Luke dropped it. The kid’s mind was made up, and in truth, Luke agreed with him. If his dad had treated him the way Rafe’s had he wouldn’t speak to him either. “What do you suppose Cody has planned for supper?”
“I don’t know.” Rafe shrugged. “Maybe Miss Whitfield can come over.”
“You like her, huh?”
“Yeah, but not as much as you do.” Rafe grinned at him.
He had him there. Luke did like her, a lot. “Yeah, I do.”
“You gonna marry her?”
Marry? He swerved so hard he almost drove off the road. “We’re just dating. She’s a nice lady, but I don’t want to get married.” The idea didn’t repel him as much as he expected. In fact, it held a lot of appeal. But with her need for children, there was no way.
“Why not?”
“Because my life is on the road. Hers is here. It wouldn’t work.” Would it? If he bought a plane, he could fly home frequently… He shook off the idea. Crazy.
“I wish you’d marry her and adopt me,” Rafe said.
Stunned, Luke glanced at him. “I can’t, buddy—”
“It’s okay. I get it. No one wants me.”
Luke’s heart broke into a million pieces. “That’s not true. You’ve got a lot of people who love you. Your mom, me, Rayanne, Cody…”
Rafe turned his head and stared out the window. “Sure.”
Luke wished he knew what to say to make the hurt go away. Even if he could adopt Rafe, life on the road was no life for a kid his age. A baby or toddler, maybe. But not one who was in school and had activities and friends.
~*~
After dinner, Luke excused himself and walked upstairs to his bedroom. He was bone weary, both physically and emotionally. The anguish in Rafe tore at his soul, but he had no answers.
He wanted to talk to Rayanne about it, but how could he tell her everything? He couldn’t. Still, the urge to hear her sweet voice was impossible to ignore. He dialed her number. When she picked up he said, “Hey, darlin’.”
“Hi,” she said. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready to go to bed. I’m beat. How about you?”
“The same. I’m worn out tonight.” Her voice wavered.
“We’re a pair of old folks,” he said.
She laughed. “We are. How is Rafe? Was his mom furious?”
“Yeah.” Luke sat on the bed and kicked off his boots. “She was, but she let him come back here with me for the rest of spring break.”
“What?” Her incredulous tone carried across the line. “I can’t believe it. I thought Bonita would ground him for the rest of his life.”
“She wanted to, but since she has to work and can’t be home to watch over him, she agreed some more time out here would be good for him. I promised to make him work so hard he’ll be too tired to try any more stunts.” Luke shifted his phone under his ear and unbuttoned his shirt, then shrugged out of it. With one hand, he unsnapped his jeans and slid them over his hips, legs and feet. He tossed everything toward a hamper in the corner of the room. “I think he’ll be fine when I’m here. It’s when I leave that I’m worried about.”
Her indrawn breath was quickly muffled with a comment. “Maybe he’ll calm down by then and quit acting up.”
“I sure hope so.” He stretched out on his bed and propped his head on his free hand. “Will you keep an eye on him for me until I can come back?”
“Of course.” Her voice caught. “You’re coming back?”
“Sure I am.”
“Oh, good.” The lilt in her voice made him smile.
“Not even ornery bulls can keep me away.” He realized he meant it. This woman had a hold on him like none other. He wanted more than friendship, or a quickie. The thought shocked him into silence.
“Luke?” Her sweet voice brought him back to the present.
He cleared his throat. “Yeah?”
“I’m glad.” Her soft sigh warmed his heart.
“Me, too.” Although he had just been toying with buying a plane, he suddenly wanted one for certain. Being able to get back to Black Mountain—and the people in it—at the drop of a hat had suddenly become top priority.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Luke told Rayanne he had a surprise for her and to wear something comfortable and to pack an overnight bag. She had no idea he meant he was going to fly her to his hometown. On the way he explained he was trying out the plane, thinking of buying it.
The flight was exhilarating, but she wondered if half of her excitement had to do with the evening ahead. Luke told her he wanted her to meet his family and spend the night at their ranch.
