The rest of the summer, he and Jimmy had done the normal thing, going from town to town, winning and losing, but never staying long. He even tried hooking up with some of the women who showed interest, but he couldn’t get past the first kiss. Comparing each and every kiss to the rush he felt with Carrie’s drove him insane.
“Stop giving me that look, Abby.”
She just laughed, and he frowned.
“Are you finally going to give up and tell me about her? You have been back here for several months now. Always keeping silent even though I’m sure being away from her is tearing you up inside.”
His head snapped up as he caught her inquisitive look. He lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug.
“Come here and sit with me a minute. I need to get off my feet for a bit.” She grabbed his hand and forced him to sit on the couch with her. “Now. About this woman.”
“What woman?”
“Don’t give me that, Cole Wilder. You obviously need to talk, or would you rather talk to Chase? I’m okay with that if you would rather talk to him, you know, guy to guy. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to another man than a woman about matters of the heart.”
Air rushed from between his lips in a heavy sigh when he realized he might as well give into her demanding tone. Ever since the day he first laid eyes on Abby, he had never been able to keep a secret from her. Her sensitive nature made her more aware of things around her and the people nearby, but it kind of gave him the creeps.
“All right.”
“Good.” She grinned and tucked her feet under her and got comfortable. Obviously this was going to be a long conversation.
“Jimmy and I went to Silver Ridge, South Dakota back at the beginning of the season. It was one of the first rides, and I didn’t want to miss it. It was right after you and Chase got married. In fact, I think you were still on your honeymoon.”
She blushed slightly, and he smiled.
“Where is my brother anyway?” He scooted to the edge of the couch as he started to stand. “He could probably use some help and I…”
“Sit your cute little ass back down on that couch and quit trying to change the subject.”
“You aren’t going to let me get out of telling you this, are you?”
“Nope—continue.”
He let his thoughts drift back to the first meeting with Carrie and how she ripped into him in the bar that night. “The first night we were there, we had stopped at a place to get a couple of beers before we bedded down for the night.” He pressed his hand against his chest, just about where his heart lay when it ached for the woman he left behind. “A woman came in and started jumping my shit about her sister and how she was pregnant with my kid.”
Abby’s eyes widened with shock.
“Don’t worry. It was a mistake.”
“I’m glad. I can’t see you getting someone pregnant and walking away from your responsibility.”
A crooked smile crossed his face before he frowned. “Thanks, I think.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Anyway, after we figured out everything was a mistake and Jimmy had actually gotten the woman’s sister pregnant, she apologized and left.”
“That’s it?” She eyed him suspiciously. “I know there is more to this than you are telling so fess up.”
He shrugged. Maybe I can get away with not telling her. Then again, maybe not. Abby is too aware of everything around her.
Abby took his hand in hers and closed her eyes for a moment before a wicked little grin crossed her face. He pulled his hand back. “Stop doing that, would you?”
“Well, if you aren’t going to tell me, I have to find out somehow because I know there’s something you are holding back.” Her lips lifted in a grin.
“All right. All right.” He stood up and began pacing in front of the fire. “I won that competition, by the way.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“Now get back to the story and quit stalling.”
He rolled his eyes before he continued. “We talked some more and she apologized again. I asked her out after my ride. She went and watched from the stands until I had finished and then we had planned on meeting back by my truck to figure out what we were going to do.” He stopped pacing and ran his fingers through his hair.
“And?”
“After my ride, I walked back to my truck and stood there taking off my chaps when I felt a hand on my ass. When I turned around, a blonde wrapped her arms around me and plastered her lips against mine.”
“Uh…I’m sure that just broke your heart, having some pretty woman throw herself at you.”
He chuckled. “It wouldn’t have been, except the other woman saw it and got pissed off.”
“Why don’t you just call her Carrie so I know who you are talking about?”
His gaze ricocheted to Abby sitting on the couch. How the hell did she know Carrie’s name? “But I never told you her name.”
She just shook her head and smiled.
“That’s just creepy, Abby.”
“Sorry. I can’t help it. Blame my mother. Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep anything from her?”
A soft chuckle left his mouth. “I can imagine.”
“Okay. Go on.”
He shrugged and continued to pace. “Not much else to tell. She met me at the bar later that night. We were having a good time and some guy got up on the stage and announced to everyone he and Carrie were getting married.”
“Okkaayy…” Her eyes searched his face, and he frowned.
“Evidentially he and Carrie had known each other since they were young and he had been asking her to marry him for several years. He was really drunk, but when I heard him say that, I got mad and took off. She caught me at my truck and explained. And…” He wasn’t sure how much detail he wanted to go into with Abby. If she already knew Carrie’s name, she could probably sense how intimate the two of them had been. He sat back down on the couch as sympathy swept across Abby’s face.
“Are you going to see her again?”
