Montana Wild (9 page)

Ben spoke first. “Wow! You sure clean up good.”

Rick whistled and Kevin smiled. Not used to all this attention she felt her cheeks grow warm.

“Stop. You guys aren’t used to seeing me squeaky clean.” Kevin’s eyes followed her every move as he inhaled deeply.

“Wow,” Ben repeated. “What smells so good?”

Jamie regretted the perfume now, she hadn’t wanted to be this noticeable.

“Okay, okay. Knock it off. You guys should try some soap and water yourselves sometimes.”

“C’mon, guys, leave her be.” Kevin must have sensed her discomfort.

“Okay, everyone in the truck.” Rick opened the passenger door in the front row for Jamie.

Kevin got in the driver’s seat, with Ben and Rick in the back. Kevin proceeded to make light conversation and Jamie gave a silent thanks that she was no longer the topic of conversation. However all three of them continued to inhale deeply through their nose.

Jeez! When’s the last time these guys smelled a woman’s perfume?

After a fifteen-minute ride to town, they pulled up to The Wild Boar which was as old as the town, but had been carefully maintained. Dark wood walls bore battle scars of many a brawl, with blackened carved initials and cowboy graffiti. A thirty-foot bar complete with backless bar stools and brass foot rest lined the far wall. To the left of the entrance, a small stage and checkered dance floor filled the corner. Small tables and chairs rounded out the center of the room with an overused juke box to the right.

Kenny, the owner, was the heart and soul of the place. His family had owned it for decades and it was the favorite place in town for all locals. There was a small kitchen in back that served the best bar burgers in town.

Being a weeknight, the crowd consisted basically of hands from the local ranches and a few townies. The bar didn’t get crowded until Friday and Saturday. On those nights, it was a real hot spot and a place for the hands to meet women.

Jamie followed the group as they joined some of the ranch hands already seated near the jukebox.

Ben leaned in toward Jamie. “Be forewarned, after these guys get drinking, they will be up on the dance floor and it ain’t a pretty sight.”

“They can’t be that bad.” Ben raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes.

“I’m just saying.” He held his hands up.

Kevin watched from his seat as Jamie danced with some of the hands. Watching her dance was a bit unsettling, but he shouldn’t be jealous. It wasn’t like any of the guys looked like they were flirting with Jamie; everyone was just having fun. Even more so, it wasn’t like he’d made any moves on her. That got him thinking. When he’d first caught sight of her tonight with her hair down and dressed in a girly top, she’d taken his breath away.

Rick nudged Kevin’s shoulder. “Let’s go up to the bar.”

Kevin followed him, and Rick ordered a couple of shots of scotch for both of them. They were watching Jamie dance with one of the hands who was stiff as Jamie told him to relax. The bartender poured the shots and they downed them in one swallow.

Rick spoke. “She’s something, that Jamie. You know that, right?”

Kevin was taken by surprise but Rick was always direct with him. “Yeah, I know that, Rick. Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m wondering what you’re waiting for. I haven’t seen you make any moves yet. Are you interested in her?” Rick paused. “Because if you are, time’s a wasting here. And if you’re not, why the hell not?” He looked at his friend square on.

“I know, I know. Jamie’s great. I don’t want to push her. She just broke it off with a guy.”

“Let me tell you something, my friend, life is short. I learned that the hard way. I was lucky. I found the love of a lifetime and not everyone does.” Rick raised his hand in a grasping motion. “When it comes, you’ve got to grab it and hold on for dear life because it can slip away. Don’t waste it. Don’t waste a minute of it.” He downed another shot and continued.

“And if you’re not interested, then tell those guys out there. Any one of them would love a chance with her, but none will approach her out of respect for you.”

Kevin didn’t say anything. He just looked at Jamie out on the dance floor.

Rick continued, “And don’t give me that crap that she’s not ready for a relationship. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. Her eyes light up when you come into sight. Her mind might not be ready but her heart is. She’s ready for someone who will treat her right and last time I looked, you were one of the most honorable men I know.” Rick paused. “But don’t go starting something if you’re not serious about her either. She’s not just another one of your flings. After what Jamie did for me and Tommy, I intend to look out for her. You’re my bud, Kev, but I have to look out for her, too.”

Kevin soaked in everything Rick said.
What am I waiting for?
He had feelings for Jamie, no doubt about that.
But I don’t want to hurt her like I hurt Vanessa. I won’t do that to anyone again. But what if it’s for real this time? It already feels different.

He had known her by phone less than two months, in person less than two weeks. He didn’t want to rush things, but again, if he waited too long, she would be back in New York. Then what? It certainly wouldn’t be any easier trying to get to know her better across the miles.