Was he getting serious? He hadn’t said anything, but a man didn’t introduce you to his parents if he didn’t want to move up a level…did he?
She’d fallen head over heels in love with him. The cowboy was everything she’d ever wanted. Handsome, kind and most of all, he’d be a great dad someday. Her stomach tightened. He’d never said he loved her, or said they had a future together.
After they landed, Luke led her to the terminal where a man greeted him with a bear hug.
Luke freed himself. “Lance, this is Rayanne.” He nodded at her. “Rayanne, honey, this is my older brother, Lance.” He looked around. “Where’s your boy?”
“With his mom.” Lance’s tight lips indicated he didn’t want to discuss the matter further. He and Rayanne shook hands. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” She studied him. About the same height as Luke, he was a little heavier. He wore a friendly smile with his eyes crinkling a little at the corners.
“Ready? Mom’s beside herself to meet you,” he said.
“Yes.” Rayanne clutched her purse. “I’m excited, too.”
“Good.” He picked up her bag and started to turn away, then paused and looked at Luke’s leg. “How’s the break? You’re still limping.”
“Getting stronger every day. Give me a week and I’ll race you to the barn.”
“I’d rather see you back on a bull,” Lance said.
“That makes two of us, brother.” Luke grabbed his bag. “Soon enough.”
Rayanne’s stomach knotted. When Luke was well he would leave.
The three of them walked to a big pickup. The men tossed the luggage in the back and Luke indicated Rayanne should sit in the middle of the front seat. She slid in and the guys flanked her. Her knee bumped Luke’s sending a flash of awareness through her.
They drove through Wickenburg and she took in the brick and adobe buildings. The small town had an old west charm about it. She spotted a turquoise jewelry shop she’d like to explore, along with several other intriguing stores lining Main Street.
Soon, they left the town behind and the arid Sonoran Desert came into view. Giant hundred-year-old Saguaros, jumping Cholla that looked like fuzzy blankets and gray-green Palo Verde trees filled the landscape.
The desert had a stark beauty that was nothing like the lush, green mountains of home.
In about an hour, Lance turned onto a dirt road. In the distance, Rayanne spotted cattle and a skinny jackrabbit raced across the road.
A weathered ranch house, along with some outbuildings, came into sight. A windmill spun lazy circles and a red mutt galloped toward them, tail wagging. Rayanne straightened. Luke’s childhood home. The place where he’d grown up.
As the truck slowed in front of the house the door swung open and a short, stout lady appeared. A smile split her face and she waved wildly. A tall but stooped, balding man stepped through the door and stood beside her.
Rayanne swiped her hands down her Bermuda shorts.
Luke took her hand. “They don’t bite. I promise.”
She laughed nervously. “Good to know.”
Lance parked and the three of them climbed out of the truck. Still holding her hand, Luke led Rayanne toward his parents. Only when his mother enveloped him in a bone-crushing hug did he let go. He shook hands with his father before they hugged. “Mom, Dad, hi.”
“It�
�s so good to see you, son.” His mother had tears in her blue eyes.
His father nodded. “You’re looking well.”
“Better than the last time you saw me.” Luke took Rayanne’s hand. “I’d like you to meet Rayanne Whitfield. This is my mom and dad, Myron and Carole Greer.”
Before Rayanne could speak, Carole enveloped her in a hug. “Welcome, honey.”
“Thank you.”
Myron nodded at her. “Glad to know you.”
Finally, Carole released her. “Come inside. You must be parched. It’s eighty degrees today and it’s not even summer yet.” She fanned her round face.
The group entered the ranch house and a pleasant coolness washed over Rayanne. A fan spun circles and the low buzz of an air conditioner filled the silence. The aroma of roasting beef and homemade rolls made Rayanne’s stomach growl.
Western art decorated the walls and the furniture was comfortable, if a little worn. She sat on one of the couches and Luke settled next to her.
