Callie grabbed the door before it banged shut. Following closely on his heels, she stopped when he reached his closed office door. “Maybe I should help you.”
He bent down, his face inches from hers. “Not on your life, lady.”
Seeing the dull red flush dot the tops of his cheeks, Callie teased, “There’s some things I’ve been wondering about lately. I could take notes.”
He sucked in a hiss of air, and then pressed his forefinger to her lips. In a deep, husky voice, he said, “Only your lover should teach you those things.” He outlined her lips softly, leaving a tingling sensation in his wake.
A thrill shafted down her spine. Desire pooled low in her belly. Playfully, she nipped at the tip of his digit, and then reluctantly released it when he jerked away as if he’d been singed. “Are you applying for the job?” Her sultry tone caused his brandy-colored eyes to flare with heat.
Straightening abruptly, he said, “You’re too feisty to handle now. How in the world would I survive if you slept in my bed?” Displeasure edged his voice.
Her heart filled with joy. She’d gotten to him. Big time. The effect she had on him lay hot and potent between them.
He shoved his gloves at her, and then tugged the Stetson off his head and handed it to her, also. “Hold these for me. And don’t get into any trouble while I’m in there.” He jerked his chin in the direction of his office.
Saluting him saucily, she said, “Yes, sir. Anything you say, sir.” When he hesitated, she touched his muscular upper arm lightly, pivoted him in his tracks, and then gently nudged him toward the big pine door. “Good luck.”
“I’ll need it,” Jake muttered, clearly bracing himself as he turned the doorknob. Pushing the door open, he jerked back, assaulted as the three young men rushed for him.
“Is it true—”
“Can women really—”
“How can I—”
“Whoa!” Jake stopped the blast of questions hammering at him. “Rule number one: Always treat her like a lady. Rule number two: Never forget rule number one.” He shot Callie a glare over his shoulder, and then closed the door with a definite click.
A ray of sunshine settled somewhere in her solar plexus. Callie smiled widely, murmuring, “Yeah, Jake will do just fine.”
***
Nearing ten that night, Callie gathered all her courage. The verdict for the guys’ lesson on women proved a resounding success. Her heart swelled with a mixture of pride and love for Jake. He’d come through for his cousins.
Now Callie had to do the same for one stubborn cowboy. Whatever it took, she planned to work her magic, convincing Jake she’d be his saving grace come spring round-up.
Taking a deep, calming breath, Callie rapped lightly on Jake’s office door, precariously balancing a laden tray. To Callie, the answering gruff bellow sounded like permission to enter. Twisting the knob, she sucked in her breath as the contents listed to the edge.
“Help,” she squeaked, shoving the door wide open with a quick thrust of her hip. She winced when it banged into the wall.
“Whoa, Nellie!” Gus cried, rushing to her side and grabbing the heavy wooden tray. “That was a close one, Callie.” He smiled, his snowy-white mustache twitching with suppressed laughter.
“My hero,” she said, shrugging at her near mishap. As Gus moved to set his burden down on the littered desktop, she chanced a look at Jake sitting behind his big, ponderosa pine desk.
His deep scowl and intimidating air made her swallow hard. The way his denim shirt stretched across his wide chest brought heat to her cheeks and fantasies of him crowded her mind.
“I thought you two could use a break. Lance is trying out some new dishes for spring round-up. I think he calls it stir crazy cake.” She nodded to the two plates, piled high and wide with a delicious-looking chocolate desert topped with a big dollop of whipped cream. The rich aromatic brew standing in the nearby pot tickled her nose. “Mind if I join you for a cup?”
“Suit yourself. You always do anyway.” Jake’s intense, probing stare pinned her to the spot, unnerving her. Could he see through her ruse?
Smiling tightly, she perched on the corner of his massive desk. She noted the three cups, wondering if Jake assumed correctly she’d set this up. Callie poured the inky-black liquid, and then handed a cup to each man.
“Lord, that boy’s a genius,” Gus said around a mouthful of cake. “Now if he could muster cattle as good as he cooks, we’d be all set.”
