Do You Take this Cowboy?

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  The hike back took less time than the hike out because she wasn’t looking for filming opportunities. Once they arrived, Austin stowed her pack in the tent and they started down the path to the road. The exercise during the day had left her so hungry her stomach was growling.

  After all her solo camping, she had to admit having a strong guy around to carry things was nice. He lifted the ice chest out of the truck as if it weighed nothing. Then he set the camp stove and the lantern on top and said he could take it all.

  Without help, she usually ended up making two trips to carry the camping gear and another two for the food and cookware. Having Austin along meant they’d brought more stuff, but it also meant fewer trips. She reached into the truck bed for a canvas drawstring bag of nonperishables and another one with her cookware and dishes.

  Neither weighed much so she also grabbed the plastic trash bag she’d stashed a couple of pillows in. She always brought one when she was camping. Camping mattresses worked okay but she hadn’t met an inflatable pillow yet that suited her.

  “What’s the plan for after dinner?” He asked it so innocently that it didn’t seem like a leading question.

  But she was holding some of their bedding so she wasn’t sure. She glanced over her shoulder. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

  His blue eyes darkened. “I do believe you’ve tuned into the sexy channel again.”

  “Maybe.” She left the bags on the tailgate and turned to face him. “Have you?”

  “I have now.” He put everything down before walking over to her. “But as it happens, I was asking how we’ll keep critters from getting into our food supplies tonight while we’re...asleep.”

  When she saw the heat in his eyes, she grew short of breath. “I have a thermal bag and a rope tucked in with the nonperishables. We’ll store any food that will spoil in that and suspend all the bags from a tree branch.”

  “Good plan. That was my only question.” He glanced at the pillows in her hand and smiled. “But thanks for bringing those. Never did like the blow-up kind.” He picked up the stacked items and started down the trail.

  Oh, that smile. Got her every time. And his nonchalant comment about the pillows... She struggled to breathe normally as she followed him back to camp. The mustangs and cougar had been amazing, but she had a feeling the excitement of that experience would pale next to the adventure awaiting her tonight.

  Chapter Nine

  By the time Austin and Drew returned to camp, the temperature had dropped enough that they both pulled out sweatshirts from their duffels. Austin chopped wood while Drew used the kindling he’d gathered to start a fire. Once he’d added a few larger branches, they had a decent blaze going. He helped her pull the log bench a little closer to it.

  “Nice.” She stood back and surveyed the setup. “If you want to begin cooking, I’ll get us started with wine and the box of crackers I brought.”

  “Dinner’s already made.”

  Her eyebrows lifted. “It is?”

  “I cooked up a big batch of stew today. Left most of it for Rosie, Herb and Jonah, but the rest is in a pot that can go right on the stove.”

  “Efficient.” Laughter danced in her eyes.

  He knew what she was thinking and she was partly right. He didn’t want to waste a lot of time on food prep. While he set up the stove and started reheating the stew, she poured the wine and took a box of crackers out of a canvas bag.

  She handed him a plastic goblet when he came over, and he tapped it against hers. “To the mustangs.”

  “To the mustangs.” She took a sip. “Ah.” Then she put her cup on the ground, opened the crackers and held out the box. “Hors d’oeuvres.”

  “Perfect.” He sat on the log and took a handful because if he didn’t, he was liable to reach for her instead. Once he did that, the whole program would go off the rails.

  “This is the life.” Setting the box of crackers on the ground between them, she reached inside the neck of her shirt and tugged out her necklace.

  Next she pulled off her cap and the elastic band holding her ponytail and laid them beside her. Her hair tumbled to her shoulders and she rubbed her fingers briskly against her scalp until her hair stood out in wild and unbelievably sexy disarray.

  He longed to bury his fingers in it and kiss her full mouth... No, they needed food. Food first. Fun later.

  She picked up her wine again. “I probably look like Medusa.”

  “Not even close.”

  “Anyway, I’ll dig up a brush in a little bit and tame this mess.”

  “Don’t do it on my account. I like it that way.”

  She laughed. “Thanks for saying such a nice thing about my ratty hair. After a few hours of the cap and scrunchie I feel like I’ve been wearing a football helmet.”

  “Did you ever?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact. When I aged out of youth hockey I managed to get on the football team as the place kicker. My parents refused to sign the form so I could do kickoffs and field goals. They just knew I’d be sacked and maimed in some way.”

  He shuddered at the thought of her being tackled by six or seven hefty linemen. “In their shoes, I probably wouldn’t have signed it, either.”

  She sighed. “There were times I wanted to be a boy.” She glanced at him. “But right now I’m very glad I’m a girl.”

  “That makes two of us.” He started to reach for the crackers again because kissing her was becoming an obsession.

  “Your stew is bubbling.”

  “Oops.” He put down his wine and stood. “Forgot I left it on high.”

  “You should let me tend it for a while so you can relax.”

