12-Alarm Cowboys

by Cora Seton

  “Just as well I didn’t. I ended up having a couple of emergencies and being all the way out at the Bar M would have made it tough to take calls today.”

  Magda leaned against the edge of the counter and crossed one ankle over the other. “Not that I’m prying, but why weren’t you with Tanner today?”

  “Not that you’re prying or anything,” she said and then quirked the corner of her mouth.

  Magda shrugged. “If your best friend can’t pry, who can?”

  “Give me some coffee. Maybe I could use a shoulder to lean on.”

  They retook seats at the table, mugs of fresh coffee cradled in their fingers.

  “Okay, so you’ve fallen for Tanner. Now what?”

  “What? Who told you that? Did Tanner say something to Reno?”

  Magda snorted. “Yeah. Like guys talk about feelings. Of course Tanner hasn’t said anything. But honey, I’ve seen you with Tanner. You get this look on your face.”

  “What kind of look?”

  “A dreamy, dopey, starry-eyed stare when you look at him.”

  Georgie pounded her forehead on the table. “Oh, God.” She rolled her head to the side so she could look up at her friend. “Really?”

  Magda nodded.

  “Think anyone else might have noticed?”

  “No. Of course not,” Magda assured her. “They’d only have seen it if they looked at you.”

  “Argh.” Georgie sat upright. “Think Tanner noticed?”

  “He’s a guy, so probably not.”

  “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be fun, carefree, scratch-my-itch sort of thing. And at first it was. But then one day, it wasn’t.”

  “So? What are you going to do about it?”

  “Not a damn thing. We agreed that nothing would come out of this. We’d enjoy what we had while we had it and then when I left, it’d be over.”

  “Well, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  Georgie rolled her eyes. “Spoken by the woman who ran from love.”

  Magda nodded. “True. Stupid move, but still…”

  With a long sigh, she said, “Maybe the plan wasn’t the brightest idea, but for once it felt good to have someone stable in my life. We promised no games, no bullshit. I can’t change the rules unilaterally.” The smile she forced to her lips felt awkward and she’d bet it looked it too. “I’ll be fine. Hearts heal, right? I’m looking…­forward…­to…­moving.” The last couple of words came out with a cry.

  “Oh, honey.” Magda put her arm around Georgie. “Maybe Tanner feels the same way. You ever think of that?”

  “He doesn’t.” Georgie sniffed. “Besides, I don’t have a job here. I would never start a practice in competition with Whispering Springs Animal Clinic. That would be so wrong. Mabee only brought me here temporarily.”

  “Is there enough work for two fulltime vets?”

  “Yes, but I heard a rumor that some vet from Dallas was looking at vacant storefronts in town with a plan to set up a satellite clinic here and see patients a few days a week. That could really cut into our patient load. But really, none of that matters. There is no way I could stay here and run into Tanner with some new girlfriend.”

  “First, Whispering Springs is a gossip factory so maybe some vet looked at property or maybe not. You don’t know that for a fact. And second, how do you know Tanner isn’t feeling the same way?”

  “He’s just not and talking about it isn’t going to change anything.” Georgie stood. “I need to get going. Got a long drive home.”

  Linking arms, they walked outside to Georgie’s truck where Magda gave her a hug. “I love you, girlfriend. Don’t you forget that. No matter where you are, I’m only a phone call away. And one more thing. Tanner’s been here for two years and in all that time, he’s never dated anyone more than twice, much less two months. Just think on that.”

  “I will. Thanks. Love you too.”

  As Georgie drove home, she thought about her agreement with Tanner. No games. No bullshit. Did that mean she owed him the truth? Did “no games” mean she shouldn’t have fallen for him, or did it mean that she should tell him that she had?

  Of course, there stood the very distinct possibility that he would break it off immediately if she told him how she felt.

  Was it better to enjoy what they had while it lasted and leave town with her reputation intact, or better to risk it all and possibly lose what time they had left, and leave town with a broken heart?

