Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (10 page)

Reid was far more complex than she'd ever imagined. It would be all too easy to lose herself in a man like that, but logic insisted that he was all wrong. Totally wrong for her.

“Why? Because he's a marine and not some university geek? When did you become such a snob?”

“I'm not. But maybe if Reid was in school we'd at least have something to talk about.”

“First off, men aren't good talkers, Haley. Save the talking for your girlfriends. Men excel at other things.”

Haley heaved an exasperated sigh. “You're missing my point. I'm saying we have nothing to build a relationship on.”

Yolanda cast a slow gaze over the rumpled bed. “Several orgasms in one night? It seems to me you have more than enough. And you're still here, aren't you?”

“We're all entitled to a few stupid mistakes, aren't we? It's not like I plan on making a habit of it…of him.”

“Don't underestimate him,
chica
.” Yolanda grinned knowingly. “I think your cowboy has very different ideas.”

Figuring Reid would want to spend the remainder of the weekend with his sister, Haley insisted on driving separately to Anaheim. She still had serious qualms about meeting his ex-girlfriend, but curiosity about Reid ate at her. She wondered what he was like with Krista and the rest of his family. She knew so little about him and couldn't help wanting to know more.

When she and Yolanda pulled into the Hilton, he and Garcia were just climbing out of Reid's truck. By the time she and Yolanda parked, two young women had appeared. The first, a curvy redhead, threw herself into Reid's arms with a squeal.

“
That
must be Krista,” Haley remarked. Reid's grin was blazing white as he spun his sister in the air, completely indifferent to passersby. Haley's chest squeezed at the happy reunion. She'd always dreamed of that kind of family.

“Yeah?” Yolanda elbowed her in the ribs. “And who's the
muchacha
morena
making sheep's eyes at my Rafi?”

Haley covertly eyed the second girl, who slouched against the truck beside Garcia. Long, straight, blue-black hair hung over her shoulders and tight jeans and cowboy boots showcased lean legs, making Haley self-conscious of her barely-over-five-foot frame. She wore a straw hat that shadowed the upper half of her face, but revealed an indulgent smile on full lips as she watched the brother–sister reunion.
Tonya.

“You can relax, Yo,” Haley said. “I don't think she's after Rafael. That's Reid's ex-girlfriend.”

“Really?” Yolanda's gaze narrowed in speculation. “Is she Latina?”

“I don't know. Reid never said.”

When Tonya tipped her hat back and looked Haley's way, her Native American heritage was clear. She gave a half nod as if in recognition, then her gaze swept slowly over Haley as if sizing her up. She murmured something to Garcia, pushed off the truck, and approached with lithe, confident strides.

She extended her hand with a smile. “Hi. I'm Tonya Rivers, a close friend of Krista…and Reid.” Haley noted the emphasis on the last two words. Tonya was staking her claim.

“Nice to meet you, Tonya.” Haley accepted her hand. Tonya's grip was surprisingly firm, more like a man's than a woman's and nearly as callused. But aside from her brusque manner, there was nothing remotely masculine about her. Their eyes locked for a long moment. Hers were black as agate under finely arched brows. With sculpted features and flawless mocha skin, she was a stunning woman. “I'm Haley, and this is my best friend, Yolanda.”

Before introductions were completed, Garcia and Reid appeared beside them. Reid was still beaming and holding his little sister in his arms. He tossed her once more in the air before setting her back on her feet. “Krista, Tonya”—Reid nodded to the latter—“I'd like you to meet Haley and Yolanda.”

“As usual, we're one step ahead of you, Reid,” Tonya replied with a smirk. “The three of us have already introduced ourselves.”

Haley watched Krista with bated breath. Her eyes sparkled and face glowed, but both faded as her gaze darted between Tonya, Reid, and Haley. Haley forced a smile and stepped forward. “Nice to meet you, Krista. How was your trip?”

“Not too bad,” Krista replied. “But then again, Ton here did most of the driving. We dropped off some horses at a dude outfit in Utah, unhooked the trailer, and then drove straight here.”

“Horses?” Haley asked.

“Tonya's family breeds and trains them, and leases them out to dude ranches and outfitters,” Reid explained. “She also works part time with Krista as a wrangler on our ranch.”

“You have a ranch? I thought your family ran a hunting business?”

