OLIVER: WESTERN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (Blackwater Canyon Ranch Book 2)

by Stark, Cindy

  “What?” she asked after a moment.

  “You asked me to wait.”

  Another few seconds passed before she realized what he meant. “Oh. Yes. I wanted to let you know I’ve decided on our evening of refined culture.”

  He grinned, twisting her insides again. “Is that so?”

  “It is.” She fought to keep her calm. “A local theatre company in Cattle Creek has a production of Beau Jest. Friday night. Don’t tell me you can’t make it because I already bought tickets.” She hadn’t, but he couldn’t know that.

  “What if I have other plans?” he asked with a grin.

  Oh, no. He wasn’t getting away with that. “Cancel them.” She wanted to ask who with, but she couldn’t.

  He stared at her for a few moments, intense energy pulsing between them. “Okay, but only for you. Besides, I’m in the mood for a comedy. They’re always my favorite.”

  She tilted her head to the side, watching him with suspicious eyes. “Have you seen Beau Jest?”

  His smile grew bigger. “Not telling you anything more. What time are you picking me up?”

  She lifted her brows. “I’m driving?”

  “This one is all yours, Daisy. Whatever we’re doing is all up to you. I’m just coming along for the ride.”

  “Hmm…okay.” She liked the sound of that. “I’ll be at your house at five. You’d better be ready.”

  He grinned again. “I’m already ready.”

  Anticipation teased her. “I meant wearing something besides jeans, if you own anything.”

  “I guess you’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?”

  Before Daisy could continue their friendly bantering, the sound of a vehicle rolling over the gravel drive stole his attention. He glanced back and forth between her and the red jeep coming toward them.

  “Who’s that?” Daisy shaded her eyes to catch a glimpse of the driver.

  “A friend.” Oliver kept his gaze on the woman who exited the jeep. Her hips swayed in a hypnotic way as she sauntered toward them. She wore her blond hair in a short pixie cut. Long legs extended from denim shorts, finished off by a pair of cowboy boots. If Daisy had to describe her idea of a country girl, she’d be talking about the woman walking toward them.

  Oliver might say they were only friends, but he seemed awfully interested in this particular country girl.

  “Guess I’d better see what she needs. Probably time to call it a day, anyway,” he said, giving her a brief glance.

  Daisy glanced at the colt grazing on grass along the opposite side of the pen. “You barely started training.”

  “It takes more than a day to tame a yearling, especially one this wild.” He shifted his gaze between the two women. “Do you need help getting down from there?”

  “No. I’m good.”

  “Okay. Catch you later.” With that he walked toward the woman. The blonde linked her arm with his as she eyed Daisy with a none-too-friendly look. Then he drew her away toward the barn.

  Did Oliver have a girlfriend?

  Daisy watched them until they disappeared from view inside the barn to do who knew what. She was certain he wouldn’t ask her to shovel horseshit.

  Discontent snuck up on her, leaving her with an unsettled feeling for reasons she couldn’t explain.

  Oliver could have all the girlfriends he wanted. Didn’t matter to her one bit.

  She slid off the fence, caught her heel on the bottom railing, and landed palms down in the dirt.

  “Dammit,” she muttered as she hurried to her feet. She brushed the dust off her shirt as she scanned the area for witnesses. As far as she could tell, no one had noticed her fall of shame. Thank God.

  As she headed into the house, determined to call it a night, she mentally calculated the number of days until she could return to the land of the living. She needed to be away from these people with their horses and country attitude where she so obviously did not fit in.

  Chapter Ten

  As Daisy drove the short mile to Oliver’s house, dread churned inside her. Daring him to appreciate her lifestyle had been a big mistake. Some idiotic part of her had enjoyed teasing him, had wanted to prove her way of life was better than his. Unfortunately, she’d talked herself into an awkward situation at best. Now, she’d have to spend hours alone with him.

