Hold Me, Cowboy, page 11
With her hair washed and dressed in clean jeans, scarlet shirt and her blue crystal earrings, Kendall walked into the kitchen and stopped. The usual flamboyant and vibrant Izzy was dressed in a tailored black suit with her auburn curls twisted into a topknot. Her lucky earrings hung from her ears, adding a refined splash of color.
“Perfect. Professional and beautiful,” Kendall said with a smile. “They have to give you the gift shop job, and when they do those Cherry Lake bachelors won’t stand a chance.”
“If you unbutton another button of your shirt, neither will Brent.” Izzy grinned and slid the clip taming her hair out. Her curls fell around her face. “I just had another good feeling. Very good things are going to happen at this dance tonight.”
*
Brent stood in the drinks line at the steak dinner and allowed the buzz and ambiance around him to settle his nerves. Earlier, he’d almost gone off plan. He was supposed to tell Kendall he loved her under the canopy of twinkling lights strung above him in a private moment, not in a rodeo bleacher within earshot of others. He glanced over to the section of the long table where his mom sat beside Peta and Stewart. He watched as Rhett and Ivy arrived hand-in-hand, but there was no sign of Kendall.
He took a step forward as the line moved. Talk swirled around him about the day’s events. The appearance of Tyler Warren in the saddle bronco had piqued local interest. It was before his time, but Tyler had up and left town over a decade ago and was now home to settle his father’s estate. Brent also heard mention of a Cole McArthur who’d competed in the steer wrestling, but the line again moved and the conversation trailed away.
The gleam of shoulder-length, glossy, blonde hair caught his eye and he turned to see Kendall arrive at the table. The sight of her made his heart slam in his chest and his emotions run riot. He wanted to spend the rest of his life seeing her every day. She looked around the giant outdoor restaurant and when she saw him she gave him a gorgeous smile. He gave her a quick grin. It was only a matter of time before their relationship became public, but he didn’t want to spoil the night should Stewart not approve of them being together.
Over the years he and Stewart had learned to keep their distance to avoid any confrontations that might upset Kendall. Thanks to his own father, Brent had no qualms, even as a teenager, about standing up to the intolerant and obstinate Stewart. While Stewart had appeared to have mellowed, Brent wasn’t convinced the older man liked him any better than he had when he and Kendall were growing up.
Hands full of drinks, Brent returned to the table. Darkness had stripped the sky of all color but the overhead glow of the fairy lights cast an intimate glow. To their left shone the illuminated domed roof of the courthouse where a makeshift stage had been set up on the historic steps.
Brent distributed the drinks and sat in the spare seat beside Kendall. Tonight she was wearing her light floral perfume. Her lips were the same scarlet hue as her shirt and he curled his hand into his fist to stop himself smoothing his thumb over her lower lip to test if her lipstick was again smudge proof.
“You smell nice,” he said in an undertone that only she could hear.
Her lips tilted before her hand lowered from the table to briefly touch his leg. “So do you.”
“So are we going to eat?” Stewart asked with a scowl. “The buffet line’s getting longer every time I look.”
“Dad, it’s fine. Relax. There’s enough food for everyone,” Kendall said, gently. “But yes, now might be a good time to line up as I can see the band getting ready for the dance.”
Brent waited while the others headed to the buffet line and then helped his mom out of her chair and slowly over to the table. A young mom with two dark-haired girls waved them into the spot before her at the head of the line. Brent smiled his thanks and filled two plates with barbequed steak, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables and corn muffins. One of the little girls behind him couldn’t reach the muffins, so Brent placed one on her plate and then on her sister’s.
With his mom again seated with her plate of food in front of her, Brent returned to his chair. Kendall almost immediately sat beside him. She must have rushed through the buffet line as her plate was almost empty.
“I think you just broke at least a hundred hearts,” she said, stealing a corn muffin from off his plate. Even as a kid she’d always thought his food tasted better.
He frowned. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
“First, you make sure your mother is okay and then you help those two adorable little girls. There were plenty of sighs from the single, and not so single, girls around me.”
“There’s only ever been one girl I want to make sigh,” he said, tone low.
Blue eyes sparkling, Kendall took a sip of her water as Stewart slid into his chair. The little finger on her right hand curled around Brent’s before she took hold of her cutlery to eat.
The microphone crackled into life as the singer performed a sound check. When it emitted a high-pitched squeal, Stewart glowered. “As soon as I’m done eating, I’m leaving.”
“No, you’re not,” Peta said from across the table. “That’s Lonny Black, Marietta’s very own rising country star. You have to stay and hear him sing. Then, there’s also the matter of you having a dance.”
Stewart’s curt reply was drowned out by the singer’s amplified voice.
“Thank you all for coming out tonight. And for the support you’ve all given for the Marietta Hospital. As you may know, all proceeds from the dinner and dance will go to build a new paediatric wing at the hospital. So, tonight, if you will, please let your hair down and enjoy some old classics and some of the new songs I’ve written with the band. Here we go.”
The music started and filled the air with a lively, foot-tapping beat. Ivy grinned. “That’s dancing music, if I ever heard it.”
