To Tame a Cowboy

“I don’t need to get checked out, but I’ll appease you only because I want to see Alex for myself.”

Piper studied him, as if she could see beyond the surface and actually make an official diagnosis.

“You all right?” he asked. “You look a little pale.”

Piper caught his worried gaze and smiled. “I’m fine. And if the doctors give you the go-ahead and release you, I’m going to kick your rear end for worrying me to death when I saw your overturned car.”

Ryan’s wide, signature smile spread across his face. “There’s that Piper love. Come on. Let’s get to the hospital.”

“Oh, God, Ryan.” She held a hand on his arm before he could step into the back of the ambulance. “What about Cara? Someone needs to call her.”

Piper couldn’t even imagine what Alex’s fiancée, Cara Windsor, would think when she was told he was alive. Piper was stunned and thrilled, but she was worried about how extensive this memory loss was.

“Let’s get the facts from the doctor first,” Ryan suggested. “We can’t have her running all in there in hysterics and shock. We need to prepare her for this and have concrete information.”

Piper nodded. “I agree. Let’s get to the hospital. And while you’re getting checked out, I’ll find out Alex’s status.”

“Red—”

She held up a hand. “The fact my heart rate is still out of control after not knowing if you were okay or not gives me the right to override anything you say. Now get your butt in and let’s get to the hospital.”

Two

“Nothing broken.”

Piper stood inside the thin white curtain separating Ryan’s cubicle from the rest of the Emergency Room.

She crossed her arms and smiled. “Anything else you want to tell me?”

Ryan shrugged. “Not really.”

Narrowing her eyes, she stalked forward. “Keeping the bruised ribs and concussion to yourself?”

Busted.

“I’m fine,” he assured her. “Nothing a little over-the-counter pain meds won’t fix or a good shot of my grandpa’s bourbon. A cure-all, he always claimed.”

Piper rested her hands on her hips, pulling the buttons across the chest of her cute little EMT uniform. Damn, but she was pretty when she was angry or about ready to light into him like some mother hen.

“You have a concussion, Ryan. No drinking.”

“You medical types always take the fun out of healing.”

As he’d intended, she took his joke and rolled her eyes with a hint of a grin.

“Seriously, I’ve had way worse getting bucked off a horse.”

“You’re staying at my place tonight,” she told him, pointing her finger at his chest. “No arguing.”

As if he’d turn down that invitation. Piper wasn’t only his best friend, but a friend with whom he’d always wanted more. Yeah, he may have a concussion from that accident, but he wasn’t dead.

He’d never pursued anything beyond friendship with her for a couple of reasons, the main ones being he was always traveling and she’d never shown any interest in him on an intimate level.

Added to that, her father had been a rodeo star and he’d heard Piper swear on more than one occasion that she’d never, ever fall for a cowboy.

But he was home now and ready to see if something beyond friendship could exist.

“Fine, I’ll let you pamper me. But only if you’ll make that chicken soup I love so much.”

Piper threw her arms in the air and sighed. “Don’t milk this, Ryan.”

He laughed and extended his hand for her to take. She moved closer and he wasn’t about to mention the trembling he instantly felt when they connected.

“Tell me about Alex,” he said, stroking her palm with his thumb. “What are the doctors saying? Did you call Cara?”

Piper eased a hip onto the edge of his very narrow, very thin E.R. mattress. “The doctors are still unsure as to whether or not the amnesia was caused before or during the accident. He has old bruises, so he was in a fight or some other accident before today. His wrist has several breaks and he’ll be going to surgery soon to repair that. More than likely they’ll either do a plate or at the very least pins.”

Broken bones were reparable, death was not. Ryan couldn’t even believe that Alex was here after all these months of wondering what had happened—whether he’d run away or been the victim of foul play. But now he was back and hopefully this amnesia was short term so he could explain just what the hell had happened.

“What about Cara?” he asked.

“I just checked with the nurse and Cara has been notified. I’m sure she’s on her way.”

“What did they tell her?”

Piper looked down at their joined hands. “That Alex was found alive, but he’d been in an accident. He has some memory loss and a broken wrist.”

