Pursued by the Rich Rancher

by Catherine Mann

  Alex sat in the chair beside her, face in the cradle, strong arms on the rests. Her view of him was limited, but then every bit of him intrigued her. It had been so long since she’d had a man in her life, the masculine details made her shivery all over. The dark hair sprinkled on his arms made her want to tease her fingers along his skin.

  Clearing her throat, she shifted her eyes away from temptation. A tray of finger foods as well as glasses of green tea and lemon water with straws waited on a long table in front of them.

  Never in a million years would she have expected him to come up with this idea. She heard the light rustle of footsteps as each masseuse took her place and whispered softly, “I’m going to start on your shoulders now. Let me know if you require more or less pressure.”

  At the first firm touch, Nina all but melted into the chair. Wow. Just wow. “Alex, this is...unexpected and incredible.”

  “Unexpected in what way?” His voice rumbled from beside her.

  “That you thought of this and that you’re here too, I guess,” she answered, the last word turning to a low groan of pleasure. She reached for the lemon water and guided the straw through the face cradle for a sip. The scent of massage oils filled the air. Sage, perhaps?

  “A good massage was crucial back in my rodeo days if I wanted to walk the next day. Even once my years on the circuit ended, I found I was still addicted.”

  She’d seen him on the wild horse that first day, but hadn’t thought about his rodeo days. She turned her head enough to sneak a peek, her eyes roving over his body, envisioning those strong thighs gripping resistant bulls. She also thought of the kinds of falls he must have taken. He’d mentioned broken bones and she couldn’t hide a wince at the pain he’d felt. She noticed a tiny scar peeking out of his hairline along his temple. Had he gotten that from a bad spill?

  The masseuse gently guided her face back into the padded cradle of the chair and kneaded the tight tendons along her neck. The stress of so many weeks flowed down her spine and away from her body. “This really is heavenly and just what I needed.” Her mind went a little fuzzy with relaxation, and her eyes slid closed, voice getting softer with each word. “Funny how I never thought about how little actual physical contact I have in my life these days. Not even hugs...”

  Every deep breath she drew filled her with the scent of peppermint, sage and Alex’s aftershave. The relaxing massage, the tempting smells and images of this oh-so-physical man made her warm with pleasure.

  There was something intimate about sharing this experience together, yet safe because nothing more could happen while they were being massaged. But during the dinner cruise tonight? And afterward?

  She’d already broken so many personal rules when it came to this man. How much further could he entice her to go?

  Five

  Alex knocked on the cabin door, a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand, wrapped in paper and tied with some kind of string the lodge gift shop had called raffia. He’d even written a card for her, including a poem he’d found in French about a beautiful woman. He wanted to make the flowers special, more personal.

  If ever a woman needed some pampering, it was Nina.

  That instant during the massage when she’d commented on how rarely she was touched had been a serious gut check moment of all the things she was missing in her life, down to the simplest—touches. He’d witnessed firsthand how hard she worked for her son, how she’d restructured her whole life to be his first and fiercest advocate all on her own. Alex burned with the need to make her life easier.

  At the same time, all this made him nervous after Johanna’s rejection. And now with Nina, it meant even more that things go well. He wanted to get this right, all the way down to a French poem.

  The door opened and he felt the wind knocked clear out of him as surely as if he’d been thrown off a bull. “You look...amazing.”

  His eyes swept over her, her red curls gathered up into a loose bunch on top of her head, one curl trailing down her cheek. She wore a simple black wraparound dress that brushed the top of her knees. He recognized the long gold chain from the ranch’s jewelry store. His pulse ramped up at the thought of her going to extra trouble to prepare for their date.

  “It’s nothing fancy. I didn’t pack with a dinner cruise in mind.” She toyed with the link chain, stepping back.

  “If this is simple, I’m not sure my heart can take anything more.” Truth.

