Lazy B Ranch 00 California Cowboy

by Maggie Casper

  When several minutes passed by with no word from upstairs, Clay began to pace. Maybe she really was hurt.

  “Damn, I should have gone instead of sending my knucklehead brother,” he muttered under his breath. He’d just reached the bottom of the staircase when he spotted Chance coming down.

  “She all right?” he asked, not bothering to hide his concern.

  “She could have used a couple of stitches but she refused to go to the hospital so I used some of that skin mending glue. It’ll do.”

  “What in the hell do you mean she refused to go? If she needs medical attention, she’ll go whether she wants to or not.” He couldn’t believe his ears. She was a grown woman, not a child.

  Clay’s foot had just landed on the first step when Chance grabbed his arm. “Leave her be,” his brother said, his tone determined. “You’ve done and said enough to her already.”

  “And that matters to you because?” Clay knew he was being an ass but Chance’s protectiveness toward Bobbie rubbed him the wrong way. “Is there more going on, Chance? I thought you said she just needed a job.”

  Chance’s eyes narrowed. His cheeks colored at Clay’s insinuation but Clay wasn’t ready to back down just yet. He had to know where Chance stood. Was he attracted to Bobbie in more than just a friendly way?

  “If you just wanted to bring her home you could have set her up in one of the empty cabins.”

  “Don’t.” Chance growled. “Bobbie’s a good girl and I’ll knock your ass out before I let you say another bad word about her.”

  Clay knew he was wrong and the last thing he wanted to do was drive a wedge between him and his brother. Even through the jealousy, Clay knew he’d been an ass to Chance. It was only right to apologize.

  “Dammit, I know. I’m sorry, Chance. Shit, man, she’s driving me fucking crazy.” Clay spoke only the truth, he just hoped his brother hadn’t picked up on exactly how Bobbie was getting to him. It was amazingly asinine how deep she’d burrowed beneath his thick skin in such a short amount of time. Just looking at her made him hard, and that made him angry. He’d always been able to keep his body under control, but there was something about Bobbie that drew him like a moth to a flame, and he was powerless to fight it.

  It would do no good for Chance to know that every time she so much as stepped into a room his cock grew rigid with anticipation. Or how he longed to dominate her, to demand she submit to his every whim. Nope, with the mood Chance was in right now that would probably only earn him a black eye or two.

  Chance seemed to have relaxed a bit. “Just give her some time, Clay, and stop riding her so hard.” Clay almost snorted at that. If he was riding her hard, he wouldn’t be feeling as frustrated as he was.

  “So, her finger really is okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s fine. I’m not sure if it’s needles she’s afraid of or the doctor in general, but she kicked up a fuss when I mentioned it. Instead of upsetting her, I just let it be. I’m sure it’s fine.”

  Chance said his goodnights and was almost out of the room when he turned back. “By the way, I agreed to take Bobbie into town tomorrow. She wants to find a used car.”

  * * * *

  Bobbie woke extra early the next morning. She dressed quickly; then darted down the stairs as quietly as possible so as not to wake anybody up. She’d forgotten how early ranching started though, because upon arriving at the kitchen, Mildred was already busy preparing breakfast.

  “Mornin’,” Bobbie said.

  “Morning, missy. Now why don’t you sit down there and I’ll serve you up some biscuits and gravy. Looks like you could use a good breakfast.”

  Bobbie looked down at her size twelve denim-clad thighs and wondered if Mildred had somehow missed them, or the load she was carrying on her chest.

  “No thanks,” she reached into the refrigerator for a diet soda instead. She popped open the can and took a sip before grabbing a snack cake out of the cabinet. “I’ve got some stuff I have to do before Chance takes me into town this morning, so I’ll just take these with me. Thanks anyway,” she scurried from the room, afraid she wouldn’t get back to her room before Clay showed up.

  Bobbie wasn’t at all sure why she was keeping her correspondence courses a secret, but she was. It was hard work, but by the time she finished her courses, she’d be able to get a bookkeeping job somewhere. Then she wouldn’t be beholden to someone else for a roof over her head, or the junk food in her belly.

