The White Cowboy - Complete BWWM Romance Box Set Read online

  He tried to keep his tone light. "I guess that's true."

  "Speaking of singing, I wondered if you could drive me to that open mike night?"

  He glanced down at her wrapped foot. "Should you be doing that with your foot?"

  "I've been off it since we got back, and I'm not on it now," she said.

  "What about the pain relievers that make you loopy?"

  She laughed. "I'm not taking it until I go to bed. I'll live on ibuprofen until then. Besides, I'll be sitting on a chair, and I don't need to stay past my performance."

  Confident that she'd thought this through and that she'd go with him or without him, he nodded. "Let's just see how the cow is doing."

  "Of course. If you can't get away, then I understand. You could always drop me off and come back for me later."

  He frowned, not liking that idea. "We'll see, okay?"

  "Fair enough."

  ***

  Gemma listened as the doc went through what Brandon needed to do. The cow just had an infection. From what she'd seen, the doc had examined the animal thoroughly, even donning an arm length glove to palpate the cow for pregnancy.

  Gemma never needed to see that again.

  In fact, she wished she'd gone back to the house, but she hadn't wanted to leave Brandon alone. He seemed to appreciate her presence in the barn.

  "I'd like to wash my hands," Doctor Holder said.

  "There's a sink in the feed room," Brandon said. "Just go towards the back of the barn. You can't miss it."

  She must have looked a little ashen, because Brandon patted her arm before he stood to stroke his cow. "I'm sure you've never seen that before."

  "No, not at all. We don't have cows in the part of New Jersey I'm from, and I never really thought about what an examination would entail. I might have left."

  He turned to her, his face grave. "I do appreciate you staying. I was pretty nervous about her condition."

  She studied him for a moment, gaining a newfound respect for him. "No problem. I know she isn't just another animal to you."

  How can anyone be bad if they care about animals? That was something her mother had taught her.

  "No, I care about all of my animals. I try to treat them as humanely as possible."

  "That's admirable. It would probably be cheaper if you didn't."

  "I don't think the meat would be as good."

  "Probably not, but I don't really know."

  He continued stroking the cow, then he led her back to her stall. The other cows had remained quiet as if they wanted to know how she was doing also.

  Now they raised a ruckus, and mooed. Gemma could hear them her whole trip back to the house. They put a smile on her face.

  ***

  Brandon watched her go, thankful that she'd been there. The doc appeared beside him. He handed Brandon some liquid in what looked like children's medication syringes.

  "Put these in her feed for five days. If she doesn't improve, call me again."

  "So you're sure it's just an infection. How?"

  The doctor shrugged. "She could have eaten something odd and it lodged in her stomach."

  "You're sure the calf is okay?"

  "Yes, it moved when I felt it, and it was the right size for where she is in the gestational period."

  "Good to know." Brandon held his hand out to the doctor. "How much do I owe you?"

  "You'll get your bill in the mail."

  "Oh, wait I have something for you."

  Brandon went into the house and returned with a jar of sauce. "Sauce for you and your wife."

  "She'll be so happy. We just ran out of the last stuff you gave us. She can't seem to duplicate it."

  "I'm glad you're enjoying it," said Brandon, pleased.

  "Can I ask about the missus?"

  Brandon didn't know what he was talking about. Then he realized the doctor meant Gemma. "Oh, she's not my wife. Long story. Stuck here passing through to California."

  "Oh? She seemed pretty concerned for a houseguest."

  His words rung in Brandon's ears long after the doctor left.

  ***

  The situation with the cow had made Gemma a little tired, so she flopped on the couch with her foot up. It throbbed a bit, but she knew there were a few more hours before she could take any more pain medications.

  She would rest for the afternoon, but that made her feel guilty. Brandon normally did his chores on his own, but he didn't have to do them while taking care of an invalid. Well, not an invalid, but someone else and that someone else having an injury.

  But what could she do sitting here on the couch?

