Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2) (20 page)

Before it was time to leave, Brenna let Chloe have Lauren and a few friends over for a farewell party. She made it clear to Chloe that it wasn’t really farewell forever, since they’d return to visit with Lacy and Lauren sometime in the future.

Nora took Jase to get Brenna’s car from the townhouse parking lot. He brought it back to his ranch, not minding driving that hot rod again. Shortly after returning to his ranch, he hooked up his horse trailer and loaded the horse he planned on donating to the therapeutic riding school. From there he’d venture on into New Mexico where he planned on buying three horses. A palomino for himself, and two to sell to the highest bidder on the way home at an auction in Silver Springs, New Mexico.

A final walk through and he stopped at Warrior’s stall. “We’ve been through some hard times, boy.” Jase had a half notion to take him along but didn’t want the hassle of loading him. A good partner in so many ways until the trailer door opened. He was as bad as getting a race horse into the starting gates. Jase patted his neck one more time before closing up the barn. He hopped into his pickup and hit the road.

His original plan was to leave on Wednesday, but he chose to leave a day early to hit that extra auction on the way home. Not to mention the owner of the riding center had invited him for dinner tonight. Laughing to himself, he didn’t much turn down a dinner invitation. Kathy was a nice looking brunette, too, but this was all business.

Before he got to the highway, a text came in from Brenna, confirming she had landed and was on her way to Iowa City.

Picturing her attractive face and petite body caused a rousing inside. Especially when he remembered the last thing she said to him at the airport. The woman excited him and that didn’t help his plight. He removed a CD from his case and shoved it in the slot.

***

Almost two hours later he drove through Tucson toward the ranch. From there he’d shoot over to Las Cruces. “Where the hell’s my turn?” Finally rolling into the riding school ranch, he lowered the volume and pulled up to the corral. The owner, Kathy, met him when he opened the rear trailer door.

“Jase Carlson, you devil, you made it right on time. Dinner’s nearly finished.” She hugged him, tighter and closer than a casual hug.

He brushed her hand off his arm and moved away from her. “Hey, how’s it going?” Jase swung the door open, forcing her to move back. He stood near the trailer entrance and glanced toward the corral gate.

Kathy came back over and stood in front of him, and took another step into his space. “You need to come by more often.” She slid her hand up and down his back, easing four fingers inside his waistband before he moved away from her clutches.

He went inside and unhooked the horse. She followed and cornered him. He leaned away from her.
Whoa, what the hell’s this about?
He straightened his back, his brow furrowed. She placed her hands on his chest, lowering them to his abdomen, and hooked her thumbs over his waistband.

“What are you doing, Kathy?” He tried to keep his voice stern. Jase wasn’t used to pushy women. This one caught him defenseless. Trapped. He took her arms and pushed her away at least a steps distance, lowering his gaze to her pouty lips.
Damn, I’m not a piece of meat, woman.

With one finger running down his chest, she said, “I thought you were interested when you were here before.”

“You’re mistaken. My interest was donating a horse.” She moved closer and he took a step back, pulling the horse near. A school boy would’ve shown more spirit. “Let me get this horse out. She’s getting antsy. She’ll be stomping on your foot before long.” He led the mare out the door and into the corral, Kathy following close behind. The horse ran the length of the corral. “Look, she already likes it here.”

“Maybe you’ll come and teach me how to work with her.” She glided her hand around his waist and lowered her fingers to his ass.

Jeez o’Pete!
What the hell was up with this one? “Kathy, I don’t know what you’re up to but I suggest we stick to business.”

“Come on, Jason, I know your wife’s been gone a
long
time. A man like you must be pretty lonely by now.”

“My name’s
not
Jason.” Jase faced her. “You’re wasting your time. You don’t even know me. I’m not lonely.” He removed his hat and wiped sweat from his forehead. “How do you know about my ex-wife?”

“Your divorce was in the paper under Marriages and Divorces.” She kicked dust off her boot. “It’s public record, you know.”

Why the hell did she bother to look anyway? Looking for her next victim? He nodded to the horse as she trotted away. Jase attempted to change the subject. “I’d give her some time before putting anyone on her. Let her get acclimated to you, the place, and the other horses.”

