Dixie looked from Cal to Carrie clearly picking up on something. “Lucky for you, this is not a busy time. I can certainly do that for you, and you can tell me each night if you’ll be checking out the next morning or not.”
“Thank you. That sounds perfect.” Carrie would have preferred to be on the jet already heading back, but as that wasn’t possible, she would make the best of the situation.
“Great. Well, let me show you to your room.” Dixie grabbed a key from the rack behind her.
“I’ll wait here.” Cal nodded at Dixie and then wandered over to an open chair.
“So, what brought you to Soda Spurs?” Dixie asked as she led the way up the stairs.
“Cal did, actually. We met each other a few years ago, and now I need a favor from him.” Carrie hoped that explanation would be enough to satisfy Dixie’s curiosity.
“Oh, I’m sure he will do whatever you need. Cal is the sweetest man, but I’m sure I don‘t have to tell you that.” Dixie inserted the key into the door and opened it to reveal a small room decorated in a soft rose color. “It’s not huge, but it has a private bath and a closet,” Dixie said gesturing to the door on the right side of the room.
“It’s fine, thank you,” Carrie said. “I didn’t bring much anyway.”
“All right. Well, don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything at all. If I don’t have it here, I can tell you where to get it.” Dixie flashed a final sweet smile before turning and exiting the room.
When the door closed behind her, Carrie walked to the bed and placed her small bag on top. She had brought little, hoping to only spend a day or two in town, but she should probably unpack what was folded in her overnight bag to keep it from getting too wrinkled.
Before she did that though, she needed to call Philippe and inform him of her arrival, so he wouldn’t worry.
The phone rang four times in her ear before going to voicemail. As she listened to his announcement, she wondered what he was doing that kept him from answering the phone. It was nearing eight pm back in New York and he rarely worked that late. “Hey, Philippe, I made it to Texas. It looks like it might take a few days to finish up my business, but I rented a nice room. I guess you are working late, so I’ll try you again later. Bye.”
Carrie ended the call and then dialed Gwen. At least talking to her might lighten Carrie’s mood. Unlike Philippe, Gwen picked up on the first ring.
“Hey, Carrie, how is it going?”
“Not well,” Carrie said. “Cal is still refusing to sign. He wants me to spend a few days here and then he said he’ll sign if I haven’t changed my mind. He has some nerve.” Carrie shoved clothes in the dresser drawer as she seethed and then turned to the closet to hang the few items that needed it. She shouldn’t care about wrinkles. Cal and Dixie both wore jeans and plaid shirts, so they probably didn‘t care about her wrinkles, and maybe if she came across as a slob, Cal would decide he didn’t want her and sign the stupid papers. No, she wouldn’t do that. Even if it might work, Carrie could never handle looking like a slob.
“I think it’s kind of romantic,” Gwen said softly from the other side of the phone.
Carrie stopped unpacking long enough to hold the phone out and stare at the screen. She knew Gwen couldn’t see her, but she couldn’t believe those words would come out of her mouth. “Whose side are you on anyway?”
“Yours, but you have to admit, Carrie, it’s like a Hallmark movie. This guy has held a torch for you for six years and all he wants is one last ditch effort to win you over.”
“But I’m engaged to Philippe.” Why did no one seem to understand that?
“But should you be?”
Carrie shook her head and placed her toothbrush on the bathroom counter. Had Gwen lost her mind? “Should I be? Of course, I should be. He asked, and I said yes. That’s all there is to it.”
Gwen sighed in Carrie’s ear. “Do you hear yourself, Carrie? You didn’t even say you loved him.”
Irritation flared inside Carrie. “Yes, I love him. I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t love him.” Would she have? All of a sudden, she wasn’t so sure. Carrie sank onto the bed and dropped her head onto her hands. “This is such a mess.”
“Or a message.” Gwen’s soft voice held no condemnation. “Sometimes there are reasons we do things. Maybe you never divorced Cal because you had feelings for him even if you didn’t realize it. Maybe this is God’s way of giving you both a second chance.”
