“True, we do, but if you think we meet to spread rumors, you’re wrong. We meet for the homemade wine.”
His laughter filled the cab. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“I’m happy for Mitch. He still loved her and they should be together if possible.”
“Not everyone who loves each other belongs together.”
“Boone, are you serious? Do you not have one romantic bone in your body?” She rolled her eyes. They left downtown in exchange for a narrower country road. The van’s shocks squeaked and the tires bumped over potholes.
“Hey, just sayin’.” He laughed. “Mitch is a good guy though. I hope he’s happy.”
“So, I hear Talia’s been seeing someone also. Some cowboy from Lloyd.”
“And?”
“Whatever will you do?”
“Didn’t we agree not to talk about her?”
“I’m simply making conversation.”
He cleared his throat. “You really take great interest in my personal life, don’t you? You enjoy teasing me.”
“Who? Me? How do I tease you?”
“Cherry pie. Rope swing. Itty-bitty bra and panties. Ringing any bells?”
“Oh, you remember that, huh?”
“Hell, I dream of it. Night after night.” His tone was close to a growl. “A man can only entertain himself so much before it’s not enough. I had to stop over at the pharmacy to grab myself some anti-chafing cream.”
She clicked off the heat because the temperature rose. “The legendary Boone Hawke doesn’t have a warm body to fill his bed. Shame.” The flirtation was off the charts.
“I’m glad you think this is funny. I wouldn’t be so unsympathetic if you told me the same.”
“That I needed cream?”
“That you have to pleasure yourself.”
Her nipples scrunched and her inner thighs quivered. “How did this conversation swing onto me and onto something private?”
“And now you’re trying to change the subject. I see…you can dish it out, but you can’t take the heat.”
“I just don’t talk about…you know…that.” She tried to stay focused on the road ahead which was becoming exceedingly difficult.
“It’s not dirty, Daisy. Well, it’s dirty but in a good way. Maybe you don’t have to pleasure yourself because you have a secret romance going on.”
She whipped her gaze around. “How would that be possible in a town Cooper Hawk’s size? Everyone knows everything. In fact, people will have you and I sleeping together because they saw us driving up on the mountain.”
“We’re too old to care what people think. Anyway, you’re too sweet for a friends-with-benefits relationship.”
“What?” She snorted. “I’m not sweet. I could very well be having a fling. I’m capable of it, you know.”
“If you say so.” He chuckled and shifted, his elbow brushing her arm.
The hair on the back of her neck lifted. “I take offense to this.”
“It’s not an accusation, Daiz. You shouldn’t be offended that men view you as…well, respectful.”
“Don’t you mean unattainable?”
“I’m not a walking Webster’s Dictionary but I know the difference between respectful and unattainable.”
“Of course. You also know the definition of being a tease too. If either of us is, it’s definitely you.”
“Really?” he huffed. “Trust me, sweetheart. You’ve had me in knots for weeks and I think you like that power. Maybe I need to turn the tables.”
She laughed. “And how will you possibly do that? I think I scare you.”
“Trust me, if I wanted to knock your panties off, I could.”
Rolling her tongue over her bottom lip, she couldn’t resist this erotic web of entanglement. “I’m curious, how would you seduce me?”
The unclicking of his seatbelt sounded loud to her sensitive ears. “I’m not a complete mess at seduction, honey.” He eased closer. Close enough that she could feel the heat coming from his body. “A man could easily get lost in a woman like you.” His breath brushed her cheek.
Tightening her hold on the steering wheel, she denied the urge to squirm. “That’s a good start.”
“I bet you like when a man takes his time kissing you, savoring you like a ripe peach, drawing in all your sweet juices. I’d taste every part of you, starting at the hollow here.” He blew on the dip between her collarbones. “Then here.” He blew on the cleft between her breasts.
She trembled like a leaf in the wind.
“I’d swirl my tongue around every bud, every soft curve, to learn you with my tongue…until you screamed, begged, pleaded for me to—”
“Okay,” she panted. “You’ve proved your point.” She couldn’t take another second of the blissful torture.
With a tight chuckle, he shifted back into his seat, clicked the seatbelt into place then said, “I’ll let you borrow some of the anti-chafing cream.”
They lapsed into silence. Daisy felt like she’d been touched on every part of her body and he hadn’t laid a finger on her. She was glad she had a moment to collect herself.
Once they arrived at the cabin, Boone helped her unload the flowers. Neither mentioned the heated moment in the van. They worked together at filling the cabin space with beautiful arrangements and candles that could be lit prior to the bride arriving.
“And for the final touch.” She placed a handwritten note congratulating the couple on the table along with a box of chocolate covered strawberries.
“That’s why you’re the best nursery in Cooper’s Hawk.” Boone winked.
“I’m the only nursery in Cooper’s Hawk. But thank you. I just think love is magical. Two people are vowing to love, trust, and honor each other for the rest of their lives. Nothing is sweeter than making that commitment and starting a family.”
“What about those people who don’t want a family?” He brought a long-stemmed red rose to his nose.
