The Cowboy's Surrender

by Anne Marie Novark

  Dallas cleared his throat. The woman needed to be committed for good. "One cotton candy. That's all I want."

  Nadine straightened and pursed her lips in a pout. She took her time spinning the pink strands of sugar onto a paper cone, all the while glaring at Gillian.

  Handing the cotton candy to Dallas, she held one of his hands for a moment. Tugging him closer, she batted her lashes at him. "I'll be in the kissing booth at six. I'll be waiting for you."

  Dallas jerked his hand away and slapped the money on the counter. "I don't think so, Nadine."

  He gave the candy to Gillian and steered her away from the booth.

  Gillian took a bite of the sweet confection. Instantly, it melted in her mouth. "I've heard of women throwing themselves at men, but until now, I'd never actually seen it done."

  "Nadine is off her rocker," he said. "She won't take no for an answer." He looked down at her. "You think that's funny?"

  Gillian shrugged a shoulder. "She obviously likes you."

  "Obviously."

  "You don't care for such wanton admiration?"

  "Not when the woman leaves me ice cold." He pinched off some of the cotton candy and popped it in his mouth. "Now, if you admired me so wantonly, it would be a different story."

  "Don't you wish." She fluttered her eyelashes, and whipped ahead of him.

  Dallas caught up with her easily. "Let's try our luck at some of these games. I'll win you a stuffed animal or two. A girl can't have too many stuffed animals, can she?"

  "That's a sexist remark, if I ever heard one. How about if I win something for you?" Gillian said with a grin.

  "How about if you just give me something."

  "Like what?"

  "That sweet little body of yours?"

  "You never quit, do you?" She took a bite of candy, trying to keep her hands from trembling. His every word, his every move, made her tingle with desire.

  Dallas shook his head. "Not when I want something as badly as I want you. Why don't we--"

  "Uncle Dallas, Uncle Dallas! I've been looking everywhere for you." Kelsey McCade ran up and launched herself at her uncle.

  Gillian smiled as Dallas switched gears from ardent lover to doting uncle. He caught his niece in his arms and lifted her up. "Hey, hotshot. I've been right here the whole time. What do you want? Need some money?"

  "No . . . Yes . . . That's not it," she said. "The races are starting. Daddy and Uncle Tyler said to get your you-know-what over there."

  Dallas set his niece down and looked at Gillian. "Duty calls. Come on, you're about to get a taste of a real country fair."

  Kelsey grabbed her uncle's hand, and Dallas grabbed Gillian's. They ran to a makeshift track on the other side of the fairgrounds where people were gathered, waiting for the events to begin.

  "What kind of races are we talking about?" Gillian asked, breathless from running. Kelsey looked to be around eleven years old and could run like the wind. It wasn't easy keeping up.

  "Kind of like track and field races," Kelsey explained, slowing down and leading them to a big canopy.

  Ruth sat under the shade with Jessie, who was happily eating a blue snow cone. Austin and Tyler stood nearby. Dallas left Gillian with his mother and joined his brothers.

  Kelsey walked over to the group of men. "I found him, Dad. Everyone's finally here. I wish Aunt Tori was here, too. And Uncle Cameron," she added, smiling back at Jessie.

  "Cameron hasn't been to one of these fairs in years," Ruth said. "But now that he's moved back to Salt Fork and married to Jessie, I'm sure that will change." She sniffed and a big tear rolled down her cheek.

  Jessie automatically handed her a paper napkin. "I'm sure he would have been here if he hadn't gone to the medical convention. He attended the homecoming last fall, remember?"

  "Yes," said Ruth with a sigh. "Marrying you has done him a world of good. I wish my other boys would settle down."

  Kelsey ran over and hugged her grandmother. "I know how you feel, Grams."

  Before Ruth could reply, Kelsey jumped back and snapped her fingers. "I've just had the most brilliant idea. Since Aunt Tori is at summer school, you can take her place," she said, pointing a finger at Gillian.

  "Take her place for what?" Gillian didn't like the gleam in the little girl's eyes.

  "In the races!"

  "Me? I'd be more of a hindrance than a help. I'm afraid I'm not very athletic," Gillian said.

  "That's okay, neither is Aunt Tori." Kelsey dismissed the excuse. "You can be Uncle Dallas's partner and I've just thought of someone for Daddy. Be right back." She dashed off toward the game booths.

  Gillian looked from Jessie to Ruth. "I don't think this is a good idea."

  Jessie laughed. "It might be fun. Just go with the flow."

  Gillian wondered what she was getting herself into. "Go with the flow. Right." She looked at Dallas. He was talking to his brothers, but he glanced her way and winked. Gillian caught Jessie and Ruth staring, both with stunned expressions on their faces.

  "What's wrong?" Gillian asked, hoping she wasn't blushing.

  Jessie took a bite of snow cone, crunched the ice, then looked consideringly at Gillian. "I've never seen Dallas wink at a woman before."

  "Me neither," Ruth said. "Ever since Marilyn left him, he's positively hated women."

  "Amen to that," Jessie said. "He's been rude and mean for years. Or at least to me, he has."

