Hannah gently kicked her before turning back to Veronica, a model of sweetness. “Things are slow here.”
After carefully spooning another minute portion of sherbet into her mouth, Veronica said, “They sure are.”
Around them, the stand got more crowded. Serena tried to assume that it was crowded only because the temperature was reaching a hundred, but she suspected it had more to do with Veronica’s presence. Gossip had been slow lately and everyone was anxious to hear something new.
Serena was just trying to figure out something pleasant to ask when Veronica’s face fell.
“Oh, no,” she murmured.
“What’s wrong?” Serena asked.
“It’s that cowboy. Everywhere I go, he seems to be there, too.” A wary expression appeared on her perfect porcelain face. “It’s uncanny. I’d call him a stalker except our meetings seem too coincidental for that. And, well, he does seem fairly harmless. But here he is, coming this way again.”
A sense of dark foreboding glided over Serena. Slowly, she glanced down the sidewalk. There, sure enough, came Jarred. From the way he was walking, it lookedas if he was on a heck of a mission, too. A mission to join them.
“That’s Jarred,” Hannah said helpfully. “Jarred Riddell. He used to be a rodeo cowboy. His youngest brother still is.”
“But now?”
“Now, he’s just plain rich.”
A tiny spark of interest flared in Veronica’s eyes before she looked away from him in distaste. “I would’ve never guessed. He seems to wear the same clothes every day. The way he stares at me makes me nervous. Like I’m his favorite lasagna or something.”
“He does seem intent on you,” Hannah agreed. “It’s disconcerting!”
“Hey, y’all,” Jarred said the moment he approached with a toothy smile. “Enjoying the day?”
“As much as we can in this heat!” Hannah replied, all smiles.
“It’s a hot one for sure,” Jarred agreed. “’Course, it is July in Texas.” Jarred rocked back on his heels a bit.
That’s when Serena noticed he was holding a bottle in his hand. A bottle of…tobacco juice? As the liquid swished around inside of it, Veronica stiffened.
Serena couldn’t blame her for that. It was a nasty habit. As inconspicuously as possible, she pointed to his cheek and shook her head.
He rolled his eyes, then went to the garbage can and threw out the rest of his chew. Veronica eyed him warily when he returned. “Sorry about that,” he said. “I practically forgot I had a cheek full of chew.”
Oh, he was so hopeless! Serena fought off a grin.
Luckily, Hannah had raised four boys, had seven grandchildren and never got fazed by much. Giving Jarred a little wink and a smile, she said, “So, handsome, what are you up to today?”
“Other than being six foot two? Nothing much,” he said with a smile as he sauntered a little closer.
Serena groaned at the bad joke. Veronica, on the other hand, seemed to be trying to figure out what in the heck he was talking about.
As oblivious as ever, Jarred yanked over an empty chair from another table and sat. “I’ve been doing a little work out in the barns.”
“Barns?”
“We’ve got a couple. Some of the farthest ones were running a little low on supplies.” Veronica couldn’t seem to be able to look away from the tragedy in front of her. Her sherbet melted in the dish in front of her, completely forgotten. “What about you ladies?”
“About what you see,” Hannah replied, pointing to her very short sugar cone. “Eating ice cream and trying to stay cool.”
He smiled. “Y’all look so pretty, it must be working. I don’t see a drop of sweat on any of you.”
Serena groaned.
After a glance her way, Jarred backpedaled. “Oh, I’m sorry, I guess I should have said, ‘perspiration,’ huh?”
Serena winced. Surely Jarred didn’t think she was going to pull out her manners book and give him tips right that minute? Wordlessly, she shook her head in a subtle warning to stop.
“What?”
Oh, of course he wouldn’t know what she meant. He was so…clueless! Why didn’t he even know enough to realize that no woman wanted to see what he was doing? Ever?
“You want to go get yourself some ice cream and join us, Jarred?” Hannah asked. “Veronica was just telling us about her mama.”
