by Jillian Hart
"It's already happening. I'd love to pet her. Hi, Betty Lou."
He unlatched the gate, his back to her, broad and strong. Betty Lou dashed over to wedge herself in the opening, as if eager to escape.
"Get back, pretty gal. I'm coming in with you." He patted the big animal on the shoulder, probably unaware of the picture he made. Big, capable cowboy with his gentle strength, at ease in his world.
He was even more spectacular in this environment, where he belonged. Her heart stuttered in admiration. He rubbed the cow's head, kept the gate open and motioned her in. "It's okay, I'll keep you safe."
"Isn't she friendly?"
"Sure. Too friendly. She might give you a big smooch hello. You don't want that. Big tongue. Lots of grass bits. And she'll grab that baseball cap you're wearing in a second." Good humor and caring shone in his eyes, drawing her closer, drawing her in.
She arched a brow. "A kissing hat-stealer?"
"Yep, that's Betty Lou." Dimples bracketed his grin, his handsome, familiar grin. The one she'd been missing like a piece of her soul.
Emily, you are in big trouble. What happened to slow and cautious? What happened to the guards around her heart? Probably blown to smithereens by the man holding the gate open for her.
She breezed passed him as if she wasn't affected. As if her entire spirit didn't lean toward him and wish.
"Hi, Betty Lou." She petted the friendly cow's nose, like she would with a dog.
Betty Lou's chocolate brown eyes softened with glints of adoration. She batted her long curly lashes. Her pink tongue lashed out, a very big tongue, and swiped Emily's baseball cap brim.
"See what I mean? I'll try to keep her from doing that to your head." Amused, he rubbed Betty Lou's nose. The cow turned her attention to him. "That's a good girl. She's got a minor hoof injury, she's here where I can keep an eye on her and give her medicine. She's doing better."
Betty Lou mooed in agreement and swished her tail.
"I can see why you're sweet on all of your cows." As she followed him back out of the field, she remembered him mentioning one cow or another by name and had told a few funny stories. "They are wonderful."
"They are."
The expressive bovine attempted to help Cord latch the gate, nibbling at his hat he kept trying to keep her from stealing. "I spend a lot of time with my livestock and I'd be hard pressed to find any better way to spend my life."
"They must feel the same way about you."
"I don’t know if they like me much." Cord turned from the gate, tossing her a charming wink. "It's mostly that I feed them."
"Right. I can see that. The food would be important, not the man."
"That's my way of thinking." His chuckle came light and easy. "What do you think of the place?"
Watching him, no one would have guessed he was anxious about her answer, but she caught the tension settling into his jaw and the crinkle of worry in the corners of his eyes.
A wind danced through her hair and brought the crisp green scent of ripening wild grasses and freely blooming roses. They grew in a big clump, taking over the fence by the road, as if they'd been growing for decades.
Wildflowers danced in the sun, nodding their faces. The grassy rise of the curving driveway was shaded by trees rustling lightly in the breeze and guarding the path to an impressive house.
"You have a beautiful place. And the view." She nearly gasped when she turned around, seeing rolling fields, green hills and craggy mountains rimming the horizon. "You must never get tired of it."
"Never. Every time I look, it always gets prettier. Just like you."
"Are you trying to charm me?"
"Is it working?" He arched one brow, looking ten times more incredible than any one man had the right to be.
"I'll never tell."
His hand reached for hers, a claiming and connecting touch, startling them both. It drew tight the strings that bound them.
She didn't know why she felt closer to him, why their hearts beat in synchrony as she stepped so close she could smell the fabric softener from his shirt. The dazzling black flecks in his eyes captured her like a noose.
Her fingers slid between his much larger ones and she felt engulfed by his sheer size and strength. Safe and protected and right, she felt as if this was exactly where she belonged.
"I've got lemonade in the fridge," he said, leading the way up the gently rising slope. "I'll give you a tour."
