Cowboy Kisses

by Diane Michele Crawford

  “Hmm,” Kenzie said when their lips finally parted. “I think I might be acquiring a taste for anchovies!”

  After another long, salty kiss, Steve said. “How about staying after work tomorrow? We could take Cheyenne and Ali for a ride, and then I’ll drive you home.”

  “Sounds wonderful,” Kenzie said. And then she remembered her date with Paul. “Oh, Steve, I’m sorry—I really can’t.” She sighed. “I already have plans.”

  “Couldn’t you get out of it?” Steve asked, nuzzling her neck.

  Kenzie gently pulled away and shook her head. “I wish I could, but—well, I can’t, that’s all.” Paul was a nice guy—she couldn’t just call him on the phone, cancel their date, and then casually tell him she didn’t want to go out with him anymore. They’d known each other too long for that.

  Steve wasn’t smiling now. “Got a date, huh?” he said. Before she could reply, he asked, “Anyone I know?”

  “I told Paul I’d go to the movies with him,” Kenzie said quickly, “but—”

  “The guy we ran into at the pizza parlor? The one with the flashy sports car?” Steve interrupted.

  Kenzie tried to explain. “Yes, but after tomorrow night—”

  “He’s one of your country club pals, right?”

  Kenzie was getting angry now. What was the matter with Steve? Hadn’t she showed him that she cared about him? Did he expect her to prove how much she cared by dropping all her old friends? “Yes, he’s a member of the club, but I’m not anymore, remember?” she snapped. “If you’ll just let me get a word in edgewise, I’ve been trying to tell you—”

  “You don’t have to tell me anything I don’t already know,” Steve said. “I thought we had something special between us, but I guess I was wrong.” Leaning across Kenzie, he opened the door on her side of the truck. “I don’t feel like playing computer games anymore—the game you’ve been playing is enough for one night. Have fun on your date, Kenzie. See you around.”

  Tears stung Kenzie’s eyes as she got out, slamming the door behind her. A moment later, Steve drove off down the street. He didn’t look back, not even once.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Kenzie hurried into the house, glad that neither her parents nor Adam was around to see her tears. She went into the den, closed the door, and dialed Jeanette’s number. Her friend answered right away.

  “How was your date with Deputy Ramrod?” Jeanette asked with a giggle. “Or is he Dudley Do-Right these days?”

  Kenzie fumbled in her pocket for a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “Everything was perfect until he asked me to go riding with him tomorrow after work.”

  “Sounds like a dream date,” Jeanette said. “So what’s the problem? You sound really down.”

  Kenzie sighed. “I’m supposed to go to the movies with Paul, remember? When I told Steve, he got really mad. He still seems to think I’m a snob, and that I want to go out with Paul because he belongs to the country club and he has a fancy car.”

  “Not again!” Jeanette groaned. “I thought you two had that all worked out.”

  “I thought so, too, but I guess we didn’t,” Kenzie said with a sniffle. “And now I’m totally miserable because I’m totally in love with Steve, and he hates me!”

  Jeanette snorted. “Oh, Kenzie, he does not. But he is acting like a jerk, and there are plenty of other fish in the sea—Paul, for instance.”

  “Paul’s awfully nice, and I’m really fond of him,” Kenzie said, “but I can’t think of him as anything more than a good friend. That’s what I’m going to tell him tomorrow night.”

  “You’re kidding!” Jeanette exclaimed. “He’ll be absolutely crushed, and you’ll wind up with no boyfriend at all! Take my advice, Kenzie. Forget about Steve and give Paul a chance.”

  “How can I forget about Steve when I work with him at the Lucky R six days a week?” Kenzie moaned. “And that reminds me—the painting party I told you about is going to be on the Fourth of July. Do you think you and Brad could come for a while?”

  “And watch you moping around that cowboy instead of going to the big party at the club? Doesn’t sound like much fun to me,” Jeanette said.

  “Believe me, I won’t mope,” Kenzie declared. “As of half an hour ago, Steve and I are nothing more than coworkers, and I’ll just have to accept that. So what do you say? Will you help out on the Fourth for a few hours? You could still make the club barbecue—it doesn’t start until late afternoon. And I could really use some moral support.”

