Renegade Cowboy

by Sara Richardson

  Okay. So. A to-do list…Well, he’d already booked the rodeo facility and had a friend at the print shop make up a flyer. So he supposed the next thing he should do was convince the other Renegades to stick around longer and help him out. He just had to decide the best way to ask for another favor.

  “Did you finish the drink?” Jessa walked over, carrying a tray full of lemonades along with a bowl of fresh-cut fruit and cheese and crackers. She set the refreshments down on the small table she’d set up next to him. The woman was thoughtful like that. Always taking care of people, cooking for everyone, complimenting them. How Lance managed to snag her, he’d never know.

  “I’ve chewed on grass that tastes better than that drink,” he told her. He’d managed to choke down a few sips but one more would have had him gagging.

  “It has nutrients and calcium,” she informed him. “Exactly what you need so you can get back on your bull.”

  “I’m not in a hurry.” He stood to help her arrange the food and drinks on the table. “I’ve got plans this summer. Goals I can’t accomplish on the back of a bull.”

  “Oh, really?” She eyed him. “Like what?”

  He swiped one of the lemonades. Man, the glass was even frosted. “Let’s just say I need to win something other than a purse before the end of July.” He needed to win over Cass, and he couldn’t do it without help.

  A knowing smile raised her eyebrows. “Ah, yes. Cassidy told us all about your little kiss.”

  “Little kiss?” There hadn’t been anything little about that kiss. Over a week later, it was still simmering on his lips, but Cassidy wouldn’t even return any of his phone calls. “What’d she say about it?” he prompted.

  “What is shared at book club stays at book club,” the woman said sternly, but her eyes glimmered. He happened to know that Jessa was a hopeless romantic. She’d do anything to help two people find true love.

  “Just tell me how hard it’ll be to convince her to give me a shot.” That was all he needed. To know what he was up against.

  “Well, hmmm.” Her eyes rolled up to stare at the sky as though she had to think about that. “Let’s just say I think you’d have an easier time convincing Reckoning II to roll over.”

  Ouch. “Seriously?”

  “She’s planning to leave Topaz Falls.” The words were ten percent sympathetic and ninety percent berating. “You had years to pursue her. You didn’t.”

  “I know.” He’d been too busy taking his sweet time to grow up. “She sure didn’t seem to mind when I kissed her though,” he said, fishing for anything he could get.

  “No. Judging from the way she blushed when she was talking about it, I’d say she didn’t mind at all.”

  So he hadn’t imagined the way Cass had sighed and clung to him. Or her fiery reaction to him when she’d caught him being a bullfighter. She cared about him too. “How can I change her mind?” There had to be a way.

  “Spend time with her.” Jessa might as well have added a duh at the end of the sentence. “Without trying to get her into bed,” she added.

  “I’d love to spend time with her but she won’t return my calls.” It’d be mighty hard to spend time with her if she kept avoiding him.

  His sister-in-law glanced around and then leaned in. “She and her mom are having lunch at the Farm today,” she whispered. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”

  “Right.” He finished off his lemonade and set down the empty glass. Give him sugar over grass any day. “Then tell Lance we won’t be needing burgers for lunch. I’ll take these guys out to the Farm instead.”

  “What’ve we got here?” Ty asked, approaching the table. The other two followed.

  “I’m starving,” Charity said, ripping off her helmet and setting it on his chair.

  “It’s only a few snacks,” Jessa said.

  “Too bad you’re married,” Mateo said, looking her over. “You like to prepare snacks, and I like to eat.”

  She laughed. “Happily married,” she confirmed. “But we can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for this town. That rodeo really brought people together. We wouldn’t have had nearly the turnout if you all hadn’t come.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? Without Raines’s Renegades, he never would’ve gotten a sellout. Without Raines’s Renegades, he wouldn’t be able to pull off the youth rodeo clinic either.

  “I was going to have Lance whip up some burgers for lunch, but Levi wants to take you out instead.” Jessa gave him a conspiratorial wink.

