Kyle (Riding Hard Book 6)

by Jennifer Ashley

  “Come on.” He held his hand down to Anna.

  She caught it, scrambling upward to the top. Anna hauled herself over the edge, Kyle assisting, and landed on her back on prickly grass, staring up at the stars.

  The stars were blotted as Kyle leaned to kiss her. The kiss was swift, fierce, hard. Before Anna could gather herself to respond, he was up, helping her to her feet.

  Together they jogged across rocky ground to where the calf lay below the lip of the wall.

  Kyle dropped to his belly, scooting to the edge. “This won’t be easy. But I have to try.”

  Anna knew he would. She’d witnessed his vast compassion since this crazy relationship had started—for Sherrie and her horse tangled in the trailer; for Tina; for Lucy, having to face a nosy town when her life was falling apart; and now for a forgotten calf, trapped and terrified.

  Anna had tried to despise Kyle for being a bull rider, a rodeo star, but she’d never been able to make it stick. She’d been wrong, she was pleased to admit. Kyle was like no man she’d ever met.

  And he’d just asked her to marry him. She was still reeling from that.

  They worked together to free the calf as though they’d been a team for years. Anna held on to Kyle’s legs as he inched his way forward and leaned over the lip of the cliff to find the calf. The calf cried out in hope and began to scramble.

  Anna quickly passed Kyle ropes. He had the beast tied, four legs tamed, with the quickness of a champion. Then came the tricky part of hauling the calf upward.

  Anna’s heart beat thick and fast, but she made herself remain calm, holding Kyle steadily as the calf thrashed and churned. She watched in cold fear, expecting Kyle to lose hold of the ropes, for the calf to fall to its death, pulling Kyle with it.

  Kyle hauled the calf up, inch by inch. The calf ceased struggling after a time and went limp, as though finally understanding it was in good hands.

  “It just gained forty pounds,” Kyle said between his teeth. “Can you help me here?”

  Anna got down on her stomach beside him, laying half on top of him, their four arms outstretched, hands holding fast to the ropes. They eased the calf upward in tiny increments, until finally, finally, its head and neck came over the lip of the cliff.

  Kyle reached down and caught the calf in his arms, and Anna caught Kyle. They rolled upward together, the calf smelling of mud, sweat, and fear. All three came to rest in a huddle, out of breath and trembling.

  “Not sure this is what Tina meant by a three-way,” Anna muttered.

  “What?” Kyle started to laugh. “A stinky three-way.” Somehow his lips found Anna’s, and he kissed her in joy, relief, exhaustion. “We’re good together, Anna Lawler.”

  “Yeah,” Anna said softly. “Yeah, we are.”

  She lay back in his arms, cradling the calf, who had settled into her. Kyle held Anna securely, his heart pounding against her back.

  “Beautiful night,” he said into her ear.

  The moon was high, at the three quarter mark, rendering the hills and rocks silver. The stars spread out around it, the Dippers surrounding the faint North Star, the bright roundness of planets strung in a line like pearls.

  “Yes,” Anna whispered back, and she turned and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Beautiful.”

  Kyle entered the diner two nights later, sweat trickling from his temples, worried he was late.

  He wasn’t—he was early, because they weren’t ready for him. Mrs. Ward sent him an indulgent if stern look and told him to park himself out of the way.

  Kyle hadn’t seen Anna since the daring rescue of the calf in Welk’s Canyon. They’d taken the poor thing to Callie’s rehab ranch, Anna holding it on her lap in the back of the truck all the way. Tina had sat beside her, as worried as any mother.

  The calf had proved to be unhurt, only needing a little TLC. Anna had made sure it was warm and comfortable, then had a long talk with Tina, explaining the difficulty of keeping a calf—which would grow into a large bull—as a pet.

  Since Tina lived in a trailer with her mother on a tiny patch of land, she conceded they had no room for it. Anna, because she was Anna, said the little guy could stay at the rehab ranch as long as Tina wanted, where it would be well taken care of. Tina could visit any time she liked.

  Tina readily went along with this. Kyle knew damn well Anna was going to pay for the calf’s feed, board, and vet care, and she’d do it without worry.

