Chapter Three

Charli watched Grant approach with nothing short of pure delight. This was going to be way too much fun. She sat up straighter in the chair and smoothed the skirt of her dress with her hands. When their gazes met, she was shocked at the challenging glint in his eyes. Her heart skidded in her chest. What was he up to? Did the quiet, grouchy vet think he was going to get one over on her? Silly man. She lifted her chin. Bring it on, Doc.

The band struck up a familiar tune and the guests clapped and cheered their encouragement. Grant tugged the material of one leg of his pants up and dropped to one knee in a move so smooth she would have swore he practiced it. His blue eyes bore into hers without wavering. She followed the line of his body from his broad shoulders to his tapered waist. In jeans and a T-shirt, the vet looked rugged and handsome but in a tux, he was downright hot. His hand reached for her foot and lifted it to rest on his thigh.

Charli lifted her lips in the slightest of smiles. “Give it your best shot, Doc,” she whispered for only him to hear.

A quiver surged through her when he returned her look and then dropped his gaze to her chest, and lower to where her foot rested. He brushed his thumb along her stocking covered arch. His touch sent sparks racing through her. His hand splayed along her foot and his fingers massaged her toes. Her mouth slipped open as she lost her breath when he pulled on each digit gently, caressing and kneading each toe. Her nipples peaked behind her gown and tingled as his long fingers continued their caress.

He slipped the blue satin garter easily over her ankle and calf. His fingers were teasingly light as they continued to push it up. Charli shifted her foot until it was lying flat on his thigh then curled her toes inward. She met his frown with a raised brow. Be careful, Doc. Her eyes warned him not to push her too far.

Grant pushed the material of her skirt away from his hand so he could slip the garter up to her knee. He wrapped his hand around her kneecap, caressing the soft skin behind it. She swallowed, hard. Her body was quickly igniting as his magical fingers continued to touch her skin. She hated the tremble she couldn’t stop and shifted in the chair. Grant’s evil grin told her he knew exactly what his actions were doing to her.

All around them, however, the audience seemed to think he was still just putting the garter on her leg. Maybe they wondered why it was taking so long, but no one was whispering or making any comments. The game was strictly between them and right now, it seemed to her that he thought he was winning.

She moved her foot until it settled in between his thighs, not quite touching him intimately, but as close as she could come. She wiggled her toes. His harsh intake of breath was her reward. His fingers froze on her knee, then continued their ascent.

As he moved higher, she moved her toes even closer to her mark. Don’t try to one up me, Doc.

His hand slipped out of sight of the crowd and completely under her dress. Free from view he explored her upper thigh. Charli’s eyes grew wide and she completely forgot they were in the middle of a dance floor with others watching. She couldn’t move as his fingers caressed her skin boldly, slipping between her legs to her upper thigh where he found the edge of her stockings and her own garter. His large hand smoothed over her inner thigh, pressing her legs open and implying an intimacy that no one in the audience knew was happening.

The room was suddenly very warm. Her chest rose and fell as she struggled to breathe properly. Desire spiraled through her and she forgot about the game, the blue garter and everything except how Grant looked on his knees, in front of her, with his hand up her skirt…

An ache began to build and spiral and swirl. Her breasts grew heavy and she couldn’t remember a time when she was more turned on and powerless to do anything to relieve the ache. His fingers danced on her skin, making small circles on her inner thigh. A small whimper escaped her and she quickly stifled it back—but not before he noticed.

His deep brown eyes sparkled triumphantly, pulling her out of her trance. He’d shifted control of the situation. Her resolve returned and she pushed back the pleasure his touch evoked. She wasn’t about to let him win even so much as one round.

Charli drew her tongue over her lips knowing it would draw his attention. With him kneeling in front of her and her long skirt covering his arm, the audience had absolutely no idea how high his fingers had reached. She pinned him with her sultry gaze.

She suddenly realized he was playing chicken. That’s what he’s doing. He thought she’d stop him. Ha. He didn’t know her at all if he thought she’d be the first to back down. Discreetly, she slipped down in the chair until his hand encountered a lot more than her bare thigh. His fingers froze. His eyes popped open wide and his mouth went slack.

