Cowboy's Bride

by Barbara McMahon

  She set the two glasses on the table and pulled out a chair, as far from him as she could get.

  "I'm hungry," he said after he pulled a long drink from the glass.

  She frowned. "I'm not your cook."

  He shrugged and stood, reaching for his hat.

  "I'll be back tomorrow then. See you."

  "Wait! Trace, where are you going?"

  "I'm hungry. If you're not going to feed me, I'll go home for lunch. I need to check on Becky anyway. But it's too long a drive to come back today and get anything done. I'll be back tomorrow."

  "Dammit, I'll fix you lunch!" She jumped up and crossed angrily to the refrigerator. He was pushing his luck. Just wait until she knew something about ranching. She'd tell him to take a flying leap. She hadn't come all the way from Boston to end up with some arrogant cowboy who thought she should wait on him hand and foot. Dammit, she was the boss—not him.

  "Mind if I use your phone while you fix it?" he asked, amusement dancing in his dark eyes.

  "No." She knew she was overreacting, but she was so mad she could spit. All she wanted to do was come out here and enjoy her ranch. Now she had a hot-blooded cowboy disturbing her beyond belief. One that didn't even like her and was constantly pointing out her shortcomings as far as ranching was concerned. All he wanted was her ranch, and she was catering to all his needs. First breakfast, now lunch. Did he expect dinner, too?

  For a moment she was distracted. Dinner. Quiet, with candles and maybe even a fire in the fireplace. It got cool here in the mountains at night. Even in May. After a nice meal, veal perhaps, or beef, they'd sip their wine, talk quietly. He'd kiss her again. Run his hands over her—

  "Ow!" She'd sliced her finger. No more daydreaming. Or if she did any, it had to be about the ranch, not some sexy cowboy.

  She set their places as Trace came back.

  "Your daughter okay?" she asked.

  "Fine."

  "And your ranch doesn't need you while you're here?" she asked as she began eating the luncheon-meat sandwich. She wished she'd had some real ham or roast beef. She needed to get to the store.

  Trace looked up, hesitated a moment. "I've got a good foreman."

  "Maybe you should run your own place and send him over here."

  "I prefer this setup."

  "I bet. Anytime you see me doing anything wrong, you can jump in with another offer to buy me out."

  "Maybe." He ate the light lunch, pleased with the hearty helpings she'd dished up.

  “You sure are talkative when you want to tell me what I can't do and everything I don't know. But trying to get you to tell me anything about yourself dries you up faster than an antihistamine."

  He blinked at her analogy and smiled. "What do you want to know, Kalli? I've told you the important stuff. I'm not married so an affair between us will hurt no one. I don't think you can make it on the ranch. Now, before you get all puffed up and addled, let me say it won't be for lack of trying. But it's just too much unless you've been born and bred to it. Philip was having a tough time, and he'd been doing it for years."

  "A lot of ranchers are very successful," she protested.

  "Yeah, and a lot go broke. Stay for a few days and learn all you can, but then look at it long and hard. I think you should accept my offer."

  He flicked her a glance, wondering when she would order him off the property. As soon as she could get a competent manager, he guessed. He had to make sure no one tried for the job. He had a vested interest in seeing the place managed properly. He didn't want the thing falling apart before he took over. It might take a little while to get rid of her, but she wouldn't stay. He knew all about city girls enamored with thoughts of ranches and cowboys, but the reality was too stark. Too far from parties and shops and good times, they had to leave. He could wait her out.

  Kalli nibbled on her sandwich as thoughts spun and tumbled around in her mind. She was extremely conscious of Trace sitting a few feet from her. Wondering. how long she could maintain this heightened sense of awareness, she remembered his words earlier. I want you.

  "—computers?" he asked.

  She blinked and stared at him. "What?"

  "I said, do you know much about computers?" He looked at her. What had she been thinking about?

  "A little. At the hospital we did all our records on than. Why?"

