by Katie Lane
“Nope.” She smiled at him and repeated herself. “Knock-knock.”
He blew out his breath. “Who’s there?”
“Whatcha.”
“Whatcha who?”
“Whatcha so scared of, Cru Cassidy?”
It was a good question. One he didn’t have an answer for. He turned away and dried off before he pulled on his jeans. When he had them zipped and buttoned, he turned back to her. “I just think you should know the truth. I’m not some misunderstood hero like Severus, Penny. I live for the moment and have no ties to anything or anyone—and I don’t want any.”
She shrugged. “Okay. I get it. You don’t intend to stay here forever. I didn’t think you would. When I said I wanted you last night, I didn’t mean as my forever boyfriend. If I want a boyfriend, I could have one.” He didn’t doubt that for a second. Dylan or Boone would be more than happy to fill the slot. “But I don’t want a boyfriend. I have to deal with my stubborn father and enough stubborn cowboys all day. I don’t need to add another man to the mix. When I said I wanted you, what I meant was I wanted to . . . well, use you for sex.”
He stared at her. “Excuse me?”
She laughed. “Don’t look so surprised, Cru. Women can use men for sex just like men use women. But I can see how sex with me would frighten you. You think because I had a crush on you if you take me to bed, I’ll fall madly in love with you.” She shrugged as she hopped off the rock, her breasts bouncing enticingly in her wet bra. “And if that’s how you see it, there’s nothing I can do to convince you otherwise.”
She placed a hand on her hip as if she wasn’t wearing see-though underwear that made Cru’s mouth dry. Then she gave him back the same words he’d spoken to her when she’d first invited him to the Gardener Ranch. “But I’m not going to hide from you, Cru. If I tempt you beyond your resistance, that’s your problem, not mine.”
Chapter Sixteen
Severus tugged against the reins and fidgeted sideways, eager for a much faster pace. But Penny held him in check. The horse might want to run, but she was quite content right where she was.
Sometimes life was as close to perfect as it could get. This was one of those times. Spring showers had arrived the first week of May and the range was now covered with wildflowers and sprouts of green grass. A cool breeze chilled the morning air, and the sun had just peeked its head up, painting the horizon in pretty pinks and purples. For as far as the eye could see, there was only vast cattle land. But it wasn’t the May morning that made Penny feel so jubilant as much as the other things that were happening in her life.
Chester had gone ahead with the cataract surgery and could see much better. Lucas had gotten the doctor’s okay to take off the boot and was walking fine. He also wasn’t forgetting as many things as he had been now that he was no longer mixing medications. The doctor seemed to think depression and lack of purpose had also contributed to his memory loss. Working on the ranch had taken care of both, and Penny had no plans to fire the two cowboys even after they got their new house built.
The Double Diamond boys had collected enough money to rebuild Chester and Lucas’s house. Now all they had to do was convince the two stubborn men to accept the money and let the town start planning a house-raising party.
Besides Chester and Lucas’s good news, Evie was dropping off Clint at the beginning of June. Since Penny didn’t want to change her sister’s decision, she had decided not to hassle her about who Clint’s father was until after the summer. If Clint’s father didn’t want to know his son, it was best to wait until Clint was a little older and more mature before springing the news on him. She didn’t want her nephew to rebel any more than he already was.
And then there was Cru.
She glanced over at the cowboy riding next to her. When he’d first gotten there, his straw cowboy hat had been clean and new. Now it was sweat-stained and smudged with the red-clay dirt, the front brim bent to shade his flawless features and the pretty green of his eyes. The stripe in his plaid western shirt matched his eyes. He wore it like he wore all his other western shirts: open at the throat and cuffed at the sleeves to reveal his tanned, muscled forearms and strong hands that were draped over the saddle horn. He sat the horse like he belonged there. With just a flex of muscled thighs, he guided his mount away from Severus’s fidgeting.
“That horse needs to be gelded,” he said. “He’s a little too full of himself.”
