Her Fated Cowboy (Harland County Series)

by Donna Michaels

  Kerri’s head snapped back with a snort. “Not Cole. I’m talking about Connor.”

  “Oh. Well, with all those women throwing themselves at him, I guess it would be tough not to develop that flaw.” Jordan snickered.

  “Develop it?” Kerri snorted again. “He was born with the defect.”

  Jordan exchanged a look with Megan, who raised her brows before they both transferred their gazes back to Kerri. Her sister had been more indecisive than usual this past week, unable to pin down specials or choose a wine when asked to recommend one. Unusual behavior for an accomplished chef. When it came to food, Kerri excelled and ruled the kitchen.

  Not this week.

  Of course, her sister’s ex-husband showing up at Comets for dinner few nights ago hadn’t helped. Jordan had attributed Kerri’s lack of self confidence to that visit. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

  She watched Kerri hug her mug with two hands and sip her coffee, scowling at a seam in her kitchen table.

  Jordan leaned forward. “Kerri? Did something happen between you and Connor?”

  Cheeks suddenly pink, her sister’s mug clunked on the table as she avoided her gaze. “H-he...um sort of kissed me on the night of the party.”

  “Hah! I knew it!” Megan slapped the table wearing a pleased-with-herself grin on the pretty heart-shaped face.

  Jordan reached across the table and touched Kerri’s hand. “Was this a good thing?”

  “Not really.” Kerri sighed. “We were cleaning up...and...it just sort of happened.”

  “You said he kissed you. Does that mean you didn’t kiss him back?” Jordan prodded gently, worried about the pallor under her sister’s blush.

  “Not really,” Kerri repeated with a shudder. “It-it caught me off guard and, to be honest, I think it startled him, too.” Freeing her hand, her sister sat back. “Before I even had a chance to respond, he pushed me away. But that’s okay. It reaffirmed what I’d been saying all along.” Chin and voice rose in unison.

  Jordan recognized the action. Kerri wasn’t only trying to convince her and Megan, she was trying to convince herself, too.

  “I don’t need that kind of complication. I’m happy with my life just as it is.”

  She didn’t look happy, but Jordan kept her comments to herself. “Me too.”

  Megan sat back in her chair and folded her arms across her extended tummy. “So, Jordan, you’re telling me you didn’t kiss Mr. Yummy Tycoon?”

  Kerri sat up straight, eyes wide. “Did you, Jordan?”

  She looked from one direct gaze to the other. Damn. No getting out of this. Her shoulders lifted. “Yes, we kissed.”

  “And?” Megan’s brows disappeared under her bangs. “Come on! You’re killing me. What happened?”

  “And that’s it. I’m here.” She got up and washed her mug.

  “Oooh, no.”

  Her friend shot from her chair and joined her at the sink, leaning her back against the counter.

  I didn’t know a pregnant woman could move that fast.

  “That is not it, Jordan Masters Ryan. You pined over this guy for almost half a decade, compared every Tom, Dick and Harry to him and then sent them packing because they were never better than Cole.”

  “Which was just about all of them.” Kerri spoke from her right, sticking her mug in the sink.

  Megan peered at her. “Yes. It was just about all of them, so…I want to know if it was worth keeping all those guys at bay. Well? How was it?”

  “How was what?” She scrubbed her mug so hard she nearly put a hole in it. Cripes, the last thing she wanted to discuss was the heated kiss she’d shared with Cole. For the past few weeks she’d barely managed to put it out of her mind. She really didn’t want to dissect it.

  “Jordan!” Megan’s eyes almost bugged out of her head.

  Her sister lightly touched her arm, gaze hopeful. “How was Cole’s kiss?”

  What a complete turnaround from the trying-to-convince-myself thing her sister had going on a few moments ago.

  “Well?”

  Jordan stopped rubbing the cup and stared at her hands, remembering how Cole had felt under them. “Incredible.”

  “Yeah? Really?” Kerri’s face brightened.

  “Incredible what? Incredible toe-curling. Incredible heart-pounding…what? Tell me,” Megan pleaded, grabbing her other arm.

