Chapter Six
Jessica knew the instant Cal saw her.
A flush crawled up from her chest, not stopping until her cheeks glowed like the one red light in Cactus. She’d told Mabel she wasn’t sure she could pull off her “new look.”
. She hadn’t looked in Cal’s direction, too worried about what she’d see, so she was nearly thrown off balance when he grabbed her arm.
“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded in a guttural voice.
She looked at his features, harsh with anger, and shrank back. “Hi, Cal. How are you?”
“I was a damned sight better two minutes ago. Come with me.”
As if she had a choice. Oh, she could’ve made a scene. She knew Cal wouldn’t force her. But it was easier to go with him and get this confrontation over with.
They went through the swinging doors and Cal came to a halt, staring at the staff-filled kitchen.
Jessica almost giggled at his stunned expression. Did he think she did all the work herself? In nine restaurants? “My office,” she muttered, and became the leader of their two-person parade.
The space was scarcely large enough to be called an office, but it offered privacy, at least. She closed the door behind him and then leaned against the wall. “Well?”
“What are you doing dressed like that?”
She let one eyebrow slip up. She was prepared this time. “Enjoying myself. Being feminine.”
Cal’s mouth gaped and he struggled to speak. Finally he managed to get out a few words. “That outfit’s even worse than last night’s!”
Jessica smiled. Mabel had expressed the same sentiments only in different terms, accompanied by a wicked smile. Jessica had told herself it wouldn’t make a difference, but she’d also decided it wouldn’t hurt to torture Cal.
“No, it’s not!” The halter neckline of her dress framed her voluptuous figure, exposing her back and shoulders, the vee-shaped front dipping scandalously low. The lightweight floral-print material seemed to float when she walked. The skirt stopped about three inches above her knees.
“We’re almost into winter,” Cal roared. “You’re going to catch pneumonia.”
He pronounced his words with all the arrogance of a doctor, sure he had a direct line to God.
“Cal, it’s only October and we’re experiencing Indian summer. It’s eighty-five degrees out, for goodness’ sake.”
“It could be a hundred and five and you’d still need to be covered up.”
“If it’s that cold, why are you sweating?”
He ran a finger around the neck of his T-shirt. “We’re not talking about me.”
“We’re not talking about me, either. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to greet the rest of my customers.”
“Jess, at least put on a sweater,” he pleaded.
“This dress would look ridiculous with a sweater.” She said it calmly, as if fashion chic was her only concern.
“You’re right. It would look better under a raincoat,” Cal said, his clenched jaw making his words come out tightly.
“Are you on that ridiculous kick about what a temptation I am?” She stared at him. “I’m not exactly Marilyn Monroe.”
“Aw, baby,” he said, his voice suddenly husky. “Marilyn Monroe couldn’t hold a candle to you. You’re the prettiest woman in Cactus.” He lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, hair she’d left loose again today to curl down her back.
She leaned a little closer, drawn by his touch. “Are you going to show me what could happen to a woman if she dresses too sexy?”
As if mesmerized by her gaze, he leaned toward her, pulling even closer, until only a breath separated their lips. “Yeah,” he began softly, “I’ll show—”
She didn’t wait for him to complete his sentence. Her hands flattened on his hard chest and her lips met with his, her tongue darting into his mouth, eager to taste him again.
With a groan, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her softness tightly against him, opening his mouth and joining her in her feast.
Excitement raced through Jessica as she surrendered herself to Cal. He was hers, she could feel it. At least for this moment. Her fingers slid under his T-shirt, stroking the hair-covered chest, wishing she could follow her hands with her tips.
Cal ground his manhood against her, letting her know how hot he’d become in thirty seconds, and one hand inched closer to her breast, his thumb coming daringly near the vee of her dress.
The knock on the door functioned like a pail of cold water thrown at Jessica. It took Cal a little longer to gain control,
“Yes?” she demanded, her voice breathy.
