Claiming Her Cowboy

by Tina Radcliffe

  “What are you talking about? I don’t look any different.” A glance at herself in the hall mirror confirmed her words.

  Jack did a slow and appreciative assessment, from her satin heels to her demure black dress. He swallowed. “Oh, yeah, you do. Lucy, you’re more lovely than you can possibly imagine.”

  “That’s silly. It’s only a dress.” Lucy stole another peek at herself, noting the pink that warmed her face. She wasn’t accustomed to such flattery, but she could easily get used to Jack’s sweet words.

  “It’s not just the dress. That little frown line across your forehead is gone, and you’re relaxed.”

  She laughed. “Hot stone massage. Every muscle in my body is happy.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Followed by a mud bath. Emma and I had a salon and spa day, courtesy of the general.”

  “That’s great. You deserve that and more. You work far too much.” Jack cocked his head and looked at her again. “Your hair...” He gestured with a wave of his hand. “Something’s different there, too.”

  “Oh, that. I brushed it.”

  He laughed. “You’re in good spirits, as well.”

  Her own gaze swept over his charcoal blazer, striped dress shirt—open at the neck—and white slacks. “What about you? You look all cricket and polo and lawn parties, Mr. Harris.”

  Jack offered a half smile that nudged a dimple to life. The effect was potent, forcing her to glance away as she recalled the almost kiss earlier in the week that had left her weak-kneed and confused.

  “Is that a good thing?” he asked.

  “It is. You know, Jack, something about you has changed since I met you at that budget meeting at the start of summer.”

  “Changed?”

  “Yes. You smile more.”

  “I have more to smile about than I did then.”

  He left her to ponder his words as he took her arm and led her away.

  “Let me show you around my aunt’s house. Have you ever seen the great room?”

  “No. I’ve never seen anything except the boardroom and the solarium.”

  “My apologies. We have been remiss.”

  Jack opened the double doors of the great room and flipped on a switch. The reflective lights of an unusual crystal chandelier lit up the room.

  The walls were buttercream, the carpet Aubusson in ribbon patterns of pale blue. Robin’s-egg-blue satin couches faced each other around a circular glass coffee table with a crystal bowl of potpourri in the center. The faint scent of lemongrass and verbena welcomed them.

  “That chandelier is amazing,” Lucy said.

  “A wedding present from my uncle. All imported Belgian crystal. If you look closely, you can see that many of the crystal pendalogues are heart-shaped.”

  “That’s so romantic.”

  “Would that be the way to your heart, Lucy?”

  She laughed. “Not exactly. Where would I put a crystal chandelier? And who would clean the crystals?”

  “Ever practical.”

  “How did they meet?” Lucy asked.

  “My uncle’s family is Native American, and they’ve owned this land since before statehood. He was a bachelor for a long time. Apparently he’d given up on the idea of marrying.”

  Lucy nodded thoughtfully as her gaze went to the portraits that filled an entire wall.

  “When they found oil on the land, Aunt Meri was with the team of assessors from the oil company.”

  “Your aunt worked for the oil company? In what capacity?”

  “She’s a geologist.”

  “I never knew that.”

  “As my aunt tells the story, it was love at first sight, for both of them. If you can believe that.”

  “I’m not sure I do.”

  “Right. That wouldn’t fit into your Plan B theory, would it?”

  When he said it like that, she realized that she did sound like a pessimist. But love at first sight? Could that possibly be real?

  Jack met her gaze and offered a rueful smile before he continued. “She quit her job when they got married. Uncle Jeb was much older than her and they didn’t want to waste any time.”

  “No children?”

  “None.”

  “So your father is her brother?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “Who is this?” Lucy asked, pointing to the picture of twins on the wall.

  His voice softened. “That’s me and my brother, Daniel.”

  “You’re a twin.” She looked at Jack’s profile and then back to the picture several times. “An identical twin. You never told me. You only said that you were older.”

  He shrugged. “I was. By minutes.”

  “Do you have other siblings?”

  “No. Daniel was my one shot, and I blew it.”

  Lucy inhaled sharply at his words. “You’re so hard on yourself. Doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance? That’s what Big Heart Ranch is all about,” she said softly.

  “Yeah, I get that, but don’t we need to pay for the mistakes of yesterday?”

  “Yesterday is long gone, Jack. Stop bringing it back. His blessings are new every morning. I think it’s time for you to start looking ahead and not behind.”

  He paused as though considering her words, and glanced at the picture one last time. “I’m spoiling the party. Come on, let’s go find some of those expensive hors d’oeuvres my aunt is serving.”

  Lucy was only too aware of his hand on her back as Jack led her through the open doors of a large room. Her gaze spanned the high walls of the room that reached up to a domed vaulted ceiling and back down to the marble floors.

  “This is even bigger than the great room.”

  “Aptly called a ballroom.”

  “I thought soirees were a bit more intimate of an affair.”

  “This is intimate to Meredith Brisbane.” He glanced toward the buffet table. “Uh-oh, she’s headed this way. Once Aunt Meri corners you, you’ll be stuck chatting with a dozen people you don’t know.”

