by Linda Warren
He took the ice pack and laid it beside him. “I got a call from Paxton this morning.” He responded the only way he knew how—honestly.
She shifted uneasily. “He called me, too.”
He looked into her dark eyes. “Do you see the conflict here?”
“I’m free to be with anyone I want and so are you. That’s not a conflict for me. I just...”
“What?”
“I like coming here and being with you and helping with the horses, and I don’t see why I have to change that because of Paxton. I’m willing to take this one day at a time if you are.”
He had to make a decision and he prayed it was the right one for all of them. Paxton had moved on and Quincy didn’t see any reason for him to deprive himself of something he wanted so badly. Buts clambered in his head like unruly children. He ignored them.
He sucked air into his tight chest. “Okay.”
She smiled, and Quincy knew he’d made the right decision.
* * *
JENNY HAD HAD every intention of staying away from Quincy, but the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to be with him. She wanted to explore everything she was feeling for him even if it was wrong. She might regret it later, but for now she was taking a chance.
Quincy snapped his shirt closed and she didn’t look away from the rippling muscles of his chest and arms. Even the bruises were sexy to her. Quincy was sexy, tempting, and she might just be falling off her good-girl pedestal. But what a reward.
The next day she had to work, but as soon as she got home she changed and hurried over to Quincy’s. Since it was fall, darkness fell early and as she tied her horse to the fence, the dwindling shadows disappeared into inky nothing.
The barn door was open and the light was on. Quincy came from his office looking tired and exhausted. His clothes were streaked with dirt, manure and blood. He must’ve just gotten in from a day on the ranch.
“Hey, Jenny Rose.” He smiled a crooked smile that did a number on her senses.
“You’re the only one who calls me that. I used to hate it in school, but I like the way you say it.”
“How’s that?”
“With affection.”
The horses neighed in agitation, pushing against the corral gate wanting into the barn, and interrupting the special moment.
“My fans await,” he said and walked toward the gate.
“I’ll help.” They worked side by side with the horses, settling them down for the night. They worked well together. They always had. In perfect harmony.
“Now for our reward.” She picked up the small ice chest she’d brought into the barn and they sat and drank beer and ate peanuts. It was intimate and wonderful. Just the two of them.
“How’s the arm?”
“Much better. We vaccinated, tagged and branded about seventy calves today. My arm got a workout and it’s fine.”
“There are a lot of cattle on Rebel Ranch.”
He took a swig of Bud Light. “Yeah, and it takes all of us to keep this ranch running. But with the winter months setting in, we’ll have some downtime.”
“Are you through with the roundup?”
“Just about.”
His cell buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket, grimacing. “No, Grandpa, do not put anything on to cook....No, not even scrambled eggs. Just watch TV until I get there....What do you mean the TV doesn’t work? Just press Power....Okay. Okay. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Quincy took care of his grandfather and she loved that about him. Tonight it was an inconvenience, though, but she understood. Quincy was devoted to his family. That was who he was.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “I better go. Elias has already left for Rowdy’s. If I don’t, that old man will probably burn down the house, and he’s screwed up the TV once again.”
She placed the cans into the ice chest and stood. On impulse, she went into his arms and leaned against him.
“Jenny, I’m filthy.”
“As long as the filth is wrapped around me, I’m okay.”
His arms held her tight and they stood there in the glow of the single lightbulb, just needing each other. She stood on tiptoes to kiss his lips and he returned the kiss with a fierceness she was beginning to love. He tasted of beer, peanuts and Quincy. She felt woozy just from the contact.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered and headed for the side door.
She picked up the ice chest and moved toward the back door. Hot, hot, hot, that was how she was for Quincy, and all those flames were going to explode into the best night of her life. She knew that beyond a doubt. Feeling giddy, she sang “A Natural Woman” all the way home. Yes, life was looking good.
* * *
FOR THE NEXT few days they saw each other every day. The more time she spent with him the more it felt right. He made her laugh. He made her mad. And he made her happy. They had their own little world and she didn’t want anyone else to intrude.
She rode over early one afternoon because she had the day off and couldn’t wait to see Quincy. After putting the ice chest in the barn, she went outside. She noticed Prairie Flower in a corner by herself and Jenny went inside the corral to see what was wrong with her. Talking soothingly to her, Jenny rubbed the horse’s face and she whinnied. She was a gorgeous red-and-white paint and friendlier than the others. She was a sweetie. On her rump was something Jenny couldn’t make out so she grabbed Prairie Flower’s halter and guided her to the water trough.
Quincy walked out of the barn at that moment and her heart beat a little faster at the sight of his tall, lean figure.
“You’re early,” he said, leaning on the fence.
“I’d planned to be even earlier, but Mrs. Satterwhite called. She had knee surgery two weeks ago and she’s worried her incision isn’t healing. It’s fine. She’s just lonely, I think. Then I stopped by Brianna’s, a waitress from Rowdy’s. Her little girl had a tonsillectomy and the girl was really scared. I took her coloring books and crayons. She’s fine, too.”
