Running from the Cowboy: Spring in Snow Valley Romance

by Cami Checketts

  “Poor Tate?” Missy felt her blood boil and suddenly she understood why she’d stayed with Tate so long. She’d been abused her entire life and hadn’t known she’d deserved better, but the Lord knew and he’d helped her to see it. “Poor Tate cheated on me and beat me until I was bruised and bloody—but you! You are just as awful, only the wounds you inflict aren’t seen. And that’s the whole point isn’t it, mother? It’s all about what others can see. Well, when I look at you, all I see is a demented and disturbed woman who has hurt me for the last time.”

  Her dad ran into the room from his office and dodged in front of Missy as her mom came at her with a hand raised. Paul grabbed her mom’s arm. “Susannah. Calm down. We’re all just tired. Let’s head to bed and work this out in the morning.”

  “No!” Missy and her mom shouted at the same time.

  “I will not put up with her sass,” her mom yelled.

  Missy folded her arms across her chest and turned to her dad. It was sad to see his once strong shoulders stooped from the burden of her mom’s illness. He rarely smiled and when he did it was like he had to remind himself.

  “Thank you for trying to protect me my entire life,” Missy said. “I wish I could stay and try to return the favor now.” She spread her hands. “I’m done. It is past time that you either leave her or force her into counseling and medication. No one should have to live like this.”

  Missy stomped out of the room, ignoring her mother’s shrieks of protests and her father’s calm voice as he tried to soothe Susannah. Missy had stayed out of love for her dad, but he was an adult. He’d made his choices to never force her mom to be responsible and Missy was through dealing with a borderline abusive mother and a peacemaker father who couldn’t stand confrontation so he soothed and prevented, but could never really make it right.

  She slammed and locked her room door then started piling things into her suitcase. A text came from Porter.

  Miss you already pretty girl.

  Tears came as the anger drained away and all she could think about was Porter. His thoughtfulness. His fun personality. His kisses. His chest. Oh, my, she was smitten. She texted him back before reason could stop her.

  You don’t know how badly I needed to hear that. I’m leaving my parent’s house right now, but I’ll let you know where I find to sleep.

  Her phone rang seconds later. “Ah, Porter,” she murmured. She slid it to answer. “Hey.”

  “I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes and follow you to my house.”

  She sank onto the bed, clinging to the phone as more tears slid out. She loved this man. Whoa. She really did. How to tell him that? “I’m not staying at your house.”

  “Yes, you are. My mom isn’t moving out until after the weddings. Your virtue is perfectly safe I promise you.”

  “Um, Port. My virtue was compromised at eighteen.”

  He grunted. “Don’t remind me. In my eyes your virtue is still intact.”

  “Oh, Porter.” She wiped at her eyes, wanting to be brave and tell him she could handle this on her own. It wasn’t that cold to sleep in her car and she’d find an apartment or something tomorrow. Maybe Rayna had room at the Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast or one of the small hotels in town. She could drive to Billings tonight and get a hotel then decide where she wanted to live. There was no reason to stay in Snow Valley, especially with Tate back in town. No reason, except… Porter. “Thank you,” she heard herself say.

  Strong woman obviously vacated the premises when Porter was involved. Although the thing with Porter was that she still felt strong, even when she leaned on him. Like they were partners—like he saw her as an equal. She could be herself and didn’t have to be less than herself for him. He was proud of her accomplishments, proud of who she was and she knew she could count on him.

  “See you soon.”

  Missy returned to shoving clothing into her suitcase. A tentative knock on her door told her it was her dad. She slowly swung it open.

  Paul held up his hands. “I’m not going to talk you into staying. I just wanted to say that I love you and I appreciate you trying to help.”

  Missy wondered if her eyes would ever dry tonight. She flung herself at her dad. He held her in his wiry arms for a few minutes. She finally pulled away. “I love you too, Dad, but you really need to get her some help.”

  He nodded.

  Missy’s eyes widened. “Did you just agree with me?”

