A Cowboy Worth Claiming

by Charlene Sands

  She set the piles of yardage down on the sofa and gestured for him to sit at the kitchen table. She took his jacket and hooked it on the peg Grandpa had always used. With a sigh, she turned to pour them each a glass of lemonade. He waited for her to sit and then took a sip. “Nice and tart. Just the way I like it.”

  “We don’t sugar it. Never did.”

  “I remember.” His gaze flowed over her. “Lizzie, you sure have grown since I left. You’re even prettier than I remembered.”

  Heat rose up on her cheeks and throat, not from the comment, but from the way Hayden was looking at her. She’d never seen that particular expression on his face before. “You don’t have to say that, Hayden. I know I’m not pretty.”

  “But you are,” he insisted. “Your eyes, they light your whole face.”

  “Same eyes as always, Hayden. Same girl you used to torment.”

  Hayden’s lips quirked up. “I’m glad you’re the same girl. And you did your share of tormenting me, as I recall.”

  Lizzie grinned at the memory.

  “But we had the most fun when we were tormenting mean old Mr. Gilroy,” Hayden said, with a note of mischief on his face. They’d throw rotten apples at his house and then run for the hills. They’d steal vegetables from his garden and make faces behind his back. “Sometimes, I think on that with shame. We shouldn’t have pestered him so much.”

  “He deserved it,” Lizzie said without pause. The grouchy man owned the lumber mill and wasn’t fair-minded at all. “He didn’t know a smile in his whole life. He never had a kind word for anyone and didn’t take kindly to my grandpa. They’d argue over the price of lumber and he’d call my grandpa all sorts of vile names. One time, grandpa had to cover my ears, protecting me from his foul mouth. I think he would’ve come to blows with the old man for being so disrespectful, but Grandpa walked off, teaching me the value of turning the other cheek.”

  Hayden laughed heartily. “That’s one lesson you never learned too well.”

  Lizzie straightened in her seat, ready to protest, but Hayden was right about that so she could only agree. “I’m not a bad person, Hayden. But I do believe in an eye for an eye, like the good book says.”

  “Lizzie, you’re not bad at all.” Hayden reached over to touch her hand. His fingers were gentle on her skin and she found comfort in that. “You’re a good person and you’ve been strong with all you’ve had to go through on your own.”

  Lizzie was grateful for Hayden’s friendship. “Thank you, Hayden.”

  During supper, Hayden entertained Lizzie and Chance with stories of his escapades at Lake Forest University and the friends he’d made while studying there. He told tales of living in Illinois and how much he’d learned. His exuberance overflowed and Lizzie caught Chance smiling a time or two while they ate hearty beef stew with panfried biscuits. After supper, Lizzie served the two men leftover berry pie and coffee.

  “But as much as I enjoyed my time away, I missed Red Ridge,” Hayden said. He set his coffee mug down to stare powerfully into Lizzie’s eyes, yet he spoke ever so softly. “My life is here now.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Chance watching her. He’d been darting glances at her and Hayden all evening. Chance finished his coffee with one huge gulp, his throat straining to push the liquid down. She was forever noticing things about him that fully mystified her. Right now, she couldn’t figure why his swallowing was so darn appealing? Why did seeing his Adam’s apple bob up and down put goose bumps on her flesh?

  His chair scraped against the floor as he pushed away from the table and rose from his seat. “Thanks for the meal, Lizzie.” He patted his stomach. “Filled my belly near to bursting.” He turned to Hayden. “She’s a fine cook.”

  “I agree,” Hayden offered eagerly.

  Chance’s compliment, aimed at Hayden, annoyed her.

  “Well, I best be getting to bed. Got me a busy day tomorrow.”

  Lizzie scowled at her foreman. She’d hear him tinkering around in the bunkhouse after supper. He never went straight to bed. “Tomorrow’s no different than any other day, Chance.” She was tired of him making excuses for jumping up and leaving after supper. It was as if the man was deaf and dumb for all the conversation he’d offered lately.

