His Heart to Have (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) (10 page)

All she would have had to do was face him and she could have had him the way she’d been dreaming of.  One quick turn of her feet and she could have went to him, offering him what she’d given him and only him.    But she didn’t turn back; instead, separated from him, her body burning with need.  She’d opened the window to cool the sweltering temperature her body had risen to.

He couldn’t deny something was developing between them after last night.  Time was all they needed; time to figure out just what this something was.  Except she already knew- it was love and giving into its exquisite sweetness. Last night she’d sensed an awakening in him, a revelation to the changing of their relationship.

Would three months be enough to bring him to her? They had ten more weeks to figure this out and get it right. Whatever happened, their friendship would survive. For the first time in two weeks, she solidly believed that, even if her heart came out broken.

Sitting up, she unwrapped herself from the warm comfort of the quilt. Her arms stretched and back arched, freeing her muscles from their state of slumber. Feeling more limber, she stood up out of bed. As much as she would love to lay in bed and revel in this newfound state of relative contentment, there was work to be done. She still had to go to the main lodge to do some work and hand out directions to the staff remaining behind from the wedding. There was also a nature walk she was taking a few guests on this morning.

In the kitchen, she started a pot of coffee then went to the bathroom for a shower.  On her way back to the kitchen, she stumbled over a pair of Jase’s jeans. She’d made it a habit the last few days to pick up his clothes before she left in the morning.  He might be a genius when it came to horses, but beyond basic cooking, he was hopeless in matters of housekeeping.

Lexie was already waiting in the office when Allie arrived.  The poor girl looked apprehensive; as though she was sure this was the butt of some joke.  Allie couldn’t quite believe it either, but instinct told her this was the right decision.  After Lexie had approached her to apologize and confided her situation, Allie had talked with her parents. Despite what had happened with Jase, Allie’s compassionate side had taken over.

Her mom had suggested they promote Lexie to Allie’s assistant, filling in the position Missy was vacating. It was more money and responsibility, but after an informal interview, her parents gave Lexie the position.  After opening their gift to her and Jase last night, she understood why they were so eager to promote her.  Sending her away for a full week during peak season would require extra efforts on everyone’s part.

She hated to admit it, but in the last few days she’d spent with Lexie, she was beginning to like her. Gone were the skintight pants and revealing shirts, replaced by sensible dress more appropriate for the position. It was as though Lexie just needed someone to believe in her- a sentiment Allie understood all too well.  How often had she wished her parents believed in her enough to take her seriously?  Lexie’s transformation had been so abrupt she’d came to the conclusion the old Lexie was a mask to hide the pain she’d experienced recently in her life.

There were still awkward moments, like the first day they worked together and Jase came in search of her to share lunch together.  Lexie had flushed with genuine embarrassment and quickly excused herself.   Jase wasn’t as forgiving.  He groaned when she’d informed him of Missy’s replacement and was more than happy to keep his distance from Allie’s new assistant.

“Are you ready for your big evening alone?” Allie asked her.

Nervousness flashed across her face, quickly replaced with a smile. “It’s going to be fine. This morning I reread all the notes you’ve given me. I’ve already gone out to the stables to confirm today’s rides. The weather for this evening’s overnight campout has a clear outlook. Shorty and Jacobs will be leading it and Cook is sending Brock Miller for the chuck wagon.”

“Hmm, Brock is fairly new to us and hasn’t gone on one of our overnight camping trips. Our guests want the cowboy experience on these camping trips; especially when it comes to the grub. Brock is very talented, but I think he may try to fancy up the food too much. I wonder if Rhett Reagan wouldn’t be a better choice,” she vocalized.

“Cook said you would say that.” Lexie squinted her eye and pointed a shaking finger, doing her best impression of Cook in one of his moods. “He said ‘
you tell Allie, Cook knows what he is doing and if he says Brock is going then Brock is going.’
And then he said to remind you that Rhett will be at the wedding.”

Laughter bubbled up in her at Lexie’s impersonation. “You’re a mess, Lexie. I can just picture Cook having one of his conniptions. But I have to hand it to you, I’m impressed. You’ve accomplished a lot already this morning.”

