The Cowboy's Autumn Fall

by Shanna Hatfield

  “My name’s Brice Morgan. Someone phoned in a reservation for me a few minutes ago,” Brice said, leaning against the front desk counter and offering the girl behind the desk an engaging smile.

  “You’re quite lucky, Mr. Morgan. You got our last available room,” the girl said, giving him a flirty grin until she saw Bailey. “We only have the one room.”

  “Oh,” Bailey said, and started to say something to Brice, but he shook his head and squeezed her hand.

  “That’s right. One room,” he said, tipping his head toward Bailey with a devilish grin. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her against his side, kissing her noisily on the cheek. “The little woman and I just need the one. We’re feeling fortunate to have a room tonight.”

  “Yes, sir. That storm is a boon for our business, but not so pleasant for travelers,” the girl said, swiping Brice’s credit card and handing him two room keys. “Your room is at the end of the hall on the second floor. Breakfast is served from six to nine through those doors over there and the restaurant across the way is open until ten tonight.”

  “Thank you,” Brice said, taking the keys in his hand and guiding Bailey back out the door in the direction of the restaurant.

  “What are you doing?” Bailey asked, irritated by the high-handed way Brice had taken over. She was perfectly capable of managing for herself. There was no way she was spending the night alone with him in a hotel room. No way. “I don’t know how you arrived at the incorrect conclusion that I’m incapable of taking care of myself or making my own decisions, but I would most appreciate an immediate ceasing of your overbearing leadership post haste. I am not, have never been, nor will I ever be anyone’s ‘little woman.’ If you will kindly hand me the keys to the Jeep, I’ll go secure my own room.”

  “No you won’t,” Brice said, grabbing her hand and continuing across the parking lot toward the restaurant. “I had the clerk at the last hotel call all over town. This is the last room. The last. There aren’t any more available and you aren’t going anywhere. Let’s eat a hot meal then worry about the technicalities later,” Brice said, holding the restaurant door for her to enter. “And you can quit glaring daggers at me because I already know you’re ticked at my bossy man-ways and peeved that we’re going to have to share a room. It’s either share or sleep in your Jeep and one of us would be frozen before morning. It’s been a long day and will no doubt be an even longer night and I’m not up to coddling you into a better mood, so deal with it.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “A man falls in love through his eyes,

  a woman through her ears.”

  Woodrow Wyatt

  Brice had never spoken to her in such a gruff tone and Bailey didn’t like it. Not one bit. Ready to offer a retort, she stopped and considered the fact that he had to be as tired, cold and hungry as she was.

  She also admitted to herself that she had been snappish and fractious with him any number of occasions, including multiple times that afternoon. It wasn’t news to Bailey that she could be difficult to deal with when things didn’t go her way. She generally didn’t care about her reaction. People could accept her or leave her alone.

  Only, she didn’t want Brice to leave her alone or have to deal with her bad attitude. Always teasing and charming, right now Bailey was missing Brice’s lighthearted banter and gentle tone.

  Seated at a booth by a window, they quickly glanced at the menu and placed their orders. As they sat waiting for the waitress to return with hot tea for Bailey and hot cider for Brice, they both called their families to let them know they were fine, although stuck in Burns for the night.

  Talking to Trey, Bailey was surprised when he asked her to put Brice on the phone. Handing her cell to Brice, she gave him a bewildered look as he took it from her.

  “Brice, only you could find an ice storm in October,” Trey said, sounding both amused and concerned.

  “I know,” Brice said, the smile on his face carrying through in his voice. “What are the odds of that happening?”

  “Slim to none,” Trey said, chuckling. “We had rain here today and it was cooler, but nothing like what Bailey was describing. I’m glad you two are fine and smart enough to stay in Burns tonight. I expect you to behave yourself where my cousin is concerned.”

  “You don’t need to worry,” Brice said, still out of sorts with Bailey. He knew the cold outside was probably nothing compared to the arctic blast headed his way from being so blunt with her earlier, not to mention the way he’d annoyed her in front of the hotel clerk. “The weather here isn’t the only thing that’s chilly.”

  Brice heard Trey’s chuckle. “Just be sure you don’t completely melt through that wall of ice before you get her home tomorrow.”

  “There’s no chance of that happening, man,” Brice said, nodding at the waitress as she set a steaming mug of spicy cider down on the table. “I promise.”

  “Since you’re as good as your word, I’ll trust you. Sleep well and be careful driving back,” Trey said, disconnecting the call.

  “What do you promise?” Bailey asked, letting a tea bag steep in the hot water filling her mug.

  “To get you home safe and sound tomorrow,” Brice said, knowing that would further annoy the independent self-sufficient woman sitting across from him.

  “I’m perfectly capable of…” Bailey said, cut off by Brice waving a dismissive hand her direction.

  “Doing anything I can do, only faster, better, and smarter. I get it,” Brice said, taking off his Stetson and denim jacket, hanging them on a hook at the end of the booth.

  Bailey looked taken aback by his words, but didn’t say anything further while she stirred sugar into her tea, taking a sip. Cradling the mug to warm up her hands, she held it close to her face, breathing in the fragrant steam.

