Count on a Cowboy (6 page)

“I know this room needs to be redone, but right now, it’s on the bottom of my list.”

“Oh, no. This kitchen is amazing as it is. I was just admiring the great condition of everything.”

“You can thank my dad. He was the original recycler, and believed in taking care of things he had. He worked hard at ranching and hated to waste anything.” Trent took a bite of his sandwich. “Since there were so many other repairs on my list, I could only paint the walls and cabinets for now.”

“And you did an excellent job.” She smiled. “With running a ranch and now, the cabins to build, you must be pretty busy.”

“Well, since Aldrich took off with the money, it seems the cabins are on hold until we decide what to do.”

And here she was adding to Rory and Trent’s problems. “Then I show up.”

He paused, his gaze locked on hers. “You have nothing to do with our troubles.”

“No, but I’m adding more, especially for Laurel. Probably the last thing she needs right now is to learn about her...mother.”

Trent took a drink of tea. “Honestly, I don’t know how she’ll react to the news. But you drove all this way to meet Laurel, so sticking around a few days is better than going home without trying to connect, isn’t it?”

She wasn’t sure about that. “Yeah, but look at all the time I’m taking from you. You’re stuck babysitting me until the Quinns get home.”

He leaned back in the chair, and she couldn’t help noticing his muscular chest and those massive shoulders. Did the military do that for him, or the ranch work?

He caught her stare and she quickly glanced away.

“Hey, I’ll take your kind of trouble any day. You rescued me yesterday by helping me pack up all that wedding stuff. You took charge yesterday like a drill sergeant.”

She felt a blush cover her cheeks. “What can I say? I have a knack for getting things done.”

Those dark eyes captured her attention for far too long. She couldn’t let this man get to her. Once he learned the truth about her, he might not like that she’d kept it from him.

He rested his elbows on the table. “Have you ever ridden?”

She swallowed hard. “You mean on a horse?”

He gave her an odd look, but she could tell he was trying not to laugh. “Yes, as far as I’m concerned, it’s the best way to see the countryside.”

“You want to take me riding?”

“You seem surprised. I’m sure your sister will want to show you around, too.”

“To be honest, I’ve never been on or around a horse until today.”

Brooke’s first instinct was to say no, but then she realized she’d never taken time just for herself. And why wouldn’t she want to go riding with this rugged cowboy? “I’ll go, but only if you put me on a gentle horse. You’ve got one named Poky or Snail?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

She wanted to believe him, but something deep told her if she wasn’t careful she could get hurt, and in more ways than one.

Chapter Five

Thirty minutes later in the corral, with a borrowed cowboy hat on her head, Brooke sat atop Cassie as Trent adjusted her stirrups. She released a shallow breath to keep calm, but this horse was really big. Looking down, she discovered she was also far from the ground. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.

Trent glanced up at her from under the brim of his cowboy hat. “How does that feel?”

“Okay, I guess.”

“Stand up,” he instructed, then did another adjustment before he handed her the reins. When she held the leather straps in a death grip, his gloved hand covered hers. “Relax. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Oddly, his calming voice made her want to believe him. “Easy for you to say,” she tried to tease and the animal under her shifted. She gasped.

“Whoa there, darlin’,” he crooned to the horse.

“I thought you said she was gentle.”

“Cassie’s just happy she’s getting out of the barn. I’ve been spending a lot of time at the Bucking Q with the cabin construction.”

After a quick pat on the mare’s neck, he walked to a rust-colored gelding named Rango. Taking the reins, he grabbed the horn, jammed his boot into the stirrup, then swung his leg over the horse and sat down in the saddle. He wheeled the horse around and rode him around the pen, and began showing her different commands.

She wasn’t sure she could remember any of them because she was too distracted by the man on the horse. Trent Landry was impressive.

“Just stay close to me,” he said as he rode up to her. “Cassie won’t run off.”

Run off?
Brooke swallowed hard and felt the horse shift under her again. She tensed.

“Relax, Brooke. This is supposed to be fun.”

Fun?
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d just had fun. She nodded. “If you say so.”

He grinned. “You’re going to do fine.” He covered her hands with his. “Remember, relax your hold.”

