“It wasn’t your fault, Kash. I know you tried to explain and I was too upset to listen. I owe you an apology for assuming you were capable of doing and saying such awful things.”
“You don’t owe me anything, Celia. There was no way for you to know it was Ransom and not me, especially when he led you to believe the lie.” Kash held her gaze with his, hoping he conveyed how deeply it bothered him that his brother had caused her even a moment of discomfort. “Again, my apologies.”
Celia nodded her head. “Stop apologizing, already. I’ll forgive you for not making things clear earlier if you forgive me for not giving you a chance. As for your brother,” Celia offered Kash an impish grin, “he better stay far away from me or he might not be so lucky with the ladies when I finish with him.”
Kash chuckled and cupped Celia’s elbow with his palm, walking her over to her pickup. “Would you do me the honor of going out to dinner sometime?”
Celia unlocked the pickup and opened the door to let some of the summer heat out of the cab. “You mean on a real date?”
“Yep. That’s exactly what I mean.”
Kash smiled at her in the sweet way that melted her heart, and she couldn’t tell him no. “How about Monday night? Will you be around? I could meet you in Mountain Home, that way you’d only have to drive an hour instead of two.”
He shook his head. “I’d drive ten to see you. Monday night will work just fine. I don’t head out again until Wednesday and then I’ll be gone for several weeks. Can I pick you up at your place around five?”
Celia smiled at him and started to climb into the truck. Kash settled his hands on her waist and lifted her up to the seat. She blinked at him, surprised his hands hadn’t burned a hole right through the fabric of her blouse and skirt. They’d certainly seared her skin.
A quick glance down confirmed her clothes weren’t smoldering. Misreading her thoughts, Kash yanked his hands away. She grabbed one and held onto it.
“Thank you. I appreciated the help up. This is Cort’s old truck and I forget it isn’t the easiest thing to climb into in a skirt.”
“Well, you certainly do that skirt justice, Celia. You look beautiful,” Kash said, pleased she held onto his fingers. The feel of her soft palm pressed against his callused hand caused a ripple of heat to start at his head and wiggle right down to his toes.
He’d hardly been able to concentrate on the meal because he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked so upscale and lovely, not like the sassy rodeo photographer he was used to seeing. With her hair up on her head, it accentuated her graceful neck and poised bearing.
Until he received a text from his dad that he’d corralled Ransom and they were headed to the restaurant, Kash hadn’t been certain how to clarify he had a twin without the visual evidence. He was glad Cooper would be there because he knew it was Ransom who’d insulted and assaulted her.
Fortunately, they got the identity matter cleared up before Ransom took off for who knew where.
Adamant he wouldn’t spoil a wonderful afternoon with thoughts of his brother, Kash leaned into the truck and pecked Celia’s cheek. Her bewitching, feminine fragrance enveloped him and he ached to kiss her lips.
Quickly drawing another breath of air redolent with her scent, he stepped back and smiled. “I’ll see you at the rodeo.”
“I’ll be there. Just look for the redhead with the big camera.” Celia wanted to reach out and pull Kash back into the cab of the truck. She wanted to kiss those tempting lips, taste the rich ruggedness of them.
Rather than surrender to her longing, she fastened her seatbelt and slid the key into the ignition. “See you later, Kash.”
“You can count on it.”
He closed the door and watched her drive out of the parking lot, wondering if he had drool dripping off his chin.
Casually sauntering over to his pickup, he somehow refrained from pumping his fist in the air or doing a victory dance.
He had a date with Celia McGraw!
Chapter Nine
“You’re wrestling with that hose, expecting it to be more pliable than a constipated snake. Hate to tell you, but it’s a losing battle.”
Kash’s head snapped up, and he looked into Celia’s smiling face. The hose he attempted to twist into submission coiled away from him as if it had a mind of its own. After another vicious tug, he got it hooked over the edge of the stock tank in the steers’ pen.
Surprised, he hadn’t expected to see Celia until the rodeo started.
