Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch

by Patricia Thayer

  “She probably isn’t going to want to share much of her personal life.”

  Garrett glanced away from the road. “Then you’re going to let her think that you trust me, that we’re friends again. More than friends.”

  She glared at him. “Garrett, I don’t want to trick Tori into thinking anything like that.”

  He shook his head. “Look, Josie. This Dane guy seems like a loose cannon. He’s already hit Tori, and now he seems to still be hanging around.”

  Josie knew what he said was true. This could be a dangerous game. “Okay, let’s go inside and see how things are, but please don’t mention anything about a private investigator.”

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  She didn’t let go of his arm. “Have I told you how glad I am that you’re here?”

  He smiled. “You just did.”

  They got out of the car in an area off Los Feliz Ave. This was old Los Angeles, where some structures were built in the 1930s. Their home was once an apartment that had been converted into town houses.

  The Spanish-style building had original tile and archways, and that had been what drew Josie to the place. And nearly a year ago, Tori moved in with her after her breakup with Dane. She could still see her sister’s battered face after he’d used her for a punching bag.

  Josie used her key in the door, then immediately called out to Tori.

  “Hey, is anyone home?”

  In a few seconds, a petite woman came down the hall. Vittoria had glossy black chin-length hair and midnight eyes. Her twin had inherited their mother’s Hispanic skin tone.

  “Josie!” She picked up speed and soon the sisters were locked into a big embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Josie pulled back. “Why? Has something else happened?”

  Tori quickly shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I just missed you these last few weeks.” Her gaze shifted to Garrett, and she frowned. “Well, I’m surprised to see you here. Hello, Garrett.”

  “Hello, Tori. It’s good to see you again.”

  Tori didn’t smile. “Do you have business in L.A.?”

  He glanced at Josie. “No, I just came to help your sister.” He put their suitcase down on the tiled floor. “I hear there’s a big wedding in Santa Barbara.”

  Tori placed her hands on her hips. “Okay, someone tell me what’s going on here.”

  Garrett wasn’t sure how much he should say. So the truth might be a good start. “Okay, truth is, I wanted to spend some time with Josie. At the ranch everyone has been watching us, and the same in town.” He reached out and drew Josie to his side. “So when Josie needed to be in L.A. I offered to come along and help out. We thought if we came here we wouldn’t have that pressure.”

  He felt Josie tense. “I think what Garrett left out is the fact that we aren’t officially a couple.” She turned those blue eyes toward him, and he suddenly wished for what he couldn’t have.

  “We’re taking things slow,” she added, not liking their made-up story.

  Tori’s dark eyes went back and forth between the two of them. “Yeah, like I believe that. Come on into the kitchen.”

  Garrett followed but took the chance to look around. The main living space was painted dark beige and had a sectional sofa in crimson. They passed a staircase that led to the second floor. The hall was tiled, but the rest of the floors were a dark hardwood. They walked through an archway into a big kitchen and family room area. The cupboards were painted a glossy cream color with colorful tiled counters.

  “Wow, I really like your home. There’s so much character.”

  Josie went straight to the large worktable in the family room with French doors leading to a patio. “That’s the reason I bought the place, and it was a good investment at the time. It’s been a lot of work.” She smiled proudly. “Now that I know how to tape and mud drywall, I can do more remodeling.”

  “Or you can call your favorite handyman,” he told her, and felt the heat spark between them.

  “Hey, you two,” Tori called.

  They turned to Tori. “In case you’ve forgotten we’ve got a wedding to put together in two days. Isn’t that the reason you came back?”

  CHAPTER NINE

  EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, there was little traffic on the 101 Freeway, so it had been a pleasant drive up from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, especially with the springlike temperatures.

  Occasionally, Garrett glanced at Josie, seated next to him in the car, but the conversation had been all but nil because she was either on her cell phone or working on her notes for the wedding later today.

  Last night they hadn’t talked much, either. They’d ordered pizza for dinner and discussed the details of the Santa Barbara wedding trip. Then Josie went up to her room, and Garrett went for a walk. Although the street was busy with traffic, he liked the older neighborhood. It seemed safe enough, but that could be the perfect cover for the ex-boyfriend, Dane. He still didn’t feel good about leaving the two sisters alone with a crazy on the loose.

  He thought about what Josie said to him a few days ago. “We’re not your problem.” What if he wanted her to be?

  He glanced across the car at Josie. This could all end up badly if he got his heart involved...again.

  Garrett shifted in the driver’s seat and concentrated on following the white cargo van with Slater Style embossed on the sides as they made their way through the coastal town into the hills and the Collins Family Rose Farm.

  It was 7:00 a.m. when they drove up the steep road through the rose-covered hillsides toward a huge whitewashed barn. Standing in front was a group of workers, probably waiting for the next set of instructions.

  “Good, the crew’s here,” Josie said more to herself than anyone else. “Looks like the tables and chairs have been delivered. And Mrs. Collins is here, too.”

  Practically before the car stopped, Josie grabbed her clipboard, was out the door and giving instructions to the crew. Then she took off again toward the older woman.

