Cassie slid her elbows onto the table. “You’re the way you are with guys because of your passive nature. But they don’t know that. I think most men jump to the wrong conclusion about you. Assume that you’re snobby or unwilling to give them the time of day.”
“Snobby? No one would ever think that.”
“Yes,” Cassie insisted. “They do. You’re beautiful, Ann. But you’re so standoffish that most guys are too afraid to put forth the effort.”
Ann took the words in with a nod. Noah had said close to that same thing.
“I don’t want that to happen with Trey,” Cassie continued. “And if you’re asserting yourself more, putting yourself out there in ways you normally don’t, he’ll feel like he has a shot.”
Ann had a hard time buying it. Cassie was generous to a fault. She couldn’t possibly know that Ann wasn’t what most guys were looking for. Not that it mattered. Ann’s ultimate goal might be to marry a man like Trey, but she couldn’t let herself shoot for stars so high. Not yet, anyway. For now, scoring that job would be the best she could hope for.
“You know,” Cassie said, “as mad as I am that the furniture never came— especially since I waited here for it all day—I’m secretly happy that you and Zoe get to spend more time with the guys.”
A series of knocks sounded over her words. Trey was back. A flash of heat raced beneath Ann’s skin. She pushed her chair from the table and stood, primping in the darkened window glass. Trey might have shown a preference for her earlier, but Ann had witnessed for herself just how quickly that could change.
“Sounds like they’re here,” Cassie said. “Why does time have to fly so fast? I’m so bummed that I have to send you away for the night!”
“We’re bummed, too,” Zoe blurted as she appeared from the hall and zipped toward the door. “But we’ll try not to cry ourselves to sleep.”
Cassie and Ann followed her through the front room. Zoe threw a devilish grin over her shoulder. She pulled the door open, revealing the handsome spectacle, the two men illuminated by the porch light.
“Can we help you,” Zoe asked in a low, sexy voice.
Randy must’ve replied with something coy in return, because Zoe and Cassie burst into laughter. Ann hadn’t heard it, was too hypnotized by Trey’s capturing gaze. Her breath caught somewhere in her throat.
“Hi,” he mouthed through a grin.
Ann waved back, suddenly feeling like a child. A lash-fluttering, heart-sputtering, flush-faced child. She guessed a lifetime of fantasizing over cowboys did that to a girl.
A series of greetings filled the night, Cassie’s among them. “Why don’t you boys come in and stay for a while?”
“It’s pretty late,” Randy said, glancing at Trey. “We better get going.”
“Yeah,” Cassie agreed with a sigh. “I guess you’re right.” She threw her arms around Ann before reeling Zoe into a three-way bear hug. “You two are probably exhausted. I’ll let these boys take you back now, but tomorrow… ring ceremony. You’ll come early and help me get ready, right?”
“Of course,” Ann gushed. “I can’t wait.”
Cassie eased up on the chokehold. “And I was thinking, the following day, after Sunday service, that you guys could help me pick out some baby furniture before your flight leaves. Does that sound good?”
Ann sighed, unable to believe how much had occurred in Cassie’s life over the last year. She would be having a baby soon! “Sounds perfect,” Ann said. “I can’t wait.”
“I may not want any rug rats of my own,” Zoe admitted, “but decorating a baby’s room is something I could get into.”
“Good,” Cassie said. “See you in the morning.”
Ann spun to head out the door, but was stopped short by the sight before her: Trey holding one of Cassie’s fluffy cats. He had the whiskered thing close to his face and was cooing as he stroked its orange coat. Cassie’s other cat stepped onto the porch and rubbed along his legs, weaving back and forth while it purred.
Ann shot a look at Randy and Zoe before glancing at Cassie.
“The cats love him,” Cassie said. “And as you can see, the feeling’s mutual.”
“All right, lion tamer,” Zoe grumbled, “say goodbye.”
A brilliant smile flashed over Trey’s face as he laughed. “See you next time,” he whispered, giving each cat a final rubdown. Once the animals were back inside, he dusted his hands on his jeans and reached for the luggage stacked by the door.
