To Tame A Cowgirl

by Roni Adams

  She strode past him to the den but didn’t sit down. As soon as Cord walked into the room she started listing off everything they did and who they saw in Houston—leaving out certain unrelated specifics of the trip. “Yep, that’s about it, and the guys from Australia were great, said they’d email you.” Spinning around she adjusted her hat and headed back to the door.

  “They did already. I was thinking that Australia would make a great honeymoon trip.”

  Sara froze, her chest constricting with panic. “H...honeymoon?”

  She wet her lips. Cord didn’t say anything and she was forced to look back over her shoulder.

  He stood there with his hands in his pockets. “I know that the lawyer in New York couldn’t find a loop hole. The sooner we just do this, the better.”

  Images of her and Buck and what they’d done flashed through her mind. Sara’s stomach turned over. If she opened her mouth to comment, her entire breakfast was coming out. Her hand slid unconsciously across her stomach. Was nature going to make this decision for her, or was she going to be spared that humiliation?

  She gave Cord a crisp nod and all but ran from the house.

  In the few days since she’d been home, she hadn’t been able to think of anything but ‘what ifs’. She never imagined herself as a mother. In fact, it was probably one of the farthest things ever in her mind. Yet, the very idea that she might be pregnant had her worried about everything. Secretly, she’d looked up early pregnancy signs and what not to do when you’re pregnant on the internet and was shocked by the list of precautions even for early pregnancy. She was relieved to discover that horseback riding was fine until her last trimester. Not that she was pregnant, she argued with herself. There wasn’t any proof one way or the other...yet.

  Lost in her turbulent thoughts, she nearly collided with Teddy as he came across the yard. He looked madder than usual. She stopped and smiled up at him, ignoring his scowl. “Hey, have you heard when Flo’s due back?” she asked, needing a good hug and some motherly comfort of her own.

  “Tuesday.” He glanced at the back door of the house and wiped his brow with his forearm as the sweat dripped into his eyes. “I just had another dance with your bull.”

  “Satan? Did he get out again?”

  “No, this time I caught it before he could. He’s gotta go, Sara. You’d think with what your father did, you’d be eager to get rid of him.”

  Sara’s temper flared. “Satan isn’t here because of my father, he’s here because he’s mine and just because I don’t own half this business doesn’t mean that what I want doesn’t count and...”

  Teddy threw up his hands. “Okay, fine. Keep the stupid bull. Glad to see the little trip you and Buck took to Houston put you both in such fantastic moods.”

  Sara tipped her head. Buck was in a rotten mood? “What do you mean?”

  Teddy snorted. “Ever since you two got back, he’s been like a grizzly who’s had his hibernation interrupted.”

  Warmth spread into her face and she looked away. “What’s he mad about?”

  “Who the hell knows. Sara, can’t you smell me?” Teddy raised his arm towards her and she backed away. “I was already a mess when I rode in and then I had to take care Satan.” He hiked a thumb behind him. “Sam’s in the barn, go talk to him. I’ve gotta get a shower and go to town. We’ve got a big gig tonight.”

  He walked away and she headed towards the barn.

  “Hey.”

  At Teddy’s call, she turned back around. “What?”

  “You’re coming tonight right? Did anyone tell you about this party?”

  Sara frowned. “At the LoneStar?”

  “It’s a surprise for Bill. I guess the mortgage on the place is paid off so we’re throwing him a big party. Everyone should be there.”

  Sara nodded. If it was anyone but Bill she wouldn’t bother going, but the owner of the LoneStar was a dear friend and she couldn’t miss his party. “Yeah, I’ll be there,” she agreed reluctantly as she turned away.

  Although there were several large barns on the property, this one housed the family’s private horses. Once inside the cool, dark interior she waited a minute for her eyes to adjust then spied Sam sitting on a stool in the aisle. He scribbled on a yellow pad and clipboard.

  She rubbed the nose of the Chestnut mare that poked his head out of his stall to see what was going on. The horse nuzzled her neck and she laughed and patted his neck.

  “Hey, old man.” Sara reached the side of the weathered foreman.

  Sam was as much a part of her family and the Double B as his wife. In fact, the two had met while working on the ranch as teenagers and it was love ever since.

