High Lonesome (9 page)

Beth tossed a quick gaze at his profile. Curiosity piqued as to why he hadn’t popped the question to the doctor. He’d been a widower for four years. Hadn’t he told her Willow needed a mother? As for his own needs— well, he was a young, vital man who, by his own admission, had once shared a satisfying emotional and, no doubt, physical life with his wife.

She’d heard the statistics before. Men who lost a spouse after being in a good marriage were more likely to seek out marriage a second time. So why was Scott waiting when he had a woman ready to take the plunge, according to his friend Sherry? Joanna Coleman
was
a good catch from all accounts. She was beautiful, sophisticated, and a doctor.

She sunk lower into the seat. Why was she even speculating about the man and his love life? It was none of her business. Rescuing her and offering a place to stay while she sorted things out didn’t give her the right to question his motives or intentions with another woman.

Once more, she vowed right then to push all romantic and irrational thoughts of the rancher out of her mind. Since Sheriff Griggs had set the wheels in motion, she had high hopes that it might not take long for someone to come forward and claim her. Then she’d never see Scott again anyway.

Maybe she was happily married, or engaged, herself. Without warning, panic quivered in every cell of her body. Deep inside, a brooding suspicion nagged at her.

Chapter Four

The two of them grabbed lunch at a small diner after shopping at Shady’s Boot Emporium. The restaurant patrons all gawked at her, proof that Buddy’s  media blitz was already working. It bugged Scott that she was being scrutinized like a sideshow act, but she didn’t seem to mind or take offense.

Beth admired aloud her new cowgirl purchases all the way home. “I never knew a girl could fall in love so fast,” she sighed. When Scott shot her a surprised look, she chuckled and pointed to the Ariat leather boots on her feet. “This is the first cowboy hat I’ve ever owned, too. I’d probably remember that sort of thing.” The cocoa brown felt hat complimented her dark cascade of hair. She tipped the brim back with her finger, the way cowboys did in the movies. “I feel like I belong on the ranch now.”

It was an innocent statement, but one which caused Scott to imagine a myriad of possibilities. The sensation of a quickening in his chest was profound. He glanced at her and breathed in her sweet scent. She couldn’t realize what effect her simple comment had on him.

He wished that big mouth, Sherry, hadn’t spilled the beans about him and Joanna. Beth had caught him staring at her more than once, and with more than a passing glance. He could just imagine what she’d think of him now. A real cad, or some kind of cowboy Casanova. His flirting, though subtle, was tacky and disrespectful since he technically had a girlfriend. But damn. He didn’t expect to be feeling what he was feeling. Yearning shot through all his nerve endings, and his heart thundered every time he looked at Beth. It was irrational, because he didn’t know the woman. But the heart wants what the heart wants, Carmen says. He stared at Beth’s profile, wanting to say something, but not sure what.

When they returned to the ranch that afternoon, he carried her shopping bags into the house and headed straight to the guest bedroom while she began showing off her new duds to Carmen. He laid the bags on the bed and stood at the footboard. Her soapy-fresh scent lingered in the air, and he noticed a slight indentation in the pillow where her head had lain. The thought of her in that bed caused his chest to grow tight. Goose flesh pricked his arms. Rushing out of the room, he nearly collided with Amber in the hall.

“Hey, Scott. Going to a fire?” She greeted him with a tease. The twitch at the corner of her mouth and the blush in her cheeks were sure signs that she was still embarrassed about being caught in the cabin with Rowdy. She clutched a bucket of cleaning supplies in one hand and pushed away some flyaway hair with the other.

“Sorry, Amber. Our new guest and I just got back from town. I bought her some clothes and was just putting the bags in here for her. Did Carmen explain her situation to you?”

Amber nodded. “That’s real nice of you to buy her some things, Scott.”

He rubbed his chin the way he tended to do when he was reflecting. “She needed clothes. By the way, we’re calling her Beth.”

“Okay.”

“How’s your day going?” he asked to change the subject. A bit of disappointment as to her earlier choice to hide in the cabin with Rowdy during work hours lingered, but he was not a man to beat a dead horse. He’d stated his peace earlier and hoped both she and his wrangler had learned a lesson.

