“Not such a fan of heights,” Laken replied.
“If you fell, you’d just hit water. No big deal,” he answered with a smile.
“How about I admire the cliffs from the river-level,” she countered.
“That works too.”
And that was how the past few hours had gone. A little bit of conversation, a little bit of silence—truly fantastic to just be comfortable in her own skin with another person. Yet, in thinking of skin, her mind took a turn down memory lane as she mulled over last night. Truly, she’d never, ever, ever slept with a guy that quickly after meeting him! It was not her usual behavior, yet she couldn’t muster up enough shock to be sorry. Rather, she’d been wondering—hoping, really—he’d kiss her again, or even that she’d have the chance to initiate the kiss, just as long as the kissing happened! They were alone and, well, with the diagnosis from Dr. Wills, that alone time was going to be in short supply.
A wave of guilt washed over her as she thought about how selfish that sounded. But she didn’t resent Jack needing more of her time; she regretted it because that meant that time was getting cut short. She hated it, wanting more, yet time never stopped moving forward, pressing onward, not respecting those with quickly filtering sand through the hourglass.
“You’re not relaxed anymore. Why?” Cyler tugged on the rope connecting them and pulled himself closer.
Laken gave him a sidelong glance. “Noticed that, did you?”
“Yup, like an open book.”
“Shoot. I was just thinking about time.”
“And how it passes really quickly?” he asked.
“Yeah, it always does. Sometimes I feel older than I actually am.” She offered a small smile.
“Old soul,” Cyler remarked, reaching to lace his fingers through hers.
“You could say that.”
“Life is full of things that can either give us joy or steal it. But Laken, that’s part of its beauty. So, enjoy it. Leave the rest of the tension, the worry, leave it behind. Because right now, it’s just you and me…and this really lazy river. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here with you.” Cyler gave a quick grin that turned mischievous.
Laken narrowed her gaze, all melancholy gone. “What?”
“Nothing.” Cyler blinked innocently then splashed her, making a huge wave of chilly water wash over her.
“Ah!” Laken squealed, covering her face. As she glanced up to glare at Cyler, he splashed her again. “Why?” she shouted, covering her face.
“Because there’s a time to be serious, and there’s a time to cut loose and enjoy life. And just in case there’s confusion, this is one of the times to enjoy life.” He laughed.
“I’ll show you enjoying life,” Laken threatened before creating a huge splash that washed over Cyler, his laugher echoing around the canyon.
“Is that all you’ve got? Weak!”
Laken growled and turned her raft, slipping her feet into the water and kicking her feet so that it splashed water all over him as well.
“I’ve seen better!” Cyler called out in the middle of the onslaught.
Fine. Laken grinned and made a huge splash with her feet then slid off her tube quickly. She ducked under the water and popped up behind Cyler. He was leaning forward, watching for her to appear in front of him.
“How about this?” she asked before pushing down on the rear of his tube, making him somersault backward into the water beside her.
His eyes crested the surface just as his hat floated by. Laken reached up and grabbed it, grinning widely as she placed the soggy thing back on his head.
“Is that better?”
“Eh, it’ll do,” Cyler teased, reaching out for the rope that connected their tubes.
“But I have a better idea.” He arched a brow, standing up in the semi-shallow water.
“Oh?” Laken asked, finding her footing as well on the slippery rocks beneath.
“Yeah,” he whispered then reached out and pulled her in, her feet slipping but finding solid rock as he pressed his lips to hers. Immediately the cold water was forgotten as the warmth of his kiss seared through her. Familiar, exciting, the passion caused her to lose herself to the sensation of his slick skin pressing against hers, her body remembering last night. But a moment later, she was being lifted.
“Hold your breath,” Cyler warned before throwing her into the water, her legs kicking just before she hit the surface.
“Not fair,” she sputtered as she spat a mouthful of water on him.
“All’s fair in love and war, sweetheart.”
“I’ll remember that,” she shot back, laughing as she waded to her tethered raft that Cyler held for her.
As she sat back down, Cyler leaned over, searing her lips with a kiss. “All’s fair in love and war, but I promise that the war will be fun, and the love part will be even more so,” he whispered against her lips then backed away, holding her gaze before he turned to hop onto his tube.
“Shall we?” he asked as he held out his hand to her.
Laken grinned, taking his hand. His warm gaze melted her from the inside out.
And she knew that he wasn’t just holding her hand.
He was holding her heart.
Chapter 17
The next few weeks passed quickly. Cyler made the necessary arrangements so that he could spend three-day weekends at the ranch, which not only gave him the time he needed to be with Laken but also allowed him to keep up with Margaret’s care and the rest of the ranch. Each week saw a marked decline in Jack, and consequently, his resolve to hate the old man was crumbling faster and faster.
It had been a long work week and was finally time for him to head to the ranch, to head home. It was odd, having it feel like home now, but he had to give credit to Laken. She was the difference, and he’d never loved anyone more.
The nights he’d spent away had been torturous, and he’d missed the soft warmth of her body snuggled next to his and the way she woke up with her hair splayed all over her face and pillow.
