One Stubborn Cowboy

by Barbara McMahon

  She took a deep, shaky breath. She couldn’t keep thinking about it. She’d go mad. Especially if he didn’t want her anymore.

  Tears filled her eyes at the thought, but she resolutely blinked them away, willing him to drive as fast as he normally did, willing the journey to be finished soon. Before she broke down and cried.

  Finally he turned in to her driveway.

  She reached for the handle, but his hand caught her arm and held her in her seat. She turned to look at him.

  “Are you all right?” He hadn’t planned to ask her that, but the look on her face stopped the words he’d been going to say.

  She nodded.

  “I didn’t hurt you?”

  She shook her head. He was hurting her, but not the way he meant.

  She dropped her gaze to the edge of her shorts, tracing the material with one nervous finger. “Actually, it was quite wonderful. I didn’t know my body was capable of such feelings,” she said slowly.

  “What are you talking about? What about your other lovers? Did none of them ever satisfy you?”

  She rubbed the edge of her shorts, wondering how to tell him. “Except for one fumbling foray into the realm of sex when I was in college, I, er, haven’t had a very, um, active social life.”

  “Meaning?”

  She threw him a look, a flush of embarrassed anger rising in her cheeks. “Meaning I’ve only done it once and it hurt.”

  He closed his eyes. He certainly had not been expecting that. This woman was the epitome of self-assurance and confidence. Hell, she’d lived in San Francisco all her life. Of course he’d expected her to have had lovers. Shoving his hat back from his face, he turned and looked at her.

  “Dammit, you lived in San Francisco, a big, swinging city. You’re pretty, successful…”

  “What does that have to do with anything? You think I sleep around just because I’m from the city? Let me tell you something, cowboy, I have morals just the same as anyone else. And I don’t—”

  “Kelly, shut up. Jeez, you have a mouth on you. Say one little thing and you jump in with both guns blazing.”

  “I wish I did have a gun. I’d take a shot at you.”

  “And I bet I know where.”

  “You’d better believe it, cowboy. Then you’d have a scar that would really gross people out.”

  He laughed. She was so mad she could hit him, and he laughed.

  “Hell, I’d never show anyone,” he said between breaths.

  She smiled, then chuckled as his infectious laughter reached through her anger. It was an absurd picture.

  Clamping her arm tightly against her side, she brought his fingers into contact with the soft swell of her breast. Slowly she stretched out her hand and rested it on his thigh.

  “Kit, get some protection,” she said softly, watching her fingers rub against the soft, faded denim.

  “Have a care, darlin’. I can’t use that leg, but it’s not lost all its feeling.”

  She smiled, but couldn’t quite meet his eyes. She felt like a brazen hussy, suggesting he get protection. Maybe she should get something, carry it with her, just in case.

  “It might take a while,” he said at last, the back of his fingers making the most of the contact with her softness. “Wouldn’t have been a problem a few years ago. But now, dammit, I can’t get anything from around here. After my display at the dance everyone would suspect you and I…”

  She looked up and blushed. “Small town, huh?”

  “You better believe it. It’d make the front page of the local paper. I told you I haven’t had another woman since I was injured.”

  “So what if they know? We’re grown up.”

  “I don’t want gossip about you, Kelly,” he said gently.

  Her eyes stung with tears again, but for a different reason. No one had ever taken care of her before. She felt cherished.

  “I said you were a pussycat.” She smiled shyly.

  “Now listen here.” He dragged her across the seat, his hand suddenly hard on her arm, pulling her up against him, his hard thigh pressing against hers. “Men don’t mind being called a tiger, or lion maybe, but I absolutely draw the line at pussycat.” He glared at her.

  She giggled. “You scare me.”

  His face softened and he released her arm to cup her chin in his hand, brushing his thumb over her lips.

  “Go inside and stop being so sassy.”

  “Or?”

  “Or your reputation can go hang. Molly Benson is about to fall out of her window watching us.”

