One Tough Cowboy

by Sara Orwig

  “Don’t worry. I’ll send him packing. But you watch, he’ll want to stay to help try to find out who you are. He’ll want to guard you. Of course, halfway through the evening he’d forget what he’s supposed to be doing, Especially around someone like you. But his intentions are good. Kevin’s also a good kid and he’s keeps things lively when he’s around. And speaking of the rascal—here he comes.”

  He turned with an ironic smile. “I know, you want to dance with her,” he muttered good-naturedly to the young man who approached.

  “Damn straight I do,” Kevin agreed, smiling at Laurie and never glancing at Josh.

  Josh stalked to the sidelines, watching as Laurie laughed at something Kevin was telling her. Then he shifted his attention to the crowd, looking everyone over, trying to see if anyone else was watching Laurie with undue attention.

  The minute the dance ended he returned to claim her.

  “Sure,” Kevin said. “She told me about herself. That’s wild.”

  He left and Laurie moved into Josh’s arms for another dance.

  “You’re right. He said he may stay at the ranch next week and help you protect me.”

  “The hell he will,” Josh said. “Protection isn’t what’s on Kevin’s mind.”

  She laughed. “He is charming, just like you said.”

  “Irresistible?” Josh demanded.

  “No, not irresistible. He’s young, too.”

  “That doesn’t stop Kevin, ever. And he’s not all that young. He’s the perennial student because he keeps changing majors. I don’t know if he’ll ever finish college.”

  “I saw you studying the crowd,” Laurie said.

  “Everything looks all right,” he replied, avoiding telling her about the man on the terrace. He didn’t know anything for certain, and he didn’t want to worry her. “You’re just getting garden-variety attention from all the males—probably what you always get.”

  “You exaggerate, but that’s sweet of you.”

  Josh smiled at her. He wanted to dance all night. That was the only way he was going to get to touch her and hold her.

  Another song began to play and Josh pulled Laurie closer, moving with her and enjoying the contact without keeping up his guard. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms more tightly around her while they barely moved, and then he realized what he was doing and shifted her away, to stare down at her.

  Her brown eyes were darker, with flames in their depths, as she gazed up at him.

  The music ended and Josh took her arm, inhaling deeply, trying to get control of his emotions and his body. They started to leave the dance floor when a couple blocked their way.

  “Sorry we didn’t see you more tonight,” Gabe Brant said. His arm was draped around Ashley’s shoulders, while she leaned against him.

  “That’s fine. My family wanted us to join them.”

  “How’s the stallion?” Gabe asked.

  Josh shook his head. “Wild as ever. I haven’t had time to work with him.”

  “I warned you,” Gabe replied. He glanced over at Ashley. “We’ll be going now. Both of you must come see us. I’ll give you a call and we can plan a visit. It was nice to meet you, Laurie,” Gabe said.

  “It was a pleasure to meet both of you,” Laurie told them, and watched them walk away.

  “I hope I’m that much in love someday,” she murmured. “Their relationship brings to mind the word bliss. I can’t believe they used to be enemies in a feud.”

  “They didn’t even speak until he proposed. Their marriage shocked everyone in this part of Texas,” Josh said.

  The musicians called a break. Reluctantly, Josh led Laurie from the dance floor. “I’m having a good time, but I’d rather get out of here before the crowd thins.” Josh rubbed her arms lightly as they stood beside their table. “It’s getting late enough that this shindig ought to wind down.”

  “Of course. I’ve had my outing and I’ve had a wonderful time,” Laurie said warmly, giving him a look that sent his temperature soaring again.

  “We need to say goodbye to Becky and Latimer and Trixie. I’ll tell Nina and Caroline we’ll see them at the ranch tonight.” Josh took Laurie’s arm, moving through the crowd and keeping watch for the reporter.

  None too soon to suit Josh, he stood with Laurie under the long portico, waiting for the valet to bring the car. Josh casually looked around, searching the grounds, the entryway behind them, the few guests leaving, watching constantly for anyone who seemed to pay undue attention to them.

