Kissed by a Rancher Page 9

Lindsay laughed with Josh. “Lindsay spends every day working alongside those cowboys at her ranch. There isn’t anything Lindsay’s delicate ears haven’t heard,” Josh said.

  “You’re right,” Lindsay said, “but I don’t have to listen to my brothers’ raunchy remarks. So, Jake, can you have the dinner for Mike another time, please?”

  “Sure. Mike and Savannah aren’t due back from their honeymoon for a while anyway. Scotty is doing fine, though I’m sure he misses them. He’s with his sitter, and Mom and Dad visited yesterday”

  “Scotty is coming to my house soon to stay a week,” Lindsay said. “We’ll have a blast.”

  “Yes, you will. Scotty loves his aunt Lindsay. And vice versa. You’re good with horses and little kids,” Jake said.

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling at him.

  Jake looked at Josh again. “So tell us about the latest love in your life—she owns a bed-and-breakfast inn—what else? We never meet these women of yours, so I don’t expect to meet this one.”

  “You’ll probably never meet her,” Josh said. “This is just a weekend trip. She’s never been out of Texas so I’m taking her to New York.”

  Jake and Lindsay both laughed. “This doesn’t sound like our cynical, worldly brother’s type of lady,” Jake observed. “Never flown and never out of Texas? What does she do in her spare moments?”

  “I don’t think she has many. Her life is tied up with her family—a sister, a brother, her mother, her two great-aunts, her grandmother—and running the inn.”

  “You met all these people at the B and B?” Lindsay asked.

  “No, none of the above. All were snowed in or snowed out and couldn’t get back home. The elderly aunts live in the B and B along with an elderly gentleman. You’ll find out anyway, so I might as well tell you that I’m taking him fishing in a few weeks,” Josh said.

  Jake choked on his tea and set down his glass to stare at Josh. “I don’t think I heard right.”

  “You heard right, and it’s not that big a deal. You can come along if you want. I’m flying him to Colorado. He reminds me of Granddad.”

  “No kidding,” Jake said, staring at Josh.

  “Is the B and B owner going with you?” Lindsay asked, and both of them stared at Josh.

  “No, she isn’t,” Josh said, smiling at them. “She’s only going to New York this weekend. Lindsay, close your mouth. You’re staring.”

  “No more than Jake is,” she said, exchanging a glance with Jake.

  “I’ll be damned, you’ve fallen in love. I didn’t think that would happen for another ten years,” Jake said while Lindsay continued to look wide-eyed at him.

  “I have not fallen in love. Don’t be ridiculous, either one of you. I just met her. She’s nice and hasn’t ever been anywhere, and elderly Edwin Hickman, who lives at the inn, loves fishing, so I asked him to go fishing. I don’t know why I’m explaining this to the two of you. Suffice it to say, I’m being a nice guy.”

  “I’ll be damned,” Jake said again. “You’re a nice guy, but in a different way. I can’t recall you taking a senior fishing before. I can’t believe it when I hear you say it.”

  “Don’t sound like I’m an ogre. It just worked out that way. You plan your dinner after Mike gets back. No telling when that will be.”

  “I will, and I’ll let you know.”

  “I think something happened to you out there in the snow in that blizzard,” Lindsay said. “Josh, this is so totally unlike you that I’m like Jake—I can’t believe what I hear you say. As much fun as all this is, I have to go because I have a dental appointment.” She stood. “Josh, I’ve just seen a whole new side of you that I’ve never seen before. It’s very nice of you to take the elderly man on a fishing trip and your lady friend who has never flown, never been out of Texas, to New York. Remind me to call you next time I need some help birthing a calf or some such.”

  “Forget it, Lindsay,” Josh said. “You can do that blindfolded.”

  “Well, I’m impressed with my big brother and these charitable trips.”

  “He gets a pat on the back,” Jake said.

  “Enough of you two. I’ll think twice before we have the next lunch.”

