Her Forever Cowboy

by Clopton, Debra

  “So you’re leaving,” Seth said, clearly not happy.

  Cole had saddled a horse and ridden out to where he was checking calves. It felt good to be on a horse. His thoughts were troubled as he’d ridden but even so he’d enjoyed being out riding across the land he loved.

  “I told you I was leaving the other day,” he said, shifting in the saddle and glancing out toward the ravine where he, Cole and Wyatt had spent many a day exploring. “You’ll have to hire someone else.” He met his brother Seth’s penetrating gaze.

  Seth’s jaw tightened and Cole knew he was trying not to let his anger overtake his words. Seth was like that, calm in a storm. Steady as rock.

  “You miss this.” He nodded, letting his gaze flicker about the land before tagging him again. “You can’t run for the rest of your life, Cole. I feel like I’m a broken record, but how else am I going to get through to you? All the good works in all the world won’t bring Lori back to you. Won’t change the past.”

  “I’m not in denial. God gave me the ability to help people and that’s what I’m doing.”

  “That’s all noble of you and you’ve changed lots of lives doing what you do but I need you here and at the other ranch. I need you to help me. You need to put some structure in your life here on the ranch. And what about Susan?”

  “What about her?”

  “You don’t have any feelings for her?”

  Cole swallowed; he wanted to deny the question but he couldn’t. He couldn’t tell Seth a lie. “I care for her. But she needs more than a man who, as you put it, is quote ‘living in denial’ unquote. She needs more than I can give.”

  “More than you can give or more than you’re willing to give? There’s a big difference, little brother.”

  Cole didn’t like the way that sounded.

  “Look, Cole, I had issues of my own to deal with when I met Melody so don’t think I’m judging you about this. I just know that I’ve been blessed because I resolved those issues and took hold of the love God was offering me. I just want you to have the happiness I know He has in store for you, too. And my gut tells me Susan is the one to make you happy. Don’t leave. At least not yet.”

  “Sorry, Seth. I’m leaving after church tomorrow. After I say goodbye to everyone.”

  Early Sunday morning, Cole walked out of the stagecoach house and stared at his motorcycle. For six years it had represented escape to him. When things started caving in around him, he’d tied up his loose ends quickly and hit the road.

  But he’d hardly slept all night as his thoughts and his heart fought. He wasn’t so sure if hitting the road was what he needed now.

  Maybe Seth was right. Maybe if he didn’t make a stand at some point, he’d never come to peace with the things he didn’t want to face. Was it all about denial? Was the entire past six years of helping others simply denial on his part?

  The thought pained him.

  He’d believed he was helping others out of a good heart when it may have simply been a coward’s way of not facing issues—point-blank and real…He’d not faced the pain and resentment he felt eating him up inside over Lori. God should have spared her like He’d spared Catherine Elizabeth…and all those whom Cole had witnessed survive disaster and illness. God should have spared Lori.

  He set his saddlebag on the porch and sank down on the steps. He knew Seth was trying to make him step up into his responsibility…and this ranch was his responsibility as much as it was Seth’s. But could he stay? Did he want to stay?

  It was eight o’clock. He’d planned to be on the road by six so he’d get an early start—or was it to avoid saying goodbye to anyone? He’d told Seth he was going to church, but he’d decided it would be better not to. He’d already said goodbye to Susan the day before at the clinic.

  And he’d driven away from her with rocks in his stomach.

  Susan. He was leaving her behind. His heart ached thinking about that.

  He hadn’t told any of that to Seth when he’d ridden out to give him the news that he was leaving.

  It would have only made Seth more determined to keep him here. Cole grabbed his bag. It was time to go.

  Time to stop thinking and ride.

  Susan hadn’t slept a wink. She’d paced back and forth all night and the fact was, she couldn’t let Cole go. She’d not had the power to keep her mom or her dad with her—but she had the power to at least try to keep Cole in her life. No, she couldn’t let him go.

  Not without telling him that she loved him.

  Not without at least trying to get him to stay.

  The ladies were right. She’d fought for everything she’d ever achieved. Her daddy had taught her to set a goal and go after it. That meant keeping the love of her life in her life, too!

  Storming off the porch, Susan had her truck door open and one foot on the floorboard when Catherine Elizabeth lumbered down the steps.

  “Stay, girl. I can’t take you with me,” Susan called and hopped inside. A pitiful howl filled the air. “Not now,” she groaned. She’d waited so late that she was afraid Cole had already ridden out of town. She didn’t expect him to hang around for church. He’d realize that if he went everyone would be on his case to get him to stay. So she figured he’d probably rode off toward the sunrise. But there might be a chance that he hadn’t.

  She didn’t have time to waste. But Catherine Elizabeth looked so sad, and lonely…Jumping out, Susan jogged over to the driver’s side and opened the door. “Come on, girl. Let’s go get ‘my man,’ as Mrs. A. calls him.” And as she wanted him to be.

  Catherine Elizabeth ambled over and waited as Susan bent to lift her. It was like trying to lift a cow all by herself. “Okay, I can do this,” she gasped, adjusting her hold and giving it another try. Nothing happened.

