Virgin Cowboy (9 page)

“Did you hear the news about Gail Carver?” Candy tossed her
bag down on the bar.

“Nope.” It couldn’t be anything too serious or Braden
would’ve called.

“She was rushed to the hospital last night. She thought she
had a heart attack, but didn’t.”

“What?” Courtney set down the glasses she’d been holding.
“Who told you this?”

“Mel.”

“Crap. What happened?”

“Turns out it was a panic attack. She’s home now, resting.”

It must’ve been a serious one to put her in the hospital.
“What made her panic?”

“Not sure. Mel didn’t really tell me.”

A shiver swept down her spine. Had his mother sensed that
she had been with Braden? Surely not. His mom wouldn’t get that upset...would
she?

“I’m surprised Braden didn’t call you.”

She was too. “He wouldn’t, I guess. His mom dislikes me.”

“Why?”

Courtney shrugged. “She seems to not like the person I am.”

“Damn. What are you going to do?”

“Keep seeing Braden. She’ll come around—I hope.”

“So, it’s serious? Mel said it was.” Candy twirled a lock of
hair.

Courtney scrunched her nose. “Are you two gossiping about
us?”

“A little. You didn’t answer my question. Is it serious?”

“Who wants to know? You or Melissa?”

“Me, of course. I guess Mel wants to know too.”

She rolled her eyes. “You can report back that it is
serious.”

Her co-worker’s eyes widened. “How serious? Like marriage?”

“I don’t see us walking down the aisle anytime soon, but I
can see myself with him. Does that make you happy?”

“Very.” Candy grinned.

“Get to work before I fire you.” She grabbed the cups she
was adding to the freezer.

“You wouldn’t! You need me here so you can run off with Lover
Boy.”

Courtney smirked. “Don’t press your luck.”

After she finished getting the glasses in the freezer, Courtney
grabbed her phone and plopped down in a chair. She wanted to talk to Braden and
find out how his mother was. She couldn’t decide though if she should text him
or call.

If it were her father, she’d want to hear Braden’s voice,
even if her dad was going to be just fine. A text wouldn’t suffice.

She dialed his number and waited.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

She loved when he called her that. “Hey. I heard about your
mom. How is she?”

“She’s good. I just left there. Nathan and Angie are headed
to the airport now. They had to reschedule their flight. She’s resting with Dad.”

“Good. I feel bad, as though I kept you from her.”

“Nah, it’s my own fault for putting my phone on vibrate and
leaving it in my bag.”

“What happened?”

“She had a panic attack. I guess a pretty severe one.”

“What about?”

He didn’t say anything at first, which made her feel like
panicking. “We’ll talk about it later. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Something ached inside her. “It wasn’t about me, was it?”

“Not really.” He paused. “Don’t worry about it.”

She sighed. “Maybe we should take a break if your mom is
really that freaked out.”

“We are not taking a break.” His voice was stern. “We’ll
talk tonight, okay?”

“I don’t think tonight’s a good idea. I’ll call you in the
morning.” She disconnected the call before he could reply. If he’d said
anything to convince her he needed her tonight, she would’ve caved.

The last thing she wanted was to give his mother panic
attacks that would land her in the hospital. She sat back in the chair. It
really hurt that the woman didn’t like her. How could she have fallen in love
with a man, and his own mother would be the one standing in the way? She’d never
do that to Anna—ever. Unless the guy was a total creep. She wasn’t a creep.

* * * *

Braden sat in his parked car, feeling almost like a stalker
as he waited on Courtney to get home that evening. Sure, she’d told him to stay
away tonight, and maybe he should’ve listened, but he hadn’t.

On schedule, her headlights lit up the back of his car. She
parked next to him, but didn’t glance in his direction. Hopefully they weren’t
about to have their first fight. He climbed out of his car and met her in front
of her steps.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. “I’m exhausted. It was
a long, shitty night.”

“I wasn’t going to let you just dismiss me. And I didn’t
want you feeling terrible about my mom. It wasn’t your fault.”

She fidgeted with the keys in her hand. “You made it sound
that way.”

“I didn’t mean to. Let’s go inside.”

“I really want to be alone, Braden. Please.”

She was closing up, pushing him away. He was seeing a side
of her he hadn’t seen in a while. The loving Courtney was going back into her
emotionless shell. Not on his watch. He took her hand in his. “I’ll leave, but
at least let me come in and get you ready for bed.”

“Don’t get any ideas.”

He chuckled. “I can keep my hands to myself—maybe.”

She rolled her eyes, but a slight smile creased her lips. He
followed her up the steps and into the house. She tossed her stuff on the couch
before taking a seat.

“Do you want me to explain my mom’s panic attack?”

