Once Upon a Cowboy (14 page)

Jess bit her lip. “Wow.” She sighed, but couldn’t help but let a smile escape. “You are good.”

“I know. I got Hayley out here, after all. And
that
girl was
some
hard sell.” Kyla put her hand on
Jess’s. “Please, Jess? I want you to stay. Decker wants you to stay. Hayley sure as heck does, and—y’know, there’s Cole, too.”

“But no pressure?”

“Oh, tons of pressure. I make no bones about that.”

“Where would I stay? I certainly couldn’t keep that cabin all summer, and it might be tough to take up one of Ma’s guest rooms for a month straight. I’d feel like I was encroaching on the only personal
space that poor woman has left on the ranch.”

Kyla raised her eyebrows. “I happen to know the gal who handles reservations. Don’t worry. If you say you’ll stay, I can work it out.”

“I’d be happy to put a sleeping bag in a corner of the spa, to be honest.”

Kyla straightened up, a gleam in her eye, huge smile on her face.

“Oh, no. I know that look. I didn’t say yes.” Jess laughed. “Down, girl.”

Kyla laughed with her. “I have
the
perfect idea.”

“It seems to be your specialty.”

“When I showed you the spa, I didn’t take you upstairs, did I?”

“No.” Jess shook her head. “I didn’t even know there
was
an upstairs.”

“There’s a stairway behind that far wall, where I was saying the bathrooms would need to go. Right now we’ve got it slated to stay unfinished—a sort of future expansion space.
But oh my gosh! We could totally turn it into a little apartment type of thing.”

“That sounds like an awful lot of work.”

Kyla shook her head. “It wouldn’t be! Let me talk to Decker.”

Jess suddenly felt like she’d stepped on a train that had lost its brakes and was headed downhill. “Hold on, sweetie. I haven’t said yes yet.”

“But you haven’t said no, and that’s a very, very good sign.” Kyla
picked up her cup and took a long drink. “You can’t sit here and tell me you wouldn’t rather stay out here for the rest of the summer. We’ve got mountains, fresh air, no humidity to speak of, hot cowboys—”

“It’s the hot cowboys you’re hoping will seal the deal, right?”

“Absolutely. One of them, anyway.” She set down her cup again. “Ooh! Speaking of which, I forgot to show you!” She reached into
her purse and extracted an envelope. “You have
got
to see these shots I just turned in for the Whisper Creek calendar.”

She fanned out the pictures, and Jess dutifully oohed and aahed over them, but didn’t see Cole. “I think you’re missing one, sweetie.”

“Nope.” Kyla smiled, then pulled a last one out of her purse. “Just saved it for last so you could better appreciate it.”

She slid it toward
Jess, who felt her pulse crank up about ten notches when she looked at it. Oh, Cole was going to kill Kyla. It was the shot she remembered from last summer, the one where his ridiculously chiseled abs and pecs were framed by a cascade of water coming out of a hose he held above his head.

Jess cleared her throat carefully. “Just a quick question here, but how big is your telephoto lens, anyway?”

“It’s a pretty good shot, isn’t it?”

“It’s crazy good. So good you could probably sell it for big bucks, yes. Posters, calendars, romance novel covers. This shot could probably get Cole an agent in three seconds flat. However—”

“No howevers. It’s a perfect shot.”

“It most definitely is. But it’s also a shot I’m pretty sure he didn’t know you were taking.”

Kyla tipped her head, feigning innocence.
“Maybe?”

“Kyla, seriously. Cole
never
would have let you come within fifty feet of him with a camera if he’d known what you were up to.”

“But he’s gorgeous! How could he really mind, given how this shot came out? I think I’m going to use it for the cover, actually.”

Jess stared at the photo, watched the rivulets of water snake down to where his dark hair disappeared into his jeans, marveled
at the droplets collected on his biceps, like they were reluctant to leave his body. She sighed involuntarily, but did at least manage not to stroke the photo with her fingertips.

“You’re going to be in huge trouble for this.”

“I can handle it. It’s for a good cause.”

Jess stared at the picture again, wondering for a moment how it would look blown up to poster size, then shaking her head in
embarrassment. “Have you ever thought about
why
he doesn’t want to be on the calendar?”

“He’s just a little shy.”

“Seriously? Cole is not shy. Cole is the farthest thing from shy that I’ve ever met. It’s not about shy.”

“Okay, enlighten me. What’s it about?”

Jess shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, you know him better than I do, but have you ever considered—maybe he wants to be known as more
than the eye candy around here?”

Kyla looked mystified. “I’ve never treated him like eye candy. What are you talking about?”

“Never? So hiding behind a guest cabin while he hosed off so you can put this swoony picture on a ranch calendar wouldn’t be considered treating him like eye candy? Shall we define
eye candy
for you, sweets?”

