Cowboy Candy Read online

  She decided to luxuriate in a long, hot bubble bath. Candles illuminated her oasis, and she leaned her head back against the tub.

  “Dammit, why can’t you stay out of my head...”

  She closed her eyes and envisioned his startling blue eyes, boyish grin, and those dimples. He certainly could fill out those wranglers he was wearing. His sense of humor, his deep voice, his square jawline with just the right hint of stubble. “I’m definitely attracted to you Dusty. . .maybe someday, I’ll take you up on your offer.”

  CHAPTER 22 Dusty felt like he'd swallowed an acre of dirt. They had been baling hay all day long and he was a mess. Despite his physical appearance, he decided to take a drive up around the bend to see if Miss Maddy had hung a bandana out on the railing. It was dusk, and he squinted trying to see if it a bandanna was there. He had been placing one on her porch weekly, and still . . . nothing. He neared the cabin, and frowned. Nothing, nada, zip, as in zilch. He felt dejected, but decided to leave the girl alone. He sure didn’t want to pressure her into anything.

  “Shit,” he mumbled. Inwardly he couldn't really blame her, hell, she'd been through a lot, but he wasn’t himself these days. Normally he was able to keep his desires and needs in check. He knew he was probably coming on too strong, and kicked himself for it. He was about to tentatively knock on her door, but decided against it. Shit, he knew she was tired, and probably just dirty as he was.

  “Awww....hell,” he groaned.

  He stood on the porch, unsure of himself.

  “What in the hell? I don’t do things like this. Never had to damn near

  beg for any woman to be with me in my life,” he muttered. He had too much nervous energy pent up inside. Needing to clear his head, he went down to the river to splash some cold water on his face and walk. The sound of the Diamond was soothing to his soul. The air was cooler, the crickets chirped, and it was peaceful.

  He knew these paths like the back of his hand. As a kid, he’d come here to play, to swim, to get away from it all.

  “Ahh, to be young again,” he whispered. Deep in thought, he lost track of time. “Maddy Cassidy, you’ve got some kind of hold on me...I know this is bad timing. I know you’ve been through a lot. But, I have too. My hearts been broken, I’ve cried some tears. Hell, if I liked alcohol, I’d damn near be a drunk by now...”

  His solitude was broken by a sweet melody that was coming from Miss Maddy’s direction. The house was dark, save for her bedroom light.

  He glanced up through the roses and nearly fell backwards into the river. “Sweet mercy,” he whispered, in awe. She was standing in front of the garden window, brushing her hair...and was gloriously, stark naked. His heart leapt in his chest. His pulse raced. “God, you are so beautiful,” he whispered.

  He knew he should hightail it out of there and give the girl some privacy, but was frozen. His legs wouldn’t move. He was dumbstruck. She was magnificent. Her body was petite, but she had voluptuous full breasts, a tiny waist, and and legs that wouldn’t quit. He walked towards the road, muttering.

  He tried to move, realizing that he had no right in the world to looking into her window like this. He ought to be ashamed of himself, but he wasn’t. He stood entranced, watching her brush her long chestnut hair. Her breasts moved up and down with each stroke of the hairbrush.

  He could hear her singing along to a country love song. He felt as if he couldn’t breathe. Finally, he started to head to the road.

  “Miss Maddy, you are finer than frog’s hair.”

  CHAPTER 23 Maddy reached for a pair of boxers and an oversized tee.

  “Oh, how I love this bed,” she sighed while climbing under the covers. She turned off the light and nestled comfortably in her pillows. Before long, she was punching and tossing them around.

  “Shit, I can’t sleep...” she sighed.

  Flipping on the switch, she grabbed a book from the night table and decided to read for a while. For as long as she could remember, a good book always put her out like a light. Unfortunately, this particular method wasn’t working.

  “Crap,” she muttered, stepping out of bed and into her slippers. Deprived of any intimacy, she thought about Dusty’s proposition and glanced up at his white bandanna hanging on her dresser mirror. Holding it to her face, she savored the smell of him.

  “I wonder what he’s doing right now....does he know special he is to me?”

