Chapter Fourteen

She never returned to the ranch.

Grant watched for Charli’s car until dawn. He called her cell phone but it went straight to voice mail. He left messages—some of them, after a few drinks--probably weren’t too pleasant. He was half-crazy with worry about her. A brief conversation with Beth at least eased his mind about Charli being alone in the rough bar. Apparently, the owner was an old friend. She didn’t specify what type of friend, which made him seethe with jealousy. Beth assured him that Charli was as safe there as she was at the LoneStar. Rocky wouldn’t let her drink and drive, and he wouldn’t let her ride off with any member of Hell’s Angels. The fact that someone named Rocky who owned a bar like that was her bodyguard didn’t make him feel much better.

By the time the sun rose over the horizon, he realized she wasn’t coming back to him. The fact that she’d done what he always knew she would, didn’t bring any comfort.

A lack of sleep, heartache, and worry had him on edge by the time he strode into the clinic to meet with Beth later that morning. Determined to turn his attention to the job, he sat at his desk and started organizing some of the folders and notes he’d left lying around when he had to leave for the family ranch. Was it really less than six weeks ago that he found her filing in his office in short shorts and a sassy grin? He raked his hand through his hair. How was he going to live without that ball of fire in his life?

When he heard the door open, he didn’t even look up because he knew it wouldn’t be Charli.

“Good morning.”

Beth’s voice was way too happy for him. When the overhead light suddenly glared, he winced.

She walked around the desk and glanced at the pile of folders. “You got through all this already today?”

Grant kept typing until he finished his thought. Hitting ‘SAVE,’ he leaned back in the office chair and looked at her.

Beth settled her hip against the desk. “She didn’t come back, did she?”

“Nope.”

He stood up and headed down the hall to the small kitchen. Beth followed.

“You look like hell. Have you been to bed at all?

“Nope.” He reached for the pot that still held a small amount of old coffee. When he dumped it in the sink, it splashed up, scalding his hand. “Damn it!”

Beth took the glass carafe before he could fling it, then turned on the cold water and pushed his hand under. “You need to calm down, pal.”

Grant seethed in a deep breath as the cold water hit his skin. He had held Charli’s hand just like this when she’d cut her finger. His chest ached. “She left me.”

“For now.” Beth finished fixing the coffee and flipped on the machine before turning to face him.

“No, not for now. For good. She said thanks for the good times and told me to shove off.”

“That doesn’t sound like Charli. There’s got to be something else going on.”

“Yeah, well, I think there’s the image you have of her and then there’s the real one.”

“Charli loves you, I know she does.”

“Did she tell you that?” Frantic for anything, he grabbed Beth’s shoulders as hoped flared inside him. “Did she come out and say that she loves me?”

Beth looked away and he dropped his hands.

“I didn’t think so. That woman only loves one thing, and it has nothing to do with her heart.”

His partner tipped her head. “What did you do to her?”

Grant frowned and narrowed his eyes. Was she seriously trying to make this his fault? “What are you talking about?”

“Something made her run.”

“She left. Has nothing to do with me.”

“You said things were great at your parents. You said you two were having a great time.”

“We were. But once the good times ended, so did we. Just like I always told you it would. I can’t believe I thought there was any chance—” Grant raked his hand through his hair. He needed a haircut. Charli loved it this length. Oh well, time for life to get back to normal, including how he wore his hair.

Beth moved to his side and settled a hip against the counter. She looked at him with such a mixture of pity and sadness that it infuriated him.

“Stop it. Don’t act like the world has ended. We had a fling, it’s over, she moved on, that’s it. End of story.”

She frowned. “Did you even tell her how you feel?”

“When should I have done that? Before or after she was making it on the dance floor with a guy who was big enough to tear me limb from limb? Or maybe in the parking lot when she told me I was making a fool out of myself?”

Beth sighed. “Something about this whole thing isn’t right. Maybe you said something to upset her.”

“Maybe she just got bored and moved on.”

Grant stormed out of the kitchenette.

He shoved his hat on his head and pushed past his partner who had followed.

“It’s not like I haven’t been down this road before,” he growled. “I told you at the wedding I was done with women like her. I can’t believe I made an ass of myself again.”

****

Charli sipped her after dinner whiskey and closed her eyes. Her bare feet rested on the porch rail and a light breeze blew through her hair.

She was a coward. Instead of going back to the Double B and packing her things, she’d slept off her night out in the apartment above Rocky’s bar. She hit the road at the first light of dawn and high-tailed it home to Abilene. Her father had been surprised when she strolled in, but hadn’t asked any questions. Fortunately, she’d had some old shorts and a T-shirt in a gym bag in the trunk of her car. It would have been pretty embarrassing to come home dressed in the outfit she’d worn last night.

She groaned, thinking back to all the tequila she’d consumed, the dancing, and forced laughter with the rough bikers. For what? To prove to Grant she wasn’t the girl he wanted or needed? What had she hoped that would accomplish? Why didn’t she just tell him it was over when they got back from Oklahoma and left with her head held high instead of making that scene?

Brushing her hair back, she dropped her feet to the smooth porch floor and wondered what she’d do now. For the first time in her life, she wanted to have a plan, a direction for where her life was going. Maybe it had to do with Grant, or maybe due to her father taking her aside earlier and asking if she’d minded terribly if he proposed to Daisy. She’d been thrilled for them, but now felt the need even more to figure out her life. The Circle S was certainly big enough for all of them, but there wasn’t a role for her here. When Tyler and Beth returned in the next few weeks, she’d really feel like she was useless. Her father’s new wife, rightfully so, would be the lady of the house, Beth would be working with another vet in the area and Tyler would be busy with ranch duties.

There wasn’t a place for her.

The coffee shop in Sweet Meadow sprang to mind and disappointment filled her. That would really have been perfect, but now she didn’t want to be anywhere near that town. It would kill her to someday have to serve Dr. and Mrs. Clark, whoever that turned out to be.

Should she go back to Europe for a while? Nah, she loved her time there, but it wasn’t Texas.

She stared past the horses in the corral across from the house to the crisp white barns and row after row of perfect white fences. It was the most beautiful place on earth. Why hadn’t her mother ever learned to love the Circle S the way she and her father did? No matter how much she enjoyed traveling, this was her anchor; she always knew she had a home to come back too.

Her cell phone chimed and she picked it up, not sure if she was glad or relieved that it was Cord and not Grant.

“Hey,” she answered.

“You okay?” Cord’s concern came through in his voice.

She was quite certain her fleeing the ranch was the topic of conversation at dinner tonight. “Never better, you?”

“Is that so? Seems odd that you high-tailed it out of town so fast. Some might think you were running.”

“You know me, Cord. I’d been in one place way too long. It started to give me hives. Helping Grant and his family wasn’t in my plans when I came down to help in the office.”

“I see. Well, I thought we were going to meet and talk about this coffee shop when you got back from Oklahoma. What’s up with that?”

Her chest ached and she rubbed her hand across it absently. Tossing her hair and throwing on a bright smile, she tried her best to sound upbeat and casual. “I don’t think that’s going to work out. I hate to disappoint you, but it’s way too cutesy and homey for me. I’m thinking of heading to Dallas or maybe even San Antonio.” Tears filled her eyes and she blinked furiously to keep them from sliding down her face. “Maybe work in one of the places on the River Walk for a while. I feel like I need something flashy and exotic for a few months. I’ve had enough of the down home, small town crowd.” She tried for a light laugh but her throat clogged and she sobbed.

