Winning Over the Cowboy

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  * * *

  Chase sat in the wingback in the foyer. Waiting up like a worried dad of a teenager. He didn’t care if Landry figured him out. He wouldn’t take the chance of missing her.

  She’d stayed gone all day. A rendezvous with Kyle? But Kyle had claimed he wasn’t interested. Maybe she’d driven home to visit her family.

  The door opened and she stepped inside. She quickly spotted him, hesitated, then bolted for her quarters.

  “We need to talk.” He followed.

  “I’m tired.” Words tossed over her shoulder as she crossed the great room. She stopped only long enough to unlock her door, slip inside, slam it behind her.

  Stiff, unyielding. Her body gave off stay-away vibes. But he couldn’t just leave her alone. If this was about Kyle, he had to fight. To reveal his feelings. Stake his claim on her heart before it was too late. He couldn’t just stand here and watch her hoping to waltz off into the sunset with another man. A man who claimed to be uninterested. A man unworthy of her.

  And if it wasn’t about Kyle, had Chase done something to upset her? Either way, he needed to see her. Talk to her. Find out what was wrong.

  Decision made, he hurried to her door, rapped his knuckles three times.

  “Who is it?” Her voice muffled.

  “Chase. I told you, we need to talk.”

  “And I told you, I’m tired.”

  “It won’t take long.”

  She opened the door, slipped out and shut it behind her. But not fast enough to block his view of the open suitcase on the wicker settee.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “Why do you care?” Her sharp words punched him in the gut.

  “I do care, Landry. Where are you going?”

  She wouldn’t even look at him. Her eyes stayed riveted on his chest.

  He cupped her cheek, gently raised her chin until she had no choice but to meet his eyes. Hers were glassy.

  “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”

  “Stop acting like what I do matters to you.” Bitterness steeled her gaze.

  “You matter to me. What is wrong with you?”

  “I’m not falling for it again. Leave me alone.” She shoved his hand away, stepped back, opened her door and tried to slip inside.

  But he got a foot in the threshold, stopping her from slamming the door in his face.

  “Please, Chase,” she begged on a sob. “Just leave me alone.”

  “I can’t. Especially not when you’re upset like this. Talk to me. Come down to the dock, where it’s private.”

  “We don’t have anything to talk about.” She turned to face him.

  “Maybe you don’t. But I do. Have it your way.” He bent, hauled her against him and slung her over his shoulder like a sack full of feed.

  She sputtered, pummeled his back. “Put me down, you bully.”

  He stepped into the foyer.

  “I didn’t think you were going fishing until tomorrow.” Mom wiped her hands on a dishcloth. “And that’s not what I expected you to catch.”

  “We’re just horsing around. Think I’ll throw her in the pond.”

  “You’d better not.” But Landry went silent. Probably embarrassed.

  Mom shot him a knowing grin and opened the door for him.

  His mom wouldn’t normally approve of him manhandling a woman. But she’d been trying to matchmake from the moment Landry arrived.

  And now that he’d committed to it, he wouldn’t rest until he settled things with Landry. Tonight.

  Chapter Fifteen

  As soon as they were out of earshot from the ranch house, Landry rained smacks over his back again. But he totally ignored her.

  “Chase Donovan, if you don’t put me down, I’ll... I’ll...” What? Cry. Hot tears ran up her forehead.

  They made it to the dock, but surely he wouldn’t toss her in.

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Normally I might. But I brought you down here so we could talk, and tossing you in the river would only make you madder and more unreasonable.”

  “Put me down.” Her voice broke. “Please.”

  He set her down. Ever so gently. As she tried to figure out a way to get around him and back to the house, he took one look at her tears and pulled her into his arms.

  Right where she did but also didn’t want to be.

  All resistance went out of her. Maybe if she calmed down, she could catch him off guard. Make her escape. In the meantime, she let him hold her. How could he feel so good when none of it was real?

  “Please don’t cry.” He cupped the back of her head in his big hand. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  And she was making a blubbering idiot out of herself. Pull it together. Don’t let him know he hurt me.

  She sniffled, reined in the sobs, pulled out of his arms and swiped her face. Looking lovely—she could only imagine the damage to her makeup. And skin. She turned her back on him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Might as well be honest. Get it all out there. She didn’t have anything else to lose. “I heard you.”

  “Heard me what?”

  “I was in the barn last night. I heard your discussion with Nash.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “So you heard me tell Nash I’d been to see Kyle?” His tone regretful. “Please don’t be angry.”

  “Kyle?”

  “I guess you didn’t hear everything?”

  Only the part that cracked her heart in two. Why would he tell Nash where he’d been? “Why did you go to see him? Something about the hog hunt?”

  “No. I told him to back off from you.” His voice thick with emotion, he set his hands on her shoulders, turned her to face him. “But only because our little pretense became all too real for me.”

  “What?” Her gaze bounced up to meet his.

  “I wanted Kyle to leave you alone so maybe you’d fall for me.” His eyes were tender, promising forever.

