The Rancher's Bargain

by Joanne Rock

  Desire for her flared hotter. His hands itched to reach for her. To pull her against him and keep her there while he tested the softness of her lips. Tasted his fill.

  Instead, he eased away from the window, needing more space from her if he was going to maintain this facade of a professional relationship. “Are you ready to see your surprise?”

  Her eyebrow arched. Straightening, she nodded. “Absolutely.”

  “Then follow me.” He headed toward the back wall of the library, to a door almost hidden by bookshelves. The room was designed that way, giving this added space an intimate ambiance. “I have a secret retreat that I thought you might enjoy some evenings after Teddy goes to bed.”

  He slid open the door with the antique brass handle and hit the switch for the floor lights. Inside, tiny white bulbs glowed on either side of the aisle down the center of his media room. Big leather chairs flanked the aisle in pairs, for sixteen seats in all. The screen ahead was dark for a moment until he hit a command on his phone and cued up the opening credits of a nature documentary. On the screen, the sun rose on an African savannah while birds dipped and called. He hit the mute button but let the video run.

  “All this time you’ve been hiding a home movie theater in here?” Her fingers smoothed along the leather seat rest of a chair. “What a great space.”

  “I didn’t show it to you that first day because I had a few clients in to look at film of one of our horses in training and there was still some electronic equipment out.” He rolled aside one of the screens on some built-in shelving to show her a sample of the technology not in use at the moment. “This isn’t always a good spot for a toddler. But I thought you might enjoy unwinding here sometimes.”

  “I will. May I?” At his nod, she lowered herself into one of the chairs as if to test it out. “This is so comfortable. Do you ever fall asleep watching movies?”

  He sat in the chair beside her, only an armrest separating them in the dim room while the film showed a family of lions on the move. “Never. Believe it or not, I’ve only used the room for previewing racing footage or rodeo competitions since our training program involves a lot of animal analysis.”

  Lydia made a face, wrinkling her nose. “You remember what they say about all work and no play?”

  “Guilty.” He couldn’t deny it. Although being around this woman made him want to be someone different. Someone more inclined to have fun. “But my life has been anything but dull these last few weeks.”

  Leaning deeper into the seat back, she turned to look at him. She appeared comfortable. More relaxed than he’d ever seen her. Was she more at ease now that Teddy was sleeping? Or maybe she was simply worn out from a long day of caregiving.

  “Mine, too.” A smile hitched at her lips. “James, I haven’t forgotten what we talked about in the car today.”

  Anticipation fired through him, but he didn’t shift closer. Didn’t touch her. He’d put the ball in her court for making the next move and he intended to be patient while she grappled with the hunger he’d wrestled since they first met. “It’s been on my mind all day, too.”

  “I’m afraid I still don’t have any more answers than I did earlier.” Frowning, she nibbled at her lip for a moment as she turned her eyes toward the viewing screen where little lion cubs tackled each other. Then, she glanced back at him. “Although, I will say it’s easier to contemplate a kiss when I’m not working.”

  The words reverberated through him like a bell, the hum of it remaining in his body long after she finished speaking. Every nerve ending acutely attuned to her.

  He slid his hand under the armrest between them and tilted it up and out of the way. Removing the only physical barrier between them, but not crossing it.

  “Then, solely in the interest of refreshing your memory, I’d like to remind you of my proposition.”

  Her shoulder angled a fraction closer to him. “Please do.”

  Her words were a throaty rasp of air as her fingers landed lightly on his chest.

  She had to feel the rapid thrum of his heart. Wanting more.

  “I thought we should shove aside all the things keeping us apart and just test run that kiss.” He liked her hand on him, not just because it felt so damn good to have her touch him, but also because it freed him to touch her back.

  He cradled her jaw in one hand, testing the softness of her lower lip with his thumb.

  “See if it’s worthwhile?” she asked.

  The play of her mouth against his skin mesmerized him as she arched closer still.

