The Maverick Cowboy

by Kate Pearce

  “Just like me.”

  He hugged her then, he couldn’t stop himself. “You ran to the right place, honey.”

  A small black shape flitted through the shadows at the door, and the volume of noise coming from the kittens increased and then settled down again.

  “The mama came back,” Blue whispered. “Now we should go and leave them in peace.”

  He went still as she put her palm against his cheek, her blue gaze serious. “Maybe your mom will come back one day, too.”

  “Thanks. That would be awesome.”

  “I know.”

  He held her gaze. “You know I might be your dad, right?”

  She nodded solemnly.

  “And did you also know there are ways to find out if that’s true.”

  “You mean like DNA tests?”

  He nodded.

  “My other dad said he was going to get one and prove I wasn’t his kid.”

  “How would you feel about taking that test with me?”

  She bit her lip. “It would be okay, I suppose.” She suddenly scrambled off his lap. “I want to go in now.”

  “Sure.” Blue didn’t press her anymore. It was a lot for her to deal with already, and something had upset her. He wished he knew what it was or even how to ask. “You okay?”

  “Can we come and see the kittens again tomorrow?”

  He took her hand. “Absolutely. Now come on in and get back to bed.”

  She came with him willingly and he held the door into the house open for her, his finger to his lips to indicate she needed to keep quiet as she was near the parlor, where Ruth was watching TV. He pointed down at her ruined pink slippers.

  “Leave them here.”

  She frowned down at her feet and kicked them off.

  “Blue Boy Morgan, what are you doing creeping around at night?”

  “She always did have ears on elastic.” Blue cringed as Ruth came out of the parlor. He tried to hide Maria behind his back.

  “Sorry for disturbing you, Ruth. I went for a run, and now I’m going to shower and go to bed.”

  Ruth frowned and looked past him to the bottom of the stairs. “And why is Maria still up?”

  “It was my fault.” Blue turned fully toward Ruth. “There were new kittens in the barn, and I thought she might like to see them.”

  Ruth shook her head. “You haven’t changed a bit. Always too impatient. You make sure Maria gets to bed right now, then.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Ruth stomped back into the parlor and closed the door, leaving Blue staring down at Maria, who was fighting a smile.

  “She told you off good.”

  “Yeah. She’s had lots of practice.” He started up the stairs and Maria followed him. “You use the bathroom, and I’ll come and check up on you in a minute, okay?”

  He went and washed up and returned to her door, knocking first and waiting until she gave him permission to come in. She was already in bed with only the night-light on and her music playing quietly in the background. Feeling rather out of place in the new flowery pink and orange décor, he perched uneasily on the side of the bed, dislodging several plushies.

  “Thanks for not telling on me.” Maria patted his knee.

  “You’re welcome. Do you think you’ll be able to sleep now?”

  “After seeing the kittens? Yes.” Her smile was beautiful. “How about you?”

  “I think I’ll be fine.” He leaned in and gently kissed the top of her head. “Night, sweetheart.”

  “Night, Blue.” She hesitated. “If we do the test thing . . .”

  “Yeah?”

  “And I’m not your daughter either, will you kick me out?”

  Blue reached out a hand to her. “Honey—”

  She swallowed hard and looked away from him. “That was a silly thing to say. I know you can’t answer it.”

  “I can’t, but I understand why you asked. Having one dad bail on you means you don’t want to have to go through it again with another one, right?”

  She nodded. Suddenly her reluctance to interact with him made a whole lot more sense.

  “All I can tell you is this. If you are my daughter, I’ll be one hundred percent your dad. If you aren’t, we’ll find a way to make sure you get everything you need in this life to succeed anyway, okay?” He grimaced. “I’m not great with words, Maria, but if I say something you can guarantee I mean it.”

  “That’s what Billy said about you, too.” She yawned and covered her mouth. “I’m all sleepy.”