  Well, shoot. No matter how she answered either of those questions, she’d be leaving town with a broken heart. The only question then was…did she squander what time she had left with Tanner or should she suck it up, shut it up, and enjoy him in her bed for the next couple of weeks?

  Tanner surprised her by being at her house when she got home. She’d given him a key a few weeks back and he used it often to surprise her with dinner. But not tonight since she suspected he was as stuffed as she from Thanksgiving meals.

  “Hey,”’ she said upon finding him sitting on her couch. “What’s up?”

  “Can’t I just come by and see my gal without something being up?”

  She dropped her purse and keys on the entry table and hung up her jacket. Hearing him call her my gal sent her gut into a little spin.

  She sat beside him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You can. And this gal is glad to see you.” She kissed him, his soft lips tasting like the finest wine.

  “I missed you today,” he said, as he pulled her into a tight embrace.

  “Me too. How is having your folks home?”

  “I may never let them leave again.”

  She chuckled and snuggled in close. “You here for the night?” She held up crossed fingers.

  “Let’s go away for a couple of days.”

  She struggled upright and looked at him. “Go away? Where? When?” She shook her head. “I don’t know, Tanner. The clinic…”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I called Dr. Brian about this weekend. He said he’d be glad to cover Saturday and Sunday. We can head out when you get done on Friday.” He kissed her, his nibbles on her lips driving her crazy. “Don’t say no. It’ll be just the two of us. No animals to feed. No younger siblings to wrangle.”

  “But what about the animals here at this ranch? Granted, I’m only babysitting them, but I can’t go off and leave them all nilly-willy.”

  “If I can get Zack to take care of them, then would you go?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Fine. Zack has already agreed to come stay here. I think he liked the idea of the privacy. With the parents home again, he and I are free as birds.”

  She poked his ribs. “You already had all my objections covered, didn’t you?”

  He tickled her back and when she squirmed, took advantage to get her on her back with him on top. “Yep. I know how that brain of yours thinks.”

  “Well, that’s scary.”

  “Tell me,” he said with a laugh but then his face grew serious. “I want this time together. Just us. Will you go?”

  “How can I say no?”

  All day Friday Georgie thought about the trip, wondering about the suddenness, not that she was complaining. Two whole days of just Tanner—preferably a naked Tanner—sounded perfect.

  She saw the last pet of the day and then went into her office to freshen up before Tanner arrived. All day she’d thought about what Magda had said yesterday…Tanner had never dated anyone as long as he’d been with Georgie.

  Oh. My. God. He was taking her away for the weekend to propose. That had to be it. Her heart shot off like a rocket. How should she react? Surprised, of course. Maybe a little stunned.

  She pulled a mirror from her purse and practiced a couple of expressions.

  Letting her mouth gape in surprise, she opened her eyes wide in shock. No, that one made her look like a guppy.

  She kept her mouth closed but smiled while opening her eyes wide. That one wasn’t too bad. She p
racticed it a couple of more times.

  Hmm. Should she say yes immediately? Or pretend she had to think about it?

  Her gut clenched and she wrapped her arms around her waist. Oh. My. God. Tanner was going to ask her to marry him.

  About to burst with excitement, Georgie grabbed the phone to call Magda, but before she could dial, Tanner knocked on her door.

  “Oh, sorry,” he said after he stuck his head in the door. “Didn’t know you were on the phone. I’ll wait outside.”

  She quickly replaced the receiver. Damn. She almost ruined her own surprise.

  “I’m done. Let me grab my purse, and get my bag from my truck and we’ll be off.”

  He stepped into her office filling the space with all his yummy testosterone and closed the door.

  Oh dear. Was he going to ask her right now? “What’s wrong?”

  He smiled and pulled her into a warm embrace. “Not a damn thing. I can’t wait to get you all to myself.” He kissed her, his heat and scent engulfing her like the best security blanket ever invented.

