True-Blue Cowboy

by Sara Richardson

  Everly moved cautiously in the direction of the house, but before she’d taken three steps a mountain lion crept out into the open, its lithe, powerful body crouched as it paced the perimeter of the fence.

  Dear God. A hollow coldness shivered through her, sinking into her bones, weighting her legs with an overpowering heaviness.

  The animal glided closer, graceful and intent, its haunting yellowish eyes locked on her.

  Everly couldn’t look away. She’d had no idea a cat could look so frightening. It wasn’t only those luminous eyes; it was the broad, hunched shoulders, the giant, oversized paws. She’d seen pictures of what those paws could do with one swipe.

  An awed fear overflowed her lungs, until all she could manage were short, shallow breaths. Her eyes followed the big cat as it paced back and forth outside of the fence, but she didn’t dare move. She had nowhere to go. That Goliath cat stood between her and the house—her and the rifle she’d never wanted to need.

  They don’t usually attack, she told herself. Unless there was something they wanted. Like a small herd of goats locked away in a stable, maybe?

  A humming disrupted the ghostly quiet. A diesel engine that sounded a lot like Mateo’s truck. Hadn’t he said he would be back later? Oh, please let him be back. Everly looked in that direction but couldn’t see the driveway. He wouldn’t be able to see her from this angle either.

  The mountain lion stilled, its head turned toward the noise near the front of the house.

  Everly inhaled. She couldn’t scream, couldn’t provoke it or spook it into attacking, but she had to get Mateo’s attention. She had to tell him to get the rifle.

  A car door slammed, and she braced herself for the worst, but the lion didn’t react. It didn’t even move. Yet.

  She closed her eyes. “Mateo.” It almost sounded like the beginning of a song the way his name came out—loud but soothing and melodious instead of terrified. “Mateo. Rifle.”

  Goliath cat turned its attention back to her, stretching its body out to slide under the fence and into the farmyard where she still stood frozen in fear. The animal seemed to assess her, slinking closer until it stopped maybe twenty feet away. It was even bigger than all of those pictures she’d seen online. Big and muscular and the most frightening thing she’d ever seen.

  “Easy,” Everly whispered, savoring each breath. How many more would she get to take? Hadn’t Mateo heard her? She’d been loud enough. “Easy.” She slowly shuffled her feet, moving back to the stable. Would she have time to get in before it attacked? Her eyes frantically searched the ground for something to fight back with if the lion lunged.

  “Everly? Did you say something?” Mateo came around the chicken coop and stopped cold. For an eternal second, he looked back and forth between her and the lion, and then muttered something low and inaudible. Likely the same expletives that were on repeat in her brain.

  “The rifle,” Everly murmured in a soothing tone. “It’s hidden in the coffee table.” Which now seemed like the absolute worst place to keep it. Mateo could get to it, though. He could carefully back himself right up and out of sight on the side of the house.

  The lion still seemed focused on her, as though it knew she would be the easier target.

  “Go get the gun,” Everly hissed. Before it attacked them both. Why was Mateo just standing there? “You have to fire a warning shot.”

  The man still didn’t budge. “That would mean leaving you here.”

  She broke the showdown stare with the lion to glare at Mateo. So? she silently asked with a flare of her eyes. Normally she wouldn’t want to be left alone with a hungry mountain lion either, but they had no other choice.

  “I’m not leaving you out here with that thing.” The words were almost a growl. “Hey.” Mateo waved his arms at the mountain lion. “Over here. Come over here.”

  “What’re you doing?” Everly’s teeth started to chatter, even though fear burned through her. Every tendon in her body strung itself so tight that her joints ached.

  The mountain lion was on the move again. It ducked lower and came at her cautiously, ignoring Mateo’s efforts to lure it his way.

  “The gun,” Everly wheezed. Or she could just pass out? Yes, she wanted to pass out. She didn’t want to feel anything when Goliath cat sank its teeth into her.

