by Debra Holt
“Sorry about that. Once again, my sisters aren’t very subtle.”
“I think they’re both pretty smart. And I appreciate their help any time I can get it.”
There went those pulses again… off to the races. And especially so when his hand went to her elbow to help her navigate over the uneven ground as they stepped off the sidewalk. The truck was parked a little way from the house, among all the other vehicles. The lighting further from the house wasn’t as bright and shadows lengthened here and there. She tried to flip through her brain to find something to say.
“It was a…”
“Thanks again for…”
Ty laughed and shook his head when they both broke the silence at the same time. “Ladies go first.”
“I just wanted to say thanks again for everything. You’ve made this a relatively painless operation... just as you promised when you talked me into it.”
“I always try to keep my word. I’m just glad you seem to be enjoying yourself in all of this. That was my real goal.”
She slowed her steps and cast a glance up at him. It was hard to see his expression, but his voice had lowered in sincere tones. His steps slowed until they both stopped. The hand at her elbow turned her to more fully face him.
“Look Calla, I think you’re a smart lady. You’ve figured out, or at least I hope you have, that I’m interested in anything that makes you glad you’re here in McKenna Springs. I figure if you’re happy here, then you might not want to ever leave again. That would make me very happy. In case that’s not plain enough, I like you Calla… more than a little… more like a helluva lot.” He kissed her then. It was different from his other kisses. It carried a depth of emotion and meaning in its warmth and the way it took possession of her lips, his arms drawing her inside them and holding her tight against his body. He was speaking more in his actions… feelings that he wanted to share for so long. And she listened and responded with her own emotions. In his arms, with his mouth on hers, there wasn’t anything else that mattered. That fact had been realized early on and only compounded each time he touched her. A corner had been turned, another door opened in their relationship with that kiss.
Laughter echoed from the patio and carried over to them on the breeze that had picked up. The fact they weren’t alone seeped in to first her mind, and then to Ty’s, his hold lessening on her, his lips trying to pull themselves away from hers, but having some trouble in doing that. She needed to help in the process. His mouth went to her forehead, his breath warm next against her ear. “After this crazy weekend is over, we need to spend some time alone… nothing on our schedules, no one around, no interruptions. Agreed?”
Trying to catch her breath and get control of her senses, she nodded, then was able to respond. “I agree.”
“Then I’ll keep that in mind every second of the next three days and that will make it all worthwhile. Sweet dreams, Calla.” A brief kiss went on her cheek and they covered the remaining distance to the truck. He raised a brief wave as Calla pulled the truck out of the yard, Jaz sending a returning wave and a cheeky wink.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Coffee? Calla opened one eye, reading the fact her alarm had fifteen more minutes before it went off. Surely not. Jaz would never be out of her bed willingly on her own. Her eyes went to the cat curled up at the foot of the bed, next to her feet. The cat had opened one eye and then closed it. Nope, Tiger couldn’t be the culprit. That took in the sum total of the living creatures in her house. Tossing back the covers, she sat up, her hand switching off the alarm before it could sound. She stuffed her feet into the pair of scuffs beside her bedside and grabbed the terry robe off the chair, trying to shove her arms in the sleeves while still waking up.
Crossing the hall, she stopped at the top of the stairs. There was a faint light coming from the hallway that led to the kitchen. What is going on? Now she wished she had a large dog instead of a sleeping cat… or a baseball bat even. But then what smart robber would be making coffee in her kitchen? She eased down the stairs, skipping over the third one from the bottom that had a loud creak in it. Moving down the hall, she came to a stop in the kitchen doorway. Her hands went to her hips, head shaking.
“Seriously, Lily? Coffee on, making homemade biscuits… and you look as fresh as a daisy at this awful hour of the morning? When did you come in?”
Lily looked up from rolling out the dough and beamed a bright grin. “I got here late last night. I snuck in and tried to not wake you and Jaz. I was so keyed up about today that I couldn’t stay in bed much longer, so I decided to have breakfast waiting for you guys.”
