“Says you.” With a wry smile, he set his Stetson on her head. It was too big, but it did the job of keeping the sun off her face. “You need one of these.”
“A cowboy hat?”
“Excuse me, but this is a Stetson.”
“And the difference would be?”
He shook his head in mock disgust, then scratched the side of his neck. “Were you serious? You think it was a bad idea?”
She breathed in slowly and evenly. “I don’t know what I think.” She could barely stand the disappointment on his face, mostly because of her own frustration. It would be too easy to give in and worry about regrets later. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and made a show of checking the time. “I need to get going. I thought of something I forgot to do.”
He didn’t look as if he believed her, but then she hadn’t expected him to. “You remember your way back to the main road?”
“Yes, and thanks.” She backed toward the truck. “Oh, here.” She took off the hat and gave it to him, then rushed to retrace her backward steps so they wouldn’t start kissing again. “I know I don’t have to tell you this, but I’ll say it anyway. The kiss should stay secret along with the lessons.”
“Understood,” he said, settling the Stetson on his dark hair. He hadn’t indicated if he agreed, but that didn’t matter. “You drive safely now.”
“Like a nun.”
He might as well have touched her with the way his throaty chuckle shimmied down her spine. “That’s an image I’m having some difficulty with.”
She grinned and climbed into the truck. It took all her concentration to reverse without hitting a tree or shrub. When she finally got herself pointed toward the road, she checked the rearview mirror.
Trace hadn’t moved. He stood with his arms crossed, his long jean-clad legs spread, his boots planted hip-distance apart, and stared after her. The Stetson hid his expression. She could see the shape of his mouth, though, that very clever sexy mouth of his. And wasn’t that a terribly stupid thing to notice because now she was getting all tingly.
The grassy trail he’d made was a bit dicey so she was forced to give up the mirror. Five minutes later she was safely on the road that led to town and the Lone Wolf turnoff. Only then did she realize she’d forgotten to ask if he’d be at the Watering Hole later.
* * *
“I’M SURPRISED HE’S not here since he didn’t show last night.” Sadie transferred the pitcher of beer from the tap to the space Nikki had left on her tray.
For a long-drawn-out moment, she debated whether to respond.
Naturally she knew her boss meant Trace because she’d seen Nikki eye the door every time it opened.
“I assume you’re talking about Trace?” Nikki’s dry smile matched Sadie’s. “He was helping Matt at the Lone Wolf for a few hours yesterday. Maybe he’s still playing catch-up at the Sundance, or playing with the guests.”
Sadie snorted a laugh. “I like the way you say it as if you don’t give a hoot. You practice long and hard with that line?”
Nikki nearly told her to shut up, though it wasn’t a term she cared to repeat since she’d literally had her mouth washed out with soap when she was seven. Despite her mother’s long work hours, she’d been strict enough to keep Nikki in line most of the time. Instead, she picked up the tray, noticed that the blonde with the serious bling sitting nearby seemed to perk up at overhearing Trace’s name. Nikki was tempted to ask her if she’d seen him at the Sundance tonight. But what purpose would that serve? If he was MIA, Nikki would only assume he was out with the guest who’d chased after him three nights ago.
Nikki really wished she hadn’t remembered that. He’d kissed her. She’d kissed him back. Not that it mattered. They’d agreed not to do it again. Sort of.
“Who needed a fresh mug?” she asked the group of men waiting for their turns to play pool.
Josh smiled and shook his head. She’d liked him even before she found out he was Trace’s friend. He was a hand from the Sundance and the kind of guy she could count on if a customer ever got too rowdy. It hadn’t happened while she’d been waitressing here, but she’d had to fend guys off twice back in Houston. After that she’d thought about carrying a knife, then decided she’d find a new job before going that far.
“Where’s your buddy?” she asked, real casual-like as she set down mugs.
“Lucas?”
“The other one.”
“She means Trace.” Sam took his shot, cursed when he missed, then straightened and grinned at her. “Don’t you, sweet cheeks?”
