A Cowboy's Temptation, page 19
“Mostly,” Scott agreed. “Wade said it was about time we harassed you.”
Wade cuffed Scott’s shoulder. “Thanks a lot.”
“Well, I’m glad you all came. I’ve missed seeing you. How’s Jillian?”
“She’s good,” Wade answered. “Tired, but that’s to be expected.”
“That’s what I hear,” Silver acknowledged.
Scott didn’t miss the wistfulness in her voice nor the sadness that dimmed her smile.
She recovered quickly and asked, “And Katie? Is she settling in?”
Shane turned on his stool, propped an elbow on the bar. “Yeah, how is that pretty wife of yours?”
“She’s fine,” Scott answered tersely, not sure why it irritated him to hear Shane call Katie pretty.
“Actually”—Wade tossed in—“she seems to be adjusting fine. She helped with the branding and is already talking of helping with roundup.”
“Well, I’m sure having married the most handsome bachelor Marietta had left helps in her adjustment.” Silver patted Scott’s hand, winked. “Lucky girl.”
Embarrassed, Scott turned his head in time to see Shane’s mouth thin before he hid it behind his whiskey glass.
“What’s the matter?” He couldn’t help needling Shane. “You didn’t know you were the second most handsome?”
Silver laughed, a throaty sound that drew Shane’s attention.
“Maybe you need spectacles,” Shane told Silver.
Silver braced her hands on the bar, moved in until she was nearly nose-to-nose with Shane. “If there’s anyone around these parts who can’t see things clearly, it’s you.”
Scott burst out laughing at the same time Wade did. Before long they were leaning into each other to keep from toppling off their stools.
“Aren’t you all so funny tonight,” Shane muttered into his drink.
“We think so.” Silver grinned, before moving down the bar to fill an order.
“I’ll get you jackasses,” Shane threatened once Silver was out of earshot.
Just then a tall, lanky cowboy stepped up to Wade’s side. “Wade, Scott. Shane.”
“Hey there, Thomas. How are things?”
Thomas Carrigan was about ten years older than Wade and owned a large spread of land at the base of the Gallatin Range.
“Good, thanks, but we could use some help moving the herd from the Circle C up to the high country. Wondering if you could spare some time.”
“When were you thinking?” Wade asked.
“I can’t tomorrow,” Scott said, “I’ve made plans with—” Well, hell, it felt strange to say wife but simply calling her Katie didn’t seem enough.
“With his wife,” Shane added, feeling no compunction about tossing Scott to the wolves.
“Oh, yeah. I heard you got married,” Thomas said. “Congratulations.”
Scott shifted on his stool. “Thanks.”
“Does the day after tomorrow work for you both then?”
Scott looked to Wade, his friend nodded.
“We’ll be there,” Scott said.
“You want us to ask James to come as well?” Wade asked.
“Sure, and if your ma is willing to help cook, I know she wouldn’t be refused.” Then he angled a look toward Shane. “You want a break from sheriffing.”
Shane’s grin ate up his face. While he loved being a lawman, everyone knew he enjoyed playing cowboy a few times a year and, even though he’d just helped them with branding, Scott wasn’t surprised to hear Shane agree to helping Thomas.
“I’ll be there. I’ll ask my deputy to fill in.”
Thomas smacked the bar with the palm of his hand. “Done. Hey, I really appreciate this.”
“It’s no problem,” Scott told him. “We got ours up there yesterday.”
Thomas nodded. “Well, we’ll see you bright and early day after tomorrow.”
Shane rubbed his hands together. “This is going to be fun.”
“What’ll be fun?” Silver asked, having finished her duties at the other end of the bar.
“We’re going up to the Circle C day after tomorrow; help move the Carrigan’s herd to high country.”
“I’ve always wanted to do that,” Silver sighed.
“You have?” Shane looked stunned. “Since when?”
Silver gave him a pointed look. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Shane.”
