Marriage-Minded Cowboy
Page 20
“I’m glad you’re here. When you didn’t show, I was afraid you’d rethought it.”
She had. Several times on the way home from the Buckskin. But after going through those books, she’d finally realized the four horsemen of the apocalypse wouldn’t keep her away from seeing Teague tonight. “Not anymore. Just lost.” She glanced at the odometer. “Okay, it reads a quarter of a mile.”
“Turn on your high beams, look to your right and inch along until you see a road. It’s close.”
“Omigod! There it is!”
“That’s the one to the bunkhouse. When you get there, you’ll see a bunch of trucks in front. After you park, go around the left side of the building and there’s a lighted path to the fire pit.”
“Sounds doable.”
“It’s easy. By the way, if Henri acts weird when you talk to her, she’s freaking out a little. She got a letter today from some guy claiming he’s related to Charley Fox.”
“Her late husband?”
“Right. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Thanks, Nell. Oh, wait! Is Teague playing?”
“Yes, he is.” She disconnected.
Val left the high beams on as she drove along a curvy dirt road. Eventually lights from the bunkhouse gleamed through the curtain of trees and she cut the brights. Didn’t want to blind anybody who might be in the parking area.
Locating Teague’s red truck, she parked as close as possible without blocking anyone. She switched off the engine and opened her door to… music. Guitar and harmonica blended with a voice she recognized as CJ’s.
He’d performed during this summer’s Fourth of July event on the square. She’d hung out with Harland and his wife Alice, taking care to avoid the Buckskin gang because Teague had been with them.
Those days were over… for good.
Trembling with anticipation, she climbed out of her truck and headed for the left side of the bunkhouse. The music and a faint glow in the sky guided her as she walked toward the back of the building.
Her breath caught. No wonder everyone raved about these gatherings. The large rock fireplace created a welcoming glow and projectors sent colored lights drifting through the trees. Candles flickered on the long picnic table and Adirondack chairs formed a wide semi-circle facing the fire pit. Some people sat there, but most were dancing in the large space between the chairs and the fire.
She hurried down the lantern-lit path, eager to get a glimpse of Teague playing, but the dancers blocked her view. The song ended amid laughter and applause. She still couldn’t see him.
Then Jake turned in her direction. “Hi, there, sunshine! Hey, everybody, Val’s here!”
“Hi, guys!” She moved into the friendly sea of folks who’d pitched in to make the riding demonstration a success. “Sorry I’m late. I got so lost.”
“Lost?” Teague appeared, his smile welcoming but wary. “Why didn’t you call me?”
Ah, the floaty sensation. She met his gaze and joy filled every part of her body. She wanted it to fill every part of him, too. “I texted Nell. I didn’t want to interrupt your—” She gestured to the harmonica in his hand. “You sounded wonderful just now.”
“Thank you.”
CJ slung his guitar strap over his shoulder. “Teague’s the missing piece. I don’t know how I played without this guy. We’re making magic tonight.”
“I believe you.” The group gathered around them fell silent. Clearly she and Teague had become the center of attention.
And she wasn’t sure where to begin. She glanced at the harmonica in his hand. “Are you taking requests?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“We sure are!” CJ practically bounced. “We’ve come up with a whole playlist we have in common. We’ve got Southside of Heaven, we’ve got Choctaw County Affair, we’ve got—”
“Have you played Red River Valley yet?”
Teague’s expression brightened a few notches. “No, ma’am.”
“I’d like that one, please.”
“You’ve got it.” He stepped back and glanced at CJ. “You know the words?”
“Mostly. I might have to fake a few of ’em.”
Teague looked back at her, eyebrows raised. “Would you—”
“I could sing if that’s okay.”
“Heck, yeah, it’s more than okay,” CJ chortled. “I’ll gladly turn over the mic. Hey, everybody. Take a seat. We’re having us a guest performance up here!”
