“Not we,” Trace said.
Rachel gave him the evil eye.
Matt frowned, processing the information, then turned and swung a look toward the living room. “Why?”
“Money,” Rachel said quietly. “This economy has been tough on ranchers.” She shrugged, and glanced over her shoulder to make sure no guests were within earshot. “This won’t be forever.”
Cole and Trace had already returned to their game, but Matt looked troubled. Thoughtfully sipping his beer, he kept his gaze on the pool table, but his mind was obviously working overtime. This wasn’t the time or place to get into this particular topic. Not that she ever wanted to discuss the family’s financial woes with Matt or anyone.
While he was distracted by her brothers, it was nice to have a few minutes to check him out. His chest was broader now, so were his shoulders. He’d always been lean with just enough muscle to make her want to skim her palms over his chest and back. But he was a bull rider now. And staying on such a powerful animal required strength and balance. It meant being in top physical condition. Matt looked the part.
She drew in a long slow breath, her gaze falling to his exposed forearms. He’d turned back the sleeves of his navy blue shirt since he’d come inside or else she would’ve noticed all that sleek corded muscle before now. Even the denim couldn’t hide his strong thighs, and God, she really had to stop looking.
“I was hoping I’d find y’all back here.”
Nikki’s voice startled her. Rachel abruptly turned to the door, guilt warming her cheeks because she’d completely forgotten about the woman. “Oh, good, you found us,” Rachel said lamely.
“This is a cool house.” Nikki smiled, not looking as though she felt neglected or annoyed. She had a beer in her hand, not in a glass but the bottle, half of it already gone.
“Hey, Nik.” Matt held a hand out to her, and she slipped past Rachel to go to his side.
“Hi,” she said to Cole and Trace before Matt could introduce them—probably because they’d both stopped playing to look at her. Trace automatically set down his cue.
“This is my friend, Nikki,” Matt said, then pointed his bottle. “That’s Cole. And Trace.”
Okay, he’d said friend, not wife, though Rachel had already decided they weren’t married. But did friend mean girlfriend? Friend with benefits? What?
“Y’all are Rachel’s brothers.” Nikki shook back her shiny sable hair, a practical gesture and not the least flirty. But then she was one of those women who would look sexy flossing her teeth. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Hello, Nikki.” Cole set aside his beer just as Jamie appeared holding a six-pack in each hand and cradling one to her side. “And that’s Jamie, my better half.”
“We’ve already met,” Nikki said, passing her bottle to Matt and then taking the extra six-pack from Jamie. “You should’ve told me...I would’ve helped.”
Rachel started to jump in but realized they didn’t need her. That didn’t stop Trace from rushing to the fridge ahead of them and opening the door. He crouched in front of the two empty bottom shelves letting Jamie pass him the bottles, which he laid on their sides to maximize space.
“You putting anything else in here?” he asked before getting up. The question was meant for Jamie and Rachel, but his gaze lingered on Nikki.
He was cool about it, not making an ass out of himself, or being obvious, but Rachel knew him too well. For one thing, as willing as he was to help when she asked for it, he wasn’t one to volunteer.
“Sandy and Krista are bringing two more,” Jamie said. “But I think they took a detour first.”
Trace nodded and straightened. Rachel saw the set of his jaw and knew he’d forgotten about the other two and probably hoped they stayed detoured.
The room was spacious even with the massive stone fireplace, pool table, overstuffed leather couch and club chairs. But the way the furniture was set up, if you weren’t playing pool, you either stood and watched or sat by the fire. It had never been a problem when it was just the family, but since taking in guests who often converged here after dinner, Rachel had to rethink the arrangement.
After their game was finished, Cole and Trace quit playing in favor of talking to Matt and Nikki. They moved to the couch and chairs along with Jamie, and the table was quickly claimed by a pair of wranglers who’d come in after dinner and were keeping the guests entertained.
Sandy and Krista seemed determined to stick close to Trace, and though Rachel could tell he was unhappy with the situation, there was really nothing she could do about it.
