Heart of a Cowboy

by Kristin Vayden

  Damn, he was getting soft.

  Before long, the breathing treatment ended. The rest of the meal was uneventful, and Laken helped Jack to his room as soon as he’d eaten his last bite. His shoulders slumped, and Cyler tried to ignore the way the coughing fit had sapped nearly all of Jack’s energy.

  As Cyler collected the dishes, he tried to reconcile the man who had just left to the man who’d raised him.

  They looked the same.

  Sounded the same.

  Had the same stubborn-ass streak.

  But that was it. This Jack was almost a shell compared to the Jack he remembered. But that didn’t change the fact that what the old man had done was unforgiveable.

  Yet, the more he was around Jack, the more he wondered if that was still true.

  “You wash, I’ll dry?” Laken asked, picking up a towel and sliding him a grin.

  He nodded, still lost in his own thoughts.

  After silently handling the few dishes they had to clean, Cyler broke the silence. “Is Jack asleep?”

  Laken shrugged. “Probably. He was pretty exhausted. Those coughing fits…”

  She reached up to put away the plates, exposing a peek of toned peach skin. As quickly as he’d caught a glimpse, it was hidden once more under her shirt.

  “You want to get out of here?” he asked, sliding a glance to her as he placed the forks back in the drawer.

  She turned, her clear eyes studying him for a moment. “Is there coffee involved?”

  He chuckled, shaking his head. “If that’s what it takes.”

  “I’m in.”

  “Good, because I wasn’t exactly taking no for an answer.” He gave her a wicked grin.

  Laken sighed dramatically. “So, you’re saying I could have negotiated more than coffee. Noted.”

  “Probably.”

  She gave a soft laugh.

  “C’mon.” Cyler nodded his head toward the front door. “I’ll drive.”

  “Because you want to, or you’re afraid I drive like I cook?”

  He chuckled, pausing to open the front door for her. “Both.”

  She gave a mock glare as she walked outside. “At least you’re honest.”

  Cyler slid his hands in his pockets, and hesitated. “I’m going to quickly check on Margaret once more before we leave.”

  Laken nodded and watched as he ran to the barn, and moments later returned with a grin. “Doing well.”

  “Glad to hear it!” Laken replied as they walked to the truck. But rather than go to his side, he crossed over and opened the passenger door for her. “Ma’am.”

  “Thanks.” She blushed slightly. “Pouring on the charm huh? What do you want?”

  “Nothing too demanding, promise.” He winked and shut the door. As he strode around the front of the truck, he tried to remember the last time he’d opened a car door for a woman. It had been a while—on purpose.

  “So, coffee?” Laken asked as the engine purred to life.

  “You ever seen those shirts that say, But First, Coffee?” he asked as he pulled out to the drive.

  “Yeah, I have one.”

  “That’s pretty much my answer to everything.”

  Laken’s laughter echoed quietly in the cab, and he soaked it up, wanted more of it. “For example, building a house? But first, coffee. Or mountain climbing? You bet! But first, coffee.”

  “Ha! It’s like those mad libs. I loved those as a kid. So basically just fill in the blank? Skydiving? But first, coffee,” she announced.

  “Grocery shopping? But first, coffee.” He played along.

  “African safari? But first, coffee.”

  “Save the world? But first coffee.” Cyler winked.

  Laken rolled her eyes and laughed. “Oh! I have one!” She clapped a few times. “Okay. Black Friday shopping? But first, coffee.”

  Cyler grinned. “Yeah, but I don’t do the dangerous things. I keep it safe.”

  “Like saving the world, sky diving, mountain climbing.”

  “All safer than shopping on Black Friday. Amazon is my friend. I don’t shop—traditionally, at least, like at the mall.” He gave a shudder. “Me and Amazon are in an exclusive relationship.”

  Laken gave him a cute smile. “Amazon is mine.”

  “Whatever you say,” he teased.

  Cyler turned on the main road and watched as the sun started to arch toward the western horizon. Washington was far enough north that the summers had long daylight hours, and even though it was evening, the sun wouldn’t fully set till nine to ten p.m.

  Laken took in a breath, pausing as if about to say something, then released the breath and turned to the passenger side window.

  “Out with it.” Cyler clenched his teeth. Here it came, the sermon, the scolding, whatever the hell it was that had been brewing from day one.

  “Heard that, did you?” She gave him a sheepish grin.

  He twisted his hands on the steering wheel, waiting, accepting her words as confirmation.

  “It’s just that…well…I’m worried about Margaret. But, I know that you are probably more worried than me, and I thought better about asking because I didn’t want to bring it up, and make you worry more.” She completed in one breath, her lips twisting up on the side.

  “Oh.” Cyler blinked, flashed his eyes to her and then back to the road. “That’s not where I thought you were going.”

  He cast a quick glance to her again, watching as her brow furrowed with confusion before it smoothed out in an understanding expression. “You’re waiting for my talk.”

  “If by talk, you mean preach at me why I better let my bastard father die in peace, then yes.”

  Laken confused him by releasing a small chuckle.

