Cute Cowboy

by Pamela M. Kelley

  “Good!” Gwen looked like she was about to say something else, but then her phone rang and she turned her attention away.

  Lily waved goodbye and headed off to her office. Bernie was just taking her coat off and Wade was standing in the doorway between his office and theirs. He looked up and smiled when he saw Lily.

  “Welcome back! I was afraid you might decide to stay there,” he teased.

  Lily started to reply and he just laughed. “I’m just kidding. I know you said you don’t want to move there. I believe you. Why would anyone want to leave all this?” He looked out the window at the gorgeous mountain views and sunny blue sky.

  “I can’t imagine,” she said sincerely as she took off her coat and settled at her desk.

  “So, let’s catch you up to speed. Bernie has been in touch with your friend Andrea about the Jamison’s party. There are more changes.”

  Lily groaned.

  “It’s not that bad,” Bernie assured her. “Additions, mostly. People they keep remembering that should be there. They know a lot of people in town.”

  “And my parents called in with a new project,” Wade began. Lily smiled, wondering what it was this time. Since his parents had been on their cross-country trip, they called in one big project on the heels of another. The most recent had been the big conference center in the barn building, though she had to admit, that was a great idea and it let them handle much bigger events. People who saw the space loved it and the size of their events always seemed to increase, which Wade just shook his head at.

  “The barn really was brilliant. That’s another change. Someone mentioned the barn to Andrea and she stopped by to see it while you were gone,” he said.

  That annoyed Lily. “She did? I suggested that she look at it when we first met and as soon as she heard the word ‘barn’ she turned her nose up and wanted nothing to do with it.”

  “Well, apparently someone raved to her about an event they went to in it and now she thinks it’s the only thing that will do,” Bernie said.

  “It would be more fun in the barn, I think,” Lily said and then looked at Wade. “What’s the next project your parents want you to tackle?”

  “This one is actually a really good idea too, I think. They want us to think about some kind of day-care for kids.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful! Parents will love it. They’ll be more inclined to book a family trip if they know there is day-care available so they can take off and enjoy the amenities or go out to dinner. Would it be open at night? For baby-sitting? I could see that being very popular.”

  Wade thought for a moment. “I don’t see why not. Then the parents might go to the restaurants for an extra meal or two.”

  Bernie and Lily’s phones both rang at the same time and Wade laughed. “I’ll let you get to it.”

  The rest of the day flew. Lily barely had time to stop and get her afternoon coffee, but she was starting to fade around two and knew she needed it. Plus, she’d been on the phone so much that her shoulder was stiff. It would help to get some fresh air and stretch her muscles a bit. When she arrived at the saloon, Sadie was handing a cup of ice cream to Jaclyn, while Simon was standing close by, nibbling on an ice cream cone covered with chocolate sprinkles. Lily said hello to both of them and then Simon’s pocket buzzed, and he pulled out his cell phone and read a text message.

  “Ladies, I have to run back to the pro shop. Someone has questions about lessons and apparently I’m the only one that can answer them! Jaclyn, I’ll see you later for supper.”

  “Bye, Simon,” she said as he turned to go.

  “Try Sadie’s newest flavor. I think it’s her best yet,” she said.

  Sadie laughed. “You say that about every flavor. Not that I’m complaining.” She turned to Lily. “It’s peanut butter fudge and it is very good, if I do say so myself.”

  “I believe you. I don’t need a sample, just give me a kid-sized dish. I need a sugar and a caffeine fix today.”

  “A little jet lag?” Sadie asked as she handed Lily the cup of ice cream, then went to get her hot coffee. Bernie had passed on coffee today, so Lily wouldn’t have any trouble carrying the coffee and ice cream back to the office.

  “Yes. Great vacation, though.” She turned to Jaclyn. “You know, it was the strangest thing yesterday. I had an urge to make both chicken soup and a batch of that elderberry syrup. I’m not much of a cook as you know, but every once in a while, I like to make a batch of spaghetti sauce or pot of soup. Anyway, it turned out to be a good thing as Cody was really sick, some kind of a bug. I brought him soup and syrup and he was able to get some of both down.”

