Loving Her Cowboy Crush Read online

  A strange feeling started at the edges of his heart. Somehow, he planned to do everything he could to get up to speed with the beautiful woman before him. How long had it been? Ten years?

  Walker nodded, unable to think of anything to say. She hesitated a bit, then smiled.

  “Who are you talking with, Walker?” Ronnie came out of the house and screamed when she saw Amity. And then the two of them were hugging each other like long lost friends.

  “Wow! It’s so good to see you.” Ronnie appraised her friend.

  Amity giggled. “Same here. I can’t believe you are getting married!”

  He loved their exuberance.

  Ronnie smiled and looked between the two of them. “I see you already spoke to Walker. We have a lot to catch up on. Come on in.”

  Walker couldn’t help but notice how the belt of Amity’s coat cinched her trim waist. The young girl had blossomed into a jaw-dropping-beautiful woman. Amity and Adriana were just alike in the looks department and when it came to partners in mischief, but when it concerned animals, Amity was usually the first one running away.

  Her pranks ended in the house. Those long-ago days on his parent’s ranch, Amity wouldn’t step out of the ranch house for fear of encountering one of their cattle. No one ever could fathom why she had that kind of phobia for animals. But watching her pet the dogs that were falling over each other to get her attention, he assumed she had outgrown it. That piqued his interest.

  It would be interesting to find out what else had changed. He shook his head. Why was he thinking of her now? They were still friends and he’d hate to ruin that. He had a long list of items he needed to complete within the next two weeks. In order to ensure his guests enjoyed themselves, get the publicity he needed to boost his dude ranch, and help his sister pull off a great wedding, he needed to make sure everything was perfect. That didn’t include getting to know anyone. Especially not Amity.

  Still, the woman intrigued him.

  It had been only four years since his wife, Laura, had died, and he hadn’t forgotten the role he had played in it.

  Right. He sighed, trying to quell the guilt that had plagued him for the past years as it struggled for dominance. His psychologist had said he was suffering from survivor’s guilt. Whatever that was. It wasn’t until recently that he’d stopped waking up covered in cold sweats from nightmares.

  Really, he had no business getting to know anyone. If he’d done things differently, his wife and baby would still be alive. He or she would’ve been running about now.

  His heart squeezed in his chest. Two weeks and the wedding would be over, and he could go back to the new life he’d carved for himself—his bull rides and running his ranch. And that didn’t include any woman. He didn’t deserve any.

  Chapter Two

  All smiles, Ronnie grabbed Amity and pulled her into another hug. “Thanks for coming, Ami. Adriana told me you were coming straight from work. I hope you’re not on call tonight because you’re spending the night here.”

  “I am not on tonight, but I have to leave early in the morning because I'm on call tomorrow. How have you been?”

  “Great. It’s been so long, girl.”

  Amity laughed. “You can say that again. Now that I think about it, I wonder why we never kept in touch after my family moved.”

  “Right. We’re here now, and we have a lot of catching up to do. Didn’t you take a vacation?”

  They stepped into a little room, Amity was aware of the tall guy behind them. His woodsy smell filled her nostrils. Instead of letting her mind dwell there, she focused on the beauty of the horizon through the large window. “I did. But I can only get two weeks, and that starts on Monday.”

  "I hope you intend to spend all the time here. It will be so fun. Walker has some things planned and I'd hate for you to miss it. Walker, right?"

  "Yes, Amity I hope you get to stay."

  "That will definitely be fun. I'll be back Sunday night." She took time to admire the rustic ranch. Wide-open skies with large expanses of land spread out in the late evening air. The blue sky stretched off in the distance like waves upon waves in a vast eternal sea. The gorgeous landscapes looked breathtaking. If she lived here, this would be her favorite spot. She imagined what the place would look like other times of the year with lush vegetation. “I must say I’m impressed.”

  He came to stand beside her, looking out of the window. “Thanks.” Walker smiled. “I’m going to catch up on some paperwork. See you later, Ami.”