Kevin ordered a double shot of scotch and sat without saying a word. He watched Jamie dancing as the song came to an end. The bartender delivered the scotch and Kevin downed it in one gulp. He stood up, looked at Rick, and walked over to Jamie just as the next song started.

Jamie had just finished a dance as Kevin suddenly appeared in front of her with a look in his eyes she couldn’t describe.

“Let me show you guys how this is done.” Making prolonged eye contact, he drew her into his arms as the song started and began to twirl her around the dance floor. Caught off-guard, Jamie felt defenseless in his strong arms. There was no sense of doubt or uncertainty in how he held her. His left hand covered her right while his right arm circled her waist, pulling her close. This was not his first rodeo, he definitely knew his way around a dance floor. As the words of the song played in her head she looked up to meet his gaze and felt shy as his eyes didn’t release hers. Dancing in unison their bodies molded together and he led her adeptly around the floor. Succumbing to his closeness, she inhaled the combination of scotch, aftershave, and masculinity and almost went limp in his arms. Her face brushed the day’s end shadow on his chin, igniting a spark of desire deep in her torso. Closing her eyes, her nerve endings registered each point of contact as he held her, overloading her senses. He surprised her with a couple of advanced twirls and dips but she matched him step for step as they began to laugh at the spontaneous competition between the two of them. She held on tight for the finale and by the time the song ended, they were both out of breath.

The music stopped but he did not release her. Did she see reluctance in his eyes as he finally let her go? Jamie wasn’t sure if it was the beer, the twirling, her response to his physical closeness, or the combination of all three but she felt lightheaded and needed to sit. The guys applauded, impressed with the dancing spectacle they’d witnessed. She sat but looked up at Kevin who watched her with unrelenting eyes.

Many of the guys began to talk at once.

“Hey, guys, that was more Kevin than me, believe me! You need to take control and the woman will follow,” Jamie said.
Right now I would follow that man anywhere.
She wanted back in his arms.
Attempting to camouflage the internal fireworks that Kevin had ignited, she hoped she looked outwardly cool, because her insides were a hot mess.

Returning to the bar, Rick asked, “Wow! What was that?”

Kevin grinned devilishly. “That, my friend, was my first move.”

Chapter 13

Jaime groaned.
Getting up today proved tougher than usual and could be directly related to the outing the night before. Her morning java equivalent was not optional today and after securing a cup, she made her way to the barn. Working with the horses hardly seemed like work, she loved it so much. Her duties included feeding and watering the horses, grooming them, and helping saddle them up for the hands. She made it a special point to visit Jack several times a day, always bringing him a treat.

“I brought you a treat, Jack. C’mon, boy, c’mon, you can trust me, I won’t hurt you.” She held an apple out, hoping he would come, but he held his ground in the back of the stall. “Give me a chance, you won’t be sorry, I promise.” He held her gaze but remained steadfast. She left the snack on the ledge and walked away, a little crestfallen.

The sun was beginning to dip in late afternoon when Kevin invited her to ride. They rode in comfortable silence, appreciating the cloudless azure sky as the day’s brightness began to fade. A soothing breeze brought the forest scent close enough to taste.   Kevin halted the horses and inhaled deeply as turned to Jamie.

“I took Uncle Jacob on a ride his first time here. Even though he lived most of his life in the city, he loved it. Until then, I think he thought I was crazy for building a home in the mountains.” His eyes scanned the landscape as his smile faded. “The night before he left, we sat on the porch watching the stars and he told me he got it, that he understood my love of this life. Uncle Jake had tears in his eyes when he told me that his heart was lighter, knowing I had found my home. I can’t tell you how good I felt when he told me that.”

Jamie nodded in agreement. “I miss him. There’s hardly a day that goes by that I don’t think of him. I didn’t know him long, but when you meet someone like that, you don’t forget them.”

“No, you don’t.” He spoke so softly that she barely heard him.

They rode for another ten minutes before dismounting and letting the horses drink at a mountain stream.

Jamie never tired of the majestic landscape surrounding her. The setting sun began to paint a hue of colors in the west. “You’re lucky to have your dream fulfilled while you’re so young. It takes a lifetime for some.” She sighed as she scanned the mountaintops.

“I know.” His eyes scanned the horizon before landing on her. “What about you? What are your dreams?”

His question caught her by surprise and forced her to think.
What are my dreams?
She didn’t know how to answer.

After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, she responded, “Sad to say, but I don’t have an answer. My life has taken a couple of surprise twists in the last year, and I’m not sure.”

“What do you want?”

