“You amaze me.” He’d never seen her like this, in clothes that didn’t fit and her lipstick worn off. A little girl’s flowered barrette was in her hair, probably lovingly placed there by one of the girls. “A few hours ago you were the consummate professional.”
She shrugged. “That’s one side of me.”
“You do realize Lester is smitten.”
“He’s adorable. Dominique promised him that if he’d help get the other kids in bed, he could come back and have one dance with me.”
“Just one?”
“That’s all. Dominique explained that I already have a boyfriend, but that you’d allow him to have a dance with me because you’re a nice guy.”
Finn’s pulse rate kicked up a notch. “I suppose she just said that because she needed to keep Lester from getting too attached.”
“No, she said that because everyone here assumes we’re sleeping together.”
That sent his pulse into overdrive. “Why?”
“The way you look at me. The way I look at you. I thought maybe it wouldn’t be obvious, but Jack picked up on it this afternoon when we both freaked out about Pam’s comment. Judging from things other people have said to me, it’s now everybody’s assumption that we’re together.”
“And yet we haven’t even had sex yet, not really. Not in the classic sense of the word.”
She looked into his eyes. “But we will.”
“Oh, yeah.” He was suddenly short of breath. “I’m ready to leave now, but we can’t.”
“Nope. Not after they went all-out for us. We need to stay and celebrate.” Her eyes shone. “But I was just thinking that we’re close enough to the goal that I could put the rest on my credit card.”
“No, that’s not a good—”
“I won’t do it now. That’s only if we get down to the wire. I’m not letting this get away when we’re inches from the finish line.”
“Let me talk to Damon and Cade. They might have some room on their cards. You shouldn’t be putting it on yours when you’ve already done so much.”
“I’m sure none of us will have to worry. The money will come in. But I’m just saying that it’s within range and I really don’t want to call Jack.”
“I know. We’re close enough now that we can figure it out among ourselves. And, boy, do I feel like celebrating...in private.”
“We will. Be patient.”
“I’ll do my level best, ma’am.” He lowered his voice. “While you were licking barbecue sauce off your fingers, I thought I might have to excuse myself and take a cold shower.”
She smiled. “Exactly what I was going for.”
“Chels.”
“What? Is there some rule that you can’t take care of little kids and taunt your lover at the same time?”
“Honest to God, if we didn’t have to stay here, I’d haul you back to the B and B and—”
“Hold that thought.” She touched her finger to his lips. “Now let’s go over and talk to Alex and Tyler. I heard he’s in PR and she’s the event planner for the town. They might have some suggestions for Thunder Mountain Academy.”
His brain still fizzing with thoughts of barbecue sauce and Chelsea’s naked body, he followed her back to the table where Alex and Tyler were sitting. If he’d worried that she’d abandon all thoughts of their project now that the presentation was over, he was dead wrong. She might not be dressed to impress, but she obviously wouldn’t let that stop her from making important professional contacts.
“We didn’t get to talk before.” She sat beside Tyler. “But I didn’t want to miss a chance to pick your brains. Has Jack filled you in on what we’re doing at the academy?”
“He did,” Tyler said, “but before we get into that, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking over entertaining the kids.”
“It was fun. I’ve had lots of practice with my cousins’ kids.”
“You’d think I’d had lots of practice coming from a family of seven, but I’ve forgotten what I ever knew about children, apparently.”
“And I never knew much in the first place.” Alex shook his head. “It’s embarrassing to admit I can be intimidated by a five-year-old, but I’m no match for Sarah Bianca.”
Chelsea laughed. “Oh, yeah, SB. She informed me that she’s going to be a saddle maker when she grows up. I guess she met Ben Radcliffe when he delivered Sarah’s birthday saddle last December and she’s decided that’s the job for her.”
“Too bad she’s not a little older,” Finn said. “She could enroll in the academy.”
“It’ll still be there when she’s sixteen.” Chelsea said it with conviction. “That’s only eleven years from now. I love thinking of the long-range possibilities of this program.”
“That’s the strength of it,” Alex said. “I’ve built the Last Chance campaigns on longevity. The academy is new, but the history behind it isn’t. I’m sure you used that in your presentation.”
“She did.” Finn was eager to share the finer points of the video. “She got clips from my foster mom that showed the contribution to the community that Thunder Mountain has made in the past and then she connected that to the potential for continuing that kind of legacy. It was great.”
“Send us a copy,” Tyler said. “I have a few contacts from my days as a cruise director. If you don’t mind, I’ll share it with them and see if they might have grandchildren who would be interested in the program, especially if grandma and grandpa were willing to finance it.”
Chelsea beamed. “That would be awesome. The more people who know about it, the better.”
“Have you considered radio spots for future marketing?” Alex pushed away his empty plate. “People still listen to the radio in their cars. I don’t know what your advertising budget will be once you get everything in place, but I could check out some of the major markets and get back to you. If you decide to go that route, I’ll record a spot for you.”
“Fantastic idea!” Chelsea beamed at him. “I’ll look forward to getting the info. Anything else?”