  As he swung out of the lot, two other cars left within seconds. Beneath the bright lights at the entrance, Josh saw a low-slung red sports car turn into the street behind him.

  After several seconds a nondescript dark green compact car turned behind the red car.

  “You’re watching to see if we’re being followed, aren’t you?” Laurie asked, looking into the side mirror and seeing the cars behind them. “I hardly think you need worry about the couple in the red car.”

  “I agree.”

  “You’re watching the green car.”

  “I just want to check and see if we’re being followed. If we are, then someone has discovered where you are and they know who you are.”

  She shivered, studying Josh. The evening had been wonderful. Too wonderful, she thought wistfully. She knew she had enjoyed his company too much, loved dancing with him too much. She was getting to know him too well. He couldn’t be any part of her future until she knew her past.

  Josh made a turn. She wasn’t familiar with the city and she didn’t know whether they were headed toward the ranch or not, but within minutes she realized they had doubled back the way they had come.

  “We’ve got a tail, Laurie,” Josh said grimly.

  Chapter 7

  “A re you certain?” Laurie asked, studying the headlights a block behind them while a chill ran through her. Fear gripped her, along with worry for Josh’s safety. “How could anyone find me? I’ve been hidden at your ranch. It’s impossible.”

  “No, it’s not. Becky’s been in Stallion Pass buying clothes that aren’t her size. And she tries, but I’m not certain Becky can keep quiet about anything.”

  “At night, how can you be sure that’s the same car?”

  “They’ve stuck with us since the club. I’m going to call the sheriff.”

  “Josh, I’m sorry. I never intended to put you in danger. I thought you’d be safe or I wouldn’t—”

  “Forget it, Laurie. I did what I wanted to do. And I’m not worried about the danger. There’s a big difference in going after an unarmed woman and going after an armed man. And one in contact with the police.”

  “I don’t want you hurt.”

  “I won’t be.”

  “You don’t know that! Just stop at a hotel and let me out,” she told him, staring at the headlights. She hated that she had pulled Josh into her problems and into danger.

  “I’m not letting you out at a hotel, so you can just forget that one now.” He handed her a cellular phone. “You call the police while I drive. Tell them who you are and that I think we have a tail. I’m going to stall him and see if I can find out who he is.”

  “You can’t!”

  “Stop worrying. I’ll be all right,” Josh said, slowing the car and unlocking the glove compartment to retrieve his pistol.

  “Josh, I hate this. I—”

  “Call the police, Laurie.”

  She dialed 911, wanting to stop Josh, yet knowing she couldn’t. She was terrified for his safety and horrified that she had involved him, yet when she looked at him and saw the determined set to his jaw, she realized he was not afraid.

  A dispatcher answered and Laurie briefly explained who she was and what was happening, giving their location. The dispatcher continued to ask questions, telling her a car was on its way, and then Laurie heard Josh swear.

  “The tail is gone,” he said. “He’s turned off.”

  Laurie told the dispatcher the news. She talked a moment m
ore and then shut off the phone.

  “So we’re on our own again.”

  “Sort of. There’s a police car a few cars behind us now.”

  “Think that’s why the person stopped following us?”

  “Could be, or it might not be.”

  “Or it might not have been someone following us, only coincidence.”

  “The way I’ve been driving around, I’m pretty sure it was someone following us, but if he had a lick of sense, he would have realized I was making a lot of unnecessary turns. That could be why he disappeared.”

  “You don’t have a nervous bone in your body,” she said, wondering if he had ever known fear.

  He shot her a quick glance. “Oh, I have nerves all over, and right now I’m too damned aware of them,” he said in a low voice. She knew he wasn’t talking about the car tailing them.

  “The cop is pulling us over,” Josh said, his voice becoming brisk again as lights began to flash behind them. Josh pulled to the curb and stepped out of the car to talk to the officer. In minutes he slid behind the wheel again.

