One Tough Cowboy

by Sara Orwig

  “White wine, please,” she said. “See? I think I know what I like to drink. Some things come back to me, just not enough and not the vital things.”

  “It’ll come with time.”

  Round, linen-covered tables circled the dance floor and two long tables held wedding cakes, one with a five-tiered white cake and the other with a three-tiered chocolate-raspberry cake.

  As the room filled with people, Josh and Laurie mingled with the crowd. He watched every person, particularly the men, to catch any sign of recognition, but after an hour they hadn’t met anyone who seemed to recognize her. Josh did recognize Ty Horton, a reporter from the Stallion Pass Sun who had been at Becky’s parties before. “Just a minute, Laurie,” he said and stepped a few feet from her to talk to the reporter who shot her a long look and then smiled at her. Josh returned and took her arm.

  “What was that all about?”

  “I know him. I asked him to please not take your picture. I hinted at an obsessive ex-boyfriend and a restraining order. I’ll explain to him later or if there’s a story that’s going to break anyway, we can give it to him.”

  She laughed and shook her head.

  “Josh!”

  When he turned to see friends approach, he tightened his hold slightly on Laurie’s arm. “Here comes my best friend, Gabe Brant. I want you to meet him and his wife.”

  Laurie turned to see a tall, handsome, smiling man. His arm circled the waist of a beautiful, black-haired woman. He said something to his wife and she smiled up at him. A look passed between them that made Laurie’s breath catch. The two appeared to be incredibly in love, and Laurie had a pang, wondering if she had ever known love like that—or ever would.

  Then the couple were smiling at Josh and her as the men shook hands.

  “Gabe, Ashley, I want you both to meet my friend, Laurie Smith. Laurie, this is Ashley and Gabe Brant,” Josh said.

  “I’m glad to meet you,” Laurie replied. “I’ve heard a little about you.”

  “Are you new to these parts?” Gabe asked.

  “It’s a long story,” Josh interrupted smoothly. “I’ll tell you later. Becky told me she’d invited both of you, and I’m glad you could make it. How are Ella and Julian?”

  “They’re great,” Gabe said. He turned to Laurie. “In case you’re wondering, Julian’s our son and Ella’s our baby girl. Here, I’ll show you her picture. And, Godfather, you can look at her latest picture, taken with her brother.”

  “Gabe, for heaven’s sakes—” Ashley began.

  “I want to see the picture,” Josh interrupted, grinning. “If you don’t let him show it now, he’ll just corner me later.”

  “You’ve got that right,” Gabe replied. He handed a picture to Laurie, and Josh leaned close to look with her at a picture of a smiling little girl with enormous blue eyes and wispy black hair. Next to her, holding her hand, was a little boy with big brown eyes and dark hair.

  “She’s beautiful,” Laurie said. “And this is your son?”

  “Yes,” Ashley answered. “That’s Julian with her.”

  “She looks as angelic as her mom,” Josh said, and Ashley laughed as Gabe pocketed the photo.

  “Come sit at our table,” Josh urged, and the four turned to walk to a table.

  “Before we go get drinks,” Josh said, turning to Laurie, “I want to tell you that we can trust these two with the truth and trust them to keep it to themselves.”

  Laurie listened as Josh sketched out what had happened since her car crash the day they had met. As he talked, Gabe reached out and took his wife’s hand, and again, Laurie was struck by the depth of love apparent between them. Also, she was aware of receiving curious glances from both of them.

  “Wow, that’s something,” Gabe said when Josh brought them up to date.

  “I’m sorry,” Ashley said. “If there’s anything we can do, let us know.”

  “Thanks,” Laurie said. “Every night when I go to sleep, I think I’ll wake up the next morning and remember everything, but I still don’t. Dr. Vandenberg expected my memory to return right after the accident. She doesn’t understand why it hasn’t.”

  “Let’s get drinks,” Josh said. “The bar is only yards away and I can keep an eye on you. I won’t leave you unprotected.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Laurie replied. “There hasn’t been a hint of danger tonight.”

  “What would you like, Laurie?”

