CHAPTER FOUR
Elsie's food was delicious, the conversation at the dinner table was free-flowing and easy, and Carly was feeling a special connection to the handsome cowboy sitting across from her. Whenever Keith caught her eye a thrill pulsed through her body. The spanking had been intensely erotic, and there was no way she could deny her deep attraction. In an attempt to take her mind off the wetness between her legs and her desperate desire to be wrapped up in his arms, she turned her attention to Andy and Salvo.
She guessed Andy was at least a decade older than Keith. He was the most serious of the three men, but as he relaxed a sardonic sense of humor emerged, and several times he had everyone in stitches. He had the weathered look of a cowboy who had spent many hours in the saddle, and the confident demeanor of a man who was comfortable in his own skin. His eyes were hazel, and the skin around them deeply wrinkled. She guessed he didn't like sunglasses. He wasn't tall, and he wasn't as powerfully built as Keith and Salvo, but she suspected he was as strong as an ox.
Out of his baseball cap and wearing a crisp white shirt, Salvo was surprisingly attractive. He had thick curly black hair and bright blue eyes, but he was definitely more urban than country, and she couldn't help but wonder how he'd ended up on a ranch. Though he was the low man on the totem pole, Andy and Keith didn't talk down to him, and when he spoke they listened attentively. He was the first to thank Elsie for the meal and excuse himself but Carly wasn't surprised. He was responsible for feeding early in the morning.
"Here's your container," Elsie declared, leaving the table and fetching a plastic bowl from the sideboard. "That should help keep you fed until Sunday."
"Thanks so much, Elsie."
"Always my pleasure."
"Every Sunday Elsie makes a big lunch," Andy explained as Salvo walked away. "It's a chance for us to get together and go over the week. I keep notes as the days go by. You might want to as well. It's easy to forget things."
"That's a good idea. I will."
"I think I'm gonna call it quits myself," he said with a yawn as he rose to his feet. "The four horses you'll be ridin' tomorrow are written up on the board, and you can climb on Winston whenever it suits you."
"Only four?"
"Yep. There are some clients comin' out to check out three over the weekend and I need to put them through their paces. The other three I'm still trainin'. I don't want anyone else on their backs till I'm done. Your first couple of weeks here will be light."
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yep, and it's good to have you here."
"Thanks. I'm really happy to be a part of this."
"Night Keith, night Elsie, thanks for a delicious supper."
"My pleasure, Andy."
As Carly watched him head off down the hall she thought it curious that he lived in the house, even though it was a very big house and he and Keith appeared to be very close. It crossed her mind they might be partners, but she immediately reminded herself the nature of their relationship was none of her business.
"Can I help you?" Carly asked as Elsie began clearing up the table.
"Thank you, my dear, but no," Elsie said adamantly. "This is my job and I don't like people in my kitchen."
"I wouldn't argue," Keith grinned. "You'll just be wastin' your breath. Come on, I'll walk you out."
"Thank you, Elsie," Carly said gratefully, giving her a hug. "That was a wonderful dinner, the best I've had in a long time."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'll be seeing you at noon Sunday. Don't be late."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
She'd taken off her denim jacket, and as she picked it up from the back of her chair, Keith took it from her hands and held it for her.
"This won't keep you warm," he remarked. "It's a chilly night."
"When I left the cabin it wasn't, but it's not far. I'll be fine."
"We don't want you catchin' cold."
"I won't," she said, smiling up at him as she turned around. "I appreciate your concern though."
"What time will you be gettin' on your horse?" he asked as they started into the foyer. "I'd like to pop down and watch."
"Probably around eleven o'clock, That's been our routine."
"Then you should keep it. Horses like routine."
"I agree. Yikes, listen to that weather," she said as they approached the front door. "I didn't hear it over dinner."
"Sounds like our fall winds are startin'. Better prepare yourself. They can get mighty strong."