“We do,” he replied. “But we also keep about eighty head of horses and a bunch of mules for hunting, packing, and for guests who just want to ride the trails. It's not a big spread by any means, but we do keep our own stock. Krista and Tonya mostly take care of that side of the operation. How is the horse business these days?” Reid asked Tonya.

“We're doing okay,” she replied. “Thanks mostly to Keith.”

“So he's still doing his dog and pony show?”

“Yup.” She grinned, her teeth blazing white against her tanned skin. “He's even hawking calendars now, and just put out one of those big coffee table books. He's quite a commodity these days. Last I heard, he'd even been approached by some big-name film producer.”

Reid turned to Haley and Yolanda. “Keith is Tonya's cousin and one of those so-called horse whisperers—”

“He prefers the title Equine Behaviorist,” Tonya corrected.

Reid made a scoffing sound.

“He's also incredibly hot,” Krista interjected.

“Keith?” Tonya made a face. “You think my cousin's hot?”

“Heck yeah! Who wouldn't?” Krista said. “How else could he travel around the country trailed by a bunch of horse-loving groupies?”

“I s'pose you're right,” Tonya admitted. “There are certainly a bunch of women who can't seem to get enough of him, especially the Europeans. He's booked for a big summer tour over there next year. Six countries I think.”

“Unbelievable.” Reid shook his head with a chuckle. “Got to give the guy credit for making the most of his assets.”

They all laughed.

Haley shifted in place, feeling increasingly awkward. “Is this your first visit to California?” She directed the lame-sounding question to Krista. She'd never been good at small talk and still didn't know what to make of Tonya. She didn't feel overt hostility from her, but certainly didn't feel warmth either.

“Yeah, it is,” Krista replied. “I'm really excited to see the sights. Maybe it sounds silly, but I've wanted to go to Disney since I was a little kid. I was a hopeless Disney Princess addict and still have the entire collection of dolls.”

“Except Pocahontas,” Tonya said. “You gave her to me.”

Krista grinned. “She was always my favorite, but I thought she looked just like you.”

“The weather looks great for a day in the park,” Haley chimed in, feeling even more like a fifth wheel.

“It does,” Tonya agreed and then turned her attention to Reid. Haley noted how her gaze worked him slowly up and down. “You're looking well, Reid. I think this California sun agrees with you.”

He shrugged. “The winters are a damn lot easier here than in Wyoming.”

“That's for sure,” Krista laughed. “We're still wading through several feet of snow back home. That's probably what's put the bow hunters off. We didn't have any booked until the end of the month, so it seemed a great time to come out here.”

“You hunt with bows?” Haley asked.

“Yeah,” Krista replied. “We usually get a couple dozen bow hunters every spring and fall that want to bag a bear.”

“That's barbaric!” Haley laid a hand on Reid's arm. “Did you hunt bears with a bow and arrow?”

“Only black bears,” he clarified. “Grizzlies are still endangered, although they've more than recovered and need to be delisted. They're actually booming in the areas around Yellowstone and Grand Teton and encroaching on populated areas. They need to be managed.”

She scowled. “Managed or
murdered
?”

“C'mon, Haley. We've already been down this road. Do you really think a griz is going to stay within the park just because we say pretty please?”

Although they'd come to a truce of sorts, his mocking remark was stark proof that their differences remained. “There must be another way.”

“Like what?” Krista laughed. “Telling all the hikers to carry pepper spray and wear bear bells?”

Tonya chimed in, “Do you know how we tell the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat back in Wyoming? Black bear droppings have berries and the Grizzly bear droppings contain little bells and smell like pepper.”

Everyone laughed but Haley. Her eyes burned, but she refused to show her embarrassment. Surprisingly, Krista was the one to break the building tension.

“Don't worry too much about the bears,” Krista said. “They have little cause for fear. Most of the hunters are rich guys from back east who would probably piss themselves if they actually saw one. The majority of them come back empty-handed since Reid's been gone. For the most part, they're happy holing up at the lodge, drinking and
talking
about hunting. It's really just a testosterone-laced version of a hen party.”

“Are you a hunting guide too?” Haley asked.

Krista shook her head. “Nope. Although I can shoot as good as any of them, and better than most, guiding is still a male-dominated realm. Tonya and I manage the horses. Mom cooks, and my father and brothers lead the hunts. Our family's been doing it for three generations. Does anyone want to come inside for a beer? We picked up a cooler full last night.”