  “Then go to sleep, darlin’.” He stood up. “I’ll call Jenna in the morning and ask her to come and see if the kittens are okay.”

  “Okay.”

  She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes and was almost asleep before he even reached the door. She’d said more to him during the last hour than she had during the past weeks. But he got it now. She was guarding her heart against the potential disappointment of another father failure.

  Blue went into his bedroom and contemplated a shower before deciding he’d be in more trouble with Ruth if he woke everyone up with gurgling Victorian plumbing at two in the morning. On impulse he got out his cell and typed a quick text to Jenna.

  Hope all went well with Big Mac?

  He was just about to get into bed when his phone buzzed and lit up.

  They were awesome about everything. Thanks for checking in on me.

  He smiled down at the screen like a besotted idiot. Who was he kidding? He was besotted. He wanted this woman. For the first time in his life he was willing to rearrange his schedule to make things right not just for Maria, but for Jenna as well.

  You’re welcome. Come up to ranch tomorrow? We have new kittens in the barn.

  Will do. I might as well live up there these days.

  LOL

  Hell, I wish you did.

  Blue stared at what he’d typed and then across at his empty bed. He imagined Jenna spread out on it, her hair loose around her shoulders and her arms wrapped around him as he . . .

  Yeah right, only because it would cut your vet bills if I was on staff.

  True, but I was thinking about more personal things. He waited but there was no reply, so he typed again. Like you in my bed.

  Still no reply.

  You still there?

  Yes. Just wondering if I have enough gas to make it out to the ranch right now. LOL

  Blue slowly exhaled. I could come get you.

  Again the wait felt like hours.

  Blue ...

  He could almost hear the sigh in her text. He knew he wasn’t being fair, but after his conversation with Maria and the nightmares he knew were waiting for him as soon as he closed his eyes, he wanted to be held by someone who cared for him.

  Wow, he was not only arrogant but a complete wuss. He’d been telling her for weeks that having a relationship wasn’t on his schedule, and now just because he was feeling vulnerable he expected her to come running. He typed fast, his thumbs flying.

  It’s okay. Just kidding. I know you’ve had a hell of a day. I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep tight.

  He switched off his phone, stripped off his running gear, and climbed into his big, lonely bed. The cotton sheets smelled of lavender and the outdoors where they were hung to dry. He buried his nose in the pillow and inhaled the comforting scents of his childhood.

  At least he’d made a connection with Maria, and he understood where she was coming from a lot better. He wasn’t sure what he would’ve done if Billy had introduced a new mother to his kids. He suspected he would’ve reacted pretty much the same as Maria—convinced that this one might go away or stop loving him, too.

  Poor little girl.

  He closed his eyes and focused on how Maria’s face had lit up when she’d seen the kittens and how it had felt to hold her in his arms. Those were good things. Hopefully they’d be enough to keep the nightmares away.

  * * *

  Jenna stared at Blue’s last text until the letters danced a
round. Talk about a speedy retreat and shutdown. She couldn’t complain that he hadn’t picked up on her uncertainty and acted accordingly. Who would’ve thought he would be so considerate?

  She texted him back.

  Sure, see you tomorrow, night Blue.

  Nothing came back, but she wasn’t surprised. Blue Morgan was always decisive. So why was he up at two in the morning like she was? She at least had an excuse. Her uncle had listened quietly to everything she’d told him about Mark Lymond’s mare and at the end said she’d done nothing wrong and that he was proud of her. She’d almost collapsed in a heap.

  He’d also promised to forgo his daily game of golf and visit the Lymond place to talk to Mark the next day. She’d offered to go with him but he’d declined, saying he could handle Mark Lymond. She didn’t doubt he could.

  There was still no reply from Blue and she scrolled back to read his texts again. He wanted her in his bed . . .

  “Rats.”

  Jenna lay down and stared up at the ceiling. Like she was going to sleep now when Blue Morgan wanted her in his bed.

