“Just what every kid needs,” Harper said under his breath.
“I heard that. Pick something yourself, then. But we’re not leaving here till you buy something for your niece.”
Harper chose a stuffed brown horse, chocolate brown just like Catie’s favorite mare, Ladybird. Teddy bears were overdone anyway, and Catie would appreciate this more.
“Will this do?”
Amber nodded. “Perfect for any child of Catie’s. Now go pay.”
Harper paid and shoved the receipt in his pocket. “You’re not going to make me wrap this, are you?”
“Nope. We’ll just take it as is. Let’s get moving. We’re late now. Where’d you park?”
“Behind the salon.”
The drive to Catie’s ranch house took over a half hour, but Harper didn’t have to worry about making conversation. Amber chattered on about all kinds of things, some of which Harper found interesting, to his surprise. Amber wanted to learn barrel racing. Looking at her fake nails and platinum hair, he’d never have guessed racing would interest her. Though she had performed well enough on horseback to win first runner-up at the rodeo queen competition last summer. When Catie married and had to step down, Amber stepped up. She was now the reigning Bakersville rodeo queen. She had moved from Texas just a few months before last year’s pageant, and she beat all the local girls except Catie. The McCray brothers had judged, and Harper knew how tough they were. Amber had earned the crown, no doubt.
“Do you ride much, Harper?”
“I run a ranch. I ride all the time.”
“Do you compete?”
“I didn’t last year. But I have in the past. I bust broncs and ride the occasional bull.”
“Really? Bull riding? That’s so dangerous.”
“Not if you know what you’re doing. I once saw Dusty McCray stay on a scary ass bull for six seconds. Course she gave herself a concussion afterward.”
“Yes, I know. I heard about her and that bull of hers, El Diablo. They’re still offering that half-mil purse, aren’t they?”
“Every January at the stock show in Denver, and every summer at the rodeo here in town.” He chuckled. “You’re not thinking about taking up bull ridin’, are you?”
“Heavens, no. I’ll stick to horseback, thank you. I do admire a woman with those kinds of balls though, if you’ll pardon the expression.”
“Dusty McCray has balls and then some. That little girl’s been through more than most.”
“Yeah, Catie told me about her cancer, and about how she probably won’t have any more children. I feel bad for her.”
“It’s a shame, no doubt. But she has quite a brood of nieces and nephews to dote on now, including Catie’s Violet.”
“She has a brother, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah. Sam. He hasn’t been around in a while. He lives up in Montana. They have a small ranch up there. I think he’s planning to come for the rodeo in a few months though. He’s a bronc buster like me.”
“Hmm. Can you beat him?”
Harper let out a laugh. “He’s damn good. But so am I.”
Amber smiled, parting her cherry lips to reveal perfect white teeth. The skin around those gorgeous golden eyes crinkled. Good God, the woman is hot.
“I wouldn’t mind learning bronc busting myself,” she said, “though I think I’ll stick to barrel racing for now. Maybe I’ll ask Dusty McCray to teach me.”
“She hasn’t raced in years. Not since she had Sean.”
“Yeah, true. I’m sure there’s someone else around who can give me some pointers. Catie mentioned this guy who used to work for Chad a while back. He’s back in town. His name’s Blake something or other, and she says he knows the sport pretty well. He worked with his sister who’s a champ.”
Harper pursed his lips. He knew exactly who Amber was talking about. “Blake Buchanan, yeah.” Blake Buchanan was also a champion coward and loser. He’d left town three years ago after impregnating the mayor’s daughter. She’d had a miscarriage, but still. Course the man did know barrel racing.
“I was thinking I might check with him. I’ve heard he’s a great coach.”
Sweat beaded above Harper’s lip. Why would he care if Amber worked with some loser who seduced an innocent young woman? Amber hardly looked innocent anyway. No one that hot could be innocent.
None of his business anyway.
Thank God. They arrived at Catie’s, and the conversation ended.
The place was already crowded as a stampede. Surely no one would have noticed if he hadn’t shown up.
