To Marry a Texas Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  “I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t Ginny tell me after all we’d done to prepare?” Was Ginny unhappy with her work performance?

  “It was a last-minute decision before her surgery.”

  Why would Ginny entrust Zane, a computer gamer, rather than a college-educated wedding planner with her business? “If you’re worried I’m not qualified to handle the next six weeks, let me reassure you. My degree is in hospitality and tourism management, and I have years of industry experience. Managing a company like this is what I studied to do.”

  “This was a business decision. Despite your experience, Ginny’s only known you for three months. I don’t know you at all.”

  Obviously, Zane didn’t trust her. Had he changed Ginny’s mind? “Are you implying Ginny needs to be protected from me?”

  “Don’t get all riled. This isn’t about you—”

  “Not about me? You can’t be serious.” Her brittle, squeaky voice swirled around her. “We’re talking about my job responsibilities and who I report to. How can that not be about me?”

  “Ginny would’ve made the same decision no matter who worked for her.”

  Bits and pieces of her conversation with her employer tumbled through her head. Ginny had confidence in her. Valued her opinion and experience. Together they’d be fine. “None of this makes sense based on my discussions with her. I’m concerned there’s been a miscommunication somewhere. Because of that, I need to hear from Ginny that you’re in charge.”

  He shrugged. “That’s your decision.”

  McKenna dug into her bag at her feet and withdrew her phone but paused. Ginny often spoke of her grandchildren, but Zane had lived with her and her late husband from middle school until he moved to California. That must have forged a special bond.

  Excuse me, Ginny. I don’t want to call your grandson a liar, but I need confirmation you tossed aside the plan for me to manage Lucky Stars while you’re recovering and put Zane in charge instead.

  No matter how tactfully she phrased her inquiry, it would sound accusatory. Plus, how could he plead her case with Zane sitting a few feet away?

  She replaced her phone in her bag. For now, she’d bide her time, gather information, and develop a plan. After all, react in haste. Repent in leisure.

  *

  Zane forced himself to remain calm when McKenna said she needed to confirm what he’d told her with Ginny. How could he have done such a lousy job breaking the news? He resisted the urge to wipe his sweaty palms on his jeans. Even he admitted what he’d said sounded bad, borderline accusatory even. No, he didn’t trust McKenna, but he wouldn’t trust anyone, and that didn’t mean he wanted her knowing the fact.

  Part of him wanted to say to hell with this. Let McKenna run the company, but he owed Ginny more than he could ever pay. He had to protect her investment, her future.

  Then she put down her phone and he breathed easier.

  What about him rubbed McKenna the wrong way?

  I never date or have anything to do with on a personal level with a man who’s more attractive than I am.

  Was that it? Did her reaction to have something to do with his looks? Did she see him as a pretty boy who had nothing else to offer? Someone who skated through life because of his handsome face?

  Trying to fix what he’d stirred up, he said, “Don’t tell Ginny, but I’m concerned about her mixing painkillers with business decisions and finances.”

  McKenna’s posture softened from board stiff to business professional uptight as she placed her hands on her lap. “I can understand that. Ginny and I should’ve considered her being on medication.” She licked her lips. “Why didn’t you tell me Saturday night?”

  His stomach tightened. Too bad she didn’t lose control more often. Since she’d gotten riled up, her skin glowed rosy pink and her eyes shined with fire, making her look alive, giving him hints of the passion that she poured into her singing. He swallowed hard.

  What had she asked him? Right. Why hadn’t he told her about the change in plans the other night? “Saturday was about celebrating AJ and Grace’s engagement and folks having fun. Nothing kills a party faster than talking business.”

  Considering how their discussion had gone so far, he’d made the right call there. Whoop. One for him.

  “You could’ve told me when you returned after the party.”

  Blast it. She’d backed him into that corner without him seeing the move coming. What could he say? He couldn’t tell her he’d kept quiet to get her to dance for him to win a bet. While he wouldn’t lie, dodging a question or distraction wouldn’t tweak his conscience too much. “How about we forget the other night and start over?”

