Craving a Real Texan--A Western romance

by Charlene Sands

  “Mom, when did Gage get here?”

  His mother looked surprised. “I didn’t know he was.”

  “Well, he is. He’ll probably be up soon to see you.” That’s if he’d tear himself away from Harper long enough to visit his mother before she went to bed.

  “Good. At least he won’t fault me for wanting to have fun at my party.”

  “Mom, are you still mad at me?”

  He continued to gaze out the window. Gage had enough charm to sweep any woman off her feet, and Harper seemed to be enjoying his attention. What girl wouldn’t want to meet Gage Tremaine, superstar?

  “I wasn’t really mad, Cade. I was angry at myself for being clumsy and for everyone insisting I go to the hospital when I knew I didn’t need to. But just so you know, if you ever speak to me that way again, I’ll disown you,” she added for good measure.

  “That’s nice, Mom,” he replied, distracted. Gage and Harper had stopped by the corral fence from what he could see, having a fun ole time. What in hell did they have to talk about?

  “Nice?” his mother asked. “Cade, you’re not listening to a word I’m saying. Who’s out there with Gage? Must be Harper. She’s the only one who seems to hold your attention lately.”

  “Wh-what, Mom?”

  “Cade, look at me.”

  He turned, shaking his head. “What is it, Mom?”

  His mother smiled as if she knew a secret no one else did. And she was going to share it with him. “If your brain and your heart are in a battle, always go with your heart.”

  “It’s not that simple. I still have issues with her.”

  “You’re thinking too much. Harper is a talented, sweet and smart girl. If you care for her, let her know. And if you don’t, let her go.”

  Cade took one last glance out the window. It looked as if Gage and Harper were finally saying their goodbyes. Gage headed toward the main house and Harper toward the guesthouse. The relief Cade felt seeing them go their separate ways rattled him.

  “Mom, I don’t want to make another mistake.”

  “I get that you were injured when Bree died.”

  “This isn’t about Bree anymore, Mom. It’s about trust. I’m struggling with trusting again, and I don’t know if I can trust Harper.”

  “Have you noticed the way she looks at you? Now, that’s a woman who knows what she wants.”

  Cade sighed. If only he could have faith in that, in her.

  “Son, I’m getting a little tired. Will you round up your brother and bring him in to see me before I turn in?”

  “Sure, Mom.”

  “And, Cade. Think about what I said.”

  “Will do.”

  Harper was all he had been thinking about lately. He didn’t need his mother to tell him that. He felt guilty leaving Harper in the lurch when his mother had been injured and not calling her afterward. The truth was, he’d been shaken to the core by their encounter at the creek, unable to halt his desire for her. Was it only about sex? Was he missing her, Harper, or was he simply fantasizing about Dawn, the girl he’d met and fallen for at the cabin?

  Cade opened the front door just as Gage was walking in. “Hey, dude, good to see you.” Gage smiled and opened his arms and the two bear-hugged. “It’s been, what? Three months?”

  “Something like that.” They resembled each other, with their strong jawlines and thick shocks of dark hair. Both were over six feet tall, too. But Gage had blue eyes that all his fans seemed to think were dreamy. “It’s good to see you, too. Mom’s upstairs, getting ready to turn in.”

  “How is she?”

  “Doing well. It’s been murder getting her to take it easy, but I think she’s gonna dance at her own party tomorrow night.”

  “Ah, I’m so glad. Would’ve been here sooner, but I had to do an interview in Houston. Man, I’m glad my tour’s almost done.”

  “Well, it’s good to have you home.”

  “Thanks, bro. Hey, I met your girl outside. Harper? She’s real nice.”

  Cade folded his arms across his chest. “She’s not my girl, Gage.”

  “She’s not? Man, maybe she should be. She’s got a lot going for her.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Hey, I follow the headlines. Hell, half the time, I’m the one in them. But Harper, she got a raw deal.”

