Falling for the Rancher

by Tanya Michaels

  “Darts, I think. We kind of split up.”

  Kate’s mouth twisted, her eyes reflecting disappointment. “I thought you two hit it off.”

  “We did.” Platonically, anyway. “He’s a lot of fun. But...”

  “But you probably aren’t going to be his date to my wedding?”

  “No.”

  “Too bad. He’s been sort of aimless since his ex broke off their engagement, and you seemed perfect for him.”

  “I don’t think he’ll have trouble finding someone new,” Sierra said wryly. She’d spotted him a few feet away, flanked by two brunettes.

  Kate followed her gaze. “No, I suppose not. Although I can tell you for sure he’s not interested in that one. She won him during a bachelor auction over the summer, and he said the resulting date was torture. She’s very cloying.”

  That much was evident even from across the bar. Sierra watched as the woman on his left kept finding reasons to touch him. Will seemed as if he was trying to inch away, but his movements were hampered by the woman on his other side.

  Sierra set her glass down. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to rescue my date.”

  Will’s eyes lit up when he saw her. “Sierra! Just the person I was looking for.”

  “You owe me a dance,” she said, her tone chiding as she reached for his arm.

  The brunette on his left glared but didn’t try to stop them as they moved away.

  “You are a very popular man,” Sierra teased him.

  “A mixed blessing. Why is it never the right women who try to plaster themselves all over me? If you wanted to make a move, for instance...” It was clear from the twinkle in his gaze that he was kidding. Mostly.

  “I think Kate was hoping we would fall madly in love.”

  “Yeah, she has this notion that I’m still pining for the ex who broke my heart and keeps trying to help me find someone new.”

  “You’re not pining?” Sierra asked as he led her into a fast waltz.

  “No. Tasha and I met when we were both ten and dated all through high school. I loved her, and I would have married her. But when she backed out of the wedding, it occurred to me that I was single for, effectively, the first time in my life. Why not enjoy it?”

  “Seems reasonable.”

  “What about you? Any close brushes with matrimony?”

  “Not really. I was dating a doctor for a few months, until he moved out of the country. He’s a great guy, but, like you, I’m not pining.”

  “And there’s no one you have your eye on now?” he asked carefully. “The other night, at the ranch, I kind of thought...”

  She abruptly stopped dancing. “Thought what?”

  “Never mind. I’m probably way off base.” He took her hand and twirled her, ending the conversation.

  They danced through two more songs before the band slowed to another ballad. Sierra was considering excusing herself to the ladies’ room when Will glanced over her head and laughed.

  “Hmm,” he said, “I think my competition has arrived.”

  “Competition?” She turned to see Jarrett hold his hand out toward her.

  “Mind if I cut in?” he asked.

  Unsure how to respond, she glanced back at Will.

  He winked. “Maybe not so off base after all.” He took a step back. “Catch up with you later?”

  “All right,” she agreed, suddenly a bit breathless. From all those twirls and spins you’ve been doing. Uh-huh. That was probably it.

  Jarrett stepped closer, lacing his fingers with hers as his other hand slid to the small of her back.

  Tiny electric sparks shot through her. It was nothing like when Will had held her. “Wh-what are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Looking for you. There’s something I forgot to tell you earlier.”

  They were swaying together, her feet moving in time with his, but the music faded into the background when he spoke to her. All her senses were focused on him—the way he smelled, the heat of his body against hers, the silvery gleam in his eyes. He bent close, his voice a murmur in her ear. “You look incredible tonight.”

  Her breath caught. That was what he’d wanted to say? “You drove all the way into town to tell me I look incredible?” Her brain was having a tough time catching up. “You said I was overdressed.”

  “That’s because I’m an ass. A jealous one, apparently.”

  “Jealous over Will? He and I aren’t even interested in each other romantically.” Had everyone mentally paired them off as a couple?