  “Rue prepped me.”

  He laughed. “I’ve been doing this all my life. No one can prep you for my aunt’s people.”

  At the far end of the room, the music began. A small trio provided slow jazz sounds. Though the room was large, the music and dim lighting created intimacy.

  “Providence is in your court,” Jack murmured. “My aunt’s been sidetracked and has accepted an invitation to dance from a silver-haired gentleman.”

  “Good for her,” Lucy said.

  “What about you, Lucy?” Jack asked. “Would you care to dance?”

  She hesitated as he held out a hand.

  “One dance.” He repeated the request, his dark eyes intent.

  “Yes.” The word slipped from her mouth while her heart whispered that this was a very bad idea.

  Jack caught her by the waist and hummed as he led her across the dance floor.

  “I’ve never glided before,” Lucy murmured. “In fact, I’m not much of a dancer.”

  “Sure you are. It’s a partnership, and you’ve got the right partner. Stick with me. We might even do a little foxtrot later.”

  “You’re very good,” she said. They turned and swayed, and he led her past Meredith and her dance partner.

  “My aunt is pretty much responsible for every good thing there is about me.”

  “Dance lessons?”

  He nodded and dipped her slightly, his face close enough to smell the faint sandalwood tones of his aftershave.

  As the music came to a close, he directed her to the open French doors that led to a veranda. “Wait right here and I’ll go in search of sustenance.”

  Lucy stepped outside, rested her arms on the marble rail and looked out into the garden below. Strings of twinkling white lights had
been wrapped around the trees and glittered festively in the night. Overhead a full moon had made an appearance for the event. It rode high in the sky, a hazy blue disc against a carpet of black velvet spilling a generous amount of light onto the world below. The sweet scent of freesias filled the air, and she inhaled deeply.

  Lucy sighed at the perfection of the evening. Had she ever imagined an evening with Jack Harris’s arms around her on the dance floor? An evening pretending she wasn’t a foster child who ran a ranch for kids? Maybe for a few moments she could imagine she was simply a woman enjoying the company of an attentive man.

  She glanced at her fingers splayed on the marble rail. She’d gotten a manicure at the spa. This was the first time in a long time that her nails weren’t torn and ragged, and her hands weren’t reddened and chapped from the daily ranch chores.

  Tonight she was Cinderella at the ball.

  And yet it couldn’t last. This was Jack’s world. Not hers.

  Jack returned a moment later, balancing a plate full of food in one hand and two glasses of sparkling water in the other.

  “Why do I think you’ve done this before?” she said.

  He winked. “I’m an expert. Check my jacket pocket for silverware and napkins.”

  Lucy laughed as she pulled the utensils from his blazer.

  “Won’t your aunt be looking for us?”

  “No worries, the night is young. There’s still plenty of time for boring conversation with my aunt’s acquaintances.”

  “Acquaintances? Not friends?”

  “Money only buys acquaintances and ex-fiancées.”

  “I see your mantra is intact, as well.”

  His lips curved into a small smile of acknowledgment.

  Lucy speared a bit of food onto her fork and inspected it for a moment. “What is this?”

  “That looks like foie gras.”

  “Which is...?”

  “Ah, some things are best to enjoy. I’ll explain later.” He took a long drink of water. “By the way, I’ve been sharing business cards for the Big Heart Ranch Retreat Center with a few very select guests.”

  She stiffened. “What business cards?”

  Jack swallowed and held up a hand. “That was a misstep. We aren’t talking business tonight.” He reached out and touched her forehead with his finger. “Relax that frown.”

  “Jack, you’re pitching a venue that hasn’t even been approved. And even if it is, there are still licenses and business plans to complete. I thought we had a deal here.”

  “We do. Calm down.”

  “Calm down?”

  Her eyes widened with uncertain surprise as Jack leaned forward until his lips touched hers. Her head began to spin and her heartbeat raced, but she kissed him back, without hesitation. When he raised his lips from hers, Lucy kept her eyes closed for a moment. A moment to block out the real world where men like Jack Harris didn’t kiss women like her. For tonight she could pretend.

  “What was that?” Lucy murmured when they broke apart, a hand to her mouth.

  “I was trying to change the subject before everything went south. Did it work?”

  She blinked. “I...um...”

  “Are you all right?” Jack murmured.

  “I’m not sure,” she whispered, meeting his concerned gaze.

  “Should I apologize?”

  “Can I get back to you on that?”

  “Sure.” He ran a hand over his face. “Am I forgiven for bringing up business?”

  “Jack?”

  “Yeah?”

  “My head is spinning. I’m going to need you to talk a little less.” She took a deep breath and quickly stepped away from the veranda railing. “We should return to the party. Right away, before I forget I’m only visiting your world.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Ready to ride, little buddy?”

  Dub leaned against the door of the stables with his helmet in his hand and looked around. “Are we going without Miss Lucy?”

  “She’ll be along.” At least he hoped she would be. This was Monday, and she’d had all of Sunday to think about that kiss. As far as first kisses went, it was a good kiss. A simple kiss, yet a good start. Surely Lucy had come to that same conclusion.

  Jack glanced around the stable. No Lucy.

