Crazy For You (20 page)

“It’s in the blood.” Clint settled his hands on her hips. “I guess it had to happen sooner or later.”

She shook her head. “You’ve proven you can do it. Do you really need to ride again?”

The corner of his mouth curved up in a grin. “You’re cute when you’re being protective.”

With a smile she rose up on her toes. “Then I’ll always be cute because I’ll always be protective over you.”

“Is that right?” He leaned down and kissed her.

With a sigh she leaned into him, feeling his strength and power, breathing in the scent of sunshine, man, dirt, and horse. His kiss was as intense as he was.

When he drew away he touched her face. “We need to tell your mom and dad.”

Her smile turned into a frown. “About what?”

“About us.” Clint cupped the back of her head and studied her. “We can’t go sneaking around like this forever.”

“Not yet.” She bit her lower lip. She didn’t want to tell her dad. He might get upset when Clint eventually left, and that wouldn’t be pretty.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Nothing. I just want to wait is all.” An insistent ringing caused them to draw apart. “My phone,” she said as she felt the vibration in her pocket.

“It might be something important.” He smiled as he reached into her front jeans pocket, pulled out her phone, and handed it to her.

She looked at the display. “It’s a Phoenix area code. I don’t recognize the number.” She pressed the button to connect the call, brought it to her ear, and answered with, “Hello?”

A woman’s voice came over the phone. “This is Kathleen Rothschild of High Lonesome Gallery. Is Ella available?”

“Hi, Ms. Rothschild.” Ella’s heart beat faster as her gaze met Clint’s and he gave her an encouraging look. “This is Ella.”

“I have good news.” A smile was in Kathleen’s voice. “A client purchased two of your six sculptures today. Congratulations.”

Ella’s eyes widened and her skin prickled. She had sent the other four to Scottsdale with Clint not long after her first meeting with Ms. Rothschild. “You sold two of my bronzes?” Ella repeated with disbelief in her voice.

“The client is very pleased with your work,” Kathleen said. “It goes without saying that we are as well. How soon can you finish the two pieces you are working on so that we can put on the private showing?”

Ella cleared her throat. “I sent the first to be bronzed. The other that I’m working on now is going well, but I’m not sure how long it will take me.”

“We would like those two as soon as they are available,” Kathleen said. “We would also like two additional bronzes.”

“Two more?” Ella could hardly believe what she was hearing. She looked at Clint who was smiling. “I don’t know how soon I can get more to you.”

“Call me when you can give me an idea,” Kathleen said. “In the meantime I’ll put a check into the mail to you.”

When Kathleen named the amount, Ella’s knees almost gave out on her. Clint clearly saw she was overwhelmed, put his arm around her shoulders, and guided her to the bed where she sat hard.

Kathleen ended the call and Ella lowered the phone to her lap. She looked at Clint. “The check Kathleen is putting into the mail is enough to put toward getting the ranch back on its feet.” She shook her head “I don’t believe it.” She looked at Clint. “And they want more after I get these two finished and to them.”

Clint hugged her. “I’m proud of you, honey.”

She put her hand to her forehead. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

“Of course you can.” He stroked her hair. “But do it in your time. They’ll understand that you can’t rush creativity.”

“That wasn’t the impression I got.” She balled her fists in her lap. “I need to get to work.”

“Only if you’re in the mood.” Clint tugged her hair. “Don’t force it. If you’re done for the day then tomorrow is soon enough.”

“You’re right.” She nodded slowly. “Now I feel better about spending time on my art since I’m bringing in money.”

“We’ll get this ranch going and you can sock away the income you earn from selling your sculptures.”

Her mind was too boggled to respond. But then the reality rushed over her. She’d sold two of her bronzes.

She flung her arms around Clint’s neck and buried her face against his chest. “Thank you for being here.”

He rubbed her back with his palm. “I’ll always be here for you, Ella.”

She kept her face against his chest and didn’t look at him. She only wished that were true.

The sun rose and fell several more times before Clint made up his mind to tell Ella how much he loved her. He kept waiting for the right time, and it hadn’t come along. He’d just have to make it the right time.

Clint walked away from the corrals toward the barn. It was nearly dinnertime and he was hungry as hell, but he had a few more things to take care of. He smiled when he entered the barn and saw Ella brushing down Rosie.

