Just What the Cowboy Needed

by Teresa Southwick

“I know. The glow of it all hasn’t worn off yet.”

  “Something tells me it never will.” Grace looked wistful. “If you’d like, I can put some in a container and send it home with you.”

  “That would be fantastic.”

  “It will just take a minute.” Grace went back inside. It didn’t take her long to return with a large, covered plastic bowl filled with creamy macaroni. “Here you go.”

  Tracy took the container. “Thanks for this. And for taking such good care of my daughter.”

  “She’s a joy.” There was complete honesty in her voice.

  Logan had seen with his own eyes that she’d treated his child like her own.

  “Will I ever see you again, Grace?” Cassie looked up, tears in her eyes. “I’m sad that you’re going back home.”

  He knew exactly how she felt, which made comforting words hard to come by.

  “Maybe you can come and visit me,” Grace suggested. “And we can talk on the phone.”

  “It won’t be the same.” The little girl held her arms out, and Grace went down on one knee to embrace her. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, sweetie...” Her voice broke. After a few moments she pulled away.

  “We have to go, Cass. Bye, Grace. Logan said you’re leaving first thing in the morning. Have a safe trip home.”

  He didn’t miss the subtext of the look Tracy slid to him. The one that said “don’t be an idiot.” Every day he did his best not to be, but sometimes he didn’t know how to prevent it.

  He and Grace stood side by side watching the car drive away. When it rounded a curve and disappeared from sight, he said, “You made mac and cheese for dinner?”

  “And fried chicken. Biscuits, too. Pure comfort food.” She sighed a little sadly. “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling it was a good call.” Without another word, she turned and went inside.

  Logan followed her into the kitchen and washed his hands at the sink. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Goodbye is just a fact of life.” She forced a perky tone into her voice that didn’t match the dejection in her expression.

  “Actually, I meant can I do anything to help with dinner?”

  “Oh.” She thought for a moment. “You can set the table while I make a salad.”

  “Okay.”

  Logan did as instructed and had mixed feelings looking at the two places he’d set at the table instead of three. He would miss Cassie. Her cheerful chatter. Her laughter. The nighttime ritual of putting her to bed. When he let himself be a part of it, this had felt like a family. A traditional, normal family. On the other hand, he was going to be alone with Grace. The prospect had heat pooling in his belly.

  “Would you like a glass of wine?”

  Her hands stilled as she met his gaze. “I am off the clock, so...yes.”

  “I’ll open it.” He popped the cork on a chilled bottle of Chardonnay and poured some into two glasses, then set them on the table.

  Grace finished the salad and set it out before adding the platter of chicken, a casserole dish filled with pasta and a basket of biscuits. “All set.”

  “Smells great.” He waited for her to sit down, then took his place. “I’m starved.”

  “I made plenty so there will be leftovers. You won’t have to cook for a couple of days after I’m gone.” She took a sip of wine and looked at him. “After dinner I have to pack.”

  He missed most of what she said after gone. The word echoed through him, a reminder of how much emptier the house would be this time tomorrow. Grace would be back in Buckskin Pass and he would be eating leftovers by himself.

  He stared hard at her sweet, pretty face, and an ache settled in his chest. Tracy’s words were fresh in his mind, and she was right. Maybe it was possible to have just a little bit longer. “You could stay.”

  “What?” There was surprise and something that looked a lot like hope in her eyes.

  “When do you have to go back to teaching?”

  “Two weeks. The staff goes back for meetings and to get classrooms ready for the kids.”

  “So, technically you’re on vacation,” he clarified.

  “Yes.”

  “Then stay here a little longer.” With me, he almost said. But asking her to stay was already a step more than he was completely comfortable with. He chalked it up to the power of Grace.

  A slow smile curved up the corners of her full lips. “I guess I can put off the packing for a bit.”

  Logan felt like a condemned man getting a last-minute reprieve. Relief flooded through him, and he smiled back. “Okay, then.”

  “That’s a classic example of show, don’t tell.” She was looking at him expectantly.

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “You are strong, responsible and protective, Logan. The personification of a rugged individualist.”

  “Is that your way of saying I’m a man of action?” He couldn’t help grinning at her.

  “Yes,” she agreed. “Asking me to stay is the cowboy way of saying you care.”

  Maybe more than he should. “I’m not great with flowery speeches.”

  “I noticed.” She nodded. “And it’s okay. I love you, too.”

  Before he could figure out how to respond to that, Grace changed the subject. If he was being honest with himself, that was almost as much of a relief as not having to tell her goodbye yet. He didn’t know what to say. It’s not like he hadn’t been completely honest. He’d told her he didn’t do love.

  So her declaration was probably not as complicated as he was making it out to be. More that she was looking forward to staying just a little longer. Because they had fun together.

  Okay, he thought. Weirdness avoided. Now he could just look forward to the time he would have alone with her.

