He snorted a laugh. “No thanks.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to buy a new outfit for the bachelor’s auction?” she teased.
“No.” He cut her a glare as he loaded the last package in the truck. “And I don’t buy outfits. Ever.”
She giggled and pushed the shopping cart to one of the cart return stalls. Jace leaned back against his truck and watched her complete the simple task. Man, she was beautiful, and he loved watching the way the sun highlighted her shiny hair.
He frowned when a man returning his cart cut off his view, and said something to make Caytie laugh. Obviously Jace wasn’t the only guy watching her. His mood darkened as the intruder continued to flirt with her.
The muscles in his shoulders tensed, and he knew exactly how Rodney the rooster felt.
He pushed away from the truck, intent on letting the man know Caytie wasn’t alone. He only took a couple of steps when she waved goodbye and started back toward the truck. Jace watched the guy watching her, and he felt even more territorial.
“You’ll get wrinkles if you continue to scowl like that,” she said.
“I’m not scowling.” He opened the passenger door for her.
“Yes you are,” she said with a laugh as he helped her into the truck.
He did his best to lose the grumpy face. “Better?”
“Hmm.” She studied him intently. “You still have a few frown lines here.” She reached out and rubbed her finger over his wrinkled brow.
The touch of her soft fingers against his skin was hot like a branding iron, making his pulse surge. Swallowing, he watched her closely, wondering if she felt the same pull of attraction.
“There.” She dropped her hand, and gently cleared her throat. “That’s better.”
Jace held her gaze for a few more seconds, battling his emotions. It was all he could do not to lean down and kiss her. Frustrated, he stepped away and closed her door. As he rounded the front of the truck, he cursed himself. Heck, he hadn’t even kissed her yet and he was already a goner. How could he have let this happen? He was falling in love with a girl who was all wrong for him.
He wasn’t some chauvinistic pig who thought a woman’s place was in the kitchen, but he’d at least wanted his kids to have the kind of mom he never had. One who baked cookies. Caytie’s attempt to learn to make cookies the other night hadn’t worked out very well. After Ilene taught her how to read a recipe and crack eggs without getting any eggshells in the dough, she left her alone to finish the baking. But Caytie’s cookies had been too thin and she’d burnt two dozen before Ilene had made it back to the kitchen to finish helping her.
Then there was the fact that she didn’t like ranch life, or at least the odors of ranch life. She didn’t even own a pair of cowboy boots.
He jerked open his door and climbed in behind the wheel. The scent of her tantalizing perfume surrounded him. He glanced over to find her watching him. Her blue eyes were soft, and questioning, and right then he didn’t care if she was clueless in the kitchen. She was beautiful, and kind. At least if he married her, their kids would be well dressed.
Married? To Caytie? He waited for the panicky feeling to settle over him, but it didn’t come. Holding her gaze, he allowed himself to smile, and she responded with a sweet smile of her own. In that moment Jace made a decision. But first he had something to do.
“I do have one other place I want to take you shopping.”
“You do?” He loved the surprised look on her face.
“Yep.” He started the truck. “We’re buying you a pair of cowboy boots.”
***
Caytie squinted at the faded sign of Guys and Gals Boot Emporium. The specialty store in Billings’ historic district appeared to be old, but not rundown. The weathered wood storefront was charming, and had curb appeal. Her eyes skimmed over the window display. Whoever designed it knew what they were doing. Even if someone weren’t in the market for boots, the artistic display would garner quite a few impulse shoppers.
Jace came around and opened her door. She placed her hand in his open palm, feeling a jolt of hot electricity shoot through her. Their eyes met as he helped her down, and, once again, she felt the connection, that gravitational pull that made her forget about her carefully thought out plans. It had happened back at the parking lot. The only difference this time was Jace didn’t frown and pull away. Even after he closed the door, he still kept a hold of her hand.
