Authors: Debra Clopton
Mac stuck his head out of the large window that they'd already installed on the side of the loft. “Hey, Lucy, got a second to come up here?”
“On my way.” Taking a big breath, she headed to the studio and banished thoughts of Rowdy right out of her mind.
Walking into the barn, she stared toward the loft area that only extended out over half the ground floor. The wall was almost finished that would close it off from the downstairs except for a large window that would enable her to look out over the first floor. Hurrying up the stairs, she pushed open the door and stepped into her new studio.
“What do you think?” Mac asked. He was a large man with a jovial smile. “Give me a couple more days and she's all yours.”
“Are you kidding me? It's only been a week.”
“We buckled down and since I brought the men in from the other job that stalled out on us, we were able to double up on the work. You'll be painting in here next week. If that's okay with you.”
“It's more than okay. I can hardly wait.”
The floors were white pinewood planks they'd laid then stained and sealed. Overhead they'd left the rafters open. The focal point was the large window on the outer wall of the barn, allowing her a gorgeous view of the house and valley. It let the much-needed light stream into the room. On the back wall was a cabinet with storage for her supplies. And then there was the wall space for showcasing her work as it was being finished.
“This is fantastic.” She gave the man a hug and he blushed.
“I'm going to have to see some of your work. I may want to buy my wife a present.”
“I need to get crackin' and get some subject matter.”
“Boy, you live near some of the prettiest country in these parts.”
“I know. I've been exploring some.” She told him about teaching the boys art lessons and he was impressed.
“You've got the best showing you the place. Rowdy was always exploring growing up. He spent days at a time camping all over that ranch. He knows every nook and cranny, that's for sure.”
A few minutes later Lucy was in her car heading to the ranch. If Rowdy was the best to help her find the unique beauty of the ranch, then she was going to ask him to show her around some more. After all, they were neighbors, and they were just going to have to put this thing between them aside.
He was doing his part. She had to do hers and stop thinking about him all the time.
Maybe the more they got used to being around each other, the easier it would be.
Sure it would.
She was ready to try, anyway. And the need to paint gave her incentive to overcome anything.
Even Rowdy.
* * *
Rowdy was mounting his horse when Lucy drove into the yard. Mixed emotions slammed into him at the same time. He was glad to see her, but at the same time seeing her sure made it hard on a guy who was trying keep her off his mind.
“Hi,” she said, hopping out of her truck.
He tugged on the cinch of his horse. He knew good and well it was just fine, but it gave him something to do. Lucy wore large black shades that hid her eyes and he regretted the loss, but at the same time not seeing those eyes helped him.
“No art class or wrestling class today.” He hadn't meant his words to sound negative. “What's got you out and about?”
“I need more scenes. Places that inspire me to paint. And I was wondering if I could impose on you again and ask you to show me around some more?”
He concentrated on his saddle. Patience and progress. She was torturing him.
“Sure,” he said, finally looking at her. She and God were determined to make this hard on him. “I'm riding over to check on the branding and you're welcome to ride, too. There's some places not too far that I could show you. Plus, I don't know if you're into a Western branding scene, but you'll sure see one.”
She tugged her shades off, exposing those killer eyes. “That sounds great. But I'm not the best rider in the world. I've done it a few times but that's it.”
“Cupcake will work great for you.” She was going riding with him. The idea had him smiling even if he was going to have to be on his best behavior. “I'll go saddle her up and be right back.”
“I'll get my stuff together.”
“Stuff?”
“My camera.”
He nodded. “Oh, right. Be back in a minute.”
He had Cupcake saddled and ready in a flash and led the old horse out of the stable. Lucy stared at the big horse.
“She's big.”
“And easygoing. This is a beginner horse. You'll be fine. I promise.”
She nodded and he wondered if she was going to trust him. When she touched Cupcake's soft neck and spoke sweetly to the horse, he knew everything would be all right. Everything but him.
Lucy had to have Rowdy help her get into the saddle. She was far too short to get her leg up in the stirrup. He lifted her effortlessly and she grabbed the saddle horn and threw her other leg over the saddle. Rowdy had to give her a little shove so she could get up there and sit straight. Otherwise she'd have been hanging off to the side.
