By the Numbers Bride: Calhoun (A BBW Western) (Matchmaking A Marriage Book 2)

by Joann Baker

  “Well, I never.” Kristen watched as her mother drew back from Gabe like a scalded cat. Granted, the man was being deliberately obnoxious, but the way her mother was looking at Cal and his brothers made Kristen want to climb under the table. They were wearing well-worn jeans and shirts they usually wore when working the horses, but they were clean and presentable. She looked at Cal with an apology in her eyes. He winked and grinned at her, and she completely forgot about her mother, Roger, and his brothers.

  Kristen tuned back into the conversation going on around her in time to hear Gabe tell her mother, “Maybe you should.” It wasn’t a flirty comment. No, Kristen could see Gabe had sized her mother up and found her sadly lacking. She couldn’t blame him.

  Roger stood, looking down his long nose at her. “Kristen, aren’t you forgetting someone? Honestly, your lack of social grace is truly distressing.”

  Kristen allowed herself another long, silent sigh. “Roger, this is Cal, Gabe, and Ryder Anderson. The men I work for. Guys, this is Roger Dalton.”

  “Her ex, right?” Cal held out his hand, ignoring the urge to curl his fingers into a fist and hit the snooty little man in his big mouth. He felt a sense of satisfaction as the other man withdrew his hand, wincing slightly as he wiggled his fingers.

  “So you…gentlemen work on a ranch?”

  “No, Roger, they—”

  Kristen glanced up in surprise when Cal’s hand tightened on hers.

  “We work with horses mostly, although we do run a few head of cattle.”

  Kristen snorted silently. She’d seen the numbers and it was more than few head of cattle that called the Ace in the Hole home.

  “Well, you could have at least taken a bath before you brought that horrible smell in here.”

  “Mother!”

  “It’s alright, honey. My brothers and I were working the horses earlier. If you’ll excuse us, we need to pick up our order and be on our way.”

  Kristen was caught completely off-guard as his head lowered and he placed a searing kiss on her slightly open mouth. It was quick and hard but carried enough heat to warm her right through to her soul. He pulled her closer, brushing his lips across her cheek as he whispered, “You can come with us.”

  Kristen smiled up at him as she gave a regretful shake of her head.

  “I’ll call you later then,” he said, loud enough for her mother and Roger to hear.

  She touched her fingers to her lips that were still tingling. “Alright.”

  He and his brothers turned away as Kristen took the seat she’d vacated earlier with much more confidence.

  As the brothers moved away, she heard Ryder mutter, “What a piece of work.”

  “Yep,” Gabe answered. “That’s a piece even I wouldn’t shake a stick at.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  LUCKILY, ROGER DIDN’T stay very long, leaving the next day as Kristen had ordered. Unfortunately, he didn’t take her mother back with him. Kristen groaned at the thought of getting her back to the airport. She’d have to take an entire day off. While her Uncle Otis had been very gracious to give her this job, she didn’t want to take advantage of his generosity.

  In fact, she needed to go see him again. Last time she’d stopped by to see if there were any other jobs she could do, he’d ushered her out quickly, telling her to concentrate on the books for the Ace in the Hole and to worry about any other accounts after that job was done.

  Other than the dark cloud of her mother being in town, she found herself enjoying her job and Devil’s Spur more and more. The thought that moving to the quaint town might have been the best decision she’d ever made crossed her mind once more. At the salary her uncle was paying her, along with what she’d managed to save—Cal had thoughtfully paid for dinner at the Broken Spoke—she only had a little over three months left before she’d have her dad’s debts completely paid off—if she could keep her mother’s spending under control until then. Humming softly to herself, she waited for the report she’d just completed to print. She looked around the office, appreciating the masculine décor even as she found herself frustrated with the antiquated equipment. A large leather-bound map of what she could only assume was the Ace in the Hole had a prominent place on one wall behind her. Family photos hung to her right, some in black and white, but most in color. She really liked the one with Cal’s parents and all three boys. The one where Cal actually looked happy and carefree. The outside wall sported a bank of windows that looked out over the back edge of the property and the mountains that towered in the distance. It was a spectacular view.

