by Joanna Wayne
“I know the perfect place. Close by. Free room and board in a homey ranch house. Wide-open spaces. Fishing. Horseback riding. Picnics by a creek. Roasting hot dogs over a campfire under the stars—with a personal guitar strummer if that’s your fancy.
“Best food in nine counties—besides yours, of course. And a personal entertainment guide, guaranteed to please.”
“Sounds like an offer too good to refuse.”
“Then my job is done. I’ll call Esther and tell her to expect two more guests. She’ll be thrilled. The more people she can feed, the happier she is.”
“Only for Tuesday and Wednesday,” Dani said, “if that’s actually okay with Esther.”
“It’s a deal.”
It would be a perfect vacation for Constance, who could never get enough of the ranch—Esther was always inviting her out for a few days. And it would mean she could likely avoid James Haggard until after she had the paternity testing results.
There was only one drawback with Riley’s plan. He would be the guide guaranteed to please. Love-’em-and-leave-’em Riley Lawrence.
She hated to even think of the hearts he’d left broken in his wake. If she wasn’t very careful, she’d be the latest.
“I have just one question,” she said.
“Ask away.”
“Why do you want me at the Double K Ranch? You have your brothers, Esther and an adorable niece of your own to get to know. Why are you bothering with a headache and a half like me?”
He smiled, the boyish grin that rocked her heart. “I wish I knew, Dani Boatman. I wish to hell I knew. But I’m just a cowboy. Long as I’ve got a good horse and a decent saddle, I don’t question fate.”
Chapter Eight
The relief Dani felt after talking to Esther and Constance gave her just the energy jolt she needed to get to down to the serious work of cleaning up.
She ripped through her closet, looking for something old and worn enough she wouldn’t mind if it bit the dust during the cleaning process. She pulled out a plastic storage container of clothes that she’d worn for working in her postage-stamp-size yard before moving to Winding Creek.
Rummaging through the oldies, she pulled out a pair of faded jean cutoffs. If she could squeeze into them, they’d be perfect for scrubbing floors. She checked the size label as she stepped into them. Size ten.
She snapped and zipped them easily. If anything they were too loose. Nothing sexy about loose denim, but she was thrilled to be losing a little weight.
Besides, if Riley was looking for sexy model types, he’d have to go find one of the hotties who had been hanging on to him at the reception.
Dani couldn’t compete with them and wouldn’t try.
Grabbing a gray, slightly-stained T-shirt, she pulled it on, yanking it down to fit around her hips. She slipped her bright-blue polished toes into a pair of flip-flops and checked her appearance in the closet mirror.
Gross.
She ran a brush through the mass of tight curls that hugged her neck and cheeks, a move that did little to tame them. A quick brush of lipstick and she’d have to do.
The front doorbell was ringing as she headed down the stairs, followed by what sounded like a fist pounding on the wood. Adrenaline flooded her veins.
Surely Haggard had better sense than to show up here before the vandalism he’d caused was even cleaned up.
She heard the door open.
“Help has arrived. Let the fun begin!”
It was Tucker, in running shorts and an Oklahoma State T-shirt. “Good morning, gorgeous,” he said, giving her a peck on the cheek.
Nice-looking guy. Friendly and funny. So why didn’t her heart skip beats when he touched her?
“You’re out and about early,” she said.
“I figured you could use an extra pair of hands this morning.”
“Yes, we can.”
“Before I forget, Esther said to tell you that she was taking the girls to Sunday school and church and then to the spring festival and students’ rodeo at the high school. She said if that’s a problem, let her know. Otherwise, they’ll see you later today.”
“Not a problem. She mentioned that they might do that when she returned my call earlier this morning. I’d like to have this place back to near-normal before Constance sees it. I can’t keep the break-in from her. There are no secrets in Winding Creek, but I don’t want to frighten her.”
“Hopefully this will be over and done before she has time to give it much thought. The sheriff will likely have the jerk in jail before the day is over,” Tucker said. “Chances are he’s already got a good idea who’s responsible.”
Dani doubted that.
“Did you go shopping?” Riley asked, joining them from upstairs and spying the two large brown bags Tucker had brought in with him.
“No. I raided Esther’s supply closet. Figured we might need these.” He pulled out a half-gallon bottle of bleach, two large bottles of household cleansers and a half-dozen sponges.
“There’s more where these come from. I never realized Esther was such a hoarder, but she has enough assorted household gadgets, jars and cleansers in that closet off the laundry room to supply half the town.”
“Hopefully we won’t need all this,” Dani said, “but then again we might.”
Riley looked in the other bag and lifted out two six packs of beer. “Now we’re getting down to the real necessities.”
“Brewskies before noon?” Dani asked teasingly.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere,” Riley quipped.
“I also went through your things and discovered a pair of jeans that looked as if you might have worn them to a fight with a wildcat,” Tucker said. “Figured if you accidentally splashed bleach on them, it would be an improvement.
Riley held up the jeans. “These are my favorite. You have no appreciation for style.”
