The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns (11 page)

They shook hands. “You made it.”

Nora welcomed Lacey with a hug. “I’m so glad we
finally got together.” She turned to the kids. “These must be your children.”

Emily stepped forward with a smile. “I’m Emily, and this is my brother, Colin. I’m five and he’s eight, but he’ll be nine on his birthday in two weeks.”

Nora leaned down. “Well, I’m Nora and I’m happy to meet you both,” she told them. “My son, Zach, is helping to get the horses saddled. We thought we’d ride out to Mustang Valley today and have a picnic.”

“Cool!” Colin cheered. “Will we see wild mustangs?”

“If we’re lucky.”

They all headed toward the corral where there were six mounts ready for the ride. Although Zach was the same age as Colin, he wasn’t as tall. The dark-haired boy was friendly, and finally Lacey’s son began to open up.

“Okay, let’s head out,” Brandon said.

Zach showed Colin to his horse, Bandit, and Emily to the small mare named Sugar. A strange feeling took over as Jeff helped adjust the stirrups for Emily. This was a family outing. Over the past month, he’d gotten close to these kids. He glanced at Lacey. Their mother was a different story. Since that night in the bedroom, she had kept her distance.

Jeff glanced at Brandon to see him pull his wife close and kiss her. “Nora’s going to drive out and meet us there,” he told everyone as he touched her slightly rounded stomach. “She’s expecting a baby and we’re not taking any chances with our little one.”

Brandon mounted his gelding, then they all tossed a wave to Nora and headed out of the corral toward the trail. Jeff rode up beside Lacey. “I haven’t ridden out
here since I was a kid.” He sat up in the saddle, feeling good about how easily he handled the horse. “Trevor and I came out here once and we camped out with Brandon and his dad. We should have invited you along.”

Lacey smiled. “I hadn’t moved to San Angelo by then. Besides, were girls even invited?”

Jeff stole a look at the beautiful woman riding beside him. “At ten years old, we weren’t into girls yet.” Not until the day Lacey Haynes walked into their seventh-grade class. “We might have made an exception for you, though.”

Lacey tugged on her horse’s reins as they rode to the ridge and looked down at the rich, grassy valley where several trees lined the rocky-bottom creek. Ancient oaks dotted the slopes, nearly hiding the nature cabins from view.

Jeff stopped beside her. “It’s still as pretty as I remember.” He leaned on the saddle horn and took it all in. “Over the years, Hank added the cabins when they started up the nature retreat. To preserve the area, and protect the mustangs, there aren’t any vehicles allowed in the area. They use golf carts to bring in guests, or they ride in on horseback.”

“This is incredible.” She looked at him. “I thought the area around our cabin was pretty, but this—”

“Hey, I love that old cabin.”

Brandon rode up. “How do you like it so far?”

“It’s beautiful,” Lacey said.

Brandon sighed. “Yeah, I never get tired of the view.”

“I want to see the mustangs,” Emily said.

“We will,” Brandon promised. “First, we eat lunch. If we’re quiet the mustangs will show up. Well, we’d better get moving. Nora’s waiting at the cabin over on the ridge.”

“Then let’s go,” Jeff said. “I’m suddenly hungry.”

They took off across the valley to the cabin where Nora had tables set up on the porch. A tray of sandwiches and salads were waiting. After washing the dirt off, they sat down on the cabin porch and enjoyed the family meal. The kids were chatting away. The boys even included Emily, who seemed to be mesmerized by Zach.

“Look, the mustangs,” the girl cried and turned to her mom. “Can we go see them?”

“I don’t know, honey, we might scare them off.”

Brandon stood. “I think we could get a little closer if we’re quiet.”

The kids followed Brandon and Nora as they walked down toward the creek. Jeff watched Lacey begin to pick up the lunch mess, but he stopped her.

“We’ll do this later, you’re coming with me.”

She tried to argue, but he grabbed her hand and walked her down the slope. Once they reached the grove of trees, they paused as a mare and her filly wandered into view. Emily was trying hard to keep quiet but she was dancing around with excitement.

“Oh, Jeff. Look at them.” Lacey glanced over her shoulder to him. “I wish I had a camera.”

He moved in close, inhaling her fresh scent. “I guess I’ll just have to bring you back here.”

She turned again. “I’ll hold you to that.” She studied him with those sweet green eyes. “I bet you brought a lot of girls here.”

