The Discreet Cowboy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 6) (2 page)

“Too bad mom and dad didn’t believe you. Dad gave you a whoopin’ and mom made you sit in your bedroom all evening.” Felicia laughed.

“I learned my lesson. I’m glad you’re here, really. Glad you’re visiting Nirvana Ranch too.”

“Oh?” She lifted a brow. “Are you really? During our phone conversation I sensed some trepidation about me coming.”

“Actually, I was a bit worried,” he said without hesitation. Kaycee cleared her throat. Chase sighed. “I’m only kidding. Of course we’re glad you came to see the newest addition to the family.”

“Why do I still hear doubt in your words?” she asked.

He scrubbed his jawline. “My cowboys are off limits. Got it?” His stern expression didn’t bother her. He liked to use it when he was being serious.

“Come on, dear brother. A paradise with gorgeous cowboys catering to the guests’ needs…and you’re asking me to behave myself? Now where’s the fun in that?”

He pushed his hand through his hair. “I’m a busy man. I don’t have the time to babysit you,” he practically growled the words.

She sighed. “Is this how it’s going to be?” Felicia kept her voice low to not disturb the baby.

Chase started to open his mouth, but Kaycee laid a hand on his shoulder. “No, this is not how it’s going to be, you two. This is a time of celebration, not arguing. Let’s go back to Nirvana and get you settled in Felicia. You must be tired after the flight and the drive here from the airport.”

Grateful for her sister-in-law and not wanting to ruin the day for them, Felicia forced a smile to her lips, even if it was superficial. “That sounds great. Shall I follow you?”

“Yeah, these roads can be a bit tricky,” Chase said, taking Isabella from her.

As she climbed back into her rental, Felicia prepared herself for tolerating her brother who loved treating her like a child. In her heart, she knew he meant well, and felt it was his obligation to do so since their father was gone, but there came a point when he had to allow her to make her own decisions. Even if she failed.

Turning on the radio and backing out of the parking lot, she caught a glimpse of the pastor giving her another judgmental stare. He must disapprove of her choice of music, but who couldn’t enjoy a good country song?

CHAPTER TWO

FELICIA WOKE UP and stretched her arms over her head, curling her toes against the soft sheet. A bird chirped from the tree outside her window, then flew away. She listened closer and heard…nothing. Fabulous. Two mornings in Nirvana were spoiling her. The peace she found here was nothing like waking up to beeping horns, car engines, and busy activity.

Finally climbing out of bed, she dressed in a strappy pink tank and cut off shorts, pulled her hair back into a messy bun and went downstairs where she found Kaycee in the kitchen squeezing fresh orange juice.

“Good morning.” Kaycee flipped pieces of bacon in the skillet on the stove and took out a pan of cinnamon rolls from the oven. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a baby. Do you make breakfast every morning?” She watched Kaycee remove the rolls from the pan, place them on a cooling rack then drizzle icing over the top.

“Most days, I do. Chase leaves before sunrise, then comes back to have breakfast with me. It’s the little treats that mean a lot. Help yourself to bacon, rolls and coffee. Sugar and cream are right next to the refrigerator. I wasn’t sure if you were into those flavored creamers, so I bought a variety. French Vanilla. Mocha. And I think hazelnut.”

“Ahh, just what I need.” She grabbed a colorful mug from the hook and poured herself a full cup, then added a large helping of mocha creamer. “So Chase will be back soon?”

“He should be here any time. We’re actually both supposed to be on family leave, but you know your brother. He can’t seem to keep his hands out of the business side of things for longer than a few hours at a time.”

“Yes, but I’ve also noticed that he can’t keep his hands off of you either.” Felicia wagged her brows. “I feel like I might be cramping your style staying here.”

Kaycee blushed. “Not at all. We haven’t been given the go-ahead from the doc yet, if you know what I mean.”

“You have to wait for a period of time after you have a baby before you can, well, be intimate?” Felicia grabbed a piece of bacon from the platter and popped it into her mouth.

“Until a woman is healed. When a baby moves through the birth canal, sometimes parts can tear—”

“Sorry, but I think that’s too much for me to hear over coffee.”

