Western Seduction (The Seduction Series Book 2)

by Brenda Jernigan

  After her bath, Shannon dressed in a brown skirt and a cream-colored blouse and headed for the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Maria,” Shannon said upon entering the comfortable room.

  “Are you hungry, señorita?”

  “Starved.” Shannon’s stomach rumbled to confirm that she was very hungry. “Sorry. Where is Luke?”

  “He said he wasn’t hungry. Rode out to the north range about an hour ago,” Maria said as she pulled a couple of tortillas off the grill. “Seemed to be in a real temper this morning.”

  Shannon tried not to look disappointed. “Thanks.” Shannon said as she took a plate from Maria.

  While Shannon ate, Maria continued preparing food for the next meal. They carried on with small talk while Shannon ate, but she had a hard time not thinking about Luke.

  “I’m not sure what tae do since the children are away,” Shannon admitted. She couldn't remember when she ever felt so lost and unsure of herself.

  “Perhaps, you would like to go for a ride and enjoy the outdoors,” Maria suggested.

  “Aye, that sounds like a lovely idea. Do they huv side-saddles out here?”

  “I’ve not seen any, but I have something that will work for you,” Maria said as she hurried from the room.

  Shannon took her plate to the sink and washed it while she waited for Maria to return. It would feel good to be outside in the fresh air, riding as she used to do back home.

  “I think this will fit you,” Maria said holding up a pair of men’s trousers. “See, it is split in the middle so that you can ride like a man. Just slip it under your skirt.”

  Shannon started laughing. “Do women really do this?”

  “Sí, Señorita Shannon,” she said with a smile.

  It wasn't far down to the barn which was on the other side of the corral. She could feel her headache easing from just being outdoors. The barn was medium sized with four stalls on each side. As soon as she entered, she found Ned, who was in charge of the horses.

  “I would like tae go ridin’, Ned. Will ye saddle a horse fer me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He nodded. “I’d be happy to. I’ve got a gentle pinto for you,” he said grabbing a bridle off the peg. “I’ve let Molly ride him a couple of times.

  Shannon waited by the barn door until Ned brought her mount around. He was white, splashed with brown and a bit smaller than the horses back home.

  “Need any help?” Ned asked.

  “I think I can manage,” Shannon said as she swung up and over the horse. After she'd seated herself, she decided that riding astride was much more comfortable than riding sidesaddle.

  It would certainly be easier to keep her balance as she rode. However, if she were in England, Shannon could imagine how the ton would frown upon something so unladylike.

  “Everything all right?” Ned asked when she hadn't moved. His gray eyebrows were drawn together in a frown. “You do know how to ride?”

  Shannon glanced at Ned whose puzzled expression almost made her laugh. “Yes, I’m quite comfortable, although it seems odd when I’m used to riding sidesaddle.”

  “Sidesaddle?” Ned said. “I ain’t never heard of such a thing. Sounds fancy.”

  “’Tis,” she said with a smile. She hesitated before going on. “I huv tae admit that this seems better. Now, can ye tell me the direction where I might find Mr. Griffin?”

  “Yesum. Head north. You can’t miss him.” Ned shoved his hat back. “I see some dark clouds in the distance, so you'd best keep an eye on them. Sometimes storms can move in pretty quick 'round here.”

  Shannon nodded. She swung her horse around and headed out away from the house. She saw the clouds in the distance but at the moment the sun was still bright, so she figured she'd have plenty of time to catch up with Luke. Besides which, the sun felt good on her back and the wind in her face made her feel young and carefree, something she’d not experienced in a long time.

  This land was nothing like the Highlands, she thought as she headed out, but it was beautiful in its own way. She rode toward the herd of cattle scattered across the range in small groups as they grazed, peaceful.

  There was wildness about the land that intrigued her. She could see why Luke loved it so much. Was it a place she could call home? She thought so. In spite of Luke’s treatment of her this morning, she really felt comfortable here . . . and safe. Luke made her feel safe.

  She had been riding for what seemed like ten minutes, when she spotted a group of men working on the fence. Nudging her horse forward with her heels, she raced across the prairie toward them.

