Stealing The Cowboy's Heart

Someone knocked on the front door, despite the closed sign. Kylie checked the time. Too early for Kevin, who’d warned her he might be a bit late because of a work emergency. He not only managed the motel in town, but also two others in Kalispell, forty-five minutes away.

Kylie shook her head as she unlocked the door for Rachel. “How did you know I’d be here?”

“Oh, my God. Your hair looks fabulous.” Rachel gave her a head-to-toe inspection. “And the dress... What a great find. It couldn’t be more perfect. But honestly, those highlights and that flirty cut... Sally outdid herself. I really like it.”

“Flirty? Really?”

“Come on, don’t you love it?”

“I do. I’ve wanted something different for a while now, but I should’ve waited.”

“Why?”

“I was hoping for something subtler. Kevin will think I got all glammed up for him.”

“Oh, sweetie, he won’t be looking at your hair,” Rachel said, grinning at the V of the dress.

“What?” Kylie tugged the neckline up.

“Stop it.” Rachel swatted her hand away and made her own adjustment. “You should wear red more often. It suits you.”

“Is the makeup too much? I’m a little out of practice.”

“It looks great.” Rachel glanced around, then sniffed the air. “I swear pregnancy has thrown my senses out of whack. You didn’t burn anything, did you?”

“This morning I was distracted and—Oh. It’s me, isn’t it?” Kylie frantically fanned the air. “I smell like burnt toast.”

“Nope, it’s not you. It’s coming from the kitchen but it’ll probably be gone by the time you open tomorrow.”

“That doesn’t help me tonight.”

Rachel smiled. “It’s not that strong. I’m sorry I mentioned it.”

“Do you mind if we step outside so I can air out?” She paused on the way to the door. “Oh, and I have some chocolate cupcakes if you’re interested.”

Moaning, Rachel pressed a hand to her stomach. “Not for me, thanks. I ate like a fiend yesterday and paid dearly for it. Anyway, I’ve got to run over to the market so I can finish dinner. I just stopped by to make sure you wore the dress.”

Kylie grinned. Knowing Rachel, she wasn’t joking. “What would you have done if I hadn’t?”

“That’s a silly question. Made you go home and change, of course.”

A maroon truck slowed, then pulled to the curb just as they stepped onto the sidewalk. The tinted windows prevented her from seeing inside.

“Is that Kevin?” Rachel asked.

“He drives a Mustang.” Kylie left the door propped open. She hoped the driver was going to the Full Moon Saloon next door, and wasn’t thinking the bakery was open.

“Well, I’ve got to scoot,” Rachel said, checking her watch and backing away. “You have a good time tonight. Don’t change a thing. Leave that neckline right where it is.” She took a couple steps back. “Wait. Fresh lip gloss. That’s all you need.”

“Goodbye, Rachel,” Kylie said patiently, dying to tug the dress up an inch. “Better watch where you’re going.”

Bumping into a parked SUV got Rachel to turn around with a startled laugh.

Kylie smiled as she watched her friend hurry across the street. Rachel wouldn’t make it to the Food Mart without running into someone else to chat up. The woman knew everyone.

She and Mallory had been godsends for Kylie. Moving to a strange town where she hadn’t known anyone but Aunt Sally had proved scarier than Kylie had imagined. Her new friends had made all the difference.

“Kylie?”

At the sound of the deep voice, she froze. Her heart lurched. Had to be her imagination. Resisting the urge to spin around, she turned slowly.

Landon?

Except it couldn’t be...

Here in Blackfoot Falls? It just wasn’t possible...

And yet she was staring at all six feet of him, leaning against the maroon truck, hat in hand, wearing his usual jeans and scuffed boots, his brown hair in need of a trim. Although it tended to look like that all the time, even after he’d gotten it cut.

He gave her that boyish, lopsided smile that had always made her tingle and feel guilty at the same time. She couldn’t seem to make her mouth work.

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he said. “You look different. Great though. Just, you know...” He shrugged, his dark blue eyes taking in her dress and legs. “Different.”

She blinked to make sure he was real. She almost demanded to see the stupid, heart-shaped tattoo he’d gotten the night he and Gary had both scored low at the Laredo rodeo and blew their shot at the national finals. Drunk and reckless, they’d crossed into Mexico, looking for trouble. Hadn’t taken them long to find it.