  He sure as hell wanted to.

  She chewed on her lip and her eyebrows furrowed as she mulled over his suggestion. “That sounds reasonable. After all, we both want what’s best for Ginny and this business.”

  She agreed? He almost asked her to repeat herself or if she was sure. “We can make a great team. Maybe we’ll have a little fun. I’ll handle the finances and the management issues—”

  “Management issues?” McKenna chuckled but quickly covered the sound with a cough. “The staff consists of me, Opal Jennings, the bookkeeper who works from home, and Tyler when the wedding involves horses. There aren’t any staff problems.”

  “Good. That’ll make my job easier.” The less women to deal with the better considering his management style hinged on drinking a few beers while tossing darts after work or throwing around the football at the nearby park for team building. He couldn’t see that style doing much for him now.

  He glanced at McKenna again. Her face tight, her eyes narrowed, she stared at him, her arms crossed. He’d stepped in it again. How, he couldn’t figure, but he had. He rubbed his stiff neck.

  “Don’t make the mistake of thinking working in the wedding industry is easy,” McKenna said, her voice reminding him of his stricter elementary school teachers. “Planning the biggest day in a couple’s life is difficult. The details are almost endless. People have no idea how many things can, and do, go wrong because your grandmother and I anticipate and handle the issues before the guests realize anything was amiss.”

  “Except when napkins catch fire,” he teased, hoping to break the tension swirling around them. “Bet a few people noticed that no matter how well you handled it.”

  For a second, the corners of her lips turned up. But then he blinked, and the Stepford businesswoman returned.

  “That’s exactly the joking attitude we face in this industry all the time.”

  “Oh, come on. That was funny. Admit it.” But as he said the words, the pinched look on her face deepened. How could this woman have been the same one he heard singing Friday night? The one who’d drawn him in?

  “I take my job very seriously, and I’ll be honest, your lack of experience in the wedding industry concerns me.”

  “But I’ve been to a lot of parties, and a party’s a party.”

  She swallowed hard, smoothed a hand down her ugly shapeless black skirt. Then her index finger tapped the armchair. “Being a guest at an event is entirely different than running one, and while I’m sure you’re very skilled at what you do, your talents aren’t likely to help in this business.”

  Dang, she was a tough critic. Was she born without a funny bone or had hers been removed? “Give me points for trying to lighten things up.”

  The woman could make reporting the weather sound like a scolding. No way he could take being stuck in this office with Miss Zap-the-fun-out-of-life for the next six weeks. She’d have him crazy in two days. In fact, she had him dang near there now.

  “The main thing is that you get approval for financial matters.”

  McKenna popped up on the edge of her chair, like a prairie dog coming out of its hole to survey the world, but instead of looking around with curiosity, she eyed him with wariness. “Define financial matters.”

  He laid out his expectations telling her pretty much she needed approva
l for anything dealing with money, purchases, or contracts.

  “What about weddings, receptions, and client meetings?”

  A sour taste burned his throat at the thought of losing his weekends, and a primal scream echoed in his head at the possibility of dealing with brides. “You’re in charge there. I don’t want anything to do with those. The only weddings I plan to attend are AJ’s and Coop’s.”

  “Keep those sentiments to yourself, please. Lucky Stars has an image to protect, and it wouldn’t do well for people to hear the person managing the company in Ginny’s absence is antimarriage.”

  “It’s fine for other people.” If they like gambling, but he preferred better than fifty-fifty odds. “So, we’re good?” She nodded, and he continued. “From what I saw Saturday, you’re more than capable of handling anything that comes your way, even corks.”

  When she cupped her hand over her nose and blushed, he regretted his comment. “You sure you don’t need to see a doctor?”

  “I’m fine.”

  He shook his head and scratched his jaw in disbelief. “Most women I know would’ve gone home Friday and moped until they could see a plastic surgeon Monday morning.”