  Then she remembered his cookbook. She could help him with that. Brandon entered just as she made this decision.

  "So the cow will be fine?"

  "Doc thinks so," Brandon said, but she suspected he was still worried about the animal and its calf. He didn't look at her just answered absentmindedly.

  "I have an idea," she said.

  "About the cow?" He stopped in the middle of the living room, then went back by the door to take off his boots. He had a bench just inside the door that he sat on. He hung up his coat and scarf on a hook in the wall made out of deer antlers.

  "No. About your cookbook."

  His brow wrinkled. "What about my cookbook?"

  "Since I can only sit here, why don't I help you organize your recipes?"

  He rubbed his chin, shaking his head. "No. My recipes are mine."

  She rolled her eyes at him. "I'm not going to steal them, and frankly if you publish a cookbook, they won't be secret anymore."

  "I just have them scribbled on sheets of paper. I haven't gotten them on my laptop yet."

  "That's what I'll start with. I'll type them up. I can't do much else sitting here, and I want to stay off my foot so I can go out tonight."

  He stood, obviously mulling it over. "Let me think about it."

  "Don't think too long. I'm only here for a day and half."

  He frowned, as if he didn't want to be reminded of that.

  ***

  Brandon entered the kitchen. She liked to remind him that she was leaving. He got it. She didn't need to keep telling him. But maybe he should use her manpower while she was here. He had procrastinated with this book.

  But then again, he remembered how Jessica had laughed at his project. Probably why he'd never shared it with anyone else. He didn't want to feel that way again.

  Gemma wasn't laughing. She was offering to help him. Could he risk his dream? Could he risk her laughter?

  "Brandon?" Gemma called from the living room.

  He frowned, then grabbed all of his papers. He'd take a chance. Striding into the living room with a confidence he didn’t feel, he handed her his life's work.

  She smiled, her eyes wide. "Wow. You need some organization. Guess that's what I'll do first."

  He waited for her to say something snarky. He knew he wasn't organized.

  She didn't laugh. She rifled through his papers and took a deep breath. "I'll organize them by topic. Will that work?"

  "Uh, sure."

  She moved a few papers around, then looked up at him. "Go check on your cow, then come back later. I'll probably have questions by then."

  He'd been dismissed. Out of his own home by a woman he just met who had sprained her ankle. Who sat on his couch organizing his recipes. He chuckled as he walked toward the barn.

  He found Clint talking to the cow.

  "Hey, how's she doing?"

  "She seems better, Brandon."

  "Good."

  "You look pretty happy right now."

  "Uh, Gemma is helping with my cookbook."

  He hadn't shared much with Clint, but the man had listened to him talk about his cookbook.

  The cow looked better than she had earlier. The antibiotics must be working.

  "I'll give her some more hay," Clint said. "Then I'll head out."

  "You coming back for dinner?"

  "If you don't mind. There's
a nurse today, so I don't have to stay at home."

  Brandon did not judge the man for his need to get away from his sick wife once in a while. That had to be burden. He was sure that Clint bore it gladly, but once in a while he had to be on his own. "Of course you're welcome."

  He returned to the house with a lighter step. Gemma had his papers in several piles.

  "Good timing," she said. She had her laptop open on her lap, and seemed to be typing into it. "I've started a few files to put the documents in. If you have a flash drive, I'll save everything onto it, then you can transfer it to your computer."

  He blinked. "Okay."

  He retrieved one from his bedroom and handed it to her. He didn't use technology much, just to pay his bills and keep track of his expenses. He wasn't even sure where that flash drive came from.

  "You have a few minutes?" she asked.

  "Sure."

  "Then sit, I need you to decipher some handwriting."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Gemma watched as he looked at her in disbelief. As if he didn't understand that she was willing to help him with this project. Who had hurt him so badly that he wouldn't pursue his dream?

  He looked at her with suspicion.

  "What?"