  She giggled again and kissed against his thumb. “Thank you for taking me on my picnic. It was rather different from any I’ve gone on before. I didn’t realize how differently you do things in the country.”

  “Get.”

  She slid across the seat and out the door. Taking her things from the back, she stood on the side of the driveway as he backed out, gazing after the truck long after it had disappeared from view.

  Seeing the little black pony had helped. The next morning she began painting again, the sketches from yesterday just what she needed to bring the book to life. She concentrated on her work, and slowly the panels came to life.

  Two days were uneventful, but productive. Kelly worked on the story line, blocked out pictures and began the soft watercolors that she used for illustrations. The book was taking shape and she would be finished before too many more weeks passed.

  The strident ring of her phone shattered the peaceful afternoon. Dashing down the stairs, she wondered if it would be Kit, asking about her, seeing if she wanted to go out with him. She’d heard nothing from him since he’d dropped her off earlier in the week. Blast the man, he had to know she wanted to hear from him.

  “Hi, Kelly. Sally Lockford.”

  Surprised at the wave of disappointment that swept through her, Kelly forced her thoughts away from Kit.

  “We’re having a small group for a barbecue next Friday. We’d like you to join us. Can you make it?”

  She’d see him on Friday was her first gleeful thought when she finished talking to Sally. She had longed to ask after Kit, but was too shy, too unsure of their tenuous relationship to do that. It was enough she’d see him soon.

  Sally had arranged for Beth and her husband to give Kelly a lift, and when they arrived at the Lockford ranch late Friday afternoon they were not the first. There were several cars parked on the grass, people already sitting on the deck, Kit in the center of the group.

  Kelly recognized some of the other guests—Clint, Greg Martin, Bob and Mary Nash, whom she’d met at the dance. There were others, but she couldn’t remember their names.

  Sally came out the screen door with a tray of cold drinks in her hand just as Kelly and the Stapletons joined the group.

  “Hi, glad you could make it. Kelly, do you know everyone?” She easily made the introductions, and Kelly tried desperately to remember all the names. If people wouldn’t move around, she’d have a better chance.

  “For you.” Kelly handed Sally her latest story, about a little Chinese boy playing detective in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

  “Oh, thank you!. Julie’ll love it.”

  “Not another book for Julie. I’m still hoarse from the last one,” Kit protested, his eyes on Kelly, amusement and something else gleaming there. He’d had his eyes on her since she had arrived.

  “Should I have brought you your own copy?” She smiled and walked toward him, unsure of her place here tonight.

  Was the charade over? Or should she greet him as if they were lovers?

  “Pull up a chair next to me, Kelly, darlin’, and tell these folks about your writing,” Kit said, glancing around the group. “Earlier this week we tracked down the Smiths’ pony so she could get authenticity for her next story. Though all our picnic wasn’t suitable for a child’s book. Was it?” His smile was devilish, his look decidedly provocative.

  Kelly saw Sally’s look of surprise as Kit reached out to take her hand in his, threading hi
s fingers through hers. She shook her head and smiled at the group, blood pounding through her at his touch. Had their picnic meant anything to him? Or was he just playacting here? How was she supposed to reply to his seductive innuendo?

  “Dinner will be ready in about a half hour,” Sally said to fill in the momentary silence. “We hired the Soames sisters to fix the side dishes and Pete is in charge of the barbecue.” The tantalizing aroma of the meat cooking over the grill had been wafting around the house for some time. Kelly’s stomach growled and she was glad they’d be eating soon. Maybe if she remembered she was only playing a part, she could manage to eat in peace. She had a hard time keeping her eyes off Kit. Laughing at his nonsense, preening before his blatant approval, and flirting. She must be doing something right—his look was definitely approving.

  “Clint, would you get Kelly’s present?” Kit asked, his eyes dancing as he studied her, interested in her reaction.

  “What present?” Kelly turned in surprise.

  “I bought you a peace offering,” he said.