  “Out?” A look of suspicion tightened Charity’s jaw. “What’s the occasion?”

  “It’s a business meeting,” he said carefully. “I have a proposition for you three.” Or more likely he’d end up begging them to help.

  “What kind of proposition?” Charity asked warily. “This isn’t gonna be like that photo shoot in Vegas, is it?”

  He laughed. He’d gotten a tip on a casino that wanted some big names from the rodeo world to do a western-themed campaign, but when they’d shown up, it turned out they wanted Charity to wear a string bikini. “No. It’s nothing like that. It’s actually another event. A rodeo clinic. For kids.”

  “Oh boy,” Ty muttered.

  “Here we go,” Mateo grumbled.

  “Come on, guys. Hear me out.” Levi dug his truck key out of his pocket. “We can discuss it over lunch.” He’d order some of those grass-fed T-bone steaks to butter them up.

  And he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Chapter Nine

  Deep down, Cassidy knew you couldn’t solve someone’s issues by changing their appearance, but it hadn’t stopped her from trying.

  “You look so pretty, Mom.” Sitting across the table from Lulu Greer, you’d never guess she had a problem. Before they’d come to the Farm for lunch, Cassidy had woken her at seven o’clock in the morning and made her a big, healthy breakfast. Then she’d dug in the back of her mom’s closet until she’d found the clothes she used to wear, selecting white capri pants and a light blue silk blouse.

  After breakfast, they’d gone to the beauty salon where her mom had gotten her hair cut into a stylish bob. Then they sat side-by-side in those obnoxious massage chairs for manicures and pedicures. It was the most put together Lulu had looked in a long time, and yet even though she was smiling and chatting while they ate their salads, her eyes were still dull. Almost fearful. As though she knew the passing moments of happiness were only temporary.

  Cassidy couldn’t stare into those eyes for too long or she’d fear it too—that the spell would be broken when they got back home—and Lulu would go back to being miserable and stuck. She couldn’t go back. They couldn’t go back. As far as she knew, her mom hadn’t had a drink for over a week, but she still rarely smiled. She wasn’t happy.

  That was why, after Cassidy had gotten home from work last night, she’d come up with a schedule for their day. A way to keep her mom busy, to remind her of the life she used to live. She had to keep giving her glimpses until Lulu was strong enough to reach out and grasp it again.

  “Noticed you were running low so I brought you more tea.” Everly Brooks bustled over to their table just in time. She carefully removed two tall glasses of iced pomegranate tea from the tray and set them down.

  “Thank you,” Cassidy said, relieved by the interruption. She liked Everly, though she didn’t know much about her. The woman was new in town. She’d shown up about a year ago and leased the land to start an organic farm. Within only a couple of months, her preserves and homemade baked goods were so popular that she’d turned the summer house on the property into a humble restaurant where she served up farm-to-table dishes you couldn’t find anywhere else.

  “How are the salads?” Everly clasped her hands in front of her waist nervously. The woman was maybe a few years older than Cassidy. She had a quirky cuteness about her with short, curly reddish-brown hair and sparkling green eyes, and even though she was quiet, she smiled a lot. Today she wore a polka-dotted apron with a pink pai
sley bandanna tied on her head.

  “They’re delicious,” Lulu said, though Cassidy noticed she’d hardly eaten anything. “Such a charming place you have here.”

  Charming and quaint, which was why Cassidy loved it so much. The main dining area had been set up in the house’s living room, with original oak wood floors and a redbrick hearth on the back wall. There were only about ten tables—all basic farmhouse style with bench seats. Through the leaded glass picture windows, glimpses of the farm made it feel like you’d stepped back in time. There were chickens and goats running around in generous pens and huge plots of vibrantly colored vegetables scattered around the large acreage.

  “I’m so glad you’re enjoying everything.” Everly’s face beamed. “Please let me know if you need anything else.” She quickly moved to the next table and busied herself with filling Hank Green’s water glass.

