Raleigh And The Rancher (Wranglers & Lace #3)

by Laura Anthony

  The gauzy blue number she’d worn to the prom with Jack. No way. A red-and-green velvet Christmas creation Fay had given her five years ago. Wrong season. A rainbow-colored sundress. Too casual. And the black linen outfit she’d worn to Pa’s funeral. Most definitely not.

  She stared at the pathetic pile and threw her hands in the air. “That’s it. I’m not going,” she declared.

  But despite her proclamation, she kept searching the confines of her closet until she located a gray circle skirt, and stepped into it. The delicate rayon garment flared softly around her legs. Rummaging further, she found the matching gray-and-white peasant blouse.

  She’d purchased the ensemble last year to wear at Caleb’s eighth-grade graduation. Frowning critically, she surveyed herself in the mirror, then added a wide black belt and knee-high black dress boots to the ensemble. Passable.

  Perching on the edge of the bed, she peered into the mirror over her dressing table and applied a light streak of blusher to her cheeks. She dusted eye shadow across her lids, and dabbed on pearly pink lipstick. Usually, she never wore makeup, but as a concession to a trip into town, she even combed mascara through her lashes.

  Removing the rubber band from the end of her braid, Raleigh brushed her hair until it tumbled down her shoulders in a cascade of crimped copper curls.

  She stared at her reflection and sucked in a deep breath. No way. She looked far too eager. Raleigh started to braid her hair back up when a knock on the cabin door interrupted her.

  Oh, dear. She wasn’t ready for this. She didn’t want to be alone with Daniel McClintock for even one minute, much less the whole evening.

  He knocked again.

  She abandoned the task of braiding her hair and went to answer the door.

  Dan leaned casually against the doorjamb. He was hatless and had combed his thick black hair off his forehead. He wore sharply creased jeans and an azure blue silk shirt that complemented his dark coloring.

  His mouth dropped open and his eyes grew wide as he stared at her with unabashed amazement. “Excuse me,” he said. “Do I have the right cabin? I’m looking for Miss Raleigh Travers.”

  “Dan,” she said in an exasperated tone. “Stop teasing.” The telltale flush spreading up her neck made him grin. He’d embarrassed her. Good.

  She looked like a glorious wildflower in full bloom with her unruly red hair corkscrewing down her back, the dove gray skirt swirling sexily around her slender but sturdy legs, her natural beauty defined and enhanced by the application of cosmetics. Absolutely breathtaking.

  A woman to change your life for, Dan, he thought.

  Nervously, Raleigh cleared her throat and brought a hand to her neck. “I’ve been thinking...” she began.

  “You weren’t planning on backing out on me, were you?” he asked. He clasped his hand to the left side of his chest. “It’ll break my heart.”

  “We could have dinner at Fay’s. We don’t have to go to Abilene.”

  “No,” he said. “We don’t. But we’re going to.”

  Not giving her time to protest further, he possessively took her hand, led her outside into the waning warmth of early evening and around to the passenger side of his pickup. He knew if he allowed her even one instant to ponder this date, she’d change her mind and retreat.

  He enjoyed squiring her on his arm, knew it was a feeling he could get used to real quick. For weeks he’d tried his best to remain distant, detached, but now he could no longer deny the need she caused to flame inside him. To ignore that would be like ignoring the change of seasons. But how to reach her without scaring her off? Surely someone or something in her past had hurt her very badly, destroyed her ability to trust, and Dan was itching to know who or what.

  Climbing into the front seat, Dan started the engine. Awkwardness stole over them. It was only the second time they’d been alone together since she’d moved into his cabin. Restlessly he drummed his fingers on the dashboard, then fiddled with the radio dials until he found a station to his liking. The country twang of Clint Black’s guitar eased the uncomfortable silence in the cab.

  Raleigh brushed a lock of hair from her eyes and sneaked a peek at him. His face claimed a stunning profile—long, angular jaw, regal nose, strong chin. The urge to run her hand over his chiseled features tempted her fingertips.

