“She doesn’t need someone like your brother. She needs someone who understands her. Someone who will risk everything for her.” Henry rubbed at his thigh and inclined his head toward the valley to their right now bathed in the bright morning light. “Walk with me.”
Cordell nodded and walked beside him, matching his slow pace. What had he been thinking bringing Payton into the conversation? Sleep deprivation was no excuse for acting on the impulse to make sure Henry didn’t send any more would-be suitors in Payton’s direction. Losing focus and allowing his emotions to sidetrack him wasn’t going secure him the land that now rolled before him in a sea of windblown green.
Henry stopped at the edge of the driveway and together they stared out at the empty pastures dotted with pine trees instead of glossy-coated cattle.
“The land’s yours,” Henry said in a husky voice, without looking at him.
Cordell remained silent for a moment. “Just like that?”
“Yup.” Still Henry didn’t make eye contact. “Take it or leave it.”
“I’ll take it.”
A smile touched Henry’s mouth as he turned toward him.
“I thought so. There’s two conditions.”
“Name them.”
“Payton’s chocolate-chip cookies.”
He handed the container of cookies to Henry. “And?” He clenched his teeth. He already knew what was coming.
“There’s an old cabin but it’s inhabitable. The quickest way in, apart from through here, is the gate you passed on your way from Payton’s.”
“So when I return in a week, you want me to stay at Beargrass Hills Ranch?”
“Yes and I want you to pay board. Payton needs the money. She has a heart as generous as her mother’s so she’ll refuse to accept payment but I’m counting on you to make sure she takes it.”
“Done.” He matched Henry’s brusque tone. “But I’m putting it on record that it doesn’t matter how much time we spend together, I won’t ever be right for Payton.”
“Maybe and maybe not. One person who isn’t right for her is Rhett Dixon.” Henry shook his head. “Now there’s a set of twins that couldn’t be more different. Rhett could do with some of his twin sister’s sense. Kendall’s just as worried about their sick mother but she knows better than to hang around those troublesome Taylor boys.” Henry paused and held out his hand. “So shall I expect to hear from your city-lawyer this afternoon?”
Cordell shook Henry’s hand. “Yes, I’ll call him on my way out.”
But as his arm lowered to his side and he gazed out at the foothills that were now his, unease shouldered aside his relief. He’d secured the land he needed but at a price.
He’d be living with the one woman he had to stay away from.
Chapter Four
‡
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Trinity said, her words ending in a drawn-out sigh.
Payton didn’t have to look up from scanning the rodeo program to know her friend salivated over a man. Trinity had only come to the 76th Copper Mountain Rodeo for one thing – cowboys. Luckily Payton had come for the events. She read the list once again. She’d run late helping a cow calve and if Trinity and Mandy didn’t stop dawdling to look at the masculine scenery they’d never make it to the main arena to catch the tie-down roping.
“I hear you,” Mandy replied from Payton’s left, a dreamy note in her voice. “Come on Pay, take a look. You can’t be all work and no play. The view will make your day.”
Payton sighed. She’d have no peace until she threw a token glance toward the cowboy. She looked up from the program. “You guys, the only thing that will make –” Her jaw dropped.
The cowboy, dressed in jeans, chaps and a blue western shirt, who tied a black horse to the side of a trailer was the last person she’d expected to see.
Cordell.
Mandy giggled. “Trinity, mark this day. Payton’s mouth is hanging open and she isn’t checking out a nice piece of horseflesh. Eliza might be on the other side of the world honeymooning in Australia, but I’m going to have to call her.”
Cheeks burning, Payton snapped her mouth shut. “No, you don’t. Leave Eliza and Seth in peace. It’s not what you think.”
“So tell us what it is like, then,” Mandy said with a raised fine brow.
“That’s Cordell.”
“You know him?” Trinity asked, green eyes round. “Because I can guarantee he’s not from around here.”
“He’s not. That’s the cowboy leasing Henry’s land.”
Mandy grabbed her arm. “The one staying with you.”
“Yes. Three doors down the hall.”
