A Lone Star Romance: Book 2 in The Only Love Series

by Violet Sparks

  "Your wife's looking for you, Ron," a low voice growled.

  Thank God.

  Noble's brother gave her a good once-over with his eyes before moving away. The ranch owner followed him with his eyes as he sauntered, smirking, from the building. Oxygen gushed from Kiki's lungs.

  "What are you doing in here? You should be over at the big house," he said, capturing every detail of the girl's gown with his eyes.

  "Taking care of something important," she said, hurrying to the spot where she'd hidden the other bowls. "I'll be right there," she shouted, hoping to dissuade him from following her.

  She hyperventilated and knew her skin to be a bright red from the heat she felt. She calmed herself before emerging from the stacks of art.

  "Did he hurt you?"

  She shook her head.

  "You arrived just in time to save him," she said.

  Noble chuckled.

  "Yeah, that's what it looked like. Come on," he said, guiding her from the building with his hand on her bare back.

  A full moon illuminated the night, and mobile heat lamps warmed the air on the back porch, where waiters in formal attire served appetizers and drinks. Noble stayed by her side, introducing her to his neighbors and friends. She guessed at least seventy people crowded the veranda. She searched in vain for Peg. With any luck, the girl had found someone to talk to.

  "Where's Jim?" she asked during a lull in the greetings.

  "I’m sure he'll be along any time," he answered with a nonchalance that worried her.

  "What have you done to him?"

  "Nothing."

  She lifted an eyebrow.

  Noble shrugged, adding, "If you're that concerned about him, feel free to traipse down to the bunkhouse and check on him. You might not like what you find, though." His tone carried a warning, and she decided to let James take care of himself for now.

  Bunny Harden announced dinner, and everyone moved en mass to the great room, where furniture had been cleared and round tables set for the feast. A fire roared in the hearth, while tea lights and chandeliers created a warm ambience. Pretty floral arrangements graced crisp, white linens, while china, crystal, and silver added sparkle to the setting.

  Harden showed her to her seat. Someone had thoughtfully included Peg, Nash, and a handsome young man at their table, as well as a neighbor couple and a place for James. The boy introduced himself as Lou's younger brother, Hank, which she guessed was short for Henry. The boy had a hard time keeping his eyes off Peggy. When the guests had all settled, Harden went to the fireplace and the room grew silent.

  "Thank you everyone for coming tonight. As I look around the room, I see many dear faces," he looked right at Kiki before continuing, "some of you remember my grandfather's parties, and some are joining us for the first of hopefully many cattlemen's balls. On behalf of my family, I wish you welcome. May the Lord bless this evening and each of you."

  Amens and Here heres rang out through the great room as Noble took his seat.

  "Good job, Lou," his brother said with enthusiasm.

  "Kiki, this is my brother, Hank. He's a student at Texas Tech in Lubbock."

  Harden beamed with pride. She guessed he and his brother were the best of the bunch.

  "We've already met. Hank, what are you studying?"

  "I'm working on a degree in biomedical engineering."

  "That sounds really difficult," she remarked, impressed.

  "Well, it's just like anything else. You take it one step at a time and it's not so bad," the boy said warmly.

  Peg smiled but said nothing. Kiki hoped she didn't find his education intimidating. The older couple discussed what the boys were like as kids, how they missed Noble's father, the new Doppler radar in Amarillo, and other local news.

  "Hello, folks. Sorry I'm late," James greeted the others at the table.

  He darted between waiters and slipped into his seat like an acrobat.

  "Got caught up in a card game with some of the ranch hands," he explained, flashing everyone The Grin.

  It worked, at least for everyone except her and Noble. The memory of his late arrival at Wood and Company's Spring Fling came to mind. She realized this lack of punctuality must be his norm. Maybe it was some kind of rebellion against his military life, where timing could mean the difference between the success or failure of a mission.

  "Oh, that's happened to me before," Hank said. He turned to Peg, adding, "I’m hoping to spend part of the summer up here. I'll get into some marathon games then."

