Wildcat Cowboy (The McCabes of Texas #2)

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  Jackson—who had apparently come straight from the hospital—was still in surgical scrubs. He rubbed his jaw and studied Wade thoughtfully. “It’s never been that you don’t have a heart or that you have a calculator and dollar signs in the place where your heart should be. It’s just you don’t know how to use it.”

  The hell he didn’t, Wade thought, as he stuffed underwear and socks in his suitcase on top of his jeans. He had loved and trusted Josie. But she hadn’t loved and trusted him. Wade reached for his freshly laundered shirts, ripped them off the hangers and stuffed them on top of the rest of his clothes. “From this point on I’m going to stick to what I know—business and hopelessly shallow women. No more women who seem sincere but aren’t,” he vowed resolutely. Slamming his suitcase shut, he headed for his laptop computer in the next room.

  Exchanging concerned looks, his three brothers followed. “Look, we know Josie wasn’t your usual type,” Travis said, pushing the brim of his Stetson back and looking like the veteran cattle rancher he was. “But she brought a light to your eyes and a smile to your face that made every one of the rest of us McCabes do a double take.”

  “The fact Josie’s really a debutante and an heiress in her own right shouldn’t matter one whit,” Shane added.

  “Even though you did commit a major faux pas in making it known you were trying to turn her into a lady,” Jackson observed as Wade began packing up his laptop computer.

  “She didn’t need or want lessons on that,” Wade said, acutely aware all over again how he had made a fool of himself, and all in the name of love.

  “Which maybe,” Shane guessed quite accurately, “was what made it so much fun.”

  Unfortunately, that was the truth, too, Wade thought uncomfortably. He’d had tons of fun with Josie. Worse, the thought of a life without her was almost more than he could bear.

  “Look,” Shane continued determinedly, “I’m the last person in the world to tell anyone to get married. But in your case I’m gonna make an exception.”

  “We saw the two of you together last night. If ever there were two people who were meant to be together...” Jackson said.

  Wade looked at Travis. “Et tu, Brutus?” he said lightly.

  Travis—who’d hated to discuss anything the least bit romantic ever since he’d lost his own fiancée in a car accident—said, “She’s the only woman who made you forget about business. She’s got to be special.” Travis paused, his face reflecting the hurt he had suffered and the hope he felt for Wade. “Special isn’t easy to find. If I were you,” he said softly, “I wouldn’t turn my back on it and walk away.”

  BITSY SOAKED two compresses in ice water. Bracelets jingling, she wrung the soft cotton squares out and handed them over to her daughter. “I’m glad you’re going to the She’s Marrying Him All Over Again bridal shower for Lilah McCabe tonight.”

  Josie refused to stay home and feel sorry for herself, or shed even one more tear!—so she figured she might as well go along to the big bash with her mother, who had also been invited by Lilah. Besides, everything in this trailer, everything on the Golden Slipper Ranch, reminded her of Wade. And she certainly needed to get away from that, now that they were no longer an item, Josie told herself.

  Studying her red, puffy eyes in the mirror, Josie frowned. And forced herself to adapt a cheerful attitude. “It’s supposed to rival the bachelor party they gave for John McCabe a couple of weeks ago.”

  “Wild, hmm?” Bitsy looked excited about the prospect of that.

  “And then some.” Josie dropped onto the rumpled covers of her bed. She stretched out, head on the pillows. She pressed the icy compresses against her eyes, to take down the last of the tear-induced swelling. “Jackson McCabe’s new bride, Lacey, stripped down to a gold lamé bikini and danced on the bar that night. Of course they weren’t married yet when it happened. In fact they hadn’t even met. But once they did—and she lassoed him to a chair—there was no turning back for either of them. They were married in no time flat!”

  “I’m sure they had their up-and-down moments, too,” Bitsy said.

  Josie’s lips formed a testy pout. “But they got together in the end,” Josie said. She and Wade hadn’t and wouldn’t, and for that she feared her heart would ache until her dying day.

  Bitsy circled closer and perched on the edge of the bed. “Honey, if you love him as much as I think you do, maybe you should swallow your pride and just telephone Wade. I spoke to Lilah this morning and she and I both think—”

  Josie sat up abruptly. She ripped the icy cold compresses from her eyes. “Mom, don’t start. It’s over, okay?” Josie vaulted from the bed, nearly tripping over the sack of clean laundry that she’d not yet had the time—or the inclination—to put away. Josie marched to the closet. She pulled out the only clothes that were suitable for the gala—a sexy scoop-necked light blue denim sundress that laced up the back. And a pair of matching light blue denim espadrilles.