“Let me come up there. Give me an hour and I’ll be there.”

Determined not to let him feel sorry for her or try to help, she lifted her chin and forced her voice to sound fine. “I won’t be here. Nope, I’ve got some plans tonight. Busy, busy already. You know me, the social butterfly.”

“You’re full of crap, Charli, and you know it. You’re running from Grant and whatever happened between the two of you.”

“Hey, I appreciate the brotherly concern, but honestly, what was between Grant and me was a fling and nothing more.” She pushed to her feet and paced the length of the porch. Cord thought he could fix everything and now he was trying to fix this. “We’re grown adults. We went into that for the sex and when that got dull, we split. You know the good news is that now that I’m done with all that, I can refocus my attention on getting you.”

“Okay, let’s talk about that then. Come back and do the coffee shop.”

“Hmm, now Cord, you almost had me. If you said come back and do me, well you know that would be more than tempting.”

“Charli.” On the other end of the phone, she heard him sigh and could easily picture him shaking his head at her pathetic attempt to shift the conversation.

She swiped impatiently at the tears streaming from her eyes. “I gotta go. A whole bunch of my friends just pulled in and we’re having a barbecue by the pool tonight. Hey, why don’t you come on up, there’s a couple of really hot gals I’d love to hook you up with.”

“Okay, Red, I’ll let you go. Just remember, I’m here if you need me.” Cord’s voice dripped with sympathy.

He knew darn well she was lying, and she knew he knew.

She shut her phone, closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Damn, she was tired of crying. It never did anything but make a girl look like hell. Why was that? Why did crying huge buckets of tears make you look so incredibly nasty? She shuddered.

As if she didn’t feel bad enough, disappointing Cord made her feel like crap. He’d always been there for her, lending a shoulder, offering a solution and sometimes just plain fixing her messes. Now he was trying to do it again, give her the plan she’d been looking for, and she was too stubborn—too heartbroken—to take his offer.

She tossed back the rest of her whiskey. She was a coward. She couldn’t tell Grant how she felt and she couldn’t follow through on the business plans for Cord.

“You have no one to blame but yourself, Charlotte Mae,” she whispered.

Once again, her phone chimed but this time it was a text. Also from Cord. I think I have another idea you might like.

She hesitated for a second then typed back, I’m listening.

Lazy Acres is looking for a cook. Any interest?

She curled her lip. Lazy Acres was the dude ranch Cord owned outside San Antonio in Bandera. It had been a run down mess when he acquired it, but, from what Tyler had told her, it was now practically a five star resort catering to spoiled city folk who wanted to play cowboy. And it would give her a chance to get away and clear her head.

She typed back to Cord, How long do I have to stay?

I’ll tell them they can have you for a month, how’s that?

No one is to know where I am, got it?

Within reason.

She hesitated. Cord wouldn’t tell Grant where she was. He was too good a friend for that. A month was reasonable and she knew it went without saying that if she liked it she could stay longer. Bandera was far enough away that she could escape and yet it was close to San Antonio so she could scope things out in the city if she wanted to.

Sure, she typed. When should I head up there?

Head up tomorrow and start work Friday?

Okay. Thanks.

****

Grant’s arm sliced through the water. At the end of the pool, he turned smoothly and repeated the lap. Several minutes later he rested his head on his arms at the edge and drew deep breaths into his lungs.

He glanced up to see Tyler standing by the edge of the pool. They’d steered clear of one another for the past week and Grant wasn’t in the mood to deal with him now.

He hauled himself out of the pool and picked up his towel. The moisture dripped from his hair as he dried himself and ignored Charli’s friend. That’s how he pegged Tyler. He wasn’t just Beth’s husband, which already made him difficult to deal with, but as Charli’s buddy, he was the last person Grant wanted to have a conversation with.

Across the small patio table, Tyler pushed a cold beer towards him. Grant glanced at it and wrapped the towel around his waist before he sat down across from the other man. The longneck was cold and he drank about half before setting it down.

“Thanks.” Grant wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“You know, I never liked you,” Tyler said without preamble.

“If it’s any consolation, I never cared much for you either.”

Grant took another long drink. He and Beth’s husband had been dancing around each other for over a year. If it was finally going to come to a head, Grant was more than ready. A good old-fashioned fist fight might be just the thing he needed. He couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather punch in the face than Tyler Weston.

“When Beth and I were growing up, she was my best friend. My only friend really. I never was one for other people and she was the only one I confided in.”

Grant didn’t know where this was going, but until Tyler threw the first punch, he was going to sit still.

“When she went away to college and met you, it was suddenly ‘Grant Clark’ this and ‘Grant Clark’ that. Suddenly, I wasn’t her best friend anymore. I had been replaced by some guy from Oklahoma of all places.”

Grant narrowed his eyes.

Tyler smirked. “By the time she graduated and told me she was going to do her residency in Cornell and you were going too, I was consumed with jealously. I convinced myself that if I wasn’t around, she’d rather be with you.”

“If you think you’re going to lay the blame on me for you leaving her, you got another thing coming. I had nothing—”

Tyler held his hand up. “Relax, man. I know you didn’t. But back then, I had a lot going on in my head and you were another excuse for me. I didn’t believe her when she said the two of you were only friends. I didn’t realize there could be a platonic friendship between men and women until I landed at the Circle S and got to know Charli.”

“I thought you knew her your entire life. She’s practically family around here.”

Tyler shrugged and took a drink. “I’d never spent much time with her. She was Sara’s age; hung out with Sara and Cord for the most part. But when I showed up at the Circle S, we had this instant rapport. For the first time in my life, I had a friend who wasn’t Beth and wasn’t a guy.”

“So, you figured out Beth could be close to me and still love you.”

“Something like that. Problem was, I figured I had messed things up with her so bad she’d never take me back.”

“You destroyed her.” Grant let his anger from that time slip into his voice. He had never truly forgiven Beth’s husband for the hell he’d put her through for almost two years while he was out ‘finding himself.’

Tyler’s face reddened and a twitch in his jaw indicated his anger at having it thrown back in his face. “I know that. If it hadn’t been for Charli, I might never have had the chance to fix this.”

“What does all this have to do with me?”

Tyler slid a folded slip of paper across the table to Grant, but didn’t lift his hand from it. “This is where she is.”

Grant’s heart squeezed. He’d assumed she was home on her father’s ranch. “She’s not on the Circle S?”

Tyler shook his head. “She’s hiding out, trying to clear her head. She’s been there almost a week. My question is, if I share this with you, which is breaking her trust in me, what are you going to do with the information?”

Grant’s heart leapt. He wanted to grab the paper, jump in his truck and go to her. But it wouldn’t change anything. “Nothing,” he finally answered. He’d gone after her once and look what happened. “It’s over. It doesn’t matter to me where she is.”

Tyler picked up the scrap of paper and Grant struggled not to grab it back. He had no intention of spilling his guts to the other man. Yet, if Tyler walked away, who knew when he’d find out where she was again. Beth hadn’t told him. Maybe she didn’t even know.