She knew her answer immediately
. I want a home, a real home to share with someone who loves me. Someone who will worry if I come home late or am not feeling well. I want someone to grow old with. I want what I don’t have. I want what so many take for granted.

Instead, she responded, “Oh, I don’t know. I guess I haven’t given it much thought.”

She could feel his eyes on her. “I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you don’t have dreams, Jamie, not you. But I do believe that you don’t want to share them with me, and that’s okay.”

She glanced up at him with guilt then looked away. He was spot on.

Sitting at his piano, Kevin found it hard to concentrate on anything other than Jamie. Since her arrival at the ranch, he had not had a lot of extra time to spend with her. Rick’s short and to the point talk the other night had woken him up. And holding Jamie in his arms, dancing with her, had brought the point home.

And what was that talk of her not having dreams? A woman like her had dreams, many dreams. Obviously she did not feel close enough to him to share them and he was slighted when she wouldn’t let him in. His heart was falling fast but what about hers? Ironic that finally he would fall for a woman who didn’t feel the same. He needed to know.
It’s not like I’m getting any younger. I’m in my mid-30’s for Christ’s sake!

All these thoughts ran through his mind as his fingers played his lovesick composition on the keys. He had invited her over for drinks before tonight’s bonfire. He needed time with her alone.

Even though she never wore much makeup, Jamie primped with what she did have. Scrubbing until she was squeaky clean, she smelled like fresh lavender and brushed her hair until it shone. She donned her one and only good top with clean jeans and sandals. The white gauze top showed off the tan she’d earned at the ranch. When she lived in New York, if she was outside, it was mostly in the shadows of buildings so she never had that healthy glow of being outside. Seeing her image in the mirror, she looked like a different person from a month ago. For the first time in a long time she felt good, and man, it felt good to feel good.

She knocked hard on the thick wood door to Kevin’s home and he opened it, looking freshly showered and shaven.

“C’mon in. I’m getting out a snack to go with the wine.” He welcomed her in with an outstretched arm. “You look pretty.”

She blushed. “Thank you.”

Jamie walked into the open area housing the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. “I forgot what a beautiful home you have. I love this kitchen.” She ran her fingers over the cool granite countertops.

“That’s right, you like to cook. Maybe some night you could teach me my way around a kitchen? We could make something together.”

“I’d love that. I do miss cooking. Not that Consuelo’s meals aren't great.”

“I know. That’s the problem. When I have home cooking like that right across the way, it’s so easy to neglect this place.”

“I can understand that.”

“Red or white? I have both.” Kevin asked her, wineglass in hand.

“Red, please.”

He poured both of them a glass and handed one to her. “Thank you.” Jamie accepted the glass then walked around the granite counter toward the dining and living areas.

“Do you mind?” she asked, motioning with her hand toward the open room.

“Not at all. Would you like a tour?”

“I would. You showed me my first day here, but I was a bit overwhelmed.”

“Well, this obviously is the main living area, kitchen/dining/living rooms. And this’s where I spend most of my time.” He gestured with his hand to the living room. Music sheets, papers, and pencils strewn across the top of the piano provided evidence that the instrument was not only for decoration.

“Please ignore the mess. I’m afraid if I put it into neat little piles, I’ll lose my way. Contrary to how it looks, there’s an organized chaos there.”

“I remember you saying that you played the piano, but it looks like you’re doing more than playing. Do you write music, too?”

“Yes, I do. It’s my second career that seems to have taken off recently. I spend more time on this right now than on the ranch.”

“So that’s why I see so little of you during the day? Wow, impressive. I love music. I love all kinds of music, but my talent is in the appreciation only. I envy anyone who can write, play, sing, or compose. I know many are private with their music but if you ever want someone to listen, I’d love to be your audience.”

“If you mean that, I’d love to play for you.”

“Please.”

“Then bring your wine over and let me clear a seat for you.” He cleared a seat at the piano for her, then rearranged a few of his music sheets and sat down at the keys.

As he began, he looked back and forth between her and his piano, but he did not play off any music sheets. The music was melodious and beautiful and he played for several minutes before bringing it to a soft ending.

“Beautiful. What was it?”

“No title yet, just something I’m toying with. But I’m glad you like it.”

“You’re a man of many talents. Do you write the music for yourself? Do you publish it? It seems a sin to keep that all to yourself.”

“I’ve recently published some, sold the rights to others. It depends on the song, and what I want to do with it. Within the last couple of years I have made some important connections in the music business so I have a lot of possibilities. Things have been exploding lately, that’s why I’m so busy. I’m happy about it of course, but the down side is that I have less time for the ranch and my personal life.”