“Tate and Mabel Johnson are the owners, and have known George for years,” he said, leading her to the entrance of the store. “I hope Mabel is working. She knows how to pick the perfect boots for everyone, especially first-timers.”
Caytie looked up at Jace, tempted to ask how many other girls he’d brought here to buy their first pair of cowboy boots.
He winked at her. “George brought me here soon after I moved to the ranch. Mabel took off my ratty tennis shoes and threw them away. She asked me a few questions and then returned with one box. The boots were a perfect fit. I hated it when I outgrew them.”
“Are they the boots on the shelf in your room?” Caytie asked, remembering the odd decorating choice.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “I can’t bring myself to throw them away. They symbolize the start of my new life at the GH. Good memories, you know?”
Caytie nodded her head, understanding exactly what he meant. Her childhood hadn’t been that great either. Maybe one day she’d display her own cowboy boots. Breaking free from her father was the start of her new life.
They paused in front of the window display, her eyes drawn to the mannequin dressed in a gauzy white dress that came just above the knees, coupled with a beautiful pair of teal colored cowboy boots.
Jace let go of her hand and opened the door. An old fashioned bell jangled above her head as she crossed the threshold. The wide wood planked floor creaked as she stepped aside to allow Jace to enter.
The overwhelming scent of leather mixed with the musty smell from the aged store permeated the air. Everywhere she looked were rows and rows of cowboy boots. They appeared to all be different, varying in color, size and design. Each boot was like an individual piece of artwork.
“Wow,” she said. “I’m impressed.”
“Yeah.” Jace stepped beside her. “Tate and Mabel have designed and custom made most of the boots in here.”
Caytie was even more impressed, and the designer inside her wanted to examine each boot.
A slim woman with long silvery hair approached them, a friendly smile on her face. “Welcome to Guys and Gals.” She squinted and her smiled widened. “Jace McAllister, is that you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jace said.
“And you’ve finally brought a girl in with you,” she said with a laugh as her attention shifted to Caytie. “It’s about time.”
Well, that answered Caytie’s question about whether or not Jace made a habit of bringing other women shopping for cowboy boots.
“Mabel,” Jace said, placing his palm against Caytie’s lower back. “This is Caytie Holbrook, George’s niece.”
“Hello, Caytie.” Mabel gave Caytie a quick hug. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“So.” Mabel smiled, looking between Jace and Caytie. “What brings you in the store today?”
“Caytie is shopping for her first pair of boots.” Jace’s voice held a note of somberness, like getting your first pair of boots was monumental and life changing. Of course to Jace it had been both of those.
“Wonderful!” Mabel’s eyes lit up as she scanned the length of Caytie’s outfit, consisting of an off-white, lacy tank top with pale sage green shorts that came mid-thigh. Caytie would have chosen another outfit if she’d known she’d be trying on cowboy boots. She could only hope she didn’t look like a streetwalker.
After several seconds Mabel clasped her hands in front. “I have something in mind for you.” She took a step backward. “Have a seat and I’ll be right back.�
��
Jace placed his warm hand against Caytie’s back again, and directed her to a soft leather love seat.
“How does she know what size I wear?” Caytie asked, taking a seat. Or what style she wanted? Caytie loved the boots in the window display, and wanted to try those on.
“I have no idea.” Jace slid in beside her, his jean-clad thigh pressing against hers. “But she’s usually right the first time.
The familiar scent of his cologne surrounded Caytie as he slipped his arm across the back of the seat. Her pulse leaped as she glanced his way to find him watching her closely. There was something in his look that hadn’t been there before.
Their eyes held, and heat radiated between them. It took great effort on her part not to lean into his warmth. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, slightly annoyed at how easily he charmed her.
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Why are you looking at me?”
“I asked first.”
Jace chuckled, but didn’t answer her. Mabel returned right then so Caytie didn’t press the issue, but she wanted an answer. Jace was up to something.
