Reuniting with the Cowboy (14 page)

If only Cody could drive. That way she could sleep the whole ride home, since she'd barely slept last night. Maybe he'd sleep most of the trip again.

Movement from the couch.

“Coffee,” Cody growled, then sat up, squinted at them and stood. Stiff-legged, he stuck his arms out in front of him like a zombie and lurched to the kitchen.

“Here you go.” Caitlyn poured him a cup and handed it to him.

“Mmm.” He tilted the mug to his mouth, then jerked away, sloshing the hot liquid over the rim. “Sorry. Is this decaf?”

“One cup of the real stuff won't kill you. And you obviously need it.”

He set the mug on the counter, grabbed a soapy dishcloth and wiped the mess from the floor. “Is there another pot? I'll make my own.”

Caitlyn sighed. “Go for it, health freak.”

How long had he been awake? Had he heard Caitlyn's observations and Ally's denial? And more important, if he'd heard, did he believe Ally's denial?

With her cheeks scalding, she scurried the rest of the way to her room.

* * *

As the pastor began to plea for nonbelievers, those struggling with faith issues, or anyone wanting to pray to come forward to the altar call, Ally's breathing constricted. His eyes rested solely on her, as if he could read the struggle inside her.

Pressure in her chest built. Finally, the pastor's attention shifted to another victim. Had Cody or Caitlyn told him she was at an all-time low in the faith department?

No. No one knew. Not even her mom. She was a dedicated pew warmer, there every time the doors were open. And disillusioned every time.

“No, God,” she whispered under her breath as the pianist started up. “I do not need You. I let myself need You once and You let me down. Let my dad down. Let my mom down. I don't need You. I don't need anyone. Not even Cody.”

Several people went to the altar—including Cody, Caitlyn and Mitch. The faithful, certain God would answer their prayers, thanking Him for the blessings He'd supposedly sent. But Ally wasn't falling for any of it. Not even if her chest exploded.

After four torturous verses, the music faded away and the pastor thanked everyone for coming and called on a man to say the closing prayer.

It was long and flowery and by the time it ended, Ally's teeth were on edge. The amen finally came and she opened her eyes. The congregation moseyed into the aisles, most seemingly in no hurry to get out the doors.

“You okay?” Cody's frown dripped concern.

“Fine. I'm just anxious to get home. Even though Derek assures me everything is fine, with me gone over twenty-four hours, I'm figuring there will be at least fifteen strays and six escaped pets.”

“Stop worrying, Suzie Rain Cloud.”

“It's the way things have been going lately.”

“Can we at least stop and get a bite to eat?” His stomach promptly growled.

Her shoulders slumped. “Sure.”

Would this trip never end?

* * *

Home for a day. Cody had slept all the way back from Medina even though he'd wanted to enjoy every moment with Ally. But car rides had always made him sleepy unless he drove. Especially without caffeine. Since they'd gotten back, he hadn't seen hide nor hair of Ally.

The float was ready. The weddings were done. What could Cody do now to keep her near once he finished building the pens? He rolled the fencing into place along the frame he'd built. It immediately rolled back up before he could sink a single staple.

It was way after hours. Her volunteers had come and gone. Even though she was shorthanded at the clinic, surely she was finished by now. He dug out his cell, punched in her number.

“
Ally's Veterinary Clinic and Adopt-a-Pet
. May I help you?”

“I'm in your barn slaving over pens for your critters and I could use a pair of extra hands.”

Silence. For several seconds. “I'll be right there.”

The dial tone started up. Maybe she'd had a rough day without Lance and was just tired.

He had to watch his step with her. Stop giving off mixed signals. Kissing her one minute, keeping her at a distance the next, but not too far. Seven more days.

He'd already come up with an excuse for his impending absence—tests on his shoulder and knee along with ranch errands that could keep him in Dallas for several days. If he woke up in his right mind a week from today, he'd tell her exactly how he felt. And hope she loved him, too.

