Stripped Naked (Naked Cowboys)

by Desiree Holt

  Chapter Two

  Jinx tossed a handful of copies of The Hill Country Herald in her car. She’d managed by the skin of her teeth to change the front page of the newspaper before the print run. Now her story and Lew’s photograph—such as it was—took up the entire front page above the fold. It wasn’t The New York Times but it looked pretty damn good, if she did say so herself.

  The phone had started ringing in her office on Friday afternoon as soon as the paper hit the stores that carried it and went live on the website. By Saturday when people fished it out of their mailboxes she was sure she’d heard from every single resident of Rowan County.

  No, she had no idea who the victim was.

  No, the sheriff didn’t have any additional information yet.

  Yes, he was trying to identify the body. Did they think he was an idiot?

  Yes, she hoped to have more to report by next week’s newspaper.

  With all the questions and emails, Jinx wondered if maybe she should start an update site online for the Herald. Lew, who she discovered loved all things electronic, would probably jump at the chance to manage it. She pulled out her cell phone and made a note on her Reminder list to talk to their web designer about it.

  For the first time since the discovery of the body, she felt she could draw a full breath. She’d known it would be like that. The residents of Rowan County were chewing over the murder like vultures over the carcass of a dead animal.

  Says a lot for the excitement level around here.

  This afternoon she’d finally made time to stop in at Wally’s Western Wear and treat herself to a new pair of boots—with definite heels, thank you—and jeans that weren’t left over from high school. Now she was more than ready to kick back for the evening and enjoy some great Texas beef. She wondered if Amy would make some of her world-class margaritas? The two of them had certainly drowned their share of sorrows in them. But even if it was just barbecue and beer Jinx was definitely up to it.

  She was proud of the way she’d handled getting the paper out, proud of the way she’d managed to take hold of things, and happy with the way she looked when she left the house. She found the local country rock station on her radio and punched up the volume. As she ate up the miles on the county highway, she let the music roll over her, even singing along with some familiar lyrics. For the first time since she’d crawled back from New York to lick her emotional wounds, she felt good. Even lighthearted. Maybe even on the way to happy.

  She turned into the entrance of the Montgomery ranch and followed the winding gravel driveway to the cedar and limestone house, a warm-looking building with a welcoming wraparound porch. Two super-cab pickup trucks with the Montgomery Ranch logo on the door were parked in a gravel area just to the left of the house along with one that had Stark Ranch on it. There was a fourth one, no name on it, and Jinx wondered if Amy had invited someone else for dinner. Maybe someone they’d gone to school with.

  Conversation drifted out from the backyard but she couldn’t identify voices. Oh, well. Whoever it was, she was determined to enjoy her evening. She lifted the double chocolate cake from the back seat of her car, stuck the newspapers under her arm and headed toward the sounds of the conversation. She had just rounded the corner to the patio when she caught sight of a familiar figure and nearly dropped the cake.

  Fortunately, Amy spotted her and hurried to take the dessert from her with a big grin.

  “Ooh! Chocolate cake. Yummy.” She set it down on a table. “And you’re just in time for margaritas. Come on. I have some people for you to meet.”

  Jinx managed to walk without stumbling, all the while trying to calm her heart that unexpectedly kicked into cha-cha rhythm at the sight of Dillon Cross. Dressed in jeans and boots as he’d been the other day, he stood next to a patio table talking to Matt Stark. Without the jacket he’d been wearing she could get a better view of his body, the muscular build, the wide shoulders and lean hips. Today there was no hat to cover the sun streaks in his hair or shade that strong-jawed face.

  “Hey, all.” Amy waved a hand. “Look who’s here.”

  Conversation came to a halt and everyone turned to look at Jinx.

  “Thanks for the spotlight,” she grumbled under her breath.

  Matt grinned at her as he came forward to give her a hug. “I hear you’ve kicked New York City to the curb and come home to roost,” he teased.

  “So it seems.” She just hoped they didn’t all know the sordid details of her retreat from the East Coast. “And I brought you some extra copies of my first front-page story.”

