Lookin' for Trouble (Honky Tonk Angels Book 6)

by Ciana Stone

  He tried not to allow her smile to prompt memories but failed. Her smiling up at him from the bed with her hair fanned out behind her and her skin damp from their lovemaking. God in heaven would those thoughts not just leave him be?

  Her gaze met his, and the smile faded. JD purely hated what seized him when their eyes made contact. Need so strong it was almost a physical pain, and emotion he had no label for that made his chest feel full. He turned away, needing to break whatever spell she always cast on him. Damn her.

  She'd possessed his thoughts since the day he spotted her in the diner. He didn't want her here. It only caused pain and anger to remember that short time they'd shared and the result of it. JD wanted her gone in the worst way.

  He told himself it was for his family. He knew better. It was for him. She was a living reminder of how he'd failed and what it had cost his sons. No matter that he wanted her, she was the poisoned fruit, and he needed to drive her away.

  "Me and Jo thought we'd drive into town for lunch at the Willow Tree." Jason said as he climbed off his horse. "Wanna tag along?"

  "No."

  Jason shrugged and handed JD the reins to his horse. "Then I guess you can take care of the animals. Jo, your guys coming along?"

  She dismounted and looked at her crew. "Want to join?"

  Mickey, the lead camera operator shook his head. "Not me, thanks. Since we have the rig here, I want to dump the footage and go through it. And the rig is pretty well stocked right now."

  "Same here," the other camera operator, Sam added.

  "Malachi?" Jo looked at the Native American man who was dismounting while holding his boom microphone in one hand.

  "I'll hang with the guys, thanks."

  "Okay, then I guess it's just the two of us, Jason."

  "Fine. Give the reins to JD. You need anything from the house or are you ready to ride?"

  She handed the reins to JD without meeting his eyes. "Just need to grab my messenger bag. I left it in the kitchen."

  "I'll walk with you."

  She smiled and took the arm Jason offered. JD watched them head off toward the house, talking and laughing. That sight shouldn't annoy him but it did. "I'll take care of the horses," he said to the camera crew.

  "Thanks," the man Jolene had identified as Malachi said.

  "Sure."

  JD turned, leading two of the horses toward the stable. The others would not wander off.

  "Whoa, who licked the red off your candy?"

  JD turned toward the voice to find Jayce coming up behind him, leading all three of the other horses. "What're you doing here in the middle of the day?"

  "Came to hook up with Pop and Jo for lunch. Going over to the Willow Tree. Wanna go?"

  "No."

  "Well you don't have to bite my head off. Damn, JD, what's up with you? You've been like a horse with a burr in his saddle for two weeks."

  "Nothing's wrong. Just got work to do and no time to be stable hand for Pop and his – his friend."

  Jayce laughed. "Only in his dreams." He looked past JD to Pop and Jo, headed away from them. "Only girl that one's gonna be is mine, brother."

  "Excuse me?"

  "You heard me. She's mighty easy on the eyes and not married so…"

  "So you need to stay the hell away from her."

  Jayce drew back his head in surprise. "Say what?"

  "You heard me."

  "Why? You calling dibs on her big brother?"

  "Hell no. I want nothing to do with her."

  "Well good, cause I do."

  JD couldn't find another comeback. He didn't even know why he cared. It wasn't like he gave a rat's ass about Jolene Windwalker.

  "Let me help you while I wait.” Jayce offered. “Oh, did Bryson tell you we finished up the Sweets' job?"

  "No. That went fast."

  "Yeah and I think they may give us the contract on the rebuild."

  "You got time to do it? I know those girls want it done yesterday."

  "Yeah, we'll get it done. Thinking about hiring some more guys. With all the work we can afford to pay decent and still show a nice profit."

  "Sounds like a plan."

  Jayce draped the reins over the fence at the stable and looked toward the house. "There they come. I'll catch you later."

  "Yeah, later."

  JD cut a glance toward the house. Pop and Jo were just coming off the porch. She looked in Jayce's direction and smiled. JD bit back a surge of annoyance and turned away from the sight, telling himself that it would be a relief to have her gone for a while. She'd been in Cotton Creek for over a week and on the ranch almost daily. How the hell long did it take to film a damn TV show anyway?