Charli smiled.

Before Grant could recover, she slapped her hand on top of her skirt and opened her eyes wide as if in shock that he’d taken such liberties. For the wedding crowd’s sake, she wagged her finger in his face as if chastising him. The crowd laughed, but then, they had no clue how high his hand really was.

Grant’s face turned red. She tipped her chin and stared back at him triumphantly.

Yet, instead of pulling his hand out quickly, Grant slid his hand higher, his fingers stroking her as intimately as they could. Charli gasped and jerked back hard, but Grant held her firmly in place as he let his fingers drift back down her leg and then out from under her skirt. He held her foot firmly in place on his thigh until he was good and ready to release her and only then did he rise to his feet and offer his hand down to her to help her up.

Did Dr. Grouchy really just do what I think he did? In front of all these people? Her center pulsed to life wanting more than the quick brush of his fingers. She blinked trying to get her composure back while the crowd clapped. No one seemed to notice anything out of sorts. There were no whispered glances, no frowns from the elderly. To everyone else it had seemed perfectly normal. But then why would anyone suspect what had happened? Most bridesmaids were smart enough to wear panties under their gowns.

Wow, he did have some guts in that belly didn’t he? She had to admit to being a bit impressed. What else was he hiding from her?

Her entire body was on fire. She took the hand he still held out and wrapped her fingers around his.

The audience cheered and Grant brushed a kiss across her cheek. “Be careful when you play with fire, it might be you who gets burned,” he said softly.

Her cheeks felt warm and she wondered if her face was as red as her hair. For once she didn’t have a single comeback.

Cord appeared at their side and Charli nervously watched him for any sign that he knew what had just happened. She’d be mortified if she embarrassed Cord in front of all these people.

“Hey, thanks a lot for filling in, Grant.” Cord slapped the other man on the shoulder.

Charli caught Grant’s eye and was tickled to see the worry that creased his brow.

The other man laughed. “When Charli caught the bouquet I thought oh no, someone’s going to get fresh. That was fast thinking on Tyler’s part to make sure she was in the hands of someone we trusted.”

Charli bit her inner lip not to say anything. She glanced at Grant and watched his eyes dart away. Serves him right. Still, she too was a little embarrassed at how far she’d let things get in such a public venue.

Cord touched her shoulder. “If I could steal you for a minute.”

Cord wanted her? Maybe he was finally going to dance with her. Charli was ready. She forced all thoughts of Grant aside to smile her best smile for Cord. She turned and linked her arm through his. “Anytime, anywhere, you know that.”

He laughed and patted her hand as if she was a child. “Actually, they need you in the kitchen. Something to do with the wedding cake.” He glanced at Grant once more. “I don’t know if they told you, but Charli is an amazing pastry chef.”

She smiled up at Cord. “It’s no big deal.”

“It’s a very big deal. Our girl here studied in Europe under some of the most famous chefs of our time.”

She lifted her chin. “I just know some fun things to do with frosting.” She winked at Grant when Cord wasn’t looking. “Come on, Cord. Lead me to the kitchen so we can get back to the dancing.”

Grant watched the two walk away. He raked his hand through his hair and let his guard down for the first time since he knelt in front of her. If Cord hadn’t noticed anything wrong, then they were safe. Still, he couldn’t believe how low he’d stooped just to win against Charli. He never should have touched her like that, but what else was he supposed to do? If he’d backed down, she’d have won another round and then when would it end?

A flash of her in black leather and whip astride him in his bed came to mind. He couldn’t believe she’d pushed him to do something so crude in front of a room full of people. But her curls were so soft and he couldn’t help but imagine the red-gold color he’d find there.

Then he remembered the adoring way she’d looked at Cord when he took her arm. Why did that bug him so much? The woman was obviously a tease, tormenting him one minute and falling at Cord’s feet the next. And what about Teddy? They’d burned up the dance floor for over an hour together.

