Cowboy Jackpot: Christmas

by Randi Alexander

  He had to get to her before she went to the casino office. "Have you contacted Miss Colberg-Staub yet?"

  "Yes. I just hung up from her."

  "Damn."

  ****

  Gieselle closed her phone. She stared out the window of Kira's room.

  "Was that him?" Kira lay on the bed, her head propped on her bent arm.

  "No. The casino office is ready to hand out the money."

  "Good. Get your money, and let's get the hell out of this town."

  Gieselle's chest gave her pain with every breath. Her stomach churned, and her throat tightened each time she thought of him. He wanted her out of his life.

  The words repeated like a bad soundtrack at a cheap casino.

  He wanted her gone.

  Her phone rang and she checked the number. It wasn't a Vegas number. She sent it right to voicemail.

  Kira sat up. "Let me get dressed and I'll go down with you."

  The hotel phone rang and Kira picked up the receiver. "Hello?" Her eyes opened wide and she mouthed, "It's him."

  Gieselle shook her head. She had nothing left to say to him.

  "You're worried about her?" Kira listened for a few seconds. "Is she here?" She looked at Gieselle for an answer.

  The decision came in a split second of clarity. She nodded.

  Kira wrinkled her brow, giving her a confused look. "Yes, she's here."

  Gieselle mouthed, "In the shower."

  "But she just got in the shower." She listened for a moment. "Sure. I'll keep her here until you get here." Kira gave the phone the middle finger, and hung up.

  "Okay, here's the plan." Gieselle walked to the door. "When he gets here, tell him I'm in the shower. Turn on the water."

  "Wait, where are you going?"

  "I have to let him go. If I don't, I'll be living with him in my heart for the rest of my life."

  Kira rubbed her forehead. "You know I hate it when you talk in riddles."

  Gieselle smiled. "Just delay him as long as you can." She left the room and headed for the far bank of elevators, just in case Boone was already on his way. On the ride down to the casino, she listened to her voice message.

  "Gigi, this is Boone. I'm sorry. I made a big, stupid mistake. Call me back. Please." He paused. "God I wish I could turn back time to an hour ago."

  Her finger hovered over the delete key but she couldn't do it. His voice would haunt her forever, but the message would be a good reminder of why she needed to guard her heart more carefully.

  ****

  Ten minutes later, Boone paced the small room, past the empty, unmade bed and past Kira in sweats, sitting on her rumpled bed with her arms crossed, glaring at him.

  "So, Boone, you really said you'd need more lube to take the cost of the taxes out of Gieselle's ass?"

  He tugged his hands through his hair. "I told you. It was just trash talk that Dallas and I do. It didn't mean anything."

  The bathroom shower still ran. He'd been in the room for—he checked his watch—eight minutes and thirteen seconds and she still hadn't come out.

  "So, tell me again why you said you didn't feel anything for her? After she said she felt something for you."

  He fisted his hands. "Because I'm a goddamn idiot, okay?" He thumped his fist on his forehead then dropped into a chair. "I thought she'd be better off without me complicating her life. And I thought I'd be better off if she was just a memory. But I was wrong." He dropped his head into his hands. "So fucking wrong."

  "Somehow, you're convincing me. But I'm not the one you tossed out of your life."

  He caught Kira's gaze. "Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"

  "You two seem good together." Kira looked away. "Gieselle was happy." Emotions rolled across her face. "She deserves to be happy, and I think she could be with you."

  She stood and opened the door to the hallway. "She's not here."

  "What?" He looked at the bathroom door, strode to it, and threw it open.

  The shower was empty.

  "Where is she?"

  "I don't know. She left right after you called the room. Asked me to detain you as long as…"

  He ran out the door and reached the elevators as her voice trailed off.

  "Hey, idiot." Kira shouted down the hall. "Make this right."

  "I plan to, ma'am." He jumped into the elevator, making two older ladies screech. He apologized while he pressed the buttons for Casino and Door Close until the damn thing got moving.

  He jogged to the business office door and asked to see Ray, the manager. He was shown into an office, empty except for Ray. "Is Miss Colberg-Staub coming?"

