Once Upon a Cowboy (25 page)

"Thirty minutes ago, you say?" he demanded.

Charlotte nodded. "She plans to catch the noon train."

"The noon train!" Wes exclaimed. "It's eleven-thirty now. You'll never catch her in time."

"We'll see about that." He snatched Cami's hat from Charlotte and ran for his horse. Grabbing Loco's reins, he vaulted aboard.

"You're wasting your time," Frank called. "No one's ever made that ride in under thirty-five minutes."

Holt leveled a gimlet-eyed stare at his friend and crushed his hat low on his forehead. "Watch me!"

With that he wheeled Loco around, slammed his heels in the horse's flanks. They shot down the drive toward town at the speed of light, the sound of thundering hoof beats echoing in their wake. He cut across the pasture and vaulted the gate, never once breaking stride. And with that, he disappeared over the ridge atop his fiery horse, disappearing in a cloud of dust.

"Hi-Yo, Loco! Away!" drifted back on a stray breeze.

Stunned silence reigned. Then, "I'd be more impressed if I didn't know that noon train never leaves on time," Gabby muttered.

* * *

Cami sat slumped in her seat, feeling downright naked without her hat. The train whistle blew, a long, forlorn sound. She heard the last call for boarding and closed her eyes, battling tears. This was it. The death of her dreams.

Just then the door at the end of the train car crashed open. "You can't come in here!" she heard the conductor shout. "You need a ticket. I'll summon the police if you don't get off."

Cami stiffened. It couldn't be. She opened an eye, risking a peek. And there he was.

Holt strode down the aisle, swatting the conductor aside with no more effort than he would a pesky fly. He stopped by her seat. "Ma'am," he said, tipping his hat. "This your luggage?" He pointed to the suitcase on the floor.

She straightened. "Yes. But what are you—" He grabbed her bag in one hand, her wrist in the other and yanked. "Stop it, Holt! You can't do this." She stared up at him uncertainly. "What precisely are you doing?"

"Taking you off this train."

She nodded. "Just checking." Then, "Holt, I can't go back. I've made a mess of everything."

"True." He started down the aisle, dragging her behind.

"I'm no cowboy. I never was."

"Also true."

"Stop a minute, will you? I keep making mistakes."

"Yep. And this was your biggest."

She dug in her heels. "I'm just a city slicker who'll ruin your business if I stay."

That stopped him. He spun in his tracks and dropped her suitcase to the floor. "Now there you're wrong. You might be the sorriest cowboy I ever did see, and you might be the tryingest woman I ever did met. But you're also the sweetest and warmest and kindest. My guests love you. My employees love you. Hell, the whole town loves you."

She stared up at him in wonder. "Really?"

"Really." He cleared his throat, his voice gruff. "Besides, you can't leave. You've got a contract to honor. And real cowboys always honor their commitments."

"But I'm not a real cowboy. You said so yourself." She suddenly remembered and tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Holt. I'm not even Texan!"

"Not Texan?" He frowned. "Since when? Who says?"

"Since this morning." She hung her head in shame. "Momma says I was really born in Richmond."

"Well, shoot." He kicked at her suitcase. "Aw, turn off the waterworks, Tex... Cami. Now that you live in Colorado, consider yourself a... a..."

She peeked up. "Colorado-er?"

He shrugged, nonplussed. "Beats me. I guess that's as good a name as any." He turned to the spectators watching with fascination from their seats. "Folks, I'd like you to meet Colorado Cami, an honest-to-goodness cowboy."

"Nice to meet you, Colorado. A pleasure, Cami," voices called.

Holt nodded in satisfaction. "Now it's official, C.C. Can we go?"

"C.C.?"

"Colorado Cami, of course."

She tried to control the hope blossoming to life. "You really want me back?"

"I can't force you," he replied. "But if you're that intent on leaving, you'd best take this." He swept off his hat and dropped it into her hands.