  Wrenching her gaze away, she stared out over the hood, watching the yellow highway stripes disappear between the pickup’s tires. Clint Black gave way to Garth Brooks. Dan rested his right hand on her knee.

  “Relax,” he said.

  Sparks hot as a welder’s torch zoomed up her thigh, igniting a flash fire of desire in her groin. Lord, what this man could do to her with a simple touch.

  “Please remove your hand.” Her voice came out in a timid squeak instead of the harsh command she’d intended.

  He jerked back as if burned. “Sorry,” he mumbled, keeping his eyes trained on the road. “But you had such a death grip on the door handle, I wanted to make you feel more comfortable. Look, your knuckles are blanched white.”

  “Oh.” Feeling foolish, she released the door handle.

  “I promise, I don’t bite,” he said.

  “I’m not so sure about that,” she replied tartly, struggling to tame her seething emotions.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Talk about what?”

  “Your fear of being alone with me. Are you scared of losing control? Is that it?”

  “I’m not afraid...” she started, then realized he was baiting her. “Can we change the subject.”

  “You see me as a threat, don’t you?”

  “Not at all,” she lied.

  “Then why are you so nervous about a simple dinner date?”

  “It’s not a date,” she denied.

  “Then what is it?”

  He was right. It was a date. Oh, why had she agreed to come? Raleigh twisted a strand of hair around her index finger. A cross between elation and frustration welled up inside her. She truly liked Dan, but as she’d told herself over and over, she had to maintain a professional distance. First of all, her job depended on it. Second, she wasn’t ready for a relationship with any man. Maybe she never would be. She heaved a heavy sigh.

  “Are you okay?” Concern furrowed his brow.

  “Fine.”

  “Raleigh, I’ll never force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Do you want me to turn this truck around and go back to the ranch?”

  What to do? Since Jack’s death she’d cocooned herself in anger and defensiveness, buffering her emotions by ignoring any and all sexual desires. Until Daniel McClintock, she’d had no trouble resisting temptation. In fact, he was the first man to ever renew her zest for the physical side of love. His power was terrifying, his very nearness inherently dangerous.

  On the other hand, shouldn’t she be able to have dinner with a handsome man without it turning into anything more complicated than a shared meal?

  “Well?” he asked.

  “I’m all right.”

  “You sure?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “So what would you like to eat? Chinese? Mexican? A steak?” he asked.

  “Mexican food sounds good.”

  They entered the Abilene city limits and drove for a while. Dan stopped the pickup outside a quaint little restaurant. It was just before the dinner hour, but already the parking lot was crowded. The sun dipped low in the sky, heralding darkness.

  The sounds of a mariachi band and the smell of corn tortillas filled the air. Neon lights blinked red, blue, green. Car doors slammed. Raleigh took a deep breath and, for one crazy moment, felt contented. It had been a long time since she’d been to the city or eaten in a restaurant. It felt good to get out.

  Turning off the radio, Dan cut the engine and glanced over at her. “Now, you stay put until I get around to the other side.”

  She started to protest, but he’d already leapt out of the front seat and was running around to open the pa
ssengerside door for her.

  As she got out, the tip of her boot hung on the hem of her long skirt. Gasping, she found herself barreling forward right into his Dan’s waiting arms.

  “Whoa, there,” he said, snagging her as she fell.

  Her face flamed scarlet. “I—I’m sorry.”

  He held her aloft, inches from the ground. She could feel the power of the corded muscles in his forearm. His face hovered before hers, his dark eyes gleaming. She could smell his minty breath, the spicy scent of his cologne.

  For one spontaneous second she thought he might kiss her, but the moment passed and he set her gently on the ground. Unexpectedly, disappointment nestled in her stomach.

  “Let’s go inside,” he rasped, and that’s when she realized what supreme effort of will it had taken for him not to claim her lips as his own.

  Meekly, she followed him inside, feeling dazed by the vital undercurrent rippling between them. Blinking, she squinted against the cheerful brightness. A smiling hostess greeted them at the door, led them to their table and took their drink orders.

  Dan held out a chair for her. Awkwardly, Raleigh sat down, and watched him settle in across from her.