“I think you have newlywed brain,” Carrie said with a shake of her head. “It was one stupid night six years ago. I’m not supposed to be with him. He’s just being stubborn, but two can play at that game.” She stood and smoothed her shirt. “In fact, I think I will go have another word with him.”
“Okay,” Gwen said with a sigh. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do know what I’m doing. I’m doing what I came here to do. I’ll keep you informed.” Carrie hung up the phone, pulled back her shoulders, and yanked open the door. This was crazy. She had married Cal on a whim, not because she cared for him, and she was going to remind him of that.
Cal stood as she entered the foyer, his black Stetson in his hands. “You all good?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Ready for the tour then?”
Carrie rolled her eyes. As if she had much choice in the matter. “Sure, why not?”
They loaded back up in her car, and Carrie drove back to Cal’s ranch. Though the drive was quiet, she couldn’t help sneaking sideways glances at him. He’d been handsome six years ago, but the dark stubble on his cheeks added to his look giving him a rugged masculinity which sent her heart thumping. She tightened her grip on the wheel and forced her eyes to stay on the road and off his face.
When they arrived back at his house, Cal again rushed around to open her door before leading her up the front porch steps. “Welcome to casa Roper,” Cal said as he held the door open for her.
Carrie stepped into a warm living room decorated simply in blue and browns. The furniture was wooden and appeared handmade, but the cushions had obviously been given to Cal as they didn’t match. Still, though the room was clearly decorated by a bachelor, it had a homey feel to it.
A large fireplace filled the left wall and above the mantle was a portrait of a beautiful sunset. Carrie’s eyes scanned the room, but no television hung on any wall or sat on any surface. Instead, there was the portrait, a cross, and some pictures. Interesting, but she assumed he had a television in his bedroom or in another room of the house. Philippe had three - one in his living room, one in his bedroom, and one in his kitchen. In fact, Carrie couldn’t name a man who didn’t have at least one.
“The living room is simple, and it could use a woman’s decorating hand, but it’s home.” Cal flashed a wink at her and Carrie bristled. He was acting as if this was some elaborate game, but it wasn’t to her. This was her future.
* * *
Cal continued into his modest kitchen. “Here’s the kitchen,” he said pointing. “Again, not much, but I’ll rustle us up some grub after the ride.”
She narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her slim hips. “So, a drive? To where? No offense, but I didn’t see much to experience in this town.”
Cal mashed his lips together to keep from smiling. “Well, there’s more than you think, but I wasn’t talking about a drive. I said a ride.”
Carrie waved her hand. Her fingers were long and slender, feminine. He wondered what they would feel like clasped in his own. “What’s the difference?”
A deep chuckle bubbled in his chest, but he didn’t feel like sharing just yet. “A lot. You’ll see. Come on.” He led the way through the kitchen and out the back door.
Dexter looked up from where he had been laying on the porch and rose to his feet, his tail wagging like a metronome.
Carrie stepped back in a cowering gesture. “He won’t jump on me again, will he? I’ll probably never get all the dirt out of this white as it is.”
“Well, you’ll learn that wearing white at a ranch isn’t the brightest idea, but I’ll keep him from jumping on you. At ease, Dexter,” Cal said. “Give the lady a chance to warm up to you.”
Obediently, Dexter sat back down and stared expectantly at them.
“I think you’ll be fine now. Come on.”
She flashed the dog another withering stare before straightening and taking a step forward. Her eyes widened as she took in the expansive grounds. “Is all this land yours?” There was a hint of awe in her voice as her eyes scanned the area.
“Everything inside the fences you see. It takes a little land to raise cattle.”
“Is that what you do? Raise cattle?”
“Yes ma’am.” He offered his hand to help her off the porch as her feet seemed rooted to the spot. Cal wasn’t sure if she feared the step or the dirt that would greet her at the bottom.
