The Cowboy's Autumn Fall

by Shanna Hatfield

  “I’ll have to be sure to try one,” Bailey said, making Cass grin.

  “Those doughnuts sure do smell good, darlin’,” Trey said, giving Cady a charming smile. “Maybe I better do a little quality control before we get there. You know Brice will hog them since raised doughnuts are his favorite.”

  “You’ll have to stand in line at the concession booth just like everyone else, boss-man,” Cady said, offering Trey a flirty grin and a toss of her wavy, dark hair.

  “Please, darlin’, just one little doughnut,” Trey begged, turning his intense blue gaze along with his most charming smile on his wife. “Please, Cady-girl?”

  “Please, Mama? Daddy wants one awful bad,” Cass chimed in from the back seat, always ready to champion her father’s cause.

  Cady released a sigh, took a doughnut out of the box, and handed it to Trey before looking back at Bailey. “Do you see what I’m up against? A handsome charmer and his adorable sidekick. How do you say no to that?”

  Bailey laughed. “It is challenging, I’m sure.”

  “You’ve no idea,” Cady said, turning her gaze to Trey and shaking her head with a disapproving look. “Mr. Thompson, you are the worst hooligan of the bunch.”

  “Nope, I’m not. Travis and Brice hold that title jointly,” Trey said as he turned into the high school parking lot.

  Cady brushed a bit of sugar glaze from his lip and Trey caught her hand, kissing her fingers. When they shared a private smile, Bailey averted her gaze out the window. She didn’t think she would ever grow accustomed to her Thompson cousins and their demonstrative way of living. They didn’t do anything inappropriate, but any display of affection had always made her uncomfortable. Bailey’s mother and sister were both openly affectionate although Bailey’s dad shared her dislike of public displays so they tried to respect his wishes.

  Picking up the stack of blankets, Bailey watched as Cass prepared to jump down from the pickup and run off when Trey grabbed her around the waist and picked her up.

  “I don’t want you running all over creation tonight. You stay with us until we get settled then we’ll see about finding Ashley,” Trey said, holding his daughter up so she could look in his eyes.

  “Okay, Daddy,” Cass said, giving his cheek a slobbery kiss as he set her back down. Although she didn’t run off, she hopped from one foot to the other, anxious to join the crowd of fans already filling the bleachers at the football field.

  Trey and Cady carried the treats to the concession booth while Bailey and Cass waited for them at the entrance to the stands. By then, Tess, Travis, Trent and Lindsay joined them and they found seats as a group. Rather than spreading out along one row of seats, they sat together on three rows with Trent and Lindsay in the front, Trey, Cady and Cass in the middle while Travis, Tess and Bailey sat in the back. Bailey left a folded blanket beside her to save a seat for Brice.

  The whistle blew to signal the beginning of the game and Bailey looked on with interest, despite her earlier trepidation at attending. Growing up in Denver and attending a big high school, she completely ignored the sports activities, focusing on her science classes and extra-curricular studies. In her twenty-seven years, she had never once been to a football game. As odd as it seemed, she’d never even watched one on television. Her dad didn’t care for sports and the only reason Sierra would show any interest in anything remotely athletic was because a boy she liked was playing, not because she was particularly interested in the activity.

  Looking at the lines drawn across the grass, the goal posts and score boards, Bailey tried to recall what she knew about the game. She assumed the goal posts were important, the lines would designate something and, with the padding the boys were wearing, physical contact was most likely a given. Watching the kick-off, she jumped when a warm arm settled around her shoulders.

  Brice’s seductive scent teased her nose as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Hey, sugar. I’m glad you came.”

  “I think I may be as well,” Bailey said, unaware that she was squeezing the hand Brice gently placed on her leg. “This is most interesting. What is the object of the game?”

  Studying her to see if she was kidding or serious, Brice quickly decided she was not pulling his leg.

  “You’ve never been to a football game?”

  “No, I haven’t,” Bailey said, watching the Sherman County boys run with the ball down the field before the player with the ball was abruptly slammed to the ground by a member of the opposing team. “Can they do that?”