  She made her way downstairs and decided to warm some milk, carried it out to her front porch, and sat down on the step.

  “I wish I could be the one for you, Dusty . . .”

  She realized how lonely she’d been. Deprived of any intimacy for years, she decided that she’d play it cool...taking it a day at a time. Who knew she’d end up living out west on a ranch? How could she have known she’d fall head over heels in love with a handsome cowboy?

  “That’s silly...how could I possibly be falling for someone I hardly know?”

  She had to admit to herself, Dusty’s version of wooing her was heartwarming. Ever the gentleman, she wished he’d simply carry her off into the sunset, as corny as it sounded. She spotted something on the porch...

  “What’s this?” Grinning, she picked up a blue bandanna that was neatly folded and placed on her front step.

  “Dusty, well..I’ll be,” she said.

  She held it up to her nose and inhaled his masculine scent...soap, after shave, and sweat. “I’ve got to give him credit, he’s not a quitter,” she smiled.

  CHAPTER 24 Maddy had put the coffee on and ran upstairs to get dressed. Opening her dresser drawer, she sifted through the contents. She groaned as she pulled out an old-fashioned, functional bra.

  “Wow, what a selection . . . Hey cowboy, I’ve wanted you for so long. No, wait . . .let me go slip into something more comfortable. . . hope you don’t mind granny panties.”

  She sighed from pure frustration, then smiled. “Note to self . . . definitely hit up the boutique and buy some sexy lingerie. If I’m going to make love to the man, I’d better do it right.”

  Today was her day off and would be the perfect opportunity to get in some shopping. She could hear loverboy’s Jeep coming up the hill. She quickly got dressed and ran downstairs to get their coffee. She carried two cups of coffee outside and sat on the porch.

  “Well, good morning stranger...how’s things?” she smiled. She noticed that he wasn’t looking too chipper.

  “Is everything alright, excuse me for saying, but you look like you didn’t sleep a wink.”

  He groaned and gratefully accepted the coffee.

  “Thanks Mad . . .You’re right, I barely slept at all.”

  She sat down beside him and started to lace up her boots.

  “If you’ve got something on your mind, why don’t you tell me about it,” she asked.

  “Nothin’ to tell, just a little tired is all.”

  “Well, I’m sorry to hear that. . . is there anything I can do?”

  He looked at her with darkened eyes and a shit-eating grin.

  “Need you ask?”

  She blushed, but stood her ground. . .her eyes locked with his.

  “If you’re insinuating that it’s my fault that you didn’t sleep well . . .”

  He placed a large index finger up to her lips.

  “I’m not insinuating anything. Hell, I’m tellin’ you . . . I’ve barely been able to go one night without you in my dreams. I’m around you and all I want to do is to jump your bones. Make no mistake about it.”

  He had barely slept a wink. Mental images of her standing in her birthday suit had kept him awake. He had wanted her from the moment her eyes had met his. Sure, it might’ve been a physical attraction at first, however; now that he’d gotten to know her he realized she was more than just a pretty face.

  Something in his eyes told her he wasn’t kidding.

  “I’m sorry Dusty, I really am. Maybe we should just go ahead and jump in the sack, but that’s not going to solve anything. I think it would c
hange our entire relationship . . . I value you as a person, and our friendship is important to me, that’s all.”

  He cocked an eyebrow and took a sip of his coffee.

  “That’s all?”

  She gave him an incredulous look.

  “What?”

  “Do you think I’m some kind of romeo, out getting laid whenever I want?”

  She shook her head, no.

  “Do you think that your the only one who’s ever been kicked to the curb?”

  Again, she shook her head.

  “Look Maddy, the truth is. . .I value our friendship, too. So, I made up my mind. . .I’m gonna’ just back off.”

  Suddenly, she felt dismayed.

  He abruptly put down his cup, lifted her to her feet, and kissed her for all he was worth. Satisfied, he pulled away and lifted her chin.

  “I’m only going to say this once. I’m not going to be running after you like a lovesick puppy much longer. I’m lonely and I’d like nothing better than for us to get to know one another, intimately. I’m attracted to you sure, but I’m not going to wait forever. I’m a man, I have needs....needs that I managed to push out of my mind for way too long.”

