Page 28 of Saddles and Snowstorms (Sagebrush Cowboys #4)

Brooks

I spent most of my day hobbling around the farm trying to catch up with three days of lost chores.

Of course, I waited until Lucas and Beau had left before I went outside.

After Lucas pointed out my hand on Rowan’s waist, I couldn’t bear the thought of facing them.

I didn’t want to answer questions or explain myself and I really didn’t want to fall under their discerning gazes.

Besides, I really didn’t want them to see the hickeys on my neck either. That would be a dead giveaway.

The guesses and the knowing in their eyes, that was the part I didn’t like.

The idea of someone assuming intimate details of my life made my skin crawl.

I couldn’t really say why, only that I wasn’t ready for that sort of thing.

Giving Rowan a chance was hard enough, but the idea of allowing other people in so quickly, especially without my say so… I just wasn’t ready for that yet.

The worst part was that I did want to talk about it. There was this bundle of emotions tangled up in my chest—excitement, fear, confusion—and nowhere for them to go. Each time I thought about Rowan, about his lips on my neck and his hands on my body, my heart would start racing all over again.

I found myself standing in the middle of the barn, pitchfork in hand, staring off into nothing. The horses nickered softly, probably wondering why I’d stopped mid-task. The sun slanted through the high windows, catching dust motes in golden beams.

“You’re a damn fool,” I muttered to myself, jabbing the pitchfork into fresh hay.

By late afternoon, I’d managed to clean the stalls, check the fence line on the south pasture, and repair one of the barn doors. My leg ached something fierce, but the physical labor felt good—grounding. It gave me something to focus on besides green eyes and gentle hands.

When I finally headed back to the house, the sun was setting, painting the prairie in shades of amber and gold.

I paused on the porch, taking in the view.

This land had been in my family for generations and since I was the only one left, it felt more important than ever to care for it.

However, there were moments when it felt like a prison.

And is that really how my parents would’ve wanted me to live my life?

Enslaved to a piece of land that kept me from having any happiness at all?

I wasn’t sure. I didn’t really remember them well enough to have an idea.

But all parents wanted that, right? Old Joe would’ve wanted me to be happy, I think.

Losing him hurt more than my parents. And I never wanted to feel that hurt again.

But now that I’d tasted companionship, felt something that could be real …

I knew I couldn’t stand to be alone any longer.

With a heavy sigh, I forced myself into the shower to rinse off the grime of the day.

I spent far too much time picking out a simple button up and jeans before I clambered into my truck and headed for town, Rowan’s smiling face filling my mind.

I promised I’d go see him and I wasn’t ready to break that promise just yet.

We both deserved a chance to see if this thing between us would work.

At the very least, I wanted to feel his lips against mine once more.

The drive into Sagebrush seemed both longer and shorter than usual at the same time.

My truck rumbled down the familiar road, kicking up mud from the melting snow.

Already most of the snow was gone except in the deepest drifts.

I kept my window cracked, letting the cold evening air cool my flushed face.

My palms were sweaty against the steering wheel.

“Get it together,” I muttered to myself. “You’re actin’ like some lovesick teenager. ”

But wasn’t that exactly what I was? Not a teenager, of course, but certainly lovesick. The feeling was so foreign it made my chest tight. When was the last time I’d felt this way about anyone? Had I ever?

Sagebrush came into view, its modest collection of buildings bathed in twilight. I slowed as I approached the clinic, noticing Rowan’s truck parked outside. The “OPEN” sign was still lit, though it was past regular hours. My heart did a little flip. Was he really waiting for me?

I parked and sat there for a moment, gathering my courage.

Through the window, I could see movement inside.

Rowan bent over an exam table, his back to the door.

Even in profile, he was beautiful. Focused on his work, the lines of concentration on his face softening his features in a way that made my breath catch.

I could see him talking to someone, though I couldn’t make out who it was from this angle.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open my truck door and stepped out. My boots crunched on the gravel as I made my way to the clinic entrance. The bell above the door jingled when I stepped inside, announcing my presence.

Rowan looked up, and the smile that broke across his face was like sunrise after a long night. “Brooks,” he said, my name on his lips sounding like something precious.

An old woman was sitting in a chair nearby, her ancient tabby cat nestled in her lap. “Oh, good evening,” she said, her eyes darting between Rowan and me with unmistakable curiosity.

“Ma’am,” I nodded, tugging at my collar self-consciously, wondering if the marks on my neck were visible.

“We’re almost done,” Rowan said, his voice professional but his eyes saying something else entirely. “Just finishing a routine checkup. You can wait in my office if you like. It’s down the hall.”

“I’ll be fine right here,” I said, leaning against the wall. I didn’t want to seem too eager, too desperate. But the truth was, I couldn’t bear to look away from him now that I was here.

Mrs. Bosworth—I recognized her now as the widow who lived just outside town—gave me a knowing smile that made heat rise to my cheeks. I pretended to be very interested in a poster about heartworm prevention on the wall. She couldn’t know, right? No… of course not.

“All right, Mrs. Bosworth,” Rowan said, gently scratching the old cat behind its ears. “Whiskers is in good shape for her age. Just keep giving her the antibiotics I prescribed last week, and she should be feeling better soon.”

“Bless you, Dr. Walsh,” the old woman said, carefully tucking the cat into a worn carrier. “You know, my Herbert would have liked you. He always said a man who’s good with animals has a good heart.” Her eyes flicked toward me, that same knowing look in them. “Don’t you think so, Mr. Callahan?”