Tucker folded the emptied brown bags. “So, where do we start, boss lady?”
She loved his attitude.
“If we’re not careful, we’ll be getting in each other’s way all day,” she said.
“Agreed,” Riley said. “I say Tucker and I tackle the jobs that only require elbow grease and leave the ones that require expertise to you.”
Dani went to the counter and grabbed a pad and pen. “We need to clean the floor first. Then all the counters and display cases should be cleaned.” She looked around the room. “Even the light fixtures and fans are black.”
“What about all the stuff that was on the shelves?” Riley asked. “Some of that will have to be trashed, but some is hopefully salvageable.”
“Yes,” Dani agreed. “And everything that’s trashed will have to be listed and reported to the insurance company.” She quickly scribbled down the tasks. “Pick your poison, gentlemen.”
“I’ll tackle the floors with the vacuum to start with,” Tucker offered.
“I’ll follow him with a mop,” Riley said. “And if you don’t mind taking a suggestion from a mere mop maid, you should work on the gift items, Dani.”
And they were off. It took her a few minutes to get organized. Just as she started actually sorting the items, Riley returned from changing clothes. He was shirtless and barefoot. The well-worn jeans were snapped just below the waist.
A scattering of dark hairs sprinkled his chest, some curling around his nipples. The hair narrowed into a triangle that disappeared inside the zipper of the faded denim.
Lean. Muscular. Mouthwatering.
She looked like a homeless woman. He looked like a Greek god. No. He looked like a cowboy. A hunky, gorgeous, authentic cowboy.
She struggled to tear her gaze from him before she gave in to the ravenous temptation to trail her fingers down his bare abdomen.
She counted t
o ten silently and hoped the sensible, controlled workaholic that never melted into unadulterated lust would reappear. It didn’t work.
Riley turned on the radio and found a country music station. He and Tucker joined in on half the songs as they worked, Riley actually in key.
When the floors were done, Tucker popped the top on some beers and handed her one. She stood and stretched, then massaged her neck with her fingers.
Riley walked over, stopped behind her and took over the neck-rub duties. His thumbs put pressure in all the right spots to ease the muscle fatigue. His fingers were gentle on her skin, brushing her earlobes, then tangling in the wild, curly locks of her hair.
Her pulse soared until she was giddy with emotions that she could neither understand nor control.
A new song started on the radio, an old classic...slow, mellow. Riley tugged her around to face him and pulled her into his arms. He started to sway, not so much a dance as what felt like a prelude to making love.
She melted against him and then grew tense when she felt his own desire stir and harden. She pulled away quickly.
“What do you think?” he asked.
What she thought was that she was in big trouble. Her expression must have given her away.
“What do you think about the floor?” he added quickly to clarify.
“It’s spotless. I’m not sure it’s ever been that clean before.”
“Well, you’ve never had me before,” Riley teased. “Now that you have, you’ll want me back.”
“I’m sure I can’t afford you.”
“I’m always willing to cut a deal.”
And that she definitely couldn’t afford. She finished her beer and got back to work while Riley went to find a ladder to get started on the ceiling fixtures and Tucker started setting up and cleaning the overturned tables and chairs.
Two hours later, Tucker slipped out to go pick up some tacos for lunch. Dani packed away the last unsalvageable gift item, some cup towels decorated with cupcakes. They were one of her best sellers, but she had another dozen or two in the storeroom.
Most of her money was made from bakery items, but the extras added to her bottom line.
The front doorbell rang again. Dani’s muscles tensed. She wasn’t afraid of Haggard with Riley and Tucker around, but if they got involved, the complications would increase.
She reached the door a step before Riley did. She took a deep breath and unlatched and opened the door. This time it was Angela Miles.
“I know I’m not supposed to come by for the interview until around four, but I heard about the burglary. I thought maybe there was something I could do to help you get the place cleaned up.”
“How did you hear?”
“I was out at Hank’s, you know, the country bar down the highway near the gravel pit.”
“I know it.” She’d never been there, but she’d heard of it.
“They have live music on Saturday and Sunday nights. Anyway, we dropped by there after the wedding. We were just having a beer and dancing when a couple of the deputies came in and started questioning some of the guys at the bar. Word gets around.”
Apparently all the way out to Hank’s.
“Did they arrest anyone yet?” Angela asked.
“Not that I’ve heard.”
Since Angela was making no move to leave, Dani opened the door for her to come in.
“Oh, hi, Riley,” Angela said. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“I forgot to post it on the town bulletin board,” he said.
She laughed, a tinkling, flirtatious sound that didn’t resemble anything that had ever come from Dani’s mouth.
“I’m here to join the volunteers,” Angela said. “Just tell me what to do, and I’ll get busy. Maybe I can help you, Riley.”
“I’m got my tasks covered. Dani gives the orders around here.”
Dani considered Angela’s offer, wondering what she was capable of doing, especially dressed the way she was. The red shorts came up to just below her navel and barely covered her rear. Her white blouse was tied above the waist, revealing a band of toned and tanned flesh. Her makeup was heavy, the mascara exceptionally thick for midday on Sunday.