  She watched as Peg fluttered her eyelashes and smiled sweetly at the handsome young man. A waiter placed a dish of sliced beef, green beans, and scalloped potatoes in front of Kiki. A delicious aroma reached her nostrils and she felt real hunger. Javier knew his stuff. She hadn't eaten since breakfast. Once the staff served everyone at the table, she tucked in, cleaning her plate. She sipped on a glass of red wine, enjoying the evening in spite of her odd predicament. A string quartet played classical music from the landing above the home's sweeping staircase. Earlier, a jazz duo had performed on the back porch. Kiki doubted the evening would include the '80s music loved by James.

  After dinner, everyone retired to the courtyard, where a dessert buffet awaited, along with hot coffee and an open bar. Staff had scattered tall round tables, fit for two or three, and bar stools around the porch and in front of the house. Hank made sure he paired off with Peg while she got stuck with James. A tall, gorgeous blonde dressed in emerald green sequins grabbed Noble by the arm, whisking him off to a small group at the right. Kiki noticed a lot of sideways glances and stares aimed her way—the unicorn effect.

  "Enjoying this?" James asked after bringing her a cup of coffee and a raspberry pavlova.

  She allowed the crispy, sweet meringue to melt on her tongue while she savored the tart berries and whipped cream. Then, she stirred cream into her coffee and took a sip of the hot liquid. Portable heaters kept the area comfortable, but the beverage kept the chill from her bare back.

  "I am, actually. Most of the people I've met here are all so . . . so nice."

  She left out the two not so nice she'd recently encountered. She'd like to forget all about them.

  "Are you becoming a Texan?" he asked, glancing away as if something else had caught his attention.

  His question startled her. His put on casual manner didn't fool her a bit though.

  "No. Why would you say a thing like that?"

  "Just seems that you like it here is all."

  "I guess I do, to an extent."

  She finished her dessert while James polished off a slice of blueberry cheesecake, a chocolate chip cookie, and a lemon tart—nothing wrong with his appetite.

  "Say, James, would you do me a favor?"

  "Anything, Babe."

  "If you see that Peg doesn't have a dance partner, would you fill in and ask her? I want to be sure tonight is special for her."

  "Of course. When is the dancing going to start, anyway?"

  "I imagine they're clearing the great room to make way right now."

  "I've got dibbs on your first dance," he stated more than asked.

  "Sure. Did you lose much in that card game, Jim?"

  "What makes you think I lost anything?"

  The Grin made its appearance again as he proffered a wink. Music came blaring from the house and people began to dribble inside. James grabbed her hand and led her back to the great room. A disc jockey played country music through large speakers as Jim pulled her onto the makeshift dance floor.

  He drew her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. The number, a tune with a dawdling rock beat and country instrumentals, served as a slow song. He sang along, in her ear, something about not wanting to rob her of her freedom, just needing to take her time.

  "You know this song?" she asked, surprised.

  "Yeah. I love this guy. All his music is great," James enthused.

  Next came an upbeat jingle with a 1950's flair called Crash and Burn. Familiar with this
one too, he grabbed one of her hands and guided her around the floor by the hip. Shut Up and Fish brought out the line dancers, and Kiki opted to take a break, turning Jim over to Peg. The young housekeeper could help him perfect his Tush Push.

  She moseyed out to the back porch, now deserted. Leaning over the railing, she gazed at the terrain, lit by a full moon. She made out the canyon where she'd pushed Harden into the spring. The river glistened like a stream of silver, while a few puffy clouds drifted above. Reflecting moonlight, they appeared almost white against the inky night sky. For some reason, the sight made her want to cry. She fought back a tear and sniffled.

  "What's wrong?"

  She turned just to make sure it truly was Noble and not his older brother.

  "What's the matter?" he repeated.

  She shook her head, unable to speak.

  "Yeah, I feel that way too sometimes, saddled with this place." His acrid tone surprised her. He continued, "You know, this wasn't how it was supposed to go. We were supposed to split the ranch and the oil company three ways."