  “Something like that.” He watched up until the last moment when her lips brushed his.

  A tentative exploration. A minty breath. The tender grip of her fist twisting his shirt placket.

  And then, confident he’d let her make the first move, he wrapped his arms around her, dragging her against him. She was so soft and sweetly scented, her hair fraying loose from its confining braid and her sweater dress teasing his skin.

  He molded her curves to the hard planes of his body, liking the way she fit against him. Needing more, but knowing it wasn’t time yet.

  Knowing he’d negotiated for only a kiss. A taste.

  He focused on just that—the feel of her lips and the damp stroke of her tongue. He gave and took in equal measures, exploring what she liked, breathing her in. Her hands were restless on him, gliding up his arms and down his chest.

  Her touch made it impossible to pull away. She felt so damned good in his arms. So right. He adjusted the angle, deepening the kiss, telling himself it was just for a moment. She gripped his shoulders tightly, dragging him closer. Her breasts brushed his chest, and the contact made everything hotter, threatening his control.

  He kissed her until his restraint stretched as thin as he dared.

  Only then did he ease away carefully. Slowly.

  Lydia’s eyes fluttered open, her lips still parted. Damp.

  With an effort, he closed his eyes. Let go of her completely.

  “I should—um. Go.” She sounded rattled. Or maybe she was simply as revved up as him.

  But he couldn’t have stopped her. Not without falling into that kiss all over again. So he just nodded tightly, remaining in his seat while she rose to her feet.

  On the screen behind her, he saw night had fallen on the savannah. As for the test run of a kiss, he wasn’t sure if he’d call it a success or a failure since it turned out to be the most combustible kiss he’d ever experienced.

  One thing he knew for sure, though. He wouldn’t try that again unless they were both prepared for it to lead to a whole lot more.

  Seven

  With Christmas just days away, Rose Clayton suspected she should have been prepared for the crowds of people at the Courtyard Shops just west of Royal’s downtown area. This was the town’s most popular shopping district, the property a reclaimed old farm where the big red barn was now an antiques store and the main house sheltered local artisans. But it had been so long since Rose had shopped for something in person—as opposed to online or through one of her ranch’s administrative assistants—that she’d forgotten how much of a crush the holiday shopping outing could be. It seemed like she’d seen half the townspeople here in the last hour, from local rancher Caleb Mackenzie and his fiancée, Shelby Arthur, to the newly engaged Ryan Bateman and Tessa Noble.

  Then again, maybe Rose’s eye was simply drawn to all the happy couples in town. She wanted that kind of happiness for her grandson, Daniel.

  And for herself.

  Taking a moment to rest in front of the live pine tree decorated with lights and oversize ornaments just outside the antiques shop, Rose soaked in the atmosphere. From the local children’s choir singing carols to the scent of hot pretzels and roasted chestnuts, the outdoor venue oozed holiday cheer. Or maybe it was her who was filled with so much goodwill in the days following Gus’s declaration t
hat he was going to marry her.

  Had he meant it?

  Or had he just told Daniel that in an effort to keep the peace? She hadn’t wanted to quiz Gus about it, unwilling to ripple the waters in this tenuous new joyful place in her life. Besides, daydreaming about a future with him made her feel like a teenager again.

  Except this time, she began to think their story could have a happy ending.

  “Hello, Rose.” The deep timbre of a male voice sounded nearby, and she turned to see her neighbor, James Harris.

  Dressed in dark jeans and a coffee-colored suede jacket, he looked more relaxed than the last time she’d seen him—working tirelessly to restring fencing near her property line.

  “Nice to see you, James.” She hadn’t attended his brother’s funeral halfway across the state, but she’d sent flowers with her condolences. The Harris family had been good to her over the years and she was sorry to see James lose a brother at such a young age. “I’ve been wondering how you’re doing with a toddler in the house.”

