Come Closer, Cowboy

“Well, I reckon I don’t need to count it, do I?”

“I’m pretty good at math. It’s all there.” She smiled. “Now, how about that demo?”

Frowning, he pushed up the rim of his hat. “What’s that?”

“You know, show me how to work it.”

“Oh, good thing you said something.” He opened the driver’s door and brought out a short stack of papers, the top right corners curled up from what looked like a dried coffee stain. She hoped. Chewing tobacco seemed to be a favorite pastime with some of the men around town. It was gross.

“This here is the manual,” Dexter said, holding the papers out to her. “Tells you everything you need to know.”

Oh, God, there were a lot more stains. She forced herself to accept it. “Thank you,” she said. “This will help. But I’d really like you to show me—”

“You mean get up there and ride Fanny?” He snorted a laugh. “Nooo. That’s not gonna happen. I don’t recall agreeing to anything of the kind.”

Mallory rubbed her right temple. Yes, he most certainly had agreed, in fact he’d offered.

“Tell you what... I’ll stick around until you get her plugged in and working.” He closed the door. “Help ease your mind some.”

“Thank you,” she said and led him into the Full Moon.

A bark of laughter greeted them. As they neared the back room, she heard the whir of a motor and a fair amount of squeaking. Something sure needed to be oiled.

Of course it was Gunner sitting on top of the bull, holding on with one hand while it bucked and whirled. Brady watched from the sidelines drinking from a longneck, while Tom had the controls that tempered the speed and buck of the bull. Both cowboys were grinning like kids.

“Can’t that thing go faster?” Brady asked, nudging Tom with an elbow to the ribs.

“You’re welcome to get up here and see for yourself,” Gunner said, his black T-shirt stretching across his broad shoulders.

Mallory stared at his chest and stomach. He wasn’t moving much, just holding on to the short leather strap, his other hand in the air for balance. But her gaze was caught by the way the muscles in his arms and thighs rippled with even the tiniest movement.

Brady set down his beer. “I’ve ridden my share of ornery broncs,” he said, and flexed his shoulders and arms. “I can handle a piece of machinery.”

“Better you get thrown now than in front of those gals from the Sundance,” Tom said, chuckling.

“Well, heck, he makes it look too dang easy.” Watching Gunner, Dexter removed his straw hat and scratched his head.

Mallory waved to get Gunner’s attention. “Would you please turn that off for a minute?”

He nodded at Tom, and with a fluid grace that always made her breath catch, Gunner landed on his feet.

She made a quick introduction. “Can you think of anything we need to ask Dexter before he leaves?”

Gunner turned to eye the bull, showing no reaction to the error she’d made by using we. “I would’ve thought you’d have oiled that thing up before bringing it.”

“Well, son, I surely did just that.” Dexter sounded defensive.

“Okay. I believe you.” Gunner nodded. “But that tells me we’ve got a problem. Whatever is causing the squeaking is gonna need more work than a simple servicing.”

Mallory hadn’t thought of that.

Dexter’s face turned red. “I reckon you got a point.”

“I take care of all the trucks and equipment at the Bar T,” Brady said. “Can’t promise I’ll know what’s wrong but I can have a look if you want.”

He’d addressed Gunner, not Mallory, which irked her to no end. Aware she was partly to blame, she kept her cool and just listened to the men discuss what needed to be done. She liked to think she was independent, perfectly capable of running her own business, and mostly she did a good job. But for the past year she’d relied on Gunner for so many little things.

Once he’d given her a ride when her car was in the shop. Another time she’d asked his advice on whether or not to add a second pool table at the Renegade. Just minor things, but she couldn’t deny she’d established a pattern.

She realized she’d blanked out of the conversation when she saw Gunner and Dexter shake hands. The older man gave her a polite nod and left.

“I assume that’s okay with you,” Gunner said, the amusement in his eyes making it clear he knew she’d zoned out.

“Of course, or I would’ve said something.” She turned to Brady. “Will you have time to look at it soon? I’ll pay you whatever you think is fair.”

The look Brady and Tom exchanged told her that was the part she’d missed.

Gunner turned to the two men. “You guys can take off. I’ve got it from here.”

Brady frowned. “Sadie thought you might need some help moving into your new place,” he said to Mallory. “Tom and I planned on giving you a hand.”

“That’s really nice.” Mallory was genuinely touched and sorely tempted to accept their offer. Giving them each a smile, she shook her head. “I wouldn’t feel right ruining your day off. You still get free drinks, though, so don’t forget,” she said and started herding them toward the door.

Brady seemed hesitant, glancing at Gunner, who hadn’t moved. “It’s really no trouble.”

“Well, come on.” She motioned for Gunner. “I’m locking up.”

“Good.” He folded his arms across his chest. “We need to talk.”

5 (#u7f848c24-9b8e-5eed-b265-26033fff2cca)

GUNNER WOULDN’T HAVE been shocked if Mallory had run like hell once she got to the door and let the two men out. When she turned to him, the fear and dread he saw in her face twisted him up inside. This wasn’t like her, running from a problem, not tackling it head-on.

“You want anything?” she asked as she slipped behind the bar and brought out a glass.

He used silence to get her to look up. “An explanation would be nice.”

She blinked and focused on fixing herself a soda water with lime. “I was wrong for not returning your calls. I’m sorry.”

Gunner waited, taking in the shadows under her eyes. She hadn’t been sleeping well. Tough. Neither had he. “That’s it?”

“I’ve been busy with the move.”

“Ah, of course. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Really?” Her chin came up. “Sarcasm?”

“Hey, whatever it takes to get you to open up.” He held her gaze, watching the fire flash and die in her eyes. It was hard to watch this strong, fierce woman look away in defeat. Maybe he needed to let this go. For both their sakes. “You put me through hell the past five weeks. I want to know why.”