It had been a struggle, coaxing her into his bed at first. She’d fought tooth-and-nail, saying how it wasn’t at all professional behavior. But he’d kiss her into silence, and when she’d come up for air, he’d threaten to wake up Jack.
It had worked like a charm.
One night last weekend, Cyler had woken in the guest room with Laken’s side of the bed cold. After padding quietly to Jack’s room, he’d found her asleep on the chair. After giving a quick glance to Jack to make sure he was asleep, he gathered her up in his arms and carried her back to his bed.
That was the first night he’d told her he loved her.
Of course, he’d also assumed she was still asleep.
Which she wasn’t.
Still drowsy, she’d stretched on the bed, reaching for him. As she wound her fingers through his hair, she’d whispered the sweet words back, setting his world on fire and calming it at the same time.
I love you.
Three little words that could change the world.
His world.
It might be quick, but like he always reminded himself, when I know, I’ll know.
And he knew.
And soon she’d have the ring to prove it.
The thought alone had him pushing the truck past the speed limit as he passed through the Manastash Ridge and into Ellensburg. From the top, the town looked like one of his grandmother’s quilts, pieces of different shapes, sizes, and colors all connected and making a beautiful piece of art. After descending the hill and taking the exit into the town, he grew impatient with each closing mile. Soon he was crunching down the gravel driveway, his heart slowing its pace as he caught sight of the house.
In short work, he was opening the front door and grinning wildly. Hurrying down the hall, he glanced into the kitchen to see Laken sit
ting with Jack at the table, her usual welcoming smile traded for worry lines around her green eyes.
As soon as she saw him, the expression melted into relief then slowly grew tense once more. That was when he noticed that Jack was on the phone.
“No—” He bit the word off in a gruff tone. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Cyler mouthed, “Who?” to Laken.
She rose from her chair and patted Jack’s shoulder.
As she walked over to Cyler, he pulled her into a deep hug. “What’s going on, sweetheart?” he murmured into her ear, his body relaxing when he inhaled her warm scent.
Laken glanced to Jack as he answered something else. “Well, today he got a phone call from his lawyer. It looks like Breelee is back in town.” She paused, glancing to Jack briefly. “She knows about Jack’s condition and is threatening to hire a lawyer.”
Breelee’s name sent a cold chill down Cyler’s back and set his teeth on edge. “What does she want?” he ground out.
“Jack’s talking with her now, so I’m not sure. But he’s pretty stressed.” Laken tilted her head, motioning to the way Jack’s fist was clenching and unclenching at his side.
“She always did bring out the best in people.”
“I can see that,” Laken replied softly without heat.
“The answer is no.” Jack growled, slammed the phone on the table, then picked it back up before fumbling as he tried to end the call.
Silently, Laken walked over and took it from him. She ended the call calmly and set the phone back down.
Jack laid his head in his hands, groaning. “You know, what’s a man gotta do to die in peace?”
“She after money or the ranch?” Cyler asked, taking a seat. His jaw was ticking from residual anger.
“Anything and everything she can try to get her hands on. Bo says she can’t do anything, but she’s a crafty bitch, and I don’t like her sniffing around,” Jack answered.
“Fantastic,” Cyler snapped.
“You think I’m happy about this? Woman was a thorn in my side from day one!”
Cyler snorted. “Woman was my fiancée, Jack. Remember?”
“And I did you a favor.”
“You did what? How in the hell does sleeping with my bride-to-be add up to doing me any favors?” Cyler shoved back from the table, anger feeding off the tension in the room.
“Son, have you no sense in that pea-brain of yours?” Jack gave him a condescending glare. “I’ll admit, I was an opportunist and dumber than a box of rocks, but I didn’t seduce her. She came over and propositioned me! Now, I’ll admit I should have said no, but well, I didn’t, and that’s when you came over. When you left, I figured I had nothing left to lose. You’d go and tell your mom, and that would be the end of that. I knew I’d most certainly lost you. All I had was Breelee. So, we hopped it to Mexico and—”
“What in the hell? Do you know how warped you are?”
Jack rolled his eyes, adding insult to his tone. “Son, are you honestly still busted up about the idea that your engagement with Breelee broke off?”
Cyler pulled up short. “No, she’s a conniving bitch.” He spat.
“Then, you’re welcome. In a way, I saved you. You thought she was so perfect.” He snorted. “Remember the first night you brought her over to meet us? What you didn’t know was that she was flirting with me the whole night, whenever you turned your back. At first I didn’t get it, but she, uh, made that distinction later.”
Cyler held up his hand. “I don’t want to know.”
“I don’t want to tell you,” Jack answered.
“But—” Cyler rubbed the back of his neck, processing everything. “But, okay, let’s just say I can see past the Breelee incident, as twisted as that is. What about the divorce papers for Mom? The way you didn’t even go to her funeral—”
“Wait right there.” Jack held up his hand. “First things first. Your mom deserved better than an old tomcat like me. I gave her the option. Option. She didn’t have to go through the divorce—”
“But you married Breelee.”