“She’s got to be worried sick,” Ryan said.

“I can’t even imagine.”

“When can I get out of this bed?” Ryan grumbled. “I want to go see Alex and I think someone should be with Cara when she arrives. They’re going to need their friends.”

Piper nodded. “Dr. Meyers said you were free to go as long as someone stays with you overnight. I assured him you would be in good hands.”

Ryan only wished he’d end up in her hands. But, alas, Piper would never see him as anything other than her best friend. Even if she did have deeper feelings, the woman was stubborn and because her father had pretty much abandoned his family to dominate the rodeo circuit, Piper would never turn to a cowboy for any kind of a relationship beyond friendship.

And that left him out, considering he’d traveled the circuit for years and now intended to open a school for children to teach them his love of rodeo. The new ranch he’d purchased a few months ago just outside town had a vast amount of acreage, perfect for teaching young children the basics and allowing them to progress to higher levels of learning all in one location.

But as much as he loved his sprawling new ranch, he was more than willing to go to the small bungalow Piper was renovating.

“Let’s get to Alex’s room,” he told her as he eased off the bed, concentrating on his movements so he didn’t get dizzy, stumble and cause Piper to have him admitted. “Is he still in the E.R. or in his own room?”

“They just put him in a room and they’re going to do the surgery in a few hours once the surgeon is available and up to speed on what happened. They have to be careful with the anesthesia because of his head trauma.”

Piper slid the curtain aside with a swish and took off down the hall toward the elevators before she froze and turned back to him.

“Sorry, Ryan,” she said as she waited for him to catch up. “I’m so used to going at lightning speed, I wasn’t thinking you’re probably sore.”

“I’m fine, Red.” Though he wasn’t going to object when she slid her arm through his to guide him. Not that he needed it, but he appreciated her care. “I’ve been through worse with my job.”

They reached the elevator and rode up in silence. When the doors slid open, he let Piper take the lead because she knew the hospital better than he did and he wanted her to think she was actually assisting him in walking, though he really wasn’t in all that much pain except for the ribs.

“He’s in the last room on the right,” Piper said as they rounded the corner. “Should we both go in or just one at a time? I don’t want to bombard him or overwhelm him since he won’t remember us.”

Ryan held on to his sore side. “He’s already talked to you and I don’t think I’m that intimidating.”

Piper nodded. “Just don’t pressure him about details. The doctors said the memories need to come naturally and not be forced.”

Ryan pushed the door open and gestured for Piper to enter first.

“Hi, Alex,” she greeted with a warm, kick-in-the-gut smile. “I wanted to check on you and I brought another one of your friends.”

“The police just left,” he told her. “I didn’t know if they were going to let visitors in or not.”

“I’m sure visitors are fine,” she told him, stepping aside so Alex could get a look at Ryan. “And I’m sure in no time you’ll be mobbed. You’ve had a lot of people worried to death about you.”

Alex’s dark eyes darted from Piper to Ryan, then back to Piper.

“Do you remember him?” Piper asked hopefully. “You guys are in the Texas Cattleman’s Club.”

“Sorry.” Alex shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

“It’s okay. I’m Ryan Grant.”

Ryan stepped toward the bed and still couldn’t believe his eyes. Alex truly was here. He was banged up and in desperate need of a haircut and shave, but the man some feared dead was actually alive.

“I think we should also tell you that someone else is coming to see you,” Piper said. “Cara Windsor.”

Ryan watched Alex for any sign of recognition. But nothing. Not a blink, not even an eye twitch.

“She’s your fiancée,” Ryan stated. “But if you’re not ready to see her, that’s fine. She’ll do whatever you want.”

“I felt she deserved to know you were alive,” Piper told Alex.

Alex leaned his head back against the stark white pillow. “Damn it. This is frustrating. I don’t even recognize my own fiancée’s name? What the hell happened to me?”

Piper patted his uninjured arm. “That’s what we’ll find out. Don’t push it, Alex. The memories will return. The doctors still aren’t sure if the memory loss is long or short term, but we will do everything we can to make sure you get your life back.”