“All right,” Mabel said, holding two boxes. “I’ve got a couple of choices here that I think will work.” She lifted the lid off of the first box. “Go ahead and take your shoes off.”
Caytie froze. What if her no-show socks slipped off when she removed her shoes? She didn’t want Jace or Mabel to see her partially missing pinkie toe. She drew in a shallow breath and carefully removed her shoes.
Mabel pulled back the tissue paper, revealing a beautiful pair of sunflower yellow boots. “Oh, wow,” Caytie said. “These are beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Mabel lifted one of the boots out. “Tate calls this the Sunshine Boot.” She traced her finger around the stitching of a daisy inlaid with leather dyed a deeper color of saffron for contrast. “My husband does beautiful work.”
“He really does.” Caytie took the boot, the soft leather cool beneath her fingers. She could easily visualize the handbag she’d create to go with the stylish footwear. “Did you design them?” she asked Mabel, slipping on the boot.
“I did.” She helped Caytie slip on the mate.
“You’re very talented, Mabel.” Caytie stood up, surprised by how comfortable the boots were.
“And you look beautiful.” Mabel took her hand and led her over to a three-way mirror. “What I wouldn’t give to have your legs,” she said with a sigh.
Caytie had to admit her legs did look pretty good. She turned sideways, and caught a glimpse of Jace in the mirror. The look of appreciation glinting in his brown eyes sent a ripple of pleasure through her.
“What do you think, Jace?” Mabel asked, turning Caytie around to face him.
He nodded his head and grinned. “Very pretty.”
Smiling from the compliment, Caytie turned back around and surveyed the boots once again. While she thought they were beautiful, and she loved yellow, she still wished she could try on the teal colored boots in the display window.
“Let’s try on the other boots,” Mabel said. “Then you can decide if you like either of them, or want to keep looking.”
Caytie returned to the love seat, aware of Jace’s eyes on her the entire time. Her thigh brushed up against the soft denim of his jeans when she sat down. Mabel reached over to help Caytie remove the yellow boots, and with it came her sock. Before Mabel could help her with the other boot, Caytie bent over and did it herself. Beads of perspiration popped out on her forehead as she slowly removed the boot. Panic set in when she realized the sock was coming off whether she wanted it to or not.
“Need any help?” Jace asked.
“No!” She winced at the volume of her voice. “No thanks. I’ve got it.”
She could feel both Mabel and Jace watching her, probably wondering why it was taking so long to perform such a simple task. Once the boot came off, she tucked her foot behind the chair and fished out her sock. By this point the two other people watching her had to know something was up.
Leaning over further, she quickly put on the sock. With her toe finally covered, she let out the breath she’d been holding. She rose up to hand over the boot, only to find both Jace and Mabel staring at her.
“Everything okay, sweetie?” Mabel asked.
“Yes.” She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, praying Mabel wouldn’t question her further.
Thankfully she only smiled and removed the lid of the second box. “Now, I love the Sunshine but these are a personal favorite of mine.” Pulling back the tissue, she lifted a teal colored boot very much like the ones on display, only these boots had sparkly rhinestones integrated with the fancy stitching and a little higher heel.
“Ooh,” Caytie sighed. “I love them.”
“I thought you might.” Mabel winked at her before bending down to help Caytie slip on the boot.
Caytie quickly slipped on the other boot and stood up, anxious to see what they looked like. The heels of the boots clicked against the wood floor as she moved in front of the mirror. The boots were beautiful, and the deep teal color only enhanced her tanned legs. Caytie turned to one side and then the other, once again imagining the perfect handbag to go with them. In fact, she could see the whole ensemble she’d wear with the boots from the lacy dress in the window display to the jewelry she’d use to accessorize.
“Oh, Caytie,” Mabel said, coming to stand beside her. “Those are the perfect boots for you.”
“I agree,” Jace said from behind her.
Caytie twirled around to face him. Her stomach tumbled when their eyes met, and Jace conveyed in one heated look how much he liked the boots.