She stared at his hand a moment before placing hers in his. Though a simple touch, Cal relished the softness of her skin. His own hands were rough from years of hard work outside. Carrie held his hand just until her foot touched the ground and then she dropped it as if a searing flame had erupted from it.
Cal chuckled to himself as he continued to the barn. Ginger was still tied up at the corral, but Carrie would need a horse too, and Mabel would be perfect for her. Dexter joined him but was careful to stay out of the way and farther from Carrie.
“Wait, did you mean ride horses?” Her eyes rounded like half dollars and her mouth fell open.
“Well, I certainly didn’t mean ride pigs though Stacy tried that one time. Didn’t last too long and by the end of it, she ended up dirtier than the pigs.” He laughed at the memory, but Carrie didn’t seem to find it quite as funny.
“Who’s Stacy?”
“My sister. I’ve talked about her - both that night in Vegas and in the letters I’ve written. You have received them, right?” He kept his tone light, but inside he was bursting to find out what she did with those letters. Obviously, she had at least gotten them or else she wouldn’t have his address, but had she read them? Thrown them away? Kept them twined with a ribbon in a drawer somewhere? He opened the barn door and stepped in toward Mabel’s stall.
“Yes, but Cal I don’t ride horses or any animal for that matter.”
She had brushed over the information he really wanted, but he didn’t press the issue. It would surface later. “Nonsense. You only say that because you never have. This here is Mabel and she’s as gentle as they come.” He touched the dark mane of hair that flowed down Mabel’s neck before turning to grab her saddle.
“I would have no idea how to control her,” Carrie said holding up in her hands as if warding off evil.
“You don’t have to do much.” He placed the saddle pad on Mabel’s back and then hoisted the saddle up. Then he reached under her to cinch the front and back girth. Finally, he checked to make sure none of her skin had gotten folded into the cinch. When he was sure she was comfortable and the saddle was secure, he led her out of the stall and toward the barn door. “Mabel here is a good girl. She’ll follow whatever Ginger does, and I promise I won’t go galloping off on you.”
“I’d rather not. The only animal I really like is Gwen’s cat and even then, it’s only because I don’t have to take care of her. I just cat sit sometimes.”
Cal stopped and turned to her. “You cat sit?”
Her face flushed, and her eyes fell to her hands. “It sounds corny I know, but Gwen’s my best friend and before she met Drew, she had to work two jobs. I would go to her place and take care of her cat, Tabby.”
“Hmm, I’ve never owned a cat, but I always thought they rather took care of themselves. I mean you put food and water out and change a litter box, right?”
“Well, yes, but Tabby also climbs on my lap and we watch movies together.” She glanced up at him, and he couldn’t help but chuckle at the serious expression on her face.
“Okay, so why don’t you get your own cat?”
“I can’t,” she said shaking her head and hands at him. “I kill everything. Even houseplants. Gwen once got me a cactus to try to make me feel better, but I killed the cactus. It took a little longer, but I assure you it is dead.”
His grin stretched further, and he turned away from her to keep from laughing as he continued toward the corral “I see the problem, but I promise you can’t hurt Mabel.”
“I’d still rather not take the chance.”
He turned back to her, his best hang dog expression on his face. “Come on, Carrie. Let me show you my land and brag a little. You told me back in Vegas that you wanted to see it when I finally did it.”
Carrie’s brow furrowed. “I did? I have no memory of that conversation.”
Cal chuckled to hide the hurt from her words. “Well, it happened. We were talking about what we wanted out of life. You told me your dream of becoming a famous designer, and I told you I wanted to own a large plot of land and ranch. Then you told me that maybe you could design blankets for the cattle to keep them warm.” His lips parted in a smile and he shook his head as he replayed the memory. She had been so cute talking about cattle blankets that he hadn’t the heart to tell her they wouldn’t wear them.
Indecision flooded Carrie’s eyes as she looked from Cal to the horse and back again. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Cross my heart.” He signed the X across his chest for good measure.