“Just doing my job,” Lexie replied.

“Let’s go over the last of these things.  I’ll be here with you for most of this morning, but I have to leave by noon for wedding preparations.”  Allie sat down at her desk, pulling up a schedule on the computer.  Two parties would be arriving today, with a note that one would be after the normal check in time.

“The Hodgson are an elderly couple that have been coming here every year for as long as I can remember. Mrs. Hodgson is a sweetheart of a lady, but don’t eat any candy she gives you. She always has hard candy with her; take a piece if you wish to not offend her, but I’ll warn you that eating it will probably cost you a trip to the dentist with a cracked tooth,” she explained. “I think she’s had the same batch of candy since the seventies.”

“Duly noted,” Lexie answered.

“They won’t cause you any trouble, but they do like to talk. If you get a chance, spend some time with them. Mr. Hodgson is a World War II vet and absolutely fascinating. He joined the army at sixteen, lying about his age and can tell you inspiring and entertaining stories. Even at their age, they usually participate in an overnight camping trip and many a cowboy has leaned valuable lessons around the campfire from their stories.”

“That would be an honor.”

“The second party, who will be arriving late, is the Olson family. They are a young couple with a four year old boy and three year old girl. This is their first time staying with us; please make sure we make their trip as pleasant as possible. Don’t forget to inform them of the children’s activities available, as outlined in their welcome packets.”

“I won’t. Will they be staying at the lodge or in a cabin?” asked Lexie.

“The Shoshone Cabin. It’s all set up, but if you could just double check before their arrival.”

Lexie scribbled a note on the folder she was carrying. “Is there anything else I should know?” she inquired.

“That’s all for now. If anything comes up, I’ll have my cell phone on me until the wedding starts.” She left the office to start her morning rounds of the daily checklist. At nine o’clock she met a few guests out front for the nature walk. This was one of her favorite parts of her job, because it got her outside and interacting with the guests, passing on her knowledge. Before she knew it, noon came around and it was time to leave.

Leaving a final page of notes for Lexie, she went out to the arena.  Jase caught her eye and came up to her, pulling his gloves off as he walked. Sweat glistened from his forehead and he seamlessly wiped it with the back of a hand.

“I’m about to leave for town,” she told him. “Lanie and I are riding together, and your parents are bringing Cody closer to the wedding time. You’re still bringing me home though, right?”

“My wife won’t leave a wedding with anyone but her husband.” Allie’s skin tingled, enjoying the possessiveness she heard in his voice before it turned to a lighter note. “This is one time, of many, that I’m glad to be a guy. All I have to do is show up an hour before and remember the rings.”

Allie rubbed her empty left ring finger. If anyone noticed the lack of a band, they hadn’t said anything. “You better not forget them. Missy will have your hide.”

“Actually, Missy will give them to me once we’re there. She said she wasn’t leaving it up to me.”

“Smart girl,” Allie joked. “I better run. After last night, Missy really will kill me if I’m late today.”

“See you in a few hours,” Jase said, replacing his gloves then going back to Lightning.

She’d half expected an awkward encounter with him after last night and how close they’d come to changing the plan, but he acted as though nothing had happened.  Just when she had hope, doubts were cast.   This rollercoaster couldn’t last forever and, right now, she wanted back on solid ground.

Enough of those thoughts for now.  Today was Missy’s day.  She made it in record time to the cabin; gathering her dress, shoe and jewelry for the wedding.  Lanie pulled up to the cabin just as she was walking out.

“Ready for some pampering?” Lanie greeted her when she jumped in the passenger seat.

“You bet.  Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had my nails done?  It’s pointless just to mess them up working around here.” 

“I’m excited for the pedicure.  Imagine just sitting back and relaxing while our feet soak, without a care in the world,” Lanie expressed dreamily. “Sounds just like Heaven.”

Allie knew Lanie could well afford the regular pampering and the cost wasn’t the issue; her ex-husband was of a mind frame that throwing money at her would make up for the lack of interest in his son. The issue was time.  Like everyone else at Whispering Winds, she worked long days in addition to being a single mom- a very devoted one at that

“Just spending time with the girls sounds like a dream to me.  I’m spending too much time with your brother.”  It wasn’t that she didn’t savor those moments with Jase, but she needed a little distance to clear her head from the sensual fog that came over her at his every touch.