Nope. Catie would notice. He sucked in a breath, and with Amber clinging to his arm, walked inside.
“Amber!” Catie waded through the throng of people dragging a tall black-haired cowboy with her. “I’m so glad you’re here. This is the man I’ve been telling you about. Blake Buchanan. This is Amber Cross, and you remember my brother, Harper.”
Amber’s golden eyes blazed as Blake approached.
On instinct, Harper wrapped his arm around Amber’s waist and pulled her into his side. Warmth coursed through him.
“Hello there, darlin’,” Blake said. “I hear you want to learn to race.”
Harper’s esophagus threatened to reverse. Here he stood, one arm around a stuffed horse, the other around a woman he wasn’t interested in.
Was he?
Of course not. So totally not his type. But damned if he’d let her be bait for Blake Buchanan’s snare.
“Where’s my niece?” he said to Catie. Nothing like changing the subject.
“Chad’s got her. They’re out back. Come on out. Angie and Rafe arrived a while ago. We’ve got food and drink out there. It’s such a gorgeous day. I’m so glad it’s warm this spring.”
Leave Amber here with this guy? No way. He handed the stuffed horse to Catie. “For Violet. Come on, Amber. Let’s go get a drink.”
“Oh. Okay.” She touched Blake’s arm. Damn her. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Sure enough. I’m gonna use the little boys’ room and then I’ll be right out with you.”
Harper followed Amber out to the pool deck. The pool was covered. They’d fill it next month most likely. Late April was too early here in Colorado.
Everybody and his brother had shown up here. Caterers made their way through the crowds carrying platters of food. Several bars were set up. He led Amber to the closest.
“What’ll you have?”
“Cosmo.”
“Of course.” What she saw in the froufrou drink was beyond him.
He ordered a beer for himself and looked around. Dallas and Annie McCray were here with their brood. Zach and Dusty and Sean. Joe Bradley, the mechanic. Doug Cartright, the sheriff. Judy had made it. His big sister, Angie, and her husband, Rafe Grayhawk, were talking to some people Harper didn’t recognize. His mother and Uncle Jeff were making their rounds.
His father had been gone for over six months, but Harper still had a hard time accepting it. He owned Cha Cha Ranch now. He knew the ranching business. That part was no problem. But Uncle Jeff, Dad’s brother, had surfaced after his death, claiming to own half of their western slope ranch, Bay Crossing. But that wasn’t the biggest surprise. Turned out he was Angie’s biological father. To top it all off, Mom had invited Uncle Jeff to live at the main ranch house at Cha Cha. So instead of moving in there, in the house he now owned, Harper stayed in his modest ranch house on the other side of the property. Not that he minded. He loved his house.
Harper had always known his parents had married because Mom had been pregnant with Angie. What he hadn’t known was that Dad’s younger brother, Jefferson Bay, had been in love with his mother. When Jeff went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Mom had married Dad and convinced him the baby was his.
The thoughts choked in his throat. Harper still had a hard time with that one. He and Catie were Dad’s kids, but not Angie. And his mother had tricked his father. Funny thing was, Angie was no longer holding a grudge. She had forgiven
Mom and was working on a relationship with Uncle Jeff. If Angie wasn’t upset, why should he be? After all, his father was still his father.
Course maybe Angie found it easier to accept because she was in love and newly married. She oozed happiness.
Harper had never been in love. He’d never understood what the fuss was about. He’d been interested in women, sure. Had dated quite a bit, a couple seriously, even. But fireworks had never gone off. He doubted that kind of love existed.
At least not for him. He had too much going on anyway. Heck, he had a ranch to run. His own ranch. He didn’t need kids running around. If he wanted kids, he’d come see beautiful little Violet. And all the kids Angie and Rafe would have. They were already talking about starting a family. Course they lived at Bay Crossing on the western slope, but they’d come visit.
“Quit looking so sullen, Harper. Let’s mingle.” Amber grabbed his elbow and started toward Rafe and Angie.
“Hey, you two!”