“I don’t like when you put it like that. Makes me sound all
stalkerish.”

“Huh.”

“Okay. I know. I did a bad thing. But look at the result!”

Jess leveled her with a look. “That’s seriously your defense? But Your Honor, it’s not a crime if I get a pretty picture out of it, right?”

Kyla pulled the pictures back together and slid them into an envelope. “You know, it’s usually Hayley who’s a killjoy.”

“Sorry. I just think it might be a good idea to show
him the picture before you plaster it all over a calendar and start selling it.”

“But—cover shot!” Kyla wrinkled her nose. “Don’t make me do the right thing.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Jess shook her head. “So, does this mean he’s not actually Mister January any longer? You know, now that he’s shirtless and all?”

“He’s Mister Smokin’ Hot July, honey.”

Jess fanned herself, laughing. “I’m going
to need about ten of these calendars, but only after you promise me you’ll talk to Cole and get his okay to use that shot.”

“I’ll do my best, but he’s awfully busy.”

“Kyla.”

“I’m already in deep owing them cookies
and
pies! I don’t know how to
make
anything else!” Suddenly her eyes brightened. “Ooh. I know what.”

Jess narrowed her eyes. “I hate that phrase.”

“Maybe
you
could convince him.”

“No.” She shook her head. “No way, no how. I will not condone anything that involves hiding behind barns like a miscreant paparazzo.”

“I’m hurt, Jess. I’m just trying to do a good thing here.”

Jess laughed. “If the profits of this calendar were going to the humane society or St. Jude’s or any other million charities that deserve help, you might have a leg to stand on there, honey. But you don’t.”

“Fine.” Kyla sighed, smiling. “But if he says no, I won’t be able to give you the framed eight-by-ten I made of this shot. Just saying.”

“Now, now.” Jess reached for the envelope. “We don’t have to go that far.”

Later that morning, Jess sensed Cole before she could see him, even though he was a good ten feet away from where she stood at Sky Dancer’s stall. She felt him in the way her spine straightened, the way her nose caught the mixed scent of soap and aftershave, the way her fingers shook as she remembered him holding her close last night.

“Morning, Jess.”

His voice was soft as he walked
toward the stall, where she’d been sneaking the horse a treat.

She turned. “Morning.”

“Did you finally get to sleep?”

“I did. Thanks for keeping me company last night.”

He stopped a few feet away, picking up a hose. “So”—he pushed the hose over the top of Apollo’s stall to fill his water bucket, turning away from her—“I’m not supposed to tell you what I’m about to tell you, but I’m gonna anyway.”

“Oh?”

“Not sure whether you’ve noticed, but there’s a plot afoot.”

“Ah. What kind of a plot?”

“Well, it starts with your matchmaker friends.”

“Oh.
That
kind of a plot.” Jess couldn’t help the smile that snuck out.

“And in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve been given an assignment.”

“By whom?”

“Kyla. Who told me just now that she’s—quote—
this
close to convincing you to stay for the summer.”

Jess bit her lip. “She might be overestimating her skills a tad. So what’s your assignment?”

“To do the rest of the convincing.” He kept his back turned, thankfully, since she could feel her cheeks go pink at his words.

“Oh.”

He laughed. “That was a very scared
oh
.” Then he turned toward her. “Wondering how I might try to convince you?”

“Maybe?” Jess felt her knees quiver.

“Well, I’d probably
start with dancing. You know, since I
already
started there.”

“Naturally.”

He put down the hose and took a step toward her. “Moonlit rides to the secret waterfall would definitely be on the list.”

“Of course.” She swallowed. He took another step. “Anything else?”

“Well, I’d probably try to show you the town, maybe take a long drive west for a weekend, maybe cook you dinner one of these nights.”

Her hands automatically felt for the stable wall behind her, but not because she was feeling the need to escape. She was feeling the need to touch something solid that would help her wobbly knees stay standing.

He stepped closer, raised a hand to trace her jaw. Carefully, like he was afraid she might break. He was so damn close, so warm, so strong, so…gentle.

“What else?” She heard the whispered
words escape on their own, like she hadn’t even formed them herself.

“Maybe this,” he whispered back, then touched his lips to hers. It was a fleeting, feathery kiss—soft, sweet, and gentle—and then it was over. He pulled back, keeping his fingers under her chin for a millisecond longer, then sliding them away as well.

She opened her eyes. “You”—she cleared her throat nervously—“you play dirty,
cowboy.”

He closed his eyes in mock pain, then smiled and shook his head. “I can.”

“I’m not sure it’s fair to throw kissing into the equation here.”

“Well, I had to think of something.” He shrugged, dimple showing as he grinned. “I kiss better than I dance.”

Jess touched her lips. “And you dance pretty well, actually.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Good to know.” He took a deep breath, backing
away slowly. “So in addition to my assignment, I also have a dilemma.”

