Chapter 3
Staying away from her would probably have been easier if a few stray cattle had not ventured into the direction of the cabin.
And after he had steered them back to the fold, he should have gone back to the ranch. It was late and he was tired and hungry. He was also miserable for some reason. Perhaps it was that reason that made him turned his jeep around and heading towards the cabin.
A storm was brewing. It was the end of summer and rain was in the forecast. In McCarthy Fields, it meant that there would be flooding and thunderstorms. Someone should warn her. And that someone should be him.
Out of towners were unaware of the danger of the unpredictable weather. Coming to a stop, he hesitated behind the wheel, his expression brooding. It had been two days since the encounter at the lake, but he had heard whispers of her going into town, going to the museum, and even having a drink at the local watering hole.
His men had been all excited in discussing what she was wearing. Something tight and revealing. His mouth tightened at that. It was none of his business if she wanted to display her attributes for all to see.
He was about to shove the door open when he saw her coming up the winding path. Staying where he was, he watched the sexy undulation of her hips. She was wearing something loose, like a caftan, unrelieved black except for a white piping around the deeply cut neckline.
She looked over suddenly and saw him. Without breaking her stride, she came forward, stopping when she reached the driver’s side. Leaning a slender arm on the door, she smiled, that slow and sexy smile that turned his insides into mush.
“Hi. What are you doing here cowboy? Am I allowed to tell you that you’re trespassing?” He had to clear his throat to respond. Up close, she was lethal to his already shaky senses and her perfume was assailing his nostrils.
“It’s my property,” he said foolishly.
“That might be the case, but I am the renter.” Her eyes slid to his mouth and had him holding his breath. “What brings you by?”
Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his heart. “Er…, there’s a storm coming.”
“Ah!” She seemed amused by him. “So, I have been told. Pat from the diner already warned me of what a doozy these storms can be and several of your ranch hands offered to keep me company.” Reaching in a hand, she had him jolting as she trailed a finger over his rigid jawline. “Have you come to extend your own invitation?”
For a minute there was utter silence, except the wind whipping through the leaves. The air was still, the watery moon filtering through the leaves, giving him a chance to see every perfect feature of her face, the long lashes, the unpainted lips that had him yearning.
Her skin was flawless and reminded him of rich caramel. The hunger inside him blossomed until he could not think. Her touch on his skin was like branding iron searing and scorching.
His hand snaked up to clamp on her slender wrist with enough force to hurt her, but she showed no signs that he was hurting her. She just stood there staring at him with those magnificent eyes that made him want to devour her. And never stop.
Sexual tension sizzled between them, so much so that it felt as if their own storm was brewing and already breaking the surface. They stared at each other, eyes making contact, and their skins touching.
He felt the silk of her skin under his calloused fingers and his hold changed, his grip became loose, fingers unconsciously massaging away the faint bruises he had put there.
A clap of thunder, the sound reverberating through the air, broke the spell and had him flinging her hand away. His eyes glowered with anger and desire; he was not certain which was more potent.
“Move.” He growled. And when she did, he backed out, tires spinning on the gravel as he shoved the lever into drive. Without a backward glance, he left her in the dust.
Pressing a hand to her chest, Kamilah let out a shaky laugh. Oh, she was definitely going to be getting him into her bed. If she had not been certain before, the hormones veering crazily inside her, the emotions churning left her in no doubt that she was going to be sleeping with the sexy cowboy.
She was looking forward to diving beneath that tough outer layer and getting to his core. With another laugh, she turned around and headed towards the cabin.
*****
The rain started just before he reached the ranch. The water had erupted from the clouds in its usual dramatic form, beating down on the roof of the jeep. Lightning cut jagged strips in the charcoal gray sky, followed by claps of thunder.
His hands gripped the steering wheel as he stared sightlessly out the windshield. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes briefly and tried to shake the image of the provocative woman he had left behind at the cabin.
The urge he felt to haul her inside the vehicle and kissed her senseless had him reeling from the power and potency of it. Rubbing his hands over his face, he shoved the door open and stepped out into the deluge. He was soaked within seconds, the cold inching into his protective clothing.
Bending his head, he made his way to the front porch and stood there staring at the rain lashing the earth. A grim look settled on his face as he realized that if it continued, they would be faced with flooding in several areas. All he could pray for was that it lasted hours instead of days.
Last year it had been particularly horrible, with the rain lasting several days. They had lost animals as well precious fruits and vegetables. The worst part of it, they had also lost two itinerant men who had been foolish enough to venture out in the deluge.
Out of towners often underestimate the weather to their detriment. His mind drifted to the woman he had left at the cabin and for a minute, he felt a shimmer of fear and wondered if she was going to be okay.
With an irritated sigh, he opened the door and stepped into the foyer, dragging off his jacket and sat on the padded entry way bench to take off his boots. The housekeeper materialized out of one of the doorways, shaking her head as he dripped water on her shiny wooden floor.
“I almost drowned out there,” he told her in his defense, “so don’t start with me.” Helen had been with them since before he was born and the woman did not look a day over forty, even though she was in her late sixties.