  And, just like any man’s domain, the wall facing the desk sported a big screen television that would rival any small town cinema. Boys and their toys. She remembered how Roger had insisted on all the latest gadgets for his birthdays and Christmas. If only she had back the money she’d spent on the asshole.

  She shook away her thoughts. She’d learned not to cry over spilled milk. What was done was done. She would change a lot of things about her past if she could.

  She stapled the ten-page report together and stood up, silently gathering her courage. She needed to see Calhoun. He hadn’t been able to come in for any more training due to the arrival of several new horses. But there had came a point where she needed some input and guidance from him on how he wanted the new system set up. She wouldn’t be here forever, after all.

  Deciding to take the bull by the horns, she made her way from the ranch office to the kitchen. Pops would know Cal’s whereabouts. Maybe he could stop in and see her before she left for the day. She walked with her head down, looking over the report she’d prepared and printed for his review. She wasn’t sure if she’d included the right information he needed concerning the cattle. She’d discovered quickly that ‘keeping the books’ for the Ace in the Hole consisted of much more than just the fundamental principles of accounting.

  Besides the usual accounts receivable and payable, there was a mountain of information that needed to be tracked concerning the breeding of the cattle they raised and sold for beef. Not to mention the extensive record keeping needed for the horses that they trained. She had to admit, she’d gotten in over her head quickly when trying to figure those out. She realized that Calhoun had done a more amazing job keeping the records of the ranch up-to-date and accurate than had first appeared.

  With her mind distracted, she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings as she walked. Her breath whooshed out, and she grunted at the sudden contact with a wall of solid muscle. She looked up through watery eyes to see what she’d collided with. She blinked at the sight of Calhoun’s massive chest. “Where did you come from?” she asked.

  “My momma’s belly, or at least that’s what Daddy told me when I asked him about the birds and the bees.” The comment was made with a noticeable hint of laughter. He squeezed the tops of her shoulders where he’d instinctively grabbed her to save her from falling backward and landing on her butt.

  “Funny,” she muttered, feeling heat rush through her body at the touch of his hands.

  “Are you okay? You really should watch where you’re going.”

  Kristen rubbed her nose, the minor pain already subsiding. “I was actually on my way to find you.”

  “Well, aren’t I the lucky man? Do you have some bookkeeping questions you needed answered?”

  She felt the flush of color on her cheeks at his remark. So she had been a little arrogant that first day they’d met. Sue her. Ever since she’d dusted off her degree, she’d been working twice as hard as any man to prove her worth. “No. I was wondering if you wanted me to try and sort through some of those cattle records. I noticed you were a couple of months behind in entering the birthing records.”

  He looked down at her, and her face flooded with even more color, but for an entirely different reason. He looked at her as if she were a tempting morsel and he was really hungry. She took another quick look from beneath her lashes, wondering where this timid attitude was coming from. She’d spent almost her e
ntire adult life fending off unwanted advances from men who only wanted a piece of her inheritance. She realized suddenly that wasn’t what was happening here. She had no more inheritance and any interest Calhoun was showing to her was just that. Interest in her as an attractive woman? Hopefully.

  She shivered thinking about what that could mean—and what it could potentially lead to.

  “No, I can take care of those. If you’ll catch me up on the other, we’ll be good to go.”

  “There’s more than a little catching up,” she pointed out quickly.

  “Then I guess you’ll be around a little longer.” Another flick of those dark eyes over her, and she could have sworn her head started to spin.

  “I guess so.” She stood there for a moment, feeling more awkward by the moment. Then she remembered the report she’d dropped. “Oh, I printed this out—”

  Her breath left her body as Calhoun grabbed her around her waist and smashed her against the wall. “What are you doing?” Her fingers dug into his shoulder as if to push him away. That did no good whatsoever. He just came closer and closer until the entire length of his hard body was pressed against her. From chest to thigh and all those naughty parts in between.

