The Last Good Cowboy Read online

  “He’s your twin. You two were literally inseparable. Sometimes Annie and I had to wash and feed you as a unit because you had your arms wrapped around each other so tight.” Billy paused. “Was he drinking?”

  “And the rest.”

  “Damn.” Billy sighed.

  Ry refocused on the horizon, where the sun was deciding whether to go down or not. “Should I have stayed?”

  “No,” Billy said simply. “I had to conquer my demons myself, and no amount of anyone telling me to stop drinking and face my responsibilities made me want to change a damn thing.”

  “But you had reasons for drinking.”

  “I had an excuse, sure, but millions of people deal with tragedy in their lives and they don’t all find solace in the bottom of a bottle. I took the easy way out, and I almost lost it all.”

  Ry took off his hat and dragged a hand through his flattened hair. “I don’t know why he drinks and does all the other stuff. We’re identical, and booze does nothing for me. Hell, I tried to keep up with him for a while, but I didn’t like myself, you know?”

  Billy patted his shoulder. “He’ll work it out.”

  “You think so?”

  “Sure. Let him get the rodeo finals out of the way first.”

  “If he gets there.”

  “You don’t think he’ll make it?” Billy straightened and turned toward the barn.

  “HW said I was jealous of his success and was walking out just when he needed me most.”

  Billy looked over his shoulder. “I hope you didn’t believe that pile of horseshit.”

  “He said I’d promised Mom never to leave him.”

  “Did you?”

  “I don’t remember doing so, but it sounds about right. She was always on at me to keep him safe.”

  “You remember much about her?”

  Ry caught up with his father and they ambled toward the barn. “Not really.”

  “You looking forward to seeing her?”

  “I’m not sure. How about you?”

  Billy half smiled. “No one’s asking me what I think.”

  “They should’ve. Do you want to see her again?” Ry asked as they entered the barn. “I can’t imagine this is easy for you, either.”

  “I’d like to apologize. I know that.”

  “But Chase says she attacked you with the knife.”

  Billy met his gaze. “She did, but she had her reasons. I’m partly to blame for not seeing how depressed she was, and getting her some help.”

  Something stirred deep in Ry’s gut. “Yeah.” He fumbled with the latch of the door to the tack room. “I’m going to put my saddlebag in here, okay? There’s no point carrying it up to the main barn.”

  “Sure, I’ll tell Roy tomorrow. You want a ride back to the house?”

  “Nah, I’ll take Dolittle. He needs the exercise.”

  Billy laughed. “True. I’ll see you back there then—and Ry?”

  Ry looked up. “What?”

  “HW will work it out and come home one day. You did.”

  Ry nodded, and replaced the wire cutters on the shelf, making sure he retained his thick leather working gloves. Billy went to check Roy’s house was secure, leaving him alone. The thing was, he was far more anxious about the potential return of his mother than the welfare of his brother, and yet he didn’t have the faintest idea why. The more everyone talked about Annie, the less he liked it. What if Chase did find her? What would that feel like?

  Ry stuffed his gloves in his back pocket and went to where Dolittle was happily dozing in the shade. When the dude ranch started taking in guests, he’d volunteer his horse to anyone with a nervous disposition. Nothing bothered the gelding, who took every opportunity to chill out. If a horse could ever be described as bombproof, then Dolittle should be on the poster.

  He mounted up, gathered the reins in one hand, and clicked to the horse, who eventually woke up and started moving. A wave to Billy, who was now getting into his truck, and Ry was off, cutting through the pastureland, riding way too fast, but he needed to push back against whatever was bugging him. And he needed to get ready to face Avery.

  He rammed his Stetson down on his head and with a whoop, settled low in the saddle, concentrating on the power of the horse beneath him and the suddenly downhill terrain, which made everything pass in a blur. He knew this land with his soul, knew every clod of soil and pothole, and yet he still concentrated hard because you never knew what might come back to bite you in the ass—especially on the back of a horse.

  The anticipation of seeing Avery pushed the rest of his troubling thoughts back into his head. As he slowed down to approach the barn, he tried to remember the last time he’d been so excited to see a woman.

  The answer hit him as he dismounted and started taking off the heavy saddle.

  “My senior prom.”

  Dolittle didn’t look very impressed with the revelation, and nudged Ry with his nose to get a move on.

  “Looking for Avery to ask her to dance.”

  Dolittle sneezed, covering Ry in snot, but he almost didn’t notice. Wiping absently at his face, he finished with the horse and put him in his stall. It would all clean off in the shower . . .

  * * *

  She wasn’t actually contemplating going out with Ry, was she? Avery stared at the growing pile of clothes she’d already tried on and discarded. Somehow she was getting ready even while she battled with herself about how dictatorial he’d been, and how much she wanted to tell him where to stuff his date.

  And she had nothing to wear. The last time she’d been out was two years ago with Nate Turner, who had decided she wasn’t The One five minutes after their appetizers arrived, and never asked her out again. Not that she minded. They were still friends. She envied Nate’s ability to know exactly what he wanted and when it wasn’t working.

  “I don’t know what I want,” she wailed, and picked up her cell.

