Reuniting with the Cowboy (13 page)

“So tell me about the woman marrying your grandpa.”

“She's very nice. And she loves him.”

“That's all?”

“It's enough.” He could barely concentrate. The longing to run his fingers through her silky mane plagued him. He fisted his hand. Stop looking at her. But he couldn't seem to pull his gaze away. Especially with her hair down. “I don't know if you remember or not, but Grandma made quilts.”

“I do remember. There were beautiful quilts all over their house when I went to her funeral with you.”

“They're still there. When Grandpa asked Vivian to marry him and she agreed, he put all the quilts away so she wouldn't feel like she was moving into another woman's house. But Vivian had a hissy fit. Said such lovely quilts shouldn't be hidden and she wanted to help him keep Grandma's memory alive.”

“She sounds great.”

“He's been lonely a long time.” He really had to stop looking at Ally's delicate profile. He turned away, facing front, leaned back on the headrest. “Like your mom. But we're not losing them. We're gaining new people in our families. New people to love. Speaking of which, you were great with the twins. They sure latched on to you quick.”

“It's funny. I've always been better with animals than kids. But those two charmed my boots off.”

“I can't imagine having twins.” Except maybe with her. With Ally by his side, he could handle anything.

“Definitely double the work.” She got quiet again. “But maybe it wouldn't seem like work with the right person at your side.”

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Could he be that person for her? Cody relaxed. Content just being with her. How had she woven herself so deeply into his heart?

Chapter Thirteen

C
ody snored like a bulldog.

“Wake up. We're here,” she said, shaking him a little.

His eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. “We're here? In Medina? You mean I slept the whole way?”

“From the way you were snoring, guess you didn't sleep good last night. Or do you always do that?” She smoothed her hands over her hair, glanced around.

“I don't snore.” He looked insulted.

“Got proof.” She tapped her phone. A sucking sound echoed from the speaker, then a loud rumble.

“Wow. Are you planning to blackmail me with that?”

“It could come in handy.” The homey farmhouse looked the same as it had almost thirteen years ago. Would his family think it odd she was here? Would they assume she and Cody were dating? She'd have to be on guard with her feelings. Especially around Caitlyn. “Did you tell your grandpa I was coming?”

“I mentioned I was bringing a friend. Didn't tell him who.” He got out. “I'll get the cases later. Not sure where we'll be sleeping. We may end up in Mitch's cabin.”

“You think your grandfather will even remember me?” She climbed down from the truck. “I mean, he met me during the worst time of his life.”

“He liked you. He's even asked about you over the years.”

“Really?”

“You're hard to forget.”

Her pulse spiked.

The front door opened and Caitlyn stepped out with Michaela snuggled against her shoulder. “Ally. I didn't know you were coming. How did you pry her away from her clinic, Cody?”

“I reckon it was my charm.”

“You know, come to think of it, you always could handle her better than anyone else.” Caitlyn's suspicious gaze moved from Cody to Ally.

“You make me sound like a donkey or something.” Ally hurried to the porch.

“If the hoof fits. But I'm so glad you're here. We'll have so much fun. Just like old times with the three of us back together.”

“Let me see that baby girl.”

Caitlyn handed Michaela over.

“She's getting so big.” Downy coal-colored hair and eyes a vivid blue like her mother's. “And she gets prettier every time I see her.”

“Thanks.” Caitlyn grinned. “Going on eight months.”

“Just wait, punkin.” Cody climbed the steps and blew a zerbert on the little girl's fist. “I'm gonna teach you all kinds of things when you get a bit more mobile.”

“Don't do us any favors.” Caitlyn whacked his shoulder.

“Just a little horseback riding, swimming and fishing. We'll save mountain climbing, hang gliding and bull riding for when she gets older.”

“We'll pass on the last three.” Caitlyn clutched a hand to her heart.

“Don't even try it.” Ally leveled a glare at him.

“Guess I'll tuck my tail and head for the house.” He winked at Michaela. “For now.”

“Don't worry, baby. Your daddy carries a gun. He'll keep you safe from Uncle Cody's shenanigans.” Caitlyn swatted him again as he opened the door for them. “Everyone's gathered in the family room.”

The house had changed little from what she remembered of the one time she'd been there.

The scent of the cedar walls gave off a cozy feel as they strolled to the back of the house. In the huge gathering room, Mitch and Grandpa occupied recliners, with Cody's parents, his aunt and his uncle lining the taupe leather sectional.

