Resisting Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 5) (10 page)

What was happening to him? When had he grown a conscious?

He’d always had one, it had just been buried behind selfishness. Many women didn’t want a relationship anymore than he did. They only wanted what he had in his pants. Sure, Violet wanted what was in his pants, but he got a strong feeling she wanted more, but fear kept her guarded.

What happened to her in the past that affected her future?

It was none of his business. He hadn’t come here to nurture a cowgirl who didn’t know her path from a hole in the ground. He’d come to learn the ropes for when he had his own land under his thumb. Violet needed a man who had a softer side, an understanding mind—he was too harsh for her.

Good thing she didn’t show up tonight.

He wasn’t the least bit disappointed, although his body ached with need.

Grabbing the remote from the nightstand and his bottle of beer, he drank while he surfed the channels for something to watch—or rather occupy his time. He stopped on a football game, but then a commercial came on. Impatient, he switched the channel. Found a movie on Hallmark, sniffed and started to change it when he got caught up in the story. A ranch. A cowboy. And a beautiful cowgirl. What was there not to like.

“Run, cowboy, before it’s too late.” Keefer said to the TV.

No surprise, the cowboy didn’t run. Instead he made a promise to the lady that he would find her secret and fix her wounds. What the hell?

A tough man didn’t watch girlie shows, especially when he wasn’t trying to impress a woman. Didn’t matter if he understood where the cowboy on TV was coming from or not, and that the woman was stomping on him emotionally.

No…he’d definitely change it. Soon.

CHAPTER NINE

Violet stood by the fence and clicked her tongue. A beautiful paint came trotting up and hung her neck over the top rail. Violet rewarded her with a rub and scratch on her head. “You’re a beauty. Before I leave this ranch I will ride you.”

“Why not take a ride now? I can saddle her up for you.”

Hearing the deep voice, Violet looked up, seeing that she wasn’t alone. “You’re Cal, right?”

He nodded and dipped his hat in greeting. “Yes, ma’am.”

She’d met him when she first came to Walters Ranch. “It’s Violet.”

He strolled across the short space between them and propped his elbows up on the rail. “I remember. I hear Em and Nash are adopting a baby.”

“Yes. They announced the news last night.”

“Wish I could have been there. I was stuck taking care of ranch business.”

“I’m happy for them. They deserve to shower their love on another human. That’ll be one lucky kid.” She gave the horse one last pat and stepped back.

“What about the offer? Want to ride?”

He gave her a dimpled smile and she couldn’t help but smile too. She didn’t know him well, but she got a good sense about him. She wondered if Sapphire had met him yet. “I wish I could. I promised Ruby I’d run errands for her this morning.”

He nodded. “You’re a nurse, right?” He rolled his shoulder and squinted. “I fell off a horse last week and jolted my arm. Didn’t think I did any harm, but it’s still smarting.”

“You fell off a horse and didn’t go see a doctor?”

He laughed. “Hell, I’ve been hurt worse walking on my own two feet. I hope it’s not out of sorts for me to ask for your opinion. If it is, I understand.”

“No, it’s okay. But you’ll have to pull your shirt off so I can take a look.” He wasted no time, turning his back to her once the shirt was off. “Lift your arm.”

He did as she requested. “Damn! That hurts.”

“Here, let me help.” She placed her hands on his elbow, holding it for him as she examined the bruised area around his shoulder blade. The purplish mark spread from his shoulder down along his side. She touched a spot where the skin was swollen at his ribcage. He jerked. “That hurts, right?”

He nodded. “Like a mother fu—” He clamped his mouth tight. “Sorry.”

“You can put your shirt back on.” Once he was dressed, she told him, “You probably have a pulled muscle and that’s why you’re hurting here.” She pointed to his neck. “But I don’t think it’s your shoulder giving you all of the problem. Looks like you have cracked a rib. Without an x-ray I can’t be certain how bad, but you need to see a doctor.”

“I’ll see if I can get away later. I have bales of hay to unload this morning.”

Violet respected the fact that he was strong, but she knew if he didn’t get proper help the bone wouldn’t heal right. “I know it’s busy around here, but do me a favor and go into town and have it checked. You don’t want something worse to happen.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I will.”

