Protect Me, Cowboy (78th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 2)

by Shelli Stevens

  She didn’t want this attraction between them. Not again. It was too risky.

  She closed her eyes, and despite her intention not to, she remembered Vegas. How much she’d loved that brief moment in time with him. How much she’d trusted him enough to flirt with him. To leave the club with him. Even now, she couldn’t believe she’d been so bold.

  They’d talked and laughed, more than they’d made out that night. It had only been in the hallway, and in the car, where their hands and mouths had been fused to each other.

  The conversation hadn’t been heavy, and never too personal, but it had been fun. Wyatt had been fun, and sexy, and everything she’d wanted to finally indulge in. And the way he’d kissed her. The way he’d made her mindless with passion.

  Falling into bed with Wyatt Marshall hadn’t happened, and maybe it was a good thing. She sensed he would a hard man to have a one-night stand with. It would be like opening Pandora’s Box.

  Which was why she would do everything possible to keep him at arm’s length here in Montana.

  She opened her eyes and stared blindly at the ceiling. If the coffee hadn’t done such a good job on waking her up, she’d try and take a nap for a few hours. But she was entirely too awake.

  Restless and unsettled by her thoughts about Wyatt, she climbed out of bed. It was too beautiful out to just sit around in a cabin, and it was a big ranch. It should be easy enough to avoid a certain cowboy.

  She grabbed her denim jacket and slipped out of the cabin. The late September morning was a little cool, but the sun and blue sky hinted it would warm up quick.

  Oh, that blue sky.

  It was one thing that would never get old to her. The open skies in Montana. The crisp air. Just the beauty of the state itself.

  The Absaroka mountain range could be easily seen from the ranch, lingering off in the distance with their jagged lightly snow-capped peaks. There’d be much more snow on them, come winter.

  She’d already survived her first Montana winter, arriving right in the middle of it last year. Snow was coming whether she were ready for it or not. She shivered. This time, she’d be ready.

  Claire stepped up to the fence that seemed to stretch for as far as the eyes could see. She rested her arms on the top post and gazed out over the expanse of green.

  There had to be hundreds of cattle grazing on the land. As she watched, a cowboy moved through them, guiding the cattle further along.

  She knew the frame, even from the distance he was at. But even if she hadn’t, she recognized the flannel he’d worn from breakfast.

  Walk away, Claire.

  She didn’t move. He was far enough away and wouldn’t notice her along the fence. She couldn’t stop watching him, or thinking about how timeless and masculine this lifestyle really was. He embodied the term cowboy.

  She was so caught up in her thoughts, it took a moment to register that Wyatt was riding toward her. He must’ve spotted her, and she’d stupidly missed that fact, and now it was too late to turn and run.

  “You ride much?” he asked, stopping the horse along the fence line.

  She swallowed hard and told herself to keep it casual. “If by much you mean ever, then no.”

  His eyebrows shot so high they disappeared under the cowboy hat. “You’ve never ridden a horse?”

  Maybe that wasn’t something she should’ve admitted when she was trying to blend in as just another girl from Montana.

  “I’m in Bozeman.” Hopefully that would work as an excuse.

  It was definitely one of the bigger cities in the state. Not everyone just had horses sitting around.

  He didn’t look like the excuse validated it.

  The horse neighed and pranced a bit, but Wyatt didn’t seem worried and did something with the reigns that kept it calm.

  “It’s on my ‘to do’ list,” she lied.

  “I see.” He tilted his hat a bit and glanced away, then back at her. “Well, why don’t we cross that off your list today?”

  Her heart stuttered and her eyes widened. “What?”

  “I’ll take you riding. Need to check a couple things over by the river and you may as well come along.”

  Crap, he’d called her bluff.

  “Oh, that sounds nice and all. But I was thinking I’ll probably just…”

  “Sit around in the cabin?”

  Yes, exactly that. She bit her lip and looked away.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He nodded his head at a building she’d passed by earlier. “See those stables over there? Meet me in ten minutes and we’ll fix you up a horse to ride.”

