The Rancher and The Event Planner (A Salvation Texas Novel)

by Cheryl Gorman

  ***

  A few minutes later, Rafe pulled into the parking lot of The Roundup, his truck jouncing over the dirt lot scarred with ruts and pot holes, now filled with water from the afternoon shower. Thank goodness the shower hadn’t lasted long, otherwise a slimy bog of mud would be surrounding the large wooden building boasting a neon cowgirl on a horse with a rope around the neck of a single flashing steer.

  A few stars were winking out in the transparent dark blue sky when they climbed from the truck. She inhaled deeply and the hot sage scented air filled her head, bringing with it Rafe’s scent of hay, horse and man, a deadly combination for any woman. A country song urging JC to shuffle her feet and swing her hips to the get-up-and-dance beat, pumped through the walls of the bar as they stepped inside.

  A huge mahogany bar ran the length of the back wall with a dance floor filling a sizable space to the right. Couples crowded around two pool tables tucked into a back corner and light fixtures fashioned after old, tin lanterns hung from the ceiling, and cast golden light about the place. A variety of men and women sat around the bar and even a few young women with toddlers on their hip, swayed in their husbands’ arms on the dance floor.

  “Hey, Rafe.”

  JC turned to see a woman with gray hair still scattered with a little light brown woven into a long braid lying over her right shoulder. A pretty blonde stood beside the woman holding a tray of empty beer bottles.

  Rafe gave the woman a kiss on the cheek. “Jennifer, this is Payton Parnell, she owns the place,” he said with a gesture.

  Ms. Parnell grinned and lines splayed around her bottle green eyes. “Welcome to Salvation. So you’re the lady who’s going to help Rafe pretty things up.”

  “That’s right.”

  “I’m sure you and Rafe will do a great job.”

  Ms. Parnell introduced the blonde as her daughter, Maddie. The young woman with her blonde hair twisted up and fastened with a clip at the back of her head, turned sparkling blue eyes on JC. “You must be Jennifer Barrett—sorry JC.”

  “The town hasn’t changed. Everybody and their dog still knows everything that goes on around here.”

  Maddie chuckled. “News sparks faster around here than summer lightening.”

  “Nice to meet you, Maddie.”

  She cocked her head slightly to the side. “Got a table for you two by the dance floor. What can I get you this evening?”

  Maddie took their drink orders and disappeared into the crowd along with her mother. After a few minutes, Rafe was drawn into conversation with some friends and she decided to head for the table Maddie had arranged for them, but half way there a cowboy stepped in her path and asked her to dance.

  After twirling around the dance floor with the cowboy through a couple of songs, JC caught sight of Rafe sitting at their table sipping a beer. The cowboy tipped his hat after the second dance and even pulled out the chair for her at the table. He gave Rafe a quick nod then headed for the bar.

  Rafe took another sip of beer and said, “Better watch out for him. He’s a real hound dog when it comes to women.”

  JC shrugged. “It was only a dance. Besides, I’m here to work off my community service, not date.”

  “Hey, everybody! Welcome to the Roundup’s Love em’ or Leave em’ Night,” Payton exclaimed into the microphone from the center of the stage behind the dance floor.

  The crowd clapped and whistled and JC joined in.

  “For those new to the Roundup, I met my no good husband here some thirty odd years ago as a single woman passing through on my way to Austin. I took one look at his handsome face and fell like a sack of rocks. Next thing I knew I was hitched with a baby on the way who turned out to be my wonderful daughter, Maddie.” She lifted a hand and said, “Take a bow, sweetheart.”

  Maddie nodded as she held a tray of fresh drinks in one hand.

  “Right before she was born, my husband put pedal to the metal and hasn’t been seen since. I scrounged what money I had, bought the Roundup and the rest as they say is history. Love em’ or Leave em’ Night is about celebrating all the men and women who have had their heart stomped flat as a cow pie and left in the dirt. It’s also about celebrating the men and women who have had the courage to try again, take hold of their soul mate’s hand and never look back. Tonight, I invite those single folks here whose hearts are aching with loneliness, to take a least one turn around this dance floor, and let the magic take hold. After everybody dances, we’re going to ask this question. Should their dance partner love em’ or leave em’? All the participants get a free drink, and a heaping plate of the Roundup’s Fry Your Taste Buds nachos. But according to tradition, I get to pick the first couple.” Her gaze zeroed in on JC and Rafe.