  Josie shucked off her robe and began to dress. “I have to go on with my life, and that is exactly what I am going to do,” she said emphatically.

  To Josie’s immense relief, Bitsy seemed to sense it was better not to disagree. So, gathering up their presents for Lilah, they headed off for the party. The all-woman event was in full swing as they arrived at Remington’s Bar & Grill. Loud music and the sound of feminine laughter spilled out onto the street. Josie plastered a big smile on her face, as though she hadn’t a care in the world, and marched in, her mother at her side. Streamers, balloons, flowers and a big banner in the shape of wedding bells decorated the inside of the restaurant. All four Lockhart sisters were there. Jackson’s new wife, Lacey. Plus Lacey’s mom. And new Laramie resident Patricia Weatherby.

  Lilah McCabe took Josie’s arm. She led her toward the bar. “Let’s get you some champagne, dear. Then I’ll introduce you to the mayor’s wife.”

  Josie was about to pick up her glass when there was a commotion at the door behind her. Wade McCabe marched in, John Wayne style. He was clad in tight-fitting black jeans, a white shirt, taupe sport coat, boots and Stetson. Ignoring the gasps and chuckles, he headed straight for Josie.

  “I want to talk to you.”

  Pushing the memory of the passion they had shared from her mind, she turned away and headed for the bar. “It’s too late for talking, Wade.” He had broken her heart, walking away from her that way. Refusing to listen to her. To forgive. She wasn’t going to give him a chance to stomp on her heart all over again.

  Wade braced a hand on the bar beside her. “It’s only too late if I say it is.” He stepped closer, invading her space, his voice so quiet she had to strain to hear him.

  Josie plucked a long-stemmed flute, brimming with bubbly golden liquid, from the bar. Keeping her eyes directed away from his sexy, compelling gaze, she raised it and took a sip for courage. Much more of this closeness and she’d end up in his arms. “Forget it, Wade. We have already said everything there is to say.” She was finished with men who couldn’t accept her as she was, flaws, idiosyncrasies, mistakes, and all.

  Wade took up the challenge. Wordlessly he plucked the champagne flute from her hand and set it aside. Josie only had to look at his face to know the game plan—he was planning to swing her up in his arms and carry her out. But he wasn’t going to succeed, she thought grimly, as she dashed around a table, putting it between them. “You are making a spectacle of us!” she said as he merrily gave chase.

  “Like you made a spectacle out of me?” he asked in a low voice. The new determination in his voice had her pulse jumping.

  “You’re the one who pursued me!” Josie fumed, hot, embarrassed color flooding her cheeks.

  “As I recall you let yourself get caught!” Wade drawled, his smile so wicked it made her heart race.

  Josie glared at him even as she darted away. “My mistake!”

  “No,” Wade replied as he closed in on her with a purposefulness that had her trembling. “My mistake, the only mistake,” he contin
ued in a low seductive voice, “was in letting you walk away.”

  Hurriedly, she tried to edge past him. heading toward the door. Where she moved, he followed, easily blocking her moves. As they continued their dance, Josie’s exasperation with him increased by leaps and bounds. She hadn’t felt like this since she was in elementary school, being chased by the boys at recess.

  “Stop chasing me this instant!” Josie fumed.

  “Gladly!” Grinning mischievously, Wade closed the distance between them. Applause, hooting, and hollering erupted all around them as be caught her beneath the knees, lifted her off her feet and swept her gallantly up into his arms.

  “Wade McCabe, you put me down this instant!” Josie ordered hotly as he cradled her tenderly against his chest. “I mean it! We are finished. You hear met?”

  “Lady, we haven’t even begun,” Wade told her with a cheerful, determined smile.

  He swept through the doors, heading straight for the stagecoach at the curb. Not surprisingly that, too, was a family affair. Shane McCabe was holding the door open. Travis McCabe was atop it, handling the reins. Big Jim, John McCabe and Jackson McCabe were all out on the curb, watching the spectacle and egging Wade on with grins and whistles. As if he needed any prodding, Josie fumed.

  Josie glared at her father. “I can’t believe this! You’re encouraging him, too?”

  Big Jim shrugged and grinned. He rubbed a hand across his jaw. “Given the way you respond to him?” Big Jim drawled as people from the party streamed into the street. “Yeah, I think Wade ought to give it another shot.” Big Jim shook his index finger at her. “You should, too, honey,” he finished gently.

  “I’ll second that!” John McCabe said. “We all think you’d be a fine addition to our family.” His enthusiastic declaration of support was followed by more hooting and hollering.

