After all, what did she have to lose?
Chapter Four
Cole entered the ballroom of the Marquis Hotel situated on the county line, with hat in hand, wearing a black suit and string tie. These darn fancy occasions didn’t sit right with him. He was much more comfortable in jeans and a work shirt, but the Cattlemen’s Association held this dinner dance once a year to raise funds for kids in need and it was too good a charity event not to attend. So he sweated out wearing something short of a monkey suit and traded in his boots for polished black dancing shoes.
Not that he planned on dancing.
He’d put in his time, shake some hands, have dinner and then be on his way.
His mouth parched, he headed over to the bar at the back of the room. Liquor bottles displayed in abundance sat against a wall of mirrors and as he gave the bartender his order, he got a glimpse of his sour reflection.
Trey Walker came to stand beside him and braced his elbows on the bar. “Looks like you and I had the same idea.”
“Hey, Trey,” he said. “Good seeing you. Can I get you a drink?”
He nodded and the bartender came over. “I’ll have two cranberry juices please.”
Cole shot him a look.
“I’m on baby duty tonight,” he said. “No drinking, just in case.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” The bartender set down his bourbon and Cole picked it up and took a swig. “So, Maddie’s here?”
“Yeah. She insisted we get out of the house tonight. She’s feeling crowded in and needed a night off the ranch. She says I hover too much.”
Cole laughed.
“It’s not funny,” barked a feminine voice from behind. Cole whirled around and found Maddie grinning at him. “He watches my every movement.”
“Maddie, you look beautiful,” Cole said. She was sweetly pregnant, a healthy glow about her face. She wore a pretty black dress that did a good job of hiding her soccer ball belly.
“Thank you.”
“I agree, honey,” Trey said. “You look gorgeous.”
“Hah, let’s not go overboard, Trey. I’m round and it’s getting harder and harder to see my toes.”
Trey kissed her cheek. “You have pink polish on them today.”
“Thanks, what would I do without you?” She batted her eyes emphatically.
The two of them together made Cole forget his pissy mood for a moment. He took another sip of his drink and allowed the smooth liquor to coat his throat, fortify him. All this baby bliss could possibly be contagious and it was the last thing he needed, thinking about becoming a father one day.
Day came to mind immediately, her round with his child, and Cole muttered an oath.
“You say something?” Trey asked, his brows gathering.
“Nope.” He couldn’t say it and he damn well shouldn’t be thinking it either. Parenthood with Day wasn’t an option.
Their cranberry juices came and Trey handed one to his wife.
“So where’s Dakota? Jillian said she would be here,” Maddie asked.
Cole winced. He’d been feeling guilty about not offering to bring her. It would seem too much like a real date picking her up and taking her home late at night. After what happened yesterday, what had been happening between them, he thought better of it. He didn’t trust himself. Wasn’t that a crock of shit? They’d been friends for years, knew everything, well almost everything there was to know about each other and now here he was, afraid to bring Cinderella to the ball. Afraid that he’d lose control and do something he couldn’t take back. Something stupid. Something Day didn’t seem to have a problem with. Which made it all the more dangerous. Her willingness.
But as her friend, he should’ve offered her a ride. He should’ve been the gentleman he’d always been with her, and seen her safely to and from this shindig.
And now, he was kicking himself about not offering her a ride. “She said she was coming.”
“You didn’t bring her?” Trey’s voice rose to a moderately high pitch. Those four words went deep, knifing into him and twisting.
Maddie tilted her head and gave him a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look. If he wasn’t feeling guilty already, that one look would’ve done him in. “No, I didn’t.”
He had no real comeback. No excuses to offer. He’d brought her for the past two years, but this time, it would’ve been different. It would’ve been too hard for him to walk into this party with her on his arm. Too hard not to feel like she belonged by his side. Too hard not to think of her as his.
“Okay, well. Looks like she made it here by herself,” Maddie said, gazing into the bar mirror.