“The display cabinet needs to be cleaned inside and out,” Dani said. “Do you think you could handle that?”
“Do you have gloves? I just had my nails done.”
“No gloves,” she lied, wishing Angela would leave.
“Well, I’ll just be careful,” Angela said. “I can always get Eve at the Nail Spa to give me a touch-up.”
Of course she could. Dani would guess Angela’s hands had never been dirty and a broken nail would cause her extreme suffering.
Not only would hiring her be a big mistake, but just letting her in the door was also probably a big mistake.
But Angela had lost her son. Sometimes grief took a bizarre path to healing. Who was Dani to judge? Since Angela was here, Dani could at least give her a chance.
“Start with the outside of the display cases,” Dani said.
“I don’t want to get the front of my shirt wet. I’ll just help Tucker,” Angela said.
“No help needed,” Tucker said.
She never started on the display cabinets, but merely flirted with the guys for a half hour and then had the nerve to ask about a job.
Dani reluctantly told her to show up at seven on Thursday and they’d see how things worked out.
If it went like today, she’d have no choice but to fire her before the busy weekend.
* * *
RILEY STOOD NEAR the front door, where he had a good look at the entire main room of the bakery. “Hard to believe this is the same place I walked into last night.”
“And only a few dozen aching muscles later,” Tucker added. “Did anyone take a ‘before’ picture? The transformation is amazing.”
“I’d as soon never see that sight again, not even in a photograph,” Dani said.
Riley stretched and straddled a chair. “Just too bad the guy who did the vandalizing wasn’t the one to do the cleanup.”
“With me standing over him with a whip,” Tucker added.
“I’d have paid to watch that,” Dani said.
“I bet it’s one of your regulars,” Tucker said, “or maybe one of your delivery people, like the FedEx guy, angry that you never offer him a warm cinnamon roll or a chocolate chip muffin.”
Dani waved off the idea. “It’s only the FedEx guy in extremely bad fiction, Sherlock. Besides, I always feed my deliverymen. The postman likes the raspberry scones and straight black coffee.”
Tucker grinned. “I could go for one of those scones right now myself. But seriously, don’t you have some idea who had motive to trash the place? Unjustified motive, but motive.”
“No. And I’m sick of thinking about all this. Let it go.”
There it was again, Riley thought. She was too quick to deny she suspected the identity of the culprit. Too determined not to discuss the possibilities.
She knew who’d wrecked her place, or at least had a strong suspicion. But why not say—unless she was afraid of him?
He had to get to the bottom of this. To do that, he needed to get her alone—the sooner, the better.
Dani turned her back on both of them and walked toward the kitchen. “I’m going to wash my hands, start a pot of coffee and then go shower and change while the brew perks. I don’t have any fresh raspberry scones, but I do have some of my special-recipe cowboy cookies to go with the coffee.”
“And exactly what goes into those?” Riley asked.
“Chocolate chips, oatmeal, peanut butter, pecans and a secret ingredient.”
“How secret?” Tucker asked.
“If I told you I’d have to ban you from my cook
ie jar forever.”
He crossed his heart. “I swear I’ll never ask again.”
Riley leaned back, stretched his long legs out in front of him and cradled the back of his head in his hands. He studied Dani’s movements, the way she held herself—she was natural, nothing fake or flaunting about her. Her hands were graceful as she attacked everything she did with easy precision.
He wondered how long it would take to reach the point where just the sight of her didn’t stir a sensual desire.
“Infatuation becomes you,” Tucker said, once Dani had gone upstairs.
“Am I that obvious?”
“Yep.”
“It would be hard not to be turned on by Dani,” Riley admitted. “She’s like a sexy robot, never still, always focused on the task at hand. But then she’s got this softness about her, too. She’d make a black bear want to cuddle.”
“You do have a poetic side. Who knew?”
“Better than the X-rated limericks we used to make up as teenagers.”
“I know. Some of those crazy things still come to mind from time to time. But back to Dani.”
“Let’s not. What I said probably doesn’t make sense to you. I was never great at putting my feelings into words.”
“No, I get what you mean about Dani. It’s just I’m not sure she’s being totally truthful with you or with any of us for that matter.”
“Care to clarify?”
“She clammed up awful fast when I asked her about someone having motive to trash the bakery. It was clear she considered the subject off-limits.”
“She did the same last night,” Riley admitted. “I’m worried that someone may have it in for her. Hopefully, she’ll trust me enough to level with me soon.”
Tucker nodded. “Also, I have to wonder what she was thinking when she offered Angela Miles a job. That woman’s a catastrophe waiting to happen. The way she was hanging on me a couple of times, I figured she should pay for us to get a room.”
“Same here. Hell-bent on slutty, and I don’t like saying that about any woman. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Dani about her, but I figure she’s sympathetic to the tragic and bizarre situation involving her father and the death of her son.”