  Wade lifted Josie into the coach, where flowers and a bottle of champagne awaited. He set her on the seat, then followed her inside. The door clicked behind them. Wade lifted his fist to the ceiling and pounded on it twice. The coach took off to the accompaniment of much cheering and shouted encouragement.

  Hardly able to believe this was happening to her, Josie settled back onto the seat. She decided it was undignified to struggle anymore. She would just listen to what he had to say, tell him they were still through and let that be that. “Where did this—this coach—come from?” Josie demanded irritably. Honestly! She wouldn’t have gotten all gussied up, had she known he was going to spirit her away to parts unknown in a stagecoach!

  Wade tipped the brim of his hat back and settled on the opposite seat. “The town uses it for their annual Old West Days festival at the end of July. I talked the mayor into letting me use it for the evening so I could make your Cinderella dreams come true.”

  At that, Josie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She was touched at the amount of trouble he had gone to. “Where are you taking me?” she demanded, as the stagecoach rolled along the smoothly paved streets of Laramie, toward the outskirts of town.

  Wade winked. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

  “Like heck it is!” Josie raised a fist to the ceiling of the coach, intending to signal them to stop. Wade caught her hand and tugged her close. They collided, softness to hardness. He hooked his other arm around her waist, tugged her down onto his lap and guided her between his spread knees, all in one smooth motion.

  “I still want to know where we’re going!” Josie said. Determined not to give in to him, she folded her arms in front of her.

  He looked down at her hotly and teased, “Nowhere the least bit frilly and ladylike, that’s for sure.”

  Josie continued to glower at him, and she did not uncross her arms, even when he tried to pry them lose. “What for?” She pulled her upper body as far away from him as he would allow. “To prove I don’t matter to you?”

  Wade shook his head. “To prove I accept you, just the way you are, mistakes and all. See, the truth is,” Wade rushed on as he tightened his possessive grip on her waist, “I knew you weren’t like Sandra. With Sandra, we were so out of tune that even after two years of dating I hadn’t a clue she was unhappy. But with you, Josie,” Wade continued softly, his brown eyes roving her face, “I saw the signs. There were at least a dozen times this past week, whenever the subject of Big Jim or your life in Dallas came up, when I knew—” he pointed to his heart and his head “—in here and in here, that you were uncomfortable, maybe even hiding something.” Wade drew a deep breath. His voice dropped another notch. “I also knew what you were doing when you distracted me from reading the day’s news on the Internet. Just like I knew that when we kissed and made love it had been because you were as caught up in the passion and feeling as I was.

  “And I got to thinking,” he continued, taking his hat off and putting it on the seat beside him, “if we were that in sync with each other after just a few days, what would it be like after a month, a year, a decade of togetherness? The bottom line is I love you, Josie. I love you with all my heart and soul.”

  “Oh, Wade,” Josie whispered thickly as tears of happiness welled up in her eyes, “I love you, too.” She hugged him fiercely. “So much.”

  “Then marry me,” Wade urged hoarsely.

  Josie wanted to. So much. But before she could take such a giant step there were things that she needed to lay on the line. Things she needed him to know. “I’m not giving up my career,” she cautioned. Her success had been too hard won.

  Wade lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “I don’t want you to.”

  Her hand tingling from the sensual kiss, Josie swallowed. “I’m not ever going to be a society belle, either.”

  Wade smiled, the contentment he felt at just being with her like this again obvious. “I’ve had enough glitter to last me a lifetime,” he told her solemnly.

  Josie ran her fingers through the windswept layers of his ash brown hair and looked into his eyes. “What I am willing to be is a businesswoman, a wildcatter, wife and mother all in one.”

  Wade grinned at her in a way that let her know she was exactly what he wanted in a wife and always would be. “And in return I promise you I’ll be the best husband, lover, life partner and father of your children you could ever want.” He drew her to him for a long, sexy kiss. “So what do you think? Four or five kids sound about right to you?”

  Josie smiled as she envisioned the two of them living together as man and wife and sharing the parenting of a big, happy brood. “Sounds perfect,” she said softly.

  “Then I better get a ring on your finger, hadn’t I,” Wade teased, drawing her close for another long and tender kiss, “so we can get started making all our dreams come true.”

  “You’ve got a plan for that, too?” Josie teased. She nestled against him contentedly.

  Mischief sparkling in his eyes, Wade looked at her in a way that said he still had a few surprises up his sleeve. He thumped on the ceiling of the stagecoach twice, signaling his brothers.

  “Oh, yeah,” he promised softly, “I do.”

  ISBN : 978-1-4592-5035-2

  WILDCAT COWBOY

  Copyright © 1999 by Cathy Gillen Thacker.

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