“All right,” she said, “but if I get hurt-”
“I won’t let that happen.” The teasing lilt dropped from his voice as he spoke the serious words. He would never allow anything to hurt her if he could help it.
Their gazes locked for a moment, and electricity crackled between them. He wanted to kiss her to show her how much he had missed her and how serious he was, but he knew she wouldn’t be receptive. Yet. So, he cleared his throat and broke the moment.
“Just put your foot here in the stirrup, and I’ll help you up.”
She gave him an unsure look but approached the horse. “Like this?” she asked as she lifted her right leg.
“No, left leg in the stirrup. Then you throw your right leg over.”
“Cal, I’m not sure-”
“Carrie, it’s okay. I’ve got you.” He placed his hands lightly on her hips to reassure her and she stiffened beneath his touch.
“Okay.” She lifted her left leg high and managed to get it in the stirrup, but then she lost her balance and fell right into his arms.
Thankfully, Cal had planted his feet, or they might have both ended up in the dirt. He certainly didn’t mind Carrie in his embrace, but she was flustered. Her eyes flicked to his and a rose color flooded her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” she said untangling herself from his arms in a hasty effort to escape his touch. “I’ll try again.”
He applied a little more pressure to her hips to steady her and lifted as she pushed up. After another precarious moment, she swung her right leg around.
“Oh my gosh, did I do it?” A timid smile played on her lips.
“You did. Now hold still so I can adjust your stirrups.” He bent down and cinched the stirrups up slightly. Stacy generally rode Mabel and it appeared she was a smidge taller than Carrie.
“What are the stirrups for?” Carrie asked as she wiggled her feet.
“Stability and control. You won’t really need them much today other than mounting and dismounting, but if you were galloping, they would be useful to help you stay on the saddle and control Mabel.”
He held onto Mabel’s reins as he untied Ginger and then mounted as well.
“You make that look so easy,” Carrie said.
Cal smiled. “Well, to be fair, I have been doing it a lot longer than you have. I grew up around horses.”
“Did your parents own this ranch before you?” Carrie asked as Cal clicked to Ginger and led them in a slow walk toward the field.
“No, this I purchased a few years ago, but my father worked at a st
able, so I got to take care of the horses and occasionally ride them. I knew when I was about ten that I wanted to be a rancher. I love being out on a horse, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“It is pretty out here, but Cal, that’s one reason we should end this charade. I’m a city girl. I own a dress shop, and I can’t imagine doing anything else either.”
Cal glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He’d had similar thoughts over the years, but God still hadn’t given him peace about a divorce. “Where there’s an open heart, God will find a way.”
Carrie sighed but said nothing more as they continued slowly toward the edge of his property. Cal scanned the area as they rode. The grass was looking thin on this side too. He’d have to look into herding the cattle to the outer field soon to keep them fed. It made his job of monitoring them harder, but at least they would be fed.
“Cal, where do you see me fitting in with all this?” Carrie asked as they turned back to the house.
“Wherever you want to fit in,” he said. “Do you have to be in New York to design your clothes?”
“It certainly helps. That is where the high paying customers are. Who would I even sell to out here?”
Her question gave Cal pause. He hadn’t really thought about her side. Still, he knew that God could make anything work if people trusted in him, and Cal wasn’t willing to give up yet.
Chapter 7
It surprised Carrie to see a woman standing on Cal’s back porch as they returned. Was she an employee? A friend? She was a nice-looking woman with long brown hair pulled into a ponytail, a red and black flannel shirt, and jeans. A tiny seed of discomfort sprouted in Carrie’s stomach. Was that jealousy? Surely not. She didn’t want Cal; she was trying to divorce him.
“Well, there you are,” she called out when they were close enough. She spoke to Cal, but her eyes were on Carrie. “I was beginning to wonder if I needed to send out a search party.”
“And who would head such a party, Sis?” Cal asked as he pulled up on Ginger’s reins.
The Billionaire's Cowboy Groom (Sweet Billionaires Book 4) Page 5