Biting her lip, she turned back around and impulsively hugged Mabel. “These are so beautiful.”
“A match made in heaven,” Mabel said returning the hug.
“I wish I could buy the dress you have on display,” Caytie said hopefully as she stepped back.”
Mabel’s brows drew together. “I wish you could too. The dress is my granddaughters, and the two of you look to be the same size. She did the display for me when she came up for a visit from school a couple of weeks ago.”
“Your granddaughter has impeccable taste,” Caytie said. “I’ll just have to look for something similar.”
Mabel grinned. “I’ll be sure to tell Nicole when she comes back up to change out the window for me.”
Caytie returned to the love seat, wishing she didn’t have to take the boots off. Unfortunately, while the boots were perfect, they did not compliment the outfit she wore.
“I’m so excited,” she said, bending over to remove the boots. She started with her malformed foot first, doing the exact same thing as before, only quicker. Once her socks and shoes were safely on, she handed over the boots to Mabel. “In case you didn’t know, I want to buy them.”
“I figured.”
“Mabel, I’ll be staying with Uncle George at least until September,” Caytie said. “I’d love to talk to you sometime about your manufacturing process.”
The workmanship was obviously of the highest caliber, and Caytie wondered if she could do something similar with her handbags and wallets. Producing her goods in the United States might prove to be more cost effective, although she’d never be able to sell to the clientele who only purchased things with an Italian stamp on it.
“Of course, sweetie.” Mabel strategically nested the boots in the box. “I’d love to talk to you.”
“Where are you going in September?” Jace asked.
His voice sounded a little tense, and when Caytie chanced a look at him, she saw his wrinkled brow. Her fingers itched to smooth out the furrows like she’d done before.
“I’m not sure.” She lifted one shoulder up. “Maybe I’ll move to Italy for a few months.”
He studied her for a few seconds, his lips pressed flat.
Mabel cleared her throat. “I’ll just ring these up for you, hon.”
Jace continued to stare at her, and she could
read the many questions he wanted to ask. Questions she didn’t want to answer. She broke the connection and quickly stood up to follow Mabel to the cash register.
A few seconds later, Jace joined her. He was quiet, and ironically his silence was louder than if he were to start peppering her with questions.
Mabel filled the silence by asking Caytie about her interest in the manufacturing process.
“I’m a fashion design major,” Caytie answered. “Someday I’d like to create my own line of handbags and wallets.”
“Ahh,” Mabel said with a smile. “So that’s why you’d like to move to Italy.” She finished up the transaction. “Give me a call so we can get together, and I’ll try to show you why staying in the US works for us.”
“I will. Thank you,” Caytie said.
Mabel gave her the total, and Caytie sucked in a quick breath. She’d never paid attention to the cost of anything before, and she’d shelled out more money than this on a divine pair of Prada boots last winter. But now that she didn’t have Daddy’s money, she needed to be more aware. Could she afford eight hundred dollar boots?
Probably not.
She had two months to make her meager funds last until her birthday. But the thought of leaving without the boots made her reach inside her purse for her wallet. She opened it up and counted the two hundred dollar pre-paid credit cards she’d purchased. There were six in total. That, coupled with the few hundred dollars she had left in cash, added up to sixteen hundred dollars.
The math was easy. She knew how much that left her, but the decision to walk away not so much. If she went ahead with the purchase there wouldn’t be anymore shopping trips, not even to a discount store. She certainly wouldn’t be buying a beautiful dress to wear with her new boots. Hopefully one of the skirts she’d packed would look okay.
Decision made, she removed four of the credit cards and handed them over. At least Montana didn’t charge sales tax, which made her feel a tiny bit better.
Mabel finished the transaction and handed Caytie the receipt along with her purchase. “Be sure and call me, sweetie. Tate and I’d love to talk to you.”
Summer in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance Anthologies Book 2) Page 13