  Amity liked the way he used her pet name like he had in school. “Sure.” His dogs followed in his wake as he went out.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet.” Ronnie ushered Amity into a large living room.

  It boasted of brown leather sofas with classic nail-head trim. Several log chairs and an ottoman with lively bear print upholstery, plus, a couple log rockers with bear cubs on their backs, lit up the room. A large ceramic tray that resembled a bear’s footprint held snacks on a leather-topped bench. The biggest sofa she had ever seen sat opposite the huge fireplace. Sparks flew as wood burned inside. It wasn’t every day one saw wood fireplaces, and Amity could imagine curling up in front of it, a book in hand.

  She turned around in slow motion, taking in the rustic beauty. Family photos, including one they took during Ronnie’s eighth birthday, hung on the wall alongside landscape paintings. “This is really impressive.”

  “You can say that again,” Ronnie said. “Come meet my friends.” She motioned to the three women who sat in front of the fireplace sipping wine from tall stemmed glasses. They looked to be around the same age as Amity, and their smiles said they understood her awe.

  As Ronnie made introductions, Amity recognized one of the women. Her name was Jeanie. They had all gone to school together, but Amity and Jeanie had never been friends. Coincidentally, Jeanie had also suffered a huge crush on Walker back then. Walker had never really given her the time of day, but it had never stopped her from trying.

  Jeanie had held a grudge against Amity for her friendship with Walker back then, but that was all in the past. Surely there was no reason to hold a grudge now. Besides, Walker was married and Amity was past those kinds of childish games.

  “Good to see you again, Amity.” Jeanie played with her hair in almost a menacing way.

  “Oh, that’s right!” Ronnie looked back and forth between them. “I forgot you two knew each other! Isn’t it great to be reunited once again?”

  Jeanie rolled her eyes dramatically as Ronnie turned away. Great. Just what she needed ― more drama. “So, how have you been?” Amity asked Ronnie while she ignored Jeanie and took a seat next to the fire.

  “Very good. I guess I don’t need to ask you. You look amazing. Anyway, we’ll have time to catch up with each other in a bit. Would you like a drink?”

  “I’d love that. What do you have?”

  “Whatever you want. Walker stocked all kinds. By the way, my wedding planner’s on her way. I want you to go over some details with me. Adriana assures me your tastes are still the same. And I’ve always known that.”

  That was true. She and Adriana still shopped together when they visited each other. Bought the same kind of clothes, did the same kind of hairstyles and all that. They’d both passed their exams and had planned to do their residency in the US, but then Amity became sick and her mom wouldn’t hear of her relocating. “I like to think so.”

  “In the interim, Walker’s housekeeper has made barbecued chicken, the best this side of Alberta. You’ll love it. Let’s go into the kitchen.”

  Amity rose while Ronnie excused herself from the other girls. They turned toward the hallway when a tall guy walked downstairs. Amity didn’t need to be told who he was. Her friend lit up like a torch under his gaze.

  “Amity, come meet my fiancé, Marc Baxter.” She waited for Marc to reach them. “Sweetheart, my friend, Amity. She’s Adriana’s twin. You remember that doctor friend in Las Vegas.”

  He smiled and held out his hand. “I do. Are people able to tell you two apart?”

  “My mom does but the rest of the time, we play on others’ inability to figure us out.”

  A door to the back opened, and Walker stepped out of a room Amity assumed was the den. Her pulse skipped at his nearness, and she chided herself. His wife must be here somewhere. She’d seen him playing with his wedding band while they talked earlier.

  “I heard your voice,” Walker said, coming to shake hands with Marc. “I’d forgotten you were coming today.”

  “Ouch. That hurts.”

  Walker chuckled. “Yeah, I know. Good to see you.” They chatted while she and Ronnie watched them.

  Boy, Walker was easy on the eyes, with a well-built body, eyes so warm, they looked like caramel in the hot Alberta sun. Amity envied the woman that was lucky to be married to Walker.

  “I’m going into town for a bit. Do you need anything?” Marc asked Ronnie.