  She didn’t even have Ry’s number to call and tell him not to come. Sure, she could call the ranch and let his grandma know what he was up to, but that seemed rather unfair. She went for her backup instead.

  “Nancy?”

  “What’s up?”

  “I’m conflicted.”

  “You’re going on this date.”

  “But—”

  “You’re going. I expect to see you in the bar within the next hour. If I don’t, I will have to piss off my boss, leave my shift, and come and get you. Do you want to see me coming through your door?”

  Avery imagined it. “No.”

  “Then I’ll see you soon. Suck it up, girlfriend.”

  “Easy for you to say.” Avery realized she was talking to herself as her screen went black. She surveyed the clothes on her bed. “So what does a girl wear for a night out in the only bar in Morgantown?”

  Her cell buzzed, showing she had voice mail. It was Nancy.

  “Wear the black T-shirt with the silver sparkly heart on it, and your best bra. And when I say best, I mean sexiest rather than sturdiest, got it? You’re welcome.”

  Avery found the T-shirt, which did nice things for her boobs and her brown eyes, and put it on over her fanciest bra. She brushed her long straight hair, leaving it loose for a change, and put on mascara and lipstick.

  God, she was actually going to do it.

  Checking the time, she eased into her jeans and short boots, found her one and only girly purse and filled it with essentials. She’d pay her own way and make sure she had her phone with her in case of emergency.

  She snorted as she left her room. Like Ry Morgan was going to turn into some kind of psycho serial killer. Ignoring the elevators, which were busy with guests, she chose to walk along to the main staircase to stretch out her leg. She paused on the landing and saw Ry down in the lobby, chatting to her youngest brother, Mark. Ry was leaning against the concierge’s desk, his wheat-colored hair shining in the light, all his attention on whatever Mark was telling him.

  She grasped the banister and
started down the stairs and he looked up, holding her gaze as she carefully descended. After a final word with Mark, he walked toward her, his expression serious.

  “Hey.”

  She stayed two steps up so she could see into his face. “Good evening, Ry.”

  His slow smile almost stopped her breath. “I wasn’t sure you would be coming.”

  “I wasn’t sure myself.”

  He nodded slowly. “You look beautiful.”

  “I do not.”

  “You’re not the one doing the looking.” He offered her his arm. “Are you ready to go?”

  She placed her fingers on the sleeve of his freshly ironed going-to-town shirt, and came down the last two steps. Instead of letting go, he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. Tucker held the door open for them and winked at Avery as she passed him.

  “Have a good evening, sis. Don’t rush back.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed. Outside, it was just starting to get dark. The long lines of tourists had disappeared, allowing the town to settle back into comparative silence. Avery let out a slow breath as they strolled down the wooden walkway toward the red and pink lights of the local bar.

  “If we go in there, everyone will be gossiping about us.” Avery eased down the steps and prepared to cross the street.

  “Not a problem for me.”

  “Someone will tell Ruth.”

  He shrugged. “It’s a small town.”

  “And we’re only having one drink.”

  He glanced down at her as they neared the bar. “You can have as many as you like. You’re not the one driving.”

  “That wasn’t what I meant.” She paused as he opened the door into the bar for her, and a blast of air smelling of stale fried chicken and booze streamed past.

  She spotted Nancy expertly pouring about fifteen drinks at once and simultaneously chatting with two locals and a bunch of tourists who were sitting at the bar. On one side were the pool tables and a couple of dartboards, on the other were tables and cozy nooks where you could get food to go with your alcohol.

  Ry placed a hand low on her spine and eased her forward toward the bar.

  “Hey, Nancy, Jay. I’ll have a beer when you’re ready.” He glanced down at Avery. “What can I get you?”

  “Beer’s fine.”

  Nancy was already on it, handing over two frosted bottles, glasses, and two menus. “Here you go. Nice shirt, Ave.”

  “Thanks.” Avery let Ry take the beers, she grabbed the glasses and menus, and they wove their way through the tables to one of the booths at the back.

  They settled into the comfy seats that gave them a bit of privacy. It wasn’t that busy yet. The locals would still be working on the outlying ranches or finishing up jobs that catered to the tourist trade. By ten the place would be heaving and loud.

  Ry handed her a menu. “Are you hungry?”

  “I haven’t eaten yet, but I can wait until I get home, if you’re on a schedule.”

  He looked at her over the top of the menu. “I’m done for the week. I’ve got all night.”

  “Oh.” Avery hastily looked down.

  “You trying to get rid of me or something?”

  “I’m just trying to make sure I’m not monopolizing your time.” Wow, now she sounded like an old prude.

  “I wanted to take you out.”

  She snorted. “You told me you were taking me out.”

  “It worked though, didn’t it?” His grin was as charming as it was unexpected. “Here you are, out with me in the Red Dragon.”

  “For one drink.”

  “Sure, as I said, I’m driving.” He turned his attention back to the menu. “Is the burger still good? Ruth told me we’re supplying the organic beef.”

  “She’s right, and it is very good if you like that kind of thing.”

  His head came up. “You’ve haven’t gone vegetarian like BB’s fiancée, have you?”

  “No.”

  “Thank God.”