“Dial it back, CJ,” Jake called out. “You’re gonna scare the lady.”
Val sent him a smile. “It’s okay, Jake. I’m not scared.” Then she glanced at Teague and lowered her voice. “Not much, anyway.”
The warmth in his eyes was worth the trickle of sweat running down her spine and the quiver in her stomach, which had nothing to do with the performance.
The group found seats in the chairs, on the chair arms or on the picnic benches. Madeline claimed a spot front and center. As her gaze locked with Val’s, she smiled and gave a quick nod.
Val took a deep breath and returned her smile as the nervous trembling eased.
Bringing three musicians together without a run-through was crazy. Logically they should have fumbled the intro. Or messed up a bridge.
They didn’t. She sang as if her heart depended on it. Teague put so much emotion into the wail of the harmonica that tears pushed at the back of her eyes every time she looked at him… which was often. CJ muted his contribution, strumming softly, letting them take the lead.
When they finished, a trance-like hush fell over the group. Then Jake shouted hell, yeah! and everyone leaped up and rushed forward to shower them with hugs and praise.
And congratulations? Somehow it became that, with the Brotherhood slapping Teague on the back and the women of the Buckskin gang hugging Val and wishing her happiness.
Teague gave her a questioning glance. Then he turned to CJ. “I need to take a—”
“Of course you do.” CJ shooed him away. “Go, go. You two get out of here.”
Teague tucked the harmonica in his shirt pocket, laced his fingers through hers and led her down the lighted path. “Do they know something I don’t?”
“Nope.”
“It’s like they think—”
“That’s on them. You’ll be the first to hear what I have to say.”
He paused. “You have something to say to me?”
She nodded and smiled.
His fingers tightened and he quickened his stride. “Can’t wait.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the parking area.”
She was breathing hard by the time they rounded the building.
He swung around to face her. “I thought you weren’t coming. But you did. I—””
“Wait.” She placed a hand over his talented lips. Then she caressed his cheek. “I need to tell you a few things first, please.”
He sucked in a breath. “Okay.”
“Your mom called me this afternoon.”
His eyes widened. “What did you talk about?”
“Lunch with Cliff showed her she’s out of practice with this romance business. She asked to borrow some of my books.”
“Oh?”
“Does that bother you?”
“No. It’s just… different.”
“As I chose books for your mom, I started re-reading the part where the couple confesses their love for each other. I read a lot of those endings and finally… it sunk in.”
His breath hitched. “What?”
She moved closer and slid her arms around his waist. “Teague, I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry?” He stiffened.
She tightened her hold on him. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in June that I love you.”
“June?” Then the second part kicked in. “You love me?”
“I do. But I didn’t know it. I mean, I didn’t let myself know because I was so scared of—”
His lips came down on hers, sweet at first, then more dema
nding, stealing her breath, pushing away all the words, making her dizzy with wanting him. She hugged him tight and kissed him back, pouring her whole being into telling him, showing him, how much he was loved.
He groaned and pulled her closer. A shudder rocked his body and he lifted his head, breathing hard. “I want to take you home. I need you so—”
“I think they’d forgive us if we leave.”
“I hope so. I love you, Val. Love you with everything in me. I never thought I’d hear you say—”
“I love you, Teague Wesley Sullivan. I had this floaty feeling going on and I refused to admit what it was.”
“You didn’t want to love me?”
“I was afraid to love you. Big difference.”
“But now…”
“I’m not scared anymore. Watching you at the riding demonstration today, thinking about what we’ve shared the past few days…. We could never ruin each other’s lives. We’re amazing together. It’ll be so cool.”
He smiled. “And hot.”
“Oh, it was always hot. But now it’ll be hot and cool at the same time.” She hesitated. “But there’s one thing I’m still pretty scared of.”
“Getting married.”
“Yes.”
“That’s fine. We don’t ever have to—”
“I think we will. But could we just be in love for a while, let me bask in it and enjoy the sensation before we talk about getting married?”
