Chapter Seven
The next night around midnight, Devin was lying awake. He glanced toward her tent and sighed. His dick had been hard ever since he left the woods yesterday and saw her sitting on the log beside Rocky and staring into the fire. This trip couldn’t end soon enough. She was supposed to be off limits while here.
Putting his hands behind his head, he stared up at the star-filled sky. You can’t see this in the city, Willa. The cattle bawled in the near distance.
The temperatures had dropped quite a bit, and he needed to keep the fire going. The people in the tents stayed warm with body heat. He’d like to go in Willa’s tent and make body heat with her but he knew he couldn’t. His jeans were being stretched to their limit.
Throwing the sleeping bag open he moved out of it and added logs to the fire then sat on one of the logs close to the fire.
“You okay, boss?” Chip asked him in a low voice as he sat up.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just want to keep this going. It’s colder than I thought it would be tonight.”
“You know we can never rely on the weatherman when it comes to the Glaciers.”
Devin smirked and nodded. “You got that shit right. It wasn’t so bad last night but tonight, it’s damn cold.”
“I’m sure everyone will be ready to head back tomorrow. ”
Devin glanced toward her tent again and wondered if he’d be able to convince her to see him again once they returned because he couldn’t stay away from her and he sure as hell couldn’t get enough of her. He’d never felt this way before, and he hated the thought of her leaving.
Mentally shaking his head, Devin crawled back into his sleeping bag and closed his eyes willing sleep to come.
****
The next morning, everyone mounted up to head back to the ranch. Willa wasn’t looking forward to it. She wanted Devin again but wasn’t sure he’d be willing anymore since she’d walked away from him in the woods. They hadn’t spoken at all since being together there.
Moaning, she remembered how good it had been. God! Devin was so hot, and he’d pegged her ex-husband. He had never brought her to orgasm. Edwin had never even believed in foreplay and would try to have sex with her without getting her ready, and he never performed oral sex on her. She’d quit doing it for him when he told her he didn’t want to do it anymore. She hoped he was happy with his twenty-something girlfriend. Maybe she’d teach him a thing or two. Or perhaps she just didn’t know any better. To think, Willa would still be married to him if she hadn’t decided to get a divorce even before she’d read the note he’d left for her. He definitely thought with his dick and didn’t care if anyone else was satisfied or not. She had been sure she was frigid until a friend of hers told her Edwin was just a lousy lover. Now she believed it after being with Devin. The man definitely knew how to please a woman. She should have slept with Edwin before they were married, then she would have known how awful he was.
Willa looked around for Devin. He was definitely not a lousy lover. He made sure she was satisfied before he was. Trembling, she thought of the feeling of him inside her. He was wrong though. They couldn’t see where this was going because she was leaving at the end of the month. With or without her heart and she had a feeling it would be without. Damn. She’d never been a fickle woman before, but she sure was acting like one. Devin had to be shaking his head in confusion with her saying one thing and doing another.
Sighing, she nudged her horse into the line and followed along. She didn’t see Judy ahead, so she glanced back and clamped her jaw tight when she saw her in the back, talking with Devin. Bitch! Really Devin, you don’t need to encourage the woman . Willa snorted. She knew he wasn’t encouraging Judy. He didn’t need to. Any woman would want him. She smiled when she saw Rocky move out of the line and head back toward her. He reined in beside her.
“I’m going to ask Devin if he’ll sell me Moondancer. I’d love to use her in the movie.”
“I’m not sure he’ll sell her,” Willa said with a frown.
“Everyone has a price. I love this horse, and the thought of riding one the set provides terrifies the shit out of me.”
“I hear what you’re saying, but Moondancer belongs to Bur Oak. I’m not sure they’d want to sell her.”
Rocky shrugged as he glanced around. “Only one way to find out. I’m asking Devin when we get back.”
He moved behind her, and they followed the riders back to the barn.
