The Long Paddock, page 27
CHAPTER
18
Once Denham had called Phil to reassure himself Meredith was okay, the further they walked away from the rodeo dinner, the more Cressy sensed Denham relax.
She’d seen him in action at the Royal Arms when some contract harvesters had become too fresh and flirty with her and another local girl. But she’d forgotten how fearless and in control he was. The drunken cowboys hadn’t stood a chance. It seemed as though Tanner shared Denham’s cool head. She’d seen his face when his fist had connected with the second cowboy’s jaw. The punch hadn’t been a rash or impetuous move. Both Denham and Tanner were men you’d want on your side.
Emotion swept through her and her eyes misted. And tonight she knew for sure Denham was on her side. She slipped her hand in his. They were far enough away now from curious eyes. The warmth of his touch crept through her like the sun’s light across a dawn sky.
She hadn’t known what to expect when he’d re-opened their conversation. She’d braced herself for wherever their talk led. She just wanted to know the truth about why he didn’t think he deserved her, no matter what pain it might cause. Instead he’d done the unthinkable. He’d revealed his feelings hadn’t waned. She was what he’d always wanted.
Even now such an admission lifted her heart and humbled her. She’d fought to keep her thoughts clear and to not let the wave of her relief and happiness carry her away. She’d been down this path before and it had ended in heartache. So she’d remained calm and made sure Denham knew the new rules of their relationship.
He released her hand to wrap his arm around her and tug her against his side. She matched her steps to his as he kissed the top of her head. He said he wasn’t going anywhere but there were still conversations to be had about why he’d left. She also wasn’t burying the questions surrounding his perceived poor self-worth. But for the moment she was content to savour being with him.
The moonlight cast a pale glow that intensified where the lights at the stables threw out stronger beams. Moths and bugs darted in and out of the bright streams. Bandit whinnied loudly as they approached.
Cressy laughed quietly. ‘That wasn’t a lovely, gentle, “nice to see you” sound. That was a “what took you so long” rant.’
Denham chuckled. ‘That’s Bandit for you.’
Denham’s arm dropped from around her side as he entered the stables to see Bandit. The buckskin curled his head around to blow in Denham’s hair. The rogue gelding’s respect and love for Denham was unmistakable.
Cressy’s phone rang, causing hooves to shuffle as horses stirred.
‘This will be Fliss.’ She slipped her phone free from her jeans. ‘It’s so late she has to be on night duty.’
Sure enough, Fliss’s name lit up the screen of her phone.
‘Hi, are you back on night duty?’
‘Yes, I’m about to start and wanted to check on how Denham’s doing?’
‘Well, apart from man-handling a rude and drunken cowboy, he’s been staying very quiet.’
‘The staying quiet part surprises me, the other part doesn’t. Please tell me he didn’t take a punch to his side?’
‘No. The other guy didn’t get any other option than to behave himself.’
‘Good. I can hear faint music. You must still be at the dinner? Is Denham with you?’
‘Yes.’ Cressy looked across to where Denham exited Bandit’s stall after checking his water.
‘Perfect. Can you send through another photo? I want to see what his bruising looks like now.’
‘Okay. Just a sec.’
She walked over to where Denham stroked Bandit’s nose.
He raised a brow as Cressy nodded at his chest. ‘Let me guess. Dr Fliss wants another photo?’
‘Sorry. Yes.’
The corner of his mouth kicked up in a resigned smile as he lifted his shirt.
Cressy pressed her lips together to stop herself from making any comment. Denham should have skipped dinner altogether. His bruise was purple, angry and had to be painful.
She stepped forward to hold his shirt up higher and to snap a quick photo.
‘Tell Denham nice belt buckle,’ Fliss said after Cressy had sent through the photo. ‘I bet it’s been admired all night, particularly by the cowgirls.’
‘That’s enough cheek from you,’ Denham said with a grin. ‘You’re on speaker now.’
‘Still no trouble breathing?’
‘No.’
‘Okay. You need to ice your ribs and sleep.’
‘Will do. Anything else?’
‘Yes, stop knocking yourself around. You only have one body, you know.’