  “Ssh, I hear someone coming.” Cal murmured as he buried his face in the curve of Kristen’s neck. He hated to admit to himself that he had never craved a woman more desperately than he did at this very moment. Oh, he’d had his share of woman—he was an Anderson brother after all. He had the looks, the charm and the money. Woman were something that came easily to all three brothers. But unlike his big brother, it wasn’t in his nature to treat women like things, and his body urged him to let Kristen go before he did something really, really stupid. No, scratch that. His head urged him to let her go. His body was telling him that he wanted her closer still.

  “There is?” Her voice was a quiet whisper in the silence of the hallway.

  “Yep.” He nuzzled the soft skin below her ear, taking in her sweet feminine scent. Not too spicy, not too fruity. Just right. Everything about her was just right. For him.

  “This is ridiculous,” Kristen huffed, needing distance. He was playing a role but the feelings pressing through her were real. She needed him to let her go before he figured that out. She pressed her hands against his chest in silent demand but once she felt the hardened planes, her hands moved with a mind of their own, exploring the prominent ridges. Then she felt it. The strong, accelerated beat of his heart that let her know he was just as affected by their embrace as she was She stared at the rich depths of his eyes for a second, then let her gaze drop to this lips. Full, tempting lips. The hint of dark stubble on his strong jaw. The small white scar at the corner of her mouth. Before she knew what she was doing her finger was tracing the jagged line. “What happened?”

  The tip of Cal’s tongue caressed the side of her fingers. “Fight with Ryder when we were little. He rode my horse without permission.”

  She wanted to taste him again. Needed to feel his lips against hers. He’d kissed her before, yes, but not simply out of a desire to do so. Now that was all she wanted. No more playing a part. “Oh.”

  He grinned. “If you’re interested, I’ve got some more scars on other, umm, more interesting parts of my body.”

  She half-heartedly slapped at his shoulder. “Can’t you be serious?”

  “Yeah, I can.” The lids of his eyes drifted down slowly as he leaned into her, finally giving in to the temptation that had been gnawing at him for days. He covered Kristen’s mouth with his, dragging in the taste of her that was just as intoxicating as her smell. His teeth nipped softly so that she parted her lips. Then his tongue swept in, swirling deep. Damn, he cursed as he kissed her. She was so, so sweet. He deepened the kiss, eating up the groan that left her mouth.

  Within seconds, he lost track of time, of his surroundings, of the fact that he had heard someone coming down the hall.

  The clearing of a masculine throat brought him slowly back to reality.

  “Shit,” he whispered as he pulled back, his mouth reluctant to leave hers. He stood there for a few moments, unaware that his hands had encircled her waist and he was gripping the soft flesh tightly. “Sorry,” he muttered gruffly and stepped away. His voice was so low she knew Gabe, who stood behind him couldn’t have heard.

  Right, she reminded herself, just pretending. She barely resisted the urge to lick her lips. He kept a hand on her waist for which she was grateful. She had no idea if her legs would hold her up on their own or not.

  Her entire body trembled with aftershocks of desire as Cal spoke with Gabe about a problem in the barn. She caught bits and pieces of conversation, but all she could really think of was how much she wanted Cal. She’d never felt this way before. Anticipation, excitement, and heat all fused together.

  It was too fast, though.

  Wasn’t it?

  Kristen tried to at least look calm. Sure, her stomach was dancing. Her pulse was racing. She tried to remember everything she knew about being strong and empowered. Anything to wash away the attraction she was feeling. Desire was fleeting.

  “So, you two doing anything special tonight?”

  Kristen’s immediate denial died in her throat at the hard squeeze that Cal gave her waist.

  “No. Why?” he asked.

  “Just thought you might like to go to the Sundowner with me and my date.” He gave Cal a crooked grin. “I couldn’t help but notice that you two hadn’t been out…in a few days.”

