Her Troubled Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 9)

by Donna Michaels

The woman chuckled, and she joined in.

  “Exactly what I’m getting at,” Gwen said. “There’s a reason for everything. We just don’t know what it is, so hang in there. Give Keiffer a chance. If it’s meant to be it will be, even if he does end up leaving, that doesn’t mean he won’t come back.”

  Oh, no. She wasn’t going to be able to do that. “It’s already been two years since our weekend. I’m not sure I can get involved with him again, only to have to wait another two years.”

  Gwen lifted that perfect brow again. “Who says you have to wait?”

  “Exactly.” Lacey winked. “And don’t forget Jordan waited ten years for Cole. Okay, well, she technically got married in between, but you know what I mean.”

  She sighed. “Look, all this is probably moot, anyway. It’s doubtful he’s going to want to hook up right now.”

  Lacey pointed a spoon at her. “You don’t know that.”

  “Yeah.” Gwen squeezed her hand before releasing her. “They don’t call fate fickle for no reason.”

  “I can think of a few other things to call it.” Lacey scoffed.

  Laughter bubbled up her throat. “Me, too.”

  “Just be careful. You don’t want to tempt it,” Gwen warned.

  “No, but you might want to tempt Keiffer.” Their friend grinned. “What are you wearing to the McCall’s Christmas party next weekend?”

  The absurdity of what Lacey was implying was too much. Caitlin laughed. “I can walk in there naked and it wouldn’t matter.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because there’s no way Keiffer is going to a party,” she replied. “For the past year and a half, he’s clammed up, distanced himself from people and socializing, especially with family and friends. I just don’t see him going.”

  “And I don’t see him resisting his sister’s request,” Gwen stated. “Brandi already told me she’s going to ask him.”

  “This is great.” Lacey rubbed her hands together. “It’s the perfect setting to get that kiss. You know there’s mistletoe all over the place there.”

  Caitlin’s heart rocked in her chest. The last time she’d been at a celebration with Keiffer they’d ended up in bed. And there’d been no mistletoe.

  “If you’re suggesting I lure him to the mistletoe, forget it. That’s not me.”

  “You won’t have to, fate will take care of it.”

  Her heart tripped. “Fate? Or you?”

  “Maybe fate’s using me.”

  “Lacey.”

  “What?”

  “Promise me you’re not going to follow me around with that stuff at the party.”

  “All right. I promise.”

  She turned to Gwen. “You too.”

  “Me?” The woman snorted. “Not my style.”

  “Good.” She settled back to eat her lukewarm soup. The last thing she needed was her friends forcing her on to Keiffer.

  If the poor guy did show up, it was only out of obligation to his sister. He was already going to be uncomfortable, she refused to add to that. Besides, if he wasn’t ready to make a move on his own, she wasn’t about to push him.

  But what if he was ready? And did make a move?

  Chapter Five

  As Keiffer’s first week in Harland County came to an end, he had to admit he understood why his sister never left. She belonged here. He was going to tell his brothers the next time they talked. Her family, on Kade’s side, was friendly and generous and funny, and so were her friends and neighbors. The whole community had a good vibe. It wasn’t like some of the disjointed, cold-shoulder counties he’d visited while working.

  No, Harland was warm and accepting, and it eased his mind to know his sister found a place like that to call home and start a family.

  A family.

  God, he was so damn happy for Brandi. She deserved the world and it was great to see joy in her eyes, even when fatigue sometimes drooped her shoulders. She was content, and he knew she had a secret hope he would also find it too hard to leave. But he wasn’t staying. Unlike her, he didn’t belong.

  Didn’t want to belong.

  But Brandi did, and she was happy. Her rounded belly was becoming more pronounced and so was her excitement at being a mom. During the past week, he’d watched her dote on Jen’s little boy, and Shayla’s cute daughters, and it suited her. Looked good on her.

  It looked good on Caitlin, too.

  Shit. That unwanted thought again.

  He was getting sick of the damn thing. Whenever he caught sight of the woman interacting with her nieces, he felt like a rock the size of his fist was lodged in his throat, and his chest constricted so tightly he could barely breathe.

