My Southern Bride (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 4) (15 page)

He butted at Monty Joe again, and tried to stand on Lori.

Now a goat under normal circumstances doesn't seem that heavy, but when two little cloven hooves dig firmly into your thigh and side, all bets are off.

"Ow." Lori shoved at him, then took to her own feet.

Newton licked Monty Joe's arm.

"Let this be a lesson to me." Lori rubbed her side. "Never come between a goat and his romance."

Monty Joe's expression was stormy as he looked at the animal. "That's it. He's going outside."

"In the cold? No way."

"Way."

Obviously he was a man who wasn't about to let a goat get between him and some smooching. Not that she was any happier with Newton at the moment, but perhaps his interference was for the best. Kissing Monty Joe compromised her ability to think clearly, and clearly she needed some clear thinking. "Let's get dinner, and then we'll see. Okay?"

He nodded, not looking much happier, but at least he agreed.

She returned to the kitchen.

Now she knew something was definitely brewing between her and Monty Joe. But how did that improve matters? Earlier, she had decided to keep some distance between her and the hunk o' burnin' love in the den. And where had that resolve gone when it mattered most?

Into the fireplace with the rest of the deadwood.

Not smart.

Not good for her heart.

She should feel grateful to Newton for interrupting the kiss. Even if it was a kiss that should be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Chapter 24

Monty Joe watched silently when Lori came back with their steaks. She was all business as she headed to the fire. Monty Joe shot Newton another scowl.

He might have known that, just when life had started to get interesting, the goat would butt in.

He'd managed to get the goat off the sofa, but Newton wasn't straying far. The last thing Monty Joe needed was a hairy chaperone with horns.

"Should I shove the pan in beside the potatoes?" Lori asked.

"That's probably the best choice," he said, although a voice inside him nagged that the better choice would be for her to head back over to the sofa and forget dinner. He held his tongue on that subject. "It shouldn't take long for them to cook."

Lori did as directed, and from his position on the sofa, he had a lovely view of her backside. She straightened all too quickly, almost as if she sensed his enjoyment. "I'm going to go get some tongs so I can turn the steaks over when they're ready. Maybe a hot pad, too."

"Hurry back." He hoped he didn't sound too much like some moon-struck cowhand.

She was back in minutes. "I've got everything we need for serving dinner." She set plates, silverware and napkins—linen ones—on the coffee table.

Where had she found linen napkins? He had no clue.

But rather than joining him again on the sofa, she marched right over to the fire and checked their dinner. "The steaks look almost done already. They're cooking much faster than I thought they would."

Timing appeared to be his enemy tonight.

She turned the steaks, then thrust the tongs into the fire and dragged the two potatoes to the hearth. Testing them with a fork, she nodded. "These are done."

She placed the potatoes on a plate situated on the coffee table. "I've got some sour cream and butter ready in the kitchen. I'll go get it."

She dashed out and back into the room, and placed the condiments beside the plate.

"I saw a pitcher of tea in the refrigerator. Want some?"

"Sounds good."

She returned with two glasses, then checked the steaks. "Hmm. I hope I haven't overcooked them."

"I'm sure they'll be just fine."

Once their plates were filled, she approached the sofa. At last.

Now, of course, they'd both be busy eating, but at least she'd be sitting beside him.

He hadn't realized quite how hungry he was until he took the first bite of potato. It was downhill from then on until his plate was empty.

As Lori ate, she made cute little yum noises, but like him she concentrated on the food. She finished almost as quickly as he had, then leaned against the sofa back and placed a hand over her stomach. "I'm stuffed."

"You did a great job on our supper. Thanks."

She grinned. "Thank you. I was really worried that I'd screw it up and you'd go without any dinner at all."

"It was delicious."

"Good." She pushed to her feet. "I'll clear our things away."

She became all business again, gathering the dinner items to take away.

Was she avoiding him?

Maybe she regretted kissing him?

She'd certainly seemed to be all in, considering the fact she'd kissed him first. So maybe it wasn't that.

Monty Joe's gaze shot to Newton. Maybe she liked her privacy?

While she left the room, an idea occurred to Monty Joe. He took off his socks and held one out to Newton.

Newton approached and sniffed, evidently liking what he smelled.

This was going to work.

Monty Joe had just enough time to hobble over to the fire and add more wood, so the blaze snapped with warmth as he sat back in the middle of the sofa.

By the time Lori took a seat beside him, his plan was under way.

He wrapped his right arm around Lori's shoulder and pulled her closer, although he kept an eye turned to the hallway for now.