She did as he asked.

“That’s better. Come on, let’s go and see some of Colorado up close.” He walked his horse toward the gate.

“Okay, girl,” Brooke began, “It’s time to go.” Cassie didn’t move right away. Instead, the seasoned mare swung her large head around, then finally gave a nod. Brooke couldn’t help smiling as Cassie started off.

After a while Brooke began relax into the rhythm of the animal as the trail wandered through a grove of white birch trees. The sun streamed through the foliage, dotting the landscape with light as they made their way toward the foothills.

Drawing in a breath of the mountain air, she let the scent of pine and damp earth fill her nostrils. She looked toward the pasture to see cattle grazing. Some of the bovines raised their heads as if to say hi, then went back to feeding. There was a cute white-faced calf running around the herd as if trying to get someone to play.

Brooke couldn’t stop looking at the striking scenery, or comparing it to the desert where she’d grown up. Such a contrast. Suddenly she realized she was enjoying herself and got a silly grin on her face. She barely refrained from shouting, “Hey, look at me, I’m riding a horse.”

When the trail widened, Trent dropped back and rode beside her. He smiled. “Like some company?”

She tried not to tense up, but this man looked good on a horse, decked out in his Stetson hat and boots. Who was she kidding? Trent Landry would look good even without the cowboy props.

“Sure,” she managed.

They rode along in silence, then he began pointing out some landmarks. What she really wanted was to ask questions about Laurel, also Rory. Yet she didn’t want to give herself away. If Trent discovered her secret, he might not be so willing to let her stay and meet the man she’d never gotten a chance to call father.

Laurel’s childhood had been so different from hers. Brooke couldn’t help wondering if they could ever find common ground, maybe become friends...even sisters. She felt a rush of emotion, thinking about her lonely years growing up.

“You’re looking pretty serious again,” Trent said.

She blinked, feeling the blush rise to her cheeks. “Sorry, I guess I get a little intense sometimes. It’s hard to turn it off. My job is pretty stressful.”

Trent held the reins loosely in his hand and the horses walked slowly along the grassy trail. The easy rocking in the saddle was soothing. She could get used to this.

“And taking care of your mother can’t be easy, either.”

Brooke quickly came back to reality. “She has her good days.”

“She’s probably happy to have you there with her.”

Was she? Brooke had never been sure how Coralee felt. They’d never had the typical mother-daughter relationship. And now with the disease destroying her mother’s mind, she would never know. “I think she’s worried about seeing Laurel.”

He nodded. “Well, it can’t be easy to give up a child.”

And not tell the father that there were two babies. “No, it probably wasn’t, but I guess Coralee had her reasons. I just didn’t know them.”

Trent gave a sideways glance toward Brooke. He was still trying to figure her out. Why did she call her mother Coralee sometimes? His instincts told him there was something she wasn’t telling him. As much as Rory seemed to distrust Coralee, Trent couldn’t help thinking there might be something else going on.

He stole another glance at the pretty blonde’s profile, seeing more and more of a resemblance to Laurel. Although unlike Laurel, he didn’t feel toward Brooke.

About fifteen minutes later, they came up on a creek, and Cassie quickly veered off the trail, heading in the direction of the water.

“Hey, whoa.” Brooke tugged on the reins and looked back at Trent. “Why isn’t she stopping?”

He followed after them. “It’s okay. Just let her go, she’s thirsty. I think we all could use something to drink.”

Trent could see Brooke put slack in the reins and let the horse take her through the trees to the rocky edge. He was impressed with the way she sat in the saddle. It had taken a little while, but she’d finally let the tension ease and sat back to enjoy the ride. He wished he could say the same of himself. He felt the awareness in full alert whenever he got close to her.

Once beside the creek under a large shade tree, the horses began to drink at the rocky edge. Trent went to Brooke, instructing her how to dismount. She managed to swing her leg over the saddle, but he didn’t think she realized the long distance to the ground, or that her legs wouldn’t hold her up. With her sudden cry, Trent gripped her by the waist.

“I got you,” he told her as he steadied her. “It’s not unusual to feel a little shaky.”