  Before she could argue, he’d turned his horse and rode away.

  *

  Wyatt hid his amusement as he saddled a horse for Claire to ride. Claire stood several feet away from him, her brows furrowed with unease and her arms folded across her chest. She looked just about as skittish as a newborn colt, shifting her weight and casting glances to the doorway of the barn.

  “We don’t really have to do this now,” she protested. “I mean, surely you have work to do.”

  “This is part of what I do. I don’t mind bringing you along.”

  Her thinning lips indicated she minded.

  He smothered a laugh and buckled the back cinch of the saddle around Daisy. Daisy was just perfect Claire’s petite size, and was calm enough to suit her nervous demeanor perfectly.

  “Come on, let’s go outside and get you mounted.”

  Claire’s brows shot up and she shot him a questioning look.

  “Mounted on the horse.” He grinned as he led Daisy out into the sunshine.

  Claire followed him out, arms still folded across her chest. “I’m not really sure I can do this.”

  He cast her another glance and saw the genuine panic in her eyes. His amusement died down as the urge to reassure her took over.

  “You can, Claire. I promise.” He kept his tone gentle. “During the summer, this is part of my job.”

  “What is?” she asked warily, approaching the horse.

  “Taking city folk on horseback rides.”

  “I told you I’m from Boz—”

  “Yeah, I heard. But if there’s a Wal-mart, I consider it a city.” He chuckled. “Maybe not like Seattle-type of big city, but it’s a city.”

  She cracked a small smile.

  “Regardless of where you came from, you’re new to this, and I promise you I’ll help it not be scary. Riding is great.” He patted the saddle. “Come here. Let’s get you up on Daisy.”

  Claire swallowed visibly and took the few steps to the horse.

  “Put your foot in the stirrup. There you go. Now grab onto this horn.” He guided her fingers to the front of the saddle.

  “Now, can you swing your leg over?”

  Being so petite, she struggled a little to swing onto the saddle. He moved forward, using his forearm under her thigh to help boost her up and over.

  Despite the brief, impersonal contact, his blood quickened and he drew in a sharp breath.

  A moment later she was seated, gripping the horn, and staring ahead with wide eyes.

  “See now, you did great. Now Daisy is a pretty relaxed horse, but you never know when you’ll get one that’s easily spooked. So the key is to stay calm, okay? Just breathe and relax. Get used to how she feels under you.”

  She nodded.

  “Good, now let’s just go over some things.”

  He gave her the brief run down on balance in the saddle, riding positions, and exercising control over the horse. The longer he spoke the more she seemed to relax on Daisy. She nodded as he spoke, and reached out to stroke the horse’s black mane.

  “How are you feeling about all this?”

  She gave a quick nod. “Okay, I think. But we’re not moving yet, so ask me again in a few minutes.”

  He grinned. “I will. And I’ll be right beside you out there in case anything goes wrong.”

  “Wrong?”

  “You’ll be fine.” A few minu
tes later he was sitting astride Thunder and leading them down the trails of the pasture.

  They rode side by side, so he could gage her comfort level. Soon they were exploring the ranch acreage, and despite her hesitation and fear she rode Western style like she’d been doing it for years.

  As they moved through a path in the trees, he nodded at her. “You’re a natural, Claire.”

  “I don’t think I’m doing much but holding on.” She laughed, pure delight in her eyes. “But this is fun, and Daisy is wonderfully sweet.”

  Framed by the Montana landscape and riding his horse, she took his breath away. Another stab of desire hit and he jerked his gaze away, clenching his jaw.

  He really hadn’t been kidding with that comment about Wal-mart’s and cities. Women like Claire didn’t stick around small towns like Marietta for long, and the last thing he was looking for was another fling. He was getting too damn old for that.