  “What awful thing did you do, Kit?” Sally asked, looking between Kit and Kelly as if puzzled by their relationship.

  “We had a small problem at the end of the picnic. I hope to make it up to her.”

  Kelly’s face flamed. If he’d bought a box of…

  Just then Beth said in strange voice, “Oh, Kelly.”

  She turned and looked, her heart catching in her throat as Clint led the small black pony around the side of the house. A bright blue ribbon was tied cockily on his mane.

  Sam’s ears were pricked as he looked around expectantly. Bewildered, Kelly looked back at Kit, his eyes on her as he watched for her reaction.

  “Sam? For me?”

  He nodded. “Got him yesterday. Had the devil’s own time talking Will Smith out of him. But I convinced him their grandbaby wouldn’t need a pony for years and I knew someone who needed one right now.”

  Kelly caught her bottom lip between her teeth as she rose and hurried gleefully across the veranda to the pony, hugging his neck, rubbing his forehead, laughing at the silly extravagance. Happiness flooded through her at the unexpected gesture. Had he known how much this would mean to her? She’d never had a pet in her life!

  “Wouldn’t a horse be more in order?” Beth asked, puzzled.

  “No, this is perfect! Kit’s good at doing wonderful things.” Kelly threw him a saucy grin and ran back up the steps to him. Leaning down, she brushed her lips against his.

  She’d meant it to be a light, thank-you kind of kiss, but he caught her head and held her against his mouth for a long, deep kiss, his fingers threading through her silky hair, holding her close. Taking his time, he made sure she and everyone there knew she’d been thoroughly kissed.

  “What are you going to do with him, Kelly?” Sally asked as Kelly stood up in confusion.

  “I don’t know. I never had a pony before.” Actually, she was having trouble moving her gaze from Kit’s. Having trouble recognizing the other guests. His kiss was another of the wonderful things he did. She smiled at her new gift, her heart swelling at the unexpected pleasure she felt.

  “I had a pony cart when I was a teenager,” Beth said as she went down the stairs to inspect the pony. “I bet Dad still has it around. You could have it and Sam could pull you around. In fact, I bet Dad’ll let you board him at our place.”

  “Sam stays here, no charge,” Kit said. “How else can I make sure I see her often?”

  Kelly was aware of the silence that dropped with his statement, then she smiled pertly and flirted with him. Her heart ached at the thought they were just pretending. But she never fooled herself. “Cowboy, I don’t need the pony as an excuse to see you.”

  Kit laughed, his eyes applauding her response.

  Dinner was fun. Everyone had grown up around Taylorville except Kelly and Mike Stapleton, so they all knew each other and spent the meal recounting the most outrageous escapades of their youth. Kelly sat back and enjoyed the banter and backchat the others passed back and forth as they reminisced about childhood exploits, school activities and mutual friends. Their stories brought laughter and more memories from everyone. The stories Clint told about Kit were the most outlandish, though he swore they were all true.

  Soon, however, Kelly began to feel left out. She didn’t belong with this group. They had been friends forever. They all had families that lived in the area, could trace their roots back for generations, had shared memories and common interests. She had only a few vague memories of her mother, and then endless foster homes. She no longer belonged in San Francisco, but she didn’t belong here, either.

  Maybe she never would belong anywhere, she thought forlornly. They moved to sit on the deck later, after-dinner drinks and coffee in hand. The night air was soft and balmy, a slight breeze stirring. Kelly pushed her chair back a little from the loose circle, moving into the shadows. There wasn’t much light, just the illumination spilling from the house and the faint light from a million scattered stars.

  She could hear the gentle nicker of the horses in the corral. The stamping of a hoof. This was an alien setting for her. Was she foolish to think one day she’d fit in, belong?

  She watched the others, listening avidly, but contributed nothing to the conversation, feeling out of place and lonely.

  It was late when the first of the guests began to depart. Everyone had enjoyed the evening, but they wore working people, with chores to see to in the morning, or a store to open, and they’d already stayed longer than they should have.