His resolve to not be drawn into her web grew stronger. There was no denying she was hot and he could guarantee she would show a guy a good time for as long as she was interested. He also knew enough about her type to know she’d walked away without even a second thought when she was bored. That’s what he had to focus on not only for the rest of tonight, but also for the next six long weeks.

****

Hours later he watched from the edge of the dance floor as Beth’s sister, Susan, danced with her on-again-off-again date, Brad. The two, both in show business, flew across the dance floor with moves that were impossible to him at any hour, but for almost two in the morning seemed a bit insane.

“This will be the last dance of the night, folks,” Teddy announced from the raised stage. “So grab the one you love and hold on tight.”

Out of nowhere, a hand reach out and took the glass from his grasp.

Trouble.

She smiled into his eyes, linked their fingers together and tugged him toward the dance floor. “You owe me a dance, Doc,” she said softly.

The band struck up a slow, sultry ballad and she slid into his arms, fitting against his body as if she belonged there. He wrapped one arm around her waist and grasped her slender hand in his own. Her head leaned towards him and, without thinking about it, Grant rested his cheek against her silky hair. She smelled as fresh as she had hours earlier. He closed his eyes. Her fragrance filled his nostrils as his hand splayed along her back, gently caressing the soft skin at the curve of her spine.

His reaction to her had nothing to do with reason and he could only explain his mellowness on the drinks he’d consumed. Touching Charli was like touching a rose petal and he couldn’t seem to get enough of the way she felt under his fingertips. He should be running a hundred miles an hour away from this vixen but for this one dance, he wanted to enjoy the sensations rocketing through his system. Then he’d go home to bed, alone.

He sighed as she moved her body in perfect time to the beat. His head was fuzzy from way too many drinks. But he knew one thing, she was all wrong for him. Too tall, too sexy, and way too smart-mouthed. The exact type of woman he needed to steer clear of. He opened his eyes and she lifted her head to meet his gaze. Her eyes could suck the very soul out of a man. They were warm and drowsy as if half asleep or completely aroused. He swallowed hard, trapped in their gaze.

Her pink tongue darted out to wet extremely tempting lips.

Grant leaned in. Her eyes drifted closed and she tipped her mouth up. He hovered a breath away from kissing her. If he did, it would be his undoing. They’d end up back at his house, in his bed and he’d be cursing himself afterwards. He couldn’t do this.

He quickly snapped back to reality. “Have you been enjoying the reception?” Grant coolly remarked, forcing himself to pull back.

Her eyes flew open and confusion filled her face. It was quickly replaced by the teasing look that he had come to recognize.

She lifted her hand and stroked his jaw line. “Hmm, let’s see what was my favorite part? The wedding itself? The food? Or maybe it was when you copped a feel under my dress in front of God and everyone.”

Grant frowned. “I think we should both move past that. It wasn’t one of my finger moments.” His mouth dropped open as he realized his Freudian slip.

Charli tossed her head back and laughed. “It was definitely a finger moment, Doc. That it was.” She pressed her mouth close to his ear and whispered. “I’d be happy to give you the chance to work on your technique if you’d like.”

She was too much. Once again, he wondered if Charli was willing to back up everything that sassy mouth proclaimed. “Yeah? You’d like to sit out there in the middle of the floor with your legs spread again and let me touch you?”

Charli bent her head. Finally, she was ashamed of something she’d said—then her body shook against his in laughter.

“I take it you’ve never had sex in public then?” She wiggled her eyebrows. “That’s the whole point in doing it in full view of everyone and no one knows what’s going on. You have to be so discreet and quiet.” She leaned nearer to whisper in his ear once more time. “It’s very, very naughty…but very, very exciting.”

“Stop that!. We weren’t having sex on the dance floor. And if you think I’m into anything like what you’re thinking, you’re chasing the wrong guy.”

Charli’s hand around his neck slid into his hair and caressed his neck. “I’d love the chance to change your mind.”