  “Save the bull for the rodeo ring.” She laughed, taking the flowers from him and burying her face in the bouquet. “Thank you, they’re lovely. I’ll put them in water while I get my shoes. Sorry I’m not ready yet, but you are early,” she called over her shoulder as she walked to the kitchen.

  His eyes held on the gentle sway of her hips. He ached to walk up behind her and brush a kiss along the vulnerable curve of her neck.

  “I came early to introduce you to the sitter, who ought to be here in just a minute. I thought it would be best if I brought her by to spend time with Cody before he goes to sleep, in case he wakes up while you’re gone.” He peered out the window to check for the caregiver, then sat beside Cody at the kitchen table where the boy drew using an iPad program.

  His little fingers flew across the screen tracing lines, picking and shading with different colors. His concentration was so intense his wiry body didn’t move other than for his tiny fingertips. He wore cowboy PJs, and his blond hair was spiky wet from a bath.

  Nina turned on the faucet and filled a hammered metal pitcher with water, the flowers already tucked inside. “That’s very thoughtful—and insightful. Thank you. I had planned to speak with her, of course, but having Cody meet her is even better. Is she one of the camp counselors?”

  Alex glanced out the window again and stood to get the door for their guest. “Actually I brought the best babysitter I know. The one I trust above all others.” He tugged the door open and waved her inside. “This is my sister, Amie.”

  The impulse to ask Amie had surprised him. His sister had merely hummed knowingly, seeing right through him. But she hadn’t pumped him for information about the date. She’d merely asked what time.

  His twin rushed into the cabin in a swirl of perfume and some long shirt-dress thing. Funny how she always said she hated the beauty pageant days yet she still glammed up like the runway queen she’d once been.

  She hugged her brother quickly before walking to Nina standing stunned at the sink. “I’m Amethyst—Amie. Nice to meet you, Nina.” She approached Cody more slowly, carefully, aware and sensitive. “And this must be Cody.”

  Nina set the pitcher in the middle of the table and tucked the card into her purse. “My goodness, thank you for coming. I’m sorry if your brother pressured you.”

  “Not at all. I love kids. Although I feel robbed not to get more time with Cody, since he’ll be going to sleep soon.” Amie angled her head to look at his drawing.

  Nina pulled a list from the counter. “I expected to have him in bed before you arrived, but I wrote down my contact info and all his favorite soothers. He has a special weighted blanket—puffy blue—for bedtime or watching TV. It’s a sensory issue.”

  Amie took the list and placed it on the table in plain sight. “Weighted blanket. Got it.” She tucked into the chair beside Cody slowly, adjusting her whirlwind demeanor. She slipped a boho bag off her shoulder and set it gently on the table. “Cody, do you like cats? I’m the cat lady around here.”

  “Cats?” he asked without looking up from his art project that was taking shape into a herd of horses racing in a circle around a little boy. “How many?”

  “I have four at home.” She held up four fingers, then pushed down two fingers, talking as if he were looking at her. “But I brought two itty-bitty kittens with me.”

  Cody looked to the side, toward her but not at her. Nina smiled and Alex slid an arm
around her waist, whispering in her ear, “I told you she’s great with kids.”

  Amie carefully lifted two young kittens from her boho bag. The orange tabbies wore little sweaters made of socks and were cradled in a lined box. “They stay warm by keeping close to me. These are strays we found in the barn. Actually there were four. Johanna is bottle-feeding two and I’m bottle-feeding the other two.”

  She pulled out a couple of tiny bottles and raised her perfectly plucked eyebrows expectantly as she waited for his response.

  “Oh,” Cody gasped, rocking forward on the bench for a closer look. “Kittens? I like kittens. Cat lady has kittens and I like kittens.”

  Alex chuckled. “Does Stone know he’s taking bottle-fed kittens on his honeymoon this weekend?”

  Amie glanced up, her long black braid swinging. “They’ll be weaned by then, silly. I’ll have the four until they get back.”

