Cowboy Blues

by Delores Fossen

  Thankfully, it was really the only place she wanted to go, anyway, and since Nick had been the one to deliver on being “perfect,” she took him right along with her.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  IT WAS HARD for Nick to feel too bad over a broken man rule when the rest of him felt so darn good. Even harder to feel bad when he was next to Lindsay in her bed—a place she’d spent not only the night before but most of Saturday morning.

  Since it was already 10:00 a.m., they’d eventually have to get up, but Nick wasn’t pushing it. They’d worn themselves out with the sex, and he was considering seeing just how much more wearing out they could do since neither of them would have to be back at work until Monday morning.

  He silently groaned at the thought of the weekend being over. Not just because he and Lindsay wouldn’t be able to stay in bed but also because he’d have to answer a question or two. After all, they had left the Longhorn Bar without so much as a goodbye. She’d even left her purse there. Someone would have realized that, and while it was almost certainly safe, plenty of people could have noticed when he’d kissed Lindsay on the back porch. Or the way they’d made a run through the rain to his truck and then driven off.

  Yeah, there’d be questions all right.

  From the other hands. And eventually from Carol Ann when word reached her. Before that, though, Nick needed to figure out some things for himself just so he stood a chance of answering those questions.

  Since that reminder was now fixed in his head, it meant he wouldn’t be going back to sleep. Nick eased from the bed, gathering up his clothes—at least the ones he could find—and he headed to the shower. Not the one in the master bedroom where Lindsay was still sacked out. He didn’t want to wake her, so he used the guest bathroom across the hall. After he was done, he pulled on his jeans and went in search of coffee. And he found it.

  Found Lindsay, too.

  She was in the kitchen, her back to him as it had been that night when he’d seen her in the bunkhouse. Except there were no jeans this time. She was wearing a bulky T-shirt and nothing else. He got a nice view of that “nothing else” when she reached into the cabinet for cups, and he saw her bare butt.

  Nick found himself going to her. She turned, already smiling, and as if it were something they’d been doing for years, she pulled him into her arms. Any kiss from her was a good one, but a smiling kiss had some extra kick to it.

  “How’d your bruised ribs hold up to our marathon of sex?” she asked.

  “Just fine. Didn’t even notice the pain.” But he sure as heck noticed her. He pulled her back to him and brushed his mouth on the top of her head. “Just how much of a monkey wrench will this put in your life?”

  She eased back, met his gaze. “Big enough, depending on how my sister handles it.” Lindsay paused, and the smile returned. “Monkey wrenches can be fun, though.” She chuckled and set the cups aside so she could give him a real kiss. Definitely not a top-of-the-head peck.

  Fun.

  So that’s what this was. Nick wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or troubled that she hadn’t thought it was something more. Or that it could at least lead to more. Soon, though, he was neither relieved nor troubled. That’s because the kiss continued, hot and pressing as their other kisses had been, and he knew this one was going to take them straight back to bed.

  Or to the floor, since it was closer.

  He got more proof of that as he slid his hands down to her bare butt. Lindsay, of course, did her own version of sliding. She took her mouth to his neck and her hands to his jeans.

  “Let’s see how fast I can get you out of these,” she purred when her mouth came back to his.

  Nick soon learned the answer to that.

  Fast.

  * * *

  NICK GAVE GUMBALL a warning glance before he walked up to the gelding. It was early, an hour or more before the hands would start their shift, but he’d wanted to jump into work and hoped that it would clear his head.

  Over the last decade, he’d worked with plenty of smart horses who could let him know right off what they were thinking, but this gelding was the best at that. With the flick of his white tail and the indifferent look he gave him, it made Nick think they’d finally reached some kind of truce.

  Good.

  Because he sure as heck needed one part of his life to be trouble-free, and he couldn’t say that about anything else.

  As expected, there’d been talk all right, and it’d started as soon as he’d gotten back to the bunkhouse on Sunday night. It had continued through this Monday morning and likely would until all the other hands had exhausted their gossip and crude comments. Of course, he had gotten some “way to go” looks and knowing winks. He’d scowled at all of it and hopefully sent a clear message for them to keep their noses out of his business.

  Nick put Gumball through the training routine, and the gelding aced it, giving him hope that this would be the last session they’d need. Next up was a chestnut mare he would have gotten started on if he hadn’t seen Lindsay. She was in the parking area, next to her truck, and she wasn’t alone.

  Carol Ann was with her, and he could tell from both women’s body language that they were having a heated discussion. When the morning breeze shifted and the sound of their voices carried his way, he could hear it, too.

  “I can’t believe you did this,” Carol Ann said.

  Well, hell.

  Since this had to be about Lindsay and him, Nick left the mare in the corral and hurried to the women. Lindsay saw him coming, but Carol Ann didn’t. She just kept on talking.

  “You knew my feelings about this,” Carol Ann went on, “and you did it, anyway.”

  Nick cleared his throat to get Carol Ann’s attention, and she whirled around to face him. No tears, thank goodness, but she was pissed off. And maybe hurt.

