Cowboy Candy Read online

  They laughed again and gave each other a hug.

  “I’ll see you this weekend, thanks for the coffee!"

  Miss Mabel smiled and waved. She smiled to herself as she went back to the diner.

  She entered, and placed her hands on her hips.

  “Alright, time to pass the hat! We’ve got a weddin’ on our hands!”

  CHAPTER 27 Maddy’s cabin was her sanctuary. She had scoured and scrubbed it from top to bottom. It was decorated with black and white framed photos that she had taken while walking in the woods at the ranch. She had painted some of the walls a pale butter yellow and purchased a cayenne red sofa and loveseat. She loved coming home after work and relaxing with a good book, or a shovel in her hand. She was an avid gardener and her vegetable and flower gardens and pots added a bright splash of color to her little corner of the world.

  Every night, she had quietly worked to clear out the pathway leading from her porch to the thermal pool below, determined to create an enchanting spot in which to relax. One particularly warm evening, she was carefully pruning some of the wisteria trees into an archway. Lost in her own thoughts, she suddenly heard a twig snap behind her and spun around, panicked.

  She placed her hand over her heart.

  “Dusty...oh, my word...you scared me half to death.”

  He had something behind his back and walked towards her,

  concerned.

  “Mad, I’m sorry...didn’t know you were so jumpy,” he apologized. She smiled, “I’m not. Guess I was just concentrating on which one of these branches to trim,” she lied. She had been thinking about Dusty nearly every minute, of every day since they met.

  He walked over and towered above her, like a giant oak tree. She gazed up at his sky blue eyes and black lashes, and resisted the urge to reach up and run her hands along his jawline. He had a sexy five o’clock shadow and looked like he had stepped out of the pages of a magazine.

  “There’s some iced coffee over there on the table if you want, help yourself,” she said as she returned to her tree trimming.

  “Thanks, don’t mind if I do,” he replied. She heard coffee pouring into a glass. “You want some?”

  “No thanks, I already had three,” she laughed.

  She figured if she kept busy long enough, maybe he’d go away. His physical presence was overwhelming sometimes, making it difficult to concentrate. Hell, he made it difficult to breathe. He was drinking his coffee and could not force himself to look away from her. She had her long hair pinned up from the heat, and wore some cut off levis and a tank top. Damn, those legs, those thighs, that sweet little behind...she was driving him crazy.

  He’d been a perfect gentleman all of these months. Sure, he’d tried to kiss her a few times, and gauging from her reaction . . . she didn’t mind. He wanted to make a move, but took the noticably absent bandannas as a sure sign that she absolutely wanted nothing to do with him.

  "Amazing," he whispered.

  "What was that Dusty, I couldn't hear what you said," she asked looking over her shoulder.

  He cleared his throat, "Amazing...and I'm not talking about the Diamond, either." he said with a penetrating stare. He walked towards her and she suddenly felt weak in the knees. He smelled of sweat and after shave. She breathed in, trying to concentrate.

  As she reached up to lop off another branch she could hear his footsteps getting closer until finally he was standing a few mere inches behind her. "Allow me, mademoiselle." he spoke in a husky voice. As he stepped behind her, he reached up for the tree trimmer and pressed his body against hers.

  “Hey, cut that out . . . I’m not finished yet,” she teased.

  “Just trying to help little lady.”

  “Little lady? Boy, you better come up with somethin’ better than that!” She spun around, poking him in the ribs.

  “Oh, so you wanna’ play that game, do ya?” he laughed.

  He chased her around the tree as she sprinted towards the river. “What’s the matter, boss? Those nasty old trees got you all tangled?” He broke free from the brush and she backed up towards the river. “Hold, on Maddy..... wait, I mean.... don’t make another move.” “Or what?... she laughed.

  Just then, she tripped over a rock and fell backwards into the cold water of the Diamond. Instantly, Dusty jumped in after her.

  “Are you hurt? Miss Maddy . . .”

  Suddenly, she turned and splashed his face with cold water. He sputtered and laughed.