  “And a yummy chocolate cake,” Amy added. She picked it up from the table where she’d placed it. “I’ll just take this into the kitchen and get it out of the heat.”

  She handed the newspapers to Matt who put them down on a chair. Then he reached out a hand to draw forward a very pretty blonde standing by the big patio table.

  “Jinx, this is my wife and the love of my life, Reenie.”

  “I’m really glad to meet you.” Reenie Stark gave her an impulsive hug. “Amy and Matt are very excited that you’ve come back to Rowan County. Especially since you’re taking over the newspaper from your dad.”

  “You get a big medal for getting Matt to settle down,” Jinx told her. “Amy and I weren’t sure it would ever happen.”

  “I made him work for it.” She chuckled.

  “And this is my hunk.” Amy reached out to a man whose size easily dwarfed Amy’s petite frame.

  Jinx looked at the tall dark man as he moved to stand with his arm curled protectively around his wife. Solid strength rolled from him in waves and the look of absolute love in his eyes was so intense it nearly brought her to her knees. She wondered if a man would ever look at her that way.

  “Matt suggested inviting our new sheriff tonight too,” Amy went on. She waved at Dillon, standing to the side, apart from the happy couples. “I don’t guess he’s had much time to develop a social life here.” She shifted her gaze to Jinx, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “And I hear the two of you have already met.”

  Dillon Cross looked at her, his face expressionless but his gaze sliding over her like the glide of smooth satin on her skin.

  Jinx dipped her head in acknowledgment. “We have.”

  Dillon’s mouth curved in a hint of a grin. “We met over the dead body.” He nodded at her feet. “I see you got rid of the New York shoes for some sensible boots.” A touch of humor tinged his voice.

  What was it with people here and what she put on her feet?

  “I didn’t realize my footwear would be such a topic of conversation.”

  Amy laughed. “It’s just that people around here aren’t used to seeing women tripping around in spike heels and short tight skirts. We’re a lot more casual than that.”

  “Boots and jeans are the Rowan County fashion statement,” Reenie added.

  “Okay, enough about my shoes. Or boots. Or whatever. Ooh, look.” She forced a deliberate change of subject. “Amy, I was jonesing for one of your famous kickass margaritas.” She accepted the salt-rimmed glass Amy handed her and took a grateful sip. The cool spicy liquid slid easily down her throat. “Just as good as ever,” she pronounced, licking her lips.

  “Reenie and I were getting blitzed on them the night she and Matt met,” Amy told her. “That’s quite a story.”

  “Which we don’t need to discuss in polite company,” Matt cut in. “So, Dillon. What’s new with the corpse?”

  Jinx glanced over at Dillon who was standing a little apart from everyone else. He had the air of a man not quite comfortable socializing, at least in a small situation like this. Did he feel like the odd man out because he was a newcomer to the area? Had someone twisted his arm to show up tonight and not bothered to tell him she would be there, just as they’d kept her in the dark? She could smell her friends’ matchmaking plans and it irritated her. There was little worse than happy couples who didn’t think anyone else should be left in a single state.

&nbs
p; Emotional Typhoid Marys.

  She’d taken that trip and didn’t plan to do it again, thank you very much.

  But when she looked more closely at Dillon she was startled to discover him staring intently at her with an unexpected look of heat in his eyes. Wait. Heat? Wasn’t this the same man who’d given her such a hard time just two days ago? And oh, shit. Damn. Her traitorous body was answering back with its own throbbing pulse in embarrassing places. Would it look too weird if she just stood there with her thighs squeezed together and her arms protecting the stiff peaks of her nipples?

  What is wrong with you, girl? You don’t even know this man. You just managed to get out of the frying pan. Don’t jump into the fire.

  “Yes,” she prompted. “Anything more on who it is?”

  Dillon shrugged. “Not yet.”

  “What about fingerprints?” she pressed.

  “Can’t do it. Whoever blew his face off also poured acid on his fingers. Without any fingerprints we don’t have a whole lot to go on.”

