Ray: Riding Hard Book 7

by Ashley Jennifer

  Why did her hands go straight to her hair, and why did she rush to the bathroom and its mirror? She was pathetic.

  Erica watched with wry humor. “You look great, Mom. Even with paint in your hair.”

  Drew scrubbed at the white patch but gave up. “I need to thank him.” She babbled the words, hardly knowing what she said, as she slammed out the door, her feet carrying her swiftly down the stairs and out into the bright afternoon.

  * * *

  The sight of Drew hurrying out the door to him made Ray’s blood warm. She’d dressed in jeans and much-stained sneakers for working, a T-shirt that had seen better days already splattered with paint and spackling. She’d caught her dark hair in a ponytail, which emphasized the shape of her face and fine blue eyes.

  Ray had tried to stay away the last few days, telling himself he needed to attend to ranch business and not wear out his welcome with Drew.

  Today, he’d given up making himself stay home. His excuse for coming was that Fuller had a new shipment of paints, and maybe she’d like to pick out some colors.

  Drew jogged to Ray at the back of his truck where he’d started to unload more supplies, plus a couple crowbars to help them pull up rotted boards inside the house.

  “Thank you!” she cried as she reached him, sincerity in her voice. “Karen Marvin stopped by. Said you sent her—that she and her nonprofit might be able to fund me.” Her smile broadened, gladness in her eyes. “That was so nice of you, Ray.”

  He’d wanted to make her smile—and there it was. Wide, red-lipped. Beautiful.

  Aw, what the hell? Ray emptied his hands of all but his gloves, stepped to Drew, cupped her face, and leaned down to kiss her.

  Drew froze a moment in pure surprise, then her fingers bit down on his arms, and she kissed him back with enthusiasm.

  Sunshine warmed them, spreading heat through Ray and making him move even closer to her. They stood against each other, Drew’s soft body against his firm one, the sweetness of her soaking into his bones.

  She parted her lips, letting him taste her, hand sliding from his arms to his waist. Ray’s need spiked, the kisses suddenly not enough.

  They’d never be enough, he realized. Not with her. He wanted all of her, to explore her, taste her heat, hear her groan his name in the depths of the night. Drew was beautiful, unexpected, and what he longed for.

  Her lips carried fire, even more than when they’d kissed inside the house. That had been from shock and adrenaline, gratitude that they hadn’t been hurt.

  This was more natural, two people enjoying a kiss under blue sky.

  He pulled her a little closer, rewarded by her lips softening to his, her tongue slipping into his mouth and tangling with his. She tasted sweet, like one of Grace’s pastries. He’d brought more with him today. Least he could do.

  Drew jerked, and Ray knew the magical moment was ending. She broke the kiss but didn’t release him, staring up at him with hunger in her eyes.

  “Erica,” she whispered.

  Ray cast a glance at the garage, but Erica was nowhere in sight, not even at the window. “She might not have seen.”

  “It’s okay if she did. She likes you. But …”

  There was always a but. Ray brushed Drew’s cheek with one gloved finger. “I just wanted to kiss you, is all. We can leave it there.”

  He did not want to leave it there, no way in hell. He wanted to be with this woman, to make her laugh, to kiss her, to take her to his bed. The attraction to her was strong.

  Didn’t mean she’d throw herself into his arms and beg him never to go, but maybe they could have something. For a little while at least.

  Drew nodded as she studied his face, as though searching for something.

  “I guess we’d better get to work,” she said.

  “That’s actually what I came here for.” Ray tried to make his voice light. “Really.”

  “And I am so grateful to you for talking to Karen. Really.”

  They kept staring at each other. Ray knew right then that having something with her for a little while wouldn’t be fulfilling enough. Ever. The more he got to know Drew, the more he’d need of her.

  The thought should scare him, but for some reason it made Ray’s heart speed in anticipation and hope. He hadn’t felt this alive in years, and he wasn’t about to shut down the feeling. Not until he found out where this could go.

  * * *

  By the time darkness fell, Ray, Drew, and Erica were tired, dusty, hot, and had collapsed on the sofa—the floor in Erica’s case—imbibing cold bottles of water. Erica sprawled on the bare wood with arms outstretched, and Cinders pawed at her shoulder, trying to figure out a way to get underneath her.