“Thanks,” she murmured once she was settled. Hanging on to the saddle horn, she tried to look more confident than she felt. It had been a very long time. He looked up at her, his hand resting on her leg.
“You sure you're okay?”
“Uh-huh,” she said, seeing something deep in the depths of his eyes that touched a dark corner of her heart. It shook her. “I'm fine.”
He nodded, pulled his hand away and headed to his horse. In a graceful, fluid movement he stepped into the stirrup and swung his leg over the horse's back. He settled into the saddle as though it was as comfortable to him as sitting down or standing up.
Lucy would have gone home if she could have gotten off the horse by herself. What had she been thinking? It was as if the man was irresistible to her. How could that be?
“Okay, let's go.” He and his horse took off as she took her reins. She tugged on them, then clicked her tennis shoes on Cupcake's sides to try to get the horse to follow Rowdy, who was already turning the corner at the arena.
“Come on, Cupcake. Don't make me look like an idiot.” When the horse didn't move, she started making clicking noises and gently urging the horse with her heels again. “Yah,” she said. “Giddyap.”
Rowdy rode back to her. “You haven't done this much?”
“That's what I told you,” she said irritably.
“Behave, Cupcake,” he scolded the horse, and gave a gentle slap to the horse's rump. Cupcake started walking. Rowdy walked his horse beside them as they slowly started moving.
Lucy could feel the sting of embarrassment on her cheeks. She was probably as red as the horse stable.
They rode across the pasture in silence and over the incline. In the distance she could see a large group of cattle and a lot of horses and cowboys. There was a group bent down, working the branding irons, but from this distance she didn't recognize any of them. She wasn't sure if they let the boys out of school for something like this or not.
“Are the boys down there?” she asked at last.
“Yeah, they love to help with the branding. Jolie works with them to get their assignments done in a situation like this. Working on the ranch is a little different. We feel it gives the boys a sense of pride to join in and these boys need all of that they can get. Some are really beat down when they get to us. Their self-esteem is in the cellar and this helps boost them up.”
“I think it's great. The entire situation is so inspiring. It makes me want to paint them.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “I think that's a good thing. Speaking of, when are you going to show me some of your work?”
He seemed insistent on seeing her work; she fought the smile that nearly burst to her lips. “My studio is almost done. Mac pulled in some extra help and cut the process in half. I'll have some paintings up then. Not that I keep many hanging around. Most are in the gallery in Austin and the gallery on the River Walk in San Antonio.”
“I'll see what you have and maybe when I'm near I'll stop in at one of the galleries.” He smiled, and she smiled back.
“You don't have to do that.”
“I know, but I want to.”
She didn't know what to say and suddenly looked as if he'd said something wrong.
“Hey, Mac is a good guy. I knew he'd do a good job for you. He's spent a lot of time out here,” he said, suddenly wiping away the personal direction the conversation had taken.
She realized she didn't like the wall between them but she'd asked for it. “He told me. He also said the same thing your dad did, that you were the guy to show me the ranch.”
“I'm your man. When it comes to seeing the ranch,” he added quickly. “I tended to spend a lot of my rebel years camping out here alone any chance I got...and sometimes when I should have been in school.”
They'd almost reached where the branding was in progress and she regretted it.
“So you came out here to be alone?” she asked over the lowing of fifty or so cattle.
“Yeah, I didn't take my mom's death all that well and then I had trouble sharing the ranch, at first, with a bunch of kids I didn't know or want to know.”
So he'd been angry. “Life isn't always fair, is it?”
“Nope, but you would know all about that, wouldn't you? I got nothing on you. Or these boys here.”
“Lucy!”
Lucy tugged her gaze away from his and searched for who was calling out to her. She spotted little B.J. waving from where he was carrying a branding iron to the calf a couple of cowboys were holding down.
“Watch me,” he shouted. And then he branded the calf.
“He looks ten feet tall,” she gasped. “You're a regular cowpoke,” she called to him.
His smile was wider than he was. “I got the
moooves,
” he mooed, making Lucy laugh.
