His Outback Cowgirl (Wildflower Ranch Book 4)

by Callen, Alissa

  A crease marred her brow. Dark smudges of exhaustion underlined her eyes. “But we’re wet anyway, what’s a little more rain?”

  “We might be but the horses aren’t. Another five minutes will mean the difference between them getting soaked again or just being damp.”

  “Good point. It might be summer but I keep forgetting it’s not as hot here as back home and the horses won’t dry off as quickly.”

  She walked over to Molly and the mustang rubbed her head on Bridie’s jeans. Bridie combed her fingers through her black mane and sectioned off areas for braiding.

  Ethan collected his Stetson from off the rock, put it on and secured Captain’s reins over his arm. He glanced at Bridie’s set profile as she concentrated on a braid. He was sure she’d be mentally counting down from five minutes to zero.

  “So tell me more about your home?” he asked, to help the time pass. “I’d love to go on a tour of some Angus cattle studs down there one day.”

  She shot him a quick look and stopped braiding. “You breed Angus cattle?”

  “Yes. Black Angus.”

  She started braiding again. “Be sure to look us up when you visit. My family property is Mayfield and we too breed black Angus.” She paused as pain pinched her mouth. “Well, Dad and I did and now my uncle will continue with the stud.”

  Ethan’s gaze remained on her mouth. “And you won’t?”

  She shook her head. “Not on Mayfield. My uncle has bought Mom and me out. He has two sons and eventually the farm will pass to my cousin, Angus, who’ll take good care of it. The place holds too many memories for us. Eventually we’ll buy another farm but Mom looks like she’s settled in her Marietta home for the moment. I’ve an agricultural science degree and run courses online for farmers so can work from anywhere. I’m just taking the summer to decide where my own ... new home could be.”

  “Good luck with finding it and if you ever need a cattle-fix you’re welcome to visit my ranch at Colorado Springs.”

  “Thanks.”

  The quick way she answered let Ethan know she wouldn’t be taking up his offer anytime soon. Bridie’s independence might make her as prickly as a cactus but it also reminded him that they’d never work as a team, let alone a couple. They’d be locking horns more than a few times in their two days away. He blew out a slow breath. The fact that she hadn’t mentioned anyone waiting for her in Australia shouldn’t make him feel so relieved that she was single.

  He examined the blue patch of sky now easily visible through the thinning rain. “Okay. We’re good to go.”

  Together they led the horses out of the rock shelter into a glistening world. Water dripped off boughs and leaves and gleamed on water-slickened rocks. The breeze carried the kiss of rain along with the fresh scent of damp earth and pungent pine.

  They swung into their saddles and retraced their steps to the north meadow. By the time they emerged from the treeline the rain had eased to an intermittent flurry of tardy raindrops.

  Ethan glanced over his shoulder to where Bridie trailed behind him. He pulled Captain to a stop. Bridie had reined in Molly and now dug into her jeans pocket for her cell. Face relaxed and a smile curving her mouth, she snapped pictures of the rainbow that arced beside them.

  “It’s so beautiful here.”

  “It is.”

  Ethan answered without once looking at the rainbow. Wet and windblown Bridie too was beautiful. Her grey-blue irises mirrored the grey-blended sky, her smooth skin shone after her drenching and her damp shirt clung to curves that were all woman.

  Molly tossed her head. Bridie soothed her with a soft hand on her neck and a gentle word. Henry had been right. The mustang was a perfect match for Bridie. Ethan had been worried the young mare would prove too excitable but seeing the bond that already existed between the two restless spirits, he knew Bridie wouldn’t be happy riding any other horse.

  Photo-stop over, they turned for home. Light flashed from the direction of the ranch house and Ethan lifted a hand in a wave.

  “Henry’s watching us with his binoculars,” he explained at Bridie’s curious look. “He’ll be making sure we’re okay.”

  She lifted a hand and waved too.

  The horses picked their way through the long, wet grass and midway across the meadow shafts of sunlight shot through the clouds. Ethan welcomed the heat on his skin and glanced sideways to check that Bridie was thawing out too. Color flushed her cheeks and her full lips were no longer pale but a warm pink. He looked away before she caught him staring.