  “Rafe, you and JC start us off tonight.” She stepped away as applause rose from the crowded bar.

  Standing, Rafe held out his hand and JC grasped his fingers. Tingling danced over her palm, continued down her arm and into her stomach. Instead of a rocking dance-your-heart-out tune, a slow, easy song dripping with love and longing filled the air. JC found herself enfolded in Rafe’s strong arms with his body heat surrounding her in a safe cocoon and his soulful blue eyes staring into hers. Being in his arms was a dream, a fantasy she’d imagined time and time again while growing up and thought she would never experience. She knew this was no more real than fairy dust, an illusion that would fade into nothing as soon as the dance ended, but she couldn’t resist reveling in the moment while it lasted.

  “Stop worrying. I don’t bite,” Rafe murmured. One corner of his mouth lifted. “At least not on the first dance.”

  Chapter Four

  Why did he say that?

  But he sure would like a nibble or two. Jennifer’s delicate scent of wildflowers reached out, tickled his skin and muddled his brain. The music flowed lazily around them and he pulled her in closer, he couldn’t help himself. Her lips curved in a slight smile, her golden gaze glanced at his then away and back again. “So, do you bite all the women you dance with?”

  “Only the cute ones.”

  She laughed. The sound made his heart shake. Couples crowded them and Jennifer moved in closer, one breast brushed against his hand, her stomach lightly touched his and arrows of sensual heat shot straight to his groin. She looked up at him and she was so close her breath blew over his lips making him want to take a long, slow taste. “Am I one of the cute ones?”

  He swallowed. Hard. Oh, sweet Jesus. He shifted to try to dim the sensations but the desire to kiss her only grew stronger. She was the first woman he’d had any interest in getting up close and personal with in a long time and he had an undeniable hankering to feel her lips under his. “Are you flirting with me?”

  “I think I am, yeah. Is that a problem?”

  Damn straight it was a problem. She was Cade’s little sister and he’d known her since she was a kid, but he couldn’t yank on the reins and bring his lust to a hoof grinding halt. Need moved restlessly through him like a horse being cooped up too long and desperate for a good gallop. He shook his head, his gaze still on hers, longing glittering in her eyes. He wanted to answer that longing more than he’d wanted anything in forever. “Not if you’re okay with paying the consequences.”

  “Good consequences or bad?”

  “Let’s find out.” The music swelled around them but he hardly noticed. Suddenly his hands were holding her face, her mouth a fraction of an inch away from his, her gaze filled with anticipation. He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers. Her lips were soft, full and giving. Oh, how they gave. He heard her sigh and felt her relax into him, her hands and arms moving upward over his back. He’d only meant for the kiss to be a gentle sampling, a brief taste just to take the edge off his lust, but when her lips parted inviting him in, he couldn’t fight the temptation.

  She tasted like strawberries still warm from the sun. He forgot for a moment where they were, in the middle of a dance floor surrounded by people and gave himself over to the kiss. The heady s
ensation of holding and kissing Jennifer nearly overwhelmed him. He swept his tongue over hers while electricity sparked between them. He drank the sweet flavor of her kiss and let it seep into his bones.

  A distant hum started up in his brain then sprinted closer until the raucous sound of hoots and hollers filled the air shattering his blissful retreat from reality. He pulled from her arms and they stared at each other for half a second before glancing around them. His heart hammered so fast he was certain everyone in the bar could hear it knocking against his ribs. A blush grew over Jennifer’s cheeks and he felt embarrassment prickle his skin. He grabbed Jennifer’s hand and led her back to their table. What he thinking? How could he kiss his best friend’s little sister in front of everyone as if his life depended on it? When Cade found out, he was a dead man.

  He picked up his beer and took a sip unable to meet Jennifer’s eyes. The band took a break and he forced himself to look at her. Her eyes were fixed on him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It’s just that I haven’t—what I mean is that it’s been a long time since I’ve—”

  She laid a hand over his. “Rafe, it’s okay. It was just a kiss between old friends, nothing more.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “I’ll be right back.”

