by D'Ann Lindun
Alannah drew his attention when she spoke. She practically skipped alongside him. “This is so much fun!”
He couldn’t help grinning at her enthusiasm. “We haven’t seen anything yet.”
“I don’t care. I’m in heaven.”
With a big grin aimed at her, he opened the big double doors to the exhibit hall and allowed her to enter first. The tantalizing scents of barbeque beef and hamburgers blasted, and cool air washed over them—a welcome relief from the hot Arizona sun.
“Are you hungry?”
“I want to look around first.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the booths lining the hall.
Loving the feel of her soft hand in his, he allowed her to drag him to the 4-H and community booths. Indulgently, he watched as she oohed and ahhed over everything from the homemade quilts and preserves to the tooled leather belts and wallets, rockets and cakes displayed by 4-H kids.
She turned to him with pleasure shining in her eyes. “Is it okay to take pictures in here?”
“Of course.”
After aiming her camera at everything from the exhibits to the many kids running around, she zoomed in on a little cowgirl walking with her mother. Wearing a raspberry-sherbet-colored western shirt, mini Wranglers and boots, the girl was the poster child for cute. With her blonde hair pulled up in ponytails on either side of her head, tied with curling pink ribbons, she was adorable.
For half a second, Gentry wondered if a daughter by him and out of Alannah would be so endearing. He shook off the crazy idea.
Alannah dug a card out of her camera case and handed it to the little girl’s mother. “Would you be willing to allow me to use some of these shots for an upcoming magazine article?”
The mother gnawed her bottom lip. “I don’t know. I’d have to ask her daddy first.”
“My website’s on there.” Alannah pointed to a line along the bottom of the card. “And my email. Drop me a line anytime this week.”
The woman nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”
They wandered toward a stage at the far end of the building, where a trio of musicians performed bluegrass music. Several couples danced to the lively tune; an older white-haired couple, and even a pair of teens moved to the beat. To Gentry’s surprise, Alannah led him toward the dancing. At the edge of the crowd, she tapped her toe.
He took the hint. “Would you like to take a spin?”
“Love to.” She slid into his arms, and they fit together as easily as two matching puzzle pieces. He spun her around the floor just like they’d danced together for years. She laughed in delight. Alannah’s pleasure tickled him.
Who would have thought a mid-afternoon dance could be so much fun? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d done something carefree. Skinny-dipping in the pond came to mind. His cock hardened as Gentry thought about his nude photo shoot.
After several tunes, the band took a break.
Alannah hugged him, laughing. “That was so awesome.”
He held her a moment longer than he needed to, liking how she felt in his arms. “Let’s get a drink.”
As they wound their way toward a concession stand, a pair of teenage girls approached them—Holbrook Fair and Rodeo queen and her first attendant. Wearing Stetsons decorated with elaborate crowns, western-cut jackets, skirts and leather sashes, the girls would represent the event for the next year.
The queen gave them a dazzling smile. “Would you like to buy a raffle ticket for a chance on half a beef?”
Alannah tightened her hold on his hand and made a funny noise—something between a snort and a giggle. He glanced at her and saw she was fighting to keep a straight face. He guessed she found it funny he had a herd of his own beef at home, but he knew how hard the ag kids worked, so he reached for his wallet.
“Love to. How much?”
The girl told him, and he bought twenty tickets as Alannah snapped photos.
The rodeo queens bubbled over with happiness, thanking him effusively.
“You’re welcome, girls.” He tucked his much lighter wallet back in his jeans.
After they left, Alannah surprised him by pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
He glanced at her. “What was that for?”
“Because you’re a nice man. You made those girls’ day.”
“I’m more concerned about your day.” Pleasure spread through him at her words. “Having fun?”
“I’m loving it,” she gushed. “Thank you for suggesting this. It’s just wonderful.”
His heart swelled. Maybe choosing something simple instead of a fancier date in Austin had been the right decision. “Good.”
At the concession stand, he bought them each an ice-cold lemonade. They wandered toward the rows of flower exhibits. As usual, Alannah lifted her camera. He sipped his frosty drink and waited while she took her pictures. At one point, she knelt in front of an arrangement of roses and put her camera almost on the petals.
After helping her to stand, he pulled her close, intending to kiss her, when a dark-haired woman with striking blue eyes approached. “Gentry! What a nice surprise.”
“Mila. Hi.”
She glanced between him and Alannah, clearly curious. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I thought I’d show Alannah a county fair.” He indicated his date. “Mila McDonaldMcDonald, meet Alannah Murphy.”
The women shook hands.
“Good to meet you,” Mila said.
“Likewise.”
“Are you enjoying our fair?”
“Love it,” Alannah assured her.
Gentry glanced around. “Is John here?”
“Yeah, looking at the steers. We always buy one to support the kids. The livestock sale starts in about an hour. I was just going to get drinks before the seats fill up.” Mila took a step, then hesitated. “Why don’t you join John and me tonight at the concert? We have extra tickets. Remember SkyeBlueSkye Blue? She’s playing.”
Gentry glanced at Alannah. “Would you like to do that?”
