by West, Cary
His words were like sweet cream melting all over her. If only she could believe him.
“Can’t we just finish dinner?” she asked squeezing her eyes shut, steadying the wild fire surging out of control in her belly.
“Are you sure that’s what you want, baby?” he asked as he ran his hands up and down her arms.
“It’s what I want,” she said as she placed the dessert dishes in her hands and turned using them as a shield between them.
“I’ll loosen the rope a little, but I’m not letting go,” he stated as he stepped back and motioned for her to pass.
Kate breathed a sigh of relief. She entered the dining room and set his plate by his seat, then walked around the table to her own.
“I was thinking maybe we could sit closer together,” said Jack as he lifted his plate.
“No,” stated Kate rather loudly. “You sit over there. I think it’s better if we keep the table between us.”
“You’re only prolonging the inevitable,” he frowned as he flopped back in his seat.
“Just eat your dessert Jack,” said Kate as she ran her fingers through her hair.
“I’d rather eat you.”
Her eyes shot wide as she felt a rush go through her body and down her legs. She could barely hold on to her spoon with her quivering hands. Jack saw the look of shock and fluster on her face and he couldn’t help but sit back and laugh at her unnerving.
“Stop laughing!” Her temper flared and her face flushed a crimson red.
“Why, did I make your panties wet Barbie doll?” He continued with his amusement seeing her getting more rattled by the minute.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you are a disgusting man Jack McBride?” She was more flustered than she’d ever been.
“You know what I think, Kate?” he said with a mischievous grin. “I think you secretly like the way I talk.”
“No, I don’t.”
“I think you do,” he said as he slowly stood from his chair. “And I’ll prove it.”
He moved around the table towards her like he was hunting for prey.
“What are you doing?” Kate gasped. She jumped up realizing that she was the prey he was hunting.
“Where are you going?” His eyes smoldered with heat as he watched her move around the table putting distance between them.
“I knew this was a mistake,” she cried as he stepped closer and she stepped further. “I should have never sat down to dinner with you.”
“Oh, you don’t mean that Kate,” he said following the trail of sweet perfume that lingered behind.
“I certainly do,” she said as she passed his seat and continued to keep distance between them.
“How many times you going to go round the table before you let me catch you?” He was toying with her.
“As many times as it takes for you to back off,” she sputtered.
“We could be here all night, baby,” he grinned as he picked up his pace.
So did Kate as she rounded the corner rather quickly and pulled out her chair to slow him down. Jack threw the chair to the ground and leaped over it before he charged her.
“Oh, holy shit!” she screeched and made a beeline for the front door. She barely made it passed the archway when she felt his arm wrap around her waist and her feet being lifted off the floor.
“I gotcha,” he laughed as he hoisted her in the air and strode back to the dining room table.
“Jack, put me down.” She couldn’t help but laugh herself.
He set her rump on the table and bent her back against its wood surface, pinning her between his hands.
“Now what are you going to do, Kate,” he said as he sunk his mouth lower to hers.
“I’m not going to kiss you,” she laughed again as she shook her head back and forth trying to avoid his lips.
“Maybe you want me to do other things to you first?”
“If I’m not going to kiss you, then I am certainly not going to do other things with you,” she said trying to fight against the stirring he was creating within her.
“I don’t think you’re in a position to negotiate,” he said pressing into her until she fell against her elbows. He was losing himself again, feeling her soft skin against his flesh. He wanted her, needed her like he had never wanted or needed anyone before. “Kate, you are driving me insane. What do you say we take this upstairs?”
“Not a chance,” she scoffed at his advances. He was playing a dangerous game, and one she no longer wanted to play.
He was a one night stand kind of guy, where she was a forever kind of girl. If she gave in to his moment of passion there would be no tomorrow. Her heart was damaged enough, and she didn’t think she could suffer any more indignities without it being totally destroyed.
She pushed against his chest and tried to put as much distance between them as she physically could.
“Why are you fighting this thing between us?” he sighed.
“There is nothing between us,” she growled. “Now get off.”
But he was not ready to give up so easily.
“Jack!” Came a loud male voice booming in the doorway.
Jack sprang to his feet and Kate sat straight up. They saw Mark and Tony standing at the base of the dining room.
“Don’t you know how to knock?” Jack growled and ran his fingers through his hair.
“We did, but apparently you were too busy doing something else.” Mark did not look pleased.
“What do you want?” Jack questioned as he looked over at Kate and felt instant shame for what he was doing with her.
“We have a schedule change I need to discuss with you,” stated Mark flatly. “Tony, why don’t you accompany Miss Harris back to the carriage house?”
“Sure,” said Tony as he watched Kate stand and straighten her shirt. He glanced at Jack and saw his angry eyes looming at him. “Come on Kate, I’ll walk you home.”
Kate nodded and she silently walked past Jack, seeing his eyes following her as Tony placed his hand on her back and led her out the door.
“You okay?” Jack heard Tony whisper to her and he saw Kate nod.
