Learnin' The Ropes

by Shanna Hatfield

  At half-past four, he hurried to the bunkhouse. He had to hustle to take a shower, shave and dress before five. The night before, he’d washed and polished his pickup, cleaning out the inside as well.

  Swede must have issued a warning to the rest of the crew, because so far none of them had given him a bad time about his date with the boss. Then again, it wasn’t like it was general knowledge.

  With a deep, fortifying breath, he strode up the steps to the house after driving the pickup to the end of the walk. The lecture he gave Baby about staying down sent her sulking around a corner of the house. The dog looked back at him with a displeased pout. It was hard not to hide his amusement in seeing a huge dog with her bottom lip stuck out and her big eyes sad.

  All thoughts of laughing at the dog flew right out of his head when Lexi opened the door. Her dress hugged every curve and fit her to perfection. The green in the floral print accented the deep mossy shade of her gorgeous eyes. Her high heels showcased her long, long legs. The fragrance wafting around him smelled so tantalizing that Ty wondered how he’d keep from devouring her.

  Rapidly gathering his composure, he smiled at her and stepped into the foyer.

  “Lexi, you look incredible,” he said, kissing her cheek and inhaling deeply of her warm, floral scent. She always appeared beautiful to him, but he particularly enjoyed seeing her look so soft and feminine. His hands itched to bury themselves in the thick black curls cascading down her back so he shoved them in his pockets.

  “Thanks.” Under his intense perusal, she blushed. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  In fact, Ty looked so good, Lexi was afraid some woman might try to steal him away from her at dinner. Dressed in his Wranglers with polished boots, he wore a light blue shirt that accented the color of his eyes, along with a dark gray sports coat. He could have passed for one of the successful ranch owners in the area, only more handsome and definitely more dangerous to her ability to think with any degree of clarity.

  “Beth told me I couldn’t wear a sweatshirt.” Ty grinned as he opened the door and followed her outside.

  “Well, I’m glad she did.” It would tax every bit of her self-restraint to keep Ty an arm’s length away all evening. “That jacket is really nice.”

  “A leftover from a wedding I was in. You just never know what kind of costume you’ll need out here in the sticks,” he teased as he held Lexi’s door and helped her in his truck.

  “You seem to have pulled your costume together quite well.” Her temperature spiked as Ty’s unique, manly scent filled the truck. “Might I assume we aren’t going to Burns or Hines for dinner.”

  “No, ma’am. I thought we’d drive to Bend. That gives you plenty time to decide if you’d rather have Italian, Mexican, Chinese, or barbecue.” The heated glance he turned on her nearly turned her to ash right there on the truck seat. “Although in that amazing outfit, I think we better take barbecue off the list.”

  Pleased with his compliment and glance, Lexi leaned forward. “I know just the place.” She fiddled with his GPS system and found the restaurant she wanted then sat back. Adjusting her seat belt, she slipped on sunglasses and began to allow herself to enjoy the idea of spending the evening with Ty.

  Alone.

  On a date.

  “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” he asked, as he turned onto the road leading to the highway.

  “It will be a surprise,” she said with a saucy smile. “You like surprises, don’t you?”

  “That depends on the type of surprise. Snakes burying their fangs in my chaps kind of surprises, not so much. Being with you kind of surprises, maybe.”

  “Maybe,” Lexi huffed in feigned irritation. “You better turn this truck around and take me home, buckaroo.”

  Ty captured her hand, pressed a hot kiss to her palm, and turned his hot liquid gaze to hers. “I can’t do that, Lexi Jo. I’ve been looking forward to spending the evening with you all week and it would be cruel and unusual punishment to deprive me of the experience now that I’ve seen you looking like that.” He rubbed lazy circles on her arm.

  Despite the heat coming in the window from the sun, Lexi shivered.

  “I wouldn’t want you to be deprived.” On slippery mental footing, she grasped for any topic to relieve the tension building between them. At this rate, she might implode before they ever reached Bend. “How are Beth, Nate, and Jax? I haven’t seen any baby photos for a while.”