Tyler opened the paper, glanced over the contents and then set it back in his pocket. “I guess Beth was wrong.” He shrugged and stood up.

Grant watched him start to leave. “She won’t take my calls. I called for two days straight—she ignored me.”

Tyler’s look was almost sympathetic but not quite. “I don’t know what happened with you two, but Beth claims Charli loves you and you love her.” He raked the other man with a disgusted gaze that said he had no clue why.

“She doesn’t want me. She was very clear the night she left that she was moving on.” He shook his head, remembering the events of the night she left.

“Charli’s got a twisted idea that she’s her mother’s daughter and is cursed in some way to never settle down. It’s going to take someone more stubborn than she is to convince her otherwise.” Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets.

“She told me to leave her alone.” Grant pushed his empty beer bottle away, wishing already he had another.

Tyler scoffed. “Do you know how many times Beth told me to take a hike when I came back?”

Grant narrowed his eyes, not trusting the other man even now. “What do you have to get out of this? If you hate me so much, why tell me where she is?”

“I owe her and her father. Chase is getting married, but he’s worried about Charli and her happiness. If she wants you, then I’m going to make sure I do whatever I can to make that happen.” Tyler set the paper on the table once more then placed his hands on either side and leaned forward, his face in Grant’s. “Understand one thing though, you hurt her and I’m going to strap your legs to the back of my horse and drag you so far out only the buzzards will find you.”

An hour later, Grant was on the road to San Antonio. He didn’t have a lot of hope that she’d come back with him, but he had to try—to know that he did everything he could. The past two weeks without contact from her, thinking she was gone forever, made him realize how much he truly had fallen for her. He was crazy in love with Trouble and didn’t want another day to go by without her smile and sassy grin. He had no idea what he would have to do to convince her that they could make this work, but he was prepared to move heaven and hell for her if she’d just agree to try.

****

“Charli?”

Charli pushed the strands of hair off her face and turned from the stove to face one of the young girls who helped out in the kitchen. “Yeah?”

“They loved the hash.”

She turned back to the boiling pot and stirred it once more. “Good. We’ll keep that on the menu then. How’d the home fries go over?”

“All gone as well. I think there’s barely enough to make a plate for you.”

She shook her head. “I’m not hungry. Go ahead and toss them or give them to one of the dogs.”

In the ten days since she’d been at Lazy Acres, her appetite hadn’t improved. Even surrounded by the best ingredients she could ever ask for, it hadn’t tempted her. For the first time in her life, she was truly heartbroken—and frankly, it sucked. She spent her days cooking and creating new recipes. When she was off for the night, she took long solitary rides and then collapsed into bed to try to sleep. She was friendly with the staff and charmed the guests, but it was all on the surface. Underneath, she didn’t care about anything. In fact, she’d never felt so numb in all her life. Even when her mother left, she’d felt something—anger, hurt, disappointment, but never this complete emptiness as if nothing mattered at all with the future stretched out bleak and boring.

Breakfast was over and everything was prepped and ready for lunch. With a good six hours before she had to start anything for dinner, maybe she’d drive into town. Bandera, the nearest town to the ranch, was certainly no thriving metropolis, but it had a couple decent shops and she could easily kill time wandering around. Today, she felt like the walls were closing in on her and she needed to escape.

The ranch office was just off the main room in the lodge. The ranch overseer, John, reading glasses halfway down his nose, was seated behind his computer monitor. He punched numbers with a stubby finger on the keyboard and muttered obscenities at the screen.

Charli lounged against the door jamb and grinned. “I told you I could help you with those spreadsheets.”

John didn’t raise his chin, simply glanced over his glasses at her. “You’re not a secretary, you’re a chef.”

She shrugged. “I’m used to wearing a lot of different hats. I don’t mind helping.”

John grunted. “I appreciate that, Charli girl, but I’m no fool. A man knows when he’s got something special. Having you in that kitchen has made these customer satisfaction surveys improve considerably.” The older man punched another number and then leaned his large body back in the chair. “Which will make our boss very happy.”

Charli thought of Cord. “I’ve never known Cord not to be happy, but I can imagine he’s not someone you want to tangle with if he’s dissatisfied.”

John pushed his Stetson back. “If Cord hadn’t come along and bought this place, we’d be long gone by now. Everything around you that looks good is all his doing. The man is a genius.”

She nodded. “I’m going to run into town. Mind if I take the bike?” The first couple of days after she’d arrived, she discovered an old motorcycle in the barn. After a few questions, she found out it was simply left there by the previous owners. John had it tuned up and let anyone who had a motorcycle license borrow it.

The cowboy opened the desk drawer, pulled out the keys and tossed them to her. “Be careful on those curves—remember, you’re the reason my numbers are going up.”

Charli caught the keys. “Careful’s my middle name.”

John laughed and turned back to his computer. “I somehow doubt that.”

Pain stabbed her heart as she remembered another conversation with another man, but he’d said her middle name was Trouble. It hurt to think he really meant it. At night in her dreams he whispered the nickname once more. Knowing she’d never hear it from his lips again broke her heart over and over.

“I’ll be back in a few hours. Lunch is all set and ready to serve.”

He nodded absently, his attention focused again on the keyboard.

Charli walked through the lodge, the rustic old west mingling with the newer amenities. Tomorrow night, the place would be decorated like an old time saloon complete with Can-Can dancers and poker games. The staff and guests were already excited about the Saloon Night. To her lately, nothing sounded like fun.

She sighed and twirled the keys as she pulled open the heavy wooden door and stepped onto the wraparound porch. Around the back of the lodge, she pulled out the motorcycle, scooped her hair up under the helmet, and climbed on. Even though Texas didn’t have a helmet law, she was no fool.

Charli went slowly until she got off the property and then let the bike gain speed. The roads coming off the ranch and down into Bandera were curvy, not the best, but it felt great to have the wind in her face. All her life, moving from job to job or place to place, it had been exciting. She’d loved the thrill of meeting new people, exploring new places. But this time around, as much as she enjoyed being on the ranch and the folks she’d met, she was lonely. She missed the Double B, missed Flo and Sam and the others. Most of all, it killed her to admit she missed Grant. She was homesick and heartbroken. It was a feeling she wasn’t used to.

The town of Bandera was quaint and any other time she might have enjoyed the unique throwback to the old west, but these days nothing appealed to her. She was like someone who didn’t belong anywhere; not here, not at home, nowhere.

She parked the bike in front of a small shop and climbed off, ignoring the looks from the people on the street as her red hair cascaded down her back. Hitching the helmet to the back of the seat, she shoved the keys in her pocket.

“Good morning,” the woman behind the counter cheerfully greeted as soon as she stepped inside the store.

Charli smiled back. “Hi.”

The racks of clothes were neatly laid out and country music played in the background. She browsed the racks, half interested in the clothes for sale. She made her way to the back of the store. The sound of the door chimes indicated more customers had walked in.

“Excuse me. Could you give me some help with directions?”

The blood drained from Charli’s voice at the unmistakable sound of Grant speaking to the clerk. She spun around. She had to be losing her mind.