  Which was one reason he’d taken up Luanne—his high school girlfriend who was in town for the rodeo—on her invitation to go out to dinner for old time’s sake tonight. Who knew where it might lead, but he suspected they both had a good guess.

  “So how much do you hate this?” Claire asked, looking his way. “Taking strangers around on horseback rides?”

  “I don’t mind it.” Wyatt shrugged. “I get to be outside and showing people the outdoors. Really, it’s just a few months a year for us, and even then I only do some of the rides. Katie does the rest.”

  “Katie does?”

  “You sound surprised.”

  She nodded. “I guess I am a bit, though I probably shouldn’t be. How long have you had the ranch?”

  “Been in the Marshall family for four generations.” A wave of pride swept through him. “My great granddad came out here from Connecticut in the late 1800s. Bought some land, built a cabin and started cattle ranching. The Marshalls have been cattle ranchers ever since.”

  “That’s pretty amazing you can trace your history back that far.”

  “Is it?” Around here it was pretty normal.

  She nodded, her gaze clouding slightly. “I think so. Not everyone can.”

  Like her.

  “So, are your parents retired then?” she asked.

  “My dad passed away, so we run the ranch now,” he murmured, his chest tightening. Before she could reply, or offer sympathy, he changed the subject. “You ever been to the Copper Mountain Rodeo?”

  “No, I’ve never been out here.” She glanced at him. “Are you guys pretty involved with it?”

  “I compete in it.”

  “Oh, that’s nice. Have you won before?”

  The offhanded question had him bristling. He had to remind himself she wasn’t from around here and didn’t know who he was. Besides, it was good for his ego to get knocked down a peg or two.

  “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “You might even say I’m pretty good.”

  “What do you do? That bull riding thing?”

  He winced. “No. I’m a roper.”

  “Oh, so you rope things? Isn’t that like, pretty easy?”

  God, if he knew her better, he’d swear she was messing with him, but her gaze was all wide-eyed innocence.

  “Tell you what, tomorrow morning after breakfast I’ll give you a quick lesson before the rodeo.”

  Her mouth fell open. “Oh, you don’t need to—”

  “Nah, it’ll be fun.” He slowed his horse to a stop, amused by her sudden backpedaling. “Let’s stop for a moment and stretch our legs.”

  Chapter Four

  Claire silently cursed herself for goading him about the rodeo. She knew damn well he was a roper, and that he was good. Not just good, but real good. He’d won that NFR competition the night she’d met him.

  God, he was sexy right now. She couldn’t help but notice while he’d rode with so much ease on that horse. Tall and proud, with the cowboy hat low on his head.

  Wyatt had dismounted with grace and ease, and she knew she was about to make a damn fool of herself trying to get off the horse.

  She pulled one leg from the stirrup and tried to swing it over the horse, but her thigh cramped. Before she could try again, strong hands circled her waist and lifted her easily from the saddle.

  Claire gasped, clutching his shoulders as Wyatt lowered her slowly to the ground. It was only a split second where her breasts barely brushed against his chest, before she was set on her feet. Feeling a little light headed, she gripped his forearms just as her knees buckled.

  “You okay?” He kept his hands on her waist, holding her up.

  “Yeah,” she whispered.

  She was all too aware of his hands on her, even with the thin layer of her sweater between them. Her pulse raced and her tongue grew thick in her mouth.

  “My, um, legs are a little stiff.”

  “Saddle sore. It’ll get worse before it gets better, seeing as we have to ride back.”

  “Good to know.”

  He grinned down at her and their gazes held. Her stomach did another flip. “It’ll get better the more you ride. Same with that mounting and dismounting stuff.”

  She gave a reluctant smile. “You make it look really easy.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve got just about a foot on you, too.”

  “So I’ve noticed.” She’d tried to sound flippant, but her words were husky.

  His smile diminished and his gaze slid to her mouth.

  Her heart began a low thud in her chest and heat spread through her body.

  Oh, God. It was happening again. It was like Vegas, but even stronger.