She pulled her gaze away from Cru and concentrated on getting Severus under control. “Aren’t most males? And you wouldn’t like it very much if someone cut off your testicles. Besides, you’re just mad because he tossed you on your butt the other day.”
“And I don’t want him doing the same to you.”
“He’s not going to throw me.”
“Are you saying you’re a better rider than I am?”
She flashed him a grin. “Yep.”
He stared at her for only a second before he conceded. “Okay, so you’re a better rider. But I still remember a time when you got tossed on your ass by a horse and I had to come to your rescue.”
“I wish you hadn’t. I was embarrassed as heck that you witnessed the entire thing.”
He grinned. “And here I thought you were just flushed because you were sitting across my lap.”
“That too.”
He laughed. He had laughed often in the last couple weeks. Of course, so had she. Once she’d informed him that she just wanted him for sex, things had changed between them. Cru had relaxed around her and they’d formed a comfortable friendship that brightened Penny’s days more than the sun peeking over the horizon. Not to say that she didn’t have the occasional kiss flashback when he smiled at her in a certain way—like now. But she’d learned to ignore those desires and just enjoy the time they had left together.
Time that seemed to be sifting away too quickly.
“Did you see the news last night?” she asked. “There’s another fire in California. They certainly have a lot of those. Not to mention earthquakes and mud slides.”
“Would you quit trying to talk me out of going to California? Every place has its problems. Texas has bugs, humidity, and sassy cowgirls.” He shot her a pointed look.
“I’m not sassy. That’s Evie.”
“I don’t remember Evie being near as sassy as you.”
“I’m only sassy to arrogant cowboys.”
“This coming from the same woman who thinks she’s the best rider in the state.”
“That’s not arrogance. That’s just a fact.” She sent him a cocky smile, but it soon faded. “You won’t be happy in California. You love working a ranch and don’t try to deny it. I know a true cowboy when I see one.”
He glanced around and nodded. “I do enjoy being on a working ranch. I’d forgotten how much until now.”
“You could always buy your own place,” she continued. “My granddaddy used to say all anyone needs to be happy is a little piece of Texas and a dream.”
He glanced over at her and grinned. “You should’ve been a lawyer or a car salesman with that persuasive tongue. But this drifter has no desire to settle down. Now, Miss Hot Shot Horsewoman, you need to put your money where your mouth is. If you beat me to the south fence, I’ll buy you a double decker mint chocolate chip ice cream cone at the pharmacy. If I beat you, you treat me to a caramel chocolate swirl double decker.”
“You’re on.” Without waiting for him to give the signal, she put her heels to Severus and took off. She gave the horse free rein, leaning her head close to his neck and coaxing him on. “Come on, boy. If we lose, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
They didn’t lose. They arrived at the fence well before Cru. Although she had cheated a little. Something Cru immediately pointed out.
“You cheater!”
“I didn’t cheat. You shouldn’t ask someone if they want to race unless you’re ready to go.” She glanced at his bare head. “And you lost your hat, cowboy.”
“I couldn’t worr
y about my hat when I had to catch a cheat.”
“Fine. You only have to buy me a single scoop of mint chocolate—” She cut off when she saw a white sedan parked on the other side of the fence. “What’s that car doing parked in Chester and Lucas’s north pasture?”
Cru followed her gaze and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” He dismounted and she followed suit. Holding onto the wooden fence post, he placed a boot on the second strand of barbwire, then used the post to vault over.
“You need help?” he asked when he was on the other side. “Or do you think you climb fences as well as you ride?”
“Smart butt.” Since she was shorter, she had to climb the wire like a ladder and swing a leg over. Of course, the inside seam of her jeans snagged on a barb and Cru had to come to her rescue unless she wanted to rip a hole in them and her skin. His hand slid up the inside of her thigh and unhooked the denim. Before she could even suck in a breath at the tingle of heat that zinged straight to her panties, he easily lifted her over the fence.