  “Get out of here!” Mateo marched directly toward her and the lion, waving a dead tree branch in the air. “Go on! Get!” He stooped to pick up a big rock and chucked it in the cat’s direction, missing but also making the beast jump back. “Get the hell out of here!” His shout echoed around them, seeming to bounce off the distant peaks. He found another rock and launched it close enough to the lion that dirt sprayed up in its face.

  Goliath cat spewed a horrifying hiss and bared its teeth, but then darted for the fence, clearing the five-foot posts in an effortless leap before tearing up the hill and disappearing into the scrub oak.

  Air whooshed out of her, emptying Everly’s strength. Her legs faltered, causing her to collapse against the stable.

  “You okay?” Mateo jogged over as calmly as if he took on colossal, crazy-eyed felines every day.

  “No, I’m not okay.” Her lungs sputtered as the rush of relief met a rise of anger. “You should’ve gotten the rifle!” What the hell had he been thinking confronting a mountain lion? “It could’ve charged you!” What she’d meant as an angry shout came out a squeak instead. It couldn’t be helped. What would she have done if the cat had gone after Mateo? She couldn’t have gotten the rifle… It would’ve been too late.

  Mateo didn’t react to her terror, which only pissed her off more.

  “Oh my God.” Trembles wracked her body. “It could’ve killed you.” She thrust her palms into his chest to push him, but he caught her wrists and pulled her close.

  “It’s okay,” he murmured, wrapping her up in his arms. “You’re okay. There’s no way I would’ve let it hurt you.” He pressed his lips to her forehead and held them there in a long, gentle kiss. Warmth seeped into her again, persuading her to stay there in the shelter of his arms. She rested her forehead against his chest, breathing, breathing, breathing. The sandalwood scent of him soothed away the anger. Her hands fisted his shirt, clinging to him.

  “We’d better get inside.” His gaze drifted back to the hill as if he was worried the lion might be lurking somewhere nearby.

  Jesus. Of course it was lurking somewhere nearby. It had probably hunkered down in the bushes and was waiting to get her alone again. But she didn’t move. Couldn’t step away from his body. He was warmth and safety and strength.

  “The animals all locked up safe?” he asked, smoothing his hand over her hair.

  Everly nodded, her forehead still against his chest.

  “Then let’s get you inside.” Mateo swept her up into his arms, cradling her with a careful tenderness before walking out of the farmyard, past the chicken coop, and into the house.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Before taking Everly into his arms, Mateo hadn’t known there was a difference between carrying someone and holding them. But as he stepped through Everly’s front door, he felt it. His arms kept a firm grip on her yet they softened around her, too, nestling her closer into his chest, trying to soothe away the trembling in her shoulders.

  He couldn’t help himself. When he’d come around the corner and seen her frozen in fear—and then that lion stalking her like prey—instinct had taken over. Maybe it would’ve been smarter to go after the rifle, but if that cat had attacked her while he’d been in the house, Mateo never would’ve forgiven himself. She might’ve been tough and determined, but the cat would’ve easily overpowered her.

  Relief washed over him as he carried her across the living room. She was shaken, but whole. And beautiful. So fucking beautiful and perfect in his arms. He gently lowered Everly to the couch, not letting go until he’d positioned her back against the soft cushion. A blank look had emptied her eyes of emotion as though she were replaying the sce
ne over in her mind, as if she were wondering if it had really happened. He’d worn that same look before. The wondering look of someone who’d seen death coming at them, but had somehow walked away from it.

  The ghosts he’d been seeing all afternoon crowded in again, haunting him with yet another memory. The memories of his brother were so much closer now. Somehow, learning about his brother’s death had unlocked the vault.

  He lowered to his knees in front of the couch. “Hey.” He touched her am. “You’re safe.”

  Her head cranked slowly, turning to Mateo’s face. “I thought…it would’ve attacked me. If you hadn’t come—”

  “But I did come,” he interrupted. He couldn’t stand to hear her say what might’ve happened. He’d only come back to the house to get the rest of his things. Instead, he was kneeling in front of Everly, feeling every damn emotion he’d ever suppressed. The second he’d seen her standing there vulnerable, those feelings had broken through to the surface—helplessness and fear and a devastating need to be close to her. “Everything’s fine now,” he said, almost afraid to touch her again. He wouldn’t want to stop. Not until she understood what he felt for her. “Are you cold?” He pushed to his feet and went to the fireplace. Luckily, it had been replaced with a gas insert so all he had to do was flip a switch and flames ignited the realistic pile of logs.

