Her mood was dampened as she thought about packing up and heading back to her apartment in a few hours. She hadn’t worked the graveyard shift in over a week, and she wasn’t looking forward to doing it tonight.
She sighed. Mainly because she wouldn’t be in Austin’s bed. Her body began to heat up just thinking about what the man did to her. She’d never been so in tune with another person. Their connection had been incredible. That was the problem: she was letting him get too close. Too late—Austin Brannigan had broken down that barrier last night.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and then he brushed her hair aside and placed a kiss against her neck, causing her to shiver.
“Good morning,” the familiar voice said against her ear.
She leaned back, giving him better access. “Good morning to you, too.”
His lips found their way to her mouth, and soon, she was lost in the man as his tongue pushed past her lips in a deep, hungry kiss. He groaned as his hand reached in front of her and cupped her aching breast.
This time she whimpered.
Suddenly a vocal little girl made her presence known. Austin broke off the kiss, his gray gaze still on her. “Seems I need to give my other girl some attention.”
He moved to his daughter, and soon Lilly was grinning again. Erin was amazed to see the transformation of the two of them. He was a good father.
He took the cereal bowl from her and continued to feed his daughter. “Hey, Cullen just called to tell me that there’s a horse therapy session this afternoon, and he wanted me to look at a new horse that has been donated to the program. Do you think you can hang around so we can go down there together?”
She didn’t want to leave at all, but she had to. “Yes, but I’ll need to leave right afterward. I haven’t been home to my apartment since last week. Luckily, I pay my bills online, or I wouldn’t have any heat or water.”
He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Oh, darn. You might have to stay here.”
She smiled. “Nice try, cowboy, but it’s time we both head back to reality. Besides, I guess I’m a little independent and need my own space.”
He took her hand and brought it to his mouth and kissed the back. “I don’t want to take your independence, Erin. I just want you to know you have people to depend on. That would be me and my family.”
* * *
BY NOON, ERIN had packed up her bags, cleaned her bedroom, then carried her things out and put them in her van. She was ready to go, but her heart wasn’t in it. Not after last night and being with Austin. She had to stop dreaming the fairy tale, too. She was leaving, and nothing was going to change that.
“Hey, we’re ready.”
She swung around to see Austin pushing a bundled-up Lilly in her stroller.
“Sure.” She had on her jeans and a bulky oatmeal-colored sweater. She grabbed her jacket off the chair. “We’re walking?”
“I figured it would be easier this way. It’s only about a quarter mile.”
“I was thinking about your leg.”
He shook his head. “My leg is fine.” He drew her into his arms, holding her against him. “I thought I proved that last night...and this morning.”
“Yes, you did,” she admitted as she buried her head in his chest. Why suddenly was she shy with him? It was because they’d gone from a business relationship to an intimate one. “I’m glad that you’ve gotten your strength back.” She pulled back. “We should get going.”
With Lilly covered to protect her from the cooler weather, they pushed the stroller over the gravel road to the arena for Georgia’s Therapy Riding Center. Georgia Hughes had gotten a job here on the ranch to flee her abusive boyfriend. She didn’t make it, but Shelby and Ryan ended up in Hidden Springs.
Erin realized that she, too, had come to the small Colorado town to escape her memories, hoping to build a new life. Maybe this was to be her happily-ever-after for her and her child.
She heard her name and looked up to see Neal Brannigan waving at them. She acknowledged him, and Austin picked up his pace and she hurried to keep up. His leg must feel fine.
They reached the front entrance, where there was a long ramp to help with the disabled kids and for the kids who needed help getting on the horses.
At the moment there didn’t seem to be any children around.
After they greeted Neal, Austin asked, “Are we early?”
His father smiled. “Just a little, but I was wondering if you’d look at a horse that I was thinking about adding to the program. We can’t seem to keep up with the volume of kids who want to come and ride. So we need more horses.”
Austin turned to her. “Do you mind?”
“No—go ahead. Lilly and I will wait here on the ramp.” She looked down at the child, who was content playing with one of her teething toys.
She watched from her elevated post as Austin and his father walked into the corral. Both men were tall, broad-shouldered and slender and had the same rugged look, dressed in jeans and Western shirts and cowboy hats. Not even Austin’s leg brace detracted from his appeal.
Soon another man came out of the barn and walked toward them. Cullen joined up with his brother and dad. Although twins, he and Austin weren’t identical, but close enough, and both were gorgeous males.
She heard her name and turned to see Shelby come up the ramp. They exchanged a hug, then turned back to the men in the corral.
“It’s hard to decide which is the most handsome.” Smiling, Shelby released a sigh. “But it sure makes you glad that they belong to us.”
Chapter Fifteen
Austin looked across the corral at Erin. She was watching him, and he liked that. Was she thinking about last night, remembering that he was the man who had sent her soaring, leaving her contented and thoroughly satisfied?
“Hey, bro.”
Austin jerked around to find his twin brother leading a buckskin gelding. “Hi, Cullen. Who you got there?”