“You have a phone call,” Nita said.
Jessica stared at the desk where a telephone sat. Had it rung and they’d both ignored it? She certainly hadn’t heard it.
“Um, okay, I’ll pick up in here.”
Cal immediately backed away. Then, as she moved to the desk, he opened the door, intent on hurrying away.
“Cal, wait,” Jessica called, not yet picking up the receiver.
“I apologize,” he muttered, but he never looked at her. He just charged out of that small space as if a hundred demons were chasing him.
WHAT HAD COME OVER HIM? If they hadn’t been interrupted, he’d have taken her right there, up against the door, like a wild animal. Jessica. His little Jessica.
Cal was thoroughly ashamed of himself. It had been a while since he’d been with a woman, he admitted, but he was older now. Not so randy.
Or at least that’s what he’d thought. But if he couldn’t be trusted with Jessica, who could he be trusted with? She’d already let him know his mother’s scheming upset her.
Of course, her behavior hadn’t been completely innocent, either. Dressing like that, kissing him. But she expected him to protect her. She was inexperienced. It wasn’t her fault that he couldn’t control himself.
She probably wanted to test her feminine wiles. He’d heard that young women did that Especially if they’d been sheltered for a period of time. God knew he’d tried to shelter Jessica. So maybe he’d taught her a lesson today. Maybe she knew now not to play with fire.
And maybe he could put out the fire one more time.
In the men’s room he splashed his face with cold water until he gained some semblance of control. Then he rejoined his friends.
“You get Jessica straightened out?” Tuck asked, a grin on his face.
“No. I think I’m going to have to accept her behavior until I find her a husband. She’s real determined.”
Tuck’s smile faded.
Spence frowned at Cal. “You’re sure she’s not interested in you?”
“I’m sure. Now, let’s make a list. What eligible men do we know?”
His three friends, after exchanging sad looks, leaned forward and put their minds to the topic. Soon they came up with five men. Good men. A banker, a rancher, the drugstore owner, a home builder, and, last but not least, the young minister who’d come to town last spring.
“I’m not sure about Tony.” It was Spence who named the minister.
“What’s wrong with him?” Cal asked.
“Nothing, really. But the way Jessica’s dressing. he might not be interested.”
Cal bristled. “She may be dressing a little suggestively, but he’ll be interested. Believe me,” he assured them, his cheeks flushing. Jessica could tempt a saint.
“Are you going to tell her now?” Mac asked, his gaze going past Cal to the young lady heading toward their table, her look apprehensive.
“Why?”
‘“Cause here she comes.”
Cal spun around to stare at Jessica. She didn’t look happy. He understood. She was embarrassed about what had happened as much as he was. Of course she was. She wasn’t used to a man’s hunger.
It was up to him to make her feel at ease.
“Hi, baby. Was the phone call serious?”
“It was Alex. She wanted to set up a closing for
the purchase of the restaurants.” She didn’t look at him.
“Well, hey, I have some good news,” he assured her, pasting on a brilliant smile. He was able to hold it in place until she’d glanced at him and looked away again.
“What’s that?”
“We’ve come up with some potential husbands for you.”
Mac stood and pulled another chair over between him and Cal. When he gestured for Jessica to sit, she slipped into the seat he’d been occupying, leaving the chair beside Cal for Mac.
That hurt. She wouldn’t even get that close to him. Was she afraid he’d grab her again? Here in public? He slid the list toward Jessica. “What do you think of these as potential husbands?”
She glared at him before picking up the paper. “They look fine,” she said after a moment.
His heart took another bruising. He’d hoped she’d look at the names and refuse to consider any of them. In fact, he told himself she might not have such an aversion to him as he’d thought, if she wasn’t interested in the five sterling citizens he’d listed.
“So...” He cleared his throat. “Which one would you like to start with?”
“Whoever’s on top. I bought some more new clothes today, so I’m prepared to wow him.” She leaned forward, drawing everyone’s gaze to her breasts, and grabbed Cal’s beer, taking a long drink.