  “What?” Brice asked, distracted by the fact Bailey had never watched football before as well as the light shining in her bright eyes. She was never content just to watch something. Bailey wanted to know everything about how it worked, why it was done that way, how it came to be. Her inquisitive mind often left Brice reeling as he tried to keep up.

  “Throw that poor boy down like that.”

  “That’s called a tackle, sugar, and that’s all part of the game.”

  “Oh,” Bailey said, lost in the action taking place on the field.

  Brice discovered Cady made his favorite doughnuts and sent Cass to the concession stand to get some. He was blissfully eating his third one when Bailey grabbed his arm, tugging his attention back to the field. “Are you sure this game is fair. The other team has more players than our boys.”

  Brice hid a grin behind a napkin at her calling the local kids “our boys” in a proprietary tone. “The other team is from a bigger school and they have more kids, which means they also have more players. That’s all. The game’s fair because they only allow the same number of players out on the field.”

  “It’s still not fair. Based on the number of boys on each team, they have more players to rotate into the game meaning their team has the opportunity to be…” Bailey quickly counted the number of players for both teams, did rapid calculations in her head and finished her statement, “about 18 percent less exhausted than our players if they rotate in all the boys.”

  Mind boggling. How could the woman figure percentages that fast in her head? Not that he cared, but if he let it bother him, Brice could feel like a real dunce around Bailey.

  “They don’t rotate all the kids in. Some of them won’t ever leave the bench,” Brice said, finishing his doughnut.

  “What fun is that for the kids who don’t get to play? Isn’t the point of athletic endeavors to teach the students skills like teamwork and sportsmanship?” Bailey asked, looking at Brice like he should be able to fix what she perceived as a problem.

  “In theory, yes, those would be the reasons for kids to play. The reality of sports is that it boils down to competing, being the best, and winning,” Brice said, looking around for Cass. He spied her sitting a few rows over with her little friend Ashley. With his food runner otherwise occupied, Brice poked the arm of his next victim.

  “Tessie, since Cass is all tangled up with Ashley, would you be a good sister and get me something to drink?” Brice asked Tess, leaning behind Bailey.

  Leaning forward, Tess poked his leg several times, causing Brice to slap playfully at her hand. She shook her head.

  “Gosh, BB, for a minute, there, I thought maybe your legs were broken. Glad to see you’re just fine and perfectly capable of going to get your own drink. While you’re at it, Bailey and I would like some hot chocolate. It’s starting to cool down.”

  Bailey turned toward Tess and started to say she was fine when she realized it was getting chilly and she really would like a cup of hot chocolate.

  “Come on, bro,” Brice said, getting to his feet and pointing to Travis. “Your woman is getting awfully sassy these days. You gonna let her treat you like that when you’re married? She’ll be wearing the pants and giving you marching orders if you’re not careful.”

  Travis kissed Tess and gave her a rakish wink before stepping around the girls and down the aisle behind Brice. “She can wear the pants, the skirts, and whatever she pleases as long as I’m the one she lets…”

  B
ailey couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation as the two men walked off toward the concession stand. Turning to look at Tess, a pink blush rode her cheeks as she gazed affectionately after Travis.

  Sucking down another sigh, Bailey shook her head. It was just pathetic the way some women fell completely head over heels for a man. They lost all ability to think rationally and any historian could point to the loss of rationality as the downfall of many civilizations.

  Ignoring the chill that permeated her without Brice’s warmth at her side, Bailey turned her attention back to the game. When their team scored a touchdown, the crowd surged to its feet cheering. Bailey watched in annoyance as Trent kissed Lindsay and Trey grabbed Cady around the waist, wrapping her in a tight hug.

  It was positively distasteful to watch. Rolling her lips together, she sank down to her cold seat on the bench, wondering why her cousins, rough and rowdy men, had to be so carefree in displaying their fondness for their mates. They were…huggy.