  “The Juarez Platter is excellent,” he recommended, studying the menu.

  “Fine,” she said hoarsely. Food was the last thing on her mind.

  Dan cracked his knuckles. He appeared as disconcerted as she felt.

  The waitress returned with their drinks, setting a beer in front of Dan and a glass of ice tea before Raleigh.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” he said.

  “I don’t know what to say.” She watched him stroke a finger around the rim of his long-necked beer bottle. He had large, capable hands. The hands of a workman, tanned and callused. She wondered what it would feel like to have those hands caressing her naked flesh.

  “Me, neither,” he said. “You’ve got me quaking in my boots.”

  “I do?” His confession relaxed her a little. Big, strong Dan was nervous, too?

  “Every time I look at you, I get a lump in my throat. You look so beautiful.”

  Raleigh struggled to control the heated rush seeping up her neck, and failed miserably. Blushing—the curse of the redhead.

  “I want to propose a toast.” He lifted his bottle.

  “A toast?” She followed suit and raised her glass.

  “To the best darn farrier in Texas.”

  “I guess I can drink to that.” She grinned and clinked the lip of her glass against his beer bottle.

  Their gazes met and held.

  The steady, patient look in his eyes made her think of soft, sensual things—whispered moans, flower blossoms, delicate evening breezes, swaying bodies. In her mind she saw Dan’s fingertips glide over her skin like wind rustling through mesquite branches.

  She jerked her gaze away. The waitress arrived with their food. Relief swamped Raleigh. Keeping her head down, she concentrated on the meal of chicken enchiladas, soft cheese tacos, refried beans and Spanish rice.

  “I like seeing you eat so heartily,” Dan commented. “A woman with an appetite.” He raised an eyebrow and she knew he referred to much more than food.

  She didn’t know what to say, but she knew she shouldn’t encourage his behavior. They were only having dinner, period. She would do well to remain mindful of that fact.

  “Dessert?” their waitress asked, gathering up their empty plates.

  “What I want isn’t on the menu,” Dan said, looking squarely at Raleigh.

  “Excuse me, sir?” asked the puzzled waitress.

  “Never mind.” He held up a palm. “Would you like some dessert, Raleigh?”

  She placed a hand on her stomach and shook her head. “Too full.” Truthfully, she wanted to get home so she could sort out her conflicting thoughts in private.

  “No, thanks, miss.” Dan smiled at the waitress. “We’ll just take the check.”

  They left the restaurant and Raleigh glanced at her watch. Only seven-thirty? It seemed an eternity had passed instead of a few hours. Relieved to have the evening over with, Raleigh hurried to the truck without waiting for Dan to catch up.

  Once they were inside the pickup, he keyed the ignition and headed out of town. Glancing over at him, Raleigh found herself wondering what thoughts crossed his mind.

  “Where are we going?” Raleigh asked, noticing they hadn’t taken the rode back to Clyde.

  “I thought we might drive around the lake for a bit. It’s a beautiful night.”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I’d really like to go home.”

  “Why? You chicken to be alone with me in the dark?”

  Oh, yes. Yes.

  “I’m not chicken,” she denied. “I’m tired. I got up at the crack of dawn.”

  “It’s not even eight o’clock yet,” Dan said, slowing down at the cutoff. “I thought maybe we could talk awhile.”

  She didn’t want to discuss feelings or share secrets or get to know Dan better, because she feared the results such intimacy would bring.

  He parked by the shore. “Please,” he said. “For me?”

  “Dan...”

  He reached over and took her hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  Raleigh gulped. Her emotions warred. Instinct cried for her to flee, and besides, she hated lakes. But good, old-fashioned lust tempted her to stay.

  “Raleigh?”

  She drew in a shaky breath. “Just for a minute.”

  They walked to the lake’s edge, fingers interlaced. Her small hand felt protected by his large, capable one. And right now she craved security and safety because just looking at the murky water turned her stomach.