Angie gathered them both in a hug. Amber’s body crushed against his, and tingles shot up his spine. What the heck was going on?
“It’s so good to see you guys.”
“You just saw us at your wedding two weeks ago,” Harper said dryly.
Angie swatted him on the arm. “What crawled up yours, Harp?”
“He’s pissy because I made him come to this baby shower,” Amber said. “He thinks showers are supposed to be for women.”
“I think you’re right,” Rafe said.
“Yeah? Then why are you here?”
“Ang and I hadn’t seen the baby yet till today. I wanted to see her.”
Harper melted a little. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Without a doubt.” Rafe’s black eyes softened as he looked at his wife. “I hope we have some good news soon.”
“You’re certainly putting a good amount of effort into it,” Angie teased.
Harper tensed. He didn’t need to think about his big sister having sex. Or his little sister for that matter. Though baby Violet was a wonderful result.
“Whose idea was this couples shower, anyway?” Rafe asked.
“Mine,” Amber piped in. “It’s really just an excuse for a big party, and Catie sure has the spread for it. Plus we all get to welcome Violet and pay our respects.”
“It doesn’t sound so bad when you put it that way,” Rafe said with a chuckle. “I’m always up for a good party.”
“Me too,” Angie agreed. “Amber, we’ll be here a few days. Can you get me in on Monday for a mani-pedi?”
“Absolutely.” Amber took the last sip of her cosmo and looked up at Harper. “I see yours is nearly empty too. Can I get you another?”
“I’ll get them.” He took her glass, glad to be gone from the conversation. When his sister started talking mani-pedis, nothing interesting could possibly come of it.
* * *
Harper Bay was one fine-looking man. The second most eligible bachelor in Bakersville, behind mechanic Joe Bradley. At least that’s what the local gossip columnist touted. Joe was handsome, no doubt, but Harper had a tousled sexiness—that mane of walnut hair that was always in disarray made Amber’s heart patter. Judy talked all the time about how she’d love to get her fingers in it.
Amber’d love to get her fingers in it too. She eased away from Rafe and Angie and watched as Harper stood at the bar getting their drinks. She wasn’t looking for a relationship. Nope, keep it simple—that was her motto. That’s why she’d come to this small town, and she wasn’t about to complicate her life with a man. Still, she couldn’t ignore the sizzle that raced over her skin whenever Harper Bay was near.
“There you are, darlin’.”
She turned to see Blake Buchanan. Also good-looking, but more refined with slicked back black hair and gentle brown eyes. A refined cowboy. That was a hoot.
“Hey, nice to see you again,” she said.
“You know, I can’t shake the notion that we’ve met before. Have we?”
Amber shook her head. “No. I’d definitely remember you. Besides, I’ve only lived here for a little over a year.”
“Yeah? Where’d you move from?”
“San Antonio.”
“Hmm. I spent some time there off and on. Is it possible we could have made each other’s acquaintance at a party?”
“I wasn’t the partying type.” She didn’t want to think about the life she’d left behind. Not when she’d found such a nice new one here in Bakersville. She was rodeo queen for goodness’ sake.
He smiled. “I never forget a face. I’ll definitely figure this out. We’ve met.”
Amber’s nerves skittered under her skin. What did he mean?
“So about your interest in barrel racing,” he continued. “What are you looking for?”
Icy black fingers gripped the back of her neck. Stay away, her inner voice warned. This guy will hurt you. Her inner voice rarely surfaced, but when it did, she’d learned to trust it.
She cleared her throat. “I’ll let you know on that. I haven’t decided yet if I really want to get into racing.”
“But Catie said you were chompin’ at the bit.”
Amber let out a nervous giggle. “She must have been exaggerating. Don’t worry, I’ll call you if I’m interested.”
“How about a drink later, then? I’ll take you to the Bullfrog.”
She shook her head. “That’s kind of you, but I’m already on a date today.”
“With Catie’s brother, I know. But I got the impression that was just a ‘friends’ thing.”
“Not at all. It’s a new relationship, but one I definitely want to explore.”