“Was I talking to you?” Nikki seriously reconsidered the whole knife thing...if only to see the look on Sam’s face when she pulled it out. “And keep calling me sweet cheeks if you like your beer warm.”
Josh laughed. “He worked late vaccinating the last of the calves. I don’t know that he has the energy to come to town.”
She blinked. It was because of her that he’d fallen behind on his normal duties. “You mean he actually does real work?” she said, since they’d all expect a wisecrack and not the guilt needling her.
“Trace works harder than any man on that ranch,” Josh said, his tone defensive. “Cole, Jesse, everyone works hard.” He shrugged, almost in apology for being sharp. “But they don’t have double duty like Trace. Rachel relies on him to handle the guest activities.” He glanced sideways to check for eavesdroppers. “The dude ranch business is a lot more trouble than you’d think.”
He would know. Cole had assigned Josh and Lucas, another hand, to help Rachel run the dude ranch side of the operation. Nikki was well aware how much the men had to juggle because in February she’d helped Rachel and Jamie scramble to make lunches or do whatever when the weather had forced everyone indoors. She’d seen the annoyed looks on the men’s faces when the women opted out of snow activities and hung out in the barn instead. Not Trace, though, he always had a smile. He ate up the attention.
She set down the last mug. “Y’all okay? Need anything else before I go?”
Most of the guys shook their heads and made room to let her pass. Sam leaned over directly in front of her to grab some chalk and block her escape route. She reared back, locking gazes with him, silently daring him to push her one more time.
“See, this is what I don’t get,” he said, a grin tugging at his mouth. He was cute sometimes, when he wasn’t being a smug jerk. “Why pine away for Trace when you can have me? I’d always have enough energy for you, Nikki. Hell, I’d even switch from beer to Red Bull if I had to.”
That made her laugh. “Pine away? I don’t even know what that means.”
“Withering on the vine, honey, as my grandma used to say. Just waiting and hoping and praying your little heart out he’ll come through that door.”
“Oh, God.” She waved for him to get out of the way. “I’d bet your grandma sold snake oil.”
He swept his long blond hair back from his face, the grin still there. “A team of wild horses on steroids couldn’t keep me away if you were mine.”
Okay, he wasn’t even mildly amusing now. “I’m not anybody’s anything. Now move. I mean it.”
“Trace thinks otherwise.”
She froze, aware that the rest of the men had quieted.
“All right, Sam, that’s enough,” Josh said. “You shoulda quit while you were still funny.”
Sam didn’t even blink. He kept smiling at her.
She had the feeling he was going to wink, and then she’d have to smack him. “You’re either delusional or drunk, and now you’re cut off.” She grabbed the bottle out of his hand.
He only laughed, which made her angrier. She wanted to know why he’d said that about Trace, but she couldn’t ask. Sam worked at the Circle something-or-other ranch. It wasn’t located anywhere near where she and Trace met today, but on the other side of town. So he couldn’t have seen them.
Briefly she glanced at Josh. He’d been quick to stop Sam. Did that mean Josh knew Trace had said something? Or was
he just being nice helping get Sam off her back?
“You wanna know what I mean, don’t you?” Sam moved to give her a clear path. His faint smirk challenged her to stuff her curiosity and go on to other customers. He was about to find out she was too stubborn to lose that dare.
“Settle up with Sadie before you leave,” she said, pushing past him.
“Trace warned all of us to keep away,” Sam said. “Made it plain you were off-limits. To everyone but Mr. McAllister himself. Those McAllisters...you know those boys get what they want. Especially Trace.”
Nikki told herself to ignore him. It was the smart thing to do. She stopped under the dividing arch to the front of the bar, and turned. “What?”
Sam chuckled. He picked up the beer left on the ledge by the other pool player, and took a swig. “It’s true.”
“Don’t listen to him.” Josh snorted with disgust. “Trace never told me that.”
“Hell, why would he?” Sam cast a dismissive glance at him. “You’re a kid. She’s so far out of your league you’d need one of those bullet trains to catch up.”