  Which meant they had no more interruptions and Cassidy was forced to have the conversation she’d been waiting to have all morning. Trying to build courage, she sipped her pomegranate iced tea and smiled at her mother. “So, Mom…this afternoon, I thought we’d go out and find you a job.” A good, steady, low-stress job would be key to maintaining stability in her life.

  “A job?” Lulu set down her fork. “Oh, honey. I don’t know if that’s a good idea right now.”

  Cassidy didn’t flinch. She’d anticipated that reaction so she’d prepared. “What was your favorite part about being a mail carrier?” she asked pointedly. Lulu had to know what she was after.

  Sure enough, her mom’s gaze dropped to the table. “The people. I loved having an excuse to talk to all those people.”

  “Exactly. People have always made you happy, but now you’re so isolated. It would be good for you to get out there again. Interact with people on a daily basis. You’re so good with people.” When all else failed, flattery was the best motivator. “Maybe it would help give you a sense of purpose.”

  Lulu quietly pulled her hands into her lap. Her shoulders bent under an unseen weight again, as though the spell had already been broken and she was reverting back into the unsure woman who wanted to hide in her house. “I’m not the same person, Cass. I know what you want me to be. But I don’t think I can.”

  “You don’t have to be the same person.” Cassidy pushed her plate away too. “Neither of us can be the same as we were before Cash died, but we can honor his memory in the way we live.” Which meant giving back, contributing, standing for something. Which meant putting themselves out there. “I know the flower shop is hiring.”

  Lulu shook her head. “You know how my allergies are.”

  “Fine. What about—”

  “Well, hello, ladies.”

  Damn. It. There was the voice from her hot, lustful dreams as of late. Right on time. How did Levi always seem to show up when she was at her most vulnerable? She looked right through him.

  “Levi!” Her mom quickly scooted over, making room for him. “Won’t you join us?”

  “Only for a minute.” Aiming that smart-ass grin at Cassidy, he slid onto the bench next to her mother. “I’ve got the Renegades over there. We’re having a business meeting.”

  Cassidy glanced at the table near the door. Charity, Mateo, and Ty all waved at her. She waved back but didn’t react to Levi. He had only a minute. She could stay silent for a minute.

  “What kind of business meeting?” her mother asked politely.

  “I’m glad you asked.” His gaze wouldn’t leave her alone.

  Though she wanted to, she couldn’t glance away. Did he have to look so damn good all the time? The sharp angle of his cheekbones and jaw made him look strong and determined. And she swore those hazel eyes had hypnotic powers.

  “We’re actually here to discuss the junior rodeo clinic I’m sponsoring in July.” He leaned forward as though wanting to capture her attention, but he already had it. He’d had it the second she’d heard his voice.

  “I’m still counting on your help, by the way,” he said to Cassidy, his gaze lowering to her lips. “I’ll need all kinds of assistance.”

  She slid her hands under her thighs to keep them steady. “I don’t have a lot of time.”

  “I think it sounds like a wonderful idea.” Her mother gave him a nod of approval. “Cassidy was just saying how much she wanted to find a way to honor Cash’s memory.”

  “Um, that’s not exactly what I was saying.” She’d been talking about living to honor Cash’s memory. Not spending a bunch of alone time with Levi, which was obviously what he wanted.

  “I’ll count on your help then.”

  Before she could tell him not to, he turned to Lulu. “So, what are you two up to today? Love the new hairdo, by the way.”

  “Thank you.” Her mother smiled shyly, yet another victim of his magnetism. “Cassidy is trying to find me a job,” her mother informed him. “Can you imagine? An old woman like me getting a new job?”

  “You’re not old.” Levi bewitched her mother with a wink. “Any of these fine establishments in town would be lucky to have you.”

  “Oh, you little charmer.” Her mother swatted at him.

  Funny. When Levi talked about it, Lulu actually seemed open to the possibility of finding a job. Annoying as it was, Cassidy could use that to her advantage. “If you don’t want to work at the flower shop, what about the Farm? Everly would be a great person to work for.” She seemed kind and compassionate, but also strong…

  “I can’t work with money,” her mother said without even considering it. “Cash registers scare me. And I’m too much of a klutz to carry food around like these pretty waitresses.” She gestured to the young girl taking orders across the room.