  Once at the barn they unsaddled the horses and towel dried them before turning the pair into their corrals. Ethan left the tack out to dry. He’d return later to clean the wet saddles and bridles. He then led Bridie around to the side of the ranch house to the door that opened into the mudroom. He could hear mock growls from inside as Rocket and Milo wrestled. Henry had to be behind the door too and waiting for them.

  Bridie’s lips quirked. “So much for Henry needing time away from you; I think he missed you.”

  Ethan grinned. “More like he has a crossword clue he can’t decipher.”

  He stepped away from the door. “Ladies first.”

  “Of course, you letting me go before you is just good manners and has nothing to do with me having to face Henry first.”

  “Of course.”

  Smiling, Bridie pushed open the door.

  Henry’s gaze met his as he followed Bridie up the steps. He was sure Henry’s faded eyes watered before he grunted. “What were you doing out there? Catching beaver trout?”

  Bridie looked up from where she patted Rocket and Milo. “Zane has warned me not to believe any of your stories about furry fish. The only thing we were catching was a chill. The cattle rustler cave might have been dry but it was as cold as an ice-box.”

  Henry scowled. “Wait until I see Zane Nash. Fur-bearing fish do exist. I pulled one out of the river myself.”

  Bridie laughed and bent to tug at her water-logged boot. “Yeah, he told me you did on ... April Fool’s Day.”

  “Why let such a little fact ruin a good story?” Henry’s glower softened into a smile. “Rosa has coffee on and she said she’ll dry your clothes while you take a shower.”

  Bridie gave up on her right boot and tugged at her left. “That’s lovely of her, but I’m fine. A bit of water never hurt anyone.”

  Henry frowned. “I can’t send you back to Clara wearing wet clothes.”

  Ethan removed his own boots waiting for Bridie and Henry’s power struggle to play out.

  Bridie straightened, her boots still on. “Yes, you can and besides my shirt’s almost dry. But I would love a coffee before I head to Hollyhock Creek Ranch, if I can ever get these boots off.”

  To Ethan’s surprise Henry didn’t persevere with insisting Bridie take a hot shower. “Okay then. Coffee it is. I’ll tell Rosa.”

  He quit the mudroom, Rocket and Milo close behind.

  “See, he isn’t so scary,” Bridie said, again attempting to remove her boot. “He’s really a big old teddy bear.”

  “Now that’s something I’ve never heard Henry called before.” Bridie wouldn’t accept any help with her boots but he had to ask. His mother hadn’t raised him to be bad-mannered. “Need a hand?”

  “That would be great. My boots are new and now they’re wet they seem to have shrunk even tighter.”

  Hands on hips, she lifted her right foot and waited for him to bend and tug at her boot. The shoe didn’t budge. She lifted her second foot and again he couldn’t remove the boot.

  He straightened and met her laughing eyes. “I think you’ve met your match, cowboy. I’ll just have to wait for them to dry and hope they stretch.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  The bench along the side of the mudroom would provide a perfect seat while he again tackled her boots. His hands found the indent of her waist. Her eyes widened and she clasped his shoulders as he lifted her. He sat her on the bench, intending to let go of her waist and st
ep away but Bridie’s hands remained on his shoulders. Frowning, she stared at him.

  He braced himself and held her gaze. Taking a page out of her spontaneous book had been a bad move. If he weren’t careful, she’d now take aim for the body parts he didn’t need for riding. But all she did was continue to stare at him, her expression more dazed than angry.

  Beneath his hands she felt soft and feminine. She smelled of flowers and lazy summer days. Her smooth pink lips were so close it would only take a small dip of his head and his mouth would find hers.

  Then she blinked. Her hands slipped from his shoulders. Chin angled, she leant back and waited for him to step away before holding up her foot.

  “Okay cowboy, do your thing.”

  His fingers curled around the heel of her boot. “Hold on.”

  This time when he tugged, the cowgirl boot shifted. Another tug and it slid off her small foot.

  “Success.” He sat the boot beside her on the bench. “Now for the other one.”

  Again it only took two tugs and the second boot slipped free.

  Before he could set it beside her, or help her down, Bridie wriggled forward and off the bench.

