Wrangled by the Watchful Cowboy Page 13

  His grin indicated he found the situation amusing, rather than frustrating.

  “Yeah, she seemed irritated that I got injured.” Cord picked at a thread where a button was missing from his shirt. “I’m sorry you came out here for nothing.”

  “The trip was productive. I had a meeting in Houston with Cole before I drove over here,” Finn said. “But I wouldn’t have missed watching you get gored by a bull and somehow live to tell about it. I’m waiting for you to walk on water.”

  Two paramedics walked past with a litter and set it on the ground beside Mason.

  “Finn, I hate to tell you this, but I think I’ll be staying here in Sage Valley after all.”

  “I thought you wanted to work from the Houston office?”

  “Things have changed…”

  Finn heaved an audible sigh. “By any chance, does this have something to do with a woman?”

  Heat rose up from his neck to his hairline. “There was a woman, but not anymore. She was the reason I was interested in Houston.” Cord fidgeted with the zipper on his vest. “You probably think it’s dumb to make career decisions based on a girl.”

  “It depends,” Finn said. “Do you love her?”

  “I do. But she doesn’t. She got back with her ex-fiancé tonight.”

  Finn twisted, aiming his scrutinizing gaze at Cord. “If you love her, nothing is more important. Not your job. Not your location. And especially not your pride.”

  Cord finally understood the term dumbstruck. He was so shocked to hear Finn’s advice, he couldn’t respond.

  “Have you told her?” Finn asked.

  “Uh… not exactly.”

  “That would be a no. What are you waiting for?”

  “Just a minute. Aren’t you the guy who swore he was never getting married? Seems like you’re giving the opposite advice to me.”

  Finn sagged against the fence, staring ahead. “Cord, you probably don’t realize this, but I have cystic fibrosis.”

  “What does that mean?” he asked, though he was afraid to hear the answer.

  “It means the life expectancy for someone like me is only thirty-seven years.” Finn climbed to his feet and dusted off his jeans. “But if I were healthy, like you, I wouldn’t let anything stand between me and the woman I love.”

  “Oh.” He wanted to say something more, but what could he say? Should he rant about how unfair life is? Should he offer a trite everything-works-out-for-the-best?

  “I’d better go. They’ve got the ambulance pulled up to the gate. And the dragon-lady is giving me the evil-eye,” said Finn, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “Let me know what they find at the hospital.”

  “About my job. I guess I’ll—”

  “Don’t worry. Whatever happens, we’ll work something out.” Finn waved as he strolled away, stopping to speak to Mandy.

  “Looks like my ambulance is ready,” called Mason as he passed by on his litter. “I’ll see you at the hospital.”

  Cord shivered at the thought. His memories of the hospital were of his dad hooked up to wires and tubes like a science experiment. “I don’t like hospitals,” he mumbled under his breath.

  “Cord Dennison!” a familiar voice called. “You’d better be dead. Because if you’re not, I’m going to kill you.”

  Nick’s joke had Cord smiling for the first time since he woke up.

  “Maybe you should wait to see whether I’m dead or not before you tease me about it.”

  “I’d know if you were dead. This is Sage Valley.” Nick loomed over him with a jovial expression. “There’s no patient privacy here. Half the people here are watching through the fence, and the other half are listening to the PA system broadcast your health updates to the rodeo grounds and three surrounding counties.”

  The laugh Cord couldn’t suppress wracked his body with stabs of pain. “Ow! You really are killing me.”

  “It’s payback for screwing up my sister.” Nick sat beside him, propped against the fence. “She’s on a bench by the spiced pecan stand, crying her eyes out, and I can’t get her to come in here and talk to you.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Had Parker upset her? Cord would chase the man down and pommel him into the ground… if only someone would help him stand up.

  “She’s a woman,” Nick said, as if that explained everything. “She said something about your injury being all her fault and how you must hate her now.” He scrunched his shoulders, sheepishly. “Could be because I told her you saw her with Parker.”