“Would you rather we ask Cara to stay out right now?” Ryan asked. “Visitors are up to you. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Alex brought his tired gaze back to Ryan. “No. No. If seeing her will help trigger something, I’m all for it. Does she know about my condition?”

“The nurse who called Cara filled her in.” Piper slid her hands into the pockets of her navy work pants. “I’m sure she’ll be here anytime. Is there anything you want me to get you? How’s the pain?”

“The wrist hurts, but it’s tolerable since they gave me some pain meds when I got here.”

“Have you had any spark of a memory?” Ryan asked, coming to stand at the end of the bed.

“Nothing. I keep waiting for something... Anything.” Alex glanced at Piper. “So my name is Alex...”

“Santiago,” she supplied.

“And I have a fiancée?”

Piper nodded. “Cara Windsor.”

Ryan waited, but thankfully Piper didn’t mention any more about Cara or her father who wasn’t too keen on the idea of his baby girl’s engagement to Alex.

Alex may be a venture capitalist, investor and new member of the most elite men’s club in the U.S., but being a member of the Texas Cattleman’s Club still didn’t mean he was good enough for Cara...according to her father anyway.

Alex looked at Ryan. “And you say we’re members of some club?”

“The Texas Cattleman’s Club,” Ryan confirmed. “Do you recall any of the men there? Chance McDaniel or Gil Addison? Chance is your good friend and Gil is the TCC president.”

Alex ran a hand down his face. “I don’t know either of those names.”

Frustration hung heavy in the air and Ryan’s heart ached for his friend. So many people cared about Alex and would want to help him through this tough time, but would Alex want a bunch of strange faces all up in his business right now?

“Oh, God.”

At the veiled whisper, Piper and Ryan turned to the door to see Cara—pale face, hand covering her mouth, eyes wide. As if she realized there was an audience, she dropped her hand, straightened her shoulders and moved in with slow, easy steps, all the while never taking her eyes off the patient.

Ryan watched as Piper stepped aside and made room at the edge of the bed for Cara. Cara started to reach for Alex’s hand, but stopped as if she remembered he had no idea who she was to him.

“I can’t believe this,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ve prayed for so long. Wanted to believe you were okay, but not knowing...”

Alex studied her. “Cara?”

“Yes.” She held up her hand, the one showcasing an impressive diamond. “I never took it off, never gave up hope.”

Ryan stepped around the bed and tapped on Piper’s arm, nodding toward the door.

“We’re going to let you two talk,” Piper told Alex and Cara. “It’s good to have you back, Alex.”

He smiled and nodded, but kept his eyes locked on Cara. Hopefully seeing the love of his life would spark something that mere friends couldn’t conjure up from whatever depth of suppressed memories he had.

“Call me if you need anything,” Piper whispered to Cara.

“Can I talk to you for just a second?” Cara asked.

Piper nodded and stepped outside the doorway.

“Is there anything you can tell me about his status?” Cara pleaded.

“All I know is that he was found in the back of a semi in a hidden compartment with a group of illegal immigrants. The doctor isn’t sure if his memory loss is from the accident or something that happened before. That’s really all I know.”

Cara let out a shaky breath. “Thank you for being here for him until I got here.”

Piper reached out and squeezed Cara’s hand. “I know we don’t know each other that well, but please, if you need anything at all, I’m here. It’s no comparison, but Ryan was in the accident, too, and seeing him there really shook me up. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. So if you need to talk, cry or just vent, I’m here.”

Cara’s smile reached her watery eyes. “I appreciate that, Piper. More than you know. And I may take you up on it. I need to get back inside.”

Piper gave her a brief hug and watched Cara go back on the other side of the privacy curtain just inside the door. Seconds later Ryan walked out.

Ryan closed the door to give the newly reunited couple some much needed privacy.

“Did you see his face?” Piper asked. “He looked so lost, so confused.”

Ryan leaned against the door and stared up at the ceiling. “I can’t even imagine what he’s feeling. But they’re strong. Cara will help him through this.”

“But what if he doesn’t remember and he doesn’t love her anymore?” Piper asked.

