The Cowboy’s Mistake Read online

  “Thanks. Bye.”

  As soon as the call ended, Trey tossed his phone toward the bed, then followed it, turning off the lights as he went.

  He would not betray his best friend.

  Even if it killed him.

  Three

  Trey woke up before his alarm the next morning.

  That was no surprise—he felt like he’d hardly slept. He’d tossed and turned all night, imagining Charity on the other side of that wall. At first, he assumed he was so hot because the air conditioner wasn’t working, but when he threw himself out of bed in the middle of the night to check it, he found that it was blowing out plenty of cold air. It was his own body that was overheated. Even in a separate room, having Charity so close at hand was driving him crazy.

  It was easier to ignore how close they lived when they were back on the ranch. It wasn’t as simple as opening a single doorway, that was for sure.

  He’d finally fallen into a fitful sleep in the small hours of the morning, but even in sleep, Trey’s mind couldn’t leave the idea of being with Charity alone. It didn’t help that they’d had such a nice dinner, and an even nicer dance at the club afterward. No, it didn’t help at all. In his dream, he turned over in the bed to find that he’d left the adjoining door open, and Charity was coming into the room. He pushed himself up on one elbow, preparing himself to say no, you can’t be in here, think of what will happen and instead he breathed yes—

  And abruptly jolted himself out of his only sleep that night.

  So, even though he’d set his alarm with plenty of time to spare before the auction, he found himself with enough time for another cold shower, which did nothing to calm him down, and then a walk four blocks down to a coffee shop that was already humming with early morning activity. He ordered two coffees, one for him and one for Charity, and sipped his as he walked back. He’d had them add two sugars to hers, knowing her order so well that he didn't even have to think about it. He’d spent so many mornings at the house with Austin that it was impossible not to learn it.

  Then there was nothing to do but wait.

  Trey wasn’t the kind of guy who spent a lot of time sitting down, so after a few minutes on the uncomfortable sofa in the lobby he stood up again. One by one, people exited the elevator. Lots of them looked like they were headed for the auction. Charity had been right to come the day before. Things could definitely get heated with this many bidders.

  He kept his eyes on the elevator, trying to look as casual as he could. But his heart beat faster as it got closer and closer to the time they’d agreed to meet.

  Finally, the doors opened and she got out, five minutes early.

  Charity glanced up to make sure that no one was in her path, but then she grinned back down at her phone as if someone had sent her the most delightful text in the world.

  He felt a ridiculous stab of jealousy and swallowed it down with another gulp of coffee. This was getting out of hand. Charity had her own life—a life that didn’t revolve around him—and plenty of friends besides. There was no reason to believe the text was from a man she was seeing—and even if it was, he had no business being jealous of some text he hadn’t even read. Anyway, for all he knew, it was a funny picture on social media, or a feel-good news article. It could be anything.

  She took another few steps, and his mind shifted abruptly away from the mystery message and directly to how beautiful she looked.

  He’d thought her dress last night couldn’t be beat, but now…

  Trey liked this look. He had to admit that. Charity wore a pair of jeans that hugged her curves in a way that made him wish he could slide his hands beneath her waistband. She’d paired them with a shining pair of cowboy boots and a simple black top with a scoop neckline. Trey’s mouth watered at the sight of it. Not only that, but she’d curled her blonde hair away from her face in gentle waves that honestly, even in the fluorescent lights of the hotel lobby, made her look angelic.

  He had so much time to drink her in because she was still smiling at her phone. He wished, one more time, that he could be the one to make her smile like that. The next moment, she clicked the phone off and dropped it into her purse, raising her head to look for him.

  She spotted him immediately, those blue eyes lighting up, and came toward him through the lobby. He raised the coffee in greeting.

  “Aww, you shouldn’t have,” Charity said with a grin, taking the to-go cup from his hand. “I don’t suppose you put in—”

  “Two sugars,” he said. “How could I forget?”

  She laughed out loud, excitement shining through in her voice. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you that I like two sugars in my coffee.”

  “I spent enough time in your house to know. You know. Back in the day.”

  The smile that curved the corners of her lips now sent a lick of heat down his back. “I never knew you noticed anything like that. You know. Back in the day.”

  Trey’s mouth suddenly felt dry. “How could I have missed it?”

  “How could you indeed?” Charity gave him a wink. “You ready to go?”

  He was, in fact, ready to go back to either of their hotel rooms. Or really, any place with a bed and some privacy. But he shoved the thought away and followed her out to the truck.

  * * *

  The auction teemed with people, and the moment he turned off the truck Charity leaped out. The air was filled with her excitement. She wore a contagious smile, lighting up the faces of the other bidders. They were close to the massive display barn when she leaned in close. “I hope these people haven’t taken my horse.”

  He laughed. “How are you so sure your horse is in that barn?”

  “I can just…feel it.” Charity walked faster, head held high. “It would make perfect sense. I’ve got you here today, and…” She cut a glance across at him. “You’ll be able to tell me if my choice is really the best one. Not that I can’t make a choice by myself—”

  “Oh, I’ve never doubted that.”