  He splashed her back. Before long, they were laughing and frolicking in the water like two kids playing in a wading pool. It felt good to be alive, and to be laughing with a member of the opposite sex.

  Maddy’s white tank top clung to her skin and her nipples were standing at attention. Something, that did not go unnoticed.

  She self-consciously tried to cover her breasts.

  He grabbed her wrists.

  “Now, why would you want to spoil all of my fun?”

  She felt mortified, like she was on display. At the same time, she felt free...free from all constraints. She laughed, he was trying his best at keeping eye contact. However; his eyes had darkened with intensity. The sun had gone down, and she shivered, despite the warm fall night. Dusty mistook the shiver and put his massive arms around her, carrying her out of the cold river. Every instinct told her to run. Run far. This man had no idea how she felt one way or another. She had to admit, she deliberately did nothing with the bandannas he had been leaving for the past few months. She valued her freedom, but she cherished their friendship and did not want something like romance to jeapardize it. Maybe it was because she was used to taking care of her own problems. Hell, that’s why she drove out here. She had never relied on a man for anything in her life, not even love. All of a sudden, Dusty picked her up and swept her into his arms.

  “Dusty, are you nuts? I’m soaking wet!”

  He looked down at his own soaking wet clothing and laughed. “And you point is? ”

  She was trying to think of a snappy comeback, but failed. Instead, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. He traversed the hill with ease and carried her into the cabin.

  “You’d better get out of those wet clothes, before you catch your death of cold.”

  “Same goes for you . . .if you’ll kindly put me down, I’ll go grab some towels.”

  He reluctantly placed her gently back down to earth and sat down to pull off his wet boots.

  “I’ll build a fire while your at it.”

  “Thanks, hon . . .”

  Dusty froze for a moment. Did she actually call him hon? He grinned and went about building a blazing hot fire. Standing up, he pulled off his wet flannel and tee-shirts and hung them by the fire.

  Maddy ran out of the bathroom with an armful of towels and stopped dead in her tracks.

  “Dusty, uh .... here’s . . . here’s your towel.” She gulped, trying not to stare. She tentatively stepped towards him.

  “Thanks, babe....” he grinned, accepting the towel.

  “Wait a minute . . . did he just call me babe?” She inwardly grinned and went to the kitchen.

  “I’ll make some hot chocolate, that sound okay?”

  “Sure does, I love sharing a cup of hot chocolate with a beautiful lady.” “Flattery will get you, nowhere.”

  “We’ll see about that,” he teased.

  “Dusty, I’ve got a big bathrobe if you want to step out of those wet dungarees. I put your things in the dryer.”

  He shook his head and laughed.

  “Bathrobe? Um...no. How bout’ I just wrap this here towel around my waist? I appreciate the offer and all, but highly doubt you have anything in my size.”

  “You’re right, I don’t,” she laughed.

  He went to the bathroom to change and put his wet clothes in the dryer. She pulled on her robe and limped into the kitchen to pour their chocolate.

  He was sitting on the big braided rug in front of the fire when she returned.

  “Hey . . .ho
ld on, Miss Maddy. Looks like your ankle’s beginnin’ to swell.”

  He reached over and gently inspected her ankle.

  “Ouch . . .dammit. I am the clutziest woman on the planet.” He grabbed some pillows from the couch and had her sit down. “I’ll be right back. You need some ice on that ankle.”

  She began to protest, but what was the use? He was right, her ankle wasn’t going to stop swelling by itself ... and it hurt like hell.

  He returned and elevated her foot, applied the ice pack, and wrapped it loosely with an ace bandage.

  “There, that ought to help a little.”

  She smiled. He was so sweet. No man had ever taken care of her when she was hurt or sick before; especially that worthless good for nothing Jack. Dusty made her feel special. She liked this gentle side of him. “Now, lean back against me and try to relax.”

  She took a sip of warm cocoa and nestled up against his chiseled chest. He rested a muscular arm on her hip and kissed the top of her head. The fire was crackling and popping. Their silence was electric. Finally, she looked up at him with sleepy eyes. She drew in a deep breath. He was quietly looking into her eyes.

