“No worries, boss. I got this.” Dodge laughed. He never thought in a million years that he’d see the boss wrapped around a woman’s finger. But he was, and good and bad too.
“Need some help with that hose, cowboy?”
The sultry voice made him turn toward the tall, shapely blonde walking his direction. He swept his gaze down the tight T-shirt that read “Trouble”, the Daisy Dukes that showed off tanned, rounded thighs, and back to a smile that could make a man go cross-eyed. After he caught his breath, he dipped his hat in greeting. “Hello, ma’am.”
She stopped several feet in front of him, the sun glinting off her dark eyes. “I’m Millie, and you are…”
“Dodge, ma’am.”
“Hello, Dodge. I just arrived yesterday and I’m out sightseeing, trying to see what there is to get into.” Her tongue came out to roll across her bottom lip.
“Looking for trouble?” He nodded to her shirt.
Her smile grew by leaps and bounds. “You could say that.” She winked.
“You picked a good day for seeing Nirvana, ma’am. Beautiful day indeed.” He whistled through his teeth.
“I’ve heard rumor that I can snatch up a cowboy to act as a tour guide. Where do I make my request?” She tapped the toe of one cowboy boot.
“Just stop by the office and they’ll set you up.”
“I have a special request though. Maybe you could be my tour guide when you have a chance?”
“I’d be honored.” He suddenly was in a better mood for flirting, although he knew that was as far as it would go. He had no interest in getting tangled up with a guest. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“Just maybe. See you around, partner.” She winked and turned on her cowboy boots and sashayed her way away from him.
Dodge stared at the nice sway of her bottom until he felt a sudden chill to his groin. He looked down and saw that the water hose was leaking on the front of his jeans. “Shit.” He clicked the spray off and dropped the hose, hearing more giggling from the ladies planting seeds.
With a shake of his head, he passed between two freshly dug rows and stopped where the ladies were flushed and looking at him through the veil of their lashes. “You ladies are looking mighty fine this afternoon.”
“I’m glad you noticed,” the youngest said, giving her tendrils a tug behind her ear.
Dodge continued on, hoping the spot on his jeans would dry fast.
He had a few more stops to make.
At the kitchen, he slipped in through the back door where he found Deke preparing another delicious smelling dinner. The man was a culinary artist. “You’ve outdone yourself this time” Dodge said, looking at the boiling pot of heaven. “I don’t even need to taste it to know.”
“Chili. My secret recipe,” Deke bragged.
“Will I get to sample this divinity?”
“I’ll put a bowl back for you.”
“Thank you, bro. I can always count on you. By the way, do you have that bottle of wine Miss Rox requested?”
Deke wiped off his hands on a towel, opened the refrigerator and pulled out the mentioned bottle of very expensive wine. “This was not easy to find. We didn’t have it in our stock so I made a trip into the city. I hope she is appreciative.”
“If she gives a fat tip, I’ll share it with you.” Dodge promised as he took the bottle.
“Well, lookie what the cat drug in.” Tera, a sweet older lady Chase had hired to assist in the kitchen strode in carrying a fifty-pound bag of potatoes. She herself probably only weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet.
“Let me take those for you, sweetheart.” Dodge hurried and grabbed the bag. “Where can I put these?”
“How about here?” She pointed the top of the counter close to the sink. “You’re a good fella, Dodge. You remind me of my oldest son who has a heart of gold.”
“Wow, you’ve really pulled the wool over on this one.” Deke shook his head teasingly.
“Aww, she’s a smart one. She knows a good man when she sees one. If you ever get tired of hanging out with the likes of him,” Dodge tossed a thumb in the cook’s direction, “you can come down to the barn and help me feed the horses. I’ll even saddle up one for you.”
Tera beamed. “Boy, you quit wasting that flirtation on an old woman like me. I’m old enough to be your mother.”
“At least you’re here helping now. I thought I was going to have to come drag you away from that new book you’re reading,” Deke said as he stirred the pot.
Her wrinkled cheeks turned two shades of dark pink. “I can’t help myself. I have a new favorite author and I can’t put her books down.”