"That sounds fun." The heat of the sun, the crunch of gravel beneath her sneakers and the restless Montana breeze felt wonderful. All the open space, rolling valley meadow and stunning blue sky left her feeling changed, full of possibilities. "Any chance I'll get to meet Kate and Bullet?"
"I'd say it's a one hundred percent possibility." He was only thinking of her. Emily was impossible not to adore. Big round sunglasses hid her eyes from him, but her megawatt smile told him enough. She was glad to be here.
He was glad to have her here.
A yellow striped cat drowsed on the sunny porch, watching them through slitted eyes as if she wasn't quite sure about the stranger.
"That's Taffy." He sailed across the porch and opened the screen door. "Kate, there you are."
The dog stood just inside the back door, nose up, eyes bright, tail wagging politely in greeting. "What a good dog. This is Emily."
"Hi, Kate," Emily greeted, holding out her hand for the dog to sniff.
Kate gave her a lick.
So, Emily petted her some more. "Oh, I love dogs. It's hard to resist that sweet face. What a beautiful girl you are, Kate."
"Kate doesn't seem to mind your praise at all."
Emily smiled up at him with her quiet beauty, and he saw much deeper. The regard he glimpsed in her heart matched his in strength and depth.
They might have chosen two different worlds, but they were alike in the ways that mattered. It felt like God's smile shining in like the sun through the windows, bright and full of promise.
"It's early," he said, leading the way into the spacious, well-appointed kitchen. "Renee, this is Emily, a friend of mine from Seattle. I'm gonna grab coffee for us."
"Don't you dare." A friendly woman with a sweet smile looked like she didn't take nonsense from anybody. "You stay out of my kitchen. I'll bring you what you need."
"Renee cooks for the cowhands. I've got about two dozen men I hire and feed during the day."
"I can't imagine all that entails." Emily paused at the breakfast bar side of the island, stunned.
Whatever she'd expected, it wasn't this. Marble counters, top of the line appliances, polished oak floors and custom oak cabinetry met her eye.
The bay nook held a round oak table, which looked small in the expansive space, and the windows went from ceiling to floor. The dog curled up on a big soft expensive looking bed in the fall of that sunshine and gave a contented sigh.
"Gorgeous house." There was no other word for it. The family room sprawled off to the side with soft carpet and a big sectional so comfortable that her bones felt like they melted just from looking at it. A big widescreen tv sat quietly in the corner. A gas fireplace was inactive, but she could imagine how warm and cozy it would be come winter when snow blew in.
His cell rang and he checked the screen.
"Sorry, Emily, it's work. I have to take this." Apology carved into his face.
"No problem. I can wait."
"Thanks. Just make yourself comfortable, I'll be right back." Concern deepened his voice as he paced away. "What do you mean the steer is down in the field?"
His boots knelled away and he disappeared from her sight.
"Here you go, Emily." The cook set a steaming cup of coffee on the edge of the table and two choices of bottled creamer.
"Thank you, Renee."
Both were quite decadent, but she chose the chocolate flavor and poured generously. Oh, that hit the spot. She sipped slow and deep, thankful for this change of perspective, for this place where time seemed to slow, where life
ran on a different schedule and God's beauty lay all around her.
9
She savored the last sip, relaxing on that soft cushioned sectional. She spotted the living room through an archway, with wood wrapped picture windows, gleaming hardwoods and a classic gray stone fireplace. Another deep cushioned sectional faced a wide screen TV. Two chairs flanked the hearth. Bookshelves lined the walls.
Cord's house felt like a sanctuary, a place full of happiness. The view of the Rockies was break taking. The big picture window beside her gazed out over the ranching valley. The majesty of mountains was too stunning to look away from. "I could stand here all day."
"I feel that way all the time." He ambled down the hallway, through the archway. "It's a shock I get anything done around here at all."
"I've seen few views as beautiful." She glanced over her shoulder, drawn by his silence. "You really have something here, Cord."
"Thanks. I think so." Tension drew him in powerful lines of clenched jaw, steel shoulders and straight back. He grabbed two cups of coffee Renee poured from the counter's edge. "That must mean you like it here?"