  “She told you that? But you just met her.”

  “Don’t get your panties in a knot,” Gage said, grinning. “I watched the show. Whenever I could. And Harper and that Chef Dale guy weren’t right for each other. The fans turned on her just because she recognized that fact before she made a big mistake in marrying him.”

  Cade’s mouth tightened. Now he was getting romance advice from Gage, the guy who’d broken more than a few hearts in his day.

  “If you’re not interested in her, then maybe I—”

  “Forget it, Gage.” His brother was trying to bust his chops. That’s all it was. They’d grown up competing with each other, but never over a woman. “Just so we’re clear—Harper is off-limits.”

  “Yeah, I figured,” he said, his mouth twitching in the start of a smile.

  “You haven’t changed.”

  “Why should I? I like who I am. Do you?”

  No, Cade didn’t like who he was right now. He liked the man he was at the cabin, a trusting soul who’d fallen in love with a wonderful woman. “Mom’s waiting for you. Let’s have a drink together later?”

  “Sure, I’m always up for that.”

  * * *

  Harper couldn’t believe she’d just met Gage Tremaine. He was larger than life, and when he’d introduced himself to her over by the stables, she had to admit she’d had a fangirl moment. But it had only taken a few minutes talking to him to learn two things about Gage. First, underneath the heartbreaker superstar facade was a decent man who cared a good deal about his family. Second, Gage wasn’t Cade. Not by a long shot. And thinking of Gage’s brother only made her hurt even more. Because in two days, she’d be leaving, and her time with Cade Tremaine would be over.

  She made herself a cup of tea and plunked down on the sofa, staring at the television, not really paying attention to what was happening on the screen. Tomorrow was the big day, and she needed to get a good night’s sleep. She’d exhausted herself, but in a good way, training her sous chefs and going through a dry run with the staff to make sure everything would work like clockwork for the party. She put all else out of her mind, focusing solely on her job. The menu was set and all deliveries had been made. Now, it was just a matter of creating a delectable meal with all the trimmings.

  The knock on her door startled her. She wasn’t up to visitors. She was exhausted and totally unpresentable, wearing gray sweatpants with her greasy hair piled atop her head. She thought about not answering the door, but the knocking was persistent and she had a pretty good idea who it was.

  “Just a minute,” she called out. She ran into the bathroom, washed her face and brushed her teeth, then groaned at her reflection in the mirror.

  “Harper, are you okay in there?” Cade called out.

  “Fine,” she said, and walked over to the door. Cade was the very last person on earth she wanted to see right now. She whipped open the door. “What?”

  He looked her over from top to bottom, and his expression didn’t change. “Hi.”

  “Hello,” she said, folding her arms.

  “Sorry to bother you so late.”

  “It is late.”

  “Will you invite me in?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “I get why you’re mad, Harper. I shouldn’t have...”

  “Why are you here, Cade? For a man who sets down rules, you certainly don’t abide by them.”

  “I know. I’ve been—”

  “Confused? Hurt? Unsure? Well, so am I
. But I’m one other thing. I’m exhausted and not up for this, Cade. I have a big day tomorrow. So, I’m going to say good night now.”

  “Harper?”

  “Glad you got my name right this time.” She closed the door, pretty much in his face.

  Which only made her feel worse, instead of better.

  Ten

  Saturday morning, Harper, dressed in chef’s whites, was sitting in the dining room with Rose, Lily and Gage. “I’m glad you joined us for breakfast,” Rose said. “You’ve been working very hard this week.”

  “Thank you. It’s great to see you up and around.”

  “I’m up and ready for my party,” she said, taking a sip of coffee. “I’m only sad my dear friend Tonette won’t be coming. She’s very ill and her daughter, Gianna, is taking care of her. I’m afraid my friend isn’t...” Tears came to Rose’s eyes. She couldn’t say any more.

  “Oh, Rose, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Harper said.