  Grateful for a safe topic, Ty talked about his family and she mentioned a phone call she’d had from Bertie inviting them to come for a weekend when they were caught up on work.

  Lexi let Ty know she found the next clue in her dad’s ongoing treasure hunt for the lost money. This one was in an old wooden bucket he’d stashed in the barn loft. A small storage area held antique farm and ranch equipment that had been in their family for ages. Finally, she remembered her dad talking about the old wooden bucket his grandma used to carry produce in from the garden. Lex had taped a clue to the bottom of the bucket.

  Don’t Hem Me In

  With no time to go searching for that clue, Lexi did have a few ideas on where to look. As she and Ty discussed where it might be hidden, time flew and they were soon on the outskirts of Bend.

  “Are you really not going to tell me where we’re going?” Ty asked, half amused by Lexi’s secrecy. “What if the GPS malfunctions?”

  “Then I’ll tell you where to turn. Just follow the directions.” She stared out the window as they left the high desert country behind them and entered the city.

  The directions took them to a section of the downtown area near the river. Ty parked the truck, ran around it, and gave Lexi a hand as she climbed out. When he offered her his arm, she pointed to a brick building down the block.

  “I hope you’re hungry, buckaroo. The food here is always good.” She said as he held the door to the restaurant open for her.

  The tempting smells of food mingled with a warm color scheme for a pleasing atmosphere as they stood in the entry.

  “Do you have room on the deck?” Lexi asked as the hostess greeted them. The woman escorted them outside to a cozy little table for two overlooking the river. The homes on the other side of the water were massive and sprawling.

  Ty tried not to gawk as he held Lexi’s chair while she took her seat. “This is awesome,” he said, looking out at the sparkling water. Surrounded by trees and a profusion of flowers, the deck of the restaurant provided a very romantic place to sit and spend a warm spring evening. “I’m glad you surprised me.”

  “Me, too. I haven’t eaten here for a couple of years, but the last time Dad and I came, I thought how nice it would be to see in the spring,” Lexi said dreamily. What she’d really thought was how much she’d like to come here on a date, but didn’t want to voice that opinion, particularly on a date with a man as undeniably breathtaking as Ty.

  After studying the menus, they made their selections then sat back, continuing their friendly conversation talking about nothing and everything.

  When their meals arrived, they ate with pleasure. Too full to indulge in dessert, Lexi ordered a cup of hot tea. The evening air held a cool nip to it and she left her sweater in the pickup.

  Mindful of her discomfort, Ty removed his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

  “Chilly?” he asked, rubbing his hands up and down her arms.

  “I am, thanks,” Lexi whispered, engulfed by Ty’s scent and warmth as she pulled his jacket around her shoulders. His touch on her arms sent goose bumps racing across her skin and she shivered again.

  “You must be freezing. Do you want to leave?” Ty started to rise from his chair.

  Lexi motioned for him to remain in his chair. “No, I’m fine. Really.” The waitress appeared with her tea and Lexi gratefully nodded to her. She sipped it while she and Ty stared across the water, making up imaginary stories of the people who lived in the homes on the other side of the river. As he added a funny accent to one of
the characters they made up, she laughed so hard, she thought the restaurant owner might ask them to leave. Instead, a few of the older couples sitting nearby indulgently smiled at them.

  The waitress brought the bill to Ty but Lexi tried to take it. He shot her a scowl and shook his head.

  “Ms. Ryan, being an old-fashioned kind of guy means I’m buying.” He paid the bill, leaving a generous tip, then gave Lexi his hand as they stood.

  Used to always picking up the tab, it never occurred to Lexi that Ty would want to pay. Smiling, she squeezed his hand. “Thank you for buying me dinner.”

  “You’re welcome.” He held open the door as she walked out of the restaurant. “Thank you for agreeing to come with me. I could have taken you to the Dairy Queen in Burns, but coming to Bend seemed like a better idea. Can I talk you into a movie?”

  “You won’t have to talk too hard as long as you promise to get a super-huge bucket of popcorn with extra butter.” Lexi placed both hands on Ty’s arm and squeezed gently.