“Solve all your problems, would he?” Callie asked, pretending ignorance. Taking a tiny sip of the steaming coffee, she murmured appreciatively.
“You betcha.”
“Anything I can help you with? After all, I am a fairy godmother.”
“Well, there is something…”
“Forget it, Gus. She already knows,” Jake said, his voice heavy with disgust. Tossing down his pen, he steepled his fingers under his chin.
“But how?”
Callie smiled. “I’ve got my ways.” Winking at a bewildered Gus, she shifted to look at Jake.
His arched eyebrow and expectant look had her spilling her intentions. “I hear you’re riding out to check on the cowboy at your line camp. Bernie must have cut his arm pretty badly repairing the fence today to make you hightail it to him. Seems to me like you’re going to need a replacement for spring round-up next week. How about giving me a shot? I could use the extra practice.” And money, she added silently. “And I’m really good at mustering cattle.” At least I still hope I am.
“Now why doesn’t that surprise me?” Jake muttered.
“Does that mean I’ve lost my charm?” Callie tilted her head to one side, shooting him a sexy, beguiling peek from under her lashes.
Jake’s middle contracted. A band of steel constricted around his chest, squeezing off his supply of air. His head began to spin and his heart thundered as realization hit him. He was falling for Callie, fast and hard. The moment, frozen in time and branded in his mind, would remain embedded in his soul for all the days of his life.
She’s too good for the likes of you, Lassiter.
“Do I take your silence as a yes then?” She replaced her cup on the tray.
She leaned forward and he caught a glimpse of shadowed cleavage in the vee of her white buttoned-down shirt. Searing desire lanced him. But a more powerful emotion, one he’d never suspected himself capable of, robbed him of reason. Dumbfounded, he nodded, words failing to come.
“Great,” she said, hopping off his desk, and then rushing from the room. “I can’t wait to tell the guys.”
Gus whistled between his teeth as the door banged shut. “You got it bad, son. You’ve done such a good job with Flossie and me, why don’t you start being your own matchmaker?”
A bolt of stinging current snapped Jake out of his stupor. Sitting forward, he bit out, “None of your sass. I’m hitting the circuit in a couple of weeks. Just me and my beat-up truck, leaving a trail of dust a mile long in our wake. No ranch, no cousins, no female!” And no love. That thought brought a deep, hollow ache in its wake.
Chuckling, Gus stood, hiking up his waistband. A twinkle sparked to life in his eyes, informing Jake that he didn’t believe that for one moment. “If you say so, Jake.” He burst into hearty laughter.
Chapter 14
Clutching a dripping paintbrush, Callie wiped the back of her hand across her perspiring brow. “Phew! Thank heavens that’s the last one,” she said, glancing in admiration at the row of drying black shutters littering the tiny, cluttered shed.
Her recent discovery of the canvas-covered treasure trove of paint cans brought her a wealth of delight. Gus had informed her that Duke intended to set the house to rights before he died two years ago. Obviously, Jake hadn’t felt it had been a pressing issue.
Callie snapped on the lid of the can, and then began the long process of cleaning her equipment and work area. Smiling, she thought of Jake’s surprise at finding his house freshly painted when he returned from the l
ine camp.
“Jake,” she whispered in the musty outbuilding, hearing his name bounce off the surrounding walls. Raw, biting loneliness grabbed her heart, squeezing it painfully. Only two days had elapsed since he’d ridden off. But the passage of time slowed to a crawl and each second seemed like a month to her.
Since he had been gone, she toyed with the idea of telling him just who she really was and asking to buy her little chunk of land. But something still held her back. Rejection, she supposed.
She’d come to love Jake and his cousins. For the first time in ages she, Callie Andrews, was an integral, vital part of a family, one who actually needed her. And wanted her. At least the guys did. She refused to jeopardize all of that now.
Shaking herself mentally, she gathered the last of her things and left the gloomy place. Once outside, she gulped in the welcome fresh air and wondered when the sun had disappeared. Ominous gray clouds crowded in the quickly darkening sky. She shivered at the drop in temperature and hurried into the house.
