Reuniting with the Cowboy (5 page)

“Oh. Yes. I'll see you then.” She hurried out of the barn.

He pressed his palm against his cheek, trying to capture the sweetness of her lips on his skin as all his dreams puddled on the hay-strewn barn floor.

At least she'd agreed to the carnival. A whole day and a half spent with Ally.

Sorry, God. I know that's not what the carnival is supposed to be about. Help me focus on the kids and not Ally. It's gonna take lots of work.

* * *

Sturdy camouflage muck boots with pink trim and brown coveralls dwarfed Ally. But somehow she looked beautiful in the late-afternoon sunlight.

“You sure we'll finish by Bible study time tonight?” Cody forced his attention to the corral, which teemed with longhorns, but his gaze bounced right back.

“Piece of cake. This is the last of them.” The smudge of mud that lined her cheekbone didn't take away from her beauty. But it did give him an excuse to touch her.

He pulled his work glove off and wiped at the smear with his thumb.

She jerked away. “What?”

“Just some dirt.”

She wiped at it with her gloved hand, depositing more grime.

“You're only making it worse.” He chuckled. “And I think it's more than dirt.”

“Eeeeeewwww.” Her nose crinkled. “Get it.”

Cupping her chin with one hand, he wiped with the other. And kept wiping long after the suspicious smear was gone.

Despite their surroundings—a barn lot populated by fifty longhorns, a dozen ranch hands and two of her employees, all covered in sweat and worse—he still smelled her fruity shampoo, a hint of vanilla and fresh hay. He could drown in her milk-chocolate eyes as she looked up at him with trust.

And there was something else in her gaze. Like she felt something, too.

She pulled away, pushed stray strands away from her face with her upper arm and opened the chute. The longhorn they'd just finished with shot forward and one of his ranch hands led the next cow into position with a feed bucket.

They continued that process, and an hour later, Derek gave the final injection, then turned the calf loose. They'd vaccinated all his cattle. Except for stubborn Bessie. The only cow with so much personality he'd already named her. She still stood in the holding pen, refusing to enter the corral to the chute.

“I'll get her.” Ally climbed the rail pen.

Halfway up and before she could swing a leg over, Cody caught her foot. “I don't think that's a good idea. Let me send one of my hands in.”

“I've done this at least a thousand times.” She rolled her eyes and yanked her boot out of his grasp, swung her leg over the rail. “I can handle her.”

“You just ran her calf through that chute. Mama cows don't like it when you take their calves.”

“Duh.” She climbed down inside the pen.

“Be careful.” Bessie eyed her warily, the cow's long horns making Cody wary.

“Come on, Bessie.” Ally rattled the feed bucket. “Let's get this one little shot done and then you can get on with your day, be back with your baby.”

Bessie lowered her head.

“Ally! Get out of there!” Cody clambered up the fence. Heat shot through his knee as his boot slipped.

Bessie pawed the ground.

Ally stood still.

The longhorn charged.

Chapter Five

“G
et out, Ally!” Cody's heart stopped.

Derek launched over the rail just to the cow's left and Bessie wheeled toward him as Ally bolted for the opening under the pen. Just before Bessie gored him, Derek climbed the fence, then vaulted over as Bessie rammed her horns into the metal barrier. The steel pin stabilizing the temporary fencing held as Cody jumped down and pulled Ally under to safety.

Bessie spun toward them and charged. Had his ranch hands driven the rest of the steel pins deep enough to hold?
Please, God, keep Ally safe.
He covered her body with his. Would this scare trigger his aneurysm to burst?

Horns rammed against metal and Cody expected hooves on his back. Nothing. He turned to see Bessie staggering in the middle of the pen, shaking her head, slobber trailing from her mouth. He rolled off Ally, stood and helped her up, then dragged her farther away.

Lance pulled off his gloves. “Can one of the hands mount up and drive her?”

“Or a dog.” Cody kept his eyes on Ally, making sure she didn't do something stupid again. But from the way she was shaking, she'd probably learned a lesson. “I've got a Border collie.”

“Try the dog first. Ally, you go on home, Derek and I will handle her,” Lance insisted.

“Be careful.” Obviously rattled, she nodded and started for her house.

Cody limped after her, matching his hop-along gait to hers. Once they rounded the barn, out of eyesight, he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms.

She didn't resist, laying her cheek against his shoulder.

“Don't ever do anything like that again.”

“I've done it—”

“Thousands of times. But this time almost got you killed.” He held her away from him a bit, gave her a gentle shake. “And I couldn't do a thing. I tried to climb in after you. But this stupid bum knee—I slipped and all I could do was watch those horns barreling toward you. All I want is to keep you
safe
and I couldn't.”

“I'm fine.”

“Just don't do it again.” Another scare like that could kill him. “You've got Lance and Derek to handle the difficult ones. Let them. In fact, why don't you stick with dogs and cats and let them deal with the livestock.”

“It's part of my job.”

