He hadn’t planned on asking Laney out on a date, either, but it spilled out of his mouth before he could stop it. It sucked when she’d turned him down though. But he wasn’t believing the dumb excuse she’d used. Not once he’d seen the way she’d looked at him. The hunger in her eyes. He’d felt the beat of her heart, and it wasn’t just adrenaline from the slip. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
He’d tossed and turned last night, unable to get her out of his head. Unable to get Sarah’s words out of his head. He hadn’t known then what a spark felt like, but he sure as hell did now. When he caught Laney at the coffee house, her grasp on him, her chest pressed to his, he felt a spark all right. More like a friggin’ lightning bolt that radiated to his groin, his heart, his head. Every part of him wanted her. And he was prepared to annoy her until she broke, just like the wild horses he was so good at taming. He had a talent for it.
Sawyer finished his day of work with a grin on his face, Laney on his brain. He went to bed and rolled out of it before dawn the next day. He got a jump on his work then drove into town for feed. They weren’t all that low, but better to be safe than sorry. And while he was there, he might as well stop at the coffee shop.
“Are you here to claim your free cup?” she asked as he stepped to the counter, unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile.
“No. I’m here to ask you out on a date, but I’ll take whatever you’re offering.”
“Just coffee.” She poked her tongue out at him and filled a cup. “What do you want in it?”
“Nothing. I don’t need fancy coffee.”
“I figured. You don’t seem like a fancy kind of guy.”
As she waited on other customers, he moved aside and took a seat at the same table they’d sat at yesterday. When the line dissipated, she moseyed on over.
“Can I get you something else?”
“Just a date with you on Friday.”
She rested her hands on her hips. “That’s not on the menu.”
“Damn. Cause that’s all I want.”
She was fighting that smile again. “Then I guess you’re shit out of luck.”
Sawyer finished his coffee, said goodbye, and went back to the ranch. Next morning, he went through the same routine, finding another reason to drive all the way into town. And again headed to the coffee shop.
“How’d you get into the flower thing?” he asked as she wiped down the tables around him.
“When I was sixteen I took a design class with my mom at a community center. The lady told me I had potential. Asked if I’d like to come help out at her flower shop for Mother’s Day. It sounded fun, so I did it. It was hard work and I learned a lot that week. I didn’t know it if was something I really wanted to do or not, but then I watched one of her designers make a wedding bouquet. I was hooked. I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life.”
“Wow.” He’d never known anyone who just knew like that. He sure as hell hadn’t, and definitely not when he was sixteen. He was older when he fell into ranching and found a love for it after it kicked his ass. He’d never had dreams or goals when he was a kid. He did what he had to do to get by. If he’d known then what he knew now, he would have made damn sure to make some goals. Maybe things wouldn’t have turned out so bad. “So what happened after that? How’d that lead to starting your own business?”
“Um…” She turned away from him, back to the tables, straightening chairs. She continued, but her demeanor had changed. “I found a college in Dallas with a design program. I worked at the shop while I went to school and after I graduated she hired me full-time. Six months ago I moved to Fort Mavis and started my own business.”
She’d definitely skipped over a chunk of time, but he wasn’t going to ask about it. He definitely skipped a chunk of his own timeline when people asked about his life. “I don’t know anything about flowers, but I got a glance at that book of yours. It all looked really pretty.”
“Thanks.” The smile returned.
“So, what time should I pick you up on Friday?”
She looked at him, those plump lips in a smirk, an eyebrow cocked. “How about thirteen o’clock?”
All he could do was shake his head and drain his cup.
He was back again on Thursday, learning more about her, sharing a few laughs. Who knew there was another person in his age bracket who held a love for classic country music like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams? He felt comfortable with her. It was something he hadn’t ever felt with another person. He actually shared a few details of his own life, skipping the parts he didn’t want her to know. The parts only few people knew.
Friday morning, he was ready to pull out the big guns.
“I made a reservation for seven o’clock. You’re not gonna make me eat pasta all alone, are you?”
She sighed dramatically, a smirk on those gorgeous lips, and he knew he was inches away from her saying yes.
“I have to wash my hair.”
“That’s the worst excuse ever. Is that the best you can do?”
“Aliens are coming for me tomorrow so I have to pack.” She could barely contain her giggles.
