The Last-Chance Maverick

by Christyne Butler

  The press of her soft curves reminded Jonah again of how long it’d been since he’d held a woman in his arms. “Maybe because one of them doesn’t know how to two-step.”

  “Or maybe they want to be able to talk and get to know each other a little better.”

  “They can’t do that while sitting at a table?”

  She laughed softly, her puffs of breath enticingly warm against his throat. “Probably wouldn’t be as much fun.”

  He couldn’t argue with that.

  “When was the last time you did any dancing?” she asked. “Country or any other style?”

  It took him a minute as he thought back. The charity event in Denver where that photograph of him and Nadia had been taken. “It’s been over a year.”

  “Don’t get out much?”

  “I’ve been working quite a bit. Got back from a year in Brazil in the spring and started working on the resort project in August.”

  “Well, you know what they say about all work and no play, architect.”

  Yeah, many probably considered him a dull guy, but dedication to his work was what got him through the hardest time of his life.

  Not wanting to go down that path, Jonah figured he and Vanessa probably should get to know one another better since they were going to be working together, but first things first.

  He tightened his grip on her hand before bringing it in to rest against his chest. “I owe you an apology for my rudeness this morning.”

  She leaned back and looked up at him. “I take it finding out about me and the mural was a surprise?”

  Boy that seemed to be the word for the evening. “Yes.” He waited a moment and then added, “But a nice one.”

  A tilt of her head told him she wasn’t sure if she believed him. “Why do I get the feeling a certain architect doesn’t like surprises.”

  That had been more of a statement than a question, so Jonah remained silent. The truth was he hated them. Always had. Even as a kid, he liked knowing what was happening, what was coming down the road and when.

  Birthdays and Christmas mornings were only made better once his folks took his detailed lists of gift ideas seriously. His brothers had messed with him a time or two over the years, but once he got into high school his life revolved around his studies and the girl he’d started dating his freshman year.

  The only girl for him until everything changed eight years ago.

  “No apology is necessary,” Vanessa continued, cutting into his thoughts. “I’m happy you’re on board with the idea now.”

  Glad she wasn’t upset with his behavior, Jonah wove his way back to his original intent. “Very much on board. I’ll need to get our interior-design team in the loop on this, sharing any preliminary drawings and color choices you have for the mural with them.”

  Vanessa dropped her gaze from his. “Yes, of course, you will.”

  “I’ll admit I don’t know much about your work or even how a mural is painted. Do you have any ideas or sketches yet?”

  “I just found out about Nate’s idea this morning, as well.” Her shoulders stiffened and her feet once again became tangled with his. “Oops! Sorry about that. Ah, it’s going to take me some time to come up with...a plan, a design.”

  Jonah wondered how much time, the analytical side of his brain already making plans as he mentally reviewed the upcoming schedule.

  “The main hall where you’ll be working is pretty much finished except for the furnishings and such, so you won’t have to worry about any construction mess getting in the way,” he said. “Of course, we’ll have to build you scaffolding depending on the size and scope of the mural.”

  “Yes, I know, but—”

  “And find a way to give you as much privacy as you need, but then again, it is a construction site so I hope you can work with noise and people. Do artists tend to prefer quiet?”

  “Yes, s-some do. I usually work alone, but I’m sure I’ll be able to manage.”

  Jonah picked up on the hesitation in her words. “Did Nate tell you the grand opening of the resort is planned for the Christmas holidays? That’s less than twelve weeks away. Does that time frame work for you? I hate to have the project half finished—”

  “Wow, has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”

  Vanessa’s question cut into his sentence, silencing him for a moment as he gave it serious thought. “Yes, actually, it has been mentioned a time or two. Especially when it comes to work.”

  “So, let’s not talk about work. Or talk at all.” She trailed her fingertips across the back of his neck, just along the edge of his shirt collar. “Just enjoy the music, the dancing...the moment.”

  She was right. They had plenty of time to talk about the mural and resort later. It’d been a long day and while dancing was the last thing he’d ever thought he’d be doing tonight, he had to admit it felt pretty damn good to hold her in his arms.

  Pressing his cheek to her hair, he pulled in a deep breath and a fresh, flowery scent filled his head. He relaxed for the first time since he’d come home.

  As the song ended and another began, Vanessa didn’t make any move to step away. In fact, she seemed to cling tighter. Her lush curves felt great, especially since the last woman he danced with was so thin and delicate he’d often wondered if she’d break if he held her too tight.

  “Not going anywhere,” he whispered.

  The tension eased from her body and they danced through that song and a third one before the music selection changed and things got lively again.

  “Let me guess,” Vanessa stepped back when he stopped moving. “You’re not interested in doing any line dancing.”

  “You’ve guessed right.”

  She smiled, moved out of his embrace and headed off the dance floor. Jonah fell into step behind her as they made their way through the crowd, almost bumping into her when she suddenly stopped.

  “Ah, hello, Tommy.”

