Do You Take this Cowboy?

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  He gestured toward the camera. “I noticed you turned it off. Does that mean you’re taking a break?”

  “Actually I’m finished for the night. Cade and Lexi didn’t want me to use artificial light during the cookout so they said when it got dark I should quit. I was about to take this one to my truck and get the other one out of the barn before the food’s served.” She hoped he’d get the hint.

  “Then let me help you.”

  “Okay.” She avoided looking directly at Elise as she retrieved the camera bag her sister was holding. One of them could easily start laughing. Having a sister who knew the score was both a curse and a blessing. “If anyone asks,” she said to Elise, “tell them we’ll be back soon.”

  “I will. Take your time.” Her sister’s voice trembled as if she might lose her cool any second.

  Drew glanced at Austin. “Let’s go.”

  He lengthened his stride to keep up with her. “In a hurry?”

  “Yes. Wouldn’t want the food to get cold.” She tucked her camera in the bag and zipped it closed.

  “God, no.” And then he laughed softly.

  His low, sexy chuckle was all it took to send her up in flames. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on that cowboy.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Austin vibrated with the need to kiss Drew and hold her close, but he also didn’t want to forget to say what he’d been thinking during the rehearsal and afterward. “Before we get to the barn and I forget everything but kissing you—”

  “Oh, is that what we’ll be doing?”

  “Yes, ma’am, and I wish it could be more. But first let me say that you have an amazing gift. I thought so when I saw your dedication to filming the horses, and then tonight I was bowled over by your talent. I loved watching you work.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I heard Elise talk about making something your specialty. Did she mean weddings in general or the Lexi and Cade one?”

  “I think she was talking about the one I made for them.”

  “Then I completely agree with her. Not everyone would have the imagination or the talent for something like that. I only caught part of it, but judging from everyone’s reaction, you nailed it.”

  “It was mostly their doing. They came across so authentically that all I had to do was capture the emotion they gave me.”

  “That’s my point. Not everyone could. I know people have to be relaxed but they’re bound to be because you’re so warm and encouraging with them. I saw tonight how you make everyone feel at ease.”

  “That’s easy, though.”

  “Again, not easy for everyone. You could expand that concept and offer thank-you videos from grandkids to their grandparents, or from a group of students to a teacher, or from employees to a wonderful boss.”

  “Except I want to concentrate on making the nature videos.”

  “Well, yeah, I know you do.” For some reason, she was resisting the suggestion so he dropped it. “Just a thought. Did you want to get the camera out of the barn now or later?”

  “Let’s get it now.”

  “Works for me.” He slid back the wooden bar holding the double doors closed and opened one side, his heart pounding. “After you.”

  She walked into the darkened interior and lowered her camera case to the floor. Then she turned back to him and stepped closer. “Is this what you had in mind, cowboy?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” His breath quickened. Dropping his hat on top of her camera bag, he pulled her close. “Exactly what I had in mind.”

  She wound her arms around his neck and snuggled against him. “You left me alone to do my work tonight. Thank you for that.”

  “Wasn’t easy.” He cradled the back of her head, splaying his fingers where she’d put her silky hair into a ponytail. “I love watching you work, but I kept thinking about doing this.” Leaning down, he brushed his mouth over hers. “And especially this.” He delved deep, moaning as he reconnected with the rich sensuality of kissing Drew.

  And oh, how she kissed him back. The seductive way she welcomed the thrust of his tongue made him wish she hadn’t been so against a long-term relationship. He could kiss her this way for the rest of their lives.

  Lifting his mouth from hers, he gasped for breath. “I want you so much. If I thought we could...”

  “We can’t.” She was breathing as fast as he was. “I want you, too, but...just...kiss me.” She pulled his head down, her mouth hot on his and her body so close he could feel the imprint of her pendant against his chest.

  He hadn’t dealt with frustration this intense since he’d been a virginal teenager who hadn’t dared to take the next step.

  Too soon, she backed away, panting. “We have to stop.”

  “I know.” He ran a trembling hand through his hair. “I thought we could just kiss. Take the edge off.”

  She gulped. “Wrong.”

  “Get your other camera.” He picked up his hat and her camera bag. “I’ll wait by your truck.”

  “Never mind. I’ll handle it. You can go back.”

  “No, ma’am.” He dragged in another breath. “I walked you here and I’m walking you back.”

  “Because of cowboy manners?”

  He couldn’t tell if she was amused or irritated. “That and respect for Mom’s rules. Guaranteed she noticed we left together. If I show up without you, I’ll hear about it. I’ll wait by the truck.”

  “I’ll be there in a minute.”

  He stepped out into the cool night air and took a deep breath. He’d promised himself that he wouldn’t go beyond a kiss and he’d damn near broken that promise. She deserved more than a quickie in the barn before they went back to the party. Drew was classier than that. Hell, he was classier than that.

  Most of all, he didn’t want to mess this thing up. Their conversation earlier today had alerted him that she wasn’t ready to wear matching sweatshirts to the Thunder Mountain Christmas Eve gathering. She also wouldn’t be inviting him to move in with her anytime soon.