Once back, everyone dismounted and the ranch hands took the horses to remove the tack and cool them down before feeding them. Willa saw Devin walking beside Judy and had to fist her hands to keep from clawing the other woman’s eyes out. She watched as he put his fingers to the brim of his hat and moved away from her. She saw Judy looking at his ass. Since he was wearing his chaps, it looked terrific. Only Willa knew it looked amazing without them too. She frowned. Maybe Judy did also. No. Willa shook her head, she certainly didn’t believe that. She jerked when Rocky flung his arm over her shoulder.
“Let’s head to the cabins. I’m tired and worn out. How about you?”
“Yeah. I’m tired too.” She looked at Devin. He was removing the tack from his horse. “I thought you were going to ask him about Moondancer?”
“Later. He seems a little lost in thought right now.” Rocky narrowed his eyes at her.
She avoided his insinuating stare.
“I’m ready to hit the Jacuzzi. Let’s go.” She started out the door without seeing if Rocky followed or not .
Later that day, Willa walked out of the lodge and could barely move. She’d eaten way too much at the lunch buffet. She thought of hitting the pool later as she started down the steps of the lodge to head to her cabin when she spotted Rocky entering the barn, so she followed him. As she arrived at the barn, she saw him walking toward Devin and Jaxon as they stood by the indoor corral.
“Rocky,” she whispered.
When he didn’t turn around, she repeated his name. He spun around and smiled at her.
“Hey, I didn’t see you.”
“What are you doing?” She waved him toward her while glancing toward Devin and Jaxon. They hadn’t seen Rocky or her yet.
“I’m going to talk to Dev about Moondancer. Come on.” Rocky wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her toward the two men.
She couldn’t keep her eyes off Devin. God, he looked so good. Both Devin and Jaxon wore chaps, and from the looks of it, neither man was lacking anywhere. She almost snorted. Must run in the family.
She knew when Devin spotted her because he straightened up and stared at her. Jaxon didn’t budge from his place against the fence rail.
“Good afternoon, Dev. Jaxon,” Rocky said as they reached the men.
“Good afternoon,” Devin and Jaxon said together.
“I wanted to ask you if you’d be interested in selling Moondancer to me.”
Willa saw the immediate look of surprise on both men’s faces then Devin cleared his throat and glanced at Jaxon then back to Rocky.
“Moondancer isn’t for sale, Rocky. I’m sorry.”
“Everything has a price, Dev.” Rocky grinned.
Devin’s lips flattened. “Not in this case. She’s not for sale.”
“Why do you want to buy her?” Jaxon asked.
“I’m used to her. I hate the thought of going on that movie set and not knowing the horse they’ll have for me.”
“It will be a gentle horse, Rocky,” Willa said.
“I’m sure it will but Devin told me a rider and his horse need to work together. What if the horse they have for me won’t work with me? I’d love to have my own horse. One I could practice on at home too, if I felt the need.”
She glanced at Devin to see him looking at Jaxon, who straightened up from the fence.
“That’s true, Rocky but as Devin said, Moondancer isn’t for sale. No matter what the price. She was born here on Bur Oak ranch, and it’s where she’ll die,” Jaxon said.
“But—”
Devin held up his hand. “No buts on that subject, but I do know where you could buy a gentle horse. Since we have three more weeks, I can get you used to one you can buy.”
“Really? Great. Show me the horse.”
“We’ll need to go to our cousin’s house. Reid’s wife raises and sells Paints.”
“Paints?” Rocky frowned at them.
Willa tried to bite back a smile. “A Paint is a breed of horse, Rocky. Beautiful horses. Like Devin’s Picasso.” She nearly laughed when Devin and Jaxon’s eyebrows shot up at her knowledge. She shrugged. “I love horses and know my breeds.”
“Impressive,” Devin murmured then looked at Rocky. “I can take you there now if you’d like.”
“I’d love it. Can Willa come along?”
“If she wants.”
She lifted her chin. “I’d love to.”
Devin turned to Jaxon. “Help me with the trailer?”
“Sure.” Jaxon headed out of the barn.
“It will just be a few minutes. We’ll take the trailer in case you find one you want. They’re not cheap though. Lucy’s horses have great bloodlines and are in high demand.”
“I don’t care what it costs.”
“I’ll be right back then. I need to get the truck hooked up to the trailer.” Devin strode out of the barn in the direction Jaxon had taken.
