Maddie stared at her friend for a moment and then a bubble of silly laughter escaped. “What?”
“Trust me. When I was going through my heartache with Gil, nothing perked me up more than buying something soft and feminine and . . . sinful.”
“Sinful?” The notion began growing on her. Why not indulge and have some real fun shopping with her friend. Maddie’s life lately was all too serious. “You know, I like that idea. I’m feeling better already.”
“There. You see what I mean. Just wait until we find you something sensational. You’ll feel so sexy you won’t have a care in the world.”
“Sounds good to me. But where do we find this sensational something?”
“Not in Hope Wells, that’s for sure. I know this place . . . ”
*
With sunlight fading on the horizon, Trey walked into the house and hung his hat on a peg in the kitchen. He sighed. At least he’d been able to catch up on some of his chores. They seemed to be mounting every day. The doggone barn roof had started leaking thanks to the last T-storm, fences were down on the south pasture, and he had to check on his livestock. One mama cow was almost ready to drop her calf. He moved her into a barn stall just minutes ago, vowing to check on her every hour or so.
Trey opened the refrigerator, grabbed a Coors and took one long, swig. The beer refreshed his parched throat and lent him some measure of comfort. He’d taken to avoiding Maddie whenever possible lately. Now, damn it, his little plan was backfiring. She was on his mind constantly. He missed her like crazy.
She’d been a breath of fresh air, a sweet-natured, strong-willed woman who had brought his mundane ranch to vibrant life. And as he tipped his bottle and took another swig, forcing his thoughts from Maddie Brooks, out of the corner of his eye he spotted a light-pink shopping bag tipped over on the entry table. The contents had spilled out in a frilly heap on the plank wood floor.
Curious, Trey strode over to the antique table and set his beer down next to the pink bag that read with delicate black letters, Double-Dare. He bent on one knee and lifted a garment up. Panties?
His breath caught as he fingered the lace panties, tracing over a black stitched rose strategically placed on the front. Man oh man. He gulped air.
Carefully, he placed the panties back in the bag. He picked up the next two items, a matched set attached by a transparent cord. The tag read, Embroidered Demi-Bra and Bikini Panties. Red/Nude. The bra and panties were sheer except for a patch of crimson embroidery. Trey’s imagination ran wild, picturing what the embroidery was meant to hide on Maddie’s sexy little body.
He took a swallow. His mouth was as dry as a rolling tumbleweed. His mind wandered to secret places he normally didn’t visit. What would Maddie’s soft, creamy skin look like encased in tantalizing red?
He would love to know.
So Maddie Brooks was a woman who enjoyed wearing sexy lingerie. The idea contrasted greatly with the day-to-day professional image she exhibited while on the ranch. He remembered her wearing a thong, and now this peek into her nighttime wild side turned him on big time. There was no denying that. Trey gave the bra and panties one last look then shoved them into the bag.
One item to go. Trey picked it up and read the label. Lace Babydoll/Vintage Look. The mauve nightie plunged at the neckline and dipped so deep that Trey wondered why in hell they even bothered. He inhaled sharply, noting that the short hem would hardly cover what needed covering, but then wasn’t that the intent?
Trey stared at the nightie, his heart in his throat, his groin growing tight. He visualized running his palms over the soft lace, caressing her breasts, then moving his hands lower, testing the thong with his fingers until both of them were ready to combust.
He remembered Maddie so well, the heat of her body, the smell of her skin, the flaming burn of their lovemaking. So when the front door opened and Maddie entered, Trey couldn’t mask the lust on his face. He wouldn’t even try.
“T-Trey?”
She stood over him in mild shock, her hair in disarray, her face smudged with dirt, her jeans coated with straw and grass stains. She looked a wreck, so much so that Trey had to smile. He had to because he loved her so damn much, that he saw past all of that to the beautiful, sexy, perfect woman underneath. He loved her so damn much that his heart burned clear through his chest. She was the woman he wanted beyond life itself. The woman he wouldn’t hurt and could never have.
“What are you doing with my . . . things?”
