Say You'll Never Love Me (11 page)

RAYNIE THREW ANOTHER
hanger on top of the pile. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t decide what to wear. It was a casual date. No. Not a date. She tried to remember the last time she had one of those. Sure, she and Rico sometimes shared pizza or watched a movie at her place, but she hadn’t been wined and dined in forever.

With no idea of where Jared was taking her, a wardrobe decision was difficult. Maybe he planned a small gathering and figured if she bonded with other women, her opinion of Lubbock might improve. Hoped not, because she didn’t want new buddies. It’d make leaving harder. The attachment between Silbie and Jared would be enough to deal with. No need to add more people to the list.

It occurred to her, she’d not exchanged numbers with him, so she couldn’t call to find out if the function was outside or inside. She’d remedy that oversight tonight.

Dragging out a pair of stone washed boyfriend jeans, she searched for her favorite sheer lace tunic. Once found, she grabbed a silk camisole and tugged it over her head. Hair and makeup came next.

JARED STARED AT
the picnic basket. Affairs to Remember had taken care of everything in the food department, including wine glasses. They’d done an excellent job on short notice, but a bit pricey for a non-date.

Damn. With all the preparations, it sounded like a date. But no way. Just an evening out for her to experience a world class sunset and endless sky. Lubbock’s biggest bragging rights. Once she did, there’d be no denying his hometown wasn’t as horrible as she thought. It nettled him to think she hated the city he loved so much. He wanted her to have fond memories of her time here.

Two hours later, he rang the bell, and when she answered the door, he lost his breath. Beautiful in jeans and a lacey see-through blouse with a flimsy tank top underneath, her long curls cascaded over her shoulders.

She glanced down at her torso then back at him. “Is this all right? You didn’t say where we were going, so I wasn’t sure what would be appropriate.”

“It’s perfect.”
You’re perfect.
The unspoken thought gave him pause. Hell, he wanted this to be a date.

Once on the road, she pulled a card from her pocket. “Here’s my cell phone number. I remembered we hadn’t exchanged information and I think we should. You know, in case we change our plans or something. I called the church, but they said you were taking time off and wouldn’t give me your personal info.”

Jared’s heart jumped into his throat. He coughed. Sputtered. Swerved.

Raynie bounced against the door, then righted herself. “Hey, what was that?”

“Sorry. Something in the road.”

Hands shaking, he stuck the information in the console and almost reached for his wallet to give her his, but caught himself in time. “I don’t have a business card with me. Just put my phone number in your contacts.”

“Shoot.” She typed as he recited, then glanced in the back seat. “Is that a picnic basket?”

“Hey. No peeking.”

“You know, since coming here, this is my first evening out. I’ve looked forward to it all day.”

“I hope it’s one to remember.” She’d slipped out of her shoes, propped her feet onto the dashboard and crossed her ankles. Pink toenails, glimmered against the light coming through the windshield. A thin gold chain circled her right ankle and a script tattoo ringed the left. She eyed him, and he looked away.

She jerked her feet back to the floor. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine to put your feet there. I was admiring your tat.”

She twisted and swung her foot toward him. “It’s my name. See?”

God, even her foot smelled good. Vanilla and something he couldn’t identify. Must be body lotion because he’d never heard of anybody putting perfume on their feet. “I like it.”

“Thanks. You got any body art?”

He grinned. “No comment.”

Her eyes went wide, and she gave a little Santa Claus chuckle. “Oh, ho, reverend! You surprise me. I would have placed a sinful wager you didn’t.”

“Hey, I didn’t admit to anything.”

“No need to tell me. Better left to my imagination.”

The way she arched her brows was almost like she’d issued a challenge. Yeah.
I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.
He couldn’t help but wonder how many more she had and the locations. His cock twitched, so he changed the subject. “We’ve discussed your business, your marriages, and your sister, so tell me about your parents. They still together?”

“No. Dad lives in Colorado. Mom in Florida. They split up five years ago.”

“They stayed married a long time. What happened?”

“Wanted different things.” She lowered her head and picked at a fingernail. He decided their breakup might still be too painful for her, but before he moved on to another subject, she spoke again. “How about your mom and dad?”

“Still together. Still in love.”

She faced him. “You ever been in love?”

The question caught him off guard. But since they’d talked about her life, it was natural for her to wonder about his. “Yeah. Almost made it to the altar once.”

“Get cold feet?”

“Not me. Her.”

“Ouch. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s in the past.”

“Do you mind me asking why?”

“Like your parents, our interests went in opposite directions. I wanted to stay here. Have a family. She wanted life in the Big Apple. I know how a broken heart feels. Funny thing is, she decided the city wasn’t all she thought it would be and recently moved back.”

Raynie flapped her hand in the air. “That’s why we shouldn’t buy into the happily-ever-after-one-true-love crap.”

“You’re not searching for a lasting relationship?”

Her forehead creased so tight, her whole face wrinkled. “Oh God, no. That’s why I date a certain type. I know what to expect from them.”

“Which is?”

“Absolutely nothing.”

He searched for something insightful to say. Wise words to change her mind, but couldn’t come up with anything. “That’s sad.”

“It’s reality. No expectations. No chance of being hurt.”

“Even though I’ve had my heart broken, I still believe the perfect woman is out there somewhere. I just need to keep looking. You shouldn’t give up either. Mr. Right could be just around the corner.”

