She didn’t look up. “Told ya. Work gets in the way.”
Yeah, Charlie wasn’t one to hang out at bars trying to be picked up. But if she fell for someone local, she would forget about the other guy and keep working at the Bar V5 at least for a while longer.
A brilliant plan to keep her in the area. “I could help you.”
Her gaze jerked up to his. “Help?”
“Find you a man.”
Her kisses tempted Zack, but she needed someone better, someone who could give her more than a life of bunkhouses and barns and heartache, someone who didn’t come from a line of petty crooks and jailbirds.
But who? No one not from the Bar V5. A workplace romance would mess up everything. That left…
The rodeo.
Oh, yeah. He grinned, tapped his finger against the side of this cheek. “I know exactly how to go about this.”
Her face paled. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
“I’m dead serious,” he said. “The rodeo’s coming to town. The streets of Marietta will be filled with cowboys and tourists. Hell, you could lasso yourself a rich guy. Chelsea Crawford Collier seems happy with Jasper Flint. Maybe the guy has a brother.”
If a man caught Charlie’s eye—didn’t matter if he was a cowboy or not—life at the Bar V5 would remain the same. Zack’s family would stay together.
Fixing her up with someone wouldn’t be hard. Until Rachel and Nate’s wedding at the Bar V5 this summer, he’d never seen Charlie in dress, but Zack had to admit the cowgirl cleaned up well.
Off limits.
She eyed him warily. “Thanks for the offer, but I can find my own dates.”
“You said you couldn’t due to work.”
“I’m good.”
“Not if you’re thinking about leaving.” Charlie might not think she needed help, but she did. “I’m going to help find you a reason to stay.”
Surely, out of all the people in town for the rodeo, he could find one man she would like. Even if a small part of Zack wished he could be that guy.
*
Darn Zack Harris. Charlie trudged to the women’s bunkhouse, her boots kicking up a wake of dirt, her heart a tangled mess, and her resolve all but gone. She rubbed her eyes, wishing she could blame the dust for making them water.
Forget about being a suck-it-up cowboy. She was a girly girl, too, one who wanted to stomp her feet, pout, and dive into a container of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey. Spoon optional.
Find you a man.
Of all the things Zack could say to her, that had been the most surreal. Language Arts had never been her best subject in high school, but she knew the meaning of irony. No doubt her teacher Mrs. Cooper would have a hard time finding a better example.
Charlie didn’t know whether to be touched Zack wanted her to stay at the Bar V5 or whack him alongside the head for being so freakin’ blind to her wanting him, not some other cowboy or what was the other word he used? Oh, yeah, tourist. As if some guy with a fat wallet in new boots giving him blisters would equal the worth of the man she’d worked side by side with for the past two and a half years. No one had the same heart, the same kindness to guests, young and old, and quiet strength she’d come to rely upon even if he had no idea what she was doing.
This was insane. She didn’t need Zack to find her a man. She’d found one. Him.
But he was treating her like a heifer to be auctioned off to the nearest guy he could find. Talk about embarrassing and frustrating. She bit the inside of her mouth, tasted blood.
Their kisses hadn’t rocked Zack’s world the way they had Charlie’s. She got that, but she thought he’d felt a twinge of attraction or a spark of heat. Clearly he hadn’t. His so-called rule had been nothing more than an excuse, probably so working together wouldn’t be awkward. And maybe that would be true if she hadn’t fallen in love with him.
Darn Zack Harris.
Wanting to fix her up like she was a drinking buddy, not a red-blooded woman who had once kissed him—over and over again. She could make her own decisions about men, or rather; she could once she stopped seeing Zack as so darn sweet and cute. Okay, hot.
She balled her hands then flexed her fingers. Overreacting to everything he did or said was not healthy. But this reaffirmed what she knew in her heart—she couldn’t keep living like this. Her throat tightened at the direction her decision was heading.
But what else could she do?
A familiar red, all-wheel-drive hatchback was parked outside the women’s bunkhouse. Caitlin’s car. Charlie accelerated her pace, eager to see her friend, and at the front door, brushed off the dirt from her boots.
