it. A lot of ranchers would see Tanner as prime property, but I’m not looking to step on anyone, especially Lucas…or you.”
“Which side of the fence are you on, Wes? Do you mind doing business with a woman?”
His beautiful blue eyes met hers. “I don’t lean on either side of that fence, sweetheart. We’ve had this conversation before. When it comes to business, a person’s gender isn’t a concern.” He clasped his hands and looked at her over his fingers. “I could be wrong here, but you seem a bit different than the last time we talked about the future of Tanner. Are you starting to rethink things? The country getting into your bloodstream, is it?” He smiled and her body lit up.
She swallowed hard. “I can’t deny that I’ve missed so much. The ranch. The horses. The casual life that I don’t get in the city. Going to work in T-shirt and jeans is a plus. I could even see myself raising a child here.”
He surprised her when he laid his big callused hand on her arm, which made her painfully aware of how much she wanted his touch all over. Although she ached to have him again, to feel him inside of her, she needed to tread carefully. The sex partners she’d had over the last nine years consisted of sex only and her heart wasn’t involved. When it came to Wes, a man she’d loved long ago and was starting to believe she’d never stopped would be like walking through a mine field, and at any second she’d be struck with shrapnel. This was dangerous, and yet she couldn’t fall back.
“Just so you know, it’s not too late to change your mind about your future.”
His words were soaked in kindness. Her mind scrambled to the future he referred to. Was there a chance they could reignite the past? “You believe that?”
“The ranch isn’t sold. It would take months, maybe a year or more to find a buyer. Just be sure selling is what you really want.”
The ranch. Of course, that’s the future he was talking about. “Did you bring me here to try and convince me not to sell?”
“Like I said, I have personal gain in this, but you’re free to make your own decisions.”
What did he mean? She should ask. “Personal gain?”
“I feel like you and me, we’re an unfinished story. After you told me about the baby and Logan, I’m saddled with so many thoughts. How did I not see his evil side?”
“You weren’t his keeper, Wes.”
His eyes were probing. “I keep thinking over every detail as if there’s an answer to all this.” His cell beeped from his pocket.
“Go ahead and grab that. It could be Brie.”
He clicked his phone and immediately his jaw tightened and his tan faded some. He mumbled a string of curses.
“What’s wrong? Is Brie okay?”
“Yeah, Brie is fine, at least for now.” He rubbed the creases from his forehead.
“What’s going on?”
“That was Ashley again.”
&n
bsp; “She’s really trying.”
“Yes, she is.” He rubbed his face.
“How can she do that? How can she walk away, and then show up like this demanding to see her? Have you spoken with an attorney?”
“Apparently she’s married now and feels like she’s ready to take on the role of being mom. When I realized she wouldn’t take no for an answer, I did seek advice from my attorney, and he tells me the law isn’t clear cut when it comes to cases like this. Without evidence that Ashley was harmful to Brie, the court might rule in her favor, giving her visitation rights, or more if she found the right attorney.”
“Was she harmful to Brie?”
“No, although she’d only been around for the first few months, she’d been nurturing and then up and left.”
“What does your attorney suggest?”
“That I allow her to see Brie, to smooth this out outside of court. He feels it’s too risky to allow a judge to decide what happens.” Wes’s expression darkened.
“Oh, this must weigh heavily on your shoulders.”
“It is when I’ve been here day in and day out for my little girl. At one time, I did live a wild lifestyle. I was young and stupid and was thinking with the wrong parts, but Ashley knows that once she got pregnant, I wanted to be there for her and the baby. Even after she left, I always put Brie first.” He waved to the waitress to bring another beer.
“In all honesty, I’ve always believed that you and your brothers got your reputation for being wild dishonestly. I mean, sure, you weren’t living the life of a saint, but just because a cowboy has his choice of women doesn’t mean he’s partaking. I remember how the buckle bunnies chased after you, even while we were together. Thank goodness I wasn’t the jealous type.”
“I quit the rodeo to be with Brie, and whether you believe it or not, once I met you I didn’t have an eye for anyone but you.”
Taking a sip of her wine, she smiled. “Ashley was a buckle bunny. In fact, she was one of them that had you sign her breasts several times at an event.”
He blinked. “I’ve had my fill of those women and although you probably won’t see it this way, but you had a hand in showing me what I wanted.”
Weston's Trouble (Saddles & Second Chances Book 3) Page 12