  Wyatt cleared his throat and took a step back. “Let’s stretch our legs and walk a little. I wanted to show you something.”

  A pang of disappointment hit her and she hated herself for it. She didn’t want to get involved with Wyatt Marshall. Not again. Even if he’d looked at her like he was thinking about kissing her, he hadn’t. And it was a good thing.

  She followed him through the handful of trees, until they reached a clearing along a small river.

  Her breath caught at the site of sparkling water and dramatic rise of mountains beyond.

  “Wow.” The word came out on a sigh. “This is gorgeous.”

  “Isn’t it?” He moved to stand beside her, hands on his hips as he stared out at the landscape. “Favorite spot on the ranch.”

  “We’re still on your property?” She shot him a startled look.

  “The edge of it, yeah.”

  Pride filled his face and she could well understand why. She’d never owned anything, and to have a piece of land this large and amazing was incredible for anyone.

  “Do you bring the ranch guests here? Show them?”

  “Yeah.” He grimaced. “Pretty popular spot for selfies.”

  She laughed softly. “I can see why. Thank you for bringing me here. I’m a total newbie with this horseback riding stuff.”

  “You did great. Some of the guys who come up for a weekend are all swagger until you throw them on the back of a horse.”

  “Really? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

  “Hey, you didn’t complain once about your balls hurting.”

  Her laughter was loud and belly-filled now. “They don’t really complain about that, do they?”

  “Some of them sure do. Have to deduct points on their man card.”

  She shook her head. “Well, I really can’t compare, because I’m not equipped with the same parts.”

  “No, you’re not.” His gaze slid over her, the sparkle in his eyes turned from amusement to something hotter, making her all tingly again.

  “Anyway, I hope you’re having fun, Claire. Maybe even realizing that horseback riding can be pretty amazing.”

  “I think I am. I love it out here.” She glanced back at the view. “But I’m surprised you’re not at the parade. Most of the town seems to go, from what I hear.”

  “I do some years, but I’m not big for the spotlight.”

/>   Which he probably would’ve been in being the hometown boy NFR champion. He didn’t seem the type to love the crowds and attention, which was why he’d ended up in her club after winning his NFR buckle.

  “I think it’s really cute that you guys do all these events,” she said quietly.

  “Cute?”

  Judging by his tone, he didn’t appreciate her word choice, and she realized how that had sounded.

  She flushed. “Well, not cute, but just charming how small towns shut down everything just to celebrate a rodeo.”

  He grunted and looked away.

  Oh yeah. She’d definitely irked him and wasn’t making it any better. Was it better to keep talking or just shut up?

  “It’s not just a rodeo, honey. It’s about taking time to enjoy life. To spend time with your family and friends. To take a break from the grind that’s just trying to kill you.”

  God, she really wished he wouldn’t call her honey. It did things to her. Melted her a little.

  “I think you big city folk could learn a thing or two from us small towns.”

  Those words stopped the melting and she bristled. “Maybe. But some of these small towns can also be judgmental and cliquey—they don’t exactly welcome outsiders.”

  “Was that your experience here?” he asked mildly.

  Shame had her closing her eyes. “No, maybe in other towns, but that wasn’t my experience here. I’m sorry. You guys have been pretty incredible, actually.”

  He nodded. “You can thank my sister for that.”

  Did that mean he hadn’t been on board with her staying here? “I did. Katie’s very nice.”

  “Sometimes too nice.”

  She sucked in a breath and lifted her chin. “You’re not happy I’m staying here.”

  He turned to face her. “I’m currently undecided.”

  She met his gaze head on. “You don’t like me.”

  They weren’t questions. They were statements she threw at him.

  He closed the distance between them and she fought the instinct to back up.

  “I don’t know you, Claire.” He reached up to catch one curl that had fallen over her shoulder. “Or do I?”

  Panic exploded in her belly. For a moment, she’d almost forgotten their history in Vegas. She’d allowed herself to imagine they were meeting for the first time this weekend.