  “It’s much healthier for you.”

  “Not according to Ruth and Chase. They have all kinds of statistics about how home-reared organic produce is the best thing ever. And now that I’m a rancher rather than a cowboy, I suppose I should get with the program.”

  Avery rested one elbow on the table. “Are you really done with the rodeo?”

  “Yeah. I was never that good at it.”

  She frowned. “I saw you and HW ride when we were competing at the same events. You were just as good as him—maybe even better—because you were way more consistent.”

  “Things change.”

  She studied him for a long moment. “In what way?”

  “He wanted it more.”

  “And what HW wants, HW gets, right?”

  Just when the conversation was getting interesting, one of the servers came up and took their food orders.

  Ry took a sip of beer. “So what did you decide about the job?”

  Avery let him change the subject. Talking about HW never ended well, and she hated seeing Ry’s face close down like that.

  “I’m going to take it.”

  “Really?” His grin made her want to smile right back at him. “That’s awesome. They’re both going to be so pleased.”

  “I hope they haven’t made a huge mistake. I was going to call January tomorrow, but you can tell her when you get back if you like.”

  “I think she’d prefer to hear it from you. So your parents were okay with it?”

  “Yes. Everyone seems really keen on getting rid of me.” He went to speak, but Avery kept talking. “Marley’s coming back from college, and my parents want to squeeze her into the Hayes empire, so she’s going to take over some of my work.”

  “That’s good, isn’t it?”

  “I suppose so, but what about when I’m done with the wedding?”

  He sat back, his beer in his hand. “What about it?”

  “Marley might be better than me.” She bit her lip. “She’s getting a proper degree in hotel administration and all that useful stuff. Maybe my parents won’t need me anymore.”

  He shrugged. “Then you do something else. Set up your own business.”

  “Like it’s that easy.”

  “I’m just trying to help here, and anyway, Marley might suck at your job, or hate this town, and she’ll be the one leaving.”

  “Unlikely. She’s way smarter than me.”

  He slowly shook his head, and Avery looked him right in the eye.

  “What?”

  “Why do you always assume the worst?”

  “I do not. I was just saying . . .”

  “That Marley’s going to steal your job, and leave you penniless.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “That’s what it sounded like from here. You used to be one of the most positive people I knew.”

  She grabbed her purse. “And this is why I told you it was pointless, us going out for a drink together. What I used to be is not who I am anymore.” She found ten bucks and slid it under her bottle of beer. “Thanks for a great evening. I can walk myself home.”

  She managed to get out of the seat and marched toward the exit, aware that Ry had also stood but hadn’t yet moved. She felt Nancy’s inquiring gaze on her as she left without acknowledging her friend. If she stopped there was no telling what might happen, and she still liked Ry enough not to offer him up to Nancy’s wrath,

  Snaps of cold in the night air made her catch her breath. There was still almost no one around, so she was fairly certain she could navigate the five-minute walk in perfect safety.

  “Avery, wait up.”

  She didn’t look around and just kept on going.

  “Avery. This is stupid.”

  She finally stopped on the corner of the intersection where she intended to cross, and scanned the street for traffic. He was right behind her now.

  “Go away, Ry.”

  He caught her elbow, gently drawing her round to face him.
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br />   “So you’re going to run away every time I say something you don’t like?”

  “Works for me.”

  His gaze searched her face. “The thing is, I’m not exactly sure what I said to make you duck out on me in the first place.”

  “You insinuated that I was negative about everything.”

  “You damn well are.”

  She gaped at him. “How dare you?”

  He shrugged. “Tell me one positive thing you said tonight. I said you looked beautiful, you said you didn’t. I said January and Chase were going to be thrilled you’d taken the job, you weren’t sure, and then you suggested your sister was going to come in and steal your job.”

  She slowly closed her mouth. Was that really how she sounded these days?

  “I have positive things to say.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’m not hearing them.”

  “So what? Maybe you caught me on a bad night.”

  He sighed. “I don’t want to fight with you, Avery.”

  “Then I’ll just go right on home and spare you the possibility, okay?” She smiled brightly. “Is that a positive enough attitude for you?”

  He let go of her arm. “Sure. Go back home. Hide out in your room.” He tipped his Stetson to her. “I’m going back to the bar.”

  He turned his back on her and started walking. Avery swallowed hard.

  “Ry?”

  He stopped and looked over his shoulder.

  “I don’t know how to be positive, and attractive, and all those things that used to come so easily to me. I feel like I’m stuck, and I don’t know how to change anything anymore.”

  He came back and stood looking down at her, his expression unreadable. Just to add to her total humiliation, she wanted to burst into tears and throw herself at his chest. Where the heck had all that come from, and why had she just dumped it on Ry Morgan of all people?

  “Avery . . .” He slid one warm hand behind her neck, bringing her close so she had to look up at him. “I want to help, so stop snapping at me, and let me, okay?”

  “You can’t—”

  He put his finger over her lips. “I want to. You’re my friend, you’ve always been my friend. I don’t like the thought of you staying in that room night after night with nothing but work the next morning to look forward to.”

  “I’m not that pathetic. Nancy would never let that happen. She’d drag me out by the hair.”