Levi frowned, too. “I assumed you’d leave the farm alone.”
Then they were both thicker in the head than he’d thought. That land was in a prime location—right between town and the mountains. It had killer views. And it was a huge acreage full of untapped potential. Why would he simply sit on a gold mine? “I’m exploring some options.”
He wouldn’t be a bronc rider forever. Hell, he already had to support his younger sister in Seattle, his mom, and his other two married sisters who barely scraped by back in Mexico. He’d seen what kind of decisions you had to make when you were broke. Decisions like marrying off your daughters young. Then there were the decisions his brother had made. He would never be in that position. He’d never let anyone in his family be in that position again.
“Everyone in town loves the farm,” Levi said. “That’s where half the town eats breakfast on a regular basis.”
“Everly’s not going to stick around Topaz Falls anyway.” If she left on her own, it wouldn’t be an issue. He wouldn’t have to be the asshole who’d bulldozed the town’s favorite breakfast spot.
“Why would you say that?” A familiar indignation colored Charity’s face.
“She’s still hung up on the past.” She might’ve forgotten for the ten minutes they were dancing and making out, but that didn’t change who she was. “Her whole life is back in San Francisco. She told me herself.”
Levi’s face took on that pensive expression he’d started to wear a lot more often since he’d gotten married. Man, he used to be fun. “I don’t know. She seems pretty happy here. Her and Cass keep in touch.”
Of course they did. All the women in this town seemed to keep in touch. It was a conspiracy meant to make the men dance like monkeys.
“You’ll have a riot on your hands if people in this town lose their favorite breakfast spot,” Charity informed him, raising her eyebrows in victory. “And I can tell you for a fact. Everly is not leaving Topaz Falls.”
Mateo raised his hands in a defensive stance. “I’m just saying…she’s young, single…” Sexy in an unobvious sort of way. “Hard to believe she’ll want to be a farmer forever.” It seemed more likely to him that she’d wanted a vacation from her life. Once it got old, she’d go back. And that would make his life a hell of a lot easier in more ways than one.
“Last week she told me she wanted to expand her fruit orchard for her preserves,” Charity said with a contradictory smirk.
“Expand the orchard?” Owen hadn’t said anything about the orchard. “She can’t do that without asking me first.” He had plans for the land, and they didn’t include more fruit trees.
Charity assumed a fighter’s stance. “You can’t run Everly off the farm.”
“I won’t run her off.” But he might be able to convince her to move on. He grinned at Charity. “You have nothing to worry about.” He wouldn’t send Everly packing. Yet. But if she left on her own, well…no one could fault him for that.
Chapter Three
In Everly’s world, happy hour used to mean a little black dress, strappy heels, sapphire martinis, and schmoozing with the firm’s wealthiest clients in a private room at Saison. But she wasn’t in San Francisco anymore, Toto.
As she walked into the Tumble Inn, the heels of her worn, thrift-store cowgirl boots crunched against the peanut shells you weren’t supposed to throw on the floor. She paused inside the door. Instead of the clean lines and sleek modern decor of her past, the place was a hodgepodge. Battered metal covered the bar. Concrete floors glistened with a generous coat of sealant. The heavy wooden pub tables bore the scars of endless games of beer pong, and maybe the occasional bar fight.
The place even sounded different from her old life. Instead of glittery laughs and muted tones of classical music and hushed murmurs of gossip, this place was as loud and rowdy as an off-color great-uncle. Country music blared from the speakers, and seeing as how happy hour had already started, it was accompanied by echoing laughs and loud chatter.
Okay. Deep breath. She raised her head with a shaky confidence and waded into the crowd, keeping an eye out for Mateo. He’d definitely be here tonight. Probably surrounded by his harem. Not that she’d admit that’s why she’d actually showered and put on a sundress. Nope. That wasn’t for him. Everyone else would be here, too. Darla had set up a get-together, since their friend Cassidy was in town. Now that she was a pediatric nurse in Denver, they didn’t get to see her much.
