A Cowboy's Kiss

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  Luke grinned. “You’re making that up.”

  “I’m not sayin’ I had a fancified one, but a kid down the block did. It was a lousy treehouse, too. A bunch of weird angles and a motorized ladder that didn’t work right.”

  “Then you’ve never hammered a nail into a board just for the hell of it?”

  “It’s not like my father had a workbench and tools. Although now I wish I had more experience so I’d be of better use to your renovation team. I can’t wait to see the place.”

  “Meant to get you over there sooner.”

  “No worries. You’ve been in there what—a week?”

  “About that.” Luke paused next to the Appaloosa’s stall. “Hey, boy.”

  The gelding’s ears flicked in recognition but he was busy with his dinner. Luke had hoped to arrive in time to help feed, but his appointment with Abigail had kept him in town longer than he’d anticipated.

  “They aren’t much for talkin’ when they’re eatin’.” Badger leaned against the door and watched Spot On munching on a flake of hay.

  “I’ve noticed.”

  “That’s a handsome animal you have there. I’m partial to Paints since meetin’ Winston down yonder.” He tipped his head toward the far end of the barn. “But I can see the appeal of an Appaloosa. No two look alike.”

  “I know. I promised myself if I ever got a horse of my own, this is what I’d want.” He glanced at Badger. “Any estimates on when Hayley will move here?”

  “She’s shootin’ for sometime next month, but she’s not plannin’ to live with me once she moves here. At least not at first. She thinks we need more time to get to know each other.”

  “That sounds like her.”

  “I’m not pushing. I mucked it up before and I don’t want to do it again.”

  “You won’t. She’s crazy about you. But I have a recommendation if you want to hear it.”

  “I surely do. I need all the help I can get.”

  “Don’t start suggesting things the minute she gets here. Wait a bit and she if she comes up with a plan.”

  “Thanks, Luke. Appreciate it.”

  About that time the barn door slid open and Ryker and Trevor came in. The dog hesitated only a moment before trotting over to accept some attention from both men.

  “Nice dog you have,” Ryker said.

  “Not my dog.”

  “So you say. Are we having a pizza and beer party or what?”

  “That’s exactly what we’re having.” He shook hands with Ryker and Trevor. “I’ve already ordered it and we need to get over to my place so we’re there when it’s delivered.”

  “Can I come?” Kendra walked into the barn behind them. Slim and athletic, she didn’t look like she could be the mother of five grown boys.

  All the guys, including Luke, assured her that she was more than welcome.

  “That’s okay.” She laughed. “I was just kidding. It’s nice to be wanted, but Faith and Cody are coming over tonight to sort through the stuff in his closet. They’ve promised to take what they want and pack up the rest for Goodwill.”

  Ryker snorted. “The rest of us did that years ago.”

  “I know, but Cody’s—”

  “The baby!” Ryker and Trevor chorused. They both rolled their eyes.

  Folding her arms, Kendra gazed at them with amused tolerance. “Somebody had to be. Aren’t you glad it was him and not either of you?”

  Ryker and Trevor exchanged glances. Ryker nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I’m very glad.”

  “Me, too,” Trevor said. “Despite the fact he was spoiled rotten.”

  “Enough of that.” Ryker angled his head toward the front of the barn. “We need to make tracks.”

  “Yeah, we do, but I have something for your mom. Be right back.” He told the pup to stay and she did. Someone had trained her well. He hurried out to the truck and grabbed the brownies.

  Kendra was thrilled with them. “They’re my favorite snack. I’ll give her a call tomorrow.”

  “If you make it around two in the afternoon, she’ll probably have time to talk.”

  “Then I’ll do that.”

  “And thank you so much for watching the pup.” He stroked the dog’s head.

  “Anytime.”

  “Guess we’ll be off, then.” He touched the brim of his hat in farewell before raising his voice. “Okay, everybody follow me.”

  The other three gave Kendra a hug before leaving the barn.