"Very much."
He ambled over to hand her a cup. Her fingers brushed his, and affection charged through her as if lightning struck. It bolted straight to her soul.
His eyes widened as if he felt the same. His pupils darkened, and his gaze narrowed as he studied her. Seconds ticked by as he slowly smiled, released his hold on her mug and leaned in to brush wind-tangled locks away from her cheek. Such a sweet gesture.
She'd never felt anything as tender as Cord towering over her, mountain-tough, as the callused pads of his fingers trailed from her cheek to jaw. He tucked the wayward strands behind her ear, taking his time, his gaze never leaving hers.
Wow. She'd never felt so close to anyone before. Although they stood a few feet apart, the distance was bridged by their hearts. A still and indescribable current bound them together by the spirit. Seconds stretched into eternity as their breathing slowed into the same rhythm.
When he smiled, so did her soul.
"So, you really like this view? Wait, I think I just said that already." The resonant notes of his voice rumbled with a deeper question.
She understood what he was really asking. It wasn't about his house or his Montana life, but deeper. Bigger.
"Yes. Very much."
She saw the faint ripple of relief in his eyes. The gleam of affection there brightened until it filled her heart with a golden glow, as pure as a dawning sun.
Blinded by the beauty of it, tears stung behind her eyes. She'd never felt so open of heart before, as if there were no barriers.
It was scary to feel defenseless and open, with nothing to protect her if she should fall. Maybe this could work out after all. Hope threatened to lift her feet right off the sectional, but Cord's strong presence kept her steady as he settled down beside her.
She laid one hand on the flat of his chest, feeling the knock of his heart beneath her palm, slow and steady, just like the man.
Please let him be my dream, she prayed, when it would be wise to put brakes on her heart.
He lowered his forehead to hers. Gazing into his eyes, her heart's glow brightened with sweet golden affection so pure it took her breath away.
"Get back, you two crazy cows," a man's voice murmured with good humor on the other side of the screen door. A knock rapped on the frame. "Cord? Are you in there?"
The moment between them shattered. He pulled away, squeezed his eyes shut for a split second and grimaced. "Come on in, Alex."
The door had already opened and a serious, darker version of Cord filled the door frame. His jet-black hair spilled out from beneath a black Stetson. His granite features tensed when he spotted her. "You're Emily."
"Brilliant deduction." Cord set his coffee mug on the end table and popped to his feet. "What's the word on the steer?"
"I need you to come with me."
"Then that's what I'll do. Emily, I hate to do this to you. We need to move the sick steer to the barn for care."
"I have no problem staying here, or is there something I can do?"
"Yes, you stay here and relax. You're technically on vacation." Cord snagged the bottle of creamer she'd used and carried it over to her. "You grab that remote, hit the power button and make Renee watch whatever you want."
"I'm ruthless that way," Emily quipped.
"It's why I like you." A great warmth hid behind that softness. It wasn't hard to spot.
"You wait here until we're finished, please." Cord took his cup with him, crossing to the door. "There's a powder room down the hall to the left. You text me if you need me. I'll check on you. We shouldn't be long."
"Okay. I'm fine. I have coffee, so I'm great."
He slipped outside with his brother. Outside, two cows blocked the way, standing on the porch, where the cat no longer was. The tabby had slipped inside when the door opened and ambled down the hallway, ignoring her completely.
Easy to watch Cord through the big window. He told the cows to get back in their field, he clapped his hands and asked them to follow him. The big black animals simply tromped off the porch, quite as if they'd done the same before and trailed after the men, tails swinging.
"The coffee is good. Thank you for it," she told the cook. "You must use cinnamon in the coffee basket?"
"The true secret to good coffee, that's my motto." The woman narrowed her gaze, assessing. "Do you cook?"
"I was just going to ask if you needed help." Ignoring the tv remote, she took her cup and carried it into the kitchen. "You're making lasagna rollups."
"How good are you at rolling?"
"I grew up helping my mom in the kitchen, so I'm not entirely a disaster at it."