  “No, you won’t,” Lindsay said as her brothers stood. She hugged them briefly. “See you both soon.” She left, her blond hair swinging with each step as they sat again.

  “We didn’t hear about her latest fight with Tony Milan,” Josh said.

  “Maybe those two have let up a bit.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Josh said, “and the sky is pink today. They keep the old Calhoun-Milan feud alive and well.”

  “Madison and I have done our part to end it,” Jake said, glancing at his watch. “I’ve got to go, too. I’ll get the check today.”

  “Thanks. Let me know about dinner.”

  “Sure. Have a great time in New York. She may be terrified of the big city.”

  “I don’t think she’ll be terrified, but she may not like it. It’s a far cry from Beckett.”

  “I don’t even know Beckett. It must be smaller than Verity,” Jake said as they walked out of the restaurant.

  “I’m sure it is. One small hotel and the bed-and-breakfast—that was it. No motels. It’s not right on the highway, and my pilot and I were lucky they had a runway and a place to land—I’m guessing it’s for the ranchers out in that area. Good to see you,” he said, unlocking his car and climbing inside to drive to his office.

  As he sat behind his desk, he shoved aside a stack of papers to read later. Restless, filled with an uncustomary lack of interest in business, he thought about the ranch and the possibilities of taking a couple of weeks off soon and staying there. He had great executives who could run the company, including an executive vice president who could take charge and wouldn’t need his help or direction.

  Was this corporate world really what he wanted to continue to do? Was he missing life as Abby had said? No one had ever told him that before, and he wouldn’t have listened to most anyone else. In addition to the New York trip, he would like to take her to the ranch, because that was what he really considered his home.

  The moment he thought of Abby with him at his ranch, he wanted to do that soon. Would she like the ranch? He turned to look out the window at other buildings in downtown Dallas, but he was seeing Abby. He wanted to be with her, and he wished the weekend would arrive. He turned back to his computer to look up a number and make a call to a dress shop in New York. After he hung up, he called Abby and talked for twenty minutes until she had a guest needing her attention and had to go.

  She was his total opposite—small-town, wrapped up in her family and where she’d grown up, very simple tastes and wants, yet he couldn’t get her out of his thoughts. Maybe after this weekend when he would see her in his world, he could. He thought about her in New York with her ponytail hairdo, her slacks and plain shirts buttoned to her chin—would she want him to take her home early?

  He couldn’t imagine that she would really interest him long. He wouldn’t be surprised if she backed out of going before the weekend came.

  Continuing to be surprised by the fact that he wanted to take Abby to New York, he had to admit his brother and sister were right—that was unlike him. At least in some ways. But when he thought about their kiss in the heart-shaped shadow in the snow, mere memories made him hot with desire. No woman’s kisses had ever affected him the way Abby’s had.

  What had started as a fun, lighthearted, meaningless kiss had shaken him and changed his views of her forever. He couldn’t imagine ever forgetting her. How long was that kiss going to be an influence in his life? Would he get her out of his system in New York? Just thinking about her made him want to talk to her and be with her. He picked up his phone to call her again, saw the stack of mail in front of him and resolved to wait until night
to call her.

  He pulled the stack in front of him to go through it, trying to get Abby out of his thoughts and get work done.

  * * *

  During their last phone call, they had agreed she would meet him Friday at Beckett’s small airport that consisted only of a tiny office, one small hangar and runways that were too short for commercial jets. When she arrived and walked toward the office, Josh came out to meet her.

  The minute she saw him, Abby’s heart missed a beat. All her doubts about going with him fell away. She became slightly self-conscious as wind blew a few tendrils of her hair across her cheek.

  For the flight to Dallas and then New York, she had dressed in navy slacks, a new pale-blue button-down long-sleeve shirt with a collar and a light jacket, and she had let down her hair. She was relieved to see Josh dressed as casually in chinos and a navy sweater and boots.

