One Stubborn Cowboy (27 page)

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The next morning Kelly woke late. She'd had a restless night, finding trouble sleeping. When she did sleep, her dreams were filled with longing for Kit. Every time he turned from her and walked away. Listlessly she rose and dressed. Wandering down the stairs, she looked around her house. She'd been happy here, but she couldn't stay forever loving a man who couldn't love her back.

Two days later she'd made up her mind. She'd go back to the city for a time. Try to decide what to do with her life. If she had to, she could sell Aunt Margaret's house, buy another one in some other small town. Or move back to San Francisco for good. She smiled wistfully. She liked small towns. She still longed to belong somewhere. Maybe the next stop would be her last.

Kelly called Judith and begged the use of her guest room for a couple of weeks. With a place to stay assured, she began to pack. The new story was mapped out. She could work on it in San Francisco. Once she decided what she was going to do with her future, she'd have to come back. Either to stay, or to sell the house. But she'd worry about that later. First she had to say goodbye.

That afternoon she drove out to the Lockford ranch. She wanted one last look at Sam. That was something else she'd have to take care of. She'd ask Beth if she could board
him
at her dad's until Kelly decided what she'd do.

Kit was working on his truck when Kelly drove into the yard, the hood propped open, his virile body leaning against the fender. He turned and watched as she drove up beside him. Kelly hesitated a moment when she saw him. Ignoring her own jangling nerves, she got out of her car and walked up to him.

"Hello."

"Hello yourself, darlin'."

His eyes were hooded, watchful, but he met her more than halfway, reaching out to kiss her, his tongue flicking out to touch her lips before she pulled back.

"Came to see Sam?" Kit asked easily. Leaning casually against the truck, his crutches almost forgotten, he looked heart-stoppingly sexy.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Yes. Actually, to say goodbye for a while." She looked around the yard, over toward the corral, afraid to meet his gaze.

"Goodbye?"

"I'm going to the city for a couple of weeks." She bit her lip and faced him bravely. "I'm going to ask Beth if her dad would board Sam until I decide what I'm going to do."

"What the hell do you mean, until you decide what to do? What are you talking about? How long are you going to the city for?" His voice had a hard edge to it.

"Long enough to decide what I'm going to do with my life," she said firmly.

"What's wrong with your life the way it is?" he growled. She was talking about leaving? Panic spiked. e wanted to pull her into his arms and never let her go.

"I can't keep on this way," she murmured, her eyes sad.

"So you're running back to the city?"

"Well, for a couple of weeks, anyway. Then I'll decide where I'll live. Maybe I'll sell Aunt Margaret's house and find something in another town. Maybe I'll stay in the city. I don't know just yet."

"Kelly--"

She shook her head. "Once you told me I'd get a truck-load of heartache if I set my sights on you. Well, you were right. I'm not such a masochist to stay where I'm not wanted."

"I want you!"

"Sure, to warm your bed. It's not enough!" Anger and frustration echoed in her voice.

Instantly he recalled their morning conversation of a few days ago.
She would start looking for a husband. Someone to settle down with and raise a family.

Suddenly he was afraid. How would he stand seeing her with another man, know that man was sleeping with her, loving her, and she was loving him back? He couldn't bear it! It would be bad enough if she went back to San Francisco and he never saw her again. But if she settled nearby, he'd see her over the years with somebody else. It would tear him apart!

The fear grew until it was bigger than what he felt when he rode the bulls, bigger than what he'd felt when the doctors had told him he wouldn't walk again. She was his and he couldn't let her go, no matter what!

But how could he tie her to a cripple? How could he offer her life with a partial man? She deserved so much more! Yet he couldn't bear the thought of losing her to another man. He'd already lost so much—the life he'd always thought he would have, the freedom of going where he wanted, doing what he wanted. Even losing Althea didn't compare to what he'd feel if he lost Kelly.

Staring at her, he also remembered her words that night in the truck. She had said it wouldn't matter if her husband couldn't walk or hear or see if he loved her and she loved him. Did she mean it? Dare he count on that? Because he suddenly knew beyond all doubt that he couldn't let her go. If she truly loved him, then she was his, because he just could not let her go.

She studied him silently for a long moment, then gave a sad smile. Nodding at him, she stepped past and waited toward the barn.

Kit watched her walk away. He would not let her go. Dammit, it wasn't what she deserved, but he loved her and he was damn well going to keep her in Taylorville. If she couldn't cope with his handicap, she'd have one last chance to say so. Impatiently he watched her stroke the pony's head.

Just as he was about to storm over and demand she stay, Sally joined her, excited with news.

Kelly listened, intrigued. Twice she glanced over to Kit. The hood of the truck was still up, but he was not working, his attention focused on them. Kelly met his eyes across the distance as she listened to Sally. Then she smiled and started walking toward Kit.

