Cowboy Untamed

Nudging his hat back with his thumb, he gazed up as the first stars blinked on. They weren’t as bright in town as they were out at the ranch. Much as he’d love to stay with his foster parents during his time in Sheridan, it wasn’t practical.

Thunder Mountain Academy, a new venture that involved teaching high school kids about everything related to horses, was in its last week of the summer session. The cabins that had once housed foster boys were now filled with teens enrolled in the program. Grady would only be in the way, so he’d accepted an offer to stay in town with Ben and Molly Radcliffe.

Ben had made saddles for just about everyone Grady knew in Sheridan, including his foster parents. Molly was Cade Gallagher’s cousin, although Grady hadn’t quite worked out the details of that connection. It had something to do with the well-known Chance brothers in Jackson Hole. In any case, Molly and Ben were part of the Thunder Mountain Ranch extended family and they were happy to let him use their guest room.

He’d warned them he didn’t know when he’d show up. Unloading his equipment and materials had to come first. At least, that was how he’d rationalized stopping at the Art Barn to meet with Sapphire. Technically, he could have driven over to Molly and Ben’s tonight and brought his supplies here in the morning.

Yet when he’d suggested stopping by tonight to drop them off, Sapphire had readily agreed. Her eagerness had fired up his imagination, and discovering that she was here alone added to the anticipation. He wondered if she’d had dinner. He ran through the restaurant options and decided to suggest his favorite bar because it had live music and a dance floor.

“That takes care of that.” Sapphire rounded the corner of the barn holding a stack of bowls. “I thought I’d be done before you got here.”

He pushed himself away from the truck and walked toward her. “No worries. Do you feed them every night?” She looked even prettier than he remembered—wavy auburn hair pulled back on one side with an elaborate silver comb, exotic earrings that dangled to her shoulders, a low-cut peasant blouse and a brightly patterned skirt that reminded him of gypsies.

“We feed them every night and every morning. We rotate weeks and this happens to be mine.” She tipped her head toward the double doors at the entrance. “Come on in. I need to wash these and then I’ll help you unload your equipment.”

“Thanks. That would be great.” He caught the spicy scent of her perfume, the same one she’d worn when they’d met three weeks ago. He breathed it in and all his hopes and dreams came flooding back. “So everyone pitches in to feed the strays?” He wondered if she liked to dance. Even if she wasn’t much for dancing, they could get out on the floor and do the shuffle-and-sway routine to a slow tune so he could hold her.

“They’re not exactly strays. Can you please catch the door for me?”

“Sure thing.” He hurried to do it, berating himself as he slid the barn door open. He’d been so busy making plans for tonight that he’d forgotten his manners.

“You can check out the new pieces on display while I wash these.”

“You have a sink?”

“During the renovation we put in a small bathroom and a tiny kitchen.” She gestured toward the row of stalls. “Go ahead and look around. I left on the lights so you could see the new stuff. Everyone’s getting ready for the big weekend. Lots of good work.”

“Sounds great, but I’d be glad to help you with the cat dishes.” Even in high school he’d been fascinated by her turquoise eyes. He’d never asked her out, because he’d been busy denying his own artistic leanings. He’d had a feeling she could see who he really was and he hadn’t been ready to acknowledge that yet.

She smiled. “It’s a one-person job. Go ahead and browse.”

“Okay.” But he sure hated to leave those eyes and that smile. He thought about both as he walked down the aisle between the stalls. Although he glanced at the artwork along the way, all he really cared about tonight was Sapphire’s pottery.

Three weeks ago Cade had bought a vase of hers that Grady would have given his eyeteeth for. But the trip had been for Cade and so he’d scored the vase. Grady was curious as to what else she’d added to her collection since then.

Her display was conveniently located next to the large stall that would be his for the next several days. He stepped into the space and sucked in a breath. During his first visit here he’d noticed the sensuality of her work, and the newest pieces were even more dramatic, especially her dinnerware set.

The saturated colors and undulating lines of the single place setting made him wonder what sort of orgy the two of them could have with food served on these dishes. Picking up a red bowl with a dark purple interior, he cradled it in both hands and ran his thumb over the pebbled rim. The bowl was a tactile and visual feast.

Her potter’s wheel stood in the corner ready for the next project, and he wanted to be there to see if her expression while creating was as passionate as the work itself. If she’d had an erotic nature back in high school, he’d totally missed the clues.