“Absolutely. I promise I won’t even bring it up. You tell me when and if you’re ready. If that’s never, I don’t care, just so I’m allowed to keep loving you.”
“Allowed and encouraged. And now I can return the favor.” She gazed up at him. “We can’t leave without telling somebody.”
“My mom.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll text her.” He started typing.
“Please tell her I’ll give her the books in the morning.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And we can take my truck.”
“Good idea. I’ll leave my keys under the seat for her and Ed.”
“Ask her to spread the word.”
He laughed. “Probably don’t have to tell her that, but I will.” He finished the message and sent it.
The response was immediate. He turned the phone so she could see the string of hearts on the screen. “I think she’s happy.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Three of us.” He grinned. “Does this qualify as a romance, now?”
“Yes.”
“Good, because we’ve been a major source of concern around here.”
“And now we’ll be a major source of joy.” She grabbed his hand and slid her fingers through his. “Let’s go home.”
He tightened his grip as they hurried toward her truck. “You mean that the way it sounds?”
“Yes sir. Like it or not, you’re stuck with me.”
“And Florence?”
“That plant was never going anywhere. I knew she belonged with you. It just took me a while to figure out that I do, too.”
“One more kiss for the road.” Pausing beside her truck, he cupped the back of her head. “I love you.”
She soaked the words up like liquid sunshine. “I love you.” Her breath caught. “I can’t believe how good it feels to say that.”
“Feels even better to hear it.” His lips gently touched hers.
And she was floating. Filled with an incredible lightness, she soared higher, carried aloft by happiness, joy, and most of all… love.
A mysterious stranger with a link to the past arrives at the Buckskin just in time for the holidays in GIFT-GIVING COWBOY, book ten in the Buckskin Brotherhood series!
But Wait, There’s More!
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Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson
The Buckskin Brotherhood
Sweet-Talking Cowboy
Big-Hearted Cowboy
Baby-Daddy Cowboy
True-Blue Cowboy
Strong-Willed Cowboy
Secret-Santa Cowboy
Stand-Up Cowboy
Single-Dad Cowboy
Marriage-Minded Cowboy
* * *
The McGavin Brothers
A Cowboy’s Strength
A Cowboy’s Honor
A Cowboy’s Return
A Cowboy’s Heart
A Cowboy’s Courage
A Cowboy’s Christmas
A Cowboy’s Kiss
A Cowboy’s Luck
A Cowboy’s Charm
A Cowboy’s Challenge
A Cowboy’s Baby
A Cowboy’s Holiday
A Cowboy’s Choice
A Cowboy’s Worth
A Cowboy’s Destiny
A Cowboy’s Secret
A Cowboy’s Homecoming
* * *
Sons of Chance
What a Cowboy Wants
A Cowboy’s Temptation
Claimed by the Cowboy
Should’ve Been a Cowboy
Cowboy Up
Cowboys Like Us
Count on a Cowboy
* * *
Wild About You
Werewolf in Manhattan
Werewolf in the North Woods
Werewolf in Seattle
Werewolf in Denver
Werewolf in Alaska
Werewolf in Las Vegas
* * *
The Nerd Series
Nerd in Shining Armor
The Nerd Who Loved Me
Nerd Gone Wild
Gone with the Nerd
Talk Nerdy to Me
Nerds Like It Hot
My Nerdy Valentine
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson’s love affair with cowboys started with the Lone Ranger, continued through Maverick, and took a turn south of the border with Zorro. She views cowboys as the Western version of knights in shining armor, rugged men who value honor, honesty and hard work. Fortunately for her, she lives in the Arizona desert, where broad-shouldered, lean-hipped cowboys abound. Blessed with such an abundance of inspiration, she only hopes that she can do them justice.
Connect with Vicki online!
VickiLewisThompson.com
VLTAuthor@aol.com