An Heir for the Texan Page 8

  “I know,” he said. “I saw her dump you on your butt last week, remember?”

  She wished she could forget. “I guess that settles it then. I don’t have an adequate ride, so you’re on your own.”

  “I still have the dynamic duo.”

  She was blasted back into the past to a wonderful time when they’d set out on horseback in secret. “You mean Junior and Bubba?”

  “Yep. They’re still going strong at the ripe old age of fifteen.”

  “I loved Junior.”

  “He probably feels the same about you. Only one way to find out. Come with me on the ride.”

  She turned the idea over and over and couldn’t quite pull the trigger on a definitive decision. “I’m still not too keen on the overnight idea.”

  He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Tell you what. If you agree to go, and you decide you don’t want to spend the night with me, we’ll ride back.”

  That she could live with, but she still had responsibilities. “I’ll see what I can get done before noon and I’ll let you know.”

  “Fair enough,” he said. “But don’t take too long. I want to get started right after lunch.”

  “If I do agree, what do you propose we have for dinner? Or do you plan to play hunter and gatherer and catch our meal in the creek?”

  He winked. “Leave that up to me. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

  He’d never disappointed her when it had come to showing her a good time. He had let her down during those two mornings when he’d disappeared out of her life to pursue his interests. Yet Chance had become the most important person in her life, and maybe this journey would present a prime opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with Austin.

  On that thought, Georgie walked to the sink, rinsed out her cup then turned to find Austin staring at her. “Where and when do you want me to meet you?”

  He looked mildly surprised. “Around one p.m., at the main barn. Be sure to bring a coat. The temperature’s going to be dropping this afternoon when the cold front comes in.”

  She might be better served by wearing several layers of clothing for protection, both from the elements and her escort. “Okay. Right now I better get dressed and retrieve my truck.”

  He hooked a thumb behind him. “Your truck’s in the driveway. Feel free to wear my T-shirt home.”

  Oh, sure. “With my high heels?”

  He streaked a palm over his face. “Get out of here, Georgie, before I...”

  She couldn’t hold back a smile. “Before what?”

  “Before I forget we’re just friends.”

  Georgie needed to remember the friend pact, too, no matter what Austin Calloway might throw at her. But if their past behavior predicted future deeds, that would darn sure prove to be difficult.

  * * *

  “Where in the hell are you going?”

  Austin ignored Dallas’s question and continued to secure the bedrolls to Bubba’s saddle. “I’m going to chart out the trail ride for Extreme.”

  Worth wandered into the barn and eyed the bay gelding. “Seems a little early to be worrying about that. The lodge isn’t going to be finished for a couple of months and we haven’t even started building the new catch pens yet.”

  Austin moved across the aisle to Junior and tightened the jet-black gelding’s girth strap. “I’ll be busy with the dealerships after the first of the year. I figure now’s as good a time as any.”

  Tyler suddenly made an appearance to add to the unwelcome audience. “Since you have two horses saddled, I’m guessing you want one of us to go with you.”

  He began to shorten the stirrups without looking back. “Nope.”

  “You’re going to take both horses?” Dallas asked.

  Austin finished and finally turned around. “Yep.”

  Worth pulled a piece of straw from his pocket and started chewing on it. “You must be planning to cross the border if you’re taking both horses.”

  He really wished they’d all leave before Georgie arrived. The odds of that happening were slim to none, he realized, after he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Austin braced for the fallout until Jenny—not Georgie—breezed into the barn, wearing a crazy red Christmas sweater and matching slacks.

  She strode over and offered him a small square blue cooler and a plastic sack. “Here you go, sugar.”

  Austin took the containers, strode to Bubba and draped the straps over the saddle horn. “I appreciate it, Jen. Hope you didn’t go to too much trouble.”

  When he faced Jenny again, she patted his cheek. “No trouble at all. Oh, and I just talked to Georgie. She said she had to make a phone call and then she’ll be heading this way. Ten minutes tops.”

  Damn. The companion cat was out of the bag, and no doubt he’d have hell to pay. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  The look Dallas sent him wasn’t lost on Austin. “Georgie, huh?”

  He figured he should just fake indifference and hope for the best. “Yeah, Georgie. She wasn’t busy this afternoon so we decided to do it together.”

  Worth chuckled. “Doing it together is a lot more fun than doing it alone.”

  Jenny sent her son a frown. “Hush, Worth Calloway. A man can go for a ride with a woman without anything disreputable going on.” She turned her attention back to Austin. “Your supper should be set. I put in all the fixings for a wiener roast.”

  When the boys began to chuckle, Austin balled his fists at his sides, itching to throw a punch. Jenny’s weapon of choice involved a stern look aimed at the brothers before she turned to him again. “I added marshmallows and I wasn’t sure what Georgie liked on her hot dog, so just to be safe, I included several condiments.”

  “If you’re really worried about safety, Mom,” Worth began, “you might want to pack some condoms with the condiments.”

  Jenny laid a dramatic hand over her heart. “My dear, sweet child, don’t be so crass. You’re acting like an oversexed heathen.”

