Count on a Cowboy by Patricia Thayer

Trent. He was a good listener. Most men she had known wanted to talk about themselves, and none had been as interesting as Trent. Okay, none were as good-looking either.
    She took a bite of her mashed potatoes and the buttery favor had her closing her eyes. “Oh, my gosh. These are delicious.”
    “Bill’s specialty. And his meat loaf, too.”
    Ten minutes later, their plates were empty, and everything had been eaten.
    “Well, that was shameful.” Brooke sank back onto the sofa. “I can’t believe I ate all that food.”
    Trent nodded. “Horseback riding is great exercise. You burned a lot of calories today.”
    “And I think I’m crippled for life,” she joked.
    He frowned. “That’s my fault. I never should have let you ride two days in a row.”
    “I’m glad you did, because I’ll probably never have the chance again. So thank you for such a wonderful day.”
    * * *
    A N HOUR LATER , Trent glanced down at Brooke’s peaceful face. She had somehow positioned herself against him. One minute they’d been sitting comfortably on the sofa, just talking about Laurel and Rory. Then he’d noticed her lack of conversation and looked at her. She was sound asleep.
    He would laugh about the situation if his body hadn’t been in a constant state of arousal since she’d snuggled up to him. There was nothing he wanted more than to kiss her sweet mouth, and feel her body under his while he made love to her. He dropped his head back on the sofa with a groan. He began to visualize several more fantasies with one pretty blonde. And none of them were G-rated.
    Brooke shifted in her sleep and her hand moved dangerously close to the waistband of his jeans.
    He couldn’t take much more.
    As carefully as possible, he held her away from him as he stood, then he leaned down and lifted her into his arms.
    Brooke stirred and opened her eyes. “Trent...”
    His heart pounded in his chest, hearing her whisper his name. “That’s right, babe, I’m here.” He started walking down the hall and into her dark room. “It’s time for you to be in bed.”
    “Oh, okay. So tired.”
    He couldn’t believe how trusting she was with him. Reluctant to let her go, he managed to place her down on the mattress, then he pulled a blanket and quilt over her. He felt her shiver and he reached for another blanket off the chair, and layered it on top of the quilt.
    A flash of lightning shone across Brooke’s face as she turned on her side, then snuggled into the pillow. Crouching down beside the bed, Trent brushed the hair from her face. He felt something tighten around his heart as he watched her sleep. Unable to resist any longer, he leaned closer and placed a gentle kiss against her cheek. “Good night, cowgirl.”
    Brooke’s eyes blinked open. “You kissed me.”
    He couldn’t help a smile. “Just a good-night kiss.”
    Suddenly a strange expression crossed her face. “No one ever kisses me.” Then her eyes drifted shut and soon he heard the soft sound of her breathing, letting him know she’d fallen asleep again.
    He stood and walked out of the room. Nobody ever kissed her? What did that mean? No men? Not her mother?
    Trent carried their paper plates into the kitchen and dumped them in the trash can under the sink. He thought back to his own childhood, his brother’s death, then his parents’ divorce and the lonely years in the military. He’d found he still wanted to come back here to the Lucky Bar L. Maybe find what he’d lost, exorcise ghosts from the past.
    He thought about the woman in the next room. He fought the urge to go back and pull Brooke into his arms and hold her. Something told him she hadn’t had much of that in her life. Whether or not she had, he couldn’t let her get close. Brooke Harper was still a mystery to him and he might need help to figure her out.
    He grabbed a towel to wipe off his hands, then grabbed his jacket and headed out the door. Rory Quinn, you need to get home and take care of business . He