  "All the ranch records are on a computer. Philip put one in about four years ago. We can review the programs and you can get started in bringing your records up to date this afternoon. I'll get you started, then I really do have to head for home."

  She nodded, torn between wanting him to stay and the relief she knew she'd feel when he was gone. She needed time to get herself back on track. Decide exactly what she was going to do about him. She couldn't believe she was reacting so strongly, just because he was the sexiest thing she'd ever seen.

  "Let's get started. I don't want to hold you up from leaving," she said, jumping up and walking quickly from the room to the office she'd remembered from her summer visits.

  He was right behind her, and when she sank down in the chair behind the desk, he sat on the arm, his hip pressing against her, his body leaning over hers as he reached across to flick on the machine.

  Staring at the monitor as if it was a talisman, Kalli refused to give in to the urge to lean against him, to tilt her head back for a kiss and forget records and computers and the ranch. Instead, she listened as attentively as she could as he explained how to boot up and get into the program and how to select the different options for input and report generation.

  "I've got it," she said impatiently when he reviewed it all a second time. "How much information has to be put into it before it's up to date?"

  "Several months worth. I tried to keep up with it, but with my own ranch to run, it was just too much. Here are the receipts, payroll records, calving notes and bills yet to be paid. You can make a start. When you have everything in, let me know and we'll run some quick reports to make sure it's in right, then run a full set of records."

  "I can manage," she said, counting the minutes until he left. Until she could breathe normally, regain her customary heart rate and relax her tight control.

  "Yeah, I bet. See you tomorrow, then, Kalli." He rose and started across the room.

  "Trace?"

  "Yeah?" He paused in the doorway and looked back.

  "If I need to get you before you come over tomorrow, how do I call you?"

  "I'll give you my phone number. You can reach me there if I'm not here, or leave a message." He walked to the desk and scrawled his phone number on a piece of paper.

  "I won't call unless it's important, of course. I wouldn't want you to think I can't make it here," she said, tucking the paper safely into the top drawer.

  He smiled, "Yeah, right." He traced a knuckle down her cheek and nodded, leaving the room with the same graceful, liquid prowl she'd seen yesterday. God, he was sexy!

  3

  Determined to prove to Trace that she was capable of running a ranch, that she was not some innocent city woman who had come to be pampered, Kalli set her alarm for five the next morning. She'd be up, dressed and have breakfast ready when he arrived at six. She wasn't afraid of hard work. Nursing was often hard. The frantic pace of the emergency room left little time for taking things easy. If he thought she was used to just sitting around, she'd prove to him she could pull her own weight.

  All good intentions aside, she hadn't figured on being so sore and stiff! With a groan she rolled over and slammed her hand down on the alarm knob. Every inch of her body ached. She hurt in muscles she hadn't even known about, despite the anatomy courses in college. Sleep had been elusive during the night as she had tossed and turned and tried to get comfortable after her warm bath. Nothing worked.

  And it wasn't only her aching body that had kept sleep at bay. Her thoughts had revolved around Trace. How adamant he was about her not being able to stay. How he had looked sitting on a horse. How exciting his body had fel
t against hers when he'd kissed her by the corral. The last led to fantasies about future kisses, and that in turn led to erotic dreams of more than kissing when she did manage to sleep fitfully. All in all, a restless and uncomfortable night.

  Now it was five o'clock and he would be here in an hour and she wanted nothing so much as to roll over and sleep for another ten hours.

  Slowly she dragged herself out of bed. A quick shower revived her enough to get dressed. Knowing how hot the day would be, she braided her hair for coolness. Maybe she should get it cut, but its warmth would be welcomed in the cold winter months of Wyoming. And she rather liked it long.

  She'd think on it.

  Slowly she made her way to the kitchen. The first faint traces of dawn glimmered. The sky was lighter in the east, the faint outlines of the mountains barely discernible in the west. She measured coffee, started the machine and turned to get some eggs. She had to go shopping today. The few things she'd picked up on her way here had only been to tide her over, to give her a chance to scope out what the ranch held and make a list of all she needed. The light shopping she'd done certainly hadn't been enough to provide for Trace's hearty appetite as well.

