Her Unexpected Cowboy (Unforgettable Cowboys Book 1)

by Danae Little

  “It’s safe to return home now. Jameson caught O’Neal and his nephew. No one should be bothering you again.”

  “Thank you,” Sydney said, but her thoughts and her eyes were on the man in her arms.

  Two men in all black ran up with a stretcher in between them. They looked for her permission before taking the unconscious Jameson off her lap and placing him gently on the stretcher. Sydney brushed her lips on his forehead as they carried him towards the awaiting helicopter. Already an emptiness washed over her.

  “Will you let me know...?” Her voice trailed off. She couldn’t meet Graham’s eyes. Instead she kept them locked on Jameson as they secured him and the stretcher aboard the machine.

  “I’ve seen wounds like this. Lucky for him the bullet seems to have missed any major arteries, and you kept him from losing too much blood. He’ll make it, but yes, someone will let you know.” Graham nodded and then strode towards Jameson and the awaiting men.

  As the helicopter lifted into the sky and disappeared over the trees, she became aware of all the activity still surrounding her. Men were pulling up the two gang members who had come to, cuffing them, and hoisting them to their feet. They would have a long walk back to vehicles at the ranch.

  How had Jameson knocked them both unconscious like that? Secretly she was relieved that he hadn’t killed them. A shudder traveled through her. The nightmare of the day could have gone much worse. She had Jameson to thank for that, as well as for her life. Her eyes traveled towards where the helicopter had disappeared, and she sent a silent prayer for his recovery.

  ~13~

  It hadn’t taken too long for life to return to normal on the ranch. Animals still needed to be fed and milked. Cheese and soap still needed to be processed. Repairs still needed fixing.

  During the lengthening days, she found herself searching for Jameson out in the fields, but it was at meal times, and especially at night, that her heart ached from his absence. She missed his quiet, observant attention, his intelligent, attentive green gaze, easy-going conversation, and his larger-than-life presence.

  At night, she started having Guardian sleep in the house. She put his bed right in front of the door. It gave her peace of mind to have the dog inside. Mr. Paws on the other hand strongly voiced his dislike of the situation.

  Today Sydney was introducing the new kids to the outside corral. Brownie gave her a little nuzzle, and it left her heart aching. She would probably never give Brownie up. The little kid always reminded her of the gentle way Jameson took care of her during the kidding.

  She watched the kids explore as the sound of gravel popping in her driveway made her heart speed up. Guardian sidled up to her, a low growl in his throat. First tremors of fear filled her, and then hope. She didn’t know which was worse.

  She checked the weight of the pistol she now carried everywhere with her.

  The rough edge of the barn scratched her face as she hugged it, ready to peer around it to see who pulled up to her house. Guardian took a few steps out towards the driveway barking. She peeked around the corner, hating that she had resorted to paranoid thinking. Graham had said she wouldn’t be bothered anymore and the rumor mill said Wil had been taken into custody, but who actually knew?

  Her heart hammered as she waited for the vehicle to pull up in front of the house where she could see it. The gravel popped before a white delivery van showed itself.

  Sydney blew out the breath she didn’t know she had held. Heat filled her, both in embarrassment and in self-reproach. She was going to have to get over this. Patting the gun in its holster, she walked around the barn toward the delivery van. About halfway there her steps faltered.

  She hadn’t ordered anything.

  Her hand reached for the gun just as a uniformed delivery guy came out of the back of the van with a book-sized brown box in his hand and a smile on his face. Guardian ran up to the guy who gave him a treat and then ruffed up his head.

  “Miss Campbell? Got a package for you.” The young man smiled as he steadied his eyes on hers.

  Sydney dropped her hand once again. She recognized the delivery man. He had been out a few times before to deliver the meds she had ordered for the goats. Her heart eased a bit as she continued walking towards him.

  “I didn’t order anything, Sam.”

  “I don’t know where they come from, I just deliver them.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s a present.”