It was Grant! Her heart beat so fast, the pounding in her ears made it hard to hear what he was saying to the sales clerk. She took one step to rush to his arms and then stopped herself, choosing instead to slip behind a rack of clothes. After several deep breaths, she’d calmed down enough to listen.

“I was wondering if you knew of a ranch called the Lazy Acres?” Grant asked.

Charli’s jaw dropped and she shoved her fist against her mouth to keep from crying out. She’d known there was only one reason he could possibly be here, and hearing him ask for directions confirmed it completely.

What should she do? She wasn’t ready to see him. Somehow, she’d always known they’d see each other again, but not in a public shop. There was too much to be said, too much pent-up passion, both the good kind and the bad kind to be hashed out. This wasn’t the place.

The woman nodded. “Yes, it’s about ten miles outside of town. You take a left there at the light and then the first right. When you get to the highway, make another right and it’s off that road.”

“Thank you.” Grant didn’t even glance around the store.

“You heading up there on business or a little vacation?” the woman asked him with a polite smile.

“Hmm, good question. Not business, that’s for sure, and definitely not a vacation. I’d say it’s more of a personal errand than anything else.”

Like an addict facing their next fix, she knew one step could end the emptiness inside her and she’d be back on that wild ride with him once more. Her heart pounded and her palms were damp as she wiped them down the front of her jeans. One step. Did she risk it? Just for a quick fix—whether for one more day or one more week?

She heard him say his goodbyes to the sales clerk and turned to step out of the door.

With a deep breath, Charli watched him go. She walked back up front.

“Did you find anything you like, dear?” the sales clerk asked.

“You have a lovely store and I’m sure I’ll be back.” Charli smiled. “You have a good day.”

“You too, honey. Come back anytime.”

Once on Main Street, she looked but there was no sign of Grant. Charli headed for the motorbike. As she strapped on the helmet, she realized if Grant was here, then someone on the Double B betrayed her. There were only three people that she knew of who knew exactly where she was, four if you counted her father. Tyler would never in a million years give up her location and somehow, since Cord was the one who talked her into coming out here, she didn’t think he’d be one to spill the beans. That left her best friend, Sara or her father.

She mounted the bike and was soon flying up the road. She knew she’d catch up with Grant’s truck easily and she did. As she flew past him, she forced herself to keep her eyes forward and not look over. Someone had obviously told him where she was. What could he possibly have said to convince them to betray her trust?

Grant watched the motorcycle whiz by at a crazy speed. The distraction, however, didn’t take his mind of his mission—the Lazy Acres.

The winding road seemed to go on forever, but all of a sudden, there it was. He pulled up to the gates and hit the intercom buzzer.

A friendly voice answered his call. “Can I help you?”

“I don’t have a reservation but I wondered if you had a room for a night or two?”

“How many people, sir?”

“Just one.”

He sincerely hoped and prayed that before he left he would no longer be making reservations for just himself. He fully intended to make any future reservations for Dr. and Mrs. Clark.

Convincing a certain wild redhead of that, however, was going to take a lot of work.

The gates swung open and he drove through. The landscape on the ranch was breathtaking with a view of the hills and pastures. Longhorns rested in the scrub brush and trees, unconcerned at the truck rolling past them. Jack rabbits scurried around and, in the distance, horses grazed. The main lodge was prominently placed at the end of the horseshoe shaped driveway and smaller cottage-type buildings were scattered around and behind it. Guest cabins or housing for the folks who worked on the ranch, he wasn’t sure which. Right now though, Charli could be in any one of those.

His heart squeezed. What if she rejected him? Again. What if she had already moved on? What if Beth, Tyler, and the rest were wrong and he was a fool to think Charli might be pining away for him? Why would she miss him? What did he have to offer someone who’d led the life she had? Fear danced up his spine. Even though it was easily ninety degrees as he walked to the large ranch house, he shivered. His mouth went dry and his palms began to sweat as he imagined her laughing in his face.

He was full of doubt as he stepped on the wide porch and opened the main door. The interior of the lodge was cool with large ceiling fans gently stirring the breeze. It was empty, but he could hear people talking from what appeared to be another room off the main one. He walked towards a small sign that said ‘Office.’ The man who sat behind the desk looked up as he reached the doorway.

“Can I help you?”

Grant wasn’t so sure of this idea anymore. Most likely he’d come here on a fool’s errand, but he couldn’t very well turn and leave. “A friend of mine told me about this place and I wondered if you had a room for a night or two. I didn’t think to call ahead.”

The man nodded and pulled out an old ledger. “You’re actually pretty lucky. We had a cancellation, otherwise we would have been full to capacity. Is it just you?”

He nodded. “Yes, just me. I don’t need anything big or fancy.”

The man grabbed a set of keys off the wall behind him. “I can put you in Cabin Five. It’s a bit away from the lodge if you don’t mind the walk.”

Grant shook his head. “That’s fine.” Being a little farther away right now sounded perfect.

“Dinner’s served in the dining room—that’s off the main room you just came in. That’s at six and you won’t want to miss it. We have a new cook and what she can do to a meal is enough to make you want to take her home and marry her.”

Grant bit back a grin. If he had his way, their new cook would be doing exactly that by the time he left. “Sounds good, thanks.”

“Tonight’s our Saloon Night, too. That starts at nine if you’re interested. We’ll have some poker games going and some live music and saloon dancers. It’s a lot of fun—unless you’re here to have some solitude.”

“Nope, it all sounds fine. Thanks again.”

He couldn’t help but look around as he walked back outside and followed the path the guy in the office had told him to follow. There was no sign of Charli, no sign of her vehicle. Once inside the small but very comfortable cabin, he released his guard and plopped down in the leather chair. His heart raced. What was going to happen next? Would she be even a little glad to see him or was he setting himself up for yet another round of embarrassment like he’d had at the biker bar?

He shouldn’t have come. If Charli wanted to see him, she would have called him. She was over him, and he’d come chasing her out here like a fool. Maybe he’d just stay in his room and then leave at first light.

****

In the kitchen, Charli worked steadily preparing dinner and both the appetizers and desserts they’d serve at the Saloon Night. Trying to stay authentic, and yet making sure there was something everyone would like, involved using an old history book to try to recreate some of the foods that might have been served in an old west saloon. Part of the project was to help make the event even more enjoyable for the guests, the other part was to get her mind so busy she couldn’t wonder which cabin Grant was in, what he was doing, or what his plan was.

She knew she was safe until at least nine tonight. Hiding out in the kitchen wasn’t what she usually did during dinner, but she would just keep herself too busy to mingle with the guests over tonight’s meal. By the time she was on stage dancing the Can-Can with the other girls, she’d be mentally prepared to deal with him. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of him watching her in the saloon girl outfit.

Her phone jangled and she wiped her hands on a towel, cautious to check the caller ID before answering. Seeing it was Sara, she stepped outside the back door and answered.

“Hey. Sorry, I missed your call, I was lying down. I don’t know why, but I’m so much more tired with this second pregnancy.”

Charli sighed. “Well, chasing after a toddler, chasing after Buck, and the occasional cow is enough to tire anyone out. You need the rest so don’t try to be strong and not take care of yourself.”

“I know. Do you honestly think with Flo breathing down my neck, I get to try to be strong?”

The thought of the older woman and how she loved her new grandson was overwhelming. If she ever had a baby...