Josh turned red.
“Are you kidding?” Nikki’s abrupt laugh held no amusement. “I’d go out with Josh before I’d cross the room for you.” The other guys seemed to think that was funny, and she decided it was a good time to disappear. “And, you jerk, the ‘kid’ is my age.”
“I’m talking experience, honey,” Sam called after her. “We both know you’ve been around the—”
He cut himself short, and she’d almost made it to the jukebox, but stopped and slowly turned to face him. Sam wore the expression of a man who knew he’d gone too far and wasn’t sure how to get out of the mess he’d made. But then, there was no way out. The words couldn’t be taken back. People sitting at nearby tables either weren’t paying attention or were politely ignoring what had been said. The guys hanging around the pool table, though, they’d all heard.
Watching Sam try not to squirm did little to appease her. She wouldn’t let him get away with being a prick, but causing a scene wouldn’t help. Dammit. She couldn’t decide. Keep walking or make him spell out what he meant. He’d backpedal and apologize before he’d say anything else stupid. Nikki wasn’t the only one pissed, and he knew it.
“Sam.” Josh stepped in, his jaw tight, a vein popping along the side of his neck. “You don’t know when to keep that big mouth shut, do you?”
“I’m just teasing.” He tried to shoulder past Josh, who wouldn’t budge. “I don’t know anything about Nikki. We were baiting each other and it got out of hand.”
“Josh?” Just before he’d spoken up, she’d decided it was better to walk away, but now she moved closer, hoping to keep things contained. “Let it go. Sam’s right, he doesn’t know me,” Nikki said, looking him directly in the eyes. “Because if he did, he’d be sweating and tripping over himself to apologize. I am this close—” she drew her thumb and forefinger together, leaving a hair-thin space between them “—to making sure you’re not allowed in here as long as I’m waiting tables. How would that work for you?”
“Shit.” Sam scrubbed at his flushed face. “I’m sorry. I really am. Not because you’d get me kicked out. It was a dumb-ass thing to say.”
She caught Josh’s sleeve when he started to jump in, her gaze staying on Sam. “It was disrespectful,” she said, “and I won’t have it.”
Sam pushed a hand through his hair and briefly looked away. All the guys in back were staring at him, the tension so thick she could stick a straw in the air. “You’re right. I was a jerk. The thing is, I like you. I really do, and if it makes you happy to know, I feel like hell.”
She sighed. “No, Sam, that doesn’t make me happy.”
“You leaving might,” Josh muttered.
Sam gave him a dirty look. To Nikki he said, “I will, if you want. Leave.”
“It’s over. Do what you want.” She moved a shoulder, truly feeling indifferent and turning back toward the bar where Sadie was probably getting antsy for her to check on other customers.
The whole thing would’ve gone better if Nikki wasn’t feeling off balance. Nothing major, but wow, who was that person who’d confronted Sam? Yet another glimpse of her trying out her new skin. The old Nikki would never have been so calm, refrained from cussing or, sadly, considered that she’d been disrespected. Not that she’d have assumed she deserved the poor treatment, but anger and revenge would’ve been on her mind.
Had to be Matt’s influence, and even partly Rachel’s. Or maybe Blackfoot Falls in general. Who knew? Not her. She seemed confused about everything lately.
“How are y’all doing?” She smiled at the three young cowboys getting low on beer. Their table was closest to her but luckily they’d missed the pool room drama. They had prime seats near the jukebox and were busy watching sly women lean over to study the song selections.
One guy smiled back. So did the other two...after they dragged their gaze away from the redhead. “I’ll take another longneck.”
“Tap for me, and a tequila shot this time, please.” The second man had a boyish grin that lightened her mood. “I’m Jerry, in case you forgot.”
“How could I?” The little white lie seemed worth it when his smile widened. She’d remember him from now on. “You have perfect manners every time you come in.”
His slightly older friend with the narrow face and shaggy brown hair elbowed him. “Guess I’ll be switching to soda water. It’s my turn to drive.” He sighed, then quickly added, “I’m Chip.”
