“Come on, spill. Who is he?” Amber’s brows flickered up and down at the same time she used a tortilla chip to scoop up a large serving of guacamole. “I heard he’s pretty, well, amazing.” She laughed, stuffing the chip in her mouth.
Dana Ballard didn’t take the bait. She’d had one date with a new addition to the local search and rescue team. Cam and his wife, Lainey, both members of the town’s SAR group, met him while attending one of the monthly meetings.
“We’ve gone out once, and that was a double date with Cam and Lainey.”
“And?”
“And what? He seems like a nice guy, attractive, smart, built. You know, your basic average guy.” Dana laughed, knowing average didn’t begin to describe the hunk Lainey had convinced her to meet. “He called this morning. Wants to go out this weekend, but I don’t know.”
“What’s not to know? You haven’t dated since you arrived in Fire Mountain. All you do is work, go to the gym, ride your bike, and hang out with me.” Amber handed her a chip already loaded, watching as Dana crammed the whole thing in her mouth. “How about Eric and I go out with you and…what’s his name?”
Dana took a sip of diet soda, washing down the remnants of the corn chip and swallowing. “Kell Corwin. He’s a county prosecutor.”
Amber almost choked. Dana had a long standing aversion to attorneys or those in law enforcement. She never understood her reasons for avoiding certain men, but it had been the same when they both lived in Denver.
“Wow. That’s new for you.”
“What’s new?” Cassie MacLaren, Heath’s daughter, snatched a chip out of Amber’s hand. “What did I miss?”
“Dana’s started dating.”
Cassie’s eyes widened at the unexpected news. “No kidding. Who is he?”
“Who’s who?” Kade walked up with his wife Brooke, and Mitch.
“Geez, this is getting out of control,” Dana complained, although her smile didn’t fade. She drained her can of soda while slipping her gaze to Mitch, hoping he didn’t catch her staring.
“We’re talking about the hot new man in Dana’s life,” Cassie added. “Now, who is he?”
“Not that it’s anyone’s business, but it’s Kell Corwin. Cam and Lainey introduced us.”
Mitch shifted his stance, crossing his arms while planting his feet shoulder width apart, his gaze narrowing on Dana.
“No kidding? I heard he’s about the most eligible bachelor in town. An attorney, right?” Brooke asked.
“Yes, he is. A county prosecutor. Transferred up here from the valley a few months ago.”
“And a real hunk,” Cassie added, looking at the amused faces of the others. “What? That’s what I’ve heard.”
“So, is he, Dana? A hunk?” Amber asked, noticing Dana’s face color.
Dana crossed her arms and glared at Amber. “All right. Here’s the deal. He’s about six feet tall, so buff he strains his shirtsleeves, has tawny blonde hair, a tan to die for, a great smile, and a killer laugh. Oh yes, and he’s smart, funny, and a volunteer with the local SAR team. Anything else?”
Kade coughed, trying to stifle a laugh. “So when are you having his children?”
Everyone, except Mitch, laughed. He continued to watch as Dana’s laughter stilled, his jaw working, although he remained silent. Something about her meeting and dating someone bothered him in a way he couldn’t understand. He should be glad. Although after tonight, nothing about her would matter one way or another. The odds were he’d never see her again once he left for Montana—and he couldn’t get away soon enough.
“Dinner’s ready.” At Annie’s announcement, the crowd moved to the large dining table. All except Dana and Mitch.
“Blonde, buff, with a killer laugh, huh?” Mitch smirked.
“Yeah, well, it’s better than dark and surly.” She slid a strand of red hair behind her ear before slipping by him toward the food.
He stared after her, shaking his head. No matter his personal feelings about her, at least he never had to wonder what she thought. They were like oil and water, or fire and ice as Kade once said. Regardless, it would be a cold day in hell before they’d ever have a civil conversation.
******
“She’s secure.” Kade tested the last tie-down holding the Harley upright in the back of Mitch’s truck. “You going to drive straight through?”
