This Cowboy of Mine--Includes a Bonus Novella Read online

  With their riders urging them on, the two horses began to lengthen their strides until they were running full out toward the barns looming up in the early evening shadows.

  They rounded the barn and came to a halt nearly neck and neck.

  Casey was grinning. “You don’t give up, do you? I call it a draw, Sunshine.”

  “I’ll concede.” Kirby slid from the saddle. “Though I think I was a nose ahead.”

  “Too close to call.” He reached for the reins of her horse, but she shook her head.

  “If it’s a draw, we both win. Why don’t I unsaddle these two and towel them down while you find fill their troughs with food and water?”

  “Done.” With an admiring look at the way she handled things, despite the long hours in the saddle, he strolled into their stalls and began measuring out food and water.

  When the horses were comfortably stabled, they walked to the house, eager to shed their frozen boots and gloves and parkas.

  Hearing the chorus of voices in the kitchen, they made their way in, breathing the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread and hearing the unmistakable sizzle of steaks on the grill.

  “Well.” Bo saw them and lifted his longneck. “We were just wondering if the two of you were caught in that blizzard in the highlands.”

  “We saw it coming and got out just in time.” Casey took Kirby’s hand and led her toward the warmth of the fire.

  As soon as she was seated beside Meg, Billy came over to hand her a steaming cup of tea.

  “Oh, bless you, Billy.” She wrapped her hands around it and inhaled the delicate perfume of the cinnamon stick he’d used to stir it.

  “The two of you look half-frozen,” Meg remarked.

  Kirby nodded. “It was a long, cold ride home.”

  Home.

  The word slipped easily from Kirby’s lips, and though she wasn’t aware of it, Meg met Egan’s gaze and the two of them shared a knowing smile.

  Casey took a long pull on his beer before setting it aside. “Do we have time to shower and change before we eat?”

  Meg glanced at Billy, who nodded and said, “We’ll make time.”

  Casey turned to Kirby. Following his lead, she set aside her teacup. When he offered his hand, she took it and the two of them hurried away.

  As soon as the door closed behind them Jonah turned to his family. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m practically blinded by the light in my brother’s eyes. If that’s what a couple of days in the hills can do to a guy, I’m swearing off all hiking until I’m past the age of temptation.”

  Egan shared a look with his son, Bo. “And what age would that be?”

  Jonah shrugged. “I guess when I’m old and gray.”

  “Don’t let the wrinkles and gray hair fool you, boy.” Ham kept his tone steely, although a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “A man’s never too old to be tempted by a beautiful woman.”

  “Twelve separate herds.” Kirby, her hair damp and curling around a face devoid of makeup, was animated as she described the mustangs she and Casey had encountered in the hills. “My boss is going to be so pleased. And I took as many pictures as I could for his file, so Dan’s superior in DC will be impressed.”

  “Sounds as though you’re impressed, too.” Avery, seated next to Brand, was enjoying Kirby’s enthusiasm.

  “I am.” Kirby looked around with a bright smile. “There’s something almost mystical about seeing horses living wild. Dan told me that none of the other employees wanted to hike the hills and count the herds. They consider it drudgery, but I’m so glad I had the chance to do this. They’re magnificent.”

  She couldn’t seem to stop herself. “And being up in the hills, away from civilization, is the most amazing feeling. It might seem silly to you guys because you have all this around you whenever you want to enjoy it. But for years now, whenever it snowed in DC, I’d watch it turn to black slush within days.” She sighed. “It’s so beautiful in the hills. Not another footprint anywhere in those acres of snow.”

  Without thinking she lay a hand over Casey’s. “It felt like we were the only humans left on the planet.”

  “Wait. Hold on now.” He smiled down into her eyes. “Are you saying we weren’t?”

  They shared a laugh while the others watched in silence.

  Ham cleared his throat. “How did that little mustang filly do, boy?”