“Sounds great!” Alannah took a deep breath. “I know SkyeSkye, actually. I shot her one time for my magazine.”
Something flitted across Gentry’s face before he masked it. Annoyance? Why? “We’ll see you there then.”
“Good. Meet us at the north gate by seven.” Mila gave a small wave. “Nice to meet you, Alannah. See you both later.”
“See you.” Alannah flashed her a smile.
“Are you certain you want to go?” Gentry asked. “We don’t have to if you felt put on the spot.”
“I can’t wait,” Alannah told him. “I love that singer. I photographed her a few years ago. I thought she quit singing, though.”
He shrugged. “That’s the way of a small fair. A place for acts that have faded out of the limelight.”
“Sad for them but good for the fans,” she said.
They walked a short distance toward the livestock barn. The first section housed rabbits and poultry. Brightly colored ribbons decorated the pens, depicting what places they had earned. Alannah leaned in close to each cage and made cooing sounds at the bunnies.
“You are too cute,” she told one panting gray rabbit.
A small boy standing nearby beamed. “That’s Mildred.”
Alannah smiled at him. “Mildred?”
The boy hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and nodded. “Yup.”
“She’s beautiful,” Alannah told him.
“Thanks.” The boy’s chest puffed up as he pointed at a purple ribbon hanging from the cage. “We won Grand Champion.”
She high-fived the boy. “Awesome!”
After she chatted with the boy, Gentry led her into the hog section. Bathed, clipped and polished, the pigs glowed with good health and obvious care. Misters above the pens kept the animals cool. Just as in the rabbit house, bright ribbons hung from the pens.
Alannah bent over one spotted Hampshire. “Adorable.”
“I’ll buy one at the sale,” Gentry said. �
�Maybe this one. It won champion in his class.”
She gave him a quizzical look. “But you’re a cattle rancher.”
“Yes, but I eat bacon and pork chops.”
Her bright smile faded as she looked between him and the sleeping pig. “You mean—”
“They’re sold last day of the fair,” he explained. “And I usually purchase one or two for the freezer.”
“I don’t want to see any more.” She blinked furiously and hurried away without looking at any more of the animals.
Gentry frowned as he followed the city girl. How did she think the beef and pork got on her plate? By crossing her arms and nodding like a genie? He raised animals for food. It was how most of his friends and neighbors made their living.
He was country-bred and born.
She wasn’t.
For a brief moment, he’d forgotten they were as different as the Arizona hills and New York streets.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Although they continued to look at the exhibits in the hall, still upset by the little pig’s impending fate, Alannah had a hard time enjoying herself. Of course she knew how meat got on her plate, but she’d never looked into the eyes of the doomed before. Doing so made her stomach churn. She’d shown dairy cows as a kid, but none were eaten after the fair was over. The reality made her ill. Adding to her unrest was Gentry’s quiet disapproval. He hadn’t said anything about her flight from the barn, but by his silence, she could tell he wasn’t impressed.
He took her hand and pulled her to face him. “How about we go to the carnival?”
“Okay,” she said dully.
The excitement of all the kids running from booth to booth lifted her spirits. Meandering through the crowd, they took in the sights and sounds until Gentry stopped at one of the games. After making a muscle, he picked up a baseball and pitched it at a stack of plastic pylons. With a perfect bull’s-eye hit, he sent the pyramid flying in all directions.
Alannah laughed at his antics. His effort to cheer her was working in spite of her sadness.
The carnival worker pointed toward the ceiling of his tent, where a myriad of stuffed animals hung from the rafters. “Pick one.”
Gentry arched a brow her direction. “Which?”
Alannah pointed to a turquoise-colored unicorn with a silver horn and hooves. “That one.”
The vendor used a long stick with a hook on one end to retrieve the plush toy and handed it to her. “There you go.”
“Thank you.” She hugged it to her chest. “I love her.”
“Her?” Gentry’s full lips pulled up into a sexy grin.
“Uh-huh.” Impulsively, Alannah wrapped her arms around his waist, crushing the toy between them. “Thank you.”
He hugged her tight. “You’re welcome.”
She pulled back a little and looked up at him. Something hot flared in his eyes. Right there, in front of the entire carnival, he kissed her. Instead of saying take me here and now like she wanted to, she instead said the first thing that came to mind. “I’m starving.”
He chuckled. “For food?”
She punched him lightly on the arm. “Yes, I’m hungry for food, too.”
“Then let’s get some.”
Hand in hand, they walked toward the food vendors at the far end of the tents. All kinds of choices tempted them. Cotton candy in a dazzling array of colors. Turkey legs. Frito Boats. The food all smelled wonderful. She inhaled, then exhaled.
“What would you like?”
She made a beeline for the hotdog stand at the corner of the area. “A corndog.”
“A corndog then.” Gentry ordered for them, adding tater tots, more lemonade and one purple cotton candy. He carried everything to a picnic table under an oak tree. “This looks like a good place.”
“Perfect.” Alannah set the blue unicorn on the seat next to her. Gentry sat with his thigh bumping hers. Her stomach fluttered with something other than hunger. Ignoring the rush of desire, she dug into her food.
