He stared at her. “I’m only going to be here until Sunday. You can stand me that long, can’t you?”
She nodded, trying to hide her unease.
“Good. Now, tell me what you had in mind for your company. By the way, I don’t even know what kind of pictures you want to use. Cowboy shots, you said?”
Next to Mandy, her company was her pride and joy. With good reason. She’d created both of them. “My company’s name is Wyoming Bright. A lot of my customers are tourists, and when I saw you on the stage, I thought a cowboy would be perfect for my cards.”
“Makes sense. So, do I pose like a statue?”
Melissa swallowed at the immediate vision of Russ posing for her. In her art school days, she’d drawn men in the nude with no reaction. But her mouth suddenly went dry at the thought of Russ—no, she’d better not go there.
“Um, actually, I wanted to take some pictures of you. Sometimes I use photos on my cards. Even if I wanted to sketch, I could do it from the photos.”
“That sounds easy enough.”
“But you don’t have to do this! I release you from your promise. In fact, I insist that we’re even. Maybe not even. I probably owe you. That’s why I’m willing to pay—”
Russ ignored her. “What should I wear?”
Before she could try again, he stood and carried his dishes to the sink.
“But—”
“I have jeans and a plaid shirt. And boots. If we went out to the ranch, I could borrow a Stetson, maybe a belt buckle.”
“That’s fine, but—”
“Why did I need to bring a swimsuit?”
Now she really was embarrassed. “Oh, no reason. It was a stupid idea and—and I think you’ve suffered enough from my stupid ideas.”
He let that comment slide by and went off on another tangent. “What about Mandy? Will she come with us or stay with Mrs. Tuttle?”
Melissa was getting frustrated with herself for being so dithery. She had a job to do and she would do it. She stood. “I’ll take Mandy with us. You’ll need to be ready in half an hour.” She raised her chin and stared at him. “And bring your swimsuit.”
He grinned again. “I suspected there was a take-charge lady in there somewhere. Otherwise you wouldn’t have survived everything you’ve been through. Way to go!”
His approval pleased her more than she would have thought. It had been a long time since anyone had praised her. She swallowed again. “Thank you, and you have twenty-nine minutes left.”
He reached out and cupped one cheek, surprising her. The warmth of his touch almost undermined her determination. Almost. She stepped back, dislodging his hand.
“Don’t be so skittish,” he said, but he withdrew his hand, tucking it in his back pocket. “I don’t need that much time. Mandy seems content in her high chair for now, so go get dressed. I’ll watch her. After all, I’m not the one still dressed for bed.”
She stared down at herself, having completely forgotten she was still clothed in her ratty bathrobe and nightgown. What a morning! “Oh, of course, I—can you manage?”
He seemed offended by her doubt. “Of course I can. Though, as I’ve already told you, she’s the first baby I’ve ever been around. My friends don’t have babies.”
“None of them?” she asked incredulously.
He grimaced. “One or two have married and have children, but I usually don’t see them once they make those changes in their lives.”
“You just cut them out? Why?”
“Because they have other priorities, and we just don’t have that much in common anymore. Now, go get dressed. Mandy and I will manage. Shoo!”
He leaned toward her, as if to kiss her, and Melissa scurried from the room. She’d trust him with Mandy, but not with herself.
As she dressed, her mind drifted to their conversation.
What was wrong with the man? She’d offered him a way out. Again and again. She’d embarrassed him, almost had him arrested. Her neighbor had tried to imply they would have babies together. He had to be insane to hang around after such treatment.
What did he mean about needing to stay? She didn’t see how a weekend spent with her and Mandy would do anything for him. She was the one who’d planned to benefit by sleeping late, not him.
She recalled the look on his face when he said he needed to stay. Even if she didn’t know what he meant, he’d been sincere. At least she thought so. Maybe she should just accept that, for whatever reasons, Russ wanted to spend the weekend with her and Mandy. The least she could do was make sure everything went smoothly.
* * *
THINGS WEREN’T GOING SMOOTHLY.
A call to the ranch revealed that Lindsay was indeed in Denver, visiting a friend, as Melissa had thought. So Russ wouldn’t get a chance to visit with her.
He didn’t seem upset by that turn of events, but Melissa was for his sake. Sam Duncan, Lindsay’s uncle, had given them permission to come out and take photos, so they were on their way to the ranch, but Melissa was uneasy.
Mandy was in her car seat, of course, behind Russ. Next to her was the photography equipment, all the paraphernalia for a baby, and a picnic lunch.
“I think we should’ve leased a four-wheel-drive vehicle,” Russ muttered as they jolted over the unpaved road toward Lightning Creek, the nearest town to the ranch.
“My car may not look like much, but it’s very reliable,” she assured him.
As if she’d uttered a curse with those words, a loud pop startled her and almost threw the car off the road. “What was that?” she said in panic as she struggled to keep the car on the gravel road.
“Sounds like a blowout to me.”
As soon as she stopped, Russ opened his door and stepped out. “Yeah, right front tire is a goner. You do have a spare, don’t you?”