  Jaclyn looked pleased to hear it. “I’m sorry your friend was sick, but the fairies really do seem to know these things, don’t they? I think maybe one of them whispered in your ear to make that soup.”

  Lily chuckled. “Could be.”

  “That elderberry syrup will fix him up fast.”

  “What’s elderberry syrup?” Sadie asked.

  “It’s good for what ails you. I’ll bring you some next time I come in,” Jaclyn promised.

  Lily walked out with Jaclyn and they headed back toward the main office. Jaclyn said she was on her way to visit with Lily’s Aunt Gillian and had parked in the main lot.

  “Where are you and Simon off to dinner tonight?” Lily asked. The two of them were always going out to eat somewhere, it seemed.

  “He’s cooking supper for me! Can you believe it? I told him recently that I didn’t think he knew how to cook at all and he’s out to prove me wrong.”

  Lily laughed. “Do you know what he’s making?”

  “He won’t tell me. Says it’s a surprise. Probably so if it all burns, he can order takeout and say that was his plan along!”

  “He might surprise you. Maybe Simon is a good cook.”

  “Now, wouldn’t that be something?”

  * * *

  At a quarter to four, Wade walked over to Lily’s desk. “Would you mind doing me a favor?”

  “Of course, what is it?” He looked unusually frazzled. Guess it was a busy day for all of them.

  “I need you to take my four o’clock massage with Maddie.”

  “What? That’s the favor?”

  “I don’t want to cancel on her last minute, and I’m just swamped. It’s already paid for. You deserve it. Have you ever had a massage with Maddie before?”

  “No, but are you sure? What about Bernie? She’s been covering for me all week. She should go.”

  Bernie laughed. “He asked me to do the same favor for him last week. Maybe if he relied on his assistant more to manage his calendar, he wouldn’t get so slammed.”

  Lily was already standing and grabbing her purse. “All right, then. I’m happy to help you out, and thank you!”

  * * *

  A massage did sound wonderful, and she’d still be home around her usual time to feed Hope and check on Cody. Lily figured he was probably fine, though, as she hadn’t heard a peep from him. It had been ages since she’d been into the spa at the ranch for a treatment, at least six months. The spa had seen a facelift during that time, too. Lily had only met Maddie briefly, but she heard her name often from Wade as he spoke highly of her, both of her massage skills and also the suggestions she’d made to improve the spa and make it even more luxurious. Sylvia at the front desk greeted her warmly and led her into the women’s locker room. She handed her a plush white robe and a pair of flip flops, and showed her how to set the combination lock on her locker.

  “When you’re in your robe, head into the waiting room and help yourself to the lemon and cucumber water or tea and have a seat on one of the lounges. Maddie will come find you there.” Lily quickly undressed, and put on the robe and flip flops and went into the tranquility room as they called it. It was a relaxing room, fragrant with lemon and with a hot foot fountain in the center of the room where you could sit and dip your feet into the warm water. Lily settled onto one of the many chaise lounges and waited for Mad
die to call her.

  She didn’t have to wait long. A few minutes later, her name was called and she saw Maddie waiting by the tea and water station.

  “Lily?”

  “Hi, Maddie. Nice to see you again.”

  “You, too. Come on back.” She led her into a treatment room with a gas fireplace in the corner and a table covered with white sheets and soft blankets.

  “Go ahead and get comfortable under the covers, face down, and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Lily took off her robe and draped it on a chair, then slid under the covers and rested her chin in the padded face cradle. The bed was heated and felt wonderful on her tired body. A few minutes later, Maddie tapped lightly on the door then came in.

  “This heat feels wonderful. I apologize in advance if I fall asleep on you,” Lily said.

  Maddie laughed. “If you did, you wouldn’t be the first. If you’re that relaxed, then it’s a good thing.” She started by rubbing some lotion on her hands to warm it up then started on Lily’s shoulders, rubbing long strokes to loosen up the muscles. “Are there any areas you want to focus on?”

