Sassy Cowgirl Kisses by Kathy Fawcett

Chapter 24

Rowdy West came to visit his Wyoming cousins five years earlier, along with his brother Gray, and the two never left. In his early forties, Rowdy had been a long-time rancher in Montana, helping his family run their cattle empire. He also spent time on the rodeo circuit, and had the trophies, prize money and permanent limp to show for it.

When he and Gray came to Wyoming for his uncle Ridge’s birthday bash, they were the last two remaining members of the Montana Wests, and at loose ends. They had flush bank accounts from the sale of their ranch, and nothing to tie them down.

Gray was a pilot who spent several months every year extinguishing wildfires in the mountains. But Rowdy had a restlessness he couldn’t identify until he came to West Gorge, and saw how stressed and overworked his cousin Gunnar had become under the weight of his sole responsibilities. Ridge was still grieving the loss of Randi Lynn. Pike was pulling away, longing to leave the ranch and follow his passion for painting. Even Colton had his sights set on a different life than the ranch offered.

So Rowdy jumped on an ATV with Gunnar and offered to come alongside him for a time. He and Gray moved into the West’s guest house and made themselves at home—Gray coming and going as needed. But Rowdy didn’t want to be a guest forever.

After a few years, Casey came into the family with a wealth of knowledge about the real estate market in West Gorge. One day, out of the blue, she asked Rowdy to meet her at a foreclosed log home in West Gorge, just outside of the ranch.

“I wondered if you might like to hang your hat in your own home again, Rowdy,” she told him. “This house made me think of you.”

He smiled when he walked in and smelled the oak and pine, and saw the soaring vaulted ceiling in the great room. It was a smaller version of the West family home in Montana, but large enough for a growing family, if Rowdy were to have one someday.

The open kitchen had a long granite island, and half a dozen or more stools facing copper-trimmed appliances. A field stone fireplace, flanked by mountain-view windows, would be the perfect location for snowy nights and Sunday mornings.

Outside, there were fenced-in pens for horses, and a pole barn to house Rowdy’s ATVs and four-wheel drive cars. Even enough room for his little red sports car that liked to come out and play in warm weather.

There were guest rooms enough so Gray to stay with him when he was in town.

“It’s perfect,” he told Casey and hugged her. “I’ll take it.”

Everyone in the family celebrated his official move to Wyoming. Kat West helped him shop for the perfect leather chairs, oversized sofas, and fancy linen bedding and down-filled quilts. Liu stocked his freezer with meals. Colton sent one of his crews out to frame and build a massive deck overlooking the mountains, complete with an outdoor fireplace. Pike gave him an original oil painting of the gorge.

But the best gift began with a simple phone call.

“Now that you’re settled, I’m sending a friend over to help with the finishing touches.”

It was Paislee West calling him out of the blue.

“Finishing touches?” He was curious. “What is this house missing?”

Paislee laughed at his question, but didn’t answer directly.

“Just be home Saturday morning, Rowdy,” she said, “and keep an open mind.”

More than a little bit nervous, Rowdy showered and shaved early, and was jittery from drinking twice the coffee he usually downed. When the doorbell rang, he jumped a mile and spilled creamer on the floor.

“Coming…” he shouted, throwing a paper towel on the oak planks.

Open mind. Open mind, he said to himself.

The beautiful woman standing on his threshold had a laptop case in one hand, and held the other out to him.

“Daisy Shire,” she said, and smiled.

“Rowdy… West.”

There was a long pause as Rowdy tried to assess her reason for being at his house—he thought he recognized her from the grand opening of the Arts and Culture Center, but couldn’t be sure.

“Mind if I come in?” Daisy asked, grinning with private amusement.

Rowdy followed her to the great room, rubbing his leg self-consciously. His limp always became more pronounced under duress. And the caffeine wasn’t helping.

“Ah, this is a beautiful room,” Daisy said as she looked up and around. Rowdy watched her face light up at the high windows and lighting. “Paislee was right.”

Nodding, Rowdy tried to keep up but felt lost.

“I’m sorry,” he said at last, perching on a stool by the massive granite counter. “What was Paislee right about?”

At the helpless tone of his voice, Daisy’s face softened as she turned towards him. Setting her computer on the counter, she walked over to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup.

“Mind?” She asked, taking a sip.

Rowdy was speechless. Was she trying to sell him curtains? A time-share in Florida?

“Paislee thought it was time for you to add a few paintings to your house, to finish off your spaces. Maybe a bronze sculpture or two. I came to show you a few artists that Painted Bird Gallery represents, and see if anything appeals to you.”

You. You appeal to me, Rowdy thought, relaxing at her words and calming tone. A woman who looked right at home pouring coffee in his house—a woman who regarded his eyes and not his injured leg—was someone who could stay as long as she wanted to.

Daisy was about his age or a little younger, he thought. Her hair was a pretty sandy color, and fell in loose waves over her shoulder. She wore snug jeans that showed off her toned legs, and a white blouse with soft ruffles near her neck and wrists. When she was sipping her coffee, he dared a glance at her hand but saw no wedding ring.

Impossible,he thought, with cautious optimism.

Daisy was a romantic, Rowdy guessed by her ruffles and dangling earrings. He liked that. He supposed anyone dealing in fine art must be a romantic by nature. Rowdy himself had a romantic streak, though most people didn’t it see under the rough denim and leather his ranching life required.

But he was a sucker for a few frills and a little bit of lace on a woman; throw in some untamed curls, and Rowdy was on high alert.

He found himself smiling at her beauty and easy ways, and gestured to her computer.

“Let’s take a look,” he said, recovering from his earlier nervousness. “Let’s just see what this house is missing.”