  When a soft knock sounded at her door, Bobbie shuffled her papers until they were neatly stacked and put them in the desk drawer. “Just a minute,” she mumbled and grabbed her bag off the chair.

  When she opened the door, Chance looked over her shoulder as if she were hiding something. It made her feel a bit guilty for not having told him about her educational pursuits.

  “You ready?” she asked, trying to deflect the questions she saw in his eyes.

  “Sure am. Thought we should head out early so we can get back early.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Bobbie answered.

  A few minutes later they were bouncing along in his truck. A friendly companionable silence lingered around them, but not for long.

  “Heard you stormed the kitchen for junk again this morning. Should probably warn you that my brother won’t let you get away with that often.”

  “Well I don’t really see where it’s any of Clay’s business what I eat,” she retorted. The thought of someone telling her what she could and couldn’t eat was crazy.

  Chance gave her a dazzling smile. “For the most part, I agree with you, but Clay doesn’t see it that way. He sees that you’re living at the Lazy B; therefore you are under his care. It’s clear cut in his eyes.”

  “I’m fine, Chance and I’m too old to have someone telling me what to eat.”

  “I can see why you’d think that. Me, now, I’m wondering when you sleep.”

  When her jaw dropped and stayed there, he gave a low chuckle. “I’m not spying, Bobbie. It’s just that I heard you up for most of the night. Clay could sleep through a world war, but not me.”

  Bobbie really wanted to tell Clay why she stayed up late last night but she didn’t. After the mess she’d made of things yesterday, she was pretty sure he wouldn’t believe her if she told him she was taking accounting classes and was actually good at it.

  Nope, for now she would just keep her secret to herself.

  “I think I’m going to need more time to get used to being in a new place, not to mention the time difference.”

  He seemed to take her word for it and changed the subject. “So what type of car are you looking for?”

  “Nothing fancy,” she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Anything fast will do,” Chance laughed, shook his head at her, and concentrated on the road. Once again they sat side by side in silence, but it wasn’t overwhelming. It was comfortable.

  * * * *

  It only took an hour to talk to salesman down to a price she could afford. At first, Bobbie was reluctant to give the money up. Chance figured that Bobbie’s reluctance stemmed from the fact that deep inside, she’d hoped to buy Lady back.

  “I already told you that she’s there anytime you want to ride her. Anytime at all, okay?” he asked, gently nudging her chin up with his finger.”

  “I know and I thank you,” she told him and then turned to the used car salesman. “I’ll take it,” she said, handing him the cash.

  An hour later the paperwork was completed, and she and Chance were off to lunch.

  “Let’s celebrate,” she said, hopping into her new used car as Chance climbed into his truck.

  At the diner, they talked over greasy burgers and even greasier fries. When they were done, Chance insisted on paying the tab, not giving an inch when Bobbie suggested they split it.

  “If you’d like,” he said as they walked to their cars. “You can follow me over to the bank and then I’ll follow you on home. My business there doesn’t usually take that long.”


  “I’ll be all right,” she told Chance. “I need to stop and stock up on some junk food and then I’ll head on out. See you later this evening,” she said, waving as she lowered herself into the little red sports car.

  At the grocery store, Bobbie stocked up on munchies and what others would consider a month’s supply of soda. Only Bobbie would be lucky if the two cases lasted her a week.

  Bobbie took the ride through town slow, taking notice of everything around her. She noticed what appeared to be the local hangout. It was still early afternoon but there were already a few cars parked in front. A sign hanging over the front door deemed the place the Electric Cowboy. It sounded like fun so Bobbie promised herself that right after payday, she’d go out and have some fun.

  Chapter Four

  Clay began the short trek from the stable to the house, his mind cluttered with thought. The day had been long and hard without Bobbie. He’d worked his fingers to the bone repairing a section of downed fence trying to keep her off his mind. He hadn’t liked it at all. It was amazing how she could light up a room with just her smile. It was doubly amazing how quickly she’d reeled him in without even trying.