“We are so having a girls’ night in at your place,” Mandy said. “How does next Friday sound?”
Payton laughed. “No way. I’m not sitting through one of those chick flicks with you again. But I might consider cooking dinner one night if you let go of my arm before I lose all feeling in my fingers.”
“Sorry,” Mandy said with an unrepentant grin, releasing her. “I can’t believe you were holding out on us.”
“I wasn’t. I told you about him.”
“You did, but you left out a few important details.” The laughter in Trinity’s eyes dimmed. “He might look good in his Wrangler jeans but is he a good guy? You shouldn’t be out there alone with him, if he isn’t. When are Joe and Maria back?”
“Joe and Maria won’t be back for another week but it’s fine, Trin. I can take care of myself. And, yes, he’s a good guy. I wasn’t expecting him for a couple more days. I guess that’s why I looked … surprised.”
A dimple flickered in Trinity’s cheek as she smiled. “Yes, the expression on your face was pure … surprise.”
“Don’t look now,” Mandy said, “but your gorgeous, good guy is staring at us.”
“He’s not my guy. You both know I’ve only time for my ranch.” Despite her words, fresh heat surged in her face as Cordell lifted a hand in a brief wave. “Now you two, behave,” she warned as he strode toward them.
Cordell’s smiling blue eyes touched each of them in greeting before he doffed his felt hat at her. “Payton.”
“Hi.” She quickly spoke, even knowing her voice would emerge far too high. She was pretty sure Trinity and Mandy, for once, would be speechless. A man shouldn’t look so damn fine.
“Cordell, these are my good friends, Trinity,” Payton inclined her head toward the smiling brunette on her right, and then toward the beaming blonde to her left, “and Mandy.”
“It’s nice to meet you both.” He smiled a crooked grin. “Great job getting Payton off the ranch and away from her cows.”
“Hey, I like my cows.”
But her words were lost beneath Trinity’s and Mandy’s breathless giggles.
Just. Perfect. Her two besties were already besotted. And they hadn’t even seen what Cordell looked like on a horse yet.
Trinity cast an eye over Payton’s conservative small belt buckle and her plainly stitched boots. “We’re still working on her wardrobe but we are making progress. She wore a dress last weekend.”
Cordell’s mouth curved. “I know.”
The dark flash of appreciation in his eyes caused Payton’s toes to curl.
She silenced a groan as Trinity’s and Mandy’s bright and curious gazes centered on her. As soon as they were alone, Payton would be in for a grilling. There were a few details about Cordell she hadn’t yet mentioned, least of all how they’d met and what she’d worn.
“So,” she said, tone firm trying to regain control of the conversation, “what brings you to the 76th Copper Mountain Rodeo? I didn’t think you were due in town for another day or so.”
‘I wasn’t but seeing as I’ll be working cattle soon I thought I’d freshen up my roping skills.” He paused. “I did leave a message on your ranch phone. I don’t have your cell number.”
“Sorry, with Maria away I keep forgetting to check for messages.”
“No problem, I only exp
ected a call if it didn’t suit for me to arrive today.”
She nodded and forced herself to hold his gaze. She’d forgotten how crystal clear his blue eyes were and how strong the line of his jaw. Her fingers had the sudden urge to trace the stubble-blurred curve from his chin to his mouth. She jammed her hands into her jeans pockets and forced her breathing to slow. She’d soon have some explaining to do. Her friends would know when she was flustered. And when it came to the cowboy in front of her, all he seemed to do was upset her rock-steady equilibrium.
Trinity looped her arm through Mandy’s and pulled her away from Payton’s side.
“Nice to meet you, Cordell,” she said, “good luck in the tie-down roping. We’ll make sure we cheer for you.” Trinity glanced at Payton, her eyes innocent. “Mandy and I need to catch up with Selah over there and we’ll meet you in the stands.”
Then before she could even assemble the words, “I’m coming with you,” Trinity and Mandy had walked away.
Payton looked back at Cordell and found his intent gaze on her.