“Did it cut you?” he asked once she was standing on solid ground. Except with his hands encircling her waist, she didn’t feel like she was standing on solid ground. She felt unstable and wobbly. She lifted her gaze. His lips were parted and his breath whooshed in and out like he was having a hard time breathing. She was struggling to breathe too. Her hands tightened on his shoulders and his tightened on her waist. His head tipped and so did hers. Their lips moved toward each other in slow motion. But just as her eyes slid closed, a woman’s voice had them flashing back open.
“You’re the man who likes turnip greens.”
She opened her eyes and turned her head to the woman walking toward them. Or carefully making her way toward them. High heels weren’t exactly the best shoes to wear out on the range. To keep her pointy heels from sinking into the dirt, she was tiptoeing around the clumps of prairie grass. She still ended up stumbling. Cru released Penny and quickly moved to steady her before she took a header.
“Careful there, Devlin.”
Devlin? Cru knew her?
Penny’s gaze narrowed on the woman’s hands as they settled on Cru’s shoulders. Exactly where Penny’s had been only moments before. She had wanted to punch guys before, but never a woman . . . until now.
“Thank you,” Devlin said. “I’m such a klutz.”
“You probably wouldn’t be if you had on sensible shoes,” Penny said.
Cru shot her a surprised glance, but she didn’t feel the least bit remorseful for her rudeness when his hands still held the woman’s waist.
“You’re right,” Devlin stepped out of his arms and pushed up her glasses. “It was quite stupid of me to come out here dressed like this.”
Now that she wasn’t touching Cru, Penny shouldn’t feel so annoyed. But it was hard not to be annoyed with a woman who was tall, slender, and beautiful. And whom Cru knew so well.
“What are you doing on Chester and Lucas’s land, Devlin?” he asked.
Devlin’s eyes widened behind the lens of her glasses. “Chester and Lucas’s? I thought this land was owned by Hank Gardener.”
“You’re off by just a little.” Cru pointed to the fence. “The other side is Gardener Ranch. This side is Double Diamond Ranch. Don’t tell me you tried to use your GPS again.”
How well did they know each other? And what was this woman doing here looking all wide-eyed and confused at Cru. Was she an old girlfriend who had followed him here?
“I used a map this time,” she said. “But obviously not well. I thought I was on Gardener land.” A knot formed above the frame of her glasses. “But if my calculations are right that fence shouldn’t be there.”
“Why would you be calculating anything on Gardener land?” Penny asked.
Instead of Devlin answering, Cru did. “She’s looking for oil.”
Both Devlin and Penny glanced at him in surprise, but Devlin spoke first. “How did you know? Did Mr. Gardener tell you why I was here?”
“Mr. Gardener?” Penny said. “My daddy knows you’re out here?”
Devlin turned to her. “Hank Gardener is your father? Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were his daughter. Yes, your father knows I’m here. I’ve spoken to him numerous times on the phone and we finally met in person a few weeks ago.” She held out her hand. “I’m Devlin McMillian from Reliable Energy Resources. But I would appreciate it if you didn’t repeat that to anyone. I don’t want other energy companies trying to profit from my research.”
Penny wasn’t concerned about another energy company finding out Devlin was here. She was concerned about the fact that her father had talked to Devlin and never said a word to her about it. Not one word. Of course, why would he? He had never valued her input. He only cared about what he wanted. And why was he allowing an energy company to do a survey when he’d always been against drilling or anything that tore up his land?
“So my father is completely receptive to the idea of drilling?” she asked.
Devlin looked confused. “Most people are happy about striking oil. You could stand to make a lot of money and your father seems to know that. And all my calculations say there’s oil here. Or not here, but on your land.”
“Yes, it is my land, Devlin—as much as my daddy likes to think otherwise. And until I talk with my father, I don’t want you nosing around on it.” She knew she was being rude, but she couldn’t help it. She was furious with her father for not telling her about their meeting. And she became even madder when Cru stuck up for Devlin.
“Wait a minute, Penny,” Cru said. “It’s not Devlin’s fault. She got permission from your father and is just doing her job.”