  Susan had to get the dog into the truck. Time was of the essence. She was a vet. She lifted animals onto exam tables all the time. She should be able to lift Catherine Elizabeth, too. Wrapping one arm beneath the overweight dog and the other around her back legs, Susan took a deep breath and heaved…“Don’t want to hurt your feelings,” she grunted as she managed to lift her, “but we’re putting you on a diet while Mrs. A. is recouping.”

  “A smart woman once told me to lift with my knees. Maybe it’ll work for you.”

  The slow drawl behind her had Susan almost dropping poor Catherine Elizabeth on her well-rounded bottom. Thankfully Cole stepped from behind Susan and rescued the sweet dog before injury happened.

  “Where did you come from?” Susan’s heart was thundering in her chest as she looked at him. All tall and broad-shouldered, he looked so rock-solid—in a much better way than Catherine Elizabeth—as he hugged the old dog. “Wait a minute.” She glanced around. She hadn’t heard a truck or motorcycle drive up and, examining her surroundings, she saw neither. “How did you get here?”

  “Seems I ran out of gas,” Cole said, gently placing the plump pooch on the ground and giving her a gentle pat before he straightened.

  “Where?”

  “About five miles from your turnoff.”

  “But…” Susan’s brows dipped—surely, the ladies did not do this. A vivid image of the ladies on a covert mission flashed to the front of her mind. “How?”

  He studied her with light eyes. “I was too intent on leaving town that I forgot to fill up.”

  “Thank goodness.” Norma Sue and Esther Mae hadn’t snuck out to his house and drained his gas tank.

  He grinned. “Really. And why exactly are you so happy that I forgot to fill up with gas?”

  “No, I meant—” She stumbled to a halt, about to deny that she hadn’t meant that when in fact she’d meant it very much. It didn’t matter that he had just confirmed he’d been in so much of a hurry to leave town—to leave her—that he’d forgotten to put gas in his tank. It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was that he was here.

  “I meant thank-goodness-you-didn’t-get-out-of-town-before-I-could-tell-you-that-I-love-you,” she blurted
out at the speed of light. “I realized I couldn’t let you leave town without telling you. I was on my way to try to stop you when you walked up. I know you don’t like my lifestyle. I know you loved Lori. And I know you love what you do. It’s impossible and crazy for me to even think—” She halted, as a big grin spread across Cole’s face.

  “Thank goodness.” His eyes seemed to caress her face as he smiled at her.

  “What?”

  He took a step closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Thank goodness you love me,” he said. “Because I love you, too, and I would have hated walking that entire five miles just to have you tell me it was for nothing.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Cole laughed and tugged her into his arms. “Yes, I’m sure I love you. I’ve never been more sure of anything in all of my life. I was leaving and made it as far as the crossroads and I couldn’t do it. I knew that this time I didn’t want to leave. I was running just like Seth said. I was angry at God for not answering my prayers and too stubborn to see what a beautiful gift He’d given me in knowing Lori and loving her. You helped me see that. But I realized when I got to the crossroads that God was giving me another gift…you. I certainly don’t deserve a second chance at happiness, especially since dummy me was trying to run away from you. I prayed all the way here that you would tell me you loved me, too.”

  “Oh, Cole,” Susan whispered. “You prayed for me.”

  Cole took her face in his hands, so tenderly she wanted to cry—and she did as a tear slipped down her cheek. He kissed it away, his lips warm and gentle brushed across her cheek, and caused her breath to catch in her chest.

  “I prayed all the way here, believing that God had a plan when He’d brought us together. Believing just as you’d showed me when you prayed for Catherine Elizabeth. I knew I didn’t deserve it and I was willing to accept it if you told me you didn’t care for me. But I believed with all my heart that you would love me, too.”

  “Oh, Cole. I love you so much.”

  “Even if I’m hardheaded when it comes to you taking care of yourself?”

  Susan cherished the feel of his arms wrapped about her. It was a feeling she knew she would never grow tired of. “I decided I love having someone to watch over me. Someone who loves me enough to want what is best for me—”

  “Then in that case I’m your man. But I’m also going to want to support you in what you do. I’ m proud of what you do, Susan. Don’t ever think I’m not. I just want you safe and I want to help you in any way I can if you’ll have me,” he murmured, his lips only a breath from hers.

  Susan smiled against his lips and wrapped her hands around his neck. “I’ll take you for the rest of our lives,” she said, and then as his lips claimed hers she sighed with happiness. In Cole’s sweet embrace, with his heart beating next to hers, Susan knew God had answered her prayers and given her the blessing of a lifetime. He’d given her her very own forever cowboy. And He was giving her a future with a man who would challenge her, as she would him. One she knew would never be boring…and as she kissed him back with a love deep and true, Susan knew she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

  Epilogue

  “So when’s the wedding date?” Wyatt asked, his piercing dark eyes locked on to Cole. His big brother had finally arrived in town a week after Susan had agreed to marry Cole.

