She pulled in a breath and snapped her gaze to his brother.
Connor...yes, he was much safer.
Though equally handsome, his muscles and good looks didn’t have the same mind-boggling effect. Breathing easier, her body relaxed as she focused on the other man.
Taller but not as broad, Connor’s jeans and t-shirt showed off his solid, muscular build. I bet his black book is still thicker than the phone book. Jordan glanced sideways at Kerri.
Flushed, mouth opened, her sister blinked but made no sound. Apparently, Connor’s body had an entirely different affect on her sibling. Feeling sorry for her, she decided to give Kerri a chance to recover.
Unlike her sister, Jordan wasn’t the type to shy away from an uncomfortable circumstance. She straightened her shoulders and prepared to meet the situation head on. Planting her hands on her hips, she closed the distance and stopped in front of the taller—safer—McCall.
“Wow. It’s the Marlboro Man.” Brown hair with sun-kissed highlights, deep tan and laughing brown eyes, he hadn’t changed, just got better. More lethal. She smiled and stepped into his opened arms. He was all cowboy, and she had no trouble envisioning him on that famous billboard. “You sure are a handsome devil. It’s so good to see you again, Connor.”
Drawing back from their hug, he bounced his gaze between her and Kerri. A broad grin dimpled his cheeks and lit his brown eyes. “It’s the two of you who look great. This time, I think my little brother and I will be the ones doing the chasing.”
Cole stiffened as he stood off to the side, making no attempt to join the reunion.
The tall cowboy chuckled and, soon enough, Connor ambled toward Kerri, leaving Jordan to face the person who had introduced her to desire, angst, and her first hint of what kind of pain a heart could endure.
The one man capable of threatening the little of it that was left.
Chapter Two
Jordan could handle smiling brown eyes, incessant teasing…the usual. Life in California had proven she could survive without the likes of Cole McCall. He was just a silly childhood crush. One she hadn’t thought of in years.
Feeling confident, she transferred her gaze to Cole.
Her heart flopped…all the way to her toes.
Who is this stranger?
His face, although still handsome with a strong chin and high cheekbones, was cold and bitter, marred by lines from a constant frown. She searched his eyes and inwardly winced. They were the worst part. Reflecting his name, his gaze was hard and lifeless. Even his dark hair, once noted canvas to trendy styles, was now longer, the unruly lengths pulled back into a ponytail as if he didn’t care.
Shaken to find her friend in such bad shape, she swallowed and took a moment to gather her wits. The person, whose exuberance drew you in and made you feel elated, had vanished. The smart cowboy with a can-do attitude was gone. Standing before her was a hardened man who’d lost his love for life.
She may not recognize the man, but she sure as hell recognized the expression. The same look used to stare back at her in the mirror every single day.
He was a living dead guy.
She didn’t know how his wife had died, but one thing was very clear—Cole McCall had shattered.
Was he with his wife when she’d died?
One thing was certain. He blamed himself.
Throat hot, Jordan knew firsthand the weight Cole bared. Black musings like those could strangle a person from the inside out. Her gut twisted at the thought of him suffering the same damnation. This shell of a man was so unlike the Cole she had known and loved that her heart cracked open and bled. God, how she hated to see him like this.
So much for keeping my feelings at bay.
She choked on them. The urge to cradle him in her arms and take away his pain overwhelmed and cancelled any thoughts of keeping her distance.
Clearing her throat, she stepped over to him, and assessed the situation. Body rigid, face unsmiling, he wanted no emotional contact; no physical contact either. He chose to remain detached from the world and those who loved him.
Bad choice. Nothing but pain, loneliness, and self-loathing thrived in that hole. She’d barely made it out. No way could she allow Cole to wallow in that pit.
A deep need to make him react—to show a spark of life, gripped her soul and spurred her into action. Tears held in check, she didn’t wait for his arms to open as his brother’s had, instead, she slid her hands over his ribs, around his back and pressed into him tightly.