  And why in blazes did he look back over his shoulder at her as he heard her laugh. She was smiling up at Jayce as he offered his hand to help her up into the truck.

  JD cursed under his breath as he set about loosening a saddle. Jayce was a fool, nothing but a fool to get involved with that woman. She'd…

  He stopped in mid-motion. She'd what? Much as he didn't want her there, it had nothing to do with the person she was. It was all about her effect on him and the fact that because he'd wanted to be with her more than being home where he belonged, he'd made the worst mistake of his life.

  Still, the idea of her with Jayce sparked jealousy, and that made him downright mad. Why the hell couldn't Jo just leave? That way his life could go back to normal and he'd find a way to put her out of his mind.

  Cause that's worked so well for you so far, eh?

  With another curse he forced his attention back to the task at hand, determined not to think about Jolene Windwalker one more second.

  *****

  Jolene smiled as Jayce offered his hand when it was time to get out of the truck. "Thanks." She allowed him to assist her even though she needed no help. It was nice to have the attention of a handsome man and Jayce was fine with a capital F.

  Nearly as tall as JD, he had a lean build but one that had its fair share of manly muscles as was obvious in the tight T-shirt he wore. His hair was a bit longer than was fashionable, thick, and dark brown with golden highlights that glinted in the sunlight.

  His eyes reminded her of JD, but without the pain and anguish. If she were to be attracted to a man simply by virtue of his looks or personality, Jayce would be at the top of the list.

  "So, you're staying at Mrs. Baker's?" He asked as they made their way to the cafe, a half a block away.

  "Yes."

  "Bought any padlocks yet?"

  Jolene laughed. "I thought about it. I nearly had a duck when I found out she'd been eavesdropping on me and then blabbing all over town about what she heard."

  "You mean after changing it up to be more – interesting?"

  "Yeah, something like that."

  "That's just her way." He stopped behind his father as Jason opened the door of the cafe.

  Jolene noticed the number of people who watched as they entered and found a table. No surprise there. She'd been eating here a lot, and it took only a couple of days to figure out that a new person in town roused everyone's curiosity.

  After the tales Nellie Mae and Netta had told, the gossip mill probably had the Weathers family at the top of the list.

  They took seats and a waitress Jo recognized came over with menus. "Well, hey Jo. You back again?"

  "Best lunch in town."

  "You got that right, girl. Mr. Weathers, Jayce, how y'all doing?"

  "Fine as wine, young lady." Jason beamed at her. "Bring us some iced tea while we decide what we want, if you don't mind."

  "Not at all. Three teas coming up."

  Jason placed his unopened menu on the table and looked around. A smile appeared on his face and he raised his hand.

  Jo turned to look in the direction of his gaze and almost swallowed her tongue. "Is that…?"

  "Riley Morgan and his lady Annie Becke." Jayce smiled and threw up his hand in greeting to Riley.

  "Riley Morgan?" Jo looked at the man a
gain. "Well then he's a dead ringer for Nate Bridges."

  "Probably because he was, back in the day."

  By that time Riley and Annie had reached the table. "Jason, Jayce. How you doing?" Riley asked.

  '"Good, Riley, good." Jayce said and stood. "You?"

  "Couldn't be better."

  "Good. Good. You doing okay Ms. Annie?"

  "Yes, thanks Jayce and let me say again what a fantastic job your crew did on Billy's place. I did put my nose in where it didn't belong and recommend that Cody and Hannah use Weathers for the building of the new bar."

  "I appreciate that."

  "And who's your friend?" Riley tipped his hat to Jo.

  "Oh, sorry. This is Jolene Windwalker. She's here to do…." Jayce trailed off and looked at his father.

  Jason waved a hand in dismissal. "Ain't no secret now thanks to them durn red head ladies, Jo's here doing an episode for Country Western Real Life."

  "On your family?" Annie asked.

  "Yeah, ain't that something?"

  "I think it's wonderful." Annie looked at Jo. "And I recognize you. I watch your show all the time. I'm Analise – Annie Becke and it's a pleasure to meet you."