  Rose was such a strong woman, but Lily had said Tonette’s illness had taken a toll on her. The two were like sisters.

  “Mom, Gianna is with her. Tonette understands. We’ll visit her next week,” Lily said. “Just like we always do. I promise.”

  “Okay. Thanks, honey. I enjoy our visits.” She patted Lily’s hand. “Do you know where Cade is? I thought he would’ve come down by now.”

  Irene served them bacon and eggs, and, according to the Tremaine cook, Gage’s favorite: yeast rolls. Apparently, she wasn’t wrong. Gage grabbed three rolls and buttered them like a pro.

  “I wouldn’t be expecting him for breakfast,” Gage said. “He sorta drank me under the table last night.”

  “Geesh,” Lily said. “You guys with your drinking games.”

  “Not games, sis. We’re not eighteen anymore. He did some serious damage, then went up to bed.”

  All eyes turned to Harper, and she put her head down, trying to keep heat from burning her cheeks. She hadn’t been hungry before she sat down, being too excited to start the day with her sous chefs and prepping the meal. But now, her stomach churned and she surely couldn’t bear to take a bite of anything. She slugged her coffee down in a big gulp.

  “Harper, why don’t you tell Gage about the menu you planned for tonight.”

  “Oh, sure,” she said, grateful for the change of subject. “Keeping with the surf and turf theme, we’ll start out with bourbon-and-pineapple steak-and-shrimp kabobs, among half a dozen other appetizers.”

  “You could stop right there,” Gage said, “and I’d be happy.”

  “Oh, hush,” Rose told Gage. “Let the girl finish.”

  Gage winked at her. “Sorry, Harper. Please go on.”

  She gave him a smile. “We’ll be baking fresh, rustic sourdough bread for the table. And then serving a cranberry-pecan salad with raspberry vinaigrette. And the main dish is prime rib roast, served with a side of linguine with scallops and artichoke hearts in a white wine cream sauce.”

  “My stomach’s grumbling already. I’m impressed,” Gage said.

  “Me too,” Lily said. “Harper’s a great chef. Her food always tastes so delicious. She even taught Cade to cook, if you can believe that.”

  “Cade cooking? Now, I’m really impressed. Maybe you can teach me, too, Harper. I can hardly toast bread.”

  Harper looked at Lily and she shrugged. “What can I say? My brothers are hopeless in the kitchen.”

  “Or maybe just hopeless,” Cade interjected, and all eyes turned to the doorway.

  “Well, speak of the devil,” Gage said.

  Cade sauntered into the room, looking like he’d had a rough night. His hair was rumpled, his eyes bloodshot, and his clothes a wrinkled mess. Always at first sight of him, love surged inside Harper, softening her heart. And then she remembered all that had transpired between them. Last night, she’d spoken harshly to him and sent him packing. She had every right to do that. He couldn’t come in and out of her life as he pleased. She was glad she’d spoken her mind, yet she did feel a bit guilty, looking at the wreck he was this morning.

  “Cade, come sit and have some coffee with us,” Rose said. “Looks like you need it.”

  Cade gave everyone a glance, then stopped on Harper, noting her chef’s uniform. “Morning,” he said to her.

  “Good morning,” she replied.

  “Big day?”

  She nodded. “For everyone. Actually, I should get started in the kitchen. The crew will be here in half an hour.” She rose from the table. “Thanks for breakfast.”

  Cade’s mouth twisted in a frown. This time she wasn’t trying to avoid him. “I really have to start work,” she told everyone, making her point to Cade, as well.

  “Of course you do,” Rose said. “But be sure to take a break every once in a while. You didn’t eat a thing for breakfast.”

  “I’ll eat later, I promise.”

  “I’ll join you in the kitchen in a few minutes,” Lily said.

  “I’m counting on it,” she told Lily.

  She was just outside the door when she overheard Cade say to his brother, “And no, she’s not gonna teach you how to cook.”

