“How did you know about the kiss when we were teens?” She forced the words through clenched teeth.
“I’m sorry, but we were young. I looked up to you. I might have read a page or two of your diary.” She played with the hem of her shirt.
Pearl snorted loudly. “A page or two?”
“Half.” Pearl growled. Em moistened her lips. “Okay…all.”
“That is so wrong, Em!”
With a quick nod, Em dropped her arms to her sides. “I know. But I love you and I want you to be happy. I couldn’t stand to see you waiting for a guy who would never come because he had no clue you liked him. And now you have what you’ve always wanted.”
Pearls stomach flipped. “Then why did you let Pugly in the stall this last time? Your matchmaking skills had worked and then because of it we got into an argument.”
“I was standing on the porch and I saw Pugly come into the yard. My intention was to grab him before he did any more damage, but by the time I got to him he was standing outside of Charmin’s stall, shifting from leg to leg, and they were gazing at one another in a way that melted my heart. It was very sad. And I figured she was with foal anyway, so what harm would it do to let them spend a few moments together. I had no clue that you and DJ were outside of the barn until I heard you coming. I stepped into the shadows.”
“Em, you have lost your mind. You know that, right?”
“Don’t act like it wasn’t a clever plan. It worked.”
“We aren’t together. It didn’t work!” Pearl squeezed the bridge of her nose. Letting her hand drop, she sighed.
“He loves you, sis. That was obvious. I think even you know it’s true, but it scared you. You have to go and apologize to him.”
Pearl eyed Em in annoyance. “Why would I apologize to him?”
“You left the electricity off on Pugly’s pen. That donkey got out and came over here. That’s not his fault.”
“You’re right. This isn’t DJ’s fault. It’s yours. And you’ve managed to turn a spark into a blazing, out of control fire from meddling. Do you not understand why Jewels and I get annoyed with you?”
Em’s lower lip quivered. “That’s not fair.”
“Oh trust me, it’s very fair. Right now I can’t speak to you because I don’t have anything good to say.” Pearl turned and slammed the door on her way out.
Chapter Eleven
DJ forked the straw and tossed it into the large pile. He’d been working out in the sun for the last four hours and his hope of easing the tension in his body wasn’t working. The pressure was embedded in his muscles and bones.
Actually, Pearl was the issue.
He couldn’t get her off his mind. He hadn’t seen her in a week and it felt more like a year. He couldn’t eat. He couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t even think.
He had the money to start plans for his house, but even the idea didn’t motivate or excite him enough to begin. Hell, what would a cowboy need with a house if he didn’t have the family to fill it?
Moreover, he was leaning toward moving into one of the cabins. He didn’t need much room. He could use his savings to expand the R&R, at least follow one or two of his dreams since he couldn’t have the whole kit and caboodle. After what he shared with Pearl he couldn’t expect to find those emotions with anyone else. Just like Spark had said, once a woman took up residence in a man’s heart, he was a goner.
Tightening his hold on the handle of the pitchfork, he lifted it and gave it a toss across the straw covered floor.
“Yikes!”
The voice brought his head up. He looked through the doorway of the barn and his lungs ceased. The sun was shining brightly and a silhouette of a petite, curvaceous brunette stood in the doorway. He’d know that body anywhere. “Pearl? What are you doing here?”
“I hope that pitchfork flying through the air wasn’t meant for me. She took a step into the barn, out of the backlight of the sun, and he could see all of her. His chest pained.
“I didn’t even see you standing there.” The pitchfork had landed two feet from where she had been.
****
Pearl licked her lips. DJ stood several feet from her, his hat was missing, his hair was wet and his shirtless upper body was slick with sweat. She wanted him then and there. Too bad his brothers were working close by.
“You have a minute?” she asked.
“Sixty seconds isn’t long. I guess I can spare it.” He grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler, uncapped it and drank it down in one gulp.
Who would believe a man drinking water could be so sexy?
Attempting to keep her thoughts on track, she hooked her thumbs into the front pockets of her jeans and shifted her boots. “I know I’ve been an ass.”
“I’ll second that.” He crushed the bottle and tossed it back into the chest.
“You didn’t let Pugly in the stall.” He looked at her like she’d grown horns, not making this any easier.
“That’s not a news flash to me. He unlatched the gate because the electrical fence was turned off. Unfortunately, you didn’t trust me.” He walked past her into the sun. Reached for his hat hanging on a hook and slid it onto his head.
“Okay, I was being narrow-minded and allowing my anger to get the better of me. I can be a jerk at times.”
“A big jerk,” he mumbled.
“Wow, I’m glad you see things my way so easily.” She sighed and followed him outside.
He turned on her, his gaze harsh and the set of his jaw tight. “What do you want? You can’t be here to blame Pugly for being in the stall with Charmin again. He’s no longer living here.”