Newton was busy with the sock Monty Joe had balled up and thrown to the far end of the hall. With any luck, the sock would keep the goat distracted for a good long time. If not, Monty Joe had a second one balled up and all ready for tossing.

Lori sighed with pleasure.

He gently massaged her shoulder and relaxed for the first time that day. Truly relaxed.

A man could get used to nights like this. A roaring fire, a good woman and a nearly overwhelming sense of contentment.

"Are you enjoying this as much as I am?"

But Lori didn't respond.

Leaning toward her, he glanced at her face.

She gave every appearance of being the angel she'd been for him these past couple of days. But she also gave every appearance of being totally and completely sound asleep.

He couldn't find it in himself to feel frustrated. Satisfaction curled his lips into a smile as he sat back. It was no wonder she was plumb tuckered out. She'd been handling all of his chores and then some. And here she was, trusting him enough to fall asleep beside him.

Life was pretty darn good.

A log on the fire popped and skittered apart, the only real noise in the otherwise silent ranch house.

Newton returned to the den and made a bed for himself on the hooked carpet in front of the fire.

Even though the weather was due to improve the next day, maybe Lori would consider staying for a few extra days, until he was fully on his feet again. He could use more nights like this one.

As his own eyes grew heavy, he decided to ask her come morning.

Chapter 25

A loud whopping noise dragged Lori from her slumbers. Early morning light filtered through the blinds and spattered the den with sunbeams.

The noise continued as she came fully conscious and pushed herself up—from Monty Joe's chest, where apparently she'd spent the night. She must have fallen asleep almost immediately after dinner.

How embarrassing.

She wiped the sleep from her eyes. Pushing back her hair from her face, she tried to discern the source of the noise.

The window drew her gaze. The sound definitely came from outside the house, to the rear, near the pasture.

The whop, whop, whop sounded kind of like—a helicopter?

Was it some kind of farm equipment?

Circling the house?

Monty Joe woke as well and, like her, he turned toward the window. "What's that racket?"

"I guess it's not a typical ranch sound?"

"No, and by the way, g'morning."

"Good morning to you, too." Lori grimaced. "I guess it's up to me to find out what on earth is going on out there. Do you own a helicopter?"

"Nope. And if it is a helicopter, I hope the pilot has a really good excuse for violating my air space."

"Is it possible to do that?"

"Don't know and don't care. I just want the racket to stop."

Lori climbed to her feet, stretching a little before heading to the window. At first she didn't see anything, but then a shiny red helicopter came into view. She turned to Monty Joe, who'd also risen. "Your air space is for sure being violated. Do you have friends with helicopters?"

"Maybe." Using his cane, he limped to join her at the window. "I don't recognize it."

The helicopter eased down onto the pasture, taking its time, as if making sure the ground would offer enough support. Then the blades slowed. The helicopter had landed.

Lori grabbed her coat. "I'll go find out what's going on."

Monty Joe nodded. "If they don't tell you who they are and what they want immediately, tell them I have a gun—trained on them."

She might have known he had a gun. Probably more like guns galore. But living on a ranch like this, it made practical sense. She merely had little experience with them, other than seeing them now and then in holsters on the hips of law enforcement. "Okay. I'll be right back."

When she exited the house, she turned back and saw Monty Joe watching her every step from the window. Was that a shotgun she made out in his hand?

Oh my.

With her limited knowledge of weapons, for all she knew it could be an AK-47 or a long-range missile. She'd better find out what was going on, fast, before Monty Joe launched World War III.

As quickly as safely possible, she picked her way through the remaining snow and ice to the pasture. From the distance, she saw the pilot, and then someone else stepping from the helicopter. Was that a woman?

Lori groaned. Maybe it was one of Monty Joe's women come to check on him.

As she drew closer, she made out more details. The pilot wore a black, slick-looking jacket, and the woman wore a camel-colored coat over matching slacks. The two didn't look dangerous.

Lori turned back to the house and waved at Monty Joe to let him know it was okay.

Then she began crossing the field. The woman's hair was a deep auburn color, the same shade as... oh, my. It was. Lori couldn't believe it. She rubbed her eyes, but they hadn't deceived her. Standing there on the field was Carolyn Mayes, her boss at the literacy organization.

What on earth was Carolyn doing out here, and in a helicopter for that matter?

Lori ran forward and registered shock when Carolyn pulled her into a hug.

When they stepped back, Lori asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to rescue you."

"Rescue?"