Calla went over and gave her shoulders a squeeze in a hug. “We need you here more often to take care of us. I’m going to grab a cup of the coffee and then hit the shower really quick before those biscuits get out of the oven. Be right back.”
Calla paused on her return to the upstairs hallway. She tapped on the door on her right. No answer. She opened the door and stepped inside, her gaze taking in a jumble of sheets and quilt and pillows and buried under them all was Jaz. Bending over, she moved her coffee cup closer to the sleeping woman’s nose… once, then twice. An eyelid began to twitch. “Rise and shine, princess. There’s coffee ready and biscuits coming out of oven soon.”
“Since when do you cook?” The words were just a bit more than a jumble.
“Since a good fairy named Lily found her way into the kitchen and has the morning ready to start on the right foot. So, get a move on.”
There were more words coming out in a jumble, but Calla didn’t stay to listen. By the tones, they weren’t going to be as sweet anyway.
Calla downed the coffee, which gave her more energy to enjoy the hot shower which revived her for the day ahead. Her mind tried to concentrate on the list in her head of things needing to be done, but the kiss from the night before and Ty’s words kept interrupting everything else. What was happening to her? She came to McKenna Springs because it was a duty and it was also a refuge… a place to lick her wounded pride and get back to the smart woman she used to be… before the fiasco with Barclay and the law firm. She hadn’t come back to get involved with another man. But that seemed to be what she had done. She hadn’t planned on it. She hadn’t wanted anything to do with the cowboy mayor. He had rubbed her the wrong way from the moment he looked at her across the bar that morning… right before she sprayed him with beer. She couldn’t help the smile that came at the memory. They had certainly gotten off to a roaring start.
Ty Conners was unlike any man she had ever known… certainly the other side of the coin from Barclay Kirkwood. Ty was good and decent, and people respected him for being just that. He rescued kittens out of trees. And damsels out of rivers… although he did play a large part in putting said damsel in that river to begin with. He noticed the changes she had made in the business and gave her credit for her hard work. His actions told her that he cared, and his kisses had punctuated his intent. He made her feel special and to feel things she had never felt before. There were such possibilities just around the corner… and today was just the beginning. The smile didn’t leave her face as she dressed for the day and was still there as she stepped into the kitchen again.
“Don’t you look all bright and ready for the day?” Lily noted her arrival as she turned from the refrigerator, the tub of butter and jar of blackberry jam in her hands. She sat them on the table in front of Jaz. “Doesn’t she look great?”
Jaz sat slumped in her chair, still in her robe and pajamas, her eyes closed while her hands wrapped around the coffee mug in front of her. She opened her eyes and gave her sister the once over. “Could that green top be any more glaring?”
Calla glanced down at the lime green and white check of the western cut shirt she had chosen for the first day. Along with the jeans and new brown boots, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and a lime green ribbon tied around it, she thought she looked like a proper country girl ready for a country fair.
“Well, I have to say I
really am not feeling that look you’re pulling off today,” Calla said, sliding into her chair. “The dark blue of that terry cloth is really blah… don’t you agree, Lily?”
“I think you’re right, Calla.” Lily made a pretense of studying Jaz with a critical eye. “You might want to rethink the hairstyle, too. That bushy, slept-in look isn’t the best style for you.”
“If I wasn’t still asleep, I might try to laugh at your feeble attempt at a comedy team. Instead, I’m going to find my shower.”
“We leave in half an hour for the fair grounds. Last one to the truck gets to judge the pickled beets.” The only reply to Calla’s warning was the slamming of the bathroom door.
While Calla finished her breakfast, Lily prepared a couple of sausage biscuits for Jaz and grabbed a bottle of orange juice to go along with them. She placed them in the paper bag while Calla placed her dishes inside the dishwasher and then turned it on. Tiger’s food and water dishes were filled, and she gave the kitten a swift hug before grabbing her bag. She and Lily paused at the front door.