At first she didn’t think he’d reciprocate but finally, she felt a very light pat on her back. Her limbs warmed. The sweet smell of hay mingled with his musky essence, and triggered a primal need deep within. She tamped down her newly-awakened libido and stepped back. That’s not what she was trying to achieve.
White teeth gleamed from his smile, but his dark brown eyes remained emotionless. Without thought, she cupped his face and kissed his dirt-stained cheek—one lost soul to another.
Lips tingling, she cleared her throat and lifted her chin. “Hey, McCall.”
Shock changed to surprise, then eventually settled into irritation. He stepped back and his cold mask slipped into place. “Hello, Jordan. I see you haven’t changed much.” Tone dismissive, he turned toward her sister. “It’s good to see you again, Kerri.”
“You too, Cole.”
Jordan noticed he hadn’t said that to her, but wasn’t surprised considering his condition. And if she had him pegged right, he’d leave now—that’s what she would’ve done.
His glance swept over the rest of the gathering. “If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
And there he goes.
He pivoted on his booted heel and strode back toward the stable.
Her heart squeezed. He needed help and a possible intervention. Having walked that same dark and dangerous path, she recognized the signs and the deep urgency of the situation. Jordan eyed his frowning family. Would they be strong enough?
She prayed they would and turned back to study Cole. He needed to wake up and see what he was doing to himself and his family. And she knew just how to kick-start the process—get in his face, just like old times.
With her shoulders thrown back, she raised her voice loud enough for his retreating form to hear. “My…my…my. Do you think that was an invitation for me to follow?”
He stiffened and stopped dead.
“Ooh, maybe it was,” she added.
That got his goat.
Jerking back around, he shook with cold fury. Mouth twisted into a scowl, fists clenching and unclenching. He was one unhappy Texan.
Not good. The man was wrapped tighter than an unstable bomb. Heaven help anyone in his path when he finally went off.
Three strides put him in her face.
She stood her ground, unaware of their audience.
“In case you haven’t noticed, Jordan, we are no longer children. I didn’t appreciate the attention back then, and I certainly don’t want it now.” He poked her shoulder, hard. “I mean it. Leave me alone. Whatever you’re playing at…stop. I’m not interested in those games again. Ever.” Teeth clenched, he turned and stomped away for the second time.
Did he honestly think she’d let him get away with that?
No way in hell.
Jordan lunged in front of him and cut off his escape. “I know what you’re doing.” She shook her head and sighed. “Cole, Cole, Cole. Have you forgotten just how stubborn I can be? Honey, that’s exactly the wrong thing to do.”
“Get out of my way.” Tone deadly, he pushed past.
If she had to resort to old tactics to get him to feel again, then so be it. She moved with him. “When I’m done. And I’m not done.” Her finger poked the taut, meaty, muscle of his chest as she walked backward. “First of all, we are no longer children so why are you acting like one? Second, don’t you lie to me, Cole McCall. I know exactly how you felt about me back then. And finally,” she paused to bat her eyes and lower her voice, “Me th
inks you doth protest too much. It gives you away.”
A quick tap to his cheek, wink for affect, and she stepped around him. Let him chew on tha—
Her gaze met a crowd of wide-eyed Masters and McCalls. She’d forgotten they were there. Hiding her surprise behind a quick grin, she walked into a pregnant silence. Maybe I pushed too much too soon?
Laughter exploded from Connor first, startling the horses grazing in a nearby pasture. Their protesting neighs and whinnies garnered chuckles from the rest of the group. Everyone slapped her back as they made their way to the house. Jordan snuck a quick peek behind her. An opened-mouthed Cole stood where she’d left him, staring at her with a mixture of disbelief and undisguised fury.
Her heart sighed. She needed to form a game plan for taking on that man.
Impaling bales with a pitchfork, Cole grumbled and thrust the hay in the horses’ stalls. Jesus, he was in for it. This visit was going to be the death of him.
“Never in all my life has there ever been someone so damned annoying as that girl.” The chestnut mare’s ears twitched, full of his heated words.