  A grunt was the only indication that he’d heard her. Dropping to the floor, she sat cross legged and waited patiently for him to finish. When he kept on writing, she scooted closer and kneeled up to peek.

  “Hot damn, Sam,” she said after reading the number of calves that had been born in the past few weeks.

  He grinned and winked as their eyes met. “It’s been a busy week. You’re sister’s been on the phone non-stop.”

  Sara raised her brow.

  “Beth. She’d been on the horn with us every hour asking about this one or that one. Damn, you’d think we’d never had cows give birth before.”

  “She just misses being here for all this. Next year she’ll really drive you crazy when she’s here in the thick of it all.” Sara flopped down to the floor and picked a piece of fresh straw from the bale. “Hard to believe all her years of school are behind her and she’ll be the vet now.”

  “She’ll be less trouble then, not calling me every two minutes. One good thing with Beth, she knows when to stay out of the way and when to get in there and help. Doc taught her good.” Sam finished his writing and looked her square in the eye.

  Sara dipped her chin to avoid his gaze. Sam always seemed to be able to see right through her. She squirmed, hoping he hadn’t figured out what had happened in Houston. Impossible. He couldn’t know anything. No one did. Unless Buck had told him, and she highly doubted that.

  His faded blue eyes held her gaze. “We got us a problem, little girl.”

  Sara frowned.

  “A pack of wild dogs have been spotted. Other ranches have been losing calves and even some cattle to them. When one of the cowboys went after them on the Circle S, they turned and attacked.”

  Sara’s gut clenched. “What’s our plan?”

  “Teddy and I put some more hands on and we’ve got round the clock watches on all the fence lines. So far it’s been quiet.”

  “I don’t want to lose one calf.” The very thought of one of their own being picked off by a wild animal infuriated her. The calves were so helpless and dependent. I better get with Buck on this and...oh yeah, she wasn’t speaking to Buck. She’d have to get someone else to talk to Buck and formulate a plan. How the hell were they going to work together if this was how it was going to be? Her stomach clenched. They never should have slept together. Damn him.

  “I want to know if they spot them.” She poked her boot at a loose board on the stall behind her. “I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night, I want to be called.”

  “Figured you might. Cord’s still out of the saddle for a time. Broke some ribs a time or two myself—ain’t no worse pain in the world. I watched him try to mount up last week and it wasn’t pretty.”

  Sara nodded, stood and brushed off her jeans. “Yeah, he needs to stop pushing himself so hard.”

  The grey-haired foreman folded his hands on the clipboard. “How was Houston? Anything I need to hear about?”

  Sara grinned. Sam didn’t want to know any of the new breeding techniques or the new modern ways of ranching, he wanted the scoop, the gossip on the ranching circles. “It was pretty quiet. No wild parties, no big scandals.” Unless you count what she and Buck did. Her heart dipped as it always did when she thought about Houston. From behind, a head shoved her in the middle of her back and she turned
to scold Sun Dance, Beth’s horse. “Hey.” She patted the blonde neck and shoved her head gently away.

  “You and Buck have a good time did you?” The way the older man didn’t look her in the eye made her wonder again if he knew something.

  “We both came home in one piece,” she answered, stroking Sun Dance’s velvet nose.

  “Buck’s a good man,” Sam commented. “Hell of a cowboy, but then all the boys are.”

  “Yeah,” she choked out, and laid her head against the horse for a moment. She closed her eyes and wished everything wasn’t quite the mess it was. When she opened them, Sam was contemplating her. He knew what was up—Sam always could read her.

  “Your father loved you, girl, don’t ever doubt that. He had a lot of weight to carry on his shoulders and he did what he thought was the best thing for everyone. His one fault was that sometimes he couldn’t see what was right in front of his face.”

  Sara wet her lips. “He didn’t care about me or what I wanted. He only wanted what was best for the ranch.”

  “He wanted you to marry Cord because he thought that was what was best for you and Cord. I don’t think the ranch ever entered into it.”

  Unconvinced that her father’s intentions were to protect her, she didn’t bother to answer. Her father didn’t think she could run the ranch, period.