Kaycee laughed. “Your time will come.”

“You seem so sure of that, but I promise, I’m nowhere close. What are your plans today?” Felicia sat down at the table and sipped her coffee, savoring the rich taste with a hint of sweetness.

“Nanny interviews. Ugh. I hate the idea of leaving Isabella with anyone, but eventually I want to work again, help on the ranch, and go back to yoga classes. If I hire someone, they can start now and we can get used to each other before I have to leave Isabella alone with that person. I’ve never felt so guilty in my life.”

“Don’t feel guilty. Be happy that you can afford help. A rested mom is a happier mom. Is there anything I can do to help today? I’m at your disposal and, no, I don’t offer that to just anyone.”

Kaycee shrugged, bringing the pitcher of orange juice and glasses to the table and placing them in the center. “I want you to go and enjoy the land, check out the views. See the changes that have been made since you’ve been here last.”

“I plan to do that this morning, in fact. I’m going for a walk.” Felicia resisted the urge to grab another slice of bacon and instead, gulped down half her coffee, got up and dumped the rest into the sink.

“The trails along the north side are perfect for sightseeing. That’s where a lot of guests run early in the morning.”

“Thanks for breakfast and I’ll see you later.” Felicia gave her a wave, then stepped through the backdoor, breathing in the fresh, country air. The scent of hay and freshly mowed grass tickled her nostrils. She didn’t get this back in her big city apartment. She’d always been a country girl, and still was at heart. Here lately she’d done a lot of thinking on where she wanted to settle down. Maybe Chase would allow her to live here at Nirvana, but the question was, would they kill each other?

Hearing the low hum of a Gator in the distance, she sighed in irritation. So, her ‘bodyguard’ was right on time this morning. She’d known the second she’d stepped foot at Nirvana that her brother would ensnare one of the cowboys into monitoring her every move. Sure, the idea had pissed her off, but for now, she’d entertain the cowboy who wasn’t any good at being a private detective.

Smiling, she took off at a quick pace on the trail, stepping over roots and kicking a small pebble. The sun glinted off the Gator, now on the narrow road speeding up, but only to pull over up ahead. What her brother, or her new stalker, didn’t realize was that they were messing with a smart woman. If the men thought they were being clever, she’d allow them to believe that for a little bit before she would prove that their plan sucked.

She stopped to admire a squirrel climbing up a tree and then scurrying along a branch, holding his treasure of a nut in his mouth. Further ahead, she noticed movement in the brush and looking closer, she spotted the tail of a snake before it disappeared under some leaves. She jumped and took off in a jog, until she was safely far enough away.

The path continued around a bend toward the left, but Felicia turned quickly to the right and stepped into the line of ancient trees. She slowed her footsteps and quietly moved through the underbrush until finally coming to stand behind a massive oak. She listened and heard the engine of the Gator, the small tires crunching gravel, then coming to a stop close to where she was standing. Peeking around the tree, she saw the cowboy slip from the driver’s side and look toward the area where she was. She laughed, pressing her hand against her mouth so the sound wouldn’t carry. A few minutes ticked by and she patiently waited. There were no sounds for the longest time. The cowboy must have given up on her because the engine sounded again and the tires kicked up the rocks as he drove away.

Carefully watching for snakes and spiders, she made her way back to the path. She looked around and chuckled, wiping her hands off on the legs of her shorts. She walked about fifty feet and heard a scuffled noise. The Gator was stopped alongside the roadway ahead. Movement by the cart made her stop dead in her tennis shoes.

The cowboy stepped between the view of two trees where she could see him. She recognized Dade after meeting him briefly last year. He tilted his chin and seemed to look directly at her.
Can he see me?
She slowed her breathing as if he could hear every breath she took, or the fast beating of her heart.

“Damn woman!” His voice traveled. “Fuck this shit!” He kicked the toe of his boot across the gravel, sending pebbles flying, one
dinged
off a nearby tree.
He doesn’t know I’m here…twenty feet away.

So, she’d managed to ruffle his feathers. She felt no guilt at all. Served him right! He wouldn’t like being followed either.