Lance leaned against a buffet, while Myron and Carole took the other sofa. She clasped her hands together. “Tell us about yourself, Rayanne. Luke says you teach school?”
She glanced at him in surprise. He’d told his parents about her? “I do. I’m a second grade teacher in a very small school. I have seventeen students this year.”
“That’s wonderful,” Carole said.
Myron nodded. He seemed a man of few words.
“It is. I love my kids.” Rayanne felt Luke tense next to her. Why? She was going to get to the bottom of his child phobia, one way or another. She smiled at his mother. “My family lives in Wyoming. They are all educators, too.”
“Marvelous.” Carole beamed. “Do you have siblings?”
“A sister, Reggie. And a baby niece.”
Carole clapped. “I bet she’s as pretty as you.”
“Thank you, but Lydia is a beautiful little girl.” Rayanne had always considered herself kind of plain, and a little overweight, although her almond shaped eyes were a striking gray-green color. And she had good skin.
Luke glanced at her. “You’re beautiful.”
Rayanne stared at him in shock. Did he mean it? “Thanks,” she managed.
Lance cleared his throat. “I’m starving, Mom. Dinner on?”
“Yes, yes!” She jumped to her feet. “All I need to do is put it on the table.”
They moved into the dining room where a large, oval table was already set. Luke pulled out a chair. “Sit here.”
He settled next to her. Lance took the seat across from them. Myron took the head seat, leaving the one closest to the kitchen free for Carole.
“I should help your mom,” Rayanne said.
“She won’t let you,” Lance said. “The kitchen is Mom’s domain only.”
“That’s right.” Carole carried in a covered dish. After several more trips, she sat and folded her hands over her plate.
Myron said a short blessing and the food was passed round.
“When do you think you can ride again?” Myron asked Luke when he handed him a bowl of mashed potatoes.
“I hope by mid-July,” he said. “Sooner, if possible.”
“Got to hit that Cowboy Christmas to make the finals,” Myron said.
At Rayanne’s puzzled look, Luke explained. “There’s a short span during the summer that’s called Cowboy Christmas because of all the events going on.”
“I see.”
“You don’t rodeo, I take it?” Lance asked.
“Me?” Rayanne laughed. “No. I’ve only been as a spectator to the ones in Black Mountain on Labor Day and the Fourth of July.”
The silence was deafening. Going from an acceptable date to someone who wasn’t right in a heartbeat seemed to have just happened.
“Rodeo’s kind of our thing,” Lance finally said. “Luke’s famous for his bull riding, Dad and I team rope. Even Mom gives it a go now and then.”
“And your son rides steers,” Luke said.
Lance ignored that.
Rayanne looked at the short, plump woman and couldn’t imagine her trying to rope a cow. “You do?”
“Sure do.” She laughed. “I plunk my fat hiney on a horse and try to catch a steer.”
“That’s great.” Rayanne didn’t know what else to say. She wasn’t a horsewoman and never would be. They scared her and she had no desire to face her fear. How Luke climbed on a big bull was beyond her.
The remainder of the meal passed with light conversation. After they finished Carole rose and began gathering dishes. Rayanne stood to help, but the older lady waved her hands. “I have it. Let Luke show you around while there’s still light to see.”
Rayanne hesitated. “Are you certain?”
“Positive. Go on. Enjoy yourself.”
“The meal was delicious,” Rayanne said. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, honey.” She shooed them off. “Get on now.”
Luke took her hand and led her outside where the dying sun turned the hills purplish pink. Rayanne enjoyed the still warm air on her bare arms. “Did you live here your entire life?”
“Yep.” They walked toward the barn, the scent of animals sharpening as they grew close. He opened the big doors and led her inside the dim interior. “Climbed on my first calf out back of here.”
“Do you plan on retiring in Arizona to be close to your family?”
“No. I’m thinking I’d rather be in Colorado. Maybe even Black Mountain.” His hold on her hand tightened.
“Really?” She stumbled to a stop and turned toward him. “Why did you bring me here, Luke? I’m not a cowgirl.”