“You’re right. A constipated snake would be easier to handle.”
Celia laughed and the sound winged its way to Kash’s heart.
The long, observant glance he cast her direction started at her mane of red hair, shining in the sunlight, to the dusty boots on her feet. “What are you doing back here? You’re apt to get your pretty clothes all dirty.”
“Thank you for calling them pretty, but it’s just jeans and boots. They’ll clean up just fine.” Celia reached through the fence and rubbed a steer on the head. Kash wished she’d apply the same amount of affection and attention to him.
A vision of dropping to all fours and sticking his head up to the fence so she could rub a hand over his skin almost made him chuckle. He turned away and fussed with the hose as he moved it to the next pen.
“Is there anything I can do to help you?” she asked, following behind him with her camera bag slung over one shoulder.
“Nope. We’ve got everything ready to roll for tonight. I just wanted to make sure these boys had plenty of water. It’s so warm today, I don’t want them to get overheated.” Kash looked over the occupants of the calf pen before moving on to check his horses.
Celia walked beside him. “I’m impressed by how much you worry about your stock. I’ve seen a lot of rodeos and most of the good stock contractors take great care of their animals.”
Kash nodded his head in agreement. “The animals are our bread and butter. Why wouldn’t we make every effort to make sure they are well cared for?” He bent his knees and tipped his head down by her ear. “You didn’t hear it from me, but some people say we pamper our stock, especially the bulls.”
“Is that a fact?” Celia asked. The warm, minty breath that blew across her neck when Kash whispered in her ear made goose pimples break out on her arms and neck. She turned to look at him, drawn into his eyes, pulled by some force that defied logical explanation.
“Come with me. I’ll show you something.” Kash took her hand and led her past the horses over to where the bulls milled around their pens. Slowly walking around to the side of one, he directed her close to the fence.
Several big horned heads stared her direction. A mountain of a bull lumbered their way. Celia started to take a step back, but Kash put a hand around her waist and pulled her closer to his side.
He reached through the fence and scratched the bull on his head. The big mahogany-colored Brahma shifted and wiggled his droopy ears. The intimidating bull closed his eyes and released a contented sigh.
Celia was sure if he’d been a cat, he would have purred. “No way!” she whispered.
Kash took her hand and guided it through the fence. Timidly, she reached out and rubbed the bull’s thick neck, surprised he acted like an overgrown puppy.
“I can’t believe this,” she said in such a quiet tone, Kash almost didn’t hear her. “He’s incredible.”
“Wild Willie isn’t nearly the monstrous beast everyone thinks he is. He’s just a big softie who loves to buck.” He winked at her. “But don’t you dare let that get out. It would totally ruin his bad boy reputation.”
“I won’t tell on you, Willie, love. Aren’t you just a sweetie?” The bull fluttered his eyelashes and Kash almost laughed aloud. Clearly, the bull shared his smitten feelings for Celia.
After checking to make sure the bulls had plenty of water, Kash took her hand and led her back around to where he kept their riding horses. When he whistled, the dapple-gray she’d seen him riding several times
trotted over to the fence.
“Celia, I’d like you to meet the best horse on the planet, Tru.” Kash rubbed a hand along the horse’s withers. “Say hello to the lady, Tru.”
The horse shook his mane and dropped his head then took a step back, like he bowed to her. Celia clapped her hands and dropped into a curtsey, pretending to hold out the skirt of an imaginary gown. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tru.” She turned to Kash. “He’s a real show-stopper, Kash. That dark mane and tail look awesome in photos.”
“Have you been taking pictures of this handsome guy without him knowing? Shame on you,” Kash teased as he led Tru out of the pen and over to the trailer where he kept his tack. Celia set down her camera bag and helped him brush down the horse then snapped photos while Kash saddled him.
“I need to change. You’re welcome to come to the trailer with me or hang out here with Tru. He’ll keep you company.”
“Do you have anything cold to drink in your trailer?” Celia asked, following him to the travel trailer.
“There’s soda and water. Can I get you something?”
