“Hang on, cowboy.” She put her heels to the mare’s sides.
“Hey!” His arms clamped around her as the animal broke into a lope. “Slow down! I haven’t got a saddle underneath me.”
“Get used to it.” He felt a chuckle ripple up through her body. “Annie says she wants you to be able to ride bareback.”
“We’ll see about that.” He wanted to sound brusque and in charge, but with the mare’s gallop pounding against his bottom, the words jounced out. And then worse happened. Sensations he’d been fighting burst over him in a fury of desire for the woman in his arms.
It must be true. Death-defying situations intensify sexual awareness. Damn, where did I read that? In one of the porn magazines one of the kids left lying around the bus? Ah, man!
By the time they’d reached the field behind the barn, he’d more or less gotten into the rhythm of the horse’s gait and was able to relax his grip, but that hadn’t helped to alleviate the feelings he’d been experiencing for the past few minutes. He blinked and shook his head. He wanted this woman with a fierceness that startled him.
“You get off first.” She kicked her foot out of the left stirrup as she drew up beside the barn. “I’ll cool Fancy down while you bring Candy out of her stall and put her into the cross-ties. Today it will be Saddling Up and Lunging 101.”
“Sure, fine.” He swung his leg over the mare’s rump, ignored the proffered stirrup, and slid to the ground with a grunt.
“You look as if you could do with a bit of cooling off yourself.” She shot him a sly sidewise glance before she clucked to the mare and sent her trotting toward the paddock.
Great. Cool the horse down. You’re lucky I’m a gentleman, Doctor.
****
“I rubbed Candy down and turned her out into the pasture.” Jordan stepped into the kitchen. “Now I’m heading back to my tractor.”
“Okay.” She reached for her battered straw Stetson. “By the way, the Transcontinental Detective Agency has found Midnight Black in a stable in New York. He’s on his way home.”
“Yeah, really? I told you those private cops do good work. I’m really happy for you…and Midnight Black.”
“You hired them even after I said I couldn’t afford a private agency, didn’t you?”
“Guess I did. But it turned out pretty well, you have to admit.”
“I could say thanks, but I owe you much more than words.” They left the house and headed for the barn. “You probably paid a hefty sum for their services. I want to make good on the bill.”
“Sure.” He adjusted his baseball cap. “But wait until the end of my instructions. We’ll square everything then.”
She hesitated, glancing up at him as they walked, and he grinned down at her.
“Come on, boss. We’ve got to make hay while this sunshine continues.”
“Okay, sure.” She quirked him a piece of a smile. “But I won’t forget it.”
“Did I ask you to?” They’d reached the paddock where Fancy waited.
“Want a lift back?” She went into the enclosure and swung onto the mare’s saddle. There was a definite challenge in that glance.
“No, no, the walk will do me good.”
“Okay, fine.”
She put her heels to the mare’s sides and galloped out of the paddock past him. As she loped down the trail behind the barn, he could only stand and admire the beautiful woman riding the gleaming charcoal mare, the animal’s silver mane and tail flying in the breeze wafting in off the bay.
They’re like a great piece of music, in perfect harmony.
****
The day’s haying had left Jordan hot and sweaty like after a July concert on a muggy night. Looking out the window of his cabin toward the bay, he decided a swim might be the answer. He’d already asked Travis about the possibility of taking a dip at the beach beyond the farm and been assured there were no riptides or sudden drop-offs to worry about.
“Great place to swim, actually,” Travis had informed him. “Complete privacy. I used to skinny-dip there as a kid. Sometimes still do, when I get home late from a gig or…” He stopped and glanced off to one side.
“Or a date that gets a man overheated?” Jordan grinned at him. “Been there, remember.”
“Yeah, well, guess I’m used to talking to Shel and that’s not the kind of thing you discuss with your sister.”
“Definitely not. But with a brother? Anytime, man.”
“Thanks, Jordan.”
He grinned as he remembered the conversation. Well, he hadn’t had a hot date, but he had ridden double with Shelby that afternoon. That was enough to heat any man’s blood, never mind that of one who already liked her…a lot. Yes, a swim was definitely in order.