“Like you? I guess you’ll be happy with being alone.” She shrugged and turned to concentrate on rearranging flowers in a clear vase, mainly so he wouldn’t see the hurt on her expression.
“You might not trust my opinion, but I think the bride will be happy,” Boone said.
“It’s hard to go wrong with flowers. They sort of speak for themselves.”
“You’re like a painter and your brush is the flowers.”
Swallowing hard, she met his gaze, feeling a tingle in her chest. “We should go. It’s getting late.”
*****
Boone stared through the window, wrapped in his thoughts when he saw something ahead. He leaned forward and squinted. “Daisy, stop here.”
She braked just in time. “What is it?”
“Looks like there was a landslide from all the rain.”
“What do we do? Is there another way off the mountain?” He could sense the worry in her words.
“One that’d take us miles out of our way and it’s probably not safe in the current weather conditions either.” He rubbed his forehead.
“So that means we’re stuck here until the road is cleared?”
“Stay here. I’ll be back.” He opened the passenger door and felt her fingers on his wrist. “What’s wrong?”
“Is it safe to get out here? If there has been one landslide there could be more.”
“It’ll be okay. I just want to check how severe the damage is. I’ll be right back,” he promised then slid out, slamming the door. He smashed his hat lower on his head and lifted the collar of his jacket against the sting of the cold rain. The landslide prevented anyone from passing. Much of the debris was being washed away into the ravine below but the tree wasn’t going anywhere without the help of a chainsaw.
Going back to the van, he opened the door and leaned in. “Do you have any flares?”
“I’ll look.” She removed her seatbelt.
“No, you stay inside. If it’s okay, I’ll check in the back.”
“Sure.”
“That should help,” he said when he climbed back into the van. “Once we reach service area, I’ll call Sheriff Conley and make him aware of the downed tree.” He slid off his hat and shook off the water. “We won’t be getting off the mountain tonight.”
“What are we going to do? We can’t stay here on the road. What if someone comes down the mountain and doesn’t see us in time?”
“We can turn around in the pull off that we passed a few hundred feet ago and head back up the mountain. Hank has a cabin nearby and we can stay there for the night.” The last thing Boone wanted—or needed—was to spend the night with Daisy alone, but what choice did they have? Sleeping in the van was out of the question.
He sensed her hesitation too.
“I know it’s not what you want, but it’s for the best.”
“I’m not complaining. I’m grateful you’re here with me.”
“Me too.” And he meant it.
Slowly and carefully, with his guidance, she managed to back up and turn around in the gravel. Hank’s cabin was a small fishing lodge at the top of an ascent that had an amazing view, when it wasn’t so foggy. Boone felt relief when they made the steep incline without incident. He knew how dangerous the mountain could be in bad weather. A few years ago a couple had been killed when a boulder rolled off the mountain, hit their vehicle and sent them careening into the ravine.
Boone had always felt safer on the back of a horse up here than in a vehicle.
He waited for Daisy at the front of the van. Some of the walkway and hillside had washed away. They were up to their ankles in mud and water to make it on the porch. The boards wobbled under their weight and she held the rail. “Is this safe?”
“Yes, we’ll be fine. The flooding has probably loosened the dirt around the joists.”
“Will we be able to get in?” she asked, a telltale quiver to her voice.
He moved a terracotta flowerpot and retrieved the extra key. “Bingo.”
“He’s trusting leaving a key semi-hidden.”
“Hank figures if someone really needs in they’ll get in one way or another. There’s not much that goes on up here.” He unlocked the door, gave it a hard shove with his shoulder and reached inside to flip on the light.
They removed their boots and socks because they were soaked.
Daisy slipped off her jacket and hung it on the coat tree. Boone hooked his hat then made sure there was a stack of kindling in the basket next to the fireplace in case the electric went out.
Hank had done a lot of remodeling recently and the place was cozy. Obviously, Helena had added some nice touches too like curtains, a couple of warm throws tossed over the couch, soft rugs, a few western pictures, and paint on the walls.
“This is nice,” Daisy said. “The outside is deceiving.”
“I think they planned on renting the place out, but instead decided to keep it for when they needed a break from the craziness of life. It’s like a whole different world here.”
“We all could use a cabin tucked away on a mountain.”
“You’d be okay staying up here where the closest store is ten miles away and bears wander the back yard like dogs?”
“I think I’d love to have a cabin in the middle of nowhere where wildlife can feel free to roam. Boone, you must not know me very well. I’m a country girl through and through.”
If possible, he admired her even more than before.
“I should call Chynna. I’ll need her at the shop early in the morning.”
“Reception stinks up here.” He dragged off his damp shirt and hung it on the back of the chair. To take the chill off, he started a fire while she continued to try and get cell service. Lifting her phone higher and in different angles, she wasn’t having any luck. He hid his humor.
Once the fire was blazing and the cabin started to warm up, he stood and swiped his hands down the thighs of his jeans. “You should give it up for now.”
With an agitated sigh, she deposited her phone on the table and crossed her arms.
