The Cowboy's Choice

by Janalyn Knight

  Lara knew her mother always had a soft spot for Adam. "He's amazing. We spent the evening at his place last night. Nothing fancy. We ordered a pizza and relaxed."

  "Do you think this relationship is serious, honey?"

  Lara took a sip of tea. Despite the recent dustup, her feelings for Adam were strong. "I do."

  "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so happy."

  Unwilling to share details, she changed the subject. "Tell me how your group is going." Her mother had finally joined a grief group and had met some new people who were going through the same thing.

  "I think it's helping me." Then she shared some local gossip from the last meeting.

  After lunch, Lara headed back to the office. She had another conference call and a stack of documents to go through before the end of the day.

  EARLY THE FOLLOWING Saturday afternoon, Lara stepped into her heels and shut her closet door before heading into the kitchen to pour a glass of wine. Adam would be here shortly. They decided to travel to Odessa, seventy-five miles away, for dinner and a movie. When she came back to Ft. Stockton, she couldn't believe there still wasn't a theater in town. Adam had said she could pick the show tonight and she loved Marvel superhero movies so that was what she chose.

  The day loomed with angry, rain-filled clouds on the horizon. Storms were forecast for the evening. She stood at her sliding glass doors and sipped her wine. Leaves whisked this way and that across her back yard. A hardy squirrel ran up the nearly-nude tree and peeked over her fence. She definitely needed to call Adam's yardman.

  The doorbell rang and she took her glass to the kitchen before grabbing her purse, coat and umbrella. She met him at the door with a kiss. "Do you need an umbrella? I have an extra."

  He smiled. "I'll be fine." He wrapped her hand around his arm and escorted her to his truck. After helping her buckle in, he got on the road. "You're beautiful, sweetheart."

  "Thank you. You're mighty handsome yourself, cowboy." Though it had been years since he'd lived on the ranch, he still dressed western when they went out. Gorgeous in Wranglers and a hat, one look at the man had her pulse racing. They'd seen each other every evening since she got back from the island. Neither one of them could bear to be apart.

  Adam reached for her hand. "How was your day?"

  "Lazy. I did absolutely nothing and loved every minute of it. I think I'll hire a housekeeper. I don't have time to do anything anymore."

  He nodded. "I have one. She's great. I'll forward her contact to you."

  Leaning her head back, she relaxed, visiting with him until they pulled into the parking lot at the theater.

  At the entrance, he paid for their tickets and led her inside. "Do you want a snack?"

  "I'll take a drink but I don't want to spoil my dinner." She told him what she wanted and waited for him near the entry to the theaters. Women's eyes turned to Adam from all over the room as he walked toward her with her drink. He's mine, ladies. All mine.

  It had been several years since she'd been to the movies, and she thoroughly enjoyed herself. Adam promised to take her to the next one as the movie ended with an obvious lead to a sequel. Raindrops started to fall as they walked to the truck, and he put his arm around her, urging her into a run.

  It was pouring by the time they got to the steakhouse for dinner. Adam raced around the truck and took her umbrella, opening it before he let her step out. They ran inside. Only her legs got wet, but Adam was soaked.

  The hostess seated them and he ordered wine. He'd chosen a seat next to her, and leaned in, kissing her from time to time.

  She reveled in their closeness. What a loss that she'd lived so many years without him in her life. The leisurely dinner left her satisfied, body and soul.

  Out the window, rain still came down. Adam went out first and drove the truck to the entrance, helping her inside and holding her umbrella the whole time. As always, he made her feel cherished.

  He climbed in the truck and slammed the door, grinning. "I should have taken that umbrella you offered."

  She laughed. "Yeah, tough guy."

  Adam pulled out of the parking lot, soon heading out on the state highway leading back to Ft. Stockton.

  When he turned on the heater so they could warm up and maybe dry out a little, she leaned back in her seat and relaxed, enjoying her full tummy and being with the man she loved.

  Just outside Ft. Stockton Adam glanced at her, then turned back to the road, a crease between his eyes.