“Dad and I wanted your opinion of our new boarder.” His brother rubbed the horse’s muzzle. “Sundance here was brought to us from a ranching family. Before that he belonged to a rough stock company.” He grinned. “The owner told us Sundance had failed at being a good bucking horse.”
Austin ran his hand over the docile animal as he made his way around the horse. “As far as I can see, there don’t seem to be any signs of him being jumpy or nervous. Do you think I could give him a test ride?”
Cullen frowned. “Sure, and have your doctor and Erin kill me. Besides, how are you going to mount him with your cast?”
“The ramp.” Excited, he took hold of the reins and walked the saddled horse to the outside ramp to where Erin stood with Shelby and Lilly.
“Hi, Shelby.”
“Hi, Austin. Are you going to help out with the kids today?”
“Yeah, but first, I’m going to test-ride Sundance here.”
Erin was the first to protest. “That’s not a good idea. What if you fall off?”
Austin swung around, a little irritated by her lack of confidence in him. “The last time I fell off a horse I was a four-year-old.” Then he bent down and brushed a kiss across her surprised mouth. “Nothing is going to go wrong.”
“Again, Austin, not a good idea,” Erin warned him again.
“It’s the best idea I’ve had in a long time.” Except for being with you last night, he added silently. His gaze connected with hers again. “Trust me, I need to do this.” He might never get on a bull again, but he sure as hell could ride a horse.
Before anyone else could stop him, Austin was at the top of the ramp and easily slid his good leg over the rump of the horse and into the saddle. He used the pommel to get seated right, then took control of the reins. He made a clicking sound to get the horse to move and started around th
e corral. After he got the feel of the animal under him, he wished he had the open pasture to take a run. He had a feeling this horse could handle a little speed, but he wasn’t going to push it when he couldn’t fully control the horse.
He walked the buckskin back to the ramp and prayed he could make a clean dismount. When he stood in the stirrup, he was happy that his braced leg held him. He climbed off and walked to Erin.
“Now it’s your turn.”
She brushed the rich auburn hair from her face. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Come on. You aren’t a chicken, are you?”
“Yes, I am, and not afraid to admit it.” She eyed the animal. “He’s so big.”
“How about I just walk you around the corral once? By the time we return, I guarantee you’ll be smiling.” He leaned forward and whispered, “Take a chance with me. I promise not to let you fall.”
He pulled back and could see her green eyes widen with wonder.
“What if...?” she began.
He shook his head. “Come on. You’ve challenged and goaded me into doing things I didn’t think possible. You need to take a chance sometime, Erin. I’ll be there to catch you.”
“Okay, fine.”
Shelby walked up to them. “I’ll watch Lilly.”
Austin took Erin by the arm and took her to the horse. “Sundance, this is Erin. Now, you be a gentleman and I’ll give you an extra carrot.”
Sundance bobbed his head and blew out a breath.
Austin laughed and glanced at his brother. “You better have some extra carrots.”
“We have plenty. The supermarket in town keeps the therapy center well supplied.”
He turned back to the horse. “Hear that, Sundance? You lucked out coming here to stay. There’s plenty of kids here and all the carrots you can eat.”
The horse made a neighing sound.
He took Erin by the arm toward the end of the ramp. “Now, put your foot in the stirrup.”
Erin glared at him, then leaned closer and whispered, “Look, cowboy, just because you had your way with me last night doesn’t mean you can push me around.” Her mouth twitched in amusement.
His body suddenly stirred to life. “Yes, ma’am. Will you please put your foot in the stirrup?”
“That’s better.” She did as he asked and climbed onto the horse. Since she looked a little frightened, he continued to keep her distracted by adjusting the stirrups.
“You ready?”
“I guess,” she hedged.
Austin walked down the ramp tugging on the lead rope, then into the arena. “Let go of the saddle horn and hold the reins loosely in your hand. This horse is trained to take both voice and touch commands.”
“What does that mean? I say ‘turn left’ and he does?”
He smiled. “Try saying W-H-O-A.”
“Whoa, Sundance,” she said.
The horse stopped and waited patiently. Austin looked up at Erin in the saddle and caught her big smile. “Good job.” He patted the horse. “You, too, Sundance.”
He decided to keep instructing Erin. “Okay, now if you want to turn right or left, you use the reins, and tug a little in which direction you want to go.”
She tried it a few times and it worked perfectly. He then showed her how to back up, and once that was completed, he took another chance and unfastened the lead rope and had her handle the horse on her own.
He followed closely, and with his father and Cullen inside the arena, she walked off on her own. Once at the end, she managed to turn the horse around and came back. With praise from the growing group of bystanders, she dismounted as he lifted her into his arms.
“I did it,” she said, amazed.
“And with a smile.” He added, “I believe I won the bet.”
“I don’t think we had a bet.”
“Maybe not, but shouldn’t I get a reward?” He leaned closer and placed a kiss on her surprised mouth. Suddenly the arena erupted in cheers, but Austin didn’t care. He had Erin in his arms.