“I give you points for creativity on that one.” He stood and set his coffee cup and the plate from his muffin on the counter. “See you on Monday. If you decide to stay in Fort Mavis and not go with the aliens, that is.”
She was something else. And it all just made him like her more.
Chapter 3
“How’s mom?” Laney asked as she lounged on the couch with her cell phone in her apartment above the hardware store. She was tired, having spent most of her Saturday doing flower work, then Sunday delivering it, setting it all up, then tearing it all down.
“Same as always,” replied her little sister, Raelyn. “Busy with work and church and all the activities she does.”
Laney and Raelyn had grown up outside Dallas, the daughter of a single mother slash real estate agent extraordinaire. Dad was around, but busy with his other family. Typical suburban life.
“Will she even mention my name yet?”
It had been six months since Laney’s life had fallen apart. Six months since her mother had told her how much of an embarrassment she was to her.
“Not really. Grandma was here the other day and asked about you. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, ‘Ask your other granddaughter.’ I think she’s pissed that I talk to you.”
Laney got it. She’d messed up. Big time. She’d brought shame to her family and on top of that, her mother had taken it all as a personal attack.
“So, when are you coming to visit?” Laney asked, ready for a change of topic. “I really miss you.”
“Depends. How’s the guy scene there?”
“Haven’t really noticed.”
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying. I’m too busy to notice.”
“You work at the only coffee shop in town and you haven’t noticed any of the guys that come in?”
Maybe. Just one. But noticing cute guys was the last thing she needed right now.
“You took too long to answer, so I’ll guess that you have. Who is he?”
“Okay. There’s one guy. Sawyer. He’s a ranch hand at one of the ranches nearby.”
“Oooh! Real cowboys are sexy. Tell me more.”
“He’s nice. And he makes me laugh.”
“And?”
Laney knew what Raelyn really wanted to know. “And yes! He’s really hot.”
“So, when’s the wedding?” Raelyn joked.
“Stop. There’s not gonna be one. There hasn’t even been a first date, and there won’t be.”
“Why? What’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing.” There really wasn’t. Not one damn thing. “I just can’t get tangled up with a guy right now. The last one cost me my entire life and future.”
“You really need to get over that.”
“I can’t. I was stupid and if I forget it happened, I might repeat my mistakes.”
“L
isten.” Raelyn’s voice softened. “You need to forgive yourself. He was the pig, not you.”
“It doesn’t matter. I should have known. The name should have rang a bell. Instead I was swept into the vortex of love and obsession and didn’t take the time to think rationally. It cost me my job, my reputation, my family. I can’t let it happen again.”
“Okay. I get it. But despite your moment of stupidity, you deserve to be happy. Nothing you say can change my mind about that.”
Laney didn’t know what she deserved, if anything. When you ruin people’s lives, you tend to think you don’t deserve any kind of happiness.
*
Sawyer lay in bed, unable to sleep. Four a.m. was going to be a bitch if he didn’t find some rest soon. But he couldn’t stop thinking about Laney.
At first it had just been flirty fun, the thrill of the chase. He thrived on the challenge, just like taming a wild colt. But she was a hell of a lot harder to break. She was a stubborn one, despite the attraction she had for him. What he couldn’t figure out was why she was holding herself back.
It had been a long time since Sawyer had dated anyone. The hookups over the last few years didn’t count. It had been years since he’d actually had a girlfriend, back when he was fucking up his life. When everything went to shit, she turned on him. Everyone did. Not one person stuck by him.
He did his time and when he got out, he had nowhere to go. He’d sat at a diner booth in Fort Mavis with ten bucks in his pocket and a newspaper that had been left behind by the last occupant. The ad for Double C Ranch had been the answer to his prayers.
Wanted: Ranch hands. Experience not necessary. Pays $250 a week plus room and board at the ranch. Contact David @ Double C
A hard day’s work got him a roof over his head, some cash in his pocket, and a place where no one knew anything about him.
Up until now, he’d been content with his life. He enjoyed his work and made a few friends along the way. He never wanted for anything he didn’t already have. Life was simple and he liked it that way. Simple meant staying out of trouble.
But then Laney showed up. She made him want things he didn’t know if he had a right to want. She made him feel things he’d only heard about in fairytales. For the first time, maybe ever, he wondered about his future. Wanted to make plans for it.