  “Incredibly stirring, core-melting, leg-weakening, every hair on my body vibrating as if next to a television screen, can’t think straight kind of kiss.” She pulled in a breath, then released it in a gush.

  “Wow.” Kerri sighed.

  Megan blinked, then felt Jordan’s forehead. “Are you ill?”

  “No. I don’t think so. Why?”

  “Then what the hell are you doing in California? Why didn’t you stay with him?”

  Jordan brushed her friend’s hand aside and strode to the table to straighten their chairs. “The timing was all wrong. Neither of us are ready for that strong of a feeling. I mean, sure the sex would be mind-blowing—”

  “Mind-blowing’s great!” Megan threw her hands in the air. “What’s wrong with mind-blowing?”

  “But then we’d feel horribly guilty afterwards.” Jordan continued as if uninterrupted. “And would always associate the other with that negative feeling. No, I needed to come home. I wanted to come home.” And she meant it. “We’re not ready.”

  “What about in the fall?” Kerri spoke from her perch on the island.

  Jordan stilled, caught off guard by the question.

  “Yeah. A lot can happen in five months, Jordan.” Megan cocked her head. “Do you think you’ll both be ready for a relationship by the time you go back to Texas for your parent’s anniversary party in September?”

  Good question. She chewed her lower lip.

  Would her guilt be gone by then? Would Cole’s?

  The day was unseasonably cool for the first Friday in September, which suited Cole. He was playing one on one-on one with Connor and Kevin behind the stable at Wild Creek. A west wind blew lightly across the court, refreshing their overexerted bodies.

  Connor was winning three baskets to two. That’s because his brother was a fucking brick wall. A towering brick wall. Impossible to go through, and if you did manage to get around him, his reach was illegal, easily blocking their shots or knocking the ball out of their grasp. Which he just proved, once again, to Cole’s perfectly timed layup.

  “Oh-ho-ho…” Kevin taunted. “Struck down by Long-arm McCall. What’s wrong, Cole? Mind still on that cute blonde I saw you with last month?”

  “Blonde?” Connor threw the ball a good four feet over their heads to swish unhindered into the basket…all net. Four to two. “I saw him with a redhead.”

  Cole just smiled at them and shook his head. They were both right, although, the redhead was seven weeks ago. Since the Spring, he’d started dating again. Ended his celibacy. Learned to have fun and relax. None of his four ‘dates’ were long term, and he made sure the women knew that up front. He only wanted companionship and a warm body once in awhile. And never with the same woman twice.

  Jordan had been right. He hadn’t wanted more. He hadn’t been ready. Getting involved with her back then would’ve been a huge mistake. But now? Now, he felt different.

  Hell, he was different.

  Guilt no longer clawed at his gut, and he’d even entertained starting an actual relationship. That blonde Kevin had mentioned had gone on a second date with him, then a third. But when he kept comparing the poor girl to Jordan, even seeing Jordan when they had sex, well, he had to cut her lose. It wasn’t fair to the girl, and she certainly wasn’t who he wanted. Her kisses weren’t as hot and consuming as Jordan’s. And she didn’t inspire the deep, fierce need that had wracked his body like at his parent’s anniversary party. Hell, even just thinking about Jordan and that damn backless dress got him hard.

  “It’s great to see you dating again, buddy. But your basketball is a bit rusty,” his friend said, a
s he recovered the ball, doing some fancy footwork and dribbling behind his back as he stupidly took on Connor. “Let me show you how it’s done. You went about it wrong,” he claimed before executing a perfect drive down the middle, jumping up, no doubt intending to foul Connor and sink the basket.

  But Connor had his feet planted and it was Kevin who hit the ground a second before the ball bounced next to his head.

  “Jesus, Connor,” Kevin uttered. “What are you? A fucking brick wall?”

  Cole laughed at his friend’s echoing thought as he watched his brother help Kevin to his feet.

  “No.” Connor chuckled, slapping the fallen man’s shoulder before he released him to walk toward their water bottles, nestled in a small patch of shade. “You’re just a pansy-ass, Dalton.”

  “Pansy-ass, my ass,” Kevin muttered.

  Connor snickered. “I think that’s what I just said.”

  “Fuck you, Connor,” Kevin countered.

