“’Bout time,” he said when they met up. “Time to get back to the ranch. I’m sure Scotty is hungry.” He took his wife’s arm and threw an angry look in Craig’s direction.
Dina smiled weakly. “Thank you very much Quinn. Make sure to thank Jacob for me as well. It was a nice surprise.”
“I’ll make sure I tell him.”
The couple went off in the direction of the parking lot. The back of Ted’s thick neck glowed a beet red.
For a long moment, after losing Dina’s company, Quinn considered her next move. There was no way she could join her brother and Craig, she didn’t have the strength to hide her feelings from him. Marisol remained with her new friends and Robby flirted with some girl from town.
Even though she loved to dance and listen to music, she really wanted to take Piper out onto the prairie and ride until the sun sank below the hills. Solitude would give her a chance to think. The whole day had filled her brain right up, the noise, the people. Craig. It was almost too much.
Before anyone could grab her attention, Quinn walked away from the gathering and headed for the barn.
It took only a few minutes to have Piper out of her stall, slip a bridle on, and mount up. Quinn turned the mare away from the party and trotted her out of the ranch yard, down an old road that hadn’t been used much in the past ten years or so.
At the end of the road, not ten minutes from the main house, Quinn stopped Piper and stared at the original Long Knife Creek Ranch house. Her grandparent’s home. Where her father had been born. Where Quinn and Jacob had grown up. Once it had been white, but the paint on the house had chipped away under years of harsh prairie weather and now it was a gray with faded green shutters. There was a barn too, as gray and abandoned as the house, the roof swaybacked. Yet, no matter how abandoned the place looked, Quinn always saw this as the heart of Long Knife Creek.
Once, before heading to college, Quinn used to come out here and dream the house was pretty and white and the barn strong. There had been horses living in that barn, horses she raised and trained. Best Quarter Horses in all the state. She’d name it “Wind Horse Ranch”, a name she came up with when she was young.
Looking at the place now, she realized rehabilitating the old house and barn was most likely a pipe dream. Jacob had already told her the place was a lost cause, should probably be torn down. But still, Quinn held tight to that dream because it was the only thing she had to hang on to. A place that could possibly be her own.
She sure had the will to make it happen, to keep ahold of the Long Knife Creek Ranch of yesterday. But will didn’t mean squat if she didn’t have the cash to make it happen.
With a sigh, Quinn headed back to the main ranch before she was missed. She owed it to Jacob to help out and besides, she wanted to get a chance to see Craig at least once more before he and Marisol left.
As soon as she returned to the party, Quinn wished she hadn’t.
The band continued to play and the descending sun cast the sky in varying shades of gold and oranges. Someone had lit the dozen or so tiki torches around the perimeter and couples danced. Craig was there too, his arms wrapped around Nicole Ball. Both were laughing.
Quinn wasn’t proud of the surge of jealousy that both chilled her with its strength and burned her with its unexpected ferocity. She looked away from it.
Against her better judgment, Quinn stopped and glanced back, willing herself not to feel this way. Craig and Nicole looked good together, more his type than Quinn ever could be, more like Elise. Worldly, sophisticated, daughter of a state senator, she and Craig probably had more interests beyond horses and the ranch.
Quinn quickly turned away, shocked she could feel so hurt again over this man.
***
Craig watched Quinn approach the group of dancers then pause. The sun behind her cast her chestnut hair in a glow of sunset fire.
Her face fell into a look of disappointment. Though not positive, he could’ve sworn she’d looked straight at him, but why in the world would she be upset by anything he did?
“Earth to Craig.”
Nicole’s voice cut through his thoughts and he gave his attention back to his dance partner.
“Sorry.”
Nicole gave him a half smile with a cock of her brow. “It’s okay but I don’t think you heard a word I just said.”
He could’ve lied and said yes, but instead he gave her a guilty smile and shook his head. “I saw Jacob’s sister and she didn’t look happy.”