“That kid blesses my soul.”
Rowdy chuckled. “Yeah, he does that.”
“I need to take pictures. Will I be in the way?”
“I'd rather you try to do it from the horseâunless you get the hankering to come down and help with the branding.”
“I'll stay right here and, now that Cupcake has warmed up to me, I'll move around a little, too. Thanks for bringing me.”
“Any time,” he said, tipping his hat as he headed over to where the action was.
Reaching for her camera hanging from around her neck, she started snapping shots. She couldn't stop herself from letting the first shot be of Rowdy.
After all, he had brought her out here.
Chapter Fourteen
“I
see you brought your friend,” Tucker said, tugging his aviators down to let Rowdy see the questions in his McDermott-blue eyes.
Rowdy squinted through the haze at him, since the sun was over Tucker's shoulder and he hadn't worn his shades. “She's taking picturesâlooking for subject matter for her artwork.”
“That's why she just snapped your picture.”
Rowdy's brother liked to kid. “Yeah, right.”
“I'm serious. She pointed that camera straight at you as you rode off. Believe what you want, but the pretty lady got you on that camera of hers.”
It was all he could do not to look over his shoulder. Or not to let the pleasure show from knowing Lucy had taken a picture of him. Maybe she wasn't as immune to him as she wanted to be. The idea gave him a shot of hope. One he knew he wanted more than anything he'd wanted in a long time.
* * *
Lucy was having a great time. She had quickly realized that cattle branding made for great photo opportunities. She had Cupcake trotting on the outskirts of the group so that she could get different angles and different facial expressions of the boys' faces as they worked. It was wonderful. One minute their faces were serious with concentration, then they were throwing their heads back and hooting with laughter at some joke someone toldâusually that someone being Rowdy. The man was like a lightbulb even in the bright sunlight. He was so good with the boys.
Lucy's heart thrilled at the thought of capturing these images on canvas. It was a very welcome feeling, one she'd missed greatly.
Wes's cockiness reminded her of Rowdy. Joseph was so soft-spoken yet tenacious and Tony, the quiet one, shot her shy looks when he thought she wasn't watching him. And then there were the younger ones, so many of them so thrilled with being a working cowboy. All of the boys looked up to Morgan, Tucker and Rowdy.
They'd been working for about two hours when Rowdy pulled his hat from his head and slapped it across the front of his jeans. Dust rose about him and, just as he looked her way grinning, she snapped a shot that captured the pure essence of the man.
Her heart was thudding, and she lowered the camera, grabbed the reins and urged Cupcake to move on. She didn't need to look at Rowdy anymoreâhe made her stumble.
Made her stop thinking straight.
She decided it was time to head back to the barn and let Cupcake be free and, since they were all busy, she didn't bother them as she headed back toward the barn. But Cupcake had different ideas. Halfway to the crest, the goofy horse took off at a teeth-jarring trot, heading for the open range.
What was wrong?
“St-stop,” Lucy chattered, bouncing on the saddle like a ball bearing on corrugated tinâthrough her jostling she saw bees. Cupcake, having seen them, too, or felt them, made an awful whinny noise and went from a jaw-breaking trot to a gallop.
Lucy didn't even have time to yell. Off they went toward the horizon, with Lucy leaning forward, clinging to the saddle horn. Her camera swung from around her neck, slapping the poor horse on the side and probably making matters worse by scaring the poor animal.
She didn't know much about a horse, but she knew the huge horse must have been stung by the beesâor had decided it was getting away, and quicker than Lucy wanted. Miraculously, Lucy was managing to hang on, but she didn't know how long that was going to last.
* * *
Rowdy had already taken off after Lucy when she'd started back toward the stable. He hadn't meant to stay at the branding so long, but she'd been busy taking pictures, so he had lost track of time until he'd caught her riding off. The instant Cupcake had started trotting, he'd known something was up. He knew the old horse was in distress about something. He'd urged his horse into a gallop immediately.
He'd shortened the distance, only to see Cupcake shoot to a gallop, with Lucy clinging to the saddle horn as they disappeared over the horizon.