Kylie remembered well because she’d driven five hundred miles to bail them out. “What are you doing here?”

Landon gave his Stetson another twirl, then set it on his head and straightened away from the truck. “Is that it? Not even a hello?”

“There must be a rodeo in the area,” she said, her brain scrambling to make sense of this—of Landon. Standing in front of her. How could he have gotten better looking in a year? And, whoa, that kind of thinking had to stop right now.

“No rodeo.”

Of course not. She would’ve known. Even though she’d shied away from any talk related to the sport, anything new coming to the area had people buzzing for weeks. She didn’t care how Gary was doing, whether good or bad. The knife of betrayal had cut too deep.

A horrifying thought occurred to her. She tried hard to peer through the tinted windows. “Is Gary with you?”

“Nope,” Landon said, studying her closely. “Just me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I came to see you.”

“Me? Why?”

“Look, Kylie,” he said, sighing. “We...didn’t exactly part on a good note, and that’s bothered me. But I did as you asked and left you alone, even though it’s not what I wanted.”

Oh, God. The things she’d said to him her last night in Iowa. Any problems she’d had with Gary had nothing to do with Landon. At least not directly. If anything, her own guilt over having a thing for Landon had pushed her to blame him. The fuse had been lit the first day they’d met, and continued to spark, no matter how hard she fought it.

Landon had just returned to rodeo after taking a year off due to a family emergency. If she hadn’t already been drawn to the way he smiled and those deep blue eyes, finding out he was a man who had his priorities straight would’ve sealed the deal for her.

She’d never acted on the attraction, even though it had gotten too close for comfort. Despite everything, she’d been certain it was going to be her and Gary forever. Even during those last two rough years when Gary had changed.

She’d done her best to treat Landon like everyone else. Even though he was nothing like the rest of Gary’s friends. He’d always complimented her cooking, never once forgot to thank her, and always insisted on helping her clean the kitchen.

That small rented house had been open to Gary’s friends. A lot of the guys had come and gone as they pleased. But Landon Kincaid had been the only one who’d kept her up at night with guilt.

“Kylie?”

She blinked. “What?”

Landon smiled. “We’re still friends, aren’t we?”

“I don’t know.” She felt a little dizzy. “Are we?”

“I wouldn’t be standing here if I thought otherwise.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“Your mom.”

“My mom. Figures. Does Gary know?” she asked, holding her breath. All she needed was him showing up and causing a scene.

Landon’s expression tightened. “If you’re still hung up on him, Kylie, you need to tell me right now.”

“Are you serious? Do I look like a doormat?” She bristled, then gave in to curiosity. “Why would you even care?”

His eyes narrowed, then flickered with amusement. “Oh, I don’t know,” he said quietly. “Maybe because we’re friends.”

She knew—they both did—that it was more than that. But a year had come and gone, and he still thought about her? She’d never stopped thinking about him, either, but that was different. Wasn’t it?

She couldn’t do a thing about the heat of embarrassment crawling up her neck and into her face. But she could stand her ground. “Friends or not,” she said, “you didn’t even give me the courtesy of a heads-up.”

“True. I guess I was worried you’d—” Lifting a shoulder, he glanced away and dragged a hand down his unshaven jaw as he watched a truck cruise by. “Is that motel with the red roof the only one in town?”

“There’s a small inn at the other end of Main Street.” Kylie’s heart fluttered. “How long are you staying?”

“A week, maybe two.” He stared back, watching her closely enough it made her edgy. “If that’s all right with you.”

Jeez, it was hard to keep her expression neutral. To shove aside the curiosity, excitement and fear churning in her stomach. Normally she wasn’t one to compare people, but the difference between her ex and Landon was glaringly obvious.

Gary had been strictly a rodeo junkie, but Landon was the real thing. The epitome of the strong silent cowboy depicted by Hollywood. Not only was he a born rancher, he was unfailingly polite and he always managed to hold on to his temper no matter how angry or disappointed he was. In fact, Landon seldom gave away his thoughts. He could be so stoic at times, unless he was trying to make a point.

But he also didn’t make promises to women that he had no intention of keeping. Or at least that’s what she wanted to believe.

