THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET Read online

  “Looking better every day, ” Ana fibbed a little.

  There was a long pause, then Josie asked, “How is Colt doing?”

  Ana had kept in touch with her sisters about everything going on. “I went to the rehab center yesterday. He’s doing well. The therapist says he’s improving every day. It won’t be long before he comes home.”

  “That’s good,” Josie said, then asked, “How did the roundup go?”

  Ana smiled. So her sister had been reading all the emails she’d sent. “The yearlings were shipped off to the feedlot.” She didn’t mention Garrett Temple’s help, knowing the twosome’s history. Not if she ever wanted Josie to return home.

  Ana rushed on to say, “And we’re booked solid for fishing through the fall. Even the foreman’s house is rented the next two months.”

  Josie finally rejoined the conversation, “That’s good, Ana, but as you say, we still need more income. Have you thought about expanding?”

  “Expand how?” Ana asked, happy that one of her sisters, at least, cared.

  “I’ve done several corporate events in the past few years. The most requested is to set up something in a different locale, where it’s quiet and restful, a sort of retreat. If you are serious about having another income for the ranch, there needs to be more housing for larger gatherings. Then the ranch could be rented out for corporate functions, for special fishing events, or even for small weddings.

  “That sounds like an expensive undertaking,” Ana said, knowing they didn’t have the money for such a big venture. “How are we going to finance a project of that scale?”

  “Tori and I are working on that,” Josie admitted.

  Ana loved that the twins wanted to help, but how long it would take, and how much money, was a big worry. “Do you know someone with deep pockets?” she asked, half teasing.

  “You might be surprised. Adding a silent partner could be an option.”

  “Not sure about that,” Ana told her, then looked up and saw Vance standing in the doorway.

  He leaned against the doorjamb, just watching her. She tried to focus on what her sister had to say, but the man’s presence was distracting her. When his dark gaze locked on hers, her heart began to race so fast she had trouble concentrating. “Why don’t you email me the information?”

  Vance stood across the room. He knew he had acted like a jealous jerk, but he couldn’t stay away from Ana any longer. And since he’d talked with Garrett, he knew there had been nothing between the two. His friend admitted he’d cared about Josie.

  So Vance needed to apologize. He also knew it was time to find out how Ana felt about him. From the second she’d returned to the ranch, all those long-ago feelings had been stirred up again. He had to know if he was wasting time. If Ana didn’t care about him at all, he needed to move on.

  When she looked at him with her sapphire eyes, he couldn’t seem to think about much of anything, except how much he wanted her. Before he lost his nerve, he walked into the office and closed the door behind him, his gaze never leaving Ana’s.

  She continued to talk to Josie, but if he had anything to do with it, the conversation was about to be cut off. He went around the desk and Ana’s eyes grew large, but he didn’t stop. He placed his hat in the overstuffed chair beside her, then took the phone from her hand.

  He sat on the edge of the desk directly in front of her as he spoke into the receiver. “Hello, Josie. This is Vance. I have something important to talk to Ana about, so you’ll have to call her back. Later.” He hung up the phone.

  Ana looked shocked. “Why did you do that?”

  He pulled her to her feet, settled her between his legs as his arms went around her waist, bringing her even closer. “So I can do this.”

  He dipped his head and captured her lips. She remained stiff for a second or two, then slowly sighed as she melted into him. Soon she raised her hands around his neck and threaded her fingers through his hair.

  Good Lord. No woman had ever felt as good as Ana. His tongue slipped inside and tasted her essence, only making him want her more. He finally tore his mouth away and looked at her.

  Her eyes were wide with desire. “I take it you don’t hate me anymore.”

  “I never did.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Just jealousy rearing its ugly head. I’m sorry.”

  “Why would you be jeal—”

  He cut off the words when he kissed her again, and again. “Because I want you, Ana. I care about you.”

  Her eyes rounded. “Oh, Vance...” She drew a shaky breath. “I’m not sure. If things don’t work out between us...”

  “How will we know if we don’t give it a try?”

  Her gaze searched his face. “What about Colt?”

  “He’s not here.”

  “He will be,” she stated.

  “Suddenly you need your daddy’s approval?”

  “It’s not that, it’s everything else. Along with Dad, we have a ranch to run together.”

  Vance was hurt that she had so many excuses, but he hid it with anger. He held her back so he could stand. “I guess that tells me what I needed to know.” He reached for his hat, and was heading for the door when she called to him.

  “Vance, it’s not that.... I mean, if it doesn’t work out...”

  He gripped the brim of his hat. “Ana, why don’t you think about it, and give me a call when you decide what you want?” He turned and walked out. A man had to have some pride, even when it came to love.

  * * *

  Sometime in the early morning, Ana got tired of rolling around in bed, and finally got up and went downstairs. She glanced at the clock; it wasn’t even 4:00 a.m. Great. She poured herself a glass of juice and went to the large picture window behind the kitchen table.