She wrapped her fingers around his bicep. “Oh, now stop playing hard to get.”

“You don’t get it,” he said, grasping her wrist and removing her hand from his arm. “I’m in a relationship.” Hell, he didn’t know if that was true. A bunch of kisses—hot kisses—didn’t mean a relationship. Who was he fooling?

Kathy folded her arms across her chest. “Humph. I’d say she’s one lucky woman.”

“She is.” He had to take a deep breath after that fiasco. A good-looking woman like her shouldn’t be that desperate.

“I’m sorry if I had the wrong idea, but you keep me in mind the next time you become…lonely.” Kathy strutted to the fence, her jeans so tight they… Shit, he didn’t have time for this. The horse came up to her and nuzzled her nose into her hand. “Dinner’s still on”

“Hey, this one likes molasses cookies. My mom makes her own for the horses.” He leaned his arm atop the wooden rail. “About dinner. No strings attached?”

“We’ll see.”

He took hold of her arm when she tried turning away and pierced her with a stare. “Listen. I’m serious.”

Kathy peered at his hand on her arm. “Oh, I like a bossy man.” She jerked her arm free and frowned. “Okay, have it your way. I might have ya help with the dishes.”

An elderly woman stepped out on the steps and announced dinner was ready.

“We can’t keep Mrs. Ramsey waiting too long. She doesn’t like it when her food gets cold before it gets eaten.”

“I don’t mind doing dishes, or eating hot food. First I need to get my trailer door closed and do a quick tire check.”
Crimminy, the woman surprised the hell outta me.
His brother’s warning was spot on. Maybe it’d be better if he climbed in big red and hit the road. His growling stomach reminded him it’d been hours since lunch. He was a grown man and by age of thirty-five, he better know how to handle a horny woman.

When he thought she had headed to the house he was mistaken. She remained at the trailer door when he checked the last tire.
Yep, it’d be a wise move to get in and drive off.

“You going right back home?”

“Nope, two auctions lined up. Will you need help getting that horse into the barn?”

“I can handle her.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m good at handling things. Come on, let’s go inside for dinner. Maybe you’ll stop back on your way home.”

Not a chance
. He followed her inside. At least they weren’t alone. Even though Mrs. Ramsey didn’t join them for dinner, he knew she was close-by. Why’d he have to help with dishes if she had a cook?

***

That evening after dinner, he left Kathy’s and spent the night in a rest area. The next day he pulled up at the first auction site in La Cruces, and found a good place to park. He got out, registered, and walked around. Reading over his print-out he continued on until he stood at the stall with the palomino mare.

He nodded to another auction-goer, but kept his thoughts to himself. This horse was sensational. She looked exactly like her picture—some didn’t and it was always iffy. She moseyed over and stuck her nose into his hand. Jase reached into his pocket and brought out a cookie. “Atta girl.”

He smoothed his hand over her golden neck and peered into her eyes. “You’re the one,” he said with a low voice when the other man walked away. Giving her a pat on the head, he moved on, searching out the other two he planned on bidding on.

He wandered around killing time talking to other ranchers. Finally, hours later, he won the bids and sauntered away with the two horses he wanted. Later, he drifted back into the bidding area. From what he observed from others, he wasn’t the only one interested in the palomino. This fight looked to be a good one.

His pulse already raced. Two men walked the palomino in. Jase had to get his head in the game. Of all times his phone rang. “Hey, sweetheart, how you doing?” He listened with one ear focused on the auctioneer. “I’m in the middle of an important bid. I want this horse bad, girl.”

“I’ll call you back. You sound so excited.”

“Excited is putting it mildly, doll. No, stay on the phone. Be a part of this with me. Can you?”

“Yes, I’m thrilled.”

“All right!” Jase nodded to the auctioneer once, nodded again after another bid. Listening closely, he bid again. “It’s great to talk to you, Brenna. Glad you called.” He wiped sweat off his face with his sleeve.

“I want this to be over so I can get back to Canyon Junction and start a life. Sis isn’t taking it well.”

“It seems more like a week. Not only a couple days, huh? Miss you.”
Damn, pay attention and stop getting schmaltzy.
“Sorry about your sister though.” Jase listened to two other bidders’ hash it out amongst themselves, and when the amount was almost settled and the auctioneer was ready to call it done, another bid came in. He let that go until the last couple seconds. Jase nodded. “One sec, Brenna.”