A lot like some of the computer viruses he’d encountered, that girl had always overcome every obstacle in her way in order to achieve her goal. Obviously, nothing had changed.
His raised pitchfork stopped, along with his heart.
What if she got it into her head that he needed fixing? Ah hell. There’d be no escaping the Jordan Virus then.
Tightening his grip on the pitchfork, he jabbed the hay and finished the last stall. You’re wasting your time on me, Malibu Masters, he silently insisted. Save it for some surfer dude. I don’t need you.
With the task completed, he set about replenishing fresh water.
“Why couldn’t she have grown into a quiet, demure woman? Someone who only spoke when spoken to.”
He stopped short and snorted.
“Yeah, right. What am I saying, that’d be like telling Connor to give up ranching.” Water splashed out of the bucket, soaking into his jeans on its way to the ground. “Son-of-a…See, this is what she does!” He backtracked, refilled the bucket and finished the job without losing another drop.
“You can mumble to yourself as much as you want, little brother, but that won’t make her go away.” Connor chuckled as he lumbered into the stable.
Cole gripped the bucket and let out an oath. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to hear the ranting and raving of a mad man.” A broad smile spread across his brother’s face.
Not wise.
“Yeah, well I seem to recall you weren’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of Kerri visiting us either.” His own smile widened as the grin departed from Connor’s face.
“You’re crazy. I said no such thing.”
“You didn’t have to. I know you too well,” he continued smugly, going in for the kill. “One look at your face when she gave you a hug and anyone could see you weren’t as indifferent to her as you’d like us to believe.”
Connor’s lips thinned but he didn’t respond.
Cole raised a brow. No come-back barb? Had his brother gotten wise to his merciless moods? Better to keep the focus on him and off me.
“What’s wrong, Connor?” Cole’s humorless laugh echoed in the stable. “Does the truth hurt?”
Leeann rushed in to join their secret pow-wow in the den, a hope-filled smile lighting her face. “It’s safe to talk. Kerri and Jordan are upstairs freshening up.”
“Perfect,” Nate replied, very happy with that first meeting.
“That was more than I could’ve hoped for. Did you see Cole? He was speechless,” Leeann continued. “For once in the past two years, he actually didn’t know what to say!”
Nate turned to his wife sitting next to him on the couch and winked. This scheme was going to work.
“I know he didn’t, and he actually showed a spark of life.” Alex laughed, hugging his wife as they stood on the other side of the room. “I always said that boy met his match in Jordan. She won’t let him get away with anything…not even now.”
“Especially now,” Nate declared. “She’s been in his shoes, knows the moods, the thoughts…he’s in big trouble if he thinks he can bully her. She’ll be a force of nature.”
Alex nodded. “Good. That’s just what that boy needs.”
“Let’s hope he realizes just how important she is and fast. He only has two weeks,” Leeann pointed out.
“It’s just a matter of time now,” Nate said, lacing fingers with his wife.
“I hope you’re right, dear.” Hannah patted his hand and the four of them nodded in agreement.
Upstairs in the solitude of her room, Jordan slumped on the bed. Emotionally exhausted, she slowly scanned her lovely surroundings. This was the same room she’d often used as a child but it had since been updated and redecorated, no longer exhibiting the childish flare.
During Jordan’s youth, her mother had often accompanied her father on his annual business trip to keep up with the current computer trends overseas. Unwilling to disrupt their daughters’ schooling, her parents had left Jordan and Kerri in the care of the McCalls.
With no girls of their own, their neighbors had spared no expense in turning two of their many rooms into a girl’s paradise. Doted on, Jordan and Kerri had frilly canopy beds, a play house-castle, desk and easel, and their own bathrooms all done in their favorite colors; Jordan’s in blue and Kerri’s in purple.