  Like now.

  He stood in the buffet table line with Kade and Kevin at the McCall’s Christmas party his sister had begged him all week to attend. She didn’t understand he didn’t like to socialize, but he could tell it meant a lot to her so he caved at the last minute. Now he was loading food he didn’t really want onto his plate, half listening to conversations and counting down the time he could leave.

  One hour.

  That’s what he promised himself before he’d pulled on the newest pair of jeans and button-down shirt he owned and followed them over to the McCall’s Wild Creek Ranch, where the party was in full swing when they arrived. The festivities were held in a large ballroom decked out in holiday lights, wreaths, and garland, with a huge knotty pine centered in front of large windows that overlooked the back of the ranch. The scent of pine filled the air and his chest immediately tightened. The tree was so similar to the ones on the mountain behind the resort it reminded him of home.

  Images of the place and family, and all he’d left behind, crowded Keiffer’s mind. He pushed the unwanted thoughts aside and followed his brother-in-law through a maze of tables to where his sister sat talking with a few of her friends.

  Content to sit quietly and eat while the others conversed, he stared out over the room, at the band on a makeshift stage, and people already dancing to a country-rock tune. Everyone was happy and laughing, and not bothering him.

  He liked that.

  And he liked it even better when they were done eating and he was able to retreat to a corner and have a drink with the guys. Nursing a soda, he let the others converse around him again.

  Just when he started to relax, a wave of prickly heat rolled toward him from the doorway. Caitlin. He knew without looking that the beauty had arrived. Awareness spread through his body whenever she was near.

  Try as he might, Keiffer couldn’t stop his gaze from straying to the entrance. Damn. His heart rocked in his chest. She waltzed in wearing a sexy, red dress, black, strappy do-me-heels, and her hair down, free-falling in a mass of soft, silky amber waves his fingers itched to touch.

  “Why don’t you ask her to dance?” Connor spoke up on his right.

  “Yeah,” Kevin agreed. “We know you’ve got the moves.”

  A lifetime ago, Keiffer enjoyed dancing. Hearing the ladies cheer. Relishing the way they’d clamor around him to be next one to partner him. A great way to let off steam.

  Dancing had always led to sex.

  Now? Hell, now that behavior seemed so stupid and foolish. He hadn’t been on a dance floor since his brother Ben’s wedding last year. That had almost led to a mistake. Poor Evie. He’d gone to school with her and considered the sweet girl a good friend. But, Jesus, he’d been so screwed up that night and not thinking straight, he actually took her to his townhouse. Luckily, common sense returned and he left her half naked on his bed. She didn’t deserve that. He’d been such an ass.

  The next day, he apologized, and the sweet woman accepted it with a ton of understanding in her eyes he didn’t deserve. The whole thing left a sour taste in his mouth, and he hadn’t danced ever since.

  “If you don’t ask her, someone else will,” Connor advised with a lift of his shoulder.

  It was on the tip of Keiffer’s tongue to say “good”, but that was a lie. It wasn’t g
ood. He didn’t want to get involved with Caitlin, and yet he didn’t want to watch her smile and laugh while yet another yahoo held her tight, either. He knew what those gorgeous curves felt like crushed against him. Soft and warm. Knew where to touch her to make her giggle, and where to stroke to make her moan.

  Kevin nodded toward the mass of gyrating bodies. “There she goes.”

  Shit. Already? She hadn’t even been there five minutes or had a chance to eat. A pack of hungry cowboys swarmed, vying for a chance to take her for a spin on the dance floor, no doubt, hoping it’d lead to bed.

  Keiffer’s gut rippled, as if punched.

  Being here was a mistake. Watching Caitlin laugh at something her muscled partner said was a mistake.

  She made him feel things. It was the reason he’d avoided being alone with her all week after he’d nearly kissed her on the stall floor, and the reason he was about to leave now. He wasn’t going to last an hour.

  “It won’t be long until they start to maneuver her under the mistletoe,” Kevin claimed. “Back in the day, that’s what I would’ve done.”

