Lucky Cowboy

by Heatherly Bell

  “What about the women?”

  “The women? What, you want to come tomcat around with me?” Jackson chuckled.

  “Maybe.” If he got away from Stone Ridge, at least for a little while, he’d stop thinking about Sadie Stephens.

  “You know you can come out to see me anytime you want.” Jackson changed the subject. “Any more buckles to add to your collection?”

  “Yup. And more are comin’. The circuit starts up again in a few months. You know I’ll be there.”

  Another thing he wouldn’t lay on Jackson? The disillusionment he’d started to feel about the rodeo. Having kept the dream for so long made it difficult for him to admit the rodeo didn’t live up to expectations. But if he didn’t have the rodeo, nor the buckles to cement his self-worth, then maybe he had nothing.

  “Daisy and Mima okay?”

  “Ornery as ever.”

  “Good. And how’s the old man?”

  Generous of Jackson to ask after Hank. If Lincoln and Hank had a tense relationship, Jackson’s relationship with their father could be compared to the grating sound of fingernails on an old-fashioned chalkboard.

  “Still drinkin’. Still callin’ it a backache.”

  Jackson snorted. “Runs in the family. Seems like the women in our life push us into the bottle and it’s our job to climb out.”

  “And how are you doin’ with all that? Still got it under control?”

  “Yep. Nothin’ like your own band threatenin’ to kick you out to straighten up.” He paused. “And the ranch? Y’all are still hanging in there, right?”

  Lincoln could almost hear the guilt laced through those words. But he wouldn’t let his brother know that he sometimes resented being the only Carver left to run the ranch. That there were some months they struggled to turn a profit. Jackson had every right to pursue his dream. Lincoln considered himself lucky that his own dreams fell in line with ranching.

  After a few more updates, Lincoln hung up with Jackson, and went back inside the hospital to pace. Two hours after she’d been taken back, Lincoln thought he would lose his mind. He finally asked the nurse, who was not helpful. A few minutes later, when he thought he’d worn a new pattern on the squeaky waxed floor, Sadie rushed out from behind the double doors. She didn’t even stop on the way out, if she noticed him at all, but just ran outside.

  For a moment, shock kept him rooted to the floor. A nurse followed on Sadie’s heels and stopped in front of Lincoln.

  “You brought her in, didn’t you?”

  He nodded, robbed of words for the moment. It couldn’t be bad news. They wouldn’t have let her go.

  Unless she refused medical treatment…again.

  “She didn’t tell us she was claustrophobic.”

  “What?”

  “Claustrophobia. A phobia of tight and small spaces?”

  “I know what claustrophobia is,” he said with irritation.

  His gaze followed Sadie. She stood outside, her back to him, her body framed by the ambient light of a streetlamp. Arms crossed and head bent.

  “We’ll have results shortly. Just hang in there.”

  “We’ll be outside.”

  He stopped a step behind her. Her shoulders were slumped and damn…shaking. Her entire body trembling. Her hands shook as she held a tissue to her nose.

  “Sadie.”

  “I-I’m okay. I just needed to be outside…to get some fresh air.”

  Lord, he was an idiot. He couldn’t seem to stop being one around Sadie. Maybe he should have considered that she wasn’t trying to be difficult, but that she had a reason to avoid a CAT scan. She’d told him in the truck, but he didn’t take her seriously. No one liked tight spaces. Not everyone was mortally terrified of them.

  He took that last step and closed the distance between them. One arm around her waist, he tugged her to him, her back to his chest. He lowered his head to her shoulder.

  The delicious scent was in her hair. “Sweetheart, I didn’t know it would be this bad.”

  “Me, either. I’m s-sorry. I hoped I’d be over this. That this time I wouldn’t be…out of control.” She leaned into him, and tiny sobs wrenched through her body.

  And damn it, straight to his heart.

  “I can’t stop hurting you. First, I give you a concussion. Next, an anxiety attack. Maybe you should just stay away from me.”

