Winning Over the Cowboy

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Thanks.” Her face heated, and she scurried to the passenger side, eager to get to the fish market, then back to the dude ranch and escape this one-on-one time with him.

  “You hungry?” Chase beat her to it and opened her door for her.

  “A little.” She climbed in. “We could drive through and get something.”

  “I’d rather find somewhere to eat in.” He rounded the truck, slid in and started the engine. “How about the Tower of the Americas? Ever been?”

  “That’s the glass restaurant that rotates, right?” The one stuck way up in the sky? Just the thought of it set her nerves on edge.

  “Seven hundred fifty feet up. Within an hour’s time, you get a bird’s-eye view of the entire city. You can sit back and enjoy a five-star meal that you didn’t have to cook.”

  “Never been.” Her throat constricted. “I was on a budget in culinary school. If our creations in class were edible, we ate there.” She giggled, trying to squelch the fear coiling in her stomach. “Am I dressed nice enough?” She glanced down at her turquoise top paired with white capris and heeled silver sandals.

  “There will be people dolled up and some wearing jeans. There’s no dress code.”

  Her hair was an unruly tangle, but her clothes were probably appropriate. She was just searching for an excuse not to go.

  “I’m game.” Why had she agreed? All she had to do was say she was tired, that they should head back.

  But if this was another one of his tests, she refused to fail it.

  * * *

  “You’d think it wouldn’t be this busy on a Monday afternoon.” Chase tapped his foot while they waited for an elevator. “Seems like most folks would be at work.”

  “Maybe we should do this another time, since we already got the fish.”

  “Those are commercial-grade coolers. They’d be fine in there for two days.”

  “Are you sure? We probably should have picked them up last.”

  “Positive.” Was she in that much of a rush to get away from him? “I’ll tell you what I’m not having—fish. In fact after seeing that bucket of heads, if I wasn’t an avid fish lover, I’d never eat it again.”

  “It was fascinating.” Her words tumbled out with excitement. “They were so fast with the knives and fish flying. It was fun. Surely, you’ve cleaned your own.”

  “Yes. But not that many at one time. I’ve never smelled so much slime or seen more guts...” He made a gagging sound. “I may have nightmares.”

  “What’s wrong, tough guy?”

  He grimaced. “Something smelled fishy in there. My sinuses won’t recover for a week.”

  “But you’ve been there before.”

  “Not where the action is.”

  “If it would fit FDA standards, I’d have done it myself.”

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone quite like you, Landry Malone.”

  “Because I don’t mind fish slime?”

  “And you still look like a girl.” He chuckled.

  The elevator doors opened, and they waited as people exited. More rushed in around them. As they stepped inside, Landry slipped her hand into his. Odd.

  “You okay?” he whispered.

  “Just a little motion sickness.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “How else would we get up?” The doors shut and the car slowly ascended. Her face blanched. “It’s just that my stomach is still at the bottom.”

  But as they climbed the tower, she squeezed tighter. By the time they made it to the top, she had a death grip on him, with his fingers on the verge of tingling.

  “Let me guess. You’re afraid of heights?”

  “A little,” she squeaked, sucked in a big breath. “But I refuse to be ruled by my fears.”

  “You should have said something. We can eat at another restaurant. On ground level.”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  The doors opened, and he ushered her out. She was still wobbly, so he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.

  She bobbled despite his support.

  “Whoa.” Chase gripped her elbow to steady her. “Let’s go someplace else.”

  “I’ve heard it’s good here. And I’m hungry.” She straightened her spine.

  “Listen, you’ve proven your point.” Amazingly, she didn’t protest as he turned her back to the elevator. “You’re tough as nails. But I won’t keep you here, expect you to eat, when you’re positively green.”

  She leaned into him.

  “I’m sorry, Landry.” He nestled her against his side. “I’ll get you down, and I’ll never take you anywhere like this again.”

  “You promise?” Her voice quivered.

  “Promise.” He pushed the button. But with every minute that passed, she became more jittery. “We’re almost out of here.”

  “Let the record show—this is the only test I’ve failed.”

  “But I wasn’t testing you. I had no idea.”

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened.

  “Landry?” said a preppy guy in a skinny suit.

  Kyle Billings. With his new fiancée on his arm.

  Chase recognized him from Googling Landry along with her internet search history.

  Was that regret in Kyle’s eyes? Did he want her back? He should have regrets—the heel. He was unworthy of Landry.

  But why did Chase care?

  “Hello, Kyle.” Landry’s face was stricken. And Chase didn’t know if there was anything he could do to protect her.

  Chapter Seven

  Landry concentrated on schooling her features. She couldn’t give away that she was affected in any way by seeing the man she’d planned to marry for the first time since he left her at the altar in the midst of their vows. Or that the curvy blonde draped on his arm bothered her in the slightest.

  “You two know each other?” The blonde looked down her perfect nose at Landry—even though they were about the same height.

  “Kyle left Landry at the altar last year.” Sarcasm rolled off Chase’s tongue, malice in the glare he aimed at Kyle.