Three women had accompanied the wranglers, and a few minutes later, two more had wandered in to cheer the men on. With so many people squeezed in, the room was noisy and too warm, and making Rachel itchy for some fresh air and solitude. As soon as she could slip away, she picked up empty glasses and carried them to the kitchen.
Relieved to be alone, she opened the dishwasher. The sink had been clear an hour ago when her mom had gone to lie down because of a headache. But dishes and glasses had accumulated and Rachel started loading them, glad to be able to hear herself think. It had been one hell of a day...a birthday she wasn’t likely to forget.
Matt Gunderson, here in the flesh. It still didn’t seem real. Every time her gaze had touched on him she’d received a small jolt of awareness. One minute he’d laugh or turn his head a certain way, looking like the old Matt, and the next, he was a handsome stranger who made her pulse race.
She would have to look him up on Google later. Just out of curiosity. Whether the thing he had with Nikki was serious or not, Rachel was quite clear where she stood in his eyes. Damn, but she really wished he hadn’t given her that peck on the cheek. If he hadn’t, at least she could’ve fantasized about him a while longer.
“Need help?”
Matt.
Aware her butt was sticking up in the air as she tried to reach the back row of the dishwasher, she calmly deposited the plate in a suitable slot, then straightened.
When she turned around he didn’t try to pretend he hadn’t been checking out her ass. Which just confused her. “Good timing on your part. I’m almost done.”
“You’re the birthday girl. You shouldn’t have kitchen duty.”
She shrugged. “Just another day.”
He set his empty bottle on the counter. “So you’ve stopped counting down right after Christmas?”
She smiled, surprised he remembered. “Every kid loves their birthday. I’m not a kid anymore.”
“No,” he said, his voice lowered, his gaze sweeping her lips. “You’re not.”
Rachel grabbed the dish towel off the counter, needing something to do. “You want another beer?”
“I’ve had two already. That’s enough.”
“I guess you have to keep yourself in good physical condition.” It was a perfectly innocent and natural observation. Except she panned the breadth of his shoulders, and her lips parted without permission. “Where’s Nikki?”
He motioned with his head. “She’s still talking to your brothers and Jamie. Cole has himself a real sweetheart. I can tell she’s good for him. He’s lightened up.”
“True. Jamie’s terrific. I’m glad she’s here. Wait a minute— You left Nikki with Trace?” She laughed. “Are you crazy?”
Matt grinned. “She can take care of herself.”
“Yeah, but—” Rachel turned away.
He caught her chin and drew her eyes back to his. “There’s nothing going on with Nikki and me. Okay?”
“None of my business.” Oh, hell. She had to ask.... “Then why would you bring her home?”
He let his hand fall away, but continued to study her face. After a drawn-out silence, he said, “It’s complicated.”
“Fair enough.” They were still standing close, and maybe she should’ve stepped back, but her brain was too busy processing this new information. He’d made a point of clarifying his relationship with Nikki.... “You sure don’t owe me an expla
nation.”
“There’s a good one.” He huffed out a short laugh. “But it’s not up to me right now. What about you? Anyone special?”
“Here? In Blackfoot Falls? Uh...no.” The condescension in her tone shamed her. Her brothers and Matt and lots of other men born and bred around the county were terrific guys and didn’t deserve the thoughtless remark.
Matt’s mouth quirked up on one side but he didn’t appear to take offense. “Anywhere?”
“No.” She bit her lip and fisted the dish towel. “That was a horrible thing for me to say. I didn’t mean it.”
He shrugged. “Frankly, I didn’t expect you to be here.”
“That, too, is complicated.” She saw amusement enter his eyes. “That’s not payback. I’m being serious.”
“It seems we have some catching up to do.” He lifted a lock of her hair, and she automatically moved closer. “Purple, huh?”
Oh, God, she’d forgotten. “Last year it was pink.”
His brows rose slightly. “So how long does it last?”
“Depends on how much I want to annoy Cole and Jesse, or put up with Trace’s crap.”
“Ah.” He smiled at her, really smiled, as if he was recalling fond memories of them sneaking off to Mill Creek.