Ella raised her head and smiled at Clint. “Hi.”

“How did it go?” He took her by the waist and drew her toward him and she dropped the brush at her feet. “You were locked up in your studio most of the day.”

She moved her arms around his neck. “It went great. I think I’ll be able to finish up this weekend.”

“That’s terrific, honey.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I want to see it,” he murmured against her lips before he kissed her again.

“When I’m finished.” She sounded breathless as they broke the kiss. “No peeking.”

He kissed her nose. “I’ve been tempted.”

She shook her finger at him. “You’d better not, or I’ll have to teach you a lesson.”

He gave a low chuckle. “I think I might enjoy that.”

“You probably would.” She put her hands on his biceps. “Change that to me sleeping in my own room if you peek.”

He raised his hands in surrender. “I promise I’ll stay out of the studio.”

“Good.” She laughed. “Now let me finish up with Rosie so we can go in for dinner. I’m almost done.”

“You’ve got it.” He winked before heading out of the barn.

He came to a stop when he heard the roar of an engine and looked toward the road leading to the Fisher ranch. Dust billowed behind a truck that was tearing up the dirt road faster than it should have been. He frowned when he recognized the truck as Johnny Parker’s.

Clint waited for Johnny, and brakes squeaked as he brought the truck to a hard stop in front of the barn. The young man jumped out of his truck, an angry look on his face as he slammed the door shut behind him and marched up to Clint.

“Walt says you’re gonna be in the rodeo.” Johnny’s face was red, his expression one of fury, his hands balled into fists. “You’re only making like you’re staying. You’re going to hurt Ella when you leave and I’m not going to let that happen.”

Clint studied Johnny. “I’m not going to hurt her.”

“You stay away from Ella,” Johnny shouted. “You’re just gonna leave Ella and hurt her.”

Skin tingled at Clint’s nape and he let out his breath. Johnny was spoiling for a fight, but Clint wasn’t going to give him one.

Keeping his voice calm, Clint said, “The last thing I’m going to do is hurt Ella.”

“Bullshit.” Johnny took a step closer, getting into Clint’s face. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you from breaking her heart.”

Clint held his ground but tried to remain relaxed. “I know you’re in love with her, Johnny. I get why you want to protect her.”

Johnny’s face grew redder. “The way I feel about Ella has nothing to do with this.”

Clint spoke quietly as he said, “It has everything to do with it.”

Johnny’s jaw tightened and his eyes flashed as he took a swing at Clint’s face. Clint snapped his hand up and caught Johnny by his wrist. In a move honed by years of practice while he’d been abroad, Clint spun Johnny around, pinning his arm behind his back.

Johnny tried to move but couldn’t.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” Clint never changed the timbre of his voice.

“What are you doing?” Ella’s concerned voice came from the direction of the barn. “Let him go, Clint.”

Both Clint and Johnny looked in the direction of the barn and Clint saw Ella’s expression. Her eyes were wide and she looked both upset and angry.

Clint released Johnny and took a step back. Johnny shook out his arm and then he was turning, his fist flying toward Clint again. Clint stepped out of the way. Johnny missed, lost his balance and stumbled sideways. He looked even more furious when he went after Clint a third time.

“Stop it!” Ella reached them and stepped between Johnny and Clint, and Johnny had to pull back to keep from hitting Ella. She looked from Clint to Johnny. “What in the hell is going on?”

Clint said nothing while Johnny sputtered. “He’s no good, Ella. He’s going to hurt you.”

She frowned. “We’ve been through this. It’s none of your concern, Johnny.”

Johnny’s breathing was hard as he glared at Clint. He turned to Ella. “He’s just screwing around with you. The bastard is just going to leave like he did before.” Johnny spit onto the dirt. “And he’s going to dump you before he goes.”

Her throat worked and then her tone hardened. “We need to talk. Just you and me.” She looked at Clint. “Excuse us.”

Clint gave a nod and watched as Ella put her hand on Johnny’s arm and they walked away. Johnny threw back one more threatening look at Clint but then moved away with Ella.

Clint frowned. He didn’t doubt that Ella cared for him. But he didn’t know just how much she cared for Johnny Parker, too.

