by Debra Kayn
“Really?” She grinned. “You mean it’ll land over at the nonexistent airport over there?” She pointed. “I know, maybe it’ll land beside the submarine races at the river too.”
“Yep, that’s the one.” He smoothed the hair off her forehead and chuckled as one of her curls wrapped around his pinky. “Damn, I love your hair, darlin’. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of running my hands through the long strands.” He inhaled deeply. “Even when you’re working beside me, I can smell the apple scent from your shampoo floating in the air.”
Chantilly rubbed his forearm enjoying the way the sprinkling of hair tickled her fingertips. “Kiss me, Jack.”
He removed his hat and sat it upside down on the blanket. “I wanna brand you in my head exactly like you are…spread out on my lap, gazing up at me like I can make airplanes show up in the sky.” His thumb traced her lower lip. “Your mouth willing and wanting…”
The tip of her tongue skimmed the pad of his thumb. Her breath hitched in her chest and her eyelids fluttered. “Jack…”
His finger slid down to her chin and followed the sensitive curve of her neck. He drew a lazy circle at the base of her throat. She swallowed. Her body squirmed as if a low electrical current pulsed through her veins, waking her up.
“You’ve got nothing to worry ’bout, Chantilly.” He lifted her into his arms. “I’m right here. Let’s conquer today before you go worrying ’bout tomorrow…” His lips brushed her mouth. “Or next week.”
Chapter Nine
“Are you sure you don’t wanna ride into town with Jack and me, Dad?” Chantilly stood in the hallway in front of the oval mirror outside Stuart’s office.
“No, I need to finish up some work here…” The old leather on his desk chair creaked. “I’ll catch up with you at Valenciennes’. You kids go and have a good time.”
She stepped inside the room. “Is everything okay? I know with me spending so much time with Jack, and…you…” Chantilly gazed down at the file he closed. “Well, I haven’t had a chance to talk with you like we used to do. You seem like something’s bothering you. The ranch is okay, right?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be? You know the ins and outs. It couldn’t be better. Beef prices are holding steady, the herd is healthy and now that Jack’s here, it’s time for this ol’ man to slow down a little.” Stuart reached over and grabbed a file off the corner of his desk. “I just need to get the tags ordered for the yearlings. I don’t wanna be caught unprepared like we were last year.”
“Dad?” She moved around the desk, and Stuart finally gazed up at her. “Can I ask you somethin’?”
“Sure, Chantilly Lace. You can ask me anything.” Stuart set the paper down and gave her his full attention.
“Why’d you hire Jack?” She sat down in the chair. “I thought you were happy with the way I was running the ranch. We’ve made a twenty percent increase in the amount of head we’re processing every spring, and the new feed experiment you let me try turned out great. The scales prove it’s working.”
Stuart leaned back in his chair, his mouth softened. “Did you think I was replacing you with Jack?”
She nodded.
He cleared his throat. “You haven’t done a thing wrong, sweetness.” He steepled his fingers over his ample stomach. “I hired Jack because a woman your age needs to have time to go out and have fun. You’re too young to strap yourself with animals, round-the-clock chores, and always smelling of manure.” He chuckled. “You need a boyfriend, a night out with the girls once in a while and, well, dammit, girl, I’m not getting any younger. You need a husband. Each of my girls need to give this ol’ man some grandchildren to fill up the place.”
Her head snapped up and her brows lifted. “Oh, I do, do I?” She laughed. “You know, it’s starting to stink in here too.” Her hurt and anger over Jack coming on board fled. “Besides, you ain’t old.”
She leaned over, threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. A lump formed in her throat. Stuart McDougal had always seemed like the biggest person in the world to her, but tonight he seemed old, smaller and frailer for some reason. “I love you, Daddy.”
Stuart patted her back and cleared his throat. “Love you too, Chantilly Lace.” He pulled back and ran the back of his hand across his mouth. “Now skedaddle, you don’t wanna leave Jack hanging. He’s had more patience with you than most men you’ve dated.”
