The Rough and Ready Rancher (12 page)

When his steps faltered and a growl rumbled up from deep in his chest, she laughed. “Does the Texan have a problem?”

“Not for long.” Flint shouldered open the door to his room and set her on her feet. “This Texan is about to prove T-shirt sayings are based on fact.”

He started to pull her to him, but Jenna side-stepped his grasp. “A few days ago we made a deal.”

He looked confused. “We did?”

She nodded and took hold of his shirt to draw his head down to hers. “Your turn, cowboy.”

“My turn?” His face lit suddenly. “To do the stripping?”

“Uh-huh.”

Flint grinned and bent to take off his boots. He was as excited at the thought of stripping for Jenna as he'd been when she stripped for him.

“Music.” He pointed to the bedside table. “If I'm going to do this right, I need music.”

Jenna switched on the clock radio and a Garth Brooks song filtered into the room. She grinned. “This should be interesting.”

By the time he had them undressed, his exaggerated bumps and grinds, his outrageous lip-sync about friends hanging out in low places, had them both collapsing on the bed.

He'd never before thought of laughter and playfulness as arousing, but with Jenna it seemed all things were possible. “Did that meet your expectations, darlin'?”

Jenna laughed. “You should take that show on the road, cowboy. You're quite talented.”

He shook his head and gathered her to him. “That was just for you, Jenna. Only you.”

The friction of flesh on flesh, male touching female, worked its age-old magic, and their amusement quickly faded.

Flint gazed down at Jenna for endless seconds. He found he wanted to give to her in a way he'd never given to any woman, to take her to heights never before reached. Trailing kisses down the length of her, he pressed his lips to the inside of her thigh.

“Flint…”

Waves of desire shot through her at the first intimate contact of his kiss, and Jenna clutched his hair. Never had pleasure been so keen, so intense that it bordered on pain. Without warning, she was poised on the edge, her body tight with feeling, her mind reeling with wild need. Flint took her beyond the brink, then, with a tenderness that
brought tears to her eyes, he slowly rose above her and joined their bodies in one smooth stroke.

Pleasure—exquisite and perfect—raced through her again, and Jenna felt as if her heart had been branded by the power of it. Surprised by the force of her fulfillment, she cried out as Flint took her to a place only lovers go, and moments later she felt his soul touch hers as he gave in to the force of his own climax.

W
hen Flint got out of the truck and walked across the ranch yard toward her, Jenna smiled. He'd left early that morning to go visit Ryan and Whiskers up in Oklahoma, and she'd found her day interminable without him.

“Did you have a nice trip?”

“Not as nice as if you'd been with me,” he said, putting his arms around her.

His warm breath close to her ear sent a streak of longing straight through her. “You know I couldn't leave Cooper here alone. He's only been out of the hospital three days.”

The back door slammed, and Flint stopped nibbling on her ear. “Speaking of your brother, we'd better go see if he needs help.”

Jenna rushed forward at the sight of Cooper descending the porch steps, while trying to balance his cane and a lawn chair. “Why didn't you ask for help?”

“Dammit, Jenna! I can do a few things for myself. Just
back off and stop hovering.” Cooper looked at Flint. “Can't you manage to keep her busy, McCray?”

Flint grinned and took the chair. “I'm doing my best.”

“Try a little harder,” Cooper grumbled. He glared at her. “She makes me nervous.”

“You make
me
nervous.” She watched her brother limp toward the corral. “You've only been out of the hospital a few days, and Dr. Langston told you to take it easy.”

Cooper frowned. “If I take it any easier, moss will start growing on my butt.”

“Moss on your backside beats pushing up daisies.”

“Look, Sis, if I have to watch one more cap-toothed, game show host give away a year's supply of dog food or laundry detergent, I'm going to go crazy. Now leave me alone.” Cooper pointed to an oak tree near the corral. “I'm going to sit over there and watch you work with Satin.”

Jenna could understand her brother's restlessness, his need to be out in the fresh air. He'd always been very active, and to be confined for almost two weeks had to be nerve-racking. But he needed to take it easy, and she intended to see he did.

Once Cooper was settled in the chair Flint set up for him, she went to saddle the stallion, and by the time she led Black Satin into the round pen, she had a full-fledged audience. Assisted by Jed and Tom, Jim used his crutches to walk over from the bunkhouse, and the three had joined Flint and Cooper under the oak tree.

“Do you mind putting on a show for the walking wounded?” Jim asked, settling in the chair Jed brought with them.

“Not at all. Satin needs to get used to working in front of an audience.”

She mounted the stallion and, starting with a warm-up, moved on to the patterns he would need to execute in competition. Using the reins and leg pressure, she put Satin
through a series of spins, loped him in both large and small circles, brought him to a sliding stop, then directed him to back up.