The sun began to set in the western sky, and dust motes floated in the clear evening air. Alannah couldn’t think of a more perfect place to eat. She sighed in contentment. “What a nice dinner.”
Gentry swatted at a bug in the air. “You probably wish we’d gone to a fancy restaurant now.”
“I’d rather be here.” She sipped the tart lemonade. And it was true. She could go to a fancy eatery any day of the week. Being here, at a county fair with a good-looking, attentive man was something she’d rather do. Anytime.
The thought rocked her.
She bit into her corndog and chewed, her mind churning. What had changed? When had it become more fun to spend a low-key afternoon with a rancher than a night on the town with her friends?
Since she’d met Gentry.
She shot a glance at his profile. Strong. Handsome. So sexy he made her hot with a simple touch.
The perfect man. One who would never leave this place. He was exactly like her father, tied to the land at all costs. Damn. She crumpled her trash and finished her lemonade. “What time is it?”
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Six-thirty.”
“We’re meeting your friends at seven?”
“Yes.” He stood and threw their trash in a nearby can. He returned and pulled off a piece of the cotton candy and held it toward her. She opened her mouth for the sweet. It melted on her tongue, and she closed her eyes. Damn this man for making her want him so bad. She couldn’t settle down and be a rancher’s woman. She’d lose her mind in a week.
She took a piece and fed it to him. When he took her wrist, and held it to lick her sticky fingers, a soft moan slipped out of her throat. She had to leave here before she was trapped, but she could enjoy what time she had left.
He broke the intensity. “I know what to do to kill some time.”
She took his outstretched hand. “What?”
“Come on.”
He took her to the Ferris wheel and purchased two tickets. They settled into one of the seats, and an attendant buckled the safety bar across their laps. With a jolt, the ride lifted them in the air. Every few feet, the wheel stopped so the riders could get a good look at the view below. As they hung high above the fairgrounds, Alannah saw the carnival, the barns and the arena where a crowd had begun to converge. She loved the small-town charm. The peace and safety.
Automatically, she lifted her camera, then put it down. She didn’t need photos. This moment would live in her memory forever.
The ride lurched a few feet more until they sat in the very top seat. Never a fan of heights, she clutched Gentry’s hand.
“You okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Hey.” He cupped his free hand behind her neck and turned her head toward him. His lips covered hers, his tongue darting into her mouth. Surprise turned to desire in a nanosecond. She melted into him, their mouths mashed together in a tangle of tongues and lips. He tasted like cotton candy and lemonade. The world below disappeared as Gentry became the only living thing for her as their kiss deepened.
They didn’t break apart until the ride attendant cleared his throat.
With a laugh, Alannah pulled away from Gentry. “I think it’s time to get off.” His amused look made her giggle. “You know what I mean.”
“Indeed, I do. We’ll finish this later.” He stepped down and held out his hand. “Right now, John and Mila are waiting.” The promise in his eyes made her dampen. If he hadn’t assured his friends they’d meet, she’d drag him somewhere private and have her way with him. Get her fill before she had to leave.
~*~
John McDonald held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Alannah liked him immediately. Tall, quiet, with an easy smile that stood out against his darkly tanned skin, he was almost as handsome as Gentry.
“You, too.” Like Gentry, he had the hands of a working man—slightly rough, callused.
Mila indicated their seats, right in front of the stage, which set squarely in t
he arena. “We’re here.”
The two women sat in the middle, the men flanking them. Mila glanced at her husband. “Would you mind getting us a beer?”
He nodded. “Want to go with me, Gentry, so the ladies can talk about us?”
Gentry laughed and stood. “Sure.”
After the two men left, Mila angled her body toward Alannah with a big smile. “How do you like Holbrook County Fair?”
“I love it,” Alannah said immediately.
“Where are you from?”
“Back East. A tiny, little town in Vermont no one has ever heard of.” Alannah played with the strap of her camera case. “I’m from nowhere now, though I make my home in New York City. I live out of a suitcase. Are you from here?”
“My entire life,” Mila said.
“You grew up with Gentry, then?”
“I did.” Mila looked at her with an appraising glance. “Same grade, same class all the way through elementary school. Rode the bus with him in junior high school. We’ve been friends forever.”
A little pang of jealousy rippled through Alannah, but she smiled. “John, too?”
“Yep. I’ve been in love with him since grade school.” Mila turned her attention to the stage where the roadies rushed around, doing last minute sound checks. “How did you meet Gentry?”
Alannah lifted her faithful Canon. “I work for a western magazine. They sent me here to photograph him for an upcoming article.”
“Oh, how exciting.”
“Yes.” Alannah didn’t have her usual enthusiasm. The urge to move on wasn’t as strong as normal.
“So you’ll be going away soon?” Mila didn’t sound judgmental, only interested.
“Next week. I’m spending a few extra days here before I go to Houston on my next assignment.”
Mila looked at her with a smile. “Gentry’s a hard man to crack, but it appears you’ve done it. He’s crazy for you. I can see it in his eyes.”
“I like him a lot, too,” Alannah said softly. “But this is casual.”
“It’s not casual for Gentry.” Mila shook her head. “He’s falling hard for you.”