“I never did like being around him for too long myself,” Lanie joked.

“I think that was a shared sentiment when you were children. You two argued like cats and dogs, but I was always jealous anyway.”

“Why were you jealous?” asked Lanie incredulously.

“Because I never had a sibling. I always wanted one, but it never happened.”

“And to think I was jealous of you because you were so close to Missy and Jase.  I always felt like the outsider because I was older,” Lanie confessed.

“Strange how we think as kids,” Allie commented. “Although, it all worked out in the end. I’m glad we’re all friends now.”

“And you finally have a sister.”

Allie hadn’t fully thought of that.  Lanie had become a good friend, but now she was a sister through marriage.  Would that friendship also be affected when she and Jase ended the marriage?  She didn’t want to think about that, realizing more and more what a bad idea this had been.

Lanie pulled into the parking lot of Marie Styles, a multi-service salon.    Allie recognized the two middle-aged ladies sitting in the waiting area as Missy’s sisters-in-law, each married to one of Missy’s brothers.  They would be the other two bridesmaids to stand with Missy, despite their objections they felt they didn’t belong since they hadn’t been involved in her life.

“Where’s Missy?” Allie asked Beth; the larger sister-in-law who was married to Daniel Raver.

“She’ll be here in a few minutes,” Beth answered softly.

“Such a quaint salon,” Twila remarked. 

Allie wanted to wipe the condescending smirk off her face.  Twila was married to Chad, the Wall Street wiz and was also a Manhattan socialite.  From what Missy had told her, Twila came from old money and made no effort to disguise it.   Always trying to see the best in people, Missy had made every effort to have a relationship with the woman, but with little success.  Just getting her here and participating in the wedding was a major feat.

“Marie is very talented and worked with many Hollywood stars before moving here.” Allie couldn’t help herself; Marie would never boast about her former life to anyone but she couldn’t abide anyone looking down their nose at a woman who was extremely talented and had a heart of pure gold.

“I’m sure she is, dear,” Twila replied, skepticism lacing her tone.

The bells hanging above the front door entrance jingled, and Missy walked in. “It’s my wedding day!” she squealed, giving everyone a hug in her enthusiasm. A twinge of longing struck Allie, even though she was happy for her friend.

Marie escorted everyone to pre-determined booths, the younger women having their nails done first while Marie went to work on Twila and Beth’s hair.

“Go ahead and pick out your favorite shade,” Regina, the manicurist told them.

“I don’t want to be a bridezilla, but will everyone please pick a shade of dark red to match your dresses,” Missy pleaded.

“It’s your day. And, as your maid of honor, I’m obliged to follow yours wishes,” Allie told her.

“Don’t you mean matron of honor, Mrs. Callahan,” Missy teased.

“Whatever,” Allie muttered rolling her eyes. “Just because a drunken marriage in Vegas is legal doesn’t mean it’s real.” At least not for now, she added silently as an afterthought.

“Hold up; what did you say?” Lanie’s mouth gaped open.

“Oh no,” Allie exclaimed, realizing what she’d just said.

“Oh, this is going to be good,” laughed Missy with a Cheshire cat grin.

Allie shot her daggers while wondering how much she should tell Lanie. “Jase and I didn’t mean to get married.  It just kind of happened when we drank a bit too much in Vegas.”

Lanie’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.  Then why this big act?”

“It’s really dumb, now that I think about it, but I didn’t want my parents to just toss it out as another one of my acting on a whim things. If we pretended we meant to, it wouldn’t seem as bad,” Allie explained, feeling ridiculous just hearing the plan that sounded so good a few weeks ago.

Jase’s sister eyebrows crinkled, digesting what she’d just heard. “Why not get it annulled before anyone found out.”

“Because we, uh, consummated it.”

“Eww, gross. I should have known better than to ask. That’s an image I don’t need of my brother. But seriously, why not lie to the court and tell them you didn’t? You’ve already lied to your parents. A lie is a lie, no matter who it’s too.”