  “No, dear,” she responded.

  “I guess we’ll leave our planning till tomorrow, Walker, since you’re going riding tonight?” Marc asked him.

  “That would be perfect. By the way, I’m not riding, just teaching a young boy how to.”

  “All the same. You’ll get on a bull to show him how to. But whatever you do, don’t get broken up, man. I don’t want my best man in a tux and crutches.”

  “That actually will look good on your pictures,” Walker said with a grin. “You should come with me.”

  “And have Ronnie call off the wedding?” Marc asked in mock horror. “I’ll pass.”

  The two friends laughed and after a little more banter, Marc left for his trip to town. Walker started for the door too.

  “When are you leaving?” Ronnie asked him.

  He glan
ced at Amity then at his wristwatch. “In thirty minutes.”

  Ronnie rolled her eyes. “I’m just so glad I don’t have to worry about Marc and those crazy bulls anymore. But be careful.” She dragged Amity toward the kitchen. “Let’s go get you that drink.”

  “Walker’s a bull rider?”

  “Used to be, then he stopped, and I thought it was over. He just picked up the habit again. Nothing major is happening now, but he’s been teaching someone, which he does over the weekend. He says it’s the best way to train too.”

  Amity felt like there was something Ronnie wasn’t saying. Why would he stop and start again? Did something happen?

  “Funny, after two year’s hiatus, he was able to get back up to speed pretty fast. He’s stayed consistently on the top thirty-five cut and made it to Vegas this year. He feels confident he will climb higher in the new year. This ranch is evidence of his earnings so far.”

  Despite what Ronnie said about her concerns, Amity could still hear the pride in her words. “That’s cool.”

  They reached the kitchen. Ronnie hung Amity’s jacket on the peg. A middle-aged woman, plump and bubbly, greeted them. Her sun-bleached hair was held in rollers. “Valerie, meet my friend from way back when. Amity, Valerie. Walker couldn’t ask for a better housekeeper. She’s also a fabulous cook.”

  The woman’s cheeks dimpled as she smiled. She was beautiful. “Welcome. I hope you enjoy your stay here.”

  Walker’s face rose in her mind’s vision. She definitely would. “I’ll be gone in the morning and be back by Sunday, but I’m sure I will enjoy whatever time I have here.”

  As Ronnie bustled about, getting Amity’s drink, Amity thought about Walker. He’d always loved animals. He’d teased her to no end about her obsessive fear of animals. He’d thought it was hilarious when she even ran away from the chickens.

  But a bull rider? She could never imagine it.

  She let her gaze roam the kitchen. The cabinets were made of brown burnished wood, which matched the walls. A tall metallic gray refrigerator occupied one side of the huge place. She had no idea that people made big money riding bulls. Walker had been smart to invest.

  Something about him called to her—a feeling akin to sadness that she sensed around him. A little stab of pain took residence at the edges of her heart. Why did she feel drawn to him? Absence hadn’t killed her feelings. After her family moved away, and they didn’t keep in touch, Amity had put her feelings down to teenage hormones and had done everything to kill the one-sided affection. Right now, she wished she had more to her own life than just her job.

  Shaking the self-pity, she whispered quietly, “I’m sorry, Lord.” Her life could be worse, and in spite of her challenge, she was blessed beyond measure with a great, supporting family and friends.

  She wouldn’t let this wedding, which was supposed to be a re-connection, turn into something else. Walker was married. She’d noticed his ring.

  She had no business responding to the emotions that seemed to be building up inside of her. Not at all. Amity frowned. Where was his wife, anyway?

  IT WAS SNOWING LIGHTLY when Walker drove in later that night. The ranch was quiet. Amity’s red sports car still sat where she parked it earlier. She’d be gone by the time he woke up in the morning. He’d thought of her all through teaching Caleb tonight. No matter how hard he tried, memories of their past continued to pop into his head. Things they had done that he hadn’t thought about in years, the family dinners, going to church together. They’d gone to school together, shared math classes together and he’d had to help her with homework. Her sister had always teased her about preferring Walker teaching her than Adriana.

