The Shy Cowgirl (Bear Creek Rodeo) Read online

  “That’s fine.” He ran his hand over her hair. “Your parents didn’t want to come?” He hoped he wasn’t putting his foot in his mouth by asking, because she hadn’t mentioned them and for all he knew, they were dead.

  “I honestly didn’t tell them, which is horrible, but I wanted the wedding as small as humanly possible. I was marrying a stranger who would presumably kiss me for the first time in front of everyone. My parents did not need to be there for that.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “What about yours?” she asked.

  “My dad never leaves the ranch. He thinks that a rancher is tied to his livestock and required to stay there at all times.” James shook his head. “I’m going to be really happy when he finally retires and I can do things my way.”

  “He doesn’t sound easy to get along with,” Stephanie said. “What about your mom?” She was more worried about the mother than the father. His mother would be her mother-in-law, and she desperately wanted to have a good relationship with her. Being able to get along—especially while they lived in the same house—would be major for them.

  He shrugged. “She’s a mom. My parents fully believed that once a boy hit about five, his mother should no longer have a big role in his life. I was handed off to my dad to train to be a rancher.”

  “No siblings?”

  He shook his head. “Mom had a tough pregnancy, and they decided one was enough. They did make it clear that if I’d been a girl, they’d have had to try again.” He sighed. “My parents are throwbacks from the nineteenth century.”

  “It sounds like it. I’m nervous about meeting them.”

  “Don’t be. You’ll mostly deal with Mom, and she’s pretty passive. She has to be to have been married to Dad for over thirty years.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “So, tell me when you decided you wanted to be a country music singer.”

  Stephanie smiled. She knew it was all written in their bio, but she was a natural storyteller when she was comfortable with someone, and she loved the idea of telling him. “So, when my sisters and I were in fourth grade, we decided to enter our elementary school’s talent show. We didn’t know what our talent was, so we tried lots of different things. We were hula hooping in unison, dancing, doing cartwheels, and generally making nuisances of ourselves. I remember we were taking a break from all of that in the backyard and listening to music, because Brittany has always listened to music constantly, when the song ‘Goodbye Earl’ came on the radio.

  “Emily got up and started singing it, and Brittany and I joined her. We were belting out that song like only a child who doesn’t believe anyone is listening can do.” She shook her head. “So, Mom comes out of the house, one hand over her mouth, staring at us. ‘I didn’t know you could sing.’

  “Brittany shrugged at her. ‘We’re just messing around.’ Mom told us we had a real talent. When she said the word ‘talent,’ we knew it was time to take our singing to the show. We worked in our backyard on that song for two solid weeks. And then we got up at our elementary school talent show and sang ‘Goodbye Earl.’ The principal was mortified, and honestly, so were Mom and Dad.”

  He laughed. “I can just see three identical little girls with blond hair and the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen singing that. I’m sure you shocked every adult in the room.”

  “Oh, trust me. We did. The other kids were on their feet, acting like it was a rock concert. Oh, it was amazing. My very first dose of applause, and I feed on it like the others do, I think.”

  James eyed her curiously. “I’m really surprised you’re not more afraid onstage.”

  “Oh, I don’t think I could ever climb onto a stage without my sisters beside me, and I like to be back from people. If I can’t see them, that’s better. But I do love hearing them. I’m sure it’s strange, but that’s how my mind works.” Stephanie looked at him. “I’m usually incapable of talking to men at all. I was worried even after our wedding today that as soon as we were alone, I’d lose the ability to speak. You’ve surprised me in a lot of ways.”

  “I’m glad. I would hate to have to carry on conversations with myself.”

  “Yeah, that could get awkward . . . especially if you didn’t understand what the other person was saying.”

  He grinned, laughing softly. “I genuinely like you Stephanie Nixon.”

  She was startled when he said her new name. She hadn’t thought of it yet. “I guess that is my name now, isn’t it?”

  “It is. It suits you.” He leaned toward her and kissed her softly.

  She put her hands at the back of his neck, feeling the springy hair there under her fingertips. Touching him was pure joy to her. How had she gone so long without ever touching a man? James was awfully special.

  She rested her head on his shoulder, yawning and trying to hide it but not able to completely. She was not used to being up so late, except after a concert.

  “You need sleep. Let’s turn in.”

  It was at that moment that Stephanie realized there was only one place to sleep. Sure, the bed was a king, but she’d never shared a bed with a man. “I . . . where should I sleep?”

  “In the bed with me. We don’t have to fool around, but I’m not going to let you sleep on the floor, and I’m afraid I’m not gallant enough to offer. No, we’re sleeping together, and that’s that.”

  She nodded, getting her pajamas and going into the bathroom to change and brush her teeth. Her pajamas covered a great deal of her, so she wasn’t worried about showing off too much of her body, and she put her clothes into her makeshift hamper and climbed into bed.

  He used the bathroom next, but he shut off the lights before he went in. He came out and found the bed in the dark, climbing under the covers with her and pulling her into his arms.