  “All it would take is one fox in the henhouse to really throw things for a whirl. He didn’t know any other way to make sure the two of you were protected. Guess he thought you’d make a hell of a marriage. But, God knows if your mama had been alive, she’d have had a thing or two to say about that.”

  Sara grinned. “Yeah, Mama would have definitely set him straight.”

  Sam cleared his throat and Sara straightened. The older man wasn’t usually the type to have such talks and she sensed he’d said more than he’d meant to. She reached out and touched his arm. “Let me know about the dogs, okay?”

  He nodded and ambled away down the aisle towards the small office they kept in the barn. Everyone knew when Flo wasn’t home, Sam couldn’t sleep. He’d doze on the old cot off and on. Sara watched him go, wondering how that felt—to love, and be loved so completely with no doubts or reservations. Memories of sleeping with Buck came to mind. Was it too late? If she went to him, if she talked to him, would it be too late to get back the friendship they’d had?

  Buck loved the land...did he love it as much as she did? A new concern stumbled into the mix. Was he secretly trying to sabotage her inheritance because he wasn’t in control? His father had left Cord the largest share of the ranch. Maybe he didn’t want her to control the land either. Did he plan what happened in Houston as a means to an end? It would make sense, maybe even his reluctance to make love that first night was part of the act, make her believe it was her idea. Did she play right into his hands?

  She let her breath out on a long sigh and ran her fingers through her hair. It was all such a mucked up mess. Maybe the party at the LoneStar would be a good diversion tonight. She certainly needed to spend some time not thinking about this for a while.

  ****

  Several hours later, Sara stared hard at the steak on the counter. The cookbook next to it had absolutely nothing within on how to cook steak. She looked up and couldn’t stop the thankful smile as Cord walked in. “Hey, look at you. You’re almost normal.”

  He smirked. “Thanks. That’s a compliment, I think.” He glanced from the steak to her and back again. “Didn’t Flo banish you from cooking after the brownie incident of ’93?”

  Sara wrinkled her nose. “I’m starving and she’s not here. Where’s Diane? I thought she was cooking for us.”

  Cord shrugged and took two beers out of the refrigerator. “I have no idea. I’m just grateful she’s left me alone.” He took the top off both beers and handed her one.

  Sara held the cold bottle in her hands, dying to chug it down, but the remembered cautions on a pregnancy web site stopped her. She lifted the rim to her lips, pretended to take a drink then set the bottle on the counter.

  “Did Diane tell you she’s considering moving to Paris?” Cord leaned against the counter.

  Sara frowned. “Paris? For what?”

  He tipped his own beer and took a long swallow. “Because of this guy, Henri LeBeau.” Cord mimicked the name in a fake French accent. “He wants her to do this major interior design on some big project or whatever over there. It’s a three year contract.”

  “She hasn’t said a word.” Sara raised her bottle and pretended to take a sip again. “When did she tell you that?”

  “The other night.”

  He didn’t look too happy and she frowned. “You don’t trust this guy, do you?”

  “Hell no. ‘Course, I don’t know him, but I will. I’ve got someone on his case right now.”

  Sara shook her head. “Diane would kill you if she finds out you’re having this guy checked out.”

  Cord shrugged, finished his beer and set it down. “I couldn’t care less. I’m not letting her traipse over there with some strange guy we don’t even know.”

  Sara raised one eyebrow. It was great that Cord was looking out for Diane, but her sister was twenty seven years old, well past the age where she needed someone to tell her how to run her life. “Diane isn’t stupid. She wouldn’t go with him if she didn’t trust him.”

  “I’m not taking any chances.” He picked up the steak rewrapped it and put it back in the freezer. “Come on, let’s go get something at the LoneStar. I hear there’s a big party there tonight for Bill.”

  Sara grinned. “You’re on. I wasn’t going to go until later but what the hell, better than attempting to cook this.”

  ****

  Buck sat at the bar in his usual spot and tried to pretend he was having a good time. Every table was full, the dance floor packed thanks to Teddy and his band. He hadn’t been in the mood to come tonight, but there was no nicer man in the world than old Bill and he deserved to have all his friends there to celebrate such a momentous occasion with him.

