Cowboy Most Wanted (Copper Creek Book 1)

by Stina Lindenblatt

  Natalie glances back and forth between Violet and me. She nods, a soft smile playing on her lips. Then she checks her phone. “I should probably tell Camilla which hospital you’re at.” At our confused expressions, because there is only one hospital in the area, she explains. “There’s a chance I might have told them the wrong hospital. There’s a chance I might have told them to go to the hospital in the next town.” There’s no missing the smirk in her tone.

  “You did?”

  She nods. “There’s a time and place for them to be videotaping us together, and this isn’t it.” She shrugs. “But I guess I should let them know the correct hospital.” She looks at her phone screen. “Hmm. How about I give them another five minutes…just to be sure.”

  She pushes herself to stand. “Does anyone want a coffee while we wait?”

  Jake places his request with her. Neither Violet nor I want anything.

  As Natalie walks away, Jake pulls his phone from his back pocket. “I need to call Noah and give him an update.”

  After he calls our brother, he phones Grandma Meg.

  And Aubrey.

  And Sophie. That call results in a goofy grin on his face. I inwardly snicker.

  He eventually puts his phone away.

  Violet’s hand is on my thigh the entire time he’s updating everyone about the situation.

  “He’s in love with Sophie, isn’t he?” Violet says. Her words have the Isn’t-that-adorable? tone she usually reserves for cute animals.

  This time I snicker out loud. “Possibly. Just don’t mention that to Sophie. I’m waiting for those two to finally figure things out on their own.” Although at the rate they’re going, it might take a goddamn miracle before it happens. By miracle, I’m referring to Cupid shooting an arrow in my brother’s stubborn ass.

  Beyond that, Violet and I don’t talk. At this point, there’s not much we can say. I’ll be free from the show soon—lawsuit or not—and Austin isn’t going to kill me for being in love with his sister. But at the end of the day, none of it matters. She’s still leaving Copper Creek.

  There is no Violet and me.

  Maybe I’ll get lucky—and the ER doc has something for broken hearts…along with broken bones.

  “TJ Daniels,” a woman in a white lab coat and holding a clipboard says. She scans the room.

  “He’s right here,” Violet says, giving my thigh a light squeeze.

  29

  The next two hours at the hospital are spent with the ER physician examining my knee and my shoulder, getting X-rays, and learning that I sprained my knee and broke my clavicle.

  The good news? I won’t need surgery for either injury. But I will need time to recover.

  I’m sitting on the ER bed when the camera crew enters the room. My knee is elevated with an icepack on it, my arm hangs in a sling, and my pain meds have finally kicked in. I’m just waiting to be discharged, and then I can return home.

  The men don’t say anything to me as they quickly arrange their equipment. Then the next thing I know, Camilla calls out “Action,” and Natalie rushes into the room and over to my bed like I’m her long, lost love. The cameras watch her every move.

  “How are you doing?” she asks. This is the first I’ve seen her since before I was admitted.

  “I’ve had better days.” Which is true. “Looks like I won’t be riding for a while.” Among other things.

  The camera guys spend the next few minutes filming us talking and flirting with each other. Now that I know I’m going to be cut from the rest of the season, I make sure they get the performance they were hoping for while at the ranch.

  At least I assume I’m going to be removed from the show. No one from it has confirmed this yet.

  “Cut!”

  At those magic words, the men start packing up the equipment.

  Camilla joins Natalie by my bed. “Because your shoulder won’t be fully recovered in time, the executive producers and I have decided to terminate your involvement with the show—as per stated in your contract. Natalie won’t be selecting you as one of the final five contestants.”

  I feign a well-that-sucks expression, which I figure will be better received than one that exclaims, “Thank the ever-loving Christ.”

  “I understand.” So how soon before you leave and my life gets to return to normal?

  “Since you’re physically unable to do anything for the next few days,” she says, “I’ve determined that we have enough footage for the episode you’re in. But before we head to our next location, we’ll film your thoughts on how you felt the week went.”