  Crap, Cal thought, realizing suddenly that Gabe had been keeping tabs on him. Not being used to Gabe paying attention to anyone but, well, Gabe, he’d let his guard down. The fact that he’d left Kristen alone for the last few days had made Cal lax. A glance at Kristen told him she, too, had grown complacent.

  “Sure, we’ll go with you.” He frowned before continuing, “Unless you’re taking Missy Rivers.” Missy was new in town—so was her husband, a big, brawny man who worked on a neighboring ranch. “I’ve got no desire to watch some irate husband kick your ass.”

  It had happened before. They’d receive more than one call from Mike, Sun Downer’s owner that Gabe had been in a fight. He and Ryder would have to go pick Gabe up, stinking drunk, wearing a grin and sporting a black eye. Luckily, no one had ever pressed charges. Of course, the medical and repair bills fell to the Ace in the Hole.

  Gabe didn’t try to defend his choice of dates. “Nope, she’s last week’s news.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  His eyebrow rose. “Just a little dancing.” He turned a taunting smile to Kristen. “You do dance, don’t you?”

  Kristen wasn’t naïve enough to think that he was referring to the two-step. “I’m sure I’m not the…professional you’re used to, Gabe, but I’m fairly certain I’m good enough to impress Cal.”

  “Oh, I’m already impressed, sweetheart.”

  Kristen grinned, aware from the look in Cal’s eyes that he more than enjoyed her response to Gabe’s innuendo.

  “Good. We’ll at the bar around seven.” With a sharp turn, Gabe walked away quickly.

  Kristen looked at Cal. “Do we really have to go?” she asked as soon as he was out of earshot.

  “Fraid so, sweetheart.” He frowned as an unwanted thought occurred. “Did you have other plans?”

  “No, but…”

  Relieved at her response, Cal pulled her to him. “What’s the matter, honey? Don’t you want to go…dancing with me?”

  His heavy-lidded look reminded her of the passionate embrace Gabe had interrupted.

  “Well, I did say I could impress you.”

  Cal laughed softly, enjoying the blush that stained her cheeks. “Then I can’t wait to see your moves.”

  Her breath caught in the back of her throat at the look in his eyes. That was all it took to make her remember the soft press of his lips on hers. The feel of his hands as he touched her.

  It’s an act.

  Kristen drew a deep breath, reminding herself
that Gabe was still in the house—maybe just behind the doorway. She had a feeling that Cal wouldn’t be too keen on helping her if he knew that she’d begun to wish their ‘pretend’ dating was real.

  “I’ll be ready at seven.” She bent down and retrieved the forgotten report, thrusting it at him as she hurried to get away.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  KRISTEN CALLED HERSELF for a fool as she looked through her closet, trying to come up with an outfit that wouldn’t scream city girl, or worse, chubby girl trying to seduce delectable cowboy. Her choice was more than limited, thanks to the downsizing her wardrobe had taken two years ago. As soon as she’d realized what dire straits her father had left them in, the first thing she’d done was sell off the family possessions, including the designer clothes her mother had insisted she buy. Not that all of them had fit her any better than those she bought off the rack now, but they had fetched a pretty penny at the consignment store she’d located.

  The money she’d received for those and the household things she’d found stuffed in the cupboards had kept them afloat for six months. The money she’d made at the waitressing job she’d taken two days after her daddy’s funeral had gone straight towards paying down the debt he’d left behind. While she knew she wasn’t legally responsible for paying them off, she’d felt ethically bound to do so. It was who she was.

  Things hadn’t been made any easier when her mother announced she was moving to Florida. Thankfully, the sale of their six-bedroom house in Dallas had covered the remaining mortgage and provided a down payment for the condo. An annuity her mother received from her parents paid the monthly mortgage. It was up to Kristen, however, to pay for the utilities and everything else her mother needed—or wanted.

  Again, she shook away the thoughts. What was done was done. She hadn’t picked her parents, but good or bad, they were what she’d gotten. She sighed. At least her father had understood and loved her, even if he could be a bit gruff at times.