The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:)

by Maggie Carpenter

  Together they cleared everything away, then headed back to the car and drove up and around the hill to the site.

  “Damn,” Cassie breathed as they approached.

  The area was teeming with men in hard hats, lumber was being unloaded, and huge plastic sheets were being carried inside the cabin to protect its contents during the construction.

  Looking across at the field that would be Cassie’s arena, they could see that Marty had finished his grading and was parking his tractor out of the way, and the barn builders were busy at work carrying large panels out of their truck; the entire area was buzzing with activity.

  “I can’t believe this,” Hannah breathed.

  “Chad is a man who gets things done,” Cassie remarked. “I guess the more men, the quicker everything will be finished. Speaking of Chad, do you see him anywhere?”

  “No. He must be with in the house somewhere. I don’t see him with Marty or the guys building the barn,” Hannah replied. “Speaking of which, I’m going over to see my man. Back in a tick.”

  Hannah jogged away and Cassie meandered across to the small home Chad had built for her several months before, then pausing for a moment she stared down at the lake.

  “Great spot for a house.”

  She turned to see a tall, sandy-haired man in jeans and a loose fitting T-shirt, wearing a hardhat and carrying a large bin. His features were chiseled, and he sported a stunning smile.

  “Yes, it is,” and damn, where did you come from? You should be on the front of GQ.

  “If I have to be working on a house, this is a great place to do it,” he remarked, the dazzling smile still radiating across at her.

  “I’m sure,” she frowned. The man was so attractive, and his voice so refined he seemed completely out of place. “Is this your regular gig? I mean, do you work construction a lot?”

  “Off and on,” he nodded, placing the bin on the ground. “I’m Jason Lewis by the way, and believe it or not I’m an architect. Every now and then I get the urge to work on a site and get my hands dirty. Don’t know why.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Cassie,” she smiled. “That’s interesting. Maybe getting your hands dirty gives you greater insight when you design a house.”

  “Maybe, I worked my way through school doing this and I always enjoyed it, again, don’t know why,” he grinned.

  He was sparkling at her, his hazel eyes full of invitation, and while she was finding the light flirtation enjoyable it was also making her uncomfortable.

  “Do you work on the ranch?” he asked.

  “Kind of. I’m engaged to Chad Douglas,” she announced, hoping it would put a stop to his subtle advances. “He built the cabin for us last year, and now we’re finally making into the house we want.”

  “Romantic,” he smiled, tilting his head to the side.

  “It was, and it is,” she nodded.

  He locked her eyes, and she realized her declaration about the engagement had no affect on him at all; she swallowed, feeling her face flush. To her great relief she saw Mickey trotting towards her and gratefully shifted her gaze.

  “Mickey, hey boy,” she called, crouching down to welcome him. “Where’s your pop?”

  “Cute dog,” Jason remarked, but as he walked forward to pet him, Mickey began to growl.

  “Whoa, Mickey,” she scolded. “That is so weird, he never does that.”

  “He’s just being protective,” the man said lightly. “He doesn’t know me, I’m on his turf talking to his woman.”

  “He does kind of think of me that way,” Cassie grinned.

  “Well, I’d best be moving on,” he said, picking up the bin. “Don’t want get fired first day on the job. Great to meet you. Hope to see you again.”

  “Yes, sure,” she nodded, and as she watched him saunter away she heard Mickey let loose with another low snarl. “What’s up fella?” she frowned, dropping down and petting him again. Mickey’s growl turned into a whine, and he licked her face as he held up his paw.

  “There you are, there you both are,” Chad declared. “I’ve been lookin’ for him, and what are you doin’ here?”

  “Hi, just came up to be nosey,” she giggled. “I can’t believe there are so many people here. It’s weird.”

  “Best to get it done as fast as possible, and all at once,” he replied, “but you need to stay away. You’re too gorgeous and you’ll be a total distraction, besides, a construction site can be a dangerous place.”