The barn door opened and she stepped inside, looking defeated.

“Rough day?”

“I'll be glad when Lance gets back. I need him here and I miss my mom.”

“You can come over to my house anytime if you need company.”

“What do I need to do?” She settled on her knees beside him, dismissing his invitation.

“Just hold the fencing in place while I staple.”

“That I can do. Have you heard from your grandpa?”

“They're having the time of their life in Hawaii. I never imagined my grandpa going there.”

“We should be glad our loved ones are happy—that they're feeling young and adventurous again.” As she crawled on her hands and knees holding the fencing up, her thick braid nearly dragged in the hay on the floor. Her scent and proximity almost overwhelmed him.

He had to refocus on their topic. Oh yeah, being happy for Grandpa and her mom. “I am. It just makes me miss Grandma.”

“I know what you mean. I miss my dad. It's like Mom moving on makes me miss him more.”

He finished the frame and they went to work on another. Sometimes chatting, sometimes in comfortable silence. Ally was the only woman he'd ever felt completely at ease with without talking. Soon they had the base of the pen and three sides finished. She held them in place while he fired nails with the gun.

“I'll put the door in tomorrow. Want to watch a movie or something?”

“No. I'm tired. Think I'll turn in early.”

“Thanks for helping.”

“Thanks for building pens for me.” She stood. “By the way, they're coming to start the construction of my new barn tomorrow. Garrett Steele and Brant McConnell matched the proceeds from the pet photo day, so I've got funding to cover the entire cost, plus a nice sum left over for pet care and repairs.”

Good news. But would she need him anymore? Panic gnawed at his insides. “Once the barn is up, I can build more pens.”

“Thanks. But you've done so much. And there's enough to pay for pens, too.”

“But I build them for free. Then you'll have more funds left over for care.”

“True.” She shrugged. “If you insist.”

“See you tomorrow?” He tried not to sound desperate.

“Probably.”

One more week. Just one more week.

* * *

With Mom gone, Foxy and Wolf vied even more for Ally's attention. Technically, Wolf was Mom's dog. When she came back from her honeymoon, would she take the gray Pomeranian to live with her and Lance? Then Foxy would be as lonely as her person.

A mere three days since Mom's wedding. How would she survive the rest of her life by herself?

She set the dogs off her lap and wandered around the empty house. Both Poms trailed her. Cody's light was on next door. Like a beacon. They'd worked on pens again tonight and again he'd asked her to come over and watch a movie. So tempting. Him and his company.

It was a temptation she could no longer resist. Not after the day she'd had. She hurried to the kitchen, snagged a packet of her favorite microwave butter popcorn and headed for the back door.

“Sorry, guys.” She latched the dog gate in place, locking the Poms in the mudroom, and tossed them each a treat. “But I won't be gone long.” She grabbed the flashlight and stepped outside.

Barks started up as the door shut. A creepy feeling as if she was being watched washed over her. She shone the light around. Nothing. But all the same, she doubled her speed across the yard and ran up Cody's steps. She'd barely knocked when his door opened.

“Is everything okay?” His hair was wet. Fresh from the shower. Irish Spring soap. Handsome and smelling good.

“I decided to take you up on that movie offer.” Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. “I brought popcorn.”

A wide grin spread over his face. “I'm glad.” He took the bag from her. “Have a seat and I'll have this ready in a jiff.”

She scanned the room. A dark couch with a recliner at each end. Oreo occupied the one on the right near the remote and a glass of sweet tea sat on the end table.

“Look at you, boy.” The dog jumped down to greet her and she scratched behind his ears. “From homeless to a barn, and now you're a bona fide house dog.” She settled in the recliner on the left and Oreo hopped up and sat in her lap.

“Traitor.” Cody set the bowl of popcorn between them and handed her a glass of sweet tea. “Want me to take him?”

“He's fine.”

“You should have brought yours with you.” His gaze searched hers. “You sure everything's okay? You were awfully quiet earlier and you just don't seem right.”