Charli pushed the thought away. “Listen, the reason I’m calling, other than to say ‘hey’ and I’m fine, is to ask if you told anyone where I was?”

“Why would I when you told me not to?”

“Grant’s here.”

“He’s up there at the Lazy Acres?”

The surprise in her friend’s voice was real and Charli breathed a sigh of relief. She knew she could trust Sara. But if Sara hadn’t told Grant, who had? “Yeah, I spied him in town, but he didn’t see me. I heard him ask for directions out here.”

“Have you talked to him?”

“No, not yet.” She hated the way her stomach flipped at the idea of seeing him. She was terrified she was going to fall back into his arms.

In front of her, she watched as some barn kittens rolled around with each other, chasing a bug. She smiled at their antics and sighed. They didn’t have a care in the world.

“What are you going to say to him? The guy’s got it bad and no matter what you try to tell me, we all know you love him back just as much.”

There were only two women in the world that Charli let her guard down with, Flo and Sara. Now Sara was pushing buttons she didn’t want pushed.

She swallowed hard, fighting the tears, but they still flowed down her cheeks. “I can’t be the woman he needs,” she finally admitted aloud in a whispered sob.

“He knows that.” Her friend’s voice softened. “Why can’t you give it a try?”

Charli bit her lip. “It’s complicated.”

“No, it really isn’t. You love each other. You work it out.”

Sara’s voice was firm and Charli could picture her growing impatient with the touchy-feely conversation.

“Look, no one says you have to marry him and have babies.”

Charli snorted. “You got that right. So, we might as well not go any further.”

“You don’t know what the future holds. No one does.”

“Easy for you to say, you have Buck. It’s a guarantee for life.”

“It wasn’t in the beginning and you know that. We had a lot at stake, a lot more than you do. We were both here in business together. If you and Grant don’t work out, you can walk away or he can.”

Charli nodded. “That’s the problem too. Don’t you see that? It’s way too much for me. I can’t handle all this.” She waved her hand, unable to find the words.

“No one wants to get hurt, but most people are willing to take the chance. Trust me, it’s worth taking the chance, Charli.”

She rubbed her temple with her hand and closed her eyes. Sara was trying hard to make her see things differently but all she ever knew was get in and get out, don’t stay, protect your heart, walk away. It went against everything she believed in to do anything else. “I don’t know how to do this whole love thing. I’ve never been in love.”

“That’s the beauty of it, you don’t have to do anything. Just be yourself and love him back. Somehow, for some reason, it works out.” Sara’s voice was soft once more.

Charli could picture her friend settling into the rocking chair with her son, staring down at him and getting all dreamy about the future. The same woman who once partied with her on Toby Keith’s tour bus and could outride any cowboy was now a wife and mother, a role so foreign to her even two years ago, she would have laughed until she peed her pants if you showed her a clip of her today.

If Sara could go from one role to the other and back again with ease, was there a chance she could to?

Charli brushed away her tears. Her mind whirled and, for the first time, she felt hopeful that maybe there was a chance. Maybe she wasn’t exactly what Grant needed, but what he wanted. He came here, didn’t he?

Maybe day by day was good enough. Just maybe this could really work.

“I’ll tell you something else if you keep it between us,” Sara went on.

She sniffled, clearing her throat. “What’s that?”

“Cord has an entire crew in that building he bought for your coffee shop. Apparently, he’s decided that if you don’t come back and work it with him, he’s going to do it himself.”

She grinned at the image of Cord in an apron, making Kolaches and pouring coffee. “Is there really anything that man can’t do?”

“Well, he did tell me that he can’t nurse the baby for me.” Sara laughed.

Charli cracked up and looked around. “I gotta get back to work. I miss you. Thanks for the talk.”

“Call me in a day or two to let me know what’s going on up there.”

“I will.”

****

Grant stepped out of the shower in the tiny cabin and wiped the steam from the mirror in order to shave. Charli had been no where around during the dinner, but the food was most definitely hers. There was no one who could make chicken and biscuits like she could. If his stomach hadn’t been in such knots, he would have consumed a lot more. As it was, between trying to pretend an interest in the dinner conversation with the other guests and watching for her, he’d barely eaten anything. The meals were served family style on the ranch. Everyone sat around large round tables passing the plates around. Any other time in life, he might have enjoyed it. However, with all that was at stake tonight, he couldn’t.

He dressed in jeans and a shirt Charli had picked out for him while they were staying in Oklahoma. Shopping with her had been yet another experience he’d never forget. She had really enjoyed picking out some new shirts that she thought made him look sexy. What had she said? They bring out the color in your eyes.

Grant shook his head. What did a vet need with a shirt that made his eyes the color of the sky? Certainly his patients didn’t complain if his eyes didn’t pop with color. But right now, he’d put on leather chaps and a gun belt if she thought it was sexy. He’d do anything to bring her back to his arms.

This craziness that she thought she was too much like her mother was insane. He’d never met the other woman, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that Charli would never have walked away from the Circle S or from her child. The very fact that she traveled all over the place, lived in Europe, and all over the United States yet always came back home to Texas should be proof enough to her that she was a homebody as much as anyone. She was her father’s daughter. The only thing she took from her mother was her incredible looks.

Somehow, if it took the rest of his life, he was going to convince her that being with him wasn’t tying her down, it was just another $Chapter ****

Charli adjusted the extremely low cut, scooped neckline of the authentic saloon girl dress. With both hands at her ribcage, she shifted the corset and tried hard not to breathe.

“Wow, no wonder these soiled doves slept with so many men. I’d sleep with them, too, if it meant I could get this damn thing off for most of the night,” she groused to one of the waitresses who struggled with the same style gown.

Terri glanced toward her and frowned. “Hey, at least you have something to fill your top out with.” She lifted her tiny breasts and dropped them back.

Charli smiled in sympathy at the other woman’s lack of cleavage. “Did you try to stuff them?”

The waitress nodded. “Yeah, I looked like I’d stuffed them. Oh well, I guess it just means you’ll get all the tips.”

The third women, Kelly, who was one of the female wranglers on the ranch, threw a dirty glance their way. “Quit your bitchin’. At least the two of you enjoy this type of getup. This couldn’t be any less me if I tried.”

Charli stepped back to study the short muscular woman. She always looked like she’d just come off a horse and reminded Charli very much of Sara, although Sara was taller and lankier than Kelly. Trying to picture her friend in that get-up wasn’t working either. “You look cute, Kelly. I bet you catch Cowboy Dave’s eye in that.”

“Go to hell.” But the other woman grinned and the look in her eyes said she was hoping to do exactly that.

A make-shift stage had been set up at the far end of the main lodge’s great room. A heavy curtain was pulled across the front as the girls waited for their cue. When their music began, the curtain slowly pulled back. Charli pasted on a smile and chose to focus on a spot across the room so she wouldn’t see if Grant was there or not. As the audience cheered and whistled, the girls danced across the stage doing high kicks. Their skirts flew up to reveal garters and lacy trimmed pantaloons. They danced as much in synch as they could with only a few rehearsals. When they messed up, they just laughed and kept on going. The guests were good sports and laughed and cheered as if they were the Rockettes.

