THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET (10 page)

They continued to share their day, and Ana enjoyed the relaxed time with him and Kathleen. But every so often, she’d catch Vance watching her. She couldn’t stop the blush and he’d smile.

“Kathleen, the meal was great. Thanks.” He looked at Ana. “I’m going to the barn to check on the horses before turning in.”

She nodded and helped Kathleen finish loading the dishwasher.

“My, my, seems a little warm in here tonight. Are you two any closer to admitting your feelings?” the housekeeper asked when they were alone.

Ana looked at her. “Vance has been keeping his distance since our date. So I’m not sure what he wants.”

“You might try pushing the issue.”

Ana wasn’t sure if she could pull off a seduction, but she wanted Vance.

After taking her shower, she put on a gown and the bathrobe Kathleen had given her for her birthday. The lightweight, rose-colored silk felt cool against her skin. She was brushing her hair when she heard someone coming up the stairs. Vance.

Her heart raced at the sound of him entering the bedroom down the hall. She sighed in relief, until once again there were footsteps, coming in her direction, and ending at the bathroom across from her room. Soon the water came on in the shower.

Ten minutes later, Ana took a breath and released it as she opened her bedroom door and waited. Somehow, she had to let Vance Rivers know she was ready to have a real relationship.

Vance quickly dried off and realized he hadn’t brought any clean clothes with him. He’d been so distracted by Ana he wasn’t sure what he was doing, or what he wanted to do. Although it was killing him, he couldn’t rush her and mess this up. Maybe moving back to this house wasn’t a good idea.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and gathered his dirty jeans, then opened the door, to be met by Ana standing in her doorway.

“Hey. Sorry, I didn’t mean to hold you up from using the bathroom.”

“You didn’t.” She came toward him. “I was waiting for you.”

Oh, boy.
His gaze moved over her short, silky robe and bare legs, and his body stirred to life. So much for the cold shower.

Giving up any idea of backing off, he walked up to her. “I’ve been waiting for you forever, Ana. So be sure this is what you want, because I’m not going to give you up.”

Ana worked to swallow the dryness in her throat. This step could be disastrous, but she also knew it could be wonderful, and she was willing to take a chance on this man she’d fallen in love with. Maybe she’d even loved him for years.

She nodded. “I want to be with you, too, Vance.”

He took her hand and walked her to his bedroom, then pulled her inside and closed the door. He tossed his dirty clothes aside and leaned down and captured her mouth. She went willingly and kissed him back with the same fervor. She was quickly consumed by desire for this man as his tongue slipped past her parted lips, making her body crave even closer contact.

He finally released her, but his mouth moved to her ear and he whispered, “I want you, too, bright eyes. And I plan to prove just how much when I kiss every delicate inch of you.” His lips moved over her jaw, placing tiny kisses as he went. Next he trailed a path down her neck, causing her to shiver. When her knees started to give out, he caught her. “I got you, Ana.”

Her lips parted as she worked to breathe against the rush of feelings he created inside her. Her hands went to his chest, moving and stroking over the hard planes of his bare skin.

He was busy, too, working on the knot of the belt on her robe. When it parted, he pushed the garment off her shoulders, then stood back to gaze at her. Finally, he reached up and tugged on the straps of her nightgown, pulling it down her arms to drop at her waist.

“God, Ana, you’re beautiful.”

He tugged her into his arms and kissed her deeply. Then he swung her up, carried her across the room, set her down beside the bed and took off her remaining clothes. Once she was naked, he stood back and eyed her closely.

She reached for his towel and let it drop, then touched his bare chest. “You are beautiful, too.” She felt shaky as she placed kisses along his skin. He sucked in a strained breath as he cupped her face, then his mouth covered hers again.

He finally pulled back. “Are you sure about this, Ana?” His gaze was dark and riveting. “This isn’t a game to me. Once we’re together, I don’t plan to let you go.”

She took that leap of faith, trusted her feelings for this man. “Yes, I’m sure. I want you, Vance, only you.”

* * *

Sometime around dawn the next morning, Ana rolled over in bed and blinked as she saw Vance pulling on his jeans. She smiled, then realized he was leaving.

“Vance?” she whispered in the darkness.

He turned and she took in his broad shoulders and chest. Once again her heart set off racing.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to wake you. I need to go get the men started for the day.” He sat down on the bed. “I’m already running late as it is.”

She sat up and slipped her arms around his neck, causing the sheet to drop to her waist. “Then it shouldn’t hurt if you stay with me a little longer.”

