A Cowboy for the CEO

Chapter 26: Up All Night

Pete dropped his fork on the plate and leaned back. "If I wasn't still buzzed from all that wine earlier, I'd say this was the worst Saturday ever."

After looking at the empty spot next to Pete and then at the torrential downpour battering the nearest window, Ali sighed in agreement. Even though her friend was upset because he'd just found out the local karaoke bar had closed for the evening thanks to a washed-out road, she had her own reasons for sulking.

Not only was Wylda gone, but Ali was also stuck in the same place she'd been for most of the last two weeks instead of having dinner with Hank. Seeing another flash of lightning streak across the sky before hearing the accompanying clap of thunder reminded her that the irresistible cowboy had it even worse. He was most likely somewhere in the middle of the chaos, making sure that Pebble Creek's assets—human and property alike—were safe from the storm.

She hadn't seen him since Liz called him back to work, but a few of the other ranch hands had been running in and out over the last few hours, leaving trails of mud and water dripping from their gear. Paulette had brought in a box of battery-operated lanterns the administrative staff then distributed in case of an electrical outage, while a young man she still didn't know by name asked for a first-aid kit while holding his bleeding thumb. Ali wondered if she'd see Hank at all before tomorrow, and she happily jumped at Harriet's request to take Marv on a potty run to increase her chances.

Her effort was futile. The rain was coming down in sheets, making visibility past a few feet almost impossible. The wind was also blowing the cold spray under the covered porch, and the little dog didn't appreciate being forced to do his business in such awful weather. Even after Ali had walked twice around the perimeter of the lodge with him, he refused to cooperate.

"Come on, Marv. I don't like being out here either, but I can't have you making a mess of the carpet inside," she pleaded while scratching him behind his little white ears. "Now, be a good boy and get on with it."

When he cowered behind her legs for a full five minutes, Ali knew it was time to give up. Grabbing a stack of classifieds from the lobby, she led the dog back to his owner. After setting up a thick layer of the paper in a corner of Harriet's bathroom, she returned to her own room.

The storm was relentless. Knocking out power at one point, it took the well's electrical pump with it. Without even running water, it left little for the guests to do in the dark. Early enough for most of them to still be up, many wandered out to the common areas with their emergency lanterns to keep each other company. In spite of Pete's valiant effort, Ali declined an invitation to a game of charades. There was only one person she wanted to socialize with, and he obviously wasn't going to make an appearance.

Sunday morning came and went, and although the lights were back on and the rain had subsided to a light drizzle, there was still no sign of Hank. With an hour still left until lunchtime, Ali was draped across her bed thumbing through an old fashion magazine when a knock broke the silence.

Running across the carpet in her socks, she opened the door to find a weary cowboy on the other side. With his chin against his chest and his eyes closed, he leaned against the frame and looked up only once she addressed him.

"Oh my god," Ali gasped. "Have you been up all night?" Under the damp hat and duster, he was still wearing yesterday's jeans and shirt.

"More or less." His voice was hoarse and weak from fatigue. "Can I come in?"

She clumsily stepped aside and gestured for him to enter. "Of course."

He didn't need an invitation to plop into an armchair, leaving a trail of muddy prints left behind on the cream carpet. Good luck to Liz steam-cleaning that out, Ali thought as she kneeled beside him.