The Cowboy Takes A Slave (Cowboys & Cowgirls) (6 page)

Chapter Seven

W
hen Jake dropped Jenny and Sarah off at his home, the sun was just rising in the sky. They had been out all night. Everyone was exhausted, Lorna included. “We’ll be back, Jenny. I have to take Lorna home.”

“Thank you, Lorna, for everything.”

Lorna had tears in her eyes. She didn’t think it was possible to have any left, but she did. “Thank you. I feel like a weight has been lifted. I am so glad that you are safe, and that Sarah is okay.”

“Me, too.”

After they hugged, Lorna stepped back into the truck, but not before she heard Jenny say, “She’s a keeper, Jake.”

“You scared the hell out of me, you know that?” Jake asked, glancing between her and the road.

“I know, and I am sorry.”

Jake nodded. “He could have hurt you, Lorna.”

“He could have hurt you, too.”

Jake grabbed her hand and held it tight. “I love you so much. Please, don’t ever do something like that again.”

“I love you, too, Jake.”

Jake slammed on the brakes, nearly knocking his and Lorna’s heads on the dash. “What?”

Lorna’s heart hammered. “We are in the middle of the road!”

Jake pulled the car over to the side of the road and put it in park, and then turned to face Lorna. “What did you say?”

Lorna smiled gently. “I love you. I said, I love you, Jake.”

“That’s what I thought you said,” he said softly, moving his right hand up to the side of her face, cupping her lovingly.

“I wanted to tell you, but I had to wait.”

“Wait, for what?”

“My head to catch up with my heart,” she said, smiling.

“What’s your heart tell you?”

“My heart’s been telling me since day one that you are it for me. You are the one I was supposed to be with. You were never meant to be a do over, you were meant to be the start. I am so sorry that you weren’t the first one and only, but I am not sorry that you and I are here right now, together. I love you so much, Jake.”

Jake grinned. Lorna could see the love etched on his face and in his eyes. “Now, Lorna,” Jake said softly, taking something out of his pocket. “I’ve been carrying this around for a while now, and I think I’ve had enough of your ‘six month plan’.”

Lorna took a deep breath and trembled. Jake rubbed the side of her cheek with his hand and swept away the tears.

“You are it for me, honey. I knew the moment I walked into that building with all those screaming kids and weird smells.”

Lorna laughed.

“I knew the moment you turned around and looked right at me, and of course I said something stupid.”

“You were pretty ridiculous.”

“I know. I knew the moment you woke me up at that horrid hour and I thought I was dreaming. You are who I see at night before I go to bed, and you follow me in my dreams. I want you to be the one I wake up to. I want you by my side when things happen.”

“I love you so much,” L
orna sobbed.

“I love you, too, baby. I love that you went after Charlie, and I love how you are with my sister and my
niece, and I love that you are the best damned mother in the world to our son, Liam.”

“Our son?”

“Ours. I love that boy more than anything. I want my name on that birth certificate, I want him to know that I love him and his mom more than anything. I love you, Lorna. I want you to be my bride. Will you marry me?”

“Of course I will!” Lorna cried, coming into his arms. His lips were on hers, nearly taking her breath away, tears were streaming down both of their
faces. It was hard to tell who was who, they were so tangled.

“It’s about damned time,” Jake said, laughing as he pulled apart from her long enough to put his ring on her finger.

“For keeps?” he asked.

“Oh yes, for keeps.”

Epilogue

“
D
addy, how much longer,” Liam asked, pulling on Jake’s suit coat. He smiled down at the little boy as the last girl spread flowers all over the ground.

“Not much, buddy, she’ll be coming out any second.”

“There she is!” Liam squealed. The guests at the wedding laughed, watching the love on the little boy’s face as his mother walked down the aisle. She looked beautiful.

“Yes, there she is.”

“You love mommy, don’t ya?”

“Yes I surely do, Son.”

“Hugs and kisses, right, Dad?”

Jake looked down at his son with his heart in his eyes. “Always, Son.”