“What about Kathleen?”

“Let her find her own man.”

Ana placed her mouth against his and did her best to distract him. With a groan, he surrendered, wrapping his arms around her and deepening the kiss. By the time he broke it off, they were both breathless.

“Lady, you don’t play fair.” He stood. “I really need to go. Not just for me, but for you, too. I know the men aren’t going to think anything about me walking out of this house, but I would like to keep this between us for the time being. I want this special for us.”

Suddenly, Vance had some doubts. “Unless you don’t want any more than last night.”

She looked at him for what seemed like an eternity, then rose up and punched him in the arm. “You didn’t say that, did you?”

“Hey.” He rubbed his biceps, but was happy she was offended by his remark. “I’m just giving you options.”

“If you don’t know me better than that, then we’re done here.”

He reached for her and pulled her back into his arms. Closing his eyes, he reveled in the feeling of her pressed again him. “Hey, cut me some slack. Last night was special to me. More than you’ll ever know. I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

She raised her head. “For me, too, Vance.” She touched his face. “I want to be with you, and not just here.” Then those beautiful baby blues looked at him. “I care about you.”

“I care about you, too.” He leaned down and kissed her. He was a goner when it came to this woman. As the kiss deepened, he pressed her back against the mattress, needing to feel closer to her. He couldn’t leave Ana now, maybe never. Just this once, he’d let the men handle the work, and he’d take the morning off.

CHAPTER TEN

“Y
OU
KNOW
YOU
can’t keep fooling everyone much longer.”

Colt sat in his wheelchair and stared at his therapist, trying to act clueless about the accusations. But Jay knew him too well. The young man hadn’t been intimidated, and matched Colt’s stubbornness throughout the past month.

“Your daughter is going to discover your secret before long.”

Colt wanted to tell him to stay out of his life, but knew what he said was true. He shook his head. “N...no.”

Ana had been coming to see him nearly every day. Would she keep visiting him if she knew that he was improving so quickly?

“N-not r-ready yet.”

The young man placed his hands on his hips. “Do you realize, Colt Slater, how lucky you are to be recovering at this rate? Whatever your reason for playing helpless, it’s going to backfire. Ana’s been so worried about you.”

“Sh...she said that?” Colt raised his arm. It was still weak, but he could move it now.

The last thing he wanted was to lose Ana again. She’d moved back home to help out. Every visit, she talked in detail about what was going on. It had been a highlight of his day—not hearing about the ranch, but hearing it from her. He knew it was a long shot, but he hoped he could start to rebuild their relationship. He just didn’t know where to begin.

All those years he’d wasted on bitterness toward the girls’ mother, he’d lost any connection to his daughters. He didn’t want to go back to that big, empty house. “Sh-she won’t c-come to see me any...anymore.”

Before Jay answered, a knock at the door distracted them. Vance peered inside. “I don’t mean to disturb you. I can come back later.”

“No, we’re finished for the day,” Jay said, then looked back at his patient. “Think about what I said, Colt.”

Vance walked into the room. Alone. “Ana couldn’t make it today. She had to go to a meeting at the school.”

Vance didn’t miss the disappointment on Colt’s face. So he
did
want Ana to visit. Maybe the stroke would change some things between father and daughter. Maybe he would finally realize what he had.

“Sorry, you get me instead.”

Colt made a groaning sound and turned away. Vance wondered if the man’s attitude had something to with him having a relationship with his daughter.

Jay checked his watch. “I need to go to my next session. I’ll be by tomorrow, Colt. So behave until then.”

Vance said goodbye, then grabbed a chair and placed it in front of Colt’s wheelchair. He straddled it and rested his forearms on the back.

“So what’s new?”

Colt frowned. “Y...you t-tell me.”

Vance was thrilled that Colt was talking. “You know most of it from Ana. The yearlings were branded, shipped and sold last week. The foreman’s house has been rented out to three anglers for the weekend, and Hank Clarkson is taking them fly-fishing to that sweet spot at the river where your daughters used to swim.”

“Wh...where?”

“Don’t play dumb, Colt. We both know you used to go check on the girls.”

Again he frowned.

Vance ignored it. “We’re showing a decent profit from the fishing, so we can probably pay off the leases. It’s not enough, though. Your daughter Josie is talking about branching out.”

Vance went on to explain about some of the changes they’d been talking about, the ideas about building a new structure.

He saw the angry look on Colt’s face before the older man glanced away.

“Don’t be upset. We’re doing this to help save the Lazy S.”

Colt looked back and nodded. “T-take c-care of Ana.”