  Today was the grand opening of the Mule Hollow Veterinary Clinic and the entire town was here. It was like a small-time festival with all the door prizes and refreshments and fun going on. He’d been slapped on the back so much he thought he might need to be the first in line for the beautiful veterinarian’s tender loving care…not a bad idea.

  “We’re looking at the dates and we’re pretty sure next month we’re having a wedding. You’re going to make it, I hope.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. You’re happy, aren’t you, little brother?”

  Cole smiled. He couldn’t help it. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Thanks for insisting I come home when you did. God really seems to have had everything worked out with the way Susan and I met that first night. And then when the contractor up and quit like he did—Why are you grinning like that?” Cole asked, recognizing the mischievous glint in Wyatt’s eyes. Growing up, he’d seen that look often.

  “Tank told me he had a great time on his fishing trip—”

  “Whoa, wait a minute! Tank. Is that the same Tank you used to play poker with?”

  Wyatt hiked a jet-black brow. “Way back before I saw the light—in my wayward days, I made a bundle off that man. Seems only right that I give him a trip of a lifetime to make everything up to him.”

  Cole couldn’t believe what he was hearing…then again, yes, he could. This was Wyatt, after all. “It was you all along! I should have known.”

  “I told you I’d do whatever it took to get you home,” he said, clapping him on the shoulder. “When I saw you and Susan at Seth’s wedding, my mind started working. I figured you two were made for each other…and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring you together.”

  Cole laughed. He met Susan’s gaze across the room. They’d come a long way and were looking forward to the life before them. He’d thanked God every day for her. “How could I be mad when I have Susan standing over there looking at me with all that love?” And it was true. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I’m going to go hug my beautiful fiancée—but watch out, big brother. What’s best for two Turner men is better for all three—so you’re next in line.”

  “Hold on there, Cole. Wait just a minute!”

  Cole chuckled and left his brother sputtering behind him. God was going to have to step in and be the matchmaker for Wyatt because Cole had other things on his mind…Susan was going to be his priority. And besides, Cole knew it was going to take one very special woman to put up with Wyatt, and only God could be the matchmaker where that one was concerned.

  Boy, would it be fun to sit back and watch.

  Dear Reader,

  Hello—I’m so glad you decided to spend some time with me and the gang in Mule Hollow! I always try to make it a great place for you to kick up your heels and escape for a few hours.

  Her Forever Cowboy is the first of three books about the Turner men. I introduced them in my July 2009 book, Lone Star Cinderella, about Seth Turner. I love the background story in that book and felt compelled to continue the story line of Cole, Wyatt and Chance, the cowboys whose roots go six generations deep in the Mule Hollow ranch they own. We’ve named the three books MEN OF MULE HOLLOW, and I hope you’ll be on the lookout for them during the year.

  In Her Forever Cowboy, Cole and Susan are both hurting and struggling to heal—both are ready to move forward. As always, I love showing that God’s timing is always the best timing. I pray that, whatever you may be going through, you’ll trust God to take care of you and to comfort you. He loves you and has a wonderful plan for you!

  Until next time, live, laugh, love and seek God with all your heart!

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  I hope you enjoyed this book. Did you enjoy the background story of the Turner men? Why or why not?

  Susan was one determined woman. Why did she push herself so hard?

  Cole traded in his horse for a Harley. He was running from his past, but helping others as he did. Why? What was it that made him do this?

  Cole blamed God for not answering his prayers and healing Lori. His pain was exposed as the book went along. Have you ever blamed God for not working the miracle you desperately needed?

  Susan told Cole that we don’t know God’s plan, or why He lets some things happen and intervenes at other times. We have to trust that He is making the right call. What do you think?

  Wyatt and Seth wanted Cole home. Did they do the right thing—even if it was forcing him to come to terms with his past—by being firm with him?

  Susan prayed for Catherine Elizabeth, believing that God was going to answer her prayers. She quoted John 5:14, “T
his is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Cole didn’t believe this. But does God hearing us mean He will answer our prayers the way we want them? What does this verse say?

  Susan’s mother died giving birth to her. How did she relate this to Jesus giving His life for us?

  What motivated Susan to go after Cole in the end of the book?

  Why was Susan so determined to make her father proud? Shouldn’t we be this determined to make our heavenly Father proud?

  Many readers have been waiting for Lacy (my original character in my Mule Hollow books) to get pregnant. They’d been praying for a baby, but again, it had to happen in God’s timing. It says in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.” Lacy and Clint had to do this as they prayed for a baby. How does this verse help you when times are tough?

  I hope the themes of this book have helped you in some way. God is there for us in the best of times and the worst of times. We are to pray, believe and trust. Please discuss how He has been there for you when you needed Him to be.

  Susan realized after her father died that she needed family. She needed more than work. I hope you seek out your family, and if you don’t have family I hope you seek out a church family and get involved. God tells us that we need fellowship. It is good for our souls. Getting involved is the key here—why is that?

  I’ve been blessed by being involved with my church family. Please share how being involved with your church family has helped you.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-4683-0

  HER FOREVER COWBOY