Cowboy 12 Pack
Page 162
Spitting out the dust and dirt, she stared at the pile on the hearth. “I don’t believe it.” Sticks and feathers covered the area along with pieces of paper cups and a candy wrapper. Peeking up the now open flu, she could see more garbage and bird nest remnants.
“It could be worse.” The male voice behind her had her taking a deep breath only to cough at the dust in her lungs. She crawled out and turned to Sheriff Harper. “How could it be worse?”
He grinned. “It could have been bats.”
It took all her willpower not to roll her eyes. “How can I help you, Sheriff?”
The man shook his head. “I don’t think I’m the one who needs help around here, and I told you, call me Clive.”
She turned her back on the man and lifted her gray t-shirt to wipe off her face. Then she bent over and picked up her tools. She didn’t need eyes in back of her head to know he stared at her ass. He was a nice guy, but he needed to move on. She wasn’t interested nor was she as helpless as he wanted her to be. She turned to face him. “No, actually I’m good now.”
He stroked his chin. “You’re going to need someone to clean out that chimney. Don’t want your first fire in that thing to burn this whole building down.”
“Yeah, I know.” She strode toward her office, the sheriff following her. “That’s why I opened the flue. I have someone coming tomorrow.”
“You certainly seem to have everything covered.” He sounded irritated.
She glanced back at him as she set the toolbox on her desk. The man had to stop coming by the resort every couple days. She’d like to think he really looked out for the place, but she’d put money down he either wanted to have sex with her or hoped to gawk at some of her naked guests. She turned, heading back out, forcing him to move aside as she closed her door, careful to lock it behind her.
He walked with her. “How much longer before you open?”
She shrugged, well aware she had reservations for eight people the week after next. “Maybe in a couple weeks, if I don’t have any more problems.”
Harper took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair, a favorite pastime of his. She wasn’t sure why since he kept it military style, barely an inch of his dark buzz was visible. He placed his hat back on. “You have definitely been having your share of problems. Doesn’t that worry you?”
No, what worried her was his constant presence at the resort. She needed to get rid of him and she had an idea of how to do it. “Not really. All new places have to work out the kinks, even after they open.” Like that new casino in Vegas she stayed at three years ago. She was one of their first guests and treated to cold showers for two days of playing thanks to a faulty part in the hot water heater.
She exited the building and headed for the cart. The sheriff was like a gnat that wouldn’t go away.
“What if—”
“Sheriff, if you want to talk you’ll have to come with me.” She got in the golf cart and as she suspected, he joined her. Stepping on the accelerator, she headed for the stables.
The sheriff didn’t miss a beat. “What if your place over on this side of the canyon was built on an old burial ground or something? That could mean problems forever.”
She had to hand it to the man, he was tenacious. “Nope, no chance of that. Not only did I research the history of this land, but I also went to the Tribal Council to find out the real story. No burial ground anywhere within fifteen miles of this place.”
“Hmm, that’s quite specific.”
Yeah, it was also a complete bluff. She had no clue where the closest burial ground was, but he didn’t need to know that. Rounding a bend in the path, the cart made a slow ascent toward the stables. She’d avoided this part of the resort for three days now. She’d also avoided being anywhere near Wade Johnson that entire time.
But she had business to attend to with him and having the sheriff along might help keep her sex drive in check and make it clear to the sheriff she didn’t need him. Killing two birds with one stone as the old proverb said, worked for her.
As she pulled to a stop, she didn’t see her stable manager anywhere. She exited the cart and stood for a moment, ignoring Harper. Wade was either in his office or the barn. Since the barn was closer, she headed there. She turned the corner of the stables and halted. The sheriff bumped into her and politely apologized, but she couldn’t have cared less.
Standing in the middle of the tack area with his shirt off was Wade. He was brushing down a gorgeous light-colored horse. The movement of his arms was sensual as he stroked the tall beast. His back had a sheen on it from sweat.
Harper interrupted her thoughts. “That’s a beauty. Where did you get him?”
She wanted to say from a temp agency, but caught herself just in time. “You’ll have to ask Wade.”
At the sound of her voice, he turned around, and she swallowed a groan. His chest was as sweaty as his back and he looked as if she’d just doused him with water. All the salacious feelings she had for him three nights ago in the kitchen flooded back and her body flushed.
Harper’s voice interrupted her enjoyable view of Wade. “You don’t know where he got this horse? How can you let an employee take on that kind of responsibility? How do you know he won’t overcharge you? Did you do a background check on him?”
Wade scowled and she didn’t blame him. What right did this man, sheriff or not, have to question how she ran her business? “As a matter of fact I did, and he is squeaky clean. In fact, one of his references was from a Superior Court judge. You can’t beat that.” She stepped away from Harper and winked at Wade.
He grinned at the sheriff. “Yup.” Then he looked at her full on and every nerve ending prickled with sexual awareness. “I started with a matching pair of blonde Belgians. This is Sage and that’s Daisy. They’ll pull your wagon for the arriving guests.”