“You reading smut, Miss Tera?” Dodge teased.
She giggled. “She writes paranormal romance. It keeps me on the edge of my seat. Her name’s Kris Fox.” She pulled the paperback from her jacket pocket and held it up. “Since I heard she was coming here to Nirvana, I thought I’d check out what the fuss was all about.” She fanned her face. “This one’s a hot one.”
Dodge barely glanced at the cover. “She’s coming here?” Hell, maybe he should have read the file about their newest guest.
“I hope she’ll give me an autograph.” Tera grabbed a potato and started peeling the skin.
“If we don’t get those potatoes peeled before dinner, we’ll both be gone before your author love arrives,” Deke moaned.
“Keep reading, sweetheart. Don’t let Deke scare you.” Dodge slapped Deke on the back on his way out of the kitchen. He stopped outside and looked into the screened-in dining area. Couples were already filling the tables. Just as Chase had predicted, after the blizzard people would pour in. They were booked solid. Every treehouse, cabin, and chalet was full. No cancelation had come in, and the waiting list had grown.
He started for the Gator and passed three women who waved. He waved back, but had no clue that they’d stopped and watched him pass by, eyeing him like a T-bone steak cooked to juicy perfection.
He overheard one of them say, “What I wouldn’t give to have one go at that cowboy.”
Casting a glance over his shoulder, they each pretended interest in the clouds, and he smiled. Kaycee was right, yet he could only speak for himself, but he found the attention flattering. However, he understood completely why women gushed over them. No doubt it was the hat, jeans, and boots. When he was playing pro football, it was the celebrity status. He doubted anyone saw past the outside and saw him for who he was—but Krista had. She hadn’t cared whether he played football or not. He had to wonder what she’d think of him working here in paradise? She’d called him several times so she knew where to find him.
Pushing the thought to the side, he pulled onto the road and headed down the narrow lane toward the guests’ treehouses. Passing by the wedding chalet, guests were scattered over the lawn while Jax Morgan took pictures of the newly married couple. She had been a great addition to Nirvana, and probably the reason why Maverick stayed. She’d come to the resort as a guest around Valentine’s Day and met Maverick. The two were hooked ever since. Chase had wanted to keep Maverick as a hand so he’d offered him a supervisor position and a newly built house along the private side of Nirvana. Maverick liked the challenge as well as giving Chase more freedom to spend with his budding family. The icing on the cake… Jax was offered a position as Nirvana’s wedding photographer, which worked out great for her because she was doing freelance work for a magazine too. Who wouldn’t want to live in paradise?
Dodge wasn’t sure how long this would last, Maverick and Jax living here, but for now he’d said that he didn’t want to leave Chase in a pinch, not with a new baby on the way. Maverick had mentioned that he planned to ask Jax to marry him when the time was right. Obviously, the couple was crazy about each other, but because Maverick had lost his first wife to an accident. Dodge guessed he wanted to take things slowly, at his own pace.
Jax was a beautiful, kind woman, and Dodge had gotten to know her over the last few weeks. She was as sweet as she made Ma
verick happy. The cowboy deserved to be content again.
He threw up a hand at her and she waved back.
Further on, he passed Cord and a group of guests surrounding the fence at the pasture as they prepared for riding lessons. He had been hired on at the same time as Moon. Cord had a way with the guests, unlike any of the others had mastered. He was a genuine smooth-talker and kept a football field sized divider between personal and business. Although he was rugged and as tough as a box of steel nails, and had a few visible scars on his face from the rodeo, all of the women seemed to fall for the ‘John Wayne’ attitude. Whatever it was, they flocked around him and they had more guests than ever wanting to slide into a saddle for a ride. Good thing Cord had clear, set limits.
Up ahead, Dodge saw a cloud of dust surrounding a Gator. As it approached, he saw that it was Jace driving. Dodge waved him over to the side of the road. “Where are you heading in such a hurry?”
“I have to unload the meat and vegetable trucks and show the trainee the ropes. How in the hell did I get roped into doing this?” He scratched his temple. Jace was a good man, a hard worker, but many times he walked around as if a bumblebee had stung him on the ass.