  “Even better than I’d hoped. As soon as she spotted her herd, she let us know.”

  “Casey told me it was Storm’s herd.”

  Kirby began talking again before Casey could answer. “He told me all about how Storm came into his life, and how he still keeps track of him and his herd.” She went on to describe the scene of the frantic whinny, the tender reunion, and then the filly disappearing into the woods with her herd.

  “She was back with her family, and it was so heartwarming.”

  “Except for one minor detail you left out,” Casey added.

  Everyone waited.

  He shared an intimate grin with Kirby before adding, “The ungrateful little filly didn’t even give me a backward glance before running off, and that, according to Kirby, spoiled the moment.”

  At the blank stares Kirby felt the need to explain. “I told Casey that in the movies, she would have run back to nuzzle her hero one last time, and then return to her herd.”

  Jonah shared a grin with Brand. “I suppose you’d like me to write a scene like that in my next book.”

  Her eyes widened. “Would you?”

  He was already shaking his head. “In case you’ve forgotten, I write gritty mysteries.”

  “But you could insert a tender scene.”

  “Not going to happen.” He added with a smile, “But maybe you can persuade Casey to try his hand at writing a romance. I’d say that’s right in his wheelhouse these days.”

  Instead of a clever remark, Casey merely remained silent, still wearing that silly grin that had been on his face since his return.

  The family remained around the table for the longest time, enjoying Billy’s apple pie and ice cream, as well as many cups of coffee, while Kirby continued relating details of the mustangs they’d encountered in the hills.

  Beside her, Casey seemed content to just sit and listen to the sound of her voice.

  The ringing of her cell phone startled her.

  Laughing, she picked it up, saying to the others, “I haven’t heard that sound for days now.” She glanced at the caller’s identification. “Oh. It’s my cousin.” She pushed away from the table. “This is the news I’ve been waiting for. Excuse me.”

  Her voice softened as she crossed toward the door. “Hi, Caroline. I’m so happy you—”

  Before she could step out of the room she paused, her words fading, along with her smile.

  Casey was the first to note her stricken look as she stood frozen in the doorway, listening to her cousin’s voice.

  “I see. But I…” Kirby’s words died as the voice on the other end droned on before halting abruptly.

  She leaned a hand against the wall, as though needing help to remain standing. “That’s it, then. I guess there’s nothing I can say or do to change your…”

  Casey was on his feet in an instant, crossing the room to her side. Her call had ended before he even reached her, and she stared at the phone in her hand as though not really seeing it. Then, as he approached, she held out her arm stiffly, to keep him away.

  “I can’t…I need to…” Tears flooded her eyes.

  “What’s happened? What did she say?”

  Kirby swallowed. “Caroline said her father left too many debts. Her lawyer advised her to ask the bank in town to take possession. When she told them of my offer to purchase, they claimed they have a buyer willing to pay much more, and that would go a long way toward clearing the outstanding debt.”

  “Des Dempsey’s bank.” Casey’s voice was filled with scorn. “But you’re family. Won’t your cousin reconsider—
”

  She gave a firm shake of her head. “Caroline said the deal is already done, the papers signed. The bank now owns my uncle’s ranch. The buyer will take possession in the spring.”

  “Sunshine…”

  She gave a shake of her head and backed away. Glancing toward his family she managed to say, “I’m sorry. I can’t talk now. I really need to…”

  She turned and fled.

  In the silence that followed they heard her hurried footsteps on the stairs, and the sound of the guest room door opening and closing.

  And then an ominous silence settled over the house and the family.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Though she’d been awake for hours, Kirby waited until she heard sounds of activity before making her way down the stairs. She paused to take a deep breath and force a smile to her lips before entering the kitchen, where the Merrick family was already gathered around the fireplace.

  Meg looked up and called, “Good morning, Kirby.”

  Casey set aside his mug of coffee and met her halfway across the room. “Did you sleep?”