  “Thanks.” Without looking at him, she placed both boots on the floor before heading for the door. “That coffee sure smells good.”

  Ethan didn’t follow. He flexed his hands that suddenly felt empty now they didn’t hold her. He didn’t need coffee to chase the chill from his bones. Just being within kissing distance of Bridie had fired his blood.

  He scrubbed his palm over his face.

  How was he going to survive two days alone with her? The clash of their temperaments was suddenly the least of his worries.

  He never rushed in. Not when buying new boots, a new stud bull or even a new pickup. But now an unfamiliar and insane part of him wanted to throw caution to the mountain winds and start something with Bridie ... something that wasn’t steady or sensible.

  Chapter Four

  The doorbell of Paradise Books tinkled as Bridie and five-year-old Finn entered the Marietta bookstore. Bridie breathed in the smell of new books that always made her happy. She might find it hard to sit still but when it came to reading she could stay in a single spot for hours. Some of her earliest memories were of being tucked into her warm bed and having her mother read to her. It seemed her brother had passed on such a gift to his son, especially when it came to books on insects.

  Finn tugged at her hand and dragged her toward a table on which bright picture books were displayed.

  “Afternoon, Lesley,” she said to the bookstore owner as Finn towed her past the counter behind which Lesley sat reading.

  Lesley looked over the top of her glasses and smiled. “It looks like you’re on a mission, Finn Nash?”

  “I am.”

  Lesley’s smile widened and Bridie shared her pleasure. Finn had used his words to answer instead of a nod. Zane and Trinity were working hard to encourage shy and anxious Finn to talk more.

  “Look, Dee, here’s a bug book.”

  Bridie’s heart warmed at the pet name her adorable nephew had given her. She’d grown up as an only child and still couldn’t believe she was now part of a bigger family. It had always been her wish to one day have a large family of her own. “It sure is, and it’s a book about ants. I don’t think you have one of these in your collection?”

  “I think you’re right.” Lesley came to stand beside them, her grey curls in their usual lopsided topknot. “You must have a book on almost every bug there is by now?”

  Bridie grinned. “And I think we’ve read almost every one together haven’t we, Finn?”

  “Yep.” He let go of Bridie’s hand to reach for the ant book. He turned it over to look at the picture on the back cover, before holding it up for Bridie to see. “You could take a picture of my ant farm to go in our book?”

  “That’s a good idea.” She glanced at Lesley. “I’ve been taking photographs of bugs and Finn and I are putting them into our own book.”

  Lesley’s hazel eyes sparkled behind the thick lenses of her glasses. “Yes, I heard you enjoyed taking pictures. I also heard you’re going into the mountains with Ethan to photograph the wildlife.”

  Bridie shifted on her feet. It seemed it didn’t matter if she was in a rural outback town or a Montana mountain community, the grapevine worked just as efficiently.

  “Yes, you heard right. I’m hoping we’ll leave tomorrow. I’m just waiting for Ethan to let me know when we’re good to go.”

  “Well, the weather should be clear for the next few days.” Lesley’s smile dimmed. She glanced at Finn who was already up to page three in his book. “I know your mom says you can look after yourself but ... be careful. I’ve had two customers in the past two weeks mention ... poachers.”

  Finn’s head suddenly lifted, his blue eyes round. Bridie ruffled his dark hair. “It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

  “You will be with Ethan around,” Lesley said softly, turning away so Finn wouldn’t hear her. “Ethan might look mild-mannered but those Taylor boys won’t ever rustle another Paradise Valley cow thanks to him and Cordell.”

  “Really? What did he ... they do?”

  Ever since Ethan had surprised her the other day by lifting her onto the mudroom bench, she’d done her best to not think about him, and she shouldn’t now be curious. It wasn’t her finest moment staring at him like a kangaroo blinded by truck lights. So what if his strong hands were warm through her damp shirt and he smelled so good, like the pine trees after the downpour. So what if his lashes were long and dark and he had the most incredible sexy mouth; she hadn’t come to Marietta to lose her heart.

  Behind her the doorbell tinkled.

  Lesley’s lips curved. “Why don’t you ask Ethan yourself?”

