Cowboy Untamed Read online

“Absolutely. I asked her to be part of this co-op but she really doesn’t have time. Maybe when she retires.”

  He enjoyed watching the love shine in her eyes as she talked. “Creative family you have there.”

  “Yeah, I feel lucky. Anyway, Amethyst mentioned that one of your sculptures is in the lobby of the Jackson Hole resort where she’s performing for the next two weeks.”

  “I have a couple over there. Which one?”

  “It’s the waterfall fountain that goes into a pool at the bottom with a doe and buck drinking. She said it’s huge.”

  “Twenty-two feet eight inches, to be exact.”

  “Wow.”

  He filled the last bowl and closed the bin. “I took it up there in sections and finished the welding on the spot.”

  “That must have caused quite a stir among the resort guests.”

  “It did. I offered to complete it in the middle of the night but the management thought it would be more dramatic if people could see the final construction phase. It was great PR but I’d still rather work in the privacy of my studio.”

  “Is our evening event going to be a problem for you?”

  He gazed at her. “It’s not my favorite way to create, but like I said last night, I wasn’t concerned about the how. Only the who.”

  “I know.” Her quick swallow betrayed her uneasiness.

  “Forget I said that.”

  She gave him a rueful glance. “Not likely. But right now it’s feeding time. We’ve tried to keep a regular schedule they can count on. It’s part of building trust.”

  “Makes sense.” He pondered that as he helped her carry out the bowls. Trust was an issue between them, too. Whether she didn’t trust him or herself wasn’t clear, but either way, she expected bad things to happen if they gave in to this attraction.

  “You can put the bowls down now. They’re waiting.”

  “Right.” While he’d been lost in thought, she’d stood waiting as the cats milled around at their feet. “Sorry.”

  “It’s just good to put all the bowls down together so they each have one.”

  “Makes sense. But Fred’s not here. Do we wait for him?”

  “No. He’ll be along. Sometimes he hangs back.”

  “Okay.” He lined up the ones he carried, dropped to his knees and sat back on his heels. “Sorry for holding up the show. I got distracted.”

  “I’ve noticed that doesn’t happen when you’re working on a sculpture. You’re incredibly focused.”

  He couldn’t resist the opening she’d given him. “That’s one of two activities that get my undivided attention.”

  “And the other is football?”

  Kidding around was a good sign they were making progress. “Guess again.”

  Her breathing quickened. “You’re too sexy for your own good, Grady.”

  “Too sexy for you?” He glanced over at her.

  “I didn’t say that.” She kept her attention on the tree line as she watched for Fred, but her cheeks had turned a pretty shade of pink.

  His pulse hammered. Maybe he’d built up a little trust, after all. “Any chance I can cash in that rain check so we can have dinner tonight?”

  “I think— Oh, my goodness. Who’s that?”

  A large gray cat left the shelter of the woods and bounded toward them.

  “You don’t recognize it?”

  “Nope. And he’s not acting like a feral.”

  “How can you tell it’s a male?”

  “I’m not positive but he looks like a tom to me.”

  The cat marched right up to the food bowl at the end of the row, within arm’s reach of Grady, hunkered down and began to devour the food. When Fred showed up, the bowls were all occupied. He surveyed the line of cats before sitting down and fixing his green eyes on Grady as if he might be to blame for this fiasco.

  “Stay here.” Sapphire slowly rose to her feet. “I’ll bring out another bowl for Fred.”

  “Good idea. He’s giving me the stink eye.”

  As she backed away carefully, Fred stood, arched his back and hissed. Then he retreated a few feet while the other cats continued to munch.

  “She’s going to get you food, bozo,” Grady said. “Show some appreciation.”

  Fred sat down again and glared at him, but the gray cat looked up at the sound of Grady’s voice.

  Blinking, he studied Grady with eyes as blue as a midday sky. Then he went back to eating the last few nuggets in the bowl. Athena had taken the spot next to him and she still had food. He sidled over as if to grab some but she gave a warning growl and he retreated.