  “There’s a lot to do to get this place in shape,” he answered with a solemn look in his eyes. It was the same lecture she’d gotten most every night from him.

  Chance tipped his hat and bid them both good-night.

  Lizzie silently fumed at him. Once her dear friend Hayden took his leave, she worked on cutting fabric into the late-night hour. Fashioning her dolls lent her comfort and gave her a distraction from a very distracting man.

  * * *

  Lizzie looked out at the lake as crystal-blue waters rippled under the morning sun, spreading out like a wide Spanish fan. It was kind of strange how something so beautiful to look at on a clear day could pull you down and drain the oxygen from your lungs, nearly killing you on another day. With a shiver, she recalled the first time she’d met Chance, right here on this lake. It had been the first time he’d saved her life.

  The lake was peaceful and quiet now as she secretly watched Chance swimming. It was soundless from here, as he cut across the water. He came up then dove in again causing ripples to disturb the surface. The next time his head came out of the water, he was ten feet from shore, rising up and heading her way. He hadn’t noticed her yet. Droplets of water rained down his chest, his dark hair straight and slicked back. The sunlight bronzed his skin and Lizzie drank in the sight. She should be used to seeing him half dressed, but Chance wasn’t the kind of man a girl got used to, no matter what he was wearing or not wearing. It wasn’t until he was standing to his full height that he noticed her. “You gonna turn your head or see me in my underdrawers?”

  Lizzie pressed the package she held tight to her chest and watched him approach. She could hardly tear her eyes away. Goose bumps rose up on her arms as her eyes dipped down below his waistline.

  He caught the direction of her gaze and stared into her eyes with a cocksure smile. “I should have known. Never give Lizzie an option. She’ll always take the wrong one.” But Chance had no malice in his voice. He was teasing.

  Once out of the water, he dropped behind a tall bush and when he appeared again, he was wearing pants and tying the gun belt around his waist. “So, Lizzie, what brought you out to the lake this afternoon? You spying on me?”

  “Me, spying on—” Lizzie’s face went flush and heat burned her cheeks.

  Chance grinned.

  Lordy, he smelled fresh and clean and he looked so darn handsome. “You wish.”

  He tilted his head to the side, his gaze locked on hers. “Maybe,” he said softly.

  Her eyes widened at the admission. She’d missed seeing him lately. Missed the once-fragile friendship they’d developed on the cattle drive and missed the comfort he lent when her grandfather had passed on. It had been weeks since they’d had a real conversation. She’d spent her time doing her part on the ranch and working on her dolls at night.

  Lizzie should be happy things were going so well. The ranch was going to survive, she knew it down deep in her bones and her best friend was home and spending a little time with her. Yet, nothing seemed right and she finally figured she was lonely for Chance’s company, so much so, her heart grew heavier each and every day.

  “I, uh…” She stared at his chest and the tiny hairs drying under the warmth of the sun. She took a swallow and tried to stifle the sweet hot swirls in her belly, but they kept on coming. “Here,” she said, putting the package in his hands. “I made you something. I just finished it and I was—”

  He held up the package. “This is for me?”

  Lizzie nodded.

  “You hunted me down to give this
to me?”

  She felt like a fool for wrapping it and tying the gift with string cord. She stood there, wondering what excuse she could give him. Nothing came to her mind but the truth. “It’s your birthday today, Chance.”

  Chance blinked, as if just recalling and his gaze drifted off in the distance. “How did you know?”

  “Grandpa always posted you a letter for your birthday.”

  Chance gazed down at the package he held. “He did at that.”

  “Would you like to open it?”

  “Let me go get my shirt and—”

  She set a stopping hand on his upper arm. “No, no. Don’t get your shirt,” she said.

  His gaze traveled to her hand. Lizzie, too, focused on the thick cord of muscle underneath her fingertips. A forceful jolt flowed through her slight frame, making her dizzy. Her heart was working hard not to pound straight out of her chest.