  She had no idea what he was talking about. She lifted an eyebrow in his direction, offering all the encouragement he needed to continue. He wanted to get something off his chest, she guessed.

  "The ranch wasn't really a going concern. Dad's oil company constituted the bulk of the estate, but it wasn't doing that well either. He named Ron executor, and with Mom's help they convinced me to sell them my supposedly worthless shares. They claimed they wanted to help me out, allow me to help the ranch with the small proceeds. Ron had no time for the land, and Hank was still in high school. I couldn’t bear the idea of selling Dad's beloved property, so I agreed. As soon as I signed over my stock, Ron penned a deal with another oil company, raising the price of the shares considerably."

  He stretched his arm out towards the vista in front of them.

  "So I guess you could say I won the booby prize."

  Kiki couldn't believe her ears. How big of a rat could Ron be? But even worse, how could Noble consider the ranch a booby prize?

  "No, I think you got the better deal," she said in almost a whisper.

  Harden's jaw dropped. He stared at her for a good sixty seconds, speechless.

  "Come again, Little Missy?" he said at last.

  "I think you received something priceless while your brother probably ended up with a huge headache. You get to live in this beautiful, breathtaking place, run your life your own way, and answer to no one. I know he can't say as much. Few can, Noble. Count your blessings."

  She watched as the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. For some reason, he fought the smile that tried to spread across his face. Still, his eyes sparkled with a happy fire. She'd done her good deed for the night. He turned towards the vista, casting a sidelong glance her way. Was he checking out the slit in her dress?

  "Want to dance?" he asked.

  "Why not?" she replied, and they headed back to the party.

  He held her close as they swayed to a slow song called Make You Miss Me.

  "Hey, do you mind making sure Peg has a dance partner after this?" she asked.

  "I think Hank's taking care of that, Kiki," he said, stroking her back.

  She could feel the rough calluses on his large hand raking across her delicate skin, sending sparks through her entire body.

  "Oh, good," she said.

  "You look so lovely tonight, Beatrice," he whispered, his lips near her ear.

  She shifted her hands from his shoulders to the nape of his neck.

  "You clean up nice too, Cowboy."

  He looked devastatingly handsome in a navy blue tuxedo, but there was no reason to give him a big head. The color set off the deep blue flecks in his eyes.

  "You look like you're wearing a moon beam," he growled in a just audible tone. "I've never seen a dress like this," he added with a hungry, appreciative look, sending a shiver up her spine.

  She changed the subject, her voice all business. "Hey, you intimated out there that the ranch wasn't a going concern. Is that still a worry?" she asked, ignoring his romantic words.

  "Uh-uh," he answered in the negative.

  She thought about the happy news regarding the rhinoceros horn bowls and wondered if the ranch could still use a cash infusion. She'd give him the good word soon. This just didn’t seem like the right time or place.

  "What changed?"

  "Cow embryos," he said, his voice low and dreamy.

  "What?"

  She lifted her face towards his to see if she understood him correctly. He took the opportunity to dip his head and capture her lips in a quick, soft kiss, pulling her closer. His thumbs flicked the rhinestone edging of her dress each time he slid a hand across her back.

  "Shh, Tiny Dancer, " he said. "I want to enjoy this without your squawking."

  So close, his words rumbled through her body. She placed her cheek back on his chest and sank further into him. In less than a month, she'd be on a plane back to LA and her work here would be finished. A sadness crept into her heart in what should have been a happy moment.

  Chapter 12

  -The Really Big Texan-

  When Kiki woke the next day, she guessed she'd missed breakfast. In fact, her watch revealed noon had come and gone thirty minutes before. She'd danced long into the wee hours with Hank, Jim, Peg, Cody, Sam, and Noble. The ranch owner came and went, attending to his guests and family when not with her. Ron's wife, the spectacular blonde in the green gown that matched her eyes, had the nerve to cut in during one of her dances with the ranch owner. He'd complied, aggravating her further. James took the opportunity to ask her if he could escort her home, and she'd accepted, denying him a kiss at the door.