She laughed. “He has, hasn’t he?” Turning around she hurried toward the door, paused and gazed over her shoulder. “You really like ’im, don’t you?”
He shrugged one shoulder and waved off her question. “Doesn’t matter if I do or don’t. It only matters what you think of him. Once I met your momma, nothing else mattered…especially someone else’s opinion. That’s something you should think ’bout.”
Chantilly nodded and a smile broke out across her face. “I think I love him.”
Stuart leaned back and set his elbows on the arms of the chair. The same slow smile that came to his lips whenever something pleased him graced the room. “Don’t tell me…tell Jack.”
“I will.” She blew her father a kiss and headed toward the front door. “Thanks, Daddy!”
Intent on running over to Jack’s, she slammed the door and skipped to the porch steps when two arms came out and grabbed her around the waist.
“Jack!” She squirmed. “You scared me to death. I swear you’d make a fine duck hunter, always popping up, making me scream.”
He chuckled. “I’ve missed you.”
“Mm…” Her body relaxed and her feet touched the porch. “It’s only been four hours since you’ve seen me, cowboy.”
“Three and a half hours too long.” Jack turned her around, hooked his hand behind her neck and pulled her closer. “Come ’ere.”
Her bottom lip fit perfectly between his lips. Her tongue tasted the minty freshness of his recently brushed teeth. She closed her eyes, letting her body shape itself against him. Like two puzzle pieces that formed a bigger picture, their bodies molded to each other perfectly. She couldn’t ask for a more perfect man to love.
Working beside him, holding him late into the night and more often than not, clear into the early morning hours gave her something to look forward to the next day. She couldn’t imagine not having him beside her and touching him whenever she wanted.
Jack leaned his head back, licked his lips and grinned. “You don’t expect me to dance tonight, do you?”
She nodded. “That’s what this is, Jack. Everybody and their dog shows up for the dance. Val celebrates the fourth tonight at her place because she knows no one will come to the bar when the town shoots off the fireworks tomorrow night.”
“Yeah, but dance? I don’t do that.” He let his arms fall and he stepped back. “That’s one thing I’ll put my foot down on.”
“Oh, you will?” She placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head. “We’ll see ’bout that, too-cool-to-groove Jack.”
He glared.
Her brows raised more. Oh no, he ain’t.
He pffted.
She clicked her tongue and crossed her arms. Jack had only an inkling of how stubborn she could be when she’d made up her mind, but he was about to find out.
Jack tugged his cowboy hat low on his forehead, swept his arm in front of him and muttered, “Best get in the truck if you wanna go.”
She sashayed past him, grinning. “You’re gonna dance with me.”
“No. I’m. Not.” He rubbed her lower back as he walked her toward the driveway.
“Yes. You. Are.”
A grill fashioned out of a steel drum smoked outside Valenciennes’ bar, flooding the entrance with the tantalizing scent of ribs cooking on a fire. Jack held Chantilly’s hand and squeezed behind the line of people holding plates, waiting for their turn to grab their dinner. He had no idea how all these people were going to fit inside Val’s small building. The throng of customers on the sidewalk outnumbered the tables inside.
“Chantill
y!”
Jack gazed over to the side where the counter ran the length of the wall. Val motioned her sister over, and he cut a path through the crowd to lead Chantilly into the room.
“Where’s Dad?” Val brushed her hair off her face with her forearm. “I called the house to see what was keeping him and no one answered.”
“He’s probably on his way.” She pulled Jack over closer. “We offered to bring him, but he said he wanted to drive himself.”
Val frowned. “That’s not like him. He always runs the grill outside for me. I had to let someone else do it because everyone was getting hungry. If we waited too long, eating would cut into the band starting for the dance.” She held up her hand. “Hang on, I’ll be right back.”
“Maybe I should drive back and make sure everything is all right at the ranch.” Jack rubbed the back of his neck. Damn, I got a bad feeling.
Chantilly shook her head. “If something came up, Daddy can handle it.” She reached over and grabbed two plain white plates off the counter. “Here, why don’t you go get us some ribs and I’ll help Val out in back. You can come on out when you’re done. She has a buffet set up with salads and drinks on the grass behind the bar. You can’t miss me. We can sit out there and eat where it’s less crowded.”