Of course she had a spare. Didn’t she? She’d never had a blowout before. She’d never changed a tire. Squaring her shoulders, she got out of the car. She’d figure it out. She had to.
“Of course. If you’ll, um, get Mandy and—and stand to one side, I’ll—” Do what? She usually didn’t drive out of Casper, but she was a member of an auto club. Would they come out here to change her tire?
Unfortunately she didn’t have a phone. They’d have to walk to the ranch and call the auto club from there. With a groan, she stared down the road. How much farther did they have to go?
“I have a better idea. You get Mandy and I’ll take care of the tire change.”
“No! It’s my responsibility.”
“Have you ever changed a tire before?” he asked.
She didn’t answer that question. “The instructions are quite clear. I’m sure—”
“I guess not,” he said dryly. He caught her by the shoulders. “I’ve changed a million of them. In college the car I had made yours look like a Mercedes. The tires were threadbare and didn’t last long.”
“How horrible! You could’ve been hurt or—”
He grinned again, that charming, devil-may-care grin that did strange things to her. “Yeah, but I survived. Now, step aside and watch my expertise.” He took the keys from her hand and went to the trunk of the car. “Get Mandy out, just in case the car slips off the jack.”
She hurriedly collected the baby, then followed him to the back of the car. “If we want to walk to the ranch, I can call the auto club I belong to.”
“That would take too long. Besides, I’m wearing cowboy boots, not jogging shoes. They’re not made for long walks.”
He hefted the small spare tire out of the trunk, along with her jack and tire tool. He did seem to know what he was doing, so Melissa stood back and watched him work. It was a strange experience, letting someone else carry the load.
“You’re supposed to be admiring my expertise, my musc
les,” Russ pointed out as he jacked up the car.
“I am,” she hurriedly said. “I apologize for your having to do this. I should’ve—”
“It’s not your fault. Your tires are in good shape. You must’ve hit something sharp.”
He’d already loosened the lug nuts. After he’d gotten the car up high enough, he took the flat tire off and slid the smaller-size replacement tire in its place. He would see about getting the tire fixed tomorrow. Five minutes later, they were ready to go.
“Got anything I can wipe my hands on? I’d hate to mess up the inside of your car.”
“Yes, of course.” She strapped Mandy into her car seat again and reached for her purse. Pulling out a bottle, she handed it to Russ. “This is a dry wash.”
He frowned. “A dry wash?”
“Yes, it’ll clean your hands without water. It might not do a perfect job, but it will help.”
“Very clever, Melissa. I’ve never used this stuff before.”
She smiled. “With a baby, you have to be prepared for everything. Sometimes Mandy isn’t as, um, sweet-smelling as she is right now.”
Russ chuckled and held up a hand. “I don’t want to know. But I can tell you horses aren’t much better. I could’ve used some of this when I had to clean out the stables.”
She was being seduced by his sense of humor.
That thought shocked her and she hurried around the car to the driver’s side. “Ready?” she asked as he slid in, keeping her gaze on the road.
“Yeah. Are you all right?”
“Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”
“You seem upset. Did I do something wrong?”
“No, not at all.” Nothing that she couldn’t handle. She needed to concentrate on business. After all, that had been the first idea for buying a bachelor. Best not to forget it.
* * *
UNCLE SAM, AS RUSS called him, was very helpful. Russ had given the old man a hug, greeting him warmly. Sam had been a confidant for many of the boys. Though semiretired now, he was still a much-loved presence at Lost Springs.
He loaned Russ his almost-new Stetson and a belt buckle he’d won at a local rodeo when he was a boy. “Now you look like a cowboy.”
Melissa seemed to agree. She nodded, smiling at him. “Sam’s right. That’s exactly the look I was hoping for.”
“Okay. What now?”
“Can we go to the barn? I think I’d like to pose you sitting on a bale of hay. Or maybe with a horse. I’ll get some ideas as we go along.”
“What about Mandy?” he asked.
Melissa was holding her daughter while Russ gathered the essentials. “I have a frame that allows me to carry her on my back, like a papoose.”
Sam stepped forward. “Well, now, I reckon I could carry the little girl. I’m not doing anything today.”
“Good idea, Uncle Sam,” Russ agreed without consulting Melissa. He lifted the baby out of her arms and passed her over to Sam.
Melissa started to protest, but she wasn’t sure why. She’d take the frame with them. Sam might have to leave them after a while. A model shoot took a long time.
She gathered all her equipment, but Russ lifted it out of her hands. “I can carry it,” she protested.
“You can, but why should you when I’m here? Except your camera, of course,” he added, nodding at the one in her hands. “I don’t want to mess up anything.” He started off in the direction of the barn with her tripod, camera bag and baby frame. Sam followed with Mandy. When Melissa realized she was about to be left behind, she hurried after them.
For the next hour, she had Russ pose beside a stall where a quarter horse was kept. The curious animal nosed Russ as he stood there, leaning against the stall door, and he reached out to rub the horse’s nose. Melissa caught it on film.