  “Hanging in there.” He grinned as he tipped up his Stetson a fraction, juggling his shopping bags over to one hand. “I found a nanny who has really been making a difference with Teddy. Her name is Lydia Walker and I’m sure you’ll see her around the ranch sooner or later.”

  “Mrs. Davis mentioned her to me when she came over to store some things in our extra freezer.” Rose gathered the older woman wasn’t thrilled with the new hire, but then Bernadette Davis had always been protective of the Harris boys. She’d been livid that James’s first wife had been more interested in the Harris family fortune than her husband.

  “Thank you for letting us use the freezer, by the way. I appreciated that.”

  The children’s choir gave way to a handbell group, the ringing chimes filling the air as Rose waved off James’s thanks, unwilling to accept praise for something so small.

  “Your granddaddy was one of the kindest men I’ve ever met.” Henry Harris had been one of the few people in Royal who had seen right through her act when she’d rebuffed her friends during those awful years after she’d married Edward. She couldn’t bear for any of her former friends to know how Edward treated her, so she’d been cruel in the way she’d alienated everyone. But James’s grandfather, a shrewd military veteran, had never bought the act. He’d kept right on being good to Rose. “You know if you ever need anything, you only have to ask. And what did you say the nanny’s name was?”

  She’d thought it sounded familiar.

  “Lydia Walker.” He lifted a hand in greeting to someone behind her as he said it. “Here she is now, in fact. She’s helping me finish my holiday shopping today.”

  Rose turned, curious to see the woman who made James smile that way. There was a blatant male interest there that was hard to miss. And wasn’t it interesting that James was out with the nanny—but no child in sight?

  “Hello.” The younger woman greeted her, extending her hand as she tucked a small shopping bag under her arm. Tall and slim, she wore a long skirt with boots and shawl-collar sweater, fashionable but down-to-earth. “I’m Lydia Walker, Mrs. Clayton. I recognize you from volunteering with the Family Fun Run you organized for the children’s club last summer.”

  “Walker.” Rose repeated it without meaning to, a trick that sometimes worked to jog a memory. She snapped her fingers as it came to her. “Wasn’t that the name of the big bidder at the bachelor auction?” She had been stunned—along with the rest of the crowd—at the bid from the young woman. “What a tremendously generous donation to the charity.”

  Uh-oh. Apparently she’d stepped in it, based on the wary looks the two of them exchanged. As the awkward silence hovered, the scent of roasted chestnuts intensified with a vendor walking past with a silver concession cart. Fragrant smoke billowed to either side.

  “Gail Walker is my sister,” Lydia confirmed as she dodged a pair of little girls playing tag. “She definitely surprised us all with her bid.”

  Lydia’s smile looked strained while James added, “But thanks to your grandson, Rose, the press coverage after the event really helped bring in more donations. The Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation couldn’t have asked for a better spokesperson than Daniel.”

  Rose was glad to hear it. But had the added donations been worth alienating her own grandson?

  “Daniel isn’t thrilled about being the ‘Most Eligible Bachelor in Texas,’ but he’s been a good sport.”

  Rose traded a few more words with the two of them before they left to finish their holiday shopping. Her gaze followed James and Lydia, curious about the relationship that struck her as more than just professional. It was in the way they looked at one another. The way they stood close without touching.

  The way they’d gone on a shopping outing without Teddy.

  Not that it was any of her business. But Rose had learned a thing or two about the ways romance could grow between unsuspecting people over the years. Maybe she had an eye for matchmaking. She’d gained a keen eye for romance since it had been decidedly absent in her own life for so long.

  But now, she had Gus.

  Which reminded her, she needed to finish up her shopping, too.

  She was about to enter Priceless, the antiques store in the big red barn that anchored the Courtyard Shops, when her phone vibrated. She pulled it from her jacket pocket to see a text from her grandson.

  I’m getting more messages and deliveries every day from nutcases who want to meet me because of that damned article. From now on, I’m forwarding everything to the main house for you since this is what you wanted. I’m done.