“Way to go being responsible, Chip.” She held up a hand for a high five. It took a second for him to get it. He wasn’t much younger than her but he was so cute the way his eyes lit up as if he’d won the lottery. He started out with gusto, drawing back his hand, then seemed to remember she wasn’t one of the guys, and very gently touched his palm to hers.
He had calluses like Trace.
The thought ambushed her. God, she could not let every little thing make her think of Trace. Today had been nice, but it hadn’t changed anything between them. And this dreamy thinking crap was why she couldn’t allow that to happen. “You know what, your soda’s on me.”
“You don’t have to do that, ma’am.”
“It’s Nikki.”
The three of them grinned, and Jerry said, “We know who you are.”
“I’m still learning names,” she admitted. “But I’ll get there. Y’all need quarters?” She slid a pointed look at the jukebox, where the redhead had been joined by a short dimpled brunette who was eyeing Chip.
He glanced at the woman, then quickly brought his gaze back to Nikki. “You think so?”
“I do.” She wanted to laugh at his bewildered expression. Of course she didn’t dare. “Here,” she said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out change. She only had three quarters, and laid them on the table. “Until I get back.”
He passed her a ten. “Will that be enough?”
“Um, I doubt you’ll need that many quarters,” she said, and left him grinning.
The Watering Hole really was a nice place to work. She liked these customers, and she liked Sadie. Even Sam was okay, or at least manageable. If he hadn’t apologized or looked as if he wanted the floor to swallow him whole, she might’ve felt differently.
She stopped at another table, glancing around to make sure everyone had drinks, then headed for Sadie. Nikki’s breath caught. Trace sat on a stool at the end of the bar with a beer in front of him. Part of the bottle was already gone so she knew he hadn’t just walked in. What she didn’t know was what he’d heard.
7
TRACE’S PATIENCE HAD gotten pretty thin by the time he spotted Nikki out of the corner of his eye. She stopped at Jerry’s table and was joking with him and his friends, and Trace had to remind himself this was where she worked and socializing with the customers was her job. It wasn’t that he was jealous. Never been the type. But he was beat, and he’d had no business driving all the way to town just to see
her.
Hell, they’d been together not more than eight hours ago, and they planned to meet day after tomorrow. He could’ve waited until then, and stayed home tonight, gotten some sleep. Obviously he couldn’t, and that was the problem. It was the damn kiss that had messed everything up. He should’ve known better.
Nah, knowing what was right and acting accordingly were two different things. That’s where he went wrong, he thought, letting his gaze drift toward her. She was wearing her hair down, the way he liked it best.
“I heard you were out at the Lone Wolf yesterday.” Sadie wiped the rings off the bar, then leaned a hip against it.
“Yeah, I was helping Matt with a mustang.” Trace picked up his beer and took a halfhearted sip. “The place looks good. I hadn’t been out there in years.”
“How’s Wallace doing?”
The concern in her eyes didn’t surprise him. Whether she liked the man or not, she’d known him forever. He slid a look toward Nikki.
“Ah, you know her,” Sadie said. “She won’t talk about him. I quit asking.”
Trace smiled. Yeah, he knew. “Matt doesn’t think he’ll last the week.”
“Tell you the truth, I’m shocked he’s held on this long. Must be that stubborn streak in him. How’s Matt holding up?”
“Seems okay.”
“Tore him up bad when Catherine died. I didn’t expect he’d get too sad over the old man going, but you never know until the time comes.”
Trace studied Sadie for a moment. She was strong, independent, and as far as he knew, never repeated anything that didn’t need repeating. He’d always liked her. “I’m thinking that about Nikki. What’s your take?”
“Not to say she’s cold or unfeeling, but my guess is she’ll just be glad when it’s over.”
He nodded, though he’d been hoping she might’ve opened up to Sadie a little. Sure didn’t sound like it.
“You want coffee instead of that?” Sadie glanced at the bottle he’d barely touched, except to pick it up and put it down.
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