And Johnny Jameson wasn’t anywhere close to being worthy of Jess Calhoun. Yet, that didn’t stop him from wanting to spend time with her.
“Your table’s ready, sir,” the hostess said.
“Thank you.” Johnny pressed his hand against Jess’s back and escorted her through the crowd. In the dining room, they passed by another large fireplace, stopping to greet more people, then finally they reached their table by the window.
Jess slid into the black vinyl booth. “Sorry. It’s a small town.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
The candle on the table illumined her bright smile and incredible honey-brown eyes. She leaned forward and said, “To be honest, I don’t go out much. Not on dates, anyway.” She hesitated. “Not since Brady’s father…Chad. So I think the citizens in Larkville are a little shocked to see you out with me.”
He thought, not for the first time, that he couldn’t believe the men in this town wouldn’t be after her in a flash. “I’m a lucky guy, then. I’m glad you chose me to spend time with.”
The waitress arrived at the table. “Would you like to order?” she asked them.
Johnny looked at Jess. “I think we should celebrate your coming out tonight.” He ordered a bottle of wine to go along with their steaks.
Jess wasn’t sure what she was doing here with someone like Johnny. She was too inexperienced for the man. With Chad they’d been kids. She couldn’t even drink legally. Now, it felt as if everyone in the place was watching them. And no doubt there would be more talk when Johnny left town.
She leaned across the table and said softly, “This must be uncomfortable for you.”
“Why?”
“I bet you’re not used to being watched while you eat your dinner.”
Johnny was a handsome man, and even more so when he smiled. “They’re just jealous because I’m with the prettiest woman in the room.”
She smiled. “You are a charmer, Johnny Jameson. You don’t need—”
He stopped her words. “It’s a shame some man hasn’t shown you how special you are long before now. I plan to correct that…soon.” He surprised her when he reached for her hand and held it in his. She could feel the warmth, and the slight roughness. She sucked in a breath, remembering how those hands felt against her skin.
He leaned closer. “You have no idea how much I wish we were alone.”
“You shouldn’t say that so fast. You have no idea how good their steaks are,” she said, trying to make light of his words.
He started to speak when a young couple stopped by the table. “Jess! How wonderful to see you,” the pretty brunette said, then turned to Johnny.
Jess pulled her hand away. She didn’t need this now. “Oh, Cheyenne. It’s nice to see you, too.”
The woman eyed Johnny closely. “It seems strange to see you out…”
Jess hurried on to say, “Johnny Jameson, this is Cheyenne and Derrick Carson. Brady goes to school with their son, Tucker. They’re also chairing the rodeo.”
Johnny immediately stood and shook their hands. “The rodeo is all that Brady talks about.”
Cheyenne’s arched an eyebrow. “Oh, is he going to participate?” The woman glanced at Jess before turning back to Johnny. “Poor thing has always been so deathly afraid of horses. It had to be such a trial for Clayton.”
“From what I understand,” Johnny began, “nothing that boy could do would ever be anything but perfect in his grandfather’s eyes.”
Cheyenne looked surprised. “So you’ve met Clayton.”
Johnny glanced at Jess and winked. “Yes, I’ve had the honor of meeting the man. In fact, he’s the one who hired me.”
Derrick finally stepped in. “You’re the horse trainer.”
“I am. I’ve been working with Night Storm.”
“How is that going?” Derrick asked.
“It’s coming along.”
Cheyenne spoke up again. “I hope you enjoy your stay here, Johnny. Maybe even enter in our rodeo. It’s all for charity.”
The waitress arrived with their salads.
“I’ll think about it,” Johnny said. “Right now our dinner has arrived, so if you’ll excuse us.”
“Of course. It was nice to meet you.” Cheyenne turned to Jess. “I’ll give you a call later.” The couple walked off, and Jess let out a long breath.
After the salads were placed on the table and the wine was served, they were finally alone.
“Is Cheyenne Carson a friend of yours?”
Jess shook her head. “Not really. We went to school together. You know the type. The most popular—head cheerleader, homecoming queen and dated the captain of the football team. That would be Derrick.”
“Too bad you didn’t give her a run for her money. You would have beaten her at all of it.” He took a drink of his wine. “You have to know she envies you.”
She needed a drink and took it. “Why?”
“Because you’re beautiful, successful and have a wonderful son.”
“She has Derrick and two kids.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You want Derrick?”
“No!” She wanted Johnny Jameson. “He’s self-centered and thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
Johnny was grinning now. “Seems to me those two are made for each other.”
She couldn’t look him in the eye. Did he know she wanted them to be made for each other, too?
CHAPTER EIGHT
IT WAS just after ten o’clock when Johnny drove Jess back to her apartment. Yet, seeing how nervous she was acting, he wasn’t going to push her into anything.
He pulled up next to her car. “How about some dessert?”
She stared at him. “You didn’t want dessert at the restaurant.”
“I wanted your dessert. What’s the fun of owning a bakery and not being able to raid the place?”
She finally smiled. “I’m closed tomorrow, but there might be some leftovers in the fridge.”
“Now you’re talking.”