  Jonah looked over her shoulder and found the cowboy she’d been trying to dodge standing right in front of them. Taking a step closer and to one side, he again placed a hand at the small of her back, and moved in next to her.

  “Jonah.” She turned, a look of relief on her face. “This is my friend, Tommy Wheeler. Tommy, this is Jonah Dalton, my...um, my...”

  “Date.” The word popped out of his mouth before he could think about it, but the dazzling smile of Vanessa’s was worth the white lie. “Nice to meet you, Tommy.”

  The cowboy pushed up the brim of his hat and offered Jonah a long look before finally taking his outstretched hand. “Dalton,” he said. “You related to Anderson Dalton?”

  “My cousin, why?”

  “Just curious.” Tommy finished the handshake. “I’ve worked on the Daltons ranch for the last ten years or so.”

  Okay, so maybe that’s why he looked familiar. “They’re a good outfit. Right up there with The Circle D.”

  “You don’t work for your family’s ranch.”

  It wasn’t a question. “No, I’m back in town to work on the renovation of the new resort.”

  Tommy only responded with a nod of his head, and then turned his attention back to Vanessa. “So, how about a dance?”

  “No, thanks. It’s getting a bit late.”

  He glanced at his watch. “At ten o’clock? You and I have been out later than this, darling.”

  Was it his imagination or did Vanessa just lean in a bit closer to him?

  “Yes, but that’s all in the past now,” she said, her fingers playing with the numerous bracelets on her wrist. “And I think it’s time I head home.”

  “We.” Jonah corrected her, again surprised when the word came out of his mouth. Not bothering to think as to why, or maybe he was just too tired, he drew her against his side and slid his hand ar
ound to cup her hip. “We’re heading home.”

  They were?

  Vanessa felt like a tennis ball, bouncing back and forth between Tommy and Jonah, but she never expected him to say that.

  Heck, hearing him call himself her date had weakened her knees. Or was the sensation from how amazing it’d been to be in his arms as they danced? Or the way he held her right now?

  “We are?” Her gaze collided with his for a second and she read understanding in Jonah’s dark hazel eyes. She turned back to Tommy and smiled. “Ah, yes, we are. So, I’ll—ah, we’ll see you later.”

  With Jonah’s hand pressing against her back—oh boy, that felt good, too—she walked past Tommy and headed back to their table. Eli Dalton still sat there alone, but the bottles and glasses had multiplied, indicating he had company at some point while they were gone.

  Jonah dropped his hand from her hip, putting some distance between them just before Eli looked their way. On purpose? Probably. A few dances and a few fibs to an ardent admirer didn’t make them a couple.

  Far from it.

  They were...coworkers, she guessed, for lack of a better description, from the many questions he had about the mural. Questions she didn’t have any answers to.

  Yet.

  But she would, she hoped.

  She also hoped to get better acquainted with Jonah because she liked him. More so than any of the first dates (or seconds!) she’d gone on since coming to Rust Creek Falls. She’d been waiting for the right cowboy to come along. Could Jonah Dalton be the one?

  “Hey, congratulations, Vanessa.” Eli said, toasting her with a raised beer. “You not only got my little brother on the dance floor, you managed to keep him out there. What’s your secret?”

  She glanced at Jonah, already deciding she wasn’t going to share that he’d actually been the one who offered to stay for more than one song.

  “I’m not sure.” She grabbed her glass, which was now just water as the ice had long melted. “Once he figured out I’m still a newbie at two-stepping I’m lucky he didn’t go off and leave me standing there.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.”

  Jonah’s soft words caused her to look at him again. “I know that.”

  He dropped her gaze, focusing on the table for a moment before looking up at his brother. “I guess all of this means you aren’t ready to head home? Or are you having a party of one?”

  “The blondes returned. They’re on the dance floor now and no, I’m not ready to leave.” Eli tipped his head toward the poker table. “Besides, Derek’s still playing. I thought I’d stick around. You know, just in case.”

  She wasn’t sure what he meant, but Jonah seemed to understand the message. “Any chance you can get a ride home from your new friends? I’m ready to get out of here.”

  “I’ll take you.” Vanessa spoke before Eli could open his mouth. “I mean, that’s what we said...” Her voice trailed off for a moment. “We’re both heading back to the same place. You to the ranch house, me to the cabin. You are staying with your folks, right?”

  “Oh, yeah, he’s staying at the big house.” Eli grinned.

  “You okay to drive?” Jonah asked his brother.

  Eli nodded. “This is my last one. I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, then.” Jonah turned to her, picking up her sweater and holding it out in her direction. “I’m ready if you are.”

  They said their goodbyes, but when Jonah started for the front entrance of the bar, she grabbed his hand and motioned toward the back. He followed and soon they were outside in the cool evening air. Cool enough that Vanessa stopped and tugged on her sweater, wishing she’d remembered her jacket, once again fighting with her jewelry after she managed to get it over her head.

  “You must really like those.” Jonah said, pointing at her captured wrist.