  She frowned. Why did he look worried? "Is something wrong?"

  He didn't answer right away.

  "Adam?"

  "I got a letter today." He looked at her, his eyes searching hers, then turned back to the road.

  "What about?" Something was wrong.

  "Before you came back—before I knew anything about you—I applied for several positions at Level I trauma centers in the Dallas area."

  Stunned, she sucked in a breath.

  Turning to her again, he said. "Right after your father's funeral, I had an interview at one of the hospitals."

  "I don't understand. Why didn't you tell me?" Her heart pounded, sending her pulse racing. It was happening again.

  His eyes pleaded with her. "I never heard from them. I thought they chose someone else." He looked back at the road. "I didn't keep it from you on purpose. I thought it was irrelevant."

  She stared at him. "Is it? Irrelevant?"

  He looked at her. "If I go to this interview, and if they hire me, would you marry me and move to Dallas?"

  Her jaw dropped. What? He wanted to marry her, but only if she moved to Dallas with him? She shivered, turning to the window. This is your life, remember? You don't get happy endings. "Adam, this is all too much. I can't take it in. I'm sorry."

  He reached out and touched her shoulder. "I know. This was a huge surprise to me, too. I love you, Lara. Will you at least think about it?"

  She nodded, too shattered for tears. When they pulled up at her house, she quickly unbuckled her belt and threw open her door. "Adam, I need to be alone tonight." Grabbing her coat and purse, and leaving her umbrella somewhere on the dark floorboard, she strode to her front door, eighteen and heartbroken all over again.

  ADAM WATCHED LARA RUSH into the house, his heart leaden. He wanted to go after her—kiss her until that broken-hearted expression vanished from her face. But he was the last person she would want now. As the door shut behind her, he pulled away from the curb. He'd expected her to be surprised, even happy that he asked her to marry him, but not this upset. Didn't she know how much he loved her?

  Of course, he'd love to take the job. But there was still the interview to get through. He'd called and scheduled a time and his flight was booked. The doctor he would be replacing was retiring, and that was why the hospital had taken their time in the past few months filling the position.

  When he got home, he fixed himself a drink and headed to bed. Before turning off the light, he texted Lara:

  I'm so sorry I upset you. I didn't mean to. I scheduled the interview for Wednesday afternoon. I don't know if they'll even offer me the job. Lara, I love you. Please, be patient with me.

  A few minutes later, she responded:

  Adam, I love you. I know you and understand you need to do this. Good luck.

  He sighed. She wished him good luck. That was something. If only she would go with him. She'd lived in the city for years in California and been happy. Surely, she'd enjoy living in Dallas. No more driving seventy-five miles to see a movie, or four hours to catch a flight. Leaving her father's business and her mother would be a big deal for Lara, though. Would she be willing to do that? It was asking a hell of a lot from her.

  He swallowed some whiskey. It was inconceivable that he would live without her. Before her, his life had been so cold—emotionless. He didn't want to go on without the warmth, the pleasure, the love she brought into his life.

  But, the excitement and challenge of a trauma center like the one in Dallas was something he'd missed
terribly. The unfortunate accident on the freeway showed him just how much. St. Anne's ER couldn't offer anything remotely similar.

  He finished the rest of his whiskey and turned out the lamp. There had to be an answer.

  LARA LAY IN BED, HER thoughts whirling. How had she let this happen to her again? Of course, Adam would choose the trauma center job. He'd sworn he loved her when he was eighteen, and yet he'd moved to Boston. She was stupid to think he had changed. He professed his love now but wanted this job in Dallas, knowing her place was here in Ft. Stockton, running her father's practice and supporting her mother as she dealt with her grief. It was unbelievable that she'd fallen for the same damn scenario.

  Turning on her side, she clutched a pillow to her belly. The man couldn't be depended on. That much was obvious. He'd abandoned her in the past. Why hadn't she stayed away from him? How stupid could she be?