Cole, too, saw her reflection from across the room. He gulped oxygen, unable to take his eyes off. The jade dress she wore hugged her slender curves and a peekabo slit swam up her leg thigh high. His mouth went dry and he downed the rest of his bourbon, but it didn’t help his dire thirst. Even from this distance, he could see her eyes shining bright, reflecting off the hue of her dress, making them seem greener, larger, more pronounced. All that glorious raven hair barreled down her back in sweeping curls.
“Maybe I was wrong. Maybe she didn’t make it here by herself.”
“What?”
Just then, Brett Collier showed up, taking up space next to Day. Cole spun around on his heels, making sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him from the image in the mirror. They weren’t. There, in a suit and tie, stood Hope Wells’ most eligible playboy bachelor and he was standing dangerously close to Day. The two were laughing. Brett always seemed to put Day in good humor and there was no doubt in his mind, they’d come here together. Was it a date?
Hell, Day had been making noise about wanting to start dating, like her mother had, but after what had happened between them, he didn’t think she’d actually go out on a date with someone.
Someone else, that is.
“Wow,” Maddie said breaking his train of thought. “Jillian did a great job.”
“Jillian?”
Maddie droned on about Jillian helping Dakota find the right dress, do her hair and apply a smidgeon of makeup, but Cole’s mind was too busy running rampant to comment. Thoughts of strangling Collier and tossing his bones in the river weren’t a far cry from reality. Thoughts of whisking Day away from here were coming close to reality too, as he noted dozens of men eyeballing her. Of course, she was oblivious to the gawking. Day was like that. She didn’t seek attention. She often didn’t think she deserved it. And that made her all the more appealing. Why now, was he losing his mind over her? He couldn’t figure it out. They’d been friends for decades and all of a sudden, he was noticing her as a female.
She searched around and spotted him with the Walkers and gave a wave. Maddie and Trey waved back and Cole spun around to brace his hands on the bar and order another drink. He sent up unholy prayers to keep his mouth shut tight, except to gulp his bourbon. He was feeling like a heel already, but to have Collier show up, as Day’s knight in shining armor, was too much for him to take.
“Hi, guys,” Day said too darn cheerfully for his liking.
“Dakota, you look gorgeous,” Maddie said.
Cole turned around just in time to see Day shrug it off. Good God, close up she was even more stunning.
“Jillian’s a miracle worker,” she said.
“Don’t think that’s the case at all,” Brett butted in. “You gave Jillian a lot to work with.”
Day blushed, her cheeks going rosier than he’d ever seen them. “That’s very sweet, Brett.”
Cole was ready to hang the guy with his fancy string tie.
“You do look beautiful,” Trey said. “Doesn’t she, Cole?”
Trey would get the noose next.
Cole took his sweet time answering. He didn’t like these games. He didn’t like to respond on demand. But one look into Day’s hope-filled eyes had him momentarily melting. “You do look beautiful, Day.”
“Thank you,” she said, gazing at him as if he was the only man in the room. I
t did something powerful to his ego.
“Did you two come together?” Maddie asked.
“We did. My car again.”
Shit, how many times was she going to use that as an excuse? Why didn’t she buy herself a newer car, if this one was going on the fritz every other day?
“Her battery died,” Collier explained.
“And you couldn’t jump it?” Cole asked, cringing that he’d barked so loud. Those unholy prayers he just sent up went unanswered, probably because they were just that: unholy.
“That’s what I told him, but he insisted.”
“She was all dolled up. Couldn’t risk her getting stranded alone in the dark if her car broke down again. Knowing her, she’d probably try to fix it and ruin her new dress.”
“That was thoughtful, Brett,” Maddie said.
Cole bit his tongue. Literally. And it hurt. But he wasn’t going to remark. He wasn’t. “Day knows how to jump a car. Remember that time your truck died and I taught you how to use the cables?”
Day blinked a few times as if just recalling. “Yeah, I do remember. That was…when I was a senior in high school.” She’d been driving an old battle-weary truck handed down to her by an uncle. The dang thing wasn’t worth shit, but Day had loved having wheels and Cole had given her a few basic lessons in mechanics. “I guess I could’ve driven myself, but like I said Brett insisted.”