John picked up the microphone and turned to wink at the girls. Charli bit back a smile. He certainly could ham it up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big round of applause for our fabulous Can-Can dancers.” As the applause died down, he turned and glanced at the girls and then back to the audience. “Our girls will be available all evening for your, ahem, pleasure. Please let them know if there’s anything you’d like.”

The girls winked at the audience and blew kisses. As Charli turned, she caught a sexy pair of blue eyes. Grant stared back and she couldn’t look away.

Her heart exploded with joy at seeing him. He looked handsome and uncomfortable at the same time. She wet her lips and turned away before she embarrassed herself.

A nudge from Kelly had her moving and she sashayed down the side steps in her four inch stilettos. When she turned to pick up a tray full of beverages, she couldn’t help but steal a glance to the side where Grant was seated. Her heart flipped as she caught him staring back at her. Flipping her hair she turned away toward the crowd, serving beer and good naturedly taking tips and tucking them into her cleavage. She planted a kiss on the cheek of on elderly gentleman, winked at his wife, and slowly made her way around the room.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Terri approached Grant. Both of them turned towards her and pointed. She pretended not to see, but Terri called her name and she was forced to head in his direction.

She took her time, willing her breathing to be normal by the time she reached him—with the way too tight corset and her heart beating abnormally fast, it was near impossible.

“Can I help you?” she asked, reaching his side. The smell of his cologne drifted up to her and just like the first night she’d spotted him at the LoneStar, his shirt clung to his broad chest. Only this time she knew exactly how good that chest felt beneath her head and she itched to rub her hands across his shoulders and knead his muscles. Every inch of his body was as familiar to her as her own. Her heart raced and her palms grew moist from trying to act like he wasn’t affecting her at all.

Terri played her role perfectly. She leaned over toward Charli as if to confide in her. “This gentleman said he’d make it worth your while if you headed upstairs with him.” Charli raised one eyebrow to Grant. “Is that so? Did Terri tell you that I don’t come cheap?”

Grant dragged his gaze up the length of her and Charli felt herself flush with warmth and desire as he focused in on her cleavage and then up to her face. The bold, naked hunger in his gaze set off a chain reaction in her body and she leaned towards him without meaning to.

“Believe me, I’m well aware of the price,” he drawled.

The other waitress was called from across the room and she slipped away.

Charli nervously licked her lips. “What can I get you?” She placed a napkin on the small table in front of him.

“I want it all.”

She forced a smile. “Yes, well, you do know that all this is pretend. Sir. I can get you a beer or...”

“I’m more of a whiskey guy myself.”

She blinked and bit her bottom lip to stop the grin. “Are you sure, sir? Because I’ve heard that whiskey can put a man under the table pretty fast.”

“Will you promise to join me under the table if I make a fool out of myself?”

“I’m quite sure that any one of the gentleman here tonight would be happy to help you to your room if you imbibe too much.” She turned to head to the bar for his order.

He grabbed her hand. “Make sure it’s you who brings back my drink. I don’t want anyone else.”

His eyes bore into hers and his fingers slid along her wrist in a caress that sent shivers racing through her. All she could do was nod.

Her hips swayed a bit dramatically as she walked away. She knew damn well he’d be staring at her backside. She forced herself not to look back over her shoulder to see him enjoying the view. When had Grant turned into such a predator? She felt as if she was being hunted and had to admit, it wasn’t the worst feeling in the world.

By the time she’d returned with his shot, he’d been joined by another gentleman and the two were conversing. He all but ignored her until she set his drink on the table. He motioned for her to bend closer.

His fingers were warm as they brushed the top of her costume and slipped a folded bill into her cleavage. “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” He wiggled his eyebrows and the other man laughed.

Her skin burned where he touched and her nipples peaked painfully wanting more than the quick brush.

Two could play this game.

She slid her arm along his shoulder and slipped into his lap. “Was that an offer to take me away from all this?” She batted her eyelashes and rubbed her hand along his smooth jaw line. His skin under her hand was familiar. Everything inside her wanted to continue stroking him, but not just on his face.

Grant laughed. Out of sight of the other man at the table his hand moved to her thigh and squeezed. “I’m the man to make all your dreams come true, doll. What do you say?”

Charli slipped off his lap before they made a spectacle of themselves. The last thing she’d want to do was be an embarrassment to the staff. She shook her head and pulled out the five dollar bill he tucked into her cleavage. “Sorry, cowboy. It takes some pretty big, um, assets to make this girl’s dreams come true.”

The other man laughed. “Come on, Doc, you can do better than that. I heard all the tips collected tonight go to charity.”

Charli stepped back. “Oh, I bet our friend here is saving his money for the poker table.”

“Will you be my good luck charm?” Grant’s eyes were hooded, hiding his emotions.

“We’ll see.” His gaze held her captive. Once again she couldn’t breathe.

Grant watched her walk away once more and it took everything he had not to grab her and run out of the room to his cabin. When she stepped onto the stage, it had been impossible not to stare at her. Long legs encased in fish net stockings, the stilettos, and that awful, but oh so sexy, costume was made for her. Her red hair was all over the place and added to the entire package. Watching the other men stare at her and hearing the sly remarks drove him almost over the edge. Then when she reached his table and he teased her, she gave it right back and he knew, at least for right now, he stood a small chance. She hadn’t run yet.

But he wasn’t here for another chance. Like he said to her, he wanted it all. Forever. And he wasn’t leaving without a ring on her finger, whether she liked it or not.

As the evening wore on, he did everything he could to keep his hands off her, but she made it impossible. In her usual Charli way, she teased and tortured him until he was about ready to bust.

At one point, when she slipped into a back room, he started to follow, but was stopped by one of the other girls. “Can I help you?” she asked.

“I was looking for the men’s’ room,” he lied.

She nodded. “Over there.” She pointed across the room, far away from where Charli had disappeared.

Close to one in the morning, he wondered when the night would end. More than half the ranch guests had gone to their rooms or cabins and only a handful of them remained.

He was playing poker and had just won the largest hand of the night when Charli slipped into the chair across from him. The other players tossed their cards and pushed away from the table.

She picked up the cards. “Feeling lucky tonight, Doc?”

He shook his head. “I’m tired of games.”

“I’ll make it worth your while,” she promised, batting her impossibly long fake lashes.

“I know you would. But frankly, I’m interested in something entirely different.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a wad of tissue paper and set it on the table. “I’ll play you on one condition.”

She tried to study the tissue paper to see what was in it. “Is that the key to your room?” From under the table, she pulled out a key. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

He shook his head. “I’m not telling you what’s in here. We play one hand, winner take all. If I win, you take that. If you win…I walk away, forever.”

She licked her lips and he saw her frown at the tissue paper before looking back at him. He didn’t see curiosity in her eyes. Could she possibly suspect what he was wagering? Her gaze held his firm and strong as she lifted her chin.

“What if I don’t want you to walk away?”

Grant’s heart lifted even as fear and distrust washed over him. Was she playing with him? Another game to get him to come chase her? “I thought that’s what this whole mess was about? You wanted me to leave you alone. That’s why you ran away.”

She lifted her chin and held his gaze firm. “If you believed that, then what made you come here?”

“Because someone told me that some mistakes are too fun to make only once.”

She raised one eyebrow. “Was I a mistake?”