"Good." Renee chuckled. "Come into my kitchen, city girl."
So she did.
* * *
Sunlight tumbled through the windows, gilding the family room and kitchen with a brush of gold. Emily's phone tinged.
It was from Cord. I'm on my way up to the house. Steer will be okay. Vet is here. Want to come on an adventure with me?
She set down the hot pads to tap an answer. Sure, if it's okay to leave the sick steer.
Joe will sit with him. That's his job.
Okay!
While her phone went whoop, Renee put the last tray of rollups into one of the wall ovens.
The screen door swung open and Cord breezed in. "What are you doing in the kitchen?"
"Assisting Renee. Making myself useful. Actually, I love to cook."
"Huh, good to know. I wouldn't have pegged you for that."
"He knows nothing," Emily confided in Renee and grabbed her phone.
"Men never do," Renee said sagely. "Thanks for your help, Emily. Go on with you. Have some fun. Leave your handbag here. Kate will guard it. Cord, text me."
"Will do." He nodded a quiet thanks and held out his hand to Emily. "Come with me."
Her answer came as a shy smile. When their hands touched, emotion rolled through his chest in a sudden and powerful twist.
I'm already half in love with her, so don't fall the rest of the way. At least not yet. It was the best decision he could make. He twined his fingers around hers, holding on tight.
He held the door open for her. The ever-present Montana breeze danced through the gold silk of her hair, caressing the side of her face and making her look so wholesome, that twist in his chest squeezed harder.
She arched a slim eyebrow, clearly apprehensive. "I'm not sure what happens next. Renee mentioned having fun?"
"Did you two have a good chat?"
"You could definitely call it that." Mirth glimmered in her blue-as-dreams eyes as she breezed beside him. "She seems to think you're a pretty good boss."
"The secret is that I don't tell her what to do. Never argue with the cook." He quirked a brow, feeling so happy to have her hand in his, that he wasn't sure his boots hit solid ground. "She's the best cook around. I eat good."
"I'm glad she takes good care of you." She laughed, so light-hearted, with her light hair rippling in the wind and the sun gracing her face.
She was perfection. Everything he could ever want, his deepest prayer.
He'd been wishing for this moment with all his might for so long, it was hard to believe she was standing here beside him at the horse pasture, her slender hand tucked trustingly in his much larger one.
He felt ten feet tall beside her, gargantuan with his determination to win her. Because that's what he was gonna do.
She tilted her head to gaze up at him, and her beauty struck him anew. Surrounded by the green of meadow and trees with the vast Montana landscape behind her, his pulse slowed to a stop. She looked the part of his country girl with her unassuming tranquility.
Maybe she really could belong here, he thought. Was he deluding himself?
Bullet towered over sixteen hands, a big fella who leaned over the fence, making the rails seem like they were made of matchsticks ready to break at any second. The gelding pressed his velvet-soft muzzle against Cord's face in a brief show of affection.
"Hey, buddy." Emily slipped her hand out of Cord's to pet the horse's nose. "Oh, you're a handsome boy, yes, you are. Are you a sweetheart?"
Bullet wisely batted his eyelashes, so long and curly, and did his best to give his most adorable look. When it worked and he had her attention, he leaned farther over the fence and grabbed her baseball hat by the brim. He whipped it off her head, his chocolate eyes sparkling.
"Yes, yes, you're funny," Cord told him. "Give me that, you big guy."
Bullet considered it but sidestepped, apparently wanting to make friends. He gave the hat back to Emily, setting it in her hands.
"Oh! You are funny." Charmed, she plopped the hat back on her head and kissed Bullet's nose. "I'm already a little sweet on you, big guy."
Bullet nodded once, not at all surprised by that.
Cord rolled his eyes. "He has a way with the ladies."
"So I've noticed. He's wonderful. No lady could resist him."
"He likes to think so. So, you like my ranch?"
"It's like walking into a book. I love it here." She sparkled with happiness, more vibrant and lovely than he'd ever seen her. "I think I might love Montana, after all."