  The last thing in the world he wanted was to develop feelings for her, but it seemed that was exactly what he was doing. Clay was yanked back from his wandering thoughts when he noticed a cloud of dust on the road leading to the ranch. A sure sign of trouble was heading his way.

  His first thought was for the safety of his ranch hands. He did some mental calculating trying to remember where everyone was working for the day, tense with anticipation for the possible emergency.

  When a tiny little wind-up toy of a sports car skidded to a halt in front of the house, Clay relaxed briefly, realizing it wasn’t an emergency. He was glad it wasn’t one of the ranch trucks, but he’d be having a few words with whoever was in the car that thought it was okay to drive like a bat out of hell.

  “Damned crazy-ass drivers,” he spat.

  Clay’s long legs ate up the ground quickly as he strode with purpose to the little red car. He halted in his tracks the minute the door was thrust open. The cherub face and wide green eyes behind the wheel were all too familiar.

  Bobbie climbed from the low-slung car as if she didn’t have a care in the world and it made Clay see red. If she drove like that on a country road, he was afraid to think of the speed she’d accomplished on the highway between town and the Lazy B.

  When Bobbie finally spotted him, she stopped what she was doing and held one hand up to her face to block out the sun. She was smiling and squinting against the sun as if she were trying to see him better. Clay did nothing to remove the irate look from his face.

  Her smile faltered, replaced by a look of worry. His anger burning, Clay didn’t even think to smile when she turned to look over her shoulder as if searching for the poor fool who had the audacity to anger the boss man to the point of eruption.

  When she spotted no one, she quickly turned back around, but it was too late for escape, he was already at her side. He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his temper. It seemed he’d been taking a lot of deep breaths in the short time since Bobbie had been at the Lazy B.

  “That sorry excuse for a car can’t be safe going the speed limit, much less flying down country roads,” he yelled, his anger once again teetering on edge, a look of cold fury plastered across his face. He’d used it before to ward off even the biggest of men and couldn’t help but be surprised when Bobbie didn’t seem to notice.

  She simply raised a delicately arched brow and acted as if he hadn’t said a word. When she turned her back to him and reached into what there was of a backseat, he lost it. Clay firmly grasped Bobbie’s wrist and spun her back until she faced him. Her bones felt small and fragile beneath his large hand so he relaxed his hold accordingly, but refused to release her when she protested his treatment.

  Her green glittering cat eyes widened briefly before they narrowed on him. “Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing?” he thundered.

  “Me? What do you mean what am I doing!” she demanded right back. “I can’t believe you have the audacity to lay your hands on me and then ask me what I’m doing.”

  Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes icy and intense. He wasn’t sure if she’d ever looked more beautiful than she did just then. Her body shook. With what emotion he couldn’t be sure.

  Clay loosened his grip on her wrist slightly but didn’t step away. “Only fools with a death wish drive like that, dammit!” he ground out. The thought of her mangled body lying in the twisted wreckage of the tiny red sports car haunted his vision. Just thinking of it made his tightly leashed fury break loose, especially when she continued to act the victim.

  “Let me go, you big ass,” Bobbie yelled, struggling to free her wrist from his grasp.

  The more she tried to wriggle free, the tighter he held her. Before she could say another word, Clay clamped an arm around her waist and drew her curvy body tightly to him.

  Her large breasts branded his chest, just as her lower belly cradled his now throbbing cock. Her every movement caused him untold sexual agony. He wanted nothing more than to throw her to the dirt and bury his cock deep within her.

  “Stay still, dammit!” he commanded when her struggles had him teetering on the edge.

  “Get your damned hands off me,” she said, renewing her effort to get free.

  “I’ll put my hands on you all right, you little fool.” Clay said in a deadly calm voice. “If I catch you driving like that again, it’ll be my hand on your backside that you’ll feel.”

