Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren Page A

thought her ribs might snap. But she didn’t mind. At least he wasn’t pushing her away. The heat from the concrete enveloped them and his aftershave and musky male scent filled her senses. Even with the heat, she thought she could hold him for the rest of her life.
    The thought steadied her more than shocked her. She’d never felt about anyone this way and she didn’t have time to figure out why.
    She drew back slightly. “You know in your heart who you are, and in the days ahead that will become clearer.”
    “Maybe,” he muttered.
    “Would you like to hear about your biological family?”
    “No,” he snapped. “Please stop asking me that.”
    “I have to tell Mrs. Braxton.”
    “Then do, but don’t expect anything from me.”
    “Okay.” She stood and held out her hand.
    He stared at her with a blank expression.
    “Let’s go see how your mother is. In your heart, she’s still your mother.”
    Without a protest, he placed his hand in hers and they went back into the hospital.
     
    O N THE FOURTH FLOOR , Tripp came toward them. “Where have y’all been? I’ve been looking everywhere.”
    “I’ll let you talk to your friend,” Alex said. “I’ll be back later.”
    “Thanks, Alex,” Brodie said, his eyes holding hers.
    She nodded and walked toward the elevators.
    Brodie watched until the doors closed.
    “Is there something going on with you and the P.I.?” Tripp asked.
    “I don’t think so,” he replied. “But then, I’m not too sure of anything at the moment.”
    “That’s an odd answer even for you.”
    “Wait till you hear the rest.” They found chairs and Brodie told his friend what his mother had told him.
    “Damn. That’s unbelievable.” Tripp twirled his hat in his hand.
    “Try being the cowboy on the end that fall.”
    “I’m sorry, Brodie. I really am. What can I do?”
    “Go home to your family.”
    “I’m not leaving you like this.”
    “We’re not young, immature cowboys anymore. I have to handle this in my own way.”
    “Brodie…”
    “Remember the vow?” Years ago, estranged from their families, they’d made a pledge to each other.
    “ Amigos forever or until that perfect woman comes along,” Tripp said.
    “You’ve found your perfect woman so go home to her. I’ll call you if there’s any change in my mother’s condition.”
    Tripp stood. “I’ll go home, but I’ll be back tomorrow.” Tripp didn’t move, though. “Are you okay?”
    Brodie looked up at his friend. “I’ve taken a hard knock, but you know me better than anyone. I’ve had them before and I’ve survived. I’ll survive this.”
    “But you don’t have to do it alone.”
    “This time I have to.”
    Tripp knew what he meant and they embraced before Tripp walked away.
    Brodie tried to get his emotions under control, but all he could feel at that moment was the softness and gentleness of Alex.
    In your heart, she’s still your mother.
    Alex was right. Claudia was his mother. He couldn’t wipe away those feelings, not even with the sense of indignation, betrayal and deception inside him. He wasn’t Brodie Hayes. He couldn’t seem to get beyond that or its implications.
    Alex said he knew who he was. Right now, he didn’t. That would take time. Maybe forgiveness would, too.
     
    A LEX MADE the phone call and headed for her office to meet with Helen and Maggie. As she walked in, Buck shouted at her, “Where the hell have you been?”
    She turned to him with a lifted eyebrow. “You keeping tabs on me now?”
    “You ran out of the house like a bat out of hell and you didn’t come home all night.”
    “That never bothered you before.”
    “Well, Naddy was home before and she always knew where you were.”
    “But you’d never ask.”
    Buck threw up his hands. “Okay. You’re fine, so I’m getting back to work.”
    “Good idea. I’ve got a meeting with a client in a few minutes.”
    Buck stopped in the doorway. “The Braxton case?”
    “Yes.”
    “That’s good. The