  “A little.” She didn’t look at him.

  Mateo unfolded the blanket that lay over the back of the couch and tucked it in around her. “I’ll call Dev and let him know what happened.” At least he figured they should call the police. Dev Jenkins was a deputy who lived in town. Mateo had hung out with him a few times at Levi’s house. On his own, Mateo wasn’t qualified to deal with a mountain lion. He sure as hell didn’t want Everly out wandering around on the property until that thing was gone.

  Everly tipped her head back and closed her eyes, looking so small and weary that Mateo wanted to slide in next to her and hold her again. Instead, he dug his phone out of his pocket and dialed Dev’s cell.

  The line clicked. “What’s up, Torres? You in some kind of trouble?”

  “No.” He made sure to sound offended. Why would the man assume that? It’s not like the deputy had ever had to arrest him. “I’m staying at Everly’s and—”

  “Oh yeah. I heard you two were shacking up.”

  Mateo glanced at Everly. Her eyes were still closed. He moved farther into the kitchen area and lowered his voice. “It’s not like that.” Everly didn’t want him. And anyway, she deserved better. He decided to spare Dev the details. “When I pulled up at the house a while ago, I found Everly facing off with a mountain lion.” What if he hadn’t pulled up when he did? What if he hadn’t heard her call to him? He wouldn’t have gone around back…

  “Shit. Wasn’t expecting to hear that.” Dev’s voice sobered and immediately went into professional cop mode. “She okay?”

  “Physically she’s fine. I was able to scare it off.” This time. “But I’m not convinced it would’ve left her alone without some hefty encouragement.”

  “Probably not,” the deputy agreed. “There was an attack last week. On a trail a couple miles west of the farm. A big cat confronted a jogger but the guy fought it off.”

  Mateo didn’t like the sound of that. “You think it’s the same one?”

  “Most likely. They don’t usually hang out around populated areas unless they’re weak or sick. Sounds like this one’s looking for an easy food source.”

  “Like goats.” And chickens and ducks. And petite farmers…

  “Exactly.” Dev paused. “The parks and wildlife guys are already on the lookout, but until they have him, Everly shouldn’t be out on the property alone. Especially in the morning and evenings. Guess it’s a good thing you’re staying there.”

  “Yep.” He’d be moving back in now. Whether she liked it or not.

  He switched the phone to his other ear. “I’ve got a competition this weekend, but I can keep an eye on things until then. I’ll let you know if we see it again.”

  “Sounds good,” Dev said. “I’ll put in the report and keep you posted on any news.”

  After he’d stowed the phone back in his pocket, Mateo moved around the kitchen collecting everything he needed to make her a cup of hot chocolate—milk, chocolate chips, vanilla, cinnamon, and cayenne. Everly’s cabinets and refrigerator were organized with a baker’s precision, though he did have to dig to find a saucepan.

  “What’re you doing?” Everly lifted her head slowly, as though she had just remembered he was there.

  “Making you a hot drink,” he said matter-of-factly.

  She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “What did Dev say?”

  “He’ll put in a report with parks and wildlife.” Mateo poured some milk into a saucepan and turned on the burner, trying to decide how much to tell her so he wouldn’t freak her out. “There was an incident on a trail not too far from here last week. He thinks it’s the same cat.” When steam rose, he whisked in the vanilla, cinnamon, and cayenne, and then dumped in enough chocolate chips to make it extra rich.

  “What kind of incident?” Everly sat up straighter, pale and wide-eyed again.

  Mateo hesitated, watching the chocolate chips melt, but he couldn’t keep it from her. She’d likely find out about it anyway. “They think the same lion attacked a man who was jogging on a trail last week.”

  “Oh God.” She wilted back into the cushions.