  “Maybe,” she said hesitantly while taking the package he handed to her. Maybe her parents finally remembered her birthday.

  “Have a great day,” Sam said as he hopped back into his truck. “It’s starting to get warm.”

  “It is. Thank you.” She waved as he shut his door and turned the truck around to travel back down her long drive.

  There was no return address on the box. She turned it all around while walking towards the house. As the steps creaked with her weight, a squeal sounded from the corral.

  “The kids,” she said, and she dropped the package at the top of the steps and ran towards the corral, Guardian on her heels.

  One of the kids hid behind his mom while another nursing mother with an older kid stood in attack mode. Sydney hopped the fence and came between them.

  “It’s okay, Lucille. This is just another kid to look after.” She spoke calmly to the goats going through the drill of introductions. Hopefully damage hadn’t been done from her lack of guidance.

  The package was forgotten as she returned her focus to her ranch tasks.

  It wasn’t until dusk began to settle and Sydney made her way back to the house that she saw the package and remembered. Guardian sniffed it, then plodded on to his bed, circled a few times, and plopped down. He looked over at her with lonesome eyes, his head resting on his paws.

  The poor dog had moped around since Jameson had left. She wasn’t the only one that missed the cowboy.

  FBI cowboy. She shook her head. A couple weeks after that crazy day, Agent Graham had let her know that Jameson had recovered. After a couple more weeks of listening intently for the phone or for him to show up, she succumbed to conclusion he wouldn’t.

  It was probably for the best she hadn’t heard from Jameson. Even though her thoughts couldn’t let him go, she could never be with him. Her heart couldn’t handle always wondering if he was okay and if the job he was on would be his last.

  To get her mind off her broken heart, she took the package and sat on the porch swing. Digging in her pocket for her multi-tool, she pulled it out and clicked open the blade. With a quick movement of her wrist she cut the tape along the package before slipping the tool back into her jeans.

  “Let’s see who sent us something,” she told Guardian, but the dog only snored a response.

  The package had the smell of cardboard, but as she opened she inhaled the faintest scent of Jameson. She lifted her nose and closed her eyes. It must have traveled on the breeze. Her heart clenched before she closed it off.

  Folding back the panels she saw a simple, wooden frame, just like the one Jameson had accidently broken. She sucked in a breath. Her throat swelled and her eyes watered. He remembered. She lifted the frame gently from the box and searched the bottom with her other hand.

  No note. Nothing but the frame.

  A piece of her heart broke a little more. It was just like Jameson, to return something with no words. A soft smile stretched her lips even as her heart ached.

  She nodded. This might as well be his way of saying goodbye. Maybe he knew her enough to know she couldn’t be with him with his chosen profession. It would be easier this way than saying goodbye in person...after the date he had promised her.

  After slipping off her boots, she took the frame inside, gingerly put Aunt Mag and Uncle Joe’s wedding picture into it, and hung it back up in its spot. Seeing it hang there settled the shakiness in Sydney. The frame really did look like the original, just another show of Jameson’s observant nature.

  Sydney sighed. She had known this would happen. The
loneliness she had before was nothing like she felt now with Jameson’s massive presence missing. She grabbed a package of goat cheese and some crackers, then sat down to have her dinner.

  She smiled thinking of Jameson’s large appetite. Eating like this was simple, but she missed having a reason to cook, and the food that resulted from it.

  As she snacked silently at her table, she thought about what the grocer had said when she dropped off cheese the day before.

  A new sheriff. Her old friend, Wil, had been taken into custody by the FBI for further investigation. A small part of her felt sad that he had allowed himself to be dragged into such a mess, another poor decision on his part.

  The gossip grocer talked incessantly about the new sheriff, making sure to tell Sydney this one was single, though supposedly his heart was already taken. Sydney had smiled politely. Her heart ached too much to even think about an eligible bachelor new to the county. Her heart was taken too.