Glancing back down, Ryan shook his head. “That won’t happen. Alex is stubborn and a fighter. He won’t give up until he finds his way back to us...and Cara.”

Piper looped her arm around his and tugged him away from the door as she started walking down the hall. “I hope so. But for now, they have each other and I plan on getting you home so you can rest.”

“And while I rest, you’ll make that chicken noodle soup?”

Piper glanced up at him, trying to hold back a smile and failing. “Only because I’m so thankful you’re alive and I know how much worse you could’ve been injured. But don’t expect this every time we’re together, big boy.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Red. Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Three

Piper got Ryan settled on the couch, remote in hand and feet propped up, before she went to make his precious soup.

Wasn’t that just like a man? Fondling the remote, reclined in a cushy chair and waiting on supper? She smiled as she headed to the kitchen. For some reason catering to Ryan didn’t bother her in the least. She knew he was no slacker when it came to work. The man was iconic in the rodeo circuit and now he was working his butt off trying to get a school open for children to learn the tricks of the trade. Piper was proud of her best friend and if the man wanted chicken noodle soup, then that’s what he’d get. And she’d throw in some homemade bread just because she was still so relieved he hadn’t come out any worse for the wear from that scary accident.

The look of despair on Cara’s face kept filling Piper’s head. Cara’s world had been turned upside down months ago when Alex had disappeared and again today when Cara discovered he was alive...but he wasn’t the Alex she knew and loved.

Piper was grateful Ryan was in her living room, fully aware of everything and everyone around him. Not that Piper and Ryan had the romance Cara and Alex did, but the bond she shared with Ryan was the most secure relationship she’d ever had...and stronger than most marriages.

Sighing, Piper focused on the task at hand. She was thankful that when she cooked, she planned ahead and froze things. She pulled open her freezer drawer and took out the chicken and stock she’d cooked and frozen just last week.

In no time the kitchen smelled wonderful and homey, nothing a scented candle could provide.

The TV blared in from the living room and Piper smiled. He was watching bull riding and cheering like some men do with football or basketball. Her Ryan was bulls, horses and broncs all the way, baby.

She rested her palms on the edge of the granite counter and sighed as she closed her eyes and thanked God for so many things today. First, she was beyond relieved that Alex was alive and, for the most part, unharmed. Second, she was grateful nobody had been killed in that horrendous accident. But more than anything, she was beyond grateful Ryan was okay. Not only was he okay, he was dominating her television and recliner, and that was just fine with her.

If she ever decided to settle down and marry, Ryan Grant held all the right qualifications. Oh, she’d never put the moves on her best friend. That would be weird...wouldn’t it?

She’d be lying if she didn’t admit she used to wonder “what-if,” but Ryan never saw her as more than just one of the guys. So that was the role she stuck with.

Besides, even though he had stepped aside from the rodeo circuit, he still had that thrill for adventure and danger in his blood. She couldn’t live with that, not again. She’d spent years watching her mother suffer while her father chased danger on the circuit. Injury after injury, her mother swore she couldn’t handle it anymore.

And finally one day, she didn’t. They’d divorced and Piper had rarely seen her father again. She refused to do that to herself or her future children.

So, while she may be looking for a man just like Ryan Grant, there was no way she could make him Mr. Right. But having him for a friend was one of the best things that had ever happened to her.

“Hey.”

She turned to see Ryan, arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Of all the times for a heat wave to sweep through Royal, Mother Nature decided now would be a good time. What happened to the cold spell they’d just had last month?

“Sorry about the air,” she told him. “Remodeling your own house can save a bunch of money, but there are certain drawbacks. I’m hoping to have the system put in next week. That’s why I keep the blinds down and fans on in every room. I also wasn’t expecting the temperatures to get back up to Hades levels this time of year.”

“I’m good,” he told her. “I’m more concerned about dinner.”

He smiled, but all Piper could think about was how he’d been flipped in his car only hours ago. Yet here he stood in her kitchen joking about the heat and dinner.

“You okay?” he asked.

Piper offered a smile. “I’m fine. Just slaving away in here while you do nothing. You were supposed to be resting in there, you know.”