He shook his head. “I never did.” He only wanted
to share this with Lacey. “I would have brought you, but I doubted you’d have come.”

She turned around. They were standing close, her back against a tree. Normally, he’d take advantage of the situation, but the kids were too close.

“You never asked me,” she said.

His heart skipped and began to pound in double time. “I’m asking you now.”

L
ATER
that night, back at his cabin, Jeff sat outside on the porch, Lonesome lying at his feet. The dog hadn’t left his side since he’d returned home.

Jeff knew the feeling. After spending the day with Lacey, he hadn’t wanted to leave her, either. How could he have said those things to her? He recalled Trevor’s words from his journal.
Lacey’s my life.

Maybe coming back home was a mistake. The wanting hadn’t stopped. All the longing for her over the past years had never gone away. Yet actually having Lacey as his seemed like a dream—albeit an impossible one. He couldn’t exactly ask Trevor’s permission.

The sound of an engine interrupted his solitude. He stood as Lacey’s truck pulled up. Panic hit him as he stood and she got out. Was something wrong?

She walked up to the porch. All he saw was her silhouette in the shadows. “Lacey, what’s wrong? Is it the kids?” He knew they had stayed for a sleepover at Brandon and Nora’s house.

She shook her head. “I wanted to see you.”

His heart didn’t slow as she stepped closer. “See me about what?”

“Can’t I just want to be here?”

“Sure. I can understand you’re lonely without the kids—”

“Did you mean what you said today?” she interrupted. “Did you want to ask me out?”

Suddenly he felt as if everything was going too fast, but he couldn’t lie to her. “Yes.”

She didn’t hesitate and wrapped her arms around him.

Oh, God, he couldn’t deal with this. “Lacey, maybe we should talk about this…tomorrow.” It killed him, but he slipped from her embrace.

She looked up. “You want me to go?”

He was trembling, he wanted her so badly. “It might be better if you did.” He thought about what had happened all those years ago, and how guilty he’d felt.

Inside he was praying she wouldn’t leave. He couldn’t resist, and pressed a kiss against her forehead, then her eyelids, moving downward to the corner of her tempting mouth. “Lace, we can’t start this…”

“Why, Jeff? We already know it’ll be good between us.”

“It would be too good,” he breathed. “I’m not the man for you, I’m still trying to figure things out. To accept who I am.”

“I’ve accepted you, Jeff.” Her hand covered his. “But it seems like you’re not ready to accept me, or the possibility of us.”

It seemed impossible even to think they could finally be together. He’d waited so long.

She pulled away. “Thank you for the perfect day, Jeff. I’ll leave.”

He held on to her. “Don’t go, Lace.” He drew her close. “But you’d better be sure.”

“I don’t want to think about the past or the future right now. I just want this moment with you.” Her voice lowered. “Make love to me, Jeff.”

He lost it. He leaned down and captured her mouth, ending her words. He only wanted to hear her sounds of pleasure. If nothing else, he was going to make sure she felt that tonight.

He broke off the kiss and swung her up into his arms. Inside, with only one lantern lit, the cabin was dim. It was also warm, but he wanted to make love to her in a bed. Even if it was just a bunk.

He put her down next to the single bed, happy he’d removed the top bunk. “God, Lace, I’ve thought about this since I left your house. When you came into my room.”

She touched his face. “This time, I’m not leaving, Jeff. I want to share everything with you tonight.” She tugged his T-shirt over his head, then went for the drawstring on his sweats.

Stopping her, he forced a smile. “Ladies first.” When he had undressed her, she stood, allowing him to take her all in.

“Now, it’s your turn,” she insisted.

He released a breath, and sat down on the bed, then reached under the leg of his sweatpants. He removed his prosthesis and set it aside. His heart was pounding, his fears were about to overpower him, but he kept his focus on her eyes.

“The other night, I didn’t want you to stop,” she admitted. “I definitely don’t want to stop now.”

Jeff closed his eyes as she kissed him. He didn’t want to bring up the past. There was no guilt here. This time it was only about them. “I don’t want to stop
either.” He just wasn’t sure if he could pull it off. He hadn’t made love in a long time, not since before he’d been wounded.

Her questioning gaze locked with his. Then her hands went to his sweatpants and slowly began tugging them down his body, until finally they were off. She tossed the clothes on the floor, but her gaze never left his body.