  Ruth folded her napkin. "Oh, no. It wasn't only to you, dearest. He took an aversion to all females." She turned to Gillian. "All of them except you. You've worked a miracle. I'm glad I ignored the fact that you work for Copper River Oil. I knew I should like you from the start. And I was right."

  Again, Gillian didn't know how to reply to such a forthright speech. She was saved from any embarrassment when Sarah Sue and Harold walked up.

  "Well, I better get started," said Sarah Sue. "Harold, you stay here while I take care of business."

  She pushed him toward Gillian and walked to the middle of the track. Picking up a megaphone, she began organizing the teams and events.

  Gillian watched Sarah Sue as she inspected the four race sites, directed the helpers and finished marking off the boundaries for each course. "She knows how to get things done, doesn't she?" she said to Jessie and Ruth.

  Jessie nodded. "Sarah Sue is a good leader. This is her favorite part of the festivities. She's been in charge for years."

  "Managing female is what I call it," Harold mumbled under his breath. He colored faintly when all three women stared at him. "But competent--a real leader. I'm going to get a soda." He hurried away.

  "Poor man," Jessie said. "He likes her, doesn't he?"

  "Yes, and he's not very happy about it either." Gillian glanced at Dallas, over by his brothers. "What is it with men anyway?"

  Jessie shrugged. "I don't know. I'm still trying to figure it out."

  "You'll never completely figure it out," Ruth said with a sigh. "It's one of life's little mysteries. And speaking of mysteries . . . what in the world is Kelsey doing?" She pointed toward the carnival booths.

  Gillian looked across the football field. Kelsey was tugging and half-dragging a lovely, but obviously reluctant, woman toward the games.

  "Looks like she's got something up her sleeve." Jessie crunched another mouthful of snow cone ice.

  Kelsey walked up to them. "Grams, you remember Miss Rogers? My teacher from last year? And this is my Aunt Jessie and--hey, I don't know your name," she said to Gillian.

  Gillian held out a hand to the teacher. "Gillian Bankston. Nice to meet you."

  Miss Rogers smiled. "Good to meet you, too."

  "Miss Rogers is going to be Dad's partner in the races," Kelsey said. "Tell her it'll be fine, Grams. She's not very athletic either."

  "It's all fun and games. Not much athletic skill required," Ruth assured her.

  "See, I told you," said Kelsey. "Come on. The races are about to start." She grabbed Gillian's arm and hauled both women toward
the men.

  "Hey, Dad. I brought you a partner. You remember Miss Rogers?" She left her former teacher near her father and went to stand near Tyler.

  "Who did you bring for me, squirt?" Tyler ruffled her bangs out of her eyes.

  "I'm going to be your partner this year. Neat, huh?" Kelsey beamed at everyone.

  "Yeah, neat," Tyler said with a grin.

  Austin McCade wasn't smiling. Gillian didn't think he liked the idea of having Miss Rogers for a partner. There was no time to speculate on the cause. Sarah Sue called the participants to the starting line for the first event.

  "You ready?" Dallas took her hand and pulled her along with the group.

  "Sure." Gillian squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. Just go with the flow.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Good grief! Gillian sincerely hoped she wouldn't make a complete fool of herself during the races. How could she just go with the flow when her pulse beat ninety miles a second and her hand tingled from Dallas's touch?

  Suddenly, he stopped walking and Gillian bumped into him. Her breast pressed against his arm. Quickly, she stepped away. Dallas looked down at her with a wicked grin and squeezed her hand. Her heart thumped against her ribcage.

  The change in the belligerent rancher was amazing. All day long, he'd been acting nice. Not once had he scowled at her in anger. And his kisses . . . Just thinking about them brought a flush to her cheeks.

  Seeing him interact with his family showed a different side, a softer side of the man. He obviously loved his mother and little niece. And he had a good rapport with his brothers. There seemed to be a bit of tension with Jessie. Gillian didn't know what to make of any of it.

  Sarah Sue blew her whistle signaling for the games to begin. The first event was tug-of-war. Gillian and Dallas, Austin and Miss Rogers, and Tyler and Kelsey gripped one end of a large thick rope. Gillian and Dallas stood near the center, the first line of defense.

  "Okay, folks," Sarah Sue yelled through the megaphone. "You know the rules. When I give the signal, start pulling. Ready now."

  Dallas reached over Gillian's shoulder to adjust her hands on the rope. "Get a good grip, dig in your heels, and lean back with all your might." He brushed her hair with his lips as he settled back behind her. Chill bumps rose at the nape of Gillian's neck and on her arms. She needed to concentrate on the game and not be distracted by Dallas's big warm body.

  When Sarah Sue blew the whistle, the enthusiastic pull from the other team jerked her forward. Gillian planted her feet securely in the soft grass and tugged as hard as she could. The rope burned her palms as the tension mounted. She heard Kelsey laughing and Tyler yelling encouragement.

  "Listen up, team," Tyler called. "On the count of three, everyone yank as hard as they can. One . . . two . . . three!"