  Garrett had trouble keeping up as he followed her toward the huge barn. He stood in awe of the hundred-year-old two-story structure as Josie talked to the mother of the bride. Using soothing hand motions, Josie assured the woman that nothing would go wrong on her daughter’s special day.

  “I assure you, Mrs. Collins, we’ll have everything set up and ready hours before the first guests arrive for the ceremony.”

  The attractive older woman shook her head. “We could have had the wedding at a five-star hotel, but no, my daughter had to have it in a barn.”

  Josie’s voice remained calm. “The renovations on this structure came out beautifully. Wait until you see it when I finish decorating the inside.”

  The mother of the bride didn’t look convinced. “Nearly a hundred thousand dollars won’t change the fact it’s still a barn.” She walked away and climbed into a golf cart and rode off toward the large house on the hill.

  Garrett offered her an encouraging smile. “She’s just nervous about the wedding.”

  Josie released a long sigh. “Welcome to my world.”

  He followed Josie inside the barn, but paused and looked around the huge open space. Along with a new concrete floor, a few horse stalls had been rebuilt along one side that would probably never see an animal. The beams overhead were massive and stained a rich walnut color.

  Josie gave him a quick rundown on the Collins family history. The rose farm had been owned by them for over a hundred years. And great-granddaughter, Allison, wanted to be married in the barn her great-grandfather had built. “Of course after the renovations, it’s perfect for what she wants.”

  “I think it’s a great idea,” Garrett said.

  Before Josie could answer, her cell phone rang, and she quickly attached her Bluetooth to her ear and listened to her first crisis.

  The portable bar collapsed, while workmen scurried around. Garrett got busy using his carpenter skills to get it fixed, then he went to look for Josie to get his next assignment. She dire
cted him to stacks of chairs.

  When that task was completed, he walked through the chaos to find Josie with Tori, and they were directing the florist about wrapping the greenery around the trellis that was placed in front of the open barn doors. It was where the ceremony would take place in the late afternoon.

  Assured that Josie got her point across, she sent Tori off for another job, then made a call to the bride to remind her of the time for prewedding pictures. And that Megan would be there to help her.

  Then she snagged Garrett to help dress the several round tables, adding burnt-orange-colored runners over the white linen. All the chairs had to be covered, too. By the time Garrett tied his last bow, he needed a break and grabbed two bottles of water and handed her one.

  He stood next to Josie as they surveyed the area. The tables were now adorned with centerpieces of roses. Greenery had been draped over every stall, and baskets of multicolored flowers were everywhere. There was the sound of crystal and china being set out on long banquet tables. He was amazed how this production was all coming together.

  “That was quite a workout,” he admitted.

  Josie was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, and her ponytail was askew. She took a hearty drink. He eyed her long slender neck as her throat worked to swallow. He felt the same familiar stirring he’d always had for her.

  Her voice brought him back to the present. “It’s the best workout, and you don’t even need a gym membership.” She glanced at her watch. “We need to get cleaned up. We have a wedding to go to.”

  * * *

  Josie had to admit, Garrett had put in a hard morning without any complaint. She hadn’t even had time to think about whether his coming this weekend was a good idea or not. She was just glad he’d been here to help out.

  Back in the car, Josie directed Garrett to one of the guesthouses on the property that Mrs. Collins had supplied the Slater Style crew. It was more convenient, so they didn’t have to keep running up and down the hill to a hotel, especially to shower and change for the event. Catch was, she had to share it with Garrett.

  About two hundred yards away from the Collins home and the barn, they found the small house nestled in a group of trees. They parked in the gravel driveway, and Josie used the key as Garrett and Tori brought in the bags.

  “Oh, this is nice,” Tori said.

  Inside, the main room was surprisingly large with an open kitchen that had all the luxuries of home. There were two bedrooms, each with their own bath. Josie and Tori chose the larger of the bedrooms. “Garrett, you can use this one,” she said, avoiding any eye contact with him. If things were different maybe... No, she couldn’t go back there.

  With a nod, he carried his bag into the first room with two single beds.

  Tori stared at her twin. “I thought you said you two were a couple?”

  “I said we’re going slow, too. Besides, this isn’t a getaway weekend. I’m working, so today is for my bride.” Josie tossed her bag on the bed, hoping she convinced her sister. “Now, do you want to shower first?”

  Tori watched her for a moment, as if she would argue the point, but said, “Sure.” She picked up her things and walked into the bathroom.

  Josie sank down onto the king-size bed. Her sister could read her better than anyone, so she had to know that she and Garrett weren’t a couple. She had no idea what they were. Old high school sweethearts? Friends?

  Josie shook her head. The wedding. Think about the wedding. She wished now she’d changed places with Megan and taken the first bride duty.

  Once she heard the shower turn on, she headed to the kitchen, wishing she could have a glass of wine, but that would have to wait until after the festivities.

  She passed the living area and stopped short when she saw Garrett. He was bending down, getting something from the refrigerator, giving her a close-up view of his backside, slim hips and taut thighs. Then he stood, and she discovered he was shirtless.

  She gasped and he quickly turned around. Oh, boy. His chest was impressive, too. Wide and well-developed and his arms...