  “J-just go on and open it. I’m…I’m anxious to see what you think.” Her hand fell from his arm.

  His eyes narrowed at her request before he nodded. She watched as he untied the string and pulled out the indigo three-button shirt she’d been working on for two full nights. He stared at the garment in his hand. “You made this?”

  “Yes.”

  He held it up to the light to admire her work. “It’s nice. Real nice,” he said and from the sincere tone of his voice, she believed him.

  Carefully, he pulled it on over his head. Lizzie watched him fit his powerful arms through the sleeves and tuck the lower end of the material into his trousers. He straightened his shoulders and the fabric stretched across his chest.

  “It fits.” Lizzie couldn’t contain her smile. She was immensely pleased.

  “It does,” he said. He ran his hands up and down the front of the shirt. “Feels real good, too. Thank you, Lizzie,” he said and stepped closer, taking her face in the palms of his hands. With the slightest pressure he lifted her face to meet his eyes. “Means a lot.” With the gentlest touch, he brushed a kiss to her mouth.

  The touch of his lips on hers stunned her so, she backed away from the sheer wondrous shock. She’d dreamed about him kissing her again. Dreamed of him touching her and making those sweet hot swirls in her belly turn into a full-out twister.

  Instantly, she closed the gap between their bodies to circle her arms around his neck. She lifted her eyes to his. “Happy birthday, Chance.”

  She brought her mouth closer and gave him a true kiss, one filled with every single heartaching emotion she felt for him. A kiss that eased the pain of her recent loneliness and told him without a doubt that he was someone special in her life.

  She’d been fighting it for too long. Maybe because he’d never given her a reason to believe he’d ever want a woman like her and maybe because she’d been unsure of what she’d really been feeling. But now, without any doubt, Lizzie knew in the pit of her stomach and from the very depth of her spirit, that she loved Chance Worth.

  She loved him so much, she nearly burst with joy. She poured everything she had inside into her kiss. Oh, how she’d missed being near him and breathing in his scent, tasting from his mouth and feeling his body harden with need.

  Heat and moisture pooled between her legs. She relished the sensation, no longer afraid of what she was feeling. No longer timid about the changes her body went through when she was with Chance.

  His tongue stroked hers now. She couldn’t name the exact moment when Chance took over the kiss, but she fell into it and let him take the lead. Chance grabbed her around the waist and drew her smack up against him. Their hips met and she felt the extent of his desire against her thighs, the pressing of his manhood a thrill that shut down her mind to all rational thought.

  * * *

  Chance breathed heavily against her mouth, the temptation that constantly surprised him hard to contain. His voice rasped over her lips. “I could take you right now.”

  Hope registered on Lizzie’s face, an expression that any man would take pride in noting on a woman he was ready to seduce.

  Except that Chance couldn’t seduce Lizzie. He’d regretted the words the second he’d uttered them. He spoke aloud what he’d been thinking and that had always gotten him into trouble. Truth was, he longed for Lizzie in the worst possible way. He was keenly aware of her, every minute of every day and he’d been doing his darnedest to keep his distance from her.

  Edward Mitchell would approve of Hayden Finch for his granddaughter. Lizzie and her friend were becoming close again. It was the way it should be. Hayden was smitten with Lizzie. He was the better choice…the only choice for her. Clearly, he could provide for Lizzie and give her a secure life with no worries or struggles.

  But lately, none of that seemed to matter to him. He’d come to admire Lizzie’s unflinching spirit. When he fully expected her to wallow in grief, she’d shown strength and put all her efforts into building the ranch again. Her days were filled with hard work and during the nights, her lamps were lit into the late hours as she created her dolls. He’d seen her at her best and at her worst. Lord knew, she was surly and disagreeable at times, but now as he gazed into her beautiful eyes shadowed with lust, Chance couldn’t talk himself out of wanting her.