  "Well…" The manager took his time sitting.

  Boone leaned on the desk. "Was she here already?"

  "She's been here, and is gone." He smiled. "And you'll be pleased to know she signed a waiver turning over all the winnings to you."

  He stepped back, his legs bumped a chair, and he sat. "What? She can't do that, can she?"

  "Legally, the money is yours, anyway." He leaned forward. "She wanted you to have it to start your rodeo school." He slid a stack of papers in front of Boone. "She even suggested I talk to you about the casino sponsoring your school. I'd like to set up a meeting for tomorrow with you and our marketing people."

  Boone couldn't speak. She gave him the money. She talked them into sponsoring him. His first reaction was to tell the casino to shove the money, but now he wanted to tell her to shove it…into her bank account. His lip curved in a half smile. "She's quite a woman."

  "She is, Mr. Hancock. An impressive lady." He handed Boone a pen. "Now, if you'll give me your driver's license, and start completing the paperwork, I'll have you out of here in no time."

  Chapter Seven

  Gieselle phoned Kira. "I'm in the Roundup Bar drowning my stupidity in margaritas."

  "I'm close. Be there in a minute."

  She stirred the slushy drink and propped her head on her hand. Boone must have his money by now. Was probably celebrating with a girl on each arm. "Sluts."

  The bartender turned. "What?" The place was empty except for the bartender, her, and a guy reading the newspaper in a corner.

  "Slush." She twirled her straw in her drink. "Nummy."

  He grinned. "You need breakfast? I can order something for you."

  "I got my breakfast right here." She sipped from her glass. "Fruit, ice, sugar, and fermented agave." Her voice slurred just a little. It'd be slurring a hell of a lot more in a half hour or so.

  "Okay. If you change your mind, I get a break in an hour. I know a great place for omelets."

  She sighed. "And so the bullshit begins all over again."

  The bartender shrugged. "On second thought, I retract that invitation."

  Gieselle slapped her hand down on the bar. "That's probably the smartest thing you'll ever do, Mr. Bartender."

  "It's Don. If you care."

  "I'm Gigi, if anyone cares."

  "Oh, fuck you." Kira's voice carried across the bar. "Stop being a baby. You knew him for less than twenty-four hours."

  The man in the corner folded his newspaper and left the bar.

  "Don." She gestured to Kira. "This is my good friend Kira, who's come to cheer me up." She sneered at her friend. "Not that anyone could tell by her bitch act."

  Kira slid onto the stool next to her. "Hi Don. Please excuse her. She's just given up a huge jackpot to the asshole who dumped her."

  Gieselle focused her eyes on Kira. "How did you know?"

  "Boone called the room looking for you. Said you're not answering your cell."

  "Maybe I should get out of here. Hide out somewhere." She sucked in a breath as an idea came to her. "I should get a flight out today."

  "No. Let's wait until tomorrow." Kira looked guilty and wouldn't meet her gaze.

  What was going on?

  "But maybe some time away from this hotel would be good. After Boone called, I rounded up Dallas and Jayden. They're on their way. We're all going casino hoppi
ng. The four of us. And we're' going to have fun." She pushed Gieselle's margarita away.

  "No. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to sit here and drink until Don has to call security to bring me to my room."

  "Okay." Don walked over with a slip of paper. "Let me get your room number right now."

  She laughed and wrote it on the slip. "I like that you think ahead. Be sure to give yourself a nice, big tip after I pass out." She retrieved her drink and took a healthy sip.

  Dallas and Jayden walked in, their boots loud on the wood floor.

  "What the hell is going on?" Jayden sat next to Gieselle.

  Dallas stood by Kira. "Boone took off in his truck. He's not answering his phone."

  Gieselle shrugged. "He's got what he's dreamed of. He's probably halfway to Reno by now."

  Jayden narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

  Kira explained the whole story.

  Dallas shook his head. "I'm really sorry you saw those texts, Gigi. It's nothing personal. We'd promised to keep each other on track, which means no women for more than a weekend." He let out a long breath. "It was my way of reminding him, but it came out too strong, and I'm sorry."