  “You can’t blame me for wanting to take a look,” she protested.

  “No, I can’t,” he smiled. “Did I see you talkin’ to one of the laborers?”

  “You did, he’s an architect apparently, one who likes to work construction now and then,” she replied.

  “Huh,” he frowned. “Keep your distance, okay? We don’t know these guys, they’re all day laborers.”

  “Sure,” she nodded.

  “Come on, I’ll give you a quick walk around and then you scoot,” he said.

  “Oh, yes, please,” she nodded. “I’d love that.”

  As Chad led her towards the house, Hannah had reached Marty and was watching, fascinated, as the barn builders were beginning their work.

  “Three days start to finish,” Marty declared shaking his head. “Hard to believe, but there it is.”

  “Incredible,” she agreed.

  “If I went home right now,” he said casually, “what would I find?”

  “A perfectly orderly kitchen,” she replied. “You don’t have to worry. You made your point and I get it.”

  “If there weren’t a bunch of strange men around…” he grinned.

  “Please finish that sentence,” she giggled.

  “If there weren’t a bunch of strange men around, I’d pick you up, throw you over my shoulder, and carry you off to a nice soft patch of grass somewhere,” he said, his voice low and deep.

  “Works for me,” she tittered.

  “I think Cassie’s tryin’ to get your attention,” Marty remarked, nodding his head across the field. “I’ll bet Chad’s told her to get her butt home.”

  “How long will you be up here?” she asked.

  “Most of the day. I’m waitin’ for the sand and footin’ delivery. Gotta spread it real good, make sure it’s all even. I’ll be back for lunch though.”

  “Please be careful,” she said softly, gazing up at him. “I worry sometimes.”

  “Hey kitten, worryin’s my job. Go on now, I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  Standing on her toes she lifted her head and pecked him on the cheek, then jogged across the freshly dragged field back to Cassie. As they climbed into the car, Hannah spotted a handsome worker standing at the edge of the site; he was staring directly at them.

  “Whoa, I wonder who that guy is,” she remarked. “He’s hot.”

  “His name is Jason, he’s an architect, and he works on construction sites occasionally,” Cassie grinned as she started the car and headed back to the house.

  “How do you know?” Hannah asked with wide-eyed surprise.

  “He came up to me, started talking, and you’re right, he’s totally hot. He was flirting with me.”

  “Shit. Did you flirt back?”

  “A bit. It was awkward, but flattering, and then I just felt weird,” Cassie frowned.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it,” Hannah shrugged. “He wouldn’t have known who you are.”

  “But that’s just it. After I told him I was engaged to Chad it didn’t phase him at all. He just kept right on flirting.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Hannah said, staring at her. “You’ll never see him again. Not unless you come back up, and Chad will be around then anyway.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. It was just kind of a weird thing,” Cassie muttered, and a bit unsettling. Hannah’s probably right. I won’t see him again, and he’s probably one of those guys who flirts with everyone.

  But as she drove Hannah back to her cabin, she couldn’t help b
ut think about how Mickey had growled at him.

  Were you trying to tell me something? I’ve never seen you snarl at anyone.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Over the next few days Cassie fell into an easy schedule with both Jeb and Tommy taking turns riding in the ring. Knowing Cassie would have her own arena had taken the pressure off them all, and though the trucks rolling by and the distant sounds of hammers hammering could be annoying, the sounds of the construction signaled a welcome addition to Horse Haven Ranch.

  Chad had been busy with the preparations for his upcoming clinics, and the appearance of his new line of women’s shirts and T-shirts for the spring season. The logo Cassie’s had designed, two horses heads set inside a heart, had brought oooh’s and aaah’s from all who’d seen it. The clothes boasting the embroidered logo were about hit the market, the unique equine heart gracing the collars and cuffs of the silk-cotton blend shirts, and emblazoned upon the front of the T-shirts.

  It was lunchtime, and Cassie had just finished a great ride on Shelby. Her thoroughbred jumper had felt fit and excited, and Cassie was itching for her jumps to arrive and her ring and barn to be finished.