  “Deal.” He patted her fingers where they circled his bicep. Ty walked her back to the pickup, helping her inside. Her hands were nearly searing his skin, but he tried to maintain his unaffected demeanor. Uncertain if he could trust himself to spend two hours in a dark theater cozied up to her, he was willing to try.

  Lexi gave him directions to a movie theater and as they took in the options, Ty resigned himself to watching a chick flick. He was surprised when she pointed to a movie that would start in a few minutes.

  “What do you think of that one?” she asked, pointing to a popular action movie.

  He lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. “I think you’re taking pity on me and suggesting that one so I won’t have to suffer through a girlie movie.”

  The smile he turned on her made Lexi’s knees wobble. “No, I’m not. I’m completely selfish when it comes to movies I like, so I wouldn’t offer to go to something I didn’t want to see. My dad was a big comic book fan and I heard that one is supposed to be good.” She tugged Ty toward the ticket window.

  He couldn’t believe she willingly chose the movie. Not only was she beautiful, but she’d rather watch an action-movie based on comic book characters than a romantic comedy. In his opinion, she couldn’t get any more perfect.

  Lexi started to dig in her purse for her wallet, but Ty purchased the tickets and hurried her inside. She ordered a bucket of popcorn and he purchased a large Dr. Pepper. When he asked what she wanted to drink, she told him she’d rather share.

  No doubt about it. She was beyond perfect.

  Ty was glad the movie was exciting and moved along quickly. Otherwise, he might have acted on one or two of the ideas relentlessly lingered in his head as he watched the young couples around them sneaking kisses under the dark cover of the theater.

  Lexi leaned against him with her hand on his thigh, rubbing tantalizing circles that were about to drive him wild. In an effort to keep from embarrassing them both, Ty finally took her hand in his and kissed her palm before intertwining their fingers.

  When the movie ended, she suggested they go for a walk in the Old Mill District that sat on the banks of the river. He readily agreed. Although it was getting late, he wasn’t in any hurry for their evening to end.

  Strolling along the walkway, they first looked in shop windows before changing direction and walking along the riverbank. The moon was full and bright, allowing Ty the opportunity to watch Lexi as they wandered along.

  Contentedly sighing, she curved against him and he put his arm around her, drawing her close to his side.

  “What was that sigh for?” he asked, kissing her temple.

  “It was a happy sigh,” she said quietly, turning to look at him. In all her years of dating, she couldn’t remember enjoying a first date more than she had this one. She’d been on all sorts of exciting dates to fantastic places, but none that spoke to her heart the way Ty had tonight. A stroll in the moonlight along the river was a memorable finish to the wonderful experience.

  Throughout the evening, Lexi hadn’t missed the admiring glances women continued casting Ty’s direction. Several had come during the course of the evening. How could any woman in her right mind fail to admire the tall, fit man with the finger-tempting waves of brown hair that practically begged female hands to run through it? Coupled with his bright blue eyes, strong jaw, and the dangerous look he always seemed to have, he was more appealing than any man Lexi had ever met. The boots and snug Wranglers only amped up his appeal.

  “So you have a sigh for every occasion?” Ty asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  “No.” Lexi grinned. “What about you? You look pretty pleased with yourself.”

  “I am.”

  “About what?” Lexi stopped walking so she could intently gaze into Ty’s eyes. Lit by an inner fire, they glowed and threatened to suck her into a place she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to leave.

  “You.” Ty took her hand and pulled her along the walk as they circled back to the parking lot.

  “What about me?” she asked, curious why he seemed to be in a hurry to leave.

  “It’s just…” Ty wasn’t comfortable sharing his feelings. Intoxicated by Lexi’s warmth and presence at his side, though, his tongue loosened. “I never imagined being here with you, never dreamed you’d actually go out on a date with a homeless mechanic without a thing to offer the world.”