Cal stared at her. She never drank beer. In fact, she never drank any alcohol. What was wrong with her?
“Want Nita to bring you one of your own?” Tuck asked, staring at her.
“No, thanks, but tell her to bring all of you another round, on the house. After all, you should be rewarded for finding some husband material for me.” She stood, ignoring their stares. “I’ve got to go. Let me know when you’ve bribed the first one on the list to go out with me, Cal. I’ll be ready.” She gave him a devilish smile and walked away.
His face heated up as he remembered just how ready she’d been a few moments ago in her office. Damn! What was wrong with the girl?
Mac leaned toward Cal. “What happened when you and Jessica went to the kitchen?”
Cal whipped his head around to stare at his friend. “Huh?”
“What happened—”
“Nothing! Nothing. She got a phone call. We didn’t really get a chance to talk.” That was the truth. He’d been too busy kissing her.
“She sure is acting strange,” Spence said softly, staring at Cal. “Like her feelings are hurt or something.”
Or something. She was regretting his behavior, Cal felt sure. Maybe she’d started out teasing him, testing his control, but she’d discovered he didn’t have any. He must’ve frightened her.
But she hadn’t acted scared at the time. He supposed women could get as carried away with sex as men. Maybe.
“Are you sure you want to go ahead with this?” Spence asked, nodding at the paper Jessica had left on the table.
“Yeah, I’m sure. You heard her. She liked the list,” Cal said. He had to marry her off to someone else, so he couldn’t touch her. Otherwise he’d lose her as a friend.
And he’d have nothing.
JESSICA STARED at her purchases. When she’d returned from Lubbock with Mabel, she’d had such hopes. Once more she’d let Mabel convince her to try for Cal’s heart.
Instead she’d reached his libido.
She took her purchases, wadded them into a ball and threw it into the back of her closet So much for sexy dressing. She’d never thought women who dressed that way were smart, anyway. They were simply putting their bodies on the market.
What they got in return were bodies.
She wanted a heart.
Cal’s heart.
With a sigh, she sank down onto her bed. She’d told herself she’d get on with her life.
Now she had a list of names. She’d go out with all of them, if Cal could convince them. And one of them would become her husband, the father of her children, her companion for the later years.
He just wouldn’t be the love of her life.
MABEL HAD ASSUMED that Jessica would spend Saturday night with Cal. Dressed as she’d been, Jessica could have convinced a eunuch to spend the evening with her.
Preparing for church the next morning, she said to her husband, “Ed, you don’t have any objections to Jessica, do you?”
Ed frowned at her, distracted from putting his belt through the pants loops. “Objections to Jessica? For what? I think she’s terrific. I love her like you do.”
“I thought so,” Mabel said with a warm smile. “It will be so great when she and Cal marry.”
Ed looked as if he’d been poleaxed. “Did I miss something here? Who said they were getting married?”
“Me. I’m going to get them married and then I’ll get a grandbaby. And I’ll win the bet.”
Ed stepped toward her. “Woman, don’t mess with Cal’s personal life.”
Mabel smiled. He reminded her a lot of their courting days. He’d tried to boss her then, too. “Why, whatever do you mean, Edward Gene Baxter?”
“You know what I mean. Leave Cal alone.”
“You don’t want Cal and Jess to marry?”
“I think it would be great As long as it’s their idea and not yours.”
Mabel blinked her eyes, wringing a few tears to affect Ed. “You know Cal is my only child, my pride and joy. I would never do anything to hurt him.”
Since they’d lost several babies after Cal, early in her pregnancies, Ed responded as she’d known he would. His arms came around her and he pulled her against him. “Aw, sweetheart, I know that.”
She rubbed her nose against his neck. “Hmm, you smell good. Maybe we should be late to church,” she whispered, her lips emphasizing her invitation.
