Her Sexy Vegas Cowboy

by Ali Olson

  She paused for a moment to wipe away a few tears. “You remember that guy I met in Vegas? Cindy tried to find him for me, but I was too late. I waited too long to tell him what I wanted, to try something risky, and by the time I started to figure it out, he was gone. I waited and I lost. I’m not going to make a mistake like that again, Dad. I won’t put that wall back up, and even if I can’t find Aaron, I won’t stop being sparkly, I promise.”

  She was crying openly now, but she did nothing to stop the flood as she finished. “I love you, Dad.”

  She pressed her face into the bedcovers and wept freely. After a few moments, she looked up, startled. She wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it or it had actually happened, but she’d felt pressure on her hand, as if her dad had squeezed it. Jessica smiled at her father. Whether or not it really occurred didn’t matter.

  When he passed away a few hours later, Jessica stood with her sister and mother, holding them close.

  The drive to her mother’s home was quiet. It was midday, cold and sunny, but Jessica hardly registered the weather. There were too many things to think about. Her parents, always practical, had created a plan for this situation as soon as her father was diagnosed. Now that he was gone, the house would be going up for sale and her mother would be moving to an apartment near work and her friends.

  They’d only owned the house a couple of years, so Jessica wasn’t torn apart at the prospect of selling it, but she worried for her mother. Jessica looked at the older woman as they trudged in the door. She seemed tired, weighed down. The moment she was in the house, however, she went to the living room and began placing the last few pieces of memorabilia in a box that had been sitting in the corner of the room for months.

  “Mom, you should take some time to rest,” Jessica said.

  Her mom, ever the one for proper etiquette, snorted. “That’s a terrible idea. All the books say to deal with grief by keeping busy and having plans. That’s what I’m doing.”

  However much her mother had prepared for this moment, however many books she had read, Jessica could hear the hurt in her voice. “Why not just wait a week or two? Take some time to absorb the situation,” Jessica suggested.

  “The apartment is ready. The Realtor has already listed the house. I’m going to get over to my fresh new place and out of here as soon as possible. It’s too big for just me, anyway.”

  Jessica thought for a moment, glancing around the house, which looked like a rental home, devoid of mementos. Most of her mother’s things were already over at the new place, with the exception of a few pictures and objects her father had wanted around.

  It hurt Jessica to think how long her mother had been waiting for this day to come. “I need to move out of Cindy’s place. What if I came and stayed with you for—”

  “Absolutely not,” her mother said, cutting Jessica off before she could even finish the sentence. “You know how your dad and I feel about you coming back to stay at home. You need to live your own life, be an independent woman who doesn’t need her parents. You’re lucky I’m letting you stay the night.”

  She knew her mother was just joking. Mostly. She wondered if her mom was using the familiar litany as a way to keep some sense of normalcy. Jessica ran her hand over the back of the old couch before walking over to her mother’s side. “What can I do to help?”

  A small smile flitted across her mother’s face. “You can make us something to eat. Between fast food and the muck they served at the hospital, I haven’t had anything decent in far too long.”

  Jessica nodded and turned toward the kitchen. Her mother called her name before she made it to the doorway. Jessica faced her mom.

  “Jess, you better keep your word about what you said to your father. Don’t let me or any of this stop you from getting out there and finding someone. Love’s too important for that.”

  Jessica smiled at her mom. “I will.”

  She had no idea what she would do next, but she was at least sure of one thing: she wouldn’t shy away from a chance at a lasting relationship, no matter what happened in the past or what could happen in the future.

  12

  AARON STORMED OUT of the barn, hardly noticing the sounds of the horses on either side. He didn’t slow his pace until he’d walked to the small creek that went through his land. At the edge, he sat on a rock, the trees growing on the banks shading him from the winter sun, not allowing him even the small amount of warmth it afforded.

