Sierra was usually the one who helped others. Who went out of her way to lift others’ burdens and show kindness in this cruel, unforgiving world. But just once, it felt like something good could possibly come out of helping another person.
“How are you this afternoon?” Beck asked, tipping his well-loved Stetson to her as he stopped ten feet from her, almost filling up the entire space in front of her porch just standing there by himself.
He was even being nice. Maybe that was a sign she should ask.
“I’m all right, thank you,” she replied cordially. His face was much more handsome when it wasn’t screwed up in that growly expression as well. And his eyes, when they weren’t glaring or glowering, were downright captivating to watch as he looked her over.
Beck took a step forward, and Sierra noted that she didn’t feel fear at his approach as she had with Ross. Only something pulling, something new and interesting she’d never felt before.
He took off his hat and looked to the side. “Can we talk?”
“Of course,” she replied, stepping onto the porch and motioning for him to sit in one of her chairs. He hesitated for a moment, then lowered himself slowly onto the chair, and it creaked and groaned.
For a second, she wondered if the old chair could even support the weight of his sheer bulk. But then he relaxed against it, seated a few feet from her now, looking so big in the rocker, and she got the sudden impression that Beck would be absolutely perfect for a certain job.
But did she dare ask him?
“What brings you out here?” she asked, taking her seat next to him.
Lasso sat between them, listening eagerly.
“I came to apologize for my behavior earlier, ma’am,” Beck said, sitting forward and clasping his hands in front of him. “I shouldn’t have said those things I said. At least not how I said them.”
With each passing second, Sierra was getting up the gumption to ask him. After all, he did owe her a favor. What wrong was there in asking?
Perhaps he even came to offer to help her after how their last exchange had gone.
Maybe her luck was finally picking up.
“I wanted to thank you again for saving my life, Sierra.”
Just the sound of her name on his lips sent a little thrill of something foreign down her fingers.
Then he looked at her squarely, expression calm, and she knew she was going to ask him as soon as he finished whatever was on his mind.
“I also came to tell you that I wasn’t being harsh back at Dragonclaw, but I did mean what I said at the end.”
“Mean what?” A sudden feeling of vertigo was starting to churn her insides. What was happening?
“You really are better off without me around. In good conscience, I can’t do that favor for you. I just had to let you know.” He was dead serious. “For what it’s worth, I’m real sorry.”
Sierra felt all her hopes start to fall as wetness bit at the corners of her eyes.
Sorry wasn’t the half of it. Unbeknownst to Beck, for one bright moment, he’d been her only chance of help.
And he’d only come back to turn her down for a second time before she could even ask.
The desperation and hopelessness of the situation hit her, and she turned away from him, hoping he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes.
She’d been stupid to think that even for a moment, this man could help her.
As usual, she would just have to do everything alone.
4
She was leaking. Why the hell was she leaking?
Beck felt far more nervous realizing he’d somehow hurt this gorgeous woman than he’d ever been while facing a basilisk.
Fighting? That was easy. It was practically all he was good for. But conversating? He’d never had much practice outside the ranch.
His only friend outside the Dragonclaw cowboys was TJ, a man he’d known a long time whom he sometimes went wandering with.
But TJ knew Beck wasn’t much for talk.
Beck’s heart thudded as Sierra turned away, attempting with little swipes at her eyes to hide her tears from him.
For some reason, the human was upset that Beck wasn’t going to be able to do her a favor. For some reason, she was disappointed.
What in tarnation would she want a brute like Beck on her land for? If she needed help, he’d be sure to get someone else for her. A pretty boy like Clancy was what this soft-spoken little thing should want.
Even if it was Beck who wanted his hands on her. Beck who wanted to grip her hips tightly and pull her close. Beck who—
“I’m sorry,” Sierra said with a little sniffle that broke him. “It’s fine. Not about you. Just one of those days.” She waved a hand, not facing him. “You’re free to leave.”
Then she stumbled toward the house, breaking into a jog as she fled from him.
She hadn’t wanted him to see her emotion. He didn’t exactly blame her.
But he still wasn’t certain why she was so upset when all he’d said was he shouldn’t be the one to help her.
What was it about him she needed?
Deep down, he could feel something unfamiliar taking root. A soft, warm feeling. Pride, he supposed, that someone like her would so instantly trust him.
Want him, even if only for a favor.
“Wait!” he called out, jogging to catch up to her as she paused and turned around. Her eyes were wide, confused.
“Yes?” She blinked, clearly still trying to hide her emotion from him.
“Why are you upset? Look, someone else at the ranch could help if you need somethin’.”
She tried to smile, but it only made her look more worried. “That’s all right. I’ll take care of myself.”
So she only wanted to ask him? Beck couldn’t help being flattered. He felt his neck heat and hoped it didn’t show with a blush.
“If you’re in trouble—”
“It’s fine,” she said tightly, folding her arms in a protective posture as if to keep herself from him as much as possible. “Seriously. You were the only person I would ask, and—”
“What is it?” Beck asked sharply, taking another step forward. Damn, she was small compared to him. Small, beautiful, curvy…
“I’m not asking now,” she said. “I couldn’t possibly. I respect that you don’t want to, and—”
“It ain’t that I don’t want to, lady. It’s just—”
“I get it,” she said faintly. “You should go, shouldn’t you? They’ll be expecting you down at the ranch.”
Beck cursed under his breath. He’d ruined everything well and good. If this lady needed help and now wasn’t going to get it because of Beck’s stubbornness, he wouldn’t forgive himself.
He might be a monster, but he wasn’t someone who could turn away from a damsel in distress.
Hell, he kind of liked the idea.
“Just tell me what you need,” he said sharply.
But she just shook her head, giving him a warmer smile that nonetheless still showed the stress around her beautiful blue eyes. “I swear I’ll be fine. Probably.” She flinched. “Anyway, I need to be going. Good-bye, Beck. Best of luck to you.”
And then she stepped inside, and the door swung shut.