* * *
EARLY THE NEXT morning at the care center, Erin checked her watch, not only because she was anxious to leave work, but also because she wondered how Austin was handling the baby’s routine on his own. Had Lilly missed her? She thought back to when she’d rock the baby and listen to her sweet babble. Sadness washed over her. She hated that the little one might feel abandoned by her.
Erin continued down the corridor to the nurses’ desk, but she couldn’t help but look in on Hattie. When she’d come on shift, the older woman had been asleep. It had only been a little over a week, but with Hattie’s declining health, she wasn’t sure if she’d remember her.
Erin peered in the door and saw the white-haired woman sitting on her bed, still in her gown and robe, going through her photo album. She looked up and frowned as if she were trying to remember her.
She walked into the room. “Good morning, Hattie. I’m Erin.”
A smile appeared on her lined face. “Hi, Erin. I think I know you. You help me sometimes, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. Do you need help this morning?”
Hattie looked thoughtful. “Would you help me find my husband? He was supposed to come and pick me up, but I think he’s lost.” She shook her head. “And you know men—they never stop and ask for directions.”
Erin couldn’t help but smile. All the memories that Hattie had retained seemed to be mostly of her husband. How wonderful to have that kind of love. Her thoughts went to Austin, and then as quickly she shook them away.
She turned back to Hattie. “Well, I could have the nurses’ station keep an eye out while I help you get dressed all nice and pretty for when he gets here.”
Hattie agreed. “I like to look pretty for Johnny.” The woman’s hand shook as she held out the picture book. “See. He’s so handsome.”
Erin glanced down at the young couple in the grainy black-and-white photo. She wore a lacy white wedding dress, and the man was in his military uniform. The date was July 5, 1945.
“You make a handsome pair. How many years have you been married?” She hated to think about her own marriage, and how Jared had been away so much.
Hattie sighed. “Sixty-three years. Not all wonderful, but we were blessed with three children and eight grandchildren.” Tears came to the older woman’s eyes. “Johnny’s been really sick and I’m scared he’s not going to get better. I need to go to him.”
Erin reached out and gripped the woman’s arthritic hands to calm her. “It’s okay, Hattie. Johnny isn’t sick anymore. He’s coming here later to see you, so we should get you dressed and ready for him.”
Hattie smiled at Erin. “Oh, you are so kind and pretty. I bet you have a special man in your life, too.”
She wanted to deny it, but the truth was, she did care about someone. “Yes, I do. And he’s handsome and kind, and I love him very much.”
She froze at her own admission. She loved Austin Brannigan. Oh, God. She was in big trouble.
* * *
AT NOON AUSTIN tried to get some things done while Lilly slept. She’d been fussing all morning and had woken up twice during the night. She had a runny nose. He put the baby monitor on the table and sank into a chair. Thank God, Lilly was finally asleep. He was going to ask Erin if he should call the doctor, but there had been no sign of her.
He was doubly worried now. Erin hadn’t shown up for his morning therapy session, nor had she answered any of his texts. He tried to rationalize that she’d gone home to her apartment and fallen asleep.
He knew she’d gone two nights with little sleep. One of those times she was with him, and then going back to work last night had to have been exhausting. He only wanted to know she was safe.
He heard a faint knock on the door, and then Erin peered inside.
“Hi.”
He got up from the table and went to her. He was glad to see she looked rested and absolutely beautiful. “Hi, yourself. I was worried about you when you didn’t show up this morning.”
“I apologize. Remember, my shifts are now ten hours. When I went home to change, I lay down for a few minutes and I guess I fell asleep.” She met his gaze. “I left my phone in my purse, so I didn’t get your messages.”
“Why don’t you just come here after work to sleep?” He caught her hesitation. “What’s wrong, Erin?”
“Maybe it would be better if I didn’t come by here in the mornings.”
“Why?”
“It’s not good for Lilly to get too used to me.”
What is she talking about? “She’s already used to you being here, Erin. I’d hoped to convince you to spend more time with her.” He wrapped his arms around her and brought her close. She resisted at first but finally relented and rested her body against him.
“I want to be with you, too,” he confessed. “Erin, the other night meant a lot to me.”
She pulled back. “It meant a lot to me, too, Austin. Please understand, I care about you, but I can’t handle a relationship with you or anyone. You know what my plans are.”
Her rejection broke his heart. What had suddenly changed her mind? “Okay, okay, I won’t pressure you into anything you aren’t ready for, but I don’t see why we can’t still be together as friends.”
She raised a hand. “Really, you’re okay with us being just friends?”
He shrugged. “Of course, I want to have more of a relationship with you. Right now, I have to think about my daughter. She lost a lot of people in her life. She needs you, Erin.”
He saw her worried look and wished he could soothe her fears. “Do this for Lilly.”
“Okay, I’ll still come here after my shift is over in the morning, go through the morning routine, sleep a few hours. Then we’ll do a second therapy session while she’s down for her nap. Then I need my own time.”
He hated that she needed to be away from him, but he’d take whatever he could get. He tossed her his best grin. “Maybe we can negotiate that sometimes you might stay for supper. I hate eating alone, and I know you do, too.”
A Colorado Family Page 15