  Laurie smiled at Josh. “I still have my wine, thanks.”

  Gabe asked Ashley, and as soon as the men were gone, Ashley turned to Laurie. “I know Becky’s been staying at the ranch, and now, with her wedding, she won’t be. And I imagine Josh is working most of the time, so if you get tired of staying there alone, call me and I’ll bring you to our place for the day.”

  “Thanks, that’s so nice. But it wouldn’t be safe for you. Actually, I’ve really enjoyed the time alone. I can relax, and with Becky coming and going, life’s been interesting. I feel safe there, but I know something has to change soon because I’m imposing.”

  Ashley laughed. “From the way Josh looks at you, I wouldn’t say you’re imposing at all.”

  “When you don’t know what’s in your past, though, you can’t form real friendships,” Laurie said, liking Ashley well enough to be admit what she felt.

  Ashley’s smile faded instantly. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t thought about that, but of course, you’re right. That’s awful. I hope your memory returns soon.”

  “I do, too. But even that frightens me. I know I must have been involved in something terrible for someone to try to kill me.”

  Ashley frowned. “I don’t think I’m doing much to cheer you up.”

  “It’s a relief to be with people who know. Of course, Becky knows, but we talked about her wedding and her new house most of the time.”

  “No, Becky doesn’t dwell long on life’s problems. But Gabe says that she’s good for Josh. Josh and his stepmothers—I guess you know about them?”

  “Yes, I do. He said I’d meet some of them tonight.”

  “I’m sure you will. Caroline is wonderful from what Gabe has told me. I imagine you’ll like her.”

  As the band began to play, Becky and her new husband had the first dance, and then guests joined them. Laurie sat and watched the couples dancing.

  “Were you and Gabe childhood sweethearts?” she asked Ashley.

  The other woman laughed, and her blue eyes twinkled. “Hardly! Brants and Ryders have been feuding since they came to Texas over a hundred years ago.”

  “So how did you two get together?”

  “It’s a long story. Ask Josh. Here they come.”

  “It’s obvious you two killed the feud,” Laurie commented.

  “I think so,” Ashley said, watching her husband, love shining in her eyes as he approached.

  Instead of sitting down, he took her hand. “Will you two excuse us while I dance with my wife?”

  Josh waved them away as he set a glass of wine in front of Laurie and a glass of water for himself. “Here’s another glass in case you finish yours.”

  “Thanks. Do you ever drink?” she asked him.

  “Sure,” he said as he sat down and sipped his water. “But, because of my dad, I prefer not to. For most social occasions, I don’t see any reason to.”

  “That’s good enough for me. Your friends are really in love, by the way. She told me about the family feud. How’d they get together?”

  “He asked her to marry him so they could join their ranches and have the biggest spread in Texas—and in the whole Southwest. Ella was a sperm bank baby. I believe Ashley thought she wouldn’t ever get married, and she wanted a child. When Gabe proposed, it was a wonder she didn’t go after him with her shotgun before he ever got a word out. There weren’t any good feelings at all between the Brants and the Ryders until Gabe and Ashley got together.” Josh touched Laurie’s hand lightly. “Let’s see if you remember how to dance.”

  On the dance floor
she fit into his arms, featherlight, smelling of flowers, soft and warm. All of Josh’s thoughts and worries of danger vanished as longing swamped him. He had dreamed of holding her like this, fantasized about it, and now here she was, pressed against him, her legs brushing his, moving with him, her hand in his and her arm around his neck.

  Yet here was danger of the highest kind. Danger to his way of life, to his peace of mind, to his future. He shouldn’t dance with her. He knew he should take her home.

  Home. The ranch. Isolated with just the two of them alone in his house for most of the coming week.

  Josh was as hot as if he were standing in flames. He could feel sweat popping out and knew it wasn’t due to the room or the dancing. It was his desire for Laurie. Hot, sweet desire that tore at him and tormented him. Even while he was telling himself that this should be the only dance, he tightened his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, not wanting to let her go.

  She moved against him, tightening her arm around his neck slightly as he held her. The other dancers faded from his consciousness and he was aware only of Laurie, wanting to dance her out into the dark night and make love to her endlessly under the stars.