  Landry closed her eyes. “Chase.”

  “You were engaged before?” The blonde turned on Kyle.

  “I’m sorry, Waverly.” Kyle ran his hand along the back of his neck. “It didn’t seem important enough to tell you.”

  Landry’s face scalded. His careless words like a kick in the stomach.

  “But she’s so not your type.” Waverly sneered.

  Why hadn’t she worn something nicer? Compared to the blonde’s skintight white dress, Landry felt tomboyish, dowdy and faded.

  “Maybe not, but she’s so my type.” Chase’s arms came around her waist and hauled her back against him as he buried his face in her hair.

  “What are you...?” She struggled against him.

  “Come on, sweetheart. Don’t be shy.” Chase chuckled against her ear. “Kyle knows exactly how hard it is to resist your fiery locks. No need to hide that I’m crazy in love with you.”

  His warm breath sent a shiver over her. Pretending. To save her embarrassment. She stopped fighting him, but he must have felt the heat coming off her face.

  Kyle’s gaze locked on hers. “I’m glad you’ve moved on, that you have someone. It makes me feel better about—things.” He gave her a tight smile. “Be happy, Landry.”

  “I’ve lost my appetite.” Waverly jerked away from him and bolted into the elevator. Kyle followed, barely making it inside before the doors started closing.

  “I can’t believe you never told me—” Waverly’s tirade cut short as the doors shut.

  But with Kyle gone, Chase didn’t let Landry go. His warm breath stirred the hair at her temple, sending another shiver over
her. He was pretending. So why did the embrace feel so real? So right?

  “My hair isn’t fiery. It’s strawberry blond,” she said after she started breathing again, jabbing her elbow into his ribs.

  “Ouch.” He let go of her.

  “What was that about?” She spun away from him.

  “It was either punch him or take up for you. And I figured I’d get us kicked out if I punched him.”

  “Exactly how is lying about our relationship taking up for me?”

  “Yeah, sorry about that.” He clenched his fists. “I had to do something to stop that witch’s gloating, and I wanted to spare you embarrassment.”

  “I appreciate your concern.” She pressed her hands to each temple, willing her brain not to blow up. “But I’m a big girl.”

  “Maybe thinking we’re an item will torment him.”

  “I doubt he’ll spare a thought for me.” Not with his new fiancée to keep him company.

  But Chase had only tried to help. Misguided as his methods might have been.

  “Thank you for trying to help.” She clasped a hand to her heart. Did she sound normal? She was too affected to tell. “It was just a shock. To see him again. With her.” Kyle had obviously moved on with no problem. Maybe he hadn’t loved her, either. Or maybe he’d dumped her for this Waverly person.

  And it was no wonder. There was no way Landry could measure up.

  She winced. “Why does she have to be so supermodel worthy?”

  “Some guys are more into the athletic, strawberry blond, with freckles sprinkled across her nose type.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

  And her face went hot. Yeah, right. “Thanks. But you’re not making me feel any better.”

  “Comparing Waverly to you is like the contrast between a peacock and a swan. Some men fall for the prideful strutting of the overembellished peacock. But some prefer the grace and simple beauty of a swan. After almost landing you, ending up with Waverly would be a letdown.”

  “Thanks.” Her laugh came out shaky. “I’m really fine. More mad than upset. How did you even know who he was?”

  “I might have—sort of checked your search history that night you got so upset.” He grimaced. “Not my finest moment, but I was worried. I put two and two together from things Mom told me.”

  So he knew all about the most humiliating skeletons in her closet. Her face went hotter.

  She turned to the window. Remembering where they were. In a thimble perched in the sky on a toothpick. Her stomach clenched and her head whirled.

  “Lean on me.” He put his arm around her waist, gently leading her away from the glass. “Let’s get you down from here.”

  They walked back to the elevator, but for once, her fear of heights was the least of her problems. Why was Chase’s kindness stirring up more inside her than seeing Kyle had?

  * * *

  They strolled to the ranch house side by side. Why did it feel so right? His presence made her feel safe.

  “Want to sit a spell? Let the frog chorus cure what ails you?” He stopped on the porch.

  She sank into the swing. For now, just for this moment in time, she couldn’t pull herself away from Chase.

  Especially since he’d been so sweet today. Perfectly content to drive through Whataburger. Comfort food in the parking lot instead of the nice, sit down meal he’d intended.

  “I don’t know what you ever saw in Mr. Preppy Frat Boy.” He settled beside her. “I mean, he wears skinny suits.”

  “Not my favorite look.” She wrinkled her nose. “He was so different from the ranch hands I was used to.” But she hadn’t loved him. What if he hadn’t walked out on her? What if she hadn’t realized she didn’t love him until they’d said their I do’s?

  “He probably doesn’t even own a pair of jeans, and if he does, they’re probably skinny, too. With cuffs.” He lowered his voice in a conspiratorial manner. “Never trust a man who rolls up his denim. And especially never trust a man who doesn’t wear it at all.”