  Gillian strained as she pulled. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the rope went lax and she was suddenly on top of Dallas with his arms wrapped around her. Her soft backside nestled against his hardness, every square inch sensitive to the intimate contact. She rolled off, brushed grass and dirt from her jeans, and tried to steady her breath.

  Dallas rose to his feet. "Good job."

  Gillian nodded. "Good job, yourself." The look in his eyes warmed her all over.

  Tyler walked up with Kelsey at his heels.

  "Good job? That was a great job." He slapped his brother on the shoulder and gave Gillian a high five. "Ready for the next event?"

  Gillian smiled at his enthusiasm. "Sure, lead on."

  Kelsey jumped up and down. "We won, we won! I told you that you'd do okay," she said to Gillian. "See? You were worried for nothing."

  Austin and Miss Rogers joined the group. Kelsey hugged her teacher, then her dad. "Wasn't that fun? Y'all make a good team. Now, let's hurry. The potato sack race is next." Grabbing Tyler's hand, she ran ahead, then stopped and turned. "What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

  Tyler grinned. "You heard the little squirt. Get a move on."

  "We might as well get with the program." Dallas placed his hand on the small of Gillian's back and urged her forward.

  She tried to ignore the streams of hot pleasure coursing through her body from his touch. How much more could she take, before she melted into a puddle of sensual sensations? "Kelsey certainly is energetic," she said, watching the little girl up ahead.

  "She's a pistol, that's for sure."

  The next event was a relay race with potato sacks. The McCade group lined up according to Tyler's instructions.

  "We'll go boy, girl--boy, girl. Austin's fast, so we'll start with him." Tyler motioned for his brother to get in lead, then placed Miss Rogers next. "Kelsey and I will follow, with Dallas and Gillian bringing up the rear."

  Gillian almost panicked. "Uh, don't you think someone else should be last? I've never done this before."

  Tyler shook his head. "Don't worry. This is going to work. Trust me." He smiled before moving away to issue more instructions to the team. When he smiled, Tyler's resemblance to his oldest brother was much more pronounced.

  Dallas winked at her before he turned around to watch the race. That was the second time he had done that. Gillian's tummy fluttered in response.

  Sarah Sue gave the signal to start. Austin hopped and jumped like there was nothing to it. He left the other participants far behind. When he returned, he was barely out of breath. Miss Rogers laughed as she stepped into the sack. She started off fine, but after five hops, she fell and struggled to get up.

  Kelsey screeched at the top of her lungs, "Get up, Miss Rogers! You can do it. I know you can." She crossed her fingers, her arms, and her legs for good luck.

  Miss Rogers finally managed to stand upright. She hopped with all her might and returned triumphant. Tyler grabbed the sack, climbed in and took off.

  Gillian watched. She clapped and yelled with the rest of the group, but dread filled her stomach. She never had been good at this sort of thing. Little Kelsey even looked like a pro when it was her turn.

  "Dallas?" She tapped his shoulder.

  "What is it?" He turned slightly, his attention concentrated on Kelsey's progress. "Come on, hotshot! Doing good."

  Wringing her hands, she looked up at him. "I don't think I can do this."

  His blue eyes lasered in on her, and she smiled weakly. Dallas took her hands in his and tried to reassure her. "Of course, you can do this. It's only a game. All we want to do is have fun. You're worrying too much."

  Kelsey made her last jump, hopped out of the sack and handed it to her uncle. Dallas rumpled her hair. "Way to go, hotshot. Gillian needs a pep talk. Make it quick, because I don't expect this to take too long." He was off, winking again in Gillian's direction.

  Dallas hopped across the field like it was an everyday occurrence. Gillian couldn't believe it. Was this the same forbidding man who had confronted her at every turn for the past several weeks? He was actually enjoying these races, throwing himself into them whole-heartedly, supporting his team members, and doing his best to win.

  On his way back, Dallas kept his eyes on her. Gillian's heart flip-flopped. Not only did she have it bad for the belligerent cowboy, she had the sinking suspicion she was halfway in love with him. But that was impossible. Hadn't she vowed never to love again?

  Dallas stopped in front of her and helped her climb into the burlap sack. When she bent to get a grip on the top edge, he stooped down beside her. "Keep your eyes on the red line at the end of the course," he whispered in her ear. "Turn with a hop and come back to me. I'll be waiting."

  Gillian nearly fell over backwards from his nearness. No man had ever affected her like Dallas did. "Go on, now." His voice was warm, full of encouragement. She felt an excitement that had nothing to do with the race.

  With a silent prayer for luck, Gillian started down the course. The first few hops proved awkward, but soon she found her rhythm. Even though Dallas had assured her it was all in fun, she knew these races were important to the McCade family and wanted to do her bes
t for them.

  At the red line, Gillian turned carefully and started on the return trip keeping her eyes on the ground. The yelling and commotion on the sidelines increased; someone must have won the race.

  Gillian hated letting the McCade's down, but she'd warned them. As she neared the finish line, she finally looked up. Kelsey jumped up and down and waved her arms. Tyler motioned for her to hurry up. Mustering her last reserves, she jumped with all her might. As she crossed the finish line, she fell into Dallas's arms. "I'm sorry. I told you I wasn't very good at this."