She shouldn’t have been angry with him. He hadn’t encouraged Gary to start drinking and cheating. But he hadn’t told Kylie about Gary two-timing her, either. And that hurt. Everyone following the tour must’ve known. Sure, he’d toed the line when she’d joined him at the nearby rodeos, but when she hadn’t been in the stands, he’d indulged to his heart’s content. All while she was back in Iowa being the good girl, keeping the home fires burning and waiting for her man.

Her useless, lying, cheating man.

Well, to hell with being the good girl. She wouldn’t touch her neckline. It could plunge to her navel for all she cared.

“Last I spoke with Gary, he didn’t know where you were,” Landon said, breaking into her thoughts. “Is he still calling?”

Surprised that he wouldn’t know what was going on with his best buddy, Kylie wasn’t quick to reply. “He slowed down six months ago. I still get the occasional call but I haven’t spoken to him. The times he left messages he sounded drunk.”

Landon gave a slow, troubled nod. His gaze wandered down the front of her dress to her high heels—only three inches, but high for her. He lingered on her red-painted toenails, a ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth. “Did I tell you how nice you look?”

“Yes,” she said. Great. Here her blush had just begun to settle. “Thank you.”

“I don’t recall ever seeing you in anything but T-shirts and jeans.”

“They’re comfortable and practical.” She gestured to the bakery. “No point in dressing fancy. I’m always spilling something.”

Landon chuckled. “I remember,” he said, and looked into the bakery window and then at the sign. “You always said you’d open a bakery someday. And you did it. Good for you, Kylie. I’m proud of you.”

Sincerity darkened his eyes and stirred something in her chest. “Save the sentiment until I start making a profit. I’m in debt up to my eyeballs.”

“You can’t have been open long. Wait till word spreads. You’ll have people coming from miles away for your apple turnovers and chocolate dream cake.”

“Oh, word is going to spread all right,” she muttered when a truck nearly rear-ended a white compact because the driver was too busy gawking at her and Landon. It wasn’t the first curious stare either.

Landon glanced down the street. “Ah, small-town living,” he said. “You getting used to it yet?”

“Well, it’s not like I came from the city. Sage Springs isn’t that much bigger and just as bad for gossip.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth when the memories rushed back. The pitying looks, the averted gazes, the whispers...

And not just in the neighborhood. She hadn’t been able to put gas in her car or run into the market without someone mentioning they’d heard she and Gary had broken up. And wasn’t it just awful, especially with them being high school sweethearts and all. The day Kylie decided she’d slug the next person who used the stupid term was the day she started packing her things.

Clearly it hadn’t been enough that Gary had spent most of his time on the road and she’d moved across town. She had to get away from everything and everyone. Her mom included. Darlene couldn’t understand why Kylie was unwilling to give Gary a second chance. And a third and fourth, had it come to that. Though not because her mom liked Gary all that much. Darlene had always been quick to overlook a man’s flaws as long as he kept coming back.

Landon had moved closer without her noticing. “I guess I should’ve called first,” he said and touched Kylie’s hand. “I can see you’re on your way out.”

“What?” Once again she’d lost track of the conversation. And then it registered.

Kevin.

How could she have forgotten? He was likely to show up at any minute. Talk about awkward. She moved her hand so Landon was no longer touching her.

“So, is it a big date?” he asked casually. “Or a night out with the girls?”

She noticed how his gaze drifted briefly in the direction Rachel had headed. “You were right the first time.”

“Ah.” Surprise flickered in his eyes. Followed by disappointment if she wasn’t mistaken. “Lousy timing on my part, huh?” he said, and moved back a couple steps.

“I’m not sure what that—” Kylie thought she noticed a limp. “Is something wrong with your leg?”

“Nah.” Landon brushed her off too quickly.

“What happened?”

“Nothing. It’s fine.” He frowned at something behind her. “Is that him?”

She glanced back. Kevin, who’d just gotten out of his red Mustang convertible, was wearing dress pants and a navy blue blazer and as nice and as good-looking as he was, he couldn’t hold a candle to the cowboy she’d never expected to see again.

Chapter Three

“Guess you’re stepping up in the world,” Landon murmured low, so the dude with the crisp white shirt and shiny black shoes couldn’t hear.

“What are you talking about?”

“Mr. GQ...isn’t he your date?”

Kylie laughed, and it was the best sound he’d heard in a very long time. Then she ruined it by turning to smile at the interloper. Although, technically, it was Landon who’d shown up unannounced and uninvited.

