Grand-Prize Cowboy

by Heatherly Bell

  Upstairs in her studio apartment, she checked her mail. Funny thing, her father working at the post office and her living above it. Sometimes, if she was home, he’d wave to her from the truck as he left for his deliveries. When she got a chance, she’d have to ask him for the scoop on Boone Dalton. Her father had known about Jordan Taylor before anyone else in her family did. That he was one of those Taylors. Camilla, now married to Jordan, had lived in this very apartment before she moved into his cabin on the expansive Taylor Ranch. One of the bathrooms in her sister’s new home was nearly as large as this entire apartment.

  Speaking of Camilla, Sofia hadn’t talked to her sister in a few days. Instead of texting, the norm for them, Sofia actually went the old-fashioned way and called her.

  “Hey there,” Camilla answered the phone.

  “Are you and Jordan busy?” It wasn’t too late, but with those two, Sofia just never knew.

  Ever since they got married, Sofia had missed hanging with her sister. Camilla was pretty much her best friend. Sofia had other friends, but no one she confided in like her big sister, who understood Sofia and always gave the best advice.

  “We’re not joined at the hip, you know.”

  “So you say.” Sofia snorted. But it certainly seemed that way.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she and Camilla had done something spur-of-the-moment, like a big shopping trip to the city.

  Sofia was happy for Camilla, of course. Just as she was with her other friends who all seemed to be getting engaged, married or pregnant. The latest was her old friend Brandon Taylor and Cassidy Ware. They were engaged and already having a baby. Everyone around her was pairing up for forever after, but Sofia wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. Just the idea of pledging the rest of your life to another person seemed nuts at only twenty-six. She didn’t even like to commit to what she’d be wearing from one day to the next. Spontaneity and creativity were key, and marriage snuffed that out lickety-split.

  She’d had a plan in place from the moment she graduated from college. Work for a boutique, make contacts, network. Then find a financial backer and start her own clothing design line. She had a book full of sketches, and now that she had a portfolio of work she could take pride in, she’d be approaching Alexis. Sofia valued her opinion; she’d been in the business for a while and had many connections.

  Like Camilla, Sofia was ambitious and wanted to have a career. While Camilla was still a newlywed, she seemed to be balancing work and marriage well. For now.

  “I think... I met someone,” Sofia said, biting her cuticle.

  “Who is it? Someone I know?”

  “I doubt it. He’s a real cowboy,” Sofia teased.

  She liked to say that Jordan wasn’t a “real” cowboy, considering he spent much of his time in a boardroom. But running Taylor Beef was important, Sofia understood. It just wasn’t hard work, in her opinion, which she tried to keep to herself. More to the point, Jordan didn’t dress like a ranch hand.

  Which meant he could probably give Boone a few pointers.

  “Ha ha. So...what’s his name?”

  “Boone. He’s like us, comes from a large family. All brothers.”

  “How did you meet him?”

  “He had the best entry in the contest at the boutique. It was weird. Winona Cobbs came in to get a dress, and she just pointed to his entry. Just like that!” She snapped her fingers.

  “Uh-huh. So, does Winona get the credit for this?”

  Camilla wasn’t as big a believer in intuition as Sofia. “Not full credit, because I chose him. But she did direct me right to him, so that’s something.”

  “Just another one of those coincidences.”

  “I really like him.” Sofia took a breath. “He’s funny, sweet and...”

  The word you’re looking for is sexy.

  Her sister didn’t miss a beat. “Do you think that he could be your type?”

  “No way! You know I’m not looking for a guy right now anyway. I’m totally focused on my designs right now.”

  Camilla chuckled. “Sounds like you at least found your plus-one to Daphne’s wedding, didn’t you?”

  “Maybe.”

  Sofia wondered if Boone would be comfortable around some of Bronco’s most elite ranchers. Then again, the venue for Daphne Taylor’s wedding was Happy Hearts, the animal sanctuary she ran. Daphne had called all the shots with this wedding. No long train or wedding veil for her. Sofia had simply fashion-consulted, at Camilla’s request. But Daphne decided that everything BH Couture had to offer in the way of designers wasn’t her personal style.