He stopped, stared at the ground, ran a hand over the back of his neck. “You think I don’t know that? I wanted you to meet my family. See if you liked them.”
“Why?” she repeated.
“Because I can’t be with someone who doesn’t love them, too.”
She reeled back, bumping into a wall. “What? Be with me? What are you saying?”
He reached for her shaking hands. “I’m saying I don’t want to be with anyone else,” he said. “Only you.”
“Exclusive?” she managed. Her heart pounded so hard she feared it coming out of her chest. She hated to ask, but she had to know from the get-go. “Until you head back to the rodeo circuit?
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m trying out that plane, planning on buying it, so I can fly back anytime I want. And that’s a lot.” He tipped her chin up. “Honey, I’m crazy about you. I love you.”
She barely had to time process that before he twined their fingers together and pulled her close. She tipped up her chin and his lips settled over hers. Desire flooded her as his tongue plundered her mouth. His expert kisses made her hot with a need she’d never experienced before.
He covered a breast with his hand, filling his palm. Her nipples hardened. Her knees went weak, and she sank against him. If they had not been in a barn, with his parents and brother nearby, she would have sunk onto the dirt floor, pulling Luke with her.
But they weren’t alone and Rayanne’s desire was tempered by that fact. Reluctantly, she pulled away. Her fingertips fluttered to her lips. “Oh, my word.”
Luke chuckled. “I think we better walk a bit, or my folks are going to be able to tell exactly what we’ve been doing.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “They’re going to think I’m a groupie.”
His laugher boomed off the walls. “Buckle bunny.”
“What?” She gaped at him.
“Rodeo groupies are called buckle bunnies,” he explained. “And, honey, you couldn’t be further from one.”
Not sure whether to be insulted, or relieved, she relaxed. “Oh, I see. I have a lot of work to do to understand your world.”
“It’s not so hard,” he said. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
“If that’s true, then I want to know what your phobia about children is about.” She waited with baited breath.
He paled, swall
owed hard. “Rayanne—”
“Tell me,” she insisted.
He sighed and leaned against the stall door. “If this is going anywhere then you deserve to know the truth.”
Her heart pounded wildly. What was his secret?
Pointing to his leg, he spoke. “This wasn’t the only thing that got busted when I got bucked off Drugstore Cowboy.” He paused. “When I came to in the hospital, I was banged up bad. Real bad. My leg was shattered; my spleen was torn.” He looked away. When he looked back his blue eyes were filled with despair. “Worst of all, the bull stepped on my balls and crushed them.”
“What?” Rayanne covered her mouth with her hand.
“I can’t have kids of my own.”
Rayanne stood in shock. She’d never expected this. All her dreams folded like a stack of cards crashing down around her. “Oh my God. Why didn’t you tell me?”
A bitter laugh escaped him. “No one but my family knows. It can’t get out to the public. If my sponsors knew I wasn’t Luke Greer, hotrod stud, they’d dump me.”
“I wouldn’t have said anything to anyone.” Tears formed in Rayanne’s eyes and she blinked hard. “Are you okay? I mean physically…?”
“Yeah. Cosmetically, everything looks the same. I can make love to you. But the ability to give you your own kids is gone.”
All her life, Rayanne had wanted children—a bunch of them. As many as her body would allow her. Now she was hearing the man she’d fallen in love with, the man who made her heart sing, could not give her a single child. Her stomach clenched and she wanted to vomit.
Luke stepped toward her. “Rayanne, honey—”
She held her hand up, palm out. “Don’t.”
“I had to know I could trust you.” He sounded as sick as she felt.
“Don’t worry.” She turned away. “Your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell a soul how you made a fool out of me.” With tears blinding her, she stumbled toward the house. She’d been such an idiot. Letting herself believe that all her dreams might come true. That she’d found a good, decent man who she could build a life with.
Instead, he’d kept his horrible secret from her, letting her fall in love with him knowing it was a deal breaker.
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