  “Well, when you put it that way, I guess I can’t refuse,” Jeanette said reluctantly. “I’ll have to talk to Brad, and I’ll let you know one way or the other.”

  “Thanks, Jeanette,” Kenzie said. “You’re a real pal.” Just then the door opened and her mother came into the room, pointing at the telephone. “Listen, I have to go.” Kenzie told her friend. “Mom needs the phone.”

  “Okay, but I wish you’d reconsider about breaking Paul’s heart,” Jeanette said. “I think you’re making a big mistake.”

  Kenzie replaced the receiver and stood up. “Your turn,” she said to her mother. As Mrs. Sullivan sat down at the desk, Kenzie noticed that she looked preoccupied. “What’s wrong, Mom?” she asked anxiously. “Dad’s deal with Mr. Ellis didn’t fall through, did it?”

  Mrs. Sullivan shook her head. “No, honey, nothing like that. The caterer that usually handles the Yarborough Insurance open house can’t do it this year, and I’m still trying to find a replacement. Everyone I’ve called so far is booked solid, and the party’s in two weeks.”

  Momentarily distracted from her own problems, Kenzie had an idea. “Hank’s wife, Nora, just started a catering business,” she said. “I’ve tasted some of her food. Nora’s a super cook, and I bet she’d be available. I have her number—why don’t you give her a call?”

  Her mother hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to take a chance on someone new. After all, Hank took a chance on you, so I’ll be returning the favor.” As Kenzie wrote down the phone number of the Lucky R, Mrs. Sullivan added. “I’ll tell Nora she comes highly recommended!”

  Kenzie gave her a hug. “I hope it works out for both of you.” If only her own problems could be solved so easily!

  Wednesday at the Lucky R was difficult for Kenzie. For the first time since she had started working there, she didn’t enjoy her job. Steve avoided Kenzie as much as possible, and when it was necessary for them to speak during the therapeutic riding session, he said very little. His eyes held no hint of the tender moments they had shared, moments that Kenzie still treasured. If Sarah or Greg sensed the tension between them, they didn’t say anything. But they were so absorbed in each other these days that Kenzie doubted if they’d notice the Concorde landing in one of the corrals.

  The day seemed to go on forever, and when evening finally came, Kenzie prepared to face yet another hurdle—her date with Paul. When he picked her up, Kenzie was glad that he suggested going to the Ice Cream Factory in the mall instead of to a movie. Being honest with him about her feelings might be easier with a hot fudge sundae to bolster her courage.

  As they walked into the ice cream parlor and found a table, Kenzie noticed how many girls gave Paul admiring glances. He was definitely gorgeous, but Paul wasn’t the one who made her heart do flip-flops every time she saw him. And he wasn’t the one whose kisses she would never forget.

  “I must be nuts,” Kenzie muttered under her breath.

  “Nuts?” Paul repeated, putting their sundaes on the table. “I thought you didn’t want nuts.”

  “I don’t,” Kenzie said. “Just talking to myself, that’s all.”

  They began to eat their ice cream, and Kenzie tried to come up with some casual way to bring up the subject that was on her mind. Glancing at Paul, she noticed that he seemed to be deep in thought, too. Was it her imagination, or was he as nervous as she was?

  Finally Paul spoke. “Brad said you can’t make the Fourth of July party at Silver
Hills.”

  “That’s right,” Kenzie replied. “I promised to help paint the barn at the Lucky R for the owners’ anniversary present, and the Fourth is the only day we all have off.”

  Paul nodded. “Brad told me that, too. In fact, Jeanette’s trying to convince him to help. I told him it sounded like fun, and he said I was invited. Do you want me to come, Kenzie?”

  He’d given her the opening she needed, and Kenzie took a deep breath. “Paul, I have something to tell you.” She swallowed hard. “There’s no easy way to say this. I really like you—I’ve always liked you a lot. But—well, I don’t think we ought to keep on dating. What I’m trying to say is...” Her courage failed and her voice trailed off.

  Paul leaned against the back of the booth, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re trying to say you’re not in love with me, but you want us to stay friends, right?”

  Kenzie nodded, hoping he wouldn’t be too upset.

  His sudden burst of laughter startled her. “I don’t believe this!” Paul reached across the table and took her hand. “I was about to tell you the same thing!”