“How in the hell could I have married Breelee if I was still married to your mother?” he asked, shaking his head in confusion. “Think about it, son. I couldn’t have. That was just something Breelee wanted you, and everyone else, to believe. I didn’t hear about it till much later, and it was too late by then to fix.” He shrugged.
Cyler’s mind was spinning. “But…the funeral.” It was all he had left.
Jack took a deep breath then released it. “Your grandfather, Red?”
Cyler nodded.
“He said he’d disinherit you if I darkened the door of his daughter’s funeral. So, I stayed away. It was a good thing too. Bastard died a few months later, and you inherited quite a pretty penny, didn’t you?” Jack asked.
Cyler swallowed, his world spinning out of control. “It started the bankroll for my construction company. It made all the difference,” he answered honestly.
“Then, you see why I didn’t go. You know, it wasn’t about me as much as it was about you, son. I told Laken—” Jack paused, searching the room as if suddenly remembering she was present.
Cyler searched too, noticing that somehow, she’d snuck out of the room, giving them privacy.
“Damn woman.” Jack swore under his breath but grinned. “What I was going to say, was that I told Laken that all your anger toward me was a reaction. I had to do something to warrant that reaction. And I did. And I deserve the entire wrath and then some. But I’m glad that I could set the record straight on a few things. Now maybe you’ll get some closure too. Lord knows you need it, Cyler.”
“I—” Cyler rubbed his hand down his face. “I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s a first time for everything.”
“Pain in the ass,” Cyler shot back but without heat.
“Takes one to know one,” Jack retorted.
“True, true,” Cyler conceded.
“But, I don’t get how Breelee can come after you if she wasn’t ever married to you? What entitlement does she have?” Cyler asked.
“I’m not sure. Honestly, she probably just thinks she can charm her way into something. You’ll want to watch your back, son.”
“I don’t want to be in a ten-mile radius of that she-devil.”
“You and me both.”
Cyler stared at the table for a moment. “I better find Laken.” He frowned. “Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. I, uh, I needed to know those things. And in some sordid way, I can see what you mean when you said you did me a favor. It’s still sick and abnormal…but I think I get it now. Thanks.” He nodded once, and with a hesitant hand, patted Jack’s shoulder.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear that, son. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
Cyler nodded then walked down the hall, his mind flipping through memories but reversing them, like reading something backwards and using a mirror to understand it. If you try to read it without the reflection, it’s jacked-up, but look in the reflection and suddenly it makes more sense.
“Laken?” he called out as he walked into the living room. She was nowhere to be seen. Next, he checked the laundry room and their bedroom. Finally, he walked out to the barn, and as he slid open the door, he saw her talking softly to Margaret.
“There you are.” He strode up to her, his tension melting away.
“I thought you two needed a moment.” Laken gave him a wink.
“A few moments actually.”
“Is there blood?” she asked cautiously.
“Nope. Not this time. But no promises for the future. You understand.”
“What’s a good family discussion if no one bleeds, right?”
“You get me.”
“I’m
learning too,” she teased. “How did it go?”
Cyler trailed his hand down Margaret’s face, taking a deep breath. “Well, we talked about the stuff we needed to talk about, and my world was pretty much hung up to dry, and now I’m re-evaluating my life.”
Laken blinked then grinned. “Sounds like it was an enlightening talk.”
“It was. Jack’s still a twisted son of a bitch, but oddly enough, I can see why he did some of what he did, and how in some demented way, he thought he was doing the right thing.”
“I’m glad. I’m not saying any of his actions were right, but I’m glad you were able to talk. That’s—that’s really important, Cyler. Because someday soon, you won’t have this opportunity.”
“I know. Sucks. Whoever knew the devil was flesh and bones, huh?” He sighed.
“Who knew?”
“Laken, I, uh, want to talk to you about Breelee.” Cyler approached the topic with more than a share of hesitancy. It wasn’t like he was divulging some shadowy secret, but the topic brought him to a dark place, one he didn’t want to explore unless necessary.
And damn the woman, her presence made it necessary.
Laken turned to him, seeming to give her full attention as she leaned against the stall door.
His eyes strayed to the way her hip curved out, and he forced his gaze to meet hers. “You probably already know this, but hear me out.”
Laken nodded.
“I don’t trust her, and if I’m not here, and she comes prowling around, I want you to call me immediately. Then call the police. It’s trespassing, you understand? I’m not wanting to be that overbearing and jackass of a boyfriend, but so help me, if she lays one stilettoed heel on this property—”
Laken interrupted, “Give me a little credit. I think I can handle her.”
“I don’t doubt you. I just don’t trust her.” Cyler wrapped a hand around her waist, drawing her close.
“Well, when you put it that way,” Laken replied, her eyes twinkling as she wrapped her arm around his waist and hugged him tightly.
Cyler kissed the top of her head, her coconut-scented shampoo reminding him of falling asleep beside her. “You’re kind of important, you know,” he murmured into her hair, kissing it again.
Heart of a Cowboy Page 15