Everly made her way closer to the bar, clinging to the outskirts of the crowd along the wall. From the shadows she spied Cassidy with her husband, Levi. They were kissing, of course. Not far away, Darla stood in a small huddle with some man Everly didn’t recognize, Ty Forrester, Charity Stone, and yes, ladies and gentlemen, Mateo Torres.
Nerves rolled through her before settling heavily in her stomach. Her new landlord had one elbow leaned onto the bar top. That enticing smile of his was on full display. He looked just as good as he had at the engagement party. Maybe even better now that she knew how that hard body felt against hers.
She smoothed her hands down her dress, wiping off the clammy feel of nerves, and raised her shoulders the same way she always had before she’d walked into the courtroom. She’d have to forget about the dancing and that kiss. From now on, this would be a business relationship. Whatever she did, she had to show him a capable, savvy professional who could be an asset to him instead of a burden. Maybe she wasn’t yet, but she would be. Eventually.
Smiling like she believed it, she strode across the room to her friends.
“You’re here!” Cassidy untangled herself from her husband’s arms and caught Everly in a hug. “I didn’t know if you’d make it.”
“I wouldn’t have missed a chance to say hello.” Everly returned the embrace, grateful that she’d connected with Cassidy and her book club friends. Along with Cass, Darla and Jessa and Naomi Cortez had taken Everly into their little group, giving her a place to belong. She wouldn’t have survived the past few years without them.
She pulled back and gave Cass a once-over. “You look amazing.” Nowadays Cass spent half her time in Denver, and every time the woman came home for a visit she looked even rosier, especially when Levi happened to be nearby.
It only convinced Everly she’d done the right thing in walking away from her old life and an upcoming marriage that had seemed more like a business arrangement than a romantic escapade.
“How’s work been?” Her smile came more easily with the warmth beaming from her friend.
“Crazy,” Cassidy said. “And wonderful, too. I’m busy and running all day, but instead of being exhausted, taking care of those kids energizes me, you know?”
Everly nodded. For the first time in her life, she did know. She knew how it felt to wake up every day and find a significant purpose in what she was doing. “I’m so glad you love it.”
“What about you?” Concern shadowed her friend’s pristine blue eyes. “I can’t believe Owen sold his land. He was such a fixture in this town.”
“Yeah.” And he was pretty much the only one who cared about the farm as much as she did. “I’m sure it’ll be okay.” She kept that chipper harmony in her voice. “I mean, once he sees how important the farm is, I think Mateo will leave it alone.”
“Of course he will.” Cass leaned in. “And even if he doesn’t, Levi is one of his best friends, so I may have some influence in that department.” She winked. “You let me know if you have any issues, you hear?”
Relief smothered the nerves stirring in Everly’s stomach. “Thank you. I might have to take you up on that.” She glanced over at Mateo again. The three women from Kate’s engagement party had officially invaded his personal space and were giggling with the force of high school cheerleaders at whatever he was saying.
“Oh, there’s my mom. I’ll be right back.” Cassidy slipped away, but Everly didn’t have time to feel lonely before the rest of her friends crowded in.
“Everly!” Darla, Jessa, and Naomi dr
ew her attention away from the spectacle currently taking place around Mateo. Seriously, he stood in the center of those women like some mythical god…
“Here. I already ordered your drink.” Darla handed her a dirty martini from the bar. Everly thanked her and threw back a sip while all of her friends took a drink from their colorful frozen cocktails. Okay, so maybe she hadn’t left San Francisco behind completely.
“I thought you were going to be here an hour ago,” Darla said.
“Leave her alone,” Naomi butted in. “She’s a busy lady. Running a farm, serving breakfast and lunch. It’s not like she has a lot of free time.”
“And yet she still looks like that.” Jessa appraised her with a look of mock jealousy. “Seriously. You look gorgeous.”