  “Who kissed or hugged whom?” Brice asked, handing her a cup of hot chocolate as he sat beside her with a cup of hot coffee.

  “Why would you ask that?” Bailey asked, wondering how Brice could possibly know what she was thinking.

  “Because you get that sour lemon look on your face any time one of these Thompson boys feels inspired to show a little affection,” Brice said, mischief dancing in his brown eyes.

  “I most certainly do not,” Bailey said in her most disdainful tone. She sat straighter on the bleacher and slid a little to the left, away from Brice’s arm where it rested around her back.

  “You most certainly do,” Brice said, mimicking her voice and facial expression, which made Travis snort soda out his nose.

  “Sorry,” Travis said, swiping at the back of Trey’s jacket, now covered with a fine mist of Dr. Pepper.

  “If you’re going to be detestable, I’ll go home,” Bailey said to Brice, starting to rise from the bleacher seat.

  Brice set his coffee down beside him, took Bailey’s chocolate out of her hand and passed it to Tess before grabbing Bailey and pulling her onto his lap. Much to her joint dismay and pleasure, he proceeded to plant a kiss on her lips that made everyone around them gape in surprise. Some spectators whistled, a few hollered comments, and Cady turned around to half-heartedly slap his leg. In shock over his outrageous actions, Bailey couldn’t do anything but participate in the amazing kiss.

  “I think you were just wanting a little attention of your own,” Brice whispered in Bailey’s ear before he let her go, setting her on the bleacher seat beside him. Picking up his coffee, he turned back to watch the game.

  If his plan was to subdue Bailey and get her to stay, it worked well. Brice’s kiss made her feel unsettled, fearful, wanted and wonderful. Mulling over the conflicting feelings and emotions, she refrained from making any further comments and focused her gaze on the game.

  Watching a few more plays, she leaned closer to Brice and pointed to the field. “Why do they do that?”

  “Do what?” Brice asked, trying to figure out what play she was questioning.

  “Bend over and put their hands so close to the other player’s… you know…” Bailey whispered.

  Swallowing back a laugh, Brice grinned and pointed to each player. “That is the center with the ball. When he bends over like that he is getting ready to hike it to the quarterback. The quarterback can then run with the ball or pass it. That’s why they get so close. They want to make sure the pass is successful.”

  “I see,” Bailey said, finishing the last of her chocolate and cheering when the home team won the game.

  Trey picked up a sleeping Cass and started out to the pickup while Cady gathered blankets.

  “You’ll bring Bailey home, right?” Cady asked Brice as she walked down the bleacher steps.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Brice said, tipping his hat to Cady as she grinned at him. Turning toward Tess and Travis, Brice watched them share a quick kiss and hold hands as they waited for their turn to walk out of the stands. “And just what do you two have planned?”

  “Not that it is any of your business, BB, but I’m going back to the Running M and Trav is heading to the Triple T. We want to get an early start on work at our house and it’s been a long week,” Tess said, turning to look at her fiancé with a grin. “We sound like a couple of old married people. It’s Friday night and we will both be at our respective homes in bed by eleven.”

  “You look ancient, honeybee,” Travis teased, nuzzling her neck and making her giggle.

  Bailey started to roll her lips together but refrained, remembering Brice’s comment from earlier in the evening.

  “How about you, sugar? Want to go find something to do or are you ready to call it a night?” Brice asked, grasping Bailey’s hand in his as they walked out of the bleachers toward the parking lot. Brice stopped at the concession booth to see if any doughnuts remained and purchased the last three.

  “How many of those can you possibly eat?” Bailey asked as Brice carried his doughnuts to the pickup wrapped in a napkin.

  “As many as I can get my hands on,” Brice said with a teasing grin. “Actually, I’m full, but these will be great for breakfast. I’ll just have to hide them so no one beats me to them.”

  “You are...”

  “Insufferable,” Brice supplied before Bailey could finish her statement. “I believe you may have mentioned that before, along with the fact you find me arrogant, conceited, obnoxious and annoying. Oh, and detestable. Let’s not forget that one.”