She watched him until he disappeared, and then she turned to Rocky. “How do you plan on getting the horse to Hollywood?”
Rocky waved his hand. “Willa, I’m sure I can get someone to deliver the horse for me. Hell, maybe Devin or Jaxon would do it if I paid them enough.”
“Money isn’t everything to everyone, Rock and besides, I’m sure they’re way too busy here on the ranch.”
“Maybe. I’ll check around. I’m sure there is someone who does that sort of thing.”
Willa looked away, shaking her head. He thought he could just offer anyone money and they’d do whatever he wanted. This was a crazy idea. She’d thought it was bad enough when he’d wanted to learn how to ride, but now he was hell-bent on buying a horse before he went back to Hollywood.
“Do you have any idea how much work it is to take care of a horse?” she asked.
“I’ll have a stable built and hire someone.”
“Someone… to take care of your horse?” She laughed. “Rocky, you really shouldn’t buy a horse.”
“I’m doing this, Willa. I can buy you one too, if you want one.”
“I don’t want a damn horse,” she said through clenched teeth.
Rocky stared at her and frowned. “What is wrong with you?”
She was about to tell him she had no idea, when a red Silverado pulling a horse trailer entered the barn. It wouldn’t matter what she said to Rocky. She knew he’d do whatever he wanted since he always did. She watched as Devin stepped out of the truck and sauntered toward them.
“Ready?”
“Yep,” Rocky said as he walked to the truck and climbed into the front.
Willa got into the backseat while Devin got in the driver’s seat then he drove out of the barn and soon they were off the ranch property. Once on the road, she watched the passing scenery. Lush green fields sat on each side of the two-lane blacktop. Horses grazed or chased each other. She couldn’t stop the smile until she glanced into the rearview mirror to see Devin looking at her. As she watched him, he pulled on his sunglasses.
“How far is it?” Rocky asked him.
“About five minutes,” Devin told him.
“So this is your cousin, right?” Rocky asked.
“Yeah, Reid is one of two cousins I’m close to.”
“Who is the other one? Do they live close by too?” Willa asked since she was suddenly very curious about his family.
“Roark is the other one. He and Reid are both thirty-two. We grew up together and are closer than some brothers and yes, they all live close by.”
“How many of you are married?” Rocky asked.
“They’re both married, and I’m sure it will be for life. Callahan men love deeply.”
Willa saw him glance into the review mirror to look at her. She nibbled on her bottom lip and glanced away from him.
“What do they do?” Rocky obviously wanted to know things and was suddenly full of questions.
“Roark raises bulls for the rodeo. Reid owns a farm where he raises feed for animals, plus he runs the ranch with his wife, Lucy raising Paints. We are all part owners of Callahan Irish Whiskey. All of our fathers and their brother started the business years ago, and once we all turned twenty-one, we were given our shares in the company.”
“Callahan Irish Whiskey is the best damn whiskey I’ve ever had. If you own stock in that, why bother with your ranch? Any of you?” Rocky asked in a surprised voice.
“We all wanted to do our own thing. Our parents are good with that.” Devin shrugged.
Willa was shocked. The man was beyond rich. Although it didn’t matter to her if he was or not, but she was impressed that he just didn’t flaunt his money and he seemed to love the ranch he owned with his brother.
They rode the rest of the way in silence, and it wasn’t long before Devin slowed and pulled into a long driveway then up to a barn. She stared at the beautiful log home and saw a door open. A tall man stepped onto the porch and waved then he walked toward the barn.
When Willa climbed out of the truck, she widened her eyes when she saw the man up close. Wow. She smiled when he stuck his hand out to her.
“Hi, I’m Reid Callahan. My wife, Lucy will be right out.”
“Hi Reid. I’m Willa Foster, and this is Rocky Fontaine.”
Reid shook Rocky’s hand then slapped Devin on the shoulder. “Hey, cuz. What brings you over here? I don’t see a horse in the trailer.”
Devin grinned and nodded toward Rocky. “Rocky wants to buy a horse of his own.”
