Lady Luck's Cowboy: A Contemporary Western Romance

by Gina Cole

  I’d like that.

  I will try my best to slow down and not scare you away

  LOL – thanks

  Seriously. Dinner tomorrow?

  I’d like that. See you then.

  Goodnight – I’m glad you texted.

  Me, too.

  Charlie felt like there was a weight lifted off of her shoulders and felt herself smiling for the first time in weeks. She felt lighthearted and excited that she had plans with Jack tomorrow night. After texting Beth, she rolled over and went to sleep.

  14

  Charlie closed up the garage early in order to get ready for her date with Jack. She’d taken the time to curl her hair and paint her nails before dressing. She wore something frilly and feminine today that she hoped would be eye-catching to him. She loved the way it was fitted down to the hips and then flowed outwards into a loose skirt.

  There was no way she was going to pretend like this wasn’t important to her. It was. She’d been so unhappy without any contact from him. It was humbling to feel herself wanting to reach out and talk to him. It had also been torture knowing that if she did, it would open up that door between them. She had to be ready and seeing him pull up in his truck, she knew that she was.

  He looked breathtaking.

  Her heart hammered in her chest. While she’d done her best to dress up, apparently, he had as well. His hair looked to be still a little wet from a shower and he was dressed in a starched dress shirt and slacks, instead of his jeans and a button up shirt.

  “Hi,” she said softly, smiling.

  “Hey there yourself,” he grinned. “You look wonderful.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  “Great minds think alike.”

  “Something like that,” she admitted, laughing.

  “I’ve missed your smile, Charlie. I’m glad we are doing this,” he murmured, holding out his arm politely. “Shall we go?”

  She placed her hand on his arm, feeling quite ladylike and followed him as he walked her to the passenger side of the truck. Opening the door, she saw a dozen roses laying on the seat. Turning, she looked up at him in surprise, touched by the gesture. She’d never received flowers before.

  “Those are beautiful, are they for me?”

  “They aren’t for me, sweetheart,” he teased, looking happy at her reaction. “I thought I’d bring my lady some flowers for our date.”

  “I should go put them in water.”

  “If you want, or you can just enjoy them and put them in water later. I think there are containers at the bottom of the stems so they don’t dry out.”

  Smiling, Charlie opted to get in the truck instead and held the flowers as he got in on the other side. Taking a deep breath of the fragrance, she sighed happily. “They are really lovely.”

  “Almost as pretty as you are right now. The color reminded me of you.”

  “Thank you.” It felt so strange to be formal with him, especially when she’d seen him naked and they’d shared a night of bliss together. But bless his heart, he was trying to make this feel like a date and not rush things. He was trying for her, and she was touched.

  They spent a lovely evening, laughing and talking over dinner. She really liked his company and was moved that he asked politely to hold her hand across the table. It was tender, sweet moments like this that made her toes curl in happiness. After dinner, they walked hand in hand for some time, neither one ready for the night to be over. Finally, they headed back to the truck and rode back to her house quietly. She was lost in thought, wondering if she should invite him in. He looked to be concerned as well and focused on the road.

  Jack put the truck into park and went around to open her door. Holding out his hand, he helped her out of the truck, bringing her close to him. She could smell his aftershave. She very nearly moaned aloud at the thought of kissing him and the pleasure it would bring them both.

  “Do you want to come in?” she asked softly, looking up at him.

  “I think maybe another night, perhaps.”

  They looked at each other longingly for what seemed like forever. She could tell by the look in his eyes that it took everything he had not to accept her offer. He was doing this for her, giving her the space that she’d asked for.

  “I had a wonderful time tonight,” she admitted, nodding in response to him.

  “I did, too.” Several more minutes ticked by as they stood there in the light of the motion detector by the door. She didn’t want to step away because she knew that if she did, he would leave. And she found that she didn’t want him to.

  “Jack?”

  “Yes, sweetheart?”

  “Kiss me goodnight?” she asked softly, laying her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart thrumming underneath her fingertips. His body jumped at the simple, innocent touch like it had been starved for it.

  “I don’t think that is a good idea,” he responded, stepping away. His eyes were hot with need at the memory of them together. It was written all over his face that he was struggling with having to say no to her. “I want to so much right now. Another night, another time.”

  “Can we do this again soon?”

  “Hell yes. Is tomorrow too much?”

  “No, it sounds perfect.”

  “I will see you at eight then.”

  “I’d like that,” she answered with a sad smile. “Tonight was wonderful and I really appreciate it.”

  “I’m glad.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles politely. She was glad she’d taken the time to scrub her hands thoroughly with Lava soap until they were sore. At least they were soft and squeaky clean with no signs of her job. He turned to walk back to his side of the truck and stopped, quickly jogging back over to where she stood.

  “I almost forgot.” Jack fished out his wallet from his pants sheepishly. “You never said a word or mentioned the money I owed you for the repairs on my truck. I can’t believe I haven’t paid for the water pump yet.” He handed her a wad of bills and pressed it into her hand. “You should have said something. I have felt like such a heel the last few weeks.”