  “Yeah, well, basically it comes down to this. It’s not my place. It’s not about me. And me telling you what to do isn’t going to make things better, or right, or even heal your relationship. It just won’t. And honestly, right now, Cyler, you’re not ready. I can see that, and basically, who am I tell you what to do? I haven’t been in your shoes, boots, or whatever.” She shrugged slightly. “This is something between you and Jack. Not you, me, and Jack.”

  Cyler narrowed his gaze at her, then shifted his focus back to the road. “So, that’s it?”

  Laken frowned slightly. “Do you want me to chew you out?”

  “No—hell no. I just—well, my experience is that women don’t usually mind their own business, if you know what I mean.”

  “In my experience, men are far more stubborn than they need to be, but I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt, and I’d appreciate the same. Deal?” Laken reached out her hand, waiting.

  Cyler tentatively reached over and shook it, curious about this mysterious woman beside him.

  “To answer your question—” He released her hand and pulled into the Starbucks drive-through. “Margaret will probably be fine. We got her on her feet, and I’ll check on her when we get back.”

  Laken sighed deeply. “That’s good news.”

  “Yeah, it is.” He pulled up the menu. “The usual?” he asked Laken.

  “Yeah, that would be great.”

  Only a few minutes later, they were driving down the road toward the west side of Ellensburg.

  “So, where are we going?” Laken asked, blowing across her coffee.

  Cyler pulled onto a small dirt road, kicking up dust behind him. “Wait and see.”

  “I’m more of a plan-ahead type of girl.”

  “Live dangerously.”

  “But first, coffee,” she teased.

  “You’re holding your coffee. Now trust me.” He took a fork in the road and went up a sagebrush and cheatgrass-lined hill. They crested the top, and he smiled as Laken gasped softly.

  “Wow.” She breathed reverently.
>
  He pulled off the narrow road and parked the truck, watching as she took in the scene before them. The hill looked over a hidden draw with a winding creek that trickled into the Yakima River not too far ahead. Wind machines dotted the horizon, their white arms rotating lazily in the breeze; it was a peaceful view and one of his favorites.

  “C’mon.” He opened his door and thought about running around the front of the pickup to open hers, but before his feet even hit the dirt, she had beaten him to the punch.

  He settled for tucking his hands in his jeans and sauntering up to where she waited, overlooking the small valley below. The soft warm air teased a few strands of honey hair and brushed them across her cheek as she took in the expanse.

  Beautiful.

  He swallowed then reached out to grasp her hand, not asking for permission. Her warm fingers closed around his, and he bit back a grin of pleasure because she hadn’t objected. He led the way down the hill, careful to avoid the more slippery areas, knowing from experience that one wrong step could send him—them both—sliding down. That was the deceptive nature of these hills. The sagebrush and bunch grass made them appear rolling, gentle and safe, when the angles were far steeper than often expected, and jagged basalt rocks made for a treacherous fall.

  “You can smell the Russian olives.” Laken broke through his concentration.

  He inhaled deeply, the rich scent of warm resin and sage filling him. “It’s that time of year. Thankfully, I’m not allergic. One of my old friends would sneeze from July to September, poor kid.”

  “Yeah, my dad was allergic, too, but I always loved the smell. It’s the scent of summer.” She shrugged, offering him a grin.

  When she flushed a pink, he grinned, squeezing her hand as they made it down the final switchback to the draw.

  “How’d you find this place?”

  Cyler stepped over a large rock. “One of my escapes. Good hunting for grouse too. But mostly, it’s just peaceful.” He paused, listening to the gentle rippling of the creek as it tumbled over the smooth bedrocks. “But this is not somewhere you want to be in a rainstorm. This draw acts like a siphon, and this little creek here will turn into a swift river in no time flat.”

  “I can imagine.” Laken slid her hand from his, pulled out her phone, and took a few pictures.

  Immediately, he missed the contact, the sensation of her skin on his. His gaze shamelessly took in her silhouette against the evening sun, and he edged closer. Yet with each step, it wasn’t enough. Rather like a magnet, she pulled him in, and he didn’t want to fight the impulse.

  Softly, he reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his body heating as she met his gaze, then shyly diverted her eyes. He traced his fingertips down her neck then gently grasped her shoulder, encouraging her to turn and face him fully. Anticipation flooded him. Her breath quickened, and her pink tongue darted out to caress her lower lip, enticing him. Deliberately, he leaned forward, watching as her eyes widened, but quickly she stepped out from his hold, putting several feet of distance between them.

  “No. I can’t.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself. Her eyes were bright with suppressed excitement, encouraging him.

  “Why?” he asked, stepping forward.

  Laken edged back. “This is the very definition of conflict of interest.” She arched a brow but grinned, her posture relaxing.

  “I’m not going to take no for an answer.” He gave a small grin in return, taking a step closer.

  She laughed, rolling her green eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Just being honest.” He shrugged.

  “Thank you. I think.” She chuckled again, the sound slightly nervous.

  “Unless you’re not interested?” He let the question linger, closing the distance as he watched indecision, desire, and hesitancy flash across her face.

  “That’s beside the point—”

  “That is the only point,” he interrupted.

  “I…I could lose my job.” She spoke quietly.