  “Hi,” he said. “I’m glad to see you.”

  “Hi, Josh. I’m still torn between wondering what I’m doing going to New York and anticipating seeing you and this trip. This is the most exciting thing in my life.”

  “More exciting than when we kissed in the heart-shaped shadow?” he asked, a slight smile lifting one corner of his mouth.

  Startled, she blinked. “No, maybe not,” she answered truthfully. His smile vanished as his brown eyes darkened and his gaze lowered to her mouth.

  “With an answer like that, what I’d like to do is take you home with me for the weekend,” he said in a deeper voice.

  She smiled again as she shook her head. “I don’t believe so. That isn’t what I agreed to do.”

  “New York it is. Let’s board.” As Josh took her arm, he smiled. “You look fantastic. I’ve never seen you with your hair down.”

  Keeping the thought to herself that he looked fantastic, too, she smiled. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it. It’s naturally curly and a little difficult to manage.”

  “If you need to get it done in New York, I’ll tell you where to go and you can use my credit card. It’ll save you time for sightseeing and being with me.”

  She laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. I do my own hair except for haircuts. We have a shop in Beckett.”

  “You might like getting it done in New York. It’ll be something else to tell your family you did.”

  As they boarded the plane, he motioned to her. “Sit by a window. You’ve never flown, and you’ll like looking out. It’s a sunny day between here and Dallas, so you’ll have a view.”

  “I’m excited.”

  He smiled and took her hand. “I am, too, but not over the view of Texas. I’d rather you’d be excited for another reason, too. I’ve missed you, and I’m looking forward to this.”

  “Everything this weekend except you will be a first for me,” she said, barely aware of what she told him, as her attention was on his hand holding hers. His hand was well-shaped, warm, callused in places, and though his touch was light, it sent a sizzling awareness of the physical contact.

  “That’s an interesting statement I’ve never heard from someone out with me before. So your family knows you’re going with me?”

  “Oh, yes. Even Grandma, who was reassured by Mr. Hickman that you’re an okay guy and I’ll be safe and have a good time. You better live up to all their descriptions and promises.”

  “Actually, I heard from Edwin. He called me. He didn’t threaten me, but he clearly indicated he held me responsible for you. He told me that he was delighted I am taking you to New York and he knew you would have a wonderful, safe time.”

  “If that’s what he said, then he certainly didn’t threaten you, but I’m astounded he called you.”

  “It was a threat to see to it you have a good time and get home safely. A very subtle one, and I think you have a substitute grandfather.”

  They taxied to the end of the runway and in minutes were clear for takeoff. She turned to gaze out the window in fascination until Beckett was behind them.

  “That was a thrill,” she said.

  He smiled. “I’m glad it’s good weather and you can see for miles, even if all you’re seeing now is mesquite, fields of grass or just bare ground and a rare stream.”

  “I can’t believe this day is happening.”

  “It’s happening, and I’m looking forward to going out tonight. This afternoon I’ll have a limo that will take you to the dress shop. Get a dress for tonight and one for tomorrow night.”

  “Now it’s two dresses you want to buy. That’s a bit much.”

  “No, it’s not. Stop worrying about something that I want to do. Tonight we’ll go to a French restaurant.”

  “That sounds fabulous,” she said.

  “I think you look fabulous, and my after-dinner plans sound fabulous to me. A little dancing, a few kisses—you think I haven’t been waiting for this weekend to come?”

  “That’s why I don’t want you to buy dresses—I don’t care to be obligated to you or anyone else except my family. Even my family, now that I’m an adult.”

  “You’re free of any and all obligations,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “I just hope you want a few kisses, too. That’s the special part of the evening and has nothing to do with obligations and everything to do with desire.”

  “When you put it that way, it does sound like something to look forward to,” she said in a sultry, breathless voice, flirting with him and enjoying herself. She never had this kind of fun with Lamont—or reactions out of him. The minute she spoke, Josh’s amusement vanished, and he studied her intently while his chest expanded as he drew a deep breath.

