One Stubborn Cowboy (5 page)

"A Memorial Day celebration, with dancing and food galore. There'll be a small band, ladies bring food, guys chip in for the beer and cokes. Oh, Kelly, please come. It's a lot of fun and you'll get to meet everyone."

When Kelly agreed to go, Sally gave her the particulars.

She didn't see Clint or Kit again, but asked Sally to tell them goodbye as she started out. It was dark with no moon, and no streetlights. The driveway from the Lockford house was long and narrow. She drove carefully, not wanting to drive off the pavement. Reaching the highway without mishap, she breathed a sigh of relief as she turned toward home.

The
highway was dark and deserted until a car came right up behind her, the headlights higher than her compact car, the glare in the mirror blinding. She adjusted her mirror down, slowed to let the other car pass. It slowed, as well, Kelly had heard stories of people attacked on long, lonely stretches of rural highway. The other driver would be able to see she was alone. A flicker of fear ran through her. She sped up. The car behind her kept pace.

Kelly strained to see the lights of town. It couldn't be too far. It hadn't taken her long to reach the Lockford place that afternoon. The bright lights of the other car filled hers, keeping her constantly aware of the following vehicle. They were alone on the highway. What if he ran her off the road? Ran into her car? God, where was the town?

She caught a glimmer of light in the distance. Speeding up a little, she soon saw the lights of the houses and the general store. Almost home. She'd be all right, just a little farther.

Slowing for her driveway, she turned in, safe at last.

The other vehicle turned in behind her. Her heart lurched as it stopped just behind her car. She eyed the distance to her door. Could she make a dash for it, have her key ready and get safely inside before the other driver reached her? Her shoulders sagged. There would not be enough time. And using her key would give the other person a few seconds advantage.

Could she make it to Molly's house? Pound on her door, at least let someone know she needed help? She glanced in the mirror. Had the other driver already gotten out?

Suddenly Kelly threw open her door, slammed it shut and stalked directly into the headlights, swerving to come up alongside the high blue-and-white truck.

"Do you know you scared me half to death?" she said through gritted teeth, looking into the dark cab at the figure dimly illuminated by the dashboard lights.

"Just wanted to make sure you got home safely," came the lazy drawl.

"I can take care of myself, thank you."

"Just trying to be neighborly." Was there a hint of amusement in his voice? Did he think it funny she had been practically terrified? If so, he had a sick sense of humor!

"How was I to know who you were? All I saw were bright lights in my rear view mirror."

He flicked off his headlights, plunging them into darkness. "Why don't you yell louder," he said softly, "so all your neighbors will hear you?"

Kelly glanced around. She saw no one.

"I wasn't yelling," she said in a lower tone, knowing she had been. He always put her on the defensive. Had he really followed her due to concern? A small warmth touched her heart. No one had ever worried about her before. Not that she could remember.

She hesitated a moment. Had he really followed her to make sure she got home safely? What if she'd had car trouble, how would he have helped.

Not that it mattered. What did was he'd put himself out to make sure she got home.

"Do you want to come in for a cup of coffee?" she offered, reluctant to have him leave after going to the trouble to follow her home. Beside, she was dying to learn more about Kit Lockford.

He didn't reply at once, and she could almost feel him weighing the pros and cons of such a move. At last he spoke. "Okay, I'll try it."

"I've heard more eager acceptances from people going to the dentist," she muttered. "What are you going to try, the coffee? Afraid I might poison it?"

"No, I'll try the experience of drinking it with a sassy-mouthed termagant."

"I am not." Her voice raised again.

"For all you look like an angel, you have the temper of a shrew and the stubbornness of a mule. You take the cake when complaining about my behavior." he returned.

Kelly didn't know what to say. He'd said she looked like an angel. She smiled, liking the compliment. For the moment she'd ignore the rest of his comment.

"Come in for coffee," she said softly.

Kit opened the door and swung his legs out. The crutches were drawn from the seat and he eased out until he was standing.

"I'll shut the door," she said as he began his slow way to her house. Her heart went out to him as he moved carefully along the uneven walkway. Afraid one or the other crutch would not find a secure place, afraid he'd fall, she hovered alongside, watching the path and Kit, hoping her reflexes would be fast enough.

He stopped abruptly and looked down at her.

"I can manage fine if you'll stop dithering around me. What do you think you're going to do if I fall? Cushion the blow? You certainly couldn't hold me up."

"I was trying to help," she snapped, stalking ahead. "Don't call me if you fall on your face and don't yell and bother the neighbors." She flounced up the three steps to her porch and opened the door. Glancing back briefly she added, "And I'm very strong."

She went down her hall to the kitchen, switching on lights so Kit could find his way. Her temper boiled again.
Dithering!
She had not been dithering. Was it so wrong to want to help?

Flinging her sketch pad on the table, Kelly filled the kettle and placed it on the stove. Kit came in slowly and sank onto one of her chairs, his crutches clattering loudly to the floor.

Kelly jumped and turned to glare at him, knowing he'd done it deliberately. She was as nervous around him as a girl being asked to a prom. Then she smiled. If she were pleasant, it would throw him off guard, make him mad. "I have some cake. Would you care for some?"