  “Are you on the clock right now?” Cyler reached up, tracing the line from her ear along her jaw, pausing at her full lips.

  “It’s complicated. But in short, no.” she murmured, her expression softening.

  “Good.” Without giving her a chance to protest, he closed the final distance between them and sealed her lips with his.

  At first contact, he realized the danger he’d just invited. It wasn’t just a kiss; rather, each nerve had come alive, demanding more. Angling his head slightly, he was able to capture more of her kiss, deepening the exchange as his tongue ran along the seam of her lips, begging for entrance. He could feel her hesitation melt as she leaned into him, her lips caressing his, inviting, intoxicating him with each touch.

  As she opened her mouth, her arms tentatively grasped his forearms before sliding up to his shoulders then pulling him in tight. Cyler’s already-burning body smoldered deeper, demanding more than just a kiss. Yet he held himself in check, in spite of the pounding blood that seemed to overtake every other sense.

  His hand slid up her back, mapping the delicate curve of her waist. Her tongue met his, stealing every other rational thought as he accepted her invitation and tasted the full flavor that was Laken. Her fingers slid up from his shoulders, threading through his hair and tugging, causing his heart to pound harder, his body to grow even harder as he pressed into her soft curves. He breathed in her soft gasp as he bit on her lower lip, pulling her in, leading her. He mated with her lips, fusing his with hers, searing his brand with each brush of his lips, each caress of his hand across her waist.

  Abruptly she pulled away, her green eyes wild as they blinked up at him, staring deep into his soul. Naked in his eyes—yet fully clothed—she studied him, and the kiss had him off guard just enough that all the careful walls he’d constructed were still lowered.

  Damn it all.

  “So…that just happened,” she whispered, a hand reaching up to touch her pink lips. “Whoa.” She swallowed, his eyes capturing each minute movement, each tiny shift of her gaze.

  Then she smiled.

  “To be fair, I did warn you I wasn’t taking no for an answer.” He relaxed slightly, feeling less exposed and vulnerable.

  “You did.” Her gaze flickered to the ground as her lips tipped into a lopsided grin.

  “And I’ll be straight with you. I’m going to kiss you again.”

  Her gaze shot back to his, widening slightly. “So, you’re saying I don’t get a choice?” She flirted.

  He chuckled. “I’m saying you don’t really want one.”

  She rolled her eyes. “A little sure of yourself, aren’t you?” She tucked her hands into her back pockets, regarding him.

  He took a small step forward, leaning in to her before whispering, “You kissed me back.”

  Her pert nose scrunched up. “Caught that, did you?”

  “Yup. Pretty much.” He laughed softly, reaching out and tugging on her elbow, and she willingly released her hand from her back pocket.

  “Fair warning?” she asked as he leaned in.

  “Fair warning,” he murmured before taking her lips once more, astounded at how her warmth captivated him, and how his blood went to an immediate boil.

  He’d expected her to moderate the kiss, and he’d been fully prepared to tease her, to test the waters to see how far she’d let him push, but what he hadn’t been prepared for was her response.

  Rather than play hard to get, she returned the kiss with full force, biting his lower lip and fanning the already-burning flames. Her hands mapped his back, kneading, tracing, driving him crazy with each touch, reminding him that he could—should—be closer. He groaned as she tugged on his button-up shirt, sliding her hand up his chest, skin on skin.

  He breathed in her sigh as he splayed his hands across her hips, pulling her c
loser then rocking her against him. He was taken by surprise when she kissed then bit him gently on the neck before quickly disentangling herself from his grasp and walking away.

  Confused, he turned to watch as she glanced over her shoulder, giving him a teasing grin. “Fair warning.”

  Cyler’s face broke into a wide smile, one that caused his cheeks to ache with an unfamiliar yet welcome pain as he watched her hike back up the hill.

  “Are you just going to stand there and stare, or are you going to hurry up? Daylight’s burning.” She taunted as she continued her trek toward the truck.

  Cyler rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, shaking his head, and grinning. “Is that how it’s going to be?”

  “Are you complaining?” Laken turned, taking a few steps backward on a flatter portion of the hike.

  “No, ma’am,” Cyler replied, starting toward her.

  “Good.” She giggled and finished the hike with him not far behind.

  When Cyler reached Laken, he grasped her hand in his and kept it tight the whole way back to the ranch. The sunset’s glow made her face appear even more flushed, and he couldn’t help the smug satisfaction that he’d done that to her. It had been a long time since he’d felt that way, since he’d even wanted a woman to wear his kiss. It was disconcerting, yet electrifying all at once, but as much as he wanted to ride the wave of excitement, he felt the familiar suspicion creep in, the kind that made him question if this were truly real.

  Because heaven only knew how he’d been fooled before.

  Cyler glanced over to Laken, meeting her gaze and smiling before he went back to gazing out the window.

  The past was the past. This was a chance for a new future.

  Let that serve as fair warning…to his heart.

  Chapter 12

  Laken closed her eyes, listening to the phone ringing as she waited for Kessed to pick up. The crickets called as she sat on the back porch, close enough to hear if Jack needed her, but far enough away to have some semblance of privacy. Desperate to have some insight into her predicament, she impatiently waited.