Forget the long, tall Texan, Emily-Ann. He’s more than trouble. He’s a walking heartache. That phony explanation of why he’d kissed you was pathetic. You know exactly what that little embrace had been about. He was just testing the waters, trying to see if you’d be willing to go to bed with him. That’s all any man wants from you, sweetie. A tumble between the sheets and a goodbye kiss.
The taunting voice in her head caused her to close the textbook with a loud snap and a long sigh. She was wasting time trying to concentrate on her studies, she decided. And anyway, the clock on the wall said it was a quarter to three. It was time to start shutting the coffee shop up for the evening.
Sliding off one of the wooden chairs provided for the customers, she walked behind the tall glass display case that served as a counter and stuffed the textbook into a duffel bag she’d stored on a shelf against the wall.
Up until an hour ago, she’d seen a steady stream of customers all day. Now there were only a few pastries left on the red plastic trays inside the display case. Conchita would definitely be pleased with the sales, she thought, as she began to load the leftovers into white paper sacks.
She was halfway through the task when the bells fastened over the door facing jingled, announcing that someone had entered the shop. It never failed, she thought, as she finished placing a baked donut covered with nuts into a sack. The minute she started to put everything away, someone wanted to come in for coffee or pastries, or both.
Glancing through the front glass of the display case, she could see the customer was a man wearing blue jeans and worn brown boots covered with dust. Other than the Hollisters, she didn’t get too many cowboys in the place, especially at this time of day.
“I’m closing, but you’re welcome to get a takeout order.” She pulled her head from the case and raised up to find herself looking straight into Taggart O’Brien’s face.
A slow smile creased his cheeks. “Hello, Emily-Ann. Looks like I picked a bad time to come in.”
Anytime would be a bad time for her peace of mind, she thought. Especially when just looking at him set her heart thumping like a rocket about to shoot into space.
She nervously swiped the tip of her tongue over her lips. “No problem. I’m just dealing with the pastries that were left over from this morning. Whatever doesn’t sell I drop off at the local nursing homes. The residents love getting them.”
“That’s a nice gesture,” he said.
She shrugged one shoulder while wondering why he’d showed up today. For a day or two after the Hollister party, she’d thought, even hoped, that he’d come by to say hello. But after more than a week passed, she’d given up and decided he’d forgotten all about her.
“I like seeing the smiles on the old people’s faces whenever I walk in,” she told him.
“I’m smiling. I hope you’re liking mine,” he said in a teasing voice.
As he walked up to the glass counter, Emily-Ann’s gaze traveled over his face and she realized his image was even more striking than the one she remembered at the party. Seeing him in the light of day, his complexion was a much darker brown and so was his hair. The arrogant chin was more like a concrete abutment, but that feature was definitely softened by the faint dimples bracketing his lips.
Had she actually kissed that mouth? The mere idea caused a shiver to slide down her spine.
“It’s nice to see you again, Tag,” she said, while hoping her voice sounded casual to his ear. “You’re a long distance from Three Rivers. What brings you to town?”
“I got a hankering for pastries.”
It felt like his gaze was swarming all over her and she wondered what he was thinking. That she looked rather plain in her brown shirt and faded blue jeans?
As her fingers fiddled with the long red braid lying across her shoulder, she assured herself that it didn’t matter if her makeup had disappeared hours ago. She didn’t want to impress this man. She wanted to forget him. Well, sort of.
“I don’t know about the bunkhouse cook, but I know that Reeva, the Hollisters’ cook, keeps all kinds of sweets made for the family. I’m sure she’d be happy to serve you some of them—whenever you get a hankering.”
He chuckled. “Well, I did have to make a trip to the saddle shop. So I’m treating myself now. That is, if I’m not too late to get something.”
Emily-Ann couldn’t help it. She was so happy to see him, she couldn’t act cool if she tried.
Smiling, she said, “It’s not too late at all. What would you like?”
He gazed at the baked goods that were left in the display cabinet. “Hmm. I’m partial to chocolate so give me a brownie and what is that round thing that’s covered in chocolate?” he asked. “It looks good, too.”
“That’s a Bismarck. It’s like a donut covered in chocolate icing and the center is filled with custard.”
“I’ll take that, too. But if you’ve already drained the coffeepot, I’ll just drink water.”
“No problem. I can make a single cup for you. Want to have a seat?” She gestured to the little square table where she’d been sitting only minutes before he’d arrived. “Or you might like to sit outside. The weather has been beautiful today.”
“I’d rather eat outside—if you can join me,” he said.
“I’d love to,” she told him. “Like I said, I was closing up anyway.”
While she gathered the pastries he wanted and made the coffee, he meandered around the small room, studying the old local memorabilia that adorned the walls, particularly photos of Wickenburg in its early, gold rush days.
“This is interesting,” he said. “I like history. It makes us who we are, don’t you think?”
“Yes,” she agreed. “In more ways than most people imagine.”
With the coffee done, she carried the cup and a small tray holding the pastries out to him.
“If you want anything in your coffee, it’s all over there.” She pointed to a small table containing all sorts of creamers, milk, sugar and sweeteners.