Vance was surprised by his words. “I will, always. I care about her. She will be pleased to know you’re able to talk.”

Colt raised his hand. “No! D-don’t tell her. Keep my s...secret.”

Vance stared at him a moment, then said, “I will, but I think you’re making a mistake.”

Colt wanted a chance to repair some damage, praying it wasn’t too late. He needed Ana there at the ranch when he returned home. “N...not the first one.”

* * *

Later that day in the barn, Ana could sense Vance even before he touched her. His hands slipped around her waist, and she stopped brushing Blondie’s coat, then leaned back as he pulled her against his hard body. “I missed you,” he whispered against her ear as he placed kisses along her neck.

“You saw me this morning,” she told him, recalling how he had climbed out of bed after making love.

“Five o’clock was a long time ago. Do you have any idea how hard it was to leave you?”

“Oh, Vance.” She shivered as his mouth caused goose bumps along her skin. Unable to stand much more, she turned in his arms and quickly brushed her lips across his.

Vance released a groan as he captured her mouth in a deep, searing kiss. He finally released her. “If you’re going to greet me like that, I should go away more often.”

Ana didn’t want him to leave her ever, but she knew that in a few more weeks she had to go back to her job and her life in town. She had no clue as to what would happen with their relationship. Was it even a relationship? There hadn’t been any declaration or promises.

“No, this ranch couldn’t run without you.”

He cupped her face. “You’re doing a good job, too. The men seem eager to do whatever you want.”

Good, maybe he was a little jealous. “Does that bother you?”

He placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Not if they’re doing their jobs. And if they aren’t trying to steal my girl.”

His girl.
Ana froze, trying to draw air into her lungs. Suddenly the horse shifted and nudged them against the stall railing.

He chuckled. “I think we’re crowding Blondie. I know of a better place,” he suggested. “It’s about a twenty-minute horseback ride. You game?”

Blondie whinnied and Ana smiled.

“I take it that’s a yes.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later Ana was on Blondie and racing toward the meadow. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing Vance atop Rusty, closing on her.

“Come on, girl. We can’t let them beat us.” Ana leaned forward and nudged the mare with her heels. Feeling the wind on her face and being in rhythm with her horse gave her a feeling of peace. She caught sight of Vance coming up beside her, but she stayed the course and didn’t let the gorgeous man distract her.

She smiled. He’d already distracted her. She’d fallen so hard, she couldn’t think about anything else. When the small cabin came into view, she pulled back on the reins. Blondie slowed and finally stopped next to the sagging porch.

Vance rode in, climbed down, and after tying his horse to the rail, walked toward her. “You are one sexy lady, but when you’re on horseback, you are incredible.” He bent down and kissed her.

She loved that she could make him feel this way. “Don’t try and distract me with your compliments.”

Vance refused to let her go. “So I can distract you. That’s good to know.” His mouth came down on hers once more. This time he took her lips in a hungry kiss, knowing how quickly this woman could go to his head, not to mention his heart. He’d lost that to her at about age fourteen. He drew her to him, and she sank her sweet body against him. He ached for her. It also reminded him of the intimacy they’d shared last night and this morning. How much he wanted to have her that close always.

He broke off the kiss. His breathing was labored as he took a step back. “We’d better slow down or...” He stopped talking and walked toward the shack.

She followed him. “Vance?”

He turned around and could see the question in those beautiful blue eyes. “You keep looking at me like that, Ana, and I’m going to forget all my good intentions.”

She smiled. “What are your intentions?”

“Look, last night was incredible.”

She didn’t seem happy. “But...?”

He went back to her. “There is no but, Ana.” He gripped her by the shoulders. “I just don’t want to mess up what’s going on between us. I care about you.”

“And I care about you, too.”

He liked that, but was still worried. They had a lot of baggage between them. There were things she needed to know, about him and about this land. “There are a lot of things we have to deal with before it’s just about us.”

She nodded, then grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the shack, pushing open the stuck door. “Come with me to my special place.”

They went inside the dusty, one-room cabin.

“I don’t think we can use this place for the anglers,” Vance joked.

She smacked his arm. “Nor would I want you to. This is mine. I know it’s not much, not perfect, but it has this.”

She went to the window over the rusted sink and pulled back the curtains, exposing an incredible view. Before them was the green, grassy meadow, encircled by glorious, tree-covered mountains that seemed to reach all the way to the big, blue Montana sky.

“It’s perfect, Vance.”