  “Who the hell is that?” One of the ranch hands said as he straightened.

  Wilson turned around. “I do believe that Miss Shannon is coming to call. Nobody could miss that red hair of hers.”

  Luke stiffened the minute Wilson mentioned red hair. Slowly, he turned around. “What the hell is she doing out here?” He shoved his hat back, then yanked off his leather gloves, as he headed toward her. “Get back to work,” he told the men. “The fence won’t mend itself.”

  Luke strode away from the men, realizing that he'd had a burr under his saddle all day . . . and here she came. He reached Shannon before she got closer to the other men.

  She pulled her horse to a halt, and Luke noted that Shannon obviously knew a thing or two about horses. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  “I might ask ye the same thing, the way ye ran from the house this verra mornin’.”

  “I didn’t run,” Luke replied. “I had work to do as usual.”

  “Wull, I want tae discuss last night, if ye please.”

  “Out here?” His left eyebrow rose a fraction as his gaze locked with hers.

  “Not exactly. I-I thought we could go somew--where we could be alone,” Shannon stammered.

  Luke nodded. “Wait here.” He strode over and retrieved his horse, then motioned for Shannon to follow him, noting that the sky was growing darker. He’d make this a quick chat before the storm let loose.

  They rode a short distance away from the ranch hands over to a huge cottonwood tree that would provide some privacy.

  “I’m sorry about last night,” Luke apologized, not bothering to dismount.

  Shannon sighed. “Was I that bad?”

  Luke chuckled, wondering how she’d come up with that fool notion. As least, the tension eased out of his shoulders a bit. “What a thing to say. No. You were not bad. That isn’t a question a lady should ask, anyway. I’m just sorry about—”

  She stiffened the minute he chuckled. “’Twas my choice, but ye needin’t feel guilty,” she snapped, lifting her chin a tad higher. I could huv said no, but for me it felt verra right.”

  Luke realized he wasn't handling any of this correctly. “Listen Shannon, it isn’t you. It’s me. I don’t know how to explain–” Hell, he didn’t even know how to finish his sentence. He needed to explain that he wasn’t laughing at her. But this wasn’t a conversation they should be having under a tree, for Pete’s sake. Thunder rumbled in the background.

  Without warning, lightning struck the backside of the tree they were under, and both horses reared. Luke fought to control his mount, but Shannon’s pinto bolted across the uneven ground as a loud crack of thunder split the air.

  “Son-of-a-bitch!” Luke swore. His heart lodged in this throat. Frightened from the boom, the steers started to stampede, their sharp horns and large bodies charging toward Shannon. Before he could will her to tug on her reins and veer to the right, her mount jumped a dead log, nearly unseating her. Luke let out another expletive, kneed his mount, and tore out after her.

  Another bolt of lightening sent the cattle in a ninety-degree turn so that they were headed back toward him. “Shit!” Longhorn steers could be controlled only when they wanted to be, and at the moment, these Longhorns had erupted into mass hysteria. He knew he needed to ride the other way, but he had to get Shannon. Her horse galloped dangerously close along the outside of the herd. As it was, he could bare
ly see her red hair above all the dust, and he was pretty sure she’d lost her reins.

  Luke grabbed his Winchester from the saddle and shot twice into the air. Thank goodness, the herd split and became a churning, milling mass. He was gripped by fear that Shannon would be trampled to death.

  As if God knew Luke needed help, the sky opened up and rain became a deluged, pouring down on man, beast, and land. At least, it seemed to have calmed the herd, and he was able to make his way through the bawling, pushing animals.

  Finally, Luke spotted Shannon on the ground. A tiny speck, huddled in the middle of the cattle with her arms protecting her head.

  “Get!” Luke waved his rope, and the cows scattered just like the sea parting, allowing him to reach Shannon. She looked up at him with sparkling green eyes, and his heart lodged in his throat. “Can you grab my hand?”

  She managed to push herself to her feet, but then stumbled. He could see she was hurt as she limped toward him. He reached down and pulled her onto his horse, then wrapped his arms protectively around her. Luke wasted no time as he rode away from the herd. “Are you all right?”