He swallowed hard. “Not going to happen, Trouble. Not now, not ever. I told you, you’re not my type.”

“That’s the best part. I can be whatever type you want. A nurse or a saloon girl. A school girl or a stripper—”

She shifted until her lips pressed into his neck. Grant drew in a ragged breath as a red haze floated in front of his face. His heart hammered and he hardened painfully behind his zipper. The second her tongue touched his skin, he thought he would explode. Ahh hell. Why was he even fighting her? He could always claim he was too drunk to know better tomorrow morning. His conscience warred with his body and he forced himself to think rationally.

“I guess no one ever told you a woman should play hard to get?”

Charli lifted her head and studied him. “You’d want someone who isn’t straight with you?”

Grant searched her eyes. There was no doubt there about what she wanted or was thinking. No coyness, no saying no when she meant yes. He had to admit, part of her was refreshing. “You’re right, I wouldn’t. But it doesn’t mean that just because we feel a physical attraction, we act on it. That’s what separates humans from animals, the ability to refrain.”

Sliding her hand up the front of his shirt, she pressed her palm over his heart. “Doc, wouldn’t you love to let your animal instincts take over, just for one night?”

Like a gift from the gods, the music ended. Grant gently eased her out of his arms and guided her by the elbow to the edge of the dance floor.

“Hey, wait up.” Teddy Weston hopped off the small makeshift stage and sprinted towards them. Though he glanced at Grant, it was the tall redhead who had the singer’s full attention.

“Have a nightcap with me,” he invited. A sideways glance to Grant told him to get lost.

Charli glanced over and he read the lift of her sexy brow loud and clear. Give her a better offer and she’d be his.

Grant leaned forward and pressed his lips to her cheek, ignoring the way her breath caught and the spicy perfume which clung to her skin. “Thank you for allowing me to escort you today. Good night, Charli.”

****

“Something smells good.” Charli padded barefoot into the sunny kitchen. The buttons on her long blue, sleeveless sundress ran from collar to hem, but she’d left a good portion of them open so she could move. Settling into a kitchen chair, she drew her knees up and rested her bare feet underneath her.

“And it was good,” the elderly housekeeper corrected. She smiled to soften her words. “Good afternoon, Miss Charli.”

Charli raked her hands through her hair and grinned. “I wish I could lie and tell you that I’m usually up with the sun, or slept in because it was a special occasion.”

“I’ve known you long enough, little girl, to know how much you like to sleep. Coffee? Juice?” Flo bustled to the refrigerator to draw out the pitcher of orange juice.

“I would kill for a Bloody Mary.” At the other woman’s chastising look she laughed. “But I think I better just have coffee. I can get it, though; you don’t have to wait on me.”

“You just sit there and tell me how the rest of the reception was after I left.” Flo poured the requested cup of coffee alongside the desired tomato juice concoction.

“You’re a saint.” Charli took a sip, closing her eyes and breathing deep. “That’ll do it.”

Flo set a plate of home baked bread and muffins on the table. “A bit too much champagne?”

“Is there such a thing?” She chuckled and sipped at her coffee dreamily. “Wasn’t it a beautiful wedding?”

“It was at that. My baby looked absolutely breathtaking. Now Sara, she was a pretty bride, but well, Beth looked like a fairy princess.”

“Did you see Tyler cry?” Charli pressed her hand to her breast. “It was so moving.”

They both turned at the footsteps in the hall. Dressed in a large worn robe, her hair piled up on her head and no makeup, Susan looked nothing like the famous Broadway singer she was—more as if she’d been hit by a train.

Flo pierced her with a glare, her hands firmly planted on her ample hips. “It’s two in the afternoon. You do realize that don’t you?”

Susan groaned and sank into the chair next to Charli. “Leave me alone.” She moaned and pressed her fingers to her temples, massaging in circles.

Charli winced in sympathy and pushed her Bloody Mary across the table to her friend.

Susan took a sip. “Oh God, that’s awful,” she sputtered.

Charli laughed. “Yep, but guaranteed it will cure that massive train wreck going on in your head.”