“We’re leaving now. Five-minute warning!” She called toward the upstairs landing. No reply came. The pair headed toward the SUV in the driveway. The sun had risen above the horizon and the sky was bright blue and clear.
“I’m glad I brought some extra sunscreen in my bag. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone with this sleeveless blouse.” Lily settled into the front passenger seat.
Calla glanced her way. “You’ll be fine. I really like that bright pink top. Your white jeans might not be so white at the end of this day if you hang around the rodeo arena too long though. Just stick to the fair buildings and you’ll be okay.”
“Didn’t think about that. That shows what a city girl I am.”
“You’ll get the hang of it. If I can do it, you certainly can,” Calla grinned. Her grin widened when she caught sight of Jaz coming down the steps of the front porch.
Lily shook her head. “How can she do it? In thirty minutes she transforms to look like a model whose spent hours getting ready. It’s not fair.”
The back door opened, and Jaz climbed in. Calla turned the key in the ignition. “Just in time.”
“Remind me again why we have to leave so early?” Jaz pulled a lipstick and small mirror out of her shoulder bag. She made an O with her lips and carefully touched up her mouth. Pleased with what she saw, she snapped the lid on the compact. “And what is it you volunteered me for today?”
“You’re judging canned items, along with two other people. One of which does have experience in doing this before at other fairs so just follow their lead. Before the judging begins, you’ll help check in the items and tag them correctly.”
“You weren’t kidding about the pickled beets, were you?”
Calla smiled at her sister in the rearview mirror. “Nope.”
“And what do you get to do, Lily?”
“I’ve got floral arrangements and handicrafts. Then, in the afternoon, I’ll do baked goods.”
“I see who is the favored sister around here.” Jaz made the dry comment, pretending indignation.
“Be careful with that crying towel… don’t mess up that perfect makeup.” Calla shot over her shoulder in a good-natured parry.
“Doesn’t this sound like it used to be when we were all home together and we’d be on a car trip someplace with mom and dad?” Lily smiled at the remembrance. Then her voice softened. “I sure wish they were here to see us now. Whatever would they think of Calla running the hall and the three of us participating in a country fair no less… especially you, Jaz.”
“I’m sure dad would be nodding his head and taking full credit for raising us the right way. Mom would be shaking her head and thinking where did she fail in trying to make us proper ladies,” came the response from the back seat.
“I think they’re both smiling right now and saying, ‘you go girls… don’t stop now.” Lily’s grin widened as she shared it with her sisters.
“Ever the eternal optimist,” Calla agreed. “And I think you’re right, little sister. We are all seizing a brand-new day.”
“Some of us are taking that to heart more so than the other two.” Jaz’s cryptic remark brought Calla’s eyes for a brief glance in the rearview mirror again.
“I would have to agree with that.” Lily nodded beside her.
“Just what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know what… or should I say, who… I am talking about. Lily and I are pretty pleased with our matchmaking skills. You can thank us anytime now.”
“I don’t know what you both think you know or don’t know, but I doubt your matchmaking skills were involved. And as I have stated before, stay out of my love life. You two need to concentrate on your own.”
“Me thinks she doth protest too much,” Lily recited the quote in her own manner. “And I agree I don’t have much of a love life to interest anyone, so I live vicariously through yours. Don’t begrudge me that.”
“You’ll find the perfect man for you when you least expect it, little sister. Just enjoy the browsing time until then.”
“That is sage advice from your sister, Jaz,” Calla noted. “It’s her love life we should all be concentrating on. I’m thinking there might be something sparking there?”
Lily half-turned in her seat to look more fully at her middle sister in the back seat. “Really? Who? Why haven’t I heard about this?”
“Because there isn’t anything to tell. I really don’t have any interest in any male I’ve met in McKenna Springs yet.” Jaz turned her gaze to the view outside her window, projecting a bored look.