  “I’m way too tired to cook,” Drew announced. She sat enticingly close to Ray, but he’d decided, after his spontaneous kiss, to avoid touching her. He didn’t trust himself, even with Erica to chaperone.

  “You don’t have to,” he told her. “I can drive us into town to the diner. Mrs. Ward has her harvest pies now—you’ve never tasted anything so good.”

  Erica perked up. “Can we, Mom? I’m so hungry.”

  “You can’t have pie for dinner.”

  “For dessert.” Erica rolled her eyes. “Promise. I’ll even eat a vegetable. Maybe a green bean. One.”

  Drew chuckled, but she shook her head. “You don’t have to take us anywhere, Ray. You have a life. A home. A brother.”

  “Not tonight. Kyle’s out on his date with Dr. Anna.” The house would be dark and empty, the once lively home now too quiet. “We can go talk about them. Everyone else is.”

  “That’s right. Her assistant mentioned it.” Drew’s amusement showed, but still she hesitated. She was shy, he guessed, reluctant to meet a town that stared so frankly at her. Ray couldn’t blame her.

  “Dr. Anna is pretty,” Erica announced. “And so smart. Your brother should marry her.”

  “Jumping the gun a little,” Ray said. “I’m just glad they finally agreed to sit down at a dinner table together. Let’s take it one thing at a time.”

  “Well, I’m not afraid to sit at a dinner table with you, Ray.” Erica leapt to her feet. “Or a diner table. Please, Mom. It would be easier if we went with Ray. He knows everyone.”

  Ray watched Drew run through arguments in her head, and at last decide that her daughter was right.

  “Okay,” she said but with a cautious note. “But we won’t stay long.”

  “Yay! Washing face now.”

  Erica ran in to the bathroom. Drew, as though she didn’t want to be left alone with Ray, followed her. She shut the door, and Ray heard some splashing and much laughter.

  He made do with washing his hands and face in the kitchen sink, cleaning up his mess with paper towels. He had a change of shirts down in the truck, and no one minded work-stained cowboys in the diner.

  Ray was glad he’d cleaned out the truck’s cab before he’d come over today. Erica had plenty of room to scramble into the small bench seat in the back once Ray lifted her in. Drew ascended quickly to the front passenger seat, avoiding touching Ray.

  “I’ve never been in a pickup before,” Erica announced as Ray climbed into his seat and started up.

  “You don’t have pickups in Chicago?” Ray asked, as though amazed.

  “Of course we do. And a lot of SUVs. But they’re hard to park so a lot of people have smaller cars. No one we know has a pickup anyway.”

  “We like them out here,” Ray said. “I can take this one almost anywhere—high clearance, great for off-road or bad weather.”

  “Do you get bad weather?” Erica sounded eager.

  “Sometimes.” Ray gazed at the clear evening sky as he pulled out from the B&B, the just-fallen darkness bursting with evening stars, the hills black beneath. “Thunderstorms and such in the summer. Not as bad as North or West Texas, though.”

  “Chicago weather truly sucks. Just when you think summer is starting, we have a blizzard. I won’t miss that.”

&n
bsp; Drew listened without comment and looked relieved when Erica said the last.

  The drive to Riverbend was pretty from this side of it, gentle hills and ranch land lined with fences. Up ahead, the lights of the little town beckoned them on. After a couple miles, Ray glided into Riverbend and around the town square to Mrs. Ward’s diner.

  The diner parking lot was mostly full, only a few spaces left. As Ray squeezed the truck into a place, reluctance stole over him. For some reason, he didn’t want to share Drew with the rest of town—as though what he had with her was special and private.

  Or maybe it was fear, that when River County guys saw how great Drew was, they’d go for her. He’d have to step back and let Drew make the choice, because he wasn’t a possessive asshole.

  Or maybe he’d just never met anyone he’d wanted to possess.

  Ray turned off the truck and ushered out Drew and Erica, and they walked together to the diner. Ray led the way in, then he halted, wanting to swear in dismay.