“I don’t know.” He wanted to. God knew he wanted to, but he wasn’t sure how to go about things. Two days after he left her side, when he had gotten into Crawford, he realized he didn’t even have her phone number. Oh, he knew the name of the store, of course, and could probably call directory assistance to at least get that number, but he just wasn’t sure how receptive she would be to his phone call. It was just a weekend fling, wasn’t it? Normally, women came easy to him with his blonde, blue-eyed looks and dimpled smile, and he rarely had a woman turn him down.
“Have you even talked to her since you left?”
“No.”
“Cole Wilder! I can’t believe you!”
“What?”
“You haven’t even called her?”
He dipped his head sheepishly. Abby’s indignant tone made him feel like shit. “No.”
Abby grumbled. “It would be a wonder if she would even talk to you now. Six months—six months and you haven’t even called her.” She struggled up from her place on the couch and grabbed the phone as she continued to grumble. “Jeesus…sleep with her then don’t call her for six friggin’ months. Men!”
“What are you doing?” I don't like the looks of this.
“I’m going to call her for you, and you are going to talk to her.”
He pulled the phone from her grasp. “No, you aren’t. I can’t talk to her, not right now.”
“Well, then I suggest you get your butt in that truck of yours and go see her.” Her hands on her hips, she tapped her foot impatiently. He almost laughed at the picture she presented.
“She probably won't even talk to me.”
“Then you aren’t any worse off than you are right now. You are miserable thinking about her and wondering, so take the leap, Cole, and find out if what you feel is the real thing.”
“I don’t know what I feel, Abby.” He raked his fingers through his hair again.
“You care about her, don’t you?”
He shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. He couldn’t fool Abby, so he wasn’t sure why he even tried. “Yeah. I guess so. I mean, I wonder how the store is doing and how she’s handling things on her own. She’s so independent. She reminds me a lot of you. I get the feeling she can do just fine without a man in her life.”
“Just because she might be able to handle things doesn’t mean she necessarily wants to. Maybe she wants a guy to take care of her for a change instead of her having to shoulder all the responsibility? Did you ever think of that?”
Abby’s words made sense. It was driving him crazy not knowing. “It would take me a few days to get there with the snow.”
“Then I suggest you get moving before it snows more. You know better than I how the storms roll through Wyoming in the winter.”
He chuckled dryly. Born and raised in Laramie, he knew all too well how finicky the weather could be. He finally let himself believe going to see Carrie would be a good thing.
Maybe then I can at least put some things to rest.
Reaching over and pulling Abby into a warm hug, he said, “Thanks, sis. You always know exactly what to say.”
She playfully punched him in the shoulder. “Only with stubborn men by the last name of Wilder and maybe one still single female Wilder.”
“What are you going to do when this baby comes? If it’s a boy, he’ll probably be just like his dad, but if it’s a girl…”
“He’ll be just as stubborn as his father and his uncles.”
“He?” She smiled secretively and dropped her gaze a moment before he forced her gaze back to his. “Does Chase know?”
“I don’t even know.”
“You don’t lie very well, Abby.”
“Just a feeling, Cole.”
“And we all know how your feelings are.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations. I can’t wait to hear what Chase says.”
“Don’t you dare tell him.”
“I won’t, but you know he’s going to be mad I know before he does.”
“Going to be mad you know what, little brother?” Neither Cole nor Abby heard the back door when Chase came into the house, but obviously he overheard some of their conversation.
“Nothing, bro. I’ve got an errand to run. I won’t be home for a while, I’m thinkin’.”
“Oh? Going somewhere?” Chase moved to Abby’s side and tucked her under his arm. She snuggled into his warmth.
“Yeah—to see a woman.”
Shock was written all over Chase’s face, and he almost laughed. “A woman?” Chase looked at Abby and then to him. “I didn’t just hear you say you are going to see a woman, did I? Not permanent bachelor Cole Wilder.”
“Yes and don’t you start. I’ve already had this conversation with your wife.” Cole shot Abby a playful wink.
“Well then, I’ll just have to get it from her,” Chase growled playfully as he pulled Abby in front of him and nuzzled her neck. Abby laughed as she tried to wiggle from her husband’s grasp.
Cole chuckled, heading for his room to pack some things to take with him as Chase swept Abby in his arms and moved in the opposite direction. He shook his head, his own thoughts sobering.
What will Carrie say when she sees me again? Would she throw herself in my arms or give me the cold shoulder?
He didn’t know but he was about to find out, and the thought had him worried.
* * * *
“Damn, Carrie. Can’t we turn on the heat in here? It’s cold.”
Carrie stood by the wood stove in the corner of the store, warming her hands with the heat. The store was frigid, but this time of year they had to conserve money. Winter hit hard in the north, and it was no different in Silver Ridge, South Dakota. The snow continued to fall in beautiful, glistening crystal flakes as the tinkling of Christmas music could be heard over the radio.
“Sorry, Jess, we can’t. Come over here and sit by the wood stove where it’s warmer.”
Jessica struggled to her feet, cradling her large abdomen with her hands as she moved to the rocking chair sitting nearby. Groaning, she lowered herself into the chair before she sighed.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah—other than grumpy and wanting this baby to finally get here, I’m fine.”