  Eventually, Sofia had located a secondhand vintage dress through one of her many connections. Daphne loved it. Sofia couldn’t wait to see the look on Cornelius Taylor’s face when he saw how decidedly anti-traditional his daughter had gone with her wedding dress.

  Camilla’s question broke into her thoughts. “When are you bringing him over to Sunday dinner? You know that Papi will need to have final approval. You’re his little princess, after all.”

  “If they loved Jordan, they’re going to love Boone. He’s just one of the guys. A horse trainer.” Sofia waited a beat. “But yes, if tonight was any indication, I’d say a Sunday dinner is in our future.”

  “Wow, is this serious?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You know me. I date a lot. I’m not going to be tied down anytime soon.”

  “Famous last words,” Camilla teased. “Look what happened to me.”

  But those weren’t simply words to Sofia. She still had a lot of living to do. A trip to New York City’s Garment District someday, when she could save up enough money. And of course, her own designer label. Someday. All in good time.

  * * *

  Sofia saw Boone at the boutique every night for the next few days. After, they’d hang out at DJ’s Deluxe for a cold beer. Boone started work extremely early in the morning and worked long hours, but she’d hear from him frequently throughout the day via text. He’d let her know whether or not he’d made any progress with a difficult horse. Or ask her what she was doing.

  Each night, he’d take home another piece of his new wardrobe. A wool suit, a tux for special occasions, four pairs of patent leather loafers, six pairs of slacks with button-down shirts and a lambswool coat. But every time Boone walked into the store, he wore his old jeans, flannel shirt and leather jacket. They were always clean, but they looked the same every day. No variety.

  Another matter that hadn’t changed was Alexis droning on and on about the billboard.

  The day of the photo shoot, Boone arrived in the early afternoon as scheduled. He took one look at the photographer set up in the corner, the parasol lighting, and stopped short. It seemed he had to force himself to even walk inside.

  “You don’t have to look like you’re going to the dentist for a root canal,” Sofia said as she met him near the door.

  “I’m looking forward to this about as much.”

  Sofia smiled at him and patted his arm. “It will be over before you know it.”

  Alexis joined them, her enthusiasm and excitement bubbling over. “This is so exciting! We have a wonderful photographer. Don’t worry about a thing. You’re going to do great.”

  Boone didn’t look convinced as he accepted the first outfit from Sofia. A few minutes later he emerged from the changing room wearing a pair of dark slacks and a gray silk button-down.

  The tie was dangling haphazardly around his neck, his dimple flashing. “Can you help? I’m all thumbs.”

  He was not all thumbs, Sofia had learned. He simply had a preference for her to come close and tie it for him.

  Truthfully, so did she. “Come here, you.”

  “Any more thoughts on the billboard?” Alexis asked as she appeared from behind Boone.

  Sofia moaned. “Geez, Alexis.”

  �
��What? I figured it’s my last chance to ask. This is the last fitting for the wardrobe, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.” Sofia could stretch a dollar until it screamed, but even she couldn’t get more out of this.

  “Sorry, Alexis,” Boone said. “I’m afraid it’s still a no.”

  “Really? You don’t even want to take a week and think about it?” Alexis whined.

  Sofia could take no more of this. Boone wasn’t the showy type, and a billboard would be too “in your face,” even for her. She’d been asked to model for designers half a dozen times and refused them all. That wasn’t her thing, either. She and Boone were alike in that way, too.

  “Why not ask Geoff Burris? He’s coming to town in a few weeks for the Mistletoe Rodeo, and I heard he’s signed a contract with Taylor Beef,” Sofia said. “Maybe he wouldn’t mind doing the billboard, too, and being the face of our new men’s line.”