  He didn’t know what was running through her mind. Instinctively, he knew that he didn’t need to fill up the silence with a bunch of small talk. She reached up and ran her finger along his jaw and traced a gentle path to his lower lip. He opened his mouth and nipped at her finger with his teeth, his hungry eyes never leaving hers. He began to kiss the back of her wrist and swirled his tongue against her palm.

  She responded by nestling further into his chest.

  “Hey, you want me to get going?”

  “No Dusty, I don’t want you to feel like you’re not welcome, because you are.”

  Self-consciously, she pulled her robe a little tighter.

  “I’ve got something to confess,” he whispered.

  “What’s that?”

  “You sure are built like a brick house . . .I accidentally saw you last night in your window.. . you were brushing your hair and naked as a jaybird.” She punched his arm.

  “Accidentally?”

  He gave her a squeeze. “I know it, cheap thrills. My apologies for actin’ like a peepin’ Tom.”

  “So, you saw everything?”

  “Yep, I saw it all. That’s why I slept so bad . . .I kept thinkin’ about those perfect silver dollar nipples of yours, and . . .”

  “What? Well, guess I don’t have to worry about my boob accidentally popping out of my bathrobe then.”

  They both began to laugh and she gave him a squeeze.

  The combination of hard work, a cozy fire, and total relaxation soon had its effect and they began to drift off.

  He stirred a little and looked down at her lovely face.

  “Night, Mad”

  She murmured . . .

  “I love you, too.”

  He closed his eyes and smiled. She loved him. He knew it! She was wrapped safely in his arms and soon, they were fast asleep.

  CHAPTER 28 Miss Mabel looked up at the tall, lanky cowboy sitting at the far end of the counter. He wasn’t from these parts, that was for sure. His hair was long, his beard was scraggly, and she didn’t much care for his beady blue eyes.

  “Howdy. What can I get for ya, cowboy?”

  He glanced up at her and feigned a polite smile.

  “Howdy maam. Can I get some eggs over easy, hash browns, and

  coffee?”

  “Sure can . . .cream and sugar?”

  He shook his head, “No, black’s fine. Thank you maam.” She scribbled on her order book and went to hand the ticket to Gus, her

  cook. Giving him a wink, she mosied back down to give the cowboy his coffee. Mabel didn’t like him. . . not one bit. Her sixth sense kicked into overdrive the minute he opened his mouth to speak. He sure wasn’t from around these parts, not with a thick Southern drawl like that.

  “You’re not from these parts, are ya?”

  “No maam, just passing through.”

  “What part of the South you from cowboy . . .I have some kin back in

  Tennessee,” she lied.

  “Tennessee, huh? . . .uh . . . well, I’m from Louisiana.” He looked at his watch.

  “Say, you wouldn’t know how I’d go about payin for a room, maam?” Mabel knew he was lying. He sure sounded like Tennessee to her. She

  definitely didn’t like being called maam. But she let it slide. The only folks allowed to use her God-given name were kin or good friends. Right from the get go, this cowboy rattled her nerves.

  “I sure do. Why don’t you finish your breakfast and you can pay me for the room up front. By the way, I’m the owner of this here establishment, if you need anything. . .I’m always just a holler away. So’s my right hand man, Gus.”

  The grungy cowboy looked up and could see a mountain of a man behind the grill.

  Mabel brought over his plate.

  “So cowboy, how long you in town for?”

  He chased down his eggs with a swig of coffee and wiped his mouth. “Not long, mebbe’ a week or two.”

  “Oh? You have family in these parts?”

  “No, maam. I’m on my way to the coast, thought I’d pull off the road and enjoy some back country scenery. He pulled a camera bag off of the back of his seat.

  “I’m a photographer and thought I’d take a working vacation.”

  “Gosh, really? Well then, you’re in the right place for that. Say listen, my place gets a lot of traffic. Why don’t you give me your business card so I can post it on the wall?”

  He gulped audibly, and pretended to feel his pockets for a card.

