The Rancher's Christmas Bride Page 9

  “You don’t have to stay, either.”

  “I think someone does have to stay. Plus, I can’t go until you tell me what to do about a missing cow. Dan is beside himself and I’m afraid he’ll try to go look for her.” She moved his hand away to look at the cut on his head.

  “It’s fine.”

  “Of course it is.”

  “So you’re here about one of Dan’s cows?” he asked, trying to deflect her attention from him.

  Her blue eyes flashed with humor. “Well, I certainly wasn’t here to see you get knocked unconscious. It just worked out that way.”

  “Don’t be dramatic. I was never unconscious,” he argued as he pushed her hand away from the cut. “Ouch.”

  “Sorry. I don’t think this is too deep. Do you have a first-aid kit?”

  “In the tack room.”

  She glanced around. “And where would that be?”

  “This way,” he told her, not pulling away when she took his hand.

  “You’re limping.”

  “Yeah, he went after me pretty good.”

  “Do you need me to drive you to the ER? Or to Doc?”

  He opened the door to the tack room. “I can doctor myself. A bandage on my head and maybe some ice on my knee and I’ll be good to go.”

  “Where is the first-aid kit?” she asked.

  “The cabinet. Maybe the second shelf.”

  “Okay, sit down and I’ll get you fixed up.” She maneuvered him to the seat in the corner of the room.

  “We need to get that cow found,” he told her.

  “I’m sure she’s fine.” She wiped the wound clean and used a butterfly bandage. Her fingers were gentle, cool. He closed his eyes as she worked. Because if he looked into her eyes, he might lose himself.

  “There.” She finished. “What about your knee?”

  He opened his eyes. “I’m good. I can walk it off.”

  “Really? You’ll just walk it off?”

  “Isn’t that what you’ve been doing since I found you walking down the road?”

  “Yes, I guess I have. And surprisingly, it doesn’t hurt much.”

  “There you go. I’ll walk it off and it won’t hurt much.” With a grimace he managed to stand. “But we should take care of that cow. Dan won’t thank us if he’s lost one of his good heifers.”

  “Will he be upset if I put up a Christmas tree, do you think?”

  He took advantage of her nearness and slipped an arm around her waist. Just to steady himself, he told himself. And because she smelled good.

  “I don’t know if I remember Dan ever putting up a tree. But I don’t think that’s going to stop you.”

  “No, it won’t.” She allowed him to lean against her and he felt a little guilty. Not guilty enough to admit he didn’t really need her help.

  They left the barn walking side by side, her steps slow, in order to match his. When they got to the old farm truck, he leaned a little closer, tempted. He wanted to know what made this woman tick. What made her strong as steel and yet tender. She taught kindergarten. She cared about a grandfather she hadn’t known until recently.

  “I know I shouldn’t. So let’s just blame this on the head injury,” he murmured low, close to her ear. He pulled off the straw hat she wore and pulled her closer, hoping she wouldn’t back away.

  Once upon a time he’d told Aunt Essie he would never get married because he would never fall in love. Essie had laughed and told him that the right woman would come along and no matter how hard he fought, he wouldn’t be able to keep from loving her.

  Marissa was everything he shouldn’t want. And he was the last thing she needed.

  He reminded himself of the mortgage on the ranch, hoping it would bring him back to his senses. He told himself this woman deserved better than he could ever give her. But then the breeze kicked up and blew soft tendrils of hair around her face and a tropical scent filled the air.

  He moved close enough to feel her breath against his neck. And then he kissed her. His lips brushed hers. With that kiss, his whole world spun a little bit out of control. And he couldn’t blame it on the blow to his head. Not really.

  It took him by surprise, the way it felt to hold her, to kiss her. It took him by surprise because she kissed him back and her hands fluttered on his shoulders until they settled.

  Then suddenly, it was over.

  “No,” she whispered, pulling away from him. “This isn’t why I’m here. I’m not here to jump from a failed relationship to a relationship that can’t be anything more than temporary.”

  “It was a kiss, not a proposal,” he assured her with humor he was nowhere close to feeling. “Temporary is the only kind of relationship I’ve ever had.”

  “Yes, me, too.” With that she got in the truck and cranked the engine to life. He stepped back, letting her go.

  It was better that way. She’d hold on to that iron will of hers and he would learn to stay on his side of the fence. But then he remembered she had a cow to find, so he headed to his truck.

  Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

  Chapter Eight

  She shouldn’t have kissed him. Marissa parked the truck and then rested her forehead on the steering wheel. What had she been thinking, kissing Alex? How stinking cute he was in his jeans and faded T-shirt. She’d thought about how he’d fallen off that bull and managed to walk away. And then his arms had been around her. And she’d wanted to know that a man found her attractive.

  Fortunately she’d come to her senses. Or maybe unfortunately. Because she’d loved being in his arms. She’d loved the way he’d held her as if she was precious to him. But he liked temporary. He’d said it himself.

  She didn’t want to be anyone’s temporary romance, ever again.

