The Cowboy Meets His Match (Fatherhood)

by Roxann Delaney

  After a few seconds, he dropped his hands to his side. “If that’s what you really want.”

  “It is.”

  “Then let me get something to carry some of these things in.”

  He left her on the sofa, and she finished off both her champagne and his. In only a few minutes, he returned with a large backpack and blankets. She watched as he stuffed the blankets, bottle and glasses into the bag.

  When they were both ready, he held her hand and led her outside and across to the barn, but he stopped before they entered it. “You’re sure about this?”

  She’d never been more certain about anything. “Completely.”

  As they stepped into the pitch-black barn, he pulled a flashlight from his pocket, then grabbed a lantern from beside the door. “Let’s hope the matches are here.”

  Before he could check, she felt on the bottom of the lantern and pulled off one of the matches taped to it. “This should work.”

  In the beam of the flashlight, she saw his grin. “You remember,” he said as she lit the lantern. “There’s another one in the loft. Stay down here until I light it,” he ordered, and approached the ladder to the loft.

  Knowing it wouldn’t do any good to argue, she stood at the bottom of the ladder, ready to climb after him.

  Erin waited until he made it to the top and saw the light from the second lantern. “Heads up,” she called to him. He looked over the side of the loft, and she tossed him one of the pillows.

  “You’ve got an arm like Dylan,” he said, catching it and the second one she threw.

  “We’re a talented family,” she answered as she kicked off her high heels. Pulling her dress up to her thighs, she began to climb. It took some doing, but she finally made it up far enough to see above the loft floor. Jake, standing over her, reached out his hand and helped her to the loft floor.

  “What do you think?” he asked, leading her farther into the big loft.

  She looked around and saw a cleanly swept floor and a large mound of hay that had spilled from the many bales. “Better than I expected. Hand me the blankets and pillows.”

  Smiling, he shook his head and gave them to her. “Only you would want to do this.”

  While she spread the blankets on the hay, he pulled the champagne and glasses from the bag and put them on the floor. When she’d finished, she settled on them, plumping the pillows. “Come try it out.”

  He lowered himself next to her and glanced around. “You know, this idea of yours isn’t half-bad.”

  As he spoke, she spread open his shirt and took up where she’d left off in the house.

  “You’re getting ahead of me,” he whispered, then stood to pull her to her feet. “Now, this is some dress you have on, but I think we can do without it.”

  “Definitely.” She nearly died as he took his time sliding it down and over her hips, painfully slow, to drop it to the floor. Heat curled through her as she stood in front of him in a black bustier and nearly-not-there panties.

  “It just keeps getting better,” he said, returning the two of them to the blanket and pillows. “But how do I get you out of it?”

  She moved to give him her back. “Unhook it.”

  He didn’t waste his time, and his fingertips burned their way down her back. With a deep moan, he leaned her back onto the pillows and captured her mouth with his. Closing her eyes as her hands explored him, she memorized the feel of this new and oh-so-grown-up Jake.

  He left her for a few moments as he shed the rest of his clothes and added protection, then joined her again to stoke the blaze he’d set off in her, kissing all available spots...and more.

  “I’m not going to try to talk you out of this, Erin,” he said, his lips touching hers. “So if you plan to change your mind, now’s the time.”

  Without answering, she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply to let him know that there would be no turning back.

  They touched and tasted every inch of each other until he entered her so slowly she wanted to beg him to hurry. How he knew every place to touch her, every move to take her closer to the edge, she didn’t know, but somehow he did, then set the world spinning around her.

  When the world righted again, she lay in his arms, her breathing and heart rate slowing to normal. Memories of the other time drifted into her mind, and she pushed them away.

  She watched as he poured more champagne, and thought about the two things she wanted more than anything. The first was to return to the circuit and leave as a winner. Not the big time. Not Nationals. That didn’t matter as much now. But a winner, nonetheless.

  Now that she didn’t have a secret to keep from him, they might have a chance. But he’d never told her he loved her. Did he? She thought he did, but she needed to hear him say it. She knew it was crazy, but three little words would make the difference.

  * * *

  JAKE STEPPED OUT of Erin’s RV and blinked at the bright sunshine that hit him in the face like a sledgehammer. At some point during the night, he’d walked her home. Driving might have been easier, but considering how late it had been, he’d been afraid the sound of a vehicle in the middle of the night might alert Dylan. While he now knew both Dylan and Luke were pleased that he and Erin were getting along, he couldn’t be sure how they might react if they learned he and their sister had spent the night together. The whole night. He’d planned to go back home, but one thing led to another and then another—the barn, her RV—and they’d both fallen asleep. Now all he had to do was get away without—

  “Hey, Jake!”

  Damn. So much for not being seen. At least he’d been smart enough to insist he and Erin change out of their fancy duds before he’d walked her home.

  Shading his eyes with his hand, he saw Jonah walking toward him. “Hey, Jonah. I thought you were helping Dylan and Luke today.”

  “I am,” the boy answered, “but Dylan sent me to make sure Erin had survived the party last night.”