Praying and riding hard as he topped the hill, he was not sure what he'd find on the other side. Lucy was still in the saddle.
She might be small, but she'd managed somehow not to fall off, though she'd slid so far to the right, he didn't think she'd last much longer. He finally rode up beside her and could reach out for her.
The minute his arm started round her, she turned her head. “Rowdy!” Her eyes were wide with fear.
“Let go. I've got you.”
Without hesitating, she did as he asked and he swept her onto the saddle with him. She turned instantly and threw her arms around him, clinging to him as he pulled his horse to a halt.
“It's okay. I've got you,” he said into her silky hair, breathing in the scent of her and feeling her heart thundering against his.
She nodded her head against his neck but didn't let up on her hold on himâand in that instant he knew he didn't want her to. He knew with all his heart that if it were up to him, he would never let her go.
Rubbing her hair gently with his hand, he just let the moment be. In the distance, Cupcake continued galloping.
“B-bees,” Lucy mumbled, answering his question about what had come over the gentle horse.
“They'll do that. But you're okay now.”
He half expected someone to ride up behind him, but when no one did, he knew that she'd been out of their sight range when the horse had acted up. He was glad he'd been watching and gone after her, or she very well could have been in trouble and no one would have known.
He sent up a prayer of thanks to the Man Upstairs.
Lifting her head, she gave a shaky smile. “Thanks, cowboy.” Her voice was as shaky as her smile. “I thought I was done forâor heading to the border.”
He chuckled. “You've got skills, Lucy Calvert. You held on longer than I expected. Might be some Calamity Jane in you after all.”
“Ha, only by the grace of God.”
“True. But I didn't want to say so.”
They laughed and it felt as if they were the only two people in the world. Rowdy had to do everything in his power not to kiss herâor even appear as though he was thinking about it. But, boy, was he.
He cared for Lucy. More than he'd ever cared for a woman. And he wasn't sure what he was going to do about it. When she found out what he'd done...she wouldn't have anything to do with him. She'd never, ever trust him.
His heart started thundering.
Lucy's gaze feathered over his face like a caressâshe probably wasn't even aware how she was looking at him or what it was doing to him. When her eyes stopped on his lips he bit back a need to crush her to him and kiss her, to feel the softness of her lips against his. He halted his thinking.
He had to be honorable.
If he wanted even the most remote shot at a future with Lucyâand he didâthen he had to step carefully and move slowly. He could not mess up again. Lucy had to trust him before he ever thought about kissing her again.
Then tell her about what you did!
“I'd better get you home,” he said. He couldn't tell her. Not now, not until the time was right.
When is the time going to be right?
His horse stirred beneath them, reminding him they weren't moving. There was a creek not too far away and he saw Cupcake halt on the bank and begin drinking water.
Wrapping an arm around Lucy, he held her lightly as he urged his horse forward. The sky was darkening ahead of them, but he figured the rain would hold off for a couple of hours.
“Where are we going?” Lucy shifted and studied the pasture ahead of them.
“To that line of trees up ahead. There's a stream there. I thought you might want to see it.”
She nodded, but didn't say anything. Within minutes they were there.
“Oh,” she gasped. “This is beautiful.”
He pointed. “When the setting sun is filtering through those trees, it takes on a golden hue.”
As if on cue, the dark clouds parted and the sun broke free for a few seconds. Light streaked through the trees and the creek came alive with a lively glow.
Automatically his arm tightened around Lucy's waist.
She turned to look at him and he knew it was time to get off the horse.
It was either that or he was going to kiss her, no doubt about it.
* * *
Weak-kneed when her feet touched the ground, Lucy tried not to wobble as she headed toward the water's edge, putting distance between her and Rowdy. The knowledge that she trusted him swept over her like the warm glow that had just burst through the dark clouds.
That trust changed everything about her since waking up in that burn center, alone, scared and scarred.
When her heart had been closed up tightly, she hadn't thought much about her body. She'd just been grateful to be alive and that her face and hands had been spared. But now, in an instant of discovery and recovery she'd become aware... What would a manâRowdyâthink of her scarred body?
What would a husband think of the sight of her?