He gently swatted her backside. “Behave yourself, woman. I’ve got that activity planned for a leisurely afternoon. Wouldn’t want to have to rush it, would we?”
“Why, Ed, I had no idea. I thought you’d be watching the Cowboys.” Every Sunday, Ed watched his favorite football team.
“They’re playing on Monday night.”
“O-oh! Good for them,” she said before she gave him a kiss of promise for his afternoon plans.
Later, in church, she searched for Jessica. She finally arrived late, dressed in an ultraconservative navy-blue suit, not the kelly-green, formfitting suit with the very short skirt that they’d purchased the day before.
As soon as the service was over, Mabel headed for Jessica. “What’s wrong? Where’s the green suit?”
“It’s not working, Mabel. It only makes Cal work harder to find a husband for me. He’s already prepared a list.”
“He probably made that list before he saw you last evening. He did see you, didn’t he?”
“Yes. And I think he made the list afterward.”
“I can’t believe he—”
“Hi, Mom. Jessica.”
The subject of their discussion stood a couple of feet away.
Mabel stared first at her son’s closed features and then Jessica’s. She took a step toward him. “Aren’t you going to give me a kiss?”
“Sure,” he said, dropping a kiss on her cheek. His gaze slid to Jessica and then away. She was staring off into space, as if fascinated by the drifting clouds.
“Well, how about you both come home with us for dinner? I can make—”
“No, I can’t!” Jessica protested, panic in her voice.
“Sorry, I have plans,” Cal said at the same time. He took a deep breath, then added, “I’ve got to talk to Trevor Heywood about something.”
Mabel looked at Jessica sharply as her cheeks flooded with color. Was Trevor one of the ones on the list?
Trying to act nonchalant, she said, “Oh? Are you planning on taking out a loan? Your father and I—”
“Don’t worry, Mom. It’s nothing like that. I’ve got to go. See you. Jess, I’ll give you a call.”
He didn’t wait for an answer, and Jessica seemed relieved.
“Well! Is T
revor’s name on the list?”
“Yes,” Jessica muttered.
Mabel watched as tears filled the child’s eyes. She wanted to hold her and promise that Cal wouldn’t hurt her, but she couldn’t. “Come eat with us, dear. It’ll make you feel better.” Ed would understand about canceling their plans, once she told him about Jessica’s tears.
Jessica blinked her dark lashes several times and tried a smile. It wasn’t very good, but it was better than the tears. “Thanks, Mabel, but I have some things to do this afternoon. I’m going to Dallas tomorrow to complete the sale of the restaurants.”
“Oh, my. Do you need me to go with you?”
“No, I’ll manage. Thank you for offering, though.”
“All right, dear. But I haven’t given up. I want you to know that.”
Jessica didn’t seem thrilled with her promise.
USUALLY CAL SHED the tailored pants and a dress shirt five minutes after getting home from church. Today, he’d kept them on.
Now he crawled out of his truck in front of a large brick home in the best neighborhood in town. Trevor Heywood certainly seemed to be a successful man. That was important. Cal didn’t want anyone marrying Jessica for her money.
He strode to the door, afraid to wait any longer, knowing he’d prefer getting in his truck and returning home.
Trevor himself answered the door.
“Cal? Come on in,” he boomed, closing the door behind the two of them.
“Are you alone, Trevor? I need to talk to you.”
Trevor’s eyebrows rose. He was a pleasant-looking man, but his features were a little soft, round. His handshake was loose, flabby. He always made Cal think of Porky Pig, even though he wasn’t really overweight and he still had hair. Some.
“I hope nothing’s wrong. I mean, one of my customers isn’t in trouble, is he?”
His customers. The man acted as though he owned the bank. Of course, his father did, so maybe he was justified in feeling that way.
“No, of course not. It’s...it’s personal.”
“You got money troubles, Cal?” Trevor asked in surprise as he led the way into a large room expensively furnished with sofas and a big-screen TV.
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