  She looked up at him. “I forgot about your wound. Does it hurt?”

  “My arm is the last thing on my mind,” he answered in a husky voice, pulling her close again.

  The music ended and the band started a fast rock number. In spite of his silent arguments with himself, Josh began the second dance with her, twirling her around and watching her, her brown eyes volatile, every twist of her hips seductive.

  He was mesmerized, caught by those big eyes and the blatant challenge they held. She turned, looking at him slyly over her shoulder, with a faint smile hovering around her mouth. Temptation and challenge.

  Unable to resist, he caught her around the waist and yanked her up against him, dancing fast, looking down into her eyes as she gave him another searing, seductive look.

  Then she whirled away from him, moving to the music, her hips gyrating. He wanted her as he had never wanted any other woman in his life. And no woman he had ever known was more dangerous to his well-being, more off-limits to him.

  Josh clenched his hands into fists, wanting to swear, wanting to reach for her again and pull her tight against him. He yearned to kiss her long and hard, until she was flushed and breathless. Was all this hot desire just because she was forbidden? He had never had this intense reaction to any woman, but was it partially because he knew he couldn’t pursue her? He didn’t think that had a thing to do with what he felt. Where was his usual objectivity, his ability to walk away, to keep himself shut off and uninvolved?

  The band took a break and he took her hand, leading her back to the table to join Gabe and Ashley who were already seated. “I’ll return in a minute,” he said, hurrying away from her. He had to get away, to cool down, to get more control over his thoughts, his feelings and his body.

  He strode out onto the terrace. The night air was chilly and no one else was outside. He knew he had been abrupt with Laurie, but he’d had to be. He hadn’t trusted himself to act any other way. He walked across the empty terrace, his boots scraping the concrete floor. Images of her smiling at him, laughing, giving him a tempting look, danced through his mind. Light spilled through long windows as he moved from squares of light to dark shadows.

  Josh rounded a corner to find a man lounging in a chair, facing the windows and watching the people inside. When Josh appeared, the stranger stood up and left without a word, disappearing into the dark, hurrying off the terrace and into the night.

  Josh stared after him, a chill running down his spine. He told himself he was being foolish, but he felt cold and uneasy. Moving into the shadows, he scanned the grounds, hoping to spot the man. He was tempted to go look for him, but that would leave Laurie on her own.

  Josh glanced through one of the windows. He spotted Laurie still seated at their table. The man had been sitting where he could see her, except when dancers blocked his view. Worried, Josh turned around, taking long strides back into the reception hall to join her.

  When he reached their table, he sat facing her, his knees lightly touching hers. “Sorry to leave you. Hey, I see Caroline. Come meet her. You haven’t met Kevin or Ben, either. They’re all together. Excuse us, please, more of my family is here,” Josh said to Gabe and Ashley. He took Laurie’s hand and led her to a tableful of people.

  Laurie stood back while Josh greeted his relatives with hugs and kisses, and finally turned to her.

  “Okay, y’all. I want you to meet my friend, Laurie Smith. Laurie, this is my stepmom, Caroline Kellogg. Caroline, meet Laurie.”

  Laurie shook hands with a slender woman who had smooth, flawless skin, straight blond hair cropped just below her ears, and luminous blue eyes. She looked far too young to be the mother of a college sophomore. Ben, her son, had thick brown hair, blue eyes, a square jaw, and a dimple when he smiled. He was stocky, shorter than Josh, and she never would have picked them out as brothers.

  “You’re staying at the ranch?” he asked, shaking hands with her. “Kevin and I will be, too. At least tonight.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  His eyes were filled with curiosity, and she wondered what he had been told about her.

  “And you can talk to her later,” Josh said, taking her arm. “This is Nina. Nina, meet Laurie Smith.”

  Laurie shook hands with another slender, beautiful woman, whose thick brown hair curled under slightly just above her shoulders. Then she was introduced to Kevin, who was as tall as Josh, and had thick blond hair, a slender face, but resembled his mother far more than Josh. Next she met Nina’s tall husband, Ethan Rosenkrantz, and finally, another attractive stepmother, Trixie Fulton.