They got out of his truck and walked around to the back door of the shop. Jess unlocked the door and flipped on the under-counter lights. Walking to the large refrigerator, she removed her coat, then opened the door to find two pies and a carrot cake.
“Oh, pie!” Johnny said as he removed his jacket and hat. “What kind?”
“There’s apple and chocolate.”
“Chocolate.”
Jess took out the pie, put it on the counter and then got plates and forks. She cut them each a piece and placed a dollop of whipped cream on each, then handed him his plate.
“Thank you.”
He dug in and she found she liked watching him. Even the simple things, like the way he chewed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. He looked at her and she froze.
“You aren’t eating.” He cut a piece of his and offered it to her.
Jess opened her mouth to accept the offering. She couldn’t have said what it tasted like because she was too mesmerized by Johnny’s actions.
“It’s good, huh?”
She nodded.
“I think I need another taste.” He set down the plate, and lowered his head. “This way,” he breathed as his mouth closed over hers. He then pulled back and looked her in the eyes. “It was good before, but so much better when your flavor is mixed in.”
Jess finally drew air into her lungs, feeling more daring now. She managed to scoop up a piece of her pie and offered it to him. He took it.
“Let’s see if you’re right,” she said, then leaned toward him and placed her mouth against his.
With a groan, he pulled her against him and deepened the kiss. She went willingly into his arms as her mouth opened and he dove inside, moving his tongue over hers, and her need for him grew stronger.
“Damn, you even taste better than the pie.” He lifted her up on the counter, and went back again for another taste.
Jess was drowning in the man. She felt his hands move over her back, then he slipp
ed them under her sweater.
He broke off the kiss, but his hands were still working their magic. “I’ve wanted to touch you like this all night,” he confessed.
She locked her arms around his neck, unable to slow her own breathing. “I wanted you to touch me, too.”
“Looks like we’re getting our wish.” He kissed her again, then pulled up her sweater, exposing her lacy bra. When he touched her again, she moaned softly.
He raised his head. “Jess, I’m not going to survive much more. I want you too much.” His mouth covered hers again. Then suddenly the mood was shattered when her cell phone rang. She broke off the kiss, pulled down her sweater as she dug through her purse. “It could be about Brady.”
Johnny nodded and stepped away. He needed to get himself under control.
“Hello,” Jess spoke into the phone. “Oh, Holt. No, I wasn’t home. Sorry, I didn’t know that I had to be in by nine.” She looked over at him and mouthed, My brother. “Yes, I had dinner with a friend.”
Johnny turned away as she slid off the counter. He was a friend. Of course, what else would she tell her brother? That she was in her lover’s arms? Was he going to be her lover? He knew this would be a big step for Jess. He also saw how protective everyone in town was toward her.
And here he was, at the first opportunity, taking advantage of her. Great. He glanced at her as she turned away and pulled down her sweater farther. He was trying to get her naked in the kitchen. Jess Calhoun deserved better.
Then why couldn’t he walk away from her? Jess looked at him and smiled and his heart began to drum in his chest once more.
She finally hung up. “Sorry, that was Holt. When he couldn’t get ahold of me, he got worried. Big brothers.” She shook her head. “I hate him sometimes, but I love him for always being there for me.”
“If you were my sister, I’d be worried, too. My intentions aren’t exactly honorable.”
* * *
In the span of a phone call things seemed to have cooled off between them. Good or bad, it gave Jess some time to try and think. She didn’t seem to be able to think sensibly when it came to Johnny Jameson. And she needed to do just that. Think. It had been a long time since she let herself care about a man. Yet, without a second thought, she’d been willing to give herself to him.
They climbed the steps to her apartment and she unlocked the door. Once inside, she hung her coat on the hook. She turned around to find that Johnny hadn’t moved from the entry.
“I think I should head back to the ranch,” he told her. “We both have an early start tomorrow. I had a great time tonight, Jess. Thank you.”
That hurt her feelings. “I had a great time, too.” When he started to turn toward the door, she called to him, “Don’t go, Johnny.”
He looked at her with those silver-gray eyes. “If I don’t, Jess, we’ll finish what we started downstairs. I don’t think you’re ready for that.”
She shivered at the thought. He wanted her. “Maybe…”
He came to her. “It can’t be a maybe, brown eyes. The last thing I want is for you to have regrets.”
She wouldn’t, but maybe he would. “Then could you stay for coffee? I want to talk to you about something.”
He frowned. “What?”
She had to think fast. “Brady’s eagerness to ride a horse for one, and Holt mentioned to me on the phone to see if you’re interested in looking at two other horses.”
Johnny was about to decline the offer when Jess turned and headed for the small kitchen. Okay, he could handle some coffee, but he needed to keep this light. It was getting too intense.
He walked to a desk and saw the row of pictures. He smiled, seeing different stages of Brady’s growth. Jess came up beside him.
“He’s a cute kid,” he told her.
She smiled. “I think so.” She picked up one photo with Clay and Sandra Calhoun. “This is a favorite of mine. That’s my mother.”
Johnny studied the attractive brunette. “She’s pretty. You look like her.”