  Absently staring out the window, Bailey felt hurt by Brice’s curt dismissal of what she was going to say. She didn’t really think she could do anything he could do. There were any number of things she couldn’t even begin to try to do that Brice did so effortlessly. Realizing her words and actions had given him a false perception of what she believed, she knew at some point she would need to correct it.

  Casting a furtive glance at his clenched jaw and tense shoulders, she knew now was not the time for a discussion.

  Seeming to relax a little when plates of hot, savory food arrived, they ate in silence. When the waitress left the bill, Brice picked it up, shrugged into his jacket, put his hat on his head and waited for Bailey to get to her feet. She would have argued about paying the bill, but the look in Brice’s eyes warned her to keep quiet.

  Although she wasn’t in any hurry to be locked in a tiny hotel room with Brice, she did like the idea of taking a hot shower and climbing into a warm bed.

  Brice and Bailey stepped outside into air that seemed even more frigid than it had earlier. Keeping their distance as they slid across the parking lot, Bailey almost fell and Brice quickly caught her arms, holding her upright. After that, he walked with her tucked against his side, one arm around her waist, the other holding her hand.

  “I’d like to get a few things out of the Jeep, please,” Bailey said quietly as they crossed the parking lot.

  Nodding, Brice veered that direction and waited while she dug out a small duffle bag. Deciding not to push his luck, he let Bailey carry the bag, taking her hand in his as they walked across the slick surface of the parking lot to the hotel lobby.

  Once inside, the warmth felt wonderful against their cold cheeks and damp clothes. Neither of them was dressed for freezing temperatures and both were chilled to the bone.

  Bailey was starting to worry about Brice by the time they found their room. He hadn’t spoken a word since his comments after hanging up with Trey back at the restaurant. Usually full of lively conversation, it didn’t seem like him at all to be so quiet and subdued.

  Swiping the card in their door lock, Brice took a deep breath and prayed for strength as he held the door open for Bailey
to enter. He was sorry he snapped at her earlier, but had no intention of apologizing. If they were going to make it through the night without doing something they shouldn’t, it was best if neither of them were feeling romantically inclined. In fact, if she was miffed at him, all the better.

  Every ounce of patience he possessed was probably going to be tested and he planned on keeping his word to Trey.

  Walking in the room and locking the door, Brice turned and cringed. The room was even smaller than he thought it would be. A king-sized bed, two night stands with lamps, a small desk and a straight-backed chair made up the room’s furnishings. Surprisingly, a flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall across from the bed.

  Crossing the room, Brice turned the thermostat up and then removed his hat and damp jacket. Finding hangers in the closet, he hung up his jacket then reached for Bailey’s as she slid it off her shoulders. If they got the room warm enough, maybe their clothes would dry out before morning. Taking off his boots, he set them by the heat register and motioned for Bailey to leave her hiking boots there as well.

  She did, then snatched up her duffle bag, going into the bathroom and quietly shutting the door.

  Realizing he didn’t even have a comb, Brice reluctantly pulled his boots back on and went in search of a vending machine. He found one that had toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs and razors. He’d skip a shave, but brushing his teeth was pretty high on the list of things he’d like to be able to do.

  Going to the front desk, he asked the friendly desk clerk to break a twenty dollar bill into something he could feed the machine. Handing him change, Brice thanked the clerk before returning to the vending area where he purchased two toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and a comb.

  Returning to the room, he could hear water running in the shower. Envisioning Bailey in the steamy water made his temperature start to climb. Brice distracted himself by taking off his damp boots, turning on the television, and sitting in the straight back chair with his feet up on the desk. He leaned the chair back to balance on two legs and tried to relax.

  Staring at the TV without actually watching, Brice’s mind wandered back to Bailey. He had no idea how they were going to get through the next awkward hours, but get through them they would.

  Swiping his hand down his face, he tried to chase away visions of Bailey along with thoughts of being alone with her all night.

  Grabbing the remote, he started flipping through the channels until he found a station playing old reruns. Nothing like a little Mayberry to calm him down.

  By the time Bailey came out of the bathroom, Brice was laughing at an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. As steam from the bathroom rolled around him, his laughter died on his lips. Dropping his feet off the desk, he sat forward so fast the front legs of the chair thudded on the floor.

  Bailey wore a bright pink T-shirt that hit her mid-thigh and nothing else, at least from what Brice could see. He felt his heart-rate pick up speed so fast, he thought it might explode.

  Her hair was damp and curling wildly around her face, her lips were pink and soft, and her legs looked a mile long before disappearing into the hem of her shirt. On closer examination, he decided it was probably a night shirt, since he’d never seen her wear any T-shirts that big and loose-fitting. She smelled fresh and clean, making his blood start to boil.

  “There appears to be an ample supply of hot water should it interest you in taking a shower,” Bailey said, quickly walking to the far side of the bed, putting it between her and Brice. “It was most satisfactory in chasing away the chills I experienced earlier.”