Nicole glanced over Craig’s shoulder and nodded. “Probably saw Robby flirting with that blonde over there.”
Quinn had told him she had no interest in rekindling any kind of romance with his brother. But what else would’ve sent her storming away?
“Could be,” he murmured.
When the song ended, he pulled away. “Thank you very much, ma’am.”
“Oh please don’t call me that. I’m not much younger than you.”
Craig chuckled. “Must be the cowboy in me.”
“Then I guess I can’t complain. Thank you for the dance. I’m glad we had a chance to catch up. Don’t be such a stranger now you’re back in town.”
Craig and Nicole parted company and before he could think things through, he headed in the direction Quinn had taken. What would he say to her? He knew he had to come up with something because there she was, leaning against the paddock fence, her back to him. One hand idly scratched the ears of a dog sitting next to her.
“You’re not going to get any invitations to dance if you’re hiding out here.”
Her back stiffened when he spoke. He leaned against the fence next to her and looked at her, admiring her profile. Tension played on her face as well, her jaw muscles tight and her eyes narrowed a bit.
“That’s the idea.”
“Aw, come on. It’s not fair to deprive the young men back there of a dance or two.”
“They’ll live. No young men I’m particularly interested in dancing with anyway.”
The terse note in her voice made him more interested in what bugged her. All day she’d been happy and energized. This melancholy mood didn’t become her.
“Then how ‘bout dancing with an old man?”
This got her attention. She looked at him, but the frown remained and her blue eyes narrowed. “Who, you? You’re not old.”
Craig laughed. “Thank you very much. Yes me.”
Quinn bit her lip and stared at him for a good long time. Enough time for him to admire how soft rosy light from the sunset made her skin glow in a way that was almost magical.
“All right, I’ll dance with you.”
He didn’t take her hand as they walked back to the dance area, but he anticipated her touch, wondering how she’d feel in his arms, small but feminine. Supple and curvaceous. When they found a spot, she looked up expectantly.
He slipped an arm around her waist and took her free hand in his. Her palm was warm to the touch and soft despite the nature of her work.
“What did you and Ted Penney talk about? He looked mighty unhappy when we got back. Did he try to sell you some stock?”
What a way to spoil the mood. “We were discussing the condition of Emerald Ranch. And his horses.”
“Oh. He’s really run the place down. And if I won the lottery I’d buy every last horse from him. He gives breeders a bad name.” Despite the content of their conversation, Craig fixated on Quinn’s low, husky voice. At some point the slow sway of the dance brought them closer until he felt a whisper light touch of her breasts against his chest. He swallowed hard to get past the desire that slight contact fired up. His arm tightened on her a bit more. She didn’t pull back; instead she looked at him. Her blue eyes were so clear, so wide as if she saw directly into his thoughts.
“Yes, he has. I used to love that place.”
“Just like I used to love Long Knife Creek.”
She was nearly fully against him. Her touch, the brush of her body against his, the way her fingers
rested against his neck, the tips tickling the nape ever so gently. All of it brought him to the verge of feelings he hadn’t had in so long.
The fact that Quinn had this effect on him didn’t make it any easier, yet there was no way to stop this.
“You don’t like this place?”
“Jacob did a tremendous job with it. The house is gorgeous, and the new spa is heaven, but it’s not home anymore.” Quinn’s voice had dropped so low he had to dip his head to catch her words.
Doing so brought him mere inches away from the mouth he’d admired all day long. All she had to do was tilt her head slightly to the side and he’d be able to capture them.
Maybe the same thoughts and desires went through her mind too, because she turned her head, lifted her face enough for him to reach her lips with a light caress. That she put herself in this position was surely no accident. No, he felt her mouth open to his.
Who’d have thought this tough, strong-willed cowgirl could have such a gentle touch. The soft movement of her lips against his fueled a wildfire in his body and head. In the middle of the entire town of Falstad and the guests of Long Knife Creek wasn’t the place to explore these heady desires. He pulled away from her but, kept her tight in his arms.