  She should have made her list yesterday, or last night. But she had stayed at the computer until she was bleary- eyed and much too tired to think, much less plan meals and make a list of groceries. She'd have to make time today. Both to make the list and purchase the food.

  Right at six she heard the truck pull in and the engine cut off. Satisfied, she dished up the eggs and sausages and stacked the toast on another plate.

  "Good morning!" she said brightly as he walked in, pleased as punch at the look of disbelief on his face. It made all the painful effort worthwhile.

  "Morning. You been up all night?" he asked as he tossed his hat on the rack and sat on the chair he'd used yesterday.

  "No, just got up a little while ago. Dig in. We've lots to do today." She eased herself down in the chair and prayed the day's activities didn't include riding. Even the seat of the chair was uncomfortable.

  She watched him as he served himself from the platter, amazed at the strong pull of attraction she felt so early in the morning. Every inch ached, and all she could think was that one of his kisses would make everything better.

  Oh, great. She groaned internally. Was today to be a repeat of yesterday? Was she going to have to watch her every thought to make sure she didn't just throw herself against him and ask him to make love to her?

  "How far did you get with the records?" he asked.

  "Part way through February. There's a lot of stuff." Thank God he didn't suspect the wayward tendencies of her thoughts. She had to concentrate on ranch business.

  "Yeah. Philip was sick for a long time before I realized how bad things were. A lot of things slid. Then at the end, he couldn't do anything. He was behind when I stepped in and I never caught up."

  "Well, a few more marathon sessions like yesterday and I'll be caught up," she said with quiet confidence. Once she got the hang of everything, the organization had gone fast. But there was a lot of information still to input into the computer. And she didn't have a clue what she was going to do with all the information once she was finished. Maybe Trace would explain what she was to look for.

  "I thought today we'd ride out with Jose and Josh. You can get to know them, see how they work. We can check the fences and water holes at the same time. Give you a better feel for your land," Trace said easily. He glanced up in time to catch the grimace that crossed her face.

  "Problem with that?" he asked silkily. Was she still wanting to give orders? Was she going to fight his every suggestion?

  "No. No problem with that." She swallowed hard and thought about the aspirin and Motrin she'd need to take before they left. At least she'd be numb for part of the day. What would they say if she asked for a pillow for her saddle? She could just imagine.

  "I'll let the men know. We'll leave in fifteen minutes. Can you be ready by then?"

  "Of course."

  He smiled sardonically, knowing she'd never admit to any kind of weakness. He'd seen the careful way she was walking, sitting. She was feisty, his Kalli.

  His Kalli?

  Hell.

  He snatched his hat and stormed from the kitchen. She wasn't his. And he didn't want her, except maybe for a roll in the hay. She would be leaving soon, he'd make damn sure of that.

  Kalli scraped the dishes and soaked than in a sink full of water. She took the aspirin and grabbed her hat. Slowly walking to the barn, she tried to loosen her muscles. Maybe a longer soak in the tub last night would have helped. She'd been so smug about her riding yesterday. But it was obvious now that a couple of hours a week of riding in Boston had not prepared her for endless hours each day on a horse in Wyoming.

  She took a deep breath. She would not let these men know how much she hated riding with them today. She'd keep up with them if it was the last thing she did! There was no way she'd give Trace an opening to comment on her unsuitability, much as he might enjoy it.

  Jose and Josh had their horses saddled and Trace was just finishing with hers. She smiled at the men, struck by the odd atmosphere. The two cowboys appeared almost awkward. They tipped their hats and greeted her quietly, sending a sidelong glance to Trace. He ignored them, tightening the cinch and flipping the stirrup down.

  "Need a hand?" he asked as Kalli stepped up beside the sorrel gelding.

  The first thing she was going to do when she was more comfortable with being in charge was get a mounting block. Trace wouldn't be here every time she wanted to ride. She had to be self-sufficient. Though she wondered how she'd ever manage to toss the heavy saddle on a horse as high as this one.