  “Tina’s good with animals,” Anna said to Kyle after they’d settled the calf and dropped Tina off at home. “I’ll suggest to Callie that she volunteers at the ranch. It will give her something to do, teach her skills, and keep her away from guys like Virgil. You’re right, she is a nice young woman.”

  And you are an angel, Kyle thought but didn’t say.

  He’d driven her home and given her a long kiss on her porch, but she’d been dropping with exhaustion. As much as Kyle craved her, he saw her inside then went home and let her sleep.

  Ray, Ross, and the others had found the cattle. The cattle had made it easy for them, because after roaming around all day on other ranchers’ lands, they headed back to the canyon. They’d been fed and sheltered there, and saw no reason why they wouldn’t be fed there again.

  The cowboys had spent all night figuring out whose steers were whose. Not one had actually belonged to the Hayneses. They’d stolen them all. Ross and his deputies had gone to arrest them.

  Ray told Kyle that Virgil and Blake had vanished from their ranch, leaving poor Jarrod holding the bag. Jarrod, understandably pissed off, had ratted them out in exchange for a more lenient sentence.

  When state troopers picked up Blake and Virgil trying to cross the border into Mexico, they impounded Blake’s pickup, and Ross was able to get the dash cam and its feed. He happily added reckless endangerment and fleeing the scene of an accident to the long list of Blake’s charges.

  That was the end of the Hayneses. Kyle figured Virgil would lawyer them up, but Ross was fairly confident they’d plead for reduced sentences.

  Mrs. Ward and her daughters were fixing up the end of the diner the way Kyle had asked, but Kyle twitched as he waited. He tried to help a couple times, but was driven off and told to stay out of the way.

  Kyle went outside into the gathering darkness and paced.

  Three people crossed the parking lot to him, two adults and a child. The tall man was Ray, body bulking out his button-down shirt, hat pulled to his eyes.

  Next to him was the dark-haired young woman Kyle had seen Ray with in the diner, and her daughter.

  “Kyle.” Ray nodded at him. “What you doing out here? Food’s in there.” He pointed at the diner’s lighted windows.

  The little girl laughed in delight. “Good one, Ray.”

  Ray, his crabby, bossy, older brother, looked goofily pleased.

  “This is Drew,” Ray said without waiting for Kyle’s answer.

  Kyle stuck out his hand. “Great to finally meet you, Drew. I’ve heard absolutely nothing about you—at least, not from my own brother.”

  Drew gave Kyle a sparkling smile as she clasped his hand in a surprisingly firm grip. “Ray can be a little quiet.” Drew put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “This is Erica.”

  Kyle took Erica’s hand and winced at her enthusiastic shake. “How do you do, Erica? I’m Kyle Malory, Ray’s much nicer younger brother.”

  “That’s not what he says,” Erica said with pre-teen frankness as she released him. “But I think Ray’s pretty nice. You know, for an old guy.”

  Kyle grinned at Ray. “I like her.” He turned back to Drew. “I hope I can get to know you better. You know, like actually talk to you, have a better conversation than Ray’s cryptic grunts when I ask him a question.”

  Drew gave him a teasing look. “I know what you mean, because he does the same thing whenever I ask about you. The B&B is non-functioning at the moment, but we could have a cookout sometime. With—” She craned her head to look around, but no one else was
in the parking lot. “Whoever you want to bring.”

  “Dr. Anna,” Erica said. “It’s Dr. Anna, right? That’s who you’re meeting tonight, I bet. You’re all dressed up.”

  Kyle wore a new suit he’d gone to Austin to buy, along with his best boots and hat. He felt awkward hanging around the diner parking lot like this, but it was for a good cause.

  “I hope I’m meeting her,” Kyle said. “We’ll see if she shows up.”

  He kept the words light, but his heart started thumping all wrong again. When he’d called Anna, casually asking her to join him for a meal at the diner, she’d said she was busy at the rehab ranch but she’d try to make it.

  Kyle knew she truly was busy and it wasn’t an excuse. Callie and Anna had realized that with the Haynes being busted, the Morgan ranch was empty and the absent Morgans were happy to be rid of their renters.

  Perfect, Anna had said, for a permanent home for the rehab ranch. Large property, corrals, a decent office and barn … They’d scrub the taint of the Haynes brothers from the place and move in soon.