“Well, she’s not going to do her job here!” She whirled and headed back to the fence. When she got there, she stopped to see if Cru was coming. He wasn’t. He was helping Devlin in her stupid high heels back to her car. Once they got there, he pulled out his cellphone like he was getting her number. Which really ticked Penny off. And she’d be damned if she’d wait for him to set up a date.
She climbed on the lower strand of barbwire and swung her leg over. Of course, her jeans got stuck on a barb again. But this time, she didn’t care about ripping her pants. She swung her other leg over with a loud rip of denim that had both Devlin and Cru looking at her. She wanted to flip them off so badly she had to clench her hands into fists. She quickly untethered Severus and mounted. She intended to ride out her anger in a fast run, but the skittish stallion felt her agitation and refused to cooperate. He reared and would’ve tossed her off if she hadn’t had a good seat. By the time she had him under control, Cru had climbed the fence.
“I told you that horse needs gelding.”
She couldn’t help taking some of her anger out on him. “So did you set up a date with Miss Stupid High Heels?”
He arched an eyebrow at her before he mounted his horse. “No, but I did get her number. I figured that once you cool down you’ll want to apologize for your temper tantrum.”
“Temper tantrum! I did not throw a temper tantrum.” She reined Severus around and headed back the way she came. Since the stallion was still being ornery, Cru easily caught up.
“I don’t know what you’d call it. And it looks like you’re not over it. Go ahead. If you need to vent, vent.”
He was right. She did need to vent. Even Severus sensed it.
“How could he do it?” she said. “How could my father talk about drilling on the ranch and not mention a word to me? Not only am I his daughter, I’m the ranch manager. Of course, he doesn’t treat me like a manager. He treats me like his slave. The only time he talks to me is to issue an order. ‘Do this, Penelope Anne. Do that.’ Well, I’m sick and tired of it.”
She glanced over at Cru, expecting him to be smirking at her rant. Instead, his gaze was serious.
“You should be sick and tired of it. And you need to tell your father that.”
“What good will it do? It won’t change anything.”
She snorted. “Evie tried that and he told her to get the hell out. And I don’t want to leave the ranch. I love it too much.”
“I get it, Penny.” He glanced around. “There’s a lot to love. But you shouldn’t let your fear of losing it make you a slave to your father’s every whim.”
“I’m not a slave to his every whim.”
He raised his eyebrows. “That’s not how I see it. You never go up against him on anything. Even when you’re right and he’s wrong. And you don’t go up against your sister either. You should be mad at her for keeping the truth about Clint’s father from you. Instead, you just accept your father’s and sister’s inconsiderate behavior and act like you’re not hurt. But you are. I’ve seen it in your eyes after you talk to your sister or have an argument with your father. I’ve seen how hurt you are that they treat you like a kid instead of an equal.”
The truth was never easy to accept, which was probably why she refused to. “I’m not hurt. That’s just part of being the youngest in the family. No one takes you seriously.”
“That might’ve been true when you were a little girl, but it shouldn’t be true now that you’re a grown woman.”
“So what am I supposed to do? Disown them because they’re too stubborn to listen to my views? That’s not what you do when you love someone, Cru. When you love someone, you put up with their imperfections. But you wouldn’t know that, would you? Because after what your mother did, you’re too afraid to love anyone.” As soon as the words were out, she wanted them back. She glanced over at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I had no right to say—”
He cut her off. “You have every right. It’s okay to argue with people, Penny. It’s okay to stand up for yourself and say what’s on your mind. Sometimes people need to be called out. Especially when it’s the truth. I have no business telling you how to live your life when I’ve made a mess of mine. And you’re right. I’m scared to death of getting attached to anything or anyone. Scared that they’ll leave me just like my mom did. It’s pretty damned silly when you think about it. But I guess the things that happen to us when we’re young have a big impact on our adult lives. You watched your sister go against your father and get kicked off the ranch and you don’t want the same thing to happen to you. But I don’t think it will. Your father needs you more than you know. He would be stupid to let you go when you’re the one who runs this place. The one who makes sure that everything is running smoothly and all the ranch hands are happy. If people had to deal with your father, you wouldn’t be able to keep a ranch hand to save your—”