Tara and a sandy-haired man cuddled in the window seat, and Cody's cousin, his wife and their daughter worked on a puzzle at an oak pedestal table. Three quilts brightened the room.

“Do you know everyone?”

Cody's hand rested at the small of her back. Making it hard for her to think. “I haven't officially met Tara's husband.”

“This is Jared. Ally was in the same class as Cody and Caitlyn and owns the shelter where I got Buttercup.”

“Nice meeting you,” he said.

“You, too. How is Buttercup?”

“We just love her,” Tara gushed. “We brought her with us. She's out in the back right now.”

“Oh, good. I get to see her.”

“Cody didn't tell me his friend was female.” Grandpa stood, grasped Ally's hand. “Or have y'all become more than friends?”

“No, Grandpa.” Cody's tone was stiff. “We're just friends.”

Ally's heart took a nosedive.

Though she had clarified their relationship to others, it hurt to hear it coming from Cody.

“You young people and your issues,” Grandpa scoffed. “Silly boy. This girl's much too pretty to be just friends with.”

Heat washed over her face. “It's nice to see you again, Mr. Warren.”

“Call me Tex.”

“Sorry for the teasing, Ally.” Mitch chuckled. “It means he likes you.”

“I reckon you'll get to meet my bride at the church. I don't get to see her until she walks the aisle.” Tex grimaced. “I don't believe in superstition, especially at our age, but Vivian insisted we follow tradition.”

“Can I help with decorations or prep?”

“It's done.” Audra, Cody's mom, curled her legs up on the couch. “Our crew of ladies was able to come a few days ago.”

“What time's the wedding?”

“Seven.” Cody checked his watch. “We've got three hours. How 'bout we go for a walk?”

“Look at you raring to go after you slept the whole way while I drove.”

“Car rides always knock me out like a light.” Cody gave her a sheepish grin. “Maybe a horseback ride would be more relaxing. I can show you the ranch. Unless you're too tired.”

“Sounds fun. Lead the way.”

As they stepped outside, the late-September afternoon was perfect, the sun warm and bright, with a breeze rustling through brittle leaves. Live oaks with twisted, knobby limbs reached toward the trail on each side of them.

The path beside the ranch house opened into a pasture where a dozen palominos grazed. In the distance, a cabin nestled beside a pond.

“It's beautiful.”

“It is. It was hard to leave behind.”

“Why didn't you stay here? Why did you come back to Aubrey?”

He shrugged. “Aubrey's home. The bulk of my family is there. And I felt like I was cramping Grandpa's love life here.”

So it had nothing to do with her. Not because she'd stumbled upon him in the rehab center with her dog program and he'd realized he couldn't live without her.

“I hope you brought boots.”

“They're in my suitcase.”

“My kind of gal. Never travel without boots.”

If only she could really be his gal.

* * *

Cody scanned the church. He'd attended here during childhood visits and his recovery after his bull wreck. Knew several faces but couldn't connect most of them with names. He'd met Vivian's son and daughter and their spouses and kids before the wedding. They all seemed nice. Good Christian people.

This was a positive thing. Grandpa had to be lonely in Medina with the rest of his family in Aubrey. With Vivian, he'd have companionship and he'd still be home.

Ally patted his hand. “You okay?”

Drowning in her coffee-colored eyes, he nodded. How much longer could he resist her? Just another week. Then if he was still alive and still had a brain, wild horses couldn't drag him away.

“I really like Vivian.”

“Yeah, me, too. Her husband died five years ago. She and Grandpa have a lot in common.”

“I think your grandmother would approve.”

“Me, too.”

“How come your grandpa lives here and not in Aubrey?”

“This is where the Warrens were originally from. But my uncle Ty traveled the rodeo circuit and met my aunt in Aubrey. After he retired, they settled there and Dad wanted to get into horse ranching. With Aubrey being Horse Country USA, he and Mom decided to make the move.”

If they hadn't, he'd have never met Ally. A sinking sensation grew in his gut at the mere thought of not knowing her.

He cleared his throat, kept rambling. “I think they all planned on moving back to Medina, but some of us kids grew up and married locals and Aubrey became home. We tried to get Grandpa to move over the years, but Medina is home to him just as much as Aubrey is home to the rest of us.”

Music began and the chatter quieted as the wedding march rang through the church. Grandpa entered from beside the stage and the doors behind them opened as the crowd stood.

Escorted by her son, Vivian wore a denim skirt and red flannel blouse that matched Grandpa's jeans and shirt.

They made it to the altar and her son handed her over to Grandpa. The pastor said a prayer and the congregation sat down. As the vows began, Cody couldn't stop thinking about Ally.

