Cowboy For Keeps

By Kristi Gold

To Dana Landry, Will Baker looked as wild as a Texas tornado. Despite her cautious attitude toward men, Dana was mesmerized by Will. This cowboy's combination of dimples and sun–streaked golden hair leant him a boyish charm, but his eyes held an allure that was one hundred percent grown–up male!

and zero percent husband. A rodeo cowboy running from relationships, Will couldn't offer the fairy–tale marriage and family that Dana longed for. And with endearing Dana stripping away the barriers that protected his heart, Will wanted to run again. But this time it wouldn't be so easy?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460843970

Kristi Gold

Since her first venture into novel writing in the mid-nineties, Kristi Gold has greatly enjoyed weaving stories of love and commitment. She's an avid fan of baseball, beaches and bridal reality shows. During her career, Kristi has been a National Readers Choice winner, Romantic Times award winner, and a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist. She resides in Central Texas and can be reached through her website at http://kristigold.com.

Book preview

One

When Dana Landry finally caught up with her wayward child inside the riding stable, her first reaction was relief. The second was something much more disconcerting—a purely feminine response to the man crouched before her eight-year-old daughter, engaging her in lively conversation.

Callie had found a cowboy. But not just any cowboy.

His broad shoulders and perfect profile exuded strength. His well-worn jeans accented each male attribute—finer points impossible not to notice despite Dana’s cautious attitude toward men.

By all rights realizing her daughter was safe should have returned Dana’s pulse to normal. But it hadn’t. If anything, her kettledrum heart threatened to run away to parts unknown. All because of this man.

Not because he looked dangerous. He didn’t seem at all disreputable. Not because Callie was shy and didn’t wish to speak. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Callie never spoke to strangers because they rarely spoke back.

But this one did. In fact, he was quite a conversationalist, unlike so many others where Callie was concerned. This typical Texas cowboy seemed more than happy to talk to Callie, a smile illuminating his handsome face. A sincere smile, not one filled with the usual pity.

And Callie hung on his every word. Or more accurately, his every gesture.

Because Callie was deaf.

The man spoke with hands that seemed too large to communicate in such a fluid, rhythmic motion. Yet somehow he managed to make the act a graceful waltz of words.

Callie seemed totally taken by him, a radiant smile plastered on her cherubic face, her blue eyes sparkling as she concentrated on the silent discourse.

For a time Dana was mesmerized, then reality took hold. She walked toward the pair, grasped her daughter by the shoulders and turned her around. Callie Renee Landry, you shouldn’t have come in here without me.

The cowboy rose to a towering height that made Dana feel like a little girl. Hey, he began, she’s okay. I found her climbing up the stall. She just wanted to get a peek at Pete here. No harm done.

The sound of his resonant voice startled Dana. She had assumed he was hearing impaired too. Smiling in spite of her chagrin, she said, I’m sorry. My daughter’s enthusiasm gets her into trouble now and then.

Dana looked down when the incessant tapping of Callie’s finger at her hip didn’t stop. With her hands going ninety to nothing, Callie frowned at her mother. Dana enunciated her words so Callie could understand. You shouldn’t run off without me.

The man smiled at Callie and ruffled her red hair. Your mama’s right. You don’t want her to get her britches in a tangle over you being gone, do ya?

He signed so quickly as he spoke Dana wouldn’t have been able to interpret had she not heard him. She was as inept at sign language as this man was remarkable at it.

Callie obviously thought his wit quite hilarious, silent laughter on her lips. Dana didn’t find the situation at all funny, which had more to do with her reaction to the cowboy than with Callie’s running off.

Callie spelled out something, then pointed to the man.

I’m sorry, sweetie, Dana said. You need to slow down so I can understand.

He removed his hat and offered one large hand for Dana to take. I forgot my manners. I’m Will Baker.

His smile grooved deep indentations into his cheeks, and his teeth flashed white against his tanned, evening-whiskered face. The combination of dimples and sun-streaked golden hair lent him a boyish charm, but his midnight eyes held an allure that was 100 percent grown-up male.

Dana blinked once, twice. Oh Will… She said it as if he were someone she had suddenly recognized. Then she glanced away to keep from staring.

Quickly bringing herself back to reality, she smiled at him and took the hand he offered. A large strong hand. I’m Dana Landry.

Pleased to meet you. His grin deepened, and something in his dark eyes called to Dana on a level she didn’t want to acknowledge. His touch made her aware of how small her hand felt in his; her flesh tingled in response.