  “I still envied the time he was spending with you. You’ve been dancing with him. He got to hold you, laugh with you. Be with you. I only have a couple of weeks left with you, darlin’, and I find myself irrationally resentful of the moments we don’t spend together.”

  She felt faint. That’s what you get for not remembering to breathe. She’d been too spellbound by his unexpected declaration for anything as mundane as inhaling and exhaling. “I think...I think I need some fresh air.”

  They abandoned the floor midsong, and she made a beeline toward the exit. Outside, the night was cool against her skin, but the second she looked into Jarrett’s eyes, she was feverish again.

  He spoke first. “I hope I didn’t upset you with what I said.”

  “No.” Agitated, maybe, with the way her heart was slamming against her ribs and her mind was racing, trying to find the right response to his words. But she wasn’t upset. “I’m glad you showed up here. Glad I got to dance with you.”

  “We don’t have to stop,” he said, pulling her closer. The music was muffled but still audible from the parking lot.

  “But maybe we should.” Despite her sensible words, she leaned into him, indulging herself in the feel of their bodies tangled together. Her hands glided up his back. This was such a bad idea. “I work for you. Do you know why I left my last job? Accusations of fraternization with a male patient. My professionalism is very important to me.” She was beginning to realize her job was all she had. “I would never compromise myself with a patient.”

  He brushed his thumb over the corner of her mouth, and she shivered. “Then I guess,” he said as he lowered his head, “it’s a good thing I’m not your patient.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Jarrett hadn’t known what to expect when he’d parked his truck outside the dance hall. He wasn’t sure he’d be welcome, although he’d hoped Sierra would be happy to see him once he’d apologized. Never in his wildest imaginings could he have predicted that minutes after finding her, they’d be kissing in the moonlight.

  Even as his lips captured hers, part of him couldn’t believe it was happening. She was hot and sweet in his arms, lifting on tiptoe to meet him. He threaded his fingers through her hair, determined to make this stolen moment worth it. Instead of rushing, devouring her after wanting her for days on end, he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, coaxing, seducing. He nipped at her full lower lip and drank in her soft moan as if it were exquisitely aged bourbon. It went straight to his head.

  Their kiss grew hungrier, and his need for her sharpened. He desperately wanted to touch her, but Sierra deserved better than being groped in a parking lot.

  He dropped his hands to his sides, breathing heavily.

  She pressed her fingers to her lips, looking dazed.

  “For the record,” he said hoarsely, “that didn’t lessen my opinion of your professionalism one iota. You’re a fantastic physical therapist. Nothing that happens between us alters that.” Their kiss was about the chemistry between them and how the more he got to know Sierra, the more he wanted her. It had no bearing on the job she was doing with Vicki.

  Vicki. His stomach knotted as he thought about the assurances he’d made that he’d stay away from Sierra, that he wasn’t lusting after her.
For now, he shoved away the recriminations. He couldn’t bring himself to regret what had just happened.

  And he prayed Sierra didn’t regret it, either. She still hadn’t said anything.

  “You’re quiet,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s disconcerting.”

  “Good.” Her mouth curved in an impish half smile. “I like to keep you on your toes.”

  If he were any more “on his toes” over her, some ballet company was going to draft him. “Do you want to go back inside?”

  “I don’t think so,” she said slowly.

  He nuzzled her neck, dotting a line of quick kisses toward the strap of her dress. “Any chance you want to make out in my truck?” he teased.

  She huffed out a soft sound that was half sigh, half chuckle. “That’s probably not a good idea.”

  Which didn’t mean she didn’t want to, he noted happily.

  “I have a lot to mull over, and a raucous dance hall on a Saturday night doesn’t seem conducive to deep thought.”

  “Do you want me to drive you back to the ranch? We can get your car tomorrow. Or I can follow you,” he offered, trying to give her the space she needed.

  “That sounds good. But I shouldn’t leave without letting Kate and Will know.” She pulled her cell phone from the pocket of her dress and sent a text. The response was almost instantaneous. “Okay.”

