Wild Western Nights

“I’ve been out in the real world a while.”

“If you’re through eating, let’s move elsewhere.”

“It was a wonderful dinner. What a good husband you’ll make someday,” she said with amusement.

“I’m glad to hear you admit that,” he answered. “Bring your drink and let me show you something else.”

Perplexed, wondering where they were going, she picked up her iced tea and followed him down the hall. They entered a large billiard room with polished oak floors. A billiard table stood to one side of the room. Gabe switched on a few low lights and turned on music.

He crossed the room to take her drink and set it on a table. “Let’s dance.”

A two-step played. She hadn’t danced one in years, so she faced him and they danced on the open floor beside the billiard table.

He spun her around and pulled her close, his boots scraping on the oak floor.

When the dance ended she laughed. “That was great, Gabe. I haven’t danced a two-step in too long to remember.”

“A polka’s up next.”

Maddie’s cell phone rang and she pulled it out of a pocket and waved it at him. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, turning and walking into the hall to talk.

When she returned, a ballad was playing. Gabe stepped close. He put one hand on her waist and he held her hand with his other one.

“Sorry about the call,” she said. “Work.”

“That’s fine. Take all the calls you want. I don’t mind.”

“Thanks.” As they danced, she looked up and was mesmerized. She was dancing in Gabe’s arms again. It brought back too many memories.

“Things were good between us, Maddie,” he said solemnly.

“I know they were, until we parted. Then they weren’t. Soon I had left here and you did, too.”

“I remember when you were a little kid. When your dad brought you to our ranch, you’d follow me everywhere I went.”

“Thank heavens I outgrew that!”

He smiled at her. “I’d be happy for you to follow me everywhere now.”

“I don’t think you mean that for one second. It won’t happen anyway, so we’ll never really know.”

He turned a long lock of Maddie’s blond hair in his fingers. “Your hair was probably the envy of all the girls in school.”

“I don’t think so.”

“It’s gorgeous now.”

“Thank you.”

“Remember when we’d meet and have those early morning rides at sunrise—something I haven’t done in years.”

“Neither have I, but that I don’t miss. Life changes, Gabe.”

He pulled her closer and they danced in silence. They had always danced well together. She remembered how easy it had been to follow his lead. Being in his arms, dancing with him, spending time with him—every moment reawakened memories and brought back ties she thought she had severed. Get through the night and tell him goodbye.

When the ballad ended and another began, Gabe looked down at her. Their gazes met and the air between them crackled with electricity. His arm around her waist tightened, and he started to kiss her.

“This is where I need to say no, no, no, although I can’t imagine it would have any effect if I did,” she whispered.

“You don’t really want to say no,” he said, and then kissed her. His arms banded her waist while she wrapped hers around his neck. His tongue went deeply into her mouth, stroking, stirring memories, creating new ones.

Time spun away while they kissed. She wanted him more with each breath, but she knew she couldn’t get involved with him. Her future—Rebecca’s future—depended on avoiding that.

He ran his hand down her back, caressing her bottom lightly. His hand drifted up again while he continued to kiss her senseless.

How long they kissed, she didn’t know. Still kissing her, Gabe picked her up and carried her to the sofa. He sat, cradling her on his lap.

Her heart pounded and she ached inside, deep down. Physically, she wanted him with all her being. But logically, it was the cold, hard truth that getting entangled with Gabe would ruin the life she’d built. She had a secret child to keep from him. Intimacy would only lead him to discover the truth.

Gabe caressed her nape and passion once more consumed her. She wound her fingers in his thick hair and unfastened the buttons of his white shirt with her other hand. In minutes, she’d pushed away the white shirt and toyed with his brown chest hair while they continued kissing.

Gabe’s hand moved to her throat and then slipped lower, following the curve of the neckline of her dress.

She gasped with pleasure and then moaned softly. For a moment, she relished his caresses. She was with the man she had loved all her life. How easy it would be to pick up where they’d left off. And how disastrous. She gripped his wrist, moving his hand.

“This has to stop,” she declared, gasping for breath. “That summer you left—I won’t go through that again.” She sat up, straightening her dress. His blue eyes were filled with fire. Locks of his brown hair tumbled on his forehead.

“It was only a few kisses,” he said quietly. “It’s not the same as that summer. And back then, I needed to leave, for my job.”

“That’s over and done, but I don’t ever want to feel that way again.” She stood and smoothed her dress.

“I was only in Nigeria for eight months. You could have continued your education at Tech, and when I returned, I’d have been there for you.”

“Gabe, it’s ridiculous to argue now, but you would not have ‘been there for me,’“ she said. “You were never into commitment, and you certainly weren’t at that point in your life. And I was.”

“I suppose you’re right on all counts,” he admitted, surprising her. He stood. “I’ll get our drinks. Come sit here and we can talk.”

She returned to the sofa. Gabe picked up his cold bottle of beer and joined her, sitting close. He took a sip and turned to face her.

They sat and talked until almost midnight. She asked about the last rodeo he had participated in, listening and laughing as he talked about his bronc riding. That led to what she had been doing and she told him about her family trip to France and Italy and how much she had enjoyed the cathedrals she had seen. Finally, when she saw it was only minutes until midnight, she said, “I should get home now. I don’t usually stay out late. If my family should call me, they would be in a panic if I’m not home.”

“Your mother surely won’t call at this hour. Besides, she obviously knows to try your cell phone. I remember she kept close track of you, but you’re a grown woman now.”

“She still worries. She wasn’t happy about my plans to stay alone at the ranch. I think she’s forgotten how safe it is here.”

“You know you can stay right here with me.”

“Oh, right. As if that would be a peaceful night’s rest.”