by Helen Lacey
He laughed again and realized he’d done quite a lot of that since she’d arrived. “So, Valene, tell me about yourself.”
She didn’t break their gaze. “I’m twenty-four. Single, obviously. I work for my family’s real estate business. My parents are wonderful and still happily in love after thirtysomething years of marriage. I’m the youngest of six children and am considered to be somewhat spoiled. I have my own condo in the city and a fiercely protective bulldog. I’m allergic to passion fruit and I love chocolate. You?”
Jake drank some coffee and looked at her. “I’m thirty-two. Single, obviously,” he said, echoing her words. “I work on a ranch near Fulshear, outside Houston. My father died over a decade ago, and my mom still grieves him every day. I have a younger sister named Cassidy who is considered somewhat spoiled. I have a very unprotective collie mix called Sheba who tries to sleep on the end of my bed every night. I’m not allergic to anything I know of and I can take or leave chocolate.”
It was a vague introduction, since he wasn’t about to start saying too much about himself to a stranger. But she seemed nice enough, and what harm could a little flirtation do?
“It’s nice to meet you, Jake,” she said, still smiling.
“Likewise, Valene.”
“Do you like being a cowboy?” she asked.
“It has its up and downs,” he said, mimicking her earlier words as he smiled. “It’s physically hard work, but rewarding. It’s all I’ve done since I left college.”
“Where did you graduate?” She sipped her latte and looked at him over the rim of her mug. “The University of Houston?”
“No.”
“Rice University?”
“I dropped out before the second semester.”
Jake waited for her expression to change, for disappointment or censure to show on her pretty face. But to her credit, she didn’t appear fazed by what he’d described as his meager education. Or his occupation.
“Oh, I see,” she said and continued to sip her coffee. “And you said you’ve been working on the ranch ever since?”
Jake nodded. “We moved from San Antonio to the ranch when I was twelve. My father worked there for a long time.”
“And when he died you took over his job?” she asked.
Jake shrugged. “Someone had to fill his boots. So, Valene, why are you single?” he asked, abruptly changing the subject.
“I’m high maintenance,” she said and grinned. “Scared?”
“Not at all,” he replied, watching the way her mouth curled at the edges and thinking how sexy it was. It had been a long time since he’d been attracted to someone. But she was funny and flirtatious, and he was discovering that he enjoyed her company. “But I’m not sure I believe you.”
She shrugged. “I work long hours, and that doesn’t leave me a lot of time for socializing. But lately...”
Her words trailed off and he raised both brows questioningly. “Lately?”
“Both my sisters and one of my brothers have recently gotten married, and another brother got engaged,” she explained and sighed. “I feel left out, I guess, as if romance and love have passed me by.”
“And is that what you want?” he queried. “Romance and love?”
She shrugged again. “Doesn’t everyone?” She turned back and then made a face. “To be honest, I’d settle for someone to share a pizza, watch a movie and snuggle with.”
Jake smiled, trying to recall the last time he’d snuggled with anyone. His ex-wife, Patrice, hadn’t exactly been the snuggling type. But Valene Fortunado, with her lovely hair, soft brown eyes and subtle curves, made him think that it was time he got back to really living and reconnecting with the world.
“What kind of movies do you like?” he asked and finished his coffee.
She chuckled. “Ah...actually, I like a little zombie action.”
Jake laughed. “No chick flicks?”
She shook her head. “Not really. Just zombies and fright-night kinds of films.”
Jake winced. “Then I guess we’re not going to do that pizza and a movie thing,” he said, smiling as he shrugged. “Pity.”
Her lips curled. “You don’t like scary movies?”
“I don’t like clowns,” he admitted. “And one always seems to turn up in that kind of movie.”
She laughed again, so softly, so delightfully, that Jake’s belly rolled over.
“You’re scared of clowns?”
“Not scared,” he corrected quickly. “I just don’t like them all that much.”
“Tough guy like you,” she shot back, still chuckling. “In the movies, cowboys aren’t afraid of anything.”
“I’m not afraid,” he reiterated, enjoying her teasing. “Just...cautious. It’s those big feet and red noses...they’re kinda freaky.”