  “M--my foot.”

  “I’ll look at it when we get back to the ranch. We don’t want to stop here. This rain appears to be a real gully washer.” He clicked his tongue and kneed his horse. “We’d best get home before another bolt of lightning sets the herd off again.”

  Shannon nodded. He tucked her head under his chin and nudged his horse into a gallop. As they rode, he kept thanking his lucky stars Shannon hadn’t been killed. He felt like shaking her for the scare she’d given him, but at the same time he just wanted to hold her close. She trembled in his arms and his heart twisted.

  It was then he realized Shannon McKinley was much more than a nanny to him.

  Chapter 12

  Luke barged in through the back door carrying Shannon in his arms. He deposited her carefully in the nearest kitchen chair.

  “Maria, find something so we can dry off,” Luke ordered as he stepped back.

  Shannon realized she was soaked and bruised as she took the towel from Maria and started drying her face and hair. She was damned lucky to be alive. If Luke hadn’t found her in the midst of the cattle, she could have been trampled to death by the cattle.

  “I was worried when I saw the sky so dark,” Maria commented. “You should get out of your wet clothes Señorita Shannon.”

  “I quite agree,” Shannon said and tried to stand. “Oooo!” The pain in her foot shot straight up her leg, reminding her she wasn’t going anywhere on her own.

  “Sit down,” Luke said in a harsh voice. “You shouldn’t be standing,” he added as if he realized his voice had sounded sharp. He bent down and took her boot in his palm and loosened the laces, carefully slipping it off her foot.

  “Just what I figured, your ankle is swollen. You’re not going to be able to put weight on it for awhile. I’m not a doctor but it could be broken.”

  Shannon was more aware of Luke’s hands than her aching foot. “How am I goin’ tae get aboot?”

  Luke straightened and then rubbed his chin. “For now, I’ll carry you to your room and Maria can help you change into some dry clothes. I need to get some dry duds on myself,” he said as he bent over and scooped Shannon up.

  “Ye canna carry me around forever.”

  “I agree. You’re pretty heavy.”

  Shannon shoved him with her hand and Luke chuckled, but managed to add, “That was a fool thing riding out with a storm approaching.”

  She gave a rueful smile. “I think I’ve figured that out for myself.”

  “Storms pass quickly out here. As you can probably hear, it has already grown quiet.” He turned the corner. “After we change into some dry clothing, we will take the buckboard to town so Doc Lindsey can look you over and see if something needs to be fixed.”

  Once they reached Shannon’s room, Luke placed her on a chair. She smiled her thanks before he left her with Maria.

  Maria assisted Shannon with her wet clothing, which felt as though they were glued to her skin. She had to stand on one foot and support herself with the chair. She felt pretty foolish needing someone’s help getting her clothes off and on. She hadn’t had a personal maid since England and had gotten use to being self-sufficient. However the English clothing was a little more complicated. Shannon slipped a blouse over her head. The warm dry clothes felt so much better than the wet ones.

  “Can you help me with my hair, Maria?” Shannon asked.

  “Sí.” Maria took a fresh towel and dried Shannon’s hair until most of the water was out. “I will plait your hair in a long braid since it is still wet.”

  “Thanks. Hopefully the doctor can do somethin’ wit’ my foot. The children dinna need tae see me helpless.”

  Maria laughed. “Sí, I can see them taking advantage of the situation.” I dinna want tae think aboot being helpless.” Shannon laughed.

  The air had turned much colder by the time Luke carried Shannon out to the buckboard. “My goodness the weather changes quickly here,” she commented.

  “Probably the reason for the thunder and lightning. When the warm air and the cold air collide, it isn’t good.” Luke climbed up to his seat. He reached under the bench and pullout a red and yellow patchwork quilt, then handed it to her. “Here. This will help keep you warm.”

  “Back home,” Shannon said as they pulled away from the ranch, “we heat bricks then place them under our feet when we travel.”

  “Strange,” Luke said, then added, “But I bet it would work.”

