A Cowboy Winning Her Heart (Sweet Mountain Ranch #2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

A aron McSweeney leaped from the fire engine. The hard landing shuddered up his legs and into his core. Burning with adrenaline, he raced to the three shadowy figures huddled at the forest’s edge. The chaotic howl of the engulfed cabin blazing behind them echoed down the mountain.

“Get away from the building,” Aaron yelled above the inferno’s roar. He swept his arm across his body gesturing them away.

The woman turned to him, her face ashen in the fire’s light. Two trembling children clung to her arms. They buried their faces into the woman’s coat.

His heart took a startled leap. His stride holding firm, he ran faster. Barely drawing a breath, he stared into the dark eyes that still filtered uninvited through his mind.

“Belle?” The fourteen years since he’d last seen her evaporated in a flash.

“Aaron.” She breathed his name. Her eyes closed.

Panic gripped him. He ran harder. She couldn’t faint. She had to get out of there.

“You have to get back.” He glanced at the frightened children—a boy and a girl, no older than ten or twelve.

The tears glistening down their cheeks reflected the encroaching flames.

His heart thudded. He hadn’t seen Belle since high school. Now she was married and had children.

He wrapped his arm around her and swallowed against the feeling of having this woman close.

“I tried to call—” Her voice broke into a sob.

“It’s okay.” He kept his tone low, the compassion flowing through him seeping into his voice.

Three paramedics rushed toward them, their equipment clanging with each stride. They reached Aaron and Belle. They dropped to their knees and whipped open their cases.

“We’ll take care of them.” Sean, the tallest of the trio, put his arm around Belle and gently drew her from Aaron’s hold.

He drew a ragged breath. He didn’t want to release this woman. He wanted to make sure she and her children were all right, but that was the paramedics’ job.

Swallowing against the feel of Belle slipping away, he nodded, then turned and raced toward the other firefighters. He fought his mind begging to drag in the memories. His jaw clenched, he forced them away.

He had a job to do. Once the fire was out, he’d learn her story.

Please, Lord, let her and her kids be all right.

Six hours later, Aaron was showered and changed. He tried to relax after a blaze had been extinguished, but that took hours—sometimes a day or two. He may be a volunteer with a day job, but he took his commitment to the department seriously.

Stepping out of the fire station, he breathed in the fresh Colorado mountain air. In the quiet of the night, he drove from the station and down Sweet Mountain’s Main Street. At the corner where the courthouse stood, he turned and guided his truck along Church Street to the town’s tiny hospital.

Parking in a space in front of the emergency department, he turned off the engine, then eased air into his lungs.

All night, he couldn’t get Belle out of his mind. He’d read the paramedics’ report, which noted all occupants had been safely evacuated and transported to the hospital, but he had to see Belle for himself.

The feelings he’d tried to suppress burst to the surface. Who was he kidding? This hadn’t been a crush. These emotions ran deep.

Could a fifteen-year-old feel love?

He never told Belle how he felt. She was a bird with dreams of soaring. He wanted that for her, too. He wouldn’t stand in her way.

At the emergency department reception desk, he checked in.

“They’re in Rooms Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen.” The receptionist smiled at him.

Years ago, Aaron had taken her to a barn dance. They’d had a good time, but she was like all the women he dated—she wasn’t Belle.

The receptionist was married now and had a couple of kids.

“Thanks, Pinky.” He smiled at her.

Turning to the double doors, he waited until they floated open, then strode down the hallway to Room Fourteen, where Belle was being treated.

His pulse hadn’t stopped thudding since he’d seen Belle Stedham, now Belle York, huddled with two children near the burning cabin.

What was she doing in Sweet Mountain? Granted, her parents owned the cabin where she and her kids had been staying, but no one had visited the place in years.

All the old feelings came rushing back—the feelings he had for her—feelings she never returned.

Belle was back. For how long? She had no place to go. The SUV sitting in the cabin’s garage was ashes, along with everything she’d brought to the cabin. Fighting the grip on his stomach, he stepped to Belle’s exam room and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” came the sweet voice that still made his stomach tip over.

“Belle?” He opened the door a crack. He couldn’t see her through the opening.

“Aaron?” She had recognized his voice.

“How are you doing?” He opened the door a little wider to a woman who looked pale against the hospital’s white sheets, her dark hair spread in a halo around her head. She looked relieved to see him.

“Okay.” A sheen filled her eyes. “I’m alive, so are my kids.”

“Thank God for that,” he said on a rough exhale. Without meaning to, his gaze slipped to the ring finger on her left hand. Where was her husband?

“And you and the crew. Your fire captain just left.” Her voice wobbled. “Everything was lost.”

“I’m sorry.” He hated this part of his job. He wanted to share good news, not bad. “We did what we could.”