‘So you keep telling me.’
Cressy smiled at the good-natured bantering between Denham and her sister. This was a conversation they would have had numerous times.
‘Goodnight, Denham.’
‘Night.’
‘Bye, Cressy.’
‘Night, Fliss. Thanks and have a good shift.’
Cressy looked up from the now blank screen and into Denham’s eyes.
She hadn’t moved away after taking the photo. She stood so close she could see the long length of his lashes and the shadow of his stubble. The heady woody scent of his aftershave enveloped her and all thoughts of going slow evaporated. He had the most beautiful mouth.
She slid her phone in her pocket to free her hands before lifting his shirt to again see his ribs. He stayed still, his only movement the accelerated rise and fall of his chest. She touched the faint mark where her elbow had connected with his old injury. As her fingers carefully slid over the tender spot the taut muscles of his stomach contracted. She bent to press a kiss to the small bruise. Still Denham didn’t move.
She trailed her fingertips higher along the ridges of warm muscle until she neared the horse kick. Again she pressed a kiss to his chest. This time he moved. He pulled his shirt over his head and let it fall to the ground.
Need glittered in his eyes but when he spoke his words were controlled. ‘While you’re kissing everything better …’ He rolled his shoulder. ‘I broke this in Wyoming.’
Cressy stepped in closer until his belt buckle pressed against her stomach. His hands claimed the indent of her waist but he didn’t pull her nearer. She traced the lines of his shoulder and took her time to relearn the smooth texture of his skin. When her lips followed the path her fingers travelled, he shuddered.
‘Cressy, enough.’ His words were husky and hoarse. ‘You’re killing me.’
She stood on tiptoes, making sure she didn’t brush against his ribs, to whisper against his mouth, ‘Where else? Tell me or I’ll call Fliss for your medical history.’
He sighed, his bare chest touching hers. ‘Here.’ He lowered his head.
She kissed his temple, her lips sliding down to the point of his jaw. His hold tightened on her waist. But before she could ask about another injury, his hands swept into her hair and his mouth captured hers.
Denham’s kiss consumed her, stealing her breath, her heart and her life. There was no hurt, no pain, just need and the deep truth that she was a one-man woman. There could be no other person for her but the cowboy whose touch burned through her senses and whose soul completed hers.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders and she moaned softly as his mouth left hers. She’d been a fool to think they could ever go slow. Their ragged breaths tore through the quiet. Beneath her fingertips she could feel the tension in his shoulders as he fought for control.
He pulled away.
‘Denham …’ Her plea was a throaty whisper.
He pressed a hard kiss to her mouth before he bent to scoop up his shirt.
‘We have company.’
‘What?’
She hadn’t heard a thing. She went to look behind her but Denham’s arm snagged her waist and he pulled her around to the darkened side of the stables. She wound her arms around his neck as he pressed her against the wall.
Drunken voices sounded and then muted laughter as a couple staggered away from the dinner and towards the campdraft camping area to their right.
The tension left Denham’s muscles and he kissed her again. It was only when he lifted her, and she’d wrapped her legs around his waist, she remembered his injury.
She dragged her mouth from his. ‘Put me down. This can’t be good for your ribs.’
He shook his head and plundered the sweet spot behind her ear. She fought to think clearly. ‘I’m not explaining to Dr Fliss why you’re so sore tomorrow.’
Denham pulled back a little. In the gloom his eyes were hooded and dark.
‘Cressy, I’ve waited so long to hold you again, nothing’s stopping me now.’
The desperation that cracked in his voice beat within her own pulse. She laid her palm against his lean cheek. ‘Let’s just go somewhere more comfortable for you.’
He stole another kiss and then slowly lowered her to the ground. But he didn’t move away. He brushed the hair from off her face with unsteady fingers.
‘We agreed to go slow. If we go somewhere more comfortable … you know going slow will be impossible.’
‘I know and I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
They shared a tender kiss before, arms wrapped around each other, they made their way towards the privacy of Denham’s campsite beside the Bell River. Clothes whispered as they were shed and canvas rustled as they slipped inside his swag. As skin met skin and softness met hardness, there was no more need for words.