She took the opportunity to tear her gaze away from his and look at the opposite stall. Taking a deep breath, she moved closer to view Daisy. She had to admit she was impressed with the beauty and size of the horses and she had a feeling her guests would be as well. “They’re gorgeous.”
Harper came up from behind her, stepping far too close. “These look expensive. Seems a shame to use them just for the wagon.”
“They’re not just for the wagon.” Wade walked up on her other side and captured her gaze again, the heat from his bare chest radiating on her shoulder. “We can use Sage and Daisy for the other vehicle as well. I’ve also got calls in about some older Arabians and a couple quarter horses to get you started for trail rides.”
She took the opportunity to turn her back on Harper. “That sounds like a good plan.”
Harper stepped around her to be part of the conversation. “Arabians don’t have the best reputation.”
Wade turned his attention to the sheriff. “Maybe not as a sport horse but a good “dead broke” Arabian is excellent for a novice rider at a resort like this for trail riding and it looks impressive to people who are not familiar with horses.”
God, Wade not only sported the best pair of shoulders this side of the Mississippi, but his knowledge about his profession was too attractive to ignore. She always fell for men who knew their stuff, which was why she’d been such an idiot with her ex-husband, the financial planner.
Harper wasn’t convinced. “Maybe, but—”
“So, Sheriff, was there anything you needed?” She’d had enough. “I need to discuss plans with Wade right now, but I want to make sure you are all set first.”
Harper’s irritation at being interrupted in what was sure to be another challenge to Wade that he would lose, quickly changed into a warm smile. “Now that you mention it, I was thinking of chatting with your security guard. Make sure he had my personal number in case anything happens out here. He’s barely a man and I’m sure he would like to know he can get manly advice if he needs it.”
She had the absurd urge to bat her eyelashes like an helpless Old West flirt, and say “much obliged” but
settled for a quick nod. “That is very nice of you. You can take my cart and see if Powell is awake yet. He’s in the third to last casita against the ridge.”
“I will do that…Kendra.” Harper beamed before he gave Wade a hard stare and strode toward the golf cart.
Once Harper had headed down the path, Wade laughed. She turned at the sound and her breath caught in her chest. The honesty of his emotion wriggled its way under her skin and toward her heart.
“Is he always so obvious?”
She nodded. “Oh yes, he definitely doesn’t like you.”
“Yup, and he definitely likes you.”
“I know.” She sighed. “He’s not a bad guy, but he isn’t my type.”
Wade’s smile disappeared. “What is your type?”
She turned away to study the grooming tools on the table he’d set up. “I like a man who respects me and what I have accomplished and doesn’t judge me or try to make me depend on him. I also have no tolerance for know-it-alls. There’s nothing wrong with being ignorant of a specific subject.” She picked up a rubber object that had a circular pattern of nubs protruding from it and turned toward him. “For example, I have no idea what this is.”
He stepped closer. “It’s a curry comb.”
“What’s it for?”
“It’s to dislodge dirt from the horse’s coat so it can be brushed away.”
She held the comb out to him. “See, I don’t need to pretend I know everything to run this resort. I just need to hire experts like you to work for me. I’m sure I’ll learn a little along the way.”
When his hand touched hers, her skin tingled, sending tiny pinpricks up her arms.
He held on to her. “I can teach you anything you want to know.”
She looked up into his brown eyes at that and forgot what she’d been about to say. He gazed at her as if she were a jackpot and he couldn’t wait to rake her in. God, he made her want to melt, forget her hard-earned lessons about not straying to the other side.
He pulled the comb from her hand and set it back on the table. “You said you wanted to talk to me about plans?”
She needed to focus. Why had she come out here after three days of successfully avoiding him, besides to ditch the sheriff? She took a step back and shifted her gaze to Sage to put her thoughts in order. “Yes, I wanted to know if you have a sister who could help me with something?”
“With what?”
This was a bit awkward. She walked back to Sage to put more space between them before facing him again. “I need to buy some western wear. I’ve set up certain expectations for this resort with the western motif and I want to see that carried through when we have guests. A t-shirt and jeans are not exactly western wear.”
“Actually, they are.” He held up his hand as she was about to interrupt. “But I do understand what you mean. I would be happy to help you.”
“You?”
He lowered his brows. “Yes, me. My family has been in Arizona for generations. I not only have two sisters, but female cousins, a mother and believe it or not, a few past girlfriends. I’m more than qualified to decide what western wear looks good on a woman.”
She flushed at the thought of him studying her in a new outfit, but it would make it a lot easier than having to meet one of his family members. She’d been hesitant to ask as it wasn’t very professional. But since he was her employee, it could fall under that line in his job description of “other duties as assigned.”
He strolled past her and stroked Sage, making Kendra jealous he wasn’t doing it to her.
“We could take a day and drive into Scottsdale. You could try on a number of outfits, see what you feel the most comfortable in.”
Her mind spun at the idea. He would pick out clothes he’d like to see her in. She would be undressing in the dressing room and showing him how they looked. What if she needed help with a blouse that buttoned up the back? What if he wanted her to try on a sexy teddy? “No.” She shook her head and reined in her imagination. “No, I don’t have time to go anywhere. I can buy items online and have them sent next day.”
