Crazy About a Cowboy

by Barbara McMahon

  “Job opportunity.”

  “And Dallas or Houston wouldn’t have had them?”

  “I was trying to run away,” she said, angry to have to put it into words. And embarrassed.

  “I was mad at you and Nick, but you didn’t need to run so far,” Sam said.

  “I’ll admit I overreacted, okay? I should have just gone home. Or to Austin. Somewhere closer than Denver. But at the time, I was so angry I wanted to put as much distance between us as possible.”

  “Maine would have done that,” he murmured.

  She laughed softly. “Not that much distance. I needed to stay in the west. Though working in an insurance office is nothing like a hardware store or a ranch. And I wasn’t that crazy about big city living.”

  “Yet you were going to live in Fort Worth.”

  “It’s closer to Tumbleweed. But it doesn’t matter now, does it?”

  “No.”

  That sounded final. She flicked him a glance. “You could have come to Denver to check out where Joey was living.”

  His eyes met hers for a second, then he turned back to the road. “No, I could not have. I expected Nick to tell me.”

  She sighed. “Nick and I were friends in high school.”

  “Lovers.”

  She frowned at him. “Twice, if you count fumbling in the car. We were teenagers with all the raging hormones that comes with the territory. I sure slept with you a lot more. Why can’t you let it go?”

  His hands tightened on the wheel. “It doesn’t matter now.”

  “It seems to, you’re still harping on it.”

  “Harping? I mentioned it, that’s all.”

  “I could understand if you came to the marriage lily white and pure, but you’d done your fair share of sleeping around,” she retorted. “I don’t harp on that. Excuse me, mention it.”

  “I had a few girl friends, what did you expect from a twenty-seven year old man?”

  “I expected his past to be his business. Like I expected my past to be my business.”

  He was silent for a while.

  “Was that too much to expect?” she asked softly.

  “Maybe not if it had been anyone but Nick. And if you two hadn’t been together so much.”

  “Nick was my friend moreover someone who seemed to understand me a lot better than you did.”

  “That’s Nick understanding.”

  “You have no need to be jealous of Nick, Sam. You’re twice the man he is.”

  “I’m not jealous.”

  “Sorry, my mistake.”

  They drove for several moments before he spoke again. “Maybe a little.”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t like your turning to him when we had a fight. I wanted you to come to me.”

  “We should have taken a course in communications 101. I’ve had time to think a lot about what I had and threw away.”

  “Threw away?”

  “You made me so angry, I just took off. I truly thought you’d come after me. Even after that last night, when you thought I had been with Nick. I thought once you cooled down you’d see how dumb that was and come after me and Joey. You surprised me by not following. And by agreeing to the divorce.”

  “Hell, Lisa, you had told me plain you never wanted to see me again. I can’t read minds. I can only go on what you say. Plus, I truly believed you and Nick had something going and would be getting married once the divorce was final.”

  “I know that now. I wish I’d know it then.”

  “I thought I made it plain.”

  “Only to someone listening.”

  “You’d have to be deaf not to have heard,” he said wryly.

  She laughed again. “You do have a, er, carrying voice.” It had not been funny at the time. She’d been furious.

  “I yelled as loud as I could, but you yelled right back.”

  “You know what was totally amazing about that night? That Joey slept through it all,” she said.

  “Yeah. So tell me about Joey in Denver.”

  For the next hour or so Lisa regaled Sam with tales of Joey growing in their small apartment. She left out the nights he was sick and she was so scared for their baby, telling him instead of milestones, like walking and talking. And of funny incidents, like his dumping the full bottle of cooking oil all over the kitchen floor then scooting around in the slippery substance. Of his sticking his tongue out at a friendly man at the bank. Of his first attempts at some words and the odd combination of syllables he’d come out with.

  By the time they reached Houston, Lisa was feeling hopeful that things were smoothing out between her and Sam.

  They parked the truck, each carrying their own small overnight case into the hotel near the stockyards.

  “I need a hat,” Lisa murmured as they stood in the short line for registration. Glancing around the huge lobby, she noticed dozens of small groups of ranchers and stock men talking and laughing. Every man, woman and child in the place seemed to be wearing a western hat.

  “So we’ll check out the shops. I bet you’ll find one in the first one we go in.”

  She started to tell him she could manage on her own, but stopped. How would they get closer if she was set on being totally independent?

  “Thanks, I’d like that.”

  They were next. When waved to the counter, Lisa stepped aside and looked at Sam. “You go on. I’ll wait for the next one.”

  He looked at her consideringly for a moment, then nodded and moved to the registration desk. In less than a minute, another position opened and Lisa when to register.

  “Lisa Haller,” she told the clerk.

  He pulled up her information on the computer, took her credit card and in a short time handed her a folded card with her room key. “You are in 2020, adjacent to Mr. Haller.”

  She hesitated. “Adjacent to Mr. Haller?” she asked. Had Sam requested they have adjacent rooms.

  “Yes, ma’am. It’s an adjoining room.”

  She looked at the key holder for a moment, then picked it up. “Thank you.” Turning, she saw Sam was already talking with some men he knew. She watched him warily as she headed for the elevators. Had he asked for adjoining rooms? Was he planning on using this trip to see what might develop away from home and responsibilities and other people’s prying eyes?