  ***

  JC slipped out the back door of the Roundup and leaned against one of the adobe walls still radiant from the day’s heat. She closed her eyes, letting the heat sink into her skin and lifted her fingers to her still burning lips. She’d kissed Rafe, she’d actually kissed him. Or he’d kissed her. Well, they’d kissed each other. She’d often wondered what it would be like and the reality had far surpassed her fantasies. She opened her eyes and stared at the wide Texas sky crammed with a billion stars. And then he’d started making all sorts of excuses about why he’d kissed her. He regretted the kiss. Of course he did. Why wouldn’t he?

  A gibbous moon made for romance had risen and sat just over the horizon. The moon seemed to be mocking her. There had never been anything even remotely romantic between them growing up and then suddenly she’s back in town and in less than twenty-four hours she was living in his house and they were sharing a kiss. Stupid, JC, stupid. She had to end this thing between them whatever it was before it went any further because if she didn’t she’d end up getting her heart stomped into something unrecognizable and then where would she be.

  Romantic happiness didn’t exist, she knew that but she’d had a taste of it in those few moments she’d been in Rafe’s arms, his mouth on hers. She’d experienced it and inside she knew she’d never be able to wipe it from her memory. But his reaction was exactly as it should have been. There was nothing between them and there never would be. It was just one moment out of time encouraged by the music and the low lighting and two old friends reconnecting. Nothing more. And the sooner she accepted that, the better off she’d be. Besides she could never be the kind of woman that Rafe McCord would want. She straightened from the wall and headed back inside.

  ***

  Rafe watched Jennifer disappear into the crowd. He’d seen the glimmer of hurt in her eyes when he started making all those lame excuses. And they were lame. Who was he kidding? He’d enjoyed every minute of having her in his arms and he’d do it again given half the chance. But he couldn’t. He had to keep things in perspective or her brother would hang his nuts from the nearest flag pole and he’d deserve it. Cade had watched him turn his marriage into a hopeless mess. He took a sip of beer and slumped back in his chair. And of all people, why Jennifer Barrett? He already knew the answer before he asked the question. Because she was genuine and strong, a woman who didn’t know the meaning of the word whine and could stand on her own.

  “Glad you changed your mind.”

  Shit.

  Rona rested her hand along the back of his chair and touched his neck with one finger. He shifted away from her touch and turned. She was an attractive woman in her own right but did nothing for Rafe. “Hi, Rona.”

  “Mind if I sit down?” she asked as she plopped into Jennifer’s chair before he could object. “Just got here. Band must be taking a break. Are they any good?” She stopped a passing waitress and asked for a glass of white wine.

  “Yeah, they aren’t bad but—”

  “Great. Hope you saved a dance for me. I’m just itchin’ to try out these new snake skin heels.”

  Rafe glanced over Rona’s shoulder and saw Jennifer walking toward them. She was beautiful and natural, such a contrast to bright and shiny Rona. Her jeans hugged her figure and her lavender shirt enhanced her skin tone and bust line without drawing undue attention. Jennifer smirked when she saw Rona in her seat. He smiled at her and Rona turned just as Jennifer stepped up to the table. “Hi, Rona. Sorry, but you’re in my seat.”

  “Didn’t realize you two were together.”

  “We aren’t,” Rafe and Jennifer said the words at the same time.

  “Oh, they’re together all right,” the waitress said as she placed Rona’s glass of wine in front of her. “Should’ve seen them earlier. Couldn’t have gotten a blade of buffalo grass between ‘em.” She tossed Rafe and Jennifer a smile before walking away.

  Rona pressed her mouth into a thin-lipped smile, stood and shouldered her purse. “Hate to rush off but see some friends I need to speak to.” She wiggled her fingers in a wave. “Bye.” In a moment, she was gone.

  Jennifer laughed and Rafe joined in. Something eased inside him. Thank God, they were back on friends-only ground again which is exactly where they should be.

  “It’s been a long day,” Jennifer said. “Would you mind if we called it a night?”