“Well, my dear, aren’t you a sight?” Jake’s housekeeper, perched atop a chair in the kitchen, stretched her short body to reach a cupboard shelf. With one arm raised to grab the object of her desire, she glanced toward Callie.
Qualms at facing Mrs. Hudson again after the bathroom incident vanished. Anxiety bubbled in Callie at the precarious position the lady had gotten herself into. “Here, let me help you down. I’ll be glad to get whatever you need.”
Mrs. Hudson chuckled, relenting easily. “After all these years, I should know better. I guess I’m always forgetting I’m only five feet tall.”
With a guiding hand, Callie assisted the lady down. “Just tell me what you need.”
“You haven’t changed a bit, have you? Even as a little girl, you pitched in whenever someone needed a hand.”
Cold, slicing shock raced down Callie’s spine. She felt the color drain from her face. “What do you mean?” Her voice sounded miles away. And her head felt light as a feather.
“Oops!” Mrs. Hudson covered her mouth with a small, fleshy hand. She dropped her hand to her chest, pressing hard. “Now mind you, I wasn’t snooping. I am the housekeeper, after all. I cleaned your room this morning and spotted the two framed pictures on your nightstand. I recognized your grandfather right away. Jasper Garrett was a fine man and never let anyone forget he had the most wonderful granddaughter in all the land. And of course the other picture of you and Jake on horseback is unmistakable to anyone who knew you two back then. The way you mooned over that boy…my, my.”
Callie’s heart plummeted to her knees. Her blood turned frigid, dripping icy tentacles. Her safe, secure world tilted. With her identity unleashed, how much longer would it be before Jake discovered the truth?
“Callie! Callie!” Lance’s squeaky tone penetrated her stunned senses.
Whirling around to face the boy who bolted in the back door, she felt the tremors die down and steely resolve take over. “What’s wrong? Is anyone hurt?”
Marvin and Stan rushed in behind their brother. Marvin spoke as the others gulped for breath. “That cowboy from the line camp just rode in.” He gasped, sucking in air.
“But I thought his injury wasn’t critical. At least that’s what he said over the CB radio the other day, right?”
Stan explained, “It’s not him. It’s Jake.”
Alarm seized her and her own problems slipped away. Callie gripped the countertop, feeling the bite of the edge dig into her palm. “How…how bad?” She didn’t recognize the whisper-thin voice coming out of her.
“It’s bad. One of his blinding headaches again. He needs his pain pills right away. The guy said Jake could barely stand,” Marvin said, his freckles standing out against his chalky white complexion.
“Oh, dear,” Mrs. Hudson said, breaking the heavy, suffocating ensuing silence.
Stan moved close, grabbing Callie’s upper arms and shaking her slightly. “Callie, listen to me.” Authority rang in his tone, snapping her to attention. “You have to go to him. You’re the only one he’ll let help him when he’s in this condition.” He twisted to look at his brothers, addressing them now. “Go pack some things for Callie and don’t forget Jake’s pain pills. Hurry up!” They obeyed his command.
Was she dreaming or had he suddenly gained the confidence of a self-assured man? Blinking at the abrupt, unexpected change in Stan, Callie realized Jake had to be in grave, desperate condition for the young man to react so strongly and so out of character. Fear clenched her core. “How fast can you get Chessie saddled?”
Chapter 15
Rain drizzled down on Callie, making pitty-pat noises on her hat. Worry left a continual frown wrinkling her forehead.
“Please, let Jake be all right,” she whispered at steady intervals as her horse plodded along. She hadn’t a clue why Chessie had suddenly become the slowest mount on the ranch. At this pace, she’d be lucky to make it to the line camp before nightfall.
Shivers racked her body as a gust of wind sliced cold rain in her face and the moisture dripped down her neck. Goosebumps rose on her flesh. Callie ached all over from the unaccustomed long ride and the dampness invading her bones. Gritting her teeth to stop them from chattering, Callie pressed on.
She squinted as a brown dot in the distance never wavered. The cabin, she thought in relief. Nudging the quarter horse with her heels, Callie’s hopes rose. Chessie increased her pace slightly, bringing a smile to Callie’s lips.