  After searching his bowl for any crumbs, he gave up and stared at Grady some more. Then he made a noise low in his throat that was neither meow nor purr. Must have been a greeting of some kind, because he walked around the bowl and came over to rub against Grady’s thigh.

  “Hey, there.” Grady gently scratched behind the cat’s ears and was rewarded with a soft purr. “You’re no feral, are you, buddy? You’re somebody’s pet.” He noticed burrs and matted hair in what was otherwise a luxurious-looking coat. “Or were somebody’s pet a while ago. What happened?”

  In response, the cat tried to crawl into his lap. But Grady was kneeling, which meant the lap situation was never going to work out. Instead he scooped the cat into his arms. In midmotion he realized it could be a very dumb move. He didn’t know this animal and he could decide to bite or scratch him.

  That didn’t happen. Purring even louder, the cat settled in and tucked his head under Grady’s chin. Although his appearance suggested he’d be heavy, he was extremely light. All that hair disguised the fact that he was skin and bones.

  “Wow, that’s amazing.”

  Sapphire’s murmured comment took Grady by surprise. He hadn’t heard her come back, probably because he’d been involved with his new friend and she’d been moving as quietly as possible to avoid disturbing the cats as they finished their meal. He gazed at her over the top of the gray cat’s head as he stroked its tangled fur. “What now?”

  She set down the bowl for Fred, who came over with more enthusiasm than he’d shown the last two times. “We have to find out if someone’s missing a cat. He obviously used to have a home.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t think he’s been there in a while. He’s pretty thin.”

  “And his coat’s a mess.”

  “But he’s friendly as all get-out.”

  She smiled. “I noticed.” She petted the butterscotch mama cat, who’d come over with her look-alike family. The others lounged in the grass, either grooming their coats or watching the interaction between Grady and the cat in his arms.

  Fred finished his meal and moved away from the dish, but instead of leaving, he sat down and stared at Grady.

  Sapphire watched the tuxedo cat. “That’s a switch. He’s never hung around after the meal before.”

  “Maybe he sees me loving up this one and thinks it looks like fun.”

  “I hope so. It would be great if I could hold him the way you’re holding our newcomer.” She sighed. “Not that I could take him home. My sister’s allergic.”

  “You both still live at home?”

  “No. By home I meant the little house we rent together. She’s a perfect housemate except for the fact that I can’t have a cat. She’s offered to take meds so I can adopt one but I don’t want to put her through that. Eventually, we’ll each get a place and until then I can work with the shelter and the ferals. It’s fine.”

  “How about having a barn cat?”

  “We’ve all talked about it. Naturally, we’d want one of our ferals, but we can’t split up the mamas and their kittens, which leaves Fred, and he’s so not ready. Ah, there he goes.” She stood. “Guess it’s time to figure out a plan for this new guy.”

  “What are the options?” Grady levered himself to his feet and felt little pinpricks on his chest as the cat dug his claws into his shirt and held on.

  “I should probably drive him over to th
e shelter. They can keep him for the night while we check around and see if anybody’s reported losing a cat that fits his description.”

  Sensible as that sounded, Grady didn’t want to do it. The cat seemed to have chosen him as a savior and he couldn’t picture handing this skinny creature over into someone else’s care, although the shelter staff was obviously capable.

  “You’re frowning. What’s the matter?”

  “I just... I want to keep him company until we find out what the story is.”

  “Oh.” Her expression grew soft. “That’s sweet.”

  “And impractical. I don’t want to haul him over to Ben and Molly’s. It’s an imposition. We don’t know anything about this cat, and besides, they have a dog who may or may not react well to cats.”

  “I agree you can’t take him there.” She gathered up the bowls. “Bring him into the barn and we’ll figure something out.”

  “Hey, here’s an idea. We probably shouldn’t give him the run of the place, but I could make up a bedroll and stay with him in the office tonight.” That plan screwed up his hope of having dinner with Sapphire, but he couldn’t abandon this animal that had latched on to him, literally.