“I know.”
“How would you know?”
“Nash called and told me what you planned, to get rid of Pugly. So I devised my own plan to buy him off you. He’s now living at the Rhinestone. After all, who was I to keep two lovebirds apart? I know how much you love that donkey and I’m willing to give him back, but I was sort of hoping…”
“Hoping what?” His gaze didn’t soften.
“That you and I could keep him together. And possibly build some other dreams together along the way.” Her stomach flip-flopped.
“That could be a problem.”
She swallowed hard. “Really?”
“Pearl, you don’t trust me. Can’t you see that I fell for you? And you were willing to give it all away over a donkey and a horse. Obviously, your emotions are mixed up.” He turned and started walking away.
She had to run, but she quickly caught up to him. “You’re wrong. I’m not mixed up. I love you. I have for a long time.”
He came to a sudden halt and she almost ran right into him. “What did you say?”
“I love you and I want you. Love is unexpected. It’s inconvenient and a crime to the heart. But what is love without sharing it with the one who makes you laugh, makes you whole? Without love, without you, I’ll never be complete, and DJ, I want to spend my life with you.”
Seconds ticked by into a minute. He stared.
“I guess I’m wrong in what I thought you felt.” Pearl started to walk and he grabbed her elbow, twirling her around.
“Listen, you are a feisty, annoying, controlling, amazing, beautiful, kind woman who I love very, very much. Wanna get married?”
“Yes.”
THE END
From the author:
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and like my author page. http://www.amazon.com/Rhonda-LeeCarver/
Hugs,
Rhonda Lee Carver “Writing Men Who Love to Get Their Hands Dirty…”
At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.
Her specia
lty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.
When Rhonda isn't crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Pressure Rising (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit:
www.rhondaleecarver.com
Find me on Facebook, too!
www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver
Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver
Diamond in a Rose
Double Dare
Delaney’s Sunrise
Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)
Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)
Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)
Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)
Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)
Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)
Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance Series)
Castle’s Fortress
Dreaming Ivy
Friends With Benefits
Sin With Cuffs
With Honor
Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)
Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)
Fighting Flames
UNDER PRESSURE (Book 1, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
Under the Mistletoe
Watch for Em’s Story, Book 3, coming in 2015!
Have you read Under The Mistletoe (Available at Amazon)? If not, here’s Chapter One. I hope you’ll enjoy.
Chapter One
“Want another Fluffy Critter?”
Alex Cooper shook her empty glass and winked. “We’re in Vegas, aren’t we?”
“Good thing we have a room.” Tara waved to a nearby waiter. “You haven’t had alcohol since…?”
“A year.”
Tara’s eyes widened. “That’s a long time.”
“I think I deserve this.”
“Of course you do.”
Alex nodded and stretched a kink out of her back. They’d been sitting at the slot machines for a while. “I’m so glad you invited me along on this adventure. I can’t believe I almost said no. Too bad I have to leave tomorrow because I’m already dreading it. Is it too late to come down with an illness? The flu maybe? Jen from work has been out sick for a week. I could blame it all on her.”
Tara laughed. “You really do hate the idea of visiting your parents.”
“I’d rather have my teeth pulled.” Alex leaned against the slot machine, grabbed the handle and pulled down. The display spun and the music chimed. Nothing. “A little luck here might ease the pain.”
The waiter brought their drinks and Tara clinked her bottle against the rim of Alex’s glass. “Well, then cheers and here’s hoping you win big. Or at least get a buzz and forget about tomorrow.”
Sipping the sweet and tangy cocktail, Alex licked every drop from her lips. “I could drink a ton of these and not get drunk. They are delicious. I wonder if they’d give me the recipe?”
“Sure you could.” Tara wagged her eyebrows. “You haven’t peed yet have you?”
Alex blinked and wrinkled her nose. “What does peeing have to do with my cocktail?”
Tara shrugged. “Pee once and you will be a goner.”
“Interesting.” Alex swirled her straw and took another sip. “Just remember, we agreed not to do anything stupid. A buzz is never an excuse for stupidity.”
“We’re only here for one night. I say we live a little.”
“One night here just doesn’t seem to be enough. All of the lights, the joy…this is what the holidays are all about. But I’ll catch a flight home where the holiday becomes a winter wonderland massacre.” Alex twirled her finger and rolled her eyes.
“Girl, you know it’s not that bad and you should be glad you’re getting a break. Too much work makes a woman boring. Just think…a vacation. You can sleep in, relax and do whatever it is that you do in snow-covered Montana. I hope you bought a cute pair of snow boots.”