Not surprising. He’d been an insecure idiot back then, but he’d changed and so had she. He’d embraced his true calling and had finally realized that testosterone and art weren’t mutually exclusive. Obviously, she’d grown out of her timid phase.

“That collection’s new.”

He turned to find her standing in the opening that used to be the stall door. He’d been absorbed in his plans and hadn’t heard her footsteps. “It’s sexy.”

“You’re not the first person who seems to feel that way.” Her gaze met his and for a moment there was a flash of heat. Then she looked away and studied the colorful dinnerware. “I put that place setting out yesterday and I can already tell it startles people.”

“Why?” His blood warmed as he registered the interest he’d seen in her eyes. This could turn into an excellent evening.

“The colors seem to make them nervous. They’re also thrown for a loop when I explain that each place setting’s slightly different. Most people expect their dinner dishes to match. It’ll take a certain kind of customer.”

Like me. But buying her pottery right off the bat might brand him as a suck-up. He would get some eventually and, if everything turned out the way he’d like it to, they’d enjoy a meal together, preferably naked.

He gestured toward the wheel. “You obviously work here.”

“Yep. I visualized this as a combination studio and gallery from the beginning. Not everyone spends as much time here as I do, but I love it. The concrete floor is easy to clean and nobody cares if it gets stained. I have a kiln out back. Best conditions I’ve ever had.”

“The venue makes a difference.” He glanced at the large stall where he’d be setting up. “Looks like we’ll be neighbors.”

“Uh-huh. I like being in the back. Earlier this summer I considered moving into what’ll be your space but I didn’t, which is a good thing. Ready to unload your truck?”

“You bet.” He set the bowl down with great care. His work was nearly indestructible but hers could be a victim of gravity. He didn’t want that on his conscience.

He hauled in the big stuff—odd pieces of scrap metal and unusual gears and machine parts that he scavenged from anywhere he could find them. The hunt was part of the fun, although he didn’t have as much time for it as he used to. Friends had volunteered to comb junkyards for him and Liam was always on the lookout for interesting finds.

Sapphire carried in a box of welding equipment. “Where do you want this?” She stood in the middle of the spacious stall with her arms full.

“In the corner’s okay for now. I’ll set up everything tomorrow. Have you had dinner?”

“Um, no.” She put the box down and turned back to him. Instead of looking eager, she seemed wary. “But I’d planned to head home and catch up on some paperwork.”

Not the response he was hoping for. “How about taking some time to grab a bite with me at Scruffy’s Bar? There are a few things I’d like to discuss.”

Her expression remained guarded. “I guess I could. I’ll meet you over there, but I can’t stay long.”

“That’s fine.” It wasn’t fine at all. Where was that spark he’d seen a moment ago? He’d pictured her falling right in with his plan. They’d have a few drinks, dance a little and explore what he’d hoped would be a mutual attraction.

Maybe she had mountains of paperwork and really did need to finish it before tomorrow. “Listen, if you don’t have time, we can take a rain check.”

“No, it’ll be okay. I’m grateful that you agreed to be part of this.”

Oh, great. Now she was joining him out of a sense of obligation. “I’m happy to do it. Please don’t feel you have to keep me company while I eat. We can talk in the morning.”

“No, let’s do it now.” She gave him a quick smile. “I’ll lock up and be over there in a jiffy.”

She clearly didn’t want him hanging around while she took care of that. “See you there, then.” He touched the brim of his hat.

Damned if that gesture didn’t light up those amazing eyes of hers. Not for long, but this time he knew he wasn’t mistaken. She was attracted to him. But for some unknown reason, she didn’t want to be.

2 (#ulink_73222080-f48f-515a-b163-17cc6ffd8df6)

ONCE GRADY LEFT, Sapphire leaned against the nearest wall and groaned. How the hell was she supposed to get through tonight, let alone all the days and nights to follow, without jumping his bones? She’d hoped at least one of the co-op members would show up, but as much as they all wanted to meet Grady, every blessed person had other things going on.

She’d have to deal with his high-octane sexiness all by herself. Her hope that he wasn’t as gorgeous as she’d remembered from their meeting three weeks ago had died the minute he’d appeared beside the barn. He possessed a lethal combo of cowboy charm, good looks and creative talent that spelled trouble in neon lights. He was her particular brand of kryptonite and she’d agreed to have dinner with him.

Refusing would have been rude, even though he’d given her a way out. He’d put his own work on hold and driven up here because she’d asked him to support the charity event. Although he was staying with Ben and Molly Radcliffe, he apparently wasn’t expected there for dinner—another piece of bad luck.