  She kept playing over and over in her head what Vance had said to her. I want you. She wanted him, too, but she was scared, scared to give her heart to a man. No, it was just this man. Vance had the power to hurt her, because she already cared about him.

  She heard a noise behind her, then Kathleen appeared. “Sorry, did I wake you?”

  “I was getting up anyway.” Still in her pajamas and robe, the older woman came up to her, looking concerned. “Are you okay, Ana?”

  “Yeah, I’m just a little restless.”

  The housekeeper had been a mother and a friend. “I suspect it’s more than that.”

  Ana started to deny it, but Kathleen interrupted. “Could you be missing a certain man since he moved out of the house?”

  “Crazy, isn’t it? Most of the time we can’t even be civil to each other.” Ana couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened in the office earlier.

  Kathleen sighed. “Sweetheart, you two have been dancing around each other since you came back here to live.” In the predawn quiet, Ana could hear Kathleen’s humor. “So have you decided to do anything about it?”

  Was that it? Did she feel safer dancing around the issue without risking her heart? “Me? Why should I do something?”

  She was met with silence.

  “Maybe I’m scared,” Ana admitted.

  “Love is scary. Don’t let what happened to your parents stop you.” Kathleen turned to her. “All I can tell you is what I know. Vance Rivers is a good man. But when it comes to love there are always chances things won’t work. You have to decide if you’re willing to take it.”

  * * *

  Ana never was one to take risks. She was the oldest, the sensible daughter. She always tried to do the right thing. So why was she walking across the compound to Vance’s house just before dawn?

  She was afraid to answer that question. She was shaking as she walked up the steps, but before she could chicken out, she knocked on the door. She stood there a few minutes and almost felt relieved when there wasn’t a
n answer. Just as she started to leave, the door opened and Vance stood there, wearing only a pair of jeans and a towel draped around his neck.

  Oh, God. She loved looking at this man. She met his eyes and tried desperately to speak, but nothing came out of her mouth.

  “What the hell.” He reached for her, pulled her into the house and closed the door, pushing her back against it. A soft light came from over the stove in the kitchen, letting her see the look of desire in his eyes.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I didn’t like how we left things last night.”

  “So you thought coming here before dawn was a wise thing to do?”

  “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Join the club, lady. You’ve kept invading my dreams since you’ve come home.”

  His honesty shocked her. “Really?”

  In answer, he lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. With a soft moan, she gripped his bare arms, feeling his strength. Yet he held her with tenderness as he placed teasing kisses against her lips.

  “We could bring my dreams to life if you like,” he told her before he gave her another sample. He captured her mouth in a deep kiss, causing her knees to give out.

  He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “I got you,” he whispered.

  She laid her head against his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. “I want you, Vance,” she breathed.

  He pulled back and looked down at her. A slow smile crossed his face. “That’s nice to know, but your timing is rotten. I promised Garrett I’d help him out this morning.”

  “Oh...” What should she do now? She pulled away. “Okay. Sure. I should leave and let you get going.”

  “Wait.” Vance tugged her back into his arms. His gaze moved over her face as his hand cupped her cheek. “I’m just as disappointed as you are. When I make love to you, Ana, I don’t want to rush it. I want to take hours,” he breathed as his lips brushed over her ear. “I want to spend all night making slow sweet love to you.” He raised his head and covered her mouth again. He was breathing hard when he drew back. “I don’t want to leave you right now.”

  She shivered, her own breathing rapid and her imagination running wild. “I don’t want to go, either,” she admitted. Suddenly she didn’t have any pride when it came to this man.

  “Tonight. Come to dinner with me, tonight?”

  “A date?”

  His smile faded. “Is there a problem with going out with me?”

  “No. It’s just...that I promised Colt I’d drop by tonight.”

  “I should be back from Garrett’s by three. I can go with you, then we could have dinner.”

  She suddenly brightened. “I’d like that.”

  “Okay, it’s a date,” he said, leaving no doubt that he wanted to spend time with her.

  “A date.” She started for the door, but he quickly pulled her back and covered her mouth again. By the time the kiss ended she was light-headed. “I’ll see you later.”

  She managed to walk out the door, but she wasn’t sure if her feet ever touched the ground as she made her way back to the house.

  * * *

  Ana hadn’t been out on a date in so long she was having trouble deciding what to wear. She settled for white linen trousers and a sleeveless, peach-colored blouse and heeled sandals.

  When she came down the steps, Vance was waiting for her. He was dressed in black Wrangler jeans, a slate-gray Western shirt and shiny boots, and had his black Stetson in his hand.

  His smile sent a warm shiver up her spine. “You look beautiful.” He stepped forward and took her into his arms. His head dipped, and he placed a tender kiss against her lips.

  “Thank you,” she said. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” She was reaching for her purse when Kathleen walked out.

  “You two have a good time,” she called.

  “We will,” Vance said as he escorted her to his clean truck. The inside was spotless, too. “Someone’s been busy today,” she said as he climbed into the driver’s side.