  “Thank you, Sofia. I didn’t know that.” Alexis turned to Boone with a wide grin. “It helps to know the right people. It doesn’t hurt to be in-laws with Jordan Taylor, does it?”

  This time Sofia knew it wasn’t her imagination when Boone tensed.

  When Alexis strutted away, Sofia straightened his tie and asked him point-blank, “Do you have an issue with Jordan?”

  “No. I have an issue with Cornelius Taylor.”

  “Everyone has an issue with Cornelius. He’s not a terribly nice man.”

  “He’s one of those people I mentioned that have been...unwelcoming.”

  She wondered if that meant Boone had experienced Cornelius’s condescending attitude firsthand. “Do you work on the Taylor Ranch?”

  He cocked his head, smiling with a hint of amusement in his gaze. “Not at all. But I probably could be of service, seeing as I’m one of the best horse wranglers in the area.”

  “I want to meet some of the horses you train and see you in action.” This was her lame attempt at making sure tonight wasn’t the last she’d see of Boone Dalton.

  He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “That’s definitely going to happen.”

  “Are we about ready?” the photographer asked.

  “Yes, we are. I mean, he is.” Sofia stepped to the side.

  For the next few minutes, the photographer took shot after shot of Boone. Wearing a tux, the suit and many of the other clothes. Not only the ones he’d won. Alexis wanted a little bit of everything so she could get her money’s worth out of her free male model, Sofia guessed.

  “Usually models get paid quite a bit of money for this kind of photo shoot,” Sofia told him.

  “Really? How do you know?”

  “One of my graduation projects at Montana State involved designing an outfit from start to finish and hiring a model for a fashion show. Loads of fun.”

  “You went to school for this?”

  “Oh, yes. I’m more than just a pretty face,” she deadpanned, playfully sticking out her tongue as the photographer snapped away.

  And for someone who didn’t like the attention, Boone moved his body with ease. Sofia could hardly take her eyes off him.

  * * *

  As had become their custom, Boone threw his new clothes in the cab of his truck at the end of the night. Then, hand in hand, he and Sofia walked to DJ’s Deluxe for a burger and a beer. It might be the last night of fittings, but Boone wouldn’t let it be the last time he saw Sofia.

  Finally, he’d managed to put the dreaded photo shoot behind him and didn’t feel any worse for the experience.

  “Hey, Sofia!” Tonight, they were greeted by DJ Traub himself, waving to them. “Got a booth ready for you.”

  “I guess they’re getting used to us dropping by,” Sofia said with a chuckle.

  Boone didn’t think that was the case. He’d learned that Sofia knew just about everyone and was friendly with them, too. They all seemed to like her, from the diners to the waiters, and to the owner himself. Boone followed her to the table, thoroughly enjoying the view of those swinging hips. That long, swaying hair. Every man in the place turned to look at least once. Some had to do double takes. Not that he blamed any of them. She always looked so put together, every hair in place.

  He honestly wanted to see what she looked like when she was pared down to the bare essentials. Nothing but skin and curves. Something told him she’d be even more beautiful, because that beauty of hers wasn’t just on the outside, as with so many women he’d dated.

  “DJ, this is Boone Dalton,” Sofia introduced them. “Boone, meet DJ Traub.”

  “Yeah, I think I’ve seen you and your brothers here before.” DJ nodded as they shook hands.

  “You have the best burgers in Bronco,” Boone said as he pulled his chair closer to Sofia’s.

  “Well, thanks, my man. I love to hear that. I’ll send your server over.”

  “He’s a nice man,” Sofia said, reaching for Boone’s hand after the owner walked away.

  He liked the way she took every opportunity to touch him, always keeping contact. A hand on his shoulder, his hand, arm, cheek, chin. And he made it easy for her by staying close. The first time he’d drawn their chairs this close together, she’d chuckled. When he’d asked what was so funny, she’d simply laid her head on his shoulder.

  “I have to ask you something,” she said now as she fiddled with the silverware. “Would you be my plus-one at the Taylor-Cruise wedding this Saturday?”