“It’s not the time off that I hate. I get to travel to my hometown where I’ll be tortured because of my relationship status. What’s wrong with being single anyway?” She sighed. “And even if I did have a viable excuse not to go, I’d still feel guilty if I missed the holiday with my folks. My little sister Stacy has news to share. I’m sure she’s going to announce that she and her high school sweetheart have finally decided to tie the knot after six years of dating bliss. I’ll have another ugly maid of honor dress to add to my collection. I can already see the remorseful glances directed my way from the wedding guests, especially my Aunt Patty... ‘poor girl, always the bridesmaid, never the bride’. My mom tells me all of the time that my eggs are drying up at the speed of a race horse and I’ll end up with ten cats that I refer to as my kids.”
“Sweetie, I think you’ve had too many of these.” Tara reached over and pushed Alex’s glass to the side. “First, you sound as if thirty-two is the end of the world. You’re still young with lots of time for relationships and family. Your parents are awesome—a little kooky and intrusive—but they have your best interest at heart. It’s only normal for them to want you to marry so you can pop kids out one after another—real kids, not cats. Having a baby around can make people feel younger.”
Alex rolled a tendril of her hair around her finger. “Are you siding with them?” she whined.
Tara narrowed her eyes. “No, I’m on your side.”
“I know…I know what you’re saying. They love me. I love them. But going home for Christmas only means I’ll feel like a bigger disappointment to them. They never understand that I have a career and no time for relationships. By the time my mom was my age she was married for over ten years with two kids.”
“Times have changed.”
“Try telling them that.” Alex rubbed her temples and groaned.
“Let’s face it, there are some advantages to being single—not needing to shave your legs every day, wearing granny panties whenever we want and going to bed with zit cream smeared all over. Downside—I miss sex, a lot.”
“Is that all you miss about a relationship?” Alex laughed.
“I miss a man when my vacuum gets clogged. Or when the drain stops up.” Tara pulled the lever on her machine and sighed. “Neither of us are winning tonight.”
“The night isn’t over yet.” Alex dropped more coins into the slot.
“If you would have listened to me in the first place, this wouldn’t be an issue.”
Alex laid her chin in her palm. “What are you talking about?”
“You whining about going home. I told you…online dating for the holidays is the way to go. Find a suitable companion for all of the parties and family gatherings. After the holiday ends, part ways with a thank you and good luck. Heck, if you’re lucky, you find someone who is mouth-watering sexy and you’ll get two bangs for your buck, if you know what I mean.” She rolled her tongue over her bottom lip.
Alex exhaled sharply. “Oh I could see that now. Mom and Pop, I’d like you to meet my date for the holidays. He likes long walks on the beach, the outdoors, and women who are lonely enough to find a date online.”
“You shouldn’t knock it until you try it.” Tara thrummed her fingers on her bottle.
“Have you registered with a dating site?”
“No way.”
“So you want me to try it out and tell you how it works.” Alex shook her head.
Tara’s eyes widened and her mouth slightly parted. “Don’t look, but sitting behind you is a couple of cowboys who I wouldn’t mind getting under a mistletoe this holiday.”
Not heeding Tara’s warning, Alex swiveled on the stool and immediately saw them—easily spotted because t
hey were the only two cowboys in the casino. She made eye contact with the one wearing a brown hat and her toes curled. Blue eyes, chiseled jaw line and a smile that could knock a woman’s panties off—and that smile was directed her way. Her throat tightened and she brought the straw to her mouth, taking a long drink.
“See what I mean? Yum.” Tara sighed longingly.
“Yeah, they’re both cute.” Alex shrugged. She twisted on the stool and pulled the slot lever. Ding. A sea horse and two stars. Her luck wasn’t hitting.
“That’s it? Just cute?” Tara chuckled. “You don’t know a good thing when you see it.”
“A lot of people are lonely around this time of the year and want a warm body to snuggle up to with a glass of eggnog. I don’t want to be anyone’s warm body.”
“Yeah, who’d want to be a man’s warm body? Sounds horrible,” Tara murmured. “A little bit of yum-yum in cowboy hat and boots would be too hollow for someone like you who’d rather tug on a slot lever instead of a man’s co—”
“Tara!” Alex blinked and shook the ice around in her almost empty glass. “I don’t have a problem with tugging on anything, but tonight I think we should concentrate on having fun, excluding men. You don’t want to be one of those chicks that wake up hitched to a stranger, do you?” There was a long pause. “Tara?”
“Who said anything about getting hitched? I was talking about easing an itch.” Tara rolled the tip of her tongue around the rim of her bottle.
Alex fought back a smile. “I’ll know if that bottle comes up missing.”
Tara turned back to the machine. “Come on winner! If I can’t have sexy cowboy then cash would certainly take away some of my loneliness.”
Alex caught another side-glance of the brawny cowboy who was still watching her. Her stomach did a flip and her fingers shook. He was definitely on the prowl and she refused to be the hunted, but a little flirting wouldn’t hurt.
Pressure Rising (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 2) Page 11