She buttoned up her jacket, but when he opened the front door, even though she was ready for it, a startling blast of cold wind sent her head into his chest.
"Good grief. It's like a tornado."
"Not quite," he said as his arm came around her, "but we get some mean gusts."
The powerful winds were nasty but she was glad of them. She had to lean against him, and he brought his arm around her as they moved around to the parking area.
"You okay?" he asked, holding the door against the wind as she climbed behind the wheel.
"Yeah, thanks, but I can't believe how cold and ferocious it's become."
"You get on home now and turn on the heat. Hopefully it'll pass overnight."
He'd leaned into the small cab of her pickup to speak to her. His face was inches from hers, and impulsively she pecked him on the cheek.
"Thanks, Keith, for everything. I'm really sorry about before and I won't make the same mistake again."
He didn't back away. Their eyes were locked, they were sharing a moment, and she was sure he was going to place his mouth on hers in an all-consuming kiss, but he blinked and she knew it was over.
"It's behind us," he murmured. "I'll see you tomorrow."
He pulled back and closed her door, and as she started the truck and slowly drove away she broke into a smile. His voice had been husky. Sexy husky. Husky because the quick kiss on the cheek had affected him. He was feeling their connection just as she was, but as she turned into the short lane that would take her down to her carport, a wild gust of wind suddenly swirled around the truck. Instinctively she hit her brakes, and to her horror her precious pickup began to rock violently. She didn't know what to do, and as she stared through her windshield, the beam of her headlights illuminated a branch flying through the air. It was an airborne torpedo, and it was coming straight for her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Salvo was finishing his nightly pushups when he heard what he thought was an explosion. Leaping to his feet he grabbed his phone, called Keith, and racing outside as he held the phone to his ear, he prayed his boss would pick up.
"Salvo? What's up?"
"I heard something. It sounded like a terrible crash, but it's so dark I can't…shit. I see lights near Carly's cabin. Headlights. It's her pickup and it's not moving. I'm going over there."
"I'm on my way."
Calling Andy and telling him to meet him at his truck, Keith bolted from his bedroom, pausing to grab his heavy winter jacket from the closet in the foyer. Stepping outside he was shocked at how fierce the winds had become, and pushing through them to his truck, he struggled to open the door and climb inside. He had to circle the parking area, and as he pulled under the portico Andy ran out the front door.
"What the hell's goin' on?" Andy asked breathlessly as he climbed into the passenger seat.
"Salvo just said he heard something crashing, and when he went to investigate all he could see were the headlights of Carly's pickup and it wasn't movin'."
"Dammit. I'll bet she's been hit by flyin' debris. What's with this wind?"
"It's like a fuckin' tornado," Keith grunted as he expertly sped down the drive. "God I hope she's all right. Oh, no!"
His truck's powerful lights had fallen on a terrifying scene. A branch had smashed through Carly's windshield, and Salvo was frantically trying to open the driver's door.
"No, no, no," Keith yelled, jumping from his truck and dashing through the wind.
"She's okay
, she's okay," Salvo exclaimed. "She's awake, but I can't get the door open."
"Fetch the crowbar from my truck. Hurry. Carly! Carly can you hear me?"
"Is she hurt?" Andy shouted, arriving at Keith's side.
"I don't know. Try the passenger door."
"Keith, you're panickin'. Take a breath."
Darting his head around, Keith recognized the steely control of his closest friend, and he had never been so grateful for his presence.
"Watch where you put your hands, there's glass everywhere." Andy continued. "You got gloves in that truck?"
"Yeah, in the glove compartment, and a pair of work gloves in the tool box in the cab."
"Stay calm. I'll be right back."
Taking a deep breath, Keith peered through the driver's door window, but it was dark and difficult to see her.
"Sorry, Keith," Salvo declared, running up and handing him the flashlight. "I should have left this with you."
"Thanks, and keep your eyes open. There's all kinds of crap flyin' through the air. You got that crowbar?"
"Sure do."