Chapter 4
Laney opened the back door of the coffee shop at 5:55 a.m. Jane, her boss, had already arrived.
With a sly smirk, she said, “Your boyfriend’s waiting outside.”
“What? I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Jane pulled her into the café, the lights still off, and pointed out the front picture window.
There he was. Sawyer. Leaning against a light pole, waiting for the coffee shop to open. Laney ignored the flutters in her gut. Ignored the fact that he looked sexy as fuck in jeans and a black tee shirt, black hat upon his head.
Jane handed her the keys to the front door. “Go let him in.”
Laney did as she was told and the second the door lock clicked, Sawyer looked up. Oh. My. God. Were his eyes extra blue today? A slow sexy smile curved his lips and she thought she might melt into a puddle on the floor.
She regained her composure and pushed the door open.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Don’t let that make you all mushy! “Are you ever gonna leave me alone?” she asked.
“Nope.” He stepped to the counter and looked up at the beverage menu, which he never did. “I think I’ll try one of those cappuccino things.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. I figure it’s time I try something new. Give it a chance. Don’t you think that’s good advice?”
She stepped behind the counter and tied on an apron. “For coffee, sure.”
“For everything.” He put his hands on the counter and leaned toward her. The scent of him, of soap and hay, swirled around her. “Come on. Have dinner with me. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Oh, I don’t know. Fall helplessly in lust—again—and let it fuck up every plan I have for my life, my business, my future.
“How about this,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “We won’t even call it a date. Just two new friends getting some food and drinks. We’ve done it here a bunch of times already.”
“That is true,” Jane said and winked at Laney as she walked past. Now her boss was in on it?
“I don’t know.”
“What’s not to know? You need to eat. I need to eat. Why not do it together?”
It seemed as if she was out of excuses. “If I say yes, and that’s a huge if, I pay my own share.”
“Sure. If that’s what friends do.”
“And no hanky panky.”
He stepped back, hands up in surrender. “I swear it will be a hanky panky-free evening.” But then those gorgeous ocean-blue eyes turned seductive. “Even if you beg me.”
“I don’t ever beg for anything.” The words left her lips, but they were a lie. She knew then that it wouldn’t take much for her to beg Sawyer for a lot of things. Things her body wanted that her brain said no to.
“Then it’s a deal?”
“I guess so.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Seven o’clock was more than twelve hours away. Laney had a feeling they were going to be the longest twelve hours of her life.
*
Sawyer parked the Double C Ranch pickup truck in front of the barn. He grabbed the cardboard carrier holding four large coffees and his ridiculously sweet cappuccino. It was awful, but he’d refused to let Laney know that.
Thinking about her made him smile again. It was uncontrollable. This must be how normal people felt in normal relationships. Like Tony and Sarah. And it felt damn good.
He noticed the light on in the house and saw Sarah through the kitchen window. He headed up the front steps of the house.
“Anyone need a cup of coffee?” he asked through the screen.
“Yes!” she yelled.
He stepped into the house and handed her a cup.
“You’re a lifesaver,” she said. “The coffee maker’s on the fritz.”
“Again?” Tony had joined them. “I guess I’ll have to break down and buy a new one.”
Sawyer handed him a cup from his holder. “Have this for now.”
“Thanks, man.” He sipped. “Hey. I was hoping for an extra pair of hands tonight. I have a possible buyer stopping by.”
“I can’t.” He felt like he owed his boss a reason. His cheeks warmed as he continued. “I have a date.”
“With Laney?” Sarah was practically jumping out of her fluffy pink slippers.
“Yeah.”
“I knew it! I knew you two would be perfect for each other!”
Tony shook his head. “I don’t want to know anything about this matchmaking thing.” He leaned and kissed his fiancée on the cheek then headed out the door.
“Tell me everything!” She yanked Sawyer toward the kitchen table and made him sit.
He wasn’t the kind of guy who gushed about anything, but it all spilled out of him. He was just so damn happy.
“Awww! I’m so excited for you. It’s going to be amazing.”
He dropped his gaze and fidgeted with a hangnail. “I don’t know. I’m starting to get really nervous.” He’d begged Laney for a week to go out with him and now that she’d finally said yes, now that it was actually happening, the fear was creeping in.
“Why?”
Sarah hadn’t been living at the