Compared to the night before, Scott slept like a baby. He’d had a good time with his friends at Silver’s and had fallen asleep looking forward to spending the morning with Katie. He’d lectured himself on the need to keep his lust under control and was confident he wouldn’t ravish her on the way to or from Marietta.
Up at dawn, he saw to his chores then returned to his bunkhouse to shave and clean up. He even chose one his favorite shirts. Katie was coming out of her cabin as he left his. Her face was pink with a recent scrubbing and she’d tied her hair in a thick braid that draped over her left shoulder. She was beautiful, there was no question, but it was her attire that obliterated his confidence.
Katie held her arms wide, turned in a slow circle.
“What do you think?”
Think? His brain was too befuddled for anything that required more of him than standing there with his mouth hanging open. He hoped to hell he didn’t drool.
“It’s a split skirt,” he said lamely. As though she had no idea what she’d donned.
“Yes. I had two made prior to coming here. I was told they were the best thing to ride in.”
Best for whom? He closed his mouth before he did in fact drool. Hellfire, this would be so much easier if she was wasn’t so pretty. But then, if she were homely he wouldn’t be in this fix.
But how in hell was he supposed to keep his hands off her when she was wearing that? Oh, the pale blue blouse wasn’t the problem, though he better not catch any other man noticing how her breasts filled it. But the skirt? It accentuated her small waist, hugged the curve of her hip, left little to the imagination where her backside was concerned. He wiped a hand across his mouth. Did all split skirts fit so snug? If they did he’d never noticed.
He was noticing now.
“Well?” She prompted.
“Uh, yeah. I supposed it would make riding easier.”
Her smile undid him as much as her wardrobe. It made her green eyes shine, reminding him of a clear mountain lake with the evergreens reflected in it.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
She bounced on her toes, naturally drawing his attention to the jiggle of her breasts.
“Then we’d better eat,” he said, though the only thing he currently wanted to devour was her.
Having Annabelle chatter over the meal helped distract Scott and, when his mind wasn’t stuck on Katie, he found he could eat after all. Four eggs, bacon, and a stack of flapjacks ought to hold him until lunch.
“Are you sure I can’t go?” she asked again.
“Remember, we’re going on a picnic today,” Wade said. “Just me, you, and your ma. Then we’ll see if we can’t catch us some fish for supper.”
As it was Saturday, neither James nor Eileen would be in.
“I’m not sure how I’ll be able to get on or off the blanket,” Jillian chuckled, rubbing her belly.
Wade shot her a grin, winked. “I’m sure I can help.”
Jillian rolled her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks was unmistakable.
Scott loved both Jillian and Wade and he didn’t begrudge them their happiness, but he couldn’t help envying their easy banter with each other. The way their eyes met and held over the table. Unlike him and Katie. Most times, if their eyes happened to meet, it was like lightning striking and one, or both of them, looked away. He wanted that to change. He wanted what Wade and Jillian had, what Eileen and James had.
But hell if he knew how to go about it.
He hoped taking this time with Katie today would be a step in the right direction. Looking at her, he said, “I’ll go ready the horses, check their feet and give them a quick brushing. You already know how to do that. By the time you’re done in here, the horses will be ready to be saddled.”
“Which will I get to ride?” She was practically dancing in her chair.
Knowing he was making her happy made him feel like a king. His lips curved. “I was thinking Jillian’s mare. Hope’s not bred yet and she could use some exercise.”
“I can’t take Ranger?”
“Ranger?” Scott shook his head. “He’s too much horse for a first time rider.”
Katie nodded, but her face fell. Hell, why was it always one step forward and two back with the two of them?
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Maybe another time.”
When he came out of the barn with Hope’s saddle, he found Katie at the rail, rubbing Ranger’s neck. The horse looked his way and hell if Scott couldn’t feel the animal’s disappointment.
Scott set the saddle on the rail next to Chancy’s. He’d already tethered Hope and Chancy outside the pen and he patted Hope’s rump before walking behind her and heading for Katie.
