by Katie Lane
He continued to talk in a soothing voice as he opened the gate and slipped into the stall. “The only thing I can tell you is that luck changes. And yours just did. Yesterday you were in hell, but today, you’re pretty much in heaven.” He held out the handful of oats. But Angel wanted nothing to do with the peace offering. He snorted and looked about ready to beat Sawyer to death with his hooves. “Angel, my ass.” Sawyer said. “Demon is more like it.”
“Demons are just fallen angels who deserve a second chance.”
Sawyer glanced over his shoulder at Maisy. When he’d left the house to head to the barn, she hadn’t been sitting on the porch and he’d figured she’d gone back to bed. But it looked like she’d taken a shower. Her hair was damp and she’d changed her clothes. Damned if an image of her wet, naked body in the hotel shower didn’t flash into his head and cause his dick to beg for attention. It didn’t help that she still wasn’t wearing a bra. Through her t-shirt, he could see the outline of the perky nipple that wasn’t covered by the sling. He knew the woman owned a bra. A black lacy one. Why in the hell didn’t she wear it? How could he keep his libido in check when she kept flaunting her body?
Angel must’ve felt his agitation because the horse tossed his head and bared his teeth. Before he could take a bite of Sawyer’s outstretched hand, Maisy started singing.
“’Rock me, granny, in your rocking chair. Rock me, granny, like a big bay mare. Oh-h-h, won’t you rock me.’”
The words to the popular country song were all wrong and sung in an off-key voice, but Angel didn’t seem to mind. He calmed immediately, as if someone had shot him with a tranquilizer. After only a few verses, the horse moved to eat the oats out of Sawyer’s hand.
Sawyer glanced at Maisy. She sent him a smug look and winked as she continued singing. She moved from Darius to Shania. By the time she had decimated two more songs, Sawyer had been able to apply salve to the crop lashes and liniment oil to his swollen fetlock.
It was only after he stepped out of the stall that Maisy finally stopped singing. “Is his leg broken?” she asked.
“No. It looks like stocking up. That’s when a horse’s leg swells from inactivity and improper feeding. The swelling should go down in a few days—especially if we can get him saddled and exercised.”
“You know a lot about horses.”
“At one time, I thought about becoming a vet.”
“And what changed your mind?”
“I wasn’t smart enough.” It was a lie. He’d been smart enough. He just hadn’t wanted to prove it. “So you’re a singing horse whisperer? Although you do realize that you got the lyrics wrong.”
“It didn’t seem to matter to Angel. He seemed to like your horse psychology too. Do you really believe luck plays a major role in life?”
He did. He and his brother were living proof. But he didn’t want to get into that with Maisy. “You certainly spend an awful lot of time eavesdropping on other people’s conversations. Or is it just my conversations?”
She shrugged. “I don’t eavesdrop. I’m just a good listener. Although I could’ve done without hearing the doc talk about your concussions. It might not have scared you, but it scared the hell out of me.”
He glanced over his shoulder and was glad to see that Chester had left the barn—no doubt driven off by Maisy’s singing. “Listen,” he said as he looked back at her. “I’d certainly appreciate it if you didn’t mention what the doc said to Chester and Lucas. I don’t want them worrying.”
She studied him. “Maybe someone should be worried. Especially since you don’t seem to be.”
“It’s my life. My choice.”
She opened her mouth as if she wanted to argue with him, but then she closed it and nodded. “Okay, I won’t say anything to anyone. But you owe me.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “I think I paid you in full when I saved your life.”
“You didn’t save my life. I could’ve gotten out of the way.”
“Sure you could’ve.”
“I could’ve. I’m extremely agile.”
An image of her straddling his waist popped into his head again. She was agile. His body longed to learn exactly how agile. But it would have to be disappointed. “Come on, Horse Pavarotti,” he said. “Let’s go see if Lucas has breakfast ready. I’m starving.”
As soon as Sawyer and Maisy stepped in the door of the house, Lucas yelled at them to take off their boots and wash their hands before they came into the kitchen.