“What kind of dilemma?”

“The still-no-date-to-the-wedding dilemma. This pains me, because I’m actually a really good wedding date.”

“Everyone said no? I told you they needed more notice.”

“You were right. So I need to find a gal who already
has
a suitable dress. And, apparently, shoes. Who knew shoes were a thing?”

“I
told you they were a thing.”

“I know. That’s how I found out.”

Jess rolled her eyes. “Sounds like you’re a little stuck, cowboy.”

“Any chance you’d rethink coming as my date?” He put up a finger to prevent her arguing. “I know you don’t
need
a date. I know you’re perfectly capable of surviving a wedding on your own. Even a Whisper Creek one.”

He smiled. “If it helps, you can think of it as
another rescue mission. If I come to the reception with you on my arm, I’ll avoid everyone in town knowing I was turned down left and right.”

“Gosh, as romantic as that proposition sounds—”

“I wasn’t trying to sound romantic. That
wasn’t
my romantic—”

Jess laughed. “I don’t know, Cole. Maybe the ladies of Carefree are trying to take you down a peg. I wouldn’t want to get on their bad side.
How many women did you ask, anyway?”

“Ten.” He rattled off the number, smiling.

She felt her smile fall before she could catch it. “Ten? Seriously?”

“It’s kind of a record refusal, even for me.”

“And they all said no?”

Were they crazy? Turn down a wedding date with Cole Driscoll, the single most gorgeous man
in
Carefree?

“I know. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Given my charm and wit and—what
was the other thing you said—my smashing good looks?”

“Your modesty, actually.”

He nodded. “Right. That was the third thing.”

He looked at her for a long moment, seeming to examine her through her skin, but for some reason, instead of feeling uncomfortable and invasive, it felt—hot. “I didn’t really ask ten women to the wedding, Jess.”

“Oh.”
Oh.

“It was only nine. But they still all said
no.”

Jess shook her head, laughing. “You’re impossible.”

“I hear that a lot.” He stepped toward her again, making her draw in a quick breath. And then, before she could move, he cupped her face in both of his hands, stroking his thumbs along her jaw. “Come with me, Jess. Please?”

“Ha.” Her voice shook. “I’m apparently your tenth choice. And is this how you asked the rest of them?”

He looked
at her for a long moment, his face serious now. “I didn’t really ask anyone else. You know that.” His words were a whisper as his lips touched hers again, but this time, he didn’t pull away. His hands slid into her hair as he kissed her, and she felt her lips part under the sure, gentle pressure of his.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she registered every touch of his fingertips, every millimeter
of his lips, every breath he stole.

And then he pulled away. Again. He touched his forehead to hers, and with her hand pressed against his chest, she was gratified to feel his heartbeat matched her own.

“Well”—she finally whispered—“you take your assignments very seriously around here.”

He pulled back to look into her eyes. “You should really stay here, Jess. Stay for the summer and see. Help
us get the spa up and running, ride Sky Dancer anytime you want, breathe fresh mountain air instead of Boston smog…”

“One thing at a time, cowboy.”

“Okay. One thing at a time. Come with me to the wedding.”

“So Cole asked you to be his date at the wedding? Finally?” Hayley’s eyes were wide as she sipped coffee at Ma’s kitchen table an hour later. “It’s about time, since I’m getting married
tomorrow
.” She started counting on her fingers, then frowned. “Rats. Decker gets the pot.”

“What are you talking about? What pot?”

“Nothing.” Hayley took another sip, a little flush rising on her cheeks.

“Did you guys—”

“No. Definitely not. I’m thinking about something else. Sorry.”

“Did you guys take
bets
on Cole and me?”

Hayley put down her mug, a shocked expression on her face. “Jess!
We would never!”

“You totally did. How much did Decker just win?”

“Stop. We didn’t take bets.”

“How much?”

“A hundred bucks.” Hayley cringed, picking up her cup again like a shield.

“I’m shocked.” Jess shook her head.

Hayley peered at her over her coffee. “No, you’re not.”

“Okay, you’re right. I
wish
I could be shocked. How’s that?”

“Better. So, did he ask you anything else?”

“Li-ike,
will you also stay here for the summer
?”

Hayley shrugged. “Or whatever.”

“I think he’s content with having a wedding date for now.”

“He could have had fifty dates to my wedding, Jess.”

“Well, it sounds like he didn’t actually ask anyone.”

“He didn’t have to. Any single woman in town would give a left leg to be seen on his arm.”

“Not that you exaggerate.”

“Not this time.” Hayley shook her
head. “That man puts his phone in the refrigerator sometimes, just to shut the damn thing up.”

Jess laughed. “He does not.”

“Does. Ask him.”

“So I snagged Carefree’s Most Eligible Bachelor for the day?”