He pushed off the frame and eased toward her in that easy way he moved, but she figured he did it now so she wouldn’t catch on to the fact he was still dizzy.

“I’m resting,” he assured her.

“You’re in the kitchen—that’s not resting.” She looked up at him when he came to stand within inches. “I can’t pamper you if you won’t let me.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” he asked with a crooked grin. “Pampering me?”

“Not if you don’t get your butt back in that recliner,” she insisted, hands on her hips. “Now get out of my space so I can work.”

“You’re trembling, Red.”

“It’s out of anger,” she lied. “You need to be relaxing.”

He stepped forward, she stepped back. They danced until she backed up against the countertop.

“I think you’re finally coming down from the adrenaline rush of your workday,” he told her, holding her gaze and invading her personal space. “I think you’re in here thanking God about Alex, about me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You know me too well.”

He grinned, placing a hand beside her hip as he swayed slightly. “Yes, I do. And that’s how I know your trembling and feistiness stems from relief. You know how this day could’ve ended.”

Piper closed her eyes, an attempt to block out the initial images she’d conjured when she’d arrived on the scene...especially when she’d spotted his car. She’d have nightmares about that terrifying sight for weeks.

“You have no idea what went through my head when I saw your car,” she whispered. “I couldn’t take the time to single you out, I had a job to do and it nearly killed me.”

Ryan brought up his other hand to stroke her cheek and she realized he’d wiped a tear away. She lifted her lids, found him studying her face as he eased closer.

“Nothing can keep me down, Red. I won’t go out in something as trite as a car accident. I’ve been through a lot in my years and a flipped car is nothing.”

Piper inhaled, taking in Ryan’s masculine, familiar scent. He stood so close and, not for the first time, Piper admired that stubbled chin and jawline, those broad shoulders and full lips.

Damn, she shouldn’t be admiring her best friend’s lips, no matter how kissable they looked.

“It’s that danger you crave that scares me, Ryan.” She valued their relationship and that she could be brutally honest with him. “You’re so laid-back, so carefree. But when it comes to adventure, you live for it. Do you know how broken I’d be if I lost you?”

Those lips turned up as he shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. I know my limits and I know how to remain in control.”

His eyes darted to her mouth, then back up to her eyes as he inched forward. This time she knew he wasn’t reacting from the concussion and swaying. He had genuine lust lurking in those baby blues.

“This is just both of us coming off adrenaline,” she whispered. “Nothing more.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

His thumb stroked across her bottom lip and Piper forced herself not to slide her tongue out and taste him.

The timer on the oven beeped, making her jump.

She stepped aside, causing Ryan to move, as well. He shoved his hands into his pockets as if he didn’t know where else to put them.

“Dinner is almost ready,” she told him, yanking a drawer out to grab a pot holder. “I’ll bring it to you.”

She silently pleaded that he’d go back into the living room because if she turned back around and he was still there looking at her with those heavy-lidded hungry eyes, she feared she’d succumb and take what she thought he was offering. And, dear God, she’d die of humiliation if she ended up giving in only to find out he hadn’t wanted intimacy.

How in the hell had they come to this point? Was it the adrenaline or had today’s accident been a wake-up call? Surely he didn’t feel that way toward her. They’d been friends for years and he’d never tried taking it to the next level.

But the desire in his eyes said he was ready. If this wasn’t just an aftershock from the accident, she had to consider a whole new angle to their friendship.

No matter what, Piper knew she needed to keep her emotions under control. She couldn’t get romantically involved with Ryan. Being best friends was as far as she could allow her heart to go.

She still had a sinking fear that he would get bored with being home for good. She knew him well enough to know that if he got restless, he’d head back out on the road, leaving her staring at his taillights.

* * *

Ryan closed the bathroom door and turned around to...

Oh, for the love...

Could he not catch a damn break? First he wasn’t steady on his feet because he’d hit his head, then he’d nearly kissed his best friend and now this? Come on.

Lingerie everywhere. Every damn where.

Red lace, yellow satin... Bras, thongs, silky-looking nightgowns. Of course she hung this up to dry. And of course laundry day was the day he had to stay with her.