Susan took another drink and leaned back with her eyes closed. “Flo, can I have some aspirin?”

“Oh definitely, Miss. Anything else I can get for you, Miss? I’m here just to serve you, Miss. I ain’t got nothin’ else to do all day but wait on you, Miss.” Flo’s voice rose several octaves as she danced around the kitchen and disappeared down the hall. When she returned, she slammed a bottle of aspirin on the table in front of Susan.

“I don’t feel good. Can’t I have some sympathy?” Susan whined.

“Little girls who drink too much and make fools out of themselves don’t get my pity.” Flo tipped her head. “What time did you stroll in this morning anyway?”

Charli caught Susan’s glance and quickly dropped her eyes to her coffee.

“I came home with everyone else. What time was it Charli, midnight or so?”

Charli had no idea what time Susan got home because Susan left with Brad while she was having a nightcap with Teddy—and that was after two. For some reason, it appeared Susan didn’t want Flo to know about that.

She stood up and moved to the sink with her glass. “I don’t really know to be honest. It was such a fun night, I lost all track of time. Does anyone else feel like a swim?”

Susan pressed her hand to her head and groaned. “All that sunshine and movement, uh no.”

Flo moved about the kitchen. “Everyone’s coming down for dinner tonight so you better get yourself together pretty soon.”

“I can’t do the family dinner thing today,” Susan moaned.

“It’s Sunday and the family eats together.” Flo pinned her with a pointed look. “Besides, Teddy will be coming in here soon. You want him to see how bad off you are?”

Charli was shocked at how fast the dark haired girl moved. She was on her feet and across the room in no time flat.

“I’m going to grab a shower and catch up on some emails. I’ll catch you later, Charli. Hey, let’s go into town and do lunch tomorrow.”

“I can’t. I’m a working girl, remember? Gotta be at the office at eight sharp.”

Susan scrunched her nose. “You’re seriously going to work with Grant this entire time?”

She nodded. “Yep. All day, every day until Beth comes back.”

“Makes me almost wish I was staying home for more than a few days. I’d love to watch that play out. You’ll drive Grant nuts within a week.”

Charli grinned and skipped up the back stairs to find her bathing suit. “That, my dear friend, could very well be true.”

With the latest gourmet magazine in hand, along with a juicy erotic romance that she’d been dying to read, Charli slipped inside the wrought iron fence that surrounded the pool. She kicked off her flip flops, set down her reading material and sun screened up before heading to the edge of the pool. Dragging one foot into the water, she was relieved to find it cool and refreshing, not overly heated. Nothing worse than a hot pool on an equally hot day. Dropping her cover-up, she walked to the diving board and neatly sliced into the water. She swam laps for several minutes, back and forth, up and down until her breath came hard and her heart pounded against her chest.

As she reached the side to catch her breath, a pair of boots came into her narrowed view. Glancing up, the bright glare of sun hid who they belonged to.

When Cord squatted down, surprise and pleasure filled her. She rested her arms on the edge of the pool and kicked her feet out to tread water.

“Hey, you,” she said.

“How’s the water?” Cord’s eyes were hidden behind aviator style sunglasses that only served to make him even more devastatingly handsome.

Charli squinted. “Very refreshing. Why don’t you come in?” She held her breath, hoping he’d join her, knowing he wouldn’t.

“I’ve got a few things to work on before dinner. Your father and I were out riding and I need a shower.”

“Why take a shower when you could come in here?”

He reached out and tapped his finger on her nose. “The last time I was in the pool with you, I seem to recall losing a race, and getting dunked.”

She grinned. “I promise to behave. I’ll even get out and sit by the edge if it’ll make you feel safer.”

Cord laughed. “Maybe another time. Listen, I want to talk to you about an idea I’ve been kicking around. Can you meet me in the den before dinner?”

What could this be about? Then again, what did it matter? If Cord asked her to meet him in the middle of the expressway at high noon she’d be there. “Sure. Should I dress or will this do?” She pushed away from the edge and swam on her back.