Ten minutes later he was shucking his clothes as the sun dipped below the horizon leaving the bay a rainbow of pinks, blues, and purples. He waded out a few yards and, as Travis had advised him, found water deep enough to swim. Feeling his entire body relax, tense muscles stretch and ease, he struck out for what he planned to be a quarter-mile swim.
Growing up on Prince Edward Island, never far from the sea, he and his brothers had become strong swimmers almost from the time they could walk. He loved the taste of salt on his lips, the sheer sense of freedom that striking out into the bay afforded.
When he felt he’d gone far enough, he turned back. The moon was rising, the last rays of the sun faint memories on the far side of the bay. Refreshed and exhilarated, he swam more slowly, rolled onto his back to float a couple of times to prolong the moment, and then headed for shore with long, easy crawl strokes.
Reaching the shallows, he stood, water to his waist, and began wading toward shore.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Her voice coming out of the shadows on the beach halted him. The hint of humor in her words caught him up short. The workaholic doctor was joking with him?
“Doctor? You surprised me. I thought you’d be asleep in front of the television after the day you had.” He struggled to sound matter of fact, to ignore that he was standing in water that barely covered his manhood.
“Guess we both had the same idea. Thought I’d take a swim, too.”
“Don’t let me stop you.” He recovered sufficiently to taunt her in return. “Travis informed me that this beach was made for skinny-dipping. Owned by one Doctor Shelby Masters, I believe. And she allows no one but family and hired hands to come down here.”
“Fine. I’ll join you.” She stood, and in the shadowy darkness he caught his breath as she pulled her T-shirt over her head. A wave of relief flooded over him as he saw she wore a bikini top beneath.
The moment after she’d shed her jeans she walked toward the shore in a very brief, very eye-boggling bikini. Wow! Ah, man, how much is a man who’s been celibate for months supposed to take and remain a gentleman?
She waded out until she stood close beside him, paused to look him appraisingly up and down, then dove out into deeper water. He bit his lip and fought the urge to plunge after her. It would be great to swim with her, to get her wet and near naked in his arms, to kiss her lips that would taste of salt…
No. She wasn’t the kind of woman who would go for that kind of thing, at least not without a lot of emotional commitment…which he couldn’t offer.
He waded slowly ashore and picked up his underwear and jeans. Glancing out across the water, he saw her swimming strong and easy…like she seemed to do everything. He pulled on his clothes and sat down on the sand, hands clasped around his bent knees. She might be strong and self-reliant, but he wouldn’t feel right leaving her alone in the bay at night. He’d wait for her to come ashore.
****
“Problem?” She waded ashore, pushing her hair back from her face.
“Just waiting to make sure you’re safe and sound.” He drew a deep breath.
“Thanks, but no need. I’ve been swimming from this shore for years.”
She bent over to pick up her towel and his breath caught in his
throat. Damn it.
“You can walk me home, though.” She dried her arms and legs. “That is, if you’re ready to go back.”
“Sure, sure.” He was on his feet as she started to pull her T-shirt over her head. “Are you going to be comfortable with that wet bathing suit underneath?”
“Normally I’d take it off.” She didn’t have to elaborate.
“I can turn my back.”
She hesitated.
“I promise not to peek, Miss Shelby, ma’am.”
His poor attempt at a southern accent made her chuckle. “Okay, Rhett, turn your back. I don’t fancy wearing wet underthings all the way home.”
“Only one condition,” he said as he turned to stare out over the bay and she moved behind him.
“What’s that?”
“You’re never to tell your brother we were naked on the beach. If you do, I’m pretty sure I’d be feeling a shotgun at my back and you’d be my bride before the week was out.”
“He’s overly protective.” She chuckled again. “But he is a wonderful brother and business partner. I don’t know what I’d do without him. You can turn around now.”
“So, now that you’re fittingly attired, may I walk you home?” He offered his arm and was surprised when, after a slight hesitation, she took it in the spirit of his jest.
“Thank you, kind sir. One never knows what one might encounter crossing these dark fields at night.”