  “I’ve always agreed, I just haven’t been strong enough to make the stand.” He sighed and pushed a hand through his receding hair. “I don’t know if your mom will listen, but I think after tonight, she might.”

  “Thank you. Let me know what I can do to help.”

  Paul glanced at the suitcase on the bed. “Are you still leaving?”

  She thought about it for a minute and then nodded. “Yes. I’m an adult. I need my own place, but I’ll try to help you any way I can.”

  “Thanks.” He pursed his lips. “I know it’s going to be a long road, but I do love her and I want to try to help her.”

  Missy wished he would’ve decided this when she was a baby, but didn’t have the energy to be upset with him. He’d tried all these years to protect her and Jake. She’d pray he would stay strong enough to really force her mom into therapy. What would it be like to have a mother who wasn’t ruled by her mental illness?

  “Porter’s coming for me. I’m going to stay with him.”

  “Excuse me?”

  She smirked. Her dad would always worry about her, even when he was under duress with her mom. “Porter’s mom will be with us. I’ll stay there tonight and find an apartment in the morning. I thought about leaving Snow Valley, but I’d like to stay and see if I can help you and Mom.”

  “And you’d like to stay close to that young man?”

  “Well, there is that.” She grinned.

  Lights shone in her window from the front drive.

  “I’ll go let him in,” her dad said. “Then we’ll both help you load up.”

  “Where’s mom?”

  “She’s locked herself in her bathroom.”

  “Dad.” Missy placed her hand on his arm. “Please stay strong. I know you’ve tried to get her help and it hasn’t worked out before. Please, do it for you, for Jake, for my future children who will want a grandpa and a grandma who are capable of loving them.”

  Her dad pressed his lips together, his eyes bright. “I will, Missy. I promise you, I will.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief and gave him another hug. He smiled bravely and walked out. She didn’t envy him the battle he faced, but she’d pray for him and hope he was strong enough to fight it.

  A few minutes later, Porter leaned in the open doorway of her bedroom. “You all right?”

  Missy started to nod, but shook her head instead. She laid the shirt she was trying to fold down and lifted her hands in defeat.

  Porter crossed the room in three long strides and engulfed her in those burly arms. Missy leaned into his strength and had the feeling that this man would always make everything right for her.

  A throat clearing in the doorway announced her dad.

  “Guess that’s my cue to get back to packing,” Missy whispered against Porter’s chest. Oh, my, he smelled nice. Musky cologne with just a hint of horses. One of the reasons she always fell for cowboys had to be her love for horses.

  He tilted her chin up. “We’ll continue this later.”

  Missy’s entire body warmed.

  An hour later they trudged into Porter’s house. Missy only let Porter bring in one small suitcase with a few clothes and her toiletries. She’d left the rest in her car, not planning to stay more than tonight. Porter gestured for her to go up the wide staircase in front of him. He guided her down the hallway and opened a door.

  “Kazzy’s bedroom?” Missy guessed.

  “Yep.” Porter took her bag and set it next to the bed. “I’m just down the hall though, if you…” his voice got husky, “need anyt
hing.”

  “I won’t need anything,” she rushed out the words and couldn’t look at him. Be strong, Missy.

  “You sure?” He moved into her personal space. His warm breath touched her cheek and shot awareness throughout her body.

  Missy placed her hands on his chest to create some distance, but all she could think was how nicely formed his chest muscles were. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him, but as tired as she was and as appealing as Porter was, kissing right now was not a good idea.

  Porter trailed his hand along her cheekbone and into her hair. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, my mom will make sure I stay in line. I promise.”

  “I’m not worried about you staying in line, I’m worried about me.”

  “Just can’t keep your hands off me, eh?”

  She pushed at his shoulder, but started laughing. “You’re almost as yummy as Bullman’s Pizza.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Almost?”

  “Okay, you’ve got me. You’re like the perfect mix of mushrooms, sausage, and cheese.” She gestured to him and blushed at the same time.