  The puzzle pieces fell into place—Jess felt guilty about her choice.

  If I coerce her into choosing me over Parker, I’m no better than him.

  “Tell her I respect her decision,” Cord said, trying to convince himself, as well as Nick. “Tell her if Parker’s who she really wants, I’m happy for her.”

  Speaking the words out loud made him want to throw up.

  “Are you sure that’s what you want me to say?” Nick flashed a twisted grin.

  “Not when you’re wearing a smirk the size of your ego,” Cord said. “What am I missing?”

  “Maybe one tiny little detail.” Nick’s eyebrows danced on his forehead. “J.J. gave Parker the boot.”

  Cord’s breath caught in his throat, hope springing to life again. If Nick was right, Cord still had a chance with Jess. He’d have to be patient and stay in the friend-zone, but eventually, she might learn to love him. As long as he didn’t push her.

  “I need to talk to her,” said Cord, as he tried to get to his feet. “Help me up.”

  “What are you doing? You can’t just walk out of here.” Nick stood, grasping Cord’s arm.

  “Why not?”

  “You have to go to the hospital to get checked out.”

  “To get poked and prodded and told I have broken ribs and there’s nothing they can do? I don’t think so.”

  Nick jerked his head toward the front of the corral where the paramedics were loading Mason into the ambulance. “You won’t be able to get past that blond bulldog at the gate.”

  “I will if you change shirts with me and let me borrow your hat.” Cord took his vest off and tossed it against the fence. “Quick, while they’re busy with Mason.”

  With a rueful shake of his head, Nick unfastened his buttons and slipped his shirt off. “If I get carted away to the hospital in your place, you’d better come rescue me.”

  “Don’t worry.” Cord winced as he contorted to slide into Nick’s slightly-too-large Texas shirt. “The worst they’ll probably do at the hospital is stick you with a big-dog needle and give you an enema.”

  Nick snorted. “They’d have to catch me, first. Hey… where’re your buttons?” He stretched the sides of the shirt together. “Never mind. It doesn’t reach anyway.”

  Cord snatched the cowboy hat from Nick’s head and slapped it on, pulling it low over his eyes. “She’s at the pecan-stand, right?”

  Nick nodded, taking Cord’s spot against the fence. “Good luck with the bulldog.”

  “I’ll get past her.” With his chin tucked down, Cord took a few trial steps, trying not to wince.

  “I was talking about J.J.” Nick roared with laughter.

  For the third time, Jessica wiped her face with her fingers and took a deep breath, working up her courage.

  I have to go see Cord. What’s the worst that can happen? He already hates me, so it can’t get any worse.

  Nothing but her stubborn pride was standing in her way. She didn’t want to face him now and admit what she should’ve known weeks ago. She was in love with him. Why couldn’t she have seen it before she hurt his feelings?

  She edged forward to rise from the bench, but her legs refused to cooperate. With her face in her hands, she leaned forward, her hair cascading down like a blanket.

  A man stopped in front of her, wearing jeans and cowboy boots, too dirty to recognize. With a quick glance, she spied Nick’s t-shirt, and her spirit sank. That her brother was already back from seeing Cord wa
sn’t a good sign. The conversation must not have gone well, or Nick would be cracking one of his usual jokes.

  Closing her eyes, she slumped against the back of the bench in defeat.

  “Is this seat taken?”

  “Cord?” She looked up, her heart beating inside her throat. “What are you doing here? And why are you wearing Nick’s shirt?”

  His smile looked strained, but it still made her insides turn to Jell-O. Or maybe ice cream… melted.

  “I’m hiding from a beautiful blonde named Mandy.”

  “Who’s she? An old girlfriend?” A bit of jealousy crept into her voice, though she knew she didn’t have the right to it.

  “Mandy’s a paramedic who’s bound to have figured out Nick and I switched shirts by now. She’s evil. She’s trying to make me go to the hospital.”

  “Don’t you need to go?”