“Do you soothe everyone’s worries?”
“You bet.” She smiled at him. “Do you have any worries that need soothing?”
“You can soothe mine later,” he replied with a crooked smile that created a flicker of warmth deep in her belly. “What’s wrong with Prairie Flower?”
“Uh...” For a moment she lost track of the conversation. “I...I don’t know. There’s something on her rump I can’t make out and I was going to stand on the water trough to see.”
“I’ll look. I’m taller than you.”
“It’ll only take a minute.” She stepped up onto the rim of the trough and looked at Prairie Flower’s rear. “Oh, no. One of the horses has been biting her and I think we know who it is.”
“Damn, I’ll have to separate them now.” He leaped over the fence.
“I’ll bring her in for the night.” Jenny reached for the halter and misjudged the space between the trough and the horse. She lost her balance and went flying backward into the water. Totally submerged, she kicked out with her feet and splashed her arms.
“It’s two and a half feet of water. Stand up.”
She stopped struggling, spit water out of her mouth and glared at Quincy. “You think this is funny?”
He had the audacity to grin. “Yeah.”
She cupped her hands and threw water at him. He jumped back, but not before her target landed on his chest.
“Okay.” He held up his hands. “Let’s call a truce.” He walked to the trough and looked down at her. “Are you okay?”
She slipped and slid in the trough until she stood up. “Now you ask?”
Looping one arm around her waist, he hauled her out and strolled with her to the barn and deposited her on some loose hay. She was soak
ed from her head to her toes, including her boots. She smelled of horse and she should be miserable, but she found herself laughing.
Quincy laughed, too. Big hearty laughs she’d never heard from him before, and it was uplifting. He was happy and it opened up a whole new world of confidence for her.
“I’ll get some towels out of my office, and I think I have an old shirt in there, too.”
While she got out of her clothes, Quincy brought the horses in for the night. When he returned, she was sitting in the hay in his big shirt, feeling warm and excited in a way that rejuvenated her. Her whole body relaxed and she treasured these moments with Quincy.
“You look comfortable.” He sank down beside her and removed his hat.
She touched the rattails of her hair. “And drenched. I can’t believe I lost my balance.” She slapped his arm. “And I can’t believe you laughed.”
His eyes darkened and the sound of the horses faded away. It was just the two of them alone with their feelings. She wanted to be kissed. Badly.
“I hope your grandfather is busy tonight.” The words came out breathless.
“He’s eating at Falcon’s,” he replied, his eyes, simmering with awakened passion, never leaving hers. The one lightbulb in the barn made it cozy and perfect. Even the smells of manure, alfalfa and dust were enticing.
“Good.”
He picked up a towel and rubbed her hair, then looped it around her neck and pulled her forward, his lips meeting hers in a passionate kiss. She scooted closer, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down into the hay with her. This was how she wanted to be with Quincy. As close as possible. As close as lovers.
His lips trailed to the corner of her mouth, to her cheek, to the warmth of her neck, and desire, as strong as she’d ever felt, hummed through her in quest of the perfect melody that would rock her world.
The buttons on her shirt came undone easily with the touch of his fingers. Then his lips trailed down to her aching breast. Just when she thought the world would spin away, a cell phone buzzed.
Ignore it. Ignore it. But the sound was persistent.
Quincy lay back on the hay. “I think that’s your phone.”
“Yeah.” She sat up and reached for her cell on top of the small ice chest she’d brought in.
“Hey, babe” was the most annoying sound she’d ever heard in her life. Why now?
“What is it, Paxton? Why are you calling me?”
Quincy stood up and walked away and she wanted to cry. Everything was perfect and now...
“We’re on the road headed to Oklahoma and I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Well, I don’t want to hear yours. Please stop calling me.” She clicked off and threw her phone into the hay. Damn!
Quincy came back and sat on a bale, facing her.
“Quincy.” She tugged her fingers through her tangled wet hair.
“We have to stop. Now.”
“No...”
“Yes, before this goes any further. You and Paxton have a connection. That’s never going to change. You’ll forgive him eventually, like always.”
“He’s engaged. Have you forgotten that?”
“Little by little he’ll charm his way back into your life. Lisa is just a fling, like all the others. Maybe a little more serious, but it won’t last.”
“You don’t think much of me, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You think I’m so weak that I’ll continue to let Paxton treat me that way.”
“It’s a pattern, Jenny, and it’ll never change.”
She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. But she did neither as she listened to her world crumbling around her once again. All the lovely feelings she had for Quincy were tarnished by her past. And Paxton. She should’ve known there was no future with Quincy. But she’d kept hoping. Now she knew that hope was in vain.
“Paxton is my brother and in his own way he loves you, and I won’t do anything to cause a rift within the family.”
“I see.” She pulled the shirt tighter around her and buttoned it with shaky fingers. Her skin still felt warm from his touch. Couldn’t he see how much she loved him?