When peace and contentment had replaced the heat and urgency between them, Cressy lay against Denham’s uninjured side. His fingers toyed with her hair that had no chance of still being sleek and straight. Beneath her cheek the steady beat of his heart drummed. She smiled but remained silent. She couldn’t give voice to the happiness dancing inside. It might be too late to take their physical relationship slow but their emotional one still needed time. Denham was yet to fully trust her with his emotions.
She eased herself away and sat up to reach for her jeans.
His fingers touched her shoulder. ‘Stay.’
Her heart squeezed at the raw need deepening his voice.
She turned to kiss him. ‘I will. I’m not going anywhere. I just want to text Ella I won’t be home and that we’ll be around to see Tippy and her for breakfast.’
She texted Ella and returned her phone to her jeans pocket. She lay down and snuggled close to Denham. The swag felt too heavy on her legs and she squirmed before kicking the canvas away.
Laughter rumbled in Denham’s chest as his arm tightened around her.
‘Stop wriggling.’
***
The morning sun was high in the sky when they returned to Denham’s campsite from having breakfast in town with Ella. Cressy stared through the windscreen and stifled her disappointment. The forecasted rain already felt unlikely. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen.
Denham parked beside his horse float. They’d enjoyed a long and leisurely breakfast. Heat fired in Cressy’s cheeks. A breakfast they’d been an hour late for. As if sensing her thoughts, Denham turned off the engine and leaned over to kiss her.
‘You do know I’m here, right?’ Ella said from the back seat of the dual-cab ute.
Cressy smiled against Denham’s mouth.
‘Yes, I do.’ The grin he flashed Ella was unrepentant.
They left the ute and headed for the rodeo stands. They’d missed the saddle bronc finals but should be in time for the bull riding. Denham walked close beside her but didn’t take her hand. They were sticking to their no-public-display-of-affection rule. They still weren’t ready to have Edna and the town knowing they were together.
The sun warmed her shoulders beneath her hot pink shirt. Denham and Ella too wore pink shirts. Sunday was ‘pink for cancer day’ and all money raised would go to the local hospital. When Denham had emerged from Ella’s guest bedroom buttoning his pink shirt, sadness had clouded the blue in his eyes. She’d hugged him knowing that today he’d miss Audrey more than ever.
They spotted vacant seats and climbed into the stand. The rodeo clown was busy buoying up the crowd ready for the bull-riding final. Cowboys, many in pink shirts, were clustered around the bucking chutes as the bulls were readied. Giggling sounded from under the adjacent stand and Cressy turned to see what the fun was. A little blonde-haired girl dressed in a pink tutu and cowgirl boots chased her older brother. The small boy too wore cowboy boots and a tiny felt hat. He gave his sister a wide smile before slowing to let her catch him. Cressy couldn’t look away.
‘They’re too cute,’ Denham said close to her ear. His hand briefly touched hers.
She nodded, emotion thickening in her throat. One day she wanted a little cowboy and cowgirl to bring to the rodeo too. ‘They are.’
Denham’s phone rang and he shifted in his seat to pull the phone from his jeans pocket. Ella smiled across at her as Denham chatted to Phil. From the brightness of Ella’s eyes, Cressy knew the vet couldn’t wait to get her alone to hear what had happened last night.
‘How’s Meredith?’ Cressy asked as Denham slid his phone into his pocket.
‘Good. I spoke to her earlier but left a message for Phil to call me. Meredith always paints such a rosy picture. But he says she does look better and has been out in the garden all morning.’
‘That’s great news.’
‘It is but I’d still like to know what happened. She’s still insisting she overdid things and hasn’t mentioned anything about seeing someone she recognised.’
Their conversation stopped as the loudspeaker announced the start of the bull-riding final. Cressy sat back and relaxed, her shoulder against Denham’s, as the arena exploded into action.
After the third cowboy lasted the full eight seconds and the crowd cheered, she asked Denham quietly, ‘Do you miss this?’