Trey lifted the baby doll up. “You mean these? I found them on the floor when I walked in. The bag had tipped over.”
“And you were nice enough to pick them up?”
Trey shook his head and stood, still holding the nightie. “Honey, there was nothing nice about what I was thinking.”
Even through the dirt on her face, Trey noticed her blush. He placed that last garment into the bag. “Did you leave them for me to see?”
Maddie’s face colored again, this time with anger. She grabbed the bag from his hand. “I had an emergency call the minute I walked through the door. I must have set the bag down there without realizing it.”
Trey scrubbed his jaw, contemplating. “Makes sense. So, did you buy them for your date with Jack?”
Maddie closed her eyes and cursed. Trey had never heard her use such language and when she opened her eyes, staring deeply into his, she spoke quietly. “I bought them for no one in particular. And it’s not a date, just dinner with a friend.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Maddie shook her head and ran a hand through her disheveled hair. Her eyes clouded in frustration. Hell, he was frustrated too. “Trey, what do you want from me?”
Everything. “Nothing, Maddie.”
“When I walked in here a minute ago, it didn’t look like you wanted nothing. It looked as though you had something definite on your mind.”
“What do you want me to say?” he rushed out “That even dirt-stained and muddied up, you’re prettier than any woman I’ve ever laid eyes on? That I held those sexy clothes in my hands and envisioned you wearing them for me? That I want you, with or without that fancy lingerie, regardless of how much you’d end up being hurt in the end. All that’s true, Maddie. But I’m not going to do it. I told you once before, wanting you and doing right by you are two different things.”
Maddie bit down on her lip, brilliant green sparks flashed in her eyes. “Maybe the wanting and doing right by me are one and the same, Trey. Maybe you’re all wrong about us. Have you ever considered that?”
Trey shook his head. “No. I’m not wrong.”
The Walker Curse still plagued him. He’d never get out from under the genetic scar that deprived him of faith and trust. Maddie was a keeper. He’d known that from the very start. She deserved more than the heartache he’d send her way one day.
“Are you sure about that?” She tossed that question back in his face.
Damn it. No, he wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Maddie had hinted, cajoled and insinuated that Trey was a better man than he thought he was. And all of her sweet-talking had worked its way into his head, making him wonder. It gave him hope.
“Think about it, Trey.” She walked out of the room, hugging to her chest the shopping bag filled with sexy lingerie that Trey would never see again.
Chapter Eleven
“Maybe I should cancel my plans with Jack,” Maddie said, as she glanced at the laboring cow. She stood with Trey in the maternity stall they’d concocted of sand and sawdust to help the cow deliver safely.
“That’s not necessary,” Trey said, shaking his head. “I’ve delivered more than my fair share of calves. This one isn’t going to be as difficult as we’d thought. You said so yourself. She’s doing a great job on her own.”
Maddie took another glance at the cow straining to deliver her young one. By all means, Trey was right. The cow would probably do fine, but part of Maddie’s handshake contract with Trey was to oversee his livestock and silly as it
seemed, she felt guilty leaving Trey to deal with the cow while she went out for dinner. She felt guilty, even through her anger at him. It had taken her days to recover from Trey’s obstinate behavior regarding Storm. And she finally realized that it did them both no good to be at odds. She wasn’t one for holding grudges. “I know you’re right, but—”
“No buts, Maddie. I’m right.”
Trey had the confidence of twenty men when it came to ranching dilemmas. Sadly, he just didn’t have much confidence in himself when it came to commitment. So instead of Maddie spending Saturday night enjoying his company, she’d agreed to spend the evening with his cousin.
“Won’t Jack be picking you up soon?” he asked.
“Yes, in less than an hour. How come you know so much about my plans?” Maddie asked, baffled by Trey’s obvious nonchalance over her date with Jack.
She expected him to be more . . . something. Yet he didn’t seem annoyed or upset or jealous. Maddie’s ego had been bruised in the past from a lackluster love life, but never more than her time here at 2 Hope Ranch. Never more than in her dealings with Trey.