  Kenzie just stared at him. This certainly wasn’t the reaction she’d expected.

  “When I ran into you at Pasquale’s last night,” Paul went on, “I was taking my pizza over to Lisa Gray’s house. I felt real guilty, until I saw the way you were looking at that cowboy you were with. That’s when I decided that we’d both better be honest with each other.”

  With a sigh of relief, Kenzie squeezed his hand tight. “Lisa’s a lucky girl,” she said sincerely.

  Smiling, Paul replied, “I’m the lucky one, having you for a friend. And I hope Steve knows how lucky he is to have a girl like you in love with him.”

  Kenzie was silent. There was no point in telling Paul that Steve didn’t want either her friendship or her love.

  Even though Kenzie had told Jeanette that she wouldn’t mope, that’s what she did the next morning. And she couldn’t forget about Steve either, because every time she turned around, there he was. But he barely spoke to her, and he never smiled.

  Later that day, however, Kenzie got a pleasant surprise when Jeanette arrived at the Lucky R shortly before the Sunshine Club’s lesson.

  “Silver Hills just isn’t the same without you, Kenz,” she said. “I’m seriously thinking about boarding Zenith here.”

  Kenzie gave her a warm hug. “That’s great,” she exclaimed. “We can ride together all over the ranch. I know you’ll love it as much as I do.” At that moment, the buses from the Valley Handicapped Center drove through the gates. “Why don’t you stay for a while and watch the riding session?” Kenzie suggested.

  But Jeanette didn’t seem to hear her question. “Who’s that?” she asked, staring at a girl in a pretty pink shirt and tight-fitting jeans. “Competition for Deputy Ramrod’s heart?” Kenzie followed Jeanette’s gaze. “Oh, that’s Sarah Whitman.”

  “No kidding!” Jeanette looked astonished. “Whatever happened to those ugly, baggy clothes she used to wear?”

  “I don’t know, but love has happened to Sarah,” Kenzie said. “She’s crazy about Greg, one of the guys who works here. She’s even letting me give her a perm tonight.”

  Jeanette gasped in mock alarm. “You haven’t done that since we were in eighth grade! I’d better supervise.”

  Smiling, Kenzie said, “Good idea. Sarah’s coming for dinner tonight—Dad’s making hamburger Stroganoff. Why don’t you come, too?”

  “I’ll be there,” Jeanette promised. “And I’ll also be here for a while on the Fourth. I talked Brad into painting until the barbecue starts at the club.”

  “Great!” Kenzie said, waving at Emily as a volunteer took her wheelchair off the bus. “That’s one of our prize pupils,” she told Jeanette. “You can watch the lesson from the benches outside the paddock.”

  Emily smiled brightly when she was wheeled over to Kenzie. “I bet I get another one of these today,” she said, pointing to the bedraggled paper ribbon pinned to her shirt pocket. “Then I can give Nugget some sugar cubes.”

  A small boy whom Kenzie had never seen before began whimpering, and Emily shot him a superior look. “If you cry, you’ll never get your ribbons and you won’t be able to give your horse sugar,” she announced.

  “We’ll put you two next to each other,” Kenzie said to Emily. “You’re a good rider now. You can show him there’s nothing to be afraid of.” As Kenzie led Nugget slowly around the paddock, she was proud of all the students. Steve’s words came back to her: “One of the rewards of the program is watching the riders improve. They’ll amaze you,” he’d said. He was right. Kenzie knew that by next month, the frightened little boy would feel as confident as Emily, and it gave her a warm feeling inside.

  When the session ended, Kenzie asked Jeanette to pass out sugar cubes while she gave the children their certificates and ribbons.

  “No wonder you like working here so much, Kenzie,” Jeanette said, watching the happy kids feed sugar lumps to their horses. “Do you think the center could use an extra volunteer for the riding lessons?”

  “Absolutely!” Kenzie said. “Come on—I’ll introduce you to the person in charge.” Then she added loudly so Steve could hear. “We can never have enough country club girls here at the Lucky R!”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Fifteen minutes before eight on Saturday morning, Adam’s car stopped at the Lucky R gate.