Mark looked at Jack and frowned. “Really Jack, this is getting old,” he said as he heard the front door close. “This one has been in the house for less than forty-eight hours and you’re already on her like a cat in heat. We’re going to run out of applicants if you continue this kind of behavior. May I suggest you go back to picking up women at the bar? It’ll save you a lot of time and money.”
“It’s not like that between me and Kate,” said Jack as his back prickled. The thought of Kate leaving with his hired hand was bad enough, but now his manager was giving him a lecture on propriety. “Besides it’s none of your damn business anyway.”
“It is if she isn’t a willing partner,” scoffed Mark. “What’s gotten into you lately anyway? I’ve never seen you act like that toward a woman, and especially not a lady like Miss Harris.”
“I don’t know,” said Jack truthfully.
“Maybe it would be for the best if we let Miss Harris go back to cleaning the bunkhouses.”
“No!” Jack bellowed. “Kate stays right where she is. Now, what’s wrong with the schedule?” He was done talking about Kate.
“Rusty’s double booked two riding groups tomorrow,” sighed Mark. “You think you can take one while Dustin does the other?”
“Have Tony do it,” said Jack thinking he didn’t want his ranch hand anywhere near Kate when he was not around.
“He’s training the new mare tomorrow.”
“I’ll do the training,” said Jack. “You just have Tony do the tour.”
“Whatever you say, Jack,” said Mark knowing there was no reasoning with his employer when he had already made up his mind to do something.
The conversation was over, and Mark headed out the front door leaving Jack alone in the dining room.
Six
Cinnamon Buns and Working Deals
Kate sat on the p
orch swing with coffee cup in hand while reading the small town’s version of a newspaper. What she wouldn’t give to be back home sipping cappuccinos at the outdoor café, reading the Artistry News, and watching an array of multicultural people pass her by.
It had been her Saturday morning ritual before moving out to this dust bowl of a town. She wished Clara was around this weekend instead of a bliss-less day of doing nothing except maybe laundry and cleaning her own place, but she and Adam had flown to Vegas for some tech convention.
Now sipping her coffee she watched the hay wagon stacked with tourists return from their morning pancake jamboree. Tony, was astride the wagon, steering the team of horses toward the stable. He lifted his hat spilling matted tendrils of dark hair and waved. Kate waved back. Several minutes later he emerged from the stables, strolling along the dirt path and heading in her direction.
“Morning, Kate,” he said, as he situated himself on the porch steps.
“Morning,” said Kate glad to see her new friend. “How did the breakfast hayride turn out?”
“The usual,” he shrugged his shoulders. “Kids not following the rules and their parents letting them run amuck. I hate doing the Pancake Jamboree.”
“Then why do you do it?” She hid her grin as she watched him pluck a piece of fragmented straw from under his Stetson and place it between his teeth.
“Because Jack pays double time for working on Saturday,” he declared. “But I’d rather be training.”
“And I’d rather be cleaning five measly old bunkhouses,” she mused. He nodded and laughed while she produced a wide eyed grin. “You want a cup of coffee?”
“Sure, if you’re offering.” He returned the smile.
“I’m offering.” Kate rose from the porch swing. “Come on inside.”
Tony tossed the straw on the ground and followed her into the carriage house. He settled on the stool by the kitchen counter as Kate poured him a cup of coffee and set it in front of him. “You take cream or sugar?”
“Black is fine.”
“Are you hungry? I made a batch of cinnamon rolls.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” he smiled at her.
Kate placed her sweet creation on a plate and set if before him then leaned on the counter. She watched strong hands interlaced with blue veins and muscle pick up the gooey mess and bring it to his mouth to taste.
“Man, this thing is out of this world,” he said with his mouth full. “You are one hell of a cook. Say, maybe you should do the cooking on Saturdays for the Pancake Jamboree. The tourists would go crazy.”
“Who does the cooking for it now?” The idea was rather appealing. What else did she have to do?
“Rusty, but he isn’t very good at it.” Tony made a face and shuddered, thinking about the pancakes that tasted like cardboard.
“You think Jack would pay me double time?” She asked the idea becoming more enticing as they spoke.
“I don’t see why not,” he said. “Jack’s a business man, and a good one at that. Hell, bring him one these cinnamon buns to test and I’ll bet you dollar to donuts he’ll jump at the chance.”
“Maybe I will,” she said as she sipped her coffee forming a plan.
“How have you two been getting along this past week?”
“All right, I guess,” she shrugged. “He can be rather intimidating at times.”
“Jack McBride is not a man to be reckoned with lightly,” chuckled Tony. “He seems to like to keep you busy.”
“That’s an understatement.” She rolled her eyes. “He is exhausting. Yesterday, I wasn’t allowed to leave until I polished all the silverware. I was amazed at how much silverware one man could have. By the time I got home all I wanted to do was take a bath and go to bed.”
Tony couldn’t help noticing Jack kept a tight rein on his new employee, especially when his hired hands were around. “Well, don’t let him work you too hard. Set your boundaries or he’ll run right over you.”
“I just keep quiet and do my job.” Kate wasn’t about to tell Tony that it took every ounce of strength not to lose her temper when Jack deliberately tried to provoke her. It would only create friction at the ranch if he went and told Mark.