She laughed again. “Well, if we ever go on a date to a carnival or circus, I promise to protect you from the clowns terrorizing the midway.”
Jake stared at her, relaxed back in the booth seat and spoke. “Would you like to?”
Her head tilted fractionally. “Would I like to what?”
“Go on a date?”
* * *
Valene’s heart was beating like a jackhammer. Jake Brockton was utterly gorgeous. His eyes were clear blue, his face perfectly angled and proportioned, his blond hair the kind that begged for fingers to thread through it. And the rest of him was to-die-for hot. His shoulders were broad, his arms well muscled, and she was certain the rest of him would hold up to her and every other woman on the planet’s scrutiny. She couldn’t recall ever seeing a man fill out a chambray shirt the way he did. And he had nice hands—strong looking, with long blunt fingers, neat nails and a few calluses that signified hard work. Yes, Jake Brockton was about as masculine and attractive a man as she’d ever met.
Plus, he seemed to like her.
Unfortunately, the good-looking cowboy didn’t tick any of her boxes.
No career. No college education. And probably no money. She couldn’t be certain, but surely ranch hands weren’t paid extravagant salaries. She was disappointed through to her core.
But what harm could a single date do?
It wasn’t a marriage proposal. Or a lifelong commitment. And she didn’t have anyone else knocking on her door asking for her time and attention. She thought about it, looking at his handsome face again. And decided she’d live a little.
“Sure,” she said as casually as she could manage. “Why not.”
“Friday night?”
She nodded. “Where?”
He named a small Italian restaurant a few streets away. “Shall I pick you up?”
“I’ll meet you there,” she replied. “Um...that’s a popular place. I’m not sure we could get a reservation this late. Perhaps somewhere else would be easier.”
He looked amused by her caution. “I’ll text you a time once I make a reservation.”
She wasn’t convinced he’d get a table, but she agreed. “Ah...great.”
“Would you like more coffee?”
She smiled a little. The man certainly wasn’t short on manners, and she realized he was an intriguing mix of rough and smooth. There was no denying his earthy roots. His clothes were clean and tidy, but the closer she looked, the more she noticed how the shirt was frayed a little around the cuffs, and how the Stetson sitting on the seat beside him was clearly well used. And despite the air of civility oozing from him, there was nothing urban about Jake Brockton. He was country through and through. Not what she wanted. Not anything like what she wanted. Except...his blue eyes were unbelievably mesmerizing. And his clean-shaven jaw made her fingertips itch with the urge to trace a pattern along his cheek and chin.
Awareness and attraction mingled through her blood and she managed a tight smile, conscious that he was watching her intently. She tried to reca
ll the last time she’d been as interested in a man, and the lingering memory of her first real boyfriend flittered along the edges of her mind. But Diego hadn’t hung around. And it turned out he was only ambitious and interested in her family’s money and connections rather than her. He wanted a career in real estate and thought she was his meal ticket, and he showed little shame in making it clear he deserved it after putting up with being her boyfriend for a year. After that, a little older and wiser, she’d dated Hugh. He was handsome and polite and from a nice family—his father was a friend of her father’s, and they’d been set up with the expectation that they would be perfect for one another. Yes, Hugh was perfect—he had perfect looks and manners and a career in the finance sector, and for five months she’d been convinced they would have a predictable happily-ever-after. But there was very little spark between them. Actually, no spark. Zilch. So it was an easy decision to end things between them. He was disappointed. She was wife material, he said. She shouldn’t have high expectations. After that, she’d begun to believe that maybe the spark thing was a myth. But then, over the course of the past year, both her sisters and two of her brothers had fallen madly in love and it got Val thinking that maybe that big love really did exist.
“Why are you single, Jake?” she asked bluntly.
“I’ve been too busy,” he said vaguely.
She gave him a disbelieving look. “Really?”
“That’s the truth, but I guess I’m still looking for my perfect match.”
She chuckled. “Do you think there’s such a thing?”
He shrugged lightly. “I’d like to think so. I’m not so sure anymore.”
“Do you want kids?”