  For several minutes, she didn’t speak. As her sobs ebbed and her breathing slowed, she stopped shivering. Then his heart finally stopped convulsing in his chest but still he didn’t let her go. He simply wrapped another arm around her. He should let her loose now, he understood, because he didn’t want to mislead her. Sadie was vulnerable, especially now. But his arms, as if independent of his brain, continued to hold her close.

  “You meant well. I should have been checked out,” she said quietly. “He said I’ll have results in just a while longer.”

  Right. The results. “It’s going to be okay.”

  She turned in his arms to face him. “I think so.”

  “You can say, ‘I told you so’ then.” He briefly tapped the tip of her nose.

  Her eyes smiled even though her lips didn’t. They were just pursed slightly as if considering it. Her nose a little pink. All her eye-makeup had wiped away, leaving her long and dark lashes damp. This made her hazel eyes pop and take over her whole face with their intensity. When did she…oh, hell, yeah, she was far more than pretty.

  His heart rate kicked up, and before he could talk himself out of it, he palmed the nape of her neck, and drew her close. His mouth came crashing down on hers and he expected one of two things: he’d be slapped, or the kiss would be sweet and tender, as expected. Then he’d move on from this fantasy that had consumed him since the day she drove out to the ranch in that short dress.

  But he didn’t get slapped.

  And the kiss wasn’t at all sweet but just a little bit…wild.

  Sadie met him with passion, opening for him, and holy shit, this was good. So good. Amazing. And perfect. From the slide of her hands up his arms to his hair, to the lowering of his hand to her behind. He pulled her even closer. She made a tiny whimpering sound in the back of her throat which made him deepen the kiss, somehow seeking the end of this moment. In a minute this would all stop. It would come to a grinding halt. He felt sure of this. She’d pull away from too much, too soon. Or he would, but honestly, he didn’t see that happening.

  The sweet and nice girl next door, the teacher, the volunteer, and everyone’s friend…she’d become his fantasy lover. Finally, he broke the kiss. He managed to do this with the same force of will of waking at four in the morning even when he’d gone to bed at midnight. Willpower. You didn’t get to be a cattle rancher or a rodeo champ without strength and fierce determination.

  Still not ready to lose all contact, his fingers traced the curve of her jawline. “We should go back inside.”

  He took her hand, threaded her fingers through his, and led her gently back into the waiting room. They sat next to each other on the uncomfortable plastic chairs, with nothing less than everything having changed between them. Fortunately, not much longer, a doctor met them in the waiting room.

  Looks great, no brain bleed, no swelling.

  You were wise to come in.

  Can’t ever be too careful. I’ll send these images to your primary care physician.

  Follow up if you get any headaches, nausea, or dizziness.

  Lincoln heard it all but didn’t fully register the news. His thoughts were on that mind-blowing kiss. On Sadie’s mournful sobs. He didn’t know how to react to what he’d instinctively recognized in her.

  She’d been embarrassed to have a weakness.

  He could relate because he detested weakness. But now she’d become his weakness.

  “Concussion duty, tonight?” the doctor asked Lincoln, which made him snap to attention.

  “Uh, yeah. Yeah.”

  “It’s better to be safe. Good man.” The doctor slapped his b
ack. “Take care of your girl, now.”

  She’s not my…Lincoln almost said out loud but didn’t bother correcting the man this time. Anyone who’d witnessed them outside a moment ago would have every reason to believe they were together. And why bother correcting the doctor when she felt very much like his girl. At least tonight. The first time in his life he’d felt responsible for someone but didn’t quite mind.

  He drove quietly back to her cabin with every intention of staying.

  “You heard the doctor. Concussion duty.”

  “Since it’s already midnight, I don’t think we’ll get anyone else at this point.”

  They’d already had this conversation, but she was probably drained. Emotionally spent. Maybe that’s why she’d allowed the kiss from a man who’d just told her that he wouldn’t have a long-term relationship with anyone. They’d both had a long day, and he’d guess like him, she was an early riser. He wanted to get her home and into bed so she could sleep off this day from hell. Tomorrow would be better. He mentally prepared his “rah-rah” talk in case Sadie would need it. He’d had plenty of experience as a cheerleader.

  Of course, you can be a Nashville superstar, little brother, you have got what it takes!

