The Bachelor’s Surrender

by Janelle Denison

  Her wrong conclusion nearly caused the corner of his mouth to tip up in a humorous smile. He caught it just in time. “Kristin is my sister, which I have no doubt you’ll meet during your stay.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing. “Oh, good. I’m glad I won’t have to worry about a girlfriend.” A startled look crossed her features, as if she realized how forward her comment sounded. “I mean, it’s not as though I don’t want you to have a girlfriend, I just wouldn’t want to cause any problems . . .”

  He decided to save her before she completely embarrassed herself. “I understand.”

  Andrea delivered their omelets and toast, then addressed Lauren with a friendly smile, blatantly ignoring Rafe. “I was just telling Fran what you’re doing for that kid, and she said to make sure you bring the boy by for breakfast one morning for her special banana pecan pancakes, on the house.”

  “That’s awfully nice. Thank you.” Lauren beamed delightedly at the kind gesture Andrea had just extended. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

  Andrea topped off each of their mugs with fresh, hot coffee, not in any hurry to move on to her other customers. “So, you’ll be staying out at Rafe’s?”

  “Yes.” Lauren cast Rafe a casual glance as if to assess how much to reveal, but he knew his carefully blank expression offered her no answers. So, she formulated her own. “Rafe thought it would be more convenient if Chad and I stayed at his place, instead of the motel, so that way he can spend more time with Chad.”

  He inwardly cringed, wishing he had offered a more vague explanation. Her lie gave too much credence to the hero he wasn’t. “Really?” Andrea’s brows rose in flagrant disbelief. “I didn’t know Rafe had a soft spot for kids, or anything else for that matter.”

  “Oh, Rafe has been absolutely wonderful about all this,” Lauren embellished, leaving the other woman virtually speechless.

  “Andrea, order up!” the cook called, saving all of them from any further lies and cutting remarks.

  Andrea gave Rafe one last look, as if seeing him in a different light, then headed back behind the counter to deliver her orders.

  Reaching for the bottle of ketchup, Rafe poured the sauce over his crisp hash browns. “That wasn’t necessary.”

  Lauren cut off a piece of omelet and stabbed it with her fork. “It was if you want to do something about that nasty reputation of yours.”

  Irritation touched his nerves, and he glared at her over his breakfast. “My reputation is none of your business.”

  Her chin came up. “It is when I have a young client to think about,” she shot back.

  “If you’ll recall, I didn’t ask for any of this.” His tone was low and heated. How was it that this woman had the ability to push his hottest, most temperamental buttons?

  She stared at him for long seconds, the fire in her eyes gradually fading to a pale blue. “No, you didn’t,” she admitted quietly, though she didn’t call off the arrangement like he half-hoped she would. Instead, she picked up her knife and calmly slathered grape jelly on her toast. “Tell me something, Rafe. If you’re so against Chad and his request, what changed your mind?”

  “My sister.”

  “You’re doing this for her?”

  “I’m doing it for the boy. My sister reminded me of how we felt when we lost our mother when we were kids.”

  Gentle compassion reflected on her face. “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged and finished chewing his bite of omelet. “It was a long time ago, but the confusion and fears we experienced is probably the same thing Chad is going through.” Before she had a chance to ask about his father, who was also dead, he added, “Personally, I’m against this entire farce.”

  She stiffened, the gesture defensive and challenging. “What do you mean ‘farce’?”

  He set down his fork and looked her straight in the eye, his mouth grim. “Chad expects a rodeo cowboy, Lauren. I don’t even ride anymore, not like he remembers or expects me to. Some days I’m in agony after riding a sweet, gentle mare for an hour.” Bitterness crept into his voice, and he struggled to keep it from spoiling the entire conversation. “I’m not the champion bull rider he remembers. And the last thing I want to do is offer this kid any false hopes.”

  Spontaneously, she reached across the table and laid her hand on his arm. He felt that touch all the way to his cold, empty soul and wished for a moment that this woman with the sky blue eyes and soft looking lips didn’t live in such a drastically different world than his own.

  Her gaze implored him to understand, to somehow compromise. “Is it too much to ask that you just be Chad’s friend for a week? Right now, more than a champion bull rider, he needs someone to accept him unconditionally, and you’re the one he’s chosen.”

