Cowboy After Dark

Because everyone wanted to hang around and admire the sculpture, they’d all worked together to bring out lawn chairs, several picnic blankets and a cooler for the beer. Bowls of chips and bottles of wine had come next, and finally the party was ready to settle down near the base of the sculpture.

Liam grabbed a beer and used one of the smaller bowls Phil had brought out to scoop up some chips. Then he waited until Hope chose a blanket before walking toward it. “May I?”

“Sure. Anybody bringing chips is my new best friend.” Her smile was friendly as she made room for him.

It was a smallish blanket, so nobody else decided to sit there. Or maybe people had figured out that he would like to have a semiprivate conversation with Hope. In any case, his fortune had changed for the better.

But the conversation he’d been planning was postponed while family and friends offered toasts—to the sculpture, the sculptor, the happy couple and life in general. Grady’s grand gesture had been properly appreciated, and for that Liam was grateful. His brother might not care how much money he made with his art, but he cherished every kind word.

And kind words were flowing this afternoon. The toasts went on so long that Liam had to get another beer for himself and a refill for Hope’s wineglass. When they emptied the chip bowl, he fetched more of those, too.

She thanked him for waiting on her. Then she smiled. “You know what? You’re a pleasure to have around.”

He knew that could be the wine talking, but he appreciated the comment nevertheless. And her smile made him catch his breath. She’d been subdued after the cops left, sure, but he sensed something deeper troubled her, something that had cast a shadow over her soul.

He was thrilled to see the sunshine peeking out. “I’m not such a bad guy when you get to know me.”

“I’d like to get to know you, Liam Magee.”

He almost choked on his beer. Before she’d seemed welcoming. Now she’d rolled out the red carpet. Talk about a dramatic turnaround. But he knew his lines. Carefully swallowing the mouthful of liquid, he held her gaze. “I’d like to get to know you, too.”

“That may not be so simple. In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in a crowd of people.”

“I noticed.” Her gray eyes were soft and dreamy, possibly compliments of the wine, but they were inviting him in. “A little quiet time together would be great, but I don’t know if that’s in the cards.”

“You never know. It might be. Where are you staying?”

“Since the Thunder Mountain Academy students are on break for Fourth of July, Grady and I are bunking in our old cabin. It’s been remodeled, but I’m sure it’s not that different. It’ll be nostalgic but it’s not...exactly set up for entertaining.”

“I’m staying at the ranch house in one of Rosie and Herb’s guest rooms.”

So close, and yet so far. “Then I guess I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

“I’ll be there.” She laughed. “Along with a cast of thousands.”

“Yeah, that’s the thing about weddings. Lots of people.” Then inspiration hit. He’d have to clear it with Rosie and Herb, but moonlit horseback rides had been one of his favorite things when he lived at the ranch. “Do you ride?” If she didn’t, his plan wouldn’t work. He didn’t want to take a novice out on the trail at night.

“I’m an average rider, but nothing like Lexi, for example. She’s amazing.” She glanced at him. “I’m guessing you ride well.”

“That was part of life at Thunder Mountain. We all learned to ride and care for horses. If we hadn’t considered ourselves cowboys before we arrived there, we were proud to say we were when we left.”

“It’s really great that Rosie and Herb taught you ranch life. They’re both such good people.”

“The best.”

“But I picked up on something that makes me curious. The other guys refer to Rosie as Mom, but you and Grady don’t.”

She’d been paying close attention. That was encouraging. “We call her Rosie because we have a mother and she’s terrific.”

Her eyes widened. “Your mother is alive and well? I thought everyone at Thunder Mountain was a foster kid.”

“They were. Grady and I were temporarily in the program after our mom had a bad car accident. She didn’t have any family to take over, and she had a lot of healing to do. We visited her, but she was in no shape to manage a couple of rowdy teenage boys. Rosie, who seems to know everyone in Sheridan, heard about us and invited us to live at Thunder Mountain.”

“Where’s your mom now?”

“At this very moment, she’s on a Fourth of July paddle-wheel cruise going up the Mississippi River. She and my stepdad booked it before they got the wedding invitation. Their tickets were nonrefundable, and they’ve talked about this trip for years.”

“Then I’m glad they didn’t cancel it. So she’s okay now?”

“More than okay.” There was a time when it had hurt to talk about his mom. She’d tried so hard to make a life for her boys, and then a guy in a delivery truck hadn’t been paying attention and she’d ended up in a coma. “She finally found a man who appreciates her. My dad obviously didn’t, although I never knew him. I remember Grady’s dad, though, and he was a piece of work. She was well rid of him.”

“So that’s why you and Grady don’t look alike.” Hope squeezed her eyes shut in obvious embarrassment. “I’m sorry. That didn’t need to be discussed. I’m afraid I’ve had too much wine.”

He was touched by her apology. He’d met people who thought nothing of asking rude questions about his and Grady’s parentage. “Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first person to wonder why we don’t look like brothers. Actually, Grady has my mom’s coloring. Apparently I take after my dad.” Years ago he’d hated that, but it wasn’t something he could change, so he’d decided to accept it.

“Did you ever try to locate your father?” Then she waved her hand as if to erase her words. “Inappropriate question. Forget I asked.”

“I’m glad you asked.” He smiled at her. “It means you’re interested in me.”

“As it happens, I am.”

“So if I arranged a moonlit horseback ride tonight after dinner, you’d be willing to go?”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Yeah.” He gazed into her warm gray eyes. They revealed a depth of emotion that called to him. “I think it will be.”

* * *

LIAM’S PLAN HAD everything going for it except the moon. After dinner at the ranch house, a rambunctious meal during which he exchanged only a few words with Hope, he excused himself to go saddle the horses. The temperature was perfect for an evening ride, but a quick glance at the sky told him he was stuck with a scrawny sliver of a moon that wouldn’t give them much light.

“Want some help getting the horses ready?”

He turned back to see Cade coming down the porch steps. “Sure, thanks.” They started toward the barn, their boots crunching on the gravel. “I was hoping for more moonlight.”

“You may not have much of a moon, but the stars are spectacular.”

“I know. I just don’t want Hope to be spooked because it’s so dark. I get the impression she doesn’t spend a lot of time in nature.”

“Then you’re in an excellent position to introduce her to the great outdoors, Mister Whitewater Rafting Guide.”

“But a full moon would have helped.”

“A full moon always helps, but you don’t happen to have one.”

“So I see.”

Cade chuckled. “Hey, here’s a thought. Ride double. That would be cozy.”