  “No, ma’am.” He turned down the heat and stirred the mixture. Fortunately, it hadn’t stuck to the bottom. “I signed on to this expedition as the resident cook and Sherpa. Anyway, the stew will be ready before you know it.”

  “I find it interesting that this time you made dinner in advance.” There was a definite teasing note in her voice.

  “You probably think I wanted to leave more time for fooling around.”

  “Yes.”

  “I do, but also last night I was determined to impress you with my cooking skills. Tonight I don’t feel the need to show off and create it in front of you.”

  “Because you intend to impress me in other ways?”

  He looked over his shoulder. Her impish grin tested his restraint and he figured she knew it would. But two could play that game. “Yes, ma’am, I surely do.”

  “Oh, good grief. Don’t try to tell me that cowboys are naturally more virile than other guys.”

  “I wasn’t planning to tell you.” He wanted to deliver the next line straight but he almost blew it by laughing. “I was planning to show you.”

  She groaned in obvious exasperation. “Okay, okay. Stop. You win.”

  “Allow me to point out that you started it.”

  “I did, and now I realize how quickly that kind of sexy talk gets out of hand. See, this is why I’ve never brought a date on a video trip.”

  “Never?” He looked at her in surprise.

  “Never.”

  “I’m honored.”

  “You may end up being the first and the last. What happens when our camp is overrun by critters because we’re too involved to notice?”

  “That won’t happen on my watch.” He turned off the stove. “I want this trip to go well. I’m hoping we can camp again sometime soon, maybe after the wedding. I want to come back and get another look at those horses.”

  She gazed at him. “I’d like that, too. Obviously, you appreciate their value.”

  “They’re incredible.” So was she, with her wild hair and a sparkle in her dark eyes. If she had makeup on, he couldn’t tell. He imagined she mi
ght look this way after waking up... He swallowed. “Stew’s ready.”

  She pushed up from the log. “I’ll get bowls and spoons if you’ll pour me a little more wine. Maybe it will mellow me out.”

  He decided not to mention that the wine hadn’t calmed either of them down the night before. If anything, it had lowered their inhibitions. But despite that, he’d make sure they didn’t ignore the basic rules of safe camping because they’d become swamped by their emotions. Before they turned in for the night, the fire would be out and the food would be strung from a tree branch.

  Once they were both seated again, with bowls of stew, more wine and the box of crackers between them, he glanced over at her. “I can’t speak for you, but I’ve had a great time so far.” He thought it was important to say so before they crawled into that tent. He wanted to establish that the trip was about more than sexual attraction.

  “I’ve had a great time, too.” She smiled at him. “How are your feet doing?”

  “They’re okay, but I need to buy some decent hiking boots for next time.”

  She paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth. “You’d do that?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll get some the minute I have a chance to shop for them. Might be after the wedding, though.”

  “Understood, but if you need help choosing, just holler.” She took a bite of stew.

  “Are you offering to go with me?”

  “Yes, I’d go with you. And by the way, this is delicious.”

  “Thank you.” He ate a spoonful of stew and it tasted even better than when he’d sampled it in Rosie’s kitchen. “I admit that for the first part of the afternoon I thought hiking wasn’t for me, but I’ve changed my mind.”

  “How come?”

  “It’s the best way to see the mustangs, for one thing. But on the way back I started thinking about trails that are too narrow for a horse but they lead to fantastic views. You’ve been on some of them.”

  “How do you know?” She took another bite of her dinner.

  “I checked out your website on Rosie’s computer today. First I looked at the mustang videos, but then I found the ones you’ve taken around here and in Montana. Spectacular.”

  “Thanks. Last week I sold one to a company that does nature videos.”

  “Hey, that’s great!”

  “It is, actually. I’d submitted some before but they weren’t interested. This one grabbed them and I’ve analyzed why that might be, so I can make similar but different ones they might take.”

  “Excellent plan.”

  “It’s exciting to think about.” Her expression grew animated. “Being on their site means I’ll reach more people who for one reason or another can’t experience nature personally. I’ll be able to bring it right into their homes, offices, even schools.”

  Her enthusiasm for sharing what she filmed touched him. “And what about the folks who will see it and be inspired to go on hikes themselves? You’ll be like a nature ambassador.”

  “I know! I love that. And potentially it could be a good revenue source. I get a percentage of every sale they make from their site. The more I have up there, the bigger those checks will be.”

  “We should toast that.” He picked up his wine glass. “To more video sales.”

  She touched her glass to his. “And the amazing scenery that makes them possible.”

  He drank deeply from his wine glass and put it down. “Now I really want those hiking boots so I can be your Sherpa on a regular basis.” The future looked bright.

  “The only thing is, we’re nearing the end of the season for getting good shots.”

  “I don’t see why. You had some great winter stuff on your site. I loved the one of frozen lakes and waterfalls, blankets of snow over a meadow, the Bighorns covered with snow. Gorgeous.”

  “It’s pretty, but the operative word here is frozen. The winter landscape tends to be static. Wildlife is scarce. The episode I sold to them has lots of movement.”