Carrie laughed. “You still have a month to go.”
“I know and I don’t know how I will survive. My feet are swollen, my back hurts, and I just want this over with. This baby is going to weigh a ton before he finally makes his appearance.”
“I tell you what, after we close in an hour, I’ll rub your back for you.”
“Would you? That would be heavenly.”
“Of course I will. I know you are uncomfortable.”
“Can’t we just close now? I mean, we’ve hardly had a customer all day.”
“No, we can’t. The sign says we are open until five and that’s what time we’ll close.”
“I know, but only an idiot would be out in this snow.”
The bell over the door tinkled. “Well, obviously there is an idiot out today. I’ll go see what it is. You stay here and keep warm.”
“You won’t hear an argument out of me. Let me know if you need help, though.”
“I will.”
Carrie headed for the front of the store. Jessica’s observation was correct. There weren’t many people out today, and only those desperate for feed for their livestock or those that hadn’t already stocked their supplies were adventurous enough to be out in this weather.
She moved behind the counter but couldn’t see who came in except a black Stetson over the shelving down one aisle. The hat made her heart clench before she beat it down with a stern talking to.
Forget him. He obviously didn’t care enough to even keep in contact. It was almost six months to the day when he left Silver Ridge with a kiss and a quick goodbye.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she moved in the direction of the customer.
Turning the corner of the aisle she started to say, “Can I help…”
He turned around, and her heart skipped a beat when his blue eyes crinkled at the corners as his lips lifted in a smile.
“Cole?” She took two steps forward before she stopped. “Oh my God, Cole,” she whispered before her feet flew across the few feet separating them and launching herself into his arms.
Chapter Ten
He wrapped his arms around the beautiful woman who had thrown herself in his arms while his heart sighed.
God, it feels good to hold her.
It had been a hellacious twelve-hour trip from Laramie to Silver Ridge. He had almost put himself in the ditch on several occasions, but he finally made it to her house only to find it empty. Getting back in his truck, he made the short trek to the store, not at all surprised to find the store open.
She pushed against his shoulders, and he released her a little, but he wasn’t going to let her go anytime soon. He wanted to feel her lips under his so badly he ached with need. His eyes met hers and, with a tortured growl, he swooped down and took her mouth with his. She wrapped her hands in the hair at the nape of his neck as she moaned softly. Letting himself deepen the kiss when she opened for him, his tongue swept inside her mouth, dueling with hers while heat spread through him. His hand found the underside of her breast, sliding along her nipple, exciting him further when he felt it harden to his touch. She groaned into his mouth and pushed her breast further into his palm.
God, I want her.
He was stunned at how much he missed her and how good she felt in his arms.
“Carrie?”
Jessica’s panicked voice brought him out of his passion-filled fog. He pulled his mouth from Carrie’s, and they stepped apart.
“Carrie!”
Without a word, she whipped around and raced for the back of the store. He was hot on her heels as all kinds of thoughts raced through his mind.
He reached the back wher
e Jessica’s high-pitched voice rattled off incoherent while Carrie tried to calm her. “It’s okay, Jess. Calm down. Everything will be fine.”
Not quite sure what was going on, his worried expression met Carrie’s across the room. He took in Jessica’s large abdomen, stunned that for moment he’d forgotten about her having Jimmy’s child. His mind had been so wrapped up in seeing Carrie again and having her in his arms her sister hadn’t even crossed his mind.
“What’s wrong?”
“She needs to get to the hospital. I think her water broke.”
His gaze swept down Jessica’s body only to find the large wet spot on the floor at her feet. “What do we do?”
“How were the roads?”
“Slick.”
“Shit.” Carrie cursed, but he could see her mind working, trying to think of some way to get her sister where she needed to be. “Can you drive us to the hospital?”
“Of course, but it’ll be slow going.”
“We’ve got to do something, otherwise she’ll be having this baby right here in the store.” Carrie walked quickly to the pile of blankets on the shelf, grabbing several before she moved back to her sister’s side. “Wrap these around you. I’m going to lock up really fast.” Her eyes turned back to him. “Can you take her out to your truck? Yours is four-wheel drive, right? Mine isn't running the best, and I don't want to chance breaking down.”
“Yeah, but do you think this is such a good idea? I mean, what if we get stuck somewhere and she has the baby in my truck?”
“We have to do something, Cole. We can’t stay here.” Her terse tone grated on his nerves. Concern for Jess warred with his need to take Carrie in his arms and kiss the daylights out of her again while she ordered him around. “Get moving. We need to get her there now.”
Grumbling under his breath about stubborn females, he moved toward Jessica and said, “Come on, Jess.” He helped her wrap the blanket around her before he steered her in the direction of the front entrance. Carrie came up behind them a moment later and opened the door. The frigid wind whipped around them as he hustled Jessica out to his truck and Carrie pulled the door shut behind them. When all three of them were settled, he slowly pulled out onto the highway.
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