“I’ll skip the ice cream but stay and enjoy your company, if you don’t mind.” As if he was on a talk show, he sprawled out into their space, kicking his feet out in front of them. Feet that were covered in work boots. And work boots that smelled as if they’d been tromping in fields with cattle and horses.
For a moment, Serena looked fondly at him. Jarred wasn’t a man to hire someone to do tough work. No, he did work hard. His hands were calloused and rough, and those boots of his illustrated just how much he did.
She was used to such a sight. So was Hannah.
But Veronica, well, Veronica obviously wasn’t. Her nose wrinkled. “You know, I had best be on my way,” she said as she picked up her purse.
“So soon?” Jarred pointed to her dish. “But your ice cream ain’t half gone.”
“I know. I, um, have suddenly lost my appetite.”
The moment Veronica stood up, so did he. In his haste, Jarred knocked his chair over. Which made him grab for it.
Which made Serena’s chocolate ice-cream cone slip from her hands and fall…right onto her lap. It took less than a second to feel the sticky melted ice cream seep through the material.
“Jarred, look what you did!” In disgust, she jumped to her feet just as Veronica quickened her pace and strode out to the parking lot. Holding the skirt away from her skin, Serena eyed the runny brown mess oozing down her front. “This is disgusting.”
He frowned. “Crap. I’m really sorry about that, sugar. I don’t know what happened. My hand must have slipped.”
“Now I’ve got to go change.”
“Luckily all your things are wash-and-wear,” Hannah said. “You’ll be able to toss that skirt in the washer after a good soak, no problem.”
Just as Serena was about to smile her way, Hannah’s brow furrowed. “No, that skirt is not like Veronica’s lovely outfit at all. If that had gotten soiled, well, it certainly would have been a tragedy.”
“Perhaps,” Serena said drily.
Picking up her purse, Hannah tossed two napkins in the trash before snatching her keys. “I’ll go on back to work, Serena. You take your time getting cleaned up.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
When they were relatively alone again Jarred stepped a bit closer. “Why do you think Veronica ran off like that? It sure seemed sudden.”
“You don’t know? It was because you’ve got cow dung on your boot.”
Experimentally, he lifted a boot and sniffed hard. “I can’t help that. It’s what cows do. I told y’all I was out working in the west pasture.”
“Well, she thinks you smell.”
“I don’t. I mean, not anything other than my usual scent. And I did shower and shave this morning.”
For an instant, Serena let herself lean closer, and definitely did catch a scent that was one-hundred-percent Jarred. Underneath the manure and dust and tobacco was soap and mint and expensive aftershave.
How was it that she never had been able to completely block out his attributes?
And how was it that he never seemed to notice hers?
Feeling peevish, she said, “Next time you’re around her, get rid of that bottle of spit. And for that matter, don’t carry it around me, either.”
He had the gall to grin. “I can’t promise you that. But I will promise that I’ll do my best not to dump ice cream on you again.” Leaning close, he brushed two fingers along her cheek.
“What did you do that for?”
“You’ve got chocolate everywhere, honey.” Smiling, he kissed her on the cheek. “You taste good, though.”
A li
ttle tremor coursed through her. She bit her lip, hoping he wouldn’t notice. “Conversations like this are why Veronica is never going to think you’re a gentleman, Jarred.”
He slumped. “No, conversations like this prove I need your help. As soon as possible.”
“Well, it sure can’t be today. I’ve got to go home and switch skirts.”
“But soon?”
“Maybe.” She never had been able to refuse him much. “I’ll let you know.”
Tipping his hat, he grinned. “That’s why I love you, Serena.”
As she watched him walk away, Serena reminded herself that he didn’t really love her.
And that he would never be a very good boyfriend anyway. He’d been too hurt by his mom’s death and his stepmother’s taking off to trust much.
But sometimes, when he smiled at her and said those things…and kissed her cheek…she kind of wished he did.
Chapter Four
Jarred dreaded the family financial meetings with Victor Owens more than a root canal. On the third Tuesday of each month the banker stopped by and talked shop with Cal Sr. and his three sons. Their father, being the way he was, always liked Jarred, Jnior and Trent to sit there, too, seeing how their inheritance went three ways.