  The whole town was here, or near enough. On the other side of the diner was his brother, Kyle, sitting in a booth across from Dr. Anna.

  What the hell were they doing here? It was supposed to be their date night at Chez Orleans, which was up near White Fork. The two wore dressy clothes that looked a bit worse for wear, but they were here.

  Even worse, Christina Campbell, Ray’s ex-girlfriend, stood in the aisle next to Anna and Kyle, all three turning around to gaze at Drew with interest. Christina’s daughter, Emma, bounced in her arms, waving her chubby hands.

  “Hi!” Emma yelled.

  Chapter Seven

  Drew felt every eye on her as she followed Ray to a booth, the entire town assessing her, trying to peel back the layers of her life to have a good look.

  With some relief, she recognized Dr. Anna and lifted her hand in greeting when Anna waved at her. Anna wore a nice blue dress that was out of place in a diner full of jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops. The man across from her, who looked so much like Ray she knew he was his brother, was likewise incongruous in a suit.

  The leggy woman in shorts standing next to them, holding a child obviously her daughter, was very pretty, with curly black hair, dark eyes, and a smile that matched the one on the little girl’s face.

  Ray didn’t greet anyone. He quickly slid into the booth and picked up the menu, holding it in front of his face like he’d never seen it before. Erica imitated him, her eyes widening at the pictures of plump burgers and massive fries.

  The leggy woman strode over with determination, and the whole diner watched her, avidly interested.

  “Hi!” the little girl in her arms bellowed, waving a fist.

  “Hi there,” Erica greeted the child as the woman halted by their table. “I’m Erica. What’s your name?”

  “Emma.” The mite looked proud.

  “Very nice to meet you,” Erica said.

  She and Emma were the only ones oblivious to the tension. The woman stared frankly at Drew, and Ray lowered his menu.

  “Christina,” he said in a half growl.

  Christina ignored him and addressed Drew. “Dr. Anna says you’re Drew Paresky, and that you’re restoring the B&B. Very cool. Welcome to Riverbend.”

  “Thank you.”

  The air between Ray and Christina was charged, which made Drew’s heart constrict. She’d been around the block a few times and knew exactly what the strain meant—they had once been a couple.

  Ray’s cheekbones were red but he strove to be polite. “How you doing, Emma?”

  Emma looked delighted. “Hi!” She waved at him.

  “She’s doing great,” Christina answered for her. “Thanks.”

  “I’m glad.” Ray’s answer was sincere. He pulled his gaze from Christina and rested it on Drew.

  The minute their eyes met, Ray’s mouth softened, his expression understanding. He knew she knew, and he was apologizing for the scene.

  Which wasn’t even a scene. Everyone was as polite as could be.

  Christina switched her focus back to Drew. “You’re from a real city. With department stores and fashionable clothes and everything. I’ve always wanted to go to Chicago.”

  “It can be fun,” Drew said. “And crowded and dirty and cold. Or hot. It’s pretty here.”

  “It is. River County is the most beautiful place in the world, in my opinion.” Christina’s eyes shone. “But sometimes the most boring place in the world. The only interesting things going on right now are, one: you moving here. That’s why everyone’s staring at you. Sorry about that. We’re not rude—we just don’t have anything else to do. Two: Kyle and Dr. Anna.”

  She glanced at Kyle and Anna who gazed at each other awkwardly as they took bites of their respective burgers.

  “They were supposed to go to Chez Orleans,” Ray said in a rumble. “Did my brother screw up and lose the directions?”

  “You didn’t hear?” Christina looked surprised, as though town news reached everyone by osmosis. “Sherrie Duncan got run off the road—Kyle and Anna stopped to help. She had an overturned horse trailer with one of her horses trapped inside. Everyone, including the horse, is okay and back home, but Anna’s and Kyle’s nice clothes aren’t so nice anymore, and they decided to come here instead.”

  “That’s terrible.” Drew’s sympathy emerged. “I’m glad the woman and her horse are okay. Dr. Anna was so nervous about this date. She must be disappointed … or maybe relieved. Hard to tell.”