  “A little.” Despite the telltale red, puffy eyes, she managed to keep her smile in place.

  Meg studied her with concern. “We all know how much you sacrificed just to return home to make an offer on your uncle’s ranch. We’re so sorry about your cousin’s unhappy news.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your concern.” Kirby helped herself to a cup of coffee from the tray and turned to face them. “It’s a new day, and I took some time to consider my options. I’ve already emailed a copy of my report on the mustang herds to my boss, along with the photos I took. When I told him I’m in need of a place to stay, he mentioned that Julie Franklyn has a room above her shop that she’s been thinking of offering for rent, and it’s close enough that I can walk to work, which is important, until I can arrange to buy another truck. When I phoned Julie she said she’d love to have me as a tenant, but she needs a day or so to clean it up.”

  “If she gets busy, that could stretch into more than a few days.” Meg looked at Egan before saying, “We’d like you to stay here until it’s ready. And maybe we can use our powers of persuasion to get you to stay on longer.”

  Kirby couldn’t hide her delight at this offer. “That’s kind of you, Miss Meg, and I’m so grateful to all of you for your hospitality. But I need to consider my…my new normal.” The words stuck in her throat, and she had to swallow hard before adding, “It may take a while, but I’ll sort it all out. But if you wouldn’t mind loaning me one of your trucks for today, I’d like to drive over to the ranch for a last visit.” She shrugged. “I guess it’s my way of saying goodbye to my dreams.”

  Bo was quick to say, “I’ll fetch a truck right after breakfast, honey.”

  “Thank you, Bo. I appreciate it.”

  Just then, Billy announced that breakfast was ready.

  As the others started toward the table, Casey held back. “I’d like to go with you. Could you hold off the visit until tomorrow?”

  She paused. “Why?”

  “Because I got an emergency call from Buster Mandel. He wants me to take a look at one of his cows. From the symptoms he described, I could be stuck there for a couple of hours.”

  “Casey.” She shook her head. “That’s your job. I don’t want my trip to be a problem for you. I’m certainly capable of going alone.”

  “But—”

  “Shhh.” She put a finger to his mouth, then just as quickly withdrew it as though it burned. Would the touch of him always have this effect? Would she always go weak at the knees every time he got close?

  With a sigh she said, as calmly as she could manage, “Of course, I was hoping you could come along, but it’s probably better if I do this alone. I’m sure I’ll get all emotional and blubber like a baby. I’d rather shed my tears without an audience.”

  “But I want to be there for you.”

  “That means the world to me. But you have your patients to think about. And this is just some silly sentimental journey I’m taking, in the hopes that I can put those old dreams away for good and get on with my life.”

  She marched to the table, and he trailed after her more slowly.

  The conversation was subdued, and though Kirby tried to follow along, she was distracted, and offered little except an occasional nod or tight smile.

  As the family began to disperse for the day, Meg took Kirby’s hand. “I hope you know how much I admire the way you’re dealing with this, Kirby. You came back to Wyoming with such high hopes, and you’ve been through enough trials to crush some people. But I do hope, after a visit to your uncle’s ranch, you’ll come back here in time for supper.”

  “But Julie Franklyn’s apartment—”

  “—isn’t ready. And besides, we’re not ready to let you go yet.” Meg squeezed her hand. “Please say you’ll come back here in time for supper with our family. Tomorrow will be time enough to pack up your things and head to town.”

  Across the room Casey remained silent, but the pleading look he shot her went straight to her heart.

  Seeing it, Kirby nodded. “Thank you, Miss Meg. I’d love another night with all of you.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad.” Meg drew her close and hugged her fiercely before letting her go.

  After breakfast, Bo pulled up by the back porch and left the ranch truck idling.

  Kirby walked down the steps to find Casey waiting for her. He held the driver’s side door until she’d settled herself inside. He reached through the window and took her hand. “I’m glad you’re coming back here tonight. There are things…I want to say. Things I need to tell you.”

