In the Arms of the Rancher

by Joan Hohl

  “Sure.” Bella gave Hawk another quick hug before turning away. “Will I be seeing you while you’re in town, Hawk?”

  “Of course.” Hawk smiled.

  “Good.” Bella smiled back. “Take your time, Kate. I can handle the ravenous crowd.”

  “Thanks, Bella,” Kate said. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”

  Her soft, almost smoky-sounding voice, along with her smile, caused an even stronger searing sensation in Hawk’s stomach and sections south.

  “So,” Vic said, “how long are you going to be in town this time, Hawk?”

  “I haven’t decided yet. I have a room for a week.” Hawk shrugged. “After that…depends.”

  “On what?” Vic laughed. “The weather?”

  Hawk grinned. “Yeah, the weather. You know how much it concerns me.” He shook his head. “No, actually, if I’m tired of the whole scene at the end of a week, I’ll head home. If not, I’ll make other arrangements.”

  “And where is home, Hawk?” Kate asked.

  “Colorado,” Hawk said. “In the mountains.”

  She laughed. “Colorado is full of mountains.”

  A tingle skipped the length of his spine. He drew a deep breath, willing steel to chase the tingle from his back. “I’m in the southwest corner, in the San Juans, a double jump from Durango.”

  “A double jump?” she said.

  Vic answered for him. “Hawk’s got a horse ranch in a small valley in the foothills there,” he said. “I gotta tell you, this guy breeds and trains some gorgeous horseflesh.”

  “And I’m damned good at it, too,” Hawk drawled around a quick smile.

  Once again he felt that strange reaction to the conversation, a reaction he had never felt before. Hawk wasn’t sure he liked it.

  They chatted for a few moments longer. Then Kate excused herself to get back to work.

  Unaware of his surroundings, Vic, or the soft sigh he expelled, Hawk watched Kate walk back to the hostess station, head high, her back straight, as regal as any queen.

  “Attractive, isn’t she?”

  Vic’s quiet voice jolted Hawk into awareness. “Yes,” he said, shifting his gaze to his friend.

  “And you’re interested.” It was not a question.

  “Yes,” Hawk admitted without hesitation.

  “A lot of men are.” Vic shrugged.

  “I did notice she was not wearing a ring on her left ring finger.” Hawk lifted his brows. “Is she attached?”

  Vic shook his head. “No.”

  “Why do I have the feeling that if I said I wanted to ask her to have dinner one evening with me, you’d tell me she’ll refuse?”

  “Because she very likely would.” Vic gave him a half smile. “She always does.”

  “She doesn’t like men?” Hawk felt a sharp pang of disappointment.

  “She used to,” Vic answered cryptically.

  Hawk’s eyes narrowed. “Are you going to explain that murky statement, or am I going to have to call you out?”

  Vic grinned. “Pistols at dawn, eh?”

  “No…” Hawk drawled. “My foot in your rear right here in front of all your customers. So you’d better start explaining.”

  “There was a man…” Vic began.

  “Isn’t there always?” Hawk said in disgust.

  “The same as there’s always a woman with bitter men,” Vic said. “Isn’t there?”

  “I wouldn’t know.” It was not a boast. Hawk had never been in love. He had no experience of how a relationship gone sour could rip a person up.

  “You’re a lucky man.” Vic sighed. “Well, Kate knows in spades. She was head over heels with a guy, enough to let him move in with her after they got engaged.”

  “He dumped her for another woman?” Hawk asked at the thought of any sane man dumping Kate.

  “No, worse than that. Not long after he moved in with her, he became abusive.”

  Hawk stiffened, his features like chiseled rock. “He what?” His voice was low, icy with menace.

  “Not physically,” Vic said. “Verbally, which is just as bad, if not worse. Bruises heal pretty quickly. Emotional scars take a lot longer.”

  “The son of a bitch.”

  “That’s my take on him.”

  Hawk was quiet a moment. “I’m still thinking of asking her to dinner one night.” He frowned at Vic. “What do you think?”

  “Well…” Now Vic was quiet a moment. He shrugged. “It can’t hurt to give it a try.”