  “Absolutely,” he said without reservation. He’d go, even if forced to wear a tux. “Black tie, I assume?”

  “You’d assume wrong. This is Daphne Taylor’s wedding, and it’s going to be at Happy Hearts, her animal sanctuary.”

  He squeezed her hand. “This is my kind of wedding! Come as you are.”

  “It’s not that casual. You’ll want to wear nice slacks. A tie. Just think, you’ve got this great new wardrobe. Your first place to use it, too.”

  “I still feel guilty about that.”

  Someone else should have that wardrobe, someone who truly couldn’t afford it. He could afford this wardrobe many times over with the ridiculously generous salary his father insisted on paying him. He paid all the brothers a salary to run the place. The way Neal said it, Dalton’s Grange was their inheritance anyway. And if he kept his sons in charge, there was no way he’d ever lose it.

  “Even if your brothers were the ones who entered you, I feel like you deserved to win. It just feels right, you know?” She ruffled his hair. “And I got to spend all this time with you.”

  “Ditto.”

  “Did I ever tell you that Winona Cobbs actually pointed me to your entry? ‘That’s the right one,’ she said. At first, I didn’t take her seriously, but she does have that psychic booth inside Bronco Ghost Tours. She’s been right about a lot of things, I’ve heard, and she was right about you.”

  “Do you believe in that sort of thing?” Normally Boone didn’t, but he was beginning to believe in destiny.

  Hell, he realized it sounded corny. But what a story to tell his grandkids, if he got that lucky.

  Your grandmother and I met when my brothers entered me into a contest, and she picked my entry.

  Yeah, yeah, okay, he was getting way ahead of himself. And eventually, he would have to tell Sofia the truth. He was one of “those” Daltons. The “rough around the edges” ranchers who had come by their money in one of the least reputable ways: casino gambling. But no matter where or how his old man got the money, now he was at least trying to make things right by his family. Trying to give them all a legacy for future generations. Boone had to give him that, even if he gave him nothing else.

  He and his brothers were determined that Dalton’s Grange would be a successful cattle ranch. It would always remain in the hands of a Dalton. They were making their own legacy.

  “I do believe, a little bit. I’m not sure what to call it, but it’s
more like intuition for me. Like the moment I know I’ve made a good decision and have zero doubts. The moment I feel truly inspired and the sketch I draw just comes out right in the first draft. Kismet.”

  “Sketches? You’re an artist, too?”

  She shrugged, and her cheeks pinkened a little. “Just of clothes. I’m a fashion designer. I have an entire sketchbook filled with my own designs. And my sister helped me put together a business plan.”

  She reached in her tote bag, pulled out a book and handed it to him. “Someday, I hope to have my own line of clothing.”

  “Seriously? For women or men?”

  He paged through the book, and though he knew little about fashion, her designs looked similar to the clothes he’d seen women buying at the boutique. Even better.

  “Well, both I hope. I’ll start with women and later branch out.” She took a pull of her beer. “My dream is to make beautiful designer fashion affordable for everyone. That’s not going to be easy, I know. I’ll need to go to New York City and maybe make some contacts there in the garment industry.”

  “You’re moving to New York City?” Boone nearly had heart failure.

  Sofia laughed. “No, Bronco is my home and always will be. But I’d like to spend some time there.”

  It was on the tip of Boone’s tongue to tell her that he could take her there, maybe even bankroll the whole operation. But something held Boone back, maybe that persistent fear that she would stop seeing him and only see his money.

  He also had a feeling that Sofia wanted to do this on her own and might not take too kindly to him taking control. She reminded him in some ways of his mother, who’d been a successful businesswoman until she met his father. Even now, Deborah Dalton ran their home like a Fortune 500 company. Pretty much as she’d done when they were kids. Back then there had been schedules, chores and assignments for each brother.

  She still cooked, setting elaborate menus for family dinners and those with his father’s new business associates. The heart attack hadn’t slowed her down much.