  “Same reason I’m here,” Jake said. “She’s good.” An understatement, for sure.

  “Want to come with us to round up the next bunch?”

  Knowing he shouldn’t stay around much longer, Jake declined the invitation. “I’ll pass. I need to get back and check on Bella. She’s about to foal any day.”

  “I’d sure like to be there when that happens.”

  Jake put a hand on his shoulder. “You can count on it.”

  Behind him, the door opened, and he started to say something to warn Erin, but he wasn’t quick enough.

  “Jake,” she said, her voice a purr. “Why don’t you—” Her hair a jumble of curls, she stared, openmouthed at Jonah. “Oh! Hi, Jonah. I thought I heard voices and—”

  “He stopped by to see how the party went last night,” Jake said in a rush.

  Jonah, eyes wide, staring at her, nodded.

  She ran her fingers through her hair as if that would tame it. “We had lots of fun,” she said.

  “Right,” Jake agreed. “Good music, good company. An all-around good time for everybody.”

  “That’s what Dylan and Luke said.” Jonah looked at Erin, who didn’t seem at all comfortable with the situation. “We’re getting ready to head out to round up another bunch of cattle. Want to come with us?”

  She gave Jake a quick, puzzled look before answering. “I have a dozen things to do today. Laundry, dishes. You know. I’ll have to pass, but maybe next time.” She looked up, past them, and Jake heard her sigh. “There’s Dylan,” she said. “It must be time to get those cattle.”

  No one spoke again until Dylan reached them. “I see you both survived the dance,” he told Erin and Jake.

  “Survived and looking forward to another one next year,” Jake answered with sincerity. By then, he hoped his and Erin’s relationship had taken the turn he ho
ped for. They still had a few things to work through.

  Dylan’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his sister. “Did you just crawl out of bed?”

  She shook her head. “Oh, no. I’ve been up for a while. Just lazing around. After all, it’s Sunday.”

  “The cattle don’t know that,” he replied. “I take it you’re not going to ride along with us?”

  She shook her head. “I have women’s work to do.”

  “Right,” he said, and turned to Jake. “How about you?”

  Glad that he already had an excuse, Jake shook his head. “Jonah already asked, but I have a mare about to foal, so I’ll have to say no.”

  “Too bad. You’d enjoy it. Jonah’s proved to be quite a cowboy, thanks to you and Erin.”

  “Erin gets the thanks,” Jake said, and smiled at her. “She trained him. I couldn’t be more proud of both of them.”

  Jonah beamed with what could only be pride but said nothing.

  “Well,” Dylan said, “we’d better get to work, Jonah. With three of us, it shouldn’t take long. I’ll take you back to Jake’s when we’re done. Say, around five or so?”

  “Sounds good,” Jake answered, relieved they were leaving.

  Erin opened the door a little wider but didn’t step out. “Did you want to come in, Jake?” she asked.

  He nearly swallowed his tongue and hoped Jonah didn’t catch on that he’d said he’d checked on her. Watching Dylan and Jonah walk away, while trying to decide what to do, he saw Dylan look back and smile. “Sure,” Jake said. “For a minute.”

  He’d barely stepped inside, when she pushed the door shut. “What the hell is going on?” she demanded.

  Jake shrugged. “Jonah walked up just as I came out the door. I did the best I could do, considering. And then you invited me in again.”

  “Great,” she said, starting to pace the room. “Just great.” She stopped and looked at him. “Do you think he suspected anything?”

  He ran his hand through his hair and discovered a piece of hay. “Beats me.”

  “We’ll have to be more careful.”

  “Not an easy thing to do, what with you living here, where Dylan can see all the going in and out, and Jonah at my place in the bunkhouse.”

  Worrying her lip, she nodded. “We’ll have to think of something.”

  “Dylan already suspects there’s something going on.”

  Her head came up and she stared at him. “And why do you think that?”

  “He said something last night after the dance about how happy he and Luke are to see that we’re getting along so well.” But her concern bothered him. “Does it really matter that much?”

  “Maybe,” she answered, gripping her hands in front of her. “It depends.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. There are so many things they don’t know, and I—”

  “Erin,” he said, taking her hands in his. He led her to the small sofa and settled her on it, then sat beside her. “We need to give some thought to telling them who Jonah is. They have a right to know he’s their nephew.”

  “I know,” she said. “But I don’t know how to tell them.” She raised her head to look at him. “I don’t want it to cause any trouble between you and them.”

  “There’s always that chance,” he admitted. “But I kind of doubt they can claim, um, purity themselves, if you get my meaning.” Her weak laughter gave him hope. “We’ll tell them together.”

  “No,” she answered. “I’ll do it myself. I’m the one who kept the secret. You didn’t know.”

  “That still doesn’t exonerate me from—”

  “What big words you use, Jake,” she said, smiling at him. “But it’s still my responsibility. And it will give them time to cool down, if needed.”

  He understood. He hadn’t taken the news easily, either. “Okay, but if you change your mind—”

  Her curls bounced when she shook her head. “I won’t. But I’ll have to pick the right time.”