  She leaned back in the seat and sat there for a minute in that old truck of her grandfather’s. It smelled of cattle, oil and age. The seat had a rip that he’d fixed with gray duct tape. Why was she here? Driving this old truck? Searching for cattle? Feeding barn cats?

  Kissing cowboys.

  This wasn’t her life.

  But she couldn’t leave. Her grandfather wasn’t healthy and he needed her help. If someone was taking advantage of him, she needed to figure it out. Headlights flashed through the cab of the truck. She knew who it would be. A moment later Alex was climbing in the passenger seat. He tossed her the hat he’d pulled off her head when he’d kissed her.

  “Thought I should return this.”

  “Thank you.” She shoved it back on her head.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  She glanced at him and couldn’t help but smile. He was cute. Even with his big ears. She thought about telling him, but why add to that ego of his.

  “Please don’t apologize,” she said instead. “Just help me find that cow.”

  “That’s the other reason that I’m here.”

  “I thought I heard her earlier. Maybe down by that pond. But it was getting dark and I knew if I found her, I wouldn’t know what to do with her.”

  “Don’t worry, we have everything we need in the back of the truck.”

  She started the truck and headed for the field. She noticed he didn’t grimace too much at her driving.

  “I’m getting better at this,” she informed him.

  “I agree. By the time you leave, you’ll be an old hand on the farm. When you get back to the city you won’t know how to drive your car anymore, or remember how to handle that city traffic.”

  “I sure don’t miss that traffic.”

  “Oh, you will miss it.” He said it with authority. “The same way I kind of like the city for a little while, but then I’m ready to get back here. No stoplights. No traffic jams.”

  She didn’t argue with him,
but what if she went back to the city and she wasn’t happy there? What would she do then? Come back here to her grandfather’s camper? And no job.

  The conversation trailed off. Marissa drove around the pond, searching for any sign of the missing cow. Finally the headlights found her. She was on her side in a brushy area near the pond.

  “There she is. Be sure to set the emergency brake. I wouldn’t want Dan’s truck to roll into the pond.” Alex jumped out of the truck. Marissa did as he’d told her, then she followed him.

  When the cow saw them, she let out a plaintive cry and made a strong attempt to push. Alex examined her and shook his head.

  “I’m only seeing one hoof.”

  “Do we call a doctor?”

  He laughed. “No, we don’t call a vet. There are times when that’s necessary but usually we can handle it ourselves. I’m going to see if I can get that other hoof and then we’ll see if she can’t do this on her own. If not, we’ll pull the calf. There’s a chain and pulley in the truck.”

  Chains? Pulleys? She cringed, thinking how difficult and painful this sounded.

  Alex took over. It took some time but eventually the calf slid out. The mama was exhausted but she cleaned her baby, then managed to get to her feet.

  Marissa watched, completely enthralled by the process. She’d never seen a birth. Not even kittens. Alex stepped to her side, wiping his hands on a rag he’d found in the back of the truck. Side by side they watched as the calf found his legs and stood, wobbly but healthy. The cow nudged him, her long tongue taking swipes down his back. Eventually he found his way to her belly and was able to get his first meal.

  “Will they be okay now?” Marissa asked as they walked away.

  “They’ll be fine. She’ll feed him and then she’ll find the rest of the herd.”

  “But it’s cold.”

  “She’ll keep him warm,” Alex reassured her. He opened the passenger door of the truck. “Climb in. I’m driving.”

  “I can drive.”

  “I’m driving because you behind the wheel of this truck is more frightening than eight seconds on the back of a bull and thirty seconds under its hooves.”

  “You said I was doing better.”

  He winked. “You are, but I’m just not sure I can handle the return trip right now.”

  “I made sloppy joes for dinner and I was going to invite you to join us. Now, maybe not.”

  “I take it back. Really. For sloppy joes, I’ll even let you drive.” He bumped his shoulder against hers.

  A few minutes later they walked through the front door of the camper. Bub got off the couch to greet them, but before Marissa would pet him, she grabbed the towel she’d left on the coatrack. She wiped the drool from the dog’s face and he thanked her with a soft woof.

  Marissa’s grandfather was on the phone. He held up a finger to keep them quiet. Marissa nodded and leaned to pull off her shoes. Next to her, Alex did the same.

  Dan hung up, saying a few things he shouldn’t have said.

  “Who was that?” Marissa asked as she headed for the kitchen and the slow cooker she’d filled with sloppy-joe ingredients.

  “That was the lady from the IRS. They think I owe them another payment.”

  “Dan, you have to let me look at your paperwork and anything they’ve sent you. Please.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a good long time, young lady.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with letting someone else help.”

  He switched off the television. “I know there isn’t. But this is my business.”

  “Right. You’re right.” She stirred the hamburger and then turned off the cooker. “Are you hungry?”

  “Of course I am. It’s pretty near bedtime.”

  She glanced at the clock on the stove. “It’s seven o’clock.”

  Alex had stepped to the sink and was washing his hands and arms. “Dan, you have a bull calf.”