“Not really.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I wanted to
talk earlier. I don’t now. I want to get in my PJ’s and go to sleep. That’s
it.” Her tone was cold.

“Sweetheart.”

“Not tonight. I was serious earlier when I asked you to stay
away tonight. This is me, Braden. I want to be alone. I’ve been alone a long
time, and right now I need to work through my feelings by myself. Things have
moved so fast between us. Just give me some time to process us.”

He didn’t like this one bit. It wasn’t like he had any other
choice but to respect her wishes. He didn’t want to push her and lose her. He
leaned over the back of the couch and kissed her cheek. “Sweet dreams. Call me
in the morning sometime.”

“Thank you.”

He left, wondering if it was a mistake. Did she really want
him to go? Or was it all a front? Maybe she had a point. Things had moved fast.
One moment she was rejecting his date request, and the next thing he knew they
were boyfriend and girlfriend.

He’d give her all the time she needed, because he also had
to get a handle on his own feelings.

* * * *

I feel like shit.
Courtney poured her fourth cup of
coffee. Her body ached, but not due to a cold. She longed for Braden. She felt
awful about the night before. When she’d come home and found him there, her
heart had melted. But then she continued to be rude to him and he’d left. She
hadn’t wanted him to. She’d wanted him to demand she let him in and whisk her
away to bed. He wasn’t a mind reader, so instead he listened to what she’d
asked.

She’d cried most of the night. He should have been in bed
with her, holding her. She should have listened to him about his mom’s panic
attack. Instead, she’d made it all about her. And yet, from the look in his
eyes, he still cared when he left.

She was head over heels in love with Braden.

Maybe a shower would help her feel half-human again, then
she’d call Braden and apologize. She stood from her dining room table and
headed toward her bedroom when the doorbell rang.

Braden?
She hoped. She hurried across the small home
and peeked out the side window. Gail Carver.

She opened the door. “Good morning, Mrs. Carver.”

“Good morning. Can I come in? I’d like to talk to you.”

Courtney nodded and stepped back for the woman to come inside.

“Can I get you coffee?” Courtney led Braden’s mom into the living
room.

“Please. Just a small mug. The doctors want me to watch my
caffeine intake.”

“Sure. How do you like it?”

“Black is fine.”

Courtney left Gail in the living room and escaped into her
kitchen. Oh, fuck! Why was this woman there? Should she call Braden and tell
him? She pulled her phone from her back pocket and decided to send a quick
text.

Your mom is at my place. Why?

She dug out a small mug and filled it with coffee. She
stared at her phone, waiting for him to answer, but he didn’t. He was probably
busy on the ranch. She’d have to go out there blind.

“Here you go. Please have a seat.” She handed the mug to
Mrs. Carver then sat down in a chair.

“Thank you, dear. I really like your place.”

“Oh, uh, thanks.”

“Maybe you’ll be able to help my son learn to keep a home.”
She sipped her coffee.

A comment like that might be a good sign.

“I wanted to stop by this morning and personally invite you
to lunch today. I understand if you can’t make it with your work schedule, but
you have an open invitation to come with Braden anytime.”

This was not what Courtney was expecting. This woman seemed
to have done a one-eighty. “Thank you. That’s kind. Sunday is usually a slow
start, so I will check with my staff.”

Gail set the mug down and placed her hands in her lap. “I
was wrong to treat you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me. Life has
changed so much lately that when I met you, I knew you were the one for my son.
I’m selfish and wasn’t ready for you to have him.” She paused and wet her lips.
“I’ve never been close to Braden. He’s a daddy’s boy, so to speak. I had hoped
with Tucker and Nathan married, Braden and I would grow closer. We didn’t. Then
you two got together, and I felt like I was losing him.”

“You’re not losing him.”

A soft smile creased her face. “No, I’m not losing anything
at all. I’m gaining you and your daughter.”

Courtney took a deep breath. She had no idea if marriage was
in her future, but she did want to be with Braden for a long time. “Thank you.”

“I have much respect for you. You’ve raised a wonderful
daughter, from what I hear. I’ve seen her around town with your father and she
is well-mannered. You work hard each day to give her everything she needs and
sacrifice your time. I never should have said those awful things.”

“I forgive you. I’d like to put it behind us.”

Gail nodded. “Let’s start fresh.”

“I’d like that.”

“I won’t keep you. Thank you for the coffee and letting me
invade your space.” She stood.

It had taken a lot for his mom to come here. Maybe the
Carvers were the family she thought they were after all. “I think I will join
your family for lunch today. Would you mind doing me a favor?”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Let’s not tell Braden. I’d like to surprise him.”

“My lips are sealed.”