  Daisy, any guy who doesn’t see you’re beautiful just the way you are, is an idiot.

  Yes, Wade, you’re right. You were robbed. You probably should be the reigning rodeo champ of the world. No one else should even try. Heh, heh.

  Good morning, Beau. I slept on the couch.

  Okay, that last one was for him.

  When they arrived, there were several bouquets of flowers lined up and blocking her front door. He was beginning to feel like a total screwup for bringing ice packs and gum.

  “Oh, good grief,” Sadie said.

  “Must be nice to have so many admirers.”

  “You realize this is just because I got hurt. This doesn’t happen all the time.”

  “It would be okay with me if it does.”

  He helped pick up the flowers and carry them inside. Obviously, this town was filled with men who didn’t need their eyesight checked anytime soon. And as one of the few eligible ladies, Sadie would have no trouble finding that husband and three point five children.

  Once she’d placed the flowers in water, Sadie bent under her bed and came up with some blankets. She brought them to the couch and handed them over to him. Briefly, she met his eyes, but broke her gaze away quickly. She was back to being shy with him after their powerhouse kiss. A minute later, she threw him an extra soft pillow from her bed. He caught it midair. It smelled like her, a fruity, coconut, soft, sweet scent.

  Jesus, sweetheart. Now you’re killing me.

  She no longer argued with him about staying, even after she’d gotten the all-clear from the scan. Maybe too spent, also, to say, That kiss was a bad idea. What were you thinking? I told you I’m getting married and having three children. What, you suddenly want children? Uh-huh. That’s what I thought. I’m no buckle bunny, mister.

  “I’m going to bed,” Sadie announced.

  She disappeared into the bathroom. When she came out, she wore a long-sleeved tee which fell to her thighs and black leggings. She’d pulled her hair into a high ponytail. She climbed in bed and shut off the light. In the dark, he kicked off his boots. He took off his shirt but kept the jeans on, removing his belt. Attempting to stretch out on the couch, he found it too small. Or maybe he was just too tall. He curled his legs and knew that if he slept this way he would wind up with a kink in his back.

  “Are we just not going to talk about the kiss? Ever?” Sadie suddenly said into the thick quiet.

  He winced. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “Why did you kiss me? Was it because I cried, and you felt bad about dragging me there?”

  “Hell, no. Sadie, don’t even think that for a minute.”

  “I thought for a minute you’d given me a pity kiss.”

  “Jesus! No.”

  For a moment, she went silent again. “Then, why?”

  “Because…you’re beautiful.”

  And I wanted to check something out. Do you taste as sweet as you look?

  “I guess I lost my head for a minute and forgot that you’d just shared with me you want all the things that I don’t. So, forgive me.”

  “I forgive you.” More silence, and just when he’d hoped she’d fallen asleep, “It was an amazing kiss. Right?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  A few minutes later, quiet enveloped the room. Lincoln set an alarm on his watch so he could get up and check on Sadie. He pulled the covers up and tried to find sleep. But two hours went by quickly, filling them as he did with thoughts of Sadie. Naked. Riding him like a bronco. When his alarm went off, he rose and took the few steps to her bed to nudge her. Simply rolling over would be enough. He didn’t need to fully wake her.

  She rolled over with a little sigh and left a huge and empty space on her bed.

  He looked at the short sofa.

  Her bed.

  The sofa.

  And because his Mima didn’t raise no fool, he grabbed his blankets and climbed into the empty space beside Sadie.

  Chapter 7

  Sadie woke to the sound of a dog howling. Or a coyote. She sat up ramrod straight and saw a man in her bed. A man! In. Her. Bed. Sleep tugged at her with such heaviness that she automatically recoiled. Until she remembered. This was Lincoln Carver in her bed. Lincoln, who kissed her so long, hard, and deep that she’d nearly lost sensation in her limbs. He’d kept kissing her, as if shocked and happily surprised to find the chemistry between them.

  Assured that she wasn’t sleeping with a stranger, Sadie settled back on her pillow and studied Lincoln. In the ambient moonlight filtering through the window, his beautiful thick brown hair seemed a shade lighter. And oh boy he didn’t have his shirt on. The blankets rested just beneath his chest. She resisted the urge to pull them down to his waist and check out those washboard abs.