“Fine. I’m getting ready to wash the cabin towels.” She returned the subject to Beth. “Has she remembered anything about her life yet?”

“No. Not really. Buddy’s putting an APB out on the wire. There has to be someone somewhere who knows her. Have you seen Willow lately?”

“I think she’s in her room taking a nap. I heard her tell Carmen she stayed up too late last night at her friend’s house.”

“Thanks. I’ll go check on her.” He turned to leave, and then stopped. “Are Rowdy and Cody out with the guests right now?” he asked over his shoulder. He wanted to make sure Rowdy was doing his share and not leaving the other wrangler with all the work.

“Yes. They’ve taken them on the lower trails today.”

“Okay. See ya later.”

Scott peeked into Willow’s room and found her snoring away. He tiptoed to her bed and placed a light kiss on her forehead, not wanting to wake her. A grin filled his face when he saw she was still wearing her pink boots. Closing the door softly behind him, he strolled down the hall to the kitchen, where he found Beth and Carmen sharing tea and conversation around the island. “Willow’s asleep,” he announced.

“She’s tired,” Carmen said. “The girl’s just a baby and too young for sleepovers.” She gave Scott the eye. She was quick to reprimand him who was more of a son than a boss, but just as eager to serve him. “Do you want a cup of coffee? I can fix you a snack if you want one.” She pushed away from the island and started for the fridge.

“No, I’m good. We had lunch in town. Sit back down and take it easy. There’s nothing for you to do at the moment. The guests are out with the boys. Relax for a change.”

“There’s plenty for me to do, but okay. You’re the boss.” Carmen resumed her seat without further argument.

“I see Beth has shown you a couple of her new purchases,” Scott said.

Kicking her leg out, Beth grinned and reiterated, “I just love these boots. And the hat, too. I feel empowered. Is that weird?”

“They say clothes make the woman,” Carmen said. “Take me for example.” She balled her apron up into her fist and laughed.

“You’re going to love those boots even more once they’re broken in and all scuffed up,” Scott said. “If you’re not tired and ready to give it a try, I thought we could go riding.”

“Right now?” Her face sobered.

His heart beat faster at thinking she’d changed her mind. “Only if you want.”

“I don’t know how to ride, remember?”

“I’ll give you a lesson.” Boy was he pushing it. But behind her dark eyes smoldered a woman who had awakened a hunger inside of him so intense. There was no use in denying it. He wanted to get to know her better, and not waste any time.

It seemed to take an eternity for her to answer. “I’m not tired. We can go now, I guess.”

Electric currents pulsed between them, and a slow smile tipped his mouth. “Finish your tea first. There’s no rush.”

“I’ll watch Willow,” Carmen offered. “She can help me make biscuits when she wakes up. You two have fun. It’s a perfect day for a horseback ride.” She gave Scott a subtle wink as he passed by to grab two water bottles for them from the fridge.

****

At the barn, Scott chose an older chestnut quarter horse by the name of Sundance for her. “Since we have no idea whether you’ve ridden before, I don’t want to take any chances. We call Sundance old reliable around here. He likes to take it slow down the trail.” Scott tied both the quarter horse and his mare to an iron rail outside the tack room. “Time for your first lesson.”

Beth accepted a curry brush and he showed her how to groom the horse. “Brushing’s not just for looks. It’s also to guarantee a good fit and safe ride. We make sure there are no burrs or clumps of mud under their bellies or on their backs so the saddle and cinch don’t rub.”

Both horses had good manners. Sundance stood still as she brushed him, aside from swishing his tail at flies now and then. Next, Scott demonstrated how to detangle the horse’s hair by rubbing oil from a bottle called
Cowboy Magic
into the mane. Then he showed her how to adjust the pad on the horse’s withers before slinging the saddle on.

She watched, mesmerized, as he made quick time of yanking the girth in place, hooking it, pulling the leather tight, and checking the stirrups.

“This is the bridle, and this is the bit,” he instructed, holding up the leather and metal contraption. “We don’t allow the guests to put the bits in the horses’ mouths. Only the wranglers and I do that. Horses are like people in a lot of ways. They don’t want a bunch of different hands fishing around in their mouths.”

“I don’t blame them,” she chuckled.

