One Stubborn Cowboy

by Barbara McMahon

  “Frustrating, I bet.” She was careful to keep all signs of sympathy from her voice.

  “Are you Mrs. Freud?”

  “No, but you look like an active, physical man. The limitation must be frustrating.”

  Kelly looked down at her hands, wondering at the desire she had to smooth the lines of pain from his face, thread her fingers through his thick, springy hair and hold him close for comfort. He was the last man in the world to want comfort. Especially from her. Yet she wanted to give it.

  She swirled around and saw the coffee was ready. Her hands shook slightly as she poured it, and she hoped he didn’t notice.

  “Do you raise cattle on your ranch?” She strove for a neutral topic, something they could discuss without the tension and strain they forged at each meeting. She didn’t want to be angry anymore. She wanted to learn more about him.

  “Yeah, Herefords. We have a large herd. I do the paperwork now, Clint ramrods the cowboys.”

  “How many?”

  “We’ve got a half dozen fellows that work for us all year long, and hire on extra when mustering for market. You interested in ranching?”

  “Just trying to learn what I can about the places around here. It’s all different and new to me. I’ve always lived in San Francisco before.”

  Kit seemed to relax in the pleasant kitchen and began talking briefly about his ranch. His short, descriptive phrases painted a practical picture of cattle ranching. Kelly was an avid listener. She wasn’t shy about asking questions if he lost her, or when she wanted more information. It was a fascinating way of life, especially to one born and raised in the city.

  He drained his cup and set it down. Reaching for his hat, he looked at her.

  “Thanks for the coffee.”

  “Thanks for seeing me home,” she said, feeling suddenly shy. “Next time let me know it’s you following.”

  “There may not be a next time now that I know how capable you are,” he drawled, his eyes on her mouth.

  Chapter 3

  Kit stared at her for an endless moment as time seemed suspended. He longed to feel those soft lips against his. Feel the heat he knew was in her, the passion her fiery words promised. In the past he’d never hesitated, never questioned. He took what he wanted, giving pleasure as he sampled women the way most men only dreamed of. But that had all changed two long years ago.

  He hadn’t touched a woman since Althea. Gone was the carefree, cocky cowboy of the old days, for all Kelly apparently thought differently. In his place now was a cripple. A man who was only partially a man, scarred and limited.

  No one wants to be tied to a cripple. The hateful words Althea had screamed at him in the hospital echoed over and over.

  He turned from the temptation of Kelly Adams and reached for his crutches. Jamming his hat on his head, he slowly stood, steadied himself and started for the door.

  “You’ve done your good deed for the week, Miss Adams,” he said mockingly as he started down the hall.

  “What does that mean?” Kelly followed slowly, reluctant to have the evening end, knowing he should go before she did something silly, like ask him to stay. Like ask him to kiss her. She didn’t even know the man.

  But she wanted to.

  “Come on, pretty lady, the last thing you wanted tonight was some cripple going on and on about a cattle spread that is only nominally his anymore.” He couldn’t hide the bitterness. Though the fault was his own, he hated the twist of fate that had landed him in this situation. Hated it even more the past few days than before.

  She reached out and stopped his progress toward the door with a warm hand on his arm. He swung around and cocked an eyebrow in question.

  Kelly tilted her head to see him better as he took a step closer. Stepping away from his overwhelming masculinity, she backed against the wall, acutely aware of the smoky hue of his eyes, aware of the tension radiating between them. She was unable to look away as she felt herself melting in a dark blue gaze that devoured her. Her heart began a shudderingly slow pounding. She could feel the heat from his body encompass her as she leaned against the wall. When he stepped even closer, her tongue darted out between her lips to moisten than.

  He leaned toward her, his eyes narrowed in consideration. “One good shove will knock me down, if that’s what you want.” He waited a second, then slowly lowered his head and put his mouth over hers.

  Kelly trembled slightly at the delight of his touch, releasing a soft sigh. His lips were warm and firm, provoking an unexpectedly deep response from her. Her knees grew weak and she was glad of the wall behind her for support. His touch was melting her through and through.