  “Right now they’re debating whether they need a do-over.” Christina’s smile flashed, making her more beautiful still. “This will be fun to watch.”

  Christina seemed friendly enough and truly interested in Drew, behaving in no way like a jealous ex, plus she had a gorgeous baby on her hip. Whatever she’d had with Ray was over, it looked like, and Christina had moved on. Drew wondered if Ray had.

  “Since Ray isn’t the voluble type, I’ll make the introductions,” Christina said. “I’m Christina Campbell, married to Grant—there’s five Campbell brothers so don’t worry if you can’t remember all their names at first.”

  Campbell, as in the family with the nonprofit that helped out local businesses. Drew didn’t mention this, as Karen had said she wanted to wait before she brought it up with the Campbells.

  Erica listened with interest. “Is Faith your niece?” she asked. “I’ve already lost track.”

  Christina laughed. “I don’t blame you. Faith is Carter’s daughter, and Ray’s sister married him.”

  “Faith is going to give me riding lessons. I think.”

  More interest entered Christina’s eyes. “She’d love to. Tell you what—why don’t you head over to the ranch tomorrow? Circle C, on the southwest side of town. Faith will be home, and she’s dying to meet you.”

  Erica swung to Drew. “Can I, Mom? Say yes.”

  “Carter and Grace will take good care of Erica,” Ray said, confident. “No worries about that.”

  “I think it will be all right,” Drew said. Erica needed to meet girls her age and do something besides work on the B&B and miss her friends. “She’s never been near horses, though.”

  Erica put on her Oh, Mom, face but said nothing.

  “She won’t be able to say that for long,” Christina said. “Faith is already a champion rider and a great teacher. Grace will be there too, to watch out for her, and probably bake her a ton of treats.”

  “We miss Grace,” Ray said nostalgically. “Kyle and I have lost ten pounds each since she left.”

  “Yeah, because you both were so tubby before.” Christina gave Drew a wry look. “You’ll have to come over soon too, Drew. For a Campbell family dinner. Not that you’ll get a word in edgewise, but the Campbell brothers will do plenty of talking for you.”

  “The women of that family can sure go on too,” Ray said. “Don’t put all the blame on the guys. I’m not excluding my sweet baby sister.”

  “I won’t argue. Bailey—she’s married to Adam—is my sister, so we get into
sister stuff. Ross just married Callie, and she was a debutante, so she keeps us all under control now. She’s poised, beautiful, and smart. And you can’t hate her, because she’s so damned nice.”

  Ray let out a chuckle, relaxing. “Keeps you all under control. Right. Where’s Grant tonight? Haven’t seen him around much.”

  “He and Tyler are putting together a new show, so they’re training a lot. They’re stunt riders,” she said to Drew. “I was hungry and didn’t want to wait for them.” She glanced at the waitress, who moved determinedly toward the table. “I guess that’s why you’re here too. Well, I’ll leave you to it. Erica, show up about lunchtime—I’ll tell Faith to expect you. See you then.”

  “See you. Thanks,” Erica gushed.

  Christina said, “You’re welcome, sweetie,” and walked away, her daughter shouting a “Hi!” at the next person she saw.

  “She’s really nice,” Erica informed Ray.

  Ray shrugged. “Yeah, she is. I’ll have a burger.” This to the waitress, who hovered.

  Drew ordered a roast beef sandwich and Erica had a burger—“The one Ray’s having,” she declared.

  Drew was dying to ask all about Christina and her past with Ray, but she knew this was not the time or place. Christina had seemed contented enough, and Drew had seen the love in her eyes when she’d spoken her husband’s name and looked at the daughter she’d had with him.

  The fact that Ray had not mentioned the woman at all in the week he’d been helping Drew could mean he was over her. Drew had dated men who hadn’t been over their breakups or divorces, and it had been very obvious.

  But then, Ray wasn’t like any other guy she’d gone out with. He didn’t slop his emotions onto her, didn’t talk about anything emotional at all, in fact. He had easy silences, speaking only when he needed to. Refreshing.

  Ray caught her eye. He had to know she was curious, but he only toyed with his glass of iced tea the waitress brought, and started talking about what they should take apart on the house next.