“Prepare to be a viper-sniper target at the wedding. Just saying.”

“Oh, please. You and Kyla keep talking about how everything is sunshine and roses out here.” Jess shook her head. “It’s just
a date, Hayls. Not even a real one. We’re both in the wedding, for goodness sake. It’s not like we weren’t already both going to be there, anyway.”

“I’m counting it as a date.”

“If you insist.” Jess smiled, running her fingertip around the edge of her mug, remembering the feel of Cole’s fingertips on her jaw, in her hair. Remembering the feathery touch of his lips on hers.

Hayley tapped her
fingernails on the table. “You know, I should totally win the pot. I called this two years ago.”

“You did not.”

“Totally did. You were too busy actually being selfless and worrying about Kyla to notice. But we all knew this day was coming.”

“With all due respect, Hayley, shut up.”

Hayley laughed. “It’s true. You two have been falling for each other for two straight years, but neither of you
would ever come out and admit it. Or do anything about it.”

“Stop.”

“I’m just saying. We totally should have started a pot earlier.”

“About that pot.” Jess raised her eyebrows. “I think
I
should get that hundred bucks. It would serve you all right for taking bets in the first place.”

“Sorry. I’m not the keeper of the pot.”

“Who is?”

“Kyla.”

“Seriously?
Both
of you are part of this?” Jess
shook her head, but couldn’t keep from smiling. “I thought you were my friends.”

“We are. Best ones you have, which is why we’re invested in making sure you’re happy.”

“I’m happy.”

“Really happy. Happy-with-a-man happy.”

Jess swallowed. A man had never really been part of the plan. Not since—a long, long time ago. Not since Billy. She’d dated over the years, but always backed out when any
man called the third time. It was safer that way. No one got hurt—most especially her.

“Hayley, a year ago, you’d have been the first person to shoot any woman who said a man was required for happiness.”

“I know. And I was right. But really, it’s all about the
right
man. You just haven’t found the
right
man yet. I mean, you have, but you hadn’t before now.” She shook her head. “I mean, you did
two years ago, but now maybe you’re finally ready to admit it.”

“Hayley?”

“I know. Shut up. But seriously, if you’d told me two years ago I’d be sitting here today looking forward to marrying a widower with two kids, I’d have told you you were insane.”

“You actually might have said that.”

Hayley wrinkled her nose. “I know. It took kind of a lot to get me here, but wow. Tomorrow, I’ll be Mrs.
Daniel McKee.”

Jess laughed. “Right.”

“Okay, you’re right. That was a stretch. But I’ll be Ms. Hayley McKee. That’s good, right?”

“You’re taking his name, then? You decided?”

“Yeah.” Her voice was soft again. “It’s the right thing to do, for Gracie and Bryn.”

Jess shook her head. “You’re a changed woman, Hayley Scampini.”

“I am! Isn’t it great?” Hayley set down her cup and tipped her head
toward the door. “Ooh. Mail’s here. If we get any more last-minute RSVPs, I’m going to scream. We have no more chairs.”

“Why is your mail coming here to the ranch?”

“Because Kyla’s my de facto wedding planner, so we put the Whisper Creek address on everything. Just makes it all easier.”

She popped up from the table and headed out to the porch to grab a pile of mail from the mail carrier, then
banged back through the screen door and plopped the pile on the table. “Bill, bill, bill, advertisement, RSVP, grr—huh.”

She picked up a manila envelope and turned it around. “This one’s for you.”

“What?” Fear snaked through Jess’s gut as she reached for the envelope, which was suspiciously identical to the one tucked into her suitcase right now.

Jess checked the return address and swallowed
hard. Oh, no. Same attorney’s office as before, but this time the label was hand addressed rather than typed. Gianna must have thought it looked important enough to forward to her out here.

“What is it?” Hayley’s eyebrows drew together in concern.

“Just something for the studio.” Jess shrugged, putting the envelope down, trying to act nonchalant while her stomach churned.

“What kind of something?
Your hands are shaking, girl.”

“It’s nothing. Really.” Jess stood up and brought her mug to the sink. She rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher, taking long breaths as she did so. It was probably nothing. Probably just follow-up to the package from last week. Maybe some paperwork she needed to sign.

But something in her gut told her it wasn’t.

“Okay.” She made her voice bright as she grabbed
the envelope. “I’m going to head back to my cabin, but we’re heading into town later, right?”

“Jess? Don’t play possum on me.”

“I’m not. Promise.” She waved the envelope carelessly. “It’s nothing. Seriously. The lease, probably. It’s time for me to renew. This is just the paperwork.”

Before Hayley could argue, Jess fled through the screen door and out onto the wide porch, stopping for a moment
to gulp a breath of the cool air, then forcing her feet down the steps and toward her cabin.