Her gaze swept the new decor. Except for the colors, all of that had changed and in its place stood a beautiful, sophisticated area. A queen size four-poster bed with matching cherry furniture hallmarked the room. Luxuriant bedding of palm leaves mixed with a palate of golds and olives offset by a rich navy background, adorned the bed. Shimmering olive and gold material draped over the corners creating a tropical romantic air. It spoke to Jordan’s free spirit and she felt welcomed.
A fireplace with a lounging couch and seating area of deep navy and gold, replaced the play house-castle. No doubt wonderful on a cold winter’s night.
She slid off the bed to explore her private bathroom. An oversized stand up shower, sunken whirlpool tub with Italian marble beautifully encasing the countertop, sink and floor, met her gaze. Promising herself she’d take advantage of a nice long bubble bath later, she turned and headed for the one thing that had remained the same; the long, large balcony, accessible from each room on that side through individual French doors.
Stepping outside, she drew in a breath. Heat, dirt, and oh yeah, horses and flowers all mixed to scent the air. Various pieces of patio furniture and freestanding hammocks filled the space. It was homey and inviting and she already felt more relaxed. A set of steps stood at the far end that led to the grounds below. She exhaled through a smile, remembering how she used to sprint down them when Cole tried to sneak off without her.
Out of habit, her feet took her to the railing where she glanced toward the stables. Another childhood routine. Every morning she’d race to this spot, watching Cole do his daily chores, until she was old enough to pitch in. He’d been kind and patient, taking the time to teach her how to feed the animals, brush down a horse and even the proper way to clean out a stall. One time, when he’d tried to replenish the hay she’d missed in a stable, she’d read him the riot act, wanting to prove she could do whatever he did.
She suspected he’d waited until she left, then added hay to her stalls to make up where it lacked.
Her throat swelled. God, she missed that friend. Sure they fought and teased but they challenged each other, making them reach into themselves to do better. Truth be told, they’d shared a bond no one could explain or fill. Standing here again, Jordan longed to have that comradery back…to have her friend back.
She hadn’t expected trouble on this visit, just planned to help out, celebrate the anniversary, then return to her west coast life. But she couldn’t, in good conscience, turn her back on her friend. Not when a ghost of a man stood in his pla
ce. That would never do.
As if fate could feel her loss, at that very moment Cole strode out of the stable and headed for the balcony. Halfway there, he stopped and looked up.
Her heart leapt into her throat. Honest-to-God leapt. An act it hadn’t done in a very long time.
They stared at each other for a several beats. Too far away to read his expression, she sensed his inner battle and longed to reach out to him. She held her breath and prayed he’d come to her to open up and talk like they used to.
But with a rigid spine, he pivoted instead, and strode toward the front and out of view. She exhaled her pent up breath, the warmth hitting her bare arms.
“Damn stubborn man. I’m going to help you whether you want it or not,” she muttered, saying it out loud to make it real. “I have two weeks to help you come to terms with your past and get on with life, Cole McCall. And by God, I’ll do it. I will do it.”
Resolve set, she went inside to grab her cell and make a few calls. After informing Megan they’d arrive safely and hung up knowing her dog was doing fine, she called the restaurant and spoke to both Leon and Mario, happy to hear they were indeed doing well. She ended the conversation a few minutes later, promising to continue with daily check-ins.
Calls made and suitcase unpacked, she left her room in search of her mother and their host. They had a lot of plans to make and only a short time to carry them out, but first, visiting was in order. As she descended the polished oak staircase, smells, sparking happy memories, greeted her nose. A myriad of taste buds happy danced in anticipation. That heavenly aroma couldn’t be mistaken.
Emma’s Texas-sized chocolate chip cookies.
Oh hell yeah.
Jordan hurried across the foyer into the kitchen. She was going in battle ready and taking no prisoners.
“I knew I smelled heaven.” She salivated at the sight of the freshly baked morsels cooling on the counter. Turning to the other occupant of the kitchen, she smiled. “Emma, it’s so good to see you again.” Rushing into the older woman’s open arms, she received a bear hug she knew only too well. “I’ve missed you.”
Her Fated Cowboy (Harland County Series) Page 3