  “You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Why would I mind?” Vice shook his head. “I think it would do Kate good to get out…She hasn’t been since she tossed the creep out.” He grinned at Hawk. “And I know you’d never do anything to hurt her.”

  “How do you know that?”

  Vic’s grin grew sinister. “Because if you did, I’d have to kill you.”

  Hawk roared with laughter. “Get outta here and get me something to eat…and make it good.”

  Standing, Vic leveled a stern look at Hawk. “You know damn well everything I cook is good. Excellent, even.”

  “I know,” Hawk admitted. “So, go cook.”

  Moments later he was served a glass of red wine. Soon after the wine, the server set a steaming plate of pasta before him, with a short, folded note on the side. Hawk opened the note and chuckled. Vic had written just seven words.

  Kate’s days off are Monday and Tuesday.

  Two

  K ate didn’t have time to think of anything except greeting and seating customers for over an hour. When she again returned to her station, she was both disconcertingly disappointed and pleased.

  She needed a breathing break. What Kate didn’t need were the thoughts of the attractive Hawk McKenna, which immediately flooded her mind.

  He was just another man, she told herself. And yet he invaded her mind and senses the minute activity around her slowed. Shaking her head, as if she could physically shake the thoughts aside, she busied herself by fussing with the station. She straightened the large menus and made a production out of studying the names not crossed off on the long list of reservations. The few parties left on the list were not due to arrive for a while.

  Sighing, she glanced up from the list, right into the dark eyes of the very man she had been trying her best not to think about.

  She managed a professional smile. “How was your dinner, Mr. McKenna?”

  He gave her a slight frown. “I thought we had agreed on Hawk and Kate.”

  “Okay. How was your dinner, Hawk?”

  “Superb, as Vic’s dinners usually are.”

  Kate felt the effects of his breathtaking smile all the way down to her curling toes.

  “That’s true,” she managed to articulate around the sudden tightness in her throat. “Vic is a very talented chef. One of the best.”

  “I know.” He nodded, a shadow of his smile lingering at the corners of his too-attractive mouth. “He was taught by another very talented chef…” He paused for effect. “His mother.”

  Kate laughed. It felt good to laugh with him. Too good. She quickly sobered. “I know,” she said, sneaking a glance around him in hopes of finding a waiting patron. The entryway was empty.

  “You expecting someone special?” he asked, obviously not missing her swift look behind him.

  “No.” She shook her head. “Why?”

  Hawk studied her a moment. Kate felt strangely trapped, as if pinned to a board like a butterfly or some other species of insects.

  “You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?” He was frowning again, this time in consternation.

  “Afraid? Me?” She gave a quick and hard shake of her head. “That’s ridiculous.” She raked a slow look down the length of him, the long length of him. “Should I have a reason to fear you?” Kate was babbling, and she knew it. She just didn’t know how to stop. “Do you mean me harm?”

  “You’re right. That is ridiculous, Kate.” There was a note, a bit angry, a bit sad, in his soft voice. “I
mean no harm to any woman. Why would you even think that?”

  Kate bit her lip and closed her eyes. “I…I don’t know…I…”

  “Yes, you do.” He cut her off. He drew a deep breath.

  “That bastard really did a number on you, didn’t he?” His voice was low, as if to make sure no one could overhear him.

  Kate froze, inside and out. How did he know? Who told him? Vic, it had to have been Vic. The mere thought of Jeff, his nasty temper and his accusations caused a cold sensation in her stomach. Dammit, she thought. She had believed she was over it, free of the memories.

  “Kate?” Hawk murmured, his soft tone threaded with concern.

  Steeling herself, Kate looked him square in the eyes. “My personal life is not open for discussion, Mr. McKenna. I’d like you to leave, please. I have a party of four due any minute.”

  As if on cue the party swept into the lobby, laughing and chattering. His face unreadable, Hawk stepped to one side, standing firm.

  Kate conjured a pleasant smile and turned to face the new arrivals. “Good evening.” Lifting four menus from the neat pile, she added, “Right this way.”