  A crescent moon shone down on them, bathing Raleigh in a glow of shimmering white light. Her crimped red curls tumbled in sexy disarray down her slender shoulders. Dan swallowed, mesmerized by the sight.

  She’s so lovely, he thought, his gaze trailing down Raleigh’s swanlike neck. He hadn’t realized just how breath-taking she could be. A fairy-tale princess come to life for him. For once, she looked soft, tiny and vulnerable. He wanted to cradle her in his arms and promise to keep her safe for the rest of her life.

  “Are you cold?” he asked, noticing her shivering.

  She shook her head.

  The plaintive sound of a whippoorwill echoed eerily, the water resonating the bird’s tragic, lonely refrain. They stood together, watching the black waves lap against the shoreline. On the distant highway, cars whizzed by. Crickets chirped and bullfrogs croaked. The air smelled of earth and moistness, rich, fertile, life producing.

  “I thought we might talk,” Dan said. “Away from the ranch and our boss-employee relationship. I’d like to get to know you better.”

  “What’s the point?” she asked, withdrawing her hand from his and wrapping her arms around herself.

  “The point is, I’m interested, concerned. You’ve had a very hard life, haven’t you?” he whispered.

  “I don’t want to discuss it.”

  Perhaps if he revealed things to her about his own childhood, she might reciprocate and open up to him. “Okay, then,” he said. “If you won’t talk to me, I’ll tell you about my past.

  “I’m the youngest of three sons. My father is the owner of McClintock Plastics. He manufactures the largest supply of PVC pipes in the state of Texas,” Dan continued.

  “Are you trying to tell me your father’s loaded?”

  “My family has money, yes.”

  “So why don’t you just ask him for the money to renovate your ranch? And pay me a salary while you’re at it?” Raleigh remarked.

  Dan let out a harsh laugh. “And admit I’d failed already? He’d love that. No. I’ve finally managed to break free from his overpowering influence and I refuse to go back.”

  “I take it your father is the controlling type, huh?”

  “Controlling is a gross understatement. He’s the original control freak. He forced all his sons to go into the business. He even
picked out and bought houses for my two brothers, Mike and Jamie, and their families. Whatever father wants, father gets, and nobody ever had the courage to stand against him. But I was suffocating living his life instead of my own.”

  “So you bought the ranch to escape?” Raleigh tilted her face upward.

  “Running a ranch was the only thing I had ever wanted. He warned me I’d fail. He laughed and called me an idiotic dreamer. But I saved my money and got out. I had to prove myself, show him I could succeed on my own merits.”

  “You’ll do it,” she said.

  “What makes you say so?”

  “Because I’m here to help you.”

  “Is that really true, Raleigh? Will you stay on at the ranch and help me?” His voice caressed her. Raleigh raised her chin and looked into eyes the murky color of aged whiskey. Softly he rubbed her chin with a thumb and forefinger. “I care about you.”

  “Please, don’t.” She pressed her hands to her ears. “I don’t want to hear this, Dan.”

  “Why not? Why do you insist on hiding from me?”

  “It’s nothing personal. I like you, but life’s easier without complications.”

  “And I’m a complication, is that it?”

  “Look, I’m trying my best to raise my teenage brother. It’s all I have the time or energy for. Okay?”

  “You’re using Caleb as an excuse,” he challenged.

  “I’m not ready for a relationship at this point in my life. I might never be.”

  “You could try trusting me.”

  “Trust isn’t my greatest strength.”

  “You’re risking missing out on something special,” he warned.

  “Empty promises,” she replied, her voice sounding cynical and bitter even to her own ears. “I’ve heard them before.”

  “From whom? I want to know. I want to share your pain. Let me be strong for you, Raleigh. Let me help shoulder your burdens the way you shoulder mine.”

  He moved closer, but she took a step backward, crushing a rotted log beneath her feet. Her breath came in short, rapid gasps.

  “Oh, Dan,” she said.

  “May I kiss you, Raleigh Travers?”

  She meant to say no, to turn and run back to the truck. Every nerve in her body shouted for her to go before she lost control. But it was too late. Her arms reached out for him, she stood on tiptoe, waiting.