Carrillo's Cowboy by Tee Smith (classic novels to read .txt) 📗

never shown the slightest interest in horses. He was more academically minded, like his father, she supposed. They had all tried to encourage him to ride, but he had never learned. Now right before her eyes, Cody appeared to be teaching him.

Picking her way across the gravel in her office shoes, she leaned against the railing and watched as Austin tugged the reins, and Cody led Marla around the yard. When Cody looked up and noticed her watching, he offered her a wink and a nod. Her heart skipped a beat.

“What on earth?” she mouthed.

“Oh, hi, Mum.” Austin turned and waved before shakily turning back to his steed. The smile on his face was priceless. He had taken his parents’ separation very hard. It was he who constantly asked when they were moving back to the city, or if he could go back and live with his dad. She guessed he needed a father-figure in his life. She failed to see how Adam could ever fill that role.

“You’re doing great, buddy,” she smiled, calling back to him.

Cody brought Marla to a halt and reached up, Austin leaned forward as the older man whispered something in his hear, and Austin nodded. He turned and looked at his mum before Cody jogged over to her.

“I hope you don’t mind. Austin asked if I could give him a few lessons.”

“Mind? Not at all. I’ve been trying to get him in the saddle his whole life. How did you manage it?”

Cody shrugged. “He just asked while we were playing his game yesterday.”

“I am amazed. Well done.”

“Are you off to work?” His eyes flitted over her, warming her skin.

“Yep. Hopefully, just a few hours. I thought the kids were still asleep. I wanted to get some stuff done before they woke.”

“Well . . .” he gestured to Austin.

Callie chuckled. “Well, obviously not.”

“I can keep an eye on them if you like. Until you’re done.”

“Thanks.” She smiled.

“My pleasure.” His smile lit up his face, and she felt his eyes on her as she turned away.

Callie loved that Cody had fitted in so well with her family. It just seemed perfect, like he belonged there. When she divorced Adam, she thought she would be alone forever, after all, who would want a divorcee with two kids, and the encumbrance of the estate? It wasn’t like she was stinking rich, and her body wasn’t what it used to be before twins. Now, she was beginning to think, just maybe there might be something with Cody. Not that he had made any moves, but the way he looked at her. The way it felt when they worked side-by-side with ease, when their hands would accidentally brush each other. Surely he felt it too.

“Do you want another drink before you head back to the quarters?” she asked Cody. “It’s kinda nice having some adult company.”

Cody’s gaze fell to the lounge room where the kids were settling in. Perhaps he’d prefer to have a movie night with them. “Sure,” he said with a smile, before reaching for the half bottle of wine, still set on the kitchen table. “Lead the way.”

The night was warm, and crickets chirped in the distance. As she often did, Callie switched on the radio, allowing the soft sounds to radiate out into the darkness. Soon, Carrillo Estate would be teaming with people. Staff and contractors, all were pouring in for the rodeo, disrupting her peace. She didn’t mind the busy times; it kept her mind off all the things she didn’t want to reflect on. Her failed marriage, her father’s passing, her son’s desire to leave Harlow’s Bend.

“I like your kids,” Cody stated as he poured her a fresh glass of wine.

“Do you want them?” she asked with a laugh before back-peddling. “Y’know I’m joking. Austin really misses his dad. Keeps holding out for him to come and take him back to the city.” Cody’s brows raised high on his forehead at her revelation. “He’s not coming,” she added sadly. “He just won’t see it. I think he likes having you around, though.” She let that hang in the air a few moments before adding. “I do too.”

Cody let go of his breath with a sigh, and she knew she’d said too much. She didn’t want to pressure him or make him feel like he had to stay. She knew he wouldn’t, but deep down couldn’t help but wish he might.

“Do you want to dance?” he asked, his question taking her by surprise.

“Sure, I might be a little rusty, it’s been a while.”

“I’m no Fred Astaire darlin’, don’t worry,” he said with a wry smile before rising to his feet and holding out his hand.

Placing her own in his, she noticed his warmth as he pulled her in close to his body. The music hummed away with its inane tune, something about love or losing love, but weren’t they all? She softened into him as he tugged her close, and his arm slipped low around her back. It was the closest they had been, on purpose, aside from when they were working in the yard and bumped into each other. His body felt hard against hers, and it made her tingle all over. A sensation she was sure she would never feel again. She wasn’t sure it had felt like this the first time.

Cody’s warm breath fell over her ear, and his heart beat hard against her chest. She felt at home in his embrace, like she had finally found someone who really got her. Closing her eyes, she willed this moment to last forever.

When the music paused between songs, she pulled away from him slightly to find his hooded blue eyes peering down at her. She wasn’t sure who made the first move, but within seconds his lips descended on hers, moving softly, slowly at first, savouring her as she was him.

It wasn’t long before their soft kisses deepened, her fingers tangling in his hair, trying desperately to pull him closer as if