Plates were soon bare, glasses drained and seats vacant as people around them headed to the dance floor.
Ivy stood and grabbed Rhett’s arm. “Come on, cowboy, let’s see some more of those hidden talents of yours. Remember, we have a bridal waltz to prepare for.”
Rhett stood and groaned. “How could I forget?” He looked at Brent. “I can’t be the only uncoordinated cowboy up there, you need to come and dance too.”
“I’m still recovering from the last time you dragged me onto a dance floor and set me up with a very talkative and very drunk brunette. This time you’re on your own buddy.”
Rhett returned his grin. “What are friends for? I was only looking out for you.”
A new song started and Ivy led Rhett over to the now large throng of dancers.
Kendall and Peta exchanged a quick look. As one they rose. Kendall made her way around to their father. They stood either side of him.
“Remember how much Mom used to love to dance?” Kendall said. “We know you used to love it too. We’re not sitting down until you dance at least one dance with us.”
Stewart’s fierce frown would have stopped the summer tourist traffic on Main Street, but he stood anyway. “Just one dance.”
As he walked away, there was a definite spring in his step.
Ruth smiled. “There’ll be more than one dance happening, mark my words. Kendall’s right. Stewart always did love to dance, as much as Hazel did.”
Brent nodded, his gaze glued to the sway of Kendall’s hips as she moved to the up-tempo country song.
“If your own father was here, he’d be very happy for you and Kendall.”
His mom’s unexpected words snapped his attention back to her. She wouldn’t have missed the change in his and Kendall’s relationship, but he wouldn’t have thought his father would be happy for them.
“Would he?”
Brent couldn’t strip out a rasp of guilt in his voice. It had been during a heated discussion over him settling down with Kendall when his father had had his stroke. On the Monday after the rodeo four years ago, he’d tackled his father about taking on more responsibility for the ranch. He’d studied agriculture at college so he could run Fire Weed and release his father of such a burden. But their discussion had quickly disintegrated when he’d also mentioned asking Kendall out for dinner.
“Yes, he would. You know he didn’t believe in showing emotion but he cared for Kendall. She practically spent half her life growing up on our ranch. It was as much for her, as it was you, that he asked you to travel before taking on Fire Weed. He couldn’t bear the thought of either of you breaking the other one’s heart because they resented living a life they never truly wanted.”
Brent shook his head in frustration. “Dad and Hazel may have been looking out for us, but I won’t lie and say the past years have been easy being away from Kendall. It’s like a part of me died.”
His mother’s grey eyes softened. “I know how hard it’s been. But here you are, each of you knowing that the only thing you want is each other.” Laughter sounded as Peta and Kendall approached without Stewart who was now dancing with Ivy. His mother spoke again. “Go and dance with your beautiful girl and make up for all of that lost time.”
Brent needed no encouragement. Kendall’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright and her smile so sweet it robbed him of words. He stood and without needing to say anything, she slipped her hand in his and followed him onto the dance floor.
They caught the last of a fast-paced song before the next song’s tempo slowed. Kendall stepped into his arms and he molded her close. Her soft and contented sigh told him everything he needed to know. She was as happy as he was. Peace filtered through him. They swayed to the music, their bodies moving in timeless harmony.
The song ended and Kendall didn’t move away. To their right, Rhett gave them a wide grin that said ‘What took you two so long?’ Ivy blew them both a kiss while Stewart stared. While no smile broke the severity of his craggy face, he gave a brief nod before turning away.
Kendall grinned. “See, there’s no problem, he approves.”
Brent chuckled. “It seems he does. For a split second I thought there was going to be another Wild West gunfight on Main Street.”
The next song started, and he guided them to a more secluded area of the dance floor. His hands left her hips to frame her face and he kissed her. He’d intended their kiss to be tender, gentle and G-rated. But when she pressed herself against him and her fingers dug into his back, her urgency fueled his own need. He fought for control and dragged his mouth from hers.
“Dell,” he breathed into her ear, “we need to take this somewhere private otherwise your father really will be gunning for me.”
Her throaty murmur of agreement only threatened to shred his self-control further. He stepped away and threaded his fingers with hers.
“Mom would be feeling tired by now. I’ll take her home and wait up for you.”
Kendall’s fingers tightened on his. “I’ll leave now too.”
The tilt to her chin said it would be futile to try and talk her into staying longer.
“If you’re sure.”
Her gaze fastened on his mouth. “Oh, I’m sure.”
He led her through the dancers before he listened to his hormones to kiss her again.
They helped his mother out of her chair and waved farewell to Peta, Ivy, Rhett and Stewart who were still on the dance floor. As they made their way to the edge of the barricaded street, Kendall spoke.
“Where did you park, Brent? I got lucky and scored a spot over there.” She pointed to her white sedan across the road. “Maybe I should take you home, Ruth? Then you won’t have to wait for Brent to fetch his truck?”
Ruth looked at Brent and in her thin face he could see the deep lines of exhaustion. He kissed the top of her head. “That’s a good idea. Go with Kendall. I’m way over at Front Avenue.”