  When he felt her response, he pressed against her. His hard chest crushed against her breasts, his long legs moved to capture hers. His lips opened hers to tease her into a deeper kiss. When his tongue explored the soft reaches of her mouth, he heard a faint moan from her throat. He felt her shyly open her mouth wider, giving him permission for whatever he wanted from her.

  The weight of his body pressing against hers was heaven. Her hands brushed against his chest, over his strong arms, moving, questing, as they found the strong column of his neck, and at last felt the springy texture of his hair. Threading it in her fingers, she held him close to her, acknowledging the deepening kiss.

  She delighted in the sweetness of his thrusting tongue, his lips moving in sensuous satisfaction against her soft flesh. She lost all concept of time, drowning in endless delight and floating bliss. She strained to get closer, moving her lips against his, her hands touching, his mouth hard against hers, her body molding itself against the length of his.

  Endless moments passed before Kit eased his mouth from hers and raised his head. His eyes half closed, he watched her lazily as he slowly straightened and stepped awkwardly back on his crutches.

  “That was better than any cake,” he said as he turned and started toward the door again.

  Kelly hadn’t moved, looking at him with bewildered eyes. Why had he stopped? She could have gone on forever. She traced her still-warm lips with her tongue, tasting Kit. She felt cold and alone with him gone. Her arms ached to hold him, her mouth ached for his. But he walked away.

  Pushing away from the wall, Kelly followed him to the door, standing there to watch as he made his way to his truck. He never looked back. Lightly tracing her lips again, she watched the red lights of the truck fade in the distance.

  God, I’ll have to watch myself, he thought as the town lights disappeared behind him. She was so sweet, so feminine, so damned tempting. Yet she wasn’t shy and timid and scared around him like Sally.

  She gave as good as she got. He smiled, remembering some of the things she’d said to him, starting with that first day when she’d called him an idiot. She had a mouth on her.

  Hell, he’d prove he was an idiot if he continued. There was nothing he could offer her. Forget the hot kisses. He needed to return to the way things had been before he met her. He’d stay on the ranch and ignore her. And she’d forget him before long.

  The decision did nothing to improve his mood.

  Sally Lockford called Kelly Friday morning.

  “I’m going to get a new dress for the dance tomorrow, so I’m coming to town. Kit’s going to drive me in. Want to have lunch at the cafe?”

  “I’d like to have lunch together, but why don’t you eat here? Kit, too, of course.” Kelly smiled in secret glee at the prospect of seeing him again. He’d been constantly in her thoughts. That kiss was hard to forget. She’d wondered how to arrange a meeting again without being totally blatant about it. Had he thought of her even once?

  “I’d love to. I can’t speak for Kit, though. He’s been grouchy as can be this last week, worse than usual,” Sally said.

  “Well, the invitation’s open if he wants to join us.”

  Kelly hoped he’d stop for lunch, but Kit only dropped Sally off just before noon and roared down the street with the same disregard for others on the road as he had displayed t
he first time Kelly saw him. Not wanting Sally to suspect the extent of her fascination with Kit, Kelly merely commented that she was sorry he couldn’t stay.

  Sally left after lunch to look for a dress, Kelly sat out on her front porch, watching in case Kit didn’t see Sally in town and stopped back Kelly’s place. Actually, she was hoping he’d miss his sister-in-law in town and stop. She was rewarded when she heard the throaty growl of his engine, Kelly hurried to the driveway as he turned in.

  He sat in the truck, motor running, watching her approach with brooding eyes. When she smiled, he did not. Did he ever greet people? Smile? Wave? she wondered. It didn’t matter, she was glad to see him, for however brief a time.

  “Hi,” she said brightly.

  “Where’s Sally?”

  “Fine, thank you, and you?” Putting her hands on the open window as if to hold the truck in place, Kelly responded as if he’d asked how she was. “Don’t you say hello when you see anyone?”