  She’d set them both up for disaster. He’d be out of his element, which would make them both uncomfortable and ruin their evening. Worse, if his girlfriend found out Oliver had accompanied her to the theatre, that couldn’t possibly end well. If Oliver was her boyfriend, she’d definitely have a fit if he enjoyed an evening out with another woman. Even if they were only friends.

  At least the girlfriend thing put an end to her wondering if he was interested in her. She wasn’t sure what she’d hoped to prove anyway. She didn’t like him beyond physical attraction, and he would want a woman who could appreciate his lifestyle.

  Daisy slowed and turned into his drive, surveying the surroundings. No flowers decorated his landscape with the exception of a couple of rose bushes, but the old farmhouse looked to be in good repair. He obviously took good care of what was his, a quality she could admire in any man.

  She stopped well within view of the front window of the house and waited for him to emerge. After five minutes passed and he didn’t show, she debated whether she should honk the horn or get out and knock on his door.

  With a quick punch of her fist, her horn released a short honk. She cringed at the rude sound, but she wasn’t about to get out and meet him at the door. She waited several more endless minutes without any sight of him.

  She groaned in annoyance. Was he not ready? Had he forgotten her? With aggravation simmering inside, she flung open the door of her car and strode toward the house and up the porch steps. She’d told him to be ready by five. Apparently, the man wasn’t punctual.

  She jammed her thumb against the doorbell and waited.

  The door opened immediately and drew a surprised breath from her. “Hi,” she said, sounding completely lame. He had been waiting for her to pick him up at the door, but that wasn’t what shocked her.

  The man had looked good in jeans and boots, but he was downright devastating in a gray button-down shirt and black, fitted pants. On looks alone, he rated a nine. She continued her perusal downward and blinked. Maybe even a ten.

  Oliver actually owned a pair of boots not covered in dirt.

  Good Lord, he stole her breath. Whatever snarky remark she’d intended to say evaporated. “Are you ready to go?”

  “I am.” He looked her over as a smile teased his tempting lips. “Is it all right if I say you look hot in that…amazing black dress?”

  “I guess you just did.” A blush warmed her cheeks. She’d intentionally picked her sexiest dress and highest heels, wanting him to see what he was missing in the city. Her hair had taken her longer than usual, and she’d paid close attention to her makeup.

  A twinkle lit in his eye. “I guess I did.”

  “You look very nice, too.” Definitely a ten on the attractive scale.

  “Thank you.” He tipped his head and offered her his arm.

  She gave him a sly smile. “Did you purposefully make me come to your door?”

  His lips curved. He obviously liked her question. “I did.”

  “Why?” She narrowed her gaze, warning him to tell the truth.

  “Because, this is your date.”

  Date?

  “You’ve promised to show me a good time, and I figured I’d start out right.”

  Had she promised that? “Nothing like putting on the pressure. I didn’t realize this was my date.”

  “Yep. This is your version of our double dog dare date.” He grinned. “You’re trying to impress me with your world, but I know I’m going to impress you with mine.”

  For a moment, she might actually believe him. “That’s a bold statement, considering I’ve been living in your world for the past couple of weeks.”

  They st
opped at the driver’s side of her car, and he opened the door for her. “Yes, but you haven’t seen much except the inside of the barn.”

  She laughed. “No thanks to you.”

  “Not true. You’re free to jump in the truck or on a horse any time.” His gaze traveled the length of her legs as she slid them inside her car. He shut the door and entered on the opposite side. “I can’t wait to get you out in the wide open countryside.”

  A shiver of anticipation forced goosebumps to the surface of her skin. “You’re forgetting that I spent many summers here.” She started her car and did a U-turn on his lawn like Rachel had taught her most folks did.

  “You were only a kid. How much trouble can you get in when you’re six?”

  “Ask Rachel. She was always dragging me into all kinds of trouble.”

  “If you think that was trouble, wait.” He chuckled. “You’re in for a hell of a summer.”