They’d kissed there for the first time, and she wondered if he remembered. Not necessarily a good thing. She’d been horrifically inexperienced and it had taken a while for him to get her to relax. Turned out kissing a pair of warm lips was very different than practicing on the back of her hand.
With her luck, it was probably why he’d pecked her on the cheek earlier. That thought broke the warm fuzzy spell she’d been slipping under. She cleared her throat, moved back. “You’re taller.”
Matt blinked, the brief charged moment between them gone. “I think Trace and I were neck and neck when I left. He’s passed me by.”
“My brothers are giants. It’s that McAllister gene.” She stepped around him and closed the dishwasher door. “According to the family Bible, for five generations every McAllister male has topped out over six-two.”
“Trace has gotta be about that. I’m six feet and he’s not that much taller than me.”
For a second, Rachel feared she’d misjudged what could’ve led to a nice sexy kiss. Why else were they having this pointless conversation? She doubted Matt’s ego over being shorter than her brothers had anything to do with it. But then she barely knew Matt anymore. Knowing the boy didn’t mean she knew the man. It kind of depressed her because the odds weren’t in her favor. Who could say what success had done to him. In the rodeo world, a champion bull rider had status, money, more women than he knew what to do with. Matt was that guy now.
She rinsed out the sink, fine with letting the conversation lapse, but eventually she looked over at him.
He was leaning against the counter, watching her. “You take after your mom,” he said quietly. “Petite and—”
“I’m not petite. I’m five-five.”
“Whoa.” He chuckled. “I didn’t mean it as an insult.”
She bit off a response. Nikki and Jamie entered the kitchen, carrying more empty glasses and bottles. Rachel smiled, trying not to be grumpy because she no longer had Matt to herself. It was a small miracle that they’d managed to be alone for the fifteen minutes.
As soon as Matt heard Nikki’s voice, he straightened and picked up the bottle he’d left on the counter. “You recycle?”
Puzzled, Rachel nodded and pointed to the blue bin near the mudroom door. The question wasn’t necessarily odd, but his tone was more impersonal. He wouldn’t have lied about Nikki....
“Have you been cleaning up?” Jamie asked, depositing glasses in the sink. “Stop it. Today is supposed to be your day off.”
“Right.” Rachel sighed. “My mom has a headache so I’m pitching in.”
“Put me to work,” Nikki offered.
“No, but thanks.” Rachel hung the towel. “The dishwasher is full. We can let it run while we rejoin the party.”
Matt separated the new crop of bottles and carried them to the bin. “We need to shove off,” he said, and Nikki nodded solemnly. “I wanted to see your mom,” he said to Rachel. “Tell her I’ll come by again, would you?”
“Sure.” She tried not to look surprised, but she wasn’t aware Matt and her mother knew each other well enough that he’d pay her a special visit. “I could get her now.”
“No, don’t. I’ll be around for a while.”
Nikki swung a startled look at him. Clearly, she had other ideas.
5
“SHE HASN’T GOTTEN over you,” Nikki said, the moment they were bumping over the Sundance’s gravel driveway, headed for the highway.
“Who?”
“Oh, come on. You know I mean Rachel. Who I like very much, by the way, so you have my blessing.”
“Gee, thanks. I’m relieved.” Matt shook his head. The beer hadn’t mellowed him. He was irritable but couldn’t figure out why, and Nikki wasn’t helping. “To illustrate how little you know, she was sixteen when I left.”
Nikki laughed. “So you never...got down and dirty with her?”
“Were you not listening? Rachel was sixteen, Nik. Jesus.”
She sighed and let her head fall back against the headrest. “My brother, so honorable. Why can’t I find someone like you?”
It was his turn to laugh. “Careful what you wish for. I thought I’d have to plug Trace’s eyes back in his head when he saw you.”
She let out an unladylike snort. “Guys like him? Uh-uh. Hot? Yes. But he knows it. Uses it. No, thank you. I’ve had my share of those dogs. No more. I’m done.”