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  “No. You...you just startled me. I didn’t expect you...to be out here.” Stop rambling, she told herself. “We don’t have much time to get ready.”

  His gray eyes locked on hers. “Loosen up, Josie. We have time.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “It’s going to be perfect. You’ve done a great job. You have to be proud of this, and the business you’ve created.”

  She tried to speak, but her throat grew tight and she swallowed hard to clear it. It didn’t help.

  “I am proud of you. But I always knew you’d be a success at anything you attempted,” he breathed as his head descended toward hers.

  Even knowing what was about to happen wasn’t wise, she couldn’t move away as his mouth brushed over hers. She sucked in needed air, but before she could protest, he pulled back and gave her a smile.

  “I should get back to my room before I get us both into trouble.” He stepped around her and headed down the hall.

  She sagged against the counter and watched the man walk away. The way her thoughts were going, she was already in trouble. Big trouble.

  * * *

  It was midnight, so Josie’s job was officially over. The wedding ceremony had gone off with only minor mishaps, including a five-year-old ring bearer who suddenly refused to participate. No amount of bribing would make the boy go down that aisle.

  The best man’s toast revealed a little too much about the groom’s past, and the bride got a little too much cake on her face. Josie leaned against the stall gate next to the dance floor and watched the happy couple grooving to a fast-paced song, and smiled. Okay, she’d done a good job of putting this together, from the bride’s spark of an idea to have her wedding on her family’s estate.

  She thought back to the project at the lodge. Could she put together a few wedding packages to help make it a successful venue and bring in money for the ranch?

  “Looks like you can use this,” a familiar voice said.

  She looked over her shoulder and found Garrett holding two glasses of champagne. She accepted the crystal flute and took a sip of the Napa Valley vintage. Heavenly. She closed her eyes and savored the warm feeling the bubbly liquid gave her.

  “You’re a lifesaver.”

  She took a sip as she examined Garrett, dressed in his dark tailored slacks and wine-colored shirt with a dark print tie. Her heart went all aflutter gazing at the handsome man.

  “At your service, ma’am.”

  Garrett leaned against the post on the stall and studied the beautiful woman in a basic black dress. Except there wasn’t anything basic about Josie Slater. The knit material draped over her body, subtly showing off her curves. Her hair was swept up on top of her head, revealing her long graceful neck. Diamond studs adorned her sexy earlobes.

  “I should have come to your rescue sooner, except I couldn’t seem to catch up to you. I don’t think anyone could.”

  “There’s always a lot to do at these events. I’m actually off now, but until the bride and groom leave, anything can happen.” She checked her watch. “I’m hoping that will be in the next thirty minutes.”

  The band ended one song and applause broke out in the crowd, then quickly died down when a ballad began, Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” Garrett didn’t hesitate as he took the glass from Josie’s hand and set it on the railing, then reached for her.

  “I can’t... I shouldn’t, Garrett.”

  He shook his head as he drew her into his arms. “No one will even see us,” he told her as they began to move to the music inside the privacy of the stall.

  When he pulled her close, she didn’t fight him. He bit back a groan, feeling her body pressed against him. He could barely move, afraid to disturb the moment. The familiarity of her scent, her touch, churned up so many emotions, emotions he thought had died long ago. He was wrong. So wrong. He’d never gotten over her.

  W
hen his thigh brushed Josie’s, she drew a breath. He tightened his hold, knowing this moment in time was fleeting for both of them. He knew he shouldn’t want this so much. It couldn’t last. Soon they had to go back to reality and their different lives. Just seeing her in action today proved that.

  Slowly the music faded, but he didn’t release her. He closed his eyes, feeling her softness molded to him. They were a perfect fit. Hearing people approach, Josie pulled back, her eyes dark and filled with desire.

  “I need to get back to work.”

  When she started to leave, he reached for her. “Josie...”

  She stopped but didn’t look at him. “This isn’t a good idea, Garrett.”

  “It felt pretty good a few seconds ago.”

  Before she could speak, someone called to her. “I can’t do this right now, Garrett. I need to get back to work.” She pulled away and hurried off.

  Garrett walked to the edge of the stall. “This isn’t over, Josie.”

  * * *

  It was after one in the morning before the caterers finished cleaning up and left the premises. The band had packed up their equipment and driven off thirty minutes earlier.

  The newlyweds had a formal send-off just after midnight, and the party finally began to wind down and the rest of the Collins/Brimley families went home, too. Josie pulled the sweater coat tighter around her shoulders to ward off the night’s chill. She caught up with Tori and Megan while they finished packing up the Slater Style van.

  “Thank you so much,” she said and hugged them both. “Everything turned out wonderful.”

  “Wait until you get my bill,” Tori teased, fighting a yawn.

  “Then let’s go to the cottage so we can get some sleep. Mrs. Collins said we can stay as late tomorrow as we want.”

  Tori shook her head. “I’m not staying. I’m going back with Megan.”

  “But the traffic,” Josie said, trying to change her decision. She wasn’t sure if she could handle Garrett as close as the next bedroom. “And what about Dane?”

  “I’m not driving. And I haven’t seen Dane in over a week. Besides, I’m going to spend the night with Megan.”