  It suddenly clicked in Jo's mind. There had been a news report a month ago about Nate Bridges and a romance writer.

  "Ana Lise, right?" Jo asked. "The romance novelist?"

  The surprise was clear on Annie's face. "Yes. That's my pen name."

  "I've always admired people who can write fiction."

  "And I've always admired people who can do what you do."

  "Thanks, but I have a whole crew who make what I do look good."

  "Same here, girl."

  "Pull up a chair and join." Jason offered. "We just got here."

  "Are you sure?" Annie asked.

  "Oh yes, please." Jo scooted her chair over closer to Jayce.

  Riley grabbed an empty chair and wedged it in, putting him beside Jason and Annie beside Jo. After the waitress took their drink orders, Jo turned to Riley. "Would it offend you if I indulged in just a minute of fan girl?"

  His laugh put her at ease. "Fan girl?"

  "Totally. I swear I've watched everything you've ever been in."

  "Well thank you, Ms. Windwalker."

  "Jo, please, and it really is an honor."

  "See, I told you." Annie nudged him, "You still have fans."

  Riley shook his head and spoke to Jason. "So, gossip aside, my curiosity is gnawing a hole in me. Your original name was Nash?"

  "Yep. Jedidiah Nash."

  "Well that's a hell of a name, Jason. I'm not gonna pry into the particulars, but I hear you got some famous family up in the Carolinas."

  "World champion rodeo champions." Jo could hear the pride in Jason's voice and found it touching he was already so proud of family he'd not yet come to know. "Jesse Nash and Mik Morgan. Jo interviewed them. I'm thinking of inviting the whole clan down for a visit."

  "That's impressive." Riley replied. "Seems Jesse and JD have some common ground."

  "JD?" Jo asked.

  "You didn't know?" Jayce laughed. "Damn girl, I thought your researchers had turned over every rock the Weathers or Nash family ever stepped on."

  "Apparently not." She took no offense at the comment. "So, spill. What do JD and Jesse have in common?"

  "JD was a world champion, too."

  "He was?"

  "Bet your bippy," Jason crowed. "Roping and team roping two years running."

  "I had no idea. Why did he stop?"

  "One year at Nationals they had a real bad injury. One of the rodeo clowns went down and durn bull just camped out on him. Another one tried to help and got gored real bad. They needed someone out there during the bull riding and JD volunteered. He'd done it some when he was young.

  "Anyway, a rider somehow got his leg twisted up in the rope as he fell and the bull was slinging him six ways from Sunday. JD rushed in. Got the cowboy free and earned a busted knee and nearly sixty stitches when that bull hit him."

  Jo had no idea, although she did remember the scar on JD's side. She wasn't a novice to the rodeo world and knew the dangers involved. "So it ended his career."

  "Well, I reckon it was meant to be. By that time the twins were nearly five and it was time for him to be home with his family."

  "Still it's a shame."

  "Just life. He taught his boys and I think they stand a good chance of taking the ribbon at the Pursell's annual rodeo this year."

  "I didn't know they competed."

  "Lord girl, outside of football and girls there's nothing they love better."

  Paula returned to the table to take everyone's order. After that, talk turned to all the repairs and renovations around town. Jo got the gist of what had happened but was curious about the events that took place at what was Billy's Bar.

  In fact, it gave her an idea. "Would you excuse me for a minute?" She got up, slung the strap of her messenger bag over her shoulder and headed for the ladies’ room.

  Once inside she called her boss. It took two minutes to get her idea approved, and she hurried back to the table. Everyone was talking about the last football game and how well Jason's grandsons had performed.

  "They have another home game on Friday." Jason pointed out and looked at her. "You should come. Durn near the whole town shows up."

  "Yeah, you should." Jayce echoed. "In fact, you're welcome to ride with me."

  Jo gave him a smile. "Thanks, Jayce. That'd be nice."

  Their food arrived and everyone dug in. Jo listened to the conversation but her mind was on how to approach Riley Morgan with her idea. When everyone finished he pushed back from the table. "This has been nice but I need to get on back."

  Annie stood as well. "Jo it's so nice to meet you. I hope I get a chance to see you again."