Ella could feel the heat of Johnny’s anger as they walked side by side, away from Clint. When she looked at Johnny, he had a hard, stubborn look on his handsome, boyish features.

“What’s this all about?” she asked as she looked at him.

Johnny glanced over his shoulder and saw that Clint was gone. Johnny brought his gaze back to Ella’s and he came to a stop and she stopped with him. His features were tight. “I told you he’s bad for you.”

“And I told you not to worry about me.” Ella put her hands on her hips. “I’m a big girl.”

Johnny reached up and grasped her shoulders and searched her gaze. “I love you, Ella. I’ve always loved you.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Johnny—”

He jerked her toward him and brought his mouth down on hers. She was so startled that it took her a moment to react.

She broke the kiss and gently pushed him away. “No, Johnny.” She stared at him, unable to believe that he’d just kissed her. “You’ve been the best friend I’ve had since we were kids. I don’t think of you like that.”

“It’s time you did.” He tried to move closer her but she took a step back.

“This isn’t right.” She shook her head. “You’re my friend and you’ll always be my friend.”

“Maybe you need time to think about it.” He shoved his hands in his front pockets. “You and I—we should be together.”

“I’m in love with Clint,” she said quietly but with a firmness that couldn’t be mistaken.

Johnny’s face fell. “He’s going to hurt you.”

“You keep saying that and just maybe you’re right.” She shook her head. “Maybe Clint will leave. Maybe he will break my heart. But my heart belongs to him and it will as long as I live.”

“Ella.” Pain filled Johnny’s expression as he reached for her.

She put her hands up to stop him. “You will find someone who loves you with all her heart.” She gave him a smile. “Someone who deserves you.”

He lowered his hands and shoved them into his front pockets. “I’ll never love anyone the way I love you.”

“Don’t say that.” She put her hand on his arm. “What you and I have is friendship. Pure friendship that goes back to our childhood. I love you as my friend, Johnny.”

He nodded but didn’t look at her. “I guess there’s no changing your mind.”

“You know there’s not.” She offered him a smile when he finally met her gaze. “You know me well enough to know that I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

She squeezed his arm. “You are a wonderful man and I hope you’ll always be my friend.”

“You know I will.” He reached down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

She smiled. “I’ll be at the rodeo this weekend, cheering you on.”

“I’m counting on you.” He gave her a little smile. “You’re my good luck charm.”

She reached up and hugged him. “Thank you,” she whispered as he hugged her back.

When they parted, he squeezed her hands before turning and walking to his truck.

Clint seated himself on a rise in the grass near the marker at the head of Bucky’s grave in the small Fisher family cemetery. An old oak shaded the grave, sunlight winking through the leaves as a breeze stirred them.

When he closed his eyes, Clint could see Bucky and himself as kids, chasing each other through the trees in the cemetery. In his mind’s eye he saw them laughing and squirting each other with water guns, playing outlaw and sheriff. Bucky had always wanted to be the outlaw.

Clint opened his eyes and rested his gaze on the marker. He had one forearm resting on a knee. In his other hand he twirled a piece of grass.

“Miss you, bud.” Clint’s words hung in the air and he almost felt like Bucky could hear what he was saying. “It’s been a long time but it feels like yesterday that we were playing right here.” Clint looked up at the blue sky through the leaves over his head. “I can remember thinking we’d live forever.”

He turned his gaze back to the marker. “I wish you would have let me know about your heart defect.” Clint blew out his breath. “Your dad said there wasn’t anything that I could’ve done to help you. But maybe if I’d known I’d have made each day that you were with us count.”

A whisper went through the trees and Clint’s skin prickled. Maybe it was his imagination, but he felt Bucky’s presence as if he was right there.

 “Your baby sister has grown up to be quite the woman.” He raised his hat and pushed his fingers through his hair before he settled his hat on his head again. “I love Ella.” The words tumbled out before Clint knew he was saying them. “I love her more than I’ve loved anyone in my life.”

Saying the words out loud was almost freeing. “I need to tell her, but I’m not sure how.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure she feels the same way, but I’m going to convince her one way or another that she should be with me.” He frowned as he thought about Johnny. Ella had said they were just friends and he believed her.