“Sorry, not buying the act,” Calla told her. “There are definitely vibes between her and our fire chief, although I’m thinking it might be time to fan those embers some and get the fire started.”
“Believe me,” Jaz replied, boredom gone. “I don’t think the fire chief knows how to start a fire… he’s too good at putting them out. Therefore, I’m not wasting my time in that direction.”
Lily and Calla exchanged glances with each other that clearly stated they didn’t buy half of what she was selling them. But they let the subject drop… for the moment. They were pulling into the fair grounds that was already a beehive of activity, cars and truck and trailers moving in and out of the parking lots and people hurrying about the buildings and grounds. Calla had a special parking pass, so she was able to park in a space close to the main building.
“Time to get our running shoes on ladies,” Calla said, shutting off the engine. “Lily you have building A, and Jaz, you’re in C. Let’s divide and conquer!”
“Where will you be today?” Jaz asked, sliding from the truck. “In the office?”
“She’s with me,” came the reply from one of the tall figures heading their way. Ty and Reid and the younger Tucker Tremayne, had exited the building and seen their arrival. Ty spoke up, and Calla stood still but her insides were anything but. She put a general smile of greeting on her face to encompass them all.
“Good morning, everyone. We are here and ready to get to work.”
“You know, Reid,” Tucker spoke up, doffing his hat to the ladies in timeless cowboy manners. “I’d say Ty here got the best job if he has Miss Rose for an assistant. How’d he do that?”
Calla grinned at the man, but Ty made the reply. “I’m the smarter one.”
“And I’m going to go put my tall boots on if he’s planning to keep this up,” Reid commented with a dryness that belied the hint of humor in his eyes. “Ladies, I will see everyone later.” He made certain to tip his hat before he left. Calla noted that his eyes made a swift trip in Jaz’s direction, but she was keeping her interest in some place toward the rodeo arena. The man’s gaze returned to them and he headed in the opposite direction. She made a note to have a talk with her sister in the not too distant future.
“Ready, Calla?” Ty was waiting with a warm gleam in his eyes. If he planned to look at her all day in such a manner, then she wouldn’t stand
a chance.
“I am, but mind telling me what I’m ready for?”
“I think I’ll leave on that note.” Tucker smiled at the group. “You ladies have a good day and we’ll see you all tonight at the rodeo. I hope you’ll make use of the seats we have outside the announcer’s box if you’d like. It’ll give you a good view of everything happening.”
“We’d love to, thank you,” Calla responded, as did Jaz and Lily.
“See ya’ll later.”
They all parted, headed for their own duties. Calla fell into step beside Ty. She couldn’t help noting how good he looked. The crimson color of his western shirt and starched blue jeans looked good on his body. The black boots and black hat made the cowboy aura sexy as all get out. He had to be the best-looking man at the fair… and she was with him all day and evening. How would she be able to concentrate? She needed to find a way and fast as she walked beside him into a large barn area. The dust was already in the air from the people and animals moving about and she coughed a couple of times, her eyes adjusting to the dimmer lighting and her nose to the smells.
“What are we doing here?” she asked, eyeing the size of some of the cattle being led into stalls, rows upon rows of them. She had never seen so many in one spot. A person could get trampled on if you didn’t keep an eye out. She had moved a bit closer to the tall man beside her.
He was checking a clipboard in his hand. Then he handed it over to her.
“You’re going to take this sheet and go down each row and double check that the entries are here and checked in. Then you’ll meet me at the show barn office in the southeast corner when you’ve done that.”
“I see.” Cattle. She was going to be looking at a lot of cows. “And if any are missing?”
“Then you’ll need to find them.” He gave her a grin at that point. “Don’t worry, I know you can handle it. See you in a little bit. You have my cell if you need me.” With a wink, he was heading off in the opposite direction. She was on her own. Calla looked at the cow being led past her at that moment. It flicked its long tail and almost hit her in the face. She side-stepped just in time. Great. Just great.