  “I wouldn’t go out with someone like that.” Reassuringly, she tightened her hold on Ty’s hand. “But I would go out with a hardworking man who is compassionate and caring and always tries to do what’s right. A man incredibly funny and exciting. The one man on the planet my dog actually likes.” She cast him a saucy grin. “Then there’s that whole good-looking bad-boy factor.”

  “Is that right?” To lighten the mood, he moved his fingers around Lexi’s side and began tickling her.

  As she giggled, he continued moving them toward his truck. When he opened the door, she pressed against him, still laughing. The sound wound its way from his ears past his heart right down into his soul.

  “Lexi Jo, what am I going to do with you?” he whispered in a husky voice, wrapping her in a warm embrace.

  “What do you want to do?” Her hands slid around the back of Ty’s neck and she pulled his head down.

  “Lexi,” he growled before giving her a kiss that would have caused heads to turn their direction had anyone else been in the parking lot to witness the ardent exchange.

  Ty wanted to find some dark, secluded place to park his truck and ravish Lexi with kisses. Instead, he gave her one more searing kiss, gently picked her up and sat her on the pickup seat, then shut her door.

  “We have a long drive home, babe, and if we keep kissing like that, I can’t promise I’ll get you there in the same condition we left the ranch.” He started the truck and headed out of the parking lot. Lexi gave him directions back to the highway and it didn’t take long to leave civilization behind.

  For a while, they chatted about business and communities in Bend. However, fatigue soon got the best of Lexi and she found it impossible to keep her eyes open. Leaning her head back, Ty’s hand clasped hers as they drove through the miles of sagebrush.

  Past midnight when they arrived back at the ranch, Ty pulled the truck up by the front gate of the house and parked. After turning off the engine and lights, he unfastened his seat belt and stared at Lexi for several moments. He released a sigh and walked around to her door, surprised she still slept. Carefully, he unbuckled her seat belt and scooped her into his arms. He remembered the last time he carried her inside while she pretended to be asleep just so he’d hold her longer.

  From her deep, even breathing, this time she definitely wasn’t pretending. He hurried up the porch steps and somehow managed to open the door then step inside. Baby waited in the foyer, glaring at them like a parent who’d sat waiting up for a child out past curfew.

  “Sorry, Baby, we didn’t mean to be out so late,” Ty whispered, debating
if he should carry Lexi upstairs or leave her in the foyer. The dog glared at him and sank down to the floor, letting him know she would maintain her role as chaperone. He decided to take Lexi to her room and started up the stairs only to have Baby grab his pant leg. He frowned at the dog. “Baby, stop that. I promise to behave.”

  Baby released her hold on his jeans and wagged her tail.

  Ty carried Lexi up to her room and gently laid her on the bed. After turning on the bedside lamp, he softly tapped her cheeks, but got no response. Uncertain what else to do, he gave her a quick kiss good night, lightly pressing his lips to hers. Just when he was ready to move away, Lexi’s hands slid around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss.

  Melding their lips, their bodies pressed close together. Ty frantically grabbed at the last few threads of rational thought before he completely unraveled. As his forehead rested against Lexi’s, he released a ragged breath.

  “Lexi, thank you for the best date I’ve ever had. You are amazing and I don’t know how you could look any more beautiful than you do tonight.” He kissed her eyelids, her cheeks, and her nose.

  “Thank you for asking me, Ty. I had a wonderful time and I hope we can do it again. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed an evening more,” Lexi said, tugging Ty into another tight embrace.

  After a quick hug, Ty stood and crossed the space to the door in a few long strides. The blue in his eyes appeared molten as he turned his heated gaze to hers, rendering her limbs languid and weak.

  “Night, Lexi,” Ty said, forcing himself to keep moving away from her instead of going back to the bed and staying all night. “Sweet dreams.”

  “Thanks, Ty. You, too,” she whispered. No matter how much she wanted Ty to take her into his arms, she knew he was doing the right thing.

  He rushed down the stairs. Baby smiled and leaned approvingly against his leg.

  “Come on, mother hen. You can turn in your chaperone hat for the evening,” Ty said, motioning the dog out the door as he locked it behind them. “What would you have done if I hadn’t come back downstairs?”