“You let me know if he gets out of line again,” he said firmly. “You’re a nice girl, and Jack isn’t accustomed to nice, if you know what I mean.”
“So I’ve been told,” said Kate wanting to change the subject away from Jack. “You want another cinnamon bun?”
“No, I don’t have time.” He stood from the stool. “I need to head back. I have a trail tour in thirty minutes and I need to get the horses ready. Say, you want to come with me?
Kate scrunched up her freckled nose and shook her head. “Not really.”
“Ah come on, it will be fun.” He tried again.
“I’m not one for riding,” she muttered.
“Not according to Jack,” he grinned then laughed when she turned a pretty shade of pink. “Well if you change your mind you know where I’ll be.” He stepped away from the stool.
“Thanks for having breakfast with me Tony.” She leaned on the counter.
“If you keep cooking like that, I might be back tomorrow with half the crew.”
She smiled and watched Tony head out the door. Kate grabbed a clean plate and placed several cinnamon rolls on it. She had an idea and hoped it would work.
It would be fun cooking breakfast for the tourists, and it would give her something to do other than dwelling on her pitiful life. She would pitch her idea to Jack. By the time she was done, he couldn’t possibly say no.
With plate in hand, Kate left and headed for the main house. There was a skip to her step, and several of the ranch hands stopped what they were doing to watch the bouncy blond walk along the dirt path. They waved to her and she waved back, producing a sweet smile. She scurried up the porch steps and entered the main house.
Kate moved through the living area and into the corridor knowing exactly where she would find Jack. She paused at the closed study door, took a deep breath, knocked, and entered the room.
“Morning, Jack.” She radiated sunshine as she strolled up to his desk.
It was then she noticed he was on the phone. He held up his finger and motioned for her to sit in the high back chair. Kate sat holding her plate of delicacies while Jack swung his back to her and continued to speak more in a hushed tone.
“Like I said before, I don’t know what I’m doing tonight,” she overheard him say to the caller. “From now on if I’m interested, I’ll call you.” Jack hung up the phone and swung around to face her. “So what’s on your mind Kate?” he said checking out those long legs of hers that were partially covered by the plate in her lap. He frowned with annoyance then raised his eyes to her chest and his good mood returned.
“I came bearing gifts.” She smiled brightly. “These are for you.” Kate placed the cinnamon buns before Jack then took her seat.
“Well aren’t you a sweet thing,” he smiled feeling his mood getting even better.
“Try one,” she urged him.
Jack grabbed one and took a bite. Kate sat back in her chair and watched the delight wash across his face. “Wow,” he exclaimed. “You made these from scratch?”
“Of course,” she said proudly. “I take it you like it?”
“I think we need to renegotiate your hours to include making me breakfast,” he said as he licked the sugary substance from his finger.
“I would be open to working Saturdays,” stated Kate. “Maybe cooking for the Pancake Jamboree?”
“Why do you want to do that when you could be serving me?” he asked with a wry smile.
“Tony and I were talking this morning and he thought Rusty wouldn’t mind giving up his duties as cook for the Jamboree.”
“Tony told you?” His eyes narrowed and his fists tightened up in a ball as his good mood went sailing out the window.
“Yes, we were having breakfast together and he was telling me how bad poor Rusty
’s pancakes taste,” she said with a confident smile. “I know I could do a great job cooking for the tourists.”
“What were you and Tony doing having breakfast together?” questioned Jack in his usual overbearing manner as his jaw clenched and his brows furrowed creating three big frown lines in his forehead. “I thought I told you to stay clear of my ranch hands.”
“Relax, we’re just friends,” said Kate kicking herself for telling him about Tony.
“There’s no such thing as just friends between a man and a woman.” His back prickled. “He’s after one thing, baby. So quit batting your pretty little lashes and that sweet ass of yours in his direction.” Jack thought if she was going to point it at anyone it should be him.
“Jack, we’re getting away from the subject,” she said holding back her temper. “I want to cook for the Pancake Jamboree.”
“No.”
“Why not?” she persisted.
“Because the tourists aren’t interested in you tempting their palates,” he replied in a gruff tone. “They expect lousy pancakes from a group of cowboys.”
“I could do that.” If Jack was going to be stubborn so could she.
“Kate, the whole idea behind the breakfast is to have the rugged male cowboy experience,” continued Jack. “The last thing I need is my ranch hands focusing on some blond Barbie rather than our female guests. So the answer is still no.”
“I wouldn’t get in the way.” She would not let it rest. “I’ll just cook. No one will pay attention to me.”
“I said no and that’s that.” He was adamant.
“Why not?” She was not giving up.
“Because you’ll kill my business,” he said getting annoyed.
“But I could make it better.”
“What is it about you outsiders always trying to make it better?” stated Jack now totally agitated. “It’s fine just the way it is. Quit trying to change us. Either become one of us or go back home where you came from.”
“What does that mean?” Kate sat upright in her chair, back pricked.
“It means you’re a misguided do-gooder Barbie doll, all the way down to your highfalutin liberal Californiacator ideas.”