  “Sorry, Dalton, but you’re not my type,” came his brother’s easy reply.

  The three of them laughed before taking a moment to drink what was left of their water. Cole opened the cooler and tossed them each another. It felt good to laugh. Good to play. Good to not have an overwhelming, crushing weight on his shoulders. To just relax and have fun.

  “So, tomorrow’s the day, huh? The girls are coming back,” Kevin said, recapping his drink, bouncing his gaze between him and the fucking brick wall.

  Cole noted his brother’s arm still a moment before he continued to drink. Pretty much how Connor had acted before the last visit, although, if anything, now he seemed a little more put out. Not Cole. No. He’d actually done a complete one-eighty. Unlike the Spring visit from the Masters sisters, this one he looked forward to very much. Hell, he was actually excited. It’d been years since that emotion had rushed through him. Leave it to Jordan. Damn woman was responsible for a lot of emotions running through him, lately. He couldn’t get her off his mind, and after awhile, he stopped trying. Thoughts of her warmed him from within, and he realized two things. One…he liked the feeling. And, two…

  He deserved it.

  “Yeah, sometime in the afternoon, I think,” he replied, non committal.

  He preferred to keep his thoughts to himself at the moment. To keep his plans a secret. She was only there for a week this time, and he had plans for six out of the seven days.

  Unfortunately, he had a commitment he couldn’t get out of tomorrow night, but the rest of the time… oh hell yeah, he had plans for Jordan Masters Ryan.

  Chapter Ten

  Nate sat in the McCall’s den chatting to his wife and Leeann, waiting for Alex to finish his conversation with his oldest son. Once Connor left, they had their own agenda to discuss. Tomorrow, finally, round two would start. It had been a long but fruitful summer. The old homestead was coming along and so was Cole.

  The younger McCall had shed his cold demeanor and embraced life again. He smiled more. Worked less. Joked, laughed, dated. Nate’s own heart warmed at the transformation. He could only imagine how wonderful his friends felt at having their son back.

  Leeann’s laughter echoed through the room, mixing with his wife’s, and the sound brought a bit of peace to the ranch that had been absent back in the Spring. Even Alex and Connor stopped talking to look over at the women and smile. Yes, it was good to have a lighter air about the ranch.

  “Okay, son,” Alex said. “I’ll take care of it. You go ahead and enjoy the rodeo. We’ll see you on Sunday.” His friend slapped his oldest on the back and winked.

  Connor grinned. “That’s a given, dad. That’s a given.”

  If ever there was a more easy-going fella Nate sure never met him. Girls loved Connor. His ranch hands respected him. The boy had a lot of friends and worked just as hard as he played. Of course, that could be the reason he hadn’t been able to hold onto his three former fiancés.

  He watched as the boy ambled across the room to his mother.

  “You two ladies are music to this old dog’s ears.”

  Leeann smiled. “Oh, Connor, you’re not old.” Her smile broadened as her son bent down to kiss her cheek. “You behave yourself now. Okay?” She touched his face then frowned. “I wish Kade was going with you boys. He’d keep you all out of trouble. I hate the thought of him fighting in the war again.”

  “I do, too, mom.” Connor straightened and a rare bit of sadness clouded his gaze. “But, Kade’s tough. He’ll be fine.”

  “He’s right, Leeann. Don’t you worry none about him,” Alex said, hand on Connor’s back as he walked him to the door. “Kade’s smart and resourceful. It’ll be February and he’ll be back from deployment before you know it.”

  Nate had to admit, he’d be happy to see that day too. The Dalton boy was a good egg. Poor kid had had one hell of a childhood but according to Alex, he’d turned out all right. God bless Sarah Dalton. She took him in and raised him alongside her own when his mom had run off.

  “Okay,” Connor said, turning to face Alex when he reached the door. “If there’s any problems, Cole said he’d take care of them. So, that should do it. Sorry I won’t be here when the girls arrive tomorrow. But, I’ll see you all on Sunday.”

  “Bye, Connor,” Nate said, echoing the others.

  Alex waited until his son disappeared into the hall, then shut the door and turned to face them. “Okay, now, about the girls.”