“Kylie, you look stunning.” The guy’s gaze took in the low neckline, the way the red dress hugged the curve of her hips.

“Thank you.” Blushing, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

He seemed surprised, which made Landon feel a lot better. Couldn’t be anything serious if that little peck raised the guy’s eyebrows.

“Well, you kids have fun,” Landon said, trying to ignore the pain that shot up his leg when he stepped back the wrong way.

“Wait. Let me introduce you two.” Kylie’s smile faltered when her date slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Landon, this is Kevin Braun.” She turned to him, dislodging his arm. “This is Landon Kincaid, an old friend of mine.”

Landon was forced to move forward. Grinding his teeth harder with each step, he shook the man’s hand.

“You staying long, or just passing through?” Kevin asked. His tone was casual but Landon wasn’t fooled.

“Staying,” Landon said, and noticed how Kevin’s jaw tightened. “Hey, I don’t want to hold you guys up. I’ll see you tomorrow, huh, Kylie?”

She frowned at his leg. “I can see you’re hurting. Why won’t you tell me what happened?”

“Tomorrow,” Landon assured her, wishing they’d leave already so he could hobble and whimper in peace.

“Where are you staying?” Kevin asked.

“I’m gonna check out the motel.”

Kevin pulled out his wallet. “I manage the place,” he said, holding out a business card. “Give this to Patty at the front desk. She’ll know to give you a discount. How long did you say you’re staying?”

“Don’t know for sure.” Landon pocketed the card. “Thanks, Kevin. That’s real nice of you.”

“My pleasure.” He turned to Kylie with a smile. “Ready?”

She was still studying Landon’s leg, so he bit down hard and managed to walk around his truck without too obvious a limp.

Landon heard her say something to him, but pretended he hadn’t and slid in behind the wheel. The sooner he checked in someplace where he could stretch out, the better. He thought briefly about having a look at the other inn that Kylie had mentioned. The motel seemed fine but he wasn’t keen on Kevin keeping tabs on his comings and goings.

By the time he pulled away from the curb, the two were on their way to Kevin’s Mustang, his hand pressed against Kylie’s lower back.

Landon reminded himself that he hadn’t been at all sure how she’d react to seeing him. She’d been living here for a year. Plenty of time to carve out a nice life for herself. Hell, it wasn’t a surprise that some guy had swooped in—there’d probably been quite a few.

Part of him was glad because after what Gary had done to her, Kylie deserved to feel desirable and wanted. The other part of him itched to send Kevin on a one-way trip to the moon. Though Landon didn’t think she was too into the guy. He knew Kylie pretty well, probably better than she suspected.

Or did he?

He turned into the motel parking lot, wondering what she was doing with a buttoned-up guy like Kevin. This rural corner of Montana had to be crawling with ranchers and hired hands. Had she sworn off cowboys like she’d said that night? Decided they were all lying cheats like Gary? Landon figured he’d find out real soon.

* * *

THE NEXT MORNING, her arms loaded with bakery boxes, Kylie looked for Landon’s truck as she crossed the motel parking lot. There it was, the deep maroon color easy to spot. He’d parked in the far corner, away from all the other vehicles. Probably worried about his paint job. Not that she blamed him. The truck looked new. She wondered how he’d scraped the money together to replace his old white pickup with the duct-taped side mirrors.

She’d come extra early to deliver the motel’s standing order of muffins and Danish for their continental breakfast. From what she remembered, Landon wasn’t a particularly early riser but she decided not to take any chances. Of course she couldn’t avoid him for long, but she was too tired to see him first thing.

Once she opened the bakery, she’d have a steady stream of customers. So even if he showed up right away, she’d be too busy to talk.

Patty, who worked the front desk, was setting out plates and utensils when Kylie entered the lobby. The strong smell of coffee had her inhaling deeply, as if she hadn’t already downed half a pot.

“Hey,” Patty said, looking over at her. “I figured you’d be late, not twenty minutes early.”

“Why would you—” Kylie sighed and set down the boxes. No telling how many people knew she’d gone out with Kevin last night. Any news was big news in this town. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you work late yesterday?”

“I swapped shifts with Misty so I can go to my son’s ball game this evening.” Patty gave her a little teasing smile. “Did you have fun last night?”

“We had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Kalispell. It was nice.”