“That’s great.” Reid glanced over his shoulder when he heard the door to the house open, and a beautiful woman with dark hair walked down the steps with a little boy following her. The little boy started running toward them.
“Uncle Dev,” he shouted with his arms already wide in anticipation of a hug.
Devin squatted down and caught the little boy as he launched himself at him, then Devin tossed him in the air making him squeal.
“Hey Z-man,” Devin said as he hugged the little boy.
Seeing him holding the little boy tore at her heart. He would make an excellent father. Quickly blinking her eyes, she glanced away from him.
“Willa, Mr. Fontaine, this is my wife, Lucy and our son, Zeke––” Reid started to say.
“Z-man, Daddy,” Zeke scolded when Devin set him down.
Reid grinned, and Willa saw the Callahan resemblance. “Sorry, buddy. Willa, Mr. Fontaine, our son, Z-man.”
She rolled her lips in, so she wouldn’t grin and then crouched down and put her hand out to the little boy.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Z-man and that’s a wonderful name you have there, by the way.”
The little boy hopped up and down on one foot. “Uh, huh,” he said making everyone laugh.
“So, Mr. Fontaine, you’re interested in purchasing a Paint?” Lucy asked.
“Please, call me Rocky and yes, I’d love to see your horses. I’m very interested in buying one.”
“Please come with me then,” Lucy said as she led them into the barn.
Willa followed along with Reid and Devin. Zeke ran ahead of them. She smiled as she watched the little boy run around the barn then head toward a stall.
“Daddy, can you lift me up to see Buttons?”
“Of course.” Reid picked him up at the stall gate .
“You have a horse, Z-man?” Willa asked.
“Yep. Come see.”
She walked over to the stall to see a Shetland pony standing inside. The little horse walked to the gate when he heard Zeke’s voice. Zeke rubbed his hand over the pony’s nose.
“He’s a magnificent looking horse,” she told him, getting a proud grin in return.
“I got him for Christmas. Santa bringed him.”
“Brought,” Reid corrected.
Zeke placed his hand over his mouth and giggled. “’kay, Daddy.”
Reid chuckled, and Willa had a feeling all of the Callahan men were gorgeous and sexy. She turned and walked back across the barn to see what horse Rocky was looking at. Stepping up beside him, she listened to Devin telling Lucy what Rocky was looking for in a horse.
“He’s only been riding a week, but he has a movie coming out and shooting begins in spring. He needs a gentle horse to use for pleasure and in the movie.”
“All right. I think Gypsy would be perfect for you. She’s a five-year-old and very gentle. She’s been used for trail rides at Devin and Jaxon’s ranch when more horses were needed.” Lucy smiled at Rocky as she led them to a stall.
A beautiful black and white horse stuck her nose over the stall. Lucy rubbed the horse’s nose.
“This is Gypsy.”
Rocky stepped forward and rubbed the horse’s nose and when she whinnied, he laughed and looked at Lucy.
“She’s gorgeous. How much do you want for her?”
“I think what you should do before deciding you want her is to take her to Bur Oak and see if you two work well together. If you do and you want her, we’ll talk price. I don’t want you to buy her and then find out you don’t like each other.” Lucy smiled at him.
“Good idea,” Devin said from beside her, surprising her that he was so close.
Willa did her best not to move away from him. She could smell his aftershave, and she had this absurd idea to throw him on the floor and ride him.
“If Dev thinks that’s a good idea, then I’ll do that,” Rocky said to Lucy.
“Great. Let me get a halter.” Lucy walked away from them and entered a room.
“Is there a blonde somewhere in your family or Lucy’s? How did Zeke end up with blond hair if both Reid and Lucy have dark hair?” Willa asked Devin in as low a voice as she could.
“Reid is Zeke’s step-dad. His father died before he was born.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Lucy had to have been young.”
“Yeah, she was. Zeke’s dad was also Reid’s best friend. Reid’s always loved her.”
“How did he die?”
“A bull killed him. For a long time, Lucy blamed Reid for talking Zeke into going again. He’d retired, but Reid wanted him to go one more time. Lucy may have blamed him, but no one blamed him more than he blamed himself.”