How did he do that? He'd always known when something was wrong. Her eyes singed. “I had to put a family pet down this afternoon.”

He winced, knelt in front of her. “I'm so sorry.”

“Me, too.” She sniffled. “I never get used to that part of my job.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“No.” She gave a decisive shake of her head. “I'll turn into a blubbering ninny and that could get messy.”

“I can handle it.” He patted his shoulder.

“Can we just watch a movie? Please.”

He squeezed her hand, then stood, handed her a tissue and crouched in front of the TV. “What movie do you want?” He named off several.

“Nothing where the dog dies.” She dabbed her eyes.

“Trust me, I don't have any of those.”

Finally, they settled on
Flywheel
. Not only clean but Christian.

“We can have a marathon this week and watch
Facing the Giants
,
Fireproof
and
Courageous
.” He sat down in his recliner and looked across at her.

A movie marathon with Cody. Like a married couple, she in her recliner, he in his.

She couldn't think of anything better than this.

* * *

When Cody got home from Bible study on Wednesday night, Ally was waiting on his porch with her Pomeranians. Had she even gone? Not unless her church had changed service times.

“Hey. I took them for a walk and came on over since I knew you wouldn't be gone long.”

“You didn't go to church tonight?”

She flushed bright red. “My last appointment went late and I couldn't get there in time.”

“Come on in.” He unlocked the door. “I'll go make the popcorn.”

Again they sat on each end of his couch, with her two dogs in her lap and Oreo in his. He'd rather move to the middle. But that would freak her out. And he couldn't let her get that close. Not yet. Maybe tomorrow night he'd go to her house. Fill her empty home with conversation. Get just a bit closer.

“I love these movies.” He reached for a handful of popcorn. “They're family friendly and I could watch them over and over.”

“I thought I saw a few tears last night,” she teased.

“Gets me every time when people turn their lives over to Christ. Even in movies.”

She bit her lip, sipped her tea. “Did you see how fast the barn is going up?”

“They'll probably have the frame finished by Saturday.” Why didn't she want to talk about Jesus? He knew she went to church, had been a Christian since her youth. But lately she seemed uncomfortable with anything to do with the subject. “So what's the church you attend in Denton like?”

“A lot like the one in Aubrey.”

“Do you like it?”

“Sure. The people are nice.”

“Okay, but what about the preaching, the worship service?”

She shrugged. “I hadn't really thought about it. I just go with Mom.”

“I was wondering since your mom's married now and living in Denton—you'd have to drive to church by yourself. Might be a good time to start coming to Aubrey again.”

“We'll see. It's only fifteen minutes.” Her gaze never left the TV screen even though he hadn't started the movie yet.

Was Ally in a crisis of faith? Why? And what could he do to help her?

“Better start the movie so we'll have time to watch it all.”

He scrutinized her profile a moment longer, then pressed Play. Maybe the Christian movies they were watching would touch a chord with her.

* * *

“Popcorn break.” Ally pushed Pause and hurried to the kitchen. For some reason, Cody had suggested they watch
Fireproof
at her house tonight.

“I can't believe how this house looks exactly the same as it did when we were kids.” Cody kept his seat on the couch.

“New furniture.” She refilled their bowl from the still-warm bag in the microwave.

“Same hardwood floors.”

“New walls and paint. A couple of years ago, I decided I couldn't take that old dark, dingy paneling anymore.” Back in the living room, she settled on the couch. Put some space between them. “I tore into it with plans for drywall but found this lovely wood underneath.”

But Cody scooted her way. “Trying to hog the popcorn?”

Sitting way too close.

Ally's couch didn't have a recliner at each end. She should scoot away, but she pushed Play instead.

As the husband and wife in the movie found their way back to each other, the romance of it moved her. When the main character came to terms with God, a large knot formed in Ally's throat. She closed her eyes, tried to think of something else. Her mind drifted and she yawned.

She'd just rest her eyes and mind. That way God couldn't use the movie to hammer at her.