He took the plates, nodded and pushed his way back outside. Standing at the end of the long line, he glanced down the street hoping he’d see the dark blue dually Stuart always drove heading this way. Dammit. I should go check on the ol’ man.
Stuart’s reputation playing cards had nothing on holding his emotions close to his chest. He didn’t see Stuart’s need to keep everything a secret. Especially not with the way his kids loved him. They’d want to know.
Jack took two steps forward, stopped and glanced behind him again. Stuart was lucky Jack had come into the house yesterday at noon to help him up to his bedroom. The poor man hadn’t been feeling too well.
Stuart would do good to accept the support of his family. Jack tapped the paper plates against his leg. A few of the men ahead of him in line turned and stared past his shoulders. One man gave a whoop and darted past him. More cheering and clapping proceeded. Jack turned around and let out his breath. Oh thank God. Chantilly must have found her dad and was bringing him over to the bar.
Chantilly marched beside Stuart, her arm around his waist and her head leaning on his arm. Jack frowned at the way she broke away from her dad and leaped into the arms of the man who had been standing in front of Jack in line. What the…?
Chantilly wrapped her bare legs around the man’s waist, grabbed his face with both her hands, and gave him a loud smack of a kiss. The man whooped and swung her around before setting her on the ground again. Irritation at the way the man touched Chantilly pushed past the confusion. Who the hell is this guy to her?
Setting the plates down on the ground, Jack marched over to show everyone that Chantilly belonged to him. He’d never known himself to be the jealous type, but damned if he’d let some guy think Chantilly was free for the scooping.
Stuart stepped out in front of him, braced his hand on Jack’s chest and whispered, “Whoa, slow down, cowboy. She ain’t who you think.”
He leaned sideways around Stuart to find Chantilly tilting her head back and laughing at something the other man said to her. Glancing up at Stuart, Jack scowled as the ol’ man winked.
“Jack, I’d like you to meet my daughter—” he stepped back and motioned for Chantilly to come over, “—Florentine Lace McDougal.” Stuart grinned. “This is Chantilly’s twin.”
Her twin!
He glanced from Florentine to Stuart, back to Florentine and chuckled. “You look exactly like her…Chantilly, I mean.” Taking off his hat, he ran his hand through his hair and whistled. “That’s amazing.”
“Sure do.” Florentine stepped over and thrust her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Jack.”
“Jack’s the new foreman at the ranch.” Stuart clapped him on the shoulder.
Florentine’s eyes narrowed and she swung her gaze to her father. “What?”
“Watch yourself, Florentine Lace.” Stuart tilted his head. “Don’t be—”
Florentine shoved her shoulder into Jack’s side, pushed her way past him and exited through the crowd before fast disappearing inside of the bar. Jack blew out his breath. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen that reaction to his new position before.
“Come on, Jack.” Stuart stepped toward the door. “We might as well go in and find my daughters before they’ve torn apart the bar and pissed Val off too.”
“Sir, don’t you think it would be better if you told ’em exactly why you hired me on?” Jack cleared his throat. “It might stop a lot of the anger your daughters seem to have over your decision.”
“Anger?” Stuart snorted and threw his arm around Jack’s shoulders. “Hell, you haven’t seen nothing yet, son.”
Chapter Ten
Choosing one of the empty picnic tables at the back of the lot, Chantilly set down a plate heaped with potato salad and a few buttered rolls for her and Jack to split between them. She licked the tip of her finger and sat down on the wooden bench. She probably should have served up two plates of food in case her dad wanted to sit with them too.
Why isn’t dad here yet? She glanced around the area, but with so many people lingering around and talking to their friends and family members, it was impossible to see if he’d finally shown up or not.
“Chantilly!”
Her gaze swung a few feet to the left and centered on Florentine. Chantilly jumped up from her seat and zigzagged through the crowd.
“Florentine!”
The two identical women met in the middle of the grounds and grabbed each other in a hug, rocking back and forth. Her screams mixed with Florentine’s cussing.