She had him sit on a bale of hay, one knee propped up and a blade of straw in his mouth. After several pictures, she asked him to tilt back the cowboy hat. She wanted to be sure his face could be clearly seen.
That face would sell a lot of cards.
As accommodating as he was, Melissa grew a little more daring. “Would you object to unbuttoning your shirt?”
His eyebrows rose. “Like at the auction?”
She nodded, her pulse speeding up.
“Sure, why not? Will it sell more cards?” he asked with a grin.
“Oh, yes,” she muttered.
He laid the Stetson on the bale of hay, stood up and pulled his shirt out of his jeans. Then he began unbuttoning it.
A big grin on his face, Sam started humming a well-known strip song.
Melissa’s cheeks flamed, but she began snapping pictures. When Russ was halfway through unbuttoning, she called his name. He looked up, a grin on his face, and she took a picture that she knew would be perfect.
“I think you’re enjoying this,” she murmured.
“You bet, sweetheart. A man likes to be admired.” His cocky grin fit the persona of a cowboy so well, Melissa wondered if he’d chosen the wrong profession.
“Are you sure you’re an architect?”
His grin widened. “You bet. I can show you my sketches later.”
She chuckled, his leering so blatant she knew he wasn’t serious. But it made a great picture.
Suddenly, the atmosphere was disrupted by a cry from Mandy. Melissa had been so wrapped up in her work she’d almost forgotten she had her child with her. She let her camera hang by its strap and turned to Sam. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. We were doin’ just fine.”
Melissa checked her watch. “Oh, she’s probably hungry. It’s past lunchtime.” She turned to Russ. “We’ll need to take a break.”
“No problem. I wouldn’t mind a little lunch myself.”
“Of course. Why don’t you and Sam share the picnic lunch while I feed Mandy.” She’d already turned to head for the car when Russ stopped her.
“I’ll feed Mandy and you can set out the food. Then we’ll all eat. You’re going to dry up and blow away if you don’t start eating more.”
His concern for her was both comforting and irritating.
“I’m not a child, Russ.”
“Nope, you’re a beautiful woman juggling a lot of things. But I’m supposed to be helping you this weekend, not causing more problems.”
He took Mandy from Uncle Sam and bounced her gently. “Hey, there, Mandy. Are you hungry? Let’s go find some lunch for you.” He and Sam turned and walked out of the barn.
Again Melissa hurried after them.
* * *
HALF AN HOUR LATER, Russ decided his plan had worked well. Mandy, fed and happy, lay on the blanket beside him, smiling as she played with a rattle Melissa had given her.
He, Sam and Melissa had enjoyed roast beef sandwiches made from last night’s leftovers. They beat any he’d ever eaten. The lady could definitely cook.
She also seemed to know her way around a camera. He’d been impressed with her efficiency the past hour. He only hoped the results met her expectations.
“How long have you been a photographer?” he asked.
“My parents bought me my first camera when I was ten,” she admitted. “I was fortunate that I could afford to experiment.”
“So you taught yourself?”
“Mostly. I took some courses in photography when I was at art school.”
“I bet some of them pictures will be real good,” Sam commented. “If they’re half as good as these sandwiches, I reckon you’ll be rich.”
“Thanks, Sam,” Melissa said with a smile that lit up her face. “And you haven’t even tasted my brownies yet.”
“You brought brownies?” Sam asked, his smile eager.
In answer, she reached for a cookie tin and took the
lid off, holding it out to the older man. He immediately took several brownies. Then she offered it to Russ.
He took one of the sweet squares and tasted it. “Mmm, I see what you mean. But I think I prefer the roast beef.”
She smiled and said nothing.
“What do you have in mind for the rest of the afternoon?” he asked.
“If you’re not too tired, I’d like some pictures of you on a horse. Would that be all right, Sam?”
“Sure. We got plenty of horses.”
“You do know how to ride, don’t you?” she asked Russ, a frown on her lovely face.
He grinned. “Sweetheart, not only can I ride a horse, I can saddle him, brush him, clean the tack and muck out the stall. We had to do everything.”
“Hmm. Muck out the stalls?”
“Me and my big mouth,” he muttered, but he was still grinning. He was enjoying being the focus of Melissa’s attention.
“Would you take your shirt off to muck out the stalls?”
He groaned. “More beefcake shots? That doesn’t go well with muck.”
“Well, I don’t think customers will mind since they can’t smell it.”
“Good point. Okay, sure, I’ll do that.” Then he remembered something else. “By the way, why did you want me to bring a swimsuit? Was that for more beefcake?”
Melissa’s cheeks flamed as he waited for her answer.
CHAPTER SIX
“YOU THINKIN’ OF GOING swimming?” Sam asked, frowning. “The water’s still pretty cold in the river.”
Melissa could feel Russ’s curious stare. There was no way to ignore the question. “No, that’s not what I had in mind. But I’ve changed my mind.”
“Why?”
“Russ, really, haven’t you had enough of my screwy ideas?” She gave him her best smile. “Let’s get you on a horse. That will make some great pictures.”
“I agree. But I’d still like to know what you had in mind.”
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