  Like a bunch of junior high jocks, the brothers’ chuckles turned into full-fledged laughter. “Come on, guys,” Austin said. “Get your minds out of the sewer and have some respect for Jen.”

  Jenny propped her hands on her hips. “Austin is absolutely right. You boys have apparently forgotten your raising.”

  “Sorry, Mom,” Worth muttered, followed by Dallas’s and Tyler’s apologies.

  Jenny gave Austin a quick hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow, and, you two, be careful.”

  “We will,” Austin said. “And thanks again for everything.”

  After Jen strode out of the barn, Tyler said, “I personally think Worth had a good idea about the condoms. Do you have one in your wallet that’s not from your high school years?”

  Austin had about enough. “Look, Georgie is just a friend. That’s all. We’re not doing anything we haven’t been doing for years.”

  Dallas took on a serious expression. “That’s what worries me. I’ve already warned you about—”

  “Dammit, I know, Dallas.” Austin drew in a calming breath and let it out slowly. “You’re just going to have to trust me on this one. We’re not the same stupid kids we used to be.”

  Tyler came up and slapped Austin on the back. “Good luck, bud. Wide-open spaces and a beautiful woman can equal a lack of control. If you can resist her, you’re a better man than me.”

  “Or crazy,” Worth added. “But if you only want to be friends with her, I’ll be glad to pick up where you leave off.”

  Austin sent him a menacing glare. “Not every woman is interested in you, Worth.”

  Dallas stepped forward. “We’re not trying to get into your business. We just don’t want you leading Georgie on.”

  Same song, fiftieth verse. Austin understood where his brothers were coming from, but
he was up for the challenge. He could have a platonic relationship with a woman, even one he’d slept with before. Even one he’d wanted to sleep with last night, minus the sleeping...

  “Sorry I’m late.”

  His focus went straight to Georgie strolling down the aisle, her hair pulled up high into a ponytail. She wore a heavy flannel shirt over a white T-shirt, a pair of faded jeans and worn brown boots. With every move she made, every smile she gave the boys who now stood, hats in hands, staring at her, Austin’s confidence began to slide.

  He cleared the uncomfortable hitch from his throat. “No problem. I’m just now finishing up with the supplies.”

  She held up the small nylon duffel. “Do you have room for this?”

  “What’s in it?”

  She glanced over her shoulder at the brothers, who continued to stand there like statues, eavesdropping. “Just a few essentials in case we lay over. Toothbrush, toothpaste, that sort of thing.”

  Too bad she hadn’t said a sexy nightgown, but he supposed that wouldn’t be practical. Fantastic, yeah, practical, no. “Hang it over the saddle horn.”

  “Good idea.” After she complied, she brought her attention to the brothers. “Are you guys going, too?”

  Dallas shook his head. “Nope. I’m hanging out with the wife.”

  Tyler scowled. “I’m hanging out with the mothers.”

  “I’m hanging out at the local dance hall,” Worth began, “but I’d be glad to change my plans and accompany you.”

  Georgie smiled at him sweetly. “I wouldn’t feel right leaving all those local women without a dance partner.”

  Worth returned her smile. “You and me, we could take a stroll in the moonlight while Austin roasts a few marshmallows.”

  Austin pointed at the door. “Out. Now. All of you.”

  While the crew trudged away, Tyler muttered, “Fifty dollars says he’ll need the condiments.”

  “I’ll see your bet and raise you fifty,” Worth added as they walked out the barn, laughing all the way.

  Georgie frowned. “What was that all about?”

  He checked to see if both bedrolls were secure beneath the saddles’ cantles. “Nothing. They’re just mouthing off like usual.”

  “It sounded like they were making some kind of bet on me.”

  Austin ventured at glance at Georgie to find she looked a little put out. “It has more to do with me. I told them this was a friendly trip, and they don’t believe I can be only friends with you without getting too friendly.”

  “Can you?”

  He was going to do his best. “Sure. Are you ready to roll?”

  “I guess so.”

  He sensed her hesitation, and felt the need to reassure her. “Georgie, I promise to be a gentleman, just like Maria taught me to be. And if I slip up, Junior knows his way back to the barn.”

  She patted the black gelding’s neck and received a nuzzle in return. “Yes, he does, and he’s still as gorgeous as ever.”

  So was she. “Yep, he’s in good shape. He also recognizes you.”

  She pulled the headstall from the hanger and began to remove the horse’s halter. “We all had some unforgettable times.”

  Austin recalled one great time that had occurred not so far away in the tack room. Some hot and heavy kisses, taboo touches and a moment when they’d almost gone all the way. His focus went straight to her body and it took all his strength not to grab her up and carry her back in the cramped room to refresh her memory. “Are you ready to go?”

  She sent him a look over her shoulder. “Do you plan to ride Bubba without a bit?”

  Keep your mind on your business and not her butt, Calloway. “I probably could, but I guess it’s best I don’t.”

  After they were all tacked up, Georgie mounted Junior with ease and Austin followed suit on Bubba. “Let’s get this adventure started,” he said as he guided the gelding down the aisle with Georgie and Junior tagging along behind them.