“I don’t think so. You just have one strike. Take my word, the more hurt you experience, the more your perspective changes.”

He veered down a country road, and Raynie turned in all directions as if trying to get her bearing. “Where are we? You’re not taking me out to the boonies to perform an exorcism, are you?”

He laughed. “Yeah. Plan to purge you of your dislike of Lubbock.”

“Well, apparently you intend to feed me first, so I guess it’ll be okay.”

He made another turn, brought the truck to a stop in front of an iron gate. Climbed out, swung it wide, then reclaimed his seat and crossed over a cattle guard, and got back out to shut it.

Gravel crunched beneath the weight of the pickup as he drove over flat land until he came to a lone tree. He circled around, bringing the hood of the Chevy to face the oak. She placed a hand on the door handle, but he stopped her.

“Wait till the dust settles.”

For a moment, neither spoke, then Raynie glanced at him. “So, you figure a picnic in a cotton field will make a good memory?”

“Got to start somewhere.” He waved his hand as if making a presentation. “That isn’t cotton. It’s sunflowers. I hate you won’t be here when the crop is in full bloom. It’s a beautiful sight.” He opened his door, and she did the same.

Soon the torches were stuck in the ground, quilts spread, lawn chairs placed, music playing, and the food laid out before them.

Raynie sat on the tailgate and swung her legs. “Wow. Sushi, wine, chocolate covered strawberries,
and
a secret tattoo.” She giggled. “I gotta say, padre. You’re full of surprises.”

The mixture of flirtation and wonder in her voice caused heat to rush over his skin. Damn. If she knew or not, this
was
a date.

LITTLE BY LITTLE,
the horizon swallowed the sun and Raynie imagined she and Jared were the only two people on Earth. One tree and a field of sunflower plants as far as she could see. In Lubbock, daytime temperatures rarely reached a hundred, and tonight, like always, a cool breeze in the upper sixties. A pleasant atmosphere and a special occasion. No man had ever done anything this nice for her. With her lack of social life, new responsibility, and the discovery of her sister’s pending divorce, she appreciated Jared’s effort to cheer her up, and it was working. How could she not be in a good mood sharing a delicious meal with a delectable man?

She tilted her empty glass toward him. “More, please.”

“Are you sure? This will be your fourth.”

“Hey.” She propped her hands on her hips. “Don’t steal my happy. Tonight, I want to drink and sing and dance and be irresponsible.” She pushed herself up and twirled around. Unsteady, she teetered for a second, lost her footing and fell into dangerous territory with broad shoulders, hard chest, and strong hands.

Why couldn’t he have a fatal flaw that disgusted her? Dirty fingernails. Bad breath. Cocky attitude.
Whistler.
Nothing made her skin crawl like a guy who whistled. Always seemed to be up to something and providing his own soundtrack. That’s why she’d never liked the seven dwarfs. No telling what kind of perverted Snow White scenes played in their noggins.
Whistling while they worked, my ass.

No. Jared had to be all polished and perfect. Tonight, he’d chosen jeans, boots, and a tee-shirt with Frenship High School emblazoned across the front. She dragged herself away from him, settled back onto the tailgate, and eyed the tiger logo. “Oh, my Lord. When you were a teenager, this is where you brought your dates, isn’t it?”

He started to speak, but she shut him down. “Careful, padre. Nowhere to hide, so the Almighty has a clear shot.”

“One or two, but I promise I’m not trying to relive my youth.” He swept his hand in the air. “Admit it. This wide open space is beautiful.”

“You’re right. It has a certain charm even if we are in the middle of nowhere.” She lowered her voice. “So, you have a spiritual experience with that one or two?”

“This conversation has taken a turn I didn’t expect. We’d better stick to discussing your dancing.”

She wanted to know more about the teenage Casanova, but let it drop. She refilled her glass again. “I’m usually a lot more graceful.”

“Well, if you insist on twerking, better stand on the ground. Not so far to fall.”

“I was not twerking!”

She slid off the tailgate until her feet landed on dirt, then drank while she swayed to Blake Shelton’s
Austin
streaming from the small pill speaker. Raynie smiled. “Aw, did you choose that tune for me?”

“Yeah. In honor of your hometown.”

Heat crawled up her neck, flamed her cheeks. He kept doing nice stuff. 
Come on, pucker. Whistle one little note.
Anything to make me not like you.

The song ended and Carrie Underwood’s
Good Girl
pounded out a quick beat. Raynie quickened her moves, shimmying and shaking. Hands above her head, she spun, threaded fingers through her hair, the wind catching strands and blowing them in every direction. Her lace sleeves swung in the breeze. She closed her eyes and rocked. When she opened them, something near her elbow, moving fast, caught her eye. She squinted. A dark creepy-crawly climbed toward her shoulder. Brown, lots of legs, pinchers.

She screamed, dropped her drink, swatted at the creature, jumped up and down, and yelled again. The blood curdling sound pierced the air raising a flurry of birds from among the plants. They took flight as if being chased.

Jared hopped from the truck, reached out, slung the bug to the ground and stomped it with the heel of his boot.

Raynie vaulted into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. “What was that? Are there more?”

“You’re fine. It looks terrible, but it isn’t poisonous.”

She hugged him tighter. “Cross your heart?”