She watched, impressed, as he whispered in Sundance’s ear and eased the bit into his mouth. “Ah. You’re a horse whisperer. What did you say to him?”

“I told him he’d better give you a nice ride or else I’ll send him to the dog food factory.”

“You didn’t!” Beth cried.

He smiled. “No. I didn’t. He’s a good boy. I like teasing you, and him.” He scratched the horse’s nose and fed him a peppermint.

“I can see that.” She took her turn speaking into the horse’s ear. “Your owner likes to joke around, doesn’t he? But we’re going to get along just fine, aren’t we?”

She watched Scott saddle Pepper in the same manner he’d saddled Sundance, only faster. “I can’t believe what all is involved in getting a horse ready for a ride. Do we do it all in reverse when we get back?”

“Yep. It takes a lot of patience to work with horses.”

“Something I see you’re an expert at,” she replied, meaning it.

“Horses are second nature to me. You’re a natural, too. I can tell that already. You’re calm around them and you have a gentle touch. I think you’re going to do just fine.”

“Thanks. I hope you’re right. They’re such big, strong animals.” She enjoyed watching Scott’s hands move swiftly over the horseflesh. Again, her mind drifted back to the dream she’d had that morning. In it, his hands had moved over
her
flesh in much the same way, only a lot slower and with the ultimate goal of pleasing her. Despite her earlier promise to stop thinking of him in that way, a thrill raced up her spine at recalling the sensations.

His sense of humor and confident attitude was very attractive—not to mention how easy he was on the eyes. Her heart fluttered, watching him bend and move in his tight jeans. Sighing, she rebuked herself again.

“Okay, if you’re ready, let’s go. Let me give you a boost up.” He cupped his hand and Beth stepped into it. “Heave ho!” He lifted, and she swung her right leg over the saddle with no effort at all.

“Wow, it’s pretty high up here.” She took up the reins and patted Sundance on the neck. Scott stuck his foot into the stirrup and hauled himself up. The leather creaked as he settled into his saddle. Clucking his tongue and lowering the reins, he nodded at her to follow his lead. “You look like you were born to ride. You look great in your hat and boots. You’re a real cowgirl now.”

“Just like Willow,” Beth replied, tugging at the brim of her hat.

****

They had ridden deep into the mountains on unmarked trails and were now walking the horses through a narrow canyon filled with fragrant wildflowers of all hues. They talked some, but mostly enjoyed the simple pleasure of each other’s company and the company of their animals. Beth found it difficult to speak. Peace and tranquility washed over her, and exhilaration coursed through her as she experienced nature in its most primitive state.

Scott reined Pepper to the left, onto a path less traveled. “This was an Indian thoroughfare a thousand years ago. We’ve discovered shards of pottery along these trails.”

Off in the distance, the chattering of jays brought a smile to her face. “I can almost feel the ancient spirits riding alongside us,” she said reverently.

“I often sense a power bordering on the paranormal when I’m up here.” He leaned back and rode with his right hand resting on Pepper’s rump. Both mounts walked with the confidence of animals that had been on the trails hundreds of times. They grabbed at leaves from low-hanging branches every once in awhile. The sounds of their munching and the thumps of their hooves, along with the chirps of insects and the scurrying feet of small animals, all combined to form a beautiful musical symphony.

“Do you bring Willow out on the trails?” she asked.

“Sometimes, but she doesn’t appreciate the quiet like grownups do. She wants to go fast all the time.”

Beth chuckled and shook her head. “I still can’t get over that little girl racing a horse around poles. I’m sure I wasn’t that gutsy when I was her age.”

“You seem very brave to me. What you’re going through—being hurt and stranded in the desert, losing your memory, and now trusting me to take care of you—that takes courage just to get through every hour of the day.”

“You’re easy to trust,” she replied. When she locked onto his brilliant blue eyes and felt herself drowning in them, she thought she might fall out of the saddle. Trying to armor herself against the pull of his charm was of no use. The ache she felt in her chest at remembering he was another woman’s man turned to a deep, agonizing burn. She focused on the trail ahead and began asking him safe questions. “When did you begin teaching Willow about horses?”

“My child was literally born to ride. She was on a horse before she was even out of her mother’s womb. Maggie was helping a neighbor track a lost calf two weeks before she delivered.”