Stroking a hand down Willow’s hair, he rocked her, hearing the sobs slow as her body stopped trembling. He didn’t know how long they sat holding each other, neither quite ready to let go. After a while, she moved away, swiping the moisture from her face.
Smiling, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then bent down, placing a soft kiss on her lips. When she didn’t pull away, he kissed her again, deepening it, pouring in all the pent-up desire he’d held inside him for years.
His urgent kisses, the way he held her, reminded Willow of their shared past, the joy and the pain. She wondered if he thought this would change anything, erase the mistakes she so desperately wanted to forget.
The way he held and kissed her tore at her defenses. She couldn’t stop herself from drowning in the passion, the way his arms tightened around her, drawing her close, creating a searing heat. They’d never been able to get enough of each other, spending hours in shared passion. She wanted this as much as she needed her next breath. Clutching his shirt in her hands, she squirmed to get closer.
As a teenager, she’d wanted nothing more than what she felt right now, his lips devouring hers, hands rubbing heated circles on her back. The woman she’d become wanted the same, her heart begging him to never stop.
“Willow,” he whispered against her lips, turning her breath into a deep moan.
A low vibration traveled to her toes, then back up to pool in her belly. Raining soft kisses along her chin and down her neck, Boone pulled away on a ragged breath, resting his forehead against hers.
“We have to stop, sweetheart.” His deep, raspy voice told of the internal war he fought to keep his desire in check.
Nodding, she loosened her hold and pulled away, missing the heat and intimacy of his touch. “This was probably a bad idea.”
Lifting her chin with a finger, he shook his head, a crooked grin on his face. “It was a great idea. The best I’ve had in a long time.” Kissing her once more, Boone stood, holding out his hand.
Staring at it, Willow placed her hand in his and stood. It seemed a big step, as if taking his hand committed her to try again. She wanted to, more than she’d ever imagined. Tamping down the fear of failing a second time, she drew in a breath, walking with him to her truck. Reaching it, Boone spun her around, her back against the door, his arms enclosing her on either side.
“Tonight isn’t some casual occurrence, Willow…at least not for me. What I’m asking for is another chance with you. A chance to do it right and look toward a future.” He placed a finger over her lips when she began to speak. “You need to take your time and think about it before making a decision. This time, there’s more to my life than when we were together before. I have Ty to think about, and we have a shared past that’s still painful for both of us. If you decide you can’t take the risk, tell me and I’ll leave you alone and never bring it up again.”
“I’m scared, Boone. I just can’t go through what I did last time.” She glanced away, unable to hold his gaze without showing the full extent of her feelings. “It’s not all on you. We both made mistakes.” Sucking in a breath, she looked back at him. “I just don’t know if this time will be any different.”
“It might not. We won’t know unless we give it a try, and I’m willing to do it. Slow and easy, no rush. Give ourselves time to work through the past and make sure this is what we both want.” Stepping away, his jaw tightened. “I’m all in this time, Willow. It’s up to you to decide if you’re up for trying again.”
A tentative smile curved her mouth. “Slow and easy?”
He returned her smile. “As slow as you want. No pressure. I do have one request.”
“Which is?”
“If we do this, neither of us sees anyone else. It’s exclusive. You and me, Willow. No Deputy Bob or anyone else.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “It’s Deputy Bobby, and he’s a real nice guy.”
“So am I, and I want the chance to prove it to you.” Reaching out, he took her hands in his. “Are you still coming fishing with us on Saturday?”
Willow nodded. “I’m not passing up the chance to fish. I’ve already got someone to take my shift, so I’m off for the entire day.”
“The entire day, huh? I like the sound of that.” Leaning down, he kissed her once more, then moved away. “Be at the house at six, and don’t forget the food.”
“I’ll be there.” Unlocking the truck, she slipped inside, debating about asking one last question. “Will I hear from you before Saturday?”
“Sweetheart, you’re going to hear from me so much, you’ll be sick of my voice by the weekend.”
Doubtful, she thought, but kept it to herself. “I’ll see you Saturday, Boone. Good night.”
“Good night, Willow.”
Waiting until she pulled away, Boone took a shaky breath, slipping his hands into his pockets. He had no idea what she’d decide about them trying again. All he knew was if he hadn’t asked, he’d always wonder. Regrets had been a part of his past. He didn’t want them to be a part of his future.
Chapter Ten
“I can’t eat one more bite.” Willow set her fork down, pushing her plate away.
“Did you catch too many fish?” Tyler stared at her, his eyes wide. “Daddy says we have to eat what we catch.”
“It’s okay. She caught most of the fish, which means we get to help her eat them.” Boone set another plate of fried trout on the table, sitting down next to Willow. “Do you want another one, Ty?”
Nodding with enthusiasm, he held out his plate to Boone.
“I don’t know how you guys can eat so much.” Willow patted her stomach. “Two was plenty for me.”
“Men are born to eat. Right, buddy?”
Tyler nodded at Boone, smiling around his mouthful of trout and broiled red potatoes.
Willow pushed away from the table, picking up her plate. “While you two finish, I’ll start cleaning up.”