I cleared my throat. “Yes, ma’am,” I agreed, although I tried to sound as noncommittal as possible.

“Well, I best be getting home before it gets too dark,” Mrs. Bosworth said, struggling to lift the carrier.

“Let me help you with that,” I said, automatically stepping forward.

I took the carrier from her gently, careful not to jostle the cat inside. Rowan gave me a soft smile that sent warmth spreading through my chest.

“Mighty kind of you,” Mrs. Bosworth said as we walked her to her car. She peered up at me with sharp eyes that seemed to see right through me. “You boys be good to each other now.”

I nearly dropped the carrier. Beside me, Rowan coughed.

“Good night, Mrs. Bosworth,” he said, helping her into the driver’s seat after I’d secured the cat carrier in the passenger side.

We stood side by side, watching her headlights disappear down the road. My cheeks flushed despite my best efforts.

“So,” Rowan said, turning to me with a half-smile. “You came.”

“I said I would.” My voice sounded rough even to my own ears. “Besides, you wanted to x-ray me or somethin’?”

“Or something,” he grinned, heading back toward the front door.

Inside the clinic, the fluorescent lights hummed. Rowan locked the door behind us and flipped the sign to “CLOSED”. The silence that fell between us felt charged with electricity, like the air before a storm.

“How’s your ankle?” Rowan asked, his eyes dropping to my knee.

“Hurts,” I admitted. “Did too much today.”

He frowned. “You should have rested. Come on back to the exam room.”

I followed him down the hallway, my boots echoing on the tile floor. The clinic smelled of antiseptic and pet shampoo, but underneath that was Rowan’s cologne—woodsy and masculine that always made my pulse quicken.

The exam room was small, intimate. Rowan patted the metal table. “Hop up.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I ain’t one of your four-legged patients.”

“No,” he said with a smile that made my stomach flip. “You’re considerably more stubborn. Now get on the table, Brooks.”

I complied, wincing as I hoisted myself up. Rowan pulled up a rolling stool and sat down in front of me. His fingers were gentle as he pulled off my boot and probed around my ankle, but I still hissed in pain.

“Sorry,” he murmured. “I can tell you did too much today. The swelling is back up a bit.”

“I had chores,” I explained with a shrug. “Can’t just let ‘em pile up.”

His fingers moved along my calf, and I tried not to think about how good they felt, even when they were causing me pain. “Well, you’ve probably set yourself back a few days,” he said, his tone somewhere between scolding and concerned.

“Worth it,” I said, not meaning to speak aloud.

His hands stilled on my ankle, and he looked up at me, those green eyes locking with mine. “What was worth it?”

My mouth went dry. “Getting my chores done.”

“Liar,” he said softly, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. He stood, stepping between my legs as they dangled off the table. “I think you’re talking about spending three days snowed in together.”

I swallowed hard, painfully aware of how close he was standing, of the warmth radiating from his body. “Maybe.”

His hand moved to my neck, fingers tracing the marks he’d left there. “These look good on you,” he murmured.

“Had to wear a high collar all day,” I grumbled, but there was no real annoyance in my voice.

“A high collar?” he scoffed. “Were the cows judging you?”

“Horses actually,” I nodded, grinning up at him. “They’re pretty snooty.”

Rowan laughed, the sound filling the small exam room and making my heart skip a beat. His hands moved to rest on my thighs, warm even through my jeans. He leaned forward, pressing his body against mine.

“I came to apologize,” I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “For, uh, retreating this morning. I ain’t good at people or... this.” I gestured vaguely between us.

“This?” Rowan echoed, his voice soft. He stepped closer until I could feel his breath on my face. “You make it sound so mysterious.” He grinned, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. “We like each other. We’re exploring that. Seems pretty normal to me.”

“Maybe for you,” I sighed. “I’m real out of practice.”

“I think you’re doing just fine.” He kissed me again. “Now come into the backroom so I can x-ray your leg.”

I looked up, grinning. “Is that code for somethin’?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Code for getting your leg x-rayed to make sure it ain’t broken.” He reached out, taking my hand. “Then you can take me out to dinner.”

My heart stuttered at his words. “Dinner? Where? It’s gettin’ late and there ain’t much open in Sagebrush past eight.”

Rowan’s smile widened as he helped me off the table, his hand lingering on my waist longer than necessary. “Dolly’s is open until ten on Fridays. And I happen to know she’s got a quiet booth in the back.”

Heat climbed up my neck at the thought of being seen with Rowan in town.

Not because I was ashamed—hell, after three days of learning every inch of his body, shame was the furthest thing from my mind—but because of the attention it would draw.

In Sagebrush, two men having dinner together would be like setting off fireworks in the town square.

“Everyone will talk,” I muttered as he led me to the x-ray room.

Rowan paused, his expression sobering. “Does that bother you? Because we can grab something to-go and head back to my place if you’d rather.”

I considered it for a moment. The idea of returning to Rowan’s place, just the two of us, was mighty tempting.

But I realized there was something I needed to face.

If this thing between us was real, if it had any chance of lasting, I couldn’t hide it away like some shameful secret. I just hoped I was ready for it .

“No,” I said finally, meeting his eyes. “I want to take you to dinner. Proper-like.”

The smile that broke across Rowan’s face was worth every bit of gossip we’d face. “Alright then. Let’s get this x-ray done.” He wrapped a hand around my waist, pressing himself against me with a sly grin on his face. “The faster we eat dinner, the faster we can go back to my place.”