  “You found the cow? I’m glad. She’s one I wouldn’t want to lose. They’re both healthy?”

  “They’re both healthy,” Alex assured him. “Dan, let her look at the papers.”

  “Since when do you get in my business, Alex?”

  “I’m getting in your business because you’re losing livestock and now you’re paying out money you might not have to pay. Someone needs to figure this out. And you probably need to call the police.”

  “You should worry about your own affairs. The county paper came out and there’s an interesting list of properties up for auction.”

  Alex didn’t respond, he just shook his head. Her grandfather had gotten up and made it to the kitchen, stopping once to catch his breath. He had an oxygen tank nearby but she knew he wouldn’t use it until he absolutely had to.

  “The only reason you’re getting in my business,” Dan said to Alex as he poured himself a cup of tea, “is because I have a pretty granddaughter living here.”

  “And you’re getting in my business because I’m a Palermo,” Alex muttered.

  “You said it, not me,” her grandfather responded.

  “Stop. Both of you,” Marissa yelled. “Sit at the table and I’ll get you a plate.”

  Her grandfather sat down. Alex helped her get the plates and food on the table. And then they all sat. The table was small, more of a miniature booth than a dining room table. When her grandfather wouldn’t budge from his seat, she sat next to Alex. They fixed their plates, then Alex cleared his throat.

  “What?” Dan grumbled.

  “I’d like to ask for the blessing.” Alex grinned at Dan.

  “Suddenly he gets religious and makes a nuisance of himself.” Dan bowed his head. “Make it quick, Palermo.”

  Marissa bowed her head. Her breath caught when Alex slipped his hand over hers. His fingers were warm and strong. His prayer was sweet. Her heart tripped over the moment, getting tangled up in something she knew could be dangerous.

  Dangerous in a sweet, tempting way that made it hard to resist.

  * * *

  Alex lifted the fence-post driver and slammed it down on the metal post. It vibrated through his arm and his back, reminding him of the spill he’d taken from the bull the previous day. He raised it and brought it down on the post again.

  Today he was repairing fences. But he was also taking his frustrations out on those posts. It was a good thing they needed some serious pounding to get them in the ground. He raised the driver one more time on the post and then he stepped back, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his brow.

  A truck pulled up the drive and parked by the fence. Pastor Matthews got out. He eyed the fence and the post driver, and started to get back in his truck. Through the windshield Alex could see his grin.

  “Oh, no, you’re already here.” Alex motioned him out of the truck. “Showing up is the same as volunteering. Wasn’t that the sermon a few weeks ago?”

  Pastor Matthews adjusted his ball cap and gave the fence a good look. “No. I think what I said is complaining is the same as volunteering.”

  “Then I guess I should call Dane to help because he complained about my fence.” Alex lifted the post driver again and positioned another metal fence post. “What brings you out here?”

  “I don’t know.” He waited until Alex was finished with the post before finishing. “I guess I thought you might need to talk.”

  “Did you get that in a text or an email?”

  Pastor Matthews laughed. “God mail.”

  “I guess you and about everyone else in town has seen the county paper.”

  Alex headed for his truck and the thermos of water he’d left on the tailgate. His gaze shifted to the bulls he’d bought. They were on a five-acre field with fences that were strong enough to hold them. They hadn’t
been cheap. And there was a lot of risk involved.

  He should sell them. They were a dream, but not a necessity. He told Pastor Matthews as much, expecting he’d probably agree.

  “Why would you want to do that? You’re just getting started. Don’t you want to give it more time?” Pastor Matthews asked as he sat on the tailgate of the truck. Alex joined him.

  “I don’t know. It feels like I’m being shut out of the bigger events. And I can’t make money if my bulls don’t qualify.” He shrugged it off.

  “I guess that’s a decision you’ll have to make. And one I’d put a lot of prayer into. It’s hard to trust when things aren’t going the way we thought they would, or the way we planned.”

  “Ain’t that the truth?”

  Alex’s gaze skimmed the ranch that his dad had bought thirty years ago. “I wish I could just walk away from this place. I have a lot of bad memories and most of them are attached to this land.”

  “Put it on the market and do something different.”

  He laughed. “What would I do, Pastor? I’m a rancher. I’ve spent some time in the city and I can’t say I liked it much.”

  “What if there is something else and you’re so focused on this one aspect of your life, you can’t see the other path?”

  “I guess I’ll have to hope there’s some road signs so I don’t get lost. I’d just like for things to go smoothly for a change. I kind of thought this was the easy part of my life. I’m home, business is going well, I have my bulls, rebuilding the livestock on this place. And then out of the blue...”

  Out of the blue came a bride standing on the side of the road looking for all the world like she’d been meant for him. But she wasn’t for him. Her kind never was.

  “Out of the blue?” Pastor Matthews had hopped off the end of the truck and picked up the post driver, as if he really did plan on helping with the fence.

  “Out of the blue you find out your mother has put a big old mortgage on the ranch and you might lose it all.”

  “Don’t let it get you down, Alex. It’ll work out. Even if it doesn’t work out the way you thought it might.”