  A few minutes later, with the dog sitting alert and quivering in the passenger seat, he led the caravan of pickups over to his place. His place. He sure loved thinking of it that way.

  The house was dark because he hadn’t bought timers for the lamps yet. He’d do that soon because he liked the visual of a light shining in the window, welcoming him home.

  The dog whined as he parked and turned off the engine. She did that every time they came back here, as if she couldn’t wait to get inside.

  “Hang on, girl.” Taking her leash out of the console, he walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. “Stay, pup.”

  She trembled with eagerness but didn’t move as he clipped the leash to her collar. He used it to make sure she didn’t take a notion to run into the woods after some critter. Maybe she wouldn’t, but he wasn’t taking that chance. She’d ended up on that highway somehow. He picked up the box of cookies from the floor and opened the door wider. “Okay, girl. You can get out.”

  She hopped down and walked beside him across the snow-packed ground. What a good dog she was. He couldn’t believe nobody had come looking for her.

  The guys piled out of their trucks as Luke climbed the steps, unlocked the front door and flicked on the lights. He led the dog inside and took off her leash. She headed for the kitchen, clearly ready for dinner.

  “In a minute, girl.”

  The guys came in raving about his cool hideaway in the pines. The dog reappeared and began to mingle, greeting everybody and allowing herself to be petted.

  “It’s like this pup is the welcome committee.” Badger rubbed behind her ears. “Did you train her to do that?”

  “Hardly. You’re the first company I’ve had since I found her. She must have done that in her other life.” He smiled as the dog moved on to Ryker.

  He crouched down to pet her. “Guess it’s my turn.” He glanced at Luke. “You lucked out on this house, buddy. Knotty pine. Nice.”

  “The whole house is paneled in it. Definite selling point for me.”

  “It’s the good stuff, too.” Trevor walked over to run his hand down the nearest wall.

  “Neither of you’ve been in this house?”

  Ryker shook his head. “I haven’t. Trev, did you ever come over here?”

  “Nope. I doubt any of us did. I think Mom tried to strike up a friendship with the couple, since they were neighbors and all. But nothing came of it. Happens sometimes.”

  Badger surveyed the room. “Great place, though. Makes me think of an old-timey cabin, one you’d rent for the summer.”

  “I like it, too,” Trevor said. “The fireplace is awesome. Have you had a fire in it, yet?”

  “Several. I bought it partly for the fireplace. It’s all set to go for tonight’s brainstorming session.”

  “Speaking of that,” Ryker said, “we need a tour.”

  “You bet. Won’t take long.” He started toward the hall. “Two bedrooms, master bath, laundry room, and storage closets down this way.”

  The dog abandoned Ryker and trotted ahead of Luke.

  “Looks like your pup wants to show us her house,” Badger said.

  “Yeah, she acts like she owns the place,” Trevor said, laughing.

  She did, at that. As Luke took everyone through the first bedroom, which he’d set up as an office, the dog stood in the middle of the crowd wagging her tail and grinning as if to say isn’t this great?

  She repeated the routine in the master bedroom and even nudged her dog bed as if wanting to show i
t off. Good luck keeping your distance. Abigail’s words came back to him.

  While the guys inspected the dining room and the kitchen, Trevor started making notes on his phone. Luke grabbed the opportunity to give the dog her dinner and demonstrate her strange habit of only eating on command.

  Ryker shook his head. “I’ve never seen a dog do that before. The ones we had growing up would charge that bowl.”

  “Yep,” Trevor said. “That’s one unusual animal you have there, Luke.”

  “I don’t know that much about dogs, but I guess she has some quirks.”

  “She’s smart, too,” Ryker said. “That’s the border collie in her.” He glanced at Luke. “How come you haven’t given her a name?”

  “Because it wouldn’t be the name she’s used to and it might confuse her.”

  “I doubt it. Animals get used to being called several names. Besides, if she ends up being your dog, you’ll need a name then.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Your call. But she has so much personality and…it seems weird to just call her girl and pup all the time.”