  He felt himself softening. Relenting. “You don’t ask for much, do you?”

  She grinned, her eyes alight with mischief. “Tell you what, Rafe, I’ll make you a deal. If you can just be Chad’s buddy for a week and make him feel a little bit special, then I promise not to tell anyone here in Cedar Creek just how nice you really are.”

  She winked at him, as if that would be their private secret, and he had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from chuckling. That she had the ability to evoke amusement in him was as startling as it was invigorating.

  On the heels of that revelation came a more troubling thought. He had an uneasy feeling once Lauren Richmond blew through his life the solitary world he’d created for himself the past year would never be the same again.

  Chapter Three

  Two weeks later on a Friday afternoon, Lauren drove her rental car from Cody back to Cedar Creek, this time with Chad Evans as her companion. The windows were rolled down, allowing the clean, country air to circulate through the vehicle and whip through their hair. The blue sky stretching endlessly in front of them was a welcome change from the hot, smog-filled air they’d left behind in Los Angeles.

  “Are we almost there?” an anxious voice asked.

  Lauren glanced at the young boy sitting in the passenger seat. His blonde hair was rumpled around his head from the breeze, and his big brown eyes contained an infectious excitement. The huge grin on his face seemed permanent, which made Lauren extremely grateful Rafe had agreed to spend time with him. The memories Chad collected in the next week would go a long way in restoring his self-confidence, and would bring a bit of happiness to his lonely life.

  “About another ten minutes and we’ll be in Cedar Creek,” she said, sending a warm smile his way. “But before we get to Rafe’s, I’d like to stop and pick up some extra groceries, so Rafe won’t have to worry about meals while we’re here.”

  A flicker of disappointment crossed his features, but he didn’t verbally express it. Instead, he chewed on his bottom lip. “He knows we’re coming, right?”

  So many worries for someone so young. “Yeah, Rafe knows we’re coming. I left a message for him with his sister to expect us sometime this afternoon.”

  Seemingly satisfied with her answer, he turned his attention back to the open window and the farms and ranches dotting the countryside.

  The town of Cedar Creek was just as hospitable and receptive as Kristin had been on the phone, Lauren discovered when they stopped at the local market ten minutes later. By the time they finished picking up groceries for the week, the checker, box-boy, and manager of the store knew who they were, and why they were in Cedar Creek—by way of small town gossip.

  Finally, after a stop at the gas station to fill up their empty tank, they drove another five minutes out of town to the dirt road that led to Rafe’s spread.

  “Wow, look at all those horses,” Chad exclaimed, his gaze riveted to the dozen or more chestnuts grazing in the fenced-in pasture. “Do you think he’ll let me ride one?”

  Lauren parked the sedan next to Rafe’s truck. “Oh, I’m sure he will.”

  “Cool!” Chad unhooked his seatbelt, jammed his pint-size black Stetson on his head, and scrambled from
the car. Skipping enthusiastically, he headed toward a corral confining two mares and their foals.

  Lauren followed at a more leisurely pace, enjoying Chad’s excitement and burst of energy after enduring a five hour plane ride, then being cooped up for two hours in a car. At the fence, Chad stood on the second rung to gently pet the mare that ambled up to the railing for attention.

  “Isn’t she just the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen?” Chad asked, rubbing the docile horse along her nose.

  The mare’s chestnut coat gleamed with health, and her big, dark eyes seem to contain a smile. “She’s absolutely beautiful,” Lauren agreed, stroking a hand down the horse’s neck. “And friendly, too.”

  Lauren glanced around for Rafe while Chad lavished the mare with praise, but the ranch was quiet and peaceful. Just when she thought she’d have to go searching for their host, he exited one of the stables, saw them, and headed their way in a slow, lazy stroll that belied the slight hitch in his walk.

  Something deep within Lauren’s chest fluttered. Dressed in a dusty pair of jeans, a chambray shirt cuffed to his elbows, and leather boots that appeared well broken in, he looked like he’d put in a hard day’s work. Today, he wore a black Stetson identical to Chad’s.