“I’m fine with taking Hope,” she said as he approached, “but Ranger’s sad you didn’t pick him.”
Because it wasn’t the first time he’d witnessed Katie sense what a horse was feeling, he stepped a little closer. He didn’t pretend to be able to talk to horses nor read their minds, but he had a connection with them and the possibility of Katie having a similar one excited him.
When he came up to the fence, Ranger looked at him but he didn’t move away from Katie. Interesting.
“The other night you felt Ranger was jealous, that you were taking away my time from him. He doesn’t appear jealous of you now.”
She smiled. “I think he’s realizing he’ll get more attention from me.”
“Because I work more with Chancy,” he stated.
Katie faced him again. “He doesn’t like being second choice.”
Goosebumps peppered Scott’s arms, lifted the hair on the back of his neck. He’d sensed the same. When he took Ranger out to work him, the horse’s head lifted that little bit higher when they walked past Chancy. Almost as though Ranger was gloating. But the opposite was true when Scott chose Chancy. Then, Ranger stalked to the other end of the corral as though pouting.
With a soft whistle Scott drew Ranger’s attention. He held the horse’s gaze, then held out his palm and offered the sugar cube he’d set there. With the brush of velvet lips over Scott’s skin, the sugar was taken.
He stared the horse down then finally conceded.
“All right, I’ll put Hope back. I can exercise her later, or get Annabelle to.” He pointed a finger at Ranger. “Don’t make me regret this.”
After switching the horses, he began his lesson. From setting the blanket down first to tightening the cinch, he saddled Chancy step by step, Katie at his side. She asked questions, asked him to show her again if she didn’t quite understand the first time. Once Chancy was saddled, he had her set the blanket on Ranger.
She beat him to the rail. “I’ll take it,” she said and lifted the saddle off the same way he’d lifted Chancy’s.
She struggled a little but more because it was awkward than heavy.
“Easy.” He reminded her and, because she was short and Ranger came in at sixteen hands, he helped her lift it into position. After that he let her do the rest and again was impressed with how fast she learned. He doubled-checked the cinches out of habit but she’d done them correctly. He praised Ranger for his patience and good behavior.
“I did all the work.” She reminded him.
Scott knew by her grin she was teasing. Deciding to answer in kind he said, “Would you also like a sugar cube?”
Laughing, she held out her hand. “I would indeed.”
He set the treat into her palm, lingered a little because he enjoyed touching her. Then he lingered more once she was in the saddle and he was adjusting her stirrups. She didn’t seem to mind that his hand remained wrapped around her ankle even after he’d finished with the stirrups. He might have stayed there all day if Annabelle, Jillian, and Wade hadn’t joined them.
With spectators sitting on the fence cheering Katie on—except Jillian who remained on the ground—Scott led Ranger around the yard. He wanted Katie to get used to the motion of sitting a horse before he handed over the reins. Even before that, he explained the theory of the reins, how to make the horse turn, go, and stop. How not to pull too hard or she’d hurt Ranger’s mouth. He described how she needed to use her knees for balance and also as an extra tool to turn the animal.
When she rolled her eyes twenty minutes later he decided she was ready for the real thing.
He waited for her to pull on the hat she’d left hanging down her back. “Don’t move yet,” he said as he handed her the reins. He untied Chancy, mounted up and walked him toward Ranger. “All right, nice and gentle.”
He clicked his tongue and she did the same to get Ranger moving. Walking, the horses ambled around the yard first one way, then he made her turn and they went the other.
Knowing she was ready, he called out to Annabelle, “How are we doing, Button?”
She waved and he grinned, turned to Katie. She was smiling as wide as Annabelle. “You ready?”
“Let’s go,” she ordered, clearly done with her lessons and ready to move on.
He loved that about her, her exuberance, her willingness to try anything. If she was afraid, she certainly didn’t show it. She even twisted in the saddle to wave goodbye.
“Have fun!” Jillian called.