There were times when Trey would look at her like she was the only woman on the planet and her heart would soar with anticipation. His hungry stares spoke of steamy nights ahead, but ever since the one time they’d been together, Trey hadn’t acted upon the heated looks he cast her. She knew he fought an inner battle. She knew he struggled with demons that had existed before they’d ever met. Yet, Maddie hoped she’d broken through his defenses. She wanted to make a difference in his life.
“Jack squared it with me.”
“He asked your permission?”
Trey let out a wry chuckle. “Hardly. More like he told me his plans, point blank.” He frowned and added, “Whether I liked it or not.”
It meant something to Maddie that Trey didn’t sound happy about her date with Jack, but she wouldn’t explain her reasons for going. She liked Jack and he seemed so sincere when he’d asked her to go to this benefit with him as a friend. “Well, I’d better get dressed. But if the cow—”
“I’ll come get you if there’s a problem.”
“Promise?”
Trey nodded. “Promise.”
Maddie headed for the shower and once done she dried and curled her hair. She’d decided on a soft peach summertime dress with a frilly flounce at the hem. The dress wasn’t overly fancy, something she’d picked up at a local shop, but a new pair of earrings and matching necklace brought the whole outfit together quite nicely.
She put on a pair of lacy sandals, grabbed her purse and exited the room, dressing in record time so she could take a moment to check on the laboring cow. The knock came just as Maddie had reached the front door. She opened it to find Jack standing on the porch, wearing a chocolate brown western suit, the exact color of his eyes. Clean-shaven and well groomed, Jack smiled. Gosh, he was handsome and that cocky grin was enough to make most women swoon. There was nothing ordinary about Walker men—every last one she’d met was as handsome as the devil himself.
“Wow,” he said, his eyes flickering over her. “You look great.”
Maddie gave him a smile. “So do you, Jack. You’re handsome in your uniform, but even more so out of it.”
Jack’s brows rose as he chuckled.
“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. You know wh—”
Her cell phone rang at that awkward moment and Maddie glanced at name popping up on the screen. “It’s Caroline,” she told Jack, leaving the door open so he could come inside. “Excuse me for one second.”
She walked into the kitchen to answer the call privately and spoke with her friend. Caroline needed a favor. But Maddie had to double-check with Jack to make sure it was doable. “Hang on a second,” she said and walked into the room to explain to Jack.
“Caroline is in a bind. She needs help with Annabelle. Do you think we could stop over to her house to watch Annabelle for half an hour? The babysitter has to leave and Caroline doesn’t think she’ll make it back from town in time. I know it’s a huge favor, and I certainly don’t want to make us late for the benefit, but Caroline really needs the help.”
Jack glanced at his watch. “Not a problem at all. The dinner doesn’t start until eight. We have more than enough time.”
“Oh, good,” Maddie said. She was happy she didn’t have to refuse helping Caroline. She made the call brief. “Yes, we can make it. Jack said we have plenty of time. We’ll be right over.”
She hung up from Caroline and smiled at Jack, who was waiting for her by the door. He was such a good guy. Why hadn’t she fallen for him instead of Trey? Everything seemed simple with Jack. He was easy to talk to, easy to be with, and he certainly didn’t entertain any thoughts of the Walker Curse.
“Thank you,” she said, closing the door behind them. “You’re a saint.”
Jack opened the car door for her. “That isn’t the way most people would describe me.”
“How do people describe you?” she asked curious.
He leaned against the car door and cocked his mouth up. “Pretty much as a big pain in the ass. My only redeeming quality is my sense of humor, odd that it is. And my deep sense of loyalty. That’s why my family puts up with me.”
“Because you’re loyal?”
“Nah, because I make them laugh.”
And Maddie laughed as she slid into her seat. Jack closed the door and climbed into the driver’s seat beside her. He started the engine just as Maddie saw Trey exiting the barn. Their gazes met over the distance of the yard. He gave her a reassuring nod. Maddie immediately understood. All had gone well with the calf’s delivery.