  “Why?”

  “It’s polite.”

  “Hello. Where’s Sally?”

  “She went to get the dress for the dance. I think she’s at Beth’s. Are you going to the dance?”

  “Now why would a cripple who can’t even walk go to a dance?” his insolent voice asked her as he flicked his glance over her before turning away. He put the truck in reverse and released the brake. The truck began rolling slowly back toward the highway. Kelly walked along, her hands still on the window.

  “I thought it was a social gathering to celebrate Memorial Day. Couldn’t you come for that?”

  He shook his head. “Take your hands away. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  She stepped back and watched him drive away, wondering if it was already too late to worry about getting hurt. Too much of her time was taken in thinking about Kit Lockford.

  She dwelt on their meetings, thinking up different, clever things she should have said. Remembering their kiss. Remembering how he made her feel. How she wanted to kiss him again. The feelings he caused her were unlike any she’d ever experienced before. They were heady, exciting, sexy, unforgettable—and she wanted to experience them again.

  Kelly waited on her front porch until Kit and Sally passed by on their way home. Kit didn’t look her way when she waved, and Kelly was disappointed. Maybe he didn’t feel the same spark of attraction she felt so strongly. Maybe it was just her. She looked down the road long after they’d disappeared, remembering his kisses and the anticipation and delight she’d experienced around him each time. Didn’t he feel any of the sensual pull she felt?

  The next evening Kelly took pains with her appearance as she dressed for the dance. This was her first social event in her new town and she wanted to fit in. Forgoing some of the more sophisticated of her dresses, she settled on a light batiste cotton, pale blue and summery. The bodice was snug, the skirt full and flaring. She wore white sandals, which displayed her shapely legs to advantage. Highlighting her eyes, she needed no further makeup. She brushed her hair until it swirled like a soft, wavy cloud around her face. She was still a little nervous, but already knew several people who would be there—Molly, Beth, Sally, Clint. She’d meet others and take another step toward belonging.

  She’d prepared a double batch of Heavenly Delight, a chewy chocolate cookie, for her contribution. She picked up the wrapped dessert dish and left the house. The school was only a few blocks away so she planned to walk. It just wasn’t far enough to drive.

  She felt strange walking along the country highway in the twilight. There were no streetlights, no sidewalks. It seemed very desolate, with only an occasional car passing. She quickened her pace when she saw the low brick building illuminated by lights inside and out. There were dozens of cars haphazardly parked around the high school, more arriving every minute.

  When she entered, she saw the tables stacked with food along one wall, a bar set up against another. The dance band was at the far end. Folding chairs had been placed around the perimeter. Several couples were already staking a claim to chairs before everyone arrived.

  Kelly added her contribution to the already crowded table. Glancing around, she spotted Beth and her husband, Mike, and waved. Joining them, she was soon introduced to friends of Beth’s from school days who were reminiscing about the school activities they’d shared in this very gym.

  When the music started, Kelly was quickly claimed for a dance by a friend of Beth’s. As the evening progressed, the group expanded and contracted as couples joined, drifted away. More and more single men stopped by to meet Kelly, urging Beth or Mike to perform introductions. Most of the men worked on the ranches in the area. Kelly enjoyed dancing, but couldn’t help comparing each of her partners to Kit. She wished it was Kit she was dancing with.

  Between dances she nibbled on the food, sipped some beer and talked of books, movies and cattle. During the band’s first break Mike’s eyes widened.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. Look who came.”

  Everyone swiveled to see the reason for his comment. Kit, Clint and Sally Lockford entered the gym. Kit was leaning on his crutches, his face impassive, his hat tilted forward. Ignoring the whispers now running around the room as more and more people became aware of his unusual attendance, he calmly surveyed the crowd.

  Spotting Beth and Kelly, Clint said something to Sally and Kit. They turned and made their way to the group.

  Introductions were made, and Kelly watched as Kit was surrounded by old friends. Men and women from all over the gym came over to speak with him, greeting him warmly. He talked easily with them, moving skillfully around with his crutches.