He paused and stared at her. “Wow, I’ve never known a woman to turn down a shopping trip for clothes.”
She shrugged. “Now you do.”
“So then, how do you want me to help you with your clothes?”
He could pull her shirt up over her head, or unzip her jeans. Ugh, she needed to stay on task. “We can do it online. If you come to my office after dinner, we can shop then. I don’t want to leave this until the last minute.”
Wade left the horse and moved closer. He reached into her hair.
“What are you doing?” She pulled away, but didn’t get far, as his other hand grasped her arm.
“Whoa, hold on. You have a bird feather in your hair. It will be hard to picture you in a hat with that.”
She stilled and let him sift through her hair, his hands gentle as he untangled the feather without dislodging her hair clip. It was far too stimulating.
He held it up. “Got it.”
She stepped away quickly. “Thank you. That must have been from the bird’s nest I found in the chimney this afternoon.”
He contemplated the black-and white-speckled feather. “Hmm, then I think I will keep this as a souvenir.”
For some reason, that seemed romantic. She really needed to get her head back in the game. “No sooner do I have the plumbing fixed and up to code then I have to call a chimney sweep. I guess this is what managing a resort is all about.”
“I wouldn’t know, but it does seem like this place has had a lot of problems.” His brow furrowed.
“Yeah, I know. Luckily, none have been insurmountable.” She unclipped her hair, quickly brushing her fingers through it to remove any other debris and then wound it back up. “I think it’s just part of creating a new oasis in a desert, so to speak.”
Wade’s eyes turned almost black, which sent excitement skittering down her spine.
“Will you be wearing your hair down once the resort opens?” His voice had lowered and softened, becoming seductive. When he spoke like that she wanted to undress, not talk about work.
She shifted her weight to her right leg. “I hadn’t thought about it. Why? Does it matter?”
“It could.” Wade studied the feather in his hand again. “You can try my hat tonight and decide.”
A shiver of anticipation ran through her, and she covered it by turning away. “Good. And we can talk about my idea for the naked horseback riding.” She didn’t dare look back at him, but once around the corner she halted. Freak. She gave her golf cart to Harper.
“Would you like this?” Wade’s voice had her spinning around.
Damn the man looked good without a shirt. Too good. “And that is?”
“The key to my golf cart.”
“No, I can walk.”
He strode toward her, his brown cowboy boots hitting the packed desert dirt hard with each step, but her gaze drifted higher to the waistband of his jeans sitting snuggly on trim hips. When he was a few feet away, she lifted her head, trying desperately not to look at the portion of him that made her drool.
“No. Take my cart. I can ride.”
“Ride?”
His lips tilted up on one side. “Yeah. I’ll give Daisy and Sage a test run with the wagon to come to dinner tonight.”
Dinner, right. She couldn’t stop staring at his lips. “Okay.”
He stepped even closer and took her hand, pressing the key into it. “See you tonight.”
She swallowed as he turned and strode back to the stables. When he disappeared around the corner, she took a deep breath. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” She was in trouble.
Chapter Four
‡
“KENDRA. HEY, KENDRA where are you?” Adriana leaned across the bar and waved her hand before Kendra’s face.
She rubbed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m a little distracted this afternoon.”
“A little?” Adriana pulled her hand back a
nd reached into a cooler behind the bar. Lifting out two Coronas, she used the bottle opener attached to her jeans and pushed one beer across the bar top. “Okay. Spill. And don’t give me any crap about being tired or something.”
She hesitated, watching the condensation build on the outside of the beer as the desert heat met the chilled bottle. Oh, what the hell. “It’s the new stable manager.”
Adriana’s brows lowered. “If he’s giving you problems, I’ll be happy to kick his cute butt right off the property.”
Kendra smiled inside and shook her head, turning the cold beer around and around with her hand, but not lifting it to her mouth. “No, actually he’s an excellent stable manager and he even put Harper in his place.”
“I would have liked to have seen that. You sure you don’t want me to sleep with the officer? It might cool him off a bit. I doubt he gets much.” Adriana winked as she took a sip of beer.
“No. I think the Sheriff is starting to take the hint. At least I hope so.”
“So do you need me to do the cowboy? Trust me, that would be a pleasure.”
Kendra gripped the Corona bottle tighter. “No.” Frowning, she lifted the beer and took a couple swallows. That was the last thing she wanted. But really, what right would she have to forbid it? “Tell me, Adriana, if you find him so attractive, why haven’t you approached him? Or have you?”
Adriana shook her head and shrugged, her movement showing off more cleavage in the tight red tank top she wore. “Yes, he’s very sexy, but there is something too pure about him. I don’t know. I feel like sleeping with him would be to taint him. Does that sound weird?”
“Yes, but I understand what you mean. I didn’t think men like him existed in today’s world. Not that I know much about him, but yeah, there is something…honorable about him. Not something I’m used to.”