  Before calling it a night, Noble had organized this day's late afternoon trip to Amarillo, to see something called The Big Texan. He assured Jim it would be worth the trip. Hank asked Peg to come along, and she'd readily agreed. The rest of the Harden family planned to leave the ranch by noon for parts unknown.

  Good riddance.

  She rolled over and dozed until a loud pounding pushed her from the bed. She opened the door just a crack, wrapping her silk robe around her body. Peggy pushed her way inside.

  "What am I going to wear?" She sounded frantic.

  "Make me a tea and we'll decide," Kiki said.

  She followed the young girl into the kitchen and pointed to the cupboard where Harden kept his box of Lipton. Once she'd made the brew, Peg launched into her worries about the afternoon.

  "I can't think why he asked me to tag along. He's going to be awfully disappointed when he ends up with a pumpkin instead of Cinderella."

  "You like the handsome young Mr. Harden, do you?" she teased.

  Peg's lower lip began to quiver as a large tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek. She wiped her face with her sleeve and turned away, hoping Kiki hadn't noticed.

  "He's very nice," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

  "Peg, what's going on here?"

  The girl shook her head without looking at her friend.

  "Spill it, Girl. Now."

  The housekeeper turned to face Kiki. She bit down hard on her lower lip, trying to stop the trembling.

  "He doesn't even remember me," Peg admitted.

  "Go on."

  "When I first came to the ranch, he still lived here. Of course, he attended high school while I worked in the house. I . . . oh, I don't know what I want to say!" she exclaimed, flustered.

  "You admired him from the moment you saw him?" Kiki suggested.

  Peg nodded.

  Now we're getting somewhere.

  "Well, you've changed a lot since then. I'm not surprised he doesn't remember you, even if that is the case. He's noticed you now, and he likes you or he wouldn't have asked you to come to Amarillo today. Just don't let the cat out of the bag, okay?"

  "What do you mean, Miss Kiki?"

  "I mean, don't go scaring him off by telling him how much you've always liked him. Play it cool, lik
e you've just met. Trust me on this. And don't volunteer too much information about your education or home life. Personal details are for after you've become close with someone who has proven they are trustworthy. Got it?"

  The young girl nodded with vehemence.

  "Say, Peg," she prompted, doing her best to sound nonchalant. "What can you tell me about Miss Texas, Harden's sister-in-law?"

  "Ya aren't far from the mark. She was named Miss Baylor in college."

  "I'm not surprised. She's stunning," Kiki admitted.

  The housekeeper eyed her with suspicion, then shrugged.

  "Can't hurt to tell, I guess. Don't want to gossip 'bout the boss man's affairs."

  Affairs?

  The girl continued, "She grew up 'cross the border from Booker, on a big ranch in Oklahoma. Their parents was friends. I guess Harden knew her his whole life. After old Mr. Harden died, around the time I came to the ranch, that skunk of a brother shows up with her here, claimin' they're man and wife."

  "How awful."

  "I'll say. There was a fist fight and everything. Nash had to pull the boss off a Ron, but not before he gave him a good shiner. Took a couple of years for things to get civil between them."

  "Has Mr. Harden had many girlfriends since?" Kiki played with her robe, appearing disinterested in the girl's answer.

  "Oh, lots. All of 'em tall, pretty blondes."

  The Hawaiian felt her heart sink.

  After lending Peg a feminine floral blouse and a leather jacket with zippers going in every direction, she chose her own attire. Jeans tucked into boots and a black turtleneck would be good enough. She didn't feel the need to impress anyone now.

  At three p.m. sharp, James came to fetch her. They'd all go together in Harden's truck. Thankfully, he'd cleaned out the back seat. Peg sat between Jim and Hank, while Noble somehow maneuvered Kiki into the front. By five, they pulled into something that appeared to be a cross between a crowded parking lot, a brightly painted wild west town, and a sculpture garden.

  Harden gave her a sly grin and slid from the truck, racing around to open her door and help her from the vehicle. He insisted they pose in front of the enormous, anatomically correct steer statue for pictures. The sculpture, painted brown and white, presided over the large parking area.