  “Quite nicely.”

  They were quiet most the way until Luke finally broke the silence. Luke felt Shannon’s leg next to his and he was surprised at how the slightest contact with this woman brought on the strongest urge to kiss her. However she seemed oblivious to the effect she had on him as she gazed out across the prairie like he wasn’t there. “How’s your foot?”

  “It hurts. Especially when ye hit a bump.”

  Luke chuckled.

  She glared. “’Tis not funny.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m sure it does hurt. I’ll try and go around the ones up ahead. Maybe if you double the quilt it will give you a little more padding.”

  Shannon decided to take his advice and folded the quilt around her foot. “’Tis better. Thanks. Ye’re bein’ vera nice.”

  “I’m always nice.”

  “I beg to differ.”

  Luke took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He wanted her to understand. “I do care for you Shannon,” Luke admitted, then realized how true his words were. She was like a beacon of light that somehow brought a soft glow into his life. He couldn’t stop himself from wanting her. “When I saw you disappear in that herd . . . I--I thought I’d lost you.”

  Shannon felt a strange restless craving by his softly spoken words. She was touched by Luke’s concern and also uncertain about this change in him. “I thought I was gone, too, especially when the reins slipped from my grasp.”

  “We were lucky,” Luke said. His left arm was propped on his knee, relaxing now that they were on their way. “However, I’d like to finish the conversation we’d started earlier. I still think we should marry.”

  “But --”

  “Let me finish.” He stopped her with a glance. “You need protection. Your father cannot force you to marry if you are already married.”

  “But ye dinna love me,” she said in a small voice.

  Luke sighed. He’s forgotten how to be romantic. “Shannon, you have to realize my heart has been shut down for a very long time. I guess you could say that I’ve been dead inside,” he admitted. “I like you. The children like you. Isn’t that enough for now?”

  She thought for a moment. This is what she wanted ... to marry Luke . . . her cowboy. So why was she suddenly reluctant? Deep down, she supposed she wanted to be swept off her feet and to feel loved and cherished. But that wasn’t about to happen in this unsettled land.

  Perhaps, if she we
nt ahead and married Luke the rest would come later. “Ye said ye liked me?”

  “Very much.”

  But deep down, she knew she’d never be happy until he loved her. “Then I guess it is for now.”

  “Good,” Luke said as they approached the outskirts of Cottonwood. He pulled the team up in front of a brown building two doors down from the Dry Goods store. “Besides, I’ve missed the stage again.”

  Shannon laughed. “’Tis as good an excuse as any.”

  Luke carried her into Doc Lindsey’s office and placed her on the examining table since no one was waiting in the outer room.

  “What do we have here?” Doc Lindsey said as he shuffled over to the examining table. He was a portly man dressed in a worn, brown vest with the last two buttons open at the bottom. He appeared kind with a nice smile, Shannon thought.

  “Hi Doc,” Luke said and shook the man’s hand. “This is Shannon McKinley, my children’s nanny. Afraid she got caught in a stampede.”

  “What! It’s a wonder she wasn’t killed,” Doc commented, his shock showing as his gray, bushy eyebrows snapped together. “Where did they step on you?”

  “I was lucky. “’Tis just my foot.” Shannon pointed.

  “Let me see.” Doc Lindsey sat on a nearby stool. He gently took her foot in his strong hands, moving it this way and that way.

  Shannon groaned. It hurt like the dickens, but she didn’t want to be a baby about something so minor. Hadn’t she promised Luke she wouldn’t get sick on him. Of course, she really wasn’t sick, just a wee bit of a setback. She also noticed that Luke had slipped out of the room, and she wondered where he had gone.

  “It doesn’t appear that you’ve broken anything, but I expect it’s going to be a couple of weeks before you can walk normally. I think it’s just badly bruised and not sprained so you were very lucky.” The doctor stood and rubbed his chin. “I tell you what, I’ll bandage your foot, and then I’ve got a set of crutches in the back I can loan you, which will make it much easier to get around.” His gaze fell on the bruise marring her cheekbone. “What about your head?”