Cord straightened. “I think if you show up for dinner in that suit, I wouldn’t be able to control my brother.” He lifted his hand in a slight wave and walked away.

Charli watched him go, filled as always with a little bit of longing. She knew her crush was hopeless. She had nothing to offer Cord Weston, even if he was interested. Which he wasn’t. Cord wanted a family. He wanted a good wife and a bunch of kids and that was one role she’d never play. Her own mother had tried that route and failed miserably, leaving nothing but heartache and lifelong pain for the man she’d left and the daughter she’d abandoned.

No matter how many people told her she looked just like her mother, she knew that inside, where it really mattered, she was nothing like her. She would never hurt someone she loved. She recognized early on her need for variety and knew she could never be true to one man for the rest of her life. It was better if she didn’t even try. And Cord, of course, would never settle for anything less than marriage—and she just wasn’t a forever kind of girl.

Though it tugged at her heart, she had his friendship, his respect, and that was worth everything to her.

Charli braced her hands on the side of the pool and lifted herself out. Water dripped down her body as she picked up her towel and headed for the lounge chair.

Across the yard, Grant rode in and put his horse in the barn. He couldn’t help but see Charli all stretched out by the pool. The tiny white bikini she wore caught the light like a diamond glinting in the sun. She’d been on his mind all night, hell all day, too. How many times had he cursed himself for leaving her with Teddy and not having a nightcap, a private nightcap, with her himself.

When he came out of the barn, she was leaving the pool area. The fuchsia pink cover-up she wore hung open and the oversized sunglasses on her face hid her eyes from view. Unfortunately, there was no way to avoid her. He had to pass by the pool area to get to his house.

She slid her sunglasses down her nose and gazed at him over the top. “Hey, Doc.”

“Hi, Trouble.” Reluctantly, he stopped in front of her.

Her gaze slid boldly down his body. “How’d you sleep? Besides alone, I mean.”

Grant forced himself not to look away from the tempting golden curves showcased to their finest by the tiny bathing suit. “I slept just fine. And you? How was your night?”

A slow smile crept across her face. “My night? Hmmm, yes, it was good. Definitely good.”

She shifted the reading materials in her hand. The book slipped from her grasp and hit the ground. Automatically he bent to retrieve it “Whoa,” he muttered, seeing those long golden legs up close. Her white bikini bottoms were cut high on her leg and low below her naval. The diamond piercing twinkled at him as he slowly rose from his bent position. Two very perfect and very well endowed mounds of one hundred percent womanly breasts barely covered by a scrap of white material came into view. Her nipples tempted him, poking straight out from behind the fabric. His erection jerked and sprang up hard and ready. He darted his gaze to the book to distract himself, then wished he hadn’t. The cover was very graphic and the title very suggestive.

She covered the steamy picture with her hand and took it from his grasp as she stood. “It’s good to keep your mind open to learning new things, don’t you agree, Doc?”

He frowned. “That’s a romance novel. What could you learn from that?”

“Me? Probably not much, but you on the other hand…” Charli trailed her long red fingernail down the muscular chest on the cover of the book, and then lower. “I’ve got a great idea. How about we have a little private book club. You read some of this and then we’ll discuss it in depth and see what we both think.” She shoved the book at his chest making it impossible for him not to take it.

Before he could argue with her, she turned on her heel and left. A shapely rear end sashayed as she walked and captivated his attention until she was out of view. Glancing at the book in his hands, he smirked.

****

Charli raced down the large central staircase and skidded to a stop at the bottom where the heavy double doors to the infamous den stood open. This was Cord’s domain, the place where all major decisions for the ranch took place.

She still couldn’t figure out exactly why she’d been summoned here.

The last time they’d had a serious meeting in this room, her father had proposed a merger between the Circle S, the property he owned in Abilene, and the Double B. Being the only child, it was fine with her to merge the family ranch in with the Double B since she had no interest in running the place once her father was gone.

“Come on in. Let’s have a drink,” Cord called from across the room.