  He reached for her hand. Even though the walk to her car was only a minute or two, he wanted the contact between them. Once she’d unlocked her door and slid inside, he bent down to press a kiss to her forehead.

  “Don’t think too hard,” he said lightly.

  She cupped the nape of his neck and pulled him down for a proper kiss. “No chance of that,” she said once she’d released him. “I don’t think I’ve been in my right mind since I got here.”

  * * *

  SIERRA WOKE UP to the blessed aroma of coffee wafting up the stairs and serious doubts about kissing her employer the night before.

  When she and Jarrett had pulled up to the ranch, Vicki and her friends had been out on the front porch, enjoying the cool breeze as they chatted. Vicki had wanted to hear about her “date,” although Sierra insisted she and Will were nothing more than friends. She’d evaded questions about the evening but let the girls talk her into having a late-night ice-cream sundae with them. There hadn’t been any real privacy with Jarrett to discuss the kiss they’d shared.

  Maybe that was for the best, since she still wasn’t sure what to say.

  You could say “kiss me again, cowboy.” A great plan, except that the kisses would only make her crave more. Too late. She’d ached throughout the night thinking about his mouth on hers. For the first time since she’d come to the ranch, she’d been too hot to sleep. And she knew the air conditioner wasn’t to blame.

  Her jumbled sheets were a testament to the restless night she’d spent. Sitting up, she swung her feet to the floor. Coffee. At this point, it was her only hope of coherence.

  She was accustomed to having the kitchen to herself in the mornings, since Vicki was often still in her room and Jarrett was usually outside working at an early hour. But today, everyone was piled into the sunny room. Vicki’s sorority sisters were leaving sometime after breakfast, and all four girls were seated at the table, bemoaning their imminent separation. Meanwhile, Jarrett leaned against the counter, drinking his mug of coffee.

  Sierra’s hand flew to her tousled hair. In her polka-dot sleepshirt and the cut-off sweatpants that served as pajama bottoms, she was a far cry from the carefully made up and accessorized woman who’d left the house yesterday evening. She wasn’t indecent in her sleepwear, but she also wasn’t polished. That only came after caffeine.

  Yet as soon as Jarrett saw her, a slow, admiring smile spread across his face. His gaze swept over her from head to toe, the desire in his expression so evident that she almost blushed, glad none of the coeds happened to be looking his way. Despite the uncertainty plaguing her this morning, she had to grin back at him. There should be a special place in heaven for men who could make a woman feel this beautiful when she first rolled out of bed.

  She went straight to him. “I’m surprised to find you here.”

  “I was waiting for you,” he said. “I thought, since Vicki’s going to want to spend a couple of hours with her friends before they leave, maybe you’d be free for your next horse-riding lesson.”

  Strategically, now might be the perfect time for her to get back in the saddle; she’d probably be too nervous about what was happening between her and Jarrett to remember to be scared of the horse.

  He covered her hand with his. “Please?”

  She melted inside, unable to resist the combination of his earnest tone and beguiling expression. He’d told her last night he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible during her remaining days in Cupid’s Bow. Admit it—he’s not the only one who feels that way.

  “Okay,” she agreed. “How about I meet you at the stable after I’ve had sufficient coffee and changed my clothes?”

  “See you soon.” He winked at her and headed for the door.

  Oh, Sierra, what are you doing? Sighing into her coffee over a handsome cowboy didn’t seem like the most professional way to spend her morning. Then again, as he’d pointed out, he wasn’t her patient, so was there any real conflict?

  “Hey, Vicki, do you need me for anything right now? I was, um, planning to meet your brother at the stable. F-for my next riding lesson.” She stammered through the explanation, but luckily, Vicki would attribute that to her fear of horses.

  “Go for it!”

  Well, that was one option.