She wet her dry lips. At least her precious cows never left her alone with a cowboy whose smile scrambled her thoughts. Wait until she saw Trinity and Mandy. They’d already caught up with dark-haired Selah Davis as they’d been talking to the gorgeous Seattle journalist when Payton had arrived. Selah had returned to cover the rodeo for her women’s magazine, Charisma.
“How’s the calf doing?” Cordell asked, voice low and casual.
“Good, thanks.” Then realizing her reply sounded far too formal, she smiled. “You won’t believe how much he’s grown.”
“I bet he has. He was a greedy little critter.”
Cordell’s words were warm but still a strange seriousness tempered his gaze. It was as though he was as uncertain as she was about being alone with her. Get real. Cordell might not stay around for long but when it came to women his cowboy swagger and grin would leave a trail of languishing hearts behind.
She searched for something to say. “When are you expecting Luke’s cattle?”
“In two days. That will give me a chance to check Henry’s fences and water.” His eyes examined hers. “Are you sure it’s okay me arriving early?”
She ensured her expression remained neutral. She’d counted on the extra days to make sure her self-control would be watertight. But if her earlier open-mouthed reaction at seeing him was any indication she’d have needed extra weeks.
When Cordell had returned her father’s sheepskin jacket and asked if he could bunk with her while he leased Henry’s land, she’d agreed. Her self-preservation had hyper-ventilated at the thought of him staying longer than one night but Beargrass Hills Ranch was the logical location to base himself. The starving cattle would need attention and time and Cordell would be close enough to provide both.
“It’s fine. You’ll just have to suffer my cooking and sleeping in the main house until Maria and Joe are back next week. Joe can then tinker with the windmill so there’ll be running water at the bunkhouse again.”
“Sounds like a good plan. I’ll be coming and going at all hours and so won’t disturb you over there. But you don’t need to cook for me while I’m in the main house. I’ll take care of myself.”
She frowned. “That doesn’t seem fair. I feel bad enough as it is about accepting money for having you stay. How about if you cook, you don’t pay board?”
Cordell’s jaw hardened. “We went over this before I left. I’m staying and so I’ll pay.”
She slipped her hands from out of her jeans pockets. Now she was on familiar ground and in her comfort zone. Arguing with a strong-willed cowboy she could handle. It was the uncertainty and confusion she felt around him that ruined her composure.
“Actually, I don’t think we resolved our earlier discussion.”
“Yes. We did. I’m paying.”
A horse’s impatient whinny punctuated his words.
Cordell turned to look at his trailer.
“That would be His Lordship telling me to get a move on. I’d best get him saddled and warmed up.”
“Outside the main arena there’s a smaller space where you can put him through his paces.”
“Thanks.” Cordell pushed his hat brim a little higher so their eyes could fully meet. “Listen Payton, you know I have to pay, as well as stay. That was part of Henry’s conditions to lease his land.”
“I know, as I said before he’s such a rogue. Thank you again for being honest with me.” She sighed. “I still don’t feel comfortable about you paying but I concede defeat … this time.”
*
“Mossy, stop looking at me like that,” Cordell said as he approached his restless horse. “Yes, I talked to Payton for too long. And yes, I need to stay away from her.”
Mossy’s ears flattened and he aimed a kick at Cordell that would have hit a fly on a wall. He automatically side-stepped Mossy’s hoof. The horse’s show of bad temper was nothing but a game, a game that could still leave him bruised if he didn’t keep his wits about him.
He collected Mossy’s saddle blanket and saddle from inside the trailer. And it wouldn’t only be Mossy’s teeth or hooves that would pack a wallop if he didn’t concentrate. His own conscience would give him a hiding if he lost sight of why he’d come to Marietta. The five days away from Montana had in no way diluted his response to Payton.
When her friends had left the two of them alone, he’d been strangely tongued-tied. For a man never lost for words, all it took was tousled brown hair and the tight hug of faded denim and he was as incoherent as a schoolboy. And it had to stop. Once at Beargrass Hills he’d keep himself so busy their paths wouldn’t cross. Thanks to old Henry, they might be living in close proximity but he’d meant what he’d said that Payton deserved better than him.