With a brush of her hands down her linen slacks, she stepped over the threshold. Although there was never anything formal about the Double B, Sunday dinners sort of lent themselves to something other than shorts and sandals. She’d changed into some casual slacks with a new blouse she’d snagged from Susan’s closet. The lucky other woman lived in New York City and had a wardrobe Charli would kill for.

“Perfect.” She took the tumbler of whiskey Cord had poured for her. “You spoil me, you know.”

Cord spread his hand out to indicate the soft leather sofa. “Sit down, relax.”

She took a seat, lounged back and crossed her legs. “I have to tell you, if you are finally getting around to proposing, this might not be a good time for me. You see, I just took this job and I don’t think I’ve earned any vacation time yet.”

Cord grinned. “My loss. As they say, timing is everything.”

She bit back a remark on a large swallow of the mellow whiskey she knew he kept stocked just for her.

“Has Grant filed a sexual harassment suit against me? I can explain, I swear.”

Cord laughed and, to her disappointment, sat in a leather wing chair across from her rather than of joining her on the sofa.

“You really should go easy on him. He doesn’t know you like we do. He might think you’re serious.”

She chewed the inside of her cheek. Better not to touch that one. “Okay then, no proposal and no lawsuit. Good. Anything else will be a breeze.”

Cord leaned forward, letting his hands fall loose between his knees. Charli’s heart couldn’t help but skip a tiny beat at the warmth in his soft brown eyes.

“I know when Chase had his heart attack, you put your career on hold.”

Charli sipped her whiskey and settled deeper into the couch. “You did the same when your father died.”

Cord shrugged. “We’re talking about you.”

“I’m just glad I was home when it happened. I can’t imagine what it would have been like if I had been still traipsing across Europe or in some remote, unreachable location.”

He nodded. “But he’s fine now. Tyler’s got things under control at the Circle S. Even on his honeymoon, he’s got a good, solid foreman handling everything. So my question is, isn’t it time to get back to you?”

Charli sipped her drink so she wouldn’t have to answer. She hadn’t asked herself that question in way too long and wasn’t eager to talk about it now. “Do you ever get tired of the weight of the world on your shoulders? You don’t need to add the responsibility of my life to it you know.”

“I don’t consider it a responsibility.”

“I’m a big girl, Cord. I can take care of myself.”

He stared her directly in the eye. “I know that; that’s one reason I wanted to talk to you. Remember last year we talked a little bit about you opening a restaurant?”

She nodded. “I still don’t know if I want to get that committed. You know how I feel about all that forever and ever stuff.”

“Right. What if you did something on a smaller scale though, like a tea shop or a dessert bar.”

“Do I really look like the tea and scone type of gal?”

He chuckled but held her gaze. “You’re a chameleon, you can do and be whatever suits you and we both know it.”

She sat back again and tipped her head to study him. “Okay, suppose I decided to open up this coffee shop or whatever, where?”

He shrugged. “Here, Abilene, I don’t know. Wherever you want. Look, here’s what I’m thinking. There’s no upscale coffee shop in Sweet Meadow. There’s the diner and it’s very good, but I think there’s a real need in town for a place to get an espresso or a latte. I’m thinking of something like those fancy pastries that you and I both know you excel in, expensive coffees, and teas. High end stuff.”

“In Sweet Meadow?”

“We’re not that far from Houston. I know what you can bake, and folks would drive an hour for them. Over an hour. There isn’t a good Kolache place near here either; that’s another niche you could fill.”

People did love the specialty breakfast treats. Already she could see her favorite recipes being served on brightly colored dishes and served up with huge mugs of steaming coffee.

After a few seconds of imagining the interior of the shop and the customers who would rave about her baking, she gave herself a shake. This was insane. She didn’t want to own a business. That would mean commitment. It would mean being responsible for people who worked for her. She couldn’t hit the road when she got bored. What if there was a party in Monaco or someone wanted her to join them on a cruise? No, owning her own place might be fun for a little while but it wasn’t for her.