“You are one beautiful man, Jeff Gentry. You always were.”

He was glad the light in the cabin was dim. He didn’t like being on display, even before he’d lost his leg. Yet, he didn’t want to shy away from Lacey. “You’re the one who’s beautiful.”

She kissed him again. Her fingers traced over his skin. “I have a lot of scars, too, Jeff. I’ve had babies.”

“I don’t see anything but perfection,” he told her honestly.

Her gaze moved over him as her hand brushed down his leg. He tensed, holding his breath as she stroked his knee, then further down to where his leg used to be. “From what I can see, you’re pretty much perfect, too.” Her gaze returned to his face. “Except maybe your ears stick out a little.” She leaned over and kissed him on his surprised mouth.

He quickly flipped her on her back. “Maybe we can find something we’re perfect at together.” He took her mouth in a hungry kiss. One night with her wouldn’t satisfy him. He needed a lifetime with this woman, and he knew that wouldn’t even be enough.

The next morning wasn’t awkward at all because Jeff didn’t stay in the bed. It had been years since he’d
analyzed his feelings for Lacey. He didn’t want to find regret in her eyes, so he decided to get up and give her time to herself.

After pulling on his prosthesis and sweatpants, he’d started for the door when he saw the journal on the counter. Damn that book. Damn Trevor for even writing anything to him.

He went outside, where he and Lonesome made their way down to the creek. But all he could think about was the woman he’d left in his bed. The woman he loved. But would she ever be his? His biggest fear was that she would always belong to his best friend.

Regret and sadness rushed over Lacey as Jeff walked out of the cabin, the click of the door latch seeming to signal the finality on her previous life with Trevor. She hadn’t given one thought to her husband during the night. It had been the first time in years she’d been able to think about Jeff without guilt.

It had been Jeff who’d brought her pleasure such as she’d never known. It had been Jeff who’d worshiped her body with his touch, praised her with hushed promises of passion.

Lacey brushed away a tear, recalling all those years ago. Had Jeff loved her back then? If she had asked him, would he have stayed and accepted his responsibility for their afternoon of passion? She’d never know. He’d left without a second glance. He’d left not knowing she’d gotten pregnant with his child. A baby she’d lost before she’d gotten the chance to hold, to nurture it. She’d lost them both. If it hadn’t been for Trevor…

She wiped away another tear. No, she wouldn’t let
Jeff hurt her again. She wouldn’t make any more mistakes. She had her children to think about.

Lacey sat up, reached for her clothes and began to dress. Once her boots were on, she combed her fingers through her hair as she headed for the door, and with as much dignity as she could manage, she walked out.

Outside, the sun made her squint as she looked around. Even if he wanted to be alone, she couldn’t just leave without saying anything. She wasn’t that much of a coward. She walked toward the creek, where she spotted Jeff sitting under the trees on a rock.

He hadn’t put on a shirt, given his quick departure, and he looked sexy. She hated that she still wanted this man. But she was grown now and didn’t expect any confessions of love.

The dog caught sight of her and came running. She knelt down to pet the animal as Jeff stood and then walked up the hill.

They stared at each other, and then she finally spoke. “Morning.”

“Good morning.” He glanced around as if he were nervous. “I can fix us some breakfast if you’re hungry.”

Lacey didn’t want food. She wanted the same thing she’d wanted ten years ago. For him to take her into his arms and tell her that he wanted her again and wanted to make things work out between them. But he didn’t and she had to face that fact.

“This is strange for me, Gentry. I’ve never done the morning-after regret thing.” She drew a breath and rushed on. “No, that’s wrong. Didn’t we have this same awkward moment about ten years ago? Only that time you walked out on me.”

He looked miserable as he came closer. “Lacey, I
couldn’t regret anything if I tried, not then or now.” He hesitated then, and confessed, “I don’t know where to go from here, Lace.”

“We don’t have to go anywhere, Jeff.” She took his hand. “If you’re worried I expect something because we had sex last night—don’t.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m not sure if you’re ready for this. Trevor’s only been gone a few months.”

“It’s ten months, and don’t bring Trevor into this.”

“How can I not? You were married to him. He was my best friend.”

“Yes, he was my husband,” she said. “But I didn’t betray him, Jeff. Not last night, or ten years ago when we made love. So don’t try and make me feel guilty.”

She could see that she wasn’t getting through to him. She was crazy to think they’d renewed their past feelings. It was evident who he was loyal to. Had she just been the pawn between the two men?