  “Wish I’d known that last year.” She giggled as her eyes met his. “She deserves him. Who names a child Waverly, anyway? Makes me think of fabric.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t get that reference. I’m afraid I’m not a fabric aficionado.”

  But to her horror, her laugh ended in a hiccupped sob.

  He traced the moisture down her cheek with a gentle thumb.

  “I always cry when I’m mad,” she huffed. “And it only makes me madder.”

  “Kyle has no idea what he missed out on.” He pulled her into his arms.

  She should have pulled away. But she didn’t have the strength to. She had too many feelings stuffed inside to contain. Anger at Kyle. Confusion that she actually thought she’d loved him. Disappointment that she couldn’t trust her own heart now that she’d met a really great guy.

  She shuddered against Chase, struggled to get her emotions under control. But the dam inside her burst. She soaked his shoulder but at least managed to silence the sobs pushing to the surface.

  He didn’t say anything, just held her.

  She felt one of the barriers between them slip away.

  With her tears subsiding, she should move away from him. But she wasn’t a pretty crier. Her makeup was waterproof, but her sensitive skin wasn’t.

  And his embrace seemed to give her strength. She just wanted to eke out a little more time with him. A bit more of this newly discovered closeness between them.

  “That thing you said about me testing you—I had no idea you were afraid of heights. I wouldn’t have taken you there if I had. You must think I’m a complete jerk.”

  “You have to admit you were pretty rough on me that first week.”

  “Let’s just say I’ve run into a few untrustworthy women in my time. Women willing to do anything to—”

  “Get the dude ranch. I know.”

  “Who told you?” He stiffened. “Mom? Resa?”

  “No. I won’t reveal my source. The person who told me was only trying to help me understand why you were being such an ogre.”

  “Ogre, huh?” He relaxed again with a chuckle. “Well, I apologize. No more tests. No more orneriness. Maybe we could call a truce. Try that friend thing you mentioned. And honor Eden’s memory.”

  “I like that idea. A lot.”

  The back door opened. “Landry?” His mom stepped out on the porch. “Oh, dear, are you all right?”

  She pulled away from him and dabbed her eyes.

  “I was just lending a much-needed shoulder.” Chase patted her arm.

  His mom leaned in the doorway, green eyes scrutinizing them.

  “I’m fine.” Landry tried to collect herself. It couldn’t get any worse. “Chase has a great shoulder.” Oh, but it could. If only biting her tongue in two would retrieve what she’d just said.

  A smile tugged at his mom’s mouth. “Y’all are getting quite cozy.”

  “Mom!”

  At least Landry’s face was probably red enough now to blend the blotches together. “It’s not like that. I’m just having a bad day. Chase was only offering comfort.”

  “From enemies to comfort within two weeks’ time. Wonder what next week will bring?”

  “All right.” Chase stood, linked arms with his mom and propelled her inside. “You’ve mortified Landry enough.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass anyone. I just—” The kitchen door closed behind them.

  But Janice had a valid point. Things were way too cozy.

  Today Landry had run into the man she’d almost married, realized for certain she’d never loved him and had been smacked in the face with her replacement.

  Yet all she could think about was Chase.

  * * *

  Chase stashed his t
ools back in the maintenance closet. He’d managed to stay busy and avoid Mom’s questions about yesterday with Landry. But this evening as he headed for the door, he found his mother waiting on the front porch.

  “Did you need something?”

  “I thought we’d talk for a sec.”

  He had a trail ride to guide in a few minutes. And he’d hoped to get away without running into anyone. He loved his mom, but he was too confused to discuss Landry.

  “I have only a few to spare.” He settled in the log chair, gestured her to the one beside it.

  “You have feelings for Landry.”

  Deny it or admit it? Which would end the conversation? Probably neither.

  A breeze whispered through the live oaks overhead. What was it about Landry? Why did she draw him like moth to a bug zapper?

  “Hello?”

  “It’s complicated.” He clamped his back teeth together, hoping she’d let the subject drop.

  “What’s complicated about it? I think you’re convinced now she’s not a scammer.” She shot him a knowing grin. “You’re both Christians, unattached, perfect for each other.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “It can’t happen.”

  “Why not?”

  “She’s still hung up on Kyle.”

  “You really think so? After the way he hurt her, not to mention humiliated the poor child to the point that she felt she had to move away from everything and everyone she knew?”

  “We ran into him and his fiancée yesterday.” He scrubbed a hand across the stubble of his beard. “I saw what it did to her. Caught the tears.”

  “Kyle is engaged? Already?” Mom gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Well, that just means he’s effectively out of Landry’s picture. Maybe you can help her forget him.”

  “No way am I going there.” His gaze went to the puffy white clouds overhead. “Rebound relationships usually don’t last. And we own a business together. Getting involved with Landry would only complicate everything. Especially if it didn’t work out.”

  “But if it did work out, y’all could run this place together and live happily ever after.”

  “Mom.” Chase stood. “No more talking. Please.”