  ***

  Rafe’d been up since five after a long night of tossing and turning like a horse fighting colic. Girlish laughter caught his attention as he headed in the back door. And not just any laughter, JC’s laughter. His pulse ratcheted up a notch. He couldn’t get the thought of Jennifer sleeping across the hall out of his mind. Just a few measly feet. Did she wear silk or cotton to bed? Was it long or short? Did it cover her from head to foot or just the important parts? Or did she sleep au naturale?

  Damn it, he had to stop thinking about her that way. If he didn’t, he was going to get his ass royally stomped by Cade. He had to rein it in because Cade was real savvy when it came to people. He could read a person no matter how many walls they threw up. He was hoping a couple of hours of hard work before breakfast would help him stop feeling so churned up over Jennifer and he thought it had until he’d set foot in the house and heard her laughing along with Molly. So what if he’d kissed her last night? It was just a kiss and like she said, they were old friends, nothing more. Besides he wasn’t interested in women, any woman, particularly not his best friend’s sister. He was a grown man not some infantile teenager with no sense.

  Stepping inside the cool interior of the kitchen, he smiled at Molly who had just forked in another mouthful of pancakes. His daughter said hi around a mouthful of food.

  He shook his head. “Keep your mouth closed when you’re eating.”

  Rafe glanced over at the stove where Jennifer stood with an apron around her waist and a spatula in one hand. Jeans hugged her hips and thighs, a blue shirt molded to her upper body like a pair of new boots. A rope of pure male appreciation coiled inside him.

  She turned her head and smiled at him over her shoulder. “Good morning. I made breakfast.” She nodded toward the coffee maker. “Coffee’s hot. Help yourself.”

  He laid his hat on the table. “Thanks.” He poured himself a cup and leaned against the counter. “You didn’t have to make breakfast.”

  She looked at him, gave him a saucy half-smile that affected his blood pressure. “No worries. I enjoy cooking. Besides, I need to earn my keep while I’m here.”

  He took a sip. “This is damn good coffee. Even better than Linc’s but don’t tell him that.” He looked at the clock then over at Molly. “Better hurry up, Chickapen. Almost time for us to leave for school and you still need to brush your teet
h.” Thank goodness. That would give him some time away from Jennifer so he could get his bearings and shake off these foolish feelings toward her.

  Molly got up from the table. Rafe gave her a playful swat as she passed.

  “Oh, Daddy,” Molly giggled and disappeared through the door.

  “Linc’s driving her in,” Jennifer said. “He’s got an early hearing.”

  Damnation. Did his brother really have to be in early or was it a ruse to get him and Jennifer alone together? He was going to pay Linc back if it was the last thing he ever did.

  Jennifer finished up the pancakes and set the platter on the table along with some bacon and eggs. “Have a seat and start eating while the food’s still hot.”

  In a moment, she joined him at the table. A punch of awareness hit him solidly in the gut. Jennifer in all her goddess glory, seemed to bask in the ray of sunshine beaming in through the wide windows, turning her hair to gold and highlighting her damn-I’m-pretty creamy complexion.

  She appeared bright-eyed and rested. At least one of them slept last night. She took a sip of coffee, sweeping the tip of her tongue over a tiny drop remaining on her lower lip. His heart jolted in his chest, before settling back to its normal rhythm. “I need to leave in a bit for the meeting I missed yesterday in Dallas, but my car is in the shop. Do you have a vehicle I could borrow?”

  She blotted her lips with a napkin and the memory of holding her in his arms and kissing her last night came back in every mind-blowing detail. Every sigh, every flick of her tongue, the pillow softness of her lips and her taste of pure strawberry, a taste he needed to experience again. Right here. Right now. His blood turned to a syrupy glide through his veins.

  There was only one thing to do.

  Before he could stop himself he cupped his hand around her neck. Her eyes widened slightly and her lips parted. He zeroed in on her mouth, leaned over and laid his mouth over hers.

  ***

  The last thing JC expected was for Rafe to kiss her again. Especially after last night. She thought he had regretted their kiss but maybe he hadn’t if the pressure of his lips was any indication. She kissed him back unable to resist the feel of his firm, masculine mouth, the sweep of his tongue. He drew her into his arms and she didn’t hesitate. He was a fantasy, a flesh and blood living dream but right now the dream had her in his arms and she wanted to stay there. Forever.