She turned to leave, but he reached for her. “Please, Lacey, I need to make you understand. I want things to be different.”

She fought with as much pride as she could hold on to and broke his hold on her arm. “Oh, I understand all right. We need to forget last night ever happened, just like the last time.”

He started to speak, but didn’t.

And that was all Lacey had to say. She turned and marched to the truck. Trouble was, how did she erase the fact that she’d fallen in love with Jeff Gentry all over again?

By afternoon, Jeff was on his fourth beer. He usually didn’t drink, mainly because he didn’t like not being
in control. And because his biological father had been a drunk and got abusive. But at this moment, he didn’t care about any of that.

As he popped another tab and took a long drink, he placed his feet up along the porch railing. Lonesome, lying in the spot next to his chair, suddenly took off barking. Jeff looked toward the pasture and blinked. Cows. The sound of mooing filled his aching head.

“What on earth?” He stood and walked around the cabin. Off in the distance there were about two dozen head of Herefords coming his way. Behind the herd were two riders, Brandon, of course, and his brother, Jay.

The cows were directed to the larger grassy pasture, and when his cousins rode his way, Jeff noticed Brandon was leading another saddled mount. “Oh, no, not today,” he groaned.

“Hey, cuz,” Brandon called with a big grin. “You ready to go to work?”

“You ever thought about giving a guy some warning?”

Brandon leaned against the saddle horn. “So you can ditch me? No way, cowboy.” He turned to his brother. “You can head back, Jay. I have this under control.”

Jay grinned. “Have fun.”

Jeff watched the younger Randell take off and Brandon climbed off his horse as the cattle settled down to graze in the high grass. He came toward Jeff, pulling off his gloves. “So, you going to offer me a drink and tell me about it?”

Great. “Tell you about what?”

Brandon frowned. “Lacey shows up to pick up the
kids looking like she’s lost her best friend, then says she’s taking them to see Trevor’s parents in Florida.”

“What?” He couldn’t let her go. “When is she leaving?”

“She’s already left.” Brandon frowned. “She didn’t tell you?”

Jeff shook his head. He didn’t deserve to know anything about her. “No.”

“You’d think partners would tell each other these things.” Brandon walked the horses toward the lean-to and tied their reins to the post. “What happened yesterday, Jeff? Everything seemed great between you two. Did you fight?”

They walked around to the front of the cabin. Brandon started to go inside, then stopped. “This place is like an oven.” Grabbing a couple of waters, they headed toward the shade of the creek with two fold-up lawn chairs.

“Okay, you dropped Lacey off last night and everything was okay between you two.”

“Later, she came out to the cabin.”

Brandon’s mouth broke into a grin, then faded. “You didn’t send her home, did you?”

Jeff glanced away. “I should have.”

“Well, finally,” Brandon said, his smile returning. “I take it you two…got together?”

Jeff leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I told her that maybe it was a mistake, it might be too soon for her.”

Brandon groaned. “You actually got a chance with her, and you tell her that?” His cousin sprang to his feet. “I was wrong. No man would ever turn away a woman like Lacey.”

“I’m not like you. I’m not a Randell.”

“The hell you aren’t. You’re as much a part of this family as I am. Damn it, man, you’ve proved that by screwing up so royally. Most men in this family love their women forever. That could be because Jack was such a womanizer.” He stared at Jeff. “So how long have you loved Lacey?”

Jeff shrugged, mumbling, “Since seventh grade.”

Brandon shook his head. “Did she even have breasts then?”

All at once Jeff threw back his head and laughed. “Who can remember?”

“Well, remember this, she came to you last night. So that means she has feelings for you.”

“You don’t understand, Lacey and I have history.” He looked at Brandon. “Before I went into the army, I came up here to talk to her, to say goodbye. We made love.”

Brandon whistled softly. “What about Trevor?”

“No, she and Trevor had broken up that summer. The problem was he’d been the one who begged me to talk to her, to help them get back together.”

Brandon leaned forward. “Instead, you broke the guy code and slept with your friend’s girl.”

Jeff nodded.

“Come on, Jeff. It might have been a lousy thing to do ten years ago, but everything worked out. Trevor got the girl, and you went into the military. Now, it’s your chance, fair and square. I’d say that Lacey coming here last night was a pretty good indication she wants to be with you.”