  I can live with that.

  Normally the drive between Golden Falls and Copper Creek is just over an hour…when you’re driving the speed limit.

  “When did you turn into a little old granny?” I say to Jake after we’ve been driving for twenty minutes on the main route between the two towns.

  “What do you mean?”

  I can’t tell if he’s smiling or smirking. His eyes remain on the road.

  “If you drive any slower, we’ll be going backward.”

  He laughs but it doesn’t change anything. He continues driving at a dragging-your-ass speed.

  “At this rate, my painkillers will wear off before we get home. And then I’ll be one cranky asshole.”

  “From the sounds of it, you’re already there.” His words hold a gruff edge, but his tone is one hundred percent smirk. He does get the hint, though, and increases our speed. Slightly.

  After what feels like two lifetimes, because he drove under the speed limit the entire way, we finally arrive home. Not a single vehicle is in sight.

  “No white vans? Does this mean everyone’s gone? Permanently?” I ask.

  “Yep. They’re gone. Thank God.”

  My heart clenches at what this also means. Don’t go there, I remind myself.

  Jake helps me down from the truck as a car rumbles down the driveway. Cora Lee?

  This can’t be good.

  “You want me to deal with her?” Jake asks.

  “No, that’s okay.” I let out a hard breath.

  Cora Lee parks her car and climbs out. With another box of cupcakes.

  Her eyes take in my sling and widen. “What happened? Are you okay?”

  “Broken clavicle. I’ll be out of commission for a while.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Her tone sounds genuinely concerned, and she flashes me a sympathetic smile. She then hands the box to Jake. “It’s a peace offering,” she says as he opens the lid.

  He peers inside the box. “I swear you could cause world peace if you delivered your cupcakes to the leaders during peace talks.”

  She smiles, the gesture more grateful than happy. “If only it were that simple. But I’m hoping it’s enough to show you how sorry I am for the stupid way I acted,” she says to me, then her eyes shift to Jake.

  “He knows,” I say, and her face flushes to a tomato red.

  “I should never have threatened to expose you and Violet. You’ve done so much for Copper Creek, TJ. You don’t deserve what I did.”

  Before I have a chance to respond, she powers on. “I was visiting Katie Higgins’s mom the other day and saw how happy Katie was with the rocking horse you made her. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen her smile that much since the cancer diagnosis.”

  Cora Lee’s gaze drops to the ground for a second before returning to me. “No matter what happens with the show, your secret is safe. Plus I have this for you.” She hands me an envelope.

  I take it from her and she grins like a giddy school girl. “What’s this for?” I ask.

  “It’s a bank document, showing that I’ve paid off the bank loan in full.”

  Holy shit. “But how?” Because the last I heard, there haven’t been any bank robberies lately.

  “One of my great aunts died recently. She loved my cupcakes and willed me money—so I can follow my dreams, as she put it. My cupcake business is my dream. It wasn’t a lot of mon
ey, but it was enough to pay off the loan and provide a little extra for the start-up costs. Anyway, I just wanted you to know so that you don’t have to worry anymore about the loan. And I really hope things work out between you and Violet.”

  I don’t have the energy to explain to yet another person that there is no Violet and me. There’s just Violet and Deacon living in LA.

  “I should go,” Cora Lee says. “Tilly and her gang are waiting for a cupcake delivery. And when it comes to those women, it’s never pretty if I’m even a few minutes late.” She chuckles, wishes me a speedy recovery, and leaves.

  Jake helps me into the house.

  Inside, my gaze lands on the stairs that I’ll have to walk up while my knee is still sore. “Shit.” It was bad enough walking up the porch steps.

  “I’ll move your things into the downstairs guest room,” Jake says, reading my thoughts.

  “Thanks.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. It was either that or I carry you up the stairs every time you need to go to your room. And that’s just not happening.” He smacks me on my good shoulder. “You might as well go rest up in the living room while I move your stuff. I’ll bring you a new ice pack in a few minutes.”