  “She’ll come,” Erica said with confidence. “Faith Sullivan says Dr. Anna’s madly in love with you. So don’t worry.”

  “Erica.” Drew gave the girl an admonishing-mother look. “That’s none of your business.”

  Erica sent Kyle a conspiratorial grin. “Everyone knows. I love this town, even though I thought I’d hate it. There’s a ton of stuff going on you’d never think in a nowhere place like this. Plus, it’s really pretty.”

  “Erica,” Drew repeated. “Sorry, Kyle. I did not teach her to be so rude.”

  Erica looked amazed. “Why is that rude? I said it was pretty.”

  “We’re going inside.” Drew put her hand on Erica’s back. “Erica is quiet when she’s eating.”

  Erica held up a hand to high-five Kyle. “Nice meeting you, Kyle. And Dr. Anna will show up. I promise.” She winked and then let her mother hustle her away. Erica’s voice floated back. “If there’s apple pie tonight, I want a big slice. With massive whipped cream.”

  Ray, without a word, began to follow the two ladies.

  “Ray,” Kyle called. When Ray turned, Kyle gave him two thumbs-up. “It’s a good thing, bro.”

  Ray studied him a moment, then nodded slowly, Ray’s way of saying all was right in his world.

  Ray disappeared into the diner, and Mrs. Ward emerged, Ray holding the door for her. “Kyle!” she called. “We’re ready for you.”

  No lowering her voice, no subtlety. Kyle squared his shoulders and walked to the door, aware that every single person in the diner glanced up at him as he entered.

  Oh, well. He moved to the corner Mrs. Ward had prepared for him and looked restlessly out the window. Now to wait.

  The regulator clock on the wall ticked relentlessly, mocking him.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Anna hurried to the diner fifteen minutes late for her date with Kyle. She’d have to apologize but she thought Kyle would understand—helping Callie take over renting the Morgan ranch was eating a lot of time.

  The ranch’s owners lived in San Antonio; talking to them and waiting for call-backs was frustrating. Callie had to set up a lot of meetings, and people wanted to talk to Anna too, as the vet who would be responsible for the animals’ health.

  A lot to do, but this would work. Callie’s dream was coming true.

  The calf, whom they’d named Buddy, since he liked people so much, was recovering from his ordeal. Anna had examined him thoroughly to make sure he hadn’t been hurt or malnourished. He’d been a bit dehydrated from being stuck up on the rock—how the hell he’d gotten up there in the first place, Anna didn’t know, but calves could be resourceful. She hoped one of the Haynes brothers hadn’t tried to hide him there, or she’d have to kill them.

  She’d finally finished with a conference call between her, Callie, and the bank that was handling the lease, raced back to town, and washed up quickly at home. Since Kyle had suggested the diner, always casual, she changed into clean jeans and a decent top, quickly re-braided and re-coiled her hair, and ran down the street, not bothering to drive the short distance.

  She assumed this wasn’t a real date. She and Kyle hadn’t spoken much since they’d rescued Buddy, both of them busy. No conversations about where their relationship was going, or plans to go out to a fancy restaurant again, and definitely no mention of Kyle’s impromptu proposal.

  Which was fine with Anna. She preferred simply hanging out with Kyle and talking—much less stress. Tonight would be about two friends catching up after work. She’d ask him to go with her to Callie’s fundraiser, which would be nice and safe for them, full of people.

  Anna’s opinion about this being a date changed as soon as she hurried inside Mrs. Ward’s diner. She halted in stunned dismay, aware of every face turning to her.

  The whole town must be there. Campbells filled one corner, as though they were having a reunion. Callie was with them, though Anna had hung up with her maybe twenty minutes ago. Ross must have raced her into town, sirens blaring.

  Faith waved to Anna from between Grace and Carter, her smile wide. Lucy Malory sat next to Grace, looking more rested than Anna had seen her in a while. Karen Marvin shared a table with Deke, who seemed a bit confused as to why no one was paying attention to him.

  Ray and Drew occupied a booth with Erica, who waved once and then watched with avid blue eyes.

  The diner’s inhabitants regarded Anna with interest, gauging her reaction to what waited in the square alcove across the room.