“Take your time,” Wade said.
“Don’t get bucked off!” Annabelle shouted.
Katie looked a little afraid. “He wouldn’t buck. Would he?”
Scott laughed. “Not unless something really spooked him, but then he wouldn’t buck, he’d rear.”
“Front legs in the air as opposed to the back ones.” She clarified.
“Exactly,” he said, hoping the pride he felt came through his voice.
He thought it might have when her lips curved.
In companionable silence, they left the Triple P behind them and headed toward Marietta. While Scott was content to ride with only the sounds of the wind playing through the grass and aspen leaves, with the constant clomping of hooves and creaks from their saddles, he wanted to better know his wife. He considered it the frosting on the cake that he also enjoyed the sweet sound of her voice.
“Things between you and Jillian seem better,” he said.
“They are,” she agreed. “Much.”
“What kept you apart back home?”
He had no business asking since he had no intention of divulging his own past, but knowing and liking both women, he couldn’t imagine what had kept them from getting along.
She squinted as she considered her answer. “We didn’t have anything in common,” she said.
Scott angled his head. “How’s that? You have a keen interest in horses and she’s a vet.”
“Well,” she smiled. “I’ve only learned I’m interested in horses since arriving here.”
“Never before?”
“No. They were simply needed to pull the wagons or carriages that took me to social engagements and parties.”
“Did you go to many parties?” he asked.
He didn’t like the idea of her courting other men, dancing in another man’s arms. He had no reason to be jealous, as they hadn’t known each other then, yet picturing her gussied up with all kinds of dandies vying for her attention set his teeth on edge.
Katie sighed. “For a few years it felt that’s all I did.”
“You didn’t enjoy them?” he asked.
He had a hard time imagining that. She was vibrant and fun and he figured she’d have a never-ending stream of men trying to gain her favor. As he knew she wasn’t shy, she must have had many friends to talk with, gossip with. Why then did he get the sense to her they were a chore?
“Oh, at first they were great fun. But it got to be the same thing every time and I stopped seeing the point of them.”
“You stopped going?”
Her smile was sad. “Not at first. I put up with the tedium because there was nothing else to do. If father wasn’t at mother’s bedside, he was with Jillian, either settled in his study with her or out tending to an animal with her. Mother mostly wanted someone who’d listen to her complaints and fetch what she needed.” Katie studied the reins she held in her hands. “At least when I was out, I felt as if I mattered, as if people cared whether or not I was there, not for what I could do for them, but just because of who I was.”
Hell if he didn’t want to lift her off the saddle and cuddle her on his. She mattered a hell of a lot to him.
“But then father died, Jillian left, and mother got worse. There was no time for fun after that.”
“You’ve never told Jillian any of this have you?”
Another small shrug. “When someone doesn’t listen to you for the small things, you don’t think it will be any different for the big things.”
“I think Jillian will listen now,” he stated, believing it to be true.
“We’re getting there,” she said. “For now, I’m just happy we aren’t either fighting or ignoring each other.”
“She’s happy to have you here, that I know. From the time she got your letter, it was all she could talk about.”
That seemed to catch her off guard. “Really?”
He nodded. “Really.”
Her smile hit him full in the chest.
“Thanks for telling me.”
“You’re welcome.” Hell, if she’d keep looking at him as though he’d hung the moon he’d tell her whatever she wanted to hear.
From there, conversation turned to interests, books, favorite foods, colors. The little things most couples would know about each other before they found themselves hitched. It was the most he knew about any woman and with each new discovery he felt they were finally building the foundation of their marriage. Not just any marriage, a good one. He wouldn’t settle for less, wouldn’t expect Katie to either.
“Scott?”
Uh oh. He’d been afraid of this. He’d figured it was only a matter of time until she came around to asking about his past. Dammit, he didn’t want to hurt her by refusing to answer but he couldn’t tell her either. Was it too much to ask that they have one good day together where it didn’t end with him hurting her?