“It’s difficult for me to go against my principles and loyalty to my family. You’re Paxton’s girlfriend, and to me you always will be.”
She bit her lip to keep from screaming at him. If he wasn’t willing to fight for her, what did they have? Nothing.
Daylight was ebbing away into dusk and the paints neighed a lonely sound that echoed through her heart. She stood on wobbly legs and gathered her wet clothes in her arms.
“Where do we go from here?” she asked in a forlorn voice.
“Nowhere,” he replied. “But you’re always welcome to come here. I should have never told you otherwise.”
“Goodbye, Quincy.” She ran from the barn, unable to say one more word. He’d broken her heart, and this time she didn’t know if it could be repaired. But as she swung into the saddle and the light breeze cooled her skin, she had to admit there was a grain of truth in his thoughts. Paxton still had a part of her heart.
* * *
JENNY RAN INTO the house and straight to her bedroom. Lindsay quickly followed, taking in her appearance with a sharp eye.
“What happened to you?”
“I fell in the water trough.”
“Are you okay?”
“No.” Then she did something uncharacteristic. She burst into tears.
Lindsay sat down and hugged her. “What’s wrong? You’re over at Quincy’s all the time. I don’t even see you anymore. Did you hit your head or something? Are you in pain?”
“My heart is broken.” She hiccupped.
“Oh, well, then. I’ll get the Band-Aids.”
Jenny wiped away tears with the back of her hands. “This isn’t funny. I love Quincy, but he’s not going to give us a chance.”
“Why?”
“Paxton.”
“Oh.”
Jenny got herself under control. “It’s me, too. I hate to admit this, but a part of me is still clinging to Paxton. When he calls, I get this excitement in my chest like I did when I was sixteen and he’d call and say he’d be here in five minutes. I’d rush to my room, comb my hair and put on lipstick. I can’t get rid of that feeling. Why can’t I, Lindsay?”
“Only you can answer that.”
Jenny brushed hair from her face. “I love Quincy and I want to spend all my time with him. I can’t wait to get off work to rush over there and be with him. He’s strong, yet soft and gentle and he makes me feel special and loved and he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.”
“You’re talking in circles. You said Quincy wouldn’t give your love a chance, but maybe it’s you who’s not?”
“Paxton called while I was there and I could just feel Quincy shutting down. His loyalty to his brother reared its damn head and he said it was over. We had to stop seeing each other.”
“That’s probably a good idea considering the way you’re feeling. Take some time and see which feelings are the strongest. Those lingering tidbits from the past, or those that you have for Quincy. Time will give you your answer.”
“I suppose.” Jenny took a long breath and knew she had to get her life sorted out. She’d jumped into the relationship with Quincy too quickly. She needed time to herself and to make the right decisions for her future. Right now her heart was breaking. But tomorrow she would start over. Again.
* * *
ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, Quincy made sure someone would be home to check on Grandpa, and then he headed for Plano to see Wendy. It was what he needed to clear his head of thoughts of Jenny.
Wendy lived outside of town on about ten acres in a white frame house with a garden and a small barn f
or a horse. Chickens pecked in the yard and a yellow lab lay on the front porch. At the sight of Quincy’s truck, the lab stood and barked. The front door opened and Wendy came out with a five-year-old boy in her arms.
Wendy set the boy on his feet and he tottered down the steps and to Quincy. Little Will had been born with spina bifida and held a special place in Quincy’s heart. The last time Quincy had seen the boy he had used crutches or a walker. The boy practically ran on his toes with his arms flapping until he reached Quincy.
“I’m walking, Cee.” Little Will had never been able to say Quincy so he called him Cee.
Quincy squatted. “I’m so proud of you.” Wendy worked tirelessly with Little Will’s exercise program and her efforts were showing results.
“Me, too.”
Quincy picked up the boy and carried him inside the house. He sat on the well-worn tweed sofa with the boy on his lap. “Have you heard from Will?”
Wendy took the recliner across from him. “Yes. We spoke on Skype last night.” A petite woman with soft brown hair, Wendy had a heart of gold.
“Daddy’s coming home,” Little Will said.
Quincy looked at Wendy. “Is that true?”
“Yes. He’s coming home for two weeks at Christmas and then in three months he’ll be coming home for good. Little Will can hardly wait and neither can I.”
Quincy had served in Afghanistan with Wendy’s son, Will, and they had remained friends over the years. Will had chosen to reenlist and six years ago he’d met a girl and had gotten married. Little Will had been born soon after with a birth defect, and the girl couldn’t handle the stress of a child with medical problems, and they’d soon divorced. Will had full custody of his son. With Wendy’s help, he was raising his boy, and Quincy knew it hurt him to be away so much. He had asked Quincy to watch out for them, so he visited as often as he could and repaired the things around the house that Wendy couldn’t. Mainly, he cared for Little Will so she could get a break. But these days the boy was becoming very independent.
“Horsey.” Little Will poked Quincy in the chest. Quincy had bought the boy a gentle mare and every time Quincy visited, he wanted to ride.