Having lost all track of time, he was eventually brought back to his senses when someone passing by let out a wolf whistle. With Brianna in his arms, he was in danger of being totally out of control. For a first kiss, they’d gone way beyond what was wise, let alone what was decent in a public place.
It was like the first night he’d laid eyes on her at the gem shop. The sight of her had stirred his senses to such a degree that he hadn’t been the same since. All along he’d known that if he ever started kissing her, he wouldn’t be able to stop. He’d never felt this way about any woman. His attraction to his ex-wife had grown slowly. The excitement Brianna whipped up inside him staggered him.
With sheer strength of will, he lifted his mouth from hers and could hear his own ragged breathing. “Up you go.” This time he put her inside and shut the door before he could clasp her to him again.
Once behind the wheel, he shut the door and started the engine. She’d pulled off her headband. Her blond hair glowed with a life all its own. It was impossible to tear his eyes away from her.
“I feel like a good steak. How about you?”
“That sounds good.” But her response told him she was miles away in the same world where he’d been moments ago. Eli needed to channel his energy in a different way and knew exactly the place to take her.
The snow continued to come down. She fixed her makeup and brushed out her hair. Within a half hour they arrived at Rudy’s, the best steak house in Missoula. He reached for their cowboy hats. Once they’d gotten out of the truck, they put them on and he grasped her arm to guide her inside.
“I hope you know how to line dance. If you don’t, I’ll teach you. They have a great band here.” This way he could touch her but would have to control himself.
Her eyes lit up. “My aunt taught me. She and Uncle Clark go country dancing a lot. I love it.”
The good news just kept coming.
They were shown to a table around the dance floor and removed their parkas. Every male in the place eyed her in her tight black cashmere sweater. He couldn’t blame them, but thanked providence he’d gotten there first.
After being served some tapas for hors d’oeuvres, he led her out to the dance floor and they joined a dozen people sashaying to “Baby Likes to Rock It.” Her aunt had taught her well. Dancing with Brianna excited him to no end.
They went back to the table to enjoy the main course and then returned to the floor and danced for close to an hour. Eli had forgotten he could be this happy. Her smiles let him know she was feeling the same way. But before long, he wanted her to himself and suggested they leave. He helped her put on her parka, loving the fragrant scent of her skin and hair.
Their stomachs filled with good food, the drive back to Stevensville in the snowstorm seemed just as magical as the rest of the night. Encased in the cab together, alone in the darkness, Eli felt he had everything he wanted.
“I guess I don’t need to tell you how much this day has meant to me. There’s only one problem.”
After a brief silence, she said, “I don’t think I want to know what it is.”
“That’s because you know what I’m going to say.”
“Eli...”
“It’s too soon to have the kind of feelings I have for you. I know it, and you know it. Tonight I want to take you home with me for good. You’d be lying if you told me you didn’t feel the same way.”
“I’ll admit I’m overwhelmed with emotions right now.”
“Whether you want to hear it or not, I’ve fallen in love with you.” He detected a slight gasp. “I don’t need to hear all the arguments floating in your head. I know them by heart and can just imagine what your brother would say.
“‘It’s too soon, Brianna. Eli Clayton has just come out of a marriage that couldn’t work. He couldn’t possibly know what he wants yet. He has a little daughter. You’ve never been married. You’re still grieving the loss of our parents. You’re a California girl and are only visiting our aunt and uncle for a season. You need to come home and deserve to meet a man with no baggage.’”
She straightened in the seat. “Everyone has baggage, Eli.”
“Not like mine.”
“Maybe not exactly. Why don’t you tell me the whole truth and admit you’d be worried to take on a girl like me with no experience? You’ve been married and have a child. I’m sure I don’t measure up to your expectations, not like—”
“Tessa?” he interrupted her. “You’re right. You’re not at all like Tessa, who was afraid of her own shadow. I didn’t know that at first. When she begged me never to go back to bull riding again, I thought that was a natural concern of some people. Later I took her skiing, but she couldn’t bring herself to get on the lift, which surprised me.
“After we got married and moved in to my late grandparents’ house, fear turned out to be her middle name. She liked to go dancing but not line dancing, where she felt like she was on display. It was clear Tessa needed to be home where she could be in control of her world and she begged for us to start a family. I’d wanted to wait, but I could see a baby would fulfill her.”
“Oh, Eli... How hard.”
“Her pregnancy made her so happy, despite her morning sickness, that I was overjoyed. We planned out the nursery and got everything ready. Little did I know Libby’s arrival would bring completely new fears.
“If you have more questions about her, go ahead and ask. But you have to know I don’t measure you against anyone else. You are a constant surprise in ways that make me thankful I’ve met you.”
Eli pulled into the Frosts’ snow-covered driveway.
“Meeting you has changed my world, too, Eli. So much that I don’t know myself anymore.”
Unable to stand it any longer, he got out of the truck and walked around to her side. After opening the door, he pulled her into his arms. “I need this again or I’ll never make it until Saturday.”