“I certainly don’t blame you.” She stuttered a laugh. “I don’t know what happened. The kids and I were eating in the kitchen, when I smelled smoke. I looked through the doorway. The sofa had caught fire. I managed to grab our coats and my phone and drag the kids out of the cabin. I tried to call nine-one-one, but I didn’t have a cell connection. ”

“You don’t have to explain. Cell service is still spotty in that area.” His chest ached at the pain in her eyes. “Fortunately, one of your neighbors saw the smoke and called dispatch.”

“This is going to break my parents’ hearts.” She swallowed. Her bleak laugh made the ache in his chest throb. “I’ll call them as soon as we find a place to stay.”

“Do you have another place?” The twist inside him made him drag in air. She’d lost everything. Now she needed shelter for herself and her children.

“No, I mean, not yet. I’ll call the inn on Main Street.” Lifting her gaze to his, she smiled, but it wasn’t as bright as he remembered.

It probably wouldn’t be for a while. She and her children had watched their lives incinerate before their eyes.

“I have a place where you can stay, if you like.” His tone was quiet, but firm. “You can stay as long as you need to.”

“I can’t impose on you.” Her eyes wide, she looked at him.

“How is it an imposition when I invited you?” He laughed dryly.

“But I have kids. They’re not exactly quiet, especially after what happened tonight.” She threw back the covers. “I need to be with them. They’re probably in shock.” She stilled and blinked. “I don’t even know where they are.”

“They’re in the two rooms next to yours.” He tipped his head toward the door. “Come on. I’ll walk with you.”

“Thank you.” Her mouth curved in that slight smile that still wavered into his mind in those unsuspecting moments. “I can’t believe this happened. We haven’t visited the cabin in years. The children rarely visit a forest because …” She touched her fingers to her lips. “I’m going to call my parents and tell them what happened. Then I’ll need to call …”

Who? Her husband? Calling her parents and her husband would be the logical calls to make.

“I need to make a couple of calls.” She slid from the hospital bed. From the plastic bag sitting on a chair, she pulled out her phone while slipping on her shoes.

“I’ll give you a moment. As for your staying at my place, I can handle a couple of rambunctious kids. After a night of putting out fires, it’ll feel like a vacation,” he said.

Her breath catching, she opened her mouth.

“I’m inviting you.” He smiled and tipped his head. “I’m not completely na?ve when it comes to kids and their energy levels. I am the oldest of seven.”

“All right.” Her eyes softened with acquiescence. “You win.”

“It isn’t a matter of winning,” he said, but didn’t like the defeat in her eyes. “It makes sense. You need a place to stay. I have a place.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. “We’ll stay at your place one night.”

“Why? Because you think it’s an imposition?” He lifted a brow. Did she want to stay one night because her husband would fly in? She’d mentioned her kids hadn’t been to a forest and Belle hadn’t visited the cabin for years. “How about we take this one day at a time?”

She looked ready to argue. Instead, the lines at the corners of her eyes softened. “The kids will be excited. Her face crestfallen, she looked away.

When she and her parents visited during the summers, she’d made fast friends with the kids in town. She loved to camp and hike and was a big fan of the rodeo.

He didn’t know much about where she lived during the school year except that she attended boarding school—a big difference from Sweet Mountain High.

Had she changed that much from those lazy days of summer? He’d changed. Of course, she would, too.

Or was there another reason?

“They’ll have that opportunity now.” He liked the soft smile teasing her sensuous lips. “As soon as you and your kids are discharged, we can drive to my cabin.”

“At this hour?” She raised her head, surprised.

“No time like the present.” He smiled. The longing he’d felt since that summer when she and her parents had driven away, welled up inside.

He’d gone to college. He’d planned to date—and forget Belle. Soon he realized that would never happen.

A tap sounded on the hospital room door.

“Come in.” Belle’s voice was steadier than it had been all night.

An older woman with curly hair and a name tag labeled Renata leaned through the doorway. “Mrs. York? Dr. Wang submitted your discharge papers if you’re ready.”

“So ready.” Her laugh filled with relief.

“Let me review his instructions with you, then a nurse will be here shortly to wheel you to the front.” Renata dropped her gaze to her tablet.

“Wheel me?” Belle’s lips parted in a way that made Aaron want to hold her close.

“Everyone leaves here in a wheelchair.” The woman’s voice was firmer as if to still any argument.

Belle sighed in reluctant agreement. She frowned. “What about my kids? How are they doing?”

“Dr. Wang says they're fine. Two of our staff will take them to the front,” she said. “They’ll wait for you there.”

“You all have been wonderful.” Gratitude filled Belle’s gaze. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“We’re doing our jobs, but your thanks is appreciated.” A softness flickered in the woman’s eyes. “If you’ll sign these documents.” She extended the tablet to Belle. “I’ll notify the nurses’ station that you’re checked out and ready to go.”