The thought was almost more than she could bear. She wrapped her arms about her waist and prayed for the images to fade away from her mind. For God to give her answers.
She felt exhausted and emotionally drained as Rowdy came up behind her and gently tugged at her hair.
“Penny for your thoughts,” he said.
She closed her eyes, but couldn't trust herself to speak.
Rowdy walked down the creek, putting distance between them. He seemed restlessâbothered. After a minute he swung back around. “I have to say something.”
His tone startled her. “Okay.”
“I, um... Look, there is no easy way to say this. I rushed kissing you before because that's what I do. That's what I've always done. If I see something I like, or want, I go for it. No waiting patiently for me. I just go for it. And where women are concerned, that's always been the way I operated.” He paused, looking uncomfortable as he tugged at his collar.
She knew he had a wild background. But hearing him talk about his...love life brought the wall back up around her heart. She hadn't even realized it had just fallen down.
“Lucy, I'm changed.”
Anger that she'd let her guard down crushed over her. “You kissed me the other day out of the blue. How is that âchanged'?” The memory of the kiss surged through her as if it had been only a few seconds since he'd planted his lips on hers.
His eyes filled with distress. “I know. ButâI honestly went a little crazy when we were fighting over that sledgehammer. And I didn't know your story then. I've tried to prove that to you since you shared your story with me.”
She hugged herself tighter. Locking her heart down tight. “Yes. I see that. Butâ”
He came to stand in front of her. The gurgling stream's soothing song only played the tension that was suddenly between them. How could she have even thought she could trust a man who had been with so many women?
“I'm trying to change. I have changed. I haven't dated...for about a year. I'm working at not just jumping inâI've committed to the Lord not to be that man anymore.”
But how could she trust that this was true? Lucy's mind filled with the deceit that Tim had pulled off and she'd never even suspected.
Staring at Rowdy, she didn't think this could get any worse. But she was wrong....
“You need to know the rest of my story, too,” he said, glancing at his boots before meeting her eyes. “I got in trouble about ten months ago when I got mixed up with a married womanâ”
Lucy gasped. “A married woman.”
“I didn't know.”
“How could you not know?” Contempt rang in her words at his excuse. Lucy couldn't believe what he was saying.
“I didn't know her well enough before Iâ Well, you know. Before I got involved.”
Completely disgusted, she spun toward Cupcake. She wanted out of here. Away from him, and if that meant getting back on that horse then so be it. She'd walk away if she had to she was so mad at him.
“Lucy, I'm changed. I am.”
She glared over her shoulder at him. “Ha! You kissed me before.”
“Yeah, I know. Butâ”
“Nope, can't do it.” Cupcake looked up from where she'd moved and was now eating grass, but didn't spook as Lucy took the reins in her hand. She stretched to reach up and grab the saddle horn, but Cupcake was too tall for her to do it on her own.
“Hey,” Rowdy snapped, coming to stand beside her. “I'm trying to talk to you. To tell you that I'm trying to change. That I'm working at not just jumping inâ”
Lucy swung around and jammed a finger in his chest. “Do you even have any compassion for the spouse? For what you put him through?”
“Yeah, even after he busted my nose I felt bad for the guy. But that didn't change anything. And until he showed up, I was clueless.”
“Yeah, well, clueless hits both parties and it's not a good feeling.”
“Look, I know I'm a jerk. I'm sorry it happened to you but I don't date married women.”
“How do you know? If you didn't even take the time to get to know your, your lady friends, then how do you know this was the only one? And besides, I'm sure that excuse made the husband feel okay about the whole incident.” She felt tears leak from the edge of her eyes and brushed them away. He looked defeated suddenly and she hardened her heart as he raked his hands through his hair.
“You have a point,” he said quietly. “I'll help you up and take you home.”
She nodded in agreement, so ready to be gone. Swiping at her face with her fingertips, she turned toward the horse and let Rowdy lift her up so that she could get her foot in the stirrup.
“I can make it back on my own,” she said, and turning Cupcake around, they were off at a slow pace. No bees were in sight.
It wouldn't have mattered anyway. She was so numb she wouldn't have felt them even if they'd swarmed her.