  After the patrons were seated and perusing their menus, Kate started back to the hostess station. Spotting Hawk—how could she miss him?—leaning against the side wall, she couldn’t help noticing again how tall and lean and…

  Don’t go there, Kate, she advised herself, trying and failing to ignore the tiny twist of excitement curling around her insides.

  She began feeling edgy as she approached the station. There wasn’t a single person waiting in the foyer. She lifted her chin, prepared to glare at him for still being there.

  Hawk didn’t move but remained standing there, leaning one shoulder against the wall, his gaze fixed on her, a small, enticing smile curving his masculine lips.

  His smile set off a new sensation in her body, one so intense she reached for anger in defense.

  “You still here?” she said, inwardly cringing at having stated the obvious.

  Hawk glanced down, then at the wall he was lounging against, then at her. “I do believe so. At least, it looks like me.” His smile broadened, his eyes grew bright with a teasing light.

  Kate suppressed a shiver of awareness as he pushed away from the wall and strolled to stand directly in front of her.

  “Will you have dinner with me Monday or Tuesday evening?” he asked softly.

  Nonplussed, Kate stared up at him. Surprise kept her silent. Raking her mind for a reply, she decided that she simply couldn’t brush him off. He was a good friend of Vic’s, besides being a customer. Still…the nerve of the man. She scowled at him while fighting a sudden urge to agree.

  Foolish woman. She didn’t even know him, trust him. She was afraid to trust any man, other than her father and Vic. Yet she was tempted to say yes to him.

  “How did you know I was off Monday and Tuesday?” she said in a sad attempt at irritation.

  He cocked his head.

  She couldn’t blame him, when the answer was so evident. Damn him. “Vic,” she answered for him.

  “Yes.” Hawk nodded. “I can be trusted, Kate,” he said, voice soft, tone sincere. “And Vic will vouch for me. I promise not to step out of line.”

  Dilemma. What to do? Kate knew what she wanted to do. It had been so long, months since she’d been to dinner with a man.

  Looking up at him, she stared into his dark eyes, seeing admiration and concern…for her.

  Hawk leaned closer, against the station, his voice a bare, husky whisper. “Word of honor, I’ll be good.”

  Kate relented. “Okay, Hawk, I’ll have dinner with you Monday evening.”

  “That has got to be the hardest I have ever worked to get a date. What time and where can I pick you up?”

  There was no way Kate was giving him her home address. “You can meet me here. Is seven-thirty okay?”

  “Fine. I’ll see you then.” He raised a hand as if to respectfully touch his hat, which wasn’t there. Grinning at her, he lowered his hand, gave a quick wave, turned and strode from the restaurant.

  Bemused by his attractive smile, salute and even more so his laughter, Kate stared after him, kind of scared, kind of excited. Had she done the right thing in accepting his invitation, or should she have refused? Should she stay firmly hidden behind her barrier of mistrust for men?

  Fortunately, Kate was temporarily relieved of the weight of the conundrum by the door opening to a family group exactly on time for their reservation.

  By eleven forty-five, Kate, along with the other employees and the boss, had finished getting the place cleaned, the tables set and everything ready for the next day, Saturday, one of their busiest days.

  As he did every night while the other male employees escorted the waitresses out, Vic walked Kate to her car, which was parked in the employees section of the parking lot. Kate used those few minutes to question Vic.

  “Why did you tell your friend Hawk my days off?” She kept her voice free of inflection.

  Vic slanted a wary look at her. “He asked. Are you angry at me for telling him?”

  “No.” Kate shook her head as she came to a stop next to her car.

  “Just annoyed with me,” he said. “Right?”

  Kate met his direct gaze and smiled. “A bit, yes,” she admitted. “You know how I feel about…” She paused, giving him a chance to speak over her.

  “Yes, Kate, I know how you feel about men in general and what’s-his-name in particular. And I respect that.” He shrugged. “But Hawk isn’t any man in general, and not just because he’s my friend. Hawk’s one of the good guys, honey.” He grinned. “You know, the ones who wear white hats in the cowboy movies.” His grin widened. “Besides, I warned him that if you happened to accept his invitation, and he got out of line, I’d have to kill him.”