  Porter leaned down and softly kissed her. “You’re the only kind of pizza I’d ever want.”

  She shook her head and pulled back. “Sadly, I know there’s a long line of women who think you’re more irresistible than pizza. How many have you kissed?”

  “Wh-what?” Porter backed away toward the doorframe. He leaned against it.

  She didn’t know why she’d asked him that question and really didn’t want the answer. She was too tired to be rational. “Never mind.”

  “No, wait a minute.” Porter moved back across the room and in a swift motion lifted her into his arms, sat down on the edge of the bed, and held her on his lap.

  “Now that’s not fair. My brain is already muddy and I definitely can’t think straight when you do stuff like that,” Missy protested.

  Porter trailed his lips down her neck. She arched her head back and moaned. He laughed. “How’s the thinking now?”

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  Porter arched an eyebrow but obeyed. Oh my, did he obey. Several kisses later he pulled back and said, “A kiss with any other girl has never felt like this.”

  “Me either. I mean with another boy.” She shook her head.

  Porter held her tenderly before asking, “Do you really want to know how many girls I’ve kissed?”

  “No… Yes… No… Maybe.” She peered up at him from between lowered lashes.

  Porter chuckled. “I’d have to think about it, but the number is not that high.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. I dated a lot, but I had a rule that I wouldn’t kiss until the second date and not many made it to the second date.”

  “Wait a minute.” She straightened in his arms. “You kissed me way before you even took me out on a date.”

  Porter smiled. “Don’t you feel special?”

  “Should I?”

  “Definitely.” He kissed her cheek then her jawline. It was exquisite torture as he slowly made his way to her lips and Missy savored every sensation. His musky cologne. The strength of his arms surrounding her. The way his lips maneuvered hers so tenderly but yet so demanding.

  “Porter Wilson! You get your hands off that girl this instant.”

  Missy yelped and broke free from the kiss. She would’ve fallen to the ground if Porter hadn’t held on tight. Porter grinned, winked at his mother in the doorway, and lifted Missy onto her feet. “I guess that’ll have to be my goodnight kiss, darlin’.”

  “You guess?” His mother folded her arms and tapped her toe. “That better be your goodnight kiss for a month. And don’t let me catch you sneaking back in here. You got that young man? I’ll make you go sleep at Luke’s if I catch you bothering our guest with your tomfoolery.”

  Porter stood and gave Missy a chaste kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight, pretty girl. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  “Porter!” his mom called out from behind him.

  Missy couldn’t help but giggle at his teasing.

  Porter sauntered to his mom’s side and gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, beautiful Momma. Thank you for everything.”

  She swatted at his behind as he walked away, but the look of love and pride in her eyes shone bright. Turning back to Missy, Rebecca’s smile turned compassionate. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”

  “I’m okay. Thank you for letting me stay. I’ll find an apartment tomorrow.”

  “Oh, you can stay as long as you need. I’ll keep Porter in line. At least I’ll try.”

  Missy laughed at that.

  “Now, there’s clean towels in this bathroom and all kinds of food in the fridge and pantry if you get hungry in the night.” Rebecca tsked. “You look like you could use some food, teeny little thing.”

  Missy had to smile. Porter’s mom was smaller than she was. Rebecca came over and gave Missy a hug. “I’m glad you’re here and I’m glad to see Porter finally smitten with a wonderful woman.” She smiled and walked back out of the room. Missy sank onto the bed. Hoping Porter really was “smitten”.

  Chapter Ten

  P

  orter woke the next morning with a smile on his face. He rushed through his morning chores, showered quickly, and went to find Missy. He knocked and waited but got no response so he pushed the door open slightly. The bed was all made and no traces of her belongings were in Kazlyn’s room. He didn’t like that. Was she already gone? It was only seven a.m. Voices came from the kitchen. He must’ve missed her when he rushed in from doing chores to shower.