  “Yes, I do.” She freed her hand, shaking her wrist to enjoy the noise her precious collection made. She then tugged the ends of the sweater down over her hips. “Some are made of beads or crystals, but my favorites are the individual metal circles that expand when you press on them. Each holds an individual charm.”

  Her favorite one, purchased during her and Adele’s last trip to New York City, caught her eye. She looked down at it, gently rubbing her thumb across the raised heart engraved there.

  “Gifts from friends and family?”

  “Some.” Vanessa blinked hard so the tears would be gone when she looked up at him. “A few I purchased myself. When I couldn’t resist one that caught my eye, especially while trolling the internet in the wee hours of the morning.”

  Jonah seemed to be studying her and she was glad for the dark shadows in the parking lot. Digging out her keys from her pocket, Vanessa pointed toward the first row of vehicles. “I’m parked down in front. A perk of getting here early.”

  She started across the gravel lot and Jonah fell into step next to her. The music and noise from the bar filtered out through the open windows reminding her again of the huge favor he’d done for her tonight.

  “Thank you. For dancing with me...and everything else back there,” she said as they walked. “Hopefully Tommy was smart enough to pick up on the pretending we were doing.”

  “I think he got the message.”

  “Let’s hope no one else noticed or else we’ll be the topic of the local gossip mill come morning.”

  Jonah halted at her words. She turned, watching as he heaved a deep sigh and closed his eyes.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No.” He opened his eyes again, shook his head and started walking. “I’d just forgotten what a small town this is. Of course, knowing my brother, I’ll be getting grief from my family before my morning coffee over the dancing.”

  She couldn’t help but smile at that. “Should I apologize as well as say thank you?”

  “No, neither is necessary. I had a good time, was glad to help and I appreciate the lift home.” He stopped when she walked to the driver’s-side door. “In this? This is your car?”

  “Actually, it’s a pickup. I’d think a cowboy would know the difference.”

  Jonah looked over her vehicle with a speculative eye. “I haven’t been a cowboy in a long time and this thing has got to be at least twenty years old.”

  She liked that she had once again surprised him. “Not what you were expecting, huh? And be nice to Big Bertha, she’s just celebrated her thirty-first birthday.”

  “The guy who runs the gas station used to have a truck he called Big Bertha.”

  “One and the same.” She unlocked her door. “I had a rental for the first month I was here, but then I figured I needed something more permanent to get me through my first Montana winter. She’s reliable, decent on gas and has never given me a lick of trouble. Head on around. I’ll let you in.”

  Only after she jiggled with the passenger-side door for a few minutes while Jonah waited outside did Vanessa give up and get back out. She hurried to his side of the truck, unlocked the door and it opened right away.

  “I think maybe you hurt her feelings,” she said, offering a quick smile.

  “Then I’m sorry.”

  Not sure if he was apologizing to her or her truck, Vanessa decided it was best not to ask as she headed back to the driver’s side while Jonah climbed in.

  “Did you know your inside light’s not working?”

  She looked up before closing her door. “Yep, you’re right. The bulb must’ve just gone out.”

  Hooking her seat belt, she waited for a moment while Jonah did the same, once he moved the hardback book away from the locking mechanism. “What’s this?” He peered at the cover. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?”

  She nodded, starting the engine and heading out the parking lot. “Great book.”

  “Exactly how
old are you?”

  She glanced at him, happy to see a smile when they passed under a street light. “Very funny. I’m twenty-six, but that doesn’t matter. Harry Potter is for everyone. Besides, I never read the series when it first came out back when I was a teenager. Now, I’m up to book four.”

  “What made you decide to read them now?”

  Number fifteen: read all the Harry Potter books.

  Adele had devoured each of the books as they were released, often standing in line at bookstores at midnight to get the first copy. She couldn’t understand why Vanessa had never taken time away from her art to do the same. She’d insisted the item be added to their list when they had revived their list.

  “Vanessa?”

  “Oh, sorry. I got lost in thought there.” It only took a few minutes to clear the town limits and soon they were on the back roads heading toward the ranch. She found she liked the darkness of the rural countryside that surrounded them. “One day I saw a display of the books and assorted merchandise in a bookstore and decided it was time. Let me guess? You’ve read them all.”

  Jonah nodded. “My twin sisters loved the books from the very beginning. I used to read to them until...well, until I moved out.”

  “When was that?”

  “When I was eighteen.”

  Jonah stayed quiet after that and she wondered for a moment if she should turn on the radio, but the silence was nice after the mayhem back at the bar. Soon they reached the turn off for the ranch, but still had a few miles to go before getting to the main house.

  An idea suddenly came to her and before she could chicken out, she said, “Hey, do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow’s Friday,” Jonah said. “I’ll be working. Everyone works on Fridays.”

  She had to admit she was a bit disappointed by his oh-so-practical tone. “Hmmm, you’re one of those, huh? Okay.”

  Silence filled the interior of the truck again as they bounced over the dirt road until he finally asked, “Why?”