Carter's Cowboy

by McClone, Melissa

  Far from it.

  All this week, he’d noticed how the light glinted off her hair and how loving she was to animals and how her smile lit up her face. He’d found himself mesmerized when she spoke about soil-building, hydroponics, and weed management. He’d managed to control his attraction.

  Until tonight.

  Carter hoped she hadn’t noticed, but if she did, that it wouldn’t change their working relationship.

  Avery stared out the window. “Some of Ivy’s covers are better than the original songs. The way she captivated the audience was amazing.”

  “Ivy has a gift. Two actually.” He would rather talk about his sister’s talent instead of how embarrassed he’d been at the pub. “Her voice and songwriting abilities.”

  “Has she tried pursuing a singing career?”

  “Yes.” The memory brought a rush of anger. He took a breath to calm himself before continuing. “Unfortunately, she crashed and burned in a humiliating reality-TV-gone-viral way. Our dad had died only a couple of months before that, which made what happened worse. She gave up her dream.”

  Avery inhaled sharply. “Ivy never tried again?”

  “No.” A complete shame. “She occasionally performs at Quinn’s and other bars in the area. She’s fronted for a few bands, but none invited her to join them permanently.”

  “She’s probably too talented for them.”

  Customers who’d heard Ivy perform said the same thing. “We’ve told Ivy that, but we can’t make her listen. She claims what she’s doing now is enough, music-wise.”

  None of them believed that.

  Still, Carter didn’t blame his sister for not wanting to put herself out there again. To be eighteen and told with a television audience watching to give up her dream because she wasn’t talented enough and then be ridiculed on social media for her reaction was beyond difficult. Not many people, no matter what their age, could overcome that.

  As Carter turned into the farm’s driveway, he yawned.

  “Tired?” Avery asked.

  “Not really.” The last time he’d been out this late was for the New Year’s Eve bash at the pub. He probably wouldn’t do it again until Easter unless he got invited to a wedding. “I just don’t go into town that much.”

  “It’s not a bad drive.”

  Many people thought the distance was a pain, but not him. “As long as the weather’s good, it’s fine.”

  “I don’t blame you for sticking closer to home.” She spoke with a thoughtful tone. “If I lived in the area, I would want a house in the country, not in town.”

  A turnip-sized lump formed in Carter’s throat. She was saying exactly what he’d hoped to hear from a woman. Except Avery wasn’t interested in him as anything other than a client. She would be leaving in a little over a week.

  The realization disappointed him.

  As he parked the truck, uncertainty over what he was feeling made him anxious. Truth was he was confused. Because…

  Tonight had felt like a date.

  An honest-to-goodness real-life date.

  Something he hadn’t been on in…far too long.

  That was probably why he’d reached across the table to hold Avery’s hand, only to pull back his arm when he realized what he was doing. As Ivy sang a romantic ballad, he’d also ignored the urge to move his chair next to Avery’s so he could sit closer to her.

  But this hadn’t been a date.

  It couldn’t be.

  No matter what he might want.

  That knowledge, however, hadn’t stopped him from thinking and wishing tonight could be one so he would be able to kiss Avery before saying goodnight.

  Stupid.

  Insane, really.

  Resigned to his fate of being nothing more than one of her clients, he removed the keys from the ignition before glancing Avery’s way. “I hope you had fun tonight.”

  “I did.” As she opened her door, cold air flooded the cab. “Thanks for suggesting we go.”

  The passenger door shut. He jumped out of the truck. If she’d wanted him to be a gentleman and open the door for her, she would have remained in the cab.

  Avery met him at the walkway to the house. She was bundled up in a thick parka and hat. Her gloved hands were in her pockets.

  “You weren’t kidding about the number of Quinns in town. Someone was always waving at you or trying to get your attention.” She didn’t sound upset, rather amused. She headed to the porch, lit by a single bulb. “There were some curious stares, though. Jared gave me a friendly warning. I take that to mean you might have some explaining to do tomorrow.”

  More like tonight. The notifications had been blowing up Carter’s cell phone, so he’d turned it off. He didn’t want to think about the gossip currently spreading like wildfire, especially after they’d shared a slice of Bethany’s special recipe layered chocolate cake with sprinkles of crushed lavender on top, which had left them gazing at each other like high schoolers with crushes for some unknown reason.

  Even now, he couldn’t stop smiling at Avery. “I’m hoping my sisters will take care of some of the questions.”

  If Maggie and Ivy were true to form, they would provide enough information—given to them by Carter while Avery was in the restroom—to appease everyone’s curiosity. Well, except for their grandmother’s. Nothing would stop her from dropping off his dinner on Monday when she picked up the new batch of herbs. All he could hope for was that she would have heard enough about Avery from all the others by the time he called in the morning to apologize for not visiting to keep her from stopping by until her regular time.

  Almost to the front door, Avery wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s colder tonight.”

  “I can’t believe a monster storm is predicted when it’s so clear.” He studied the sky, a dark canvas for the twinkling stars. Almost as lovely as Avery. “Let’s get you inside before you catch a chill.”

  He unlocked and opened the front door, motioning for her to go first.