For a time they walked in silence. Then he carefully freed the arm she was holding and slipped it about her shoulders. She flinched but didn’t pull away.
Inappropriate for the terms of our contract, but what the hell. She’s soft and warm, and I can do with a bit of that just now.
They walked in a silence that felt natural and comfortable. What was that saying…if you can sit in comfortable silence with someone for a half hour, that’s the test of a true friend. Well, it wouldn’t be a half hour, but still…
“Well, here we are.” She spoke for the first time as they arrived at the farmhouse porch. “Thank you for escorting me home…even though I’ve made the trip by myself in safety more times than I can count. It was nice…” She paused and then hurried on, “to have company.”
“It was.” Should I kiss her? Too soon? Man, I sure want to. What if…?
The old farm truck rattling into the yard solved his dilemma.
“Hey, you guys.” Travis pulled up and jumped out. “Great evening, isn’t it? You been swimming, Shel?”
His gaze roamed from his sister’s damp hair to Jordan’s. Glad it’s so short it dries quickly. Otherwise, this kid looks ready to take me on.
“Matter of fact, I was. Jake met me just as I was coming ashore and offered to see me home. Good night, Jake. Busy day tomorrow.”
“Right you are, boss.” Jordan made a mock jest of touching his non-existent cap and turned toward his cabin. Saved by little brother. Otherwise, in another few seconds I would have tried to kiss her and either had my face soundly slapped or one really exciting adventure. Wonder if I’ll ever get the chance to discover which it might have been?
****
When the truck and trailer turned in at the gate, Shelby’s gaze swung from monitoring Jordan as he rode Candy around the paddock at a slow lope to watching the truck’s progress. Jordan halted the mare beside the fence as the big rig made its way slowly along the dusty lane to the barn.
As it braked to a stop, Shelby strode out to greet the new arrivals. The eagerness in her gait brought a warm rush coursing through him.
“You Dr. Shelby Masters?” the grey-haired driver inquired, climbing out.
“Yes. You have my horse Midnight Black?” The effort to stifle anticipation in her voice made Jordan smile.
“Yeah. Beautiful animal, but, man, what a handful!” He led the way to the rear and released the backboard.
The agitatedly shifting black hindquarters could belong to no other animal.
This guy is going to be a handful. Shelby, be careful.
“Black!” she breathed.
“Hey, is that the boy?” Travis came out of the barn at a trot. “Hey, Black, how are you, man?” He started up the ramp but the driver put a hand on his arm.
“Be careful, son. That big guy can be one mean critter.”
“Not if you know what he likes,” Travis said.
The driver shrugged and released him. “It’s your neck, kid.”
“Black, remember this one?” Travis walked slowly into the trailer and began to sing Jordan Brooks’ current number-one hit.
The shifting hindquarters quieted. Continuing to sing, Travis backed the stallion out of the trailer.
“Quite a trick, young fella.” The driver watched as Travis led the animal into the pasture at the side of the barn, released him, and stopped singing. “Must be a different horse at home.”
Midnight Black reared, bucked, and then set off at a full gallop across the field.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” The driver turned back to his rig, scratching his head under his faded New York Yankees cap. “What’s that old saying, ‘music has charms to soothe the savage beast’?”
“I think it’s ‘breast.’ ” Jordan dismounted, tied Candy to the fence, and came to join them. “But who cares, as long as it works. I bet the guy who recorded the song would get a big kick out of knowing it has the power to calm a wild stallion.” He winked at Shelby. “Maybe his music is good for something after all.”
Chapter Ten
“Damn it!” Travis slammed into the kitchen and flung his baseball cap onto a peg by the door. “Damn it, damn it, damn it!”
“What’s wrong?” Shelby turned from where she’d been preparing supper at the stove to face her furious brother, and Jordan stopped short in getting a glass of water at the sink. He’d never seen Travis in such a raw mood.
“We finally get a decent gig in the city and Larry comes down with the flu! Our first chance to play for a big audience with decent pay, and now it’s blown!” He threw himself on a chair and scowled down at his boots. “Damn, damn, damn!”