  And what the hell kind of marriage proposal was that? Marry me and move to Dallas? It was ridiculous that the first time those words came from his mouth a huge transition was thrown in with them. That's not how it was supposed to work. You proposed because you loved someone, not because you wanted them to follow you somewhere.

  Dammit. She bit her lip, the enormity of her loss hitting her. She'd trusted him. Again. This betrayal was so much worse because of that. Her heart, full of love that she couldn't help, felt torn in two. She pressed her face into the pillow as tears filled her eyes. She hadn't seen this coming. But she should have. It was Adam, after all.

  Chapter Fourteen

  LARA HURRIED TO THE diner to meet her mother for their Wednesday lunch date. After another night of little sleep, Lara felt scatter-brained and tired. Her mother was seated when Lara walked in and she strode over and took a seat. "Sorry I'm late, Mom. I say that every time, now." She dropped her purse on the floor and put her head in her hands, ready to throw in the towel on the day, and it was only half over.

  "Oh, honey, don't worry about that. Really. I enjoy our lunches so much. I appreciate you making time for me when you're always so busy." Her mother clasped Lara’s arm until she looked up. "You look tired, sweetheart. Aren't you getting any sleep? I swear, those bags under your eyes are awful."

  Lara sighed and sat back in her chair. "They do look terrible, don't they? My concealer isn't touching them."

  Her mother leaned forward, her eyes dark with worry. "What is it honey? What's going on?"

  Lara blew out a breath. "It's Adam. I don't know what to do. I feel like ..."

  "What, sweetheart?"

  In a shaking voice, Lara told her about the job application, the interview, how Adam wanted her to marry him and move, that he would leave her again just like before if she didn't go.

  Her mother moved to sit beside her. "Honey, I know you love Adam—really love him, right?"

  Lara dabbed at her eyes with a napkin and nodded.

  "Sweetheart, you go with him. You don’t need to stay here for me. I've got my group, and I'm so much better now. As far as running your father's business, we can work that out. We'll find someone to buy it. That shouldn't be too hard. There are plenty of young lawyers who would love to get their hands on an existing client base. Sure, your daddy always wanted you to have his legacy but, more than anything, he wanted his baby girl to be happy. And this Adam, he makes you happy."

  She hugged Lara and continued. "You call your man. Tell him you'll marry him and follow him to the ends of this earth if that's where he wants to go. You hear me, honey?"

  Lara leaned her head on her mother's shoulder, feeling like a little girl again. Her momma had just made everything all better. "Thank you, Mom. I love you."

  ADAM BOARDED HIS FLIGHT home from Dallas. The interview had gone well, and the job was his. He'd asked for a few days to think over their proposal. It was a great offer though the pay didn't equal what he made when he worked in Boston. However, the cost of living was much higher back east, too. Now, he had to get serious—decide whether he'd take the hospital up on their job.

  Lara had asked for a break. Other than their texts that same evening he hadn't talked with her since their date Saturday night. He missed her terribly. After his announcement, it was only fair to give her time to think but it had been so hard to go on day after day without her. He had to see her, but first he had to sort this whole job thing out.

  AFTER ARRIVING HOME in the middle of the night, Adam slept in late Thursday morning. He got up, fixed a cup of coffee and stood at the sliding doors. It was cold and windy outside. The pool guy had treated and covered the pool for the winter. The yard appeared tired and sad without it. Adam was off today and tomorrow. Hopefully he wouldn't be called in.

  He sat on the couch, taking a swallow of coffee and noticed that Lara had left behind one of her colorful scarves. On windy days she tied one over her hair to keep it from tangling so badly. Holding it to his nose, he inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo and a bit of her citrusy cologne. All at once, his need for her overwhelmed him, proving that a life without her was impossible. He couldn't go to Dallas if she wouldn't move with him. Somehow, he'd known that, but now it was viscerally real.