  He drove them south, two hours away from Whispering Springs, down a rutted road that required four-wheel drive and lots of hanging on. When they finally stopped, they were at a small, secluded cabin on the banks of a crystal clear lake. Chopped firewood was stacked in layers between two large trees. From her seat, Georgie could see a chimney, a couple of windows and that was about it.

  “Tanner. It’s so cute.”

  “Thanks. Belongs to an old buddy of mine. He doesn’t get up here much but he says when he and his wife can, it’s like being in their own little world.”

  When the word wife had left his lips, an electrical jolt went through her heart and her gut flipped.

  “You okay?” he asked. “You look a little flushed.”

  “What? No, no. I’m fine. Let’s take a look.”

  Cabin was the right word, but the place had a definite charm. The interior was completely constructed from split pine logs. A fairly modern kitchen, small dining area and a living room with an enormous fireplace made up the main area. There were two bedrooms, one smaller and one that was the obvious master with its king bed, and small fireplace. There was only one bathroom but it was spacious. The dining room had a set of french doors that led onto a deck that overlooked the lake. However, it was late enough in the evening for the lighting to be inadequate to fully appreciate the view.

  Friday night was perfect. Dinner was hot dogs roasted over the flames from the fire Tanner had built in the living room fireplace. They made love in front of the fire after dinner, followed by a shower highlighted by more of a naked Tanner and then another round in the king bed. But not a word was said about their future. It tickled Georgie that he was stretching out the mystery.

  If Friday night was perfect, Saturday was ideal. Early morning sun rays woke them for a long bout of love-making. Tanner went fishing behind the cabin while she sat on the deck and watched. She’d never get tired of looking at him. The view from every angle made her heart sigh. She laughed and clapped when he pulled in a couple of trout, which he cleaned for dinner.

  That afternoon, a thunderstorm arrived bringing lightning and heavy rain. Trapped inside with rain pounding on the roof, a fire burning, and wrapped in Tanner’s arms met every hot button Georgie had. Either then or later as they made love would have been an idyllic time for him to ask her. Still, nothing.

  Sunday morning, hand-in-hand, they went for a walk along the lake. They talked about everything but nothing in particular. He did ask where she was going next. The question had sent her heart racing so fast it pumped all the blood from her heart and she got lightheaded. When she explained she hadn’t taken anything yet and she’d been thinking about taking a month or so off, he told her it was a great idea, even going so far as to suggest some great places for vacations. It took every acting skill she possessed to not laugh at his cute way of digging for information from her on where to take her on a honeymoon.

  They made love before they left. It was slow and attentive, as though he were trying to touch and taste every inch of her skin. That would have been the perfect time for his proposal, but no. Nothing.

  On the ride home, both of them were quiet. She couldn’t think of anything left to say. She’d left it all behind at the cabin.

  As they pulled behind the vet clinic so she could pick up her truck, he parked and turned off the engine. He turned in the seat toward her.

  “This weekend was great.”

  This was it!

  “I had a wonderful time. Thank you.”

  “Um…” He cleared his throat. “There is something I’d like to talk to you about.”

  “Yes,” she blurted out. “I mean, sure. Fire away.”

  His brow furrowed. “I know we talked about this…this…well, whatever it is we have, ending when you leave.”

  “That’s right.” She straightened and leaned a little closer so she’d be available for his kiss.

  “You’re leaving on the twentieth, right?”

  “Yes. A little under three weeks.”

  He combed his fingers through his hair, making it stand up in places. She didn’t think he’d ever looked as cute as he did right now. This would be the story she would tell their children and their grandchildren. How nervous he was as he asked her to marry him. How he fidgeted and wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  She wondered if he had already bought her a ring as a surprise or if that was something they’d do together.

  “Well,” he drawled out. “I know we had an agreement, but I’m afraid I have to break my word.”

  Good Lord man. Spit it out. Didn’t he realize that she was going to say yes?