  “—but it’s always nice to have an expert opinion. Especially if that expert is the top one in the state.”

  He felt himself straighten up at the compliment. Maybe this was the opening salvo of another day of irresistible flirtation, but if so…he kind of liked it.

  They went through the barn together, stopping at different stalls. Charity’s expression turned serious. She didn’t say much as they passed by the available horses, moving quietly around the crowd of other bidders.

  They’d gone past twelve horses when Charity’s face lit up.

  Trey couldn’t see which horse she was looking at first, and then the crowd in front of him parted and he saw her reach tentatively to stroke the mane of a gray horse, who whinnied softly in response.

  Trey couldn’t make out what she said to the animal in all the other noises of the barn, but as he stepped up beside her, she pulled a sugar cube from her pocket and lifted it to its mouth.

  She was so gentle. And something in her energy had changed the moment she’d seen this one.

  A small sign on the front of the stall had information about the horse, including his name—Kepler.

  “Kepler,” breathed Charity. “What a sweet name for you. You’re a good boy, aren’t you?” The horse nuzzled his nose back into her hand, and she rewarded him with another sugar cube.

  Trey’s heart melted.

  It wasn’t anything he’d say out loud, but watching her with this animal squeezed something inside him. He took a sharp breath as the man who had to be Kepler’s owner approached.

  “He’s taken an interest in you,” the man said, sounding a little shocked.

  “He has,” Charity said, not taking her eyes off Kepler.

  “I’m amazed to see him interacting this way.”

  She lifted a hand and stroked Kepler’s nose as she turned to face the man, who extended a hand. “Is that so? Charity Miller. Nice to meet you.”

  “Dave Broughton,” he said, shaking her hand. The moment he took Charit
y’s hand, Kepler shied away. “See? He’s fickle.” Trey saw Charity’s shoulders stiffen.

  “What do you think gave him this case of the nerves?” she asked lightly.

  Dave gave a little sigh. “I picked him up from the Humane Society after they removed him from a neglectful owner. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been through more than a little abuse along the way.” He shook his head. “Honestly, I pulled him from the auction last night. Just didn’t think he’d sell, not with all the issues he’s had. What are you in the market for?”

  Charity flashed the man a winning smile. “I’m on the barrel racing circuit, and I need a new partner.”

  Dave chuckled. “I wouldn’t recommend this guy, then. Don’t get me wrong—it would be great for me if I could sell him. But he’s a broken soul. If you’re looking for a barrel racer, you’d be better off with a more trainable mount. Honestly, I don’t see him ending up anywhere but the dog food company.”

  “Dave!” The call came from several stalls down.

  Dave tipped his hat at Charity. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Miller. Let me know if you have any questions about Kepler or any of my other horses.”

  She watched him go, then whirled to Trey. For the first time since she’d shown up at his farm three days ago, Charity looked distraught. “The dog food factory?” She dropped her voice as if saying it quietly could hide the truth from Kepler. As soon as Dave was gone, the horse had come back to the edge of the stall, nuzzling Charity’s hand. “How could I leave him behind knowing that that’s in his future? Weigh in here, Trey. Do you think he can be rehabilitated?”

  “Yes,” he said immediately. He’d been so taken with watching Charity with Kepler that he hadn’t really considered it—it was his gut reaction. Pure instinct.

  She gave him a relieved smile, but then her expression turned back to worry. “The only thing is, if he really does have so many issues, it would take a really experienced trainer to win him over. That’s a tall order, especially if he’s going to ride with me this summer. And if I have to spend a chunk of my savings on getting him in the first place…” She cast another gaze back to Kepler.

  It was like the horse sensed what was going on. It turned interested eyes on Trey, and he was lost.

  With the two of them looking at him like that, how could he say no? The line he’d about to give her—that he was far too busy to take on training another horse, especially one who needed extensive rehabilitation—died on his lips.

  “I can help,” he said gruffly.

  Charity’s whoop split the air in the barn, drawing the attention of quite a few people around them. She clapped her hands over her mouth, then threw her arms around his neck, rising up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. It was magnetic, the soft brush of her lips, and all of him wanted to turn his head and kiss her lips. It was a miracle that he held himself back.

  “All right. All right,” Charity said, turning around. Her cheer had caught Dave’s attention, and he was making his way back to them. Trey could see his hat above the rest of the crowd.

  He approached with a little frown. “Everything all right over here?”

  “Mr. Broughton,” Charity said, turning sideways to face the man and taking her hand off Kepler’s mane for the first time since she’d met the horse. “Kepler’s off the auction, right?”

  “Yes ma’am.” The man’s eyes brightened as he looked at Charity. He could probably sense that she was ready to make a deal.

  “I’ll give you eight thousand for him.”

  Trey almost burst out laughing. It was an incredibly lowball offer, even for a horse that was supposedly a “broken soul.” He’d been looking Kepler over more closely, and from what Trey could see, he was strong despite being neglected. The horses here, he knew, would go for as much as twenty-five thousand dollars.

  Dave Broughton blinked down at Charity. “I couldn’t let him go for less than twelve.”