Belle nodded and signed where Renata indicated. The administrator stepped to the door and opened it. A smiling nurse appeared in the doorway and guided a wheelchair into the room.

“I’ll bring my truck around.” Aaron stepped back to give the nurse and the wheelchair room to move toward Belle. “I’ll meet you out front.”

Belle’s soft gaze rested on him, and she nodded. Though fine lines of tension pressed into her cheeks, she looked more relaxed than she had all evening.

Stepping into the hallway, he let a lungful of air ease from his chest. He was with Belle—the woman he never expected to see again. She still kept in touch with some of the local girls—women now—who she’d hung out with when she’d visited all those years ago. Through the grapevine, he’d learned she’d married a lawyer.

The disappointment settling in his chest was a raw wound. She’d grown up privileged. It made sense she’d marry a lawyer—someone who’d provide the life that fit her lifestyle. Aaron’s life was rough and tumble with long days sweating in the hot sun mending fences, checking cattle and breaking horses—not the pampered life she’d be accustomed to, though she’d held her own when they’d ride or hike.

A gentle rain fell when he reached his truck—a welcomed relief to the dry climate. He climbed inside, revved the engine, then guided it to the front entrance. Belle and her children were sitting in their wheelchairs just inside the sliding glass doors. When her children saw the truck, they left their chairs. Belle stood and called after them. Turning to the nurses, she spoke to them. They smiled and wheeled the chairs toward the emergency department’s sweeping doors.

Aaron parked the truck and jumped out. He didn’t want the kids racing outside and into the drive lane without watching for traffic.

“Hey, guys, how’s it going?” Aaron held out his arms indicating they should stop.

“You’re Aaron.” The boy talked so fast, the words jumbled together. “We saw you at the cabin. Mom told us about you.”

“She did?” He didn’t look at Belle but felt her surprise. Apparently, the boy wasn’t supposed to discuss something shared in private. “Yeah, she said you’re a cowboy, and that you ride bulls. I want to ride a bull.”

“I’ve been known to.” Aaron grinned and extended his hand. “Put her there, partner.”

The boy’s surprised look broke into a laugh. He gave Aaron’s hand one firm shake.

“I take it your name is Lyle.” Aaron lifted a brow.

“That’s me,” the boy said, though his eagerness to discuss bulls was palpable.

“And I’m Kelsey.” Not to be left out, the girl stepped to her brother’s side. Her chin lifted.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Aaron shook her hand, too.

Kelsey seemed surprised. The sideway glance she cast toward her brother showed she was pleased.

Aaron wanted to tell her everything was fine. He’d met enough kids at rodeos to know that meeting a bull rider could be exciting. He’d been excited the first time he met a bull rider.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Lyle said softly while Kelsey spoke clearly.

“Sorry about the onslaught.” Belle’s mouth tipped

“It’s fine.” He kept his voice low, then turned to her children.

“Mom said we’re going to stay at your cabin.” Lyle eyed him carefully.

Belle released a soft breath. She turned to Aaron, her eyes filled with apology.

“That’s exactly right.” Aaron cast her a reassuring look. Her kids had been through a lot. Talking about what they’d do next would be the release they needed. Stepping to the truck’s rear door, he opened it and swept his hand toward the seat. “Pile in.”

Belle probably didn’t remember, but her kids were just like she was when she first visited Sweet Mountain. Everything was exciting.

With the kids settled, he opened the passenger door for Belle.

Would Belle’s husband join his family later? She hadn’t mentioned him. Neither had her children. Maybe talking to him was one of the calls she had to make.

If so, why wasn’t he here or calling her to find how she and his children were doing? They’d watched the cabin burn to the ground—the place where she’d spent her summer vacations.

A flinch of resentment for the man flashed through Aaron. With remorseful repentance, he gave it to God. He didn’t know the situation. What should’ve filled him with peace left him with wonder. Where was her husband?

If he were Belle’s husband, he’d be at her side or calling her until he could be with her, and make sure his wife and his children were all right. Was her husband on his way?

And why wasn’t Belle talking about her husband? Why weren’t her children asking about their dad or wanting to talk to him?

What was going on?

Aaron relaxed his fists. For now, he would be patient. Belle had to be in shock. They had narrowly escaped a fire that had taken everything—their car, their clothes, their summer home and all its contents, which he remembered as being extravagant. He’d seen enough disasters to know recovery took time.

If Belle needed Aaron, he’d stand by her side. Once her husband arrived, he’d step back—and ignore the pain.

Belle had her life—her family. She’d never been interested in him. That didn’t matter. He’d be there for her. To be near her was the chance he hadn’t expected.

Everything was in God’s hands. He’d let the Master do His work.