  Or was it merely coincident?

  Unlikely. Coincidences like that didn’t happen.

  She slipped inside when the elevator doors slid open. Punching the button for her floor she leaned against the side, out of sight of Sam. Breathing a sigh of relief when the doors slid closed, she tried to decide if she was happy about the arrangement or not.

  Unpacking took about three minutes. Three shirts, clean underwear and another set of jeans didn’t take long. She was here to work and had packed light. Brushing her hair in the bathroom, Lisa splashed water on her face and considered what to do next.

  The phone rang.

  It was Sam.

  “I ran into some friends. We’re going out to dinner in a little while, want to come?”

  So much for her idea of a big seduction scene.

  “No, thanks.”

  “Suit yourself. I’ll be ready to leave for the auction around 7 in the morning. That too early?”

  “No, I’ll be ready.”

  “See you then.” Sam hung up.

  “So much for doing things together,” she said aloud as she replaced the receiver.

  Well, she’d initially thought she’d be on her own in Houston. She was capable of entertaining herself. But for a moment, she felt disappointment. Had she misread the signs? Wasn’t Sam interested any longer?

  ***

  Promptly at seven the next morning, the phone rang. Lisa answered it.

  “Ready? I can meet you in the lobby,” Sam said.

  “Why didn’t you just knock on the door,” she asked.

  “What door?”

  “The adjoining one between your room and mine.”

  The s
ilence was surprising.

  “You’re in the adjoining room?”

  “You didn’t know?”

  “No.”

  She walked with the phone to the door and opened her half. Knocking lightly on the other she didn’t have to wait long before he opened his.

  She hung up.

  “I didn’t know you asked for adjoining rooms,” he said, following suit.

  “I didn’t, I assumed you did.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Why?”

  Heat washed through her, flooding her cheeks. “I was surprised, and I don’t know I just thought you’d asked for adjacent rooms.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Oh.” Flustered, she turned and picked up the small backpack that had all her auction information. “I’m ready.”

  He stepped through to her room and headed out the door. Lisa followed and made sure it was closed.

  As they waited for the elevator, Sam studied at her. “You could have mentioned it yesterday when I called.”

  “I would have if I hadn’t thought you already knew.”

  “Interesting reaction I would have thought you’d have asked for different rooms at the least.”

  She shrugged and watched the elevator doors. “I didn’t think you’d suddenly attack. You’re the one who said he’d never kiss me again.”

  “And you said it would be all right to exchange goodbye kisses,” he began just as the elevator reached their floor. “Maybe you want something more than goodbye kisses.”

  Four interested sets of eyes moved from Sam to Lisa as they heard the last comment.

  She glared at him. “No, I do not!” Head high, she stepped into the elevator and turned to face the front, knowing her cheeks had to be scarlet.

  Blast the man, he looked as if he were enjoying himself. He nodded to the other occupants and stepped inside beside her.

  “We need to get you that hat, too, sugar,” he said in a broad Texas drawl.

  “I can get my own hat,” she hissed.

  “Buying a hat won’t break the bank,” he continued, obviously enjoying her discomfort. “Consider it a return favor.”

  She glared at him. Then looked at the other occupants. “It’s not what you think,” she said.

  No one met her eye.

  She knocked his arm. “Tell them.”

  He looked at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Honey, I told you before, I can’t read minds. I can’t begin to imagine what anyone here is thinking, how can I tell them anything?”

  The doors whooshed open to the lobby. Lisa stepped out quickly and headed for the entrance, furious with Sam. How dare he let all those people think there was something going on between them!

  She marched out to the front.

  “Cab?” the doorman asked.

  “Yes.”

  “No, the lady is with me.” Taking her arm in a firm grip, Sam lead her to the side, heading toward the parking garage.

  “Let me go!”

  “When we get to the truck.”

  “I’ll yell,” she said, only halfheartedly pulling her arm.

  “I’ll yell back. Look, I know you’re embarrassed by what happened, but the only way to play it was funny. We don’t know any of those people and they don’t know us. Why make a federal case out of it?”

  “I hate logic,” she murmured, walking beside him, trying to match her steps to his longer stride.

  The rest of the walk was done in silence. When the reached the truck, Sam put her between him and the truck releasing her arm to take her into his arms.

  “I’m sorry I embarrassed you,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers.

  Every thought fled as she was swept away by the excitement of his kiss. His lips were warm and firm, moving persuasively against hers. His tongue teased at the seam and she relaxed and opened for him.

  Roiling emotions swept through her as she responded to his potency.

  A car honked, the sound reverberating throughout the concrete structure.

  Sam released her, reaching around her to unlock the truck.

  “Was that a goodbye kiss?” Lisa asked when she thought she could trust her voice again.

  He shook his head, reaching across her to fasten the seat belt, leaning into the truck, his face only inches from hers.

  “No, I’m experimenting.”

  “Experimenting?”

  “On how far I can go.”

  She closed the scant inches and kissed him sweetly. “Keep experimenting,” she said in a soft voice. “I’d like to see how far you can go, too.”