  He put his hands on his hips. "You are serious about helping me?"

  How did he not see that she wanted to help him? "God, what did that wife do to you? Yes, I'm serious. I'm here. I can't really move. I might as well help you."

  He took in a deep breath, then let it out noisily. "Okay."

  Reaching out a hand, he smiled at her.

  "We good?" she said.

  She had to get rid of that elephant so they could start.

  He nodded. "We're good."

  "Now, sit."

  She handed him the first paper. "I can't see what’s after artichoke hearts."

  He sat in the rocking chair, still eyeing her. He finally looked down at the piece of paper. "It's pine nuts."

  "Or pignoli nuts."

  "Right. I can only get them in small amounts at the grocery story. I order them on the internet."

  "Do they go bad?"

  He rocked in the chair, his legs crossed at his ankles. He wore thick gray socks. "Not if you refrigerate them," he said.

  He seemed to finally settle into the task. He shifted in his chair, maybe to get more comfortable.

  "Now hand that back to me so I can write that down. I figured I'd sort out all of these things before I type them in. If you have a few minutes, I can get that part of the job done."

  "Okay. I want to check on the cow in about a half an hour. And milk the goats."

  "How is the cow doing?"

  "Better. She ate some."

  "Guess the vet was right."

  "Thankfully. I really don't want to lose that cow or her calf. She's part of an experiment."

  She shuffled papers as he spoke.

  "Oh?"

  He waved a hand. "I can explain another time."

  "Okay. Let’s get back to this."

  She rifled through the rest of the main dishes. Then she was onto the sides. He'd done a lot of work. Guess winters were lonely in Iowa. But then he chose to be by himself.

  ***

  When he left to check on the cow and milk the goats, Gemma had an idea. She dialed her cousin, Maria. She wasn't a great cook, but she loved to try new things. Testing these recipes would be useful.

  "Hey, Maria."

  "What's up, Gemma? I hear you are on your way west."

  Gemma looked at her surroundings, enjoying them for the moment. "I am, but right now I'm stuck in Iowa."

  "Iowa? Do I want to know?"

  "Snow storm, and I need to get the car repaired."

  She left out the sprained ankle. If that got back to her father, he'd be driving out here to get her.

  "And what does Daddy say?"

  "He's happy I'm safe. How's that husband of yours? I'm sorry I didn't get to see you before I left."

  "He's good. I have news."

  "Yeah?"

  "I'm pregnant."

  Gemma squealed. "Wow, Maria. Congratulations. When are you due?"

  "September."

  "Are you going to find out what you're having?"

  "Yes, we will. I want to know how to decorate the room."

  "Practical."

  "So what can I do for you?" Maria said.

  "Do I only call you when I need something?"

  "No, but I figured you're not calling me from Idaho? Iowa? Wherever just to chat."

  "No, though I'm glad I did. I'm so happy for you."

  Maria and her husband had been trying for a few years to get pregnant. They'd wanted kids as soon as they got married. Gemma felt a twinge in her gut. If she became a star, she wouldn't be there to see Maria's child grow up.

  All at once, Gemma missed her family. What would it be like to settle down and have a kid? Could she balance that with a career?

  She shook herself. She'd put her plan in action and she was not going to deviate. She was bound for Hollywood as soon as her car was fixed.

  "Here's the reason I called you. I'm helping someone with a cookbook, and I need someone to test the recipes."

  "And you thought of me."

  "Well, you are the audience for this cookbook. A home cook who loves to try new things."

  "Okay, I'm interested."

  "I'm going to e-mail you some recipes. You mustn’t show them to anyone. Just take notes of directions that need to be added, or any general notes you have. It would help me a lot."

  "No problem. I'll be looking for them."

  "Thanks Maria. You're the best."

  Gemma hung up, then realized that Brandon was standing by the front door.

  ***

  Had he heard her right? Was Gemma sending his recipes to someone? After he told her not to? His teeth clenched. His breath caught in his throat.