  “Someone went to a lot of trouble to hide whoever this is,” Jinx commented. “I can’t believe anyone in Rowan County would do something this complicated.”

  “True.” Dillon nodded. “My deputies and I are checking everywhere anyway. Asking questions. No one’s missing in either of the towns.”

  “Someone must know who he is,” she pointed out, “or whoever killed him wouldn’t have taken the trouble to make him so hard to identify.”

  “True enough. We’re digging around. Investigating. You know?” Humor flashed in his eyes quickly then was gone. “We do that when there’s a crime.”

  “Since you’re the sheriff I would imagine so.” She tried to match her tone to his. Was he actually flirting with her? Why? They’d just met and he hadn’t seemed all that taken with her the other day. Of course, there had been that flash of heat in his eyes…“Do you have any information I can share with my readers? Public’s right to know and all that.”

  For a moment, she thought he was going to bite back at her, but then he gave her a slow grin that nearly melted her panties. An I-dare-you look glinted in his whiskey eyes.

  “If you’d like to make an appointment with me next week maybe I can give you an update. In person.”

  Okay. He wanted to talk to her? He didn’t want to talk to her? What the hell was going on? If only she could dial down the heat consuming her own body.

  What am I, a teenager? And what’s with the sheriff?

  Matt, Amy and their spouses were turning their gazes from one to the other like spectators at a tennis match.

  Matt cleared his throat. “Something going on here we should know about, guys?”

  Jinx gave herself a mental shake and slugged down the rest of her drink. “Just trying to make sure the sheriff understands the power of the press.”

  “Oh, I understand it all right.” There was as much bitterness as humor in the statement.

  She’d love to know the history behind that. “So, you know where I’ve been. Where were you before Rowan County?”

  Every vestige of humor left his face as if a hand had wiped it away, and his eyes suddenly took on a haunted look.

  “San Antonio.” He cleared his throat. “Glad to be here now, though.”

  What was that all about? Had he been in trouble? Was he hiding something? Jinx opened her mouth, but before she could put her foot in it Amy picked up the tall pitcher from the table.

  “Why don’t we put all that aside and talk about something else for tonight.” She turned to Jinx. “Another drink?” Without waiting she refilled Jinx’s empty glass.

  “Want to come to the horse auction with us tomorrow?” Matt asked. “We’re helping Dillon buy a horse.”

  Jinx lifted her eyebrows. “Buy a horse?”

  “Yeah.” He took a pull on the beer in his hand. “I bought a place just at the edge of town with enough land so I can keep a horse or two. Just need to get something to put in the stalls.”

  Buck, who had said very little so far, nodded at Jinx. “I’m sure Amy would love to have you along. She’s pretty excited about you being home again.”

  Jinx couldn’t stop herself from studying Dillon over the rim of her glass, watching for his reaction to the invitation. What did he think about her being included?

  “Maybe Dillon doesn’t want a big mob trailing after him.”

  He lifted his shoulders in a casual shrug. “I don’t think one more body will make a difference. Sure. Come on along.” One corner of his mouth turned up in the hint of a smile. “Maybe you could bring along a camera and take pictures. Write up an article about it. I hear horse and cattle auctions are pretty big things around here.”

  Jinx frowned but kept her tone light. “Are you making fun of me, Sheriff?”

  “Absolutely not. Just making sure you cover all the news in the county.”

  But there was more than that beneath his teasing tone. Conflict, tension and an unwilling heat. The same heat she’d seen yesterday sizzled in his gaze again, unleashing something hot and wild inside her. Good Lord. She wasn’t even sure she liked the man and her body was ready to jump into bed with him. Hadn’t history taught her anything?

  They stared at each other, gazes locked, until Amy cleared her throat.

  “Buck, honey? Why don’t you come get that platter of steaks in the fridge and find out how everyone likes theirs cooked? Jinx, you and Reenie come help me carry everything else out here to the table.”

  The moment they were all in the kitchen and Buck had taken the meat outside, Amy turned to Jinx and closed her fingers over her wrist.