She was tall, with an erect bearing, her once thick black hair almost white. Light blue eyes slid him a mild look as she took the jacket and folded it over one arm.
“That should teach you to stay out at all hours. I have sent up a maid with some stew to your room and a pot of coffee,” she said with a sniff.
“Have I told you lately, how much I adore you?” His grin came and had her smiling.
“Go on with your flattery. Your mother is waiting up for you.” Helen touched his arm lightly.” “You know how she gets when you’re out in that kind of weather. She’s in her salon.”
The warmth of the house was already drying his clothing. Dragging his fingers through his damp hair, he made his way along the narrow passageway and headed up the stairs. The ranch was his home.
He had been born here and had only been away when he was in college. He had taken several trips to various places, but this place would always be home for him.
Turning left, he passed several doors before coming to a set of double doors that had been left open as if in expectation of his arrival.
Leonie McCarthy sat on a blue and white sofa, with her feet tucked beneath her, a book opened on her lap. But she was not reading. She was staring out the window at the rain lashing the glass.
Sensing his presence, she turned her head swiftly, her relieved smile coming immediately. Stretching out a hand, she closed her fingers around his and squeezed. Gesturing for him to take a seat, she turned to face him, taking in the damp flannel shirt clinging to his strong frame.
“The fire will dry your clothing in a minute. You were out late. I was worried.”
Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed the knuckles. “You know better than that.”
“I am a mother, darling, first and foremost and the weather is nasty. Trouble?”
He shook his head and decided against telling her that he had diverted to the cabin.
“Just some things I had to do.” He glanced out the window. “if it continues, we’re in for some flooding.”
She nodded. Placing a bookmark between the pages, she put the book away. “We had the tea party planned.”
“Was it for tomorrow?”
She nodded. “The ladies from the church are planning on restructuring the library.”
“What is it now – the third time?” He asked dryly.
She laughed at his wry expression. “The fourth time. Jennifer is determined to stock the place with all the popular titles. She has been reading up on the different libraries in the big cities and is striving to rival them.”
“A little too ambitious. We are not a big city and it’s time she realizes that. Is she still seeing that twenty-year-old?”
His mother shook her head at him reprovingly. “He’s forty.”
“And she’s in her sixties.” He pointed out.
“They seem to be great together.”
“For now.” Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “I am beat, and we’ll have to see what happens when the dawn breaks.”
“Get some food and then some sleep….”
“Helen already sent up something for me.”
“Good. See you in the morning, darling.” She watched him stride out of the room and sighed softly. He looked so damned tired. Returning to her reading, she opened her book.
*****
Dropping his clothes at the foot of the bed, he walked naked inside the green and gold bathroom. By passing the sunken bath, he headed for the large shower install. Adjusting the jets, he stepped under the crisscrossing sprays and closed his eyes as the hot water beat down on his head and warmed his body.
But closing his eyes brought her image to the fore. Cursing lavishly, he opened his eyes and turned off the water. He would not wonder if she was going to be safe out there all by herself. She was an adult and certainly not his responsibility. He had done his duty and warned her of the impending storm. It was up to her to stay indoors.
He knew firsthand that the cabin was solid and the area where it sat did not flood easily. The roof was intact – all of the cabins were given a thorough inspection before they were rented out. The fireplace was in excellent condition and the wood and chips had been stocked before her arrival.
Dragging a towel off the shelf, he dried his hair and wrapped another one around his narrow waist.
Walking to the floor to ceiling window, he stood there watching as the rain lashed out in all its fury. The animals should be safe, and the greenhouse, his mother’s pride and joy had been reinforced just last year.
He watched for a few more minutes before going to the closet to select a pair of sweats and t-shirt. The scent of beef stew reminded him that he had not eaten since noon. Shrugging away thoughts of the woman staying in the cabin, he sat down to his meal.
*****
It was late, but she could not sleep. Kamilah had poured herself a glass of wine and with her legs curled beneath her, a thick throw blanket wrapped around her, she sat with the fire blazing in the hearth and stared out at the water lashing the window.
She had expected to be a little afraid of the jagged lightning and boom of thunder, but to her surprise, she was more fascinated than anything. And the isolation was not getting to her. She had tried calling her friends and her grandfather, but the cell service was down.
Now, she sat there just watching the storm.
A smile touched her lips as she thought back to the encounter with the cowboy. There was definitely something there. And even though the last thing she had expected was a holiday romance, she was open to it happening.
A chuckle escaped her as she recalled the look on his handsome face when she touched him. She was going to get him into her bed, before too long. And enjoy the side benefits of the vacation.
Her smile faded as she thought back to the past year. She had had some bumps in terms of relationships. Bowing to pressures from several sources, she had tried to make it work with Brian. Taking a sip of wine, she brought to memory the conversation that had decided the fate of their relationship.
They had gone out to dinner at one of her favorite restaurants and as usual, she had been given the VIP treatment, which had not gone down well with Brian.
The owner had come over to them personally and recommended the choice of meal and wine. Even though she was not working, she had obliged him by sampling the wine and giving her opinion.
Brian had been furious at being ignored as he had called it.