He gave her a slow smile. ‘No, riding Buckshot made me feel my age. I’m looking forward to breeding rodeo bulls and Seth’s offered me a pickup job anytime I need a rodeo fix.’ Denham’s eyes dipped to her mouth. ‘Everything I need is here.’
She smiled, and covered his hand with hers. The wind tugged at her cap and she looked away to survey the sky. Perhaps it would rain after all. There were still no clouds overhead but the darkening horizon towards where Will and Judith’s farm lay looked promising.
Ella leaned forward to ask, ‘How many cowboys left to ride?’
‘Three,’ Denham answered.
‘Good. We’ll have plenty of time to get to the campdraft arena to watch Tanner in the open final.’
Cressy nodded but Denham didn’t answer as his phone rang again.
Her attention remained on him even when the bucking chute opened and the next bull launched himself into the arena. Denham’s voice contained the same warm, rich and emotional tone she’d heard when he’d talked on the phone in the stables.
He scanned the crowd. ‘You’re here. Where?’
Cressy swallowed. Denham’s mystery woman had arrived.
***
Denham ended the call and took his time to return his phone to his pocket. He needed a chance to contain the emotions roiling inside. He hadn’t expected Kate, Jake’s fiancée, to show. She hadn’t visited Woodlea since his brother’s accident. Now she was here he had to be ready to deal with the unfinished business she brought with her.
He turned to Cressy. The cowgirl’s serious expression told him she already sensed something was up. He had two choices. Introduce her to Kate and risk Kate letting slip that Jake’s death had been no accident. Or keep Cressy away.
He set his jaw. He wasn’t letting anything come between them or cause her any more hurt. She had to meet Kate. He just hoped the meeting didn’t lead to any more questions he couldn’t yet answer.
‘Cressy, there’s someone you should meet.’
‘Okay. Now?’
He nodded and turned to Ella who watched them closely. ‘We’ll find you at the campdraft arena. Wish Tanner good luck from us.’
‘I will.’
Denham let Cressy leave her seat first and then followed her out of the stand. She fell into step beside him as they headed for the main gate. His hand squeezed hers before they cleared the crowds and reached the entry ticket booth. Over at the gate a woman waited for them.
City-girl Kate hadn’t changed. Still tall and slim, her dark auburn hair was twisted high on her head. Her stylish white shirt and jeans would have never seen a speck of dust. But her heart was as warm as an outback summer and she’d both understood and loved Jake.
Even as he approached he could see her blue eyes fill with tears. His own grief and loss surged. He didn’t say a word, just held her as she trembled and fought to compose herself. It might now be over three years since they’d lost Jake but they both still bore emotional scars.
She pulled away and dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a white handkerchief. ‘I’m so sorry. I thought I was ready.’
His arm remained around her thin shoulders. He cleared his throat. ‘You are. You’re here.’
When he was sure she’d pulled herself together he glanced at Cressy. She stood, hands in her jeans pockets, eyes soft at Kate’s clear distress.
‘Cressy, this is Kate … Jake’s fiancée. Kate, this is Cressy.’
Cressy nodded and stepped forward to offer Kate her hand. Kate gave her a watery smile and shook her hand.
‘I’ve heard so much about you but our paths never crossed,’ Kate said, her arm lowering. ‘I wasn’t well … and never made it to Jake’s funeral.’
‘But you’re here now,’ Denham said, tucking her closer against his side.
‘Yes. I am. It’s something I need to do.’
‘Would you like to stay here or go somewhere quiet in town? You’re also welcome to come to Claremont and to stay however long you need to.’
Kate blinked away fresh tears. ‘Thanks but I won’t stay at the farm … yet. I thought I’d like to see the rodeo as Jake always came to see you ride … but now I’m not so sure. There’s so many people. A quiet coffee sounds nice and then maybe … you could take me to where … he is.’
‘Of course.’
Cressy’s gaze met his. ‘Take your time. I’ll make sure Bandit doesn’t get into any trouble.’ She turned to Kate and touched her hand. ‘Nice to meet you and if you ever need to talk about Jake or anything, Denham has my number.’