Once more he knew rapture as they gave each other kiss after kiss under falling snow that left their hair and clothing damp. But he wasn’t aware of anything except the feel of the fabulous flesh-and-blood woman embracing him as if she would never let him go. To experience this kind of passion seemed nothing short of a miracle.
When she pulled away long enough to catch her breath, she cried, “You look like a snowman.”
“To tell you the truth, with the heat we’ve created, I’m surprised the snow hasn’t run off both of us.” He covered her mouth once more before freeing her from his grip. “You’d better run to the porch while I’m still willing to let you go. I’ll get your ski equipment.”
After gathering it up, he put everything down on her porch and clasped her to him one more time. “I don’t want to let you go, but I have to. Just be warned that on Saturday, things will be different. I’ll expect you around one or one-thirty.”
“I’ll be there.”
He gave her another swift kiss and walked back to the truck without turning around.
Chapter Seven
Taffy was waiting when Brianna entered the house and removed her parka. Then her uncle came walking toward her. She didn’t have to guess what he was thinking. Her disheveled hair, her flushed cheeks and swollen lips told him everything.
“I saw headlights in the driveway. I’ll bring in your equipment. Why don’t you go rest by the fire?”
Yup. He’d been waiting up for her. She sensed a talk coming on. Because she loved him so much, she didn’t resent him behaving like a father, even if she was twenty-three.
While she waited for him, she took off her boots and stood in front of the hearth. The only parts of her body not burning up were her feet.
“Were you able to get in some skiing before the storm hit?”
She turned toward him. “Yes. We did four runs. Eli is such a good skier, I can’t believe he
wasn’t an alpine champion.”
“He was an even greater bull rider.”
She nodded. “I’m sure of that, but he insists Toly is the true champion of the family. After we left the ski resort, we went to Rudy’s for dinner and line dancing. I don’t think there’s anything the guy can’t do. I had the time of my life.”
Her uncle scrutinized her. “Your eyes are shining with a light I’ve never seen before. I dare say my niece is in love.”
She took a steadying breath. “I know I am.”
“Brianna—”
“Yes?”
He was unusually hesitant. “Nothing.”
“Come on, Uncle Clark. You didn’t wait up this late for nothing.”
“I don’t have the right.”
“Yes, you do. What are you trying to tell me?”
“That your aunt and I love you and want you to be happy.”
“I know you’re concerned. You told me Eli was the complicated one of the Clayton boys. What did you mean by that?”
He shifted his weight. “It’s something his father once said to me.”
Brianna swallowed hard. “What was that?”
“Everything always came easily to Eli. For that reason his dad worried there’d come a time when he had to face something all his talents couldn’t fix.”
She folded her arms in front of her waist. “When did he tell you this? After Eli’s marriage to Tessa?”
“No, before. He came into the store one day to buy some boots and mentioned that Eli was getting married.”
“Wasn’t he happy about it?”
“Not exactly. He felt uneasy because Eli and his fiancée hadn’t known each other long and he thought they were rushing into it.”
“You don’t think that he was just a loving father who was worried about losing his son?”
“No. He had a real concern.”
“In other words he felt Eli wasn’t ready but didn’t give you the exact reason why.”
“I suppose that’s it.”
She thought of how wonderful Eli was with his daughter. “Who is truly ready when it comes to marriage?”
He took a deep breath. “I’m sure I don’t know.”
“It seems to me Eli did everything to try to make his marriage work and has proven himself to be a great dad. If his father were alive, I should think he’d be proud of him.”
“Of course he would be. Honey?” His eyes looked at her with pleading. “Forgive me for saying anything.”
Brianna gave him a big hug. “Thank you for caring so much. Good night.”
She hurried to her room to get ready for bed. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t throw off her uncle’s concern. Brianna believed he’d told her the whole truth as he knew it. So if she wanted to know the rest, she would have to ask Eli why his father had such reservations about his marriage that he’d even discussed them with her uncle.
For the remainder of the week her uncle kept mum on the subject. Eli phoned her at work the next day to be certain she was still on for Saturday. He made another call on Friday while they were vaccinating the herd.
“When I left the house this morning, I told Libby you would be coming to our house tomorrow. It doesn’t matter how much she understood—one thing was clear. She kept running around saying, ‘Bree—Bree!’ You’ve made a real impression on her. Neither one of us can wait.”
“I’m looking forward to it, too,” she said. “See you then.”
After work that day, Brianna called Lindsay and they decided to go shopping for a present for Libby. Her pregnant friend was delighted by the idea and they met at one of the stores selling educational gifts.
They found a box of twelve different-colored moons. Six were full moons—pancake-sized and about a half-inch thick, while the other six were half moons in the same colors. All had adorable faces. Brianna knew Libby would love them. She also bought a coloring book of cartoon moon drawings and a pack of crayons.
Lindsay found a mobile of the solar system for the crib she and her husband had set up. Her friend’s excitement made Brianna envious. To be expecting a baby with the man you loved sounded like the best thing in the world.