  Instead, because he seemed solidly enough asleep, she tentatively reached for his hair. Softer tendrils than she could have imagined curled through her fingers. Lincoln was so strong, tall, and solidly built that she assumed he’d even have tough hair. But no, instead, silky strands slipped through her fingers. He smelled like soap, and leather, and some kind of delicious cologne.

  She’d been such a mess earlier tonight, but he’d comforted her in a way that she didn’t know anyone possibly could. She’d wanted to be nowhere other than in those strong arms, pulling her against him. But her thoughts and feelings were plain stupid. She would get hurt falling for him. He would make her cry. Falling in love with this man? Not smart. She’d already been with a man she couldn’t trust. Martin took her trust and wrecked her.

  Loyalty, trust, and faithfulness were everything.

  Lincoln moved and she quickly drew back her hand. Eyes still closed, he rolled to his right, taking her with him. She almost squeaked in surprise. Oh, dear Lord. Spooning. She was literally spooning with Lincoln. His rock-hard forearms around her waist, he held her close. She didn’t move, choosing to die in this bed, in this position, if it came to that. She prayed he wouldn’t say another woman’s name in his sleep. Did he have another woman that he slept with on a regular basis? Maybe someone that understood what he wanted and accepted it.

  Please, please, please. Don’t say anything and ruin this fantasy for me.

  Just for now, in this slice of a moment’s time, she could pretend. They were lovers, Lincoln her partner and best friend. They slept together every night just like this.

  But in the light of day, the fantasy wouldn’t last. Not for her. Maybe Lincoln liked women a little too much. She’d already been there, done that. She should stay away from him. She’d find another man in her town filled with eligible men who would do. Someone who could kiss her until her bones dissolved, but also give her security, a family, and the future she wanted.

  Sadie didn’t go back to sleep and saw the first rays of
sunlight as dawn broke. She felt Lincoln move next to her and closed her eyes. She didn’t want him to realize what he’d done, quite by accident, and then regret it when he realized that she might make more out of this moment. She wouldn’t. She’d try not to, anyway. She would let him get back to the sofa and pretend he’d slept there all night so she wouldn’t be the wiser. In her heart, she’d know. She’d always know that she’d been in Lincoln’s arms for a few blissful hours.

  But she didn’t sense him get off the bed. She didn’t feel the spring of the mattress move with his weight. Instead, she felt fingers thread through her mess of bed hair and tried not to sigh.

  Then lips replaced fingers and she heard a softly whispered, “Sadie.”

  She didn’t move. A few seconds later, his hand skimmed down her back. “Sadie?”

  Oh, yeah. He was trying to wake her. She then performed her best imitation of someone waking up.

  “Um…huh?” She stretched, rubbed her eyes, and turned to find herself face to face with Lincoln.

  He made no move to hide the fact that he’d been lying in her bed. Was still in her bed. Shirtless. Perhaps he wanted an award for being a gentleman. Or he was so excruciatingly honest that he wouldn’t try to hide the truth.

  “I tried, but that sofa is too short for my legs. And then you rolled over and I realized that this is a pretty big bed.”

  Excruciatingly honest it is. However, big bed or not, that had not stopped him from curling up to her.

  “Yes, it’s a king-size. California king, I think they call it.”

  That’s right, Sadie, blather on about the size of your bed. Tell him how you bought the bed so that it would be large enough for two. Especially for a man with long legs.

  “Anyway,” he said, rising and quickly finding his shirt, “hope you don’t mind. A rancher doesn’t need any early back problems.”

  “I don’t mind.” She sat up, legs hanging off the side, and scrubbed a hand down her face. “I slept well. There’s plenty of room on my bed. I should have suggested it in the first place. Didn’t even realize you were there.”

  His shirt clung to his shoulders, still unbuttoned as he tugged his boots on. And how on earth did he look even better than he did with it off? Maybe because all that tanned taut skin played peek-a-boo. When he moved one way, she got a glance of his abs. Another way, she got to see one side of his chest. He began buttoning the shirt and she may have sighed.