His expression altered for a nanosecond, as though he was lost in thought. Finally, he spoke again. “Yes, one day. You?”
“I’m pretty sure I want kids...one day.”
“You’re only twenty-four,” he reminded her. “You have plenty of time to think about kids.”
Her belly did an odd kind of dive. “I know. But I think it’s more about being with the right person, rather than being the right age.”
He nodded. “I think you’re right. So, tell me about your two disastrous dates.”
She laughed lightly. “Oh, my God, they were unbelievably bad. The first guy collected license plates from every state and talked nonstop about his mother. And the second one—he wore a baseball cap backward. But,” she said and flashed him a smile, “third time’s the charm.”
He met her gaze. “I’m really glad your first two dates were duds.”
Valene kept the visual contact. “Me too. Anyhow, I should probably get going. I have an open house at noon and need to get back to the office beforehand. But it was nice to meet you.”
“You too,” he said and waited for her to stand before he got to his feet.
He excused himself for a moment and headed for the counter to pay the check before Valene had a chance to offer to pay her share. When he returned to her, she was halfway to the entrance. He opened the door and let her pass, and they stepped out into the sunlight.
“My car’s right here,” she said and used the beeper to unlock her silver Lexus, which was parked directly outside the coffeehouse. “Yours?”
He jerked a thumb in the direction of a beaten-up blue Ranger parked on the other side of the road. There was faded writing on the side of the truck that she couldn’t make out. Okay...so he had a crappy car. The fact that he was utterly gorgeous made up for that shortcoming. Valene tried to drag her gaze away but couldn’t help looking him up and down. It should be illegal, she thought to herself as her skin prickled all over, for a man to look that good in chambray and denim.
“Well, thanks for meeting me, Jake,” she said easily and held out her hand. “I had a nice time.”
He took her hand, and electricity shot up her arm. “Likewise, Valene. I’ll see you Friday.”
For a moment, she could have sworn he swayed a little closer. Of course, he wouldn’t try to kiss her. That would be outrageous, presumptuous and completely out of line. But still, her lips tingled foolishly and she let out a long and disappointed sigh.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Val. It was just coffee and conversation.
He released her hand and she quickly got into her car. When she pulled away from the curb and caught a glimpse of him in the rearview mirror, her thought surprised her. She’d suddenly developed a thing for cowboys.
Chapter Two
“So,” Schuyler asked over brunch the following day. “How did it go?”
They were eating at the office, chowing down on gourmet chicken salads and freshly squeezed juice that their other sister, Maddie, had supplied. Her oldest sister commuted between Austin and Houston most weeks, and Schuyler had driven in from Austin the day before and was staying for a couple of days. They had ditched the break room and were seated around the big oak table in the boardroom.
“It was nice,” Valene replied and sipped on a guava and pineapple drink. “Like I said.”
“But he’s a penniless cowboy?” Maddie asked bluntly.
Val shrugged. “I didn’t ask to see his bank statements. He was nice, very charming and funny.”
Maddie, always the most serious of the trio, looked skeptical. “I can’t believe you got matched up with a ranch hand. Didn’t you say you specifically wanted an educated, white-collar kind of guy?”
She shrugged again. “I don’t know. Perhaps he fudged the questionnaire.”
“It’s possible,” Schuyler said and frowned.
“What a jerk,” Maddie added.
But the more Val thought about it, the less likely Maddie’s opinion seemed. There was something refreshingly candid and honest about Jake. Of course, it could be that she was still gaga over his broad shoulders and blue eyes and didn’t want to see the truth right in front of her. But she was convinced that he was exactly as he appeared—a workingman, honest and down to earth. And as hot as Hades.
“We could google him,” Schuyler suggested.
Val waved a hand. “Absolutely not. I’m not going to go stalker and start checking out social media profiles and that sort of thing. I want to be a grown-up about this. And I know this might sound silly, but I don’t want to jinx it, okay?”
“What do you mean?” Schuyler asked.
“It means,” Val said, a little impatiently, “that he was nice, and we had a good time over coffee, like I said. And we’re going out for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Maddie asked soberly. “I mean, if he’s not the kind of guy you think you could get serious about, why bother getting to know him?”