"Take it around to the passenger door. You might have better luck."
Keith shone the light into the small dark space, and as Carly twisted her head around he thought his heart would break. Her face was white, and her eyes were filled with fear and anguish. Giving her the thumbs up sign, he mouthed the words, you'll be okay, then moving the light across her body he could see the branch was laying on top of her arm. It was a miracle she was alive.
"It's moving," Salvo suddenly shouted. "It's moving."
Running around the truck to join him, Keith placed the flashlight on the ground and helped Salvo heave open the door.
"It's okay, Carly, I'm here." Keith said as he leaned in, then realizing there was shattered glass everywhere, he wondered how they'd move her without cutting her to pieces.
"I can't believe I'm alive. Keith, I'm scared."
"I know you are, but try to stay calm. I promise we're gonna get you out. Can you tell me what hurts?"
"Just my arm, but not bad. I've been afraid to move. I didn't know what would happen."
"That was smart. Good girl."
"Thank God you came. I thought I was going to be trapped all night."
"We're all here and we're gonna have you out real quick. Just hang on. I hear Andy calling me. I'll be right back."
"I promise not to go anywhere."
Her brave quip melted his heart. The girl was amazing, and as he cautiously moved out he saw Andy was holding another flashlight.
"Okay, Keith," Andy began, shouting above the noise of the wind, "we need to elevate the branch off her body and keep it supported so we can pull her out, but we sure as hell can't get a jack in there."
"I'll hold it up!"
"How?"
"If we can get the driver's door open, I can lay on my back and push it up like a bench press. It would only have to been a few inches. It doesn't look like it's wedged. I think it's just restin' on top of the dashboard and her."
"I'll do it," Salvo piped up. "I'll hold it up and you get her out. If the trunk falls it should fall on me not you."
"No, no way," Keith protested.
"Keith, he's right and you know it," Andy said solemnly. "Besides, he's probably stronger than you are. Salvo, there's an ottoman by the fireplace in the cabin. It should be just the right height, and see if there's a hand sweep to brush the glass off the seat."
"What the hell?" Keith protested as Salvo hurried down to the cabin.
"We can't lose you."
"We can't lose him either."
"Hopefully we won't lose anyone, and we both know he can bench press more than you can."
"Yeah I know," Keith reluctantly agreed. "See if you can get that driver's door open. I'm gonna talk to Carly for a minute."
"You read my mind," Andy said, reaching for the crowbar, but as he did a howling gust blasted around them. "Damn winds. They're gettin' worse."
"We need to make this happen fast," Keith exclaimed. "Get that door open."
As Andy pushed through the winds, Keith leaned into the pickup, reminding himself to keep his voice calm.
"Hey, Carly, we've figured out how to do this. Don't worry, it's gonna be a piece of cake. How are you doin'? Any trouble breathin'? Can you move your fingers and toes? Any tinglin'?"
"I'm okay. I don't think I'm hurt. I'm just…"
"Take it easy," he said softly, hearing her voice crack. "This is what we're gonna do. There's glass on the seat. We're gonna get that outta the way, then we're gonna lift the log and slide you out from under. Like I said, a piece of cake. It won't take long."
"That sounds g-good. S-sorry," she said, stifling a sob, "I was okay but suddenly I'm not."
"You're doin' great. Just hold on a few more minutes."
Pulling back he spotted the small sweep brush hanging on the inside door handle, and looking around he saw Salvo carrying the ottoman to the driver's side
"Carly, it won't be long now," he said confidently, leaning back in. "I'm gonna brush this glass away."
"Keith, if anything bad happens…"
Her voice was tremulous, and pausing, he looked up and saw her eyes were filled with tears.
"Hey, we're almost there. I'll be slidin' you across this seat in just a few minutes."
"But th-things can g-go wrong. This branch, it c-could fall on me."
"It won't."