* * * *

Braden stomped up his parents’ steps. He’d gotten some
bizarre message this morning that his mom was at Courtney’s, and now she
wouldn’t answer her phone or return his multiple texts. He’d been under the
impression his mom liked her. What had she said that would make Courtney just
ignore him now?

“Mom,” he called out as he entered the house.

“In the kitchen, dear.”

Thankfully, she was alone. “What did you do?”

“What do you mean?” She placed her hands on the counter and leaned
against it.

“I got a text you were at Courtney’s, and now she won’t talk
to me.”

She shrugged with a carefree attitude. “I didn’t do anything.
I just went to apologize.”

“And…”

“That’s it.”

That didn’t make any sense. “Did you argue?”

“Nope.” She opened a drawer and removed a large spoon.
“We’re just doing meatballs subs today. Hope that’s okay. I’m feeling a little
tired still.”

“That’s fine. I don’t really care.”

“Braden.” Her gaze told him he was stepping out of line.
“You’ve got to learn to control that tongue. You can’t always lash out at me. I
told her I was sorry. When I left, she seemed fine.”

He turned to leave the kitchen. “All right. I’m gonna try
her again. Maybe she was in the shower.”

“Let her be.”

He glanced back.

“Just give her some space. Please. Hounding her won’t do you
any good.”

Hounding? Fuck, was that what he was doing? He left the
kitchen. Maybe he had been. He’d called twice already and texted her. She’d
asked for some time last night, and this morning he wasn’t respecting that.
However, she had texted him about his mom visiting her and it worried him. She
could at least respond to his texts. Then he wouldn’t have to hound her.

He was about to sit down on the couch when the front door
opened. Lauren came in with a few cloth grocery bags, follow by Tucker with
Anna on his shoulders.
Anna?

“Why do you have Anna?” he asked.

Then the gorgeous redhead who had stolen his heart walked
through the door with a few more grocery bags.

“Hey.” She smiled and kissed his cheek.

What the hell is going on?
“I’ve been trying to reach
you.”

“I know. I wanted to surprise you. Your mom invited me to
lunch. When I was picking up Anna to come too, I ran into Lauren and Tucker,
and we helped them get some of the groceries your mom needs.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “And you couldn’t answer
me?”

“Come on, let’s go see if your mom needs help.” Lauren took
Tucker’s elbow as he held Anna up on his shoulders still.

Once they were out of sight, Courtney said, “That might have
been wrong, but I really wanted to surprise you.”

“You did, but I’m confused. Last night you wanted me to
leave, and today you’re here with my family.”

“You better get used to it.” She wrapped her arms around his
waist, and his anger melted away. “I have a standing invitation to be here each
Sunday.”

“You do?”

She kissed his cheek. “Yes. Now let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

She took his hand and led him toward the kitchen. They entered
and his mom smiled when she saw their hands clasped with one another. Anna was
up on a chair helping put the subs together.

“Thanks for bringing Anna,” he said.

“I knew she’d want to be here too.”

He squeezed her hand. “I think she’ll fit in perfectly.”

“Your mom seems to like her.”

“She likes you too.”

“I know. We worked everything out today.” She laid her head
on his shoulder.

At that moment, his life felt complete.

* * * *

Courtney finished her glass of tea, her stomach stuffed.
She’d just had the best meatball sub of her life. She’d have to arrange her
Sunday each week so she could be here to eat.

“I want to see the horses now.” Anna placed her napkin on
the table.

“Can you ask?” Courtney gave her a stern look.

“Can I,
please
, go see the horses now?”

Her daughter was a mess.

“Sure. I’ll take you,” Melissa offered.

“Are you sure?” Courtney asked.

“Yup.”

“Braden, why don’t you and Courtney go on a walk and you can
show her around?” his dad suggested.

“That’s a great idea,” his mom added.

He shrugged. “Want to go for a walk?”

“Sure.” She smiled. “Can I help you clean up first?” she
asked his mother.

“Nope. You two go enjoy a walk. And Melissa will care for
Anna.”

Courtney felt a little guilty, but they had asked, so she
went along with it. She went to her daughter and kissed her forehead. “You be
good and listen to Melissa. Do you understand me? If I hear otherwise, you’ve
lost your tablet time after dinner.”

“She’ll be fine.” Melissa put an arm around her. “We’ll meet
you back here in an hour?”

“Sounds good. Then I’ll need to get ready for work.”

“You all go have fun,” Mrs. Carver said.

Braden held her hand and led her out of the house. She
didn’t know her way around, so she let him guide her. They started on a woodsy
path.

“You’re not gonna kill me out here, are you?” she joked.

“Nah. But I might molest you.”

She laughed, but kept walking with him. “Where are we
going?”