Zoe nudged Ann’s arm. “That’s what I’m talking about,” she said as the guys loaded their things into the truck. “We need to get ourselves some of that country boy goodness.”
Ann smiled. “You’re right about that.” She could hardly believe she and Zoe would be staying at the ranch house with them. What would their night be like? Would they go right to bed when they got back or stay up late, perhaps snacking in the kitchen or talking while gathered around a bright, house-warming fire?
Trey met her as she reached the passenger side of the truck, opening the door while resting a hand at the small of her back. “Your chariot, my lady.”
A thrill ran through her at the feel of his warm fingertips along her spine. With a timid smile, she took the hand that he offered and climbed onto the seat. While Trey was circling the front of the truck, Ann blew out a breath through pursed lips. Calm, Ann. Calm. Not an easy thing to do with Randy and Zoe caught up in another high-volume conversation in the backseat.
“Did you girls have a good time?” Trey asked once settled behind the wheel.
“Oh, yes. It was wonderful to catch up with Cassie and everything that’s new for her here. I loved it.”
“Good.” He glanced at the rearview mirror. So,” he hollered loud enough to address the whole group. “Where to?”
“Glaciers,” Randy bellowed. “Loud music and cheap drinks.”
Zoe laughed. “Sounds good to me.”
Trey glanced over at Ann. “Mind if we take you someplace tonight? Before we go back to the ranch house, that is?”
Nothing made Ann want to crawl into a hole faster than the bar scene. She’d spent enough nights playing designated driver for Zoe over the years. But she had a report to write, proving that she was already stepping out of her shell. And if it meant she’d get to spend more time with Trey, how could she fight it? The words, “I don’t mind,” found their way to her lips just as Randy said something more.
“Max and the guys are meeting us there,” he said. “I told them they best stay away from our ladies though,” he added with a laugh.
“Let’s just hope they don’t bring Jenessa. Right, Trey?” Randy slapped him on the shoulder.
Ann waited for Trey’s reaction, trying to guess why he might not want this Jenessa at the bar. His expression shifted, his half-grin slipping away just a bit.
Ann turned to face the window, hoping to hide the odd discomfort she felt. But what exactly had her feeling so anxious?
It was a few things, she realized. Her lack of control over the situation, for one. When she agreed to go out with a man from the dating site back home, she usually called the shots. Where. When. And for how long (easy to do via email). Of course, the mention of this Jenessa hadn’t helped either. But the main thing prodding her was the article. The fact that she virtually had to push beyond her comfort zone that night. And where was the comfort in that?
But it would be worth it.
Her breaths came out in quickened, shallow spurts. Now was the time to assert herself. She could hear the intro to her first article already. Something that spoke of her obsession with cowboys and all things country. The botched accommodations fed into it perfectly. The way they’d be staying with the guys versus Cassie. It was the perfect beginning to a fairytale ending.
She risked a glance at Trey, a new spark flaring someplace within her. He was so far out of her league, it nearly hurt to look at him. She urged herself to make a decision right then and there. Would she go for writing a good, possibly job-win
ning article and be happy with that? Or should she let herself believe she could actually score the guy, too, like Cassie said?
She could write the article either way. The reader didn’t need to know what had come of it. But what if? What if she could actually get it all? Shouldn’t she at least try?
Ann forced her mind back to a resounding theme in the book. A reverse tactic: the author encouraged the reader to reverse his or her yeses and her no’s. Timid folks like Ann often said yes to the extent they were taken advantage of, like with family or in the workplace. Yet they often said no to all the fun in life because it was new or different or could possibly embarrass them. Tonight fit right into that lesson. Ann had said yes to the bar. Score one point for her.
Soon Trey pulled in front of a small bar, the place nestled between a retro clothing store and an antique shop. The entire strip mall was framed with massive logs and copper roofing that added a certain charm. Ann wished it was enough to distract her from her thoughts. Her mind was still overflowing with images of just how this night would play out. She’d lived it a hundred times:
1. Zoe and her guy would disappear into the crowd.
2. Ann would chat with her guy... until he shuffled off and into the crowd to find someone more like Zoe. (More outgoing, more flirtatious, and probably more fun in most guys’ eyes.)