  Nate stood and pulled his phone from his pocket. “I was waiting for Connor to leave before I called Jordan to confirm their flight.” He dialed his daughter and waited for her to pick up.

  “Hello, dad,” she answered with a laugh. “I was wondering when you were going to call.”

  He smiled. “Hi, sweetheart. Just checking to see if everything is okay.”

  “Everything is fine. I’m on duty, catching up on some paperwork.”

  As usual, his stomach clenched tight whenever he thought about his oldest and her job. He knew the world needed police and his daughter did a damn fine job, but…she was his daughter. He’d much rather her cook like Kerri and not patrol the streets of L.A. So far, she’d managed without incident, but…five years…she was pushing her luck.

  His gaze wandered to the other three people in the room. They all looked at him, eager for a report. He cleared his throat and got to the point.

  “Then I won’t keep you, hun. Just wanted to double-check your flight time for tomorrow.”

  “I’m sure you have it memorized better than I do.” She laughed in his ear. “We’re due in to Houston at two-ten, so we should arrive at Wild Creek by three-thirty,” she answered.

  “Okay. Good.” He gave the others a thumbs up, to which they all smiled.

  “Ut, I’ve got to go, dad. We just got a call, burglary in progress. Love ya, see ya tomorrow.”

  “Okay, sweetheart. We’ll see you then,” he said, and would’ve added his wish for her to be careful but she’d already hung up.

  This just had to work. He wanted to see her settled here with Cole working for the local police. It had been bad enough when he’d lived in L.A., but being several states away was a lot harder than he had expected, especially given her occupation.

  Alex handed them all their customary flutes of champagne and raised his glass. “To round two.”

  Nate answered the toast and reaffirmed his resolve. Come hell or high water, his girls were going to settle down here in Harland County again.

  Jordan couldn’t believe how fast the time had passed since they’d driven under the Wild Creek Ranch sign. She glanced at the passenger seat. Kerri sat chewing her bottom lip. Déjà vu. Shivers shot down her spine. Their Spring visit had started off this way.

  “Is it just me, or is this trip even more nerve-racking than the last one?” She smirked, trying to break the tension.

  “It’s not just you, believe me. This trip is definitely worse.”

  Her sister flicked her hair away from her face with a shaky hand. The kiss she’d received from Connor
no doubt running through her mind. Just as Cole’s ran through Jordan’s.

  “I have to admit, though,” Kerri said. “I am a little curious to see Cole.”

  At the mention of his name, Jordan’s gaze snapped fully to her sister. “Why?”

  “Well, mom said he’s changed so much in the last few months we might not recognize him. He’s even started dating.” Kerri looked at her and frowned. “I’m sorry, Jordan. I probably shouldn’t have told you that.”

  She laughed, her tone slightly off. “No. It’s okay. I knew he’d been dating. Mom told me too. It’s what he needs to do. I’m glad he’s doing better.”

  And she was glad…and jealous…and mad because she was jealous. She gripped the steering wheel and continued down the drive. Jeez. She was on the ranch less than one minute and already Cole had her confused.

  Not that she hadn’t suffered that affliction back in California the past few months. Because she had…thanks to him—stealing into her thoughts at the most inopportune moments; like when she’d kiss her dates goodnight. Damn Texan. She’d thought she’d overcome the Cole-comparison stage. Wrong. Her heart squeezed. Now that she’d tasted his recent kiss and the promise of fire, the rest of the male population held no spark.

  “I hope you’re ready for round two because we’re here.”

  Kerri’s words brought Jordan back to the present. She straightened in her seat and forced her gloomy thoughts away.

  “I’m ready. We’re here for mom and dad. This is going to be a great trip. No room for doom,” she said, more for herself than her sister.

  “You’re right.” Kerri nodded. “We won’t allow the McCall brothers to ruin our fun.”

  The only problem with that statement, Jordan thought, was that Cole was her fun.

  They pulled up in front of the ranch to find both sets of parents waiting with hugs and kisses.

  “Sorry the boys aren’t here to greet you this time, girls. Cole’s out for the afternoon and Connor is at a rodeo with a few friends and won’t be back until tomorrow,” Mr. McCall explained while they walked inside.