  With resignation, she put things away to get ready for bed. “Come on, boy,” she called to Guardian who happily pranced his way inside. Mr. Paws hissed and ran to the bedroom. “Oh, Mr. Paws, it’s not that bad,” she said as she positioned the dog’s bed in front of the locked door. “Besides, it lets me actually sleep, huh, Guardian?” She scratched his big shaggy head. “Get some rest, boy, it’s an early day tomorrow.”

  On her way to bed she thought with dread about the Mountain Valley Farm Day. She disliked working these events, but her booth always increased her customer base and earned her over a month’s revenue in one day.

  Once in bed, her mind immediately went to Jameson. She thought of the night he had slept on her bed, fully clothed just to help her feel safe.

  She wished he could do so again...

  ~*~

  Jameson sat in the truck at the corner in Syd’s driveway, the closest he could get and see the house without alerting her of his arrival. His restless fingers tapped the steering wheel, his foot squeezed the brake.

  Her house was awash in lights, a beacon that called to him after his first day on the new job. His heart ached to go to Syd, wrap her in his arms and declare he never wanted to leave. Fear, though, pulsed in his veins like fast moving thorns. She probably hated him. He almost got her killed.

  His hands squeezed into fist as he tapped his head on the steering wheel instead. He couldn’t think about what would have happened to her if he hadn’t arrived at the cabin in time.

  How could he face her after that?

  Movement at the door alerted him, and he was glad he had turned off the headlights, even if it made him feel like a stalker. He was too far away to see her face clearly, though he wished he could.

  She opened the door wider with a sweet note of her voice traveling through his open window, and Guardian pranced inside. Jameson chuckled lightly. She’s letting the hairy beast sleep inside.

  His smile faded. She’s probably letting him inside so she feels safer. Jameson ground his teeth. His doing. He didn’t deserve to even think he had a chance with Syd.

  He slowly turned the truck around and traveled back out to the highway. Shame coursed through him at his lack of courage. He would have to confront her one day, and soon. Flipping his lights on, the star on his shirt glinted in the reflection.

  When Graham had asked him to take the interim position as way to weed out any lingering connections within the department, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to get back to Syd.

  Why he ever thought he had the right to intrude upon her life again escaped him. Yet, his heart still tugged to go back to that small house and take Syd in his arms.

  He had to figure out a way to make this work.

  ~*~

  The sky still held onto darkness, the sun still far below the mountains, when Sydney loaded up the truck with all of her supplies for the Farm Day event. Homer would be over to milk this morning and take care of the ranch. Once again she thought of having to find help in a couple months. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find someone to replace him.

  “Sorry, boy, I can’t bring you on this adventure.” She scratched behind Guardian’s ears, wishing she could bring the shaggy dog.

  He whined as she climbed into the truck. Sydney gave him a wave and signaled for him to stay before driving down the long drive. She flicked her high beams on, but her heart still raced as she rounded the bend in the drive. Every time she drove, she half expected to see a dark SUV at the end of her driveway. Each time there wasn’t, she let go of a held breath and chastised herself for holding onto unneeded drama.

  The drive to the county fairgrounds where Farm Day was held only took twenty-five minutes at this time of morning. She liked to get there early, get set up, and have her safe spot before the crowds began to arrive.

  The sky lightened as she drove down the deserted highway. Mountains rose in the distance, snow now only dressing their top-most peaks. Peace filled her. She may have lost the man that could have completed her life, but she had a ranch nestled in a beautiful valley, animals to care for, pets who loved her, and so much to be grateful for. Today she chose to be grateful and focus on the new business relationships she could make. Maybe she might even meet some young, reliable man looking for work.

  A few other vendors waved a hello to her as she pulled up and began unloading her truck. While she struggled with a large load, an older teenage boy rushed over.

  “Let me help you, Miss Sydney.”

  “Why thank you, Jay.” Sydney let him take the folding table from her hands. “Sometimes I think I’m stronger than I am.”