Brianna asked the clerk to gift wrap her presents. Afterward, they stopped for a hamburger before parting ways. She was so anxious for the next day that she didn’t sleep very well.
Saturday turned out to be an especially busy day at the saddlery. At twelve thirty Brianna told her uncle she was leaving. He smiled and told her to have a great time. No more talks like the one they’d had Tuesday night.
After freshening up, she walked out to the truck with her gifts, aware of her heart thudding out of control. Under her parka she wore a pair of white jeans and a new, dark blue crepe blouse that buttoned up in front with a roll collar and pockets. The cuffed sleeves fastened below the elbow. She wanted to look beautiful for Eli.
Though it was close to freezing, no storms had been forecasted for the next three days. The sun was out today and the main highway was free of snow. Brianna turned in to the Clayton ranch and drove past the main house until she reached Eli’s. His mother’s Land Rover was parked in front, but there was no sign of his truck.
Surprised, she got out of her uncle’s truck with the gifts and walked to the front porch. Before she had a chance to ring the bell, the door opened.
“Mrs. Clayton—”
“Hello, Brianna. I saw you pull up. Please come in.”
She entered the house and closed the door behind her. “Is Libby sick again?”
“No, no. Luke, one of the stockmen, had a heart attack while they were all working this morning. He has no family in Montana so Eli drove him to the hospital and is staying with him until the foreman can get there to be with him. I’m sure Eli will be back as soon as he can.”
“Of course. The poor man. I hope he got him there in time.”
“We’re all praying for that. As for Libby, she’s had lunch and is taking her nap right now. Give me your parka.” Brianna removed it so Eli’s mother could hang it in the hall closet. “Why don’t we go sit down in the living room?”
“Thank you.”
“Have you had lunch?” Mrs. Clayton asked.
“Not yet, but I’m not hungry.”
“Coffee, then?”
“No, thank you. I’ll wait for Eli. If he doesn’t get back soon, I’ll fix myself something. Please feel free to go if you want.”
“Well, if you’re sure...”
Brianna nodded. “I’ll stay here with Libby for as long as I’m needed. When she wakes up, I have a few things to give her.”
Eli’s mother looked at the gifts she’d put on the couch. “How exciting!”
“I hope she’ll like them.”
“That’s very sweet of you.”
Brianna smiled. “It’s easy to want to spoil that child.”
“Tell me about it.” The older woman laughed.
“Eli has told me several times how grateful he is for you and how bad he feels you’ve had to do so much for him and Libby. Let me take over now so you can do whatever you want for the rest of the day.”
“Solana and I do need to go grocery shopping...”
“Then go, enjoy and don’t worry about us.”
Mrs. Clayton walked out to the foyer and pulled her parka from the hall closet. After putting it on, she turned to Brianna. “I know my granddaughter is in the best of hands with you. She has said your name no fewer than a dozen times since I came over to help.”
Those words thrilled Brianna. “I can’t wait to play with her.”
Eli’s mother eyed her for a moment. “My son told me what a great support you were when Libby was in the hospital.”
“When I heard she had croup, I wanted to be there.”
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“Eli is very lucky to know you.” She reached in her purse and pulled out a business card for the gem shop. “This has my cell phone number on it if you need me for any reason.”
Brianna took it from her. “Thank you so much.”
“I’ll be back home in an hour. In the meantime, Libby has a sippy cup if you want to give her milk. Eli also has crackers and bananas on hand should you decide to put her in the high chair for a snack. There’s baby food on the shelf.”
“I’m sure he has everything. Libby and I will be fine.”
“I have no doubt of it.”
“Oh, and by the way, if I haven’t told you before, my aunt adores her ring. I believe it has made her fall in love with my uncle all over again.”
“How lovely,” she said and smiled warmly. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
Brianna watched her walk to her Land Rover and drive off, then she went down the hallway to check on Libby and discovered the little monkey was awake. Through the gap in the doorway, she saw the toddler sitting up in her crib, playing with her polar bear. Her brown hair was in tangles, melting Brianna’s heart.
Libby saw her and immediately got to her feet, clinging to the crib railing. “Bree—”
“Good afternoon, darling.” She rushed over and picked her up. Those little arms were surprisingly strong as they wrapped around her neck. She gave Brianna a kiss on the cheek.
“Shall we change your diaper and put on one of your outfits?” She gave her kisses on both cheeks. “Then I have some treats for you.”
Once she’d decked her out in a little brown-and-yellow cowboy outfit, she reached for Libby’s hair brush and book from the dresser and carried her into the living room. To Brianna’s delight, Eli’s daughter spotted the brightly colored gifts on the couch at once and squirmed to get down.
“So, you love presents just like everyone else! Of course you do. Here you go.” She handed her the box of moons. Libby sat down and started to tear the paper away. Brianna got down on her knees to watch and help her lift off the lid.
A Valentine for the Cowboy Page 9