“That stallion don't act like the same horse,” Jed commented, his disbelief evident.

“If I didn't know better, I'd swear somebody replaced Satin with a ringer,” Tom added.

“I haven't seen a horse yet that my little sister couldn't train,” Cooper said, smiling proudly.

Satisfied with Satin's performance, Jenna patted the stud's ebony neck and rode over to the side of the corral where the men sat. “Looks like my job here is almost finished.”

A deep scowl lined Flint's features. “Boys, I need to talk to Jenna. Jed, help Jim to the bunkhouse. Tom, you see that Cooper gets back inside.”

When the grumbling men were out of earshot, Flint demanded, “How much longer before Satin's training is finished?”

She pulled the saddle from the horse and placed it on the top board of the fence. “A couple of days.”

“Where's your next job?”

She brushed Satin with vigorous strokes. “From here I go back to Cal Reynolds's Houston ranch, then Fort Worth. Why?”

“How would you like to train those horses here?”

Jenna searched Flint's face. She'd observed his frown at the mention of her job being completed, and a bubble of hope began to form. “What do you mean?”

“After paying Cooper's hospital bill, it's going to be some time before you have enough for your own place.” He took the brush from her hand and pulled her into his arms. “Besides, I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay here with me.”

“Why?”
Say it, Flint. Tell me you love me.

The seconds ticked by as Flint stared down at her. “Because this is where you belong.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because you love me.”

“And?”

He hesitated. “I want you. You're the most exciting, passionate woman I've ever met. We're good together.”

“That's not enough.” She stepped away from him and led Satin to the pasture gate. Releasing the stallion, she turned back to Flint, tears blurring her vision. “You want me to stay, but with no strings attached?”

His hands propped on his hips, Flint shook his head. “I didn't say that.”

“What are you saying, Flint?” she asked softly.

“You know I care for you,” he hedged.

“But?”

She watched him rub the back of his neck in an obvious effort to relieve the tension. “I still have some things to work through.”

Jenna felt a chilling numbness settle over her. “I'm not your ex-wife, Flint. I'm not Nicole.”

“I never said you were.”

Tears ran unchecked down her pale cheeks. “You didn't have to.” Jenna squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Cooper and I will be leaving the day after tomorrow, as soon as I finish Satin's training session.”

When she turned to walk away, Flint reached out to stop her. “Jenna—”

“No, Flint.” She shrugged out of his grasp and started for the house. “There's nothing left to say.”

 

Jenna shivered against the icy solitude of her bed a moment before she threw back the covers. She couldn't stand another minute lying there while her mind and body warred with her heart.

She loved Flint, ached for his touch. But if he couldn't believe in her, then they had no basis for a relationship and no reason for her to stay on the Rocking M.

She sniffed and padded barefoot down the stairs and into the kitchen. She rarely ever cried. But with her emotions in such turmoil, she couldn't seem to stop. Maybe if she drank some milk it would help her relax enough to sleep for what few hours were left of the night.

“What's wrong, little sister?” Cooper asked, leaning against the door frame.

Whiskers's room was off the kitchen and, afraid she might disturb her brother, she hadn't turned on the overhead light. But from the moonlight streaming through the window, she could tell he'd been up for some time. His dark-blond hair was mussed as if he'd run his hands through it several times, and his face wore a ravaged look.

“Did you have the nightmare again?”

He gave her a tight nod. “Each time I close my eyes.”

“The doctor told you it might be a while before you stopped reliving the accident.” She opened the refrigerator. “Would you like some milk? It might help you relax.”

“No.” He walked over to sit down at the table. “And it won't help you, either.”

“It might.”

Cooper snorted. “Milk never has been, nor will it ever be, a substitute for a man's arms.”

Jenna sucked in a sharp breath. “What do you mean?”

“Don't play dumb, little sister. Your room is right above mine. Tonight's the first night you've been in there since I was released from the hospital.”

“Oh, Lord. I…I didn't realize—” She closed the refrigerator door, the milk forgotten.

Cooper shrugged. “It's no big deal. You're an adult. And besides, I know you and McCray are in love.”

Without warning, tears began to stream down Jenna's cheeks. “Oh, Cooper, you couldn't be more wrong.”

In spite of the soreness from his injuries, Cooper was at her side, folding her into his arms. “What's wrong, sweetheart?”

“Nothing. Everything,” she sobbed. “Oh, Cooper, I love him so much.”

“So what's the problem?”

She buried her face in his shoulder. “He doesn't love me. If he did, he'd believe in me.”

“Now hold it,” Cooper said, drawing back to look at her. “I know he cares for you. I've seen that with my own eyes.”

Jenna nodded. “But he doesn't trust me.”