A clearing of throat made both of them jump. Keefer was coming their way, his eyes narrowed and his jaw tight. His hands were clenched at his sides. He didn’t take his eyes off Violet as he closed in. Her belly fluttered. She knew she’d have to face him sooner or later.

“Sleep in, did you?” Cal said as Keefer approached.

“No. I’ve been up on the north fence mending it.”

Cal excused himself. Keefer’s jaw remained tight.

“You’re angry that I didn’t show up last night,” she said.

“Not in the slightest.” His voice could have boiled water.

“Then why are you looking at me like you could use me for target practice?”

“Just pissed at the situation. I needed Cal’s help this morning, but I see what he was doing.”

Violet blinked. “What he was doing? He’s hurt and I was helping him—”

“I bet you were.” Keefer brushed passed her, stomping toward the barn.

A little voice inside her head told her to let him go sulk alone, but she didn’t want Cal to get into trouble or look like he wasn’t doing his job. So, she hurried after Keefer, practically running to catch up to him. “I don’t like what you’re insinuating. Cal has suffered an injury. He needs to be seen by a doctor,” she said to Keefer’s stiff back.

“Why when he has nurse Stone? Didn’t you fix him all up?”

“Oh, you’re really going there?”

He came to a sudden stop and she barely missed bumping into him. He turned, nailing her with blue lasers. “I guess I am, not that it matters to me who you nurse.”

“If it didn’t matter you certainly wouldn’t be bringing it up. Why don’t you admit this has nothing to do with Cal and all about last night?” She crossed her arms over her chest, hoping to calm her fast beating heart.

“Like I said, I could care less about last night.”

“It wasn’t meant to happen.”

His jaw hardened to a point she wondered if his teeth would break. “We don’t need to discuss this.”

“Apparently we do.”

“Not now. Not ever. You’re right. We almost fucked up by allowing our feelings to get in the way. No worries. It won’t happen again.” He planted his hands on his hips.

“I’ve come to the conclusion you can’t be talked to.” She turned and marched toward her truck. He was on her heels in no time.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She kept walking. “Figure it out.” He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Yeah, that’s how you are. You like to preach it but you can’t hear it.”

She laughed. “That’s ludicrous. You’re the one who can’t own his own emotions. You say you’re not pissed about me standing you up, but I could prepare veggies on your body. You’re steaming.”

“Then why don’t you just walk away. Better yet! Leave this ranch. “

She scoffed. “I’m not leaving until I’m ready to leave!”

“Then I’ll go!” he stammered.

“Sounds good to me!” She side stepped him and started again for her truck. “I have errands to run and no time to listen to you!” Before she knew what was happening he was behind her and she felt her legs come out from underneath her. He held her in his arms, bracing her against his linebacker chest. “What are you doing? Let me down.” She pushed at his chest, but he didn’t appear to notice.

“I’m going to do what needs doing.” He stomped toward the driveway with her still cradled in his arms.

“Put me down, you-you ogre!”

“I’ve been called worse things,” he muttered.

“I bet you have. By all of those women who kept you warm over the years?” She knew she sunk low, but she couldn’t prevent the slope. She was angry, not even at him as much as at herself. She liked being here in his arms.

“You’re right. By all of those women. I’ve never denied my past. Why don’t you try it some time,” he snarled.

“I have no clue what you mean!”

“Then think about it!” he huffed.

He opened the passenger door to her truck and dropped her in. She slid across the vinyl as the door slammed shut. She straightened herself, tugging her shirt back down her hips. He slid in behind the driver’s seat. “Get out! This is my truck!”

“This conversation ain’t over.”

“Fine. You want to go with me, then get out and let me drive!” She could feel her blood boil. How could he get such a response out of her?

“Like hell you will.” He turned the key, the engine came alive and he shifted into reverse, backing up. “You’re not telling me what to do!”

“Like it would be possible for anyone to tell you anything, you stubborn mule!” Realizing he wasn’t going to get out, she sat back into the seat and strapped herself in the seatbelt. They barreled down the gravel lane, kicking up a cloud of dust. “You’re going to wash my truck,” she mumbled.

****

Keefer’s heart rattled. Not because of anger, but because he’d seen Violet touching Cal’s naked chest.

What was this? High school?

He reached for the seat lever and pushed it back as far as the seat would go for a man his size.