  When his brother walked in with Sara on his arm, Buck’s blood ran cold. Seeing both of them together was like a red flag to a bull. He watched her laugh at something Cord said. It was apparent they had come to the party together. Obviously, the wedding plans were on. Cord’s hand rested on the small of Sara’s back as they walked across the room.

  Her eyes lifted to meet his and he couldn’t tear his gaze away. Why the hell did she have to look so good? Dressed in her usual jeans and T-shirt, her old scuffed cowboy boots and hair hanging down her back, no one would call her a fashion plate, but to him she looked amazing. The girl next door, literally. A rough and tough cowgirl on the outside who could go toe to toe with anyone who crossed her. And yet, underneath, she was as warm and fun and sexier than anyone he’d ever met. Making love with her and learning things about her he’d never known before took his feelings for her to a whole different level. They had to work this out. He couldn’t stand back and watch her marry his brother.

  He held her gaze as the couple reached Bill. The owner of the LoneStar stood on the other side of the bar for once, accepting the congratulations of his friends. Sara broke the stare and turned to give Bill a hug. He wanted to talk to her so bad. Wanted to hold her and tell her he missed her and figure a way to work everything out. He’d been in hell long enough.

  Buck stood and crossed the room. He was going to at least talk to her, ask her to dance, see if there was any way they could salvage what they once had.

  Halfway across the room, he watched SueAnne Richardson, her voice as loud as ever, practically ambushed Cord and Sara.

  “I just found out the news and wanted to be the first to congratulate you both! I think it’s fabulous. I mean I think it make so much sense, and yet, who knew? But it’s so wonderful.”

  Buck frowned as SueAnne lunged for Cord and Sara stepped fluently between them.

  “He’s got broken ribs, SueAnne, watch it. What the heck are you blabbering about anyway?�
�

  SueAnne turned to stare at Cord and then back to Sara again. The room around them had gone incredibly quiet.

  “Why, your wedding, silly. I know you haven’t made a formal announcement but this would be the perfect time. You’re both here, we’re all here. Come on, tell everyone.”

  Buck’s guts twisted and his anger began a slow burn. He froze, waiting to see what the two of them would say.

  Cord, always the diplomat, took control. He slid his arm along Sara’s waist and drew her close to his side. “There’s no announcement, SueAnne.” Turning to the crowd, he added, “I appreciate the good wishes, but Sara and I are still working out the details and really don’t want to say too much right now.”

  What an idiot! He just played right into the gossip mill. Instead of setting them straight, Cord’s non-answer just led everyone to believe it was true.

  Hell. What did he know? Maybe it was true. Sara looked incredibly uncomfortable and, for one split second, tossed him a wide eyed stare that clearly begged for help.

  He lifted a brow and fought back every instinct he’d ever had to be there for her. That was over.

  With purposeful strides, he pivoted and walked straight into the men’s room.

  A half-hour later he wondered why he was still at the party. He wanted to leave and yet, as long as Sara was there, he couldn’t bring himself to go home. For most of the evening, she and Cord weren’t together. She often sat with Cole, and when her sisters arrived, they all huddled together around the table. It wasn’t more than another half-hour later that he watched Cord shake hands with Bill and leave. His brother’s face was ashen and Buck could tell he was still hurting. It was curious, though, that Sara barely waved goodbye to him while Diane quickly stood and headed to the door with Cord.

  The beers were going down pretty easy and the longer Sara stayed, the more beers Buck drank. He danced too. With everyone, except her. He even spun the annoying SueAnne around the hardwood a time or two—although he was still sober enough to back away when she pressed too close against him.

  A new face in town sat at the bar and the man was obviously dressed to fit the role of a cowboy but if he’d ever been on a horse before, Buck would eat his hat. He watched from the dance floor as Sara turned and smiled at the stranger and the other man leaned in to talk to her. When they headed to the dance floor Buck’s anger piqued. It wasn’t enough that she was marrying his brother, now she was picking up strangers. What was even more curious was the way Sara was acting. She wasn’t the type to make strangers feel welcome and he’d never known her to dance with someone she didn’t know. He looked around for Cole, hoping at least someone would notice and cut in, but the other rancher concentrated on a game of pool in the far corner.