  Running into the house she saw Chad was on the phone in his office, so after taking a quick shower she made her way to the kitchen to rustle them up something to eat.

  She had just brewed the coffee and was grilling them some cheese and tomato sandwiches when he strolled in carrying a large carton.

  “Hey beautiful,” he grinned.

  “Hey yourself, what’s that?”

  “I almost don’t wanna tell you, you’ll leave that frypan and burn those sandwiches,” he chuckled.

  “Why?” she giggled. “What’s in there that would…oh, my, gosh, are those the shirts?”

  “Yep. The first merchandise with the new logo,” he declared proudly.

  “Open it, quick!” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe it.”

  Setting the box on the table he tore open the top and pulled out the contents. Each shirt and T-shirt was individually wrapped in plastic, and as she turned off the stove and hurried over, she gasped in joy as he unpackaged one of each.

  “Chad, it works,” she beamed. “It really works!”

  “It sure does! This is gonna be a million dollar seller,” he decreed.

  “I’d buy one,” she laughed.

  Chad laid down the T-shirt he was holding and turned to her.

  “You are so amazin’, Cassie. I’m so damn proud of you, I swear my heart’s gonna burst.”

  Cassie felt a surge of heat in her throat, and unexpectedly overcome she threw her arms around him.

  “Chad, you’ve changed my life so much,” she stammered, her voice catching.

  “Hey, easy there,” he murmured.

  “I didn’t know life could be like this. I’m so happy, I’m really, truly happy, and it’s all because of you.”

  Holding her tightly Chad squeezed his eyes shut. Her heavy emotion was contagious, and not trusting his voice he stroked her hair until the unexpected wave of feeling had passed.

  “Goes both ways,” he sighed, and pulling back he brought his lips to hers with a loving, lingering, longing kiss. “There’s somethin’ real important you need to do for me,” he whispered.

  “Anything,” she breathed.

  “Check that sandwich. You turned off the gas but-”

  “Oh, you,” she quipped, punching his arm.

  “I’m serious,” he said in mock surprise. “That pan will still be hot, and it smelled so good when I walked in here it made me really hungry.”

  Breaking away she hurried to the pan and picked up the spatula to flip the bread.

  “Burnt?” he asked.

  “Not quite,” she replied, “as usual your timing was perfect.”

  “These shirts are great. I’m gonna give one to each of the women in the clinic,” he remarked, “and you should have one in every color.”

  “I agree,” she nodded as she removed the sandwiches from the pan and placed them on dishes. “You want to grab the coffee pot?”

  “Sure. I’ve got another surprise for you,” he declared as he fetched the coffee and placed it on the table.

  “I’m not sure I can stand much more good news,” she laughed as she placed his snack in front of him. “What is it?”

  “Your barn will be finished this afternoon,” he grinned. “The fencin’s up and the footing is in.”

  “Oh, wow, that’s fabulous. I’d love to move up there tomorrow, but I’m worried about the construction. What do you think?”

  “I’m thinkin’ you should take all three horses up there on the weeks I’m doin’ the clinics. The construction will be on pause then. Not ideal, but it’s better than not havin’ a ring at all. Of course you could always try it for a day and see how they deal with it.”

  “Hmm. Maybe towards the end of the construction it won’t be so noisy. Just the windows and stuff, right?”

  “Yep. We’ll just play it by ear. I think Dominic and Rembrandt would be fine with the noise up there,” he remarked. “It’s Shelby who might have an issue.”

  “I could always put her in the paddock and stay for a while. Make sure she’s okay. I think as long as she’s with her friends and they’re calm, she will be too.”

  “We’ll do it together,” he smiled. “Could be good trainin’ for her.”

  “You’re right,” she nodded.

  “I was thinkin’,” he said lowering his voice, “that we should christen that barn tonight.”

  “What did you have in mind?” she winked.

