Page 10 of Claimed By A Cowboy
Twenty minutes later, a ranch hand came to collect me. He was polite but quiet on the trip to town. His name was Tye, he also used to be a rodeo man, and had refused to be part of the auction. I got nothing else out of him. It was as if he was afraid to talk to me.
Now I wander one of the small western stores in town, looking for something a bit more appropriate for the ranch. I sensed yesterday that I had made a bit of a fool of myself coming here in those designer clothes. I want to make a better impression when I get back to the ranch.
“Lies. You want to impress Wylder. Make him think you could be a cowgirl,” I hiss to myself as I pull out a pair of perfectly tattered jeans.
Trying them on and loving the fit, I pair them with a pretty brown and turquoise plaid button down. I grab a long, orange checkered dress, some beautiful leather boots, and even a few hats. By the time I am done, I know I have gone overboard, but I don’t care.
“Will this be all, ma’am?” The clerk asks after ringing up my goodies.
“Yes, it will, thank you. Planning a good time at Iron H Ranch.”
Stilling from her task of bagging my things, the young brunette’s eyes goes wide. “Oh, out there with all those roughnecks? They sure are pretty,” she says with a sigh in her voice, “most of them come to town to tear up on the weekends. Except that one, the broody one. No one likes that one, I hear. He is the prettiest of all, so it’s too bad he is a jerk.”
Frowning at her, I push my card across the counter, keeping my thoughts to myself. I know she means Wylder. He was the grumpiest of the guys I had met at Iron H. Not to mention, he isdefinitelythe prettiest.
“Thanks, sweetheart,” I put a little twang in my voice, to match hers. “I will be sure the grump knows you said hello.”
Turning on my heel, I stride out of the shop, wishing I could contain my anger. I stomp down the wooden steps, my heel hooking on the last step. I pitch forward, bracing myself for my meeting with the cobble stone.
“Whoa there, honey. I came to find you, no need to throw yourself at me.”
Blinking up at the massive body who just caught mine, I flush. Wylder. How did he know I was here? Letting him pull me up against his chest, I drop my bags, realizing he has lifted me off my feet.
“Hilarious, Wylder. Who told you I was here? Were you really looking for me? Why won’t you put me down?”
Wylder laughs, the sound booming against my chest and hypnotizing me. I peer up at him, awed by that wonderful sound. His eyes shine in the warm sunshine. By God, he truly is the prettiest man ever. Even that jagged scar does nothing but make him look better. Rougher.
“Cody told me to come find you, I thought you bailed on me. Yes, I was looking for you, who else would I come to town for? I will put you down,” his voice lowers, making my belly quiver as his nose almost brushes against mine. “Once you promise to be careful.”
“I-I promise. I am not always so clumsy. Just, it seems, whenever I get around you.”
Flushing as I realize how foolish my rambling is, I bow my head. Wylder sets me on my feet, bending to snatch up my bags. He opens them to peer inside. I gasp and reach out, laughing a little at how forward he is being.
When he sees what I have in the bags, his head tilts. I flush once again, wishing I was better putting my guards up with this man. His hand reaches out and I flinch when he cups my jaw. He frowns a little, tilting my head back.
“Wynn, honey, you did not have to do this. You would have been fine…”
“You were laughing at me yesterday,” I whisper, dipping my head as shameful tears flood my eyes. “Some of the other girls were too. I just did not want to look like a fool again.”
“Oh, honey,” his voice is so soft, so intimate, my gaze flies to his. He drops the bags, his big hands cupping my face gently. “Never let anyone else make you something you ain’t. You look good in heels and flashy shit. Wear glitter or stilettos all you want here, honey.”
We both go still as I fall against his chest with a soft thud. His fingers sink into my hair and my eyes flutter. He is the biggest, kindest, most confusing man I have ever met. My head falls forward against his chest and I let out a quiet sob.
Being with him is the first time in my life I have not felt alone. I think it is why I was so upset at his sad eyes in that photo for the auction. I think I hoped he could understand the emptiness inside me. The loneliness.
“Honey don’t be sad,” he whispers, his fingers brushing through my hair. “We will make this a great day, hmm? I will make it the best day, I promise you.”
Nodding, I burrow my face against his chest. He smells so good. His thick arms wind around me, and I am safe. Content. At peace for at least a few moments. I know this day, whether it be the best ever or not, will end soon enough.
So I will savor all the moments we share.
“Come on, how about we grab breakfast? Just the two of us. I don’t come to town often, so when I do, I always make one stop.”
Grinning at him as he picks up my bags, I nod. I don’t care where he takes me. As long as I am with him, I know it will be good. He carries my bags to his truck, setting them inside before he turns back to me.
We stand at the sidewalk of the main street, neither of us moving for a moment. I take a deep breath, wondering if he is regretting coming to town for me. I glance around, seeing dozens of other women. All of them look the same as that checkout girl.
Catching sight of me standing next to him in a shop window, I swallow hard. In a bandage dress, with heels again, I look out of place. I don’t belong here just the way I don’t belong anywhere else. He stuns me by moving behind me, his big hands cupping my shoulders.