He heard the reverence in her voice as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “Yes, it is.” He never doubted that Ana loved the Lazy S Ranch as much as he did. How would she feel if she knew that he was intruding on her heritage? He had his own plans for this meadow, and soon, he wanted to share them the woman in his arms.

Ana glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. “I can imagine a hundred years ago, when my ancestors stood right here in this spot and gazed out at this same view. This cabin was built by my great-great-grandfather, Owen Colton. He and his bride, Millie, settled right here. Dad is named after that side of the family.”

Vance envied Ana’s connection to her roots. “So it wasn’t Slaters who settled here.”

“No, but not long after, my great-grandfather, George Slater, arrived on the scene.”

“Did Colt tell you all this?”

She frowned. “Not hardly, but I looked it up in the town history. The Coltons and the Slaters practically build Royerton.”

“What about your mother’s side?”

He caught Ana’s reaction. “I don’t know anything about her.”

“I think you do, just that you don’t want to talk about her.”

She glared. “Not any more than you want to talk about your parents.”

He found he could trust her. “You can ask me anything you want.”

She turned around and leaned against the sink. “Do you know where they are?”

“My father, no. My mother lived in southern Oklahoma with husband number three until she died about five years ago. Her drug-induced lifestyle finally caught up with her.” He shrugged, purposely leaving out a lot of details. “Too many bad choices.”

“I’m sorry, Vance.”

“Like I said, she made bad choices.” He released a breath. “Now, you. Where is your mother’s family from?”

Ana wasn’t sure she could talk about Luisa Delgado. Then she looked up into Vance’s eyes and saw the compassion there. “Colt never spoke much about our mother’s family. All I know is that she came from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. At least that was the name of the town that was on the divorce papers.”

“You saw the divorce papers?”

She shrugged. “It was a few months later. One night, I woke up, hearing some yelling downstairs. I came out of my room and saw the lady who used to take care of us, Mrs. Copeland, and Dad. She had her suitcase packed, and walked out the door. I hoped she was going away for good, since I didn’t like her much.

“After a little while I went downstairs looking for Colt and found him lying on the sofa. He’d been drinking and was mumbling Luisa’s name over and over again, saying she was never coming back. I stayed with him until he fell asleep.” Ana brushed away a tear. “On the coffee table were some papers. There wasn’t much I could recognize, except for the words
divorce decree
and the names Colton Slater and Luisa Delgado Slater.”

His chest tightened, feeling her pain. “Have you ever thought about going to find her and ask her why she left you all?”

“Only every day during my childhood. I desperately wanted to find the woman who used to hug and kiss us every morning and every night. Who told us repeatedly that she loved us. Then one day she was gone.” Ana felt tears welling in her eyes, but refused to let them fall. “But I couldn’t will her to come back to her little girls. The worst thing was she took our father away, too. Colt never got over his sadness.”

Vance pulled Ana into his arms. “I’m sorry, Ana. I wish I could do something.” He leaned down and kissed her, wishing he could take away the pain for both of them. He wanted to erase all the hurt from the past and look toward the future. Would he have that future with Ana? Would there be more nights like last night when he got a glimmer of that dream? Yet there was so much that could keep that from happening for them.

“We should get back. It’s getting late.”

She looked disappointed. “But I don’t want to leave. I like it here.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s magical.”

“Magical?”

“As a girl, when I got the chance to go horseback riding, I came here. This meadow always made me feel better, so I named it the magic meadow.” She smiled and shifted in his arms. “And now you’re here.”

Vance glanced around at the filthy room. “Not that you aren’t tempting, Ana, but when the sun goes down, it won’t seem so magical. Come on, I’ll take you out to dinner, then we’ll turn in early.”

“Really?” Ana was excited that Vance was asking her out. “But I’m sure Kathleen has fixed us supper.”

He shook his head. “It’s her bingo night, so we’re on our own for the evening. I thought we could go into town to the Big Sky Grill. I have some news about a contractor.”

She gasped. “Tell me.”

He shook his head. “We’ll talk about it over supper. Right now, I want to take my girl out.”

His girl?
She tried not to turn all giddy on him. “Okay, it’s a date. I’ll race you back.” She took off for her mount, suddenly loving her life at the ranch, and her man. The bad memories were turning into good ones.

* * *

An hour later, Vance walked Ana into the Big Sky Grill. Several heads turned in their direction. Okay, so they would be labeled a couple now. Good, he wanted everyone to know that Ana Slater was his.

They got the circular booth in the corner. He slid in on the other side from her and they met in the middle. She glanced over the menu, then closed it.