  “Oh, Dave.” Charity put a hand on his elbow, as if they were two co-conspirators. “We both know that’s not the case. You took this horse out of the auction because he couldn’t be sold.”

  “I did, but I didn’t know there would be such interest.”

  Charity laughed, the sound light and friendly. “Well, you can’t put him on the block now, can you? You’d have to explain why he wasn’t up for grabs until so late in the morning.”

  Dave Broughton grinned. He was caught, and Trey thought the man must know it. At least he seemed good humored about it.

  “Nine thousand,” he said at last.

  “Eight five.” Charity didn’t miss a beat.

  Dave hesitated for one last moment, then stuck out his hand. “Done.”

  It was a whirlwind after that. They headed out of the barn to a row of trailers set up for business transactions and sat down with Dave in one of them. In the space of fifteen minutes the papers were drawn up and signed, Charity asking Trey to look them over before she put down so much as an initial.

  After that, there was nothing to do but head back to the hotel, pack their things, and come back for the transfer with the horse trailer Trey’d towed behind his truck. Charity chattered the entire time, making plans with him to train Kepler. The closer they got to the hotel, the less he found himself able to say.

  It was a mistake, agreeing to help her. Training the horse to be her partner would mean working closely with her—putting himself in temptation’s path on a constant, unrelenting basis.

  But he couldn’t walk away from Kepler or Charity at this point. He was a goner.

  Four

  Charity’s heart beat hard on the way back to the hotel.

  That had been more successful than she’d imagined. Not only had she felt an immediate connection with Kepler, but Trey had approved. He had approved. And he’d backed her up when it came time to sign the papers.

  Now she felt a mad rush to pack her things and get back to retrieve her horse. Everything had been signed, and she’d transferred the first half of her payment to Dave Broughton. She’d transfer the second half when they went back to get Kepler into the trailer. Back in her hotel room, she shoved her things into her bag one after the other, giving herself thirty seconds to stare at the adjoining door between their rooms.

  This was it—the last moments of her big chance to be with Trey while they were away from home.

  But she was torn. After what Dave had said about Kepler, she felt anxious to get back to him and get him away from the auction barn. The sooner she could get her new horse back home, the better she would feel.

  On the other hand, Trey was right there, on the other side of that door.

  She went so far as to stand next to it, leaning in to press her ear to the smooth surface, listening for any sign that Trey might be doing the same thing on the other side.

  There was no such sound. Of course, he wasn’t over there with his ear jammed up against the door, listening for her. He was the kind of guy who took ownership of what he wanted. If he wanted to come across into her room, he’d have walked through the front door last night. Or at least he would have knocked on the adjoining door.

  And anyway, Charity had the sense that if she knocked on that door right now, the two of them might never come out of the room. Kepler might think he was getting left behind.

  No. That would never happen. She laughed out loud at the thought. Trey was never going to give her the time of day, even if she knocked on his door in fancy lingerie. Never mind that she had, in a burst of unfounded optimism, brought some with her.

  She slung her bag over her shoulder, grabbed her purse, and went out into the hallway to find Trey shutting his own door behind him. He flashed her that classic grin—oh, there it was, that falling sensation. “Are you ready to go?”

  No, she thought. I’m not ready to go. I’m ready to go back into one of these hotel rooms. We’ve still got plenty of time.

  “Yes,” she said. “Let’s go get my horse.”

  * * *

  By the time they got back to Tr
ey’s ranch, it was late in the evening. Charity coaxed Kepler out of the trailer and Trey helped her lead him into a stall in the barn. That’s where Kepler would live for now, since Trey would be training him.

  The weight of the day felt heavy on Charity’s shoulders. She couldn’t stifle the yawn that came over her as they left the barn and shut the door tight behind them.

  “You look beat,” Trey said, his voice soft in the dark.

  “I am.”

  Even though it wasn’t far, the thought of climbing back into her own truck and driving down the road to her house seemed insurmountable.

  “Why don’t you take my couch? I won’t be using it.”

  Sweet relief. “Only if you don’t mind.”

  “You got me a hotel room for last night. The least I can do is let you borrow a few cushions.” Trey reached out and wrapped his hand around her shoulder. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s get you inside.”

  She was too tired to argue.

  But she was not too tired to wonder what he was thinking when he took her bag from her and dropped it next to the couch.

  Trey stood awfully close for a long moment in the dim light of his living room. He hadn’t bothered to turn on any lights—they’d be asleep soon—but she could hear the rhythm of his breath in the air next to her.

  They were close enough to kiss.

  It didn’t matter how tired she was—she wanted to. She really wanted to.

  But she had a flash of dancing with him at that club, and how close their lips had gotten…and how he pulled away.

  Charity turned toward the couch. “Got an extra blanket, Trey?”

  “Of course. Wait right here.”

  His footsteps fell heavy on the stairs as he went up, and she heard him rustling through a closet. He came back down the stairs a moment later, his arms filled with bedding. Charity reached for the pile, but Trey brushed her off with a little laugh. “I can make up a couch.”