  “I’ll take Kelly home,” Kit said easily when Beth and Mike rose to leave.

  “It’s on our way,” Mike said. Beth nudged him.

  “If it’s okay with Kelly,” she said.

  “Ill go with Kit. Thanks for the ride here,” Kelly said warmly, tantalizing sparks of anticipation dancing at the thought of being alone with Kit. Though she knew why Kit was doing this; she shouldn’t let herself read anything more into it.

  When the last of the other guests had departed, Kit turned to Kelly. “Want to see Sam again before you go?”

  “Yes. I can’t believe you got him for me! I’ve never had such a special gift. Did Clint put him in the corral?”

  “Yes. Come on, I’ll show you.”

  They walked down the ramp from the deck and around the house toward the corral at the back. The night was cooler now, the air still and scented with horses and dirt and dried hay. She heard the quiet clomp of horses in the corral, the gentle nicker from one a melodious sound in the quiet night. She walked toward the rail fencing. Overhead the stars were brilliant in the dark, clear sky. A serene feeling of peace, happiness and contentment pervaded the air.

  Kit went toward the barn and flicked on a switch at the outside wall. Immediately the corral was flooded with bright light. Kelly stepped up on the fence and leaned against the top rail, watching her little pony. He ambled over toward her and she reached through the rails to rub his face.

  “Looks small next to the horses, doesn’t he?” Kit joined her.

  “Yes. Will he be all right in there with them?” she asked. “They won’t step on him, or anything, will they?”

  “He’ll be fine. Now you can join in when people talk of livestock and ranching. You’ll have more in common with everyone around here,” he said gently.

  Kelly was touched he’d noticed she hadn’t fit in tonight. And had wanted to make things easier for her. “I don’t know much about taking care of him,” she said as the pony ambled away.

  “We’ll show you. He won’t take much care. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

  Kelly relaxed against the back of her seat when she was in the truck, pleasantly tired after a long day. It was dark as Kit pulled away from the house. The headlights slashed the inky night ahead of them, the surrounding hills shadowy and shapeless. After a couple of turns, Kit slowed, drawing to a stop. He clicked off the lights, plunging them into darkness.

  “Why have we stopped?�
�� Kelly asked. Her eyes strained to see something besides the stars in the sky.

  “I wanted to explain to you about Althea and our charade.”

  “I thought you had. This whole charade is for her benefit.”

  “Because of her, yes, but not just for her. It’s for others, too.”

  Kelly still couldn’t see him clearly, just a silhouette against the starlight.

  “Sally is an incurable romantic. She sees Althea and me as star-crossed lovers, torn apart by a huge misunderstanding. She’s hoping for rekindled happiness.” Kit’s voice was hard, sardonic.

  “And you don’t?” Kelly said.

  “For the last couple of years I’ve been rebuilding my life. It’s different from what I’d always expected. It’s taking a long time. I’m doing okay. But I haven’t dealt with the personal side, the romantic side as Sally puts it. Before I met you I didn’t think I could.”

  “Did the injuries…”

  He shook his head. Kelly could just see it in the faint light. Her eyes were growing more adjusted to the feeble light.

  “I was gored pretty badly, but the son of a bitch missed that part. Hell, I don’t want to talk about sex. I’m trying to tell you why I want to keep Althea at bay. Why we need to continue the charade, why it’s so important to me.”

  Would she buy it? It had started out that way, as a charade to assuage his pride. Now he knew he was just using it as an excuse to spend time with Kelly. Without her agreement to help, he really didn’t know if she’d see him as much, and he craved her companionship. He’d never admit it, of course. Not to anyone. But for as long as she was willing, he’d keep up the pretense.

  “Because Althea was so awful when you got hurt?” Kelly clarified.

  “That and I don’t want her pity or condescension. I know how her mind works. She’s a beautiful woman, and knows it. And uses that to get what she wants. I think she and most of the other people in town believe I’m still carrying the torch for her.”