Jarred understood the reasoning. On paper, the whole little get-together sounded like a real fine idea. But in actuality, he considered it a waste of time. Not a one of them were going to ever learn to work together all that well.
And never had the three boys and their dad been in a meeting in which they didn’t fuss and fight. It wasn’t anything personal. It was just the way it was.
Since the moment Calvin Riddell had found oil in the middle of nowhere, Jarred and his brothers had been managing things pretty well. As the years progressed, they’d come to a pretty good division of power, too. Junior basically handled all the financial aspects of things. He monitored the investments, studied the portfolios and researched ways to diversify the Riddell brand. Jarred, being that he was the oldest son and not near as good with figures as Junior, had taken over the day-to-day operations of the ranch. Trent, well, they let Trent travel the rodeo circuit and be a superstar.
But every month, Victor Owens thought it would be a good idea for all five of them to discuss things all in one room, which was kind of akin to putting a barrel of monkeys in a cage at the zoo. Chaos always ensued.
Fact was, their cozy little group of five got on Jarred’s nerves something awful. Their dad never had had a way with numbers. Actually, numbers flew by his daddy faster than dust in an October storm. Jarred would be forced to sit and listen as Victor went over things two and three times, taking into account his daddy’s terrible business sense and Trent’s inability to grow up.
As Victor repeated something for the seventh time, Jarred felt his attention drift. What he really wanted to do was get started with Serena’s lessons. If she’d ever give him the goahead.
Fact was, he needed her help. Needed it in a bad way, and that was no exaggeration, either. Veronica had looked at him as if he was the crap stuck on his boot when he’d joined those three women at the ice-cream shop. And that said a lot.
The problem was, he thought he’d been doing just fine. No, better than fine. How was he supposed to know that city girls didn’t like their men chewing tobacco? Didn’t city girls understand a man’s need for Skoal?
Victor tapped the table with the end of his pencil. “Jarred, you with us, son?”
“Yes, sir.” After a quick glance to his right, Jarred hastily flipped two pages in the notebook the financial advisor was walking them through—slow as molasses.
Next to him, Trent snickered.
Victor glanced his way over his half-moon glasses. “Any questions, gentlemen? I know we went through all of this last month, but I’d be happy to answer anything you’d be needing to know…”
Junior answered for all of them. “No, sir. We have no questions.”
“All right, then. Well, I’ll just continue explaining this account’s forecast and then be on my way.”
And so the meeting continued for another hour before thankfully—thankfully—Gwen rapped on the door before sticking her head in. Seconds later, Virginia peeked out around her legs.
Their father grinned. “Hey, peanut. You need something?”
Ginny nodded. “Uh-huh.”
Gwen laughed. “I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Riddell. It’s just that I’ve promised the ladies’ club that I’d help out at their meeting this afternoon. I’m going to be late unless I leave soon.”
Jarred jumped to his feet. “I’d forgotten all about that. I’ll take Ginny.”
His father smiled at the little girl for a moment before glancing Jarred’s way. “You don’t mind, son?”
“Never.” Quicker than a jackrabbit on a greyhound track, he hopped over and took Virginia’s hand. “I’ll talk to Junior about everything later,” he promised, thanking his lucky stars for an excuse to leave the meeting.
He chuckled when he heard Trent moan as the heavy door closed behind them.
When they were in the hall and Virginia was all smiles again, Gwen crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You sure you’re okay? I wouldn’t have said I could help the garden club except your dad thought your meeting was going to end an hour ago.”
Recalling everyone’s fussing about the wording on one of the documents, Jarred said drily, “It should have. And believe me, I’m glad you knocked on the door. I was ready for a break anyway.” Heck, he’d been ready to get out of there from the moment Victor had instructed them to open their financial folders.
“Those meetings do run long.”
“They do.” Thinking again about Serena and Veronica, he stepped a little closer to Gwen while Ginny wandered down the hall to see Scruffy, her cat. “Hey, um…Gwen, you’re a girl.”