  Cradling the gray tom, Grady followed Sapphire into the barn. Along the way he found himself talking to the cat and assuring him everything was going to be fine. It would be if Grady had anything to say about it. The members of the feral colony seemed satisfied with their life in the woods. But Gandalf wasn’t suited for that.

  Grady had named him without realizing it. Of course, someone had already given this cat a name but that person wasn’t here to supply the info, so might as well come up with a new identity. Years ago Grady had seen The Lord of the Rings and he’d been fascinated with Gandalf the Grey. Gandalf’s wand had seemed a little like a welding torch. Point it in a certain direction and stuff happened.

  Sapphire led the way into the kitchen and dumped the bowls in the sink. “First I should check him for fleas.”

  “Gandalf doesn’t have fleas.”

  Her azure eyes sparkled with amusement. “How do you know his name?”

  “I don’t, but we can’t keep calling him the gray cat. I’ve decided his name is Gandalf.”

  “It’s a good name. I watched those movies, too. But naming him Gandalf doesn’t magically rid him of fleas or ear mites.” She turned on the overhead light. “Hang on to him while I have a look.”

  Grady was treated to the sensual pleasure of holding a warm, purring cat while listening to Sapphire’s sexy voice as she examined Gandalf for fleas. The combination had a predictable effect but he pushed those thoughts aside. The cat’s welfare came first.

  “We’re in luck,” she said. “He doesn’t have fleas or ear mites. Did you happen to see if he’d been neutered?”

  “Nope, didn’t notice.”

  “Then shift him around so I can peek under his tail.”

  “Does it matter? It’s not like we’re going to arrange a hot date for him.”

  “It matters. If he’s an unneutered male, he could decide to mark his territory and that smell is nasty. Just move your arm so I can check. Oh, good. Nothing’s there.”

  Grady leaned down and put his mouth next to the cat’s ear. “Don’t be offended, buddy. I’m sure you had a nice pair while they lasted.”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Sapphire rolled her eyes.

  “Never mind. It’s a guy thing.”

  “I’m sure it is, but Gandalf’s better off without his equipment. It would only have gotten him into trouble.”

  “That much I agree with.”

  Her laughter rippled through him, setting off little explosions of joy along the way. He wanted to spend more time laughing with her and less time discussing whether they should get it on. If she’d just loosen up and let things happen, she’d discover how nicely everything would work out.

  Scratching behind Gandalf’s ears, he turned to her. “Now that he’s passed inspection, can I keep him with me tonight if I bed down in the barn?”

  “That’s one option.”

  “I’d rather do that than take him to the shelter. I’m sure they’re great, but he’s been separated from the people he counted on. He’s pinned his hopes on me and I don’t want to let him down.”

  “There’s another option. I could take him home with me.”

  “What about your sister’s allergies?”

  “It should be okay if I confine him to my bathroom and scrub it down after he leaves. Now that I know he doesn’t have any parasites and he’s neutered, I’m willing to give it a shot.”

  Grady didn’t have to think twice about it. “That’s a generous offer, but I’d still rather keep him with me here in the barn. I have a couple of blankets in the truck. Gandalf and I will make out just fine.”

  “But there’s no people food here except maybe a leftover sandwich in the fridge from someone’s lunch.”

  “I have a phone and I know how to use it. I’ll order pizza.”

  She smiled. “What a coincidence. I’m ordering pizza tonight, too.”

  “From Geppetto’s?”

  “Is there any other place?”

  “Not in my opinion. I found out last time I was here that they’re still in operation. During my Thunder Mountain days we’d all get together in one of the cabins after Rosie and Herb had gone to bed and order up food. Pizza, calzones, bread sticks and enough soda to float a battleship.”

  “My sister and I used to do that, too, especially if we’d organized a slumber party. We’d meet the delivery guy in the driveway so he wouldn’t ring the doorbell.”