“So do you.” Her friends were all beautiful, strong women in their own ways. Darla with her sassy black pixie cut and chic clothes. Naomi with her long red hair and friendly girl-next-door manner. And then there was Jessa, with her blond hair and adorably round innocent face. Lately, Jessa seemed to be even more radiant than usual, too, though no official announcements had been made.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” Darla leaned in and linked their arms together. “I’ve been dying to hear if you’ve seen your new landlord in his underwear yet.” Her eyebrows wiggled with hints of dirty thoughts. “Or better yet, without it.”
Everly’s face burned hotter than it had when Mateo had kissed her. A kiss she’d neglected to mention to any of her friends. “He just parked his trailer on the property a few hours ago,” Everly told Darla. “When could I have possibly seen him in his underwear? Or without it, for that matter?”
Darla directed her gaze over Everly’s shoulder. “I’m guessing he’s the kind of man who isn’t shy about showing off the goods.”
“Definitely not,” Jessa agreed, openly staring in Mateo’s direction.
“I bet he walks around naked all the time,” Naomi added, suddenly as rapt as everyone else.
As if he needed more attention. If the flirty touching was any indication, he had his hands full at the moment. “I haven’t seen him at all,” Everly said to land their focus back on her. “Clothed or naked.” Not for lack of trying. To see him clothed, that was. All afternoon she’d found excuses to zip past his trailer, but he hadn’t been around.
“Well, you can see him right now.” Darla slid her glance sideways, but Everly refrained from looking.
“Mateo doesn’t do it for me,” she lied. Oh, he’d done it for her all right. She simply couldn’t let him do it for her.
“Well, he sure seems to be watching you,” Naomi murmured into her margarita glass.
Jessa’s eyes popped open wider. “Totally. Wait…he’s coming over here!”
“What?” Suddenly panicked, Everly whirled and lost her grip on the martini glass. It flew from her hand, and sailed right toward Mateo, hitting him square in the forehead before it fell and shattered on the floor.
A collective hush smothered the room.
Shock appeared to ice over Mateo’s gaze. He slowly raised his hand to his head.
“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!” Glass crunched underneath her boots as she rushed over to him, vaguely aware of the stares and whispers following behind her. “The glass flew out of my hand and…” God, she’d hit her new landlord in the head with a martini glass. “You’re bleeding.” She snatched a napkin off the table next to her and went to wipe the trickle of blood from his forehead, but he quickly stepped out of reach, his expression stony.
“What the hell was that for?” His eyes looked even darker than normal. And the trail of blood had now streaked down over his left eyebrow.
Her mouth fell open. “Seriously? You think I did that on purpose?” Unbelievable. “It was an accident,” she ground out. “I’m sorry. It’s not like I’m one of your young, high-drama admirers looking for attention.” As soon as the words flew out of her mouth, she wanted them back. The crowd had fallen silent, all eyes on her. Shit. She ducked to pick up the glass and deflect the stares, doing her best to collect herself. Calm. She had to stay calm so they could talk like two grown adults. But when she rose to her feet Mateo was already gone.
Well, that was a first.
Mateo leaned closer to the mirror over the men’s room sink and dabbed at the small cut on his forehead with a paper towel. He’d been the deserving recipient of a few drinks splashed in his face. Hell, he’d even been slapped a couple of times back in his younger days. Again, well deserved. But he’d never had a woman throw her martini glass at his head.
Seemed Everly was still bitter about Chrissy interrupting their kiss a few weeks ago. Must not be too happy about having a new landlord, either.
Satisfied that the bleeding had stopped, he tossed the paper towel into the trashcan and reached for the door, but it flew open before he could touch it.
Everly stormed in all bold and brassy, as if it didn’t faze her to walk straight into the men’s room. “When someone apologizes for accidentally hitting you in the head with a martini glass, the polite thing to do is acknowledge them.”
Mateo simply gazed at the woman. Though her guarded posture made her seem rigid and untouchable, the silky golden-brown braids that fell along each of her delicate shoulders hinted at the carefree spirit he’d seen when he’d taught her how to dance. The memory of her body pressed against his heated him right up. Without meaning to, he dropped his gaze to her lips.