  “Huh.” A thoughtful frown pulled at Levi’s lips.

  They were nice lips, skilled and scorching and provocative…

  “I might have a possibility for you.”

  That broke Cassidy’s concentration on his mouth. “Really? Where? What kind of job?”

  “Don’t want to say too much until I know for sure,” he said mysteriously. “I’d better get back to the Renegades.” He slid out of the booth but hovered near her. “When can we get together to talk more about the rodeo clinic?”

  “I don’t know.” How about never? Would never work? She’d sat across from him for all of five minutes before she’d started to fantasize about kissing him again. There was no way she’d be able to spend any time alone with him. “I’m pretty busy this week.”

  “You are?” Lulu asked. “Really?”

  She kicked her mother lightly under the table. “Yes. Remember? I have all those things…”

  Amusement flickered in her mom’s smile, but at least she remained silent.

  “Lucky for us, I’m wide open.” Levi rested his hand on the back of the booth just behind her, grazing her neck on the way. He leaned down in an alluring cloud of some spiced aftershave. “So you name the time and the place, and I’ll be there.”

  “Don’t have my calendar with me,” she managed. As though she actually had a calendar. Or a social life. “I’ll have to let you know.” Maybe after a few weeks of radio silence, he’d take the hint.

  “I’ll be waiting for your call.” He glanced at Lulu. “Wonderful to see you, as always.”

  Her mother’s face lit up. “Don’t make yourself scarce.”

  “I’m not planning to,” he said with a purposeful look at Cassidy.

  After one last I’d be the best sex you’ve ever had grin, he turned and walked away.

  * * *

  Family dinners had taken on a new meaning since Levi had come back to Topaz Falls. Naomi and Jessa both loved to cook so, at least once a week, they found an excuse to get together for a gathering—someone’s half-birthday or Naomi’s daughter, Gracie, got an A on a test, or it was some obscure holiday like National Pie Day and those two just had to celebrate.

  Not that he was complaining. He happened to like their rhubarb pies. And it was nice, having people around. People who actuall
y cared about what was happening in your life. Not that his brothers showed it. They mostly gave one another a hard time, but still, he knew they’d have his back when he needed it.

  Levi sat and watched the chaos ensue in Naomi’s kitchen at the inn, and he couldn’t help but wonder what dinner looked like for Cass and Lulu. It was probably quiet and depressing compared to this. Gracie skipped through the kitchen singing at the top of her lungs while their German shepherd, Bogart, trotted behind, howling along. Lance stood next to Jessa, stealing strawberries out of the salad she was making along with kisses every chance he got, the sap.

  Lucas had been tasked with setting the table, and Naomi had obviously trained him well. The napkins were folded neatly, and he’d even put all the forks on the same side of the plates. Last time Levi had been assigned to set the table, he’d tossed the silverware and napkins onto the plates, and Naomi and Jessa had spent ten minutes reorganizing everything, shaking their heads and tsking the whole time. After that, he’d lost the privilege to set the table.

  Naomi skirted past Levi carrying a huge pan of lasagna. He quickly stood and stole it out of her hands. “You shouldn’t be carrying heavy stuff around, should you?” He wasn’t an expert, but the woman looked like she was about to pop out that baby right there on the kitchen floor. “You sure you’re not having twins?” he asked, eyeing her belly. Carefully, he set the lasagna on the table.

  “Twins!” Jessa snapped him with a dishtowel. “You’re not supposed to say that to a pregnant woman!”

  “Why not?” It wasn’t like he was calling her fat. He knew she had a baby in there.

  “Just don’t,” Lucas advised. “Don’t mention anything about the belly,” he whispered in passing.

  “Or any other body parts,” Lance added as he came to the table. “Even I know that.”

  “Seriously, Levi,” Jessa grumbled.