  Lily thought about it for a moment. “Not really. Maybe just my neck and shoulders from being on the phone and computer. This is a last minute massage for me. I wasn’t planning on coming in. It was a very nice surprise, though.”

  “I heard,” Maddie said dryly. “This is the second last minute cancellation in a row from Wade. He must be really busy. I’m glad he sent someone else in his place, though.”

  “Me, too,” Lily said happily as Maddie’s strong fingers loosened up her stiff shoulders and neck. Wade was right, she really was incredible.

  “I’m not surprised that he comes to see you often. He has the most stressful job here. There’s a lot of responsibility on his shoulders,” Lily said.

  “Mm- hm,” Maddie agreed. “He’s been one of my regulars for a long time. He and my husband Tim were good friends.” Maddie was quiet for a moment and then added, “I consider Wade a really good friend, too. My husband died just over five years ago and a few years after that, Wade encouraged me to come work here to help run the spa. I’d worked part-time doing it for another place in town, but with Tim gone, I knew I was eventually going to have to find something full-time, with benefits. It’s not just me I had to think about.”

  “You have kids?” Lily asked. She thought she remembered hearing Wade mention something about that at one point.

  Maddie’s voice softened. “I do. A little girl, Vivian. She’s seven now. I didn’t want to work full-time until she was in school. If I didn’t have to.”

  “How long have you worked at the spa?”

  “Almost a year. It’s gone by so fast. Tim had some really nice friends. I think you’re handling the surprise party for Cody Jamison’s parents? Cody was Tim’s best friend. I just got my invitation to the party last week. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “What a small world.” Lily told Maddie about her friendship with her new neighbor and how he was fighting some kind of a bug.

  “Tell him to come see me. I owe him at least one good massage. He’s a good friend. Last I heard, he was practically engaged,” Maddie said.

  Lily laughed. “Not anymore. They broke up a few months ago but she’s already engaged to someone else.”

  “No kidding? I am out of touch.” Maddie was quiet for a moment and then said, “Cody’s a really great guy. He dated Maureen for a long time. He must not have thought she was the one.”

  “That’s what he said,” Lily confirmed and then added sleepily, “How do you know when it’s the right one?”

  Maddie paused her kneading and said with amusement, “Oh, you’ll know. Maybe not the minute you meet him, but if it’s right, you’ll know it. It crept up on me and Tim. Took us both by surprise, I think. We were good friends first and then we just couldn’t imagine being apart. I still think about him every day.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lily said. It seemed such an insignificant thing to say for such a huge loss.

  “Thank you. I still miss him like crazy, but it’s not as hard as it was. The first year was the hardest. Everyone told me that it would be. I don’t think I’m going to be ready to date anytime soon, but the thought of it doesn’t seem impossible anymore, so I guess that’s something, right?”

  “I suppose you’ll know when the time is right for that, too,” Lily said.

  “I suppose so.”

  Chapter 11

  Lily couldn’t wait to go to bed. She was so relaxed after her massage with Maddie that she knew she was going to sleep well and be back to her usual self in the morning. She’d really liked Maddie too and could see why Wade was so fond of her. Sometimes when you met a person, you clicked immediately with them and felt like you’d known them much longer. Maddie was one of those people and Lily looked forward to chatting with her again at Cody’s parents’ party. Once she got home and fed Hope, Lily went next door to check on Cody. She tapped on his door softly, not wanting to disturb him if he was napping.

  “Come on in,” he called out and his voice sounded back to normal. Lily opened the door and stepped inside.

  “How are you doing?”

  He smiled at her. “Much better than the last time you saw me. Thanks for coming to my rescue. I was just thinking about having some soup. Stay and have some with me? Unless you’ve eaten already?”

  “No, I haven’t and I’m starving.” Lily started to head toward the kitchen but Cody stood up and told her to sit down.