“Your critters need you
safe
.” He needed her
safe
. “And in one piece. If Oreo does the trick, you're free to take him on every cattle call you get. If not, I'll lend you a ranch hand and a horse. Okay? No more getting in pens with mama cows. Got it?”

“Got it.” She searched his face.

Had he given himself away?

He couldn't. Couldn't let her know how he felt when he couldn't promise her a future.

“Now get inside and shower.” His hands dropped away from her shoulders. “You smell like a barn lot.” Mixed with the tantalizing smell of Ally. It was so tempting to hold her in his arms again. And never let go. He took a step back, gave her a light shove.

“Do me a favor and don't tell Mom about this.” She spun away from him, bolted for her house.

He needed to take lots of steps back. The smartest thing to do would be to move. But the thought of staying away from her completely tore at his insides.

* * *

Ally hummed as she strolled toward the barn. It was early morning, barely seventy degrees as the sun warmed her back. Another hour before her clinic opened. Enough time to feed her crew. She turned as movement caught the corner of her eye.

A large dark gray cat with grass-green eyes hunkered near her truck. Oh, no. Were her animals loose again? She scanned the property. Nothing. And come to think of it, she didn't have any cats like this in her shelter right now. Or among her boarders. Probably male, from the size of him.

“Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.” She knelt, held her palm up. “I won't hurt you. Here, kitty.”

The cat stared her down a moment. Then its stance relaxed.

“Here, kitty, kitty.”

The cat trotted in her direction, stopped a few feet away, then slowly inched forward.

“I won't hurt you, sweetie. Do you have a home? Surely no one dumped a pretty kitty like you.”

It sniffed her fingers, then rubbed its jaw against her nails and started purring.

“You sure don't act homeless and you look well cared for. In fact, you look familiar. Charcoal?”

The cat looked up at her as if he recognized his name.

“It's you, isn't it?” She picked him up, checked under his tail. Neutered tom. “You are Charcoal. What are you doing all the way out here, boy? Your mama must be worried sick. Let's get you inside and call her.”

She headed for the clinic instead of the barn.

“Are they loose again?” Cody stepped off his porch. “I saw you coaxing him.”

“No. That's what I thought when I saw him. But I'm pretty sure he belongs to Stetson and Kendra Wright. They're clients and I've taken care of Charcoal since he was a kitten. I'm pretty sure this is him. He must be lost.”

“I know them from the rodeo, but they live a good five miles away, clear on the other end of Aubrey.”

“I know. It's odd.”

“Maybe it's not him.” He caught up with her, scratched the cat's chin. Charcoal's purr grew deeper. “All revved up, aren't you, buddy?”

“I was just taking him inside the clinic so I can call Kendra.”

“I was fixing to head to the barn to visit the critters.”

“Would you mind feeding them? That was my plan, but I need to see to this guy.”

“I'm on it.” Cody gave the cat one final scratch, his eyes met hers, and he turned away.

If she didn't know better, the way he looked at her... Nonsense. But he'd been really upset yesterday when Bessie had nearly taken her out. He cared and didn't want her to get hurt, because they were friends. Besides, it was his cow terrorizing her, so he'd have felt doubly bad if she'd gotten hurt. That was all.

It had to be all.

She unlocked the clinic door, stepped inside and set the cat down. “You wander where you want while I call your people.” She pulled the W drawer, found the file, scanned for the number and dug her cell out of her pocket.

It rang twice and Kendra answered.

“Hey, Kendra, it's Ally. I've got a cat wandering around my place that looks suspiciously like Charcoal.”

“How in the world would he get all the way over there? Let me check the barn, see if he's here.”

Children's voices chattering in the background. Must be Kendra's young daughter and son. “Mommy's gotta go to the barn. Let's make a train.”

Ally's heart took a dip. She didn't want to ever need a man, but that also meant she'd never be a mom. The thought didn't used to bother her. But lately...

“Charcoal,” Kendra called. “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty. Charcoal.”

The little voices helped call.

“He doesn't seem to be here.” Kendra chuckled. “We've roused a barnful of cats, but no Charcoal. And he's usually here ready to eat first thing in the morning.”

“I'll put him in a boarding kennel and you can stop by when you get a chance.”

“Thanks, Ally. I really appreciate it. I know he prowls at night, but I never imagined him going as far as your place.”

It was odd. Ally ended the call, pulled a temporary cardboard kennel from the stack and folded it into shape. “I hate to do this to you, Char. But I'm taking you to the barn and when you hear all those dogs barking, you'll be glad you're in a box.” She picked him up and started to set him in the kennel.

He let out a yowl and braced three feet against the cardboard.

“It's just for a minute, I promise.” She pried his feet loose and closed the lid before he could pop back out, then stuck her finger through one of the large airholes until she felt fur. “It's okay, big guy.”

He squalled as she carried him out and toward the barn.

“You're heavy, mister. And you should be quiet. You're letting every dog in the place know you're here.”

The yowling continued as she stepped inside the barn and hurried to open a boarding kennel, then opened the box. Charcoal planted himself at the back.