There was plenty to eat. The long oak table held platters of steaming hot flapjacks, thick crispy bacon, meaty pork sausage patties, fluffy scrambled eggs with bell peppers, and fried potatoes with onions. Once everyone’s plate was filled to overflowing, Chester bowed his head and said grace.
“Thank you, Lord, for this bounty we are about to receive. And thank you for bringing all our boys back to us.”
“And a new cowgirl to boot,” Lucas chimed in.
Sawyer started to tell them that he wasn’t back for good. But when he glanced up and saw them both looking at him with love in their eyes, he just mumbled an amen and picked up his fork.
The food was delicious and he ate more than his fair share. Although he couldn’t keep up with Maisy. She ate like she hadn’t eaten in a week. She didn’t just shovel the food in. She enjoyed every bite as if it were her last. As she tried each dish, she closed her eyes and made little moans of delight. Sawyer couldn’t seem to look away. It was like watching a woman orgasm. And damned if he couldn’t help wondering if she had made those sounds when they’d had sex.
Unless she hadn’t reached orgasm.
That would explain why she thought their night together hadn’t been all that great. The thought of failing to give a woman an orgasm had him choking on his bacon.
Chester reached out and slapped him on the back. “You okay, boy?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m good.” At least, he’d always prided himself on being good. But now he had to accept the fact that he’d been bad. Sawyer Dawson bad in bed. His ego had never taken such a hit. If she were any other woman, he would’ve corrected the situation by seducing her back into his bed and giving her so many orgasms she saw heaven. But he couldn’t do that with Maisy. He couldn’t prove his sexual prowess. He would forever be the guy who couldn’t make her moan as much as a stack of flapjacks did.
It was damned depressing.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Lucas said.
Sawyer turned to see Lincoln standing in the doorway of the kitchen. He’d taken off his hat and boots, but his head still almost touched the top of the doorway and his broad shoulders almost touched the sides.
“Linc!” Maisy said.
Lincoln had never been much of a smiler until he married Dixie. Now he smiled a lot. He grinned widely when he saw Maisy. “Hey, Brat! What are you doing—” He cut off and his smile faded. “What happened to you?”
Maisy glanced down at her sling. “I fractured my clavicle, but it’s not a big deal.” She got up and went to give him a hug, but he held her back.
“It is too a big deal. Why didn’t you call me?”
“Because I didn’t want you to get all grumpy like you’re getting now. When I said I wanted a brother, I didn’t mean an overprotective one who keeps trying to talk me out of bronc riding.”
“And this is proof you should’ve listened.”
Sawyer had no business butting in, but he couldn’t help himself. He knew what it was like to have to defend your occupation. “It’s just a collarbone, Linc. I’ve broken mine numerous times.”
Lincoln finally noticed him. “Sawyer? What are doing here?”
“They drove in together last night,” Lucas said. Sawyer cringed at the darkening look on Lincoln’s face.
“You drove in together?” Lincoln’s gaze shifted between him and Maisy.
“Yep,” Chester said. “They got busted up at the same rodeo. Sawyer with a concussion and Maisy with a broke collarbone. Which is quite a bad
coincidence if you ask me.”
Lincoln glared at Sawyer. “That is a coincidence. Especially when you told me you hadn’t talked to Maisy since the wedding.”
Before he could answer, Lucas jumped in. “I’m sure Sawyer will be happy to tell you the whole story. Come on and sit down. The food’s gettin’ cold.”
The entire time Lincoln filled his plate with flapjacks and eggs, he continued to mad dog Sawyer. It was disconcerting as hell and he could only hope Maisy wouldn’t crack under the pressure and spill the beans about their night together.
“So how did you and Maisy end up at the same rodeo?” Lincoln asked.
Sawyer started to explain when Maisy jumped in. “Would you quit acting like there’s a mystery to solve. Sawyer and I are both bronc riders. We’ve been at the same rodeos before.”
“And I hadn’t seen her when you called me yesterday morning,” Sawyer said. At least, he hadn’t known he’d seen her. All he could still remember from that night were her lips pressed against a shot glass—like they were pressed against the rim of her juice glass now.