  “Thank you for this,” she said, blushing furiously at the flood of memories that night brought. She accepted the money thinking of how she’d cursed herself over and over again for not collecting it.

  “Of course!”

  “This wasn’t why you asked me out, was it?”

  “Charlie, I asked you out because I missed you. I was so glad you’d texted me.”

  “Same here, just making sure,” she amended. “I’ve got an active imagination and some serious self-confidence issues.”

  “Don’t analyze it or think yourself to death looking for a reason. Baby, I asked you out because I have wanted to see you the last few weeks. I’ve been scared shitless that I screwed up things beyond the point of repair with you.”

  “No, nothing is beyond the point of repair,” she promised. “I fix things for a living, remember? It’s all about how much you want it.”

  “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you then. Goodnight, Jack.”

  He raised a hand and waved as he got in the truck. She heard the engine roar to life as he put the truck in gear and slowly drove away.

  15

  Charlie discovered that, every night, Jack found some reason or another to meet up with her. They’d been to dinner, a movie, shopping and played mini golf. It was one thing or another, but they were together. She really enjoyed his company and caught him a few times leaning towards her to kiss her but then yanking his head back at the last moment. He was trying so hard to keep things slow between them.

  Tonight would be no different. They were supposed to meet up at about seven. She’d invited Jack over to watch tv and hang out. He suggested going out instead and when she’d asked him where he wanted to go, that is when she realized that he was afraid to be alone with her. The man was scared he’d ruin things with her again.

  “Charlie?”

  She jerked up,
slamming her head into the low hood on her Camaro at the sudden voice nearby. Buddy had pulled up and she’d never even heard the truck outside.

  “Owwww!” she grimaced, rubbing the crown of her head. “Hey, Buddy, how are you doing?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m pretty hard headed. I’ll be fine,” she said with a smile. “What brings you by?”

  “I wanted to apologize.”

  “Stop. There’s nothing to apologize for.”

  “I felt like I pushed you and made an ass out of myself. If you’ve got a guy and you are happy, well, I hope he makes you happy. And if you don’t, then I’d like to try to be that guy for you.” He stood there holding his baseball cap in his hands, curling the bill nervously. She’d known him for years and he really was a nice guy. But he did nothing for her.

  “I’m glad you came by,” she started softly, seeing his face light up. She hated to dash his hopes, but it wasn’t fair to lead him on. She should have told him long ago that she wasn’t interested in him like that. “We’ve known each other for a long time and been friends forever. I would hate to lose that friendship, but that is what it is for me. I’m sorry, Buddy.”

  “I kinda always knew but had to tell you how I felt.”

  “I understand completely.”

  “Still friends?”

  “Always,” she said firmly with a wide smile. “Now, what brings you by? I don’t see a victim on the hook of your truck,” she teased.

  “Nawww,” he drawled with a smile. “No victim today but I do have something for you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, I picked up a side hobby and deliver boxes for a wheel shop up the road. You know Jimmy’s?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well if he’s got stuff in town, then I run it up the road. Nice gig, he pays pretty good and covers my fuel. If I get a call or see a car, I can tow them, too.”

  “What are you delivering? I don’t understand.” Jimmy’s was a fancy shop up the street that she’d avoided like the plague. It was high line expensive car parts that were completely out of her budget.

  “Nope, gotta sign the invoice first. I’ll get the boxes.” It was unusual for Buddy to be grinning like a crazy man, but there it was. And the grin was complete with bits of chewing tobacco in his teeth again. Charlie sighed and accepted the clipboard. Glancing down, she saw it was a faded invoice and Jimmy’s printer was in obvious need of toner. She could barely make out what it said. Holding it up to the light, she saw parts numbers and that the balance due was zero. Shrugging, she scribbled her name at the bottom with a flourish. This would probably be the only time she ever signed for anything from him.

  Buddy walked in with a large box hanging from each hand. She stared wide eyed at him as he set them down and returned quickly with two more large boxes. She recognized the shape of the boxes.

  “No way,” she breathed aloud and then began to screech excitedly. “No WAY! NO WAY! NO WAAAAAY!” Charlie raced over and flung herself at one of the boxes, yanking desperately at the top that was held firmly shut with massive staples. “Is this what I think it is? Buddy, you shouldn’t have! Tell me you didn’t do this!”

  “I didn’t, Charlie.”

  “Then who did? Gimme that crowbar please,” she said absently, trying to wedge a screwdriver under the staple to free the lid of the box. “Is this what I think it is?”

  “They sure are, sweetheart.”

  Charlie glanced up at Jack’s voice. She saw him leaning against the cinderblock wall that separated the two garage doors of her shop. Her heart exploded with affection at the lazy smile and soft possessive look he gave her.

  “Jack? This is Buddy. Buddy, meet Jack Seguin.”

  “We met over a Jimmy’s,” he admitted. “Buddy was there waiting for his next delivery. We got to talking about you and said he wanted to be there to see your face when you opened the boxes. Do you need some help?”