  * * *

  Grace had just started the coffee when Logan walked in the back door. At oh-dark-thirty that morning, he’d kissed her and slipped out of bed to go feed the stock. The same as the last few mornings since he’d asked her to stay. And she’d spent those magical nights in his bed. After chores he came back to the house for breakfast with her.

  “Hey, cowboy, are you hungry?”

  A teasing look slid into his blue eyes as he walked over and pulled her close to his lean body. “Hungry for you.”

  “But you just had me last night.” Memories of what they’d done made her shiver, and heat crept into her cheeks.

  The truth was they’d had each other every night and couldn’t seem to get enough. It was clear to Grace that she fell more deeply in love with him every day. The only cloud in her sky was that he hadn’t said how he felt. She was all for show, don’t tell, but at some point a girl needed to hear the words. Because she couldn’t forget Logan’s warning not to fall for him. It hadn’t done any good.

  He kissed her, just a soft, sweet touch of his lips to hers. Then he looked at her with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “I intend to have you tonight, too. Any objections?”

  “I can’t think of a single one.” She batted her eyes at him. “But when you kiss me like that I can’t think at all.”

  “I promise to use my powers only for good,” he said solemnly. But the twinkle in his eyes was the cutest thing ever.

  “You won’t disappoint me?”

  “No.”

  “All right, then. I’ll cook you a meal that won’t disappoint you either.”

  “Then you must have made blueberry muffins. And omelets are in my future. I know you well.”

  “You’re right about the menu,” she said. “As far as knowing me well? I’m not buying it. The smell of freshly baked muffins is in the air, not to mention they’re right there on the cooling rack.”

  “But there’s no evidence of omelets, so a guy can hope. I just really like them.”

  “How ca
n I resist sweet talk like that?”

  She smiled happily, wearing her heart on her sleeve. It was impossible to resist the feelings, and once she’d recognized that she loved him, she didn’t want to fight them anymore. She had decided to enjoy every moment with him and see what happened.

  The eggs didn’t take long. She put out a bowl of fresh strawberries and slid an omelet onto each of their plates. They sat at the table across from each other and started to eat.

  Logan split a muffin in half, then buttered it and took a bite. “Mmm. This is the best.”

  “I’m glad you like them. In fact, I’m beginning to think that’s the only reason you asked me to stay.”

  “Not the only reason.”

  “You enjoy my witty conversation?”

  He nodded. “You’re a talker for sure.”

  “So,” she said, “cooking and talking made the top ten. What else?”

  “I like waking up with you.” His voice lowered into the seductive range.

  Grace felt tingles two-step up and down her spine. “Anything else?”

  “You’re a pretty good kisser.”

  “Good to know you think I have skills beyond just cooking.”

  “Now you’re just fishing for compliments,” he teased.

  “I thought you didn’t notice.”

  “There’s nothing about you I don’t notice.” His eyes flashed with intensity before he smiled. “Can you ride a horse?”

  “I’ve been on one, but you were right about my learning everything I know from watching Westerns. Why?”

  “I’d like to show you the ranch on horseback.”

  Grace knew how much the land meant to him, so the simple words felt intimate and massaged her heart in all the right places. “I’d love to see it.”

  “Okay, then.”

  There was more teasing small talk while they finished breakfast then lingered over another cup of coffee. This was the perfect way to start the day, she thought. Sitting across from a handsome, thoughtful man who appreciated her cooking and noticed everything about her.

  He finished the last of his coffee. “I’ll saddle a couple of horses for us.”

  “While you do that,” she said, “I’ll clean up the dishes.”

  “I can stay and help,” he offered.

  “That’s okay. I’ll just meet you in the barn when I’m finished.”

  “Okay.” He stood and carried his plate to the sink.

  Grace followed and put her dishes on top of his. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. “Don’t be long.”

  Too breathless to speak, Grace simply nodded. When he was gone, she rinsed the plates and utensils, then put them in the dishwasher. She stored the leftover muffins in a plastic container and washed all the pans and bowls used for cooking. Glancing around, she made sure that everything was in order. Satisfied, she was just about to head out when the doorbell rang.

  “Logan?” she said to herself. Wouldn’t he just come in?

  A vaguely uneasy sensation trickled through her as she went to answer the front door. When she did, Foster Hart was standing there.

  “Hello, Grace.”

  “Mr. Hart. This is a surprise.”

  “I was in the area. My apologies for stopping by without warning, but you saw for yourself that Logan is resistant to my overtures.”

  “Yes, I did. And he told me why. Can you blame him?”

  “No.” The regret in his expression looked genuine. “Would you mind if I came in?”

  “Logan isn’t here.”

  He looked disappointed. “Would it be all right if you and I talk?”

  Grace was conflicted. She understood better than most why Logan wanted nothing to do with his father. But what if the man sincerely wanted to make amends?

  “All right,” she said, pulling the door wider. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

  “Yes. Thank you.” He followed her into the kitchen.