After releasing Dana’s hand, Will knelt back down to Callie’s level. When he spoke, he used the corresponding signs. You wanna take a ride on old Pete sometime?

Callie didn’t have to sign yes, although she did. Her joyful expression shouted her answer.

Good. Have your mama bring you back soon. Wanna tell Petey goodbye?

Callie nodded her head enthusiastically. Will stood and settled his hat back on his head before dragging a green bucket from across the aisle. He flipped it upside down in front of the horse’s stall, then lifted Callie and planted her in the middle of the bucket.

He turned back to Dana. Does she take lessons here?

I was about to register her when she did the disappearing act.

Oh. I figured with her English riding clothes and all she already had a few lessons under her belt.

She’s ridden a little. The clothes were mine. She insists on wearing them.

He cocked an eyebrow. So you ride?

Dana frowned at the memory. Not in a long time. I took lessons when I was Callie’s age, but that was more than twenty years ago. I’ve forgotten everything I learned.

He gave her a quick once-over and another distracting smile. I doubt that.

She wrapped her arms around her waist and suppressed the urge to tug at the hem of her tailored navy skirt. Although the suit more than amply covered her, she felt exposed by his sensual gaze. She also felt incredibly warm and pleasantly chilled at the same time.

He winked. You might want to dress more casually next time you come here. I’d hate for you to ruin your nice clothes.

Dana choked down her self-consciousness and began gathering Callie’s discarded helmet and crop. I’ll try to remember that. She sensed his gaze, and when she looked up, he was leaning back against the stall with a lazy posture, arms crossed over his chest, revealing well-toned biceps and a dusting of golden hair on strong arms where his sleeves were rolled up.

So what days will Callie ride? he asked.

She swiped some hay from the black velvet helmet, avoiding his eyes and the urge to stare. On Thursdays. If it works out.

Why wouldn’t it?

How could she explain? Although Dana loved her daughter more than life, Callie could be a handful. She forced herself to look at him straight on. She’s been in a riding program at school. One of her teachers suggested more lessons this summer since Callie’s really taken to it. She’s very…full of life, and it seems to calm her down. But there’s not a program here for children with special needs, so she’ll be at a disadvantage.

Will glanced at Callie, who continued to scratch and pet the horse’s chestnut muzzle poking through the iron rails. She’ll do fine, he said. As far as being full of life, nothing wrong with that.

Most of the time, no, Dana thought. Although he probably meant well, this man had no idea how much of a challenge Callie could present. I want her to learn just the basics of riding English. Walk and trot. Do you teach?

No, ma’am. I lease part of the facility to train for the Western pleasure circuits.

A run-of-the-mill horse trainer. Dana was disappointed. Callie would have an automatic advantage with an instructor who could communicate with her. And he certainly was easy on the eyes, a definite advantage for Dana, considering she would be able to watch him in action. She forced away the wicked thoughts and tried to concentrate on the situation at hand. Do you train full-time?

That, and team rope.

Dana’s confusion must have shown in her expression because he added, Two cowboys on horseback chasing a steer, one roping the horns and the other roping the legs. Then you stretch the cow out, and the best time wins.

She wanted to ask why would anyone do such a thing to a poor animal, but she’d already revealed her ignorance more than once this afternoon. Sounds intriguing.

Actually, it’s kind of boring to anyone not participating.

Will pushed off the stall, then plucked Callie from the bucket and set her down beside Dana. Better go with your mama now so you can get fixed up to ride. He tweaked her nose. And this time don’t run off.

Dana set the helmet back on Callie’s head and handed her the crop. Thanks for watching out for her, Mr. Baker.

No problem. And it’s just Will. He touched a fingertip to the brim of his hat. See you later, Mrs. Landry.

Not Mrs. Just Dana.

Callie waved goodbye to Will, then grabbed Dana’s hand and started to pull her toward the exit. But before she left, Dana intended to satisfy her curiosity. She turned back to him. Why did you learn to sign?

Some unnamed emotion flickered in his dark eyes. Possibly pain. Or sadness. Whatever it was, it took away his smile.

Family member, he said, then turned and walked away, leaving Dana’s curiosity still hanging in the balance.

For some reason she wanted to know more about this man. She was definitely intrigued.

While Callie dragged Dana toward the arena, her thoughts kept going back to Will Baker and his reaction to her question. Maybe he had a hearing-impaired child. That would explain his rapport with Callie and his ability to sign. But then, it could be anyone in his family. Maybe even a wife, although he hadn’t been wearing a wedding band. As if that meant anything. As if she should care. But she couldn’t stop the memory of his dark eyes, his sensuous smile, his overt masculinity. And she couldn’t seem to stop her pulse from quickening….