  His eyes were shaded by the brim of his hat, but she sensed the sweep of his gaze taking in her cool, summer short outfit, down her long bare legs, to the strappy sandals on her feet. The corner of his lips twitched in the barest of smiles, as if he appreciated what he saw. If she hadn’t been staring at his mouth, she would have missed that very subtle response.

  Awareness swirled through her, tying her stomach in knots and making her skin tingle and tighten. She’d never been attracted to the dark, brooding type, but there was something about Rafe Dalton that made her pulse quicken, made her wonder if those chiseled lips of his ever relaxed with laughter. She wondered if he’d kiss as hard and abrupt as his manners, or if his mouth softened and gentled when it claimed a woman’s—turned slow, thorough, and sensual.

  Stopping a few feet away, he tipped the brim of his hat at her. “Lauren,” he acknowledged pleasantly, a direct contrast to the man who’d greeted her the last time she’d been on his ranch. “Nice to see you again.”

  His voice was a low, husky rumble of sound that stroked her senses. She didn’t know if he was just being polite for Chad’s benefit, or if he really meant it. A wry smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “It’s nice to see you, too.”

  He turned his attention to Chad, who’d jumped down from the fence railing and stared up at him with huge, round eyes.

  “Hello, partner,” Rafe drawled.

  Chad swallowed. “Hello, Mr. Dalton.” His voice quavered with nerves, and in an attempt to make a favorable impression, he thrust his hand out for Rafe to shake. “Thank you for letting me visit, and stay on your ranch.”

  Chad sounded so formal and grown up it was all Lauren could do to suppress a smile.

  “You’re welcome.” Rafe clasped his hand and gave it a firm, masculine shake. “And why don’t you call me Rafe?”

  Chad beamed, his grin brighter than pure sunshine. “Okay . . . Rafe.”

  Rafe ran his finger along the brim of Chad’s Stetson. “Mighty fine looking hat you got yourself there.”

  Chad’s cheeks colored, and he ducked his head sheepishly. “It’s just like yours.”

  “I’m very flattered.” There was a gentle, affable note to Rafe’s voice that made Chad look back up. “It’s just the kind of hat you’ll need to keep the sun out of your eyes while you’re working and riding the range.”

  Chad straightened like a little soldier who’d been assigned a special mission. “I’ll work real hard for you, Rafe,” he promised solemnly.

  Rafe gave him a nod of acceptance, then glanced at Lauren. She knew how difficult this was for Rafe, and she hoped her gaze conveyed just how much she appreciated his kindness and patience with Chad.

  “Why don’t we go and get your things unloaded and into the house?” he suggested.

  “That would be fine.” She smiled. “I bought some groceries, too.”

  Together, they worked to unload the sedan, bringing in the luggage and toting the sacks of food to the kitchen. Rafe put their suitcases in the only spare room in the house, and told Chad he could camp out on the couch, which thrilled the young boy.

  While Chad ate a light snack of apple juice and oatmeal raisin cookies and talked to Rafe about the riding lessons he’d taken, Lauren put away the groceries. Before long, they were done, with Chad eager to head outside and explore.

  Everything had gone smoother than Lauren had expected, with Rafe being congenial and friendly and not exhibiting any resentment for the intrusion into his private life. Strolling along beside Chad as Rafe explained the layout of the ranch, Lauren was beginning to think everything was going to be just fine . . . until a beige sedan crested the dirt hill and pulled up in front of Rafe’s house.

  Rafe must have recognized the visitor, because he froze mid-speech and mid-stroll, though Chad skipped ahead to a pen housing a few goats. Lauren stopped, too, sensing a change in Rafe’s disposition. A young, good-looking man wearing a shirt, tie, and slacks climbed from the driver’s side of the car and waved toward them.

  Rafe glanced sharply at her, the censure in his gaze chilling her to the bone. His voice was low and edged in steel when he spoke. “What the hell is the editor of the local paper doing here?”

  The heat and animosity radiating off Rafe startled her, as did the blatant accusation he cast her way. Before she could respond to his fierce demand, the other man approaching them issued an answer.

  “Hey, Rafe, I heard about the kid and his request to meet you and thought it would make a great human interest article for the Cedar Creek Gazette.” His drawl was rich with sarcasm. “Everybody loves a local hero, and this is just too interesting of a piece to pass up.”