“What in the world are you doing here?” Chantilly leaned back and ran her hands down Florentine’s face. “I didn’t think you were coming home until next month.” She jumped on her toes. “Oh, sis, I’ve missed you something awful, and I’ve got so much to tell you—”
“Hang on. Why are you so happy?” Florentine’s nose wrinkled. “Don’t tell me Dad has convinced you that the son of a bitch is only a working hand. He’s here to take your job, sis.” She shook her head. “Doncha be worrying. I’m gonna get the girls together and we’ll get rid of him. I swear, I leave for six months and all hell breaks loose around here.”
“Oh God, I’ve missed you.” Chantilly hugged Florentine again and then pulled her over to the picnic table. “You’ve met Jack, then?”
“Yeah, he might think he’s got it good now that he’s working at the ranch, but he won’t be laughing when his ass is skidding down the county road when I get done with him.” Florentine crossed her arms. “Daddy can’t do this to you, Tilly. I won’t let ’im.”
Chantilly rubbed her sister’s arms. “It’s okay. I was madder than a wet hen at first too, but…well, Jack and I are together. I’ve fallen in love with him.”
Florentine’s arms fell to her sides. “Get outta here. You?” She turned and kept her back to Chantilly.
“Hey!” She grabbed her sister’s sleeve and pulled her back around. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Florentine’s mouth opened and laughter burst out. “You!” She clapped her hands. “The one we had to protect at every party after you took your first sip of beer, and the one who swore she was gonna tease every man in town because she wasn’t willing to let any man take her away from Daddy’s beloved ranch.”
“Oh shuttup.” She grabbed Florentine again and gave her another hug. “God, I’ve missed you and your smart mouth. How didja wrangle your way home early and how long are you stayin’?”
“I can’t believe you’d think I’d miss the family’s Fourth of July party.” Florentine kissed Chantilly’s cheek. “I’m staying four days and that should give me enough time to find out what is going on around here, check out your new man and pester Dad enough he sends me packing.”
&n
bsp; Chantilly shifted, smiled past Florentine’s shoulder and motioned Jack over. She leaned toward Florentine. “Be nice.”
“Always, sister dear.” Florentine stepped back and stood shoulder to shoulder with her. “I must say, I’m surprised you took time from the ranch chores to fool around.”
“I know. Meeting Jack…it’s been a dream come true. I get to continue helping Daddy run the ranch, and Jack fits right in. We’ve got so much done. There will be no rush getting ready for winter. He moves the cattle faster than any of us, and Jack has already—”
“Stop!” Florentine laughed. “Chantilly, I know how much you can talk when you’re excited, and I don’t know ’bout you, but I’m hungry. Let’s eat. You can tell me all ’bout Jack when I have something in my stomach.”
Jack strolled through the crowd, making eye contact with Chantilly. Her smile grew and she bit down on her lip to hide how excited she was to celebrate today with him here. Not able to stand and wait for the crowd to let him through, she grabbed Florentine’s hand and went to meet Jack in the middle of the lot.
“Jack…” She brushed into Mr. Shipler and sent him a look of apology before waving at Jack. She reached out and motioned him over. “Jack, my sister’s here.” Pulling Florentine’s arm, she turned and nodded. “This is Florentine. She’s my twin.”
“No kidding.” Jack lifted the corner of his mouth. “Your dad let me know as I was aiming to kick a man’s ass for holding you as if you were an ice cream cone and he was having a craving.”
“That’d be George.” Florentine stepped behind Jack, cast her gaze down the back of his body and whistled. “George is harmless, but you….shit on a shamrock, Chantilly. What all have I missed while I’ve been gone?”
Chantilly pulled Jack over beside her. “She’s usually not this rude, Jack.”
“Yeah, I am. He’ll get used to me, though. Just don’t come sniffing around me trying to pull off the ol’ it’s-an-honest-mistake-I-thought-you-were-Chantilly trick and we’ll get along tighter than two ticks on a dog.” Florentine narrowed her eyes.