  “Sounds good to me.” It’s not exactly how I want to spend the rest of my day, but thanks to my injuries, I don’t have much choice.

  I limp into the living room.

  The lights from the iron chandelier have been dimmed. Near the couch, a forest of lit candles sits on every available surface.

  And glowing in their soft light is Violet.

  My heart races, my knees go weak, and the fine art of breathing is lost on me.

  What the hell is in my meds? They’re causing me to hallucinate.

  Yes, that must be it.

  “You’re not real, are you?” I say more for my benefit than anyone else’s.

  She steps toward me, her gaze drinking me in the same way I’m drinking her in. “I’m very real.” Her voice is soft and sweet and heavenly, like I imagine an angel’s voice would be.

  A sexy angel. Not a fallen, I’m-having-a-bad-millennium angel.

  “You didn’t have to go with the rest of the group?” With each word, hope that she’s staying in Copper Creek—permanently—fills me.

  “I’ll be joining them tomorrow.”

  Hope crashes and burns somewhere near the rug, leaving no survivors.

  “And then back to LA?” I ask.

  She smiles. “Yes, once the show is finished, it’s back to LA—but only long enough for me to give notice.”

  “Notice? But I thought you loved your new job.”

  “It wasn’t the job I wanted. The company passed on me for the position I’d been working hard to get. Again.”

  “So after you give them notice, what then?”

  She doesn’t answer right away. She walks over to me, takes my hand, and leads me to the couch. She indicates for me to sit.

  I do as I’m asked, even though I’d rather not. People typically tell you to sit right before they dump you with bad news. But since my knee is demanding that I listen to her, I lower myself onto the couch.

  I’m not sure what I was expecting to happen next, but it sure as hell wasn’t Violet straddling my legs. But that’s exactly what she does while keeping her weight off them.

  I shift my free hand to her hip. There’s a chance my thumb might’ve slipped under the hem of her top. There’s also a chance it might’ve caressed the soft skin there.

  She cups my face with her hand. “I’m moving back to Copper Creek and starting my own photography business and online marketing company. I’ve spoken to Mayor Wineberg and a few businesses in town. They’re interested in working with me to increase tourism and to help promote their businesses.”

  Please tell me the meds aren’t causing me to mishear things. “Is this because I told you that I love you?”

  “Partly because of that. And partly because I realized this is where I belong. Copper Creek is where Deacon and I belong.” She slowly drags the pad of her thumb across my lower lip.

  My breath catches.

  My cock rejoices.

  “And it’s not just Copper Creek that I love,” she says. “I love you, too, TJ. I have for as long as I can remember. But I have Deacon to consider. We’re kind of a package deal. And I know you don’t exactly want kids. So if you’re not looking to have him in your life, now’s the time to walk away.” She chews on her lush lower lip—and just like that, she’s even more adorable, more desirable.

  Shaking my head slightly, I smile. “I can’t walk away—and that has nothing to do with my knee being messed up. I want Deacon to be part of my life. I want you both to be part of it. I couldn’t imagine it any other way. And if one day you want more kids, nothing would make me prouder than to be the one who gives them to you. Nothing would make me prouder than to be their father.”

  My hand moves from her hip to knot in the silky strands of her hair. I bring her head to mine and tenderly kiss her.

  My lips move away from hers. “I would like that very much.” She rests her forehead against mine. “Rumor has it my brother isn’t planning to kill you for being in love with me?”

  I chuckle. “I’ll probably have to spend a lifetime proving to him that I’m worthy of you, but it’s a lifetime I’m happy to spend. Just as long as I’m with you.” I bring her back for another brief kiss. “Although I’ll be a lot happier once I can make love to you again.” According to the orthopedic surgeon I saw at the hospital, I’m looking at a few weeks…but hell if I’m waiting that long.