Neither spoke. What could be said? Should he apologize for being so bold? It wasn’t as if she’d found the kiss repulsive. On the contrary, she’d contributed as much to it as he had. Besides, he didn’t want to apologize. He wasn’t one bit sorry. In fact, he wanted more, maybe not here, not now, but he couldn’t deny that Quinn intrigued him. Exploring what had just happened might be impossible to avoid.
Whether good timing or not, Craig didn’t know, but the song came to an end and Quinn slowly pulled away. He looked at her but instead of meeting his gaze she seemed to peer at his shoulder or maybe beyond. Her eyes were wide, kind of spooked, her lips pressed together tightly.
“I, uh, have to go feed the horses,” she murmured as she moved entirely away.
Craig didn’t say anything but let her go. She disappeared through the crowd.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Craig turned to the voice behind him.
Thea stood there, arms across her chest looking at him with a mixture of cool regard and interest.
“I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Thea continued.
Craig met her gaze. “No, that would never be my intention.”
Chapter 6
She’d lied. Quinn didn’t need to feed the horses. In fact, Piper had almost finished all of the hay from the corner rack. Quinn went in anyway, sat in the corner of the stall and watched the mare. The only light came from the dim overhead lights out in the aisle, but that was fine with her. Less chance of discovery. She needed time to think, to hash and rehash what had just happened.
Ever since she could remember, she had wanted to kiss, to be kissed by Craig Lynch. Those had been little kid fantasies. She had given up any hope it would actually happen, especially when he up and married and left town for fifteen years.
Even when he came back, as handsome as she remembered him, she didn’t think there would be a chance of any of those schoolgirl dreams coming true.
But unless she’d been dreaming, he actually kissed her. It only lasted all of four seconds, but it happened and it had been sweet, tempting, and sent hot flames all the way down to tickle her toes. She pressed her fingers lightly to her lips. No, it hadn’t been a dream. She could still feel his touch. It made her heart ache.
And she ran away like a yellow-bellied coward.
“Chicken.”
Piper gave her a glance before sinking her nose into her water bucket.
What was she supposed to do? Ask him to do it again? Grab and pull him to her bedroom and…
“Shit.”
“Well, I wouldn’t put it that way.”
Thea appeared out of the shadows beyond Piper’s stall.
Good lord, had Thea seen what happened?
“Why are you hiding out in the dark?” Thea’s voice remained casual.
“Too loud out there,” Quinn lied. “Too many people. I was getting claustrophobic.”
“He’s gone.”
“Who’s gone?” Maybe playing dumb would work.
“Who do you think? Craig and Marisol left about five minutes ago.”
Quinn’s shoulders slumped, suddenly deflated. Why was she so disappointed that he left? She was the idiot who ran off after the kiss. “Oh.”
“He asked me to give you a message. He said he’s sorry.”
Quinn snorted. An apology. Just what she needed to give her ego a boost.
“I don’t think he meant it that way,” Thea offered in comfort. She opened the stall door, moved past Piper and took a seat next to Quinn.
“Still not exactly what a girl wants to hear.”
“Did you want him to kiss you?” Thea asked gently.
Quinn paused. Her mind shouted yes! “I didn’t expect it, but I’ve wanted Craig to kiss me for years.” She suddenly felt silly for admitting it. “He was the first love of my life.”
“Oh, really? That’s surprising. I never would’ve guessed.”
“Well, when he left town, all those dreams were a little different then. I think they’ve grown up a bit.” Despite the situation, Quinn found herself smiling. She’d never been one to get all girly over a male, not really even Robby back when they dated. Lucky Craig.
“Please don’t tell Jacob. He’d have a fit.”
Thea chuckled. “Your secret is safe with me.”
A silence fell over them, broken only by the sound of Piper nibbling on the remaining hay. All Quinn could think about was the softness of Craig’s lips, the way his hands felt on her back, the way her body pressed against his.