  “Yes! Please!” she cried out, trying to peer in the hole that served as the handle. “Did you get me rims for Bitchens?”

  “Would you be disappointed if I said no?”

  “Very much so.”

  “And if I said yes?” he asked with a wide smile, winking at Buddy who stood nearby laughing at her dancing around the boxes excitedly. He slid the crowbar up under the edge of the box to pop the reinforced lid open.

  “I’d be thrilled,” she said happily, clapping her hands together as she knelt again once the staples popped free of the thick cardboard.

  “And what if they were some sleek and sexy custom rims for your car? Would you be happy?” Jack leaned down and whispered in her ear, for her alone. She stopped and stood up, looking him directly in the face.

  “Custom?”

  “Custom, sweetheart.” He smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear tenderly. “No one else will have shoes like Bitchens. My pretty girl will always get the very best.”

  “I’d be more than thrilled.”

  “I’m glad. Now open your presents.”

  Charlie opened the lid of the box and groaned as the rim was wrapped in Styrofoam and bound with packing tape. Reaching in, she pulled the rim free and began to peel back the foam padding that protected it. As she did, it revealed a wicked black pattern with chrome valve stems. This must have cost him a fortune! She’d priced out rims before and that was why she’d opted for the steelies, due to price.

  “This is too much,” she breathed and very nearly dropped the rim in shock.

  “Buddy?” She heard Jack call out to the other man in a friendly tone, his eyes locked with Charlie’s. “You’ve known her longer than I have. Do you think she likes them?”

  “I think you know the answer to that one. Enjoy your car, Charlie. I’ll see you later.” Laughing, Buddy shook his head and left the building. Alone now, she set the rim on the box carefully.

  “They are too much. You have to take them back.”

  “Do you like them?”

  “I’d be stupid not to!”

  “Then that is all that matters,” he said with finality and carefully popped open another box to reveal another black wheel.

  “That isn’t all that matters. They are too expensive.”

  “Would you agree that we have a strange relationship?”

  “I don’t know if I’d call it strange,” she said, trying to keep the insult out of her voice. “But it certainly is different.”

  “We’ve ignored the rules, made our own way and I’m quite happy about it. Are you?”

  “Yes. But what does that have to do with the rims?”

  “Well, if we were any other couple and the guy admitted that he loved the girl, what happens?” Charlie swallowed hard at his question and the tender look on his face.

  “You don’t have to answer, but we both know what happens. When a man loves a woman, he tends to show it by showing her how special she is to him. Sometimes, it’s a promise ring or an engagement ring. We are different, and I wanted to show you how special you are to me.”

  “You didn’t have to buy me rims for my car.”

  “No, but you are truly special to me and I can’t help but love you. Please don’t be scared of that,” he said quickly, his smile falling.

  “I’m not. Well, a little bit. But I am getting used to the idea of us being together.”

  “Thank goodness,” he breathed, smiling again at her. “You like them?”

  “I love them.”

  “And I lov-” Jack stopped and ran his fingers through his hair. “This is really hard sometimes, but I’m trying to take it slow. I swear it.”

  “I know you are, simply for my sake. Say it, Jack,” she breathed tenderly and walked up to where he was standing. Her hand cupped his face and she marveled at the way he swallowed nervously, his eyes tortured with want. “Tell me you love me.”

  “Charlotte English, I love you more than you’ll ever know,” he whispered, looking at her intently. “You make me nervous, scared, excited and happy all at once.”


  “I think, perhaps, you’d better kiss me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive, because once we are done kissing, I’m putting these bad boys on my car and we are going for a helluva ride tonight.”

  16

  Charlotte leaned forward and softly pressed her lips against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and easily stepped into his embrace. They just fit. It was as if there had been a mold for the two of them. Her body was soft where his was hard. Where she had curves, his body was lean and taut.

  “Put your hands on me,” she said and was shocked to have him suddenly rear back away from her. His hands grasped her arms, pulling them from his neck. She marveled that this strong man was trembling as he held her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, everything,” he admitted.

  “You know how I feel about you and I think you might feel the same way. Hear me out,” he quickly interrupted just as her mouth opened to speak, effectively silencing her. “I understand being nervous or shy. I do.”

  “But?”

  “But there is a limit to how much you can push before I push back. Either we are a couple or we aren’t. I can’t live with in between. I want you in my life. You wanted a helluva ride? I do, too, if you get my meaning.”

  “I…” she began and hesitated. Beth had told her to make up her mind and she’d made the first move towards them meeting. He’d been utterly kind and polite to her, but she’d noticed the outline against his pants and the way his body reacted to just a kiss. He would be wanting, needing, demanding so much more from her. Why was she so nervous?

  “Look, you don’t have to make a decision now. In fact, I want you to think where you see us months from now. A year from now. I want the whole package from you.” His voice never seemed firmer…more sure of himself.

  “I have another performance on Friday that I had already committed to. Please come. See my world. What I do behind the scenes and what happens before we go out in the arena. Bring Beth if you want. I’m thinking of hanging up my spurs in a year or two. But before I am done, I’d like to share it with you.”