If he lived, complication-free, would she be interested at all? What if he survived surgery and revealed his love for her, and she didn't feel the same? Just because they kissed once—twice—it didn't mean she loved him. Did it?

With a clean bill of health, he could always go back to the circuit. But how empty would that be? Nothing would be the same without Ally. If he made it through the operation and she didn't love him, what would he do? Live next door, humiliated and heartbroken?

He watched her out of the corner of his eye. She dabbed her nose with a tissue—crying over his grandfather's wedding. He had to try.

If she didn't love him, he had to convince her to. For him, there'd been a thin line between the love of a friend and the love of a lifetime. He had to convince Ally to make the leap over the line with him.

Three weddings he'd escorted her to now, and by doggies, the next one would be theirs.

* * *

Bleary-eyed, Ally scuffled to the kitchen of Mitch's cabin, drawn by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. No movement. Someone must have set a timer on the pot last night.

As she neared the couch, she tried to ignore the still form covered in blankets lying there. But as if pulled by a magnet, her gaze darted there.

One socked foot stuck out at the far end. Cody's face was visible. Her steps stalled. He looked vulnerable and a little boyish in sleep. And so handsome.

She could happily wake up to that face every morning for the rest of her life. Stop thinking like that. She shook her head and got moving again.

Focus on something else. The coffee was already made and waiting. She quietly found a cup in the cabinet, poured the fragrant brew and stirred in cream and sugar—careful not to clink her spoon against the porcelain.

Mitch's cabin was all man cave. Unfortunate trophy animals on the walls, antlers everywhere, camouflage galore. A few lavender camo pillows announced Caitlyn's touch.

Quiet. Such a peaceful Sunday morning. Everyone still asleep except her. Mitch, Caitlyn and Michaela in the master bedroom. Though the guest room was cozy, it had taken Ally half the night to relax enough to fall asleep with Cody under the same roof.

“I can't believe it took me this long to catch on,” Caitlyn whispered.

Ally jumped, whirled around. “You just took five years off me.”

“You're in love with Cody.”

Ally's insides stilled. “I am not.”

“You are. Don't even try to deny it. I saw the way you looked at him just now.”

“I just thought he looked cute. Like a little boy.”

“Uh-huh. How long has this been going on?”

“There's nothing going on. We're—”

“Just friends. Yeah, right. Not only are you in love with Cody, but he's in love with you.”

“No.” Ally pressed a finger to her lips. “He's right there.”

“If there's no truth to it, why are you afraid he'll hear? Friends don't get all googly-eyed over each other.”

“I've never been googly-eyed in my life and I don't plan on starting now.”

“Why fight it?” Caitlyn studied her as if she were a puzzle missing a piece. “I don't understand. You love him. He loves you. Go for it.”

“I don't know what you think you saw.” Ally tried not to wilt under the scrutiny. “But Cody and I are friends. That's all.”

“Mitch and I were high school sweethearts. Everybody expected us to marry after graduation. Do you know why we didn't?”

“No.”

“I let fear get the best of me. I don't mean to bring up painful memories, but I was there when you found out your dad had died in the line of duty.”

“I remember.” Ally tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but it wouldn't budge.

“And Mitch was bound and determined to be a Texas Ranger. I decided I couldn't take the possibility of losing him the way your mom lost your dad.”

“I had no idea.”

“I let fear keep us apart for ten years.” Caitlyn crossed her arms under her chest. “Whatever's holding you back from admitting your feelings for Cody, get over it. Life is short and should be spent with the man you love.”

If Caitlyn could see her feelings for Cody, could he? And why did Caitlyn think he loved her back?

“When I meet the man I love, I'll go for it. I promise.” The lie tasted bitter. “I better get ready to hit the road.” She grabbed her cup and headed for the sanctuary of her room.

“Better get your shower before everyone wakes up. We'll leave for church at ten thirty or so.”

“Church?”

“We're all going to Grandpa's church before we leave.”

“Oh. I thought we'd head back to Aubrey this morning. But that sounds good.” Another lie tumbled right out. Getting entirely too good at this. “I'll be ready.”

With Mom not on watch, she'd looked forward to skipping. And now she wanted to escape Caitlyn's perceptiveness as soon as possible.

Besides, she wanted to get home. Back to the safety of sleeping in a whole different house than Cody. The only problem was that getting home would trap her in a truck with him for six hours. Would it be possible to hitch a ride with someone else without raising suspicions? Not with Caitlyn already on to her.