“First you want out, then you want to stay in. Come on, boy.” She scooped him up.

By this time, the dogs were in full chorus, and the poor cat was so nervous he willingly dove for the boarding kennel. She fastened the latch in place, then rubbed his cheek through the wire but he didn't purr.

“You'll be okay. I promise. I won't let any of these yappers near you, boy.”

“He's the one who started the racket.” Cody.

She jumped, spun around.

“Sorry.” He sat on a folding chair in Oreo's pen. “I thought you knew I was here.”

“No. I called Kendra. She'll pick him up sometime today. Could you feed him while you're at it?”

“Sure. I gave Oreo a little extra after he worked so hard yesterday.”

“I can't believe I never thought of using him for vaccinations.”

“He's a pro. And I meant what I said—you borrow him for every cattle call. From now on.”

From now on. But what about if Cody left? If he went back to the rodeo. Or followed whatever his next diversion turned out to be.

“What if this ranching thing doesn't turn your crank and you leave? What then?”

“If anything happens to me, I want you to have Oreo.”

If anything happened to him? Like he might die? Her mouth went dry.

“I mean...if I end up...leaving, I want you to have Oreo for your work.”

But he hadn't said
leaving
. He'd said
if anything happened
. Was Cody sick? No. Cody was way too tough. And except for the limp, he was the picture of health. He couldn't be sick. He'd just misspoken.

Cody was healthy as a horse. He had to be. Because in spite of everything, she needed him to be.

She searched his gaze a few seconds longer. If he was sick, he wouldn't be itching to get back on the circuit. No. Cody was fine.

But he wasn't the type to think of giving up a dog he loved. Was he so worried about her working with cattle that he'd leave Oreo behind?

* * *

The bright September day had cooled to comfortable temperatures. Ally scanned the area to make sure all the animals were in the shade.

Sheltered by two huge live oaks, the petting zoo spread across the church lawn with various animals in the temporary pens Cody had built. Carnival game booths covered half of the parking lot, with horseback rides occupying the rest.

“This is the best petting zoo we've ever had.” Caitlyn stroked a silver rabbit inside a pen. “I tried to get Ally to do this over the years on numerous occasions. She turned me down every time, but let Cody ask and here she is.”

Under the guise of securing the goat's tether, Ally turned away to hide her heated cheeks. Was Caitlyn suspicious? She'd been studying Ally all afternoon. Had she figured out Ally had feelings for Cody?

“Cody didn't ask.” Ally shot him a glare. “He signed me up, leaving me little choice. Either do it or find someone else. It was easier to just do it.”

“You signed her up?” Caitlyn frowned. “I thought you only suggested—”

“It worked out okay.” Cody sent Caitlyn a panicked, wide-eyed “stop talking” look. “Dr. Bridges was able to fill in, your new vet tech is working this weekend, and when's the last time you took off?”

So he hadn't really signed her up. He'd only told her he had. She jabbed a finger at him. “Just don't try to make it an annual thing, buddy.”

“I hated tricking you.” He grimaced. “But it was for a good cause—to help the church and your furry friends. I hope you're not mad at me.”

“I'm not.” Ally managed to infuse lightheartedness into her voice. “But I'll be livid if you try something like that again.” Though he'd probably be a memory by then.

“Maybe I'll have won you over with my charm by next year and you'll volunteer on your own.”

“Uh, yeah, knock yourself out with that.” Ally rolled her eyes, hoping to pull off the effortless friendly banter she and Cody once had. “Your charm bounces right off me.” If only it were true. If only she could be immune to him.

“Kids should be getting home from school anytime.” Caitlyn checked her watch. “Soon we'll be overrun. Are we ready?”

A car pulled into the lot, then another and another.

“Show's on.” Ally stroked the horse's silky snout just as Cody patted her fingers instead of the horse.

Electricity shot up her arm and she snatched her hand away. Why had she agreed to this?

Because he'd gotten some of her pets adopted out and she felt she owed him?

No.

Because she wanted to find forever homes for more of her animals?

Partly.

But mostly because, try as she might, she couldn't resist Cody, and spending time with him was the highlight of her days. Even though he thought of her as only a friend. Even though she was happy on her own.

She was pathetic.

More arrivals, and in no time the parking lot teemed with vehicles and kids dragging their parents toward the games and zoo, along with a smattering of preteens trying to look bored.

“Wow, check him out.” One of the girls giggled and elbowed her friend.

Ally's face heated. She knew who they were talking about without even looking.

Slade Walker and Mitch were helping with the horses and were both nice-looking men. But Cody drew females like a magnet.

Including her.

A day and a half spent with Cody. A beautiful kind of torture.

* * *

Half of day two at the petting zoo was behind them. Cody would go back to dropping in on Ally at her clinic, but this undivided time together would soon be over.

Truth be known, his cattle ranch bored him to tears—just as he suspected it would. But he had to make a living without the rodeo. Thankfully, he'd hired a great foreman and hands to run the place for him. Time with Ally was all that kept him sane.