  Bridie swung around, her stomach lurching as though she was about to free-fall on a fair ride.

  Ethan’s eyes smiled as they searched hers. “Ask me what?”

  Ethan was dressed in Wranglers, a neat blue shirt and scuff-free boots and not a dark-blond hair was out of place. But the tightness to his jaw and the deep grooves beside his mouth reminded her there was far more to Ethan than his steady exterior.

  Bridie glanced at Finn who looked between her and Ethan, concern pinching his small face. Finn worried about bugs being squished, let alone about animals being poached or rustled.

  “Nothing important,” she said, holding Ethan’s gaze, hoping he’d understand her unspoken message; she’d revisit her question when Finn wasn’t around. “I can ask you later.”

  Ethan gave her a small nod and she knew he’d understood.

  He held out a fist to the five-year-old. “Hey, buddy.”

  Finn bumped his tiny fist against Ethan’s. “Hey.”

  Ethan dipped his head toward Lesley. “I know I’ve already been in once for Henry’s crossword puzzle books but I saw Zane’s pickup outside and wanted to see Bridie about tomorrow.”

  Bridie banished the flare of warmth in her cheeks. It meant nothing that Ethan had sought her out instead of using his cell to contact her.

  Lesley chuckled. “Actually, it’s just as well you’re in again today because I found that book, Journeys of a Lifetime, I told you about that Henry might like. I’ll go and get it.”

  Lesley bustled away.

  Beside Bridie, Finn stood silent, the ant book pressed against his chest and his attention on Ethan. Curiosity brightened his blue eyes. A quick discussion with Ethan of what they’d need for their trip wasn’t going to happen. He proved as interesting to a bashful boy as much as he did to a fidgety cowgirl. It would also do Finn’s confidence good to have another person to talk to, a quiet and considered adult who’d listen to him.

  “Finn and I are off for ice creams, and then the park, if you wanted to join us? We could work out what we need for our days away then?”

  “Thanks. I’d like that.”

  Ethan smiled at Lesley as she returned with a large book sporting a gl
ossy and scenic Mediterranean cover.

  “Is Henry planning a trip?” Lesley asked handing Ethan the book.

  “If he is, he hasn’t told me. Now he has a new hip and is driving his truck again, I have a feeling there’ll be no stopping him.”

  Lesley grinned. “Look out, world.”

  Bridie followed Finn as he walked around the picture book display looking for other bug books. After not finding any more they headed to the counter to pay for the ant book. Ethan too paid for Henry’s book and as Lesley slipped it into a large bag, Ethan glanced at Bridie.

  “Which park are you going to?”

  “Community Park. Finn likes the play equipment there, especially the climbing spinner.”

  “Community Park is at the other end of Main Street to the ice cream store. I have to head to the bank so how about I get the ice creams and you and Finn can then have more time in the park?”

  Bridie glanced at Finn. His smile widened at having more time to spend playing.

  “Sounds like a good plan. Finn, would you like cookies n’ cream ice cream again?”

  He nodded.

  “Cookies n’ cream it is,” Ethan said, looking at her. His irises were such a brilliant and intense blue it took all her effort to not glance away. She couldn’t have him know that seeing him again made her pulse beat faster. “And what flavor for you?”

  She shrugged. “Surprise me.”

  For an instant something hot and dark flared in his gaze and then it was gone. “Will do.”

  Bridie released a deep breath as she parked outside Community Park. Out on Highway 89 she had no trouble remembering what side of the road to drive on, but in downtown Marietta where there was both traffic and turns to make, she was yet to feel comfortable.

  Finn bolted out of the pickup and waited on the sidewalk for her to join him. Hands linked they entered the busy playground. The popular climbing spinner already had three laughing boys clinging to the webbing, so Bridie and Finn headed for the swings.

  Side-by-side, they soared into the summer sky, the breeze catching in their hair. In front of them, Copper Mountain towered over the Marietta streetscape. The sun-gilded peak called for them to reach higher and higher. Finn’s little legs stretched in and out to make himself go faster. Bridie divided her attention between making sure Finn remained safe and on scouting the road for the silver truck Ethan drove. The increasing flutter in her midriff had nothing to do with the motion of the swing.