“Just being neighborly.”
That again.
“So, Brett, are you staying for dinner?” Trey asked.
“No, sir. I’ve got an appointment.”
Day grinned. “He means he has a hot date.”
A hot date? One that didn’t involve Day? Cole shouldn’t feel so dang relieved but he was. Inside, he was jumping for joy.
“It’s not a date, Dakota. I keep telling you that. It’s an appointment. Like I said.”
“Dressed like that?” Maddie asked.
“I’m meeting an old friend for dinner to discuss business.”
“It’s a date,” Day said and Maddie agreed, both women bobbing their heads up and down.
Brett rolled his eyes and glanced at his watch. “Listen, I’ve got to get going. Day was pretty sure she could get a ride home from one of you.”
“We can take her,” Maddie jumped in.
“I’ll bring her home, Maddie,” Cole said, firm in his tone. His guilt was at an all-time high and he wasn’t about to make Trey and Maddie go out of their way when he could easily bring Day home. What had happened to his manners? They’d flown the coop the minute he’d kissed her. The minute he’d allowed himself to touch her soft skin. “It’s settled. Day has a ride,” he said, hoping Brett would get the message and leave.
“Brett, I see Mr. Jasper.” She pointed to a table where the old guy was sitting. “Stay a little while longer. I want to introduce you.”
“All right. I guess I can for a minute or two,” Brett said. “Excuse us.”
Us? That was hitting a little too close to home. There was no “us” when it came to Brett and Dakota. And just like that, Day walked away with Brett Collier looking too comfortable by her side, hot date or not.
“Mr. Green. In the ballroom. With the dinner knife.”
Cole took his laser focus off Day and turned to Trey. “What in hell are you talking about?”
“Get a clue, buddy.”
Maddie chuckled. “Trey, give the guy a break. He can’t help it if he’s green with jealousy. And we are in the ballroom with dozens of dinner knives just like in the game Clue.”
“You two think you’re very clever.”
Trey gave his wife a broad smile. “Forgive us. We don’t get out much.”
Cole grumbled and walked away, shaking his head.
He had no idea how he was going to get through tonight, much less drive his wrangler/knock-out friend home without giving up the fight.
His willpower was only running on mere-mortal strength these days.
*
Arnold Jasper was a cranky old codger on the outside, but a good man on the inside and Day understood that about him. He’d been around Hope Wells a long time and had the scars to prove it. He and his wife had three children, and after suffering the loss of his youngest daughter to a rare birth defect, the family had endured, their immense grief finally ebbing after long years. Arnold’s wife was gone now and his two sons lived out of state, making their mark on the world in Chicago and New York. Usually only the die-hards stayed on in Hope Wells. The people who loved the land, ranching, or simply being a part of small-town life, like Trey and Jack Walker.
Like her and Cole.
And Arnold was one of them too.
They shared that common bond.
“Mr. Jasper, hello,” Day said with a big smile. “Have you ever met Brett Collier?”
The old man at the table swiveled his head around and braced his hand on the cane he held by his chair. “No, I don’t think I have. Heard of you though. Gossip and such from the ladies.”
Brett didn’t seem to take offense. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“Brett is a talented carpenter. He’s working on the Circle R right now. Building new stalls and making repairs. I thought you’d like to meet him.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t get a chance to meet too many people anymore, Arnold.”
“I like it that way.”
“Day tells me you’ve got a 57 Chevy, fully restored,” Brett said.
“It was. Now it’s sitting in my garage, collecting dust.”
“Sure would love to see it one day. I’m sort of a classic car junkie,” Brett said, making an effort to be cordial.
“You trying to drum up business, boy?” Arnold asked with no malice or tact. It was just Arnold’s way.
“Always. But in your case, just happy to meet a friend of Dakota’s. And I really would love to see that car.”
“Is he your date?” Arnold lifted his eyes to her.
“Brett is a friend. And my next-door neighbor. He gave me a ride to this shindig and we’re not dating.”