  She lifted a brow to question him further, but he only smiled.

  Fine. He could be cryptic. For tonight, he was all hers, and she’d show him her kind of excitement.

  ****

  The candle on their table flickered, casting shadows on the white linen tablecloth. Daisy had picked the most expensive restaurant in Cattle Creek, complete with a maître d and wine list in hopes of impressing Oliver. However, she hadn’t expected the setting to be so intimate.

  Oliver didn’t seem to notice a sea of romantic couples surrounded them. He talked and enjoyed their meal as though they were alone.

  “I didn’t realize you were taking me to dinner, too,” Oliver said, as the waiter cleared their plates.

  She gave a nonchalant shrug, trying to ignore the chemistry bouncing back and forth between them. “I usually eat dinner out when I go to the theatre.”

  He nodded once and poured more wine into her glass. “It’s very nice. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” With the way he looked right now, she could put him in any big city, and he’d seem right at home. Who would have guessed?

  “Have you lived anywhere besides Cheyenne and Moose Meadows?” he asked, seeming to enjoy their small talk.

  “No, though I’ve visited a lot of places with my mom.” She sipped her wine and then set the glass down. “How about you?”

  “Mmm…here and there. Nothing too exciting though. Nowhere as nice as Moose Meadows.”

  “How can you make that distinction until you’ve actually lived in a big city? There’s so much energy and life.”

  He shifted in his seat and leaned closer to her. “Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy a nice dinner with a beautiful woman, but if it was up to me, I’d rather be on a horse, heading into the hills with you instead.”

  The man was certainly full of flattery. “Why can’t you like both?”

  “Who said I don’t?” He regarded her with an intriguing gaze that drew her in deeper.

  “You said you prefer the country.”

  “I do. You’re the one assuming I can’t enjoy both.”

  She sat back in her chair. “Are you trying to confuse me to get out of answering the question?”

  He grinned. “Maybe.”

  She smiled. “And you think that’s okay?”

  “I think you’ve been doing the same thing to me since we met.” He lifted his brows in a challenge.

  “Hmm…” she said, unwilling to concede anything. She studied him for a few moments, and he seemed content to do the same.

  “How does your girlfriend feel about our dare date?” Daisy hadn’t meant to bring her up, but she seemed like a safer topic than the flirtatious road they were headed down.

  He tilted his head in confusion. “Girlfriend?”

  “The woman who came over the other night. Cute blonde. Her red Jeep was in the drive again yesterday.”

  A slow smile curved his lips. “Karla? She’s not my girlfriend.”

  “Really?” It wasn’t that she wanted Oliver to be her boyfriend, but she’d missed the teasing and bantering between them that had suddenly seemed inappropriate to her. “Rachel said she likes you, and she does come by often.”

  “You asked Rachel if she was my girlfriend?” He seemed pleased that she had.

  “Oh, no,” She tried to backtrack. “No, no. I wasn’t trying to be nosy. Who you date is none of my business. I was curious why she’d come around so often if she wasn’t.”

  “Well, let’s see. The first time, she picked up some arthritis medication for one of her dad’s horses. Then she brought back the replacement yesterday.”

  That sort of made sense. “I see.” Except, Oliver had seemed as though he was in a big hurry to greet Karla that first time and head her off in a different direction before she and Daisy could interact. Why hadn’t he introduced them if there was nothing between them?

  He lifted his glass and watched her over the rim. “Do you have a boyfriend?” He took a sip, seeming nonchalant.

  “As in one steady boyfriend? No.”

  “So, you date a lot of guys, then.”

  “Not a lot, but some. No one has caught my interest. They all seem to be focused on themselves.”

  He nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe you’ll find someone you like in Moose Meadows.”

  She laughed softly. “What would be the point? I won’t be here very long.”

  “Yeah. True. What would be the point?” He mimicked her laugh.