“I didn’t realize my leg muscles would turn to mush. We haven’t been riding that long.”

Trent inhaled her soft scent and his body reacted quickly. “Riding isn’t as easy as it looks, and this is your first time on a horse.”

“So the next time will be easier?” she asked as she looked at him from under her cowboy hat. Her big green eyes looked both leery and hopeful at the same time.

“Maybe after a good long soak in a tub.”

Aw, hell, why did he go and say that? Suddenly he conjured up a picture of her naked, covered in bubbles... He glanced away and helped her to the water’s edge. Once Brooke was seated, he went and checked the horses, then pulled a retractable tin cup from his saddlebag.

“Here, use this.”

She took the small cup. “Thank you.” She dipped it into the cool stream to fill it, then took a drink. “Oh, this is so good.”

Her deep moan caused another reaction he didn’t expect. He pushed his hat back. “No need for bottled water around here.”

She scooped up another cupful and his gaze was riveted on watching her long, slender neck as she swallowed thirstily. He fought to keep from reaching out and wiping the water that trickled down her flushed cheek. Once finished, she quickly ran her hand across her mouth and collected any traces of leftover liquid.

“Guess I was thirstier than I thought,” Brooke said as she removed her hat and brushed her hair away from her face, exposing the dusting of freckles across her nose. She turned toward him and looked serious. “Something wrong? Is there dirt on my face?”

“No.” Quickly he crouched down at the creek’s edge, cupped his hands, and concentrated on drinking the cool water. After his fill, he sat down next to her. Maybe not a good idea. He eyed her long legs encased in those slim-fitting jeans. He was far too aware of this woman, and that wasn’t good for either of them. Maybe he shouldn’t work all the time, just find himself a woman to go out with.

Brooke interrupted his thoughts. “You have a pretty impressive backyard, Mr. Landry. Thank you for sharing it with me today.”

“You’re welcome.” Trent readjusted his hat and stared out at the mountain range as a breeze rustled through the trees. He noticed the leaves were beginning to turn autumn colors, his favorite time of year. “I’ve probably explored about every cave and mesa around this property. My dad wanted to make sure his boys knew how to handle themselves.”

“Boys? You have a brother?”

He cursed under his breath for the slip. “Yeah. My younger brother...Chris.” Even though it had been nearly twenty years, a sharp pain sliced through his chest as if the accident had happened yesterday.

“Does he live around here?”

More pain, he swallowed hard. “No, he died a long time ago.”

He couldn’t look at her, but heard her gasp. “Oh, Trent, I’m so sorry.”

He could only nod as the details of that day flooded back. He shook them away and stood. “We should head back.” He went to retrieve their mounts.

Brooke followed him and placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry if I brought up some bad memories.”

He saw the sadness on her face. Although he didn’t deserve it, he wanted to take the comfort she offered. “There are no good memories when a young boy dies.”

Not when his older brother didn’t have the time to watch out for him.

* * *

A
FTER RETURNING FROM
their ride, Trent took care of the horses, then he spoke with Ricky about the chores for the next day before he drove Brooke back to the Bucking Q. After dropping her off at the cabin, he drove next door, relieved that she hadn’t asked him any more questions about Chris.

Still angry, he climbed out and slammed the truck door. Damn. He hadn’t talked about what happened to his brother in years. Why now? And with a virtual stranger? Not that the incident had been a secret. Anyone in town who knew them could probably tell her about Chris’s tragic accident. But he didn’t want to dredge up memories of the awful day that still ate away at his gut.

Once inside, Trent closed the door and ran a hand over his face. He’d spent years trying to rid himself of the demons that followed him even after he moved away to Denver with his mother. Then there was guilt over his parents’ divorce because Wade and Leslie Landry couldn’t get over their young son’s death.

He could still remember the endless silence in the house that had once been so full of laughter with two rambunctious boys. His chest tightened as the raw emotions nearly strangled him.

For years, the pain of coming back to the Lucky Bar L had been agonizing. He’d only returned when he was younger because the court ordered it, but he had trouble facing his father. He hated seeing the sadness in Wade’s eyes. He hated that he’d let his father down by not watching out for his brother.