3. Ann would slip onto the patio, pull out her reading device, and read until it was time to drive everyone home.
She licked her lips, smoothed a hand over her hair, and prayed that her insecurities wouldn’t show. Thank heavens she’d taken time to freshen her makeup at Cassie’s; at least she didn’t look as wrecked as she felt inside.
Trey took hold of her hand as he led her to the entry just yards behind Zoe and Randy, who were walking with their arms around each other, their hips bumping as they moved.
A blast of music sounded as they stepped inside, the dim lighting and clanking glasses adding to the familiar ambiance.
Ann relished the feel of Trey’s warm, slightly calloused palm on hers as he cut through the crowd, carving the way before her as he went. She couldn’t help but take pleasure in the idea that he held her hand. It seemed to say he wasn’t interested in anyone else there and that he was—at least possibly—interested in her.
She caught glimpses of the usual barroom sights. Pool tables with lights hanging overhead. Blaring TVs dotting each corner, their sound lost in the blasting country tune filling the place. Of course, that was different—the music. The bars they usually frequented played top forty and rock. But once, Ann had managed to drag Zoe into a country bar back home with the hopes of magically finding a storybook cowboy right there in downtown Seattle. Sadly, it’d been filled with, as Zoe put it, the beer-guzzling geriatrics club.
That wasn’t the case here. The place was packed with young faces, men and women alike. And the music was live, she realized as the stage came into view.
Trey led her to the tall bar before turning to face her. He brought his mouth just inches from her ear. “What would you like to drink, Annie?”
Annie? He’d given her a nickname. Warm tingles surged through her blood. When the words ‘a tall glass of you’ came to mind, Ann realized she’d spent far too many hours in Zoe’s company. She cleared her throat. “I’ll have a Diet Coke, please.”
He pulled back, his brows slanting in question. “A Diet Coke? That’s all you want?” Dance lights flashed over his face, lighting up a grin so sexy, she thought her heart might leap right out of her chest to bask in its glory.
She nodded. “Yep.” Tom had said staying sober would set Ann apart from the other applicants, making her results all the more concrete. Easy for Ann; she wasn’t much for drinking.
“See that table over there?” Trey pointed to the far corner behind them. A cozy looking nook. “How about you go stake out our seats, and I’ll bring our drinks over.”
“Sounds good.” Perhaps Trey was planning to stick by her side after all. She turned sideways to get through the crowd, shuffling behind Zoe and Randy where they ordered drinks of their own. She lowered herself into a chair and set her eyes on Trey. He’d fished his wallet from his jeans and was tossing a few bills onto the counter. His stature—even from behind—was broad but lean and entirely impressive. His sleeves were rolled up past his elbows, allowing light to cast shadows at the definition along his dark, muscular forearms.
Heaven help her. She picked up a paper coaster and fanned her face. “C’mon, Ann,” she mumbled, unwilling to fade into the wall tonight. “You can do this.”
Chapter 6
Trey glanced over one shoulder as he waited for the drinks, smiling at the way Ann shifted in her seat. That stiff posture was back, and she seemed to be muttering something to herself. He could tell she was out of her comfort zone, and something about that alone intrigued him. Just what did this beauty from Seattle City like to do in her spare time? Would he have the chance to show her a better time if this wasn’t her thing?
From what Cassie said, Ann was interested in the country life. Perhaps he could steal her away for a few hours of horseback riding and a picnic in the meadow. The idea made his belly warm. Yes, he’d like that very much. He took a moment to remind himself that there were no relationship expectations looming beyond their time spent together. Just him and a beautiful lady having a nice time.