  “Soon,” he said. “As soon as possible. If they learn from Jonah, they won’t be happy.”

  Her eyes widened. “You don’t think Jonah would tell them, do you?”

  “No. Not right away.” At least he hoped not. Hearing it from Jonah would make matters worse. He knew that from experience. “I think Jonah understands that it wouldn’t be his place to be the one to tell them.”

  “You’re right,” she said. “I’ll do it as soon as I can get them together. I don’t want to do it more than once. Although,” she added, “the thought of them ganging up on me isn’t pleasant.” As if she knew what he was thinking, she smiled. “Don’t try to play white knight. I can handle it and come out the winner.”

  “We’re both winners.” He leaned closer and kissed her but forced himself to keep it short, then got to his feet. “I’d better get home.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to,” she said, standing. “And it’s a good thing I pulled on this robe before I opened the door.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because they might have been surprised at what I’m wearing under it.” She untied her robe and opened it.

  He groaned at the sight of her very naked body. “Yeah,” he managed to say, “they surely would have.” Without thinking he reached out to touch her, but she quickly closed her robe and tied it.

  “Later,” she said with a wicked smile.

  He reined in his hormones and tried to frown. “You are one evil woman, Erin Walker.”

  She didn’t say a word as he turned for the door, opened it and checked to make sure no one was around before he stepped outside. If he’d thought the day was hot earlier, it was blistering now. “See you later,” he said, looking back at her, standing in the doorway.

  She smiled again and wiggled her fingers in a goodbye wave before she shut the door. He blew out a breath, glad to have the walk home to cool down.

  * * *

  FRESHLY SHOWERED AT Dylan’s house, Erin dressed quickly. If her RV had been connected to the waterline, she wouldn’t have had to make the trip to the house each day for a shower. Most days, Dylan spent his spare time with Glory, often at Luke’s house. Knowing he would be busy for a while with Luke and Jonah, she’d hurried over as soon as Jake had gone home.

  Even knowing she would soon have to tell her brothers about Jonah, she smiled at herself in the mirror as she combed through her wet, tangled hair. Jake had helped her banish the bad memories of the night Jonah had been conceived, and she would never have to deal with them again.

  If only...

  But she shook the thought away. She couldn’t turn back time and wouldn’t, even if given the chance. At least she’d been given the gift of meeting and knowing the son she’d never thought to see again.

  And then there was Jake.

  Sighing at the happiness that surged through her, in spite of no declaration of love from him, she grabbed her things and headed downstairs. Before she reached the bottom, she heard the kitchen door shut and wished she didn’t have to face her brother. She would have to pretend and skirt around any questions he might have, until the time came to share her story with him and Luke.

  “Erin?” he called out. “Are you here?”

  “Yes, it’s me. I needed a shower after that party last night.”

  “That was some shindig,” he said when she walked into the kitchen. “I’ve never been one for dances. Never liked them. But I have to admit last night might have changed my mind.”

  She had to grin. Dylan had crawled into himself after their parents died, and she’d worried about him for years. Directing Glory to him had made the difference. The change had come slowly, but she felt aglow each time she saw that he’d returned to the Dylan she remembered before the accident.

  “It was fun,” she said, “and I’m glad you went.”
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  “I’m glad we all went.”

  “Are you finished with the cattle today?”

  He nodded. “It didn’t take near as much time as I’d expected. I meant it when I said Jonah is good. But then you were the one who taught him, so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  She felt the warmth of his praise spread through her. “He’s a good kid. Eager to learn and quick.”

  “Yeah, he is. I hope Jake will let us borrow him again sometime. But he said he’d be leaving next month.”

  “School,” she said quickly.

  “Yeah, that’s what he said,” Dylan answered, “but he didn’t seem to want to talk about it.”

  It wasn’t the right time to explain. “He doesn’t talk about it much. And I need to get back to my place. Is Glory coming by later?”

  “She is. Luke and Hayley are coming over with Brayden. Jonah said he might stop by, too. He sure does like that little guy.”

  Easing toward the door and hoping to slip out soon, she said. “Brayden’s easy to like.”

  Dylan grinned. “That he is.”

  “You and Glory will have your own before long.”

  “We hope to.”

  “Then I’ll let you get cleaned up,” she said, stepping out onto the porch. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Erin,” he said, stopping her.

  Wishing he’d let her be on her way, she turned to him.

  “Be good to Jake,” he said. “He’s a good guy. One of the best.”

  Not knowing how to answer, she nodded and hurried outside and on her way home. What would Dylan say—Luke, too—when they learned what had happened almost eighteen years ago? She didn’t want to think about it, so she didn’t, and by the time she reached her motor home, she’d managed to turn her thoughts in another direction.

  Jake’s mare would soon foal, and she wanted to be there. So did Jonah, and she hoped Jake would allow it. She couldn’t think of a reason he might not, but she would be prepared with all the arguments needed, if he did.

  Smiling, she opened her door to the sound of her phone. She’d forgotten and left it behind when she went to Dylan’s, and she had to scramble to find it before the caller gave up.