  “First, for the record, I don’t mope. It’s a waste of energy and time. Second, I can’t afford the deductible to see a plastic surgeon for something as simple as a swollen nose and black eye. Third, I’m careful with my sick days because catching the flu can wipe out five or more of them.” Her chin jutted out as she fiddled with her necklace. “I wonder about the women you date if they can take off from work for something so insignificant.”

  “Me, too, Zane,” came a voice from the outer office.

  When Zane glanced up, Grace Henry, AJ’s fiancée, stood in the doorway. “But then I know what matters most when you ask a woman out.”

  What was it lately with everyone’s fascination with his love life? Despite Grace’s comment and his mild irritation, Zane smiled. Now, Grace Henry was the type of woman he normally went for. Too bad AJ had seen her first.

  “I told you I’d change if I had a real shot with you, Grace,” he said, grinning as he walked across the room to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. “Have you gotten smart and decided to throw AJ aside for me?”

  She chuckled and stepped away. “You never give up. I guess you’re a glutton for punishment.”

  “Have a seat,” Zane said as he ushered the tall brunette inside. “McKenna and I were talking about me helping out while Ginny’s recovering.”

  Grace burst out laughing. “Are you going to help me pick out invitations and flowers today?”

  Chapter Four

  Zane cringed, having grown weary of laughter greeting the announcement of him managing Lucky Stars. Sure, he was an easygoing guy, but he co-owned a successful business. Why did people find it so difficult to believe he could run this one?

  “I’ve pulled sample books and am set up at the table in the outer office,” McKenna said as she stood.

  Grace glided across the room, her face filled with worry, and placed her hand on McKenna’s arm. “I heard you were hurt at the party, but I had no idea it was so bad. Does it hurt as much as it looks like it does? If you want to reschedule, it’s not a problem.”

  “I told her she didn’t need to be here, but Mac here said no way. She’s a real trouper. She didn’t even leave the party early,” Zane said.

  “My name is McKenna. Mac is a truck,” she said, her voice sharp, clipped, and filled with censure. “Would you have preferred rather than being a responsible employee that I called in sick, leaving everything that couldn’t be rescheduled for you to deal with?”

  Grace chuckled and turned to him, a bright grin on her beautiful face. “She told you, Zane. I like this woman.”

  As he made his way back to Ginny’s desk, when he got within reach of Grace, she swatted him on the arm. Not hard enough to bother him but enough to show her irritation. “Zane, no woman wants to be called a ‘trouper.’ You’re usually smoother than that.” She turned to McKenna again. “I appreciate your dedication.”

  Women never got under his skin. What was it about McKenna that pushed his buttons and made him say the wrong thing? Why did he feel as if he lost all common sense, control, and half his brain cells when she was around?

  “Despite the way he’s acting now, watch out for Zane,” Grace said as she waved a delicate hand in his direction. “When I met him, he asked to take my picture because I’d be the perfect model for a new game being developed.”

  “That wasn’t a line. It was the truth. You would’ve been perfect for our heroine. Sadly, we had to settle for second best because you said no. I hope it doesn’t affect the sales when we release.”

  Grace grinned at McKenna. “See what I mean? If a woman isn’t careful, he could sell her snake oil before she ever realizes she’s pulled out her credit card.”

  “I’ll remember that. We’ll meet in the outer office,” McKenna said, and then turned to him. “I hope we won’t distract you too much. You might consider moving somewhere else.”

  “Are you throwing me out?” he said, forcing his voice to remain serious.

  Why had he said that when he knew it would rile McKenna?

  Wasn’t that the point? You want to see if she’ll blush all pretty pink again?

  No. He was bored and wanted to have a little fun. That was all.

  “Of course not. You’re more than welcome to stay,” McKenna said. “I’m sure Grace would love your input on the wedding’s final color scheme, floral arrangements, and invitations.”

  He cringed. That hadn’t gone how he intended.