  Grace got out a mug and poured leftover coffee into it. Since she’d just turned off the heat under the pot, the dark liquid was still warm. “Cream? Sugar?”

  “Black is fine.” He took the mug from her.

  “What is it you want to talk about?”

  “Cassie.” There was a tone in his voice that sounded a lot like yearning. “I talked to Tracy. She’s open to my getting to know my granddaughter but said the final decision is Logan’s.”

  “I see.” Grace studied the man. There was silver at his temples, and he was fit and tan. Handsome. She could see a lot of Logan in him. A preview of how he would look when he got older. “Surely you can understand that Logan doesn’t trust you not to hurt Cassie.”

  Foster sighed. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I know that. I drove Logan’s mother away and my children, too. I deeply regret what I did to them. Does he know that I tried to give her money but she flatly refused any help from me?”

  “I don’t think so.” Grace was pretty sure he would have told her.

  “She turned to her father, and I understand why. But I’m not the complete bastard my son believes. I wouldn’t knowingly abandon my family or let them live without a roof over their heads.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Mr. Hart. Logan’s feelings are deeply entrenched.”

  “Doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance?”

  Grace thought so. If her father and mother asked forgiveness and to be a part of her life, she would gladly make room. But she wasn’t Logan. In all fairness, her parents had given her away, and she hoped it was because they believed she would have a better life than they could give her. She wasn’t dealing with a pattern of betrayal.

  “Look, Mr. Hart, this is something you should talk to Logan about.”

  “According to Tracy, you’ve been good for him. I was hoping you could put in a word for me.”

  There were footsteps behind her, and Logan said, “Here are two words. Get out.”

  Grace’s stomach dropped. She turned and nearly flinched at the fury burning in his eyes. “Maybe you should hear him out.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “I apologize, son, for what I did to you. I would very much appreciate a chance to show you I’ve changed. If you could see your way to letting me know Cassie and for her to know me—”

  “No.” Logan was abrupt and emphatic. “I don’t believe you’re capable of changing, and there’s no way I’ll risk you hurting my child the way you did yours.”

  “Son—”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  Foster stared at him for several moments, then resignation settled on his face, making him look older, defeated. He set his untouched mug on the counter beside him. “All right. I’ll go. Grace, thank you for the coffee. And for listening. Goodbye.”

  The man walked out of the room, and moments later the front door closed. Instead of relief that he was gone, Grace felt the tension between her and Logan grow.

  He looked ready to snap. “I came to check on you when you didn’t show up.”

  “I figured.”

  “You shouldn’t have let him in.” He was accusing her of something. Colluding with the enemy?

  “Did you know he tried to give your mother money?”

  “That’s his story.”

  “What if it’s true?”

  “I’d say he didn’t try hard enough to help her.”

  “Logan, he’s older now. They say there’s a little bit of wrong on the other side of right. That means there’s a little bit of right on the other side of wrong. Maybe he has regrets and would like to try to make up for what he did. Maybe he’s not all bad.”

  “He’s bad enough.” He drew back as if burned when she put her hand on his arm. “There’s too much of that man in
me. I can’t do this, Grace.”

  “What are you saying? You’re asking me to leave?”

  The anger in his eyes receded for a moment, letting pain show. Then he said, “It would be best for you.”

  “Don’t do this, Logan.”

  “I should never have asked you to stay. My bad.”

  “You say that a lot. Too much. You’re not bad,” she said, willing him to believe her. “This is about protecting yourself from being hurt.”

  “See? It’s all about me.” He smiled, but there was no humor in it. “Just like him. Selfish.”

  “No. That’s not what I meant and not who you are.”

  “You’re wrong.” His tone left no room for further argument.

  She looked him straight in the eyes and said, “No, you’re wrong. I wish you could see yourself the way everyone else sees you. The way I see you. You’re a good and decent man, and it makes me sad that you’re turning your back on what could be a wonderful thing between us.”

  “I’m not a good bet. Forget about me, Grace.”

  Yeah, fat chance of that. “All right. I’ll go, but I hope you’ll change your mind about us. And I can’t guarantee for how long, but I’ll wait for you. ”

  “Don’t. Please don’t. I don’t want to hurt you. Not ever.”

  “Too late.”

  She left him standing in the kitchen and went upstairs to pack her things. It was hard to hold back tears, but she managed. The problem was, if she let go she wouldn’t be able to stop.

  The day had started out like heaven, and it took only a few minutes with Foster Hart to send it to hell. So much for Logan having her tonight. And so much for not disappointing her. Worst of all, he believed he was doing it for her.

  This job had given her the money to buy a house and put one man’s betrayal behind her. Now she knew there were a whole lot of ways to let someone down. Taking her money hurt much less than being soul-deep in love with a man who wouldn’t love her back.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was stupid that he missed Grace more when Cassie was with him at the ranch, but when had he ever been smart where Mary Poppins was concerned? Logan had gotten used to the three of them being together, and it felt as if one of the musketeers had skipped town.