  Harper rolled her eyes, but then the more she thought about it, the more it made her smile.

  * * *

  Harper spent the morning working hard with her staff to prep the meal. She chopped vegetables, sampled the meat and scallops for taste and texture, and made sauces and marinades. She worked on a fruit tower, using some secrets she’d learned in culinary school to make it stand over two feet tall.

  Outside, in the backyard, tables were being set up. She heard Gage and his band members constructing a stage and doing sound checks.

  A flower delivery arrived, including bouquets of pastel roses to decorate the first floor of the house, while a dozen arrangements for the tables were placed in the dining room to keep cool until just before the party started at six o’clock.

  Lily was in and out of the kitchen all day, helping as much as she could until she was called away to check on something else. By one in the afternoon, Harper felt like it was all coming together. She watched her team work and was proud of the job they were doing.

  To her surprise, Cade walked into the kitchen, dressed in sharp clothes, his eyes keenly alert. The transformation from morning to afternoon was truly stunning. Again, her traitorous heart did an Olympic-quality somersault.

  “I’ve never seen you in your chef’s whites,” Cade said. “I like it.”

  “Thanks.” She continued chopping bell peppers.

  “How’s it going?” he asked, glancing at the half dozen sous chefs working in the kitchen.

  “Well, we’re right on target, so you can report back to Lily all is going smoothly.”

  “That’s not why I’m here.”

  She kept her head down, finding more veggies to chop. “Oh no?”

  “I came to ask you to give me some time after the party. I’d like to speak with you privately.”

  “Cade.”

  “I mean it, Harper. We really need to talk. Just give me twenty minutes of your time.”

  “I don’t know.” She gestured to the room with all its organized chaos. “I can’t think clearly right now.”

  “That’s why I want to see you after this is all over.”

  “Okay. Fine. I’ll see you after the party.”

  A smile crossed his face, one that melted her silly, stupid heart. “Great. I’ll see you soon.”

  * * *

  By late afternoon, the kitchen was abuzz. Guests would begin arriving in minutes, and Harper and her team were ready. She couldn’t be prouder of the way they’d worked together these past few days. With the clinking of a glass, she summoned their attention, and they gathered around. “I just want to thank you all for your hard work this week. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to wo
rk with. We’ve accomplished quite a bit, and everything is looking great. So again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s the witching hour now, the party’s about to begin and we’ve got more to do. So, let’s all get busy.”

  Lily walked in with Rose, both looking glamorous in long shimmering gowns. Rose was walking without a limp, a regal picture in soft pink. She beamed from ear to ear. “This all looks marvelous,” she said, glancing at the food.

  “Thanks, but you’re the one who looks marvelous. Both of you do.”

  “Mom’s about ready to greet her guests. But she insisted on seeing you first.”

  “Harper,” Rose said. “I’m so happy you’re here. You’ve taken over the kitchen and done a professional job. I can tell already it’s going to be truly wonderful. I only wish you could attend the party instead of working in here all night.”

  “Rose, that means the world to me. Thank you.”

  “Mom, I’ll make sure Harper gets some time at the party.”

  “You do that, Lily.”

  After they walked out, Harper looked down at her chef’s uniform and grimaced. She was a total mess, with grease stains and raspberry smudges covering her entire coat. She excused herself and walked out the door, heading for the guesthouse, where a fresh white coat was ready to go.

  A valet was opening car doors in front of the house, and she came face-to-face with a red-haired woman just exiting her car. She was striking, supermodel-sleek, wearing an emerald green gown with a plunging neckline.

  “Oh, hello,” the woman said to her. “You’re Harper Dawn, aren’t you?”

  “Uh, yes, I am.” Harper had trouble not staring at the woman’s impeccable features.

  “Cade did say you were catering the party tonight. I’m Madeline O’Shea.” She put out her hand. “A very good friend of Cade’s—and the family, of course.”