  Leaning against her truck, he evaluated where he was in this relationship. Not where he’d like to be, but not in a hopeless scenario, either. Unlike the lady in New Zealand, Drew liked his personality as well as his body. He could build on that.

  “The truck’s open.” She showed up lugging the camera she’d mounted on a tripod. “If you’d get the door, I’d be—”

  “Let me have that thing while you get the door.” He lifted the camera away from her. “Where does it go?”

  “Eventually it’ll go in the back. I have a whole setup there for transporting my equipment but I didn’t want to make this complicated. Elise can help me stow everything properly.”

  “Or we can do it the right way now.” Shouldering her camera bag and carrying the heavy video camera, he walked to the back of the truck. “Tell me what goes where.”

  “Thanks, Austin.” She put down the tailgate and showed him where to put the biggest camera.

  “Happy to do it.” He arranged everything in the bin and stood back so she could close the tailgate. “Now let’s get going because I’m developing a strong urge to kiss you again.” He took her hand and started off. Then he gave her hand a squeeze. “Is this okay?”

  “If your family operates anything like mine, everybody knows about our camping trip by now, so it’s not like we’re fooling anybody.”

  “No, we’re not. But I thought you didn’t want to give people the wrong impression about...about where we stand.”

  She pulled him to a stop. “I’ll admit I used to care what other people thought about my love life, but that’s a waste of time.”

  “I agree.”

  “But you and I have to be clear with each other. Are we?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Totally clear.” And he was determi
ned to be patient and wait for her to realize they were perfect together. Then again, a woman who kissed the way Drew did might have a change of heart sooner rather than later.

  “Then you’re welcome to hold my hand for as long as you like.”

  “Okay, I will.” He didn’t add that if he had his way, he’d be holding her hand for the next fifty or sixty years.

  “Are you planning to bring your guitar back out tonight?”

  “God, no. I managed to stumble through the rehearsal, but I’m not pushing my luck. By wedding kickoff time, I’ll have a new set of strings on that baby.”

  “I should mic it to make sure we can hear it during the video.”

  “I’m cool with that. But give me until noon to find the strings and tune it.”

  “I’ll be here for most of the day.”

  “Most of the day? But the ceremony isn’t until five.”

  “I know, but there are lots of important things to film before then. I want to video the arranging of the flowers in the barn and the little girl braiding the horses’ manes. Then I need to document the separation of the guys and gals, which is always tricky in a situation like this.”

  “The women will get the house and the men will get the cabins in the meadow. Except for Herb. I’m guessing he might be a floater between the two camps.”

  “I’ll be a floater, too. After I film the ladies getting dressed I might head down to the meadow and see how many of the guys will let me show them getting duded up in their outfits.”

  “I don’t know. That’s sacred ground, brotherhood only.”

  “I understand. I don’t want to be obnoxious about it, but years from now you might all want some candid shots of adjusting each other’s string ties and pulling on your fancy dress boots.”

  “We might. Listen, I should tell you that when I play the wedding march, the brotherhood has talked about humming it along with the guitar.”

  “Austin, I love that. Gives me cold chills.”

  “No promises. Not everyone is in favor.”

  “Talk them into it. I think it would be awesome.”

  “We haven’t told Cade or Lexi.”

  “Yeah, well, don’t. Then you have the option of doing it or not depending how everyone feels at the time. But you have my vote. This wedding is so nontraditional that whatever you decide to do will be fine. I’ll just go with it.”

  Austin squeezed her hand. “That’s what I’m talking about. You have a great way of rolling with the punches. I’m learning from you that good footage of people has to be spontaneous and you’ve got that part down. I know your heart’s set on the nature videos, but—” He caught himself. “Never mind.” He was doing it again, pushing for a scenario that she hadn’t been enthusiastic about. His motives weren’t pure, either, since he favored a plan that wouldn’t require so much travel.

  “What were you going to say?”

  “I was sticking my nose in again where it doesn’t belong. This is your career.”

  “That’s true but you’re allowed to give an opinion.”

  “Not when I have ulterior motives.”

  They were within sight of the group gathered around the fire pit but she pulled him to a stop again. “I wondered about that.”

  He decided not to waffle on the issue. “You need to follow your heart, like your grandmother said, and if that means traveling south during the winter months, I’ll accept that and be happy for you. We have no ties to each other.” He looked into her eyes. “And I’ll miss you like crazy whenever you’re gone.”

  Her gaze warmed as she studied him. “If I’m totally honest, I’d miss you, too. But that’s not a reason to ditch the idea.”

  “Definitely not.” Although he sure liked hearing that she’d miss him and he really liked the way she was looking at him. Maybe she’d miss him enough to invite him along once in a while, assuming he could afford the time and expense. But he wouldn’t ask her. Like his brothers had said, she needed to do the asking.

  He gave her hand a squeeze. “I just hope you won’t reject the thank-you video concept entirely. I saw your face when those folks were watching what you’d created. You captured something precious and I could tell what it meant to you.”