  Kate had to smile. “Well, I…um…I did agree to have dinner with him Monday evening.”

  “Good. It’s time for you to get out and about again. Flirt a little. Hawk will love it, after being stuck in the mountains all summer.”

  “I’m sure I’ll enjoy his company, Vic.” Kate said. “But I don’t believe I’m ready to flirt yet, if ever again.”

  “Well, if not this time, then sometime. Just relax and enjoy a little.” He glanced at his watch. “Now, I’d better be getting home to Lisa…before she starts getting suspicious.”

  “As if.” Kate laughed. “Thanks, Vic. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He waited until she had slid into the car, locked the doors and started the engine. With a quick wave, Vic headed for his own car.

  Kate sat for a minute before pulling out of the lot. Although Vic’s recommendation helped, she still felt a little nervous about the date with Hawk.

  Drawing a deep, determined breath, she released the hand brake and drove away.

  Two more days until Monday.

  Excitement and trepidation pushed at her mind. Fortunately for Kate, Saturday evenings and Sunday brunches were always the busiest times in the restaurant. She barely had time to take deep breaths between greeting and seating patrons, never mind long enough to let herself indulge the nervous twinges playing havoc with her stomach.

  Kate was relieved when it was finally time for her break Sunday evening.

  She felt her entire body tighten with nerves when Vic joined her in the small employees’ break room next to the noisy kitchen.

  “Instead of enjoying a quiet break,” he said, eyeing her critically, “you look as if you just heard terrifying news.” His tone was only half kidding. “Would you like me to get in touch with Hawk and tell him you’ve changed your mind?”

  Yes. The word immediately slammed into her mind. But Kate gritted her teeth, damned if she would chicken out.

  She gave her head a quick shake. “No. I’ll confess I’m a little nervous.” She tried on a smile; it didn’t fit. “But I have no intention of backing out of the date. I’m going to go and I’ll enjoy the evening, as well.” What a
liar, she chided herself.

  Vic’s slip tightened as if to suppress a smile. She could tell he knew exactly how ambiguous she felt about spending the evening with Hawk…or with any other man, come to that.

  Fortunately, Vic changed the subject and Kate managed to maintain her composure until quitting time.

  Monday, 7:25 p.m.

  Kate stood next to the hostess station, chatting with Bella. She was early. She had arrived at the restaurant soon after seven. She was also nervous. She felt foolish about her anxiety, but there it was, like it or not.

  Bella was seating customers. Kate was casting quick glances at the doorway, chiding herself every time she did, which by now was too often.

  Kate glanced up as Bella returned to the station, just in time to see the young woman’s face light up with a bright smile.

  “Hi, Hawk,” Bella said, quickening her step to launch herself into his open arms.

  For an instant, a heartbeat, Kate felt the strangest emotion. She couldn’t describe it exactly, but then, she didn’t want to examine it, either, refusing to even think the word envy.

  She allowed another word into her mind. Breathtaking. Hawk looked absolutely breathtaking. This evening he was dressed casually elegant in dark gray slacks, a crisp white shirt, no tie and a navy blazer.

  Kate was relieved that she had taken extra time with her own attire. She had chosen a frilly-collared, long-sleeved sage blouse, a long, swirly nutmeg skirt and three-inch heels. While the days were still warm and even sometimes hot in October, the evenings dropped into the fifties and even the forties, so she had brought the same smooth fleece shawl that she had worn at work the previous night.

  Bella swung out of Hawk’s arms as a party of two entered. Hawk switched his dark gaze to Kate.

  “Hi.” His voice was soft, enticing.

  Kate had to swallow before she could manage a rusty-sounding response. “Hi.”

  He slid a long glance the length of her body. “You look lovely.”

  She swallowed again. “Thank you. “Y-you look lovely, too.” Good grief, Kate thought, feeling foolish. Had she really said that?

  Hawk strolled to the hostess station, a smile flickering on his temptingly masculine lips. “Hungry?”