He’d never been so irritated in his life, although after Violet said what she was doing to Cal, the stiffness in his body disintegrated some, but what remained was so much more dangerous. He cared for her. Damn!

He gritted his teeth and concentrated on the road ahead, searching to focus on something other than her long legs sticking out from the frayed shorts. There was a hole situated so close to her inner thigh, he had a strong urge to lick the creamy, smooth skin.

He scratched his jaw. Time to take a breather. “We both need to calm down,” he said aloud, looking at her and she gave him a mess-with-me-and-you’ll-die look. He bit back a smile. She huffed a curse word under her breath as he pulled the truck onto the main road, heading toward town.

“I should be driving”

“Do you have a problem letting someone else in the driver’s seat once in a while?” He looked at her profile.

“I have a problem allowing an angry man to take control.”

He started to smile but it fizzled. He blinked as he wrapped his brain around her words. He slowed the truck and tightened his grip on the wheel. “Is that the issue, Violet?”

“Issue? The only one with an issue is you.”

He leaned into the cushioned seat and resisted looking at her again.  “A man has made you afraid of emotion.”

She turned her cheek, staring out of the window. “Just drive.”

He realized she wasn’t going to talk to him, but at least she was no longer angry. “Cal’s a good guy.”

She popped her head around. “Yes, but why are you saying this?”

He shrugged. “He’s the kind of man a woman deserves. He’d treat a woman like gold.”

“Are you attempting to play matchmaker?”

He chanced a glance at her. She was frowning. “I’m only saying.”

“Don’t say anything. It’s just too weird. And certainly don’t try and push your friends on me. That’s sick. That might be how they do it on the circuit, but not in real life.”

“I wouldn’t try to push you off onto any other man.” He tore his hat off and placed it on the seat between them. “He’s a great guy, but he’s not the man for you.”

“Is that right? Because you know what type of man I need, do you?”

“You’d eat him up and spit him out like a watermelon seed. You need a man who can tame that free-spirit.”

She laughed but it lacked humor. “Just like a man. Thinking he needs to be in control.” She sniffed loudly.

“Hell, that’s not how I meant it.” He slowed as they came to a bend in the road. When they pulled out of the curve, he stepped on the gas.

“Sure sounded like it. Maybe you need a free-spirited woman to tame your stubborn ways?”

“I’ll be the first to admit I need a woman who can fry an egg with one look.” He glanced at her, loving the way her chocolate morsel eyes sparkled in the sunlight. The way her hair hung wildly around her pink cheeks. She had the potential to draw him in.

“Have someone in mind?” Her soft voice tantalized his nerve endings.

“Don’t do that,” he practically growled.

“Do what?” She leaned against the door, watching him.

“Play me like a fiddle. Won’t work. Won’t let it.”

“You’ve got my intentions all wrong,” she said.

“I know that you realize how much I want you. That makes you dangerous.” He wanted to blow the lust right out of his body.

“I’ve told you. What we have, between us, it’s dangerous, not me. I can’t even think when I’m around you.”

A laugh bubbled up into his chest. “My God, we’re a pair. Most people fight because they can’t stand each other, but we’re going at it because we’re crazy for one another.”

The smile that she’d been trying to hold back blossomed on her lips. “It sounds ridiculous. Doesn’t it?”

“Completely. Maybe we should change that.”

“You’d like that, huh?”

“A cowboy can only hope. Do you have anywhere pressing to be?” he asked.

“If picking up an antique arch from Miller’s is urgent.”

“It can wait. I do believe the old man stays open until dark. If we don’t make it in time, blame it on me.” He turned left at the light and headed on a road that would lead them out of town. “A road trip is in order. I have something I want you to see.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

She glanced at the dashboard. “You have gas in the tank?”

“Ah, not in the mood for walking? Those boots certainly would get you further than the heels.” He skimmed his glance down her legs to the brown leather. “Although they’re new and not broken in.”

“These are Ruby’s. She took pity on me and handed them over.”

“Just as you handed over the heels to Edie. I see how this works.” He winked.

“Sharing is caring. Men don’t share?”

“Tools, trucks and horses, yes. Women, food and clothes, hell no.” He rolled down his window.

“Were those the rules in the circuit? I’ve heard sharing women happens a lot.” She turned her harsh gaze on him.