“No thanks. I like it black.” He took the goodies from her, then asked, “Aren’t you going to have something with me? At least some coffee. I hate to eat without you having something, too.”
She groaned, while thinking the temptation of spending time with him was far stronger than the call of her sweet tooth. “Well, since I didn’t eat lunch I suppose I could have a brownie,” she said. “Just give me a minute and I’ll make another cup of coffee.”
Once she had her food and drink, the two of them walked outside to where a group of three small wrought iron tables and chairs were grouped beneath the lacy shade of two mesquite trees.
At a table nearest to the stone walkway leading up to the building, he pulled out one of the chairs and helped her into it. Once he was comfortably seated across from her, she asked, “So how has your new job been going?”
One corner of his lips curved upward. “It’s been going well, I think. I’ve not had any complaints from Blake and Maureen yet. They have far more confidence in me than I do in myself. And they seem to understand I need time to learn the ranch—and the men.”
She thoughtfully sipped her coffee. “Have the guys all accepted you as their new boss?”
“That’s my biggest concern. Because if I don’t have their respect I’m going to have problems. And since they all thought Matthew could walk on water that makes him a tough act to follow. But I’m trying. And so far they’ve all seemed fairly receptive of me. I don’t know for sure, but I expect that’s because Blake probably laid down the law to them before I ever arrived.”
She pinched off a bite of brownie. “You’re selling yourself short, Tag. The Hollisters don’t have stupid men working for them. They can see you know your business.”
The full-fledged smile he shot her caused her breath to momentarily hang in her throat. How could a man who looked like this st
ill be single? It didn’t seem possible.
He’s single, you ninny, because he wants to be that way. He’s thirty-two. He’s had plenty of time to marry if he’d wanted to.
Mentally shaking herself, she sipped more coffee, while across from her, he ate the brownie in four bites then started on the Bismarck.
“Can you see that I know my business?” he asked with a soft chuckle.
Her cheeks suddenly felt hot. “Uh—well, I’ve not seen you in action. And I don’t exactly know the things that a ranch foreman does, but you look like you’d be very comfortable on a horse—with a rope in your hand. This town is full of cowboys and after a while it’s easy to tell which ones are genuine and who’s trying to play the part.”
Amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes. “I’m relieved to hear I look genuine.”
As Emily-Ann nibbled her way through the chocolate dessert, she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d thought about their kiss. Probably not the way she’d thought about it. Not the way she’d obsessed over the taste of his lips, the scent of his hair and skin, and the hardness of his body. Hopefully in a few more days the memories would dim. But for now they were as fresh as though it had just happened.
“The other night at the party, did I hear you mention that you were taking some sort of classes?”
Surprised that he’d remembered, she said, “Yes. I’m taking online classes to become an RN.”
“A nurse. That’s an ambitious choice. So I guess that means you don’t always plan to work here at the coffee shop.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the small square building with slab pine siding and a tiny covered porch, then turned her gaze back to him. “I love working here. But it pays just enough for me to get by. And my mother had a dream for me to be a nurse.”
“What about your own dreams?”
She’d not expected that kind of question from him. In fact, Camille and Maureen were the only two people who’d ever asked her about her private wants and wishes.
“A minute ago you mentioned ambition, but I’ve never really had much of that, Tag. If it wasn’t for me making a promise to my mother before she died, I doubt I’d be pushing myself to get a nursing degree. I’d probably be content to just sell coffee and donuts and keep living in the same little house that I grew up in.”
“Nothing wrong with that if you’re happy. Money, and the things it can buy, doesn’t necessarily equal happiness. I know. I saw it firsthand with the Armstrong family. Cold and bitter. The whole bunch of them.”
“Well, I don’t want to become a nurse just to make a better salary. And deep down, I’m not doing it just to follow my mother’s dream. I’ve thought about it long and hard and even though I’m not exactly ambitious, I’m drawn to the idea of helping people. You see, Mom was in bad health for a couple of years before she passed away. I saw how much it meant for her to have the right care.”
“If it means anything I think you have the nature for nursing, Emily-Ann. And since you’re studying to be a nurse, do you have any suggestions to treat a horse bite?”
She frowned. “You’ve been bitten by a horse?”
He put down his coffee cup and pushed up the sleeve of his pale blue shirt. As Emily-Ann caught a glimpse of the wounds on his forearm, she took hold of his hand and pulled it across the table toward her.
“This is serious, Tag.” She studied the crescent-shaped tears that appeared to go deep into the flesh of his forearm. The gashes were an angry red with dried blood crusted around the edges. “You need a tetanus shot and possibly some stitches. How did that happen?”
“I was playing with one of Holt’s young stallions and made the mistake of turning my back on him. He nabbed me on the arm to let me know he wanted the game to keep going. I’m going to stop by Doc’s animal clinic on the way home. He’ll take care of it.”
She rolled her eyes. “We do have regular doctors here in town. No need for you to go to a veterinarian.”