“Water would be great.”
Kash opened the door to the trailer and motioned for Celia to precede him. She hurried up the steps inside, stopped, and gaped at the men who stared at her with shocked expressions.
Hastily turning around to leave, she smacked into Kash. He grabbed her shoulders to steady her then realized his two bullfighters and one of the pickup men stood in various stages of undress, changing their clothes.
“Sorry.” Kash led Celia back outside, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and asked her to wait.
Heat seared her cheeks as she chugged on the water and walked back to where Tru waited at the stock trailer. It seemed she was destined to go around catching rodeo guys in their underwear.
The part of her that found those sorts of things funny let out a giggle then another. She glanced around to make sure no one witnessed her humor.
Kash reappeared a few minutes later, tucking his shirt into his jeans and carrying his chaps over his shoulder.
“I better get to work, Celia, but I’m glad you came by. Maybe I can share a handful of M&M’s with you later.”
“How do you know I’ll have any?” she asked, mindful of the candy tucked into her camera bag.
Kash chuckled. “You had a gallon jar of them in your apartment, you tossed them all over your truck last night, and Cooper mentioned something about stealing candy from you later.”
“I’ll have to come up with a special surprise for Cooper.” A blush filled her cheeks as she glanced back toward his travel trailer. “I’m sorry about the guys, Kash. Please give them my apologies.”
“It’s my fault, not yours. They already reamed my ears for breaking our rule.”
“Rule?” Celia tilted her head and gave him a curious look.
“No women in the trailer. No exceptions.”
“That’s probably a good rule, for the men and the unsuspecting women who walk in unannounced.” Celia grinned. “I’ll see you later, Kash.”
“Yes, you will, Red.”
Celia stopped in her tracks when Kash called her Red. No one had dared label her with that nickname since she socked little Josh Douglas in the first grade. He kept calling her Red and pulling her hair. Temperamental even then, she hauled off and gave him a black eye that shined for the better part of two weeks.
Most people called her Celia, a few friends called her Seal, but no one ever called her Red. No one. Ever.
However, hearing Kash say it in his deep voice with a hint of rural drawl, made her knees wobble and lips tingle. He could call her an ugly puddin’ head and she wouldn’t disagree.
She shot him a coy smile over her shoulder and put a little extra sway in her step as she sauntered off to the arena.
Kash’s eyes remained glued to the seat of her perfect-fitting jeans as she sashayed away. He reached up and placed a hand on Tru’s neck. “I am in big, bona fide trouble here, boy.”
In apparent agreement, the horse bobbed his head and bumped Kash’s shoulder.
Hours later as the announcer pumped up the crowd for the bull riding, Kash watched his two bullfighters and Cooper run into the arena, dressed in matching bathrobes.
“What are you three doing out there?” the announcer asked. “You can’t put on your jammies and go to bed yet. We’ve got to finish the bull riding first.”
“We ain’t ready for bed, you ninny,” Cooper said. He and the bullfighters pranced around in a circle, twirling the belts of their robes in their hands.
“Well, what exactly are you ready for?” the announcer asked, trying to hold back his chuckles at the antics of the three men in the arena.
Celia snapped a few photos of them from her spot near the fence, wondering which poor unsuspecting person Cooper planned to tease or humiliate. She’d seen him perform enough times to know he was about ready to roast someone.
The clown glanced around the arena, spied her and headed her direction with the bullfighters.
Just before they reached her, they turned around, yanked off their robes, and bent over. With their rears in the air, they wiggled their backsides and the occupants of the arena burst into laughter.
A duct-taped sign dangled from each of their denim-covered butts. Together, the three signs read, “Howdy, Miss Celia!”
As the men continued waggling their rear ends at her, Celia’s head felt like it was aflame with humiliation.
Cooper glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “What do you think, Seal? Want to check us out?”
“No! I do not!” she yelled, then joined in the laughter. The bullfighters must have told Cooper about her walking in on them when they changed. She would have to get them back. Too bad her brother and Tate weren’t around. They were masters at pranks and practical jokes.