“So, how long are we going to sit here?” Thea asked.
***
Marisol called the day after the barbeque and asked Quinn to be at the Shady H when Shelby dropped Sunshine off. For a moment, Quinn considered saying no. How in the world could she face Craig? Especially after running away from him. But she couldn’t turn down Marisol.
When she rode Piper into the Shady H yard, the summer sun melted through her light plaid shirt. Clouds gathered low on the western horizon but the rest of the sky was a powder blue. A hawk spun a slow circle overhead.
The stable yard buzzed with more activity than it had a few days ago. Hal drove a four-wheeler, pulling a wagon loaded with boards. He gave her a wave before heading out to the paddock south of the barn. Fred worked in the cattle pen, separating the younger stock, in a world of his own and didn’t even notice her arrival.
She avoided looking toward the house, but wondered where Craig was. Was he nervous about seeing her? Or would he try to apologize again. Damn, that ticked her off. She frowned and dismounted, then led Piper to a trough of water and to the hitching post in the shade of the barn.
It was a little kiss. Why in the world should she let it turn her inside out?
When Marisol flew out of the house, followed by a more sober Craig, Quinn realized that ignoring what had happened between them would be easier said than done.
Still, she put on her best smile and focused on Marisol, not giving Craig even a snip of attention, even though he looked damned good in the faded jeans and white shirt. A baseball cap covered his dark hair and cast his eyes in shadow. Despite that, she felt them on her. Seeking something. Maybe any indication of how she felt about him.
“You excited?” Quinn asked Marisol.
Marisol grabbed onto Quinn’s hands with both of hers and gave them a good shake. “I didn’t think today would ever get here, but Dad says I can’t ride her today. I can lead her around the stable yard so she gets used to the smells. I would think it would smell the same here as it does where she’s coming from.”
“You’d be surprised. It’s probably a good idea to give her a day to get used to the place.”
Marisol kept her grip on Quinn’s, squeezing tight. “But you’ll
be here tomorrow for our first lesson, right?”
“Right.” And every other day after that she’d be here, on Craig’s property, maybe talking to him, maybe not. Each moment she’d remember the way his lips had touched hers, remember the thrill and satisfaction that kissing him was every bit as sweet and melting as she’d always dreamed.
Then she’d go and spoil it by recalling how he’d apologized.
The arrival of Shelby and Little Miss Sunshine saved her from further retrospection. She stood back and let Craig and Shelby unload the mare, keeping an anxious Marisol at her side. The girl’s enthusiasm bristled like crackling electricity.
“She’s so beautiful,” Marisol sighed when the mare emerged from the trailer.
Quinn agreed. The summer sun glimmered off the horse’s golden coat. She came by her name honestly.
“Why are there bandages on her legs?”
“To protect them during the trip. Even though horses are really strong it’s still easy for them to get hurt, especially their legs.”
The mare lifted her nose in the air. Nostrils flared as she took in the new scents and let out a shrill whinny that echoed against the barn. The horses in the paddock lifted their heads and went to the fence to see who’d arrived. Sunny lowered her head, then shook it, and her entire body, like a wet dog, and danced around Shelby again.
Marisol laughed.
Quinn smiled. Horse and girl were equally wired. They were going to make quite a pair.
Craig walked away from the horse and Shelby, glancing at Quinn as he approached. Her stomach clutched and a rush of heat spread from her face to her toes. She prayed the shadow from her hat hid the blush that no doubt colored her face a lovely shade of red.
“I’m giving them a moment,” he explained, his gaze switching to Marisol. “In a minute go to Shelby. She wants to spend a little time with you, to give you some pointers.”
After a few minutes, when Shelby called Marisol, Quinn wished she could join them and escape Craig. Unless she distracted him with another topic.
“You never did tell me why Ted Penney went off in such a snit yesterday.”
Sweet and Wild Page 6