  “I agree, McKenna. Zane would be a big help with those decisions.”

  McKenna put her hand on her chin, looking him up and down. Dang, women gave him a long look all the time, but something about McKenna’s made him want to squirm. She acted as if she was judging him and found him lacking. “I don’t know about his style, but maybe he could help.”

  How had his attempt to jerk McKenna’s chain backfired, leaving him in the hot seat? No worries. He’d show her. “The color scheme is easy. Black tuxedoes with Aggie maroon bow ties for AJ and the groomsmen. Aggie maroon dresses for the ladies. For flowers, roses. I’d say yellow for Texas and white because they represent a new beginning and everlasting love. What was the other item?” He paused and scratched his chin. “Invitations. I’d say a light gray with a more traditional font.” He flashed both wide-eyed women a smile. “How’s that?”

  “It’s actually pretty good,” Grace said.

  “Unless you graduated from the University of Texas,” McKenna said, frowning.

  He shook his head and swallowed hard. His luck couldn’t be this bad. “You didn’t?”

  “I sure did.”

  When she flashed the hook ’em horns sign, Zane’s stomach turned over. No wonder they’d butted heads like two bulls over one cow. “That explains a lot.”

  “It definitely does,” McKenna said.

  “Clearly I’m missing something,” Grace said, glancing between him and McKenna.

  “Texas A&M University and the University of Texas are such rivals they’re in each other’s school song. Now if you’ll excuse me, ladies, I’ll get out of your way, but if you need more help with selections, I’ll be in the guest house.”

  Then he packed his computers and monitors and skittered out of the office as if someone had lit his Ariat boots on fire, but as he did, he swore he heard feminine snickering.

  *

  “What happened between you and Zane?” Grace said to McKenna once Zane left and they settled into the chairs at the round table in the outer office. “When I arrived, you two looked like someone needed to ring the bell for you to go to your separate corners.”

  McKenna placed her folded hands on the invitation sample books in front of her. Nothing had been right since she arrived at work this morning. She glanced down, noticed her white knuckles, and moved her hands to her lap. How should she respond considering this
woman was engaged to one of Zane’s best friends? “Ms. Henry, I apologize if I appeared unprofessional. Zane taking over for Ginny simply caught me by surprise, that’s all.”

  Unprofessional dominated her interactions with Zane from the moment they met at the party. She prided herself on keeping her wits and controlling her emotions in a crisis, but with him, she’d given no indication she could hold her tongue much less her emotions.

  “Stop with the Ms. Henry. Call me Grace, and there’s nothing to apologize for. I thought you putting him in his place was fabulous,” Grace said, a huge, bright smile on her face.

  “Excuse me? I don’t understand.”

  “I say good for you and keep putting him in his place. The weird thing is, I’ve never seen Zane act like this. Granted, I haven’t known him long, but he gets along with everyone. He’s always charming, and nothing gets to him.”

  “Are we talking about the same man? The one who was here when you arrived because I haven’t seen the Zane you know.”

  Except when he found her singing after the engagement party.

  Dismissing the memory, McKenna rubbed the back of her neck. Great. If Grace was right, that meant Zane’s problem was with her. Something about her brought out this uncharacteristic behavior. How would she ever work with him for the next six weeks?

  Don’t you mean work for him?

  Absolutely not. That was unthinkable. The man was too arrogant. Too undisciplined. Too delicious. But unless Ginny changed her mind, she wouldn’t have a choice.

  McKenna nibbled on her lower lip. She couldn’t ask Grace why Zane acted like an ass with her, could she? That would be a complete breach of etiquette, but if she didn’t ask Grace, how would she learn why she brought out the worst in him?

  “How did you meet Zane?” she asked, trying to keep her voice casual and light.

  When Grace smiled and her eyes twinkled with amusement, McKenna gasped. “Don’t get the wrong impression. I’m not interested in him socially. You saw how it went between us this morning. I’m simply trying to figure out how to make working with him better.”