Cowboy Untamed

She’d transferred the first one to the kiln and stopped by the kitchen to get coffee when Arlene Danbury came through the door. Arlene’s watercolors of Wyoming landscapes had become increasingly popular in the past year, but the income wasn’t enough for her to live on. She worked part-time as a nail tech in a local salon to make ends meet. She reminded Sapphire of a sparrow—always in motion and easily flustered.

This morning she was more hyper than usual. “He’s here, isn’t he? I can smell hot metal.”

Sapphire felt like the gatekeeper, but if not her, then who? “He’s working and I’ve learned he’s very focused. We probably shouldn’t disturb him.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. But he’ll take a break sometime, right? What’s he working on? Is it the piece for the silent auction? I thought we were supposed to—”

“It’s not for the silent auction.” Sapphire had learned it was best to interrupt Arlene when she launched a barrage of chatter or it would go on forever. “He’s making a sculpture for his foster mom. You know Rosie Padgett, right?”

“She’s my client! I just did her nails this week. She’ll be so thrilled. Is it a surprise? I’ll bet it’s a surprise, so I won’t say anything. But if it’s not a surprise, then she might think it’s odd that I don’t—”

“I think it’s somewhat of a surprise but I didn’t find that out. We’ll ask him when he comes up for air.”

“Okay. Let me get some coffee before I go back to my stall.” She kept talking as she walked over to the pot. “I shouldn’t have any more, because I’m already a little jumpy, but I work so much better when I’m sipping coffee. Wait, there’s only enough for one cup. Did you want that?”

“Go ahead. I’ll make more.”

“If I’m the one to take the last of it, I’ll make another pot. That’s the way it always worked in my family. Maybe Grady wants some. Is he a coffee drinker?”

“I am.” Grady appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. “But I can make it.” Stepping through the door, he held out his hand. “Grady Magee, ma’am. Pleased to meet you.”

For the first time in Sapphire’s memory, Arlene was speechless. She stared up at the tall cowboy with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. After what felt like a very long time, she murmured, “You’re beautiful.” Then she pressed her hands to her pink cheeks. “Did I just say that out loud?”

Grady smiled. “If you think I look good, you should see my brother, Liam. He’s the handsome one in the family.”

“Then your mom and dad must be beautiful, too.”

“Never knew my dad, but my mom is definitely beautiful.” His gaze flicked over to meet Sapphire’s as if to ask, Who is this nutty lady?

Since Arlene didn’t seem aware that she’d failed to introduce herself, Sapphire decided she’d better do the honors. “Grady, this is Arlene Danbury. Her watercolors of the Bighorn Mountains are becoming quite popular.”

Arlene’s blush deepened. “Not as popular as your sculptures, Grady.”

“They will be. I noticed your watercolors. Really nice.”

“Oh, thank you! Pick whichever one you want and it’s yours!”

He smiled at her. “You know I can’t do that. I’d choose the best one and you’d be out a lot of money.”

“I don’t care.”

“But I do. I’ll buy one of your watercolors and be honored to have the opportunity. Now, how about if I dump out the dregs and make us all a fresh pot of coffee?”

“Okay.” Still dazed, Arlene nodded and moved out of his way. Then she turned to Sapphire and mouthed, Oh, my God.

Sapphire struggled not to lose it. At least she wasn’t the only one enthralled with Grady. Arlene gradually recovered her poise and began pelting him with questions about his work. Surprisingly, she gave him a chance to answer each one before she threw out another, but it was more like an interview than a conversation.

He took it in stride, as if this happened to him quite a bit. Sapphire didn’t doubt it. She couldn’t recall his being followed by a pack of female admirers back in high school, but he’d filled out since then. And he’d taken up sculpting.

She’d bet his career choice affected how women perceived him. It certainly had influenced her. In high school he’d been a cute cowboy like all the others who attended school there. He still had cowboy charisma going on but he’d added a layer of intrigue with his career in the arts. No wonder Arlene had been struck mute.

But Sapphire had picked up another tidbit thanks to Arlene’s fan-girl moment. He hadn’t known his dad. In talking about his mother and Rosie, he’d skipped over any mention of his father. He’d quickly dismissed the subject just now, too. Come to think of it, Grady and Liam wouldn’t have lived at Thunder Mountain Ranch if their father had been around to help out.