  “You’re not wearing pajamas!” she said, a bit shocked to feel his bare chest against her.

  “I don’t sleep in anything, so you’re just going to have to get used to that.”

  Stephanie blushed in the dark, glad he couldn’t see it. “I’ll do my best.” How was she going to get used to sleeping with a naked man? Didn’t he realize he was asking the impossible?

  He kissed her softly, and they lay together holding one another as they both fell asleep. She felt cherished. He felt aroused. He had a feeling it was going to be that way for a good long while.

  All day Sunday, Stephanie and James kept to themselves. They did more exploring, a little more gambling, and basically just enjoying each other. They went down Fremont Street in the evening and enjoyed the light show. By the time they got back to their room, they were once again wiped out.

  “I’m hungry again,” Stephanie said after they’d returned and plopped down on the couch together. “Does this hotel have room service?”

  “Of course. Let me find the menu. I could use something to eat, too.” James got up and found the menu for her, and she read over it first.

  “I’m just going to do a burger and fries.” Normally she tried to eat healthier than that, but she couldn’t worry about it while they were there. They were just too busy for that.

  “Sounds good. I think I’ll do the same. I just wish I could be sure it was good Texas beef we were eating.”

  She smiled at him, waiting as he made the call for room service.

  “It’s going to be twenty minutes. That work?”

  She nodded. “Sounds perfect. I’m going to take a long, hot shower while I wait. I feel like I have the dust from all of Nevada covering me.”

  “Well, even if you do, you still look beautiful to me.”

  Stephanie kissed him, surprising him. “No one has ever called me beautiful like you do.”

  “Well, you are. Inside and out. I want to keep you forever.”

  She shook her head as she hurried toward the bathroom, stopping only to get her pajamas.

  When she had finished her shower, she found James sitting with the covers still on their plates. “You could have started without me.”

  “That’s okay. I prefer to have you with me while I eat. I need the company.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re a silly man, James Nixon. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.”

  “Because you didn’t want to. I think you were holding a part of yourself back from getting to know me, because you knew you were marrying someone else, who happened to be me.”

  “That’s the most convoluted statement I’ve ever heard.”

  “You think? I could try harder if you want.”

  She laughed shaking her head. “I just want to eat and sleep.”

  “I believe I can accommodate that.”

  Eight

  James finished third in bull riding, and Stephanie worried he’d be upset with himself. When he joined her a short while later, he grabbed her in a bear hug.

  “I placed at nationals.” The enthusiasm in his voice thrilled her.

  “You’re not upset you weren’t first?”

  He laughed. “I hit my goal just by making it to nationals. I don’t care if I was third or twentieth!”

  She kissed him quickly, aware there were people all around them. “Congratulations!”

  “Thank you!” It was nice to have a wife waiting to congratulate him when he did well. It was even better that the wife was Stephanie. She was truly who he’d waited his whole life for. Why had it taken a matchmaker for them to meet?

  “We need to do something to celebrate!” she suggested.

  “We do . . . but what?” He frowned for a moment, thinking. “There’s an Elvis tribute show. I bet we could get tickets to see that.” He wanted to do something she’d enjoy, and music was obviously her first love. He hoped that he could replace it as her first love soon.

  Stephanie clapped her hands togeth
er. “I would adore that! Should we ask the others?”

  He shrugged. “They probably think we’re avoiding them, so we probably should. Let me see if they have tickets available first, and we’ll go from there.”

  She hadn’t been able to watch his actual ride, but her sisters had let her know when they would announce the winners, so she’d been sure to be there for that part of things. Now they were walking toward the elevator that would take them back up to their room. “We could watch more of the rodeo if you wanted.”

  “Do you have any idea how many rodeos I’ve been to and part of? I’d rather spend time with my beautiful wife doing something we’ll both enjoy.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. “You really are good for my confidence, telling me I’m beautiful all the time.”

  He grinned. “Well, you are. You’re an amazing woman, and I’m so proud to call you my wife.”

  She sighed contentedly. He truly was good for her; Dr. Lachele had chosen well. Returning to real life might be hard for both of them, but for now, it was all good.

  When they got back to their room, he called about tickets and grinned. “They have six available.”

  Knowing that, Stephanie knew her part. She called Brittany. “Hey. We’re going to see the Elvis tribute tonight, and there are six tickets available. You guys want to come?”

  “Let me check,” Brittany said. A moment later, she came back. “Yup. All four of us are in. What time?”

  They discussed details after Stephanie nodded at James to have him book the tickets. She was excited. She enjoyed being alone with him, but she also enjoyed being with her sisters.

  “We have a few hours before the show,” he said softly.

  “Does the show include dinner?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “No, we’ll have to find food first.”

  She tilted her head to one side. “Why don’t we go to that restaurant at the Rio? There’s a Guy Fieri restaurant there that I’m dying to try.”