  She swung around on her barstool and faced him. "Do you really think I'm just a slut?" She spun toward Jayden. "Just a trampy buckle bunny?"

  Both men shook their heads.

  "We know you're not." Jayden smiled. "And Boone knows that, too. He's just runnin' scared right now."

  "No." Gieselle looked at the face so like her Boone. "He meant every word he said to me." Anguish rolled through her.

  Dallas swung her stool back so she faced him. Her head started to spin. "I really like you. I'd like you for Boone. But give him some time."

  Shaking her head, she reached for her drink. "It's too late for us."

  "I don't think so." Dallas squeezed her shoulder. "He's spent so many years avoiding any emotional connection, that when he found someone he really liked…" He shrugged. "It just came natural to him to push you away."

  She dropped her head. "The way he did it, though." She sucked in a breath, promising herself she wouldn't cry.

  Jayden touched her arm. "You want me to beat him up for you?"

  Dallas laughed. "I'll help."

  She smiled. "Thanks, no. But I appreciate the offer."

  Kira rubbed her stomach. "I'm hungry." She looked at the cowboys. "You guys eat yet?"

  "Nope." Jayden motioned for the bartender. "You woke us up when you called."

  Kira snorted. "No buckle bunnies sleeping next to you?"

  "Nope." Dallas echoed Jayden. "We were good boys last night…or this morning. After we walked you to your room, we went right to ours and climbed in our beds."

  Kira narrowed her eyes and stared at him.

  Was there something happening between the two of them?

  Jayden asked for menus and they all ordered breakfast. They sat at the bar and ate, the cowboys washing it down with beer, and Kira and her sipping on margaritas.

  It all seemed so normal. As if her heart hadn't been dropkicked across the Vegas strip. She just needed to get through the next twenty-four hours until their flight left for home. "Merry Christmas, guys." Gieselle held up her drink.

  "Happy birthday, Gigi." Dallas tapped her glass, Jayden and Kira followed suit.

  "Okay, men, let's go." Kira jumped to her feet and slung her purse over her shoulder.

  Jayden looked at her. "We can't leave Gigi."

  Kira jerked her head to the left.

  Gieselle turned to look but Kira grabbed her arm. "You stay here and behave. Promise?"

  "You're leaving me? I thought you were my friend." She narrowed her eyes. "You're fired."

  Kira laughed. "You'll re-hire me. You always do." She winked.

  She didn't blame them for taking off without her. She was a pathetic lump of depression. "You all have fun."

  They tossed money onto the bar and left.

  She should just go back to her room and sulk alone. It'd be less expensive than soaking herself in tequila. Going from a rich woman, back to barely making it again, would take some getting used to.

  "Do you have any special drinks for idiots?" A male voice came from her right. Her male.

  She swung her head. There he stood, a light colored cotton shirt, the sleeves rolled up on his muscled forearms. A tan cowboy hat, and his jeans and boots.

  Don grinned at him and looked at Gieselle. "Sure do. Arsenic okay?"

  "Yep. With a longneck to wash it down." He gestured toward her. "And whatever the smart, lovely lady's having, give her a double."

  Gieselle smiled. Her heart thumped and the ache that had cramped her chest all morning eased. "I'll pass on that right now, Don."

  Boone walked over to her, his body so tense, she barely recognized her cocky cowboy. He stood beside her. "Can I sit?"

  She gestured. "Sure."

  Don brought his beer and cleared away the leftovers from the other three.

  "Listen." Boone faced her, his elbows on his thighs, leaning close. "I got scared."

  She swiveled toward him, nodding. She'd been scared, too, but willing to give it a try.

  "You're braver than I am. You see things through the vision of a woman with a graduate degree and a big future." He tipped back his hat. "I'm a high school grad. I know nothing but rodeoing. If this idea of a rodeo school doesn't work out for me, I'm done. I got nothin'."

  "I understand. Your commitment to pursuing your dream comes first."

  "It did." He put his hand on hers on her thigh. "Until I met you."