"Keith, I need you to know—I th-think you're amazing, and it doesn't matter if you robbed a b-bank. I c-care about you. I c-care about you a lot."
"Carly, I—"
But the sudden sound of protesting metal and a blast of wind startled them both. Salvo and Andy had wrenched open the driver's door.
CHAPTER FIVE
Once the operation began it was only minutes before Keith was helping Carly climb out from under the heavy branch. When Salvo let it go it didn't crash down, but returned to rest on top of the dashboard. The three men breathed easier. Carly may have been trapped but she hadn't been bearing the weight of the onerous log. As she stumbled from the claustrophobic cab and stepped into the howling winds, Keith swept her up and carried her up to his truck.
"Just take me to my cabin," she stammered. "All I need is to go to bed."
"Don't talk nonsense," he said firmly as he hurried through the gusts.
"Really, I'm fine."
"Elsie's a nurse and she's gonna check you out, then you're spendin' the night in the house where we can keep an eye on you."
"But I'm fine, honest."
"Hush up and stop your fussin'."
Though Andy had taken a moment to speak to Salvo, he caught up to Keith and Carly just in time to open the passenger door. He heard the tail end of their conversation, and as Keith deposited her on the seat Andy climbed in next to her.
"Keith's right. You need to be given the once-over."
"I'm just a bit shaken up, that's all."
"Carly, you don't need to prove you're tough," he said reassuringly. "You've gotta learn there are times when you need to let others take care of you. This is one of those times."
Keith was fighting to open his door against another squall, and when he finally succeeded and dropped behind the wheel, he slammed it shut and sucked in a long breath.
"This is about as bad as it gets," he declared. "Have you ever seen it like this, Andy?"
"A couple of years back, don't you remember? That tree came down."
"Oh, yeah. That was one helluva windstorm. It seems this one's fixin' to match it. Will you call Elsie and let her know we're on our way back?"
"Yep, I was about to do that very thing. Let's get outta here before another branch decides to copy its friend."
As Keith began driving through the dark dangerous night, Carly laid her head back and closed her eyes. Her entire being was shaking, she felt sick to her stomach, her head was pounding, and a heavy ache was moving through her arm, but she was safe. Somehow she'd survived.
; The first few minutes of her terrifying ordeal had been surreal, and when she'd tried to move and found herself held down by the branch her heart had exploded in fear. Would anyone find her? Would she be trapped all night in the horrifying weather? Though she'd fought the growing panic with everything in her, she'd been losing the battle when a miraculous beam of light had washed over her. Seeing Salvo's face she'd broken into heavy sobs, but by the time Keith arrived she'd managed to pull herself together. Not wanting him to think she was weak she'd tried to maintain a brave front, but it had been impossible not to succumb to more tears as he'd tried to comfort her.
It was only a short drive to the house but it seemed to be taking forever. She'd never felt so cold, she'd never been so thirsty, and she had never wanted the comfort of a man's arms around her as she did at that moment, but not just any man's arms. She wanted Keith. She wanted to crawl into bed with him and stay snuggled against his chest until the sun rose in the morning.
"Here we are," he declared, pulling under the shelter of the portico. "I'm comin' around to get you."
"How are you feelin'?" Andy asked as she felt a shiver ripple through her body.
"Fine. Just cold."
"You're as white as a ghost," Andy remarked, studying her face. "You're not fine at all."
Keith opened the passenger door and Andy climbed out, but as Keith reached up to help Carly as she stepped down, her legs buckled and she literally fell into his arms. Carrying her to the front door, Elsie opened it as he approached, and her anxious face told him she was just as worried as he was.
"Take her into the first guest room. I've got everything ready."
Moving swiftly down the hall he entered the bedroom, and laying her down he could see a nasty gash beneath the tear in the sleeve of her jacket.
"Go into the kitchen and warm up some milk," Elsie said briskly. "Splash in some brandy, and make sure you knock when you come back."
COWBOY_His ranch. His rules. His secrets. Page 4