Inside, a meow greeted her, followed by a cat rubbing against her leg. She bent to pet the no-longer-so-little tabby. “Hello, Mistletoe. You keep growing. I’ve missed you.”
“She’s missed you.” Caitlin’s straight, brown hair fell past her shoulders. She wore a short-sleeved flowered print dress with sensible flat shoes, the kind made for chasing preschoolers and standing most of the day except during circle time. She hugged Charlie. “Me, too. How are you?”
“Great.”
No one knew about her and Zack. At first she’d wanted to keep what happened a secret, afraid what the other wranglers and her friends might say if they found out. But as the days, weeks, then months passed, she’d been too embarrassed, given her feelings weren’t reciprocated. Charlie’s insides twisted like a rusted hinge in need of a spray of WD-40, but she kept a smile pasted on her lips.
“I’m excited about the rodeo.”
Caitlin nodded. “I can’t believe Jake Kohl is the honorary rodeo chair. I love his music.”
“So do I. I heard Selah Davis is flying back from Seattle to interview him for that magazine she writes for. She’s so lucky. Jake is one easy on the eyes singer.”
“There should be other good looking cowboys hanging around town this weekend.”
“Don’t let Noah hear you say that.” Charlie envied her friend, who had a job, a cat, and a man she loved.
Caitlin had reunited with her former college boyfriend, now a vet at the Copper Mountain Animal Hospital in Marietta, on Christmas Eve, thanks to Mistletoe.
Caitlin grinned. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with looking. We’ve been doing that during rodeo weekends since we discovered boys don’t have cooties.”
“Very true.”
Charlie smiled at the memories of rodeos past and some of the more appealing eye candy. Caitlin was a year older, and their friendship had been cemented after volunteering to help a group of yearlings rescued from a Canadian ranch and brought to Marietta.
“How’s the new apartment working out?” Charlie asked.
“Okay. Being walking distance to Main Street is convenient. I don’t miss the long drive from the ranch into town, but I prefer living out in the country. I think Mistletoe does, too.” The cat rubbed her head against Caitlin’s leg. “Marietta might be small, but the town is noisier than I remember. This ranch is a slice of Montana heaven. A peaceful, quiet one at that. You’re so lucky to live here.”
Not the words Charlie wanted to hear, especially since they were true. Her chest tightened. As Zack had said, the Bar V5 was home, not the dingy place she’d shared with her mom through high school. Charlie wanted to focus on the things wrong with the ranch so leaving would be easier.
“Your apartment is closer to where Noah lives.”
Caitlin nodded. “But between his shifts at the animal hospital and making house calls, I don’t see him as much as I’d like. One of the hazards of dating a dedicated veterinarian, but I wouldn’t want him to be any other way.”
The affection in Caitlin’s voice intensified Charlie’s longing for the same kind of a relationship, full of respect and kindness and love. Someday….
“Glad you feel that way,” Charlie said. “Animals don’t like being transported. Noah coming to the ranch has made things easier on the livestock and us.”
“That’s what he tells me. He
loves his job.” Caitlin picked up Mistletoe. “Though I’ll be honest, I’ve been tempted to wear a kitty ear headband and draw whiskers on my face to see if I could get more time with him.”
Charlie laughed, but she understood her friend’s dilemma. She’d have more luck getting Zack to like her if she were a horse. “If you dress up, take pictures. But you have to know, Noah is totally into you.”
“He keeps saying that, and I’m crazy about the guy.” Caitlin nuzzled her chin against Mistletoe. “Hard to believe we’ve been together almost nine months. Even with his schedule, this time has been better than when we dated in college. Amazing what one kitten can do.”
“Maybe I should get a cat and see if I can find a guy like you did.”
Caitlin stared over the top of Mistletoe’s head. “In the market for a relationship?”
Her friend’s curious tone set off warning bells. Charlie raised her chin. “Nothing wrong with going out occasionally.”
“I agree. I’m happy you’re considering the possibility. You haven’t shown much interest in dating for a while.”
Because of Zack. She could give the exact date if she wanted. “It’s time.”