  She felt the curl of heat along her arm and withdrew her hand from his. “There are things I want to say, too. I’ll never be able to thank you…your family for all their kindnesses.”

  His tone roughened. “The things I want to say have nothing to do with my family.”

  “Well…” She felt a sudden stirring in her heart even though her mind had already leapt ahead to the journey before her. She put the truck in gear. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  As she started along the driveway, she studied Casey in the rearview mirror. So handsome and rugged. So fierce and yet so tender. Everything about him tugged at her.

  How was she going to say goodbye? They’d just finally connected, and had shared an experience that was already beginning to feel like a dream. Surely she’d imagined it. It had been too perfect to be real. The long, lazy night hours of loving. The laughter and teasing. But, like all the good things in her life, it had ended too soon.

  She dragged in a deep breath. Time for a reality check. His job as a rancher and veterinarian demanded all his time. Hadn’t he said he had a very small window of time to play before getting back to the family business? That time was now past.

  She was a low-level employee who’d burned a lot of bridges to chase a dream. And now, with that dream in tatters, she needed to figure out her next step in this messy life that just seemed to unravel more with every decision she made.

  Was it her? she wondered. Were her decisions always so wrong? Or had she been born under a dark cloud?

  Kirby left the interstate and drove along an old familiar ribbon of asphalt until she turned onto a patch of dusty road. The snow-covered fields looked bleak and neglected. Portions of the wooden fence that meandered up and over and across the hilly land were broken, the rotted wood lying in the snow. Her uncle had always taken such pride in that fence, spending precious hours each spring replacing any boards that needed fixing after they had been battered by winter’s blast.

  As she drove up to the house, she was thrust back in time to her childhood. This was the place where she’d arrived, alone and afraid after her world had shattered. And within weeks she’d felt safe and loved. Because of Uncle Frank. How he must have mourned the loss of his brother and sister-in-law. And yet he’d swallowed his grief and made a home for their lost little girl, who had come to him broken and in need of
repair.

  He had jokingly referred to himself as a repairman. How true. He could repair anything. Even a little girl’s heart.

  She sat staring at the snow-covered roof, the old faded curtains on the windows, the wide steps of the side porch, with a door that always slammed behind her. No matter how many times her uncle warned her to close it softly, she always forgot until it slammed, and his voice would drift out to her, Gently, Kirby. Gently. And then would follow his words with that wonderful throaty rasp of laughter that told her he didn’t really mind.

  He taught her to muck stalls, and how to wield a hoe between the rows of corn and beans and tomatoes in the garden. He’d taught her to drive a truck and a tractor, and how to play poker with his cronies on Saturday nights. And on Sunday mornings he’d taken her to church, and afterward they would stop at Nonie’s for eggs. Uncle Frank would have Nonie’s special coffee, which she later learned was coffee with a shot of brandy. And Nonie always had hot chocolate for Kirby, with a mound of whipped cream out of a can.

  Feeling the sting of tears, Kirby let herself out of the truck and walked across the yard to the corral. There were no horses there now, but this was where Uncle Frank had patiently taught Kirby how to ride a horse. As a girl she’d been afraid of them. They seemed so big—these giant animals that he wanted her to sit on. But she did, at his urging, and slowly, like a toddler taking those first steps, she’d learned to be as comfortable in the saddle as she had once been on a bike. And when she’d mastered the art of riding, Uncle Frank had surprised her with her own pony, Tulip. A silly name for a horse, but he’d given it to her in springtime, when the tulips were just blooming.

  Oh, how she’d loved that pony. She and Tulip grew together, running wild across the fields. If her uncle worried about her, he kept it to himself. She would dance into the house, all pink cheeks and windblown hair, to tell him about her day with Tulip, and he would listen as though what she had to say was the most important thing in his life. If he had debts, or troubles of any kind, he never let it show.