  Maybe not.

  What was he thinking, kissing the director of Big Heart Ranch? He was a professional here with a job to do. It didn’t include kissing.

  “Why don’t we tack up our horses while we wait for Miss Lucy?” he asked Dub.

  “I’m too little. I can’t reach Grace.”

  “You can help me with Grace. You tell me what to do and I’ll do it. Deal?”

  Dub’s laughter trilled into the morning air.

  Jack smiled. He was going to miss that laugh.

  “So what’s first?”

  “Brush Grace so there’s nothing under the saddle that could scratch her.” Dub handed Jack the brush. “Then you gots to rub her behind the ears and tell her she’s a very good horse. She likes that.” His face was solemn as he observed Jack’s actions.

  Grace snorted and snuffled with pleasure at the rub down. “How did I do?”

  “Pretty good, Mr. Jack. You’re lots better than when you first got here. You’re as good as Leo now.”

  “Whoa, Dub. I appreciate that, buddy.”

  “Put on the pad. Miss Lucy says to put it a little bit over the withers.

  Jack grabbed the flannel pad and positioned it on Grace. It landed slightly crooked, and Dub jumped up to straighten the edges.

  “Dub, have you grown?”

  “Yeth, Miss Lorna says I’m growing out of my clothes.” He grinned with pride.

  Jack stared into space for a minute. Dub was growing. Summer was almost over. Soon the little guy would outgrow his riding boots. Who would get him new ones? Who would take Dub riding? Would his new foster home even care that Dub loved Grace?

  “Mr. Jack, are we going to the rodeo on Saturday?”

  “Sure are.”

  “Stewie and Henry say they’re going to win the greasy pig.”

  “Greased pig?”

  Dub nodded.

  Jack sighed. “You really want to try to wrestle a pig, huh?”

  “Yeth, please.”

  Jack grabbed the saddle and hoisted it carefully onto Grace. “So chasing a greasy pig is supposed to be fun?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He narrowed his eyes and tried to imagine the pig scenario. “Nope. I don’t see it, but I respect your right to try. I’ll sign you up.”

  “You’ll come watch, too?”

  “Of course. We’re buddies. Amigos. Pals. We support each other.”

  “And the sheep?”

  “The sheep what?”

  “Mutton busting, Jack,” Lucy said from behind him. “My team won last year.”

  “A nice girl like you busts mutton?” He secured the saddle into position and lowered the cinches and stirrups before turning to Lucy.

  She laughed. “No. The little kids...”

  When his gaze landed on her lips, Lucy paused, suddenly flustered, her face pink. She quickly turned to Dub. “You ride the sheep, right, Dub? Tell him about it.”

  “We ride without a saddle,” Dub explained.

  “Isn’t that cruel?” Jack asked.

  “Bareback. I know some rodeos use a saddle, but we do not. In fact, we’re quite humanitarian about it. Even the greased pig competition is one-on-one. We don’t let our pigs or sheep get trampled by kids.”

  “A humanitarian rodeo. Good to know. I’m down with the pig, but the whole bareback mutton thing seems a little harsh.”

  “Maybe you could observe first, before you make any snap sheep judgments.”

  “I’ll try to be objective,
but no promises.” He tightened the cinches, checking the tightness before he looked up at Lucy. “What’s today’s plan for our riding lesson?”

  “I checked the stable records. You’ve gotten in over ten hours with a certified instructor—me. I’m going to authorize you to ride the corral with Dub on your own.”

  “Whoa. I graduated?”

  “Yes. You did.”

  He lifted his hand for a high five with Dub.

  “Way to go, Mr. Jack.”

  “Couldn’t have done it without you, pal.”

  “Continue to ride Chloe and keep Dub on Grace. Everyone wears a helmet, and you stay in the corral. No new maneuvers, please.”

  “No worries. I can’t afford another cell phone.”

  Lucy chuckled.

  “So you’re leaving?” he asked.

  “I am. I have a ton of work and two buddies of my own to fit into my day.” She paused. “By the way, I found out what foie gras is.”

  “Delicious, right?” He grinned.

  “Not the word I was looking for. Let’s just say that it was wise of you not to tell me at the party.”

  Jack leaned closer. “Are we okay, Lucy?”

  “Okay?”

  He shrugged. “You know.”

  “Oh, that. We’re fine,” she said, quickly dismissing the subject.

  “Hey, did I mention your admin starts next Monday?”

  “Oh, which one did you hire?”

  “Iris. You said her résumé put her up front.”

  “Yes. But that doesn’t mean you’re going to take my input. You’ve been here over four weeks and have pretty much ignored every single one of my recommendations, unless push comes to shove or a cell phone is destroyed.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “It’s absolutely true. Case in point—the lodge. Guest ranch, rec center, vacation rental.” She waved a hand in the air. “Whatever you’re calling the place these days.”

  “Big Heart Ranch Retreat Center.”

  Lucy crossed her arms. “I’m getting impatient. When will you have your presentation ready?”

  “Soon, really soon.”

  “I hope so. It’s been a month.”

  “Wednesday is a month. It takes time for due diligence.”