They’d fished for several hours at a lake not far from the ranch. She’d caught six, while Boone and Tyler caught five between them. Plenty for three people. Then she’d watched them plow through the fried fish.
Returning home, she fixed the potatoes while Boone taught Tyler how to clean the fish. Boone hadn’t mentioned what he planned next, or if he wanted her to stick around. Last night, he’d asked her to spend the day, not mentioning it again since she’d arrived at six. Drying her plate and silverware, she stared into the sink, feeling awkward and out of place.
After their time in the park, she’d been unable to fall asleep, lying in bed for hours thinking about what he’d asked. It hadn’t come as a complete surprise. He’d made it obvious what he wanted, and even though Willow didn’t doubt his sincerity, trusting him again wouldn’t be easy. She still felt no closer to a decision today than she had last night.
Feeling hands settle on her waist, she leaned back, resting against Boone’s chest.
“Do you feel like helping with the horses until we leave for the community meeting?” Glancing over his shoulder, Boone noticed Tyler focused on his food. Leaning down, he kissed her neck, feeling her body shiver. “Cold?”
“You know I’m not.”
Chuckling, he kissed her again, then rested his chin on top of her head. “There’s a group of horses I need to move to another pasture. I could use your help.”
Riding, breathing the fresh air, might be what she needed to clear her head so she could think on a more rational basis. Boone being so close made it difficult to concentrate on anything except the way her body responded to him.
“I’d like that.”
Turning her toward him, he groaned when she slipped her arms around his neck.
“I’m done.” Tyler stood next to them, holding up his plate.
Dropping her arms as Boone stepped away, Willow took the plate. “I’ll finish here and meet you in the barn.”
“Sure,” Boone answered, his voice hoarse. “Come on, Ty. We’ll get all three horses saddled and be ready
to go by the time Willow joins us.”
Unaware of the sparks flaring between the adults, Tyler made a dash to the front door, letting it slam behind him.
Swallowing, Willow cleared her throat. “I think he’s excited about going for a ride.”
Boone’s intense gaze fastened on her, his chocolate brown eyes darkening. “He isn’t the only one.” Turning, he followed Tyler to the barn.
Washing and drying the last of the dishes took less than a few minutes, yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave the kitchen. Even from inside, she could hear Tyler’s laughter, triggering an ache in her chest she should’ve been over by now.
For months after the accident, she had a difficult time being around children, watching the rapt attention of mothers and fathers focused on their sons and daughters. No matter how many times she tried to convince herself the baby couldn’t have meant so much to her, it had. At two months, the pregnancy hadn’t seemed quite real, but the deep sense of loss did.
Willow wouldn’t allow herself to flounder in despair any longer. Reminding herself she’d always been strong, she left the house, straightening her shoulders as she followed the laughter to the barn. Still uncertain as to how she felt about risking her heart on a second chance, Willow decided to enjoy the time she had with Boone and Tyler. There’d be time to make a choice. It just wouldn’t be today.
“Ty, you stay with me. Willow, will you be all right riding on the other side of the herd?”
A smirk twisted her lips. “I think I can manage, Boone.”
He knew she could do better than manage. She’d pushed cattle as long as him, since they were both in grade school. Besides his brothers, his friend, Kell, and a few others, including Willow, he trusted few on any drive—cattle or horses.
Willow’s gaze moved over the horses they needed to move to a pasture leased from a neighbor to the south. She counted eight, a good deal more than the two he used to have when they’d been together before. And this number didn’t count the three horses he was training in a pasture close to the house.
Breeding and training horses for pleasure riders or those hoping to compete came naturally to Boone, a talent he’d honed since high school. She knew he had more requests than he could fulfill, all because of his excellent reputation.
He whistled from the other side of the group, signaling it was time to start.
She knew it wouldn’t take long to move the horses to the new pasture with improved grazing. The neighbor had updated his land with a healthy mixture of grasses and hay blended for horses. He’d planted a different blend for those leasing land for their cattle. Willow had helped him research the best seed mix for the animals, then placed the large order. She and Boone had discussed doing the same for a couple pastures to the north.
As she kept the horses together, Willow watched Tyler follow every move Boone made, reining one way, then another, keeping pace. At six years old, he was already showing his talent as a cowboy.
Biting her lip, she smiled at the intense expression on Tyler’s face as he mimicked his father. She could think of no better role model than Boone.
Another whistle got her attention. Reining her horse around, she spotted Boone waving at her, motioning for her to move away as they approached the gate into the pasture.
“Ty, open the gate.” Boone pointed to the latch. Within minutes, all the horses were inside, most milling about, a couple separating themselves enough to check out the new pasture. After Tyler locked the gate, Boone reined to a stop next to Willow.
“He’s learned so much in such a short time.” She looked at him, studying Boone’s intense features as he watched Tyler remount and ride over to them.
“Good job, buddy.”
“Can I ride over there, Daddy?”
Boone’s gaze followed where Tyler pointed to the edge of a thin creek about forty yards away. “Stay where I can see you.”
Nodding, Tyler took off, nudging his horse into a comfortable lope.
“You’ve done a good job with him.”