“To a favorite spot of mine. Don’t worry. We’ll be all
alone.”

After a few minutes of following the trail silently, they
came to an area that had been cleared a bit. Water caught her attention and she
saw a small pond with the sun shining down on it, making it almost sparkle.

“My brothers and I used to fish here when we were young.”

“Did you catch anything?”

“Nope. At least nothing edible. We mainly horseplayed and
came home soaking wet and muddy, then Mom would scold us, make us bathe, and we’d
spend the rest of the day in our rooms.”

“You three boys probably made more laundry for her than she
needed. Anna loves to change her outfit three or four times a day.”

“Dirty?”

She shook her head. “Nope. Just likes to change.”

“Melissa was never really a girly girl, so often times she
was down here getting dirty too.”

“Anna will be a whole new species for you.”

He pushed her back against a tree. “Now for my ultimate
plan.”

“Which is?”

“Get you naked.”

He kissed her, but only spent a few minutes on her lips
before he trailed down to her neck. He caressed her stomach as he lifted her
shirt over her head. His mouth found her breasts, licking just under the lace
of the bra cup.

She moaned, and he continued to pleasure her. Pulling the
lace back, he sucked a nipple. Her breathing picked up, but then she pushed him
back.

“God, Braden, I want you so fucking bad, but not on the
grass.”

He unbuttoned his shirt then laid it out on the ground.

“That’s not big enough,” she said.

“Oh, it’s plenty big if I plan to sit on it while you
straddle me.”

“What if someone sees us?”

“No one is going to, but if it makes you feel better, you
can keep your clothes on.”

She caressed the back of his neck and brought her lips back
to his. There was a time when she was much more carefree and Braden brought
that side out in her.

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” he
whispered.

“There’s no turning back now.” She tugged at his jeans.
“Let’s just hope somebody doesn’t pass by us. They might get an eyeful.”

“No one’s coming, sweetheart. I promise.”

“Oh, someone is going to come all right. More like two
somebodies.”

He groaned and worked the buttons on her khakis. Together,
they got their pants stripped off. Braden sat down on the flannel shirt, and
Courtney straddled him.

Staring into his eyes, she said, “You’re an amazing man. I’m
sorry for pushing you away. Don’t ever let me do that again. Promise me.”

“I promise you.” He reached out and pulled a condom from his
back pocket.

“Did you have this planned?” She winked.

“Hell no. I thought you were pissed at me. Remember?”

“So do you just walk around with condoms?”

“Since you came into my life, yes.”

“Then let’s put it to use.” She took it from him and tore it
open.

She slipped it down his long shaft then lifted herself so
his tip hit her entrance. She slowly sank down, enjoying the feel of him
stretching her to accommodate his size. She’d never take the gift of his
innocence for granted. She’d cherish it each day of her life, and spend every
second she could showing this man how much she loved him.

She laced her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around
her waist. Their lips met as they moved at a leisurely rhythm. This was love,
just having the need to be connected. Their usual lovemaking was quick, but
this wasn’t about the desire to get the other off. No, right now, it was about
just being one.

She cupped his cheeks with her palms and deepened the kiss.
His thrust quickened and she met him with each one. Urgency took over as their
paced picked up. She broke the kiss to arch her back as she gripped his
shoulders.

“Braden,” she said softly.

“I’m right here. I’m always with you.”

“I want us to release together, please.”

“You just tell me when.”

“Faster.”

He held her waist tightly as he drove into her harder. Her
release was right there. Every nerve was on fire and ready to burst.

Digging her nails into his flesh, she said, “Now.”

He yanked her to him and tightly held her. He groaned loudly,
and she cried out. A wave of pleasure tore through her, making her toes curl.
She bit his shoulder to keep herself from screaming.

Her breathing softened as she rested her face against his
skin. He rubbed along her spine. Her eyes closed and she wished she could stay
in his arms for hours, just like this. The key to her life being complete had
been under her nose for years.

* * * *

Sitting in the woods, with nature all around, Courtney
nestled to his chest made his life feel complete. He was going to marry this
woman—maybe not in the near future, but one day. From the moment he laid eyes
on her years ago, his heart belonged to her. He had no regrets on saving
himself for the right woman. What he shared with the beautiful redhead was
real. He couldn’t imagine his life without her in it, or her daughter. At this
point, he wouldn’t push the subject, but he’d adopt Anna in a heartbeat and
give her the father figure she deserved.

“I need to get you back to your daughter, I guess.” Braden
didn’t want to remove Courtney from his body. He enjoyed the feeling of them as
one.

“I know. I don’t want to though. Can I call in sick?”

“You’re the boss.”

“Which isn’t always a good thing.” She lifted up and he
scooted over so she could sit next to him.