“Can’t one of the other guys take over?” Jordan sat down opposite the younger man and stretched out long legs under the table.
“ No. Larry is the only guy we have who can play a decent lead guitar and back me up on the vocals.”
“Aha.” Jordan furrowed his forehead and then looked over at the younger man. “Maybe there is a solution.”
“Yeah? I can’t see one.” Travis turned away and stared moodily out the window toward the bay, sarcasm coloring his words.
“Like maybe your hired hand filling in…just this once.”
“Jake, no!” Shelby swung on him. “That’s crazy! Someone’s bound to recognize you.”
“I don’t think so.” Jordan winked up at her. “Right now, according to publicity, I’m resting up at a very private, very posh resort in the Bahamas. With this new hairdo and stubble, no one will recognize me. What do you say, Travis? Are you willing to take a chance on Jake Banks?”
Travis turned slowly back to face his sister and Jordan, his expression one of disbelief.
“You mean it, Jake?” he said. “You’d do that for the band?”
“Sure.” He stood and stretched his tall frame. “It’ll keep me in practice.”
“Yeah!” Travis leaped to his feet and bolted around the table to punch Jordan in the shoulder. “Thanks, man, thanks! Wait until I tell the guys!”
“Now hold on.” Jordan stopped him. “Remember—all you’re going to tell them is that Jake Banks, your wrangler, is willing to help out and he’s an okay guitar picker, right? Not a single mention of Jordan Brooks. I want your word on that.” He held out his hand.
“You have it for sure, for sure, Jake!” Travis pumped it vigorously. “Word of honor, swear on the Bible.” He turned and headed for the door. “Put my supper in the fridge, Shel. I’ll nuke it up when I get back. Right now I have to tell the guys.” He bolted out, letting the screen door slam behind him.
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“Well, say it.” Jordan leaned against the counter and crossed his arms on his chest.
“Say what?” Shelby put on a pair of oven mitts and bent to take a shepherd’s pie out of the oven.
“That it’s a damn fool thing to do.”
“Okay.” She placed the casserole on a pad on the table and turned to him, mitted hands on her hips. “That was a damn fool thing to do. If you’re discovered, it will ruin me, since, as you well know, the terms of our contract state we keep you strictly incognito.”
“Yeah, well, let me say this about that.” He pushed himself upright to confront her. “Annie may be my business agent, but I’m still the guy who signs the checks. If anything goes wrong—and I’m telling you I won’t let it—I’ll see to it you get paid in full. Taking this calculated risk is my idea. I’ll be responsible for its consequences. Travis deserves a chance to show his stuff. He does the work of two men most days around this place and never complains, when what he really wants is a career in country music.”
“Travis is a dreamer.” She pulled off the oven mitts and brought a garden salad from the sideboard. “He may as well wish for the stars. You, above all people, should know the odds of his ever making it in that industry are slim to none. Not everyone is blessed with a hard-hitting, never-take-no-for-an-answer agent.”
“You’re right.” He sat down at the table. “Luck was in my corner when my band and I got ‘discovered’ by Annie. Talent scouts and music agents are rare as hens’ teeth on Prince Edward Island.”
“You’re from Prince Edward Island?” She paused to stare at him.
“Yes. Anything wrong with that? It is billed as The Gentle Island, you know.”
“I know, but I assumed you were American…from the United States…lobsters, potatoes, Maine?”
“Why? Do I sound American?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Sound American? As if! I just assumed you’d been ‘discovered’ south of the border. Like you said, talent scouts are rare in Atlantic Canada. How did one magically appear for you?”
“As you no doubt know, P.E.I. is the world-famous home of Anne of Green Gables and the Charlottetown festival that abounds with plays, musicals, et cetera, on the subject. Annie Wise decided to take her vacation on the Island, first to relax and second to scout any burgeoning talent. We played as a warm-up band for one evening’s entertainment. I thought it would give my guys a chance at a real audience. They’d been playing for dances at the high school for months and deserved a wider venue. Annie happened to be in the audience.”
Counterfeit Cowboy Page 9