  Her expression softened. “It did mean a lot.”

  “Then that’s all I’ll say on the subject. Let’s go grab some food.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Drew and Austin each got a plate of food and Damon handed them glasses of champagne. “Word is that we have some announcements coming up and you’ll need these for toasting,” he said.

  “Then we’d better find a bench and sit.” Austin glanced around.

  “Over here, guys.” Elise beckoned from where she sat with Jonah. “We saved you a spot.”

  Drew noted the space between her sister and Jonah on the bench, or rather the lack of it. There would be plenty of room for two more. “Thanks, sis.” She walked over and settled down next to Elise, who’d finished most of her meal.

  Austin took a seat next to her and leaned around her to smile at Elise and Jonah. “Appreciate it, folks.”

  Jonah smiled. “No worries. We knew you’d be along eventually.”

  Drew balanced her plate on her lap. “Were we missed?”

  “A few people asked. I told them you were putting away your equipment and double-checking all the electrical connections.” She looked over at Drew and blinked innocently. “Did you take care of that?”

  “Yes. Yes, I did. Everything’s fine.” She returned her sister’s bland expression. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about tomorrow. I’ll need to be here all day, but you probably don’t want to hang out here that long.”

  “I won’t mind a bit. It’ll be fun to see everything take shape. I’ve never spent much time on a ranch. Rosie thinks I should mosey on down here every couple of weeks, but I told her you’d probably get sick of me if I visited that often.”

  “I would not. I’d love having you.”

  “I’ve offered to teach her to ride,” Jonah said.

  “And I’d really like that.” Elise’s expression grew animated as she turned to Drew. “You should learn, too. Remember how we used to talk about it and never did?”

  “You don’t know how to ride?” Austin’s eyebrows lifted.

  “Too busy doing other sports, I guess.”

  “So when you offered to shoot my first trail ride, were you just going to climb on a horse without ever having done it?”

  She laughed. “Guess I hadn’t thought that through. I’m fairly coordinated so I figured I’d catch on pretty quick, but maybe I could use a few lessons so I don’t fall off in the middle of filming.”

  “And you might want to consider logging time in the saddle before you tackle an overnight trip.” Austin looked amused. “You have to work up to spending several hours on a horse or you’ll be miserable.”

  “The four of us could go out,” Jonah said. “And we need to do it before the first snow. Let’s pick a weekend and—”

  “Attention everybody!” Cade tapped a fork against his champagne flute. “Ty and Whitney have an announce—”

  “Oh, my God!” Rosie charged over to throw her arms around both of them, knocking Ty’s hat off in the process. He didn’t seem to notice as he gathered his wife and his foster mom in a tight embrace.

  “Boy or girl?” someone called out.

  “You’ll all have to wait another six months to find out!” Whitney beamed as everyone crowded around with congratulations.

  When Austin and Jonah rose to their feet, Drew put down her plate and stood, too. She didn’t know Ty and Whitney well, but she’d be happy to add her good wishes to the mix.

  “Hold on, hold on!” Cade tapped his glass again. “Hope and Liam also have an—” He wasn’t allowed
to finish that sentence, either, before pandemonium erupted a second time.

  “And we’re having a girl!” Liam’s deep baritone carried over the noise of the crowd.

  His jubilant expression tickled Drew. Such a caring, positive man would make a great dad.

  Cade tapped on his glass a third time.

  “Another one?” Rosie’s face was flushed with excitement as she surveyed the crowd.

  “I don’t think so, Mom,” Cade said, “but I wanted to check before we made the toast. Anybody else have news to share?”

  “Not yet, bro.” Finn, the brewer from Seattle, wrapped an arm around his wife, Chelsea. “But we’re working on it!”

  That got a laugh and Cade’s nod of approval. “That’s great to hear. Can’t have too many grandbabies, right, Mom?”

  “Never!” Rosie’s eyes sparkled in the light from the fire. “Bring on those Thunder Mountain babies!”

  Drew fingered her pendant. Her grandmother had been surrounded by what Drew considered a daunting number of children and grandchildren. But that was a fraction of what Rosie could be looking at in a few years. She seemed ecstatic about it. The image made Drew shiver.

  “Cold?” Austin slipped an arm around her shoulders.

  “Not really. I just thought about how many little kids Rosie could have running around here before too long.”

  Austin chuckled. “And she can’t wait.”

  “I noticed that.”

  “The woman’s incredible. I sometimes think not having kids of her own was how it was supposed to be. She turned into a kind of superhero mom. All she’s missing is the cape.” He gave Drew a squeeze. “Come on. Let’s go over and congratulate the happy parents.”

  She did that, and she was genuinely happy for them because they seemed so delighted with the concept themselves. As she listened politely to a discussion of prenatal vitamins and morning sickness, car seats and portable cribs, she was so grateful that she wasn’t standing in either one of those wives’ shoes. Having a Thunder Mountain baby was a great big flipping deal, a goal she couldn’t imagine having.