  Ruff greeted her as soon as she stepped inside. She knelt to rub him. “Hello, handsome.”

  Carter never believed he would be jealous of his dog, but he was. “I should put him outside for a few minutes since he’s been cooped up in the house.”

  As Ruff trotted out the door, Avery removed her coat, gloves, and hat. She wore a simple black sweater and jeans, but that was all she needed to look gorgeous.

  She wiggled her fingers. “Thank goodness for heat.”

  He didn’t want her to be cold. “I’ll make a fire.”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful on this cold winter’s night.”

  He hadn’t thought about making one before. Not surprising. He wasn’t used to having company over who stayed that late, nor had he thought about lighting the fireplace since she’d arrived. He had a set routine he’d managed to keep in place while she was here.

  After doing dishes, he would normally retreat to his bedroom with Ruff to watch television before falling asleep. Sometimes, when he was exhausted after a long day, he woke up with the TV still on.

  “Want me to make coffee?” Avery asked.

  “How about hot cocoa?” He’d never seen her drink coffee after dinner. “There’s a box of mix in the pantry. A bag of mini marshmallows, too.”

  “On it.”

  While she headed to the kitchen, he let Ruff in and then wiped the dog’s wet paws with the towel by the door. The dog immediately made a beeline into the kitchen.

  Traitor.

  Not that Carter blamed him. Carter would rather be with Avery if he had the choice.

  Instead of being jealous, he needed to get the fire going.

  Dimming the lights gave the room a cozy atmosphere. Carter added logs onto the grate in the brick fireplace. After crumpling newspaper, he added those beneath the logs. A strike and toss of the match made flames appear. Soon, the wood crackled.

  Pleased with his efforts, he stood back. All he needed was music to finish setting the mood…

>   Nope.

  The fire was about keeping Avery warm, nothing else. Forget the music. No mood needed to be set.

  She carried two steaming mugs with marshmallows on top. Ruff followed at her heels. “The fire is perfect.”

  Her compliment shouldn’t fill him with pride, but it did.

  She sat on the couch. Ruff circled once before laying at her feet.

  As Carter made his way toward her, he glanced at the recliner. That was his usual seat, but the empty cushion next to Avery called to him. Plus, she had the drinks, so he sat there.

  She handed him one of the cups. “It’s hot.”

  “I’ll be careful.” With his drink and with her. He blew on the top of the cocoa and then sipped. “This is good.”

  “Yes.” She raised the drink to her mouth.

  He forced his attention away from her and onto the flames dancing off the logs. The crackling wood was the only sound.

  “I love winter.” Avery broke the silence. “I’m not used to the snow, but something about the season, time planning for the future, calls to me.”

  One more thing they had in common. He took another sip, enjoying the taste of the hot chocolate, before lowering his mug.

  “Me, too, but the first winter after Ben died, I thought I would go crazy. I wasn’t used to being the only one here besides the animals. I was lonely and miserable, but now I find the quiet to be peaceful.”

  She stared over the rim of her mug. “Losing Ben must have been difficult.”

  Nodding, Carter’s chest tightened. “He was a second father to me. I have no idea why he and Frannie brought me into their family as if I was their long-lost son, but I had the best of both worlds.”

  “Two families who love you.” Avery’s voice sounded wistful. “Did your mom and dad mind how the Martins felt about you?”

  “No. Ben and Frannie pulling me into their family didn’t happen right away. My parents always acted grateful for the opportunity I was given.” Carter remembered when he was in high school and applied for the part-time job here. “I was never sure about going to college or what I would do long-term at the restaurant, so my dad suggested I find an apprenticeship in order to get into a trade. I fell in love with farming instead. Though Ben encouraged me to get my associates degree at the community college, which I did.”

  “And they left you the farm.”

  “Yeah. Ben told me this would always be my home, but I never imagined—” Carter’s voice cracked. “I assumed the farm would go to some relative somewhere. That I’d manage the land for them. I would have been more than happy to do that.”

  She stared at him from under her eyelashes with a thoughtful expression.

  “What?” he asked.

  “You.” The edges of her mouth curled upward. “You’re a good-hearted, kind man, Carter Quinn. The Martins must have recognized that in you. Saw how hard you work and how much you love the land. You were the obvious choice to have the farm.”

  Tingles shot up his neck. “I did what anyone would do.”

  “Not anyone.” She touched his arm. “You.”

  His shirt separated her palm from his skin, but he felt the outline of her hand…the heat from her touch. “Thanks.”

  Carter waited for her to pull her arm away, but she didn’t. He hoped she wouldn’t. “You’ve met some of my family and heard about others; what’s yours like?”

  She sipped her hot cocoa. The way she held up her cup made her appear to be hiding.

  He remembered her sharp response when he’d asked if she lived near her family, so he wouldn’t push even though he wanted to learn more about her.

  Avery lowered her mug. “I’m an only child. My parents divorced when I was three. I haven’t seen my father since.”

  She’d said more than Carter expected. “That had to have been rough on you and your mom.”

  Avery nodded. “But we managed. My mom is the kind of person who always lands on her feet. She’s beautiful, and she made the most of that by marrying rich men. That was what she was doing the last time we spoke.”