“And when someone tracks you down in the men’s room,” she went on in a frosted tenor, “the polite thing to do is say, ‘Thank you for coming to check on me. I accept your apology.’”
He quirked his mouth and stared directly into her eyes. Anger looked good on her. It brought a flush to her face and a fire to her eyes.
Everly glared right back at him, her gaze not shying away once. What a pleasant surprise. The woman who’d turned tail and run out early on their date actually had some grit. “Thank you for coming into the men’s room to check on me,” he repeated almost verbatim. He’d never been one to resist an opportunity to be a smart-ass. “I accept your apology.”
Her expression didn’t change, but the reddish hue lighting her delicate skin deepened. He couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed or downright mad.
“I’m fine, by the way,” he added, gauging her reaction. If she was embarrassed, she’d likely bail out on the conversation as soon as possible.
The fact that she stood her ground made her even more appealing.
“Good. I’m glad you’re fine.” Her gaze flickered up to his forehead where the welt still throbbed. “And again, I’m sorry. It’s been a while since I’ve had a martini. I’m not usually so careless.”
And he wasn’t usually so aroused from a two-minute conversation. He wouldn’t be if she wasn’t standing close enough that she could grab his ass again. “Like I said, it’s fine.” He kept his voice as cool as hers. Flirting with his new tenant could get him into serious trouble. Especially because he kept wondering where that kiss could have led them if they hadn’t been interrupted. Now that he was her landlord he wouldn’t ever know. “Owen said he told you the news.”
“Yes. He did.” She gave him a tight smile. Yeah, she wasn’t thrilled about this new arrangement. Maybe that alone would be enough to send her packing. “You really should have told me when we—” Her face suddenly turned red. “I mean, at the engagement party. You should’ve said something about purchasing Owen’s land.”
“I hadn’t bought it yet.” He’d had his eyes on it for a long time, but it was only in the last week he’d decided to do something about it. “I ran into Owen at the gas station the other day. He was talking about his wife’s health. Said he didn’t know if they could do another winter here. So I offered to take the property off his hands.” Surely if Everly had planned to stick around, she would’ve bought the place off Owen a long time ago. Why rent if she wanted to put down roots?
“Well, congratulations.” The sentiment had a hollow ring.
“It’s a beautiful piece of property.” Something that sounded suspiciously like yearning weighted her words. “I’ve put a lot of work into it over the last year.”
Work? Far as he could tell, the place hadn’t been upgraded since Owen Gotthard was a boy.
“Of course, I have tons of ideas about how to continue making improvements and growing the operation.”
Mateo did his best not to wince, but he’d never been good at pretending. “Do you, now?”
Everly didn’t appear to detect his lack of enthusiasm. “I’d like to start a food co-op. And there are tons of opportunities to add more community education programs with the crops and animals,” she went on, as though she didn’t want to give him time to get in a word.
Those all sounded suspiciously like nonprofit activities to him.
“I’ve also thought about expanding the orchards, planting a few more fruit trees, and maybe a vineyard as well.”
The hopefulness in her expression shot down the hell no that had been teetering on the tip of his tongue. He would have to find a better way to tell her none of that was going to happen on his land.
“Why don’t you come down for a tour tomorrow morning?” she rushed on. “I can make you breakfast at the café and show you around.”
Breakfast. That was all he heard. Coffee and one of Everly’s buttery cinnamon rolls drowning in a puddle of cream cheese frosting? Shit, he’d agree to anything. “Sure. That sounds good—”
The door opened, sending in a whoosh of popcorn-scented air.
Everly startled as Ty Forrester sauntered in. When he saw them standing near the sinks, his friend stopped and did a double take. A smile rose to his lips. “Pardon. Didn’t mean to interrupt anything.” He shot Mateo an impressed look.
True-Blue Cowboy--Includes a bonus novella Page 4