“The calendar’s great.” Tyler sipped on her wine. “Fun intro. But once you have things rolling, how about doing another one featuring a special student for each month? You’d have to get a release from the parents or guardians, but I think—”
“Yes!” Chelsea bounced in her chair. “Brilliant. Parents would go nuts over that. After today’s success, we can start seriously planning for that in the future. I love that idea.”
Alex gazed at her. “Anytime you want to brainstorm, just call, email or text.”
“I will. I wish I’d known earlier that the Chances had both a marketing guru and an event planner in the family.”
“My job’s pretty easy,” Alex said. “The horses practically sell themselves, plus you’ve seen Jack in action. He schmoozes like nobody’s business. And then we’ll have Gabe put on a cutting-horse demonstration, and people can’t get their money out fast enough.”
Chelsea sat up straighter. “Cutting-horse demonstration?” She glanced at Finn. “Did you know about this?”
“Nope, but I can see where you’re going with it.”
She turned back to Alex. “Do you think he’d consider teaching a session here and there at the academy? He’d get paid, of course. We don’t expect any of the instructors to work for free.”
“I can’t speak for him, but I think he’d love it.” He turned to Tyler. “Don’t you?”
“I do. He used to enter competitions all the time, but he doesn’t do that as much now that he has three kids. A few teaching gigs might be just the thing—a short trip without the stress, yet he’d have a reason to keep his skills sharp.”
“Then I’ll ask him.”
“Ask who what?” Jack came up to the table.
“Gabe,” Tyler sa
id. “Don’t you think he’d love teaching cutting-horse sessions at the academy?”
“Hell, yes. Sounds perfect. The competitive circuit was too intense for a family man, but now he’s bored and driving Morgan crazy.”
Tyler laughed. “I didn’t want to say that, but it’s the truth.” She glanced at Chelsea. “You’d be doing both Gabe and my sister a big favor.”
“Yep,” Jack said. “I recommend you broach the subject tonight. He’ll be here any minute. The kiddos are almost tucked in. We’re about ready to start the dancing if our friend Alex here will stir his stumps and spin us some tunes.”
“I’m on it.” Alex pushed back his chair. “I expect all of you to get out on the dance floor and make this effort worthwhile.”
“We will, sweetie.” Tyler smiled at him.
Finn experienced a moment of panic when he thought he might be expected to alternately escort Tyler and Chelsea onto the floor. He decided to take defensive action. “I should warn you, Tyler, that I’m not a very good dancer.”
“Relax, Finn.” She reached over and patted his arm. “The word’s out already.”
“It is? Who talked?”
“Shoshone’s a small town.”
He sighed. “I didn’t realize it was that small.”
“Well, it is. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. Apparently, Jack gave you enough of the basics last night that you can manage, but Jack, Gabe, Nick and even Pete will make sure I enjoy a few dances. It’s not your job.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome.”
He turned to Chelsea, about to ask her for the first dance, when Lester appeared at her elbow.
His gaze was filled with adoration. “Mom said I could ask you to dance, but only one time. So would you like to?” He shot a furtive glance at Finn. “That’s if it’s okay with your boyfriend.”
Finn regarded him solemnly. “Chelsea makes her own decisions.”
“I’d be honored to dance with you, Lester.” The music hadn’t started, but Chelsea rose from her chair and walked with Lester to the wooden dancing platform. Lester was short for his age, so without her heels, Chelsea was about his size.
Alex’s voice came on the mike. “It’s a beautiful night in Wyoming. Let’s rock and roll!” And the music blasted out, something loud and full of energy.
Lester looked startled, but then he began gyrating to the beat. Chelsea did, too, and in her borrowed clothes, she looked more Lester’s age than her own. Considering her lack of dancing experience, she did a fair job of it.
Other couples quickly joined them. Finn spotted Jack and Josie, and they weren’t dancing the two-step. Instead they looked like a couple of teenagers wiggling around up there.
“Alex is from Chicago,” Tyler said, “so he’ll play country songs most of the time, but he’s known for throwing in some classic rock to shake things up.”
“Looks like everyone’s good with that.”
“They are. And Lester’s having the time of his life.”
“Yeah.” Finn couldn’t help grinning as he watched Chelsea rocking out. “So’s Chelsea.”
“She’s great. I don’t know either of you very well yet, but I hope this works out between you two. You seem right for each other.”
“Thank you.” Finn didn’t know what else to say. And suddenly he didn’t want to be on the sidelines anymore. “Listen, you don’t have to go up there with me, but would you like to dance?”
“Sure. Why not?”
So he escorted Tyler to the dance floor. Turned out she was a woman with rhythm to spare. She coaxed him to let go, and he found himself rotating his hips in ways he’d never tried before. He finished the dance laughing and breathless. When he looked for Chelsea, he found her gazing at him with a knowing smile.
After giving Lester a hug, she walked over and glanced at Tyler. “Can I borrow him for a while?”
“You bet. I got him all warmed up for you.”
“Much obliged.” Chelsea grabbed him by the shirtfront and tugged him to the center of the platform. “Dance with me, you sexy cowboy.”
