Bachelor Cowboy

“Why don’t you date?”

Her frustration at his digging was beginning to take its toll. Still, she reminded herself, she had dug into his personal life, asking questions she shouldn’t have of someone she hardly knew. “I really don’t have time for it. Besides, why do I need to date?”

For a moment, he merely looked at her. “That’s the strangest question I’ve ever heard. I think mine was better.”

“That’s not a surprise.”

“But I’ll answer it anyway.”

When he stopped to take a breath, she held up her hand. “That’s okay,” she hurried to say before he could get a start. “I retract the question.”

“No, it’s not okay. I want to answer it.”

“There’s no need to.”

Again, their gazes locked, and he shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so.”

She was relieved. She didn’t need him or anyone else telling her how strange she was. She admitted it. But she hadn’t been so different before the accident had taken her parents’ lives. She and Trish had been like peas in a pod as children, happy and content, with more friends than they could count. The accident hadn’t changed Trish much, but it had Kate. Angry and grief-stricken, she had taken scissors to her long red hair and whacked off the lengths that her mother had brushed every night. It had been a foolish, adolescent act, and she had paid the price in embarrassment later. Being different became her hallmark, and she was now accustomed to it, finally feeling right in her skin.

“I remember you in high school,” he said, as if he could read her mind.

“I doubt that,” she replied, knowing full well that she had stood out among others, at least for a while. Once Trish began making friends and her own hair had begun to grow out, Kate was able to disappear in the crowd of other students.

“I didn’t say I knew you, but I do remember you, at least a little.”

“Because of my hair,” she said, accepting the fact.

“And you were new in the school. That’s the way it is in small schools. I was new once, too, so I know what it’s like.”

She didn’t want him to understand. She didn’t want them to have anything at all in common. “Then you’ll understand when I say that I have work to do.”

“Checkmate. You win this game.” He stood, but didn’t move toward the door. “This doesn’t let you off the hook though. I’m serious about you getting out more. I’ve traveled all over the country and beyond. Desperation is a great little town, but you can’t really know how great until you have some perspective. The same is true in life.” His sudden grin was devilish. “And dating.”

She couldn’t believe he was still thinking of that. “You’re equating extensive travel with dating? How do you come up with this?”

“The more people you get to know—through dating—the better your perspective, just like travel.”

“Oh, really? Well, I’ll keep that in mind the next time I plan a vacation,” she said, knowing she really didn’t care.

“In your case, I’d say you need to start small. Locally would do, and I’m more than happy to help with it.” He turned and walked to the door, but before stepping out of the office, he turned back. “Looks like we’ll be back in the field on Monday, if the skies stay clear. I’ll see you then.”

Kate could only stare. When he was gone, she breathed a sigh of relief. The tingles that always went off when he was around could go back to sleep. She was happy where she was, working the land and making extra money with her accounting business and a little cooking. She didn’t need him or anyone else to provide entertainment. Or happiness.

WITH THE FIELDS still too wet to get into with a combine and the Saturday morning baking finished, Kate decided to take the rest of the day off and do nothing. Sitting at the kitchen table, flipping through one of Trish’s bridal magazines, she heard voices and looked up to see her aunt limp into the kitchen on her bad knee, with Dusty right behind her.

“Pull up a chair and make yourself at home,” Aggie told him with a wave of her hand in the direction of the chair near Kate.

Not wanting to be near him, after his appearance at her office two days before, and considering the effect he had on her, Kate jumped up. “I’ll get that laundry finished.”

But Aggie stopped her. “No, you keep Dusty company while I finish it.”

“But your knee—”

“Gotta keep moving or it’ll stiffen up more,” Aggie said, as she disappeared into the hallway.

Knowing how bad-tempered her aunt could be when her knee was hurting, Kate did as she was told. Aunt Aggie’s stubborn streak sometimes precluded common sense.

“I would think you’d be out getting more perspective on the world,” Kate said, without looking at Dusty, as she returned to her chair and pretended to read the magazine.

He pulled out the chair next to her and sat. “A friend of mine’s riding in a rodeo over in Altus.”

“That’s nice,” she said, as unaffectedly as possible.

“I thought I’d see if you might want to go along.”

She continued to flip through pages and prayed he couldn’t hear how her heart had suddenly started thudding. “Sorry, but I have—”

“Dusty, would you like some pie?”

Kate looked up to see her aunt standing in the doorway and wondered how much she had overheard.

“That’d be great,” he answered.

Aggie limped to the cabinet and opened it, pulling out a large plate. “What kind? Peach, apple, cherry or pecan?”

For a second, Dusty didn’t speak, his brow furrowed in thought. “Peach. No, apple. No, make it peach.”

Chuckling, Aggie placed the plate and a fork on the table. “Cut him a piece of each, Kate.”

Kate again did as she was told and went to the counter, where she removed a dishtowel covering the four pies. After cutting a large piece of peach and apple, she turned to Dusty. “Are you sure you don’t want to try the cherry and pecan, too?”

“Maybe later.”

She hoped there wouldn’t be a later. The sooner he left, the better. But if the gleam in his eye was any indication, later wasn’t that far away. “Hand me the plate, would you?”

He jumped up to pass her the plate with a smile that made her breath catch, and then returned to his chair. “Now, back to my question.”

“What question was that?” Aggie asked, taking her usual seat across the table.

“I answered it,” Kate said, “or tried to.” She shot a look at her aunt. Had Aunt Aggie been listening outside in the hall?

“I asked Kate if she’d like to go to a rodeo in Altus with me. You might know the friend who’s riding. Shawn O’Brien.”

“Of course we know him,” Aggie said. “And all the O’Briens. I’ve known Tanner since he was born, and Kate and Trish both know his wife Jules. What event is Shawn competing in?”

“Bronc riding, like his uncle. I didn’t know Tanner well until we met up, years ago, on the circuit. Shawn and I have team roped together some.” Dusty turned to look at Kate. “So how about it?”

“I usually spend time with the family on Saturday,” Kate began, “so I’m sure you understand—”