“That’s my plan.” Mitch glanced at his watch. Almost midnight. He’d get a few hours of sleep, then hit the road. Even though he hadn’t been thrilled with Annie’s idea of having the family over to say goodbye, he had to admit, the evening went well. Except for one overbearing redhead, he’d miss each one.
“Have a safe trip, man.” Kade held out his hand. “Don’t forget to write,” he smirked when Mitch grabbed it in a firm shake.
“You’ll be lucky to get an occasional text message.”
The two spun on their heels to see Dana a few feet away holding a small box. Mitch thought everyone except Eric and Amber had left, including the vixen standing before him.
“You still here?”
“Don’t shoot the messenger, big guy. I’m delivering a care package Annie put together for the road.” She set it on the hood of the truck, noticing Kade pull out his keys.
“I’m out of here. Keep in touch.” Kade gave a mock salute before climbing on his bike and maneuvering out of the gravel drive, leaving Mitch to deal with the firecracker he most wanted to avoid.
He didn’t know what about Dana set him off. They’d been at each other from their first encounter months before when Amber introduced them. Brash, creative, and straight forward, she hadn’t let his brooding manner stop her from poking at his life, asking questions, pushing all his buttons. They bickered like siblings who’d grown up together, except his body’s reaction to her had nothing to do with brotherly affection. Far from it, and that was the main reason he never let her get too close.
Red hair had never turned him on, nor had outspoken women. He preferred brunettes with soft curves, warm smiles, and open arms that knew when to let go. Mitch had the feeling if Dana ever got her claws into a man, it would be all over except for the sounds of surrender. From her description of Kell Corwin, she may have found someone to keep her occupied for some time. The knowledge didn’t give him any comfort. He moved toward her, taking the box off the hood of the truck and stowing it on the seat next to him, then turned to look at her.
“Have a safe trip, handsome.” Her blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight, although he could detect a look of what? Melancholy…regret?
“No goodbye kiss?” he half-teased.
Her gaze narrowed on his, her lips set in a thin line as if she struggled with a decision. “Sure, why not.” She rose up on her toes, placing what was meant to be a peck on his cheek.
In a quick move, Mitch wrapped his hands around her arms, pulling her tight as he shifted, his mouth finding hers. The kiss was demanding, coaxing, the intensity sucking all the air from her lungs. She pulled her arms free, wrapping them around his neck, drawing him down as their tongues collided, tangling, as if fighting for dominance. He set his hands on her waist, dragging her closer, taking everything he could as heat flared between them. Letting his hands roam up and down her back and hips, he grabbed her shirt, intending to pull it free. Instead, her moan snapped him out of his passion-induced trance. As quick as it started, he set her aside, his breath ragged.
“That was some goodbye kiss, lady.” His voice unsteady and husky, he dropped his hands, shoving them in his pockets so as not to reach out and pull her back.
She dragged in a breath, not meeting his gaze, giving herself time to calm down from what had been the most remarkable kiss of her life. But she sure as hell would never tell him.
“Yeah, well, don’t expect the same next time, cowboy.” Her hands fidgeted at her sides before she clasped them in front of her, finally crossing her arms over her chest. “Don’t run out of gas,” she quipped, then turned and stalked toward her old Jeep, her heart still pounding
in her throat. At least her breathing had returned to normal…almost.
Mitch’s hooded gaze stayed with her until she’d climbed inside and slammed the door shut, his senses feeling all kinds of crazy. He’d wanted to do that since the first time he’d laid eyes on her. Now he wished he hadn’t.
Chapter Two
Crooked Tree, Montana
“We’ve got a bull down, Pop.” Sean MacLaren stepped into Rafe’s office, setting his cowboy hat upside down on the desk and dragging an arm across his forehead.
“Which one?” Rafe lifted his head from the paper he’d been reviewing, his brows drawing together.
“Ghost Rider. One of our best rodeo bulls down within forty-eight hours of loading him for the rodeo. Emilio had Fritz call the doc,” Sean said, referring to their stock manager and his assistant.