When he looked back up Lorna joined him at his side; they both grabbed hold of Liam’s hands.

“And now we become a family,” Lorna whispered.

Join Danielle in celebrating her whole series “Cowboys & Cowgirls” when the next book in her series comes out next month! “Cowgirl Up!”

Turn to the next page for a sneak peak!

Cowgirl Up!

Chapter 1

C
olton Stevens never wanted to get married; it wasn’t something that appealed to him. But after living alone on the Lone Tree Ranch for the past five years, things started to get a little lonely. A lot lonely. Everyone around him seemed to be getting married. Six best friends and three had gone and gotten married in the past few months! Colton would have thought it had something to do with the water if he wasn’t drinking from the same well. It was two weeks ago when Jake Anders, his buddy from high school, married another one of his friends, Tessa Jons, that things started to get a little difficult. There was nothing worse than being a third wheel at a dinner date.

“Hey, boss, there’s something wrong with the tractor,” Ted Miller said as he walked up on the large wraparound porch on Colton’s home. Ted was one of Colton’s ranch hands. He had been working there since Colton’s dad died six years ago.

“Figures. I swear every time we have someone out here that knows a little something about motors or whatnot, nothing happens, but as soon as they leave—bam—everything goes to shit.” Last week was Sam Elders last day on the ranch. He was what Colton’s dad referred to as a popcorn fart. He was gone as quickly as he came.

“Well, I don’t have the slightest clue what the hell’s wrong with it, and if you don’t get out there soon, Tractor Supply will be closed.”

Colton nodded. “I’ll get it done. Lord knows I need that damn tractor. I don’t have the time or the money for this shit.” Things weren’t as easy as he had once thought. When his dad was alive, ole’ Cole Stevens used to take care of everything—books, farming, Cattleman meetings—you name it. Now that he was gone, things were a little rough, seeing as he didn’t exactly show him the ropes. Death in your early 50s didn’t exactly prepare the rest of the world for your passing.

“Thanks for the heads up, Ted. See ya tomorrow morning.”

“Yep, I’ll be here. Jenny is having pot-roast tonight.” Ted’s whole demeanor changed when he talked about his wife of three years. Jenny. You’d think she was pulled out from the Angels.

“That sounds real nice,” Colton said, meaning it. He was jealous.

Ted looked at him and gave him a look of pity. “It’ll happen for you soon, boss. Jenny says there’s someone out there for everyone. Look at me. I’m not much to look at and I got her, so you’re definitely safe.” Ted laughed then patted Colton on the back and headed in the direction of his beat-up Ford.

Colton didn’t remark on that. Ted wasn’t the best looking guy, but he was a hell of a worker and a nice man. Colton had been told for years that he was good looking, but it didn’t seem to matter when you didn’t have much time to get out. Since his father’s death, it took everything he had not to lose the ranch. It took the last six years for him to figure out how to do most of the things that needed to be done. At times he cursed his old man for not showing him what to do, but then felt bad immediately after. His old man was well loved by everyone, including his mom who died the year after, leaving Colton an orphan and alone.

Colton took a deep breath and walked toward the tractor in the field beside his house. How the hell was he supposed to know what to do with it? He didn’t even know why he even bothered walking out to the field in the first place. His dad would have known what was wrong with it on first glance. He couldn’t fix a leaky faucet.  Things needed to change around this place, and Colton knew it had to start with him. But first, he had a trip to the Tractor Supply to get over with.

***

“Casey, you are doing that all wrong,” Willie Andrews said. “I swear, girl, you repel technology.”

Willie had one of those voices that sounded as if he belonged in Mayberry. Casey shook her head.

“Willie, I’m sorry, I really have no clue what to do with this thing. Can’t you just put me on the floor.  I can work the floor, Willie. I’m good with people.”

“Like that time with Ester Smith?”

Of course, Willie had to mention the one time with that old hag. Ester was walking in the store with her dog Mr. Lucky. Mr. Lucky didn’t like people petting him. Go figure.