  Nina leaned in to sweep a finger down each fuzzy orange back. “Will you keep them?”

  “I’m not that much of a crazy cat lady. I already have four of my own.” Amie cradled one in her hand and positioned the mini bottle to its mouth. “We’ll get them spayed and neutered and find them good homes.”

  Cody sat cross-legged on his chair, the rocking barely discernible as he ran one finger along a kitten’s back just as his mother had done. “So soft.”

  Nina cautioned, “Be careful, Cody. Gentle.”

  Amie scooted closer. “Would you like to feed her? I’ll hold the kitten and you hold the bottle.”

  “Yes, yes, yes.” He held out his hand, wriggling his fingers.

  “Cody,” Nina said. “I’ll stay to tuck you in.”

  “Feeding the kittens. I want to feed the kittens. Don’t wanna go to bed yet.” His words dwindled as he took the bottle, his eyes focused on holding the bottle to the kitten’s mouth. “Then gonna draw pictures of kitties.”

  Nina touched the top of her son’s head lightly, smiling her thanks to Amie. “That sounds wonderful, Cody. You’re going to have a great time with Alex’s sister.”

  Alex’s sigh of relief mixed right in with Nina’s. Her body relaxed as tangibly as earlier when they’d gotten massages. The tension drained from him, as well. Bringing his sister here had been the right call. Nina and her son fit with his family a way that boggled his mind. Things were happening fast with Nina, and he had no desire to slow down, just keep going with the ride. He would deal with his grandmother’s test later.

  For tonight, he would have Nina all to himself.

  * * *

  Nina’s toes curled in her simple gold sandals as she sipped a glass of merlot on the paddle boat dinner cruise. She had a closet full of lovely dresses from her New York City days, but they were all back at her house. Yet Alex’s heated looks made her feel attractive.

  Alive. Even in the simple way they sat in silence now, enjoying their meal under the stars. She swirled the wine in the glass, then set it back on the table as the paddle boat made its lazy way down the Trinity River, lights twinkling from houses along the shore. The dinner cruise had tables inside and outside. But she’d opted for the moonlight and a filet mignon, the evening so different from her daily life. She loved her son, but this was such a treat after so many peanut butter sandwiches.

  Things had felt so easy these past two days. Exciting and restful all at once. Alex had a slow swagger approach to life that seemed to accomplish so much more than anyone else racing around.

  His twin sister had that same gift, but with a Bohemian flair instead of the down-to-earth cowboy ways of her brother. Nina had been stunned to see Amie show up in a sparkly long shirt worn as a dress along with thousands of dollars’ worth of bracelets and draped necklaces. She didn’t look much like a babysitter. But she’d brought orphaned kittens, teaching Cody to connect with other living beings.

  There was something unique, something special about this family. And they were drawing Nina in despite the wealth and privilege, despite all the things she’d swore wouldn’t be a part of her life again.

  The engine roared, shifting gears as the paddle boat angled around a bend in the river. The tables were bolted to the floor, even though the glide across the water was smooth. Electric sconces flickered like candlelight in the centerpieces. Seating was limited, exclusive, only a couple of dozen tables total. Each corner offered privacy and intimacy, with the strain of live music muffling other conversation. How many proposals had been made on this riverboat?

  And where had that thought come from?

  She searched for something benign to say so her thoughts would stop wandering crazy paths. “Your sister is nice. You two appear to be close.”

  “Very close. We’re twins.”

  The slap of the water against the hull mixed with the ragtime tunes from the musicians.

  “Right, of course there’s a special bond between the two of you.” She tore at a roll, pinching off a bite. “Where are your parents? I haven’t seen them around.”

  His face neutral, he answered, “They travel a lot. My father is a trust fund baby through and through. He has an office and little responsibility. My mom enjoys the finer things in life.”

  “I thought perhaps your father had retired, since you and your cousin run things.”

  Alex choked on his water. “The notion of putting my father in charge of a lemonade stand is scary.” He shuddered, setting his glass back on the table. “You’ll see them when they come for the wedding.”