  On a few occasions he’d done it for her just to spend more time with her. The way they had laughed so hard together when she’d been chased down the street by a Chihuahua and he’d come to the rescue... how he had told her about the crush Joseph had on her because he was too afraid to tell her it was really him who had placed the heart around her name in her yearbook. Memories of sitting with her at the football games...

  He really needed to stop thinking about the past. What’s to say she didn’t have a boyfriend? He would never be the reason she broke up her relationship if she was in one. Help me, God.

  Not sure what he prayed for, he heaved a sigh and climbed out of his truck and then headed for the house. His muscles ached. But it was nothing a good night’s rest wouldn’t fix. All of this year, he’d hit the circuits with the energy of having rested two full years. Everyone had been surprised at his comeback. But it was still a long way to the top. And he knew it.

  A few more years and he’d have his ranch fully running and retire for good. For now, riding kept him from thinking about the past. It made him focus on something and brought in the money he needed.

  He stopped on the porch and looked around as far as the light extended. He’d fallen in love with the place when he first visited while he and Laura were dating. She’d had a dream of running a dude ranch, and he’d hoped to get her a beautiful place like this one and start a family. But all of that was gone now.

  And he’d gone back to—

  He cut the thought for the second time that night.

  Pushing the door, he entered in and sighed at the warmth that wrapped around him like a hug. He rolled his eyes. Laura was the only other person who would’ve evoked this kind of thought. She was a hugger. He pushed air through his lungs. As much as he wished he could, he couldn’t change the past.

  Light shone from the kitchen, and thinking someone forgot to switch it off, he turned in that direction. He reached out to the light switch and then noticed someone was in the kitchen. He brought his head around the door.

  Amity leaned against the countertop. She wore a white, snug-fitting sweater. Ronnie’s. Her feet were clad in woolen socks into which her sweat pant legs were tucked. Her jet-black hair fell down almost mid-back. A subtle scent wafted toward him that reminded him of spring roses. He frowned at the keen awareness of the woman in his kitchen. As much as she looked right at home there, he wasn’t looking for love. She looked up then and noticed him.

  “I was thirsty.”

  “No worries.” He frowned again. “Are you concerned I’d disapprove of you in the kitchen?”

  He could swear she was blushing.

  “Uh, no.”

  “Ami, feel free to go anywhere you like while you are here. You’re my guest.”

  She nodded, her eyes searching his face. Not sure what she was thinking, he filled a cup from the tap and sat down at the kitchen island.

  Amity placed her chin on her palm and looked at Walker. “How was your ride?”

  “Not bad. I’m teaching a friend’s son. It’s almost twelve. Haven’t you gone to bed?” He met her gaze.

  “I have, but when I’m in a strange bed, I can’t sleep the first night. Thought I’d catch up on some reading in preparation for the rounds. My attending physician loves when we’re up to date on stuff.” She grimaced. “I guess if I haven’t gone gray from so much reading in the past year, I won’t.”

  He chuckled, eye-balling the big surgical book in front of her. “Maybe you should’ve gone home so you can study.”

  “It’s been a long while since I’ve seen everyone. Ronnie and I had a lot to talk about by the time the wedding planner left. Walker, you have a beautiful place here. Pretty amazing.”

  He perked up. “Why, thank you. I’m taking the time to fix it up. I want people to have a home away from home experience, you know. By the turn of the year, I’m hoping to have it open to guests. I have a few things planned for Ronnie and her friends, and I really hope you’ll be around this first week doing activities with us. The more, the merrier.”

  “If I can make it. I’ll be back on Sunday though. I have two weeks vacation. This looks like an expensive venture. How long have you been working on it?”

  “Yeah, it is. A little over a year. I should have most of it completed by spring next year. That’s the plan, anyway. Could be a little later, but hopefully, it won’t be too far from then.”

  “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you. You haven’t done too shabbily for yourself either.”

  She laughed. “Maybe not. Except that reading never ends. Doesn’t allow much fun.”