As he made his way to the table, cold drinks in hand, Trey noticed that Randy had taken Zoe to the far counter of the bar. Of course. He could barely hold back an eye-roll. At the popular corner of the bar stood a grey bin holding empty beer bottles, lined neatly in perfect rows. A scrap of cardboard had been taped to the front, the words Win a Kiss penned in black marker. An old coffee can holding gold rings stood beside it. The idea was to bring a person of interest up to the counter, toss a ring onto one of the bottles and—as the sign suggested—win a kiss. But the act was harder than it looked, and women who frequented the bar knew it. Which is why most were so agreeable, he suspected.
A long line of couples waited for their turn, but Randy and Zoe didn’t seem to mind. The two were already sipping their drinks and carrying on with their no-doubt loud conversation. Trey shook his head. Leave it to Randy to start off the night like that, trying to kiss the girl already. Trey had no intention of taking sweet, unsuspecting Ann to that end of the bar. She wouldn’t appreciate such a thing.
His eyes fell back on the brown-haired beauty as he approached the table. Her gaze met his, and a small flame flared up in his belly. She had a subtle sexiness about her. Poised. Proper. In control. A few other descriptions of her spilled through his mind: intimidating, unpredictable, hard to get. Her modest, button-up blouse hung open a bit lower than what he’d expect to see on a woman like her. One hand dragged lazily across the open collar, drawing his gaze to the thin gold chain she wore.
Some women were trained in the art of flirting and seduction. And while Ann’s actions affected him in all the right ways, Trey was certain they were more absentminded than contrived.
“Your Diet Coke,” he said, sliding the tall glass across the table. “They put a lime in it. Hope that’s okay.”
Her eyes dropped to the glass, a pleased grin pulling at her lips. “That’s great,” she said. “Limes are wonderful.” Ann used her straw to lift the wedge from where it bobbed in the ice. She secured the small slice and gave it a squeeze, sending a stream of juice into her drink before dropping it onto the floating cubes once more.
“Mmm,” she mumbled, quickly licking her finger and thumb. She seemed to remember herself then, her face blushing as she wiped her hand on her pants.
Trey caught himself grinning at the sight.
“Have you ever thought about the word wonderful?” she asked. “If you think about it, it’s different from say, beautiful. When someone says something’s beautiful, we know it’s full of beauty. But when we hear the word wonderful, do we realize it means full of wonder? I just love that. Of course, it’s not really used in that way anymore, but th
at’s how it came about.”
“That’s cool,” Trey said, musing that the word fit her in the moment. “I never thought about that before.” He recalled some of the things he’d learned about Ann through Cassie. “So you work in editing for a newspaper, is that right?”
“That’s right. I’ve had a few articles published, too.”
He’d barely heard her over the blasting music. He leaned closer. “So you write as well?”
“A little,” she said a bit louder than before. “In fact, well…” She stirred at her drink with her straw, took a long sip through it. Was the color in her cheeks deepening, or was it just in his head?
Trey ran a thumb along an icy side of his beer mug, cutting through the moisture. “What were you going to say?” he asked before taking a swig.
Ann shrugged, looping a finger through one of the hoop earrings she wore. “There’s just this job opportunity I’m working toward –”
A loud burst of cheers sounded over the last few words, and Trey glanced over his shoulder. A guy standing in front of the Win a Kiss game held a triumphant arm in the air, receiving one high-five after the next. Trey spotted a gold ring looped around a bottleneck in the pack. The winning man hooked an arm around the lady by his side, ready to claim his reward. Bored of the familiar scene, Trey turned his attention back to Ann only to find her eyes set on the couple.
It seemed as if she held her breath while observing the sight. “What is that over there? Some sort of game?”
“Yeah. Toss a ring around the neck of a bottle, win a kiss, blah, blah, blah.” He’d added that last part for her benefit; he didn’t want her to think he planned to steal a kiss from her with the cheap ploy.
But what was this? Ann’s gaze was still fixed on the spectacle. And there seemed to be a spark of interest in her expression.
“There’s Zoe and Randy,” she said with a laugh. “Looks like they’re going to play.”
How to Catch a Cowboy in 10 Days Page 3