“With the rodeo in town, you’re not going to need a kitten to find a guy. Your pretty smile will work fine.”
Charlie’s cheeks heated. Smiling hadn’t worked for her in the past. Making the first move, either. She wasn’t sure what was left.
“Just be careful not to shoot down every guy who approaches you,” Caitlin said. “No mortal man can live up to your high standards and quest for perfection.”
“No one is perfect.” Especially Zack, who didn’t love her back.
Caitlin gave her a look. “Then don’t expect them to be.”
“I don’t.”
“Josiah.”
Oh, yeah. Charlie remembered Josiah Whittaker. Three years older. Cute. Nice. Good roping skills, but… she crinkled her nose.
“He didn’t shower much and smelled. One of those guys who think soap and deodorant are optional,” she explained. “Expecting proper hygiene is not a high standard.”
“Dane.”
Sex in cowboy boots. That was how she would describe Dane Wilcox. Smokin’ hot, too. He hung around Marietta when not rodeoing. Too bad he was also a total player.
“I was not going to be another notch on his belt. That’s having self-respect.”
“I have more names,” Caitlin said.
“Not necessary.”
“Just be mindful. This is something you’ve done for a long time. Remember how no one was good enough for you to ask to the Sadie Hawkins dance in ninth grade?”
Freshman year, when her former favorite stepdad had an affair, divorced her mother and kicked them off the ranch before selling the place. The shock and hurt had left Charlie reeling for months.
“I’ll be open-minded. Thanks.”
“No, thank you. I want to hear about the cowboys you meet and kiss.”
Her friend would be disappointed. She wouldn’t be kissing them unless they kissed her first. Lesson learned. She swallowed a sigh.
Caitlin glanced at the clock hanging on the far wall. “I only have a few more minutes. I’m meeting the other preschool teachers at the Main Street Diner for a working dinner and need to drop off Mistletoe before that. I stopped by to see if my jean jacket was here.”
Charlie pointed to the wall by the front door. The jacket hung on the third hook from the left. “I would have brought it to town this weekend.”
“I’m happy I got to see you sooner than that.” Caitlin placed Mistletoe into a soft-sided carrier then grabbed her jacket. “Going to the welcome dinner on Friday?”
“I’m doing everything rodeo-related this weekend with our guests.” Jenna ticked off events with her fingers. “The dinner on Friday, pancake feed, parade, rodeo, community steak feed, and the street dance. Not to mention seeing as many events as we can. We’ll try to squeeze in a tasting at the FlintWorks Brewery and a little shopping, too.”
“Busy schedule.”
“The guests will be exhausted, but they’re paying to see the rodeo so we make sure they experience all Marietta has to offer.” Charlie rubbed the back of her neck. “But this should be the last year a wrangler makes the itinerary and is in charge. I spoke with Nate and Ty. Told them it’s time the ranch hires a concierge or event planner. Ever since Rachel and Nate had their reception here, we’ve been getting calls about weddings and parties. With guests here in winter, someone’s going to need to answer questions about ski resorts and other winter sports.”
“What did they say?”
“Good idea. Did I know someone for the job?” She grinned. “You’d be perfect.”
“I’m a preschool teacher. I like working with kids not their parents. Same with the summer program here. If you didn’t love the animals so much, I’d say you’d be great at the job.”
“Not interested.”
“Too bad, because what you’ve got planned for this weekend sounds like fun.”
“You going to the rodeo?”
“Of course, I am. I’ve only missed one. My freshman year at MSU. I might be solo this year if Noah has to work.”
“Hang out with us. Nate sponsored five tables at Friday night’s dinner. We have more than enough room.”
“Thanks. I’ll text you to work out the details. And keep me posted on any hot cowboys developments.”
“Not holding my breath.”
A wistful expression formed on Caitlin’s face. “I used to say that. And look what happened. The right guy is out there for you. I found mine, when and where I least expected.”
Charlie knew exactly where her guy was… in the men’s bunkhouse about a hundred feet away. Probably in the shower, hot water pouring down and steam rising. She shook away the image of a naked Zack.