  “The guy was able to fight it off, though.” He poured the hot chocolate into a mug. “Dev said it’s not a good idea for you to be out on the property alone until it’s taken care of.” If it was taken care of. He’d heard how hard it could be to track those animals. They tended to stay hidden unless they wanted to be seen. There were plenty of tales about how they stalked their prey in hiding, and then pounced without warning. A shudder ran through him as he walked across the room and handed her the mug.

  A grateful smile softened the worry in her features when she accepted the drink. In fact, everything about her looked soft and delicate in the fire’s muted glow. Especially her lips. Those lips had felt so silky against his own…

  “I can’t go out alone? Like, at all?” She curled her hands around the mug, holding it tightly. “How am I supposed to take care of my animals?”

  Awareness pounded through him as he settled in beside her on the couch. That alluring scent of her. So sweet. “Dev seems to think our friend is looking for an easy food source. Not to worry, though. I’m happy to move back in and help out with the chores until they can track him down.”

  “Really?” She shot him a skeptical look.

  “Sure.” That’s what a landlord should do. Take responsibility for his tenant. Yeah, that’s all he felt for her. Responsibility. Mateo inhaled cinnamon, could almost taste it on his tongue. Sitting so close to her made it harder to lie to himself.

  “You know I go out and do the chores every morning at five thirty and again around six thirty in the evening, right?”

  “Yes. I can make that work.” Then he could go off and train while she was at the café during the day. “I’ve got a competition this weekend, but I’ll only be gone for a few days. I’m sure Dev wouldn’t mind coming by to keep an eye on things.”

  Those enticing lips of hers formed a stubborn pout. “I don’t need someone here all the time. I’ve been fine on my own for over two years. I think I can handle a few days.”

  Even so, he’d inform Dev that he should swing by around feeding times for the animals so she’d have backup if necessary. She wouldn’t run off a cop. “You need to keep the rifle handy when you do go out alone.” It didn’t seem to do her much good locked away in the coffee table.

  Everly didn’t appear to warm up to the suggestion. “I’ll be fine,” she said with a feeble confidence. Then she brought the mug to her lips and took her first sip of the hot chocolate. Her eyes closed with rapture. “Wow. What is this?” She held the mug closer to her nose and inhal
ed deeply.

  Mateo didn’t know if it was the romantic glow of the fire, or the vulnerability that still lurked in her eyes, or the fact that he so badly wanted to forget the news he’d gotten only hours ago, but that telltale lazy heat wound through him, coiling itself tightly in his belly. “It’s hot chocolate,” he said, eyeing her lips again. They had power, those lips. He’d already tasted them twice. They had the power to take away his thoughts, to bring him outside of himself.

  “It’s way better than hot chocolate.” The woman took another sip and seemed to savor the taste. “Where did you get the recipe?”

  He almost lied and said he’d found it online. But his brother was dead and he could no longer deny his existence. In his life or in his memories. “My brother used to make it for me.” The words were shaky. Unsure. His brother. Before the last couple of days, he hadn’t uttered that phrase in years.

  “You never mentioned a brother.” Everly turned her body to his and pulled her legs up on the couch. So comfortable and open. Such a contrast to him. His body felt locked and rigid. So damn tense.

  “My brother is…” Why did he find it so hard to say? “Gone. Dead.” Yet somehow more alive to Mateo than he had been for eighteen years.

  “I had no idea. I’m sorry.” Everly got that startled look again, her gentle brown eyes wide, her mouth drawn as though the revelation made her genuinely sad.

  “I didn’t know, either.” He hadn’t meant to mutter, but his throat had gone raw.

  Everly’s head tilted in a question. She could say so much without using a single word.

  Mateo stared into the fire. He’d never told anyone about his brother. Not even Levi. Some of it was shame, but mostly it had been too easy to live in denial so far away from who he had been, so separated from his family. He’d become who he wanted to be. A strong, undamaged man. As if that even existed in the world. For a while it had worked, but now—today—he couldn’t stop seeing Andres’s face. “My brother left the family when I was eight. To join a cartel.”