  “He just wanted to see if we were safe.”

  “There he goes,” Laurie said, watching in the mirror as the police car turned a corner. “If someone knew to follow me tonight, then they know where I’m staying. They know you and your ranch. Josh, I have to leave.”

  “No, you don’t,” he said, in a voice that was unyielding. “I’m not afraid. Not at all. In fact, I’d like to catch the guy. You should be safe on the ranch, and I’ll have an alarm installed this week.”

  “Alarms are expensive, and you haven’t felt the need for one before.”

  He grinned. “I haven’t even locked the doors before.”

  “See?”

  “Stop worrying about me or my house. What we need to worry about is who knows and what they know, and what they’ll try to do next.”

  She shivered. “I felt so completely safe at your ranch.”

  “You probably would have been if Becky hadn’t been around going back and forth into town every day. Her intentions are good, but I’d guess that’s how someone found you. Besides, the wreck was on my property. That’s where I’d start if I were looking for you and you disappeared after the crash.”

  Knowing he was right, she gripped his arm. “I can’t stop hating that I involved you.”

  He inhaled, his chest expanding as he covered her hand with his, driving with the other. They were still in town, on a quiet street, and he slowed. She was aware of the contact, of his hand on hers and of his effort to keep his attention on the road. She started to pull her hand away, but he held it, lacing his fingers through hers.

  “We shouldn’t, Josh,” she said quietly, withdrawing her hand.

  He knew she was right and he clenched his jaw, locking both hands on the steering wheel and trying to get his mind back on the question of who was watching them.

  As they left San Antonio, Josh couldn’t tell if anyone was tailing them. They were in steady traffic for a few miles until he cut over to take a county road. Traffic thinned and for miles no one was behind them and there were few cars coming from the opposite direction.

  He concentrated on watching the road and trying to get his mind off Laurie. He had been too aware of her in his embrace tonight when they danced. With every hour he wanted her more, yet she was as forbidden as she’d been the first moment he had met her.

  He was relieved his family would be spending the night at the ranch with them. He wasn’t going to worry about tomorrow, when they all left, until he had to. And he knew he’d better focus on protecting Laurie. If someone knew she was staying with him, she could be in grave danger.

  He tried to keep his thoughts on how to protect her. He needed an alarm system, and he should talk to his men again. He had told his housekeeper about Laurie the first day, but he had to speak to her again because just by being at the ranch with Laurie she could be in danger, too. He considered hiring a bodyguard to stay at the house, knowing he could ask if any of his men wanted the job.

  Josh shook his head in the darkness of the car interior. All of them would jump at that assignment. Should he stay home and guard her himself?

  Laurie shifted and took a deep breath while she watched Josh drive. When he shot her a swift glance, she tilted her head. “What is it? Is someone following us again?”

  “No. I’m trying to decide if I need to get you a bodyguard. Or if I should take that job myself.”

  “I don’t think I need a bodyguard when I’m at your house. Particularly if you’re putting in an alarm and you’re on the property somewhere and have your phone.”

  “When I’m working, I could easily be a ten-to thirty-minute drive from the house. You need someone right here with you.”

  “I was just thinking about Endora. I’m putting you and everyone around you in danger. If you insist I stay, I think she should be warned. While I’m with you, I can cook and clean. There’s not that much to do with just two of us,” she said, too aware of how her words sounded. “Of course, I don’t want to cause her to lose her salary or to leave you permanently.”

  “She’ll get paid, anyway, but I’ll tell her to take a vacation.”

  “I’m disrupting your life in every way,” Laurie said, knowing she needed to pack and leave. But Josh was the only haven of safety she knew. “I’m moving out. Don’t stop me. I’ve got money and I can keep moving around until my memory comes back.”

  “Don’t do it, Laurie,” he told her. “And don’t you leave while I’m gone at work, either. Promise me, so I won’t have to worry. I want you here, otherwise, without your memories, you’d be damned vulnerable. If I didn’t want you here, I’d let you go. Promise me you won’t just try to disappear.”