“Everyone’s doing their part, bro.”
“I heard Dade is supposed to be back out on the land starting this week.”
Dodge smiled. “Saw him earlier in the saddle. I know he’s more than ready, but he’ll begin slowly.”
“Where you headed?” Jace asked.
“You’ll never guess,” Dodge said in an exaggerated drawl.
One corner of the other cowboy’s mouth lifted. “Miss Rox?” Seeing Dodge’s nod, Jace slapped his palm against his jeaned-thigh. “Shit, man, she’ll have you at her bidding until she checks out in a few days unless you give in before,” he teased.
Dodge laughed. “Ain’t going to happen, my friend.”
“Rumor said she brought her cuffs and straps with her from her days as a BDSM queen.” Jace wagged his brows.
“Well, you know what they say about rumors. Believe one and you’ll never know the truth.”
“Just don’t turn your back on her. She’s liable to stick those fake claws right into your back.”
“Never.” Dodge dipped his hat, shifted the Gator into gear, and continued on his way. He was running late and it’d be a good excuse to cut a conversation short with Miss Rox. He couldn’t deny that she was a gorgeous, fifty-something, classy lady who had the confidence of three women, and knew seduction like the back of her hand. She’d proudly told him when she arrived that she’d owned a popular private escort service that catered to the rich and famous. She’d only recently hired someone to take over managing her business, and from the looks of things, she’d be living set and fancy free for the rest of her life. He liked her and thought she was a damn smart woman, but he’d tried to explain that sleeping around with the guests might have been part of her job, but it wasn’t like that here at Nirvana.
When he knocked on her door and she answered, he had to admit, she was sexy. She took care of herself and had a blonde pixie cut, a tan that he would guess came from an expensive can, and her breasts were large and firm. She was put together well, but that’s where it ended for him. He could admire her looks, but she didn’t stir one red blood cell in his body. It had nothing to do with her past…and all to do with the fact that he was changing, or maybe stuck in his own past.
“Come in, Dodge. I’ve been waiting for you.” She took a step back, placing her hand on her wide hip and thrusting out her breasts.
“I just wanted to bring you the bottle of wine you asked for.” He handed it over and she accepted it, gliding her long crimson nails over his finger. He snatched his hand back and stuck it into his pocket. He’d never been uncomfortable around women. In fact, he was quite the opposite, but on occasion he met a woman who came on way too strong and it was a turn off. Not that he’d venture into forbidden territory, but a cowboy could find himself in trouble when it came to some of the guests who stayed here. A few of them wanted a man to show her what she’d been missing and it took them a good while until they finally figured out that it wouldn’t happen. Sure, some of the cowboys found true love with guests, but none of the staff were here to find their soulmate.
“Can you stay for a while? Have a glass with me? I’m not scheduled for dance lessons until later,” she crooned.
“Sorry, ma’am. I have a guest arriving here in a few minutes that I have to transport to her cabin and see to it that she has everything she needs.” Thank God.
She puckered her bottom lip. He’d guess many times in her lifetime that small act had huge benefits for her in getting her way, especially in dealing with her three ex-husbands. What she didn’t understand was that Dodge was immune to these subtle, flirtatious performances.
“If you need anything, call Jennifer. She can help you.”
He rushed out of the treehouse, ignoring Miss Rox’s deep moan of disappointment.
****
Krista had arrived at Nirvana Ranch, or so the sign read. She’d gotten lost twice, then had to stop a few miles back and ask for directions, thanks to the crappy built-in GPS in the luxury car rental.
The GPS announced, “Turn right.”
There was nowhere to go but straight.
She stabbed the off button, glad that she had printed off directions from the airport to the retreat. Otherwise, she could be in Timbuktu by now. Thankfully, she was only a few minutes late.