Slowly he shook his head. “A life experience for sure, but never a mistake. Come on, Trouble, I thought you were the girl with all the guts. One hand.”

Terri wandered over with John and whispered something. Charli licked her lips once more and glanced at the tissue paper. “Terri, could I get a whiskey, straight up?”

Grant grabbed her hand. “No. You do this without whiskey courage.”

He held her stare. Was she going to go along with him or going to make him a fool again? His gaze warred with hers. He never wavered, too much was at stake.

She lifted her chin. “John, will you deal for us?”

John glanced at the two of them and shrugged before picking up the cards. He offered them to Charli to cut. She shook her head. John dealt two cards to each of them.

Charli’s red tipped fingers traced a pattern along the backside of the two cards she laid flat on the table. Grant watched her face for any hint of what she might have before studying his own cards.

Not bad; the king of Clubs and a seven of Diamonds.

John burned another card and then flipped over a two of Clubs.

Grant watched Charli intently but she didn’t so much as twitch an eyelid.

John flipped the next two cards then burned one more and laid two more face up.

Grant studied the cards on the table focusing hard not to reveal anything on his face. Face up was a two of Clubs, a ten of Diamonds and a Jack of Spades.

Was that a flicker of excitement he saw in her eyes? His heart sank. What was he going to do if he lost? He hadn’t thought how this would play out if he didn’t win. Could he seriously walk away from her like he promised?

Slowly John burned another card and then flipped two more face up – a two of Clubs, a ten of Diamonds and a Jack of Spades.

John turned another card down and turned up the six of Hearts. He turned another one down and then as Grant watched, barely able to breathe, John turned the final card face up on the table. Yes! The King of Diamonds. Unless she could beat a pair of Kings it was all over.

Her expression didn’t change. Whomever taught her to play poker had taught her right, but then he knew all along how well she could bluff. She laid both her cards on the table revealing a ten of Spades and a Queen of Hearts.

She’d lost! Grant’s heart lifted, but his stomach pitched with nerves. He laid his cards on the table watching her face; waiting for the moment when she realized his pair of Kings beat her pair of Tens.

Her eyes flew to his. Everyone around them went quiet as he pushed the tissue paper towards her.

“Open it,” he ordered.

Her hand visibly shook as she drew the wad of paper towards her. He could almost hear her heart beating as she slowly unwrapped it. Around them, the small crowd grew curiously silent.

As the paper dropped off to reveal the simple, diamond solitaire ring, a gasp went up from the others. Grant barely heard them as he studied her face. Once again, her eyes revealed nothing. He waited for something, happiness, anger, anything to tell him what was going on in that mind of hers.

He’d stopped in San Antonio yesterday and purchased it. He figured if he was coming up to ask for her hand, he better have something to put on it.

Ignoring the crowd, he pushed back his chair and walked slowly around to her side. She turned her attention from the ring on the table to him.

He dropped to one knee. “Marry me, Trouble. I’m in hell without you.”

Her gaze wavered only slightly, no one else probably would have even noticed, but he did, and it gave him hope even as she shook her head. “I can’t.”

His chest felt as if she’d just kicked him with her high heels. It couldn’t have hurt worse. He could care less that the folks around him had gasped and he knew he was the object of their pity, but they were the least of his concerns.

He felt like an idiot on his knee in front of her, but since he was already down here, he wasn’t beyond begging. “I love you and I know you love me. I thought you were the girl who lived life on the edge, make a mistake or two in life or you aren’t living, and all that? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little commitment?”

Her blue eyes swam, then narrowed and she started to move away.

Grant held her firm with two hands on the top of her thighs. “You chased me until I had no choice but to fall in love with you. I’m not letting you go. If you didn’t love me, that would be one thing, but I know you do. You’re not running from me, you’re running from your fear of forever.”

She stopped trying to get away and she seemed to be listening. Then she crossed her arms over her chest. “Why does it have to be marriage with you? Why can’t we just be together with no strings?”

“Because you know and I know that we’re meant to be together, forever.”

She shuddered and he panicked. He shouldn’t use words like that with her. Before she could run he caressed her bared leg where his hand rested. “Come on, Trouble. Let’s go back to my cabin and talk this out.”

She swallowed and wet her lips with her tongue. His gaze smoldered back at her. But the stubborn red head laughed. “Okay, let’s go to your cabin, but the ring stays here.”

He dipped his head and sighed before looking up at her again. “I never thought I’d see the day you’d back down from a challenge. I guess I was wrong.” He pushed to his feet, touched his hand to her cheek and walked away.

Please let her call me back. Come on, Trouble. Don’t let me walk out this door.

He slowed his steps waiting, hoping she’d change her mind. By the time he reached the doorknob, he knew he’d lost and this time, forever.

Charli sat there as he left. Around her she could hear the whispers but everyone was smart enough not to talk to her. They drifted away and soon the lights in the room dimmed indicating they’d all gone.

She’d been ready to go back home with him. Pick up where they’d left off and ride it out. His proposal knocked her totally off guard and she’d done the only thing she knew how to do, turn him away.

She pressed her fingers to her eyes, but all she could see was Grant down on one knee begging her to be his wife. Opening her eyes again, she reached out a hand to pick up the diamond with shaky fingers. She turned it around, admiring the setting. Diamonds were nothing new to her. She’d lost count of how many times she’d been gifted with jewelry from men. This, however, was her very first engagement ring. Tears fell from her eyes and she couldn’t stop herself from slipping it on her finger and checking it out. She pulled it off. Just because the ring fit, didn’t mean it was right.

It also hadn’t been right for her to humiliate Grant in front of everyone in the room. Of course, one could argue he brought it on himself. Still, he’d come all the way to the dude ranch knowing the odds were against her saying yes.

Folding the ring in her hand, she brushed away the remnants of tears and headed for the door. She at least owed him an apology and needed to get the ring back to him.

The lights were already off and panic filled her at first as she imagined him hitting the road already, but his car was still parked in front. She screwed up her courage and knocked on the door.

He yanked it open as if he’d been just on the other side waiting for her. He’d removed his shirt and shoes. The room behind him was dark. He held the door open.

“I didn’t want to leave. I mean, you to leave without saying how sorry I am.” The words broke and her voice cracked.

Grant took her hand, pulled her inside the cabin and shut the door all in one fluid movement. Before she could say another word he had her backed up against the door and his mouth had claimed hers. She sighed and didn’t even pretend to resist. Her hands reached up to link around his neck and dig into the familiar curly strands. She moaned when his hands explored boldly, touching her everywhere, stopping nowhere to give her satisfaction.

Her heart raced and her body throbbed for him. God, she’d missed him.

His hand swept up under the stiff puffy skirt to stroke her thighs. He groaned against her mouth, discovering the top of her garters and between her legs.

Her knees began to tremble and she tore her mouth from his trying to catch her breath. The corset she wore was hard enough to breathe in normally; now it was downright suffocating. “Doc, I can’t breathe,” she gasped.

“Me either. I can’t breathe, I can’t think, you make me crazy.” He nibbled at her neck, his hands still exploring beneath her skirt and making her head spin.

She pushed at his chest. “No seriously, I can’t breathe in this corset.”

