The Heart Wont Lie

Chapter 5

This last week was long and hard. We received a new shipment of cattle. At the end of the month we have a cattle drive. I'm really not looking forward to. I normally love them, but this time there are so many cattle. It could get really dangerous, one tiny spook at night and our whole camp will be trampled. But I guess we will have to worry about that when the time comes.

Landon has been getting aggravated with us all. He's asked and offered several times all week to help us. I think he's been bored. He doesn't seem the type to willingly sit around all day. He even started helping my mother with house work and cooking. Turned out he's a pretty good cook!

He asked my mother to take a look at the stitches to see if they could possibly come out early. It's been a week and even though he's not a doctor, he seems to think he knows best.

I walked into the guest room as my mother was pulling back the bandages. I actually had to admit, the cut looked good. He must be a fast healer. She cleaned it and then examined his leg to see exactly how much pain he had left.

Either he was very good at hiding things or he had very little pain left in his leg. Personally I think it was the first of the two. I don't see how someone can take a bull horn to the leg and be completely fine in one week time. I didn't say a word though, if my mother thought he was well enough to put strain on his wound by working. Then I suppose I have no place to say anything.

"So how does it look doc?" Landon gave her one of his irresistible smiles. He could get away with murder if he flashed that perfect smile.

"It looks very well Landon. Better than I had expected it to, I must admit." She returned with a smile of her own.

"So what do you say? Ready for stitches to come out?" Landon was all but on his hands and knees begging her to take them out.

"I'm sorry Landon. I think the stitches should stay in the rest of the length I suggested." She gave him a sympathetic look. "Don't worry, that time will fly by faster than you know." She tried to reassure him, but I don't think it worked.

"Well at least can I work with the stitches in? I can't sit in this house another day. No offense, your house is beautiful and I feel more at home here than I have in all the places I've lived. But you have to understand....I work, that's what I do. I don't know any other way of spending my time. So when it comes to this stopping me from working I'm just about ready to chop my own leg off..." He rambled on....and wow was he dramatic!

My mother laughed harder than I've seen her do in a while. Well at least someone found humor in all this. "No offense taken." She smiled. "And well...I suppose if it's light work and you don't strain your leg to pop your stitches...." She paused for a dramatic effect. "I guess you may work." She laughed.

He shot out of bed and had his arms around her giving her the hug I've been wondering what felt like, for the past week. He pulled back to look at a surprised, yet happy Rose Morgan.

"Thank you so much!" He grinned.

"You're most welcome Landon..." She was still laughing and smiling, though I guess I would be too if I received a hug like that from Landon Parker. "I'll let Cooper and Charles know that you are able to work. I'm sure they will find something for you to do in no time."

"Thank you Rose." She just nodded and went to find my father and uncle.

He turned to me and smiled. I felt glued to the spot. How the hell does this guy have such a powerful hold over me? I just hope he can't tell how nervous he makes me feel.

"So I guess you can start working with us now." Ugh, of course he can. My mother just said so. I mentally scolded myself for sounding so stupid.

"I guess so." He chuckled. Man it was so great to see  him so happy. But if I didn't get out of this room and far away from him, I might just throw my arms around his neck and celebrate with him....but probably not in the way he would have expected.

"Well, I suppose I should get back to work myself. Congratulations on getting to work again." I needed to get away! Far away!!!

"Wait!" He said.

"Yes?" I turned in the place I was standing by the door.

He didn't say anything. He just waltzed up to me and stood mere inches from me. The height difference didn't seem to matter, as he suddenly wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and pulled me up in the air. I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. He starred into my eyes and then leaned in.

His lips were so soft. You wouldn't expect a cowboy to have such tender, gentle lips. The kiss was light and then when I realized what was happening. A surge came over me and I melted my mouth to his. The kiss suddenly became more passionate. My hands were running through his hair and my tongue was massaging his. He tasted and smelled so good, my head was literally spinning.

"Landon we....." Marshall said as he came to the door. We quickly pulled apart and shot away from each other as if we were to touch the other we would catch on fire. "What's going on here?" Marshall asked.

I didn't know what to say, I didn't know what was going on here myself much less explain what was happening. I opened my mouth but no words came out. Both men were starring at me. I looked from Marshall to Landon and then back to Marshall.

"I need to get back to work." Was all I said and then pushed past Marshall to make my way back outside to the work that was waiting for me.

I brought my fingers up and touched my lips, where Landons had just been minutes ago. They were a little swollen from the heavy kissing. 'What just happened in there?' I asked myself. But I had no answer. I will just have to talk to Landon later to find out.......