  “We have to stay buckled in right now, but what I’d like to do is pick you up and move you over here,” he replied.

  She tingled. “You wicked man,” she teased, fanning herself with her hand. “Now I’m all hot and bothered, and you haven’t even touched me.” She laughed. “Stop flirting, Josh, before one of us does unbuckle and ends up somewhere we shouldn’t.”

  His dark eyes were intent as he leaned forward, holding her chin with his hand. “There’s no harm in flirting. It’s fun and I know you think so, too, because you can’t resist doing it.”

  She smiled. “You might be right. It does make the time pass. Anticipation is exciting,” she whispered, looking at his mouth.

  His hand slipped behind her head, and he pulled her closer as his mouth covered hers. His kiss was deep, sending waves of heat, stirring desire until she finally leaned away to look at him again.

  “Slow down—we have a weekend and we just got off the ground,” she said. Her voice was weak and did not hold a shred of conviction to her own ears.

  He sat back. “We’re going to have a great weekend.”

  “Did you have trouble clearing your calendar to go?”

  “Nope, because it’s the weekend. Have you had many people check in since I left?”

  “Not at all,” she answered, telling him about the past few days, sitting back and enjoying the flight. It seemed short until they landed in Dallas and left the plane to board a larger one that was far more luxurious. While she was fascinated with the takeoff and the sensation of their speed and the lift of the plane, it all paled next to her awareness of Josh, which was sharp and constant.

  Their topics of conversation had a wide range, and she learned more about his relatives and ancestors, as imbedded in Texas history as her own family.

  He had a flight attendant serve soft drinks and sandwiches for lunch, and finally the pilot announced they were approaching New York. She was breathless over the view as they came in, flying over water, and suddenly they were on the ground and the flight was over.

  Josh had a limo waiting. A uniformed driver stood and smiled when they walked up.

  All the way to the hotel, she was mesmerized by the sights and sounds. “Josh, this is fantas
tic—all the noise and traffic and buildings. I’ve seen pictures, but it’s different in real life.” She turned to look at him. He sat smiling, watching her, his long legs stretched out, crossed at the ankles.

  “You’ve seen it so much, it means nothing to you.”

  “I’m having more fun watching you, and I’m glad you like everything. It’s a fabulous city.”

  “More than fabulous—absolutely awesome, as my sister would say. I’m going to be such a tourist and take a million pictures.”

  “I think I’ll have to take a few pictures myself, but mine won’t be of the city, except as a background for you.”

  “I might not want to go home.”

  He grinned. “Let me know and I’ll see how long we can stay.”

  “You know I’m kidding. We go home Sunday,” she said, turning back to look at everything, thankful she had accepted Josh’s invitation. “I can’t wait to get out there.”

  “I can’t wait to get to the hotel room,” he said in a husky voice that made her turn to look at him and forget the scenery.

  “I won’t ask why.”

  “You know exactly why, and I think you’re a little eager yourself because your voice changes.”

  “I hoped you wouldn’t notice, since I can’t control that with you.”

  “I’m happier than ever you agreed to this weekend.”

  When the limo pulled to the front door of the hotel, she stepped out to walk into an elegant lobby with bouquets and sprays of flowers for the opening. People greeted Josh as he walked to the front desk.

  On the top floor, they crossed a hall, and he unlocked a door. “This is your suite. Mine adjoins it, and the adjoining door locks on each side.”

  “Locked is fine.” She smiled, looking at the beige and white decor. “This suite is beautiful, and so are the flowers,” she said, glancing around a large living room. A bouquet of mixed fresh flowers and a clear-covered plate of cheeses, fruit and crackers were on a nearby table. There was a dining area and a spacious covered balcony with a high wall, potted plants and outdoor furniture. “Josh, this is breathtaking.”