“I’ve been told that. She’s the one who really got me interested in baking.” She looked at Johnny. “We were all pretty devastated, especially Dad, when she died so suddenly.” She shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if that’s the reason he didn’t take care of himself. I know he missed her terribly.” She put the picture back on the counter. “Now we’ve lost both of them. Brady’s lost the most, his best friend.” He saw the tears gather in her eyes.
“Hey, darlin’, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He hated to see her so sad.
“It’s just that Clay Calhoun was the total family man. There was no doubt he loved us kids. I always knew I was so lucky to have him as my dad.”
Johnny was glad someone had family. Maybe that was why he related to the boy so well.
“I’m sorry, Jess. For both you and Brady.”
“Don’t be. I could never regret having my son, but Chad was nowhere close to taking on fatherhood. Thank God I had my mom and dad to help me.”
“And you should treasure your family,” he told her.
She sighed. “Speaking of that, I wish they’d come home soon.”
Dealing with Holt Calhoun would take away the temptation of seeing Jess every day. “Did your brother say when he would return?”
She shook her head. “He doesn’t know. He’s with his friend, Hank Garnett, who’s really bad off. It’s sad because he’s so young but so sick.”
He was getting too involved with her life. “That’s too bad…. So you wanted to talk to me about something,” he reminded her.
She nodded. “Brady. I know he sounded enthusiastic about it but just because this rodeo came up, that doesn’t mean you have to help him with that, too.”
The timer went off on the coffeemaker, and she went into the kitchen and poured two cups. She handed one to him as he walked up to the bar and sat down on one of the stools.
“I don’t have a problem with giving the boy a few extra hours, Jess, unless you have a problem with it?”
She shrugged. “Only the fact that he’s barely five, and he’s growing more attached to you. I can’t help worry he might get hurt when you leave.”
Johnny was surprised, but he understood. “So you want me to stay away? To make an excuse as to why I can’t do it?”
“Oh, no!” She shook her head. “Besides Wes, you’re the only other male figure in his life right now.” She blinked hard. “I’m just saying he misses his grandfather.” She sighed. “I guess I want to protect him from all hurt, but I know I can’t.”
Johnny stood, rounded the counter and drew her into his arms. She was breaking his heart. “Shh, darlin’, it’s going be okay. Brady and I will work things out when the time comes for me to leave.”
She nodded and wiped her eyes. “Sorry I got all emotional. I’m fiercely protective of my son.”
He would love to hold her anytime. He was trying not to think about thirty minutes ago when he’d been kissing her. “Not a problem. I better go. I’ve got a date with a stubborn horse in the morning.” He headed to the door. “I’ll work with Brady tomorrow if you bring him by.”
“Thank you, and please come to the house for supper.”
Even though he knew he needed to keep it light, so much time with Jess was giving him ideas. Ideas, like maybe Larkville, Texas, would make a pretty nice place to hang around. He quickly brushed aside the thought.
* * *
The next afternoon’s weather turned sunny, bringing the winter temperature up to a comfortable sixty degrees. Johnny had Brady sitting in a saddle on Beau. That was the easy part. The gelding turned out to be a great mount and the boy was doing well.
In the confines of the corral, Johnny gave the child the reins, and told him to take the horse to the end and back again. This time he wasn’t going to walk beside him.
“By myself?”
Johnny nodded. “Sure. You can do it.”
Brady took the reins and laid them across the pony’s neck, ca
using him to turn. The boy made the clicking sound with his tongue and the horse walked off.
Johnny watched closely to see if there were any problems. There didn’t seem to be any. The child looked good in the saddle. He was a fast learner, and eager for more. Brady returned and Johnny was going to the next step.
“Okay, you did great.”
The boy grinned. “I want to go faster.”
“That’ll take a little longer. And it’s going to feel funny at first, but soon you’ll learn to bounce with the horse.”
“Oh, boy. Teach me how to bounce.”
Johnny had to smile at the kid’s determination. He took the reins and told Brady to hold on to the pommel just to get the feel of it. Once Johnny took off running he instructed Brady how to go with the horse. Not too bad for the first try. By the time they got back, they were both grinning.
Johnny suddenly had a better idea. He had the ranch hand Randy saddle Risky. Once his horse was brought out, he asked, “Want to go for a ride on my horse
with me?”
He saw the hesitation on the boy’s face. Johnny left Risky tied at the railing and went to Brady. “Okay, son. There’s nothing wrong with being a little afraid, but if you’re cautious around a horse, you won’t get hurt. And you’re still a little guy, so they’re going to look a lot bigger. As you grow, they’ll look smaller.”
Those trusting eyes looked up at him. “And I won’t be so afraid.”
He nodded. “So for a few more years just stick to the pony.”
“I like Beau a lot.”
“Would you do something for me? Let me take you riding just so I can show you how to move with the horse.”
“You’ll hold me real tight?”
“Yep. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
Once the boy agreed, Johnny took him off Beau and lifted him up onto Risky’s saddle, then quickly climbed on behind him. Randy swung open the wide gate of the corral and Johnny walked Risky out to the trail leading to the open pasture.
“Here, you take the reins.” Johnny could control the horse with just leg pressure if need be, but he wanted the boy to feel in control.
The Cowboy Comes Home Page 9