  When the music started again, he turned toward the chairs along the wall, sitting down easily, slipping his hat and crutches beneath his seat. His expression was again impassive as he watched the dancers.

  Kelly watched him from the dance floor as friends took turns sitting out with him, talking and laughing easily together.

  He didn’t seem to know she was there. Except for his brief greeting, he had ignored her. Was he having such a good time? Or was he deliberately ignoring her for another reason? He talked with so many people she lost count. He seemed to be enjoying himself. She wanted to sit out a dance with him, too. Talk to him, be close to him again.

  Thinking up an excuse, she decided to ask him if his offer to take her to see the black pony was still good. But just as she started toward him, Clint claimed her for a dance. “Having fun?”

  “Yes. Everyone’s been so nice and friendly. It definitely explodes the small-town myth of a closed society.”

  He chuckled. “It’s really a myth to keep city folks from flooding in.”

  “I was surprised to see Kit. I thought he didn’t come to things like this,” she said.

  Clint glanced over at his brother, then back to Kelly. “He usually doesn’t. Though in all fairness, I guess a dance isn’t all that fun if you can’t join in.”

  “He can still visit with friends, enjoy the music,” Kelly said, her eyes on the man under discussion. He was talking with Sally.

  “This is the first time he’s come to anything like this since he was injured. He surprised us when he told us he was coming.”

  “I’m glad he came,” Kelly said simply, her eyes still drinking him in.

  The song ended. Clint kept hold of her hand, leading her toward Kit. Sally rose as they approached, smiling at her husband.

  “Hi, Kit,” Kelly said calmly, nodding at Sally as she took her seat. Sally and Clint moved into the next song and Kelly warily turned to the man beside her. Her heart was pounding, though it had proved easier than she’d thought to join him. Now what?

  He looked at her long and hard, his eyes bright, the familiar tightness on his face. Then he shrugged, his face relaxing a little.

  “Enjoying yourself?” he asked, taking a sip of beer.

  “Yes. I’ve met so many people I can’t keep the names straight. Everyone’s friendly.”

  “Not quite everyone,” he said softly. />
  “Well, maybe friendly doesn’t quite describe you. You’re a little harder to get to know,” she teased. Then she remembered his kiss. He might be harder to know, but it was worth the difficulty. “Are you glad you came?”

  “It wasn’t too bad until Sally gave me some bad news. Now I’m going to be put into a damn awkward situation momentarily and I’m trying to figure a way out,” he said shortly, looking over the crowd.

  “Just by coming here?” She was puzzled. He seemed to be having a good time. What had gone wrong?

  “I shouldn’t have come.”

  “Why? Is there anything I can do?” she asked softly, still perplexed by his comments. Somehow she didn’t associate problems with Kit Lockford. He was too domineering to give in to petty problems. He’d run roughshod over anything that got in his way. At least, that was how she saw him. But if there was something she could do to help, she wanted to. Would he have come to the dance if she hadn’t teased him about it?

  “I don’t see how you can help.” Taking a long drink from his beer, he then twirled it absently in his hands as he again surveyed the crowded room. •

  Kelly could feel the tension emanating from him. This time it had nothing to do with her, with them. He was worried, upset. Why? And why did he keep scanning the crowd?

  “Are you looking for someone in particular?” Kelly asked, looking across the crowded room.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “You look like you’re seeking someone. Or something.”

  “Someone I’d rather not see,” he muttered.

  “Who?”

  He drew in a deep breath. His eyes again scanned the room. Then he turned and looked at Kelly. Her heart sank at the bleak look in his eyes.

  “Hell, you might as well know. Everyone else here does. I was engaged to be married when I was injured. She broke it off and married someone else. Sally found out she’s coming here tonight. Alone. I’d like very much not to see her.” He gave a short, bitter laugh. “Hell, I’d do anything to avoid it. Except cause Clint and Sally to have to leave early just because I’m a coward.”