  He could hear leaves crunch and the swish of brush on denim. Jeremiah had followed him, which he’d expected, but he didn’t want to speak to anyone, not even his best friend. He tried to tell himself that a little peace and quiet would help, but he knew that wasn’t true. It only made things worse.

  He could see Jeremiah striding toward him out of the corner of his eye. “I don’t want to talk about it,” Aaron said.

  Jeremiah crossed his arms. “Well, you’re going to. You’ve been annoyed ever since Vegas, it seems, and I’m tired of it. Your whole ‘I’m fine’ thing, where you work yourself to the bone with earbuds blasting music while you ignore everyone? It isn’t making things better, if you haven’t figured it out. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Aaron felt his frustration boiling. Why couldn’t Jeremiah just leave him alone? Music and hard work were the only things that helped keep thoughts of Jessica out. He didn’t want to think about her, but any moment his mind was free to wander, it always went back to her. He couldn’t even read his book without picturing the way her eyes shone with excitement when he’d told her it was Harry Potter.

  Jeremiah sat on the ground, even though it was probably cold and damp. “Seriously, Aaron. Just talk to me. I can help. What did that chick do to you in Vegas?”

  She made me fall in love with her.

  The thought came to him unbidden, unwanted.

  Jeremiah spoke again, but Aaron was only half listening. “You need to deal with whatever issues that trip brought up if you ever want life to get back the way it was.”

  The way it was. That was what he had been trying to do for days. But he hated the way it was, now that he knew how it could be. Aaron had always thought of love as giving up independence, but what good was independence if the right person was out there and the only thing he could think of was how much it sucked not being with her because of a stupid misunderstanding?

  Even if she didn’t want to talk to him, he had to get in touch with her and try to set things right, see if there was any way to move past it. The past few days had made it abundantly clear that he was in it far deeper than he’d let himself believe. For years, he’d refused to become attached to a woman, and now here he was, completely addicted.

  Not addicted. In love.

  His mind knew it was ridiculous to feel that way about a woman he’d only known a few days, but his soul was stubborn. It was the first time he’d ever felt like that about anyone, and he wasn’t going to just let that go.

  He stood. “I need to talk to Jessica. I have to see if I can fix this.”

  Jeremiah asked, “How is talking to Jessica going to fix it?”

  Jeremiah still seemed perplexed, so Aaron, almost gibbering as his mind rushed through the possible scenarios now that he’d made his decision, added, “Cody was right. I’m in love with her.”

  His heart felt lighter now that he’d admitted it aloud. Even if his quest was doomed to fail, he could at least tell her the truth.

  Jeremiah’s eyebrows disappeared into the hair falling over his forehead. “Seriously? Of all the things you could’ve said, that was not what I was expecting. And who the hell is Cody?”

  Aaron shrugged. “A blackjack dealer. It doesn’t matter. The point is, I need your help. Text that girl and get her to tell you where Jessica lives. I’ve got to talk to her, and I should do it in person.”

  He noticed that Jere
miah looked a little sheepish as he hauled himself off the ground. “So, the day after you left Vegas, before I got on my flight, I got a message from Marilyn. She said that Jessica was trying to find you and wanted your phone number. I told her no.”

  Aaron had to stop himself from strangling his best friend. Instead he pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I thought she was going crazy stalker on you, and that’s why you bolted! You didn’t exactly explain the situation. Hell, I still don’t know what happened. That’s why I’ve been sitting in mud for the past few minutes trying to get you to talk to me, dammit,” he said, wiping at the butt of his jeans.

  Aaron looked at his friend, really seeing him for the first time in days. The person who had been there for him practically his whole life, whom he’d ditched in Vegas without even explaining, was pissed. But he was still there, and he’d only been trying to help.

  Aaron knew he’d been a terrible friend. “Look, Jeremiah, I’m sorry. I was falling for her and then she walked out on me. I tried to get her back, but she’d taken the next flight out of Vegas to get away from me. I was so frustrated I had to leave. I thought I could try to forget about her, but these past few days have been miserable. I need to see her again.”