No other bids. His was the highest and no one went against him.
Hot dog!
“I’m sorry for the interruption, but I just got the horse I wanted. You’re my lucky girl.”

“I’m so happy for you. Congratulations!”

“And guess what, pretty lady? You get to name her, but you have to see her first.” No idea where he got an idea such as her naming his horse. Maybe a cop-out. Naming horses wasn’t really his thing, other than his Warrior.

Brenna squealed. “I’m honored. No one ever asked me to name a horse. Or anything. Thank you for this opportunity. Can I ride her, too?”

“Yeah, darlin’. I hear this one has potential for a perfect ride. I’ll send you a picture when I get her settled, but wait until you see her in person. I hope you’re better at naming horses than cars.”

“So thrilling. Maybe I can accompany you to an auction sometime.”

Wait. What? Uh uh.
No one ever went with him except his son, twice. And look where that got him. A mustang. He preferred to be on his own at auctions, other than maybe his brothers. A lot of thought had to go into her idea. “It makes a very long day, but I’ll take it into consideration.” He paused. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me, too. I’m looking forward to Friday. If I go with you, we’ll get a hotel though, right? I mean…never mind.”

Jase had to laugh to himself. “My horse trailer is self-sufficient. Hey, I have to go pay for my horses.” Adrenalin still pumped through his veins over the purchase of three new horses, even if only one made it to his barn. Hopefully, he didn’t have to haul more than one home. “Can I call you tonight?”

“Sure. Where are you?”

“New Mexico. Leaving soon and stopping for the night. Tomorrow’s another auction in Silver City to unload the other two horses. Heading home afterward. Lots of running around, but I love it.” He traveled through a beautiful state and wanted to enjoy the trip back without hurrying.

“Wonderful for you. Again, congratulations on getting what you wanted. Be safe.”

“Brenna…” Even her voice on the phone set his mind into a spin. “Thanks for calling.” He glanced around the parking area—pickup trucks, horse trailers of every size. Cowboys, and cow gals, too.

“It’s okay. I’m so happy you shared the bidding moment with me. I look forward to your call tonight. Oh, Friday is still open for picking us up, right?”

Still distrusting. He couldn’t blame her, he guessed. “Hey, I said I’d be there. If I said it, believe it.”

“I’m sorry. I’m a little tense right now.”

“Anything I can do?” he asked.

“You already did by answering your phone.”

That sent a warm rush over his body. How could words over a phone do that? “Getting all soft on me?”

“It sounds like it. Now, go buy those horses.”

“Oh, I already bought them, doll, now I have to pay for them. Talk to you later.”

“Later, darlin’.”

Jase picked up on her snicker before she hung up, betting she’d never said that word before—darlin’. He trotted over to the office, paid for his new horses, and got their papers.

After trailering the first two, he headed over to get his prize horse. Taking his time going back to the trailer with the palomino, he talked and patted her neck all the way. It was time to start a friendship with her now. She got a little antsy right away at seeing the trailer, coming to a halt and bobbing her head erratically. Rearing up the way she did made him smile. He liked her spunk. “Come on, girl, don’t go giving us both a hard time ‘cause I’m gonna win.”

That’s when she reared up, giving one more rebellious whinny, meaning business this time. Jase let the rope out until she calmed down, glad he parked on the edge of the property with open desert beside his truck. She bucked a ways out and stopped, turned to look at him, bobbing her head. Her ears lowered and she gave a couple grunts, her eyes on him the whole time. She was a feisty one.

He tugged slightly on the rope and she came toward him, again nuzzling her nose into his hand. “One more cookie for you.” He patted her neck and had the urge to get on her back and ride, but she needed a little training first. “What a beauty you are, and believe it or not, I like your rebellion.” He loved this horse already. “Let’s head home.”

She walked into the trailer, grunted at the other horses and eased into the spot he gave her. “Good girl.” After securing all of them in, he added hay to the hay net and gave them water. He’d let them out in Silver City a couple hours away where he’d spend the night. Jase headed toward the door. Once outside he emptied his pockets of cookie crumbs.