“I'll take one,” Garcia eagerly replied.

Glancing at Tonya, Yolanda latched on to his arm. “Make that two.”

Reid made to follow while Haley dragged her heels, still hurt by Reid and Tonya's combined mockery. She wished she hadn't come. She'd even begun to think Reid had forgotten her existence until he looked back over his shoulder. “You comin' inside?”

“I'm not thirsty,” she sulked.

“What's wrong?”

Annoyed by his ridicule, Haley jutted her chin. “I'll tell you what's wrong. You just stood there while your ex-girlfriend made fun of me. You even laughed, Reid!”

“Because it was a
joke.
C'mon,” he coaxed. “You need to lighten up a little.”

“Lighten up?” She jerked back. “It's hard for me to meet strangers to begin with. I told you I wasn't comfortable coming here, but I did because
you
asked me to.”

“I know that, and I'm sorry if the joke offended you. It really wasn't personal.”

She appreciated his apology, but it still wasn't enough to vanquish her insecurity. “How serious was it, Reid?”

“What?” he answered blankly.

“You and Tonya. I can understand your sister coming out here, but why would Tonya join her if it was finished between you?”

“Because she's my sister's best friend. It's nothing more than that.”

“How serious
was
it?” she persisted. She didn't know why it mattered. Irrational maybe, but she couldn't deny the sick churning in her gut.

“Serious enough, I suppose. We were almost engaged.”

“
Engaged
,” she repeated. “You gave her a ring?”

“No. It didn't get
quite
that far.”

“How far?”

He scrubbed his face. “It's ancient history, Haley. It's done.”

“So you claim, but I get quite another impression from her.”

“I told her clearly at Christmas that I'm not interested in picking it back up with her.”

She searched his eyes for any sign of deceit, but his gaze remained steady. “Well
clearly
she didn't accept that if she's come all the way out here from Wyoming. And now you plan to
entertain
her?” Haley planted her hands on her hips.

“How can I avoid it?”

“I'm starting to think this whole thing between us was a huge mistake.”

“C'mon, sweetheart,” he cajoled. “There's no reason to be jealous.”

“Jealous?” Her brows met in a glower. “You think I'm
jealous
?”

He chuckled. “I'm a bit flattered by it, actually, but Tonya's arrival doesn't mean anything. You're the only one I want. Understand?” He tilted his face to kiss her, but she turned away.

She despised this feeling of insecurity that squeezed her chest and resented him for being the cause of it. “You're right, Reid,” she snapped. “It
doesn't
matter because
this
”—she gestured between them—“doesn't mean anything. I admit we have powerful chemistry, but it's bound to wear off sooner or later—”

“Wear off? I don't think you mean that. There's something more here, Haley, and it's not going to just
wear
off
. You know it as well as I do. You just don't want to admit it because it doesn't fit into your master plan.”

He was right that she wasn't ready to admit it, even to herself.

“I
do
have plans, Reid,” she argued. “Big plans that require me to maintain focus. I can't afford distractions. And you qualify as a huge distraction. On top of that, our lives are on completely divergent paths.”

“You haven't even given this a chance. That's all I'm asking. I want us to spend some time together and see where it goes. Please let's just give it a little more time before you decide to jump ship.” He grasped her chin, holding her gaze. “Just a chance.”

His calm and confident reassurance made her
want
to believe in him, to trust him.

“Okay,” she replied softly. She couldn't believe how easily he'd defused her, but Reid always seemed to have that effect on her.

“Good.” His lips met hers, soft and tender, as if sealing a pact. He released her with a smile, then planted another kiss on the tip of her nose before pressing a hand into the small of her back. “C'mon, let's go join the others inside.”

* * *

They hung out in Krista and Tonya's room for an hour or so before heading over to the amusement park. Feeling out of place even with Yolanda's presence, Haley's anxiety only increased upon entering the amusement park. She hated loud noises and crowds. That's why she'd adapted so easily to the isolation of Alaska.

“Look at that, Tonya!” Krista shrieked. “I've never been on one that tall before. How big is it anyway?”

Haley's stomach dropped when she pointed to the gigantic Ferris wheel soaring high above Paradise Pier.