Casey rolled her eyes. “You know that was an isolated incident, besides, I can’t do this work. You are just going to have to come up and help me each time I ring up an order.”

“Fine, go work the floor. But I swear, one more problem and you’re,” Willie said, gesturing with his hand slitting through his throat, “d—”

“Dead?” Casey asked, gulping. It was the quiet ones you had to worry about.

Willie blushed. “Gees, Casey! No, I meant, done. Finished… Last chance you’re going to get.”

“Okay, Willie,” Casey said, then smiled. “I’ll do a great job, you’ll see.”

Willie shook his head and motioned for her to walk around the floor to help customers. That’s when she saw him. The most beautiful man that God had ever created.

“Hi, can I help you find something?”

The man turned his body and faced hers. He was so breathtakingly beautiful that Casey was stunned speechless…for once.

“Y—yeah,” the man stammered. “I’m…who are you?” he asked, and put his hand out to shake hers.

“Huh?” Casey replied. The conversation reminded her of two children that were too shy to play together.

“Oh, I’m Colton. Do you want to go out some time?”

“Yes.”

Colton smiled.
Well that was easy.
“Tonight?”

“Yes.”

Colton leaned in toward her closer and closed his eyes. She smelled so good. He was really losing his mind. “I’m Colton.”

“Casey.”

“Casey, do you say anything other than one word answers?”

Casey grinned and placed her hand in his, exciting pulses filled her palm and she shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you?”

Colton chuckled. “Likewise. When do you—”

“I swear, Casey Anne, you don’t have to introduce yourself to people, you just get the orders and – oh, hi, Mr. Stevens, anything I can help you with,” Willie asked. Colton didn’t turn his head or even look at the old man. He just smiled at Casey.

“Casey is helping me just fine.”

“B-but, Mr. Stevens, we know you don’t have the time for…”

“That’s okay, Willie. This gal here knows what she’s doing,” Jake said, still holding Casey’s hand in his grasp. “Besides, she’s better looking than you are.”

Casey giggled and Willie blushed a violent red. “Glad to hear that she is doing her job,” Willie said then walked away.

Colton’s eyebrow quirked up and Casey rolled her eyes, eliciting another laugh from Colton. “I don’t do computers.”

Colton nodded. “Well, Casey-with-no-last-name, when do you get off work?”

“It’s Casey Elliot, and I get off in twenty minutes.”

“Well, how about I come back for you in twenty minutes then?”

“Sure, is there anything I can help you with?” Casey asked, feeling somewhat foolish.

“Oh, there is, but I’ll talk to you later about that.” Colton gave Casey a sexy grin, then walked away, leaving her skin tingling and anticipating their date in 20 minutes.

***

Colton sat in his F250 watching the clock. He had twenty minutes until he saw Casey. This had to be it, he thought. Casey Elliot, gorgeous little blonde, blue-eyed, angel of his dreams. His dad told him a long time ago that the day he met Colton’s mother he just knew. As soon as he saw Casey, that was it. Sure it had only been a few minutes ago, but when Colton Stevens wanted something, he got it.

And he wanted her.

It would be an odd night, especially if she didn’t agree to his… well, agreement. He was tired of doing everything by himself all the time. Tired of watching tv, eating dinner; hell, even reading lost its mystery.

A few seconds later his thoughts died as she walked out of the store pissed.

Colton watched for a moment then got out of his truck. She walked directly into his arms. Tears were clouding her eyes.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“I just got fired! I swear I don’t know how these things happen!” Casey cried. “I really need the money, too. How the hell am I going to afford school now?”

Colton rubbed her back with one arm and kept her tight in his embrace with the other. “Slow down for a moment, Case,” Colton said softly. It was weird, feeling such a deep connection with someone that quick, but he did. Instantly he was pissed, but happy because now she may consider his agreement. “Why did you get fired?”

“Well, it wasn’t my fault, really… well, it was, but how was I…it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to talk about it.” Casey looked up and blushed. “I can’t believe I just ran to you like that! I am so sorry, you probably think I’m nuts.” Casey backed out of his arms and put her arms around herself. Colton smiled.