“That is so sad. ”
“We all knew Zeke, but Reid was his best friend. He took it hard when Zeke died. He came back here for Christmas last year and saw Lucy again. She fell in love with him, and they were married last month.”
“He didn’t live around here?”
Devin shook his head and looked at her. “No. He couldn’t stay here around Lucy. He was living on his farm in Butte.”
She saw Lucy come back out of the room and glance toward Reid and her cheeks turned pink. Willa smiled. They seemed very much in love.
“Here, give that to me, Lucy. I’ll get her,” Devin said as he stepped toward her.
Lucy smiled and handed him the halter.
“You have a beautiful home, Lucy,” Willa said.
Lucy beamed a smile at her. “Thank you. I’m a little giddy here. I can’t believe Rocky Fontaine is on my ranch—buying one of my horses.”
Willa laughed. “Once he makes up his mind, it’s hard to change it.”
“Are you his girlfriend?”
“Oh, Lord no. I’m his personal assistant. If I were his girlfriend, I would have killed him a long time ago.”
Lucy burst out laughing. “Good thing you aren’t then. How long are you at the ranch?”
“We have three more weeks. Rock is doing well on the riding lessons. Devin’s a good teacher.”
“Devin and Jaxon both are. They have riding classes on the ranch some summers.”
Willa didn’t know that. Maybe that was how Christopher knew where to send Rocky for lessons. She never did ask him how he’d picked Bur Oak. Despite everything, she was glad he had because she couldn’t imagine not meeting Devin. What if Christopher had sent them to another ranch?
Glancing toward Devin from under her lashes, she watched him put the halter on the horse, speaking to the horse in soft tones then he led her from the stall. When he passed Willa, he winked at her. She could feel the heat pouring into her cheeks. She looked away and saw Lucy looking at her with a smile on her face. Willa gave her a slight smile and cleared her throat.
“Maybe we can have lunch together before you leave, Willa,” Lucy said.
“I’d love that, Lucy,” Willa said and meant it. She liked Lucy. She seemed like a beautiful person who had been through a lot.
As she watched, Reid walked to Lucy, put his arm around her, and kissed her temple then he walked out of the barn with Zeke running after him making Willa chuckle.
“The only time my son slows down is when he’s sleeping.” Lucy laughed.
“He’s adorable and seems to love Reid very much.”
“He idolizes Reid, and the feeling is mutual. Reid is a wonderful man.” Lucy looked at her. “All of the Callahan men are.”
“Uh…”
“You don’t have to say anything, Willa. I know you’re planning to leave here in three weeks, but even if I hadn’t seen you blush when Dev walked by, I still would have known something was happening between you. I can feel it. ”
“It won’t work. I’m going back to Hollywood, and I’m older than he is.”
“Who the hell cares that you’re older? Love doesn’t know numbers and if he’s interested, he’s not playing. Devin isn’t like that. None of them are. The Callahan men fall fast and love hard, and deep.” Lucy shrugged. “Sure, he’s had his share of women, especially when he was in the rodeo, buckle bunnies were always after him, but he never stayed with one too long––”
“Buckle bunnies?” Willa asked laughing at the absurd name.
“Oh yes. Rodeo groupies. The Callahan men were always surrounded by them. I used to be so jealous seeing them around Reid. Even when I was married to Zeke. For a long time, I felt awful about that, but now I know I was meant to be with Reid for the rest of my life.”
Willa smiled. “I think you are, too, because I can see how much he loves you and you feel the same way about him.”
“You ready, Willa?” Rocky called to her from the barn entrance.
“Yes.” Turning toward Lucy, she smiled. “Let’s get together for lunch for sure. I’d love to see the town. I may need to rent a vehicle. I hadn’t even thought about that. I’ve been having too much fun at the ranch.”
“I can pick you up one day. I can take you to the car rental place too, but you really don’t need to rent a vehicle. I can take you anywhere you want to go.” Lucy hugged her.
Willa hugged her back and suddenly knew she’d made a friend for life even though her life was in Hollywood. Giving Lucy a wave, she ran out of the barn and after shaking Zeke’s little hand, she waved at Reid then climbed into the truck.