  “Back in the day you wore a Stetson with mistletoe glued to the front.” Kade smirked.

  “Oh, yeah.” The jokster grinned. “I forgot about that hat. Wonder if it’s still around?”

  His brother-in-law shook his head. “Shayla probably burned it.”

  Connor nodded. “After she stomped on it.”

  “And ran over it with the car.”

  “Twice.”

  “Hahaha. You two are hilarious.” Kevin scoffed. “I seem to recall McChuckles getting the tar kissed out of him by Kerri in that window seat over there.”

  The teasing glint in the tall cowboy’s eyes disappeared under a flood of warmth. “Yeah, she knocked my boots off, and I haven’t been the same since. Thank God.”

  “I guess it’s Caitlin’s turn tonight,” Kevin stated. “She’s going to be the one to knock someone’s boots off.”

  Ah, hell. The stomach rippling increased as Keiffer’s blood suddenly boiled. Brushing her curves was bad enough, no way would he stand by and watch another guy taste her hot kiss.

  No way.

  Time to go. Time to leave before he had to witness any more. He straightened his back, and glanced around to find the hosts and make his goodbyes. It wasn’t quite an hour, but it would have to do. Hopefully, it wouldn’t reflect badly on his sister. It was time to get the hell out of there before he did something stupid.

  Like drag Caitlin under the mistletoe, capture her sweet lips, and taste her hot kiss.

  “Uh oh, Keiffer. Looks like you’re too late,” Kevin stated and the others grumbled as a smooth cowboy danced her toward the hanging sprig in question.

  Kade sent him a sideways glance. “You really going to stand by and let another guy kiss her?”

  He shrugged. “She’s not mine to worry about.”

  But he did worry—a whole hell of a lot. And he sure as shit didn’t want someone else’s mouth on her, either. But he had no claim to stake, and he didn’t want to stake a claim. Stopping the kiss would give that impression. He refused to lead the woman on.

  Connor scratched his temple. “Damn, you’re a stronger man than me.”

  “My seven-year-old nephew is stronger than you, McMoose.” Kevin snickered.

  Keiffer was too aggravated to join in on the laughter, and aggravated that he was aggravated, because it meant he gave a shit.

  This fucking sucked. He didn’t want to care.

  At that moment, her gaze shifted to his, and her features somehow brightened. For something that should’ve made him feel good, her reaction had the opposite effect. Her acceptance, her interest, added to the weight on his shoulders, and the tightness in his chest increased until the music faded. Voices and laughter were the next to go right before the walls started to close in.

  Definitely time to leave.

  Turning his back on her, Keiffer mumbled a goodbye to the guys, and headed toward the entrance, encountering Mrs. McCall along the way. He felt guilty for using Benny as an excuse to leave so soon, but did it anyway and was almost out of the room when two familiar faces appeared.

  “Keiffer! I heard you were in town.” Gwen, his brother’s former girlfriend smiled and gave him a quick hug before drawing back to stand near the guardsman he recognized from Kade’s wedding.

  Tanner thrust out his hand. “Good to see you. Jesse says you’re making progress with Benny.”

  “A little.” He shook hands and forced himself to breathe evenly but he was beginning to sweat.

  Shit.

  Gwen frowned. “You’re leaving already?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “Benny only seems to eat when I’m around, so I need to get back to him.” And the hell out of there. “It was great seeing you two again. Enjoy the party.”

  Without waiting for a reply, he rushed out of the room and into the vacant foyer. The large, open area, with high ceilings and grand staircase took some of the edge off. He was just reaching for the door knob when footsteps sounded from behind.

  “You going to be okay to drive?” Kade asked, coming to stop at his side, concern darkening his knowing gaze.

  He nodded and opened the door. “I’ll be fine.” Stepping out onto the porch, he sucked in a breath, the cold December air felt like heaven on his heated skin. He pulled in several more breaths, while his brother-in-law leaned against a rail.

  “There’s no shame in accepting help.”

  Ah, hell. “I don’t need help. I’ll be fine in a minute.”

  “I’ve been where you are, Keiffer,” Kade stated quietly. “Your sister drove for me, once in a while.”