  “I was the one who started things between Lindsay and me,” Nick volunteered. “I kissed her. Many, many times,” he added. “And yes, I had sex with her. The many, many applies to that, too.”

  Both Lindsay and Carol Ann opened their mouths to say something, but Nick lifted his hand to silence them. When he finished he’d give them a turn. A turn that Carol Ann might not want once she heard what he was about to tell her.

  “I know you see that as some kind of broken rule,” he went on, staring at Carol Ann, “but that was a lifetime ago. We were kids. Lindsay and I aren’t, and what I feel for her is going on now, and it’s not kids’ stuff.”

  From the corral behind him, Nick heard Gumball whinnying out what seemed to be a thumbs-up.

  Again, Lindsay started to say something, but this time it was Carol Ann who cut her off. Carol Ann folded her arms over her chest. “And what exactly do you feel for my sister?”

  He darn sure hadn’t wanted this to be done as a threesome, but that air needed clearing. “I care a lot for her. In fact, I’m falling in love with her. Now, I’m sorry if that hurts you, and maybe you feel you can never accept it. But don’t take this out on Lindsay. Don’t let it ruin your relationship with her. Especially since this is just fun for her.”

  Crud. He hadn’t meant to blurt out that last part. Gumball’s next sound, a fluttering snort, let Nick know that the gelding hadn’t thought it such a good idea, either. It had a “you idiot” ring to it. And maybe he was an idiot for putting this all out there, but it was something that had been bugging him since Lindsay had been so casual about what was between them. Yeah, they’d had plenty of fun, but it had meant a whole lot more to him than that.

  Carol Ann still had her arms folded over her chest when she turned to her sister. “And how exactly do you feel about Nick?”

  Lindsay had a “deer caught in the headlights” moment, followed by a look of discomfort. A look that Nick figured was on his own face.

  “I’ve already done the falling,” Lindsay finally said. “I’m head o
ver heels in love with him.”

  That got the look of discomfort off his face, and he smiled. Until he remembered Carol Ann was still right there. He steeled himself for the verbal blast and fallout that Lindsay’s twin was no doubt about to give them. Then maybe he could find a quiet spot and talk things out with the woman who’d just admitted she was in love with him. And not just in love, either. Head over heels.

  He grinned.

  Then Nick quit grinning when Carol Ann turned to him. He opened his mouth to tell her, firmly, that he wouldn’t be held to an old man rule, but Carol Ann stopped him with a lifted hand as he’d done to her earlier.

  “All right then,” Carol Ann said, and she smiled. Actually smiled, and it didn’t look as if it was one of the I’m planning revenge ones. “I figured it would take you a while to get it all out in the open, and I think this helped.”

  Then Carol Ann did something that would have stunned him to silence had he not already been quiet. She brushed a kiss on his cheek. “I just want you and my sister to be happy,” she added.

  Again, there was no revenge plot or maniacal hint to it. It was genuine.

  Nick had to shake his head. “When I walked up, you were chewing Lindsay out,” he said.

  Carol Ann made a quick sound of agreement and also added quickly narrowed eyes at her twin. Eyes that didn’t stay narrowed for long, though. “That’s because Lindsay spilled to Craig that I was pregnant.”

  “No,” Lindsay argued. “I was worried about you. When you called me last night and said you’d had another dizzy spell, I was concerned. I just mentioned to Craig that he should keep an eye on you.”

  Carol Ann huffed. “That’s a big red flag because the only time I get dizzy is when I’m pregnant.” She huffed again, but there didn’t seem to be any anger in it. In fact, she kissed Lindsay’s cheek. “Why don’t you and Nick come to dinner this weekend? We can celebrate the new baby, Craig’s birthday and this.” She motioned to Nick and Lindsay, and then took hold of her sister, moved her to Nick’s side and maneuvered Nick’s arm around her. “This,” Carol Ann amended.

  With her smile even wider, Carol Ann waved and headed toward her car. “You can kiss her now, Nick,” Carol Ann added with a chuckle.

  Nick wanted to do just that. Man, did he. But he looked at Lindsay to see if she was as confused about this as he was.

  Lindsay just shrugged. “Once she realized this wasn’t just a fling, she was okay with it.” She paused. “It’s not just a fling, is it?”

  “No. It’s the real thing.” And he took that kiss.

  Nick claimed her mouth, and he let that hit of heat slide right through him.

  “Sorry,” he added when he eased back from her. “This isn’t the place for a kiss like that. There are rules about this sort of thing.”

  “Good thing for you that I’ve always been a rule breaker.” She grabbed on to a handful of his shirt and pulled him to her.

  Yes, and later when they were alone, he’d see just how many rules they could break. For now, he simply kissed her again.

  Behind them, Gumball neighed, and Nick could almost hear the horse say, “It’s about damn time.”

  * * * * *

  Can’t get enough romantic suspense? Then USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen’s COWBOY ABOVE THE LAW has got you covered. Sexy Deputy Court McCall won’t rest until the person responsible for shooting his father is brought to justice. Even if it means going after a woman from his past, a woman he’s never been able to forget...