  “No. I’m fine.” He flashed his knee-weakening dimples. Lucky she was sitting down. “I’d rather take a walk with you.”

  She took the hand he offered, but noticed he winced when he helped her stand up. “Cord, you lied to me. You’re hurt!”

  “I promise to go to the hospital later. I’ll even let you drive me. But don’t you think we need to talk?”

  She looked down to their joined hands and whispered, “Yes.”

  Fingers laced together, he led her away from the bright lights of the arena, down the path that wound around toward the river, with the moon lighting their way. His gait was definitely slower than usual, though steady, and she worried that he was hiding how badly he was injured.

  As the noise of the crowd faded, only the chirps of crickets and frogs rang in their ears. He was quiet, probably waiting for her to apologize. For once, she was ready to swallow her pride.

  “I’m sorry, Cord. I’m sorry for everything.”

  “Everything?”

  His solemn expression tore at her heart. She must’ve hurt his feelings even worse than she realized.

  “Everything. For what I said this morning. For letting Parker come. For not being honest.”

  “Will you tell me the truth?” His voice shook with emotion. “Are you still in love with Parker?”

  “No.” Her answer was quick and firm, but he didn’t respond. What was he thinking? At least he was still holding her hand. Surely that was a good sign.

  “How do you feel about me?” he asked.

  With her face burning, she was glad for the cover of darkness. “I like you.”

  Why did my voice come out weird and raspy? He probably thinks I’m trying to sound seductive.

  They walked on in silence, and she got more embarrassed with every step. He hadn’t replied, and she knew why. He must not like her anymore. He must be trying to figure out how to let her down easy. After what seemed like an hour—probably more like sixty seconds—she jerked to a stop, ripping her hand from his grasp.

  “Why don’t you say something? If you can’t forgive me, I can take it. Just tell me what you’re thinking.”

  His sigh was deep and heavy. He reached for her hands and lifted them together to press his lips to her fingers. “I don’t know what to say. Because tonight, I realized I’ve been taking my life for granted. So I want to be honest and tell you how I really feel, but I don’t know how you’ll react.

  “Try me,” she breathed, listening to him, over the noisy pulse in her ear. “Tell me the truth.”

  “How about if I show you?”

  His hands rose and cupped her face, the fingers of one hand sliding along her jaw to tilt her chin up, leaving a trail of burning lava behind. Even in the moonlight, his eyes sparkled, drawing her into their crystal depths. His mouth lowered to her ear, his warm breath sending tingles down her spine.

  “You’re so beautiful, Jess. Just looking at you makes my heart ache. I have to touch you to believe you’re real.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “Nobody’s ever called me beautiful before.”

  “Then every other guy was either blind or stupid, because you’re incredible. And the amazing thing is you’re beautiful on the inside, too.”

  His lips moved in a scalding line from her ear, along her cheek, to her mouth. When he pressed his lips to hers, it felt as if their souls were singing together. His kiss, tender at first, then hungry, triggered exploding stars under her eyelids. His hand tangled in her hair, pulling her against him as he deepened the kiss. Blood rushed to her head, and the world tilted. She clung to him against the dizzying flood of sensations, her arms wrapped around his back.

  He let out a moan. “Ow… my ribs…”

  “I’m so sorry!” She pulled away. “I forgot you were injured.”

  “I don’t care about the pain. It hurts way more to be without you.” He reached for her hands and kissed each one, placing them firmly around his neck. “I don’t ever want to feel that again. Not ever.”

  His hands cradled her head as he looked deep into her eyes. “I love you, Jessica.”

  Her heart thumped against her ribcage, warmth rushing through her veins. “I—”

  “Shhh!” He put a finger to her lips. “I know you’re not ready to hear it, but I had to tell you. We don’t know how many days we have left on this earth. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. So I don’t want to waste a day, pretending I only like you as a friend.”

  “But I—”

  “You bring out the best in me, Jess. You make me want to be a better man. And you aren’t afraid to tell me when I’m being stupid. I may not like hearing it at the time, but I love you for it.”