  He turned to face him, seeing nothing but truth in the man’s expression. Keiffer knew his brother-in-law suffered PTSD from having lost a soldier on his last deployment. He also knew it had nearly cost him Brandi, but his sister was stubborn. A smile twitched his lips.

  She was a Wyne.

  “You don’t have to live with these panic attacks.” Kade straightened, his gaze boring deep. “There’s help.”

  Ah, for the love of…

  Throwing his hands in the air, he grumbled a curse. “I don’t need help. I just need to be left alone.”

  Kade’s expression never wavered. “I used to say that, too. I was wrong.”

  He blew out a breath, forced himself to calm down and try another tactic. “You don’t need to worry about me. Go back to Brandi. I’m good.”

  “I can’t let you get behind the wheel.”

  “I’m not drunk.”

  “Never said you were.”

  Damn, man was stubborn. “Look, I’m better now, see?” He held up his hand. “Not shaking. Vision’s fine. Chest isn’t tight. I’m good to go.”

  Heat skittered through his body.

  Damn.

  “I can drive him back to Shadow Rock,” Caitlin said, standing near the door.

  Hell fucking no.

  “I’m fine.” And done talking.

  Pivoting around, he clamped his mouth shut and strode down the driveway to his truck. The last thing he needed was alone time with Caitlin.

  ***

  Caitlin’s heart ached for the man striding away like the devil was on his heels. He was hurting and angry, and she had no idea how to help. Her conclusion came from observing him all week. Sometimes blatantly, other times covertly, and every time she tried to strike up a conversation he always led it back to Benny or the rescue, and he never remained in the stall with her when she stopped in to check the horse’s progress.

  Benny was doing better. Keiffer was not.

  In fact, he was getting worse.

  “Don’t be too upset with him.” Kade turned to face her. “You make him feel, and he isn’t ready for it.”

  “Will he ever be?”

  Kade shrugged and shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, he can’t keep turning his back on life. On people who…care about him.” And she did care about him. Dammit. Tha
t’s why his snubs hurt so much. But she understood it was a safety mechanism for him.

  “Exactly the ones he’ll avoid most.” Kade set a hand on her shoulder. “If we push too hard, he’ll take off. He has to come around on his own. But, we also can’t let him retreat.”

  Frustration blurred her eyes. She blinked them clear and shook her head. “I’m not sure how to help, then.”

  “You’re doing it. Keep dropping in. Make a point to stop at the ranch and rescue every day, after your check in’s aren’t required. If you can. Seeing you, being around you without any forced pressure is slowly helping, and he doesn’t realize it.”

  Since Keiffer barely said two words to her all week, outside of conversations about Benny, she hoped Kade was right. Considering the guy had been through something similar with Brandi before they got married, he knew from personal experience, and she’d follow his advice.

  “Okay.” She drew in a shaky breath and nodded. “Like you said, I stop in because of work, anyway, so he shouldn’t have a problem with it.”

  Kade dropped an arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “Good. Now, let’s get you inside. It’s cold out here.”

  He led her into the house, and they rejoined the party. Not keen on dancing or needing to thwart attempts to get her under the mistletoe, she forced herself to eat something and remain there for an hour or so. Showing up at the rescue too soon would be a mistake. It was better if Keiffer had time to settle in for the night and didn’t suspect she was also checking up on him.

  Nearly two hours later, she said her goodbyes, left the party, and headed for the rescue. It had been a long two hours, but now she didn’t have to pretend to have fun or make small talk.

  Unsure what kind of welcome she’d get from Keiffer, or if he was even in the stall, she parked in front of the stable and headed inside. Tonight a cold wind blew up from the gulf and chilled her skin through the thin material of her coat and dress. Shaking it off, she walked to Benny’s stall and smirked. It probably would’ve been smart to head home and change first, but she hadn’t exactly been thinking straight all night.

  Straightening her shoulders, she opened the door and entered to find Keiffer lightly brushing Benny. He stilled and his gaze met hers before he nodded and turned his concentration back to the horse.