Maddie sighed with relief. Jack turned the car around and headed out the gate toward Caroline’s house.
“Annabelle’s no trouble at all,” Maddie explained to Jack as they climbed up the Portman’s front steps a few minutes later. “And I’m sure Caroline will be along any minute.”
Maddie knocked on the door and a young girl answered. “Hello. You must be Sherry. I’m Maddie Brooks, Caroline’s friend and this is Jack Walker. We’re your reinforcements.”
“Hi. Come in.” The young girl smiled warmly and let them in.
Maddie took two steps into the house and stopped, bumping into Jack as a swarm of smiling faces popped out of nowhere and chorused. “Surprise!”
Jack held her shoulders steady and chuckled. “Happy Birthday, Maddie.”
She blinked and looked at multicolored helium balloons eating up the two far corners of the room, a line of crepe paper decorations hanging from end to end and a giant-size birthday sign on the wall above the fireplace. “B-birthday?” she repeated.
She’d put her upcoming birthday out of her mind and would’ve never suspected a party, much less, a surprise. Her friends gathered around her, giving her hugs and wishing her happy birthday.
After the congratulations died down, Caroline approached wearing an ear-to-ear grin. “Happy Birthday, dear friend.” Her arms wrapped around Maddie’s shoulders and she hugged tight. Their embrace lasted long enough for Maddie to fully comprehend what Caroline had done for her.
“I had no idea,” Maddie said. Tears pooled in her eyes. “This is so . . . so amazing.” She wiped at her lower eyelashes with her finger, hoping mascara wasn’t staining her face.
The hem of her dress was given a few yanks. Distracted, Maddie looked down. Little Annabelle, the adorable culprit dressed in her Sunday best, was smiling. Maddie bent to pick her up. “Hi sweetie.” She gave her a loving squeeze.
“Did we surprise you?” Annabelle asked.
“Oh, yes. You and Mommy did a good job of surprising me.”
“I helped Mommy do decorating.”
“You did a perfect job. Everything is beautiful.”
Maddie swept her gaze at the guests again, this time really seeing each and every one. Jack, of course, had taken a place next to his father, Monty. Both men grinned at her with twinkling eyes. Kit and his wife stood behind them, along with Br
ittany and Paul and half a dozen of Maddie’s closest and dearest clients, people she had come to know very well by treating their animals. Even Darla was here and behind her stood a man, who began to make his way out from the small group.
Maddie set Annabelle down. “Nick!”
He reached her in three strides, and Maddie jumped up into his arms. She was touched that he’d come back to Hope Wells for her birthday. She didn’t think she’d see him again so soon. He was swamped with his new enterprise.
“I just walked in ten minutes before you did. I almost didn’t make it in time,” Nick said.
She grinned like a silly fool. “I can’t believe you’re here, but I’m so glad that you are.”
“So am I.” Nick kissed her cheek. “Happy Birthday.”
Overwhelmed and filled with joy, Maddie spent the better part of the hour making her rounds, speaking with all of the guests and picking at the food on her plate. Caroline had outdone herself, offering up a dinner buffet fit for a queen. And that’s exactly how Maddie felt, like royalty tonight. Everything was perfect except . . .
Trey wasn’t here.
She stared at the front door for the tenth time tonight. Would he show up?
“He’s supposed to come,” Jack said, in a rare serious tone. “He said he would.”
Mortified that Jack had read her thoughts, Maddie fumbled. “Oh, I, uh . . . I was just wondering if he—”
“He knows about it. He didn’t say he wasn’t coming.”
Maddie nodded. Why did it hurt so much that Trey hadn’t bothered to come to her party? Why was she expecting to see him walk through that door flashing his killer smile and wishing her a happy birthday?
If she allowed it, her disappointment would swallow her up and make her seem ungrateful to all the wonderful people who had shown up, who had been kind and gracious to her throughout the year. Each and every one of them meant something special to her. Each, in their own way, defined Hope Wells, the small town with the big heart.
Taming the Texas Cowboy (Forever Texan Book 1) Page 13