  “You’ve been working all day. Sit down and relax. I’m capable of heating up some soup for us.”

  Lily did as she was told and watched as he poured soup into two bowls and heated them in the microwave. He brought it over to where she was sitting along with a fresh loaf of bread, butter and two cans of root beer.

  “My mother stopped by today and brought the bread and another big container of soup. Yours is better, though.”

  Lily laughed. “I doubt it. That was nice of your mom, though.”

  “Yeah, she loves this kind of thing. Not me being sick, of course, but being able to help. She did bring something amazing, though. Her signature dish.”

  “What’s that?” Lily asked.

  “Yellow cake with chocolate frosting. It’s in the refrigerator. Best cake you’ll ever have.”

  After they finished the soup, Cody cut slices of cake for both of them and they sat comfortably on the living room sofa, eating cake and relaxing.

  “You look almost back to normal,” she said as she set down her empty cake plate.

  “I’m just about there. Heading back into the office tomorrow. My appetite’s back. Do you want a second slice? I’m having one.”

  She laughed. “No, it was delicious, but I’m all set.”

  Cody took her empty plate and came back a minute later with an even bigger second piece for himself. Her jaw dropped at the size of his slice.

  He saw her expression and grinned. “What can I say? I need the calories, I guess. So, I was too out of it to ask last night, but I want to hear about your vacation. Tell me about Nashville.”

  “Oh, it was so much fun. It was great to see Laura and her roommate Tina, too. Nashville is just another world. You’ve never seen so many music lovers in one place.”

  “Did you get to use your guitar?”

  “Yes, Laura and I spent several afternoons writing new songs and tweaking current ones. And we went to a few open mic nights. That was pretty intense.”

  “Yeah? What was that like? Were you nervous?”

  Lily chuckled, remembering. “I was terrified. It’s nothing like playing here in Riston. Everyone here is great. They seemed to like almost everything we played. It’s different there, the expectations are higher. I really was worried that they might hate my stuff, but I wanted the feedback, too, honest feedback. So I got up there and it was scary at first, but then it was okay. And they didn’t hate it.”

  “Of course they didn’t. You’re good. How about your friend, Laur
a? How did she do?”

  “I really believe that you’ll hear Laura some day on the radio. Her voice has gotten even better. The last night we were there, she sang my new song. I wanted to hear what it would sound like to have someone with an amazing voice sing one of my songs.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. Your voice is great, too.”

  “I know my voice is pretty good. But Laura is on a different level entirely. There’s something arresting about hers. You can’t help but stop and listen.”

  “So, I bet she killed it with your song then?”

  “Yeah, she did. It was pretty crazy. But enough about me. How was your week?”

  “Not nearly as exciting as yours. Besides getting sick, I had a blind date with the daughter of one of my mother’s friends.”

  That got Lily’s attention. “And how did that go?”

  “Well, there won’t be a second date, if that’s what you mean.”

  “Why not? How bad was it?” Lily was curious and oddly relieved that Cody didn’t want to go out with his blind date again.

  “She was nice enough, and very pretty, with blonde hair and blue eyes. But she has some food issues. She doesn’t enjoy it like you do. And her house was so clean it was almost frightening. She’s not relaxing or easy to be around.”

  “And you didn’t want to kiss her?” Lily asked.

  “What?”

  “Well, obviously if you were really attracted to her you could have maybe looked past all that other stuff?”

  He laughed. “No, I definitely didn’t want to kiss her. I’m not sure if it would have made a difference if I had, though. It’s all important.”

  “I suppose it is,” Lily agreed. Cody met her eyes for a moment and the unspoken question passed between them. She let her eyes fall on his lips for a moment, and then she felt heat flush her cheeks when his eyes locked onto hers and he smiled. He took her hand and pulled her toward him.

  The air felt charged as he leaned in and whispered, “Have you ever wondered?”

  She nodded and he brought his lips down on hers. They felt so much like she’d imagined. She pulled back after a moment, though, and he looked confused. “You don’t want this?”