  That space had been cleared of all tables but one. A white cloth draped the table, which was laden with snowy napkins, crystal goblets, and delicate china. A bottle of wine rested in a wine bucket beside it.

  A vase of roses decorated the tabletop, and rose petals lay scattered on the cloth itself as well as the lace-draped chairs. Lit candles flickered in silver candlesticks, the overhead lights turned down so the candles cast a soft glow.

  Kyle stood waiting for her. He was breathtaking in a dark gray suit, a blue silk tie knotted at his neck. He’d hung up his cowboy hat, candlelight touching his glossy dark hair.

  Anna’s mouth went dry. She was suddenly aware of her straggling hair, her old jeans and shirt, no jewelry decorating her ears or fingers.

  She was plain Anna, the shy vet, while Kyle the champion bull rider, waited in all his handsome glory.

  “Oh.” Anna walked forward under all those gazes to Kyle. No one spoke, the diner amazingly silent. “I feel like I should run home and change.”

  Kyle met her, what was in his eyes making her forget about the crush of people behind her. He took her hands, fingers warm and strong.

  “You look beautiful.” Kyle brushed a lock of hair from her face. “You always do.”

  Anna swallowed. “What is all this about? You already took me to Chez Orleans. You’re off the hook for the fancy dinner.”

  Her throat closed up when Kyle, still holding her hand, went down on one knee.

  “Anna Lawler,” he said, gazing up at her with love in his deep green eyes. “Will you marry me?” His mouth softened with a half-grin. “I asked you before, but we were a little busy at the time.”

  Anna gaped, heart-banging confusion coming at her as it had two nights ago. She remembered the dust and breeze in the night, the terrified wails of the calf, her adrenaline high as the two of them scaled the canyon wall.

  Kyle had thrown the question at her, offhand, as someone might say jokingly when helping out in a difficult situation.

  He hadn’t mentioned it since, not when they carried the calf down the hill to the waiting truck and Tina, not at the rehab ranch, not in the days between. When he’d called her to ask her to the diner, Anna had assumed …

  She wasn’t certain anymore. About anything.

  Not exactly true. Anna was very, very certain about one thing. She loved Kyle Malory, she had for a long time, and that was never going to stop.

  “Kyle …” The wor
d stuck in her throat, her breath not working.

  Kyle waited, trepidation in his eyes. She understood in a flash that he hadn’t set this up with the beautiful table in front of the whole town to coerce her into saying yes. He’d done it to show them he really meant it. That if she said no, he’d take it in stride and acknowledge it.

  He was putting his heart out there for everyone to see, including Anna. He’d go with whatever decision she gave him.

  Which she’d already made.

  “Yes …” Anna barely heard the word, so she tried again. She put every ounce of strength in her voice so her answer would be heard in the farthest corner. “Yes, Kyle Malory, I will marry you!”

  The diner erupted into cheering. Music blared, barely heard over the applause and whooping. Drew’s daughter stood up in the booth, and Faith jumped to her feet and punched the air.

  “Yes!” both girls yelled.

  Kyle rose smoothly to his feet, still clasping Anna’s hands. “I have a ring and all,” he whispered into her ear. “But we’ll save it for later.”

  Anna nodded, tears in her eyes. “You are such a shit. You should have told me it was a special occasion.”

  “I said, you’re beautiful no matter what. I meant that.” He bent closer, shutting out the laughing, celebrating mob around them. “I love you, Anna.”

  “I love you, Kyle.” Anna let him drag her close, burying her face in his shoulder. “Damn it, I love you so much.”

  Kyle cupped her face and turned it up to his. The cheering grew louder as Kyle kissed her, a sweet, fiery kiss full of passion and promise.

  Anna kissed him back with as much passion, and just as much promise.

  She’d found her happiness, in a way so unexpected, but so profoundly right.

  The noise wound around them, people glad to be happy with them, making their world just a little bit nicer. The Campbell brothers and their wives were being especially rowdy in the corner. Callie yelled, “I love you, Anna!”

  The wave of love and friendship cushioned them, but in their private corner, Anna and Kyle were alone in each other. The kiss eased to a close, and Kyle rested his forehead on Anna’s.