  Once they emerged into daylight, they rode through the gate, side by side, and into open pastureland. A strong gust of wind kicked up some dust, and Austin wondered if Georgie had on enough clothes to keep warm. He could keep her warm. Give her his heat in ways she wouldn’t forget...

  “I’ve forgotten how wonderful this feels,” she said, interrupting his suspect train of thought.

  “Yeah. Nothing better than wide-open spaces.” Wide-open spaces and a beautiful woman can equal a lack of control. Austin erased Tyler’s warnings from his mind as they continued down the path leading to the creek.

  They rode in silence for a long time before Georgie spoke again. “Any ideas on your route?”

  He had some ideas, but none having to do with routes. “I thought I’d follow along the fence line for a couple of miles.”

  She sent him a fast glance. “That means you’ll be bordering the road leading to my dad’s ranch. Nothing will ruin an Old West fantasy more than a delivery truck.”

  He couldn’t argue that point. “Hadn’t thought about that. Then I guess we’ll head south and ride toward the far end of the creek.”

  She looked straight ahead and smiled. “Ah, the creek. I can remember spending a lot of summers at the place.”

  So could he. “The rope is still there, but the water isn’t as deep as it used to be. I wouldn’t suggest using it.”

  That earned him a sour look. “It’s a little too cool to be swimming today, don’t you think?”

  He adjusted his hat on his head with one hand. “Probably so.”

  She favored him with a smile right out of a dirty dream. “Wanna race?”

  He wanted to pull her off the horse and into his arms. He wanted her. Real bad. “No need to ask me twice.”

  He cued Bubba into a lope and Georgie didn’t miss a beat. When he picked up speed, so did she, smiling all the way. And she became that girl again, the one who’d spurred his adolescent fantasies. A more mature version, but still as pretty. Still as spirited.

  They ran headlong past the places where they used to meet in secret, sometimes at midnight, sometimes in broad daylight if they were feeling more daring, avoiding detection by their fathers and caught up in the thrill of trying not to get caught. They’d engaged in long conversations, when they hadn’t been engaging in experimentation.

  So many ghosts on this land. Good times mixed with the not so good. Most had been good, except for one in particular, the old windmill on the horizon serving as a reminder. The place where he’d planned to tell her goodbye before he’d left for college, but she hadn’t shown up.

  As they slowed their pace, Georgie’s laughter echoed over the plains and, in that moment, he couldn’t want her more. But he had to remember the friendship pact, and adhere to it. He had to take hold of some serious honor and not act on his desires.

  If he could manage that accomplishment, then he expected to encounter a few flying pigs before the end of the day.

  Six

  Before the end of this trip, Georgie planned to fully disclose her secret to Austin. If only she could find the appropriate place, appropriate time and, most important, the appropriate words. Right then those words escaped her.

  As they neared the familiar creek, she noticed gray clouds gathering on the horizon, completely concealing the sun. They’d been riding for a little over two hours when she sensed now would be a good time to take a break and assess the weather.

  “Let’s stop for a while,” Austin said before she could get the suggestion out of her mouth.

  They trotted to the tree line and, after they dismounted, led the horses to the shallow brook for a drink. Austin then took the reins from her hands and guided the geldings to the pasture to turn them loose.

  “Shouldn’t we tie them up?” she asked as soon as he returned to her side.


  “Nah. They’ll hang around here and if they don’t, they’ll find their way back to the barn.”

  Great. “And that would leave us stranded in the middle of nowhere on foot.”

  Without responding, Austin put both pinkies in his mouth and blew out a loud whistle, bringing the equine boys back in record time. He grinned at Georgie as he patted the geldings’ necks. “They don’t have any intention of going anywhere without me.”

  Georgie had felt the same way about him at one point in time. “They’ve always been well trained.”

  Austin rummaged around one of the saddlebags, withdrew two carrot chunks, laid them in his flattened palms and offered them to Junior and Bubba. “They know who feeds them.” He waved them away. “Now you two go back to the grass for a bit.”

  As if they understood every word, the geldings turned around and hurried back to the pasture to graze. “You missed your calling, Austin. You should’ve been a lion tamer in the circus.”

  “Maybe so. I pretty much grew up in a circus.” He wandered over to the bank and sat down on a rock. “Come over here and take a load off.”

  “I’ve been sitting for almost two hours.”

  “Then suit yourself and stand.”

  In reality, her legs felt a little shaky from the long ride, but the thought of sitting next to him didn’t help matters. Still, this could be an opportunity to open up the lines of communication before she lowered the baby boom.

  Georgie strolled over to Austin, lowered down onto the dirt slope and hugged her knees to her chest. “Looks like it might rain.”

  “The forecast says tomorrow midday.”

  She sent him a sideways glance. “This is Texas and when Mother Nature comes for a visit, she doesn’t always listen to meteorologists.”

  “True.”

  A brief span of silence passed before Georgie spoke again. “I’m still amazed at Bubba’s and Junior’s obedience. Way back when, they were both pretty wild, especially Junior.”

  “But he pretty much taught you how to rope.”

  “With a little assistance from you.”