  Knowing how frustrated Daniel was sure didn’t lift Rose’s spirits. She’d only meant well by having the reporter write an article about Daniel. But he seemed more miserable than ever since she and Gus had orchestrated the breakup between him and Gus’s granddaughter, Alexis Slade. At the time, they’d been so sure their feud would last forever, and their grandkids didn’t belong together.

  But she’d gone and fallen for Gus again in spite of herself. So what right did she have to keep Daniel and Alexis apart?

  Maybe she didn’t have such a good eye for matchmaking after all. One way or another, she and Gus needed to make this right for their grandchildren.

  * * *

  Listening to James on the phone with Teddy’s babysitter, Lydia walked with him to his car parked near the Courtyard Shops.

  “Just make sure you have the nursery monitor with you when you go downstairs,” he explained to the young woman, his ranch foreman’s daughter, who was home from college for the holidays. “I’m sure Mrs. Davis left some snacks for you on the counter.”

  Lydia smiled to hear him, thinking he was getting the hang of caring for his nephew. Ever since she’d started at the Harris house, she could see more ease in his interactions with the boy. But would his increased comfort level with his role prompt him to raise Teddy as his own?

  Clearly, that had been his brother’s preference.

  Weaving between parked cars, she allowed her eyes to linger on James as they neared his vehicle. Memories of their kiss still made her breathless, sparking a fresh longing in her as she admired his athletic grace and powerfully built body. She’d agreed to the shopping outing when he had urged her to take some downtime away from the ranch, and she’d thought that was a good idea. Since she had some of her own Christmas shopping to do, she’d thought it could be fun to help him purchase gifts for Teddy while they had a sitter for the boy.

  And it had been.

  But she hadn’t been prepared to field questions about Gail’s bid from Rose Clayton. Not that Rose had questioned her, per se. Lydia had simply felt uncomfortable accepting any kind of “thanks” on Gail’s behalf since her sister hadn’t made the donation in the first place.

  James had.

  He finished up his call with the babysitter a moment later and pocketed his p
hone.

  “The sitter is set for a few hours and I’ve got the feed from the nursery monitor on my phone.” He opened the passenger door of the black BMW sedan. He’d already loaded the shopping bags in the backseat while she’d been preoccupied. “I had hoped I could talk you into dinner.”

  She hadn’t expected the shopping outing to lead to more. And dinner definitely sounded like more. But after that kiss in his home theater, she’d been thinking about him all the time.

  Imagining what might have happened if she hadn’t retreated to her room that night.

  “Dinner?” She met his gaze.

  “The timing is perfect,” he told her reasonably. Before he leaned fractionally closer, his voice lowering. “And I have been forthright about wanting to know you better.”

  A clear invitation.

  Her heart beat faster.

  “You have.” She appreciated that. It made things easier with their working relationship that he’d put the ball in her court about how things would advance. Or not. “Can we just commit to that much? A get-to-know-you dinner?”

  “Dinner only.” He nodded as she slid into the passenger seat. “Dessert optional. I’m game. I’d like to spend a couple of hours learning more about what makes Lydia Walker tick.”

  His words circled around her mind as he walked to the driver’s side door and started the car.

  “You’re serious about that?” She thought of all the men her mother had dated—and there had been many. She wondered if any of them had ever taken the time to really understand the real Fiona Walker.

  She couldn’t help but admire James for going to the effort.

  “Of course. We should play a round of twenty questions or something. Make it fun.”

  The idea appealed to her, especially since she knew that James had been dealing with a lot recently. Not just the death of his sibling, but adjusting to a child in his life and the demands on his time from his relatively new position as Texas Cattleman’s Club president.

  Her own frustrations—mainly with Gail, but also with her mom—seemed small by comparison. Gail would come back to Royal sooner or later and Lydia would help her find a way to repay James if only in child care help. As for their mom, Lydia had to make Fiona understand she wasn’t going to be a part of her wedding.