  “He changed his mind, McDonald. He went to sleep like you should be doing. He doesn’t have time for a real relationship.” Jenna said the words aloud mainly to convince herself they were true. Her eyes refused to close. She did have enough gas to get to the ranch in the morning. Just about.

  “Double rats.”

  She sat up and threw back the covers. The fact that he’d told her that he wanted her indicated he wasn’t as hard-assed or as certain as he claimed. He’d been overseas. Maybe he was awake because his dreams were troubled. Heck, they’d seen enough blood today to give her nightmares, let alone him.

  She put a fleece over her top, found her keys, and tiptoed down the stairs to the kitchen where her boots and socks sat by the back door alongside her medical bag. She wasn’t really going to do this—was she? Her? Jenna McDonald, Miss Keep Out Of Trouble and Don’t Disturb the Peace?

  She fired up the engine of her truck and soon found herself approaching the circular drive in front of the Morgan ranch house. What if Ruth called the cops? Would Nate have to arrest her for breaking and entering?

  “What the hell am I doing?” she whispered as she clambered out of the truck. “I’m really making a booty call on an ex-Marine who doesn’t even know I’m coming?”

  Her feet kept moving forward even as her brain objected. She went through into the hallway between the kitchen and the mudroom. All was quiet apart from the ticking of the big old clock in the parlor. The smell of peaches and sugar drifted in from the kitchen, and another qualm of doubt shook through her.

  This was Ruth’s home. She was behaving totally inappropriately.

  She took off her boots and padded slowly up the stairs, pausing on the landing in a strip of silver moonlight to work out which door was Blue’s. She knew which room belonged to January and Chase and which one was Maria’s. That left three more, including a bathroom. It would certainly be embarrassing if she ended up climbing into bed with Ruth.

  She walked slowly along the hallway, the old house creaking and settling around her, and studied each door as she passed. She smiled into the darkness when she read a plaque with Blue’s name burned into the wood, which must have hung there since his childhood.

  The door opened quietly under her hand and she went inside. Blue hadn’t drawn the drapes and his bed was clearly visible, as was his shape sprawled out on the pillows. She hesitated, biting her lip. Something told her that walking up to a combat veteran and tapping him on the shoulder while he slept might not end well for either of them. Particularly her.

  “Blue?”

  “What the f—?” He sat up so fast she jumped and her back hit the door as he scrabbled for a weapon she hoped he didn’t have.

  After a few seconds he looked her way. She still couldn’t see his face.

  “Jenna?”

  She briefly closed her eyes. This had been the most stupid idea of her entire life. Even more stupid than finding her birth parents. And potentially just as humiliating.

  “Hey.” She smiled even though she knew he probably couldn’t see her properly. “I had enough gas. To get here, I mean, but—”

  Oh God, he was coming toward her, moving like a big cat, and he smelled rumpled and delicious and he was completely naked and . . .

  He put his hand beside her head on the door panel and leaned in to study her face.

  “Am I dreaming this? Because you look damn real.” His gaze dropped down to her torso. “Although if this was a dream I’m pretty sure you would be naked and not wearing fleece pants with ponies on them. What is it with those ponies? Maria loves them, too.”

  Her knees were threatening to give way just at the sound of his sleep-roughened voice. She reached out and cupped his jaw, feeling the brush of stubble against her palm, and almost died of lust.

  “I know this isn’t a good time, and—”

  He kissed her very gently and she forgot how to form words as her arms went around his neck. With a soft sound, he gathered her close until she knew exactly how happy he was to see her.

  “Come to bed, Jenna. Please.”

  She let him take her hand and lead her over to his bed, where the patchwork quilt had been pulled back to reveal the white sheets beneath. He laid her down, kissing each patch of skin he revealed as he slowly undressed her. When his mouth closed over her breast, she shuddered and threaded her fingers through his short hair to hold him exactly where she wanted him.