"No, just coffee'll be fine." Taking off his hat, Kit put it on the chair beside him, running his fingers through his thick hair. He fingered the sketch pad, pulling it over and ruffling through it. Closing it, he tossed it carelessly aside. Kelly was piqued when he made no comment on the drawings, but refused to show it.

The silence stretched out awkwardly.

"How did you hurt yourself?" Kelly asked at last.

He looked up, his eyes narrowing. "I didn't hurt myself. I became paralyzed from a bull," he stated clearly.

She poured the hot water over the coffee grounds and waited while it dripped. She wondered what the bull had been doing and why Kit hadn't gotten out of the way.

"Both legs?" she asked, her eyes on the coffee slowly filling the carafe.

"Partially. That's the only reason I can maneuver with the crutches. Otherwise I'd be confined to that damned wheelchair all the time."

"Frustrating, I bet." She was careful to keep all signs of sympathy from her voice.

"Are you Mrs. Freud?"

"No, but you look like an active, physical man. The limitation must be frustrating."

Kelly looked down at her hands, wondering at the desire she had to smooth the lines of pain from his face, thread her fingers through his thick, springy hair and hold him close for comfort. He was the last man in the world to want comfort. Especially from her. Yet she wanted to give it.

She swirled around and saw the coffee was ready. Her hands shook slightly as she poured it, and she hoped he didn't notice.

"Do you raise cattle on your ranch?" She strove for a neutral topic, something they could discuss without the tension and strain they forged at each meeting. She didn't want to be angry anymore. She wanted to learn more about him.

"Yeah, Herefords. We have a large herd. I do the paperwork now, Clint ramrods the cowboys."

"How many?"

"We've got a half dozen fellows that work for us all year long, and hire on extra when mustering for market. You interested in ranching?"

"Just trying to learn what I can about the places around here. It's all different and new to me. I've always lived in San Francisco before."

Kit seemed to relax in the pleasant kitchen and began talking briefly about his ranch. His short, descriptive phrases painted a practical picture of cattle ranching. Kelly was an avid listener. She wasn't shy about asking questions if he lost her, or when she wanted more information. It was a fascinating way of life, especially to one born and raised in the city.

He drained his cup and set it down. Reaching for his hat, he looked at her.

"Thanks for the coffee."

"Thanks for seeing me home," she said, feeling suddenly shy. "Next time let me know it's you following."

"There may not be a next time now that I know how capable you are," he drawled, his eyes on her mouth.

Chapter 3

Kit stared at her for an endless moment as time seemed suspended. He longed to feel those soft lips against his. Feel the heat he knew was in her, the passion her fiery words promised. In the past he'd never hesitated, never questioned. He took what he wanted, giving pleasure as he sampled women the way most men only dreamed of. But that had all changed two long years ago.

He hadn't touched a woman since Althea. Gone was the carefree, cocky cowboy of the old days, for all Kelly apparently thought differently. In his place now was a cripple. A man who was only partially a man, scarred and limited.

No one wants to be tied to a cripple.
The hateful words Althea had screamed at him in the hospital echoed over and over.

He turned from the temptation of Kelly Adams and reached for his crutches. Jamming his hat on his head, he slowly stood, steadied himself and started for the door.

"You've done your good deed for the week, Miss Adams," he said mockingly as he started down the hall.

"What does that mean?" Kelly followed slowly, reluctant to have the evening end, knowing he should go before she did something silly, like ask him to stay. Like ask him to kiss her. She didn't even know the man.

But she wanted to.

"Come on, pretty lady, the last thing you wanted tonight was some cripple going on and on about a cattle spread that is only nominally his anymore." He couldn't hide the bitterness. Though the fault was his own, he hated the twist of fate that had landed him in this situation. Hated it even more the past few days than before.

She reached out and stopped his progress toward the door with a warm hand on his arm. He swung around and cocked an eyebrow in question.

Kelly tilted her head to see him better as he took a step closer. Stepping away from his overwhelming masculinity, she backed against the wall, acutely aware of the smoky hue of his eyes, aware of the tension radiating between them. She was unable to look away as she felt herself melting in a dark blue gaze that devoured her. Her heart began a shudderingly slow pounding. She could feel the heat from his body encompass her as she leaned against the wall. When he stepped even closer, her tongue darted out between her lips to moisten than.

He leaned toward her, his eyes narrowed in consideration. "One good shove will knock me down, if that's what you want." He waited a second, then slowly lowered his head and put his mouth over hers.

Kelly trembled slightly at the delight of his touch, releasing a soft sigh. His lips were warm and firm, provoking an unexpectedly deep response from her. Her knees grew weak and she was glad of the wall behind her for support. His touch was melting her through and through.

When he felt her response, he pressed against her. His hard chest crushed against her breasts, his long legs moved to capture hers. His lips opened hers to tease her into a deeper kiss. When his tongue explored the soft reaches of her mouth, he heard a faint moan from her throat. He felt her shyly open her mouth wider, giving him permission for whatever he wanted from her.

The weight of his body pressing against hers was heaven. Her hands brushed against his chest, over his strong arms, moving, questing, as they found the strong column of his neck, and at last felt the springy texture of his hair. Threading it in her fingers, she held him close to her, acknowledging the deepening kiss.