  After a very small breakfast, Sierra pulled on a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved silky top. The shirt wasn’t standard-issue Western wear, but it was fitted enough not to flutter around and spook her horse without restricting any of Sierra’s movements. Similarly, her cute fall boots hadn’t been purchased for tromping around a barn, but the heel was appropriate for riding. She braided her hair and applied lip gloss as a quick concession to vanity. Meeting her own gaze in the mirror, she wondered if Jarrett would discover for himself that the gloss was chocolate-flavored. A rush of anticipation went through her.

  Jarrett was waiting for her at the practice ring, his elbow propped on the fence behind him. With his black cowboy hat shading his handsome face, he was the Texas rewrite of Prince Charming.

  “Sorry if I took longer than expected,” she said.

  He tipped back his hat with his index finger, smiling into her eyes. “You were worth the wait. Are you ready for this?”

  No. But that didn’t seem to be stopping her.

  Shiloh was saddled and standing in the corral. Another horse was saddled and tethered to a hitching post on the far side of the paddock. As she had last time, Sierra approached the mare from the left, speaking softly.

  Jarrett nodded approvingly. “I’m going to help you mount and lead you around the ring once just so you can get a feel for being on her. Then I’ll turn the reins over to you and go through some basic skills—stops, starts, turns.”

  He stepped closer, only a breath between his body and hers, and her pulse kicked up a notch at his nearness. “Hold these like this,” he said, sliding the leather reins into her hand. “I’ll boost you up on three so you can put your foot in the stirrup. Swing your leg over and grab on to the pommel.”

  “Got it.”

  He hooked two fingers into the D ring on the saddle strap, his free hand moving down the back of Sierra’s thigh until he’d reached behind her knee. “One, two, three.”

  Here goes nothing. Taking a deep breath, she did as he’d instructed. Between the two of them, she achieved enough momentum to land correctly in the saddle. Shiloh shifted beneath her, adjusting to the weight, and apprehension roiled in Sie
rra’s stomach. The deal with Vicki had been that she’d get back in the saddle, right? Achievement unlocked. Maybe she could get down now.

  Jarrett chuckled. “You should see your face.”

  “Sheet-white and terrified?”

  “Equal parts reluctant and resolute. You look like you’re at war with yourself. Also, you should probably never play poker. You’d be a complete failure at bluffing.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “I’m not a complete failure at anything,” she said haughtily.

  “Ah, there’s the boldly self-assured Sierra I was looking for.” He took the reins from her and patted Shiloh’s neck, telling her what a good job she was doing. Sierra suspected the words were for her benefit as well as the horse’s.

  Jarrett started them off at a pace so slow it barely qualified as a walk, but steadily increased his speed every few feet. “How are you doing?”

  “I feel very tall up here.” Her undisciplined gaze dropped to the back of his jeans. “The view’s nice.”

  When he cast a quick glance back at her, she lifted one hand from the pommel to indicate the pasture beyond and the horizon that seemed to stretch on forever.

  He smirked. “Uh-huh. Well, if you’re done enjoying the view, I think you’re ready to proceed to the next step.” He gave her a brief refresher on using the reins and directing the horse, and then she was on her own.

  She felt like a kid riding a bike for the first time without training wheels—exhilarated and scared and triumphant. On her second pass across the corral, she leaned forward and tapped Shiloh with her heels, urging the mare to pick up her pace. They moved on to a trot, and Sierra regretted the years she’d let pass before getting on a horse again.

  “You look like you’re having fun,” Jarrett observed. “Up for a short ride?”

  “Definitely.”

  He grinned proudly. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He untied the other horse, explaining that Major was the lead horse on trail rides. “Shiloh’s used to following and won’t give you any trouble.”

  His assurance proved true. The path was obviously a familiar one to Shiloh, and she stuck to it complacently, although she seemed to enjoy letting loose in the open section where Jarrett said it would be okay to try a canter. Racing across the meadow left Sierra’s heart in her throat, but in a good way, like screaming down a roller coaster with a best friend. Still, she knew she wasn’t up for a gallop yet and she doubted she’d ever try to jump a horse again, even with a helmet.