  “I still don’t understand why we left so early,” Kenzie said. “You and Dad fixed the engine last night—the car doesn’t stall anymore, so we didn’t need the extra time. What’s the hurry?” When Adam’s only reply was a shrug and a goofy grin, she became suspicious. “Okay, Adam, what’s up? It’s the Fourth of July, you don’t have to work, but you haven’t complained once about giving me a ride. What’s going on?”

  Adam’s grin broadened. “I figure I owe you one, Kenzie. After I dropped you off yesterday, the car stalled a little way down the road next to somebody who was trying to fix a flat, so I helped. If it hadn’t been for you and your job, I’d never have met Tracy Hall, the girl of my dreams.”

  “The girls of your dreams?” Kenzie echoed. “You mean she was the one with the flat?”

  “You got it. Tracy’s smart and beautiful, and she thinks this hunk of junk is ‘cute.’” Adam patted the dashboard fondly. “After we talked for a while, she invited me to her family’s picnic at Frasier Lake. I’m on my way to pick her up.”

  “Aha!” Kenzie cried triumphantly. “You did have an ulterior motive! I knew it!”

  “Tracy’s going to J.C. in the fall, so things are definitely improving,” he said as Kenzie picked up her bag lunch and got out. “Remember to call Mom and Dad when you need a ride home. As of now, this taxi is off duty.” He drove away, whistling a cheerful tune.

  Well, at least one of us has something going in the romance department, Kenzie thought with a wry smile, walking toward the barn.

  When she got there, Sarah ran to meet her, eyes sparkling and face glowing. “Mr. Wilson, one of the boarders, is up at the house with Hank and Nora, keeping them occupied while we finish getting their surprise ready,” she said, fluffing her soft brown curls, which concealed her hearing aids nicely. “Guess what, Kenzie? This morning Greg said I was pretty! Nobody’s ever told me that before.” She gave Kenzie a quick hug. “Thanks so much for the perm! The other night when you and Jeanette took the rods out of my hair. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. I never dreamed it would look this good.”

  “Greg’s right, Sarah,” Kenzie said. “You are pretty, even without curly hair.” From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Steve and Dennis carrying cans of paint out of the barn. Steve had never said Kenzie was pretty.

  “What time is Jeanette coming?” Sarah asked. “Will she be here in time for the presentation?”

  “No. She and Brad are coming around ten,” Kenzie told her, thinking, So what if I don’t have a boyfriend? At least I have friends who care abo
ut me.

  Kenzie helped Sarah and the others put the finishing touches on Hank and Nora’s anniversary present. Cans of paint were stacked in a pyramid in the center of the main corral, topped with a giant red bow and draped with the banner Kenzie had designed on her father’s computer. Printed on the banner in huge letters were the words:

  HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY

  HANK AND NORA!

  Roses are red, violets are blue.

  The barn will be painted

  By the Lucky R Crew!

  “Here they come!” Dennis whispered.

  Kenzie scurried to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her fellow workers and several of the boarders who were in on the secret, forming a human screen to conceal the stack of cans.

  “I don’t know why you want me to come with you and Hank to look for your saddle,” Nora was saying peevishly as she, Hank, and Mr. Wilson approached. “I haven’t the faintest idea where it might be!”

  “I need both of you…” Mr. Wilson insisted, “to witness this!”

  Kenzie and the others shouted, “Surprise!” and stepped aside to reveal their gift.

  Smiles of delighted astonishment spread over Hank and Nora’s faces as they read the words on the banner, and Kenzie was sure she saw tears in their eyes. Blinking rapidly, Hank cleared his throat. “Well, my goodness!” he said huskily. “What a wonderful present! Nora and I can’t thank you enough.” Then, grinning broadly, he put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “To show our appreciation, we’ll distribute the paint-brushes and rollers!”

  Everybody laughed and applauded, and then they set to work. One entire side of the barn had been painted a dazzling red by the time Brad and Jeanette arrived. As they headed for the barn, Paul Ferguson’s sports car pulled up and he and Lisa Gray got out. Like the rest of the volunteer painters, Kenzie’s friends were all wearing their oldest clothes. You can't tell the country club crowd from the ranch hands, she thought, glancing up at Steve who was watching the newcomers from the top of a ladder. Though she couldn’t see the expression on his face, she guessed that he was less than thrilled to see Paul. Well that's just too bad, Kenzie said to herself. It isn't as if we were still dating or anything.