  Tears blurred her vision. But it wasn’t real. She took a step back. She couldn’t fall for his lie.

  “I know you’re still hung up on Kyle, and I won’t pressure you.” His hands fell to his sides. “The last thing I want is a rebound relationship. I’m willing to be your friend and business partner and that’s all. If you’re comfortable with that.”

  “But I’m not comfortable with that.” Her voice wobbled. “Because I don’t believe you. The visiting Kyle thing was a brilliant move on your part. But you see, I heard Nash say you were playing me.”

  “Oh. That.” He massaged the back of his neck, then looked up at the sky. “Nash wouldn’t know love if it bit him in the backside. He made an ugly assumption. Tried to call me on it. So I told him where I’d been, fired him in return.”

  “To keep him quiet.”

  “For disrespect. Toward me. And you. Along with paying way too much attention to our female staff and guests. It’s been coming for a while.” He caught her gaze again. “All I want is a chance with you.”

  “But you don’t want me. You only want the ranch.” She shook her head. “It’s so clear now. I can’t believe I fell for your act.”

  “It’s not an act. I love you.”

  “Don’t say that to me!” She hugged herself. “You’re only pretending to love me so you can get my share of the dude ranch.”

  “You can’t take the words of a bitter, miserable man for truth. Besides, it doesn’t even make sense. Listen to yourself, Landry. You can’t sign the dude ranch over to me. You have to sell it. And you can’t do that until your year is up. Pretending to love you wouldn’t benefit me at all.” He took a step closer to her. “But loving you would. If I can convince you to love me back.”

  “Just stop.” She held her hands
up like a shield. Her laugh came out sarcastic. “I’m not stupid. If you married me, you wouldn’t have to worry about buying my share of the dude ranch. And you thought I was the con artist. Or was that part of the act, too?”

  “There’s no act.” His shoulders slumped. “I don’t know how to convince you.”

  “Don’t bother. You won.” She took another step back and her heel slid off the dock. Teetering, she grabbed at air.

  Chase steadied her, then backed away. “Please come this way. I won’t touch you again. Just be careful.”

  “I went to see your lawyer this afternoon.” She took two steps toward him, her heart still in her throat. “He’s drawing up a letter of my intent to sell, and they’ll be ready in the morning. You can have your precious ranch for a penny come next July.”

  He held his hands up in surrender. “That’s not what I want.”

  “I’m going in to sign the papers first thing, and then I’m going home. To people I can trust.”

  “You can trust me. All I want is to love you, Landry. If you can’t love me back, I can live with that. Just stay here and help me run this place. You’re so good at all the stuff that bores me to tears. I need you here.”

  “Save it. And move out of my way. If you try manhandling me again, I won’t be embarrassed this time. I’ll scream bloody murder until all the guests hear. Which wouldn’t be good for your precious business.”

  He hesitated, then stepped aside, clearing her path.

  She ran all the way to the ranch house. At least the foyer was empty, the great room abandoned as she darted through. She didn’t stop until she’d locked herself in Granny’s private quarters. She should have finished packing. Instead, she lay across Granny’s bed. And sobbed.

  * * *

  The next morning, as soon as William Abbott pulled up outside his office, Chase got out of his truck.

  “Mr. Donovan.” William tipped his cowboy hat. “What can I do for you this fine morning?”

  “I don’t want to buy the ranch from Miss Malone.”

  William’s mouth opened, shut, opened again. “I’m not at liberty to discuss the situation without Miss Malone present.”

  “Come on, William. You’re my family lawyer.”

  Her white Chevy Malibu slowed, turned in to the lot. He saw Landry’s jaw drop when she spotted him. She sat in her car, looking as if she wasn’t getting out.

  He strolled over, tried to open her door but found it locked.

  “Come on, Landry.” He splayed his hands. “You can’t stay in there all day.”

  The mechanism clicked. He opened her door for her.

  “What are you doing here?” She ignored the hand he offered her.

  An idea took shape. “I came to sign the papers.”

  “But I thought—” William’s mouth clamped shut. He scurried for his office.

  Thank goodness the man hadn’t blown it.

  Landry’s lips tightened, but at least she got out of the car.

  The lawyer held the door open for her and Chase followed her in, nodding to the secretary.

  “Susan, hold my calls, will you?” William asked.

  “Of course, sir.”

  Landry settled in the chair across from the desk, Chase beside her.

  William pulled the file from his cabinet, opened it, read the legalese, made sure they both understood. Then pushed the document toward Landry.

  “This is only a letter of intent. On July fifteenth of next year, if Miss Malone hasn’t changed her mind, I’ll draw up legally binding papers for the sale. Upon both of your signatures and once the penny changes hands, Chase will need to file them with the county clerk.

  “Miss Malone will continue to run her share of the ranch until September fifteenth, at which time she’ll appoint a manager in her stead.”

  Landry’s jaw dropped. “But I told you, I’m leaving. Today.”