  Read on for a sneak peek at of this gripping Harlequin Intrigue book!

  The Granger siblings thought they’d left their ranching days behind, until fate sends them home to Wrangler’s Creek, Texas—and into the passionate arms of those they’d least expect…

  Don’t miss any of the stories in the irresistible Wrangler’s Creek series by USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen.

  Those Texas Nights

  No Getting Over a Cowboy

  Branded as Trouble

  Texas-Sized Trouble

  Lone Star Blues

  The Last Rodeo

  Order your copies today!

  “Clear off space on your keeper shelf, Fossen has arrived.”

  —New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde

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  Cowboy Above the Law

  by Delores Fossen

  Chapter One

  Deputy Court McCall glanced down at the blood on his shirt. His father’s blood. Just the sight of it sliced away at him and made him feel as if someone had put a bullet in him, too.

  Court hadn’t changed into clean clothes because he wanted Rayna Travers to see what she had done. He wanted to be right in her face when he told her that she’d failed.

  Barely though.

  His father, Warren, was still alive, hanging on by a thread, but Court refused to accept that he wouldn’t make it. No, his father would not only recover, but Warren would also help Court put Rayna behind bars. This time, she wasn’t going to get away with murder.

  Court pulled to a stop in front of her house, a place not exactly on the beaten path. Of course, that applied to a lot of the homes in or near McCall Canyon. His ancestors had founded the town over a hundred years ago, and it had become exactly what they’d intended it to be—a ranching community.

  What they almost certainly hadn’t counted on was having a would-be killer in their midst.

  Court looked down at his hands. Steady. That was good. Because there was nothing steady inside him. The anger was bubbling up, and he had to make sure he reined in his temper enough to arrest Rayna. He wouldn’t resort to strong-arm tactics, but there was a high chance he would say something he shouldn’t.

  Since Rayna’s car was in her driveway, it probably meant she was home. Good. He hadn’t wanted to go hunting for her. Still, it was somewhat of a surprise that she hadn’t gone on the run. Of course, she was probably going to say she was innocent, that she hadn’t had anything to do with the shot that’d slammed into his father’s chest. But simply put, she had a strong motive to kill a McCall.

  And then there was the witness.

  If Rayna tried to convince him she’d had no part in the shooting, then Court could let her know that someone had spotted her in the vicinity of the sheriff’s office just minutes before Warren had been gunned down. Then, Court would follow through on her arrest.

  He got out of his truck and started toward the porch of the small stone-front house, but Court only made it a few steps because his phone rang, and his brother’s name popped up on the screen.

  Egan.

  Egan wasn’t just his big brother though. He was also Court’s boss since Egan was the sheriff of McCall Canyon. By now, Egan had probably figured out where Court was heading and wanted to make sure his deputy followed the book on this one.

  He would.

  Not cutting corners because he wanted Rayna behind bars.

  Court ignored the call, and the ding of the voice mail that followed, and went up the steps to the front door. This wasn’t his first time here. Once, he’d made many trips to Rayna’s door—before she’d chosen another man over him. Once, he’d had feelings for her. He had feelings now, too, but they had nothing to do with the old attraction he’d once felt.

  He steeled himself and pu
t his hand over his firearm in case Rayna wasn’t finished with her shooting spree today.

  “Open up,” Court said, knocking on the door. Of course, he knocked a lot louder than necessary, but he wanted to make sure she heard him.

  If she did hear him, she darn sure didn’t answer. He knocked again, his anger rising even more, and Court finally tested the knob. Unlocked. So, he threw open the door.

  And he found a gun pointed right in his face.

  Rayna’s finger was on the trigger.

  Court cursed and automatically drew his own weapon. Obviously, it was too late because she could have fired before he’d even had a chance to do that. She didn’t though. Maybe because Rayna felt she’d already fulfilled her quota of shooting McCalls today.

  “Put down your gun,” he snarled.

  “No.” Rayna shook her head, and that’s when he noticed there was blood in her blond hair. Blood on the side of her face, too. Added to that, he could see bruises and cuts on her knuckles and wrists. “I’m not going to let you try to kill me again.”

  “Again?” Court was certain he looked very confused. Because he was. “What the devil are you talking about? I came here to arrest you for shooting my father.”

  If that news surprised her in the least, she didn’t show it. She didn’t lower her gun, either. Rayna stood there, glaring at him.

  What the hell had happened here?

  Court looked behind her to see if the person who’d given her those injuries was still around. There was no sign of anyone else, but the furniture in the living room had been tossed around. There was a broken lamp on the floor. More blood, too. All indications of a struggle.

  “Start talking,” Court demanded, making sure he sounded like the lawman that he was.

  “I will. When Egan gets here.”

  Court cursed again. Egan definitely wasn’t going to approve of Court storming out here to see her, but his brother also couldn’t ignore the evidence that Rayna had shot their father. There was definitely something else going on though.

  “My father’s alive,” Court told her. “You didn’t manage to kill him after all.”