  "Actually that's something I wanted to discuss with you. Jason, Jayce, would you mind if I walked out with Annie for a few minutes?"

  "Take your time." Jason agreed.

  She waited until they were outside on the sidewalk. "I spoke with my boss and I'd like to do a segment on you. Both of you."

  "On us?" Annie looked at Riley.

  He didn't look very enthusiastic. "Look, I get it,” Jo said. “You left Hollywood behind and I respect that. But you'd be of interest to our viewers. They'd love to know about Riley Morgan – the rancher who fell in love with the romance writer.

  "And it'd be good exposure for you, Annie. You write western romances and our viewership is over a third women."

  "What kind of show would it be?" Riley asked.

  "Just who you are, what you do. How you met and fell in love and how Annie is adapting to life on a ranch and in a small town."

  "And the stuff about her ex-husband?"

  "It's already been on the news." Jo pointed out.

  "Yeah but it might not be so good for Annie's book sales if that gets too much attention."

  "Okay, so how about this? If you'll agree then we'll just set up times to talk. You'll have final say over the entire piece."

  Annie looked at Riley again. "You want to do it, honey?" He asked.

  "Yes, I think I do."

  "Then that's what we'll do. You got a deal Jo. When you want to do this?"

  "Right after I finish with the Weathers. I don't want to scare you but I normally spend a couple of weeks, shadowing my subjects, seeing them at home and work – out and about. I think I'll be done with this piece in three to four weeks. Would that work for you?"

  "Yep, we can make that work."

  "Oh great. Thank you. I'm looking forward to it."

  "Me too." Annie reached out and gave her arm a squeeze. "And maybe I can do a little interviewing of my own. Get the feel for what you do."

  "Research?"

  Annie smiled. "Yeah, I kind of got an idea as we were talking."

  "Well, turnabout's fair play so sure."

  "Oh great! Are you busy this weekend?"

  "I don't know. I take up a lot of time over at
the Weathers place during the week so I don’t want to monopolize their weekends. I’ll probably just work on what I've gathered during the week."

  "Well, maybe we could get together. Oh! Are you going to the Beer in the Dirt party at Billy's – I mean what used to be Billy's Bar?"

  "I don't know. Cody mentioned it but I hadn't really decided."

  "Well, I really hope you will. In fact, how about we meet for dinner and then head over?"

  "Okay, sure, what time?"

  "Six?" Annie looked at Riley for confirmation and he nodded.

  "Works for me. Where do you want to meet?"

  "Have you tried the steak house? It's not bad."

  "Yes, it's good. Meet you there at six."

  "Wonderful. See you then Jo."

  Jo smiled as Annie and Riley left then returned inside and took her seat. Jayce looked over at her and smiled. "You make friends fast."

  "There are a lot of interesting people in Cotton Creek. Like you, Jayce. Your dad has told me a lot about the family, but I'd like to talk to you individually. How about I start with you?"

  "Well, I'd purely love that, but when I leave here I've got to bust hump the rest of the week."

  "What about Saturday?"

  "Working till five. Sorry. But, hey, wait. I'm headed over to Billy's. Cody and Hannah are doing something outside on the foundation of the old bar. Wanna go to that?"

  "Actually I already am. Annie invited me. We can meet up there and I can tell you a little about what I'd like to talk about on tape."

  "Or dance." Jason, who had been quiet until then, chimed in. "Jayce is one boot-scootin fool."

  "Oh?" Jo raised her eyebrows. "Well, in that case, maybe I'll get lucky and get asked to dance."

  "You can count on it."

  "I'm looking forward to it. But right now, I know you both have things to do and I've taken up Jason's entire morning."

  "Yeah, I need to get back Pop." Jayce stood and reached for his wallet.

  "Oh no, please let me." Jo stood as well.

  "Can't let you do that."

  "Well, it's not my money. The network will reimburse me."

  "Okay, when you put it like that."

  She smiled, picked up the ticket, and went to the register to pay. As she waited on the cashier, she felt a nudge in her back. She turned to find Netta Bloom behind her.

  "So you're dating the baby are you? Well, you don't let any grass grow under your feet do you, girl?"