  “And as I tried to explain yesterday, according to Eden’s will—” William’s tone remained steady, persuasive “—you and Chase have to fulfill the two months of running the dude ranch together before any decisions can be made. A decision to sell can’t be made until the year has passed. You can sign the papers today, but nothing will be legally binding until—”

  “I’ll sign it.” Landry picked up the pen, signed on the appropriate line, slid it over to Chase. “But I’m leaving. Today.”

  His hand grazed hers, and a lightning bolt shot up his arm. He picked up the letter, ripped it in two.

  “What are you doing?” Landry’s gaze met his.

  He tore the document again just for good measure. “Could we use your conference room, William?”

  “Of course.” The lawyer grinned. He stood, led them down a hall to the right, opened a door, ushered them inside.

  The door shut behind William. And Chase turned to face the love of his life.

  * * *

  “Why did you do that?” Legs too unsteady to hold her up any longer, Landry sank into the nearest chair at the long table.

  “Because I’m not interested in buying your half of the dude ranch.”

  “But this is what you’ve wanted. From the beginning.”

  “It’s not what I want anymore.” He turned her chair to face him, knelt in front of her. “I want you. I want us to run the ranch together.”

  “Why are you doing this?” She closed her eyes, wanting to believe him. Afraid to.

  “Because I love you. I want to marry you and live happily ever after.”

  Just as convincing as he’d been on the dock last night. Only now he’d proven he wasn’t after her share of the ranch. He’d had his chance and torn up the papers.

  Something raw tore through her. “I can’t do this. I trusted my feelings once. Trusted a man once, and look where that got me.”

  “But I’m not Kyle. I won’t leave you. Ever.”

  Words she longed to hear. Longed to believe.

  “What are you afraid of?” he asked.

  “Everything.” Tears burned, then fell from her eyes.

  “Tell me.” He stood, pulled her to her feet.

  “I thought I loved Kyle. But I didn’t. I thought he loved me, but he didn’t.”

  “I don’t know how to convince you. Maybe it’ll just take time.” He traced a tear with his thumb, stirring the rhythm of her heart. “We can go back to being friends, then maybe build on it. But if you never think of me as any more than a friend, I’m okay with that. As long as you’re in my life. Please stay, Landry. Stay and help me run the ranch.”

  And again, she saw it—a glimpse of forever in his eyes.

  “But running the dude ranch was never your dream,” she said.

  “You’re my dream. I want to handle all the entertainment stuff while you take care of the business part. I want what my parents have—both of us utilizing our talents to make a great team.”

  “Then why did you stay away all those years? I thought you wanted to travel.”

  “It’s not that I wanted to travel so much as I didn’t want any regrets. I didn’t want to look back someday and wish I’d traveled like Gramps did. But once I was on the road, I missed this place. It’s home.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Especially with you there. Stay with me.”

  She took a wobbly breath—as all arguments and questions emptied from her heart. “I’ll stay. But the friend part. I don’t think it will work.”

  His mouth straight lined.

  “It won’t work because I love you, too.”

  He closed his eyes. “You have no idea how much I want to believe that.” His hand dropped away from her face. “But give yourself time to heal, and when you’re ready—if you ever get ready—I’ll be here.”

  Heart swelling, she leaned into his shoulder. Soaked up
his warmth, his love. How could she convince him her feelings were as real as his?

  “You know,” she said, “when we ran into Kyle, it stirred everything up. But it also helped me understand something. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he tried to change me into what he wanted. I never wanted to own a bed-and-breakfast. I wanted a dude ranch. And he had me wearing dresses and business suits. It’s a wonder he didn’t ask me to bleach my hair blond.”

  She pulled back enough to trace Chase’s jaw with her fingertips. “I wanted to fall in love, to make my happily-ever-after come true, so I tried to make it happen. And I thought I had. But I never loved Kyle.”

  “If you never loved him, why did I catch your tears over him?”

  “It wasn’t about him. It was about me. When I saw him again—I realized I’d almost married a man I didn’t love. I cried because I was confused. I’d finally met the man of my dreams, but I couldn’t trust myself to pursue anything with you.”

  “But you trust your heart now? How do you know you really love me?” His voice cracked, obviously needing, craving her assurance, like she’d craved his.

  “I never missed Kyle. He traveled a lot for his business and I’d go for months at a time without seeing him, but I never missed him.” She gazed into Chase’s eyes—hoping he could see inside her heart. “You were gone for one day, and I thought I’d go insane with missing you.”

  A cocky smile tugged at his handsome lips.

  “I never knew real love,” she said. “Not until you kissed me and I couldn’t breathe or think. Everything inside me imploded, and I realized the only one I’ve ever loved is you. The only one I’d like to spend the rest of my days with is—”

  His lips grazed hers, cutting off her words, soft and sweet. So tender her heart soared, her brain stalled and her breathing stilled.

  This was real.

  But he soon pulled away.

  “The only one I’d rather spend time with instead of going fishing is you,” he whispered. “The only one who keeps me from thinking straight—”

  “—is you.” Her voice blended with his.

  “But I don’t want to be your business partner anymore.”