  “I’ve been offered Chief of the County Fire Department. Well Assistant Chief for now but Chief Townsend is retiring at the end of the year and the job is mine if I want it.”

  “Oh, Tanner. That’s wonderful.”

  He shrugged and a slight flush colored his adorable cheeks. “It doesn’t pay much, but I’d have time for a second job.”

  Wasn’t he cute? He was worried about providing for them. Heck, she made enough, more than enough, for a second income.

  “Maybe not,” she said. “I mean, you just never know what’s around the corner.”

  His face brightened. “That’s true but that brings me back to us.”

  She leaned closer. “Yes?”

  “I have to attend some advanced training courses at the National Fire Academy in Maryland. I’ll be gone for the next three weeks. Those courses can get me ready for additional certifications that will be handy as Fire Chief. I was already a lieutenant with the Lexington Fire Department. I’m pretty stoked that the county is willing to financially support me in this. It’s a heck of an opportunity.”

  His grin conveyed just how excited he was about these courses.

  She frowned. Damn. She was going to have to lead the horse to the water.

  “Okay. So how does this affect us?”

  “Since I’ll be up there so long, I’m driving to Maryland so I’ll have my truck. I have to leave tomorrow night and I won’t be back until a couple of days before Christmas.” He shrugged, his smile gone from his beautiful mouth. “I hate that I won’t be here to give you a proper goodbye. That’s why I wanted this weekend for us. Something special that would give us the perfect way to end things. Don’t you agree? I mean, we both knew it was coming. I just have to move it up and I felt awful about that.”

  She sat back, her face stinging as though she’d been slapped. “Oh.”

  Do not cry.

  “I see. Well, this does catch me a little off-guard.”

  Do not cry.

  She swallowed against the solid stone in her throat.

  He sighed and reached for her. “I know. I didn’t want to say anything to spoil this weekend.” He pulled her across the seat and into an embrace.

  Her eyes were beginning to sting. She had to leave.

  Do not cry.

  Georgie hugged him and th
en slid back across the truck and opened the door. “Good luck, Tanner. You’ll be a great chief for the fire department.” When she stood outside the truck, she leaned back in to say, “No need to get out. As you’ve pointed out, no reason to prolong the inevitable.”

  She grabbed her bag from the back seat, tossed it into the bed of her truck, climbed in, and drove away, all the while leaving Tanner sitting behind his steering wheel.

  The minute she turned the corner out of Tanner’s eyesight, the dam burst. Hot, salty tears poured down her face and dripped off her chin onto her shirt. Her chant changed from do not cry to do not wreck. It was like driving in a torrential downpour, except she didn’t have adequate wipers for her eyes. Didn’t matter what the speed limit, she tore home like the devil himself was behind her…but then, maybe he was.

  Zack’s truck was in her drive when she got home. She hastily wiped her face on the hem of her shirt and then ran her fingers through her hair. Before she got out, Zack was on her porch.

  “Hey,” he shouted. “You’re home earlier than I thought you’d be. Why you sitting in there? Come on in. I’ll get my stuff together to leave.”

  Georgie waited until his back was turned to exit. After retrieving her bag, she slowly walked up her stairs and in to the house.

  “Sorry,” he shouted from the guest room. “I would have been long gone if I’d thought you’d be home at six but you know how it is with parents and siblings…any chance for some alone time.”

  “No,” she replied. “Don’t know how it is.”

  “Do what?” He popped his face around the door facing. “What’d you say? Ohmygod, Georgie. What’s wrong?”

  Zack hurried back to the living room where she stood, still holding her luggage in one hand.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “Wh…what…makes…you…” she sniffed, “think…­something…­happened?” And the carefully reconstructed dam broke again. She dropped her luggage to the floor and covered her face.

  “Oh man.” Zack wrapped her in his arms. “What did my fool of a brother do?”

  “He broke up with me,” she cried.

  “Do what? Are you kidding? Has he gone totally crazy?”