“Why did you show up here together?” Lincoln asked.
Maisy lowered her glass and fielded the question. “Because I couldn’t leave Sawyer after he jumped into the arena and threw his body over mine to keep the bronc from stomping me.”
All three of the men turned to Sawyer and he felt his face heat. “It wasn’t a big deal. Just a gut reaction.”
Lincoln stared at Sawyer for only a moment before he placed a hand on his shoulder. “I should’ve known you’d watch out for her. You’re a good friend, Sawyer.”
Talk about feeling like a piece of crap. Sawyer refused to look at Maisy as he nodded and went back to eating his flapjacks.
The conversation moved to the fall festival Dixie was planning. Because he felt so guilty, Sawyer volunteered to help. He didn’t mind as long as Dixie didn’t expect him to attend. He planned to rest up for a week and then head to a rodeo in Tulsa.
As Lucas got up to start clearing the table, Sawyer grabbed the last piece of bacon on the plate. Unfortunately, Maisy grabbed it at the exact same time. If not for the sparkle of defiance and challenge in her big brown eyes, he might’ve graciously given it up. But he had a weakness for bacon . . . and for a challenge. He stared at her and refused to let go. The bacon broke in half like a turkey wishbone. Of course, Maisy ended up with the bigger piece while Sawyer was left with a crumbled inch.
Maisy grinned as she took a big bite. “I guess some people are just luckier than others.”
Chapter Six
“I can’t believe you didn’t call me.” Dixie Leigh Hayes looked more hurt than mad when she showed up at the Airstream trailer Maisy had just finished setting up on Sawyer’s land.
Maisy give her friend a one-armed hug as Dixie stepped into the small trailer. “I’m sorry. I was going to call you as soon as I got settled in.”
“Settled in?” Dixie drew back and shook her head. “Oh, no. If you think for one second I’m going to let you stay here by yourself when you’re injured, you’ve got another think comin’, honey. You are coming home with me. You shouldn’t be staying by yourself when you only have one good arm.”
“I’m doing just fine with one arm. The only things I can’t do are tie sneakers and hook a bra. I never have liked running and my boobs aren’t big enough to need support. Now quit fussing at me and sit down and I’ll get you a Coke.”
Dixie placed her hands on her hips. “You’re as stubborn as the day is long, Maisy Sweeney.”
Maisy laughed as she opened the refrigerator. “So I’ve been told. You want diet or regular?”
“Diet, please.” Dixie sat at the table. When Maisy came back with the drinks, she took them from her and popped the tabs.
Maisy sat down. “How did you know I was here?”
“Sawyer called and asked me to come check on you.”
Maisy was more than a little surprised . . . and a whole lot happy. “Sawyer was concerned about me?”
Dixie nodded. “I guess Chester and Lucas were fit to be tied that you snuck off while they were taking a nap.”
Maisy’s happiness fizzled. Of course, it was Chester and Lucas who were upset she’d left. Sawyer was probably thrilled he no longer had to look at his big mistake. She blew out her breath. “Yeah, Chester and Lucas are sweethearts. I thought maybe they’d hold a grudge against me because of my daddy, but they welcomed me into their home with open arms.”
“Would you stop worrying that people are going to judge you by your daddy, Maisy? Everyone knows you’re not like Sam Sweeney.”
For a moment, Maisy thought about confiding in Dixie about the lie she’d told Sawyer. Then she decided against it. Dixie couldn’t keep a secret to save her soul.
Maisy took a sip of Coke. “Lincoln didn’t know I wasn’t like Sam at first.”
When Maisy and Lincoln had first met, he’d hated her for being her father’s daughter. And she soon learned why. Not only had Lincoln had to deal with Sam Sweeney’s pranks during the summer he’d spent at the Double Diamond’s Boys’ Ranch, he’d also had to deal with physical abuse from Sam when he was a child. Before Sam had gotten Maisy’s mama pregnant and left her, he’d dated Lincoln’s mother. Lincoln had been just a young kid at the time, and he had suffered under Sam’s temper.