  He shrugged. “Sure. Sounds good to me. Do we invite the gang or eat alone?”

  “Since we’re going to a show with the gang, I think we eat alone.” And she had plans for after the show. The man made her feel so comfortable with him . . . well, there was no reason to wait to consummate their marriage. She was pretty darn sure she was more than ready.

  The show was as good as she’d heard, and the six of them had a wonderful time. There was more humor than any of them had expected, and they found themselves laughing between being in awe of the Elvis impersonator.

  They were all talking animatedly as they left the theater. James had his arm around Stephanie’s shoulders, and she felt protected by him. Truly, it was nice to have someone who wanted to show his affection so publicly.

  They returned to the hotel together and separated at the elevators.

  Stephanie smiled at everyone. “I’m glad we all did this. Now we just need to find more shows that are that good. I was truly amazed at the level of talent in that theater.”

  “It was great. Thanks for inviting us,” Brittany said with a grin.

  Emily nodded. “Best night in town if you don’t count the night we had our concert.”

  “I don’t think anything is going to feel better than our concert for a very long time,” Stephanie said with a grin. “G’night.” She and James walked back toward their suite, the others wishing them a goodnight as they walked.

  When they returned to the room, Stephanie sighed. “I’m going to take a quick shower, and then I’ll be ready for bed.”

  James nodded, collapsing on the couch to wait for his turn. He was already falling for his sweet wife, but he sure wished she was willing to make love. Spending every minute together as they were was making things difficult for him.

  Twenty minutes later when she emerged from the bathroom, he glanced up and swallowed hard. She was wearing a tiny little lacy thing that covered very little. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to not do anything, but she just might kill him that way.

  Instead of heading to the bed, Stephanie walked toward James and sat down beside him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him for all she was worth.

  James returned her kisses, his hands slowly sliding around her back instead of going where they would rather go. He stroked her back through the thin material of her lingerie.

  Finally, he pulled away. “If you keep that up, I’m not going to be able to stop.”

  “I don’t want you to stop.”

  He looked into her eyes for a moment. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “There’s no reason to keep waiting. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

  He let out a breath. “I’m so glad.” Pulling her closer, he took control of their kisses, his hands roaming over her back and moving to the sides of her breasts. He moved slowly, worried that he would frighten her.

  Nothing he did seemed to scare her. Within minutes they were sprawled on the bed together, and his hands were all over her.

  “Can I take this thing off?”

  She chuckled. “You were supposed to like it.”

  “I love it. But I want to get to your bare skin.”

  She sat up and helped him remove it, her hands going to the buttons on his shirt. She helped him pull it off, running her hands over his chest.

  A long while later, she lay curled up against him, her head against his shoulder. “Where did this bruise come from?” she asked, her hand on his ribs.

  “My ride today. I never finish a ride without bruises and cuts all over me.”

  “This scar?” she asked.

  “Same. You’ll find I’m covered in scars. I hope Keanu Reeves was right when he said in that movie, ‘Chicks dig scars.’”

  She giggled. “What movie?”

  “I have no idea. One of his movies. I never remember the titles very well, but at least I know who he is.”

  “Who doesn’t?” She sighed happily. “I’m glad we didn’t wait until we got back to Texas.”

  “Me too. I’m not sure I could have waited two more hours. I was going a little bit crazy.” James kept stroking her skin, unable to stop himself. It was so soft, and he felt as if he hadn’t been able to touch her forever. Six days acquaintance, and it felt as if she’d always been a part of his life. Not what he’d been expecting when he went to a matchmaker.

  “Have you told your parents you’re married yet?” she asked.

  He nodded. “I told them I was doing it before I left. I don’t think they cared a lot, other than keeping the family name going.” He kissed her forehead before asking, “What about you? Have you told your parents?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’ll call them tomorrow, and my mother will tell me how disappointed she was that she didn’t get to be a part of it.”

  “Will she?” he asked.

  Stephanie nodded. “She’s always been really hard on me. She holds my sisters up as examples of how to be strong and makes me feel more and more inferior every time we talk.” She sighed. “I don’t know why she does it. I don’t feel like she loves me less, but I do think she has a problem with how shy I am.”

  “I take it she’s outgoing?” James wished he knew how to convince her that her mother was wrong and she didn’t need to change a single thing about herself.

  “She was as shy as me when she was in school, but now she’s the director of the women’s group at church, and she teaches an adult Sunday school class. I think maybe she pushes me so hard because she used to be like me.”

  “I can understand that. She wants you to get to a point where you’re stronger on your own. I don’t like it, but I can understand it.”

  Stephanie sighed. “Well, for tonight, I don’t need to think about her anymore. It’s just you and me.”

  “I like it this way. We can stay locked in here alone until we go home on Sunday. Would that be good?”

  “That would be wonderful. But I don’t want to have to explain where I’ve been to my sisters, because they’ll tell their husbands, and I’ll live in a perpetual state of embarrassment for the rest of my life.”