  “Good to know,” Brice said, getting to his feet and continuing to stare at her. He wanted more than anything to go to her, to lay her down on that bed and kiss her until they both forgot about fossils, freak storms or responsibilities. If Bailey thought the hot shower chased her chills away, Brice had a few ideas that would certainly keep her warm and toasty.

  Instead, he retreated to the bathroom with his vending machine toiletries.

  Bailey let out the breath she’d been holding and looked at the bathroom door. Carrying an overnight bag in her Jeep, she had everything she needed for an unexpected night away from home from the nightshirt she was wearing to the change of clothes she’d put on in the morning. After brushing her teeth and flossing, she was feeling much more like a human again. Clean and warm, she felt a sense of confidence that she and Brice could share a room without losing their ability to think rationally.

  A quick pep talk soothed her tumultuous thoughts until she opened the bathroom door and saw the look of desire in Brice’s sparkling brown eyes. The sparkle intensified as his eyes grew dark and a strong current of longing arced between them.

  Inexperienced as she might be, Bailey recognized the magnetic draw to Brice and needed space from him. Putting the bed between them seemed like the only logical thing to do. When Brice got to his feet she half expected him to dive across the bed and grab her. She half wanted him to.

  Still staring at the bathroom door, she could hear the shower water running. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she dug through her purse finding what she was seeking, then climbed into bed, piling the pillows behind her back and putting on her reading glasses. Deciding she wouldn’t think about what would happen when it was time to turn out the lights, Bailey was going to pretend she was alone with nothing better to do than pass a quiet evening. Wishing she had some stitching to work on, Bailey contented herself to read a book instead.

  Once the shower water stopped running, Bailey heard the whir of the blow dryer and smiled to herself, picturing Brice styling his hair. Was he really that vain? He didn’t seem like the blow dryer type. He seemed more like the barely take time to comb his hair type.

  When he opened the bathroom door a few minutes later with his hair damp and falling into tempting waves around his forehead, Bailey knew for a fact he was not a blow dryer kind of guy.

  He was the kind of guy who could instantly make her pulse rate double and inspire any number of thoughts she shouldn’t be having as he stood wrapped in nothing but a white towel around his waist.

  Although she knew Brice had muscles to spare, seeing them still tan from the summer and on display made her mouth flood with moisture. The sight before her was the kind of physique she could find described in one of Lindsay’s romance novels. She’d been reading one, frivolous as it was, when Brice came out of the bathroom and distracted her so thoroughly she thought perhaps the hero of the story had come to life.

  But the flesh and blood male standing a few feet away, looking like a poster boy for a gym membership, was about to make her overheat.

  Glancing over her glasses at the handsome cowboy, Bailey tried to remember something, anything, other than Brice.

  ><><

  Trying to kill as much time as possible, Brice hand-washed his underwear and socks then took a long shower. After drying off, he blow dried his briefs then slipped them on before wrapping a dry towel around his waist. Brushing his teeth, he ran a comb through his hair and took a cleansing breath.

  Coming out of the bathroom, he hung his damp, dirty jeans and shirt with their jackets, hoping they would dry by morning. He walked across the room and placed his socks near the heat register so they would dry quickly.

  He could have left his cold, damp clothes on, but that thought didn’t appeal to him any more than prancing around the hotel room in his underwear. Without any extra clothes, he really didn’t have a lot of options, so he figured the towel gave him a faint degree of modesty where Bailey was concerned.

  Glancing her direction, she looked entirely too appealing. He wondered if she had any idea that she was giving the sexy professor look a whole new meaning as she sat propped in bed against the pillows with her glasses sliding down her nose and something she had obviously been reading open on her lap.

  Trying to divert their attention from the electrical storm passing between them, he studied what she was holding from his spot across the room.


  “What’s that?” he finally asked unable to decide what was in her hands.

  “An electronic device that allows me to download books and read them,” Bailey said, still ogling him over her glasses.

  Brice felt both flattered and uncomfortable under her close scrutiny. Stepping next to the bed, he looked down and could see text on the screen.

  “So it’s like a Nook or a Kindle?” he asked, knowing Tess and Lindsay both had ereaders.

  “Yes,” Bailey said, surprised Brice would know what she was talking about, but then again, he seemed to keep up on the latest electronics.

  “Would you mind reading aloud?” Brice asked, pulling the chair over by the bed. Settling into it, he lifted his feet onto the bed, tugged the towel around his legs in an effort at propriety and grinned at the wide-eyed look Bailey gave him. Her eyes were huge and luminous and he wanted more than anything right then to fall into the Caribbean blue depths.

  “I…um…I…” Bailey stuttered at a loss for words with Brice so close and so… so…nearly naked.

  “I’ll read,” Brice said, grabbing the device out of Bailey’s hand and starting at the top of the page.

  His calloused fingers sent spiraling tendrils of desire coursing down the silky expanse of her back as her moan of pleasure echoed in his ears. Tightening the corded strength of his arms around her, Felicity’s ample bosom heaved against Damon’s thickly muscled chest and he knew the moment was ripe to…

  “Sugar, what are you reading?” Brice asked, half-teasing, half-tempted to keep reading. Bright pink splotches highlighted Bailey’s cheeks as she snatched back her ereader and closed the cover with a snap.