“Too bad. I like him.”
“I think that’s Arnold’s code for yes,” Day said. “You can stop by anytime. Right, Mr. Jasper?”
He gave a curt nod. “Makes no difference to me.”
“Well, it was sure nice meeting you, Mr. Jasper,” Brett said. “Sorry, but I have to run. I have an appointment tonight. I’m hoping you all have a good evening. Goodnight.”
“I’ll be back in a little while too, Arnold. I’m going to walk Brett out.” Day said. “Oh and save a dance for me.”
“Will do, girl,” the old man answered, a twinkle in his eye. “I don’t mind dancing with the prettiest gal in this joint.”
It was awkward to be accepting so many compliments tonight. Maybe Jillian was really a magician. Day wasn’t used to it and she didn’t quite know what to say other than to give her thanks, which she mumbled to the old man before turning to leave.
She saw Brett to the hotel lobby and the rat wouldn’t give her a clue who his appointment was with. Maybe it was a casual hookup. A need for female companionship. Brett did have a reputation, but somehow, she didn’t think so. This night seemed important to him. Yet, it was none of her business and she didn’t pry since he’d saved the day and given her a ride here. “Thanks for driving me tonight.”
“My pleasure. It was worth it seeing Cole’s face when we showed up together.”
“You know, you’re not very good at being Switzerland,” she admonished him.
“That’s only because I prefer America, someplace like New Orleans comes to mind. Do me a favor, May Day. Have fun tonight.”
“I plan too. After all, I have Arnold Jasper on my dance card.”
He chuckled and bid her farewell.
Day walked into the ballroom and took a seat at their empty table adorned by a floral arrangement of yellow Texas roses. A dozen votive candles surrounded the centerpiece and the twinkling flames set a serene mood. She
was anything but that right now and she tried to absorb the atmosphere and do as Brett asked. Have fun.
A second later, Cole showed up, handing her a glass of white wine. Her favorite: Chardonnay. “Thank you,” she said.
He took a seat next to her. “You mind?”
“No, of course not.” Since when would she refuse to sit next to him?
“Thanks. Though, I don’t think I deserve your kindness.”
“What are talking about?”
“Me, being an ass.” Work-roughened fingers wove through his hair.
“Oh, that.” She sipped her wine. “I’m sorta used to it, Cole.” She held back a smile. Laughing at his misery wouldn’t be nice. Or cool. Or…her. Although, she was changing a bit and she liked the new Dakota, better than the old one. The new Dakota went after what she wanted more aggressively than the old. She pursued her dreams with a lot more conviction. She made things happen.
Maybe that scared Cole. It certainly scared her, but it didn’t stop her.
“Yeah, that.” Cole really did look tortured. “I’m sorry, Day. I should’ve offered you a ride to the party.”
“I think I know why you didn’t.” She took another sip of wine, the smoothness tunneling down her throat and warming her up inside. Though, sitting next to Cole with him looking downright gorgeous in that charcoal suit was competing with the wine in giving her heat.
“Got me all figured out, do you?”
“Heavens, no. That’s nearly impossible. You’re a hard man to figure. One minute, you’re kissing me like there’s no tomorrow, the next you’re pretending I don’t exist. One minute, you’re touching me like your life depended on it, and the next you’re showing me the door.”
“I never showed you the door. But you sure as hell slammed the door in my face the other night.”
“We are talking about you, not me.”
He frowned.
“And yes you do show me the door. Only it’s revolving and somehow I end up in the same place I left off with you.”
“Which is?”
“Nowhere.”
“We’re somewhere, Day. We’re friends. We’re co-workers. We birth foals together. We ride horses—”
“Stop, please.” She drew breath into her lungs and Cole’s gaze drifted to the bodice of her dress. To where her chest rose and fell, to the cleavage the shallow neckline revealed. To her shoulders, her chin, everywhere but into her eyes. “You’re jealous of Brett Collier, and yet you’d go to your grave before you’d admit it.”
Redeeming the Texas Rancher Page 7