A Cowboy's Love
Written by Holly Custer
Copyright © 1999
 

As long as I can remember, I always went to my uncle's ranch for the summer. I was twenty years old, taking journalism in college and going to my uncle's ranch this summer. I wouldn't miss this experience for the life of me. Every summer I learned something new. My fondest memories were of going to my uncle's ranch.

I breathed deeply of the fresh, clean air as I stepped from my car on to the ranch that I considered home. It was just as I remembered it. The sky was the bluest I had ever seen. The grass was the greenest and the trees were full and beautiful. This was going to be the best summer ever. I could feel it in every cool breeze that blew over me. You see, this would be the summer that I met the man I was going to marry. Although, at this point I didn't know this.

I was greeted warmly by Uncle Frank and Aunt Emily. I hugged and kissed them both, then I took my luggage to the room that I had spent all my summers in so happily. Once I was settled in, we had a lovely lunch that was prepared by my aunt. We did a lot of catching up over lunch. They wanted to know all about my studies, so I obliged them. They seemed to be impressed with what I was trying to accomplish in school and I was still impressed with all the time they spent in keeping up their ranch.

When lunch was over, I helped Aunt Emily with the dishes and cleanup, then I excused myself and went to my room. There I changed into a pair of well-worn, blue jeans and a comfortable, powder-blue shirt with a bright yellow bandanna tied around my neck. I pulled on my boots and topped my curly, red hair with a cowboy hat. I was very at home in these clothes.

I walked outside to the corrals that were closest to the house. Several mares and colts were munching on hay that had been left for them. I leaned on the fence and watched as the foals chased each other between bites of hay. I heard my uncle walk up. He leaned on the fence next to me. I turned to him with a happy smile.

"Aren't they beautiful?" He asked chewing on a piece of straw. I nodded my head in agreement. "I want you to have these foals, Katie."

"Uncle? These are valuable animals! I can't let you give them to me." I exclaimed not sure I was hearing right. I turned puzzled green eyes to the handsome, older man next to me. Frank Thornton looked me straight in the eyes and put his large hands on my slender shoulders.

"Katie, you are the only one of my nieces and nephews that we see anymore. The others have no time for relatives beyond their own children. Besides, I owe you for all those summers when you worked your tail off for nothing." I was in shock not knowing what to say.

Finally, I spoke. "Uncle Frank, you don't owe me anything. I loved coming here and working for you. It was the highlight of my childhood. I loved every minute of it and it taught me the value of hard work."

"Katie, my dear, you really must learn to let an old man have his way. I want you to have these foals. I won't take 'no' for an answer." I stared up into his kind face. I reached up and hugged him tight.

"Thank you, Uncle Frank. You know I won't refuse."

"Hey, Frank! You know what Emily will say if she catches you with your arms around this beautiful, young woman?" I turned when I heard the deep, male voice behind me. I found myself staring into the most ruggedly handsome face I had ever seen. I could tell he was close to thirty years old. His dark hair (could it be wavy?) was covered by a Black Stetson. His periwinkle blue eyes sparkled with laughter and mischief. He was very tall, maybe over six foot, and muscular, but not overly so. I felt myself drawn to this handsome cowboy.

As I continued to gaze at him, my breathing quickened. My heart started to thud and I knew I was falling in love.

"Hey, Colin, how are ya? This is my lovely niece, Katie Thornton. Katie, this is my neighbor and single friend, Colin Lambert." My uncle said. I blushed when I realized that my favorite uncle was trying his hand at matchmaking.

"Hello, Mr. Lambert. I'm pleased to meet you." I said softly, holding my hand out to him.

What a pleasure to meet you, Miss Thornton. Please, my name is Colin." He grasped my hand firmly, but gently. Instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips and pressed them against the back of my hand. I felt shivers all through my body at the touch of his warm lips. I just about swooned. Again, my heart was beating faster.

"P-please call me------Katie." I had almost forgotten my own name. It almost scared me that this rugged outdoorsman had such an effect on me. I felt like I had known him all my life. This would definitely be an interesting summer.

After several weeks of being together almost everyday, Colin asked me to go on a picnic with him. I agreed, but I made the stipulation that I would pack our lunch. He agreed without too much hesitation. I happily made all the typical things you might have on a picnic.

I saddled my uncle's new stallion, Wind Dancer. Most people were intimidated by him, but not me. Colin and I met at the gate to the pastureland on my uncle's property. We rode out over the fields making sure we closed all the gates after us. It wouldn't do to have the cattle roaming free.

Two hours later, snuggled up against some green foothills, I saw several shade trees and a clear, little stream with luscious, green grass on its banks. It was a lovely place for a picnic. Colin took care of the horses while I spread out a blanket and our little feast. We had a wonderful afternoon.

We relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of this little oasis. We would soon consider it 'our spot'. Eventually, we packed up our picnic things and headed for home.

We were riding along and talking when all of a sudden Wind Dancer reared and neighed in fright. Not being prepared for the sudden action, I fell to the ground knocking the wind out of myself and spraining my ankle. I cried out in pain. Colin pulled his horse to a stop and was next to me in seconds. I pointed out my injury. He went to pull off my boot and it hurt dreadfully. I whimpered and grabbed his arm. He turned to me with concern in his blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Katie, but I have to get your boot off so that I can see how bad your ankle is." He said comfortingly.

"Shouldn't we get to a doctor?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Honey, you are with a doctor. I graduated from medical school and everything." His tone was slightly cool.

"I'm sorry, Colin. It just hurts so bad that I'm not thinking. I know you told me that you were a doctor." Colin turned and smiled at me. He took my hand and squeezed it gently. He then proceeded to pull my boot off as gently as possible. I tried not to cry but the tears rolled down my cheeks anyways.