She stared at him in shock. "But... but a cowboy
never
gives up his hat."

Holt inclined his head. "Leastwise, not unless he's too dead to fight for it."

"I don't understand."

"Keep it." He stared down at her and the warm, passionate expression in his black eyes stole her breath clean away. A fire sparked to life deep within her, burning hot and fierce. "Keep it, because wherever you go, wherever you stay, that's where I'll hang my hat."

"Oh, Holt," Cami whispered, and threw herself into his arms, nearly knocking him off his feet.

"Hey, watch it," he groused. "You're crushin' my hat."

"Here." She shoved his Stetson back into his hands. "The only place you'll be hanging this is at the A-OK Corral."

He nodded in satisfaction. "And I've got an extra bed knob for that silly pink one of yours, if you're interested."

Stricken, she bit her lip. "I don't have it any more."

A slow grin spread across his mouth. "You do now. I tied the fool thing to Loco's saddle. And let me tell you, he's none too happy about it." He cupped her face, his gaze growing serious. "I love you, Cami. I love you more than life itself. Will you marry me?"

"You folks staying or leaving?" the conductor demanded, practically dancing at Holt's elbow. "We've got a schedule to keep."

"Do it, Colorado. Marry him, Cami!" the passengers shouted.

"Yes," she said, with a smile that felt a mile wide. "Yes, I'll marry you. Let's go home. All right?"

Holt didn't say a word. He didn't have to. His expression said it all. Then he kissed her.

"We're late! We're late!" shrieked the conductor, throwing his schedule to the ground and stomping on it. "Make up your minds! Are you coming or going?"

Reluctantly Holt released her. "Going." And without further ado he swept Cami into his arms, luggage and all, and carried her from the train. As he strode across the platform, a dozen cars screeched to a halt and neighbors and townsfolk, guests and wranglers alike, poured from the vehicles.

"He got her!" shouted Gabby. "He broke the record and got her!" Cheers erupted.

Cami buried her face in Holt's shirt. She was home at last. Lordy, it felt good.

"I did it, Daddy," she whispered. "I'm finally a cowboy. Just like you."

Epilogue

Seven years later...

With spring came the first wave of guests to the A-OK Corral. Cami sat in her rocker on the porch relaxing, enjoying the view while she waited. Holt sat beside her, his Stetson tipped low over his eyes, enjoying the momentary peace and quiet.

A plume of dust appeared on the horizon, heralding the arrival of a vehicle. A few minutes later, an SUV pulled into the yard and a man in his late thirties climbed from behind the wheel, looking around in bewilderment. He poked his head in the open car window and said something to the woman seated on the passenger side. In the back, Cami could see several wriggling children. The family's youngest member announced his presence with a strident wail.

Cami stood, as did Holt. He pulled her close and gave her a swift kiss, his large hand settling over her modest baby bump. "I still think we should consider naming her Buttercup," he said.

She laughed. "Aw, get on with you. She'd never forgive us." Her hand closed over his. Lingered. "Poor thing. Imagine naming her after a cow."

"Buttercup for this one, and Petunia for the next," he teased. "Goes well with Camellia, don't you think?"

"No, I most certainly do not."

She snatched another kiss, then hitched up her britches and strode over to the car. Behind her the ranch door slammed open and Holt dusted off his sons before gesturing toward their visitors. Footsteps, remarkably similar to the sound made by a herd of elephants, clattered down the porch steps after her. Two black haired urchins arrived breathless at her side.

"Howdy!" she called to the man over the shrieks of their baby. She stuck out her hand. "I'm Colorado Cami, C.C. for short. Where do you folks hail from? Ohio? That's all right." She gave them a mischievous wink. "We won't hold it against you. What do you say, we get you unloaded? My boys here, Flint and Colt, will help you with anything you need. And by the way... Welcome to the A-OK Corral!"

The End

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Excerpt from

Once Upon a Time

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Book Three

by

Day Leclaire

USA Today Bestselling Author