  Rebecca, Annie, and Missy were at the table, eating eggs and toast and chatting like they were the best of friends. Porter stopped in the doorway and watched for a few seconds. Missy noticed him first. A smile broke across her face, lighting her blue eyes and taking his breath away. She stood and came to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Porter gladly accepted the hug. Her small frame fit perfectly in his arms, protection and love swelled within him.

  “Good morning to us too,” his mom quipped.

  Missy pulled back and smiled at him. “Are you hungry?”

  “Yes.” He leaned down and whispered, “For a kiss from you.

  She blushed and laughed. “Sorry, cowboy, it’s toast and eggs for you.”

  “Later?” he begged.

  “I promise.”

  Annie handed him a plate and a sly wink. Porter started piling food on, thankful there were some sausage as well. A man needed meat in the morning.

  “Annie’s invited me to stay in her apartment,” Missy said.

  Porter’s head whipped up and he stopped spearing sausage. “Why can’t you just stay here?”

  “Porter Wilson,” his mother scolded. “You know why she can’t stay here.”

  Porter ducked his head again. His mom was reading his thoughts too well. He’d keep himself under control if Missy stayed here, but he wanted her close. He needed to be around her every possible minute and what if Tate tried something? Porter had to be able to protect her.

  “W-we g-girls are g-going to h-h-have the best t-time,” Annie said.

  Missy grinned at her. “Yes, we will. Thank you so much for taking me in, Annie.”

  “No pr-problem.” Annie’s highlighted curls bounced as she nodded.

  Missy focused back on Porter. “Annie’s landlord said I could take over the lease when she and Luke get married next month, so it’ll work out perfect.”

  Perfect? Porter couldn’t call it perfect, but at least she wasn’t leaving town. “Can we at least spend the day together? You don’t have to rush off and leave me right this minute, do you?”

  Porter ignored Annie and Rebecca’s amused glances, begging Missy with his eyes to agree. He just had to be close to her.

  “Okay, but tonight I’m staying at Annie’s and tomorrow you have to let me work for a few hours.”

  Porter grinned, knowing he’d have to work more than a few hours tomorrow to make up fo
r taking time off today. “I can agree to those terms.”

  Missy gave him a look that he hoped meant he was getting more than a few kisses today.

  Chapter Eleven

  T

  he brown mare Porter had saddled for her looked to be gentle. “Don’t you think I can ride?” Missy pinned him with a stare.

  Porter chuckled, wrapped his hands around her waist, and lifted her onto the horse. “I know you can ride, sweetheart, I just want Sunshine to keep you safe.”

  She smiled down at him. “Can this old girl even break into a trot?”

  “Let’s see.” He swung up onto his massive tan stallion.

  Missy bent low to the horse’s neck and whispered, “Come on, Sunshine, let’s give him a run for his money.”

  The horse bent her ears back as if she understood. Missy gently placed her heels into Sunshine’s ribs. “Let’s go!” The mare shot out of the yard, galloping for the open pasture behind the barn like she was made to run. Missy threw her head back and laughed. Mud flung up from the horse’s hooves and Missy knew she’d be covered before the ride was over. She didn’t care. All her worries over her parents, Tate returning and what he might do, and if Porter was really interested in her and her alone, flew away as they rode through the pasture and up the valley behind Porter’s house.

  The ride passed too quickly. They slowed to a walk to savor the last rays of spring sunshine on their faces and the freedom the ride had brought.

  “Thanks for bringing me out here,” Missy said.

  “Anything for you, pretty girl.”

  She closed her eyes and savored every moment. The brisk wind through her hair, the sun’s warmth on her face, Porter next to her, the scent of new life and smoke… Smoke. Her eyes flew open. She searched and saw a plume of smoke coming from the ranch. “Porter!”

  He was already spurring his horse and flying away from her. He glanced back. “You okay?”

  “I’m coming, go!” Missy hurried to catch up, grateful he was concerned about her even when his first priority needed to be his livelihood.