"You're lucky it's only sprained, Katie love." I raised startled eyes to his handsome face, but he didn't seem to realize what he had just called me.

Carefully, he picked me up and took me to his horse. Wind Dancer was a long way from here by now. We rode back to the ranch. It was the most memorable ride of my life. Even though my ankle was killing me, I would never forget the feel of Colin's strong arms around me.

Back at the ranch, Wind Dancer was standing at the corral waiting patiently for someone to come and unsaddle him. Colin jumped down and I slid into his arms. Uncle Frank and Aunt Emily came running from the house.

"What happened, Colin? Was it a snakebite?"

"She's all right, Frank. It's just a sprained ankle. She'll be fine in a few days. Emily, go make some tea. Frank, would you go get my medical bag? It's on the front seat of my truck. I want to give her something for the pain." Colin carried me into the house. I directed him down the hall to my room.

Colin placed me gently on the bed. He fluffed up the pillows behind me and placed an extra one under my sprained ankle. He turned back to me. Our eyes met and locked. We stared at each other for a long, magnetic moment. The next thing I knew Colin was kissing me. I was still for just a second, then my hands slid over his muscular shoulders to clasp behind his neck. I threaded my fingers through his hair. Colin put his arms around my waist and pulled me up next to him being careful of my ankle. His kiss was the most wondrous kiss I had ever known. Seductively, his lips traveled from my lips to my neck. I sighed with pleasure.

"Here's your bag, Colin." We jerked apart as Uncle Frank stepped forward and spoke. Colin's face was red, I know mine was, as he took his medical bag from my uncle. He gently wrapped my ankle in an ace bandage. He gave me a Tylenol with codeine. I looked up at my uncle and saw the knowing smile on his lips. At that moment, I knew he was behind Colin and me getting together.

Once Uncle Frank had left us alone, there was an awkward silence. We didn't know what to say each other. I knew I had deep feelings for Colin, but I wasn't really sure how Colin felt about me.

"I'll check on you in the morning, Katie. I'll give your uncle a prescription for the Tylenol." He stood to his feet getting ready to leave. I stopped him with a hand on his arm. He looked down at me with his clear, blue eyes. I gulped down the lump that suddenly appeared in my throat.

"I------I love you, Colin." I whispered. Colin's eyes widened in surprise. I lowered my eyes suddenly afraid that he wouldn't have the same feelings for me. Colin sat down on the bed next to me. He cupped my chin with his hand and tilted my head up so that he could look into my eyes. He smiled warmly at me.

You're a lot braver than I am, Katie. I don't think I would have had the nerve to tell you how I feel. I love you." The last was whispered as he leaned over to kiss me. His fingers brushed my cheek, then he moved his hand to the back of my head and entwined his fingers in my hair. What a passionate kiss! It was different from the one earlier. It held a promise of love for tomorrow. "I wish we were a lot closer during the rest of the year." He murmured his lips brushing mine as he spoke..

"I'll transfer." I whispered. "Wyoming State is only twenty minutes away." Seeing the dubious look in his blue eyes. I hurried to reassure him. "I've been wanting to anyways. I love this place and I don't have that many friends at home anyways. I was always too busy studying. I want to be here with you, Colin. I belong with you." I had never been more serious than I was at that moment.

"It's your decision to make, Katie. No matter where you are, I will love you." Colin said with a smile.

It took several days and several welcome visits from Colin before my ankle was ready to be used again. I was grateful for the day when I could get out of my bed and stay out of it. I was finally free!

Eagerly, I started working with my three foals. Colin was a wonderful help in training my foals. He knew a lot about horses. I started getting my foals used to being handled by human hands. They were quick to learn. I was very proud of the three little babies. They were beautiful little black and white Pintos. I had two fillies and one colt.

I went and stood in the middle of the corral. I had pieces of carrots and apples in my pockets. The mares sauntered up to me. They knew me well and knew that I had treats, so I fed them some. Soon, the foals got curious and walked hesitantly up to me. They cautiously snuffled up the treats from my hands and then scurried quickly away. I was pleased with the small progress that I had made.

"Hello, sweetheart." I turned at the sound of my cowboy's deep, sexy voice. I ran over to him scattering foals in every direction. I reached up and caressed his cheek with loving fingers.

"Hello, darling." I answered.\

"Will you have dinner with me tonight, lovely lady?" He asked opening the corral gate so that I could slip through it without my foals escaping. I put my arms around him and thrilled when his arms encircled me.

"Of course I will. Are we going out somewhere romantic?" I asked looking up into his handsome face.

"Nope, I'm cooking steaks for us out on the deck. It's just you and me, babe. I have some special plans for dessert tonight." He said with a twinkle in his eyes. "I need to go. I've got to get things going over at the house. Can you make it by yourself, honey?"

"I think so. How should I dress?"

"It doesn't have to be formal or anything, but wear something comfortable and pretty."

"See you tonight." I called after him as he left. He turned, waved and blew me a kiss.

That evening, Colin and I had a lovely dinner of steaks, baked potatoes and salad. I was surprised to learn that Colin was an excellent cook.

After the meal, Colin and I sat on the porch swing he had on his deck. I snuggled up to him and he put his arm around me. We watched the sun set. Colin held my hand and was doing something. He put my hand down and I looked at it. I gasped in surprise. On my ring finger was the most beautiful engagement ring I had ever seen. In answer to his apparent question, I reached up and pressed my lips to his. I slid my arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

"I take it that's an affirmative answer?" Colin asked with laughter in his eyes.

You couldn't get more affirmative, my handsome cowboy doctor!" I murmured returning my lips to his as he cradled me in his strong arms. I was the happiest woman in the world that night. I had my cowboy's love and he had my heart. All was as it should be.

THE END