  He released her and went to his Jeep, tipped his hat to her and smiled.

  “Adios, mademoiselle . . . have a great day, and thanks for the mud.”

  She stood there with her mouth still stinging from his kiss. His words were still sinking into her brain. Was that an ultimatum?

  She placed her hands on her hips and smiled as the Jeep dissappeared over the ridge. “You’re on, cowboy. When I’m through with you, you’re never wanna’ let me go.”

  CHAPTER 25 Sheriff McCabe relaxed and drank his beer.

  “Sure is a scorcher.”

  Jack Carter had been eagerly awaiting the Luke McCabe’s visit for a long

  time. For once, he was actually anticipating a visit from the local Sheriff. “Why, it sure is, Luke . . . I’m gatherin’ this is no social call.” The sheriff wiped his brow and nodded in agreement.

  “Sure isn’t . . . I have somethin’ for ya - but first. . .

  He held out his chubby right hands and rubbed his fingers together. Jack reached for his wallet and retrieved three crisp hundred dollar bills. “I have your money, right here,” he grinned.

  “Fine, fine. Here it is . . . the Sheriff groaned as he reached for the

  envelope in his back pocket.

  “Everything you need is right here. Remember, boy . . . I wouldn’t have

  done this for just anyone. But since your family and all . . .no harm done. I

  suppose I don’t need to remind you not to tell anyone where you got this

  information.”

  Jack readily agreed. “Honest Luke, not a word,” he smiled. He could barely contain his excitement as he politely retrieved the

  envelope from the Sheriff’s hands.

  “Well then, I best get back to work.. . . you take care now, y’here?” “Will do, thanks Luke. I sure do appreciate your hard work.” Jack

  grinned.

  “No problem a’tall . . . I’ll be seein’ ya’ then.”

  Jack walked alongside the Sheriff as he waddled to his car. With a tip of

  his hat, he pulled out of the driveway and gave Jack a salute. His car

  dissappeared down the road, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. Jack grabbed a beer and took a swig, then ripped open the envelope. “So, you thought you could outsmart me? Let me tell you somethin’

  little miss missy, ain’t nobody makes a fool of Jack Carter and gets away

  with it.”

  He grinned an evil grin and went inside to pack his bags. He doublechecked the paperwork, just to be sure.

  “Grand Valley, California . . .my, oh, my. Sounds to me like you

  shoulda’ been more careful when you registered that piece a’ shit car of

  yours. I Jack Carter now hold in my hands, your address....Mountain Rose

  Ranch. I’ll be seein’ ya in a few days, you can be sure of it. Bout’ time you

  learned who’s boss around here...”

  CHAPTER 26 “Mornin’ Peggy,” Maddy nodded to the salesclerk at Lily’s. “Good morning Mad. Lookin’ for anything in particular, hon?” She walked from around the counter and looked to be about eight

  months pregnant and ready to pop. Maddy didn't know what to say, she normally didn't shop for lingerie and had no clue as to what to buy. So, was casually flipping through the racks of dresses as nonchalantly as she could.

  She stopped flipping and grinned.

  “Why thanks, Peg. I know this may sound silly, but I've never bought lingerie before, and well, I think I could use some pointers.”

  Peggy laughed and rubbed her belly. "Well, you're in the right place then, I just happen to know a thing or two about that."

  Maddy chuckled as Peg led her to the racks of lingerie in the back of the shop.

  “Now, you have your choice. Will it be naughty or nice?”

  “What?”

  Maddy blushed.

  “No need to be embarrassed about it, Maddy. Do you want raunchy, really raunchy, or downright drop-dead gorgeous, knock-his-socks off raunchy?”

  “What’s the difference?”

  Peggy laughed and patted her tummy.

  “Well, let’s just say you’re looking at a product of the drop-dead gorgeous right here.”

  A few hours and a few hundred dollars later, Maddy hastily made her way to the car. She felt like a wanton woman with the bright pink bags emblazoned with “Lily’s Lingerie” printed on them for all the world to see.