“Quality of life. It comes down to the quality of your life and only you can decide on that. If the fun goes out of it, if it affects your personal life to the point that you’re not happy or personally fulfilled, then it’s the time to cut back.”

“Good advice. I think sometimes it can be a fine line. It’s exciting and fun, but at what cost? Like you said, I’ll have to decide when it’s too much.”

“But it doesn’t mean you’ve got to give it up. Just keep tweaking it until it works for you.”

Kevin looked into Jamie’s eyes and seemed to lose his train of thought. He went silent but did not break his gaze. Beginning to feel uncomfortable, her heart raced a mile a minute and she looked away.

“Can you play me another song? Anything, unless of course, you’d rather not. But I love listening.”

“I love having a captive audience. Let’s see, what else can I play for you?” Kevin closed his eyes and bent his head. Then he started playing and once again it was beautiful. Eyes unwavering on him, she listened intently until his fingers stopped.

“You are a talented pianist.”

“Thank you, but if you put me next to a capable player, you’d easily hear the difference, I promise.” He was being modest. “What I really wish is that I could sing. I can compose music and lyrics but I have no voice.” When she started to protest he added, “But like Meatloaf said, two out of three ain’t bad.” Jamie laughed.

“I love music. My mom raised me on the oldies and I can sing the lyrics to almost any old song, but not the new stuff. I think I was born a few decades too late. I can’t carry a tune but it doesn’t stop me.” She laughed again. “I do like listening to all different types of music though.”

“Well, that’s enough of that.” Kevin got up from the piano, walked over to his serious stereo system, and put on some music. He then refreshed both of their wines and brought cheese and crackers over to some comfortable seating near the stereo. They continued to talk about music, old and new, since they were both passionate about it. As they discussed Kevin’s recent progress in the music business, he brought up the fact that he had personally met some famous singers. Jamie could not hide her fascination.

“You actually met
him
?” He laughed at her crushes on some of the artists. She had no shame that she idolized some artists with great voices.

“Do you mind if I look at your music collection?” Jamie pointed to his shelves of CDs and LPs.

“Not at all. Go ahead.”

Walking over to the rows and rows of CDs and albums, she made comments on different CDs and asked questions about some artists that she was unfamiliar with. He joined her at his collection and starting pulling some out and providing trivia information. Phil Collins’ “Groovy Kind of Love” started to play.

“I know you like to dance. Can I have this dance?” he asked and held out his hand.

Jamie turned to look at him. Her eyes traveled from his face to his outstretched hand back to his face and the question in his eyes.

“I’d love to.” As she approached him, Jamie put her hand in his outstretched hand and he pulled her in to him, placing his other hand on her waist. So close now, she heard him inhale deeply.

They swayed to the song, moving slowly, relaxing in each other’s arms. Neither spoke, and after a minute or two, he pulled her closer until their bodies met. Their faces barely touching, she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. He brought his outstretched hand that held hers close in to his chest, over his heart, while his other hand on her waist pulled her even closer. They moved rhythmically to the music. Not a word was spoken, but her heart was exploding.

As soon as he took her into his arms, it was over for Jamie. All her senses were heightened. Her nerve endings were on fire. Never had she felt so secure, so excited in any man’s arms before and the combination of all those feelings was almost too much to bear. When he drew her in more, she could not protest even if she wanted to. She felt limp; she was butter in his arms, butter that had melted from the rising temperature within. Did he even realize that he was physically holding her up? Their cheeks were now touching and she could smell him, his breath, his cologne, his essence. The smoothness of his freshly shaven face was warm against hers. She prayed that she would not gasp for air loudly because she did not want him to know how desperate and vulnerable she felt at this very moment. So much was happening inside her but she tried to keep the cool facade externally.

The song ended and the dancing stopped, but neither one let go. Kevin began to pull back but did not let her out of his arms. He drew his face away only enough to look into her eyes.
Surely he can feel my heart pounding in my chest.
He moved his hand from her waist to caress her face ever so lightly, as if she was made of glass and he was afraid she would break at his touch. His lips met hers, softly at first as if to test the waters and when she responded, he pulled her face closer and kissed her deeply.

Just when she thought they could be no closer, he pulled her in again to him and she felt them meld as one. If she thought she was butter before, then she surely must be just a mist by now. His lips released hers only long enough to breathe her name out in molten desire, then kissed her again. His powerful arms encircled her, claiming her and she eagerly succumbed.

“Jamie.” The hunger and heat in his voice inflamed her own fervor and she moaned in response.

The loud knock on the door summoned her back from heaven. It was too good to last. Good things never last long enough and breathtaking moments like this are even shorter. Again a loud, urgent knock at the door sounded.