“Atta girl,” she murmured, affection coloring her tone as she patted the horse’s neck. “Let’s get to Jake as quick as we can.”
It took nearly an hour more before the horse brought Callie safely to the small cabin’s front porch. Raw, icy panic sliced through Callie’s heart. The place looked deserted. No signs of movement-no sound, nothing-just the howl of the wind rattling the boards, she realized. Had she gone to the wrong line camp? Or was Jake so sick he couldn’t move, couldn’t care for himself? Fear gripped her.
Callie dropped down to the ground. Her knees buckled. Grabbing onto the saddle horn, she tried to regain her balance. Chessie moved and Callie nearly lost her footing. Stumbling, Callie righted herself, and then made her way to the cabin.
She threw open the door, rushing in when blackness greeted her. The small, efficient cabin looked barren with the exception of a table and chairs directly ahead of her, the spotless kitchen area, and two cots shoved together against the wall. The woodstove lay empty, a stark reminder of no recent visitors.
“Jake,” she croaked out between dry, cracked lips. “Jake, where are you?” Sharp, piercing fear seized her. She bent at the waist, her hands gripping her thighs as a wave of despair rolled over her and hot, scalding tears dripped down her face. “Jake!”
“Callie? What the hell are you doing here?”
Are my ears playing tricks on me? she wondered, thinking she’d heard Jake talking to her. She scrubbed the moisture from her cheeks, praying he wasn’t a figment of her imagination.
“Callie, what’s wrong with you?”
She hadn’t been mistaken. Jake’s voice came from directly behind her. Straightening abruptly, she twirled around. Framed in the doorway, in silhouette, Jake Lassiter stood tall.
Gratitude bubbled in her chest. Her heart swelled with joy. She rushed to him, flinging herself into his arms. Her hat fell to the floor with a dull thunk. “You’re all right! Bernie rode in early this afternoon and said you were sick and you didn’t want any help. I came right away.” She hugged him tightly, savoring the feel and touch of him.
Jake squeezed her back, relishing her softness pressed so close to him. He buried his face in her silky hair, inhaling her wildflower scent. Just for one minute, he promised himself, one minute of bliss.
Time ticked by and he grew half aware of the long, drawn-out greeting. The other half, the self-indulgent half, let the rays of pleasure seep into his soul like the cracked desert floor thirsty for rainwater. Lord, how I’ve missed her.
Callie shi
fted and he reluctantly pulled away. With a firm hold on her shoulders, he gazed down at her. His heart skipped a beat. Her light green eyes, filled with such caring, nearly brought him to his knees. No woman had ever looked at him with such adoration.
It wasn’t what he wanted, he reminded himself. No forevers for him.
Reality, cold and hard, hit him over the head. He pushed her away gently and mustered up his anger. “What are you doing here? And who’s looking after the boys?”
Pain chased across her features. Pain he’d inflicted. He winced inwardly, but remained stone-faced.
“I…I told you I heard you were sick.” Frowning, she moved closer, touching his forehead with the back of her hand, and then his cheek. “Why, you feel normal to me! You always seem to run a temperature when you get one of your headaches.”
Jake bit back the groan gathering in his chest at her soft, delicate touch. “There’s nothing the matter with me.” Nothing that a long night of making wild, passionate love to you wouldn’t cure, he added silently, but knowing deep inside there was more to it than just a physical need. A hollow ache began behind his rib cage, poking at the emptiness.
“But Bernie swore—”
“He lied.” He vowed to have a serious talk with Bernie when he got back to the ranch. Concern for his cousins’ welfare took hold. “Now answer my other question.”
“Gus offered to stay with the guys. And Mrs. Hudson agreed to help out. They’ll be fine.”
“There probably won’t be a house left when I get back.” Please, keep the boys safe, Jake prayed, afraid they would hurt themselves more so than the old homestead.
“Give them more credit than that,” she admonished swiftly, defending the young men as she always did.
Jake sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. A shift in the wind had rain pelting his back. He moved inside, slamming the door shut. “Storm’s picking up,” he announced, moving to the table where he struck a match and lit the kerosene lantern.
Wanted: Fairy Godmother Page 10