He immediately stepped away and, seconds later, a soft glow from the bedside lamp lit the room. He walked back to her. “Turn around.”

She spun on her high heels and lifted her hair. His fingers systematically, unhooked the old fashioned dress.

Within seconds he had unfastened the tight lacings in the back of the second layer.

Air whooshed into her lungs as it loosened and she laughed. “You have no idea how good that feels.” She pulled the corset free and tossed it aside.

From behind, Grant wrapped his arms around her and cradled her breasts, covered now by only a light cotton slip.

“I know something that will feel better,” he whispered.

She closed her eyes and let her head drop back to his chest as his hands kneaded her breasts, lifted them, and molded them in his palms. His fingers massaged her nipples, pulling on them until she felt the answering tug between her thighs.

When she thought she’d truly lose her mind, she stepped out of his embrace and moved to the bed. Sitting on the edge, she finally pulled off the high heels she’d been in all night. “Let me tell you those showgirls back then earned every one of their tips.”

Grant moved towards the bed. “I wonder what else they did to earn those tips?”

Charli inclined her head. “Do you think they did more than dance?”

Grant pulled her back to her feet and helped unhook the puffy skirt until it pooled on the floor at her feet.

But when she looked into his eyes, she didn’t like what she saw. She saw desire and need and even hunger, but what she also saw was hurt. He was hurt and he still wanted her and would probably even have her, but it wasn’t what he really wanted. The cooler air hit her skin. Maybe with the corset off, she was thinking more clearly. She stepped away.

“Doc, we need to talk.”

He shook his head. “Not now. Later.”

Charli chewed her lip as he unhooked his belt. “I know I hurt you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He pushed his pants down and stepped out of them.

Panic filled her. “You know why I can’t marry you. It’s not that I don’t love you, you know I do, right?”

He stopped. “It would have been nice to hear you say that in a more romantic way than ‘I’m not marrying you but I love you’.” He shrugged. “But we’ll start there.”

He reached for her but Charli moved back and held out her hand. “I might have an idea, but we need to talk before we go to bed.”

“Why can’t we talk in bed?”

Charli shook her head. “Because you make me crazy and you know it.”

Grant smiled. “Good, that’s how I want you, crazy and wild, driving me crazy and wild.”

“Doc, please?”

He stared back for a few seconds, then walked across the room to the leather chair and sat down. He waved his hand in her direction. “You’re right. We need to talk before this goes anywhere else, if it goes anywhere else. I can’t go through another few weeks like the ones I’ve just had.”

“Me either. That’s why we need to figure something out.”

She sank to the side of the bed and chewed her bottom lip. “You want to be engaged and it scares me to death because of the whole marriage and forever thing. You know how I feel about that.”

“I understand your fears and I can’t tell you the future. I can’t tell you that you‘re not going to someday wake up and regret marrying me.”

Hearing him say her fear out loud somehow made it even worse. She knew in her heart she would never regret marrying him. The problem was, what if he woke up one day and regretted marrying her?

“What if we were to get engaged but not talk about getting married? We could just be engaged for like a long time.”

He furrowed his brow. She could tell already he didn’t like that idea.

“How long of an engagement are we talking?”

She shrugged. “Five, ten, fifty years?”

Grant shook his head. “That’s not enough for me. You’re scared, and the only way to show you there’s nothing to be afraid of is to just do it.”

Tears filled her eyes and she looked away.

He moved across the room and sat down next to her on the bed. Lifting her hand, he kissed the inside of her wrist. Her pulse raced.

“When we first met, you were determined to get me into bed. You said I should take some chances and live life on the wild side. Make some mistakes you said. Well, now I’m turning the tables. Take a chance, Charli, marry me.”

She shook her head. “How do you know? How can you be so sure I’m going to stick around?”

He twisted sideways and framed her face in his hands. “I’m sure. I’m absolutely sure. You just promise me that if you ever feel as if you need to leave, or you’re bored or something is missing, you’ll talk to me. You’re strong, you’re beautiful, you’re smart, and I am the luckiest man in the world to have your love.”

“Why isn’t just being with me enough? Why the big deal about the ring and the license and all that?”’

He stared into her eyes. Charli couldn’t stand it; she leaned forward and kissed him. For a second he kissed her back then he pulled away.

“I want to be your husband. I want to know that you are married to me.” His hand slid down until it rested on her flat stomach. “I want you to carry our children and I want them to have my last name.”

“What if it doesn’t work out? I don’t…I’m not…” What was wrong with her? She loved him. Loved everything about him and knew without a shadow of a doubt that she could be happy with him forever. Was she being stubborn? Just because she’d told herself she couldn’t have what other women had, marriage and babies, didn’t make it true. Even her own father who’d been hurt worse than anyone by her mother’s actions had found love and marriage once more. If he could believe in it, what made her so doubtful? She certainly had plenty of couples around her who had found wedded bliss even in the face of huge risks.

“No marriage is perfect. We’re going to have problems or it wouldn’t be life. But that’s what wedding vows are for. You promise to stick through life with me and I promise the same.”

His eyes promised to be there. It was time to let go of her pride, time to stop being afraid and take a chance. Life was too short to have regrets. He would leave tomorrow, and she knew he would, no matter how good tonight might be in bed, tomorrow he would walk away if she didn’t say yes. The chance of losing him wasn’t one she was willing to take.

Surprisingly, acceptance made her heart lighter. “Okay, Doc. You win.”

Grant went completely still as he stared at her in shock. “What do I win?”

She pushed him back on the bed and straddled him. “You win me, you poor, poor man. “

“You’ll marry me? Not just get engaged?” Wide eyes shone with hope.

Charli pulled up the thin slip she was still wearing. Grant’s eyes smoldered as her breasts were bared.

She grinned and leaned forward to kiss him. “On one condition.”

He looked nervous. “What’s that?”

“You take me flying every single night without fail, even if you have to take some of those little pills when you’re old and grey.”

He reached to stroke her nipples as she moved closer. “Woman, you drive a hard bargain.”

“Doc, you better drive a hard one yourself.”

****

A few weeks later, Grant sat back against the luxurious leather airplane seat as Charli settled in next to him. He picked up her hand and kissed the wide gold band he’d placed there only hours earlier. “Okay, so where is this secret honeymoon spot we’re flying to?”

His new bride leaned over and kissed him. Her hand slipped into his dress shirt and she caressed his chest. He moaned against her lips.

“We’re flying to a private island.”

“Is it very far away?” His hand slid under her dress and caressed her inner thigh. Higher up, he discovered what he hoped he would. His new bride wasn’t wearing any panties.

She nodded. “Very far.”

“Trouble?”

“Yeah, Doc?”

“Are you a member of the mile high club?” he whispered against her ear.

“What do you think?”

“Okay, bad question. Want to initiate me into the mile high club?”

She stood up and led him to the back of the small cabin of the private plane. Turning away from him, she pulled a heavy curtain across, blocking them from the view of the cockpit if anyone should come out. “I think I’m a bad influence on you, Doctor Clark.”

Grant reached for his beautiful wife and kissed her soundly. “I hope so, Mrs. Clark. I really hope so.”

Coming in the fall 2010 from The Wild Rose Press www.thewildrosepress.com The Cowboy’s Duet The fourth book in The Double B series by Roni Adams