In a way she wished she hadn’t learned that. It made him more vulnerable, more human and endearing. Because he hadn’t elaborated, she didn’t think the story was a pretty one. He admired his mother because she’d stuck by her kids and had raised them by herself, apparently, until the car accident had left her with nowhere to turn. That meant grandparents hadn’t been on hand, either.

Yeah, she really didn’t want to know that about him. Staying emotionally detached from a guy who looked like Grady and had the talent of an angel was difficult enough without finding out that he was fatherless, too. Herb Padgett, Rosie’s husband, would have taken that role to some extent and maybe Grady’s new stepdad had belatedly become a father figure. But during Grady’s early years he’d missed out on having a dad for games of catch or afternoons spent at the nearest fishing hole.

“Coffee’s ready. Who wants a cup?” Grady held up the pot.

“Me, please.” Arlene stuck out her mug. “Thank you so much for making it. Have you ever heated water for coffee with a welding torch? I knew a guy who used to do that all the time, made me so nervous. I told him a million times not to do it but he thought it was a cool idea. In my opinion—”

“Fortunately, I don’t do that.” Grady held up the pot. “Sapphire? Coffee?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

He poured it and tossed her a wink when Arlene started in on unsafe-welding-torch stories again. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’m gonna take my coffee and get back to work.”

“Me, too,” Arlene said. “I’ll walk you down there.”

“That would be great.” Grady gave Sapphire a quick smile before leaving with Arlene.

Her voice drifted back as they started down the barn aisle. “Can I peek in on your project?”

“Not yet, ma’am.” Grady sounded polite but firm. “If you don’t mind, this is a very personal sculpture, so I’d like to make a lot more progress before I show it to anyone.”

“Oh, sure, sure. I totally understand.” Arlene must have realized she was being pushy. “I’ll just stop off here at my stall, then. See you later!”

Nicely handled, Sapphire thought. Knowing he’d trusted her enough to seek her advice about the piece created a warm glow that she carried with her as she returned to her wheel. But her plan to keep her emotional distance wasn’t working worth a damn. That could be a problem.

4 (#ulink_cbc1285c-6d21-5263-9941-3e90ea7de8b0)

BY THE END of the day Grady had met five of the co-op members and made good progress on Rosie’s sculpture. He needed another two days to finish it so he could take it to the ranch when he went there for supper. He’d sworn the other artists to secrecy and everyone had agreed to warn him if by some chance Rosie stopped in at the Art Barn.

He didn’t think she would. The last week of classes for Thunder Mountain Academy was always a busy time and she’d be needed out there. His surprise should stay safe until he presented it to her. He’d get Cade to help him set it up while Rosie was busy in the kitchen. They could always move it later if she wanted it in a different spot.

Right now, though, he knew it must be about time to feed those cats and he wanted to help. Working all day had felt good and he wasn’t as desperate to make something happen with Sapphire as he had been when he’d first arrived. Or so he thought until he walked into the kitchen.

She had the phone to her ear and her back to him as she pulled bowls out of the cupboard. His timing had been excellent for watching her unobserved. He paused to admire how her embroidered jeans hugged her ass. His palms itched to feel her muscles flex the way he had last night in the shadows at Scruffy’s.

That remembered sensation triggered a replay of others—the warmth of her lush body, the heat of her mouth and the sound of her moans. They’d been so damned close to making the leap. He didn’t want to get that close again unless he felt fairly certain they’d go the distance.

He’d outgrown the teasing phase of a sexual relationship a long time ago. Yeah, a certain amount of dancing around was fun, but eventually, he liked to know where he stood. With Sapphire he still wasn’t sure. She was giving him mixed signals.

“I’m glad the gig’s working out for you, sis.” She opened the bin and reached for the scoop.

He rapped on the doorframe so he wouldn’t scare her. When she turned, he entered the kitchen and took the scoop out of her hand. Then he waved her off and began dishing food into the bowls so she could finish her conversation.

“The event is looking good.” She leaned against the counter and watched him work. “Having Grady Magee on board doesn’t hurt.” She listened for a moment. “There is? What’s it of?” She held eye contact with him. “That sounds really cool. I’ll tell him how much you like it. I’d better go. Time to feed the kitties. Love you!” She disconnected. “Thanks for doing that.”