"Well?" he said when she reached him, wondering uneasily what Sally had told her. Wondering how he could bind her to him so tightly she'd never even think of getting away. How could he ever have thought he could let her go?

"I hear Clint and Sally are going to be building their own place."

"Yep. Time they had a place of their own." His eyes were hungry for her.

"Mmm-hmm." She glanced toward Sally, then back to him. "I also heard Althea returned to Stockton."

"That's right."

"Several weeks ago," she clarified.

He nodded.

"Right after the dance?"

He nodded again, his gaze steady. Tension pulsed in the air.

"Then what's all this charade been about?"

He reached out and threaded his fingers through hers, tracing soft patterns on the back of her hand, panic threatening. His heart was pounding, the blood rushing through his veins so hard he could hardly hear her. He couldn't let her go. But would she really stay?

"You and me," he murmured, his eyes meeting hers.

Kelly was having a hard time concentrating, shivering at the sensations rippling through her at Kit's touch. Her breasts filled and ached in longing. The tiny fire at the pit of her being ignited and glowed. How could she ever stop loving him?

"Why didn't you tell me she'd left?"

"It wasn't important."

"I thought she was the reason for the charade."

"There's no charade, Kelly. Maybe there was for one night, but not since then."

Her heart began pounding as she allowed herself to be caught up in his heated gaze. Permitted a tiny glimmer of hope to bloom.

"Then what have we had?"

"A courtship. Rough, erratic and not very romantic, maybe."

She smiled. "No maybe about it, buster."

"But a courtship?"

She nodded slowly, hope daring to grow.

His hand drew her closer, until she touched him, breast to chest, thigh to thigh. "You belong here."

She felt a warm glow expand through her body. "I want to belong somewhere," she said wistfully.

"You belong here, with me. To me."

He pulled her firmly into his arms, anchoring her against him.

"Since when?" she asked lazily, a small secret smile teasing her lips, her heart racing in sudden delight.

"I'm not sure since when. But at least since that first time in my bed. You sure as hell aren't going looking for another man. I'm man enough for you and always will be." His lips blazed a hot trail against her neck.

"Since when, cowboy?" Hope flared as she pulled back to gaze into his determined face.
Please love me.

"Since the beginning of time, darlin'. And if you have any doubts, let's adjourn to my bedroom and I'll prove it to you again."

She giggled softly and kissed his jaw. "Sally's standing not fifty feet away and you think we can just up and hop in your bed?"

"Only if you have any doubts about what I'm saying."

"And that is?"

"You belong to me, Kelly. I can't stand the thought of you with any other man. It won't be a great bargain—"

"Shh. It will be the best bargain of my life. I love you, Kit."

"I love you, Kelly, darlin'." His lips claimed hers in a searing kiss. He had to have her. She was fire in his blood.

With her he was whole again. He'd do everything in his power to make her happy. He'd never let her go.

"Hey, you two, what's going on over there?" Sally's loud question interrupted.

"We're celebrating an engagement," Kit said firmly, his eyes looking deep into Kelly's. She nodded happily and leaned forward for another lass.

She knew she was shining with happiness, and when she looked at Kit she had to laugh. He looked as arrogant and proud as if he'd invented the institution of marriage.

"And at our wedding, you can dance with me," Kelly murmured as she floated in her unexpected happiness. She had come to say goodbye, and now would stay forever.

"Kelly, that's something I can't do," Kit protested, frustrated by her damned optimism, yet knowing he wouldn't change a single thing about her.

"Want to bet?" she asked.

He gazed at her for a long moment, seeing the love and determination in her eyes, and his heart melted. He loved her so much! The anguish of the past was forgotten as he faced a bright future with the woman he finally had allowed himself to love.

"I'll think about it," he said, sweeping her against him for a hard kiss.

Epilogue

Eight months later...

Slowly he lifted the veil from her face and gazed down at her, love shining in her sparkling blue eyes. Her lips lifted in a saucy smile and she parted them as if to speak.

"No," his voice was hushed, only she could hear. "I've waited a long time for this moment, don't say one sassy thing to spoil it. I love you." He claimed her lips with his, his hands warm and loving on her shoulders. Almost bursting with pride, he turned her to face the congregation as the minister introduced them as man and wife.

Kit offered his arm, took the cane from his brother and together he and his new wife started slowly down the aisle.

Kelly beamed with happiness, her hand tightening on her husband's arm. She glanced at her new mother-in-law already feeling like she belonged forever to the wonderful family that had welcomed her so warmly all those months ago. Nodded to Beth and Michael. Winked at Molly Benson's teary smile. Smiled happily at Jefferies knowing look.