  “I’m so—”

  “There’s no pressure.” He waved his hand in front of her face. “I’m willing to wait as long as I have to. That is, if you think there’s a chance that someday, in the future, you might feel the same way.”

  “I—”

  “But I’m not pushing you. Do you understand? I’m not like Parker.”

  “Cord!” His name exploded out of her mouth, as she stomped her foot.

  “What?” Wide eyed, he took a step back.

  “Stop cutting me off!” Her hands were balled up so tight her fingernails bit into her palms.

  “Okay…” He blinked at her.

  “I was trying to say I love you, too.”

  “You do?” The muscles in his throat seemed to convulse. “Because it sounds kind of like you hate me.”

  “No, I’m just frustrated because you wouldn’t let me talk.” She folded her arms over her chest. “But, I love you. I really do. I just hadn’t figured out how to tell you.”

  “You really love me? Are you sure?” He pried her tightly twisted arms apart and took her hands, rubbing his thumbs across her fingers in a way that made her irritation float away like smoke in the wind.

  “Don’t get a big head or anything,” she said, “but I’ve been in love with you since I was thirteen.”

  His dimples danced. “I’m sorry I didn’t notice you back then, but your brother would’ve killed me. Literally.”

  “And you would’ve been arrested.”

  “That, too.”

  “It was a crush back then,” she said. “But now, it’s the real th—”

  Cord cut her off again. But this time he did it with a kiss that made her toes curl inside her boots.

  And she didn’t complain… not one bit.

  Epilogue

  May—ten months later

  “Good morning, Cord.” With her hands in dishwater up to her elbows, Sharon looked over her shoulder. “I’m afraid I just put all the breakfast stuff away, but you’re welcome to heat up some leftovers. We had sausage and egg casserole.”

  “Thanks, Sharon. But I’ve already eaten.” Cord hung his hat on a hook and shut the kitchen door behind him.

  “Jess’ll be right down. She ran upstairs to brush her teeth.”

  “We’re heading down to the stables for a quick ride.” Cord popped a mint in his mouth in anticipation of a private moment.

  “Do you have room in your car for Bucky and me tomor
row morning? Neither one of us likes driving in Dallas.”

  “We’re taking Mom’s Suburban to Jessica’s graduation, so there should be plenty of room.”

  A noise like a stampede reverberated through the house. Smiling, Cord moved toward the stairs as Jess galloped down and launched into his arms. Lifting her off the ground, he spun in a slow circle, kissing the lips he’d missed so much.

  “Three weeks was way too long.” Jess gave a blissful sigh when she finally came up for air.

  “But you finished your finals, and we never have to do it again.” Cord loosened his grip, letting her slide down until her boots touched the floor.

  Sharon cleared her throat. “You know, Jessica’s parents are coming down for Jessica’s graduation. It would be a perfect opportunity for someone to talk to her dad about you-know-what…”

  “Nanna!” Jessica’s cheeks flushed an adorable shade of pink.

  Cord chuckled. He’d already flown up to Oklahoma to formally ask for her parents’ blessing. “Thanks, Sharon. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Jess, before you go out, Bucky and I have something for you.” Sharon dried her hands on a dishtowel and snagged a card from the outside pocket of her purse, passing it to Jess.

  She ripped it open, her jaw dropping like she’d seen a ghost. “$500? Nanna, this is too much.”

  “We can afford it now… all because of Cord.”

  Much to Cord’s embarrassment, the Buchanans had thanked him almost every day for solving the mystery behind the plunge in the ranch’s profits. He’d discovered a tax assessment a few years back, categorizing most of the acreage as business property, without an agriculture exemption. The error had cost them tens of thousands. Bucky had always trusted his good friend and CPA to handle those details. But that one had passed away, and the new accountant, only performing general accounting tasks, had never questioned the tax valuation.

  “Getting your ag exemption back was only half the battle,” said Cord. “I can’t take credit for all the expansion you’ve done. The ranch has never looked better.”