  “Exactly.” She finished the rest of her wine. “We should probably head out so we’re not late for the opening act. Will you ask for the check while I head to the ladies’ room?”

  “Will do.”

  Daisy found him waiting near the door when she emerged a few minutes later after fixing her lipstick and checking her hair.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “I need to give the waiter my credit card.”

  He smiled, pleasure twinkling in his eyes. “I took care of it.”

  She shook her head in mock disapproval. “I thought tonight was on me.”

  “What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you buy theatre tickets and dinner?”

  “I’m the one who chose an expensive place. You shouldn’t have to foot the bill.”

  “Why not? I enjoyed it, too.”

  She paused, not finding a reply that satisfied her. She didn’t want him to spend his hard-earned money on her, but she also didn’t want to insult him.

  He held his arm out for her, and she took it as a good reason not to answer. She curled her fingers around him, savoring the warm strength that rested beneath his shirt as he led her out of the restaurant.

  Sultry summer air hugged them as they walked to the driver’s side of her car, but he didn’t immediately open her door. “You didn’t answer my question. Why wouldn’t you want me to help pay for our date?”

  Why did he have to keep calling it a date? “Because…you prefer to eat at home and…”

  “And?” He pressed.

  She shrugged. “Maybe it’s too expensive.”

  A humored laugh escaped his lips. “You think I can’t afford it?”

  “No…I don’t know.” She met his gaze directly. “Can you? Because I don’t mind paying. My Uncle Walt left me a nice chunk of money—”

  “Daisy. I can afford to pay for dinner. Just because I live a simple life and I’m careful with my money doesn’t mean I’m broke.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Dinner tonight was money well spent, okay?”

  Her heart took notice as his expression left her all warm inside. “Okay.”

  “Good.” He held her gaze and opened her door. “I enjoyed every minute, and I’m looking forward to the rest of tonight.”

  “Me, too.”

  Daisy couldn’t say why it mattered to her what he thought, but it did.

  ****

  Hours later, Daisy pulled her Mustang into Oliver’s drive. From what she could tell, he’d enjoyed their evening as much as she had. After she shifted her car into park, she turned to him. “You seem like you had a good tim
e. Are you ready to move to the city?”

  He laughed. “I had a great time. Thank you for inviting me.”

  “But…” She could sense more hovering on his tongue.

  “But I still love the country life better.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”

  “You might, too, if you give it a try.”

  “Doubt it.”

  “When I take you out and show you my Wyoming, I think you’ll be surprised.”

  She drew her fingers around the edge of her steering wheel. “I guess we’ll see. When are you planning your double dog dare date?” For some reason, having him take her somewhere seemed much more intimidating than her date tonight.

  He slid a sideways, sexy glance in her direction. “Don’t worry. When the time is right, I’ll surprise you.”

  His look made her tingle all the way to her toes. “What if I need time to get ready?”

  “You won’t. My date will require nothing but you.” He opened the passenger door and then turned toward her. “Are you going to walk me to my door?”

  She held his gaze, waiting for him to laugh and let her know he was joking. He didn’t.

  “Of course. I’m all about women’s lib. Would you like me to help you from the car?”

  He laughed. “No, but I’d like you to wait for me to open your door for you.”

  She shook her head in animated disbelief. When he pulled open her door and held out a hand to her, she released a sigh and slid her palm against his. The friction was delicious.

  They walked side by side to the quaint porch, and he twisted the doorknob, opening the door.

  “You don’t lock it?” He lived in a remote area where anyone could walk in and take everything without being noticed.

  He snorted. “Add minimal crimes to the list of perks of living in a small town.”

  “I won’t argue that one.”

  He glanced toward the ground and then met her gaze. The serious look in his eyes turned everything awkward. “Thanks again, Daisy. I will admit I’ve never had as much fun in a bigger city as I had with you tonight.”

  Her heart warmed. “That’s very nice of you to say.”

  He nodded his appreciation. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”