  He tried to comprehend what she’d said. “You’re not in touch?”

  “No.” The sharp tone returned.

  Carter knew not to press for too much more information. “Did you live on a farm?”

  She nodded. “My mom’s third husband had a farm and horses. That’s how I got into barrel racing and learned about farming. He even helped me find a job on an organic farm.”

  “Yet you’re here, instead of there.”

  Avery sighed. “I was too much of a distraction.”

  “How so?”

  She bit her lips. “My looks. I did everything I could not to call attention to myself, but that didn’t stop my boss’s wife from demanding I be fired, even though I had received nothing but praise for my work. I found another job and then another, but similar scenarios played out at each, if not with the owner, then a foreman or coworker. Whether the reason was being a distraction or causing jealousy, the end result was always the same. I had to leave.”

  That explained the chip on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

  “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “But what happened wasn’t right.”

  She shrugged. “It pushed me into starting a consulting business. Now I’m my own boss. I’m only at a farm or ranch for a limited time. And I haven’t been fired yet.”

  She leaned forward to knock on the coffee table.

  He waited until she sat back. “Well, I’m glad the other jobs didn’t work out.”

  Her forehead creased. “Why is that?”

  “If you were still working at one of those jobs, you wouldn’t be here with me now.”

  She blushed. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

  “You don’t have to say anything.”

  His gaze held hers. He could have stayed like this for hours.

  She lifted her chin. A second later, her tongue swiped along her lower lip.

  Warmth flooded him. His heart pounded so loudly he was positive she could hear it.

  “What are you thinking?” Avery asked, her voice whisper quiet.

  She was so beautiful. Her face, yes, but there was so much more to Avery Scott than her looks. And he wasn’t sure he could keep holding back or if he wanted to. “That I want to kiss you.”

  A slow smile spread across her face. She leaned toward him. “Then kiss me.”

  He couldn’t tell whose lips touched whose first, but he didn’t care. Soft, warm, perfect. Wanting to make the most of the moment, he pressed his mouth harder against hers. She kissed back tentatively, but then with an eagerness to match his own.

  Carter soaked up the taste and feel of her. Chocolatey and sweet, his new favorite flavor.

  This felt so right, more so than any other kiss had ever felt. He wanted more, but he had to be smart about it. Avery Scott was special. He wasn’t about to blow his chance.

  Slowly, carefully, he leaned away from her.

  “That was…nice.” Her eyes were bright and full of light. “Good things can come from the bad.”

  He wanted to hear her say more about what had led her to his farm, to touch and kiss her again, but this wasn’t the time. “Yes, they can.”

  “Thank you for helping me realize that.” She brought her hand toward him before pulling back her arm. “I may need to look at a few things differently.”

  He hoped that included how she viewed him because there was something between them. Not just chemistry, either. “If you think it will help.”

  “I do.” She rose. “Good night.”

  Carter smiled. “Sleep well, cowgirl.”

  He would, and he had no doubt his dreams would be as sweet as her kiss.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  As soon as Avery closed the door to the guest room, she touched her mouth. Her lips tingled from the rock-her-world kiss in the living room. She couldn’t believe she’d told Carter to kiss her, but saying anything else hadn’t entered her mind. That should worry
her more than it did, but something about the setting, the moment, the man had made kissing seem logical.

  Right.

  No kiss had ever felt as sweet or as perfect. She didn’t know what that meant—if anything.

  He’s a client.

  She lowered her fingers. Yes, she hadn’t forgotten he’d hired her to be his consultant, but she had no regrets about kissing him, which was…totally unlike her.

  Weird.

  Could curiosity because of her attraction have been the reason she’d wanted a kiss? Who knew?

  She sure didn’t.

  Tomorrow, she would deal with the consequences of locking lips with the handsome farmer. For now, the comfy bed called to her and the memory of the kiss was something to savor.

  When sunlight peeked through the window blinds the next morning, Avery wanted to return to the dreamland full of hot kisses. And then she realized reality was calling. She had a job to do.

  With Carter.

  A frisson of worry about whether the kiss would change their working relationship made her want to crawl under the warm covers, but she got out of bed instead. She hadn’t gotten this far by hiding away. One kiss wasn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things even if last night it had felt like…everything. In the light of day, Avery wasn’t sure how she was feeling, but if there was an issue, she would deal with it.

  With him.

  After dressing, she headed to the living room. Her sock-covered feet were silent against the wood floor. Pushing her feelings of uncertainty away, she forced a smile and entered the kitchen.

  Carter stood at the stove with a spatula in his hand, pancakes cooking on the griddle, and Ruff at his side. That sense of normalcy loosened the tightness around her mouth.

  Dressed in insulated pants and work boots, he appeared as though he’d been outside already this morning. His messy hair suggested he’d been wearing a beanie. Still, he was handsome. Nothing she saw suggested he was tense. That was a plus.

  She went farther into the kitchen, passing the table set with plates, utensils, a bowl of cut fruit, a bottle of syrup, orange juice, and a container of butter. More than their breakfasts earlier in the week, but maybe he cooked like this each Saturday. This would be their first and last weekend together.