  Rafe’s entire body tensed, and a muscle in his lean jaw ticked. “There isn’t a story for you here, Jason.” The warning vibrating in his voice was unmistakable.

  Jason chose to ignore Rafe’s unwelcome statement. “Sure there is,” he said, flashing a dazzling grin Lauren’s way that belied the tenacity in his gaze. “The entire town is all abuzz about your generous offer to entertain this foster child. You have to admit this is quite a surprise, considering what a recluse you’ve been this past year.”

  “What I do, and for what reasons, is nobody’s business but my own,” Rafe responded succinctly, proving more obstinate than the adversary he faced. “Find yourself another story. And the next time you ignore that NO TRESPASSING sign posted out front, I’ll be pressing charges.”

  Sparing Lauren a glance that spoke volumes of anger and frustration, Rafe turned and stalked away, favoring his right leg. With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she watched him head toward where Chad was playing with the goats and chickens, relieved to see Rafe tug playfully on the brim of Chad’s Stetson as he talked to the boy. At least Rafe’s animosity didn’t extend to Chad.

  “The man certainly knows how to pour on the charm, doesn’t he?” Jason reflected with cynical humor.

  “You know, this really isn’t a good time for an interview,” she said, returning her attention back to the man standing beside her. “Chad and I just arrived, and we’re exhausted from the long trip. We’ll be here for the next week, so maybe you could do this another time?” she offered—like after she discovered why Rafe was so opposed to an interview that would do more good for his reputation and Bright Beginnings, than harm.

  “You ready for bed, sleepy-head?” Lauren asked Chad, ruffling his hair affectionately.

  “Yeah,” he admitted sheepishly, not bothering to smother his tired yawn.

  It was nine o’clock in the evening, and the day’s excitement had finally taken its toll on Chad. She helped him get ready for bed, and situated him on the couch. Within minutes, the boy was fast asleep. The house grew quiet, and Lauren headed to the guest bedroom to unpack, then
took a quick shower and changed into her favorite cotton jersey nightshirt.

  As much as she wanted to talk to Rafe about this afternoon’s incident with Jason, he’d made it difficult for her to accomplish her goal by avoiding being alone with her for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He remained warm and friendly with Chad, who’d blossomed from Rafe’s attention as they continued their tour of the ranch. As for her, he’d been civil and polite when the need arose to address her, but there was no escaping the more resentful emotions simmering in his steel gray eyes when he looked at her.

  Even now, he was sequestered somewhere on his expansive ranch, avoiding her, no doubt. Well, she planned to wait him out.

  Determined to resolve the tension between them tonight so they’d have a chance of a pleasant week together, she grabbed the novel she’d started reading on the flight to Wyoming, crawled into bed, and immersed herself in the romantic suspense. The next thing she knew she’d dozed off, and it was Rafe’s heavy booted steps coming down the hall that woke her. By the time she’d scrambled out of bed and opened her door, he was already enclosed in his room, which was next to hers. She heard his shower turn on before she could knock.

  Blowing out an aggravated stream of breath, she braced her back against the wall next to the door and waited out the cycle. Another ten minutes, and she heard him moving around in his room, along with a drawer opening and closing. She gave him time to get dressed, then knocked lightly.

  “Yeah?”

  His rough and sexy voice strummed along feminine nerves, causing her pulse to quicken with nerves or excitement, she wasn’t sure. She shifted on her bare feet and forced out her request before she changed her mind. “I was wondering if we could talk.”

  He hesitated for so long, she began to think he wasn’t going to answer, or planned to refuse her. Finally, he said, “Come on in.”

  Opening the door, she stepped into his domain and instantly realized her mistake in being so bold. He stood in the center of the large room, surrounded by dark wood furnishings that matched his personality, casually tying the drawstring on his cotton sweat shorts. His black hair was damp and finger combed away from his face, his lips firm and unyielding, his muscular chest bare. Though she’d seen him without a shirt before, the sight of all that rugged, masculine perfection was no less breath-taking than the first time she’d laid eyes on those wide shoulders and washboard lean belly. His own brazen disregard for his lack of attire was as reckless and daring as the glint in his eyes, sparking lush, vibrant sensations deep within her.