  “Makes sense, I guess. It’s video, after all.”

  “I had that lightbulb moment when the company chose to buy this particular one. I made it in June when I drove over to Cody to take footage of the rapids, some of it from a raft. I risked dunking my equipment but I lucked out, partly because I had an experienced rafting guide who watched out for me.”

  “Do you remember the name of the guide?”

  “I vaguely remember it was an Irish name, although he wasn’t from Ireland. Do you know someone who guides river rafting trips over there?”

  “I do, but it would be too much of a coincidence if you got Liam.”

  “What’s his full name?”

  “Liam Magee. He’s one of my foster brothers.”

  “That’s him! Wow. What are the chances?”

  “Well, I do have a lot of brothers.” But he saw this as another positive sign that his relationship with Drew was meant to be.

  “Liam is terrific. So personable and very good at what he does. Will he be at the wedding?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Liam and his brother Grady will be there, along with their wives, Hope and Sapphire. Liam will get a kick out of seeing you again.”

  “I can’t wait to see him again, either, so I can tell him about selling that project. It’s very cool that he’s your foster brother.”

  “Sure is.” He couldn’t wait for this weekend when she’d meet several more of his brothers. By spending time with his family she’d realize how well she fit in.

  But he was a little disappointed that she planned to stop making nature videos until the weather warmed up. He’d been looking forward to helping her. “How soon next spring do you figure you can start filming?”

  “Depends on when we get our first thaw. Talking with you has given me an idea, though. If I took a few weeks in the winter and traveled south, I could still get some action shots.”

  “I guess that’s true.”

  “I’m only part time at the college, so I might be able to leave between the end of my fall class at the college and the start of my spring one.”

  “True.” Her trip would last over the holidays. He’d been looking forward to his first Christmas at home and she quite possibly wouldn’t be around. Bummer.

  She rested a hand on his thigh. “Don’t look so sad. It’s not like I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  He thought she might remove her hand, but instead she rubbed it lazily back and forth. He sucked in a breath. “Drew...”

  “I’ve finished my dinner. Have you finished yours?”

  He had no idea, but when he glanced into his bowl it was empty. So was his wineglass. “Seems like I have.”

  “How long do you think it’ll take to critter-proof the camp?”

  His pulse kicked into overdrive. “Five minutes.”

  Chapter Ten

  Drew thought Austin was kidding about those five minutes. But she was astounded at how quickly the two of them had the dishes rinsed and put in one bag, the perishables in another with a cold pack and the nonperishables in a third bag. Apparently, they were both highly motivated.

  He picked up the bags and the rope. “I’ll hang these up if you’ll smother the fire.”

  “Got it.”

  He started to grab the lantern and paused. “Will you be okay if I take this?”

  “Sure. I’ll stay right by the fire.” She crouched beside it. Because they hadn’t added any more wood, the blaze had been reduced to a few coals. She covered them with dirt and stirred the embers with a stick to make sure they were all out.

  Starlight bathed the campsite in a silver glow and a breeze whispered through the pines like a lover’s sigh. The flurry of activity after dinner had kept her from thinking, but now she had a moment alone and she trembled with nervous excitement. The first time with a m
an could be wonderful, awful or somewhere in between.

  Austin had joked about his amazing virility and she was inclined to believe he spoke the truth. But she’d never shared her tent with anyone, let alone a cowboy who loomed large and potent in her mind. After poking each blackened ember with the stick and getting no sparks, she tossed the stick away and stood to scan the tree line.

  A light bobbed in the darkness as Austin walked back toward the camp. Her heartbeat nearly deafened her. She took a deep breath and tried to convince herself that tonight was no big deal. She’d been with guys before. But not this one. Not this muscled god of a cowboy who could arouse her with a glance.

  When he was still several yards away, he stuck the lantern under his chin in a Blair Witch Project move. Helpless laughter swept through her, taking with it her case of nerves. As he stood in front of her grinning, she gasped for air. “I can’t believe you did that.”

  “Had to. I could tell from your body language you were wound tight as a new rope.” Nudging back his hat, he set down the lantern and pulled her into his arms. “I want you to be relaxed and happy.”

  “I’m happy.”

  “That’s a start.” He lowered his head and claimed her mouth.

  And then it was all right, more than all right. If he made love the way he kissed—slow and steady, with exactly the right amount of pressure and a seductive use of his tongue—tonight would be spectacular. She was in the arms of a man who knew what he was doing, and what he was doing softened her as easily as wax touched by flame.

  Clutching his broad shoulders, she melted against him, her body curving to fit his solid chest and the proud jut of his erection. His kiss deepened and his tongue made it clear what he intended to happen once they were stretched out in that tent. Her body grew liquid and pliant in response.

  She was so absorbed in his kiss that she didn’t realize he’d reached under her clothes and unfastened her bra until it gave way. His big hands warmed her skin as he circled her waist and stroked upward to cup her breast. She leaned back, craving the sensation of his fingers flexing and his thumb brushing lazily over her nipple.