  He sniffed again, letting her scent fill his head. It was wrong to take Lara away from her mother. The woman needed her daughter to make it through this time of loss. And asking Lara to give up her father's law practice, her inheritance, was an awful thing to do. He should never have considered it. She would be turning her back on everything and everyone who mattered to her if she followed him to Dallas. He'd been a selfish bastard to ask that of her.

  He loved her—wanted to marry her—and Ft. Stockton was a perfect place to raise their children. So what if the ER at St. Anne's wasn't the most interesting job in the world. Maybe, later in their marriage, he could take a Level I trauma position. If not, he'd still have the woman he loved and his whole family surrounding him.

  He wrapped the scarf around his hand and smiled. It was time to talk to Lara.

  AFTER A QUICK SHOWER, he headed straight to the florist's where he ordered a huge vase of Lara's favorite roses and had them delivered to her office. His next stop was at the jewelry store his family had used for ages. They always had a good selection of settings and stones. He browsed for a while before finding exactly the setting he wanted, then had the sales person bring out a selection of diamonds. After choosing the perfect stone, he asked how long before the ring could be ready, explaining his urgency. The woman smiled and, after gathering her merchandise, headed back to ask the jeweler.

  A few minutes later he came up to the counter and shook Adam's hand. "I understand there's a rush on this purchase?"

  Adam smiled. "There is. I don't know the size, but I'd like to give it to her tonight, if she'll have me."

  The jeweler grinned. "Give me until five, Adam. It's not often a Govain son asks for wedding rings."

  Adam thrust out his hand. "Thanks. I owe you one. I'll be back before you close."

  Back in his truck, he sent Lara a text:

  I'm desperate to see you tonight. I'm off today and can make dinner by seven. What do you say, my love?

  She must be busy, because she didn't respond. He'd looked up the recipe at home and had his grocery list. So, he stopped by the store and picked up everything he needed for dinner. He was making a delicious French onion soup made with white wine, both chicken and beef broths, and lots of gruyere cheese. He also bought a fruit platter and would serve the soup with toasted French bread. With the cold, drizzly afternoon, this would be the perfect meal.

  She finally answered:

  I'll be there. Thank you.

  When he got home, he put the groceries away and sat down with a drink. He had to speak his heart perfectly tonight. Lara was hurt and rightfully so. He must overcome that and prove to her that she was more important than anything else in his life. She felt he hadn't considered her love a priority when he left for college in Boston. He couldn't let that happen again. There could be no doubt in her mind that he loved her completely—that she
was his everything. That he couldn't live without her. Tonight, he had to find the right words to convince her of his love.

  His thoughts moved from one point to the next as he slowly drank his whiskey. By the time he should start dinner, he was ready.

  LARA RANG THE DOORBELL as he dumped the toasted bread into a basket. He covered it with a towel to keep the bread warm and strode to the door to let her in. She was sexy yet professional in her skirted black suit.

  As she came inside, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I missed you, Adam. I'm so glad you called." She smiled and stepped past him.

  This greeting was much sweeter than he anticipated. "I missed you too, honey. Head to the kitchen and I'll pour you some wine." As he filled her glass with pinot noir, he examined her and, dammit, she looked terrible. He was a fucking asshole, putting her through hell this past week. He handed her a glass and cupped her face. "Sweetheart, I want to say so much, but let's eat first, okay?"

  She nodded, a tiny smile lighting up her eyes. "I need to talk to you, too, Adam."

  Was that a good thing or a bad thing? Now he was worried. "Why don't you sit at the table, and I'll bring out the food." He made several trips, then sat down next to her. "I can't wait to taste this soup. My stomach growled the whole time I was cooking it."

  She smiled. "It smells fabulous."

  He kept up light conversation during dinner, scrupulously avoiding the elephant in the room. When they'd finished, he picked up the dishes. "I'm off tomorrow, so I'll clean up in the morning. Why don't you head to the living room, and I'll bring the wine?"

  Hands shaking slightly now that the time had come, he dumped the dishes in the sink. So much rested on the next few minutes. He closed his eyes and prayed—something he should do more often. Tossing the hand towel on the cabinet, he strode toward his fate.