  It was weird. But once he named her, letting her go would be that much harder. Which meant not naming her was his issue, not hers. She deserved a name, even a temporary one.

  He took a deep breath. “Okay, you’re right. She needs a name, but what? I haven’t thought about—” The doorbell rang. “Pizza’s here.” He walked into the living room.

  “Perfect timing.” Ryker followed him. “We’ll figure out the dog’s name while we’re eating.”

  Luke glanced over his shoulder. “Aren’t we supposed to be brainstorming the renovations?”

  “We can do that, too. We’ll multitask.”

  Two hours later, they’d discussed upgrading the dated bathroom and potentially knocking out the wall between the two bedrooms to create a master suite. The knotty pine would stay and the carpet would go. Trevor used a pocket knife to rip up a corner of it in the living room and discovered hardwood flooring underneath.

  Replacing windows might have to wait until spring. Trevor recommended refinishing the kitchen cabinets and tiling the kitchen floor. They all agreed on replacing the overhead light in the dining room with a rustic chandelier they found online.

  But they couldn’t agree on a name for the dog. Several were proposed and shot down.

  Badger studied the dog lying on a rug in front of the fireplace gnawing on a chew toy. “Or we can just call her Delilah.”

  “Delilah?” Luke stared at him. “Why would we call her that?”

  “It was my great-aunt’s name. I loved that woman. Smart, independent, and feisty as hell.”

  Ryker took a sip of his beer. “It certainly has a ring to it.”

  “It does,” Trevor said. “I’ve never known a dog with that name. It’s unusual.”

  “And so is she. I like it, too.” Luke glanced around. “Everybody in favor?”

  They all nodded.

  “Then Delilah it is.” He lifted his beer bottle. “To Delilah.”

  Her head came up and her tail thumped the floor.

  “To Delilah!” the guys echoed.

  She looked straight at Luke as if she knew something important had happened.

  “Hey, Delilah,” he murmured.

  She got up and came to him, eyes bright, tail wagging.

  The stakes had gone up. If someone claimed her, he wouldn’t be giving up a dog he’d rescued. He’d be giving up Delilah.

  Chapter Five

  Abigail had done it, by God. She had numbers for Luke, impressive numbers. Even she was surprised by the volume of inventory that had gone out the door in the past four days. She stapled the sheaf of papers together and laid them on the counter. He should arrive any minute.

  The bell on the front door jangled but it was Roxanne, not Luke. She’d worn a jacket but hadn’t bothered to zip it since she’d only had to brave the cold the short distance from the apartments’ entrance door to this one. “He’s due at four, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Figured I’d find out if you have any leftovers and time it so I might see this guy who’s got you doing math. I want to make sure he’s good enough for you.”

  “For the last time, I’m not dating him.” Ever since Wednesday night, Abigail had been dealing with Ingrid’s and Roxanne’s matchmaking fantasies. Both thought Luke sounded like boyfriend material, someone who could coax her out of the celibate life she’d been leading ever since moving to Eagles Nest.

  “You may not be dating him now. But you could be dating him very soon if you play your cards right.”

  “I’m not playing any cards. I’m only trying to get a better handle on my business so I can make it more efficient.” And profitable.

  “I’m willing to believe that’s your motivation. He, on the other hand, might be thinking you’re really hot.”

  “Stop it, Roxanne.”

  “All right. Changing subjects. Is everything left in the case up for grabs? And are you available for another movie night after you finish up with Luke?”

  “It is and I am. I can sleep in tomorrow.”

  “Yay. But if Mister Gorgeous asks you out, you can ditch us. We won’t be offended.”

  “He won’t ask me out.”

  “You never know.”

  “I’ll get you a box.”

  “Thanks.” She walked around behind the case and peered in. “There’s a lot still in here. Are you sure you want me to take it all?”

  “Sure. In fact, you’ll need two boxes.”

  “Yeah, I will. You and Ingrid baked up a storm today.”