When his mother was comfortable in Kendall’s passenger seat, he pulled Kendall close. “Drive safe. I won’t be far behind.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting.” She touched his cheek and in the streetlight he had no trouble seeing the promise in her thick-lashed eyes. A promise that made his throat ache. Soon he’d say the words he needed to. Soon he’d hold Kendall and show her how much he loved her.
But as he travelled down Highway 89, in his truck lights he saw two cowgirls standing beside a pickup with a flat back tire. He slowed with a sigh and reached for his cell to call Kendall. Taking her in his arms was going to have to wait a little longer.
Chapter Nine
‡
By the time Brent had the truck tire changed and the two giggly cowgirls on their way home, the moon was glowing high in the night sky. He reached the ranch house and all its windows were dark. The only sign of life was a sleepy Rosie wagging her tail from where she slept in her kennel on the back porch. Brent let himself inside and headed through the kitchen toward the bedrooms. His steps slowed as he entered the hallway. Kendall’s door was closed but his bedroom door was wide open. He bent to remove his boots and on silent feet padded into his room. He stopped just inside the doorway.
His breathing quickened. Kendall lay asleep in his bed. Her hair spread over the pillow and gleamed pale gold in the moonlight. Her clothes hung over a chair and the smooth skin of one shoulder showed above the bed clothes.
Mouth dry, he moved forward to set his boots on the floor beside the chair. The only woman he’d ever wanted lay naked in his bed. He carefully sat beside her. Kendall didn’t stir. Fingers unsteady, he brushed the hair away from her cheek. Her lashes fluttered. He smiled and bent to kiss her eyelids. Her sleepy sigh let him know she was awake.
“I thought cowboys could change a truck tire in under twenty minutes?”
“Well, this cowboy can change one in under fifteen minutes, especially when he knows who’s waiting for him. It’s just that two cowgirls didn’t get the memo to make sure their spare was pumped up. I had to go into Marietta to the gas station to fill their spare with air.”
Kendall’s fingers ruffled through the front of his hair. “That’s my Brent. Always being honorable and doing the right thing.”
He caught her fingers and kissed them before covering her body with his, bracing himself so she wouldn’t take his full weight.
She shifted beneath the bed covers to further free her arms so she could entwine them around his neck. “Now, where were we?”
With no audience, their kiss went from slow and tender to urgent and hot in less than five seconds. He came up for air and trailed kisses along the curve of her neck, where the floral scent of her perfume lingered the strongest. Before he lost all control, he had to tell her he loved her.
“Dell, …”
But his hoarse word was lost as she drew his head down to kiss him.
Her hands swept under his shirt, pulled it out of his jeans and tugged it over his head. He shuddered as her palms smoothed over his shoulders before her fingertips drifted along his spine. Kendall touching him wasn’t just skin to skin contact; her tenderness and her warmth scored deep into his soul. Even a lifetime with her wouldn’t be enough.
A cold tide of fear washed over him. He wouldn’t survive ever losing her. He lifted his head.
“Dell, tell me you didn’t find anything when you looked at landscape jobs and opportunities? Tell me there’s nothing you’d rather do than run a design business from Marietta and be a rancher’s wife.”
She smiled and trailed her fingers across his jaw. “I didn’t do any research because there’s nothing I’d rather do.”
“You didn’t look?”
“No. I know one hundred percent there’s nothing I want more than to be here with you.”
The pounding at his temples turned into a roar in his ears. The ‘what if’ question still lay between them. What if Kendall’s Marietta business wasn’t enough? What if she regretted choosing him over her dreams? It hadn’t only been her mother who’d tried to ensure that Kendall’s unselfish and giving nature wouldn’t cost her the future she’d always wanted. His own father had tried to make sure that such a scenario never happened.
Brent rolled off Kendall to sit on the edge of the bed. Eyes wide, she sat up, holding the bed covers to her chest.
“Brent, I understand. I really do. You’ve suffered so much loss … but you don’t need to be afraid. I won’t ever think the grass is greener elsewhere and leave you because the grass is perfect where I am.”
He jammed his hand through his hair. “You say that now … but Dell you’ve hardly been out of Marietta, let alone Montana.”
“I have a passport, so I would if I could have.”
“See that’s the thing, you haven’t been free to see what else is out there. Your father didn’t approve of college so you stayed at the ranch and studied online. When your mom fell sick you cared for her and then later moved in to look after your father.”
“And I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”
He lost the battle to kiss her. His lips sought hers for a bittersweet moment.
“I know you would,” he said, pulling away, “because that’s who you are. It’s only now that you finally have control of your life and can make your own choices.”
The bed covers she was holding slipped lower as she leaned forward to peer into his face. The moonlight played over the delicate curves of her collarbones and the soft swell of the tops of her breasts. She was so gorgeous he could barely think, let alone think straight. He reached for his black shirt that lay on the floor. Hands unsteady, he draped the shirt around her. His hands lingered and then lowered. This was one time he couldn’t button up her shirt. One brush of his fingers against her satin-smooth skin and his self-control would splinter.
Gaze somber, she eased her arms into his shirt and secured the buttons. She touched his bare shoulder before speaking, her voice quiet.
“How can I prove to you that this, that you, is all I want? What can I do to put your fears to rest?”