One eyebrow arched. “I was at one time. I think when you hit your fifties you prefer to be classified as a ‘woman,’ though.”
“All right. Woman. Um, as a woman, what do you think about me?”
“What?” Wariness filled her gaze.
“What do you think of me as a man,” he sputtered. When she frowned, he attempted to clarify. “I mean, as a girl.” Thinking he might need to be more politically correct, he hastened to change his words. “I mean, as a woman. I mean, as a girl-woman who didn’t live here like an aunt or something.”
“I’m not really sure,” she said slowly. “All that really comes to mind is that you don’t pick up the clothes off your floor. What is it you want to know?”
He stopped pussyfooting around. “Here’s the thing. I’ve been fixated on Veronica Snow something awful and have been doing everything I can to earn her interest, but not a thing has been working. Yesterday, I saw her sitting with Serena and Hannah at the ice-cream shop. But the moment I sat down, she got on out of there like her ass was on fire.”
“What did Serena say about that?”
“Nothing of import. I need another opinion. Why do you think Veronica won’t give me the time of day?”
“I don’t know her real well, she’s only been to two of the Electra Ladies Club meetings, but it might be because she’s used to a different kind of guy.” She paused meaningfully. “You know…a city guy.”
“A guy who sits around in an office?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m not that.”
She practically hooted as she patted his shoulder. “You sure ain’t. I think that would be a problem for her. Maybe for you, too. I mean, you can’t be something you’re not, right?”
“I can be different. I know I can. I just need some help learning how to be a little less rough around the edges. Want to help?”
“I wouldn’t know the first thing how to do that. You should ask Serena to help. Y’all are good friends. Shoot, she knows you just about better than anyone. I’m sure she’ll give you a try.”
He slumped. Conveniently forgetting that he’d very recently vowed to have nothing to do
with her, he said, “She might. If she has time.”
“Serena’s pretty busy. Maybe there’s someone else?”
“I don’t think so. Next to Veronica Snow, Serena’s the most fancy girl in our town.”
Looking him over, her face softened. “Look, if snagging Veronica is what you really want to do, I’d go try asking Serena again. She’s got a good heart. And she’s even been to New York City before. Serena knows a lot about impressing people.”
Jarred knew Gwen was right about that. Fact was, Serena was a pretty thing, and had the kind of figure most men would only dream about. And she had a beautiful smile, too. “You may have a point.” Feeling completely stressed, he pulled out his package of chew and positioned a wad in his cheek.
Watching him and his nicotine fit, she frowned. “Are you sure you can’t just forget about Veronica?”
“I don’t think so. We need a gal like that around here.”
Ginny picked that very moment to squeal. “Oh, crap! Jarred, come here, wouldja? I got bit! Shit!”
Gwen and Jarred both flinched.
Gwen looked at him long and good before she turned toward the back door. “The thing of it is, Jarred, you may think you want Veronica here…but it might not be the place for her.” As Ginny let out another torrent of swearwords, Gwen sighed. “Don’t forget to wash out her mouth, now.”
As Gwen ran out the door, Jarred marched to the kitchen. “Virginia Ann, where the heck did you learn to swear like that?”
“I don’t know.” She looked at her feet and held up a finger. Blood ran down one side of it. “But my finger really does hurt.” Kneeling down, Jarred kissed the top of her head as he hoisted her onto his hip. “Let’s go get you cleaned up. And then you’re going to listen to me and stop cussing, ’kay?”
“’Kay. Then can we go see if the horses want some apples?”
“Maybe,” he murmured. Because he could hardly ever tell her no, he added, “And maybe we’ll go riding, too.”
“Thank you, Jarred.”
“Anytime, sweetheart. Anytime.”
IT WAS A HORRIBLE MAIL DAY. Serena’s college loan, rent and car bills had all talked and decided to make their way to her home in one neat little trip. All three bills had been lying on her entryway floor when she’d opened up her apartment that evening. There was hardly even any junk mail to soften the blow.
My Favorite Cowboy Page 3