Falling for another man might be her only hope to get over Zack without leaving Montana. Charlie had lost her heart. Her mind might be next.
She’d considered taking another job at a local ranch, and was going to visit Payton Hollis at Beargrass Hills Ranch to see if the cowgirl knew of any job openings in the area, but Zack would still be too close. Charlie didn’t think she would get over him. “Drive safe.”
“I will. Keep an eye out for sexy cowboys.”
“You got it.”
Hot cowboys in town or not, the chances of anything changing between now and Monday morning when she gave Ty her decision were slim to none.
A lump burned in her throat. What was she going to do?
*
Sunshine and warm temperatures meant eating dinner at long, custom-made tables on the lawn behind the lodge. The smoked brisket, baked sweet potatoes, kale salad, and fresh rolls filled Zack’s stomach. Tasty food and good company. Didn’t get much better than this. He sipped his strawberry lemonade.
A breeze rustled through the trees. He stretched his legs beneath the table, relaxing until he checked the livestock before bedtime. Routines made life more comfortable. Chores gave him a sense of purpose. Down time left him bored.
The conversation faded, allowing the faint sound of the river on the far side of the meadow to be heard for the first time all evening. Charlie would have her hands full herding this talkative bunch at the rodeo. But given how much she enjoyed interacting with guests, he didn’t think she’d mind.
“Wait until you taste the welcome dinner.” Standing at the end of his table, Charlie bounced from toe to toe, her excitement for the upcoming rodeo contagious. Guests Dan and Allie Hathaway beamed, eager to hear more about the plans for the upcoming weekend after grilling Charlie about her love for horses and experience in Colorado last winter.
“There’s a choice between chicken, trout, and beef that comes from local ranches,” she explained. “The chef never says where to cut down on the natural competition.”
Dan’s buzz cut made Zack remember his days at basic with a zero-size clipper blade taken to his whole head. “The chef sounds smart.”
“Very,” Charlie agreed. “And talented.”
“I can’t wait.” Allie, a forty-something, stay-at-home mom with blond shoulder-length hair, touched her husband’s arm. A boulder-sized diamond sparkled on her ring finger. “I may take a walk on the wild side this weekend and order my meat medium-rare.”
Dan kissed his wife’s forehead. “That’s my girl. No more charred offering for you.”
“Lots of folks like well-done. Order however you like. You’ll see slabs of beef that look like their ready to walk off the plate and others cooked thoroughly.” Charlie’s words flowed with the ease of a seasoned politician trying to earn a constituent’s vote, but her tone was as genuine as her smile. “We aim to please all tastes in Montana.”
“That’s for sure.” Dan patted his stomach. “I’m going to have to hit the gym when we get home.”
“Take a hike in the morning before your shooting lesson.” Charlie looked at Zack. “You can help them burn off calories and get their blood pumping, can’t you?”
“Of course.” Zack winked, wanting Charlie’s smile to reach her eyes.
Deciding between Montana and Colorado was not good for her. She should forget about the horse ranch and stay where she belonged. Everyone could see the strain—dark circles under tired eyes, tight lines around her mouth, headaches she downplayed—except her.
“Cowboys know many ways to work off calories and get the ticker moving,” he added in a playful, almost sexy tone.
Charlie flushed, making him wonder why. She wasn’t the kind of woman who embarrassed easily.
“Zack’s the expert.”
“I am.” Maybe he hadn’t noticed the color on her cheek earlier, but he doubted she was sunburned. She was too careful with sunscreen for herself and their guests. “Been known to run morning workout sessions for guests who want more exercise.”
“Just what you need, dear,” Dan said. “Morning hikes and exercise sound better than that hot rock yoga class you do.”
Allie elbowed him. “Or your sunrise spin session in a sweaty studio with half-dressed hard bodies.”
Charlie leaned between them, like a camp counselor breaking up two kids who were agitating each other. Bar V5 cowboys had to know how to work with animals and people. Sometimes dealing with the livestock was easier.
Kiss Me, Cowboy (Montana Born Rodeo Book 3) Page 3