She marched back down the path where she came from. This may have changed her plans a bit, but she didn’t mind where she walked as long as she was alone.

The sun was warm and sweat beaded between her breasts, and after walking a good distance, she found herself close to the lake. Stopping by the edge of the water, she looked across the gentle ripples, wishing she had her bikini so she could jump in to cool off. When she was little, they used to swim in the lake all of the time, swinging from a tire and jumping in. When she was older, she and Danny Hanson went skinny dipping under the full moon in that same lake. Those were the days.

Scanning the fields, she looked for other people, but she was alone. It was still early enough that many of the guests hadn’t roused yet. Here at Nirvana, mornings were lazy, and evenings were lazier. Although it was quite different than her life in the city, she enjoyed not having somewhere to be, someplace to go, and just having the luxury of relaxing. One with nature—just as everyone boasted here at Nirvana.

The view was amazing. As far as the eye could see, it was remarkable. The mountains were the background of the beautiful acres and acres of prime, untouched land. The fields of wildflowers blew in the breeze, their purple heads sweeping through the air, their thin stems bending but not breaking. In the distance she could see a group of horses standing along the fence, craning their thick necks over the top rail as they nibbled the tall reeds on the other side.

So who needs a bathing suit when there’s no one around?

Starting for the hem of her shirt, she stopped. One horse moved away from the others at a slow trot.

Narrowing her eyes, she focused.
Is that a man sitting on top?

She swallowed.

Dade sat in the saddle. He was far enough away that she couldn’t make out the details of his face, but she’d recognize the black hat and broad shoulders anywhere. So he traded in his wheels for hooves? Blowing out a long breath, she tapped the toe of her shoe in frustration. How had he found her? Couldn’t he take a hint? Angry that he ruined her moment of tranquility, she had half a mind to stomp across the field and tell him to go jump off a cliff—with a parachute, of course.

Telling him anything about her frustration wouldn’t work. He’d just play stupid and pretend it was only a coincidence that she saw him everywhere she went.

Well, so be it! She stomped onto the dock, the wood creaking under her feet.

She wouldn’t let him deter her from enjoying herself. In fact, she’d show him!

Dragging her tank over her head and dropping it, next came her shorts. Her nipples budded and she wanted to believe that it was caused by the cool breeze, but the moisture building between her legs couldn’t be ignored or chalked up to weather. There was something insanely erotic about standing in the open, partially naked, with a handsome stranger watching her.
Yeah, he’s watching me all right.
His hand came up and rubbed his jaw, and he shifted in the saddle. The horse pranced from foot to foot, then clawed at the ground. Did the mare sense Dade’s irritation…or tension?

Her core pulsated and her skin warmed. She had only meant to prove a point, but instead she’d unleashed a fiery awareness inside of her, one she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Her nipples were now bunched and pressing against the lace of her bra, craving a hand or a mouth to put out the achiness.

Not sure what had come over her, she had no choice but to follow through. A good cooling off was exactly what she needed to drench the desire. Taking a step, her knees weak and trembling, she stood at the edge of the dock, then jumped into the water with a splash.

A second later, she surfaced to the top, squealing. “Holy fuck!” The water was frigid. She hadn’t thought this idea through very well. Her bottom lip quivered, her teeth chattered, and her toes were like ice cubes as she swam to the ladder of the dock. She climbed the rungs slowly as her blood started circulating again. Dripping wet and skin scattered with goosebumps, she hurried and pulled on her clothes in record time.

Feeling somewhat human again, she remembered why she’d done the stunt in the first place.

Scanning the field where Dade had been, he was gone. Disappointment slithered through her. She skimmed the line of trees and the fence where the horses were grazing, further in the distance where a group of deer munched on foliage along the edge of the brush. She hooded her eyes with her hand to protect them from the sun, which made everything appear blurred, as she looked toward the road. She caught a tiny glimpse of him riding away. Her stomach twisted as her core tingled.

Did he think she was completely out of control?

It didn’t matter what he thought.

Yeah, it sort of did.
Ridiculous.

“The secret to getting rid of the cowboy was to strip naked.” She wasn’t sure why that bothered her. Wasn’t that what she wanted?