  “Well, what do ya know bout’ that? I plum ran off in such a hurry, I forgot to bring some with me.”

  Mabel thought for a moment. She didn’t believe him. No professional photographer ever left home without a business card. He was a liar, and she felt like calling him on it, but decided to hold her tongue.

  He pulled some cash out of his wallet and followed her up to the register.

  “Why don’t you pull your vehicle out back and I’ll give you your key....Mr.?”

  “Why where’s my manners? The name’s Clay....Clayton Moore. Pleased to meet you maam.”

  CHAPTER 29 Dusty was caught in the moment. He laid her back against the pillows. She traced a line down his chest and smoothed her hand along his six pack abs. Her fingers moved down to the makeshift waistband of his towel. His sensual mouth was just inches from hers, and the tension that had built up between them was electric. He began to gently caress her face with his hand. She felt as if they were trapped in a vortex. He gazed hungrily into her eyes and brushed his thumb slowly over her slightly bottom lip.

  “What pray tell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Me? Why I’m looking into the most beautiful brown eyes I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Instinctively, she flicked her tongue around his thumb and slowly sucked it into her mouth. That was all the invitation Dusty needed. His mouth covered her own in a fiery kiss. She felt as if he were going to consume her. To his surprise, she began to kiss him back. Deeply. More deeply than a woman had ever kissed him. He reached down to cup her voluptuous bottom and could hear her breathe in deeply. The perfection of the moment was intoxicating.

  He rolled over and pulled her body on top of his. He wasn’t so gentle with her this time, making her ache with desire for him. His hands were on either side of her face as he pulled her hungry mouth down to his. She began to swirl her tongue inside of his mouth. He responded by crushing her tightly against his body, wanting to feel her voluptuous breasts pressed against him.

  His hands moved down to pull up her robe and he began to cup and knead her bottom. The pressure rubbed her up and down against his rock hard erection. She groaned against his mouth and clutched her fingers in his hair. Dusty reached down and smacked her bottom. She was startled at first, but was soon begging him for more.

  He pushed her body up from his and she let out a gasp. He ran a finge
r down her taut stomach and back up again. He pushed the robe back from her shoulders.

  “Let me look at you, sweetheart,” he said in a husky voice. “Dusty . . .wake up! Dusty!”

  He was being jostled awake and finally squinted his eyes open a slit.

  Maddy was shaking him, and someone was banging on the door. “What in the hell..”

  He scrambled to his feet in an instant, ran to the door, and ripped it

  open.

  “This had better be damn good!. . .”

  He flipped on the porch light and Walt was standing there with one

  eyebrow raised.

  “Dad . . .shoot, I didn’t realize it was you.”

  “Never mind that, we have a problem on our hands. Someone has cut

  some fence at mile marker 88 on the highway. It needs to be fixed pronto. The Sheriff is sittin’ down there waiting on us ... fortunately, only a few head got out. Good thing it’s so late at night, no traffic. I’ll meet ya down there.”

  Dusty glanced at the clock, three a.m.

  The kitchen light came on and Maddy was pouring him some coffee. “Hey cowboy, thought you could use a really strong cup of strong and

  sweet.”

  He walked up behind her and gave her a squeeze.

  “Bless you.”

  She had already pulled his clothes out of the dryer and in his half-awake

  state of mind, dropped his towel right there in the living room to get dressed. Maddy had a good mind to turn away and give him his privacy, but after the window incident, didn’t really see the point. She simply stood there in the kitchen with an elbow on the counter and took it all in.

  “Ahem . . . aren’t you forgetting something?” He turned around and realized that he was standing buck naked in the middle of her living room. He quickly tried to reach for his flannel to cover himself.

  “Maddy, I am so sorry . . .”

  “No need to apologize handsome, I was starting to enjoy the view.” He quickly dressed and ran out to the porch to pull on his boots. She stood in the doorway, nursing her ankle.

  “Do you need any help?”

  He stood up, towering above her.

  “You’ve got a bum ankle right now Mad. The only thing I want you to