  ***

  Women like Lisa should be locked away, or come with a big warning sign danger, Sam thought as he went around to get into the truck. Once he was behind the wheel, it took all his concentration to start the engine and back out of the parking stall.

  Her fragrance filled the cab of the truck. He could see her from the corner of his eye, and wanted to turn and take his fill of every nuance to her expression. Revel in the sparkling eyes, her smile.

  He clenched his teeth tightly and focused on driving in Houston’s busy traffic.

  I’d like to see how far you can go, too. If that wasn’t a clear sign, he didn’t know what was.

  They had three days together before heading back to Tumbleweed. How far could they go together in that time?

  He must be crazy. Crazy about Lisa, he thought in disgust. Just like before. Crazy to be with her, to listen to her views on things, to hear her voice, touch that soft, velvety skin, taste that sweet mouth.

  He almost groaned with the way his body was reacting to the thoughts. Flicking her a quick glance, he grew frustrated with her calm outlook. She was gazing serenely out the window while he as about to ignite with unassuaged desire.

  After parking in the lot near the pens, he looked at her. “Well?”

  She pulled out the show catalog. “I have to be at this auction at ten. And then I wanted to check out some of the suppliers at the mercantile to see if we can get better pricing.” She looked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

  Sam almost reached across the bench seat and dragged her into his arms. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him?

  “Want to meet for lunch or something?” she asked brightly.

  “I’ll see.”

  Her flirtatious remark floated in the air. But he was wiser this time around. A brief fling with his ex-wife was one thing. Thinking things would change would be another.

  He wasn’t sure, but he thought he detected disappointment in her eyes, but she quickly dropped her gaze back to the catalog.

  “Well if you do, I’ll meet you here around one.”

  He nodded. But he had no intention of waiting until one o’clock to see her again. To see if she was as interested as he was. He’d handle what he could before ten and join her for the auction. They could take the day from there.

  ***

  It was shortly before ten when Sam made his way to the crowded bleachers by the pen where the ten o’clock auction was being held. Cattle bawled. A light haze of dust hung in the air. The crowd seemed to move in the same direction he wanted to go--everyone couldn’t be attending the auction. This was only one of several over the course of the event.

  The bleachers were already crowded. He scanned the faces, finding Lisa near the center about half way up. She was studying her catalog again. And she’d acquired a hat a white straw with a feather headband. At least the sun would stay off her face.

  It took more than five minutes to get up to where she was. Stepping over feet, brushing against ranchers already settled, he stopped beside her.

  “Hi.”

  She looked up. The smile she gave him dazzled. “What are you doing here?”

  “I finished up early so I thought I’d come to watch you spend your boss’s money.”

  She glanced around and then with a murmured apology to the man next to her, scooted over to open a space for Sam. He sat down, hip to hip with Lisa, the warmth of her thigh heating his through
the denim. It was crowded, no denying that.

  He didn’t mind a bit.

  She shifted, and he felt every move. Her arm knocked against his.

  “Sorry. It’s crowded here.”

  “Sure is. I was surprised to find so many people for this one auction, but the whole place seems to have more people than usually attend.”

  “Signs of returning prosperity, I guess.”

  Her arm rested against his. When she shifted her leg, it brushed against his.

  Sam began to wonder if this had been a good idea after all. He was growing more and more aroused just being with her. It didn’t matter that they were in the midst of a crowd, that an auction was beginning.

  It just mattered that every time she breathed, he felt it. That her scent seemed to surround them. That her excitement at the auction was infectious. He hadn’t had such a good time in years.

  Not since Lisa had left.

  The thought sobered him like nothing else could have. She’d left once, would she stay in Tumbleweed this time? Or was this just a temporary measure until another job came along? One where the rancher would want an office manager to live on site?

  The thought didn’t set well. Sam scowled down at the dusty arena as the first bull was brought in. He didn’t pay attention, his thoughts suddenly uncomfortable.

  The auction was well underway before the bull Bill Taylor had designated was presented. Lisa sat on the edge of the seat, her numbered paddle gripped in her hand.

  Sam watched her, fascinated. Every damn thing she did seem to fascinate him. Always had.

  “We have a limit,” she murmured to him.

  “Of course. What is it?”

  “No more than fifty thousand for the three bulls he wants.”

  “So roughly sixteen to seventeen grand each?”

  “Except this one is so good, I could go higher with him and then try to get the others with lower bids.”

  “You and Bill discussed strategy?”

  She nodded, leaning closer. “We played out several scenarios, but the ultimate decision will be mine here. He said he couldn’t second guess what might happen, so he trusts my judgment. I hope I don’t mess up for him.”

  “You’ll do fine.” He squeezed her hand, then relaxed. She didn’t pull away, just smiled at him, her attention quickly caught as the bidding process began.

  Auction fever was contagious. The desire to win, to outbid the competition grew as stakes became personal. Sam watched as Lisa bid time and time again, against eight or nine other ranchers. Gradually the competition dropped out and soon there were only three bidding. The price stopped jumping at five hundred dollars and began leaping ahead at a thousand dollars a pop.