Resting an arm on the saddle horn, he leaned over his horse’s neck, stroking the animal with his other hand. “Ty’s a quick learner. He loves horses and riding.” Chuckling, he watched the boy dismount, letting his horse drink from the stream.
“Does he miss his mother?”
Boone stilled for a moment, his jaw tightening before nodding. “He prays every night for God to watch over her. Other than that, he never mentions Jenny.” Sitting up, he looked at Willow. “I have all her photo albums, a few letters she wrote for me to give him as he gets older. She wanted to make sure he knew how much she loved him. No matter what happens, I won’t let him forget her.” His voice thickened on the last.
Not for the first time, Willow wondered if Jenny had meant more to him than he wanted to admit. “I didn’t know her well. We were in school together, but never hung out in the same group.”
A grim smile curved his lips. “That’s because you always hung out with the boys.”
Lifting her chin, she glared at him. “Because boys did things I liked. Played baseball, climbed trees, went fishing. All the girls wanted to do was have sleepovers and talk.”
Boone watched her, cocking his head. “Don’t you feel you missed out by not having girlfriends?”
Willow thought a moment. When she spoke, her voice contained a sadness he hadn’t anticipated. “I have friends, just not as many as most girls. And most of mine moved away for college.”
“They didn’t come back?”
She shook her head. “No. One’s a nurse in Bozeman and the other works for an accounting firm in Phoenix. We get together when they come home for Christmas. About once a year, I travel to Bozeman to see Alex.”
His brows scrunched together. “Alex?”
“Alexandra Scott. I’m sure you remember her. The two of you, well…used to go out. The same as most of the girls around here.”
She was right. He remembered Alex and the couple months they saw each other the summer after she graduated from high school. He hadn’t seen her since she left for college. Boone also remembered her being friends with Willow. At the time, he’d been too caught up in his own needs to think about how dating her friends affected her.
“I know it doesn’t mean much now, but I’m sorry if I hurt you back then, Willow. It wasn’t my intention.”
Shrugging, she reined her horse around him. “Few people ever intend to hurt another. It just happens.”
Kicking her horse, she rode to meet Tyler at the creek, needing to get away from Boone and another unpleasant memory from their past. She and Alex had remained friends only because Willow had never mentioned her feelings for Boone.
Each time she thought about agreeing to his request to try again, their past got in the way, reminding her how often he’d made it clear she wasn’t who he wanted. Alex exemplified the kind of woman Boone had always sought—stunning with a ready smile, an hourglass figure. Willow, dressed in cutoff jeans and boots, loved to do the same things as the boys.
Alex wore short dresses and heels, knew how to flirt, and preferred holding hands at the movies to riding or fishing. If Alex hadn’t been so sweet, with a big heart, Willow could’ve easily hated her. Instead, they’d become close, even during the two months of torture Willow went through as she watched Alex and Boone go off together more nights than she wanted to recall.
“What did you find?” Sliding to the ground, Willow walked toward Tyler.
“Look.” He pointed across the creek to what first appeared to be a rock. Then its head turned enough for Willow to recognize it.
“It’s a toad. Do you want me to catch it?”
Eager eyes met hers, his head bobbing.
“I’ll show you how. Next time, you can do it.” Not making a sound, Willow crossed the creek several yards from the toad, then moved slowly behind it. Kneeling, she cupped her hands, gently wrapping them around the toad and lifting. Holding it against her chest, she jumped across a narrow spot of the creek. “Do
you want to hold him?”
Tyler’s eyes widened. After a moment, he nodded, holding out his hands.
“You need to be gentle and don’t make any sudden moves.”
Boone watched from several feet away, an ache growing in his chest as he watched Willow and Tyler. He loved them both, but had handled his feelings for one much better than the other. The instant she’d mentioned Alex, their easy banter became strained.
As he thought back, he realized how many times he’d hurt Willow without ever intending to. The same as his brothers, Boone never had a problem attracting female companions. The difference was Thorn and Del had always been discreet, selective, whereas he had never cared who knew about the women he dated. Until Willow came blasting into his life a few years ago. He’d wanted to protect her, guard her reputation, not wanting her to be lumped into the group he thought of as his former lovers. There had never been anything casual or short-term about Willow and his feelings for her. Then he’d blown it all. He couldn’t allow himself to believe he wouldn’t be allowed another chance.
“What do you two have?” He ignored the less than welcoming expression on her face as he knelt next to Tyler, looking into his cupped hands. “A toad?”
“Willow got him for me.”
He glanced at her, seeing the wary expression on her face. “Did she now?”
“Can I keep him? Please…”
Standing, Boone shook his head. “Not this time, buddy. You have two baby turkeys and your horse to take care of. We’re going to let Mr. Toad get back to his own family. All right?”
Tyler’s lower lip protruded as he nodded. “Okay. But can we come back again?”
“We sure can. Now, why don’t you set him down and we’ll head home. We have a meeting to go to tonight.”
Willow grimaced, remembering how she’d agreed to drop her truck off at her parents’ house and ride with Boone to the meeting. Right now, she needed space from him, not forced closeness. But she’d committed to going and knew Carly looked forward to babysitting Tyler while they were gone.
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