  “Even though she left Vegas early just so she wouldn’t have to see you again?”

  “I need to explain some things. I have to at least try, right?”

  Jeremiah looked at him for a second, then pulled out his phone. “Okay, grand gesture time. I get it. You really must be in love with her to do something this stupid. Do you want to go grab a bag together and I’ll take you to the airport?”

  Aaron slapped his friend on the back as Jeremiah tapped out a quick message and put the phone back in his pocket. They started walking toward Aaron’s home.

  Aaron wanted to run the moment he saw the large yellow house, no more than a quarter mile away, looming against the backdrop of the mountains, but this was no time to ditch his friend yet again. Jeremiah still seemed annoyed. Aaron said, “Thanks, Jeremiah. You’re a good friend.”

  Jeremiah gave him a sidelong glance. “Way better than you’ve been.”

  Jeremiah’s words were harsh, but he didn’t sound too angry. It wouldn’t take much to get him to come around. Aaron nodded. “Way better. I owe you so much beer.”

  That made Jeremiah smile, and Aaron felt better than he had in days. As they reached the house, Jeremiah tilted his head toward his truck. “Grab some stuff. I’ll pull up to the front.”

  With that, Aaron took off, through the back door, up the stairs. He knew it was stupid, that this stuff only worked in the movies, and he was more likely than not going to be back in this quiet house, alone, within a few days. Still, he’d never felt more alive. He was rushing off to tell a woman he loved her, something he would have laughed at a couple of weeks ago.

  He grabbed together a quick bag and the heaviest coat he owned. By the time he got back outside and locked the door, Jeremiah’s truck was next to the porch, waiting for him. Aaron jumped into the cab and Jeremiah pulled away from the house, shaking his head, but grinning as he did so. He said, “Okay, I got an address. Apparently Marilyn doesn’t know Jessica that well, but Jessica is roommates with Cindy, the bachelorette.”

  Aaron barely heard anything after the first sentence. He had her address. This was actually happening. He sat back in the seat, finally able to relax now that they were on their way, that he had a plan, as ridiculous as the plan was.

  Jeremiah grew serious as they went through the gate that indicated the end of Aaron’s driveway. “I don’t want to rain on your parade or anything, but just don’t get your expectations too high, okay? Remember when we read Romeo and Juliet in high school, and we talked about how idiotic it was that they’d known each other for three days? That’s kind of you right now. I’m not saying it won’t work out, I’m just saying—”

  Aaron shrugged. He was very aware of how stupid he was being. “I know. I see why this is completely ludicrous. But I’ve been lying to myself, thinking I was happy, for long enough. Now that I’ve found what makes me actually happy, I have to go after it. And that’s what I’m doing, even if it’s a long shot.”

  His friend nodded. “Okay. Let’s just stop by my place and I’ll grab a couple of things and change into different pants. Shouldn’t take two minutes.”

  Aaron looked at Jeremiah, who nodded decisively. “You think I’m going to let you do something this dumb on your own? Plus, I want to know what happens, and if I just send you off, the likelihood that I’ll get even a text from you is slim to none. And I like New York. You’ll go confess your love to the woman of your dreams, and I’ll take a stroll around Central Park. Win-win.”

  Aaron laughed. “Awesome. I’m going to look up flights. We might not be in any rush if the next plane to New York doesn’t leave for six hours or something.”

  He used his phone to find a flight that would give them enough time to get to the airport and through security, and booked two seats. Jeremiah got back in with his small duffel and they were once again on their way.

  By the time they parked and began heading through to their terminal, Aaron had searched out Jessica’s address location, booked two hotel rooms nearby, and ordered a car to pick them up at the airport. He’d even found a florist in case he wanted to get flowers, but he wasn’t sure if that was sweet or going too far. He felt a strong affection for his phone as he put it on airplane mode for the flight. It had done its job well.