As a slow country tune started up, he pulled her close and gazed down at her. “You know, if anybody had any doubt...”
“They don’t. Do you mind?”
“Nope.”
“Good.” She slid her arms around his neck. “Without my heels, we don’t match up quite as well.”
“Sure we do.” He nestled her head against his chest and wrapped his arms around her as he swayed to the beat and moved as little as possible.
“Are you doing that shuffle thing?”
“I am.” He rested his cheek on the top of her head.
She sighed. “Nice.”
“Uh-huh.” He’d never felt so warm and alive, or so sure that he belonged right here with Chelsea at this moment in time. Thunder Mountain Ranch was about to be saved. For now, everything was perfect.
8
ALTHOUGH CHELSEA WOULDN’T have minded going straight from the dance floor back to the Bunk and Grub, that wouldn’t be a very polite way to end the evening. So she and Finn stayed, and while she desperately wanted to be alone with his adorable self, she had a good time dancing and hanging out with the Chance family.
When they drove away a couple of hours later, after she’d changed back into her clothes and hugged everyone goodbye, she almost hated to leave. Then she glanced at the strong profile of the Stetson-wearing man behind the wheel of the SUV, and she didn’t mind leaving at all.
He looked over at her. “I feel like it’s been years since I kissed you.”
“Same here.”
“Hang on. This’ll be a fast trip.”
“Better not push it. Remember what Alex said.”
“About what?” He hit a rut hard and swore under his breath.
“You need to go slower.”
“I can see that, but you’d think they’d do something about this damn road.”
“I guess you were getting us drinks when Alex and Jack were talking about that. It’s bumpy on purpose.”
“You’re kidding.” He hit another rut, but at this speed they only bounced a little.
“Sarah’s first husband liked keeping the surface rough. He thought it discouraged trespassers. After he died, Jack declared it would stay that way. They only grade it when it gets really bad.”
“Then I suggest they get out here with a tractor, because it’s really bad.”
“Alex was trying to convince Jack that it was time, but Jack just laughed. Apparently the debate over the road has been going on for years.”
“Well, it’s worse at night, that’s for sure. When we drove in, I probably avoided the ruts without thinking much about it. But it’s black as pitch out here. I’ll have to crawl.”
“Probably a good idea.”
“It’s a terrible idea.” He eased over to the side of the road and switched off the motor. Then he put his hat on the dash.
“Finn, what are you doing?”
“Something I’ve been thinking about for hours.” He unfastened his seat belt and opened his door. Reaching up, he turned off the overhead light.
That simple gesture told her what he had in mind and her pulse switched into high gear.
Moving with deliberate purpose, he walked around to her side of the SUV and opened her door and the back door. Next he deftly released her seat belt. Last of all he picked up the bag from the floor and put it on her lap. “Hold these.” Then he scooped her up in his arms.
“You can’t be serious!” Her heart pounded in anticipation. “Someone could come along!” Despite that protest, her skin heated and moisture gathered between her thighs.
“No, they won’t. They all decided to stay for poker. Nobody will be on thi
s road for another two hours.”
“You’re certifiable.” The night air did little to cool her off. Finn was taking charge and she was on fire. “Totally insane.” Yet as he leaned down to tuck her inside the backseat of the SUV, she helped him by scooting across the smooth leather.
“We already knew that.” He unbuckled his belt, stripped it off and tossed it on the floor. “Now it’s just a question of degree.” He reached for the button on his jeans.
Her breath caught. He hadn’t asked. He hadn’t suggested. He’d simply taken command of the situation, and now she was wild for him, so wild that she felt as if she could come at any second. “Stopping alongside the road to have sex when there’s a perfectly good bed waiting definitely puts you higher up on the scale.” The paper bag rattled when she took out the box. She was trembling just that much.
Nearby, crickets chirped in the tall grass. It was the only sound except for the distinctive buzz of his zipper. “I’ll take one of those.”
He was only a dim outline in the darkness, but she handed a packet toward him and he plucked it from her fingers. “You’d better take off your panties.” His voice was thick with desire. “I might rip them.”
She tugged them off over her shoes, not bothering to unbuckle those little straps. He wanted her now. God, that was exciting.
Tossing the damp panties to the floor, she hitched up her dress. No time to take that off, either, because he was climbing in.
“Scoot down a little.” The words came out tight with strain. “There.” Strong hands slid along her thighs, parting them, positioning her, finding her moist entrance. “Ah, Chelsea. You’re so wet.”
She gulped for air. “Because...I want you.”
“I’m here.” Braced above her, he slowly guided the blunt tip of his penis into her slick channel. “So good.” He gasped. “So damned good.”
She had no words. The sensation of him filling her left her speechless and quivering with pleasure. Instinctively she clutched his beautifully firm ass and urged him forward.
He groaned and plunged deep. She came at once, arching upward with a sharp cry. Breathing hard, he remained rock-solid, firmly tucked inside her as he absorbed her contractions. When they slowed, he began to pump.
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