God, I hope Harper can’t hear any of this. He sauntered toward them holding her cosmo and another beer.
“Thank you, honey,” she said, taking the drink from him.
His eyebrows arched. “You’re welcome…sweetheart.”
“Well, I can tell three’s a crowd here,” Blake said. “I’ll see you all later.” He walked away and then stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around and came back toward them.
“Miss Amber, I do believe I remember how I know you after all.”
Chapter Three
What in God’s name was up with Blake Buchanan? And why in hell was he at Catie’s party? Sure, he’d worked for Chad in the past, but he’d been gone three years. He’d left town amidst gossip, after disgracing Evie Luke, the mayor’s daughter who was now the town librarian. Catie had still been in high school when he left. She hadn’t known him at all. Why was she all of a sudden his champion?
A cold anvil landed in Harper’s gut, and a truth settled in his mind. He must keep both Catie and Amber away from Blake Buchanan. The man was a jerk and up to no good. Harper felt it in the very marrow of his bones. It ached.
“Oh?” Amber fidgeted, her knuckles white as she grasped her martini glass.
“Yeah, back in San Antonio there’s a place called Rachel’s.”
“Never heard of it,” Amber said.
“Really? I’d swear I’ve seen you there. I’d never forget those legs.”
“You’re mistaken.” She latched onto Harper’s arm. “Let’s go find Chad. I want to hold Violet.”
Sounded good to Harper. Besides, he had a few questions for Miss Amber Cross himself. Every cowboy west of the Mississippi knew about Rachel’s in San Antonio.
It was a strip club.
* * *
As she breathed in the fresh scent of baby powder, Amber’s uterus skipped a beat. She silenced her reproductive organs and handed Violet back to Catie. “She sure is precious.”
“Thank you.” Catie beamed up at Chad. “We sure think so.”
“Now you know I’ll babysit anytime.”
“Of course. Violet will love having her Auntie Amber come to sit. Won’t you?” Catie cooed to the baby.
“I need to talk to you when you have a minute,” Amber said.
“Oh, sure.” Catie kissed the top of Violet’s head. “She’ll
be ready to go down for a nap in about twenty minutes. I’ll come find you.”
“Perfect, thanks.”
Chad handed the cosmo he’d been holding back to Amber, and he and Catie left to show Violet off to more people. Harper pulled Amber aside.
“Before you talk to Catie, you need to talk to me.”
“What about?”
“About San Antonio.”
Amber gulped.
“About Rachel’s.”
“What about it? I’ve never heard of it.”
“You expect me to believe you lived in San Antonio and never heard of Rachel’s? Sorry, not buyin’ it.”
Amber gulped again. She glanced down at her drink. Damn. Still half full. Couldn’t use the old “could you get me another drink?” eye batting thing.
“Okay, okay. It’s a gentlemen’s club downtown.”
“On the outskirts of town, and it’s not a gentlemen’s club. It’s a strip club. And the strippers are known to take certain liberties. For money.”
Amber’s heart thudded. “Just how would you know all of this?”
“Easy.” His lips curved into a sardonic smile. “I’ve been there.”
“Oh?” She arched her eyebrows.
“Now don’t go lookin’ at me like that. Every cowboy goes to Rachel’s at one time in his life. It’s kind of a requirement I think. A rite of passage.”
“And I suppose you paid for liberties?”
“Me? Hell no. I look but don’t touch. I kind of feel sorry for those girls.”
Amber tried to hide her surprise. “Sorry? Why? They make great money.”
“So you are familiar with the place then.”
Amber inhaled. Why wouldn’t her insides stop quivering? Maybe she’d said too much. “Not really. I just know strippers usually make good money.”
“Not all strippers. But at a place like Rachel’s I’m sure the money can be great. Course it’s been a long time since I’ve been there.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Chad McCray—don’t tell Catie—dragged me there when I turned twenty-one. He was twenty-three or twenty-four at the time. We were in San Antonio on an overnight for a rodeo.”
Treasuring Amber: The Temptation Saga: Book Five Page 2