  "What the hell?"

  She blinked at him, her expression one of disbelief. She couldn't understand why he was angry? Had he not made himself clear?

  To add insult to injury, she waved her hand. As if she could wave away his anger.

  "She's a cousin of mine, and she's the perfect person to test the recipes."

  He clenched his hands, then let them loose. He didn't see red, but he was close. He yanked off his boots, then dropped them on the floor with a clunk. He advanced to where she sat. "I told you not to send them to anyone."

  Finally her eyes widened, as if she finally understood that he was livid.

  "Brandon, it's for the best."

  He rubbed his temple. "So you think you know what's good for me? You've known me, what? A day? Really?"

  She leaned away from him. "Calm down."

  "I won't calm down. You betrayed my trust." He snatched the papers off her lap and the ones still on the table. What did she know about trust? She didn't know anything, and he'd misplaced his trust once again. "Don't touch these again."

  She crossed her arms. "What are you afraid of? That the recipes are bad? Or maybe you're afraid that the recipes are good."

  He returned to his full height. "What? Don't try to analyze me."

  Her arms relaxed as if she no longer found him a threat. "You are afraid. You're afraid this might be successful. And you might have to leave your insulated little farm."

  "Gemma, stop."

  She pointed at him. "No, I'm not going to. You need this."

  Brandon had to snort. "I need this?"

  "You were successful as a rodeo star, right?"

  He had no idea where she was going with that so he answered her question. "Reasonably."

  Very good was what he'd been. He had gotten top billing the last two years he'd been on the circuit. She didn't need to know any of that. If she was so curious, she could Google him.

  "You think you'll attract another woman like your ex-wife if you're successful at something else."

  In usual Gemma style, she cut through all of his bullshit. He wasn't sure he'd eve
r thought about things that way, but her words rung true. He wanted to scream at her. She didn't deserve it. This wasn't her fault.

  Instead he dropped the papers on the coffee table and left with her words ringing in his ears.

  ***

  When the front door opened again, it was Clint who walked in. Gemma was kind of glad to see him. She wasn't yet recovered from Brandon's anger. She'd struck a nerve with him, and she was sort of sorry.

  But not completely. Someone had to push that man out of his comfort zone.

  "Hey, Gemma. Sorry to disturb, but I wanted to get a glass of water."

  "Don't let me stop you," she said, smiling at him.

  He returned with a drink and sat on the rocking chair Brandon had pulled up. "I like Brandon. He's like a son to me."

  Where was Clint going with this conversation? Had Brandon sent him in here? No, she decided he wouldn’t have done that. "Okay."

  "And he seems mighty upset right now."

  No, Clint was here on his own. As a concerned bystander. "That's because I don't sugarcoat things. I tell them how I see them, and I don't think he liked what I had to say."

  Clint nodded as if he was agreeing with her. "Probably not. Jessica, his ex-wife, pretty much fawned over him. Until the end, she told him what he wanted to hear."

  Well, that explains a lot. No wonder he didn’t trust her. "That's not good. So he doesn't trust what people say?"

  "Not what a woman says. On the circuit, he had groupies and they'd tell him what he wanted to hear. Not that he didn't know that they had ulterior motives. He knew. Sometimes when you're surrounded by it all, one can almost believe what people say."

  "So he doesn't really trust women at all?"

  "No, he doesn't. But I think you gave him some things to think about."

  "Do you want to know what I said?" she asked.

  "None of my business."

  "But you want me to leave him alone."

  Clint laughed, shaking his head. "No. I want you to keep at him. He needs to get out of his cocoon that he's built. He used the animals as an excuse not to do anything else."

  She smiled at him, liking Clint even more right now. "I will keep at him. I think the project I'm helping him with is worth it."

  "Good."

  CHAPTER SIX

  Brandon checked on the cow again. Checked water for all the animals. Then he left Houdini in with Beans, hoping that maybe Gemma was right.