  He couldn’t talk himself out of the fierce emotions roiling around in his gut, either. Though she acted contrary and annoyed him almost daily, he couldn’t deny that she was sweet in her own way. She’d remembered his birthday, something Chance was happy to forget. His birth didn’t amount to a hill of beans, except to Lizzie.

  Her gift touched something deep and solemn inside.

  He wouldn’t steal her innocence.

  She deserved better than that. Better than him.

  The realization dawned on him, that he wasn’t making this sacrifice for Edward’s sake anymore. He was doing this for Lizzie. Because he truly cared about her.

  With deep regret, he unlocked his hold on her and stepped back. “Forget I said anything.”

  Lizzie stood frozen, as if she was still in his embrace. Her eyes opened and a look of utter befuddlement dawned on her face. She blinked several times, comprehending what had just happened. Then she shivered in disbelief.

  He expected her to rant and give him a good chewing out, but she only stood there, with her chin up, her head held high to look past him toward the lake waters. The lips that gave to him so generously a moment ago were pinched tight but her words slipped out quietly despite the firm lock. “There’s a barn dance at Petey Donavan’s ranch in two weeks. It’s ladies’ choice.”

  Her head moved the inch it took to face him directly. Sad blue eyes beseeched him with the slightest flicker. He knew what she was asking. Knew what she wanted to hear. He’d already injured Lizzie enough for ten lifetimes. A shudder ran through him, knowing in his gut that his next words would seal his fate forever. This time though, she would never forgive him. “Ask Hayden.”

  Her eyes shone with accusation and Chance died a little bit inside. He’d never intended to cause her such pain or make those pretty eyes turn hard with hurt.

  She nodded with little quick bobs of her head that told him she’d expected no less.

  She’d expected him to disappoint her.

  The notion was like a knife gutting him.

  She turned from him, her skirts swishing against the ground as she left the clearing by the lake and marched off.

  “Wait, Lizzie!”

  But she didn’t wait. She kept on going and Chance could only let her go, because he had nothing to say that would make her happy.

  “Damn it,” he muttered, staring at her retreating form until she was out of sight.

  His body ached in need of her.

  He glanced at the lake and the glistening waters that beckoned him. Within seconds, he’d chucked his clothes and
took the long strides to find his way back into the water. Once he was chest deep, he dove under, hoping to ease the lust of his body and wash away the pain surrounding his heart.

  He wasn’t sure the dunking would do much good.

  The hell of it was, he wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lizzie hadn’t had a female influence in her life for a long time. She didn’t have the benefit of motherly advice. As a result, she’d managed to do things her own way, whether it was proper or not and without too much thought if her way was acceptable. She’d had no choice in the matter and often she’d wonder what it would be like to have her mama here to primp her, help her dress and fuss over her hair for a barn dance that Lizzie wasn’t even sure she wanted to attend.

  She had procrastinated in asking Hayden to the dance. Her heart simply wasn’t in it, but Mrs. Finch told her flat-out, he was looking forward to going with her. He’d made polite excuses to Haddie Jones and Abigail Westhaven while waiting for Lizzie’s invitation. She’d felt obligated after hearing that. She wouldn’t disappoint Hayden for the world, though he’d been giving her long looks that made her feel a bit uncomfortable lately. Sometimes, he’d put a hand on her arm, or brush his fingers over hers. As hard as it was for her to believe, Hayden might be interested in her as a woman. But she wouldn’t dwell on that at the moment. She’d had enough perplexing thoughts, thinking about Chance these past few weeks.

  If she was excited about one thing regarding the barn dance, it was that she’d be wearing a new dress.

  It was the first gown she’d ever made for herself. She’d chosen a striking blue material made of imported silk that glimmered under the light. She’d put delicate lace around the sleeves and made several tucks under a bodice that pushed her small breasts up, giving her a womanly shape. At the waist, the gown flared out in folds that reached the ground. She wore no jewels, because she had none, but the rivulets of curls that fell onto her shoulders and caressed her upper chest added the adornment she’d needed.