  A sweet smile slips onto her face. “Me too. On all of that.”

  This time when we kiss, it’s more heated, more passionate.

  Just more.

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later

  “Mommy, look!” Deacon points at the small herd of deer ahead of us on the trail. He’s practically vibrating with excitement.

  The deer take off, bounding deeper into the forest. The April sun lights up the ground, the new leaves on the trees barely obscuring the rays.

  He watches the animals go. An adorable pout forms on his face.

  I chuckle. “Do you know what they were?” I ask him.

  He shakes his head.

  “Those were deer.”

  “Sven?”

  “No, Sven is a reindeer.” A reindeer from the movie Frozen, which we’ve watched a gazillion times.

  Truth? Sven is my favorite character from the movie…even more so than Olaf.

  Just don’t tell Violet and Deacon that. They’re proud members of the Olaf fan club.

  Deacon nods, then runs ahead of Violet and me on the dirt path. Asgard trots alongside, keeping an eye on the mischievous two-and-a-half-year-old.

  It’s Sunday afternoon. Most of the chores for the day have already been completed. Jake and Noah are finishing what I still need to do. They know this isn’t just a hike through the forest for me.

  It’s the possible beginning of something new.

  Ahead of us, Deacon stops at a wide puddle. He pauses for a moment, then jumps in, creating an epic splash with his bright yellow rubber boots.

  Asgard barks.

  Violet and I laugh.

  Encouraged by our reaction, Deacon continues jumping and splashing in the muddy water.

  With him currently distracted, I pull Violet against me and gently kiss her.

  Then I kiss her again, only deeper this time. That’s the benefit of having a dog who also doubles as a babysitter when we go for walks. We never have to worry about Deacon wandering off while I’m showing Violet how much I love her.

  Asgard takes his job of herding sheep and little boys very seriously.

  Woof.

  Speaking of which.

  I stop kissing Violet and look over at the puddle. Deacon has moved on, ready for a new adventure.

  I thread my fingers with Violet’s and we follow him.

  A short while later, we break through the t
rees and enter the small meadow. The grass is green and a few eager bitterroot flowers have started to bloom. The fresh smell of spring floats in the air like a bright yellow balloon.

  I hand Deacon Asgard’s ball. The goofy dog eyes it eagerly, waiting for Deacon to throw it.

  Deacon tosses it. It lands a few feet away.

  I chuckle. “We definitely need to work on your throwing arm, Deacon.”

  Asgard retrieves the ball and drops it at my feet.

  “You want me to throw it, huh?” I pick it up and hurl it. Asgard goes chasing after it. Deacon giggles.

  “I can’t believe I gave this all up for LA,” Violet says, slowly turning around. Her face is full of wonder. “It’s so beautiful here.”

  Can’t disagree with her there.

  “But at least you got wise and moved back.” I wink at her.

  She laughs.

  “So does that mean you’re planning to stay in Copper Creek for the rest of your life?” I already know her answer, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check.

  “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Especially now that my marketing company is starting to gain ground.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” With the beat of my heart rivaling the volume of the birds in the nearby trees, I shove my hand into my jeans pocket and pull out the ring. I fist it. Violet is watching her son and doesn’t see what I’m doing. Breathe in and out. That’s all I have to do. Just keep breathing.

  I’ve participated in big stakes rodeo events—yet none of them ever felt like this. But what was the worst that could happen then? I fell on my ass, maybe hurt my knee. That’s nothing compared to proposing to the woman who has your heart.

  Keep breathing. Nice and easy. I can do this.

  I stroke her cheek, regaining her full attention. I rest my hand on her face, and she leans into it.

  Her beautiful brown eyes search mine, so trusting, so loving.

  “A year ago,” I say, “my world revolved around my horses, my family, my love of Norse mythology. I couldn’t imagine wanting anything else. I mean other than sex.” I smirk at the last part and she laughs. She knows how much I love sex.

  With her.