  His hands roamed over her, touching and exploring as she moved against him and explored him herself. He was all hard lean muscle, so sleek and high performance that she could feel every sinuous stretch and curve of him flowing over and around her.

  His hand slipped between her thighs and she moaned into his mouth as he discovered her slick welcome and slid one finger deep inside her.

  “Beautiful Jenna,” he murmured against her lips as his thumb settled over her as well, setting up a rhythm that made her rock into his touch seeking more. “Even better than my dreams.”

  She opened her eyes, wanting to see him, and found him waiting for her, his blue gaze narrowed and focused entirely on her and her pleasure.

  “Do you want me, Jenna?”

  “Yes.”

  He kissed her again, this time more possessively, while somehow managing to lean over, open his bedside drawer, and find protection. Her hand drifted down from the hardness of his ass around his hip to grasp his shaft, and he hissed a curse.

  “Dammit, Jenna, keep doing that and it will be all over.”

  She grinned up at him. “You’re a Marine. You’re supposed to be one of the tough guys.”

  “Not when you’re touching me.” He sheathed himself and then slid home, both of them catching their breath as her body gave way to him. “God, I don’t think I can . . .”

  He started moving and she drew her feet up to clasp his hips as he rocked into her, one hand palming her ass, pressing her even closer into each thrust.

  “Ah . . . Jenna, I’m . . .”

  He thrust one last time and came, his arms braced on either side of her, his expression somewhere between desperate and horrified, which made her want to laugh. He remained over her, his breathing gradually returning to normal, and he looked her right in the eyes.

  “I can’t believe I did that.”

  She shrugged. “It’s okay. A lot of guys can’t manage more than a minute.”

  “I’ve never—” He stopped speaking and considered her. “Are you laughing at me?”

  “I might be.” She heaved a sigh. “I came all this way to see you and then I find I might not have bothered to come at all.”

  Silence and then he shifted slightly.

  “Hold that thought.”

  She nodded as he pulled away and sorted himself out. She didn’t make any attempt to move and just waited for his return.

  He climbed onto the bed and straddled her, his blue eyes silver in the moonlight. “I can’t have yo
u coming all this way and being disappointed, can I?”

  “Life is full of disappointments. Some men are just terrible in the sack. It’s okay, you’re still beautiful on the outside.”

  With a growl, he nipped her stomach and then moved lower, his wide shoulders spreading her thighs. And then his mouth was on her most precious parts, and God she was moaning and writhing as he added his fingers and everything dissolved into the kind of fiery bliss she’d only read about in romance novels.

  After a while, when he’d reduced her to begging, he covered himself again and reintroduced her to his cock, and things got even better. This time when he eventually came she was with him, and that was the most extraordinary sensation of all.

  With a deep groan, he rolled onto his back, and she draped herself bonelessly over him.

  “Better?”

  She managed a faint moan.

  “Because we can try it again if it wasn’t up to your exacting standards.”

  “Overachiever.”

  “Exactly.” He kissed her throat and wrapped an arm low around her hips. “Thanks for coming.”

  She bit his shoulder and he pretended to groan and then she fell suddenly and unexpectedly asleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  Blue opened one eye and studied the curve of a very feminine throat and a tangle of reddish brown hair.

  Not a dream, then.

  Jenna McDonald was curled up beside him in his bed and he’d had the best night’s sleep in months. Maybe even years. He figured from the extreme angle of the sun that it was just about dawn.

  “Jenna,” he murmured into her ear. “Are you awake?”

  Which was a stupid question as she was snoring like one of Roy’s piglets, but he was trying to be diplomatic.

  Her eyes flew open and fixed on him.

  “Oh God. I actually did it, didn’t I?”

  “You certainly did.” He kissed her nose.

  “I crept into your grandmother’s house and ravished a serving member of the military.” She pulled the sheet over her head. “You’re a trained professional, right? Will you just kill me now?”