“You’re sure about that?” Remarkably cheered, Matt glanced over at her. “Because I don’t think you made yourself clear.”
She brought her head up. “You’re an ass.”
Matt just smiled. She’d called him worse. “I think you’re wrong about Trace.”
“Are you kidding me? Didn’t you see the way he was flirting with those two women?”
“I saw him being polite. The blonde was doing the flirting. But I reckon it doesn’t matter.”
“No, it doesn’t,” she murmured and stared off mutely into the darkness beyond her window. A few seconds later she asked, “How far away are we?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Want to go to the Watering Hole?”
“You’re gonna turn into a drunk trying to put off meeting Wallace.”
“So?” She paused. “What do you think? Watering Hole?”
“I’m not dying to see him either, you know.”
“Yeah, I do.” She fidgeted a minute, and then turned on the radio. Only garbled voices blasted from the speakers, so she obsessively pressed buttons.
The connection was poor this far east of Kalispell. He’d already told her earlier. “You won’t find anything.” He tugged at his collar, trying to loosen it. She was making him edgy. Coming out of nowhere, it struck him. “The chocolate cake—I finally got it.”
She turned off the annoying static. “What are you talking about?”
“You hate chocolate cake. I’d wondered what you were up to.... You were giving Rachel and me time alone.”
“So? I’m a thoughtful sister.” She reached for the knob again.
“Then you won’t mind leaving the damn radio off.”
Sighing, she slumped back. “You’re the only person I know who doesn’t keep CDs in their car.”
He ignored her and flicked on the brights. The moon hid behind an overcast sky and it was pitch-black all around them. “Rachel and I were friends. We used to go swimming at a creek up the hill behind the Lone Wolf.”
“Doesn’t mean she didn’t have the hots for you.”
Matt smiled. “Yeah, we had a mutual appreciation for each other. But mostly, we were friends.”
Nikki groaned. “Did you ever kiss?”
He was finally starting to settle down. “Now how in the hell is that your business?”
“It’s not,” she said, flipping her hair back. “So...did you?”
“Yeah, we kissed. Happy?”
“Tongue?”
“Goddammit, Nikki.”
“Okay,” she said, laughing. “Okay.”
“You guys are gonna get along great. You’re just like her, stubborn as a mule. For weeks Rachel badgered me into going with her to Mill Creek until I finally gave in. It was a damn miracle Wallace never caught me sneaking off.”
“What do you mean? Why would you have to sneak to go anywhere?”
Matt regretted his choice of words. Yeah, she already knew Wallace was the worst kind of father. On the other hand, it might help for her to see she hadn’t missed out on anything. “He was strict. No after-school sports or any activities. I had to come right home and do chores around the ranch. No exceptions.”
“That wasn’t strict—it was mean.” She leaned forward and squinted through the windshield at the upcoming signpost to Blackfoot Falls. He wondered if she realized they were about to turn off onto Lone Wolf land. “Could you have friends over?”
He grunted. “That would’ve been miserable and humiliating.”
“Yeah, good point. What about Cole and Trace and the other brother? You guys were friends. Didn’t you hang out?”
When he made the turn there was no mistaking they were close to the ranch. The air in the cab seemed to change. He could feel Nikki’s tension swelling. Might’ve been his own.
It took him a minute to recall their conversation. “Nah, they were into sports and other things, which was just as well. Wallace doesn’t like many people, but he outright hates the McAllisters.”
“Why? They’re so nice.”
“Who knows? Jealousy, maybe. Until our generation came along the tension went back way before I was born.” He’d unconsciously let up on the accelerator but it hadn’t taken long to see lights. “You know where we are, right?”
“I know,” she said softly. “I just don’t know if I really want to meet him.”
Since he couldn’t fault her for that, he kept his mouth shut and drove. Low voltage security lighting seeped out from the stables and both barns. A few floodlights shined toward the corral and calving shed and several outbuildings scattered way in the back. The bunkhouse was ablaze with light. By now the hands were sucking down booze, playing cards and swapping stories they’d already told a dozen times.
Your'e Still the One Page 5