  She swiveled to face the bar.

  His hand dropped.

  "Boone, let's not make promises we might regret. You sent those texts to Dallas, and you intentionally…" She'd been about to say "broke my heart," but that would reveal too much, give him too much power over her. She faced him. "You intentionally let me walk out of your life for what I assumed was forever."

  He nodded. "Mistakes I regret, and wish I could take back."

  "But, that was what your common sense told you to do." She smiled. "We've known each other for less than a day. Let's give it a little more time before we decide."

  His face unreadable, Boone stared at her. "You're kinda smart, aren't you."

  She blinked.

  His lip twitched in a partial smile.

  "Yes." She grinned. "I'm very wise." Warmth spread through her chest. She had another day—another chance—with her cowboy.

  "Okay. Let's start over from this morning, before the texts, and before I let you get away from me."

  She held out her hand. "Agreed."

  He took her fingers in his hand and lifted them to his lips for a slow, warm kiss. "You're amazing, Gigi." He released her hand.

  She touched his cheek. "And you're irresistible, cowboy."

  He chuckled and kissed her palm, took her hand and held it. With his free hand, he reached into his chest pocket and pulled out the watch.

  Searching his eyes for his reaction, she held her breath.

  He clutched it in his hand, his head tipped down. "This is probably the nicest gift I've ever been given." He looked at her. "Thank you. It means a lot that you went through all the trouble…for me."

  She squeezed his hand. "You're welcome. It was a lot of fun pulling it together."

  He dropped his head. "And I messed it up." Shaking his head, he opened the watch and looked at the picture. "I hope I can make it up to you." He closed the watch and slid it back into his pocket.

  A lump formed in her throat. His sincerity did so much to heal her wounds. "You can." She winked. "I saw a little ornament in the gift shop that you can buy me. We can hang it on our tree."

  He nodded. "Our tree. Sounds nice." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. "First, I have something for you."

  She took it, watching his face.

  His expression gave nothing away.

  Inside were six personal checks from Boone's account. She stared at his heavy
cursive and distinctive signature. Her mouth dropped open. Each check was made out to her, each for thirteen thousand dollars.

  "The casino manager helped me find a tax accountant who figured this out."

  Her brows rose. "Really? On Christmas Day?"

  "This is Vegas. Anything's possible."

  She scanned through the checks again, calculating the total. "Wow." This was nearly unbelievable. "Why six checks?"

  He took a breath. "Since I'm from Nevada, I don't pay state income tax. We figured out how much federal tax I'll have to pay on the winnings."

  "Okay." She wished she were a little more sober.

  "If you deposit those checks into separate accounts, you should be safe from paying any more taxes. The amount of each one is under the maximum gift tax exclusion."

  She smiled. "You know about all this?"

  "Just learned today." He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. "Since the tax debt will be fully paid on the money, I don't feel that we're doing anything to avoid paying our fair share."

  She sobered. That had to be a difficult decision for him. "No, you're right. But what if you do your taxes and realize you've overpaid me?"

  He grinned. "Can I contact you?"

  She smiled. "I'd like that." She slid the envelope into her purse. "Thank you. This is unexpected. I love all the effort you went through to do this."

  "You're welcome." His eyes held an emotion that made her breath catch. He looked away. "Just don't try to deposit those checks until I can get the casino's check into my bank account tomorrow."

  She patted her purse. "I'm not heading home until tomorrow afternoon."

  A look of worry crossed his face.

  ****

  "I don't want to think about that." A chill raced through Boone. He'd just got her back, and he wasn't ready to let her go. "Can we spend the rest of your birthday together?" He swallowed. "In our suite?"

  She slung her purse strap over her shoulder as a sweet expression filled her eyes. "I thought you'd never ask." Her voice was breathy.

  He left cash on the bar and they strolled through the casino. Her little hand in his felt too right. He'd missed this the few hours they were apart.

  In their suite, he took off his hat, kicked off his boots, and waited for her to set the pace.

  She set down her purse and hung the little gold-plated slot machine ornament on their tree. Turning toward him, she held out her hand.