  “Oh, you could have handled it, but I am happy to help.”

  “You’re a sweet young man,” she said. The kid blushed. “What are you, a senior now?”

  “Just about to graduate.” He grinned from ear to ear.

  “Well, congratulations. You heading off to college?”

  “No, ma’am. I plan to take over my father’s ranch, but he wants me to gain some work experience off the ranch first.”

  Sydney stopped in her tracks. Could her prayer really be answered?

  “You okay, Miss Sydney?”

  “Yes,” she said as she started walking again.

  Jay helped her set up the table and the few other things she had brought on that trip from the truck.

  “You have more?” Jay asked.

  “Plenty more.”

  “Well, let’s go get it. I already set up my parents’ booth so I got nothing to do until we open.”

  They walked together to her truck. Sydney kept glancing at the kid. His family had a cattle ranch, the one that traded with her. Jay had always been a polite guy, saying hello, helping her carry the meat in, and taking the goat from her, not giving her a hard time for her tearful goodbyes.

  The kid was tall, lean, and had hands that might one day grow to be as big as Jameson’s. Her heart ached for a moment, but she chose to keep her mind focused on gratitude.

  “What’s next?” Jay asked, watching her with a curious smile.

  “What kind of work experience are you looking for, Jay?” She held her breath.

  “Any kind of ranch work.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “You looking for another hand?”

  “Yes, I am, actually.”

  Jay’s grin widened. “Would you, uh, could I interview for it?”

  Sydney laughed. “Jay, you just tell me when you can start, and I’ll give you a paid, working interview.”

  “Really? Well, all be, this is great news! Thank you.”

  “You don’t know how much pressure you took off of me. I am looking forward to it.”

  “Well, let’s get you unloaded. I can’t wait to tell my Dad I already have a job, and he thought it would be hard.” Jay shook his head as he pulled out a box full of soaps. “Will you teach me how to make the soaps and cheeses?”

  “Jay, I’ll teach you whatever you want to know about a goat ranch.”

  Sydney unloaded another box of soaps. She carried it with a lightne
ss in her steps. Gratefulness filled her and she sent up a silent thank you. By the fifth trip to the truck, she wished that she would sell all of her inventory so she didn’t have to make so many trips back to the truck. She might not have Jay’s help then. She laughed at herself, wishing away for trivial things now.

  Jay didn’t leave her side until they completely set up her booth. It would be nice to have such an eager young man helping her out on the ranch. He had such a positive, easy-going demeanor, too.

  When people started showing up to the fair, Sydney didn’t have to force her smile. It came freely. People flocked to her booth. By lunch time, she only had a handful of cheeses left and a box of soaps. Her second wish had practically come true too. With a daring, let-it-all-out-there thought, she laughed. Why not wish for what her heart really wanted?

  While squatting to grab some cheese to refill her sample plate, she closed her eyes. If there is any possible way for Jameson and me to be together, please bring him back into my life. She smiled at her ridiculousness as she rose with the cheese.

  “Hello,” an unfamiliar and deep voice greeted her.

  She looked up and found dark brown eyes meeting hers. “Hello,” she said as she placed the cheese on the sample plate. “Would you like to try a sample of goat cheese?”

  “If it’s what’s making you smile like that, I better.”

  A blush filled her cheeks. If only he knew where her smile had come from. She handed a sample to the man, noticing that he didn’t have a ring on his finger. She scanned his face again. There weren’t many unattached local men in her county.

  “You’re not from here, are you?” she asked in polite conversation.

  “You are perceptive,” he said before eating the sample. “Mmmm. This is the best goat cheese I have ever tasted. Did you make this yourself?”

  “Yes, it’s an old family recipe.” She smiled in pride. Aunt Mag and Uncle Joe would be proud of how well their cheese still sold.

  “What’s your production like?”

  “My production?” She cocked her head.