Passing under the large swinging sign that read, “Welcome to Nirvana. Wyoming’s Paradise,” her stomach tightened and her small lunch of a salad and water threatened to find its way up. A hundred times since she’d reserved her reservation at the ranch, she’d almost backed out. It’d been a long, grueling six months. She’d even tried to call Dodge again, one last ditch effort to work things out. But when it came down to it, she had no other choice but to corner him and make him face her. This wouldn’t be entertaining in any sense of word, but truthfully, she looked forward to exploring Nirvana. She was a go-getter and right now, she needed Dodge to sign the divorce papers. Last night, she’d tossed and turned, anticipating her morning flight—and probably anticipating seeing Dodge too. She’d had a graphic dream of them making love in a barn, then by a pond, and also underneath the clear blue open sky. Didn’t all women have the same dreams of their estranged husbands? Maggie said that the only dreams that she had of her ex involved a rope, and not in a kinky way.
It wasn’t like that for Krista. She didn’t hate Dodge. She only wanted to move on.
Following the tree-lined lane, the retreat was divided by a ten-foot steel fence and a locked gate. She stopped. I can pull away. I can leave and forget this. No I can’t. Pushing the intercom button, she heard static.
“Welcome to Nirvana Ranch. How may I help you?” A soft spoken woman asked.
“Hi there. I’m Krista Wy—” Shit. She’d almost forgotten that she hadn’t used her real name. She’d used her pen name, considering she’d wanted her arrival to be a complete surprise to Dodge. “This is Kris Fox.”
“Yes, I see that you’re on the schedule. I’ll click you in and just follow the lane on up to the administrative offices.”
The gate opened and Krista crept her way along the road. The trees were starting to bloom pink and white and the mountains were a serene backdrop for the property. The ranch was prettier than the pictures had done it justice and she could already see why guests flocked to the exclusive resort.
As she came to the clearing, she saw a large stone building with a sign out front, “Administrative offices. All visitors must report here.” The building looked like an expensive home itself, lined with neatly trimmed bushes and mulched beds. Benches were scattered along the property edge inviting visitors to sit a while.
She parked her rental in one of the visitor’s parking spaces and slid out, pulling down the hem of her shirt. One never understood how difficult dressing was until she had plans to meet her ex. She didn�
��t want to be too dressy and make him think she’d tried too hard because she cared what he thought. Yet she cared enough that she wanted him to see what he’d been missing—not that he’d have a chance with her again, ever, but still, a woman needed to make a man sweat a little. So, in the end, she’d chosen a soft, white gauzy blouse with a bright blue cami underneath, a new pair of skinny jeans that swore they made any ass look round and tight, and black heels with slinky straps. Her long bob was sleek and shiny—she’d worked on it for almost an hour at the airport bathroom to tame any loose frizzies. She’d also reapplied a layer of makeup. Now she only wished she could reach in and dust a layer of powder over her disheveled insides. She couldn’t ever remember being this nervous.
What would Dodge say when he saw her?
Would he demand that she get back into her car and leave him the hell alone?
Or would he see that it was time for closure, for both of them, and sign the doggone dissolution papers already? Her one-hundred-fifty dollars an hour attorney was making a healthy living just off her payment every time he ‘worked’ on getting Dodge to sign. She could have gone on a long trip to Europe for what she’d payed the lawyer.
With this thought, she stiffened her spine and marched through the glass door into the office, stopping at the front desk where a pretty young blonde welcomed her with a sweet smile. “Welcome to Nirvana. You must be Kris.”
“Yes, I am.” The office smelled of sugar cookies, soft music played over the speakers, and the walls were filled with pretty framed art. It was a comfortable, friendly atmosphere.
“I’m Jennifer. While you’re here, if you need anything, just call. I have your paperwork almost ready. I’ll need your signature on the lines indicated with an x.” The other woman pushed the papers to Krista and laid a pen out for her.
Kris Fox. Kris Fox. Kris Fox. She managed to sign her name appropriately.
“Good. You’ll be staying in one of our new cabins along the west ridge. In your questionnaire you noted the love of beautiful scenery. From your place, you have an amazing view over the property and the mountains.” Jennifer reached over to a peg board, grabbed one of the keys and laid it down. “Your cabin is Cowboy Memory.”
Cowboy is Mine (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 5) Page 5