  “Josh—”

  “I want you to stay,” he said tightly.

  “All right, but I hope we don’t both regret it,” she replied, knowing she wasn’t doing what she should, but was giving in to what her heart wanted.

  “That settles it. I’m your new bodyguard.”

  She laughed and shook her head. “I’m worried and upset, but I have to tell you, there’s a part of me that wants you to be my bodyguard.”

  “I think your reaction is the same as mine, except my upset and my worry are for different reasons.”

  “What are your reasons?”

  “I’m worried I can’t protect you when I should, worried that I didn’t find out who was following us tonight, upset that I might not be able to control what I feel for you….”

  Her heart thudded, and she reached out to touch his hand. Instantly his fingers wrapped around hers, warm and strong. He rested their hands on his thigh and she felt the electric tingle spread over her whole body, too aware of the contact, wanting so much more.

  “When will your family arrive at the ranch?”

  “Nina and Ethan will bring Caroline, and they’ll be out in about another hour or so, I’d guess. No one knows when Ben and Kevin will come in, but it’ll likely be the wee hours of the morning.”

  “Your family is wonderful. You’re very lucky to have your stepmoms and your brothers.”

  “We all get along.”

  When Josh turned the car into his ranch, he drove a quarter of a mile, pulled beneath a stand of trees and cut his lights and motor.

  “What are you doing?” Laurie demanded, instantly aware of the intense quiet that enveloped them.

  “I want to watch the road, to make sure no one is following us onto the ranch who shouldn’t be here.”

  Laurie inhaled, dangerously aware of being shut in the close confines of the car with Josh. Aware, too, of the danger.

  “Whatever my background, I think I’m a city girl.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  They spoke in soft voices, and she knew his attention was only half on her as he continued to watch the road.

  “I notice the quiet out here. I think if I had been living in the country like you do, the absolute quiet wouldn’t catch my
attention so much. I notice it during the day at your ranch. There’s no sound at all except a cry of a bird or the whistle of wind through the trees.”

  “You’re probably right. I grew up out here and I never give it a thought. But in a city I notice the noise. Confounded racket most of the time.”

  Thinking about Josh as a child and the continual upheaval in his life, she asked, “Didn’t it tear you up every time your dad got divorced? Particularly when Nina moved out and took Kevin, and when Caroline left with Ben?”

  Josh was silent a long moment, and she wondered whether she had pried too deeply into a private part of his life, but then he answered, “Yes, it did. That’s another reason I don’t want to get deeply involved with anyone.”

  “Life without love is empty, Josh,” Laurie said quietly, knowing he had been hurt as a boy by his father’s divorces. “At least you remained friends with all of them, and Kevin and Ben are still part of your life. That’s more than some people have.”

  “I know it is. Dad always brought home women who were pretty and nice to me. Besides, I grew up seeing my friend Wyatt and his dad, and watching them always made me count my blessings. That man was mean as sin. Wyatt didn’t have a stepmother. He didn’t even have a father who loved him. In some ways Wyatt was too much like his old man. They butted heads constantly. No, I always knew I had a lot to be thankful for, but the divorces still hurt, especially when I lost Caroline. After that I sort of withdrew from loving any of them.”

  Laurie couldn’t resist running her fingers lightly along his jaw. He instantly stilled, and she became aware of the extremely narrow distance between their bodies.

  Knowing she shouldn’t touch him, she placed her hands in her lap, lacing her fingers together and turning to look back at the road. “How long do you intend to stay here?”

  “I think we can go on to the house. I just wanted to watch for a while.”

  When he started the motor, Laurie shifted in the seat, turning to watch him as he drove, wondering about the solitary life he seemed to lead, shut away, keeping barriers around his heart. Yet with his family he was warm and open.

  At the house Josh pulled her inside, closing the door and moving to the phone without switching on any lights. He picked it up, punched numbers and carried it to the window.