  “Shoot, I can hear the phone lines lighting up right now. Hey, so and so...you’re never gonna’ believe it. Miss Maddy is gonna’ be knockin’ some lucky cowboy’s socks off, tonight.”

  Somehow, she was afraid that if she didn’t make a move soon, she’d lose Dusty forever, so her mind was made up. She headed over to Miss Mabel’s to see how she was doing. Maddy was right about one thing, word spread quickly in Grand Valley. When she walked into the diner, everyone turned and smiled.

  She looked down and checked to see if her blouse was open.

  “What?. . . is somethin’ showing?”

  Miss Mabel came out from the kitchen.

  "Hi hon, how've you been. Couldn't stay away, I see. You must miss my cookin'," she grinned.

  "Howdy Miss Mabel, I was in town and thought I'd swing by to say hello. "You're right, I miss you cooking but I miss your company even more.”

  “Well, sit a spell and I'll get ya' some joe,” the old woman smiled.

  Maddy looked over at the register and noticed something new. It was a large empty cider jar with a sign taped to it.

  She got up to take a look.

  “Honeymoon Fund...” she read aloud.

  She smiled, someone was getting married. It was sweet, even though the jar had not been up very long, it was already a quarter of the ways full. "Miss Mabel, who's the lucky couple? "

  "What, oh, that!," the old woman laughed. "Yep, there's a young couple plannin to tie the knot, so I figured that I'd help em' along, some." She smiled.

  “Well, form the looks of it, it won't take long. Everyone seems to approve, they must be well-liked, I gather.”

  Mabel grinned from ear to ear, “Yessiiree, you could say that.” Maddy smiled, “Well, who are they . . . if you don't mind me askin.” “Oh, just a couple of kids that have no idea what we're up to. So, we need to keep it under our hats.”

  “Well, I’m sure they'll appreciate it.”

  “I know they will, but we have other reasons that are pure selfish. It’s our own way of guaranteeing an invite to the wedding.”

  Miss Mabel laughed and spit some chew into her spittoon.

  Maddy loved Miss Mabel.

  “So, how's the new job,” the old woman asked, amused.

  “It's beyond anything I could have imagined. I didn't know what to expect, really. Did I tell you I finally have the cabin nearly d
ecorated? The Night Blooming Jasmine are in full swing, and I’ve been clearing out my own private thermal pool.”

  Miss Mabel smiled. “Sounds to me like a handsome cowboy is makin’ sure you don't run off any time soon.”

  Maddy laughed. “Miss Mabel, you sure do have an active imagination.”

  Although Maddy had made it a point to visit with Mabel weekly, she still missed her deeply. If it weren’t for her, she might never have stayed in Grand Valley. They two women spent an hour making small talk and filling each other in on what was going on in their lives.

  Maddy finally got up to leave and placed her money on the counter.

  She dropped a twenty dollar bill into the “honeymoon fund” jar on the way out.

  She smiled.

  “Might as well contribute to the newlyweds.”

  Miss Mabel walked from around the counter and put a motherly arm around Maddy’s shoulders.

  “Now you be careful up at that ranch. Make sure you get plenty of sleep, and don’t be a stranger.”

  "I won't miss Mabel.”

  The old woman spit some chew onto the ground and leaned in close.

  “So, I hear a certain someone picked up some sexy duds at Lily’s . . . who’s the lucky fella’?”

  Maddy felt her face beginning to turn red.

  “Well, it’s not a definite. . .but I suppose you already know who I have in mind.”

  Mabel winked.

  “I won’t name names, but I’m thinkin’ it’s that fine-looking specimen of a man, Dusty.”

  Maddy laughed and looked down at her boots.

  “How’d you guess?”

  The two women both began to laugh and giggle like a bunch of teenage schoolgirls.

  “I’d better get going Miss M, I have plans for supper tonight.”

  Mabel held her arm. . .

  “Just one more thing . . .”

  “Oh? What’s that?”

  The old woman winked and whispered.

  “Did ya’ go for the drop-dead gorgeous?”

  Maddy blushed again.

  “How’d you know?”

  Mabel grinned.

  “Cuz’ that’s what every gal in these parts buys when they’re lookin’ to lasso a cowboy.”