  “It was wall-to-wall customers at one, so Ingrid stayed a little late to put a few more batches in the oven. I thought the rush might keep up but it didn’t.” Abigail handed her the first box and fit the tabs in the slots of the second one. “Are you guys really planning to eat all this?”

  “Oh, hell, no.” Roxanne took the second box, filled it and set it on the counter. “If we ate everything you gave us, we’d balloon up in no time.”

  “So you throw it away?”

  “Nope. We choose our favorites and the rest goes to the Eagles Nest Food Bank.”

  “No kidding? That’s awesome!”

  “Evidently that old guy who used to rent my apartment did it and Ingrid followed suit. I’m just keeping up the tradition. Ingrid and I take turns running it over there.”

  “What a terrific idea. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.”

  “You have plenty going on without adding a trip to the food bank. We’re happy to be the delivery service.”

  “I’m thrilled that you and Ingrid are doing it. Thanks.”

  “You’re so welcome. I—” The front door opened and she turned. Without missing a beat, she rounded the counter and held out her hand. “You must be Luke. I’m Roxanne. I live upstairs.”

  He took off his Stetson and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. I like your artwork on the window. Great job.” He laid his laptop case on the nearest table.

  “Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.”

  “Abigail mentioned you’re a graphic designer.” He unbuttoned his jacket.

  Abigail’s breath caught as he shrugged out of it and hung it over the back of a chair. He was even sexier than she’d remembered.

  “Yep. At your service.” Roxanne acted nonchalant.

  Abigail wasn’t fooled. Roxanne was enjoying the heck out of this encounter.

  “Would that include creating website headers and logos?”

  “Absolutely. My cards are upstairs, but—”

  “No worries,” Abigail said. “I’ll make sure he has your number and email.”

  “Great. Thanks. I’ll get out of here so you two can talk.” As she walked to the counter and picked up the bakery boxes, she gave Abigail a subtle thumbs-up. “Nice meeting you, Luke.” She headed for the door.

  “Same here, Roxanne,” he called after her. Then he turned to Abigail and smiled. “How�
��ve you been?”

  “Busy.” His smile played havoc with her poise. “Busy counting.”

  “That’s great! Then you have some data for me?”

  “I do.” She snatched up the pages and came around the counter. “Here you go. Scads of data.”

  He glanced over the first page and flipped to the second. “Excellent. Can I keep these?”

  “Of course. Can I get you some coffee?” She hadn’t made him cookies this time. Hadn’t wanted to overdo it. “I’d offer you a pastry but Roxanne took them all.”

  “I don’t need coffee right now, thanks. And no problem about the pastries, either. But they’re in the count for today, right?”

  “Yes. Listed as unsold leftovers.”

  “Must have been quite a few if she needed two boxes to carry them all.” He flipped to the back of the list. “Ah, here they are. That’s a lot of excess inventory.”

  “We overbaked today more than usual. I was fooled into thinking the early afternoon rush would last.”

  “Hm.” He gestured toward the chair where he’d left his coat. “Let’s sit.”

  “Okay.” Adorable as he was to look at, that speculative hm made her nervous. “I hate to run out of stuff.”

  “I get that.” He waited until she was seated before taking the opposite chair. “But if it causes you to bake more than you can sell, that’s costing you money.”

  “But a big chunk of the extra goes to the food bank.”

  His eyebrows rose. “It does? Are you documenting that for tax purposes?”

  “Well…no.”

  “That would be helpful.”

  “I will from now on.”

  “Good, but I have a recommendation.”

  “All right.” She braced herself.

  “Take everything that’s left over and sell it at a discount the next day. I realize that won’t work on Saturdays, but—”

  “You want me to sell stale baked goods?” The idea horrified her.

  “I doubt they’re stale if you baked them later in the day because you were running low.”

  “I know, but I’m labeling them stale! What will the sign say? Day-old baked goods. That’s code for stale.”

  “I don’t see it that way. And you—”