“I’m glad you did. And don’t worry about the tears, there’s nothing wrong with that. Ole Willie has been asking for a good punch for a while now, want me to go take care of it?”

Casey’s eyes widened. “You’d do that for me?”

Colton didn’t really want to, but he would. “Of course.”

Casey smiled. “That’s enough for me then, cowboy. I would really love to see him on the floor, but I’ll just have to do with the fantasy of it.” Casey looked up as if in thought then grinned even larger. “I really do hate that man.”

“Aw, hate’s such a strong word, besides; I wouldn’t waste it on him.”

“You’re probably right. So, you wanna get out of here?”

“I do. You mind riding in my truck?”

Casey looked at the large metal beast and laughed. “Not at all, but you’re probably gonna have to give me a boost.”

Colton chuckled. “Alright.” He took her hand and then led her around to the passenger side. Grabbing her in his arms he lifted her up then opened the door and gently placed her in the seat. Casey gasped at the contact.

“I was just teasing!”

“That’s okay, Casey, I didn’t mind at all.”

Casey watched as he shut the door then walked to the other side of his truck. He really was gorgeous, and she didn’t know how she got so lucky.

They drove for a little while, down winding roads and through a wooded area. Normally, Casey would have been terrified. Hell, normally she wouldn’t have been out with anyone, but for some reason she trusted Colton. There was something about a man—a real one—that wore a cowboy hat and boots and Levis that fit him like a second skin. Casey sighed picturing what was underneath the jeans. She felt her skin flush and a little flutter in her chest.

Colton looked over. “You okay?”

“Oh…yeah, no, I’m fine.”

“I’m not going to hurt you, Casey.”

Of course he would think that. “Oh, no I didn’t think that. I’m…No, where are we going anyway?”

“My place. I wanted to show you.”

“Oh, well that’s cool.” Casey looked out the window as Colton slowed down. When he made his last turn she saw an archway that had three ‘s’ in monogrammed style. “Wow! This is neat. I’ve never been on a farm before.”

Colton chuckled. “Well, it’s a little bit… I can’t believe you’ve never been on one since you live out here, and really since you work… sorry,” Colton flinched.

“That’s okay,” Casey said solemnly, “I worked at Tractor Supply because really there weren’t any other jobs around.”

“What are you going to school for?”

“Nursing.”

“Now it’s my turn to be impressed.”

“Thanks, yeah I’m in my last year of school, and now that I’m fired who knows what’s going to happen.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Casey turned in her seat, facing Colton as he pulled into the wraparound driveway in front of his house. “Wow! Colton, this is your place.”

Colton could feel his chest puffing out. “Yeah, it sure is. All mine.”

“Nobody else lives here?”

“Nope. My parents passed away several years ago, and now it’s all mine. I don’t have any brothers or sisters.”

“I am so sorry to hear about your parents.” Casey put her hand on top of his as he turned off the ignition and put the truck in park.

“Me, too. Thanks. What about you? Are your parents still alive?”

“Yeah, they live really far from here though. Ohio.”

“Wow, now that is far. How in the world did a little gal from Ohio end up in Texas of all places?”

“Well,” Casey smiled, “I fell in love… or so I thought.”

Colton grimaced.

Casey laughed. “I dated this boy, Jack Smith, in high school and he wanted to go to Texas A&M. Me, I didn’t care. I didn’t have enough money for a big school, so I’ve been doing community college work. We broke up three years ago. Turned out his… well, he looked for other pastures, if you know what I mean.”

Colton didn’t have a clue. “He cheated?”

“He was gay, and I didn’t know. I guess I should have. He was so neat…always cleaning, very muscular—in that pretty sort of way. Not the kind like you have,” Casey said, then her face flamed.

Colton laughed. “So, I’m …ugly then?”

“Oh God no!” Casey said quickly, a little too loud. “No.” She laughed and then started to talk again. “I meant, well you get yours by hard work. He goes out and lifts weights… or whatever. You get yours by a… Well, you look good, that’s all I meant.”