Chuckling, he pulled his hand back and refastened the cuff at his wrist. “I’ll feel more comfortable with Doc treating me. Regular doctors make me nervous.”
“What about nurses?” she asked pointedly.
One corner of his mouth cocked upward. “Nurses unsettle me, too. Especially when she has a syringe and needle in her hand.”
She showed him her empty palms. “I can’t give you a tetanus shot. But I could clean those wounds for you,” she offered. “I keep antiseptic and things like that in the coffee shop. Just in case I cut or burn myself.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather just sit here and drink my coffee.” He gazed around the shaded dining area, then across the street to where a fat saguaro shaded a small building that housed an insurance agency. “This is quiet. No bawling cows or nickering horses. Not that I don’t like those sounds, but sometimes a man wants to just listen to the wind. And a woman’s voice.”
She cleared her throat and his gaze swung back to her. Emily-Ann was surprised to see the humor had disappeared from his face. In fact, if she didn’t know better, he looked lonely, almost lost. Which hardly made sense. This man had everything going for him. He’d just landed a prestigious job as foreman of Three Rivers Ranch. Why should he be feeling anything but ecstatic? Unless he was missing some woman back in Texas, she thought.
“You forgot the coyotes,” she said in an attempt to lighten the moment. “None of those howling around here. Although, they do show up in town once in a while.”
He smiled and she was relieved to see his good humor returning. The other night at the party she’d been drawn to his easy, laid-back nature. It was a nice change from the guys she’d dated in the past who’d been so busy trying to play the cool, tough man that they’d rarely smiled. And even when they had, it had looked so phony she’d had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing.
“No. Can’t forget them.” He took the last bite of Bismarck, then wadded up the empty wax paper.
As Emily-Ann watched him tilt the foam cup to his lips, she realized she didn’t want him to leave. Spending time with him made her feel different, almost special. She realized that was foolish. Especially since she’d believed her past mistakes with men had taught her some valuable lessons.
“So has anything exciting been going on at Three Rivers since the party?” she asked, then before he could answer, added, “I guess everything about the place must feel exciting and new to you.”
“It does,” he agreed. “Matthew has been trying to show me the different sections of the ranch and how they’re used throughout the year. The majority of the land has to be explored on horseback. So we’ve been spending lots of time in the saddle.”
“Camille implied that she and Matthew would be staying for a few more weeks. Maybe until the end of the month. I hope they do. Once they go back to Red Bluff I’ll only get to see her occasionally.”
“Matthew tells me that Camille owns and operates a little diner down there. I think he said the town was called Dragoon. Is that right?”
Emily-Ann nodded. “Yes. It’s a tiny desert town. Not much is there, but the diner is located on the edge of a main highway that runs from Wilcox to Benson. So she has lots of travelers who stop in to eat.”
“Hmm. Just between me and you, I’m surprised that Camille runs a diner.” He shrugged. “Not that anything is wrong with running a diner. It’s just that she’s a Hollister. There’s no need for her to work at such a strenuous job.”
“You’re right about no need. But her being a Hollister explains everything. In spite of their wealth, or maybe because of it, they all have a fierce ambition. Camille couldn’t sit around and twiddle her thumbs any more than her brothers or sister, Vivian, could. Besides, she loves to cook and she’s darned good at it. If you ever make a trip down to Red Bluff, you’ll see what I mean.”
“I plan to go for a visit later on in the year,” he said. “Just to se
e how Matthew is putting that Hollister property to use.”
“You know, Camille was a bone of contention for a while with her family. When she moved down to Red Bluff and refused to come back here, her brothers threw a fit, so to speak. And Maureen wasn’t happy about it either,” Emily-Ann told him. “But that’s all been smoothed over now that she and Matthew have married and are going to have a baby soon. Funny how things can look so bleak for a while and then everything suddenly turns to sunshine again. Sort of gives a person hope. You know what I mean?”
Smiling faintly, he put down his cup and leaned back in the chair. “I know exactly what you mean. And everybody needs hope.”
He was right. Everybody needed hope. But no one had ever clung to it as much as Emily-Ann’s mother. She’d always looked forward and believed that the men in her life were actually going to come through with all their promises. In the end, Emily-Ann had ended up having no contact with her biological father and her stepfather had been little more than a stranger who’d come and gone as he pleased.
“Well, I need to be going,” he said after a moment. “Doc is expecting me and I promised Matthew I’d be back to the ranch in time to go with him to check on some calves.”
All sorts of words she wanted to say rushed to her tongue. But none of them were appropriate or proper. Besides, she didn’t want him to get the idea that she was gushing over him.
She gestured to his injured arm. “Promise me that you’ll have Doc treat that bite wound. It could become seriously infected if you don’t take care of it.”
“I promise as soon as I leave here, I’m going straight to his clinic,” he told her.
“Well, I’m glad you came by, Tag. Now that you know where the coffee shop is you might get a hankering to drop by for another pastry—sometime.”
He looked across the table at her. “I expect I will. But before I go I have something else on my mind—to ask you.”
The Texan Tries Again (Men 0f The West Book 44) Page 4