  Now that Aaron was on the plane, though, enthusiasm started to give way to anxiety. What if she turned him down? What if she said she loved him, too, threw herself into his arms and then a month later changed her mind?

  He told himself that if that happened, he would just have to go on. He couldn’t let it stop him from trying.

  Jeremiah was seated next to him, and was fidgeting as though he was nervous, which seemed strange. He wasn’t the one going to declare his love to a woman he’d known for less than a week. Finally, once they were in the air and Jeremiah hadn’t calmed down, Aaron turned to him. “Is everything okay? I thought you wanted to come with, but you’re—”

  “I want to come,” Jeremiah cut in, “but I have something I need to say.”

  Aaron waited, dreading whatever his friend was going to say. He didn’t want to hear about what a terrible idea this was; he already got that loud and clear.

  After what felt like hours of awkward silence, Jeremiah started talking. “Look, in Vegas you were spending all your time with Jessica and I got annoyed. I told you I didn’t like the way you were acting. Now, though, I can see that you were acting like an idiot in love, and that’s kind of cool. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry.”

  That was definitely not what Aaron had expected. He almost said something nice back about how great Jeremiah was being about this whole thing, but he didn’t have to. Jeremiah knew. Besides, it was becoming a bit too much of a bro-mance already.

  He knocked his friend on the shoulder and leaned back in his seat.

  At least he knew that if this thing went to pieces, Jeremiah would still be there to help him, just as he’d been when Aaron’s parents divorced, when his mother died and a hundred other times.

  The flight was over far sooner than Aaron had expected, and he steeled himself to get his heart smashed. He hoped it wouldn’t happen, but he honestly wasn’t sure. Yeah, she’d asked for his phone number, but there were plenty of reasons she could want it that didn’t involve confessing undying love.

  Jeremiah looked at him, raising one eyebrow. “You okay? Completely regretting this decision?”

  “Nope to both. Let’s go.”

  They found their way through the giant airport and to the waiting car. It was evening, but not too late. They drove straight over to her apartment, and the
driver pulled up to the front door. “You still sure you want to do this?”

  When Aaron nodded, he opened the door and stepped out, clearing the way. “Then go do it. I’ll wait down here for ten minutes, then go to the hotel if I haven’t heard from you. Good luck!”

  Aaron was standing on the sidewalk, freezing, as the car door shut with a snap. He strode quickly toward the door, determined to do what he’d come there to do, whatever the consequences. He managed to catch the door before it shut as someone entered, allowing him to circumvent buzzing the apartment. He had no idea what he would have said. He still wasn’t entirely sure what he would say. He went through her possible reactions and focused on the ones he liked the best, trying to decide how he would respond to each one.

  He never found out what he would have said, though, because the moment the elevator doors opened at her floor, Jessica was pushing herself into it, a large cardboard box obscuring her vision. He was so shocked that he didn’t say anything as she set down the box and stretched her back. She was in jeans that hugged every curve of her legs and a large baggy sweatshirt, her hair tied back in a messy ponytail, and she was so stunningly beautiful his heart clenched. Any doubts about his feelings were gone in an instant. He was in love.

  * * *

  JESSICA TURNED AWAY from the heavy box to make sure the ground-floor button was pushed, and jumped back in shock. Her leg hit the box, and a small cry escaped her as she lost her balance. Before she could catch hold of anything to stop her fall, Aaron’s strong arms were around her, his handsome blue eyes staring into hers. There was another moment of silence before she finally gasped, “Aaron! What—”

  She couldn’t finish the sentence. Her thoughts hadn’t yet caught up to the situation before her. His mouth turned up at the corners as he smiled. “Hi, Jessica. This situation seems familiar.”

  It took her several seconds before she realized what he meant. He was still holding her, the way he had when she bumped into him at the restaurant. Her mind started to slowly catch up. “You’re in New York?”