He exited the trailer, saddle blanket and saddle slung over his arm. Hooves drummed to his left and he swung around. Rodeos would test an anxious horse. The crackle of the loudspeaker or the squeal of an excited child could all trigger a horse’s instinct to run.
He tensed as he caught sight of a riderless bay galloping toward him. Stirrups flapping and reins dragging, the horse ducked and weaved through the thin crowd as he headed for the open space of where the trailers congregated. Cordell dumped the saddle, reached into the trailer to grab Mossy’s half-full feed bucket and glanced in the direction Payton had walked. His mouth dried. She stood talking to Henry near a goose-neck trailer, both of their backs toward the runaway horse.
A scream sounded. He high-tailed it over to the dirt road along which the horse travelled. A young mother, a chubby baby on her hip, abandoned the pram she was pushing to run behind a trailer as the horse bore down on them. The horse clipped the navy pram as he sped by and it toppled over.
Cordell stepped onto the road, making sure he didn’t fully block the frightened horse’s escape route. Talking softly he called to the bay, held out the bucket and then shook it so the rattle of grain sounded. The horse didn’t slow or appear to notice him standing there. Cordell remained where he was. Shoulders relaxed and voice calm, he continued to call to the horse and shake the bucket. Just when he thought the bay would race past, the gelding swung around to face him and pulled to a jarring stop. Head high, he snorted, his sweat-darkened flanks quivering.
“Steady boy,” Cordell crooned.
The horse took one and then two steps toward him and sank his nose into the bucket. He snatched a mouthful of grain and then flung up his head. Knowing one sudden move or sound would spook the horse, Cordell remained still. The horse again snorted and lowered his head to the grain. The bay took a step closer and this time he didn’t lift his head as he ate.
Cordell touched the hot and damp skin of the horse’s neck and eased his hand forward to secure the loose reins.
Boots pounded on the ground and Cordell shook his head to stop a white-faced youth from rushing over to the horse.
“It’s okay,” he said gently, “give him a little longer to settle.”
&nb
sp; The youth nodded and bent to rest his elbows on his knees to catch his breath.
When satisfied the horse wasn’t going to bolt, Cordell led him over to the youth who accepted the reins with a shaky smile. “Thanks so much. It’s his first rodeo and a kid popped a balloon near him.”
“I thought so,” Cordell said with a smile, “he’s just a young un’. Go easy with him past those flags.”
He watched the gelding walk behind his owner as they headed toward two flags attached to the arena fence and that fluttered high above the trailers. As the gelding shied sideways, a tall, well-built cowboy came to the youth’s side and took hold of the horse’s reins.
Cordell caught the youth’s relieved, “Thanks, Levi,” before he turned away to carry the feed bucket over to his trailer and continue to saddle Mossy.
*
Payton didn’t know where to look. Palms cold, she glanced over to where Cordell was saddling his horse as if nothing had happened. Beside her, Henry stared at the toppled pram, his shoulders bowed and his face pale beneath his tan.
She touched his arm. “Henry, there was no baby in the pram, remember? We thought there was and then we saw the mother carrying the baby behind the trailer.”
Henry nodded, but the tension etching his face in sharp and strained lines didn’t lessen. Anna and Henry had never been blessed with children and Henry had a soft spot for calves and foals. Seeing the pram tip over and for a brief time assuming a baby had been inside, had scared him. And he wasn’t the only one.
She willed her heart to stop racing. It hadn’t only been a possible baby in the pram whom she’d felt fear for.
“What was Cordell thinking?” she muttered through clenched teeth.
Henry cleared his throat beside her. “He was always going to be okay. He has a way with horses.”
“A way with horses? I’d call it a death wish. I mean who steps out in front of a runaway horse like that?”
“Pay, he wasn’t right in front of the horse. It just looked like he was from this angle.”
Anger trembled in her hands. “I don’t care where he stood. He could have been … hurt.”
Cherish Me, Cowboy (Montana Born Rodeo Book 2) Page 4