Schuyler laughed. “You’re such a snob, Maddie.”
“I’m a realist,” her sister defended. “And you’ve said it yourself, you want a man who ticks certain boxes. Sounds like he only ticks the ‘looks good in a pair of jeans’ box.”
Both her sisters laughed, but Val wasn’t amused. They were making fun, and for some reason, that bothered her. “We’ll just see what happens.”
“Well,” Schuyler said dramatically, “I think it’s great that you’re getting out. And if this one doesn’t work out, you can try again. But maybe redefine your criteria a little.”
Maddie had a serious look on her face. “I’m not trying to be a party pooper, but you need to tread carefully and slowly when it comes to romance.”
“Like you did?” Val shot back, brows up. “Weren’t you the one who took you and Zach out of the colleague and friend zone when you planted that kiss on him at the Thirsty Ox? How long did it take you to jump into Zach’s bed after that?”
Schuyler started wagging a few fingers and counting before Maddie shushed them both. “Okay...don’t take my lead. All I’m saying is, don’t be hasty. If he’s right for you, then he’ll wait. You’re my baby sister and I’ll always worry
about you.”
“I know,” Val obliged. “And I appreciate your concern. But believe me, I’m not about to rush into anything. I know how everyone thinks I’m impulsive, but in this instance, I’m going to take my time and get to know someone before I make any big moves. Besides, I’m too busy with work to spend too much time on romance. If I don’t start closing more deals,” she said and glanced toward Maddie, who along with her überhandsome husband, Zach McCarter, had become joint CEO of Fortunado Real Estate since their father had retired, “Dad’s going to insist you fire me.”
“Ha,” Schuyler said with mock horror. “No chance. You’re Daddy’s girl. He’ll never allow Maddie or Zach to fire you. You are the golden girl and his number two protégée.”
Val laughed, because they all knew Maddie had been their father’s number one protégée.
“That’s true,” Val said and grinned. “I am Dad’s favorite.”
Maddie tossed a piece of lettuce in her direction. “And modest. Speaking of which, do our parents know you’re on the hunt for a man?” Maddie asked.
Val rolled her eyes. “I’d hardly call it a hunt. I met Jake for coffee, not a commitment ceremony. And Dad and Mom generally stay out of my love life.”
“Except for Hugh,” Schuyler reminded her. “He was handpicked.”
“Dad worries about gold diggers,” Maddie said on a sigh. “And since you’re so easily influenced and like to party, they probably thought they were doing the right thing.”
“Gosh, I have a terrible reputation,” she said tartly, trying to remember the last time she actually did go to a party. “Young and impulsive and likely to get into all kinds of trouble. Oh, hang on,” she said and smiled. “That was you, Schuyler, getting cozy with the Mendozas so you could wrangle an introduction to our newly discovered Fortune relatives. And then falling in love with one of the sexy Mendoza men.”
Of course, every word was true. Schuyler had integrated herself into the Mendoza family, specifically by getting a job working at the Mendoza Winery, and then by falling in love with Carlo Mendoza. It was a series of events, jump-started by discovering that the Fortunados were related to the infamous Fortune family. The very idea that they were connected to the Fortunes had sent a curious Schuyler on a mission to find out the whole truth. They discovered that their grandfather was actually Julius Fortune, and that their dad, Kenneth Fortunado, was one of his many illegitimate children dotted around the state and even the country. Their grandmother had signed a confidentiality agreement with Julius, but also being something of a free spirit, had changed Kenneth’s name to Fortunado as a way of not completely complying to Julius’s demands. Learning that, Schuyler had been determined to get acquainted with the Fortune branch of the family. That’s how she ended up at the Mendoza Winery, pretending to be a waitress. The Mendozas and the Fortunes were interlaced by marriage. Turned out Julius’s son Jerome Fortune, who was known as tech billionaire Gerald Robinson—their uncle—had a daughter who was married to one of the Mendoza cousins. The link was enough to get Schuyler’s crazy mind into thinking she could somehow bring the families together.