Still, she could see the interior, smell the exotic coffees she’d brew and the mixture of cookies, scones and little cakes And Cord was watching her with such expectation, she couldn’t just toss his offer back at him. “Where do you come into this?” she asked instead. “It’s not like I would need capital, you know.”

He shrugged. “I figured I’d handle the business side of things so you could be creative and not worry about all the paperwork.”

Charli wasn’t fooled for a minute. “Don’t you have enough to do? Again, I’m not one of the family who you need to take care of.”

Cord stood up and paced to the sidebar and poured himself a second drink. He motioned to her but she shook her head. “Actually, it would be doing me a favor too, a change of pace and all that. Plus, I get all the side benefits.”

She narrowed her eyes. If he was any other man she’d know exactly what he was insinuating. With Cord, she was far more nervous; he was one man she never could read. “What side benefits?”

Cord patted his stomach. “I definitely think I should be in charge of quality control. We wouldn’t want to risk anyone eating something that wasn’t the very best.” He winked.

Charli’s entire body warmed. She wasn’t fooled, he wanted to be involved to take the pressure off her. He wanted her to have her dream, even knowing what her dream was without her dreaming it, if that made sense. That was Cord Weston, looking out for everyone.

She licked her suddenly dry lips. “What if I start this and get bored and want to quit?”

He put the crystal stopper back onto the tumbler of whiskey. “I don’t think you will.”

Charli came to her feet in one fluid motion, crossed the room and reached her hand out toward him. He closed his around hers and let her squeeze his fingers.

“I don’t know, Cord. I don’t.”

The oldest Weston set his drink down and pulled her into his arms. “What if we make sure to set this up so you have an out? We’ll put folks in there who can handle it if you need to run.” He pulled back and tipped her face up with his finger. “I don’t think you will, but I won’t let you fail either, I promise.”

She didn’t believe him, but this was Cord, and she’d agree to anything he said. She nodded, pulled out of his arms and wrapped her own around her waist. “I’ll think about it while I’m working with Grant, maybe we can draw up some plans.”

Cord smiled and sipped his drink. “Maybe you should test a few recipes out, you know, just to see how it goes.”

She laughed. “Is that your business recommendation?”

“If it means you’ll make that chocolate cherry cake with the thick frosting again, sure.”

Charli headed to the door then paused. She turned back. “I hope I don’t let you down.”

“You’re ready for this, trust me.”

She drew a deep breath nowhere near as confident in herself as he was. “I think a marriage proposal would have scared me less than this.”

She slipped through the door and headed back upstairs.

****

Grant shut the door to the clinic and caught sight of the stars twinkling in the Texas sky. So much for a quiet afternoon. An emergency call in the next town had kept him tied up through dinner and halfway into the night. The rancher and his wife were kind enough to insist he stay and eat something, but now he was looking forward to a long soak in the hot tub and then bed.

He reached the black gate to the pool area and winced when he unlatched it and the clang resounded in the stillness of the air. Carefully, he made his way past the lounge chairs and tables.

He headed for the shadowed alcove already anticipating the bubbly hot water of the Jacuzzi easing his tired muscles. As he drew closer, a splash of the water indicated someone else had beat him to it. He carefully inched forward, the memory of the time he came around the corner and found Sam and Flo in the hot tub was way too vivid. Who’d have thought a couple married that long would still be that passionate? He hadn’t been able to look them in the eye for a week.

A woman’s arms rested on the edge of the tub. In the shadowy moonlight he could make out a slender neck and a pile of hair on top of her head. The woman lifted a drink to her lips and tipped her head back. Scooping a handful of water she leaned her head back and drizzled it over her front.

It had to be Susan. Damn. He’d really been looking forward to the hot pulsating jets on his sore muscles. Would the dark haired beauty mind company? It wasn’t as if it was a small two person tub; this one could easily fit eight adults.

She must have sensed him watching because she twisted in the tub to glance over her shoulder.

His mind registered two things immediately.

The woman in the hot tub was not Beth’s sister.

And she wasn’t wearing a bathing suit.