“Lincoln had some demons he had to deal with,” Dixie said. “But he loves you like a little sister now.”
And Maisy loved him like the brother she never had.
As if they had conjured him up with their conversation, Dixie’s cellphone rang. From the look of pure joy on Dixie’s face when she glanced at the caller ID, Maisy knew it was Lincoln.
“Hey, honey,” Dixie answered. “What’s up?” Her smile got even bigger. “Now you know I can’t talk about those things when I’m on duty. But when you get home tonight, I intend to not only talk about them, but also demonstrate them.” She winked at Maisy. “Right now, I want to know why you didn’t call and tell me that Maisy was back in town and injured. I had to hear the news from Sawyer. If I’d known earlier, I might’ve been able to keep her from gettin’ all settled in out here in the middle of nowhere.” She sent Maisy a pointed look. “Yep, she ran off from the Double Diamond and she’s camped on Sawyer’s land . . . yes, I know, dear.” She lowered the phone. “He’s madder than a hornet and wants me to take you back to our apartment.”
Maisy grinned. “Tell him I’m not going to butt my nose in on two newlyweds. Especially after hearing you talking about your plans tonight.”
“We can postpone our plans. We’ve had plenty of newlywed time.”
“And I want you to have plenty more. I’m fine!” She yelled the last at the phone. Even without the phone being on speaker, she could hear Lincoln yell back.
“You’re not fine! And neither is Sawyer. But he’s heading back to the rodeo circuit.”
Maisy took the phone from Dixie. “What? Sawyer’s heading back?”
“He plans to be at the Tulsa rodeo this coming weekend,” Lincoln said.
“He can’t ride again.”
“Try telling him that. He’s as stubborn as you are. You need someone to watch out for you, Maisy.”
“I just have a broken collarbone. It’s nothing compared to Sawyer’s multiple concussions.” She realized her mistake as soon as the words were out.
“Multiple? What are you talking about?”
Maisy mentally kicked herself. She’d given her word to Sawyer not to say anything about what she’d overheard at the hospital. She knew how it felt to have people worry about you all the time—to have people look at you like you were an idiot because you liked to be tossed around on the back of a horse. She understood what drove Sawyer. Bronc riding was like a drug. Nothing could duplicate the adrenaline rush. Once you got that rush, you wanted it again and again. Even at the cost of your body.
But the cost for Sawyer’s riding had just gone up. This wasn’t about a few broken bones. This was about a br
oken brain and how it could cause Sawyer to suffer from long-term memory loss, bad headaches, erratic behavior, depression, and even death. No adrenaline rush was worth that.
Which was why Maisy decided she had to break her word.
“We can’t let Sawyer go back to the rodeo, Linc,” she said. “And I’m not just talking about this season. I’m talking about forever.” She put the phone on speaker and proceeded to tell him and Dixie what she’d overheard in the hospital. When she was finished, Dixie’s eyes glistened with tears and Lincoln cussed.
“Dammit. I knew he wasn’t being completely honest with me.”
“What are we going to do?” Dixie asked. “We can’t let him go back when he could already have sustained brain damage.”
Maisy shook her head. “I don’t know. I know how he feels about bronc riding and I can’t see him giving it up. I’m not sure I could if I was in his boots.”
“Which is crazy,” Lincoln said. “Especially when you’re sitting there with a broken clavicle because you were too stubborn to wear a neck roll and safety vest.”
He had a good point.
Maisy blew out her breath. “I promise I’ll wear them from now on. And a helmet. And I have no intention of heading back until I’m completely healed. Sawyer is just going to ignore what the doctor said and head back when his brain hasn’t even had a chance to heal from this concussion.”
“Well, we just can’t let him do that.” Dixie nibbled on her thumbnail. “There must be something that would keep him here. What about if Chester or Lucas faked an injury?”
“That’s not going to work,” Lincoln said. “He knows every single Double Diamond boy—and our wives—would be there in a flash to help.”
“But most of us have work, ranches, and family to worry about. Evie just had little Helen. And Devlin, Penny, and—” She cut off abruptly before she continued. “Devlin and Penny are pregnant.”