  “Come join us,” Caroline urged.

  “Thanks,” Josh replied. “We’re at a table with Gabe and Ashley Brant, but we’ll sit here for a while. They’ve danced all evening, anyway, so they haven’t been back to the table much.”

  Laurie sat with Josh beside Caroline. Ben immediately turned to Laurie and grinned charmingly. “Care to dance?”

  She smiled and nodded, catching a sharp glance that passed from Josh to Ben. Then Ben took her arm and led her to the dance floor for a fast dance that eliminated any chance for conversation. When the music ended and a slow number began, Ben kept a hold on her hand.

  “Dance one more with me, Laurie. Let me get to know you a bit better.”

  Glancing toward the table, she saw Josh deep in conversation with Caroline, so she nodded.

  “Ignore him. Josh isn’t into dancing,” Ben told her.

  “Is that right?”

  “Nope. Josh isn’t into partying, either. And that’s enough about my brother. Tell me about you. I haven’t seen you before, so you must not live around here.”

  “That’s right,” she said, assuming it would be safe to tell Josh’s family about her situation. “Since you’re family, I’ll tell you.”

  “You get more interesting by the minute. My estimation of my brother has just jumped up a notch. So tell me.”

  She talked while they danced, almost laughing at the shock that crossed Ben’s face when she began her story.

  “Holy horny toads! That’s wild. So that’s why you’re on the ranch. I thought Josh’s cold heart was finally thawing.”

  “Josh, cold? He’s incredibly kind!” Laurie protested.

  “Josh is as good as they come, but he’s pretty cool where women are concerned. He doesn’t want to get married, after living through all the marriages our dad had. He won’t ever get real close to any one woman.”

  “You make him sound as if he doesn’t like women.”

  “Oh, no. He likes women and they like him—look at him with our stepmothers. They all love him and so do a lot of women in Piedras and Lago Counties. Haven’t you noticed them coming up to speak to him tonight?”

  “I suppose I have, but so do men. He’s a friendly person.”

  “Well, wo
men notice Josh, but he doesn’t pay much attention to them. He’s never gotten into any serious relationships. So you don’t know one thing about your past? And someone wants to kill you?”

  “That’s right. I try not to think about the last too much.”

  “Wow. I ought to stay at the ranch and help protect you and try to help you find out about your past. Are you sure it’s safe for you to be here?”

  “Becky thought it would be. To tell the truth, I couldn’t resist getting out. I haven’t been anywhere outside the ranch house since I left the hospital.”

  “I bet I know whose idea that was. Josh can be as cautious as a ninety-year-old judge. No wonder you came tonight. And you haven’t seen anyone who’s recognized you?”

  “No, I haven’t. I’ve been avoiding the newspaper reporter all evening, so if you see the reporter approaching, we need to move away.”

  “Sure.”

  When the music ended, Ben looked over her shoulder. “Here he comes.”

  “The reporter?”

  “No, my brother. He’s claiming you. That purposeful look isn’t aimed at me.”

  “My turn, kid,” Josh said, taking Laurie’s hand.

  “She told me why she’s at the ranch.”

  “Well, you keep it quiet. Family and Gabe and Ashley can know, but that’s all.”

  “Sure. If I can help, let me know.”

  Josh smiled. “Thanks, Ben.”

  Ben strode away, and Josh pulled her into his arms for a slow dance. Laurie moved with him, relishing every second even though she constantly was aware that she shouldn’t. “He’s charming.”

  “Ben’s nice. And before long Kevin will want to dance, and you’ll see then what my dad was like. All charm, but beneath that charm, he’s totally irresponsible. Both of them will want to help you, and their intentions are good, although the biggest motivation with Kevin will be coming to the aid of a beautiful woman. Kevin takes to pretty women like bees to flowers, and you have a very unusual situation. He won’t want to go back to college.”

  “Well, I don’t want to be the cause of your brother dropping out of school!” she exclaimed, aghast at the thought. “I’d move out tonight—”