“I don’t appreciate it!” He had stormed as they made their way back to her place. “It was as if I was invisible. Do you have to bring your work everywhere?”
She had tried to soothe his temper, but it had only gotten worse. Sick and tired of his pettiness, she had ordered him to leave and never come back.
He had stormed out and told her he would give her a few days ‘to come to her senses’.
Finishing the wine, she put the glass away and stretched languidly. The bedrooms were inviting and cozy, but she just might spend the night right here.
*****
The rain continued throughout the next day, just as Jon had feared and it had increased in its intensity, leaving no doubt that there would be flooding.
His mother was already up and in the kitchen issuing orders and instructing the kitchen staff to fill thermoses of coffee. Without a word, she handed him one as he strode into the room.
“Any news?” He asked briefly, grabbing a cup of the steaming brew and taking a sip.
“Bully has already been in and reported that there is flooding in the east section. A fence gave way under the pressure and several cattle are missing.”
He nodded grimly and finishing his coffee, jammed on his hat and turned to leave the room.
“Darling, please be careful.”
“I will try and get word to you as soon as I can.”
She watched him leave and tried to ease the worry around her heart. Squaring her slender shoulders, she beckoned to Helen. “We need to prepare something filling for when the men get back here. It is too wet for any cooking to take place outdoors.”
*****
It was bad, but he was used to it. The rain felt like pellets driving through the rain jacket he had on and as soon as he stepped outside, his hat was soaked. Some of the men were already heading out and he got a full report on what was going on.
Mounting his horse, he headed towards the broken fence, issuing instructions as he rode off. There was flooding of course, and he had expected it. They found the cattle wandering out on the street.
The place was a ghost town, with businesses closed for the day and schools out. Rounding up the cattle took some doing, but finally, they had then back where they belonged.
He thought fleetingly of the woman in the cabin and almost went to check on her. Gritting his teeth at how solidly she was lodged inside his brain, he turned his attention to urgent matters.
“Hey, boss!”
Turning his horse towards the sound of his foreman’s voice, he rode to meet him.
“Problems?”
“Yeah. The main barn is flooded. We’re going to have to move the horses.”
“Then let’s get to it. What about the cottages along the main road?” He asked, referring to the lodging where most of the men and their families resided.
“A few of them, have leaking roofs. McCleary, herded his wife and kids over to the ranch house as per your mother’s instruction. We might have to get more of them moving over there until the rain has stopped and repairs can be done.”
With a nod, Jon wheeled his horse and made his careful way along the grounds. The place was soft and muddy, making navigation a tricky business. Ebony was surefooted and knew his way around and had an uncanny knack of sensing where there was danger, making it easy for Jon to scan the area and look for stray animals.
Nudging the animal forward, he headed for the barn to see to the horses there.
*****
He felt foolish and was trying to talk himself out of going. He was bone weary and hungry. The damage to the outbuildings was minimal, thank goodness, but the flooding was a problem.
They had lost several plants and trees had been snapped in two by the lightning, some of them uprooted. The cleaning up process would have to wait until the weather had cleared.
It was still raining, but not as hard as it had been before, and the sky was getting lighter. He was wet and cold and hungry and really should head back to the ranch. But here he was, sitting on his horse, outside her cabin. To check on her, that’s what he was telling himself.
All throughout the day as he rode from one end of the property, assessing the damage and seeing to the animals, he had thought of her and wondered if she was safe.
Now sitting astride his horse, a few feet away from the door, he felt foolish. It was late. He should be going home to get some rest. Come early morning, they would have to go about making repairs and salvaging what they could.
His horse was still as if he was waiting on him to decide. There was a light on in the living room and he could see the evidence of a fire burning inside the hearth. She was safe. There was no sign of her, but he assumed she was possibly inside the bedroom, already sleeping.
Just as he was about to turn around and make his way back, she came to the door and opened it. He sat there, his back straight and his shoulders slightly hunched as he stared at her. She was dressed in black leggings and a short enough sweater to reveal the outline of her body.
He really should leave; he told himself desperately. She was obviously all in one piece and that was what he had come to find out. With a muttered curse, he urged the animal forward and dismounted. Without a word to the woman standing inside the doorway, he led the animal to the shelter at the side of the cabin and made his way back.
In silence, she stepped aside for him to enter before closing the door behind them.
Shrugging off his drenched jacket, he hung it on the peg and sat on the stool to take off his sodden boots. She had not bothered to stick around but went in the direction of the living room.
Hesitating only slightly, he followed and found her seated on one of the sofas.
“Hungry?” Her sultry voice had the heat rising inside him.
“Yes.”
“I made something. I finally found out how to make the damn stove work.” Uncoiling herself from the sofa, she brushed past him and headed to the kitchen.
“I wanted to see if you were okay.” He followed her and offered the lame excuse.
“How sweet.” She flashed him a smile as she removed bowls from the cupboard. “I made vegetable soup.” She ladled a generous amount in two bowls and slid one to him. Taking hers, she went to sit at the small dining table by the window.
“Are you just going to stand there?” She asked mildly as she dipped her spoon into her bowl.
With a resigned sigh, he joined her at the table.