  "Please."

  Trace watched her reach up for the saddle horn and took her foot when she stepped into his laced hands. Her hand burned into his shoulder as she steadied herself, holding on as if for dear life. For a long moment, time was suspended as she hovered between earth and horse, between today and yesterday. He found himself staring into her dark eyes. When his gaze dropped to her mouth, he remembered the sweet taste. He saw her draw a deep breath and hesitate. Flicking a quick glance to the others, he was relieved to see they were talking and not watching Kalli mount.

  "Get on the horse, Kalli," he said in a low, hoarse whisper.

  She scrambled for her seat, the heat that flooded her erasing the aches and pains of her sore muscles. She settled her hat in an effort to cover up the embarrassment she felt at Trace's knowing look. A quick glance at Jose and Josh assured her they had noticed nothing. Mounted and ready to ride, they sat easily in their saddles, talking quietly.

  The quartet moved out of the barn and to the east, picking up the pace as soon as they cleared the yard. Kalli clenched her teeth to keep back the groan she longed to give voice to. She could only hope that exercise would be the way to loosen the muscles and ease the pain.

  No one spoke as the horses loped across the early morning dew. The grass was green and lush, the sky a clear, deep blue, and behind them the granite spires of the Tetons shone like sparkling diamonds in the sun's rays.

  Kalli looked around her in delight. It was a perfect day and she was on her own ranch. Did life get any better?

  By late morning they had ridden the perimeter of two large sections, surveying all the fencing, getting a rough count of the cattle grazing, checking the watering holes, the ponds and the Snake River, which touched the property in a couple of places. These sources gave unlimited water to her cattle. The banks were checked for winter damage, but found to be sound.

  Kalli rode for a while with Jose and found out that, despite his Spanish name, he was third-generation Wyomingite and never had any desire to see the rest of the world.

  Mid-morning she traded places with Trace and partnered Josh. He was from California, had grown up on cattle ranches and then followed the rodeo circuit. When she found that out, she questioned him excitedly. He answered her questions with a laugh, amused by
her avid interest, drawing the conversation to a close saying, "Well, ma'am, almost every cowboy does a rodeo or two. Only the really good ones make any money at it. Like Trace."

  "Trace did rodeos?" She looked ahead where he and Jose discussed a section of fencing that needed repair. She could envision him riding some wild horse or bull.

  "Rode, ma'am. Trace rode the rodeos. And did damn well at it. He made big money before he quit. That's how he—" Tim closed his mouth and looked at Trace.

  "How he what?"

  He urged his horse faster, catching up with the two other men.

  "How he what?" Kalli repeated as she drew even with than, her eyes involuntarily going to Trace, even though she was still waiting for Josh's reply.

  "Trace, I was telling Kalli how you used to ride the rodeos," Tim said, almost desperately.

  Trace nodded, his eyes studying Kalli.

  "You didn't tell me," she said, holding his gaze.

  "Never came up."

  "Josh wouldn't tell me the rest," she said, her curiosity rampant.

  “That's how I made my living when I was younger. But it's a sport for the young. These old bones wouldn't stand for it now."

  She grinned. "Why, Trace, you don't look a day over forty." That ought to pay him back some for saying she wasn't up to ranching.

  "Forty! Hell, woman, I'm only thirty-four!"

  She laughed. "Excuse me. I thought you said you were old."

  "Too old for rodeoing. Are you here to learn about ranching or to insult me?"

  She caught her lower lip between her teeth, laughter still shimmering in her eyes. "Learn, oh wise elder." She giggled softly, daring him to ignore the humor.

  The soft lights in his eyes gave him away. But he turned to Jose and began laying out plans for replacing the section of fencing that leaned so far over it looked like it’d touch ground soon.

  Kalli listened with half an ear, wondering why Josh had looked so worried. Was there more to Trace's riding the rodeo than they wanted her to know? She was intrigued.