Cowboy Courage. Judy Duarte

boxes with a straw.”

      It was the most casual announcement of the cocktail hour she’d ever heard. “Actually, a glass of wine sounds nice.”

      “White or red?”

      “Either.”

      “I’ll open a bottle. Then we can decide what we want for dinner.”

      Two hours later, Cole and Laurie sat around the coffee table, munching on grilled cheese sandwiches. A blazing fireplace bathed the room in an intimate glow, and a nearly empty bottle of merlot rested between them.

      Country and western tunes played softly from a battery-operated boom box Cole had set up in the corner. Although Laurie would have never guessed it could happen, she found herself growing accustomed to upbeat fiddles, lazy guitars and the down-home stories set to song.

      “You look like you’re either enjoying the music or reminiscing.”

      Laurie glanced up and grinned at the handsome cowboy beside her. “Both, I suppose.”

      “When I first saw you at the filling station, I never figured you for a country and western fan.”

      “I wasn’t.” Laurie uncrossed her cramped legs and stretched them out in front of her. “But there’s something real and appealing about the words and music, don’t you think?”

      His eyes sparkled, and he flashed her a crooked grin. “I play the fiddle in a band on Friday nights down at the Long Shot.”

      “No kidding?”

      He shrugged. “Believe it or not, I can actually play classical violin, but there aren’t too many orchestras in this part of Texas.”

      Envisioning Cole playing the fiddle in a honky-tonk band was surprising enough, but the violin? “That’s amazing.”

      “What’s amazing? That a cowboy like me can play a musical instrument?”

      “Not at all. Your complexity intrigues me.”

      “I don’t know why. You’re not a simple person, yourself.”

      “No, I don’t suppose I am.” She glanced out the darkened patio window.

      “What talents do you hide?” he asked, apparently not willing to let her dismiss a discussion of herself.

      “Talents?” She sighed, not really sure she had any she could honestly claim. “I play piano, although I disliked the regimented lessons.” She caught him eyeing her intently, and she smiled. “Maybe I should have had violin lessons so I could play bluegrass or country whenever I want a change from classical.”

      Dark brows furrowed. “The instrument shouldn’t stop you from playing from the heart. Have you ever played a keyboard?”

      “No, I’ve never even seen one up close.”

      “Maybe you need to loosen up some.”

      “Maybe I do.”

      He studied her for a while, his gaze seeming to penetrate layers of her facade. She wanted to ask what he saw, but thought better of it. She certainly didn’t want him to think she was that unfamiliar with herself.

      “What other abilities do you have?” he asked.

      “I don’t know. I had always wanted to be a doctor.” She smiled wistfully. “But my aunt put a damper on that.”

      He cocked his head to the side. “How?”

      “She had a fit when she found out I’d had a double major.”

      “I’d think she would have been proud of your diligence. Having two majors is a lot of work.”

      “I majored in liberal studies to please her. The biology was something I wanted for myself. She found out when I made the dean’s list in my pre-med courses and they sent a letter home to congratulate me.”

      “She wasn’t happy?”

      “She told me I was foolish.” Laurie blew out a sigh and placed her elbows on the coffee table, all of her aunt’s lectures on manners forgotten. “I’ve gone along with everything she’s ever wanted, but dropping out of the medical program is the only thing I actually regret acquiescing to.”

      Cole slowly stood and made his way toward a carved oak bar near the kitchen. After opening another bottle of wine, he returned and filled both glasses.

      Usually, Laurie didn’t drink more than a glass or two of wine at a time, but this evening had been pleasant and relaxing. And she wasn’t ready for it to end.

      “Why don’t you go back to school?” he asked.

      The question came as a surprise, yet she had to admit it seemed logical. God knew how much she wanted to. She and Michael Harper had discussed medicine and his practice until the wee hours of the morning, often to the exclusion of Daniel and Denise. Of course, now that she knew of their affair, she understood why neither of them complained. And why they’d always stepped outside together for a walk or a cigarette. What a fool she’d been.

      “Is there a reason you don’t want to go back to school?” he asked again.

      Laurie glanced up from her introspection, surprised at the simple logic. “No. I suppose there isn’t.”

      She really didn’t want to think about medicine right now. It made her think of Dr. Michael Harper, and the normal chain of thoughts ultimately led to Daniel and Denise. As far as Laurie was concerned, those memories didn’t belong in Texas. She turned her attention to the song playing on the all-night radio station.

      “Did that guy just say he likes his women a little on the trashy side?” Laurie asked, unable to believe what she was hearing.

      Cole grinned. “Yeah, when they wear their clothes too tight, and their hair is dyed.”

      Laurie chuckled. “Is that the kind of women cowboys find appealing?”

      He stopped smiling, and Laurie realized he might not have known she was only teasing him.

      “How do you like your women, Cole?” The minute the words were out, she realized how much like a sexual tease they sounded. Yet she hadn’t meant it that way. She just wanted to… Good grief, she wasn’t sure what she meant to do.

      He studied her intently. If he’d taken her comment as light-heartedly as she’d meant it to be, he didn’t give her that impression at all. “I like them on the loving side.”

      The room was heavy with feelings shared. Something in his eyes drew her to him, something she could feel. Admiration maybe, but attraction for sure.

      They both sat on the floor, facing each other. Laurie, legs folded Indian-style, rested her arms on the coffee table. Cole, legs extended and crossed at the ankles, leaned back, hands braced at his sides. Desire stilled the conversation.

      Outside, the rain had softened to a light whisper. Inside, a slow fire continued to flicker and crackle upon oak logs in the fireplace. But it was the storm raging in her soul that concerned Laurie the most.

      When an old country love song began to play, Cole slowly rose to his feet and extended a hand to her. “Dance with me.”

      She shouldn’t get too close. Touch him. Hold him. She didn’t trust the strength of her own desire. God knew she didn’t need any complications in her life right now. She had to return to California. Soon. But she didn’t have to go anywhere tonight.

      As though mesmerized by something in the depth of those blue eyes, Laurie stood and stepped into Cole’s open arms. They fit together perfectly, and swayed in time to the slow, gentle beat of one sweet moment in time.

      One hand held hers against his chest, while the other warmed the small of her back and gently pressed her against him.

      Laurie rested her head against his cheek, feeling his soft, warm breath upon her neck. She took a deep breath,