  “Okay, girlfriend. Spill it. What’s with you and the hunky sheriff?”

  “Yes,” Reenie chimed in. “We thought you’d only met when you did the story on the naked body.”

  “Nothing. We did. That’s all.” She closed her eyes and swallowed. “I mean there’s absolutely nothing going on here. Not. One. Thing.”

  “Uh-huh.” Amy grinned. “Tell it to someone who believes it. Deny it all you want, but I know what I saw. The air between the two of you is so hot I was afraid we’d all get burned.”

  “I’m telling you,” she insisted, “I only met him that once.”

  She winked at Reenie. “If that’s so, I can’t wait for tomorrow to get here. Imagine what things will be like after tonight.”

  “Dream on, kiddo.” Jinx busied herself gathering the silverware from the counter and putting it on a tray. “I’m off men forever. At least for the foreseeable future.”

  Reenie looked at her with a sober expression. “Bad experience? I am so there with you. That’s what made me leave Los Angeles and end up here. Bad guy, bad karma.” Then she glanced at Matt and smiled. “But look what I ended up with. The prize.”

  “Maybe you will too,” Amy chimed in. “If you give the guy half a chance that is. I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed.”

  “You’re a married woman,” Jinx reminded her.

  “If I was single, of course.” She shrugged. “Just sayin’.”

  Somehow Jinx made it through the rest of the evening without self-destructing, although it wasn’t easy. She couldn’t remember the last time her body practically sat up and begged for a guy. What about the moratorium on sex she’d promised herself after Max?

  Amy, the minx, maneuvered things so she and Dillon sat next to each other, and she wondered how she didn’t go up in flames. The heat from his hard, muscular thigh pressing against hers singed every nerve in her body. She was sure he felt it too. The vibes were unmistakable. The conversation throughout the evening was light, mostly ranch talk. No one asked any personal questions, for which Jinx was eternally grateful.

  Dillon didn’t add much more to the table talk than she did. Mostly they listened to the others and pretended to ignore each other, but the sexual awareness was unmistakably there.

  Damn it.

  By midnight they’d finished their dinner and dessert, most of the beer and all of the margaritas. Jinx pushed
her chair back and stood up.

  “Let me help you clear this stuff away, Amy. And then I need to get going.”

  Amy lifted her eyebrows. “So early? You always used to be such a night owl. Anyway, I thought people in New York stayed up really late.”

  “I’m not in New York anymore,” she reminded her friend. “And it’s been a busy few days.” She stacked the plates and silverware on a tray and headed back toward the house.

  “I’ll take that.” Amy easily relieved her of what she was carrying. “Reenie and I will finish. Go on. Go home. Sleep off those margaritas. And don’t forget tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” Jinx frowned.

  “The auction? Helping Dillon pick out a horse?”

  Jinx nibbled her lower lip. “Listen, Amy, I don’t think—”

  “Right. Don’t think. You’ll have a good time. When was the last time you went to a horse or cattle auction?” When Jinx didn’t answer, she gloated, “Aha. See there? You need to get back in the ambience of the Hill Country. Get your mojo going again.”

  Jinx stared at her. “My mojo?”

  “Mm hmm. We’ll pick you up at eleven. The auction starts at noon and we can all go out for a late lunch afterwards. Don’t give me any lip because we’ll be there to fetch you and hunt you down if you’re not home.”

  “Okay, okay, okay.” At the moment she just wanted to get away and cool down her overheated body.

  She said her goodnights to everyone, politely nodding at Dillon, and headed toward her car. Wondering how she’d gotten herself dragged into this auction thing, she fastened her seat belt and turned the ignition key. And turned it. And turned it. But no matter how many times she tried it, the starter just made an irritating grinding noise while the engine itself remained silent.

  Shit!

  She rested her forehead on the steering wheel. How could this happen to her?

  She was about to try it once more when someone rapped on the driver’s side window. She looked out to see Matt staring in at her, motioning for her to open the door.