“Are you three done harassing Miss McGraw?” the announcer asked between chuckles. “We’ve got a bunch of bulls and cowboys ready to do their thing.”
Cooper cued the audio tech to play Wild Thing by The Troggs. He and the two bullfighters grabbed the robes they’d tossed down and danced their way over to the chutes.
Celia watched them, shaking her head. Twice within four weeks, she’d been mortified in the arena. At this rate, she might have to give up rodeo photography just to keep from dying of embarrassment.
She glanced up and caught Kash’s eye as he stood behind a chute, ready to pull the bull’s flank strap. He winked at her and smiled. Suddenly, her off-kilter world seemed a little more settled.
Although she’d hoped to spend a few minutes with Kash after the rodeo, one of his bulls banged his leg on his way out of the arena. She found him with the bull in a pen by itself, trying to keep it calm while the veterinarian treated the cut.
Not wanting to interrupt, she started out to her pickup and bumped into one of the bullfighters.
“Hey, there. I hope you don’t hold any hard feelings about us teasing you in the arena.” The young man grinned.
“I guess I can forgive you for that if you forgive me for walking in on you guys earlier. I think Kash forgot you’d be in the trailer.” She held out her hand and shook his in a friendly gesture.
He snickered. “The boss man can hardly keep his head on straight since he met you. Can’t say I blame him. Have a nice evenin’, Miss McGraw.”
“You, too, Billy.” She took a few steps, then stopped and turned around. “If you see Cooper, tell him he is not forgiven because I’m still mad at him about last month. The hole he’s digging is going to be too deep to climb out of soon.”
Billy laughed. “I’ll be sure to tell him.”
Celia hurried to her pickup and drove home with a happy feeling in her heart even though Cooper had gotten a good laugh at her expense.
Throughout the rest of the rodeo, Celia hardly did more than say a handful of words to Kash due to his hectic schedule.
His dad took a load of stock back to the ranch. With Ransom missing in action, tha
t left him to handle everything on his own, including appearances at two events. Celia had been asked to take photos at one of them, but she kept so busy she’d barely done more than smile at him.
Saturday night, following the final performance, she lingered near the arena gate, hoping to catch a moment with Kash. He had stock to load onto trucks, people he needed to speak with, and a hundred other matters demanding his attention.
Thirty minutes passed without seeing him. Finally, she wrote her cell phone number on slip of paper and tracked him down near the holding pens. He spoke with a group of cowboys while he kept an eye on his crew as they loaded horses into a trailer.
Celia fluffed her hair and applied a fresh coat of lip gloss from the tube she kept in her camera bag. Fortified with a deep breath, she waded right into the middle of the men.
Eyes widened in surprise, Kash observed her bold approach. Before he could say a word, she held out the piece of paper.
“Call me later, cowboy.” She tucked the paper into his shirt pocket, patted his chest, and gave him a look of invitation before she sauntered off toward her pickup.
Celia had never been that openly flirtatious with anyone, but she couldn’t help herself.
Kash had been so serious all evening and she wanted to make him smile. As she glanced over her shoulder at him, he watched her walk away with heat in his eyes and a smirk on his face.
When he winked at her, she almost ran back to him and demanded the kiss she’d been aching for since the day they met. Instead, she continued on to her pickup, aware he wasn’t the only one watching her leave.
“Man, I don’t know how you managed that, but I’m about ten shades of green with envy.” One of the steer wrestlers he’d been talking to thumped Kash on the back and let out a low whistle. “That girl can be downright frosty if she ain’t interested in dating you. She’s friends with most everyone, but if you don’t want to mess that up, don’t ask her on a date. I heard she packs a pistol in that camera bag and ain’t afraid to use it.”
“So how’d you rate, Kash? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you chase a skirt in all the years I’ve known you,” said a bronc rider. “Usually, you’re busy dodging them, but it sure don’t look like you’re running from Miss Celia.”
Capturing Christmas Page 9