  He leaned across the console. “I have this special girl I was hoping to impress.” His mouth brushed over hers again, and she sucked in a breath. He pulled away before it got too intense. “Have I succeeded?”

  “I’ll let you know later.”

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later, Vance escorted Ana into the rehab center. He found he was nervous. What would Colt think about him going out with his daughter? Even though Ana was an adult, Vance still couldn’t help but wonder if Colt would think he was good enough.

  He shook off the feeling. Neither he nor Ana were planning to make an announcement to the man. There wasn’t anything to say, anyway. Not yet.

  At Colt’s room they found the door partly opened and the speech therapist inside. Vance froze when he heard the sounds coming from Colt.

  “Dad,” Ana cried as she went into the room. “You’re talking.”

  Colt’s therapist, Carrie Woodridge, stood up. “Ms. Slater, I wasn’t expecting you.”

  Vance noted the panicked look on Colt’s face. He wasn’t ready to share his accomplishments. “Ana, why don’t we leave until Carrie is finished?” He took her by the hand. “We’ll come back.”

  He looked at the therapist and she signaled about thirty minutes. With a tug on Ana’s hand, he managed to get her out the door.

  “But, Vance... I want to help.”

  “But your father doesn’t want you to hear him stumble over his words. You know how proud Colt is.”

  Smiling, Ana nodded. “He’s talking, Vance. I can’t believe how much progress he’s made since coming here.” She glanced around the state-of-the-art facility. “I’m just worried about the cost.”

  “Isn’t the insurance company covering it all?”

  She sighed. “Finding that out wasn’t on the top of my list when Dad needed a place for rehab.”

  Vance had some concerns, too, but he didn’t want Ana worrying. He glanced at his watch. “Let’s go and check with the billing department. It’s early yet. And if we discover there’s money owed, we’ll figure out something. Colt needs to be here.”

  They walked back to the reception area and asked to speak to someone in the accounting department. Moments later, a young, dark-haired woman came through the double doors. She saw them and smiled. “Ms. Slater. I’m Allison Garcia. I understand you need to discuss your father’s coverage.”

  “Yes. We’re not sure what the insurance covers on his bill.”

  The woman nodded, then escorted them back to her office and had them sit down in front of her desk.

  “First of all, are you happy with your father’s care here at Morningside Rehab Facility?”

  “Very much so,” Ana said. “He’s been improving at a remarkable pace.”

  Allison smiled again. “Good.”

  Ana exchanged a look with Vance. “We’re just wondering about the cost.”

  The accountant turned to her computer and brought up the file. “Your father’s insurance is handling eighty percent.”

  “So twenty percent is our responsibility?”

  Allison looked over the paper. “It appears there’s been an adjustment in the bill.” She glanced at Ana. “A lot of times, they adjust the cost for patients.”

  “So there isn’t a balance owing?”

  “As of right now, there isn’t.” Allison smiled. “We’re a new facility, and we’re trying to build a reputation in this area. I’d say your father is a recipient of this good fortune, so the cost has been adjusted.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Ana said as she stood, then thanked the woman for her time and left.

  “Do you feel better now?” Vance asked as they walked out into the reception area.

  “I don’t know. I
t’s nice that Dad has the cushion of a discount, but I’m afraid of all the other bills that are coming in. We’re trying to keep the ranch afloat and we’re barely making it.”

  Vance took her by the hand and directed her into a deserted passageway. “You’ve got to stop this, Ana. You can’t do it all alone.” He leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers. “I’m here, too. We’ll figure this out together. Somehow we’ll come up with other ideas about making money.”

  She nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Stop thanking me. We’re in this together. I don’t want to lose the Lazy S, either. It’s been my home for nearly eighteen years.” He touched her cheek. “That’s how long I’ve cared about you.”

  * * *

  Colt was exhausted from his speech session, and from having Ana walk in. He hadn’t been ready for anyone to know that he could speak, especially Ana. Not yet.

  He could still see the look on Vance’s face. He would be harder to fool about his progress. Colt never could put much past that boy. Of course, Vance River was a good man, and Colt also saw the way he looked at Ana. There was no hiding his desire for her. And there was no doubt there was something going on between them.

  Colt grabbed his walker and worked to stand up, then managed to get himself over to the window to look out at the mountains he loved.

  He thought back over his life, to the happiness of those first few years with Luisa and their daughters, until everything had fallen apart.

  Vance had come into his life by accident. Having him show up at the ranch had distracted Colt from a lot of his pain. He’d had to concentrate on the kid, who’d been so wild he barely had table manners. Vance had also been suspicious toward anyone in authority. Colt couldn’t blame him. Everyone who’d said they loved him had just abused him.

  The one thing Colt had had to do was keep Vance away from his daughters.

  He glanced down into the parking lot now and caught a glimpse of the couple walking toward the truck. Vance tugged on Ana’s hand and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  Colt couldn’t stop them. He smiled. Of course, why would he want to?

  CHAPTER NINE