  She set her roll down carefully. “Excuse me?”

  “At Stone and Johanna’s wedding this weekend. My parents are flying in.” He smiled darkly. “They’re big on showing up for the parties and flying away to the next vacation when things are tough.”

  She reached for his hand to offer comfort, but he leaned back and took his drink again in a not too subtle avoidance of sympathy. That simple gesture tugged at her heart even more than his words.

  He drained the rest of his wine and set his glass down again. “Do you have any siblings?”

  She considered pushing the point, then shook her head. “I’m an only child with no cousins.” She’d hoped to have a big family of her own, with lots of siblings for Cody. “My parents had me late in life. They’d given up on ever having a child and wow, I surprised them. I know they love me, but they had such a deep routine by the time I came along, I definitely upset the apple cart—”

  She stopped short as a waiter silently tucked in to refill their wineglasses before slipping away.

  Alex turned the crystal goblet on the table. “You mentioned they’d retired to Arizona. I’m sorry they aren’t here for you now as you parent alone. The support of family would make life easier for you.”

  “We’re doing fine on our own.” How strange that she and Alex had more in common than she’d thought. Both raised by distant parents who didn’t quite know what to do with their kids. But there was so much more about him she didn’t understand and so little time for this fling of hers.

  “What?” he asked, the clink of silverware echoing from the next table. “Do I have food in my teeth?”

  “Sorry to stare.” She laughed softly, the wine and night air loosening her inhibitions enough to admit, “I’m just pensive tonight. I’m curious. Why are you going to all this trouble to romance me when I’m leaving so soon? I believe you when you say you don’t use the camp for easy pickups. So what’s going on here?”

  “Is there something wrong with wanting to spend time with you?” Her charmer cowboy had returned; the storm clouds in his eyes from mentions of his parents long gone. “I enjoy talking to you and honest to God, it’s been a while since I’ve found someone who piqued my interest.”

  “And that’s all there is to it?” She leaned both elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands while she searched for answers in his blue eyes...

 
; And within herself, as well.

  He met her gaze dead-on. “I’m attracted to you. I don’t think I’m wrong in believing you feel the same. So we’re dating. We have limited time together, so I’m cramming a lot of dates into one week.”

  “That’s true.” The wind stirred, carrying the strains of music and hints of lovebird conversations from a couple of tables over.

  He toyed with her hand doing that tempting little move massaging her palm. “And for two of those evenings I’m already committed to attending my cousin’s rehearsal dinner and wedding. I’m hoping you’ll be my date for both events.”

  In spite of the warm summer evening, her skin chilled. “Is that what this romance is all about? Winning me over so you’ll have a date for the wedding?”

  “No, God. Of course not,” he answered with undeniable sincerity. “I would have asked you out this week regardless.”

  She wanted to believe him, but then she’d believed her husband right up to the moment he rejected their child and walked out the door. “You can be honest with me. I prefer to know the truth.”

  “I am being honest about wanting to ask you out.” He hesitated, jazz filling the silence until he continued. “And yes, it’ll be nice to have you there to ease any awkwardness in my family. I briefly dated the bride.”

  “Ouch.” Nina winced. “That could be uncomfortable to say the least.”

  He waved a hand. “Stone, Johanna and I have all made peace about this. I just don’t want others assuming things that aren’t true. Any feelings I had for her were passing and are over.”

  She saw only honesty in his eyes, his words ringing true. And even if he did still carry a bit of a torch for the bride, shouldn’t that be a relief? It would make this week less complicated. Nina could have her romantic fling with no worries of entanglement.

  So, why did she still feel a slight twinge of jealousy? Pride urged her to make light of it. “If you need me as a shield of sorts, you don’t have to go to all of this trouble. Just say so and I’ll be your amorous date. I’ll pick up an incredibly sexy dress and look adoringly into your eyes.”