  As Brice held her hand and helped her into his pickup, Bailey wondered if he realized how many of his good qualities she admired. She knew she was quick to point out the negative, but those attributes were minimal compared to all the good things about Brice.

  Casting him a sideways glance as he climbed behind the wheel, Bailey appreciated the view of the handsome cowboy. He remained quiet as he guided the truck into the line of vehicles leaving the school.

  Heading back toward the Triple T, Brice was almost to the turn-off when Bailey reached across the seat and placed a soft hand on his hard thigh.

  “Brice, I just wanted you to know, I don’t only think you are insufferable and annoying,” Bailey said giving him a look that begged for his understanding.

  “I know, sugar, you also think I’m disgusting, irritating, and a wild delinquent,” Brice said, flashing his white teeth as he grinned.

  “Even so, I also think you are fun and exciting, kind and handsome, and quite wonderful,” Bailey said, never having spoken in such a manner before. It was hard to imagine she was doing so now, but she didn’t seem to be able to keep the words from spilling out.

  Brice studied Bailey thoughtfully. When their eyes connected he missed the turn to the Triple T and kept driving. He turned onto a dirt lane a few miles down the road and wandered down a trail until they were parked in a grove of trees near a creek. The evening was chilly and clear with a big moon providing all the light Brice needed to see Bailey’s eyes change into liquid fire when he ran his thumb along her throat and kissed her neck.

  “Brice, I thought you recommended not positioning ourselves in a secluded area where our good intentions could be easily cast aside,” Bailey said, struggling to keep her composure with Brice trailing scorching kisses from her ear to her jaw.

  “Stop talking and kiss me,” Brice growled, capturing her lips with his. Bailey willingly surrendered before melting against Brice.

  Their kisses grew more passionate, their lips more demanding, until Brice broke away and tried to remember all the reasons, any reason, he should keep from kissing Bailey all night. Rational thought had long ago fled and the only thing that came to mind was how good Bailey felt in his arms.

  Struggling against what he knew he should do and what he wanted to do, he released a sigh. “Sugar, I should have taken you straight home. I’m sorry. Let’s…”

  Bailey silenced Brice with a finger to his lips.

  “Stop talking and kiss me
,” she said, repeating his words. Brice groaned and dropped his dark head to her golden one.

  “I want you so much, baby,” Brice whispered, running his hands across her back, over her shoulders and down her arms.

  “You’ve got me right now,” Bailey whispered, kissing Brice’s jaw and inhaling his scent that made her think all sorts of thoughts she shouldn’t. Her hand slid down his chest and rested on his tight abs while she continued kissing him slowly, tempting him more with each touch of her lips.

  “No, sugar. No,” Brice said grasping at his last bit of restraint, carefully pushing her back and sliding away from her. Holding her hand in his, he kissed the back of it, his eyes still dark and molten. “I don’t have you, but I will, someday. And before either of us loses what little sense we’ve got left, I’m taking you home.”

  Bailey wanted to argue, but couldn’t. Instead she sat with her gaze out the window for the time it took them to get back to the Triple T.

  “Thank you,” Bailey finally said, looking at Brice with big, moist eyes as he helped her out of the truck.

  “You’re welcome, sugar.”

  Kissing her cheek, he left her at the door to the mud room. Brice hurried back to his truck and waved as he pulled out of the yard.

  Brice’s heart was still pounding while heat radiated through him. His gut was clenched in a tight knot and his head was starting to ache. It was getting more and more difficult to keep any distance from Bailey, let alone one that was respectable.

  He was surprised by her words earlier. Not the ones pointing out his faults, but the words letting him know she did care.

  If he was a less persistent person, he might abandon his efforts at winning Bailey’s heart. Despite her protests, despite her cool demeanor, when they kissed the world exploded into showers of sparks around them. Brice could tell Bailey felt it every bit as much as he did.

  That’s how he knew someday the beautiful, intelligent, exasperating woman would be his.