  “Oh, I think you know exactly what I have mind,” he replied with a wry grin. “I’m having Jeb and Tommy bed all the stalls this afternoon, so why don’t you have them help you move your tack up there at the same time. They can load your trunks on the back of the truck along with the shavings.”

  “I think that’s an excellent suggestion,” she twinkled back at him.

  “Make sure you have all your crops, and leather straps, anything you might need,” he said, leaning across the table.

  The butterflies sprang to life, and even after their many months together she felt the flush cross her face.

  “I think I’ll bring us up a night time picnic,” he continued. “We’ll eat a bit, drink a bit, I’ll whip your butt a bit, and maybe do a few other things to bring life into that barn.”

  Staring at him she sighed heavily, and bit into her sandwich.

  “Nothin’ to say?”

  She waited until she’d finished chewing, then shook her head.

  “What is there I can possibly say, except, I’ll be counting the minutes until sunset,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

  “That makes two of us,” Chad chuckled.

  “What will you be up to this afternoon?” she asked.

  “Bunch of stuff in the office. I’m thinkin’ I might get a full-time secretary when our house is done. She can work here, and I’ve got some ideas about the boys livin’ in this house and havin’ the cabins for the clinic visitors, or visa versa. Gotta think it out,” he frowned.

  “You are in that office an awful lot,” she nodded, “and you don’t get to ride every day. I know you’d like to.”

  “This clothin’ line, and Mandy’s shows, and the clinics, and videos and on and on. I’ve done most everything myself for a long time, but I’ve got a beautiful girl now,” he winked at her, “and I’d kinda like to spend more time with her rather than stuck behind my desk.”

  “You know whatever I can do to help I’m happy to,” she said earnestly.

  “I know, but then we’d both be stuck in that office all day,” he declared.

  “Good point,” she laughed.

  They finished their lunch, cleared up the plates, and as Chad ambled back to his study, Cassie hurried down to the barn to talk to Jeb about moving her things up to her new horse home.

  CHAPTER NINE

  While the boys were loading the truck Cassie drove up ahead of them; anxious to
see her new barn she simply didn’t have the patience to wait. Though her facility was finished, the labor on the house was in full swing, and as she approached the site she grimaced; it really was very loud.

  Shoot. Maybe if I put Shelby in the pasture that’s the furthest away it won’t be so bad.

  The tractor had left a track alongside the ring, and she drove her car carefully over the flattened dirt around to the barn on the opposite side of the ring. As she neared she broke into a large smile; it was hunter green and white, and looked like a million bucks.

  Wow, this is so much nicer than I thought it would be. How did they do this in three days? It’s amazing.

  Jumping from her car and walking quickly inside, she found a wide barn aisle, six generously sized stalls with sliding doors, a wide open area that she assumed was for hay and feed, a tack room, and a small room opposite the tack room that could be anything she wanted it to be. Staring at the empty space she thought it could be an office, then it occurred to her she could have a washer and dryer installed, saving her the trouble of carting all her horse laundry down to the wash room in Chad’s barn.

  She suddenly realized the hammering had stopped, and stepping outside she saw all the men sitting down eating sandwiches; checking her watch she saw it had just turned one o’clock.

  “Huh, kind of late for lunch,” she muttered.

  “That’s what I’ve been telling them, but no-one listens to me.”

  The unexpected voice made her jump, and spinning around she saw Jason Lewis, the attractive, sandy-haired architect.

  “Jeez, don’t creep on people like that,” she declared. “You scared me.”

  “I’m sorry,” he apologized softly. “The last thing I’d want to do is scare you. A beautiful lady like you should never be scared, not of anything.”

  His smile radiated confidence and warmth, and as he moved towards her she felt a strange pull.

  “Where’s that cute dog?” he asked, scanning the area around them.

  “He’s on his way with Jeb and Tommy,” she lied, thinking she’d answered him a tad too quickly.

  “Ah. Are they on a mission?” he inquired, continuing to move closer.