“I’m glad I came with you,” he said. “Not that you couldn’t handle the situation alone, but the mountain can be treacherous in bad weather.”
She dropped her arms and nodded. “I’m glad, it’s just…”
“What?” He saw a flicker of something in her guarded features.
“You won’t get your steak,” she said softly.
He chuckled. Sure, he had been looking forward to a big juicy steak prepared by George, but it wasn’t the end of the world. “No steak, I’m sure, but let’s see what’s in the kitchen.” He sauntered in, making a silent wish that there was something, anything, to eat. By morning, the road would probably be cleared, but he was so hungry his stomach was eating itself.
Opening the refrigerator, he stuck his head inside and took out two beers, an old block of cheese and a jar of pickles. “Let’s see what’s in the cabinet.” His search rewarded him with enough ingredients to make spaghetti. “It’s not a total loss. Beer’s the only thing to drink unless you want tap water.”
“Beer’s fine.” She accepted one of the bottles. “I’ll help cook. I’m starving.” She was already washing her hands.
He’d never been much of a cook, so he was grateful that she’d taken the lead. Within minutes they had water boiling and the sauce poured into a saucepan and bubbling.
“Thanks to whomever was up here last.” Boone took a long chug of his beer.
“Did you see butter in here?” She peeked into the refrigerator, found a stick and sniffed it. “Smells okay.” She stuck it on top of the stove to become room temperature. “I learned that adding a small amount of butter to spaghetti sauce makes it richer. It can only help jarred sauce.”
“Do you cook much?”
“No. I don’t like cooking for one. I usually go over to Poppy’s who could make rubber edible or I grab take out.”
“I’d gather Poppy won’t be cooking as much these days now that she’s mayor.”
“She’ll still prepare meals. She’s always said, “A family that eats dinner together stays together’.”
Boone cleared his throat. “Uhh…”
Daisy sighed. “In most cases. Her husband couldn’t keep his horse in the stall.”
“He’s a bastard. Let’s cheer to divorce in those cases.” They clinked bottles.
She wrapped her pretty mouth around the glass lid and he felt a jerk all the way into his groin. “Although I don’t believe in divorce, sometimes it’s necessary.”
“You sound so assured when you haven’t even been married.”
“I’m not one to judge but I believe in fighting for what you love.”
Was there an underlying meaning to her words? “You’re a hopeless romantic, sweetheart.” He set his bottle down and dropped pasta into the water.
When their meal was done cooking, they took their plates to sit on the couch where the fire had died down some and made the room snug.
She tucked her feet up under her bottom and forked spaghetti, expertly rolling it around the tines.
“How do you do that? I’ve never been able to keep my noodles on my fork.” He clumsily brought the bite to his mouth and slurped it up.
“It takes great patience.” She laughed.
“I have patience.”
“It wasn’t personal, Boone.” The fire turned her features golden.
She’d piled her hair high on her head and soft tendrils had fallen around her flushed cheeks. Remembering how he’d “seduced” her in the van made the temperature rise. Although he’d meant to only prove a point, instead, he’d sent an ache spiraling in his balls.
They ate in silence while he contemplated how much longer he could stay behind the invisible lines he’d drawn for himself with her.
“That was delicious.” He set his empty plate on the table.
“I’d like to ta
ke a shower.” She stood up so fast she wobbled slightly. “I’m dirty.”
“Yeah?” He felt a tug in his throat.
“Me. My clothes. I mean…I’ve worked all day and need soap and water. I can take a quick one unless you need to take one.” Her eyes glazed.
“Are you asking me to take one with you?”
“No…of course not.” Her cheeks turned red. “I-I just didn’t want to hog the shower.” She took a step toward the hallway.
“Take one first. I’ll handle the dishes.” In the meantime, he’d do his best not to imagine her running her hands down her soapy body.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Inside the bathroom, she closed the door and took a moment to gather her nerves. What happened between her and Boone? He was different and she didn’t mind.
However, what she was tired of was…wondering what his intentions were.
Stripping out of her clothes, she stepped under the warm spray. The shower head was broken and streamed in the center, but the water felt good. She’d barely had enough time to scrub the soap from her hair and body before the hot water ran out though. She moved fast to finish and by the time she stepped out onto the soft rug, goosebumps had scattered her flesh and her nipples were rigid buds.
Reaching for a clean towel from the shelf, she used it and hung it to dry on the L-hook. On the back of the door she spotted a fluffy white robe that must have belonged to Helena and Daisy dragged it on, snuggling in the softness.
Grabbing up her clothes and folding them, she set them aside and left the bathroom, hearing the clanking of pots and pans in the kitchen. She paused to listen, smiling. For a second she could pretend that she and Boone were more than friends and this was their place. She believed he’d make a good husband.
Those thoughts weren’t safe.
Boone was putting away dishes and the coffee pot sputtered the last drops of the brew into the carafe. The strong muscles in his back flexed with each movement.
He popped his head up and offered her a mind-blowing smile. “I found some coffee. Want a cup?”
“Yes. Need any help?”
Cowboy Boone (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 4) Page 8