  His mouth crushed hers. There was nothing sensual about it. His action demanded her surrender. Her body stiffened as he continued to hold her tight. When he forced his tongue into the sweet haven of her mouth, she moaned. The sound was rough and low, as if she’d fought to stop it. That thought brought Clay up short. His body ached for more. More than he was ready to deal with just yet.

  Clay thrust Bobbie from him, the motion so unprepared for that Bobbie faltered briefly before regaining her balance.

  It was then that Clay noticed the ghostly pallor of her face. Her eyes glittered as she looked around wildly. Several of the men had made it back. It seemed all were raptly watching them, including Mildred, who looked on from the screened front door.

  Bobbie opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it. Her color was back, only now it rode high on her cheeks. With her head high, she skirted around him and walked quickly toward the house, not saying a word to anyone along the way.

  “Son of a bitch!” He couldn’t believe the way he’d treated her. How easy he lost his temper around her. How easy he lost control. How easy it was to care for her. It was the latter that had him worried. Bobbie Carlington didn’t seem too inclined to have a man around; most importantly, not one as demanding as he was.

  “She’s getting to you,” Mildred said. It wasn’t a question, so Clay didn’t give an answer. Instead, he muttered something about nosy females as he grabbed Bobbie’s bags from the back of her car and made his way past a grinning Mildred into the house.

  Supper that night was a quiet occasion. Bobbie chased the food around her plate but ate very little. She kept out of the conversation and refused to make eye contact with any of them. Chance and Mildred both glared at him as if her sullen mood was his fault. As soon as the meal was finished, Clay closed himself in the study. He was so far behind in paperwork he wasn’t sure he’d ever get caught up. Bookkeeping was his least favorite thing to do as far as ranch business went, which was why he usually waited until the last possible moment before taking care of it. The top of his desk was lost beneath a mountain of papers and he was out of patience. With himself, Bobbie, and the whole damned situation.

  * * * *

  After supper, Bobbie offered to wash the dishes but was quickly shooed out of the kitchen. Mildred claimed it was due to her finger, but Bobbie knew better. Since being hired on, she’d done nothing but bungle every attempt she made to help.
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  She was still extremely embarrassed by what had happened between her and Clay earlier that afternoon. What was even more mortifying was that fact that her traitorous body remembered every second that his arms had held her, the way his mouth possessed hers.

  Even now, her nipples were peaked and her panties wet. It was very disturbing to think that she could get turned on by someone manhandling her and remain that way. There had been a few minutes during their confrontation when Bobbie had actually feared for her safety. It hadn’t lasted long, but it was enough to warn her off Clay for good.

  She didn’t need a man, and wanted one even less. Her father had proved early on that men were nothing but trouble. He’d claimed to love her mother even as he ignored her unless it was to his benefit to pay attention to her.

  The thought of her mother brought a mist of tears to Bobbie’s eyes. God hadn’t created a better woman than Minnie Carlington. She’d been gentle and patient and had given Bobbie enough love to compensate for what her father held back.

  It was days like today when Bobbie realized most what she’d lost that fateful night four long years ago. It had been heart wrenching to wake up in the hospital, with no more than a mild concussion, and learn that neither of her parents had made it out alive. Barely seventeen, Bobbie hadn’t been sure if she’d wanted to survive.

  It took time and a lot of help from Mac McQuinn, but eventually Bobbie started to live again. Not only did she start to live, she did it in a new way. She tried to live every day as if she were dying, as if it would be her last.

  Even as she physically moved forward, she’d not been able to mentally and emotionally connect herself with others. She’d tried to keep her life simple so she wouldn’t have to deal with the pain of losing another loved one and so far it had worked. Except for Mac, and now those at the Lazy B, Bobbie lived a solitary life.

  As much as she tried to fight it, she knew that time of lonely living was over. She’d made friends over the past few days and it felt good. It was something she hoped to expand on. It felt good to care. Even though she was willing to let her guard down a bit, she wasn’t sure how she felt about allowing Clay into that equation. She had a sneaking suspicion that he’d walk all over her if she let him. When it came to matters of the heart, it was hard to keep things simple, she thought to herself as she walked out the front door and onto the porch.