Callie jerked Dana’s arm, bringing her back to the situation at hand. Dana tightened her grip in an attempt to slow her before both of them landed facedown in the dirt. She worked her way through the crowd and stood at the end of the line.

After reaching the registration table, Dana glanced up and saw Will leaning against the stable door with a lazy posture. Thumbs hooked in pockets, rope thrown over one shoulder, one knee bent with a booted heel resting on the wooden door behind him, he looked like a man straight out of the Old West. A man too good to be true. A gorgeous cowboy who wasn’t at all her type. If she had a type.

The tent that covered the registration area offered protection from the sweltering July sun, but Dana experienced a sudden rise in temperature that had nothing to do with the weather.

Your check, ma’am? the registration lady asked.

I’m sorry, Dana muttered, taking her attention away from Will and bringing it back to her present responsibilities. She handed over the check and kept Callie in her sights as she signed the release forms.

Callie stood a few feet away with a little boy who appeared to be about nine. Although Dana hoped her daughter had found a friend, she looked on warily.

What’s your name? the boy asked.

Callie hesitated for a moment, then spelled out her name.

I said what’s your name? the boy repeated.

Dana walked to Callie and rested a hand on her shoulder. Her name is Callie.

The child scrunched his pug nose. Why didn’t she just say it? Is she dumb or somethin’?

Dana’s first impulse was to scold him for his ignorance. Realizing he knew no better, she said, She can understand what you’re saying if you talk slowly.

Oh. He shrugged, then skipped away.

Dana’s heart dropped at the sight of Callie’s crestfallen expression. What went through her daughter’s mind when she encountered those who couldn’t accept her? How much did she understand about the cruel realities of life? Had she been too sheltered since she’d begun living in residential school?

Everything Dana had done to this point she’d done for Callie. Now that she had a new job, she could gain some much-needed financial independence from Rob. She could have more say regarding Callie’s education as soon as she was able to share the cost of the tuition. But the one thing she desired most was the ability to communicate better with her child. Not that she hadn’t tried.

No matter what method of communication Dana proposed, Rob found it unsatisfactory. He didn’t approve of Callie signing because that was too obvious in public. He didn’t like the oral concept because he didn’t want Callie to speak; she would sound odd. In reality what he wanted was a normal child.

Regardless, Callie had learned to use her hands to speak and her eyes to understand the words formed by the hearing world. Unfortunately, Callie had learned so quickly she’d left Dana struggling to catch up in their limited time together.

As if to say she forgave her, Callie sent her mother a loving smile. Then she raised her hand and folded her ring and middle finger down, forming a sign from the heart, the sign they shared every night before bedtime—I love you, Mama.

Dana swallowed around the lump in her throat and mouthed the words I love you, too. Callie hugged her tightly then, as if Dana had given her the moon.

Dana’s eyes misted. There was absolutely nothing she wouldn’t do for this child who filled her heart with so much joy. Beginning Monday she planned to try to shorten her hours at the firm and spend more time with Callie while she was home this summer. And now more than ever she was determined to take signing classes, even if it meant less sleep and less pay. She’d sell the damned house if she had to. Besides, she’d always considered it Rob’s house, not hers. He had designed every detail, right down to the bitter memories.

Shaking off her resentment, Dana scooped Callie up into her arms and twirled around. She suddenly felt buoyed, exhilarated, ready to take on anyone who stood in the way of her daughter’s happiness, including Rob. No matter what it took, she vowed to make a better life for Callie. Today was only the beginning. And perhaps she’d find a way to convince Will Baker to help.

On Thursday evening Will laughed to himself as he watched Ms. Landry climb out of her fancy foreign car. Obviously her idea of casual wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind. A sleeveless silk blouse and black slacks wouldn’t cut it in knee-deep dirt. Not that she didn’t look good. Better than good. Hell, she’d look good wrapped in a feed sack. And he’d pay good money to see that. His gut tightened at that image, and other places down south stirred.

Stop right there, Baker.

This woman was way out of his league. Grand Prix jumping and socializing, that’s what Dana Landry was all about. A woman who had it together. Probably had a perfect life. Until God threw a monkey wrench into the plan and gave her an imperfect child.

As if Will conjured her up, Callie came charging down the hill away from her mother. Her antics made him smile. Nope, little Callie wasn’t going to take too well to walking and trotting. That would entertain her for about twenty minutes, and then she’d be ready to run.

If this little girl belonged to him, he’d see to it that she