“And?”

“And what? We didn’t stay out late. I had to get up early to do the baking. Which reminds me...you mentioned you have a friend who’s looking for part-time work?”

Patty nodded. “Celeste. She was hoping you needed kitchen help. She likes to work early shifts so she can be home for her kids after school. Plus, she’s a great baker.”

“Perfect. I’ll get her number from you or she can call me.” Kylie was happy they’d changed the subject, and even happier that she might get someone to take some of the pressure off her in the mornings. She’d never imagined a town the size of Blackfoot Falls would keep her so busy.

“Go grab some coffee in the back,” Patty said as she set out the muffins on doily-covered silver trays.

“Thanks, but I’ve got to get back and open.” She glanced toward the elevator. “What time do the guests start coming down?”

“There’s always one or two who show up at the stroke of seven.” She checked her watch. “We’ve got twenty minutes. You sure you don’t want a cup? I broke out the good stuff.”

Kylie laughed. Patty couldn’t be more obvious. She wanted the skinny on Kylie’s date with her boss. But there was nothing to tell. Kylie had been distracted most of the evening. It wasn’t fair to Kevin. He’d been wonderful and thoughtful, and she’d tried her best to return the attention. But she hadn’t been able to stop thinking of Landon.

What made things worse was that Kevin was exactly the kind of man she should be looking for. He was the sort of steady, reliable man she wanted in her life. Not someone who would live for the adrenaline of bucking broncos and didn’t mind living out of a duffel bag. She wished, though, that he was a little more exciting. But excitement wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Kylie had finally accepted his third dinner invitation. And she planned to accept another date...soon-ish.

She sniffed the air. Macadamia Kona roast. Darn it.

“Come on,” Patty said. “Just one cup. Five minutes. Before Marge brings her cinnamon rolls.”

“You’re evil.”

Patty grinned. “Let me cover these trays and I’ll meet you in the back.”

The room behind the front desk was small and crowded with a full-size fridge, a microwave, two large coffee stations and overstocked shelves. She followed the aroma of the Kona coffee to the small carafe sitting off to the side. Kylie had just poured herself a mug when she heard Marge’s voice. Marge owned the diner and her cinnamon rolls—a local favorite—were insanely good.

Kylie liked her. Marge had been supportive of her opening The Cake Whisperer, even giving her tips on where to get her supplies and ingredients. And best of all, she’d probably just saved Kylie from being cross-examined.

After adding a dollop of cream, Kylie stirred her coffee and yawned so wide she felt her jaw pop. Kevin had dropped her off by ten, but she hadn’t slept well. Too much Landon on the brain. Boy, the next few days were going to be tricky. Or for however long he stuck around. That limp she’d noticed... Was that the reason he wasn’t rushing off to a rodeo? Did he think good ole Kylie would play nursemaid, the way she had in the past? She’d been known to treat and bandage minor wounds for a lot of Gary’s friends. Landon included.

Evidently the two women hadn’t missed her. They were chatting and laughing as if they didn’t see each other every morning. Kylie paused at the slightly open door to take a leisurely sip.

And nearly burned her tongue when she heard Landon’s voice.

She gave the door a slight push. Just wide enough that she could see him, but he couldn’t see her. He was fishing an apple out of the silver bowl sitting next to the muffins. Neither Marge or Patty noticed her because they were too busy checking out Landon. He filled out a pair of worn jeans better than any man Kylie had ever met. The snug white T-shirt showed just how seriously he took his workouts. Though it wasn’t vanity that drove him to keep fit. He loved rodeoing and took the sport seriously.

“Hope you slept well,” Patty said. “We’ve been open less than a year so the mattresses are all new.”

Landon flashed her a smile. “It was lights out before I hit the pillow.” He eyed the plastic-wrapped trays. “Guess I’m too early. I’ll let you finish setting up and come back.”

“Don’t be silly.” Patty gestured to a club chair. “You go on and sit down. I’ll get your coffee and whatever else you need.”

“Nah. I’m good for now. But thanks.” He grabbed a crutch that was resting against the wall and slipped it under his arm.

Kylie hadn’t noticed it because his body had blocked her view. When he swung toward her she saw the second crutch. Their eyes met through the doorway and he lost his footing. He quickly righted himself by balancing on one leg until he stabilized the crutches.