  “We didn’t have to worry about that. We’d just direct him to come around by the back road. I wonder if Rosie and Herb knew all about it.”

  “I can’t speak for them, but my folks certainly did. They told us later that they’d lie in bed laughing at the lengths we went to, as if they’d be upset because we ordered pizza. But doing it in stealth mode is part of the fun.”

  “I know. If I’d kept this pizza plan to myself, it could have been Gandalf’s and my stealth pizza move.”

  “But since you didn’t...” She paused as if weighing what she was about to say. “Want to share a pizza?”

  “You want to stick around and eat pizza with Gandalf and me?” Okay, she had to trust him at least a little if she was willing to hang out alone with him at the barn for a while. He looked down at the cat in his arms. “What do you say, Gandalf?” He rubbed the cat under the chin. “Shall we invite the lady to a gourmet pizza dinner in the barn?”

  Gandalf’s purr ramped up a notch.

  “I think that’s a definite yes.” He glanced at her. “What do you like on your pizza?”

  Her eyes shone as if ordering a pizza was a really big deal. “Everything.”

  Maybe it was a big deal. If so, he was glad he’d brought it up. “Great. Me, too. You’ll have to order it, though. Gandalf’s sticking to me like Velcro.”

  “Okay.” She picked up her phone from where she’d left it on the counter. “But unless you really want to sleep on a bedroll in the office tonight, I think we should have the pizza delivered to my house.”

  “Your...” He stared at her. “Are you sure?”

  “Very sure.” Reaching out, she stroked the cat and let her hand rest on his arm as she met his gaze. “Come home with me, Grady.”

  Somehow he got the words out. “I’d like that.”

  5

  AFTER A DAY spent debating whether to risk a brief fling with Grady, Sapphire had rounded the side of the barn to find him cradling a stray cat. He couldn’t have chosen a more seductive move. Ironically, the presence of the cat had kept her from throwing herself into his arms and begging him to take her right there in the grass.

  So she’d had to table her lust until they’d decided what to do. Grady’s protective behavior toward the cat complicated things, but once she’d decided Gandalf could stay in her bathroom, she’d hatched her plan. She’d had no trouble convincing Grad
y to cooperate, but he’d vetoed the cat carrier.

  Consequently, they’d had to leave his truck at the Art Barn so he could hold Gandalf while she drove. The August evening was cool enough that they could leave the windows up and not have to bother with air-conditioning, but she hadn’t anticipated that sharing a confined space with Grady would be such an erotic experience. Breathing in all that masculinity turned her into a juicy woman with sex on the brain. She could now testify that pheromones existed.

  She was in charge of this operation, though, which meant figuring out how to make Gandalf comfortable once they arrived at her house. Only then would she be able to satisfy her craving for the man holding the cat. She had a decorative basket at home and a plush throw that would make a soft bed. An old plastic storage tote would work as a temporary litter box. To increase the odds that Gandalf would stay in the bathroom without crying, she’d give him some tuna.

  When they’d started this journey, the cat had clung to Grady and mewled, but Grady’s murmured words and gentle stroking eventually worked. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but the soothing sound of his voice finally convinced Gandalf it was safe to unhook himself from Grady’s shirt and curl up in his lap.

  Probably a good thing on many levels. She’d been way too focused on Grady’s lap ever since they’d left the Art Barn. Now it was blocked from view by a fluffy gray cat. But Gandalf had made little holes in Grady’s shirt and probably in his skin, too, although he’d never once complained.

  She didn’t want to let that go untended. “You probably have some puncture wounds.”

  “It’s okay. He didn’t mean to.”

  “Of course not. But once we get him settled, you’ll need to wash any scratches with soap and water. Then I’ll give you some tea tree oil to put on them so they won’t get infected.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Nah. It smells funny.”

  “I’ve always kind of liked it.”

  “Oh, well, then.” He chuckled. “Give me a gallon of the stuff.”

  “In moderation.”

  “How about you rub it on me so I get just the right amount?”

  “How about we drop the subject before I run into a tree?”