Sean had known Fritz for years. They’d become casual friends, meeting for drinks with a group of buddies and playing together on a local baseball team. When it became apparent Emilio needed an assistant, he had no problem recommending Fritz for the job.
Sean grabbed a cup, placing it beneath the spout of the one-cup coffee maker and selecting the boldest choice in the assortment his father kept handy. When Rafe returned from his first trip to Fire Mountain in years, he’d surprised his sons by tossing out the old glass canister contraption he’d had forever, replacing it with one of those new single cup machines like his brothers owned. Sean had to admit, it made real fine coffee.
“Any of the others appear sick?” Rafe grabbed the upcoming rodeo schedule, deciding which bull to send as a replacement for Ghost Rider. Last minute adjustments were common, but usually for reasons other than sickness of one of their top bulls.
“Not that Emilio or Fritz can tell. Fritz and the men are moving the rest of the stock to the other yard, cleaning up the pens, washing them down, and sanitizing the equipment.” Sean sipped coffee while he stared out on the stockyards, knowing Fritz and Emilio would take care of whatever needed to be done. Every season brought new challenges such as increased cost of feed, sickness, or stiffer competition from new companies entering the rodeo stock contracting business. They’d weather this one as they did every obstacle. “When does Mitch return?”
“He drove in late last night. I expect he’ll walk in any minute.” Rafe grabbed the phone on the first ring. “MacLaren.”
Sean waited until his father finished the call. He knew they still hadn’t heard whether they’d gotten a big contract for a rodeo in the Midwest. They’d held the contract for years and until recently, no one could come close to the quality of stock, dependability, and prices. A competitor, Double Ace Bucking Stock, emerged over the last few years with deep pockets and staying power, pushing some of the old timers to the sidelines. They’d have a fight on their hands if they tried to dislodge RTC Bucking Bulls. Finally, Rafe set the phone down.
“Well?” Sean prompted.
“We got it, but according to my contact, not by much. Double Ace undercut us. The factors in our favor included our past affiliation with them and excellent record. No promises going forward. I don’t know how we’ll keep it next year with the prices they’re offering.” Rafe pushed from the desk, joining his son at the window. “My contact said Double Ace hired a new rodeo committee director, someone who’s grown up in the ranch business. He competed through school and into the pros until an injury knocked him out of the circuit. Kid’s got deep ties in ranching and lots of chits to call in when needed.”
“He give you a name?” Sean asked.
“Nope, and I didn’t ask. Figured we could find out on our own.” He spun around at the sound of the door opening.
“Sorry I’m late. Couldn’t seem to pull myself out from under the covers.” Mitch entered, shaking their hands. “Damn, I must be getting old. The miles seemed to stretch forever. Coffee?” He looked around, remembering the new machine and made a cup, enjoying the aroma. “Anything new on the contract?”
“We got it.” Rafe explained what he’d learned.
“Guess we’d better find out who this new guy is and how they’re able to undercut us by so much.” Mitch knew the business had evolved, and once again, thanked the outcome of the merger with MacLaren Enterprises. He’d resented his uncles at first, not understanding their dogged desire to purchase RTC over the objections of Rafe. Now he understood. The clout of the combined companies provided important resources RTC needed to compete with new upstart organizations fat with money. The downside included having more eyes watching over your shoulder and second guessing decisions.
“We’ll put Skye on it. She’s out there every day talking to members of the rodeo committees and is privy to much of what’s going on. I’m surprised she hasn’t heard rumors about Double Ace’s man and how he’s getting his foot in the door.” Rafe picked up the phone and dialed his oldest daughter. “Skye, it’s Dad. Give me a call as soon as you get this.”
“You glad to be back?” Sean took a seat across the desk from Rafe, watching Mitch stare at the corrals.
“Sure.”
Sean glanced at his father, his eyes narrowing for a moment before he turned in the chair to face Mitch. “You don’t sound too certain.”
He shifted, pulling himself out of whatever gloom had plagued him since leaving Fire Mountain. “Of course I’m certain. Glad to leave all the drama with the relatives behind and get back to what I know. Now, where do you want me to start?”
******
Fire Mountain, Arizona
“What do you think?” Dana asked Eric as he studied the new marketing material for changing the RTC Bucking Bulls logo to a design more consistent with MacLaren Enterprises.
“Have you shown this to anyone else?”
“You’re the first as I want an unbiased view. Since you’re in the real estate and development side of the business, not the bucking stock side, I thought you might have some insights before I present it to Amber, then Heath, Jace, and Rafe.”
“I’m guessing Rafe will be the last to see it.” Eric chuckled at the way people at headquarters still treated Rafe with a measure of uncertainty. With good reason. No one ever knew how he, or Mitch, would react to new ideas for RTC.
Rafe had been the brother to approach their father years ago about adding bulls to the existing saddle and bareback riding stock business. Clark MacLaren had turned him down without discussion, prompting a blow up that never resolved itself before the elder MacLaren died. It had been why Rafe left the family, not returning until years later when Heath and Jace made an offer to purchase RTC.
After establishing the bucking bull business with two friends, they penciled out how they’d operate and made few changes in all their years in business, other than expanding their breeding program. Rafe resisted change the same way his father had years before, and it appeared Mitch kept the same skeptical attitude.
“Rafe is a little difficult to convince of new ideas, but so is Mitch. It must run in that branch of the family.” Dana pursed her lips, having no idea why she’d brought up his name. There’d been no reason for it. “Anyway, what do you think?”
Eric glanced up from where he studied the mock up alongside the existing RTC and MacLaren logos, choosing not to respond to her comment about Mitch. No one wanted to get in the middle of whatever fireworks always resulted when the two of them were together.
“Maybe tone down the background and shadow the image. Amber will no doubt have other suggestions. Is she your next stop?” He handed the draft back to her.
“In five minutes, then I’ll take off to make the modifications.” Dana picked up her briefcase, then slung her purse over her shoulder. “Have you heard anything from Mitch since he left? I mean…if he arrived home safe and all.” He’d been gone for several days, and from what she knew, no one had heard a word. She tried to make her question sound casual while she killed time until Amber would be in her office. Amusement sparkling in Eric’s eyes told her she hadn’t succeeded.
“Nope. Not a word. I thoug
ht he might get in touch with you first.” His mouth tilted up at the corners as he leaned back in his chair and laced his hands behind his head.
“Me? That’s a laugh. I’m the last person he’d contact.” Dana shifted on her feet, uncomfortable she’d brought him up.
“Not sure I believe that, but I’ll let you know if I do hear from him.” Eric didn’t mention he and Amber had witnessed the way Dana and Mitch said goodbye when they’d left Heath’s.
“No worries.” She shrugged, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut. “Thanks for the suggestions.”
Dana grabbed a bottle of water from the lounge, gulping a large amount before walking down the hall toward Amber’s office. She continued to chastise herself for bringing up Mitch, not once but twice, as she joined her friend, set down her water and dropped into a chair.
Amber hung up from a call, watching Dana’s face morph from exhaustion or confusion, she couldn’t tell which, to a mask of determination. Over the last week she’d been acting in a way Amber had seen once before—when the man everyone thought she’d marry dropped the bomb on her that he’d met someone else. He’d made the declaration without emotion, as if he hadn’t cared at all what his words had done to her heart. Even now, Amber didn’t believe her friend had recovered, at least not enough to fall in love again.
“Are you all right?”
“A little tired from staying up late to work on this.” Dana handed Amber the mockup of her logo idea.
“You sure that’s all? You look, well, distant. Not quite all here.”
Darn it, Dana thought, forgetting how well Amber could read her. They’d been friends since Amber first arrived in Denver, starting a job at the same company where Dana worked.
“No big deal. I’ve felt a little off for a few days. You know, as if my feet aren’t quite planted as solid as I’d like. I’ll be fine, really.”
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with Mitch, would it?”
Dana huffed out a breath, straightening her spine. “Of course not. Why would I waste a moment thinking about someone as rude and surly as him?”
Hearts Don't Lie Page 2