“Why don't we sit down and you tell me all about this?” Cooper led her to the table. “Then I'll decide whether or not I'm going to have to kick McCray's butt.”

“Are you sure you're up to it?”

He grinned. “I may have to wait a month or so before I can do the job right, but rest assured, I'll do it.” Taking her hand in his, his expression became serious. “What's wrong, little sister?”

Jenna took a deep breath, and by the time she finished telling him about Flint's ex-wife's greed and how she kept Ryan from him, Cooper was shaking his head.

“No wonder Flint has his doubts about getting involved with another woman. I'd feel the same way if some woman did that to me.” Cooper squeezed her cold hand. “Give Flint some time, little sister. He'll eventually get a handle on things, then nothing will stand in the way of you two working things out.”

“But how long will that take?”

“A day, a week, a month. I don't know.” Cooper smiled. “But I don't think it will take too long. From what you've said, Flint doesn't want you to leave.” His smile turned to
a chuckle. “I know if I had it that bad for a woman, I'd move heaven and earth to see she stayed put.”

Jenna shrugged. “Maybe you would, but I'm not so sure about Flint.”

“I am,” Cooper said firmly. “He'll find a way to stop you from leaving.”

“But what if—”

“Trust me. He will.” He slowly rose to his feet, then pulled her up beside him. “Now go get some sleep, little sister.” He winked. “If you don't, you'll look like I feel.”

Her smile tremulous she asked, “Are you going to be all right?”

“Sure thing.” Cooper started to enter his room, but turned back. “What's Jed's last name?”

“Summers,” Jenna answered. “Why?”

Cooper shook his head. “He sure doesn't seem to like me much. He takes off every time I try to talk to him. I know I've seen him somewhere before, but for the life of me, I can't remember where.”

“You probably met him when you stopped by a few weeks ago. And don't worry about his being unfriendly. From what I've seen he's a loner.”

“I don't think so.” He looked thoughtful. “Jim was still in the hospital, and Tom and Jed had the night off. The only one of the guys I met was Brad. By the way, where was Brad tonight?”

“Flint sent him to check out another packing house he thinks might be accepting the stolen cattle.” She yawned. “He should be back sometime tomorrow.”

“You'd better get back to bed, little sister.”

She kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Cooper.”

“Everything will work out. Wait and see.” He chuckled and started through the door to his room. “If they have to, big brother and his Smith & Wesson will make sure of it.”

 

By the time Flint finished off his first pot of coffee, his head felt as if it had gone down from the size of a beach ball to that of a basketball. He knew better than to mix inner strife with a bottle of Scotch, but like a fool he'd done it, anyway. And this morning he had to pay the price. Only now he faced it with an unmercifully throbbing head, a stomach that churned like a cement mixer and eyes so bloodshot they could be used for road maps.

The ringing phone made him wince. The sound felt as if it went straight to the center of his brain and just sat there vibrating.

He picked up the receiver before it could ring again and cause more pain. “Rocking M,” he said quietly.

“Flint?” Jed sounded excited. “I think you'd better get up here to the Circle S shack as fast as you can.”

Instantly alert, Flint straightened. “What's up?”

“I caught a couple of the rustlers.”

“Can you hold them?” Flint asked, his headache forgotten.

Jed chuckled. “I reckon so. I've got 'em trussed up like prized pigs.”

“I'll be right there.” Flint pressed the flash hook, dialed Sheriff Bartlow to report the situation, then took his rifle from the gun rack. On his way to saddle his horse, he met Jenna coming out of the tack room.

“What's up?” she asked, pointing to the rifle.

“Jed called on one of the cell phones. He caught some of the rustlers up at the old Circle S cabin.”

He reached out to trace the dark circles under her eyes. He wanted to tell her how much he'd missed her last night, how even through the liquor-induced fog in his brain he'd craved her touch. But now wasn't the time.

“I need to get up to the cabin,” he said, dropping his hand to his side. “We'll talk when I get back.”

“Flint, I don't—”

He put his finger to her lips. “When I get back, darlin'.”

Resigned, Jenna sighed. “All right.”

Flint caught the bay, saddled and mounted it, then rode up beside her. Leaning down he gave her a quick kiss. “We'll work things out.”

Watching him ride from the ranch yard, Jenna stood staring in the direction he'd headed long after he disappeared from sight. She loved Flint so much her insides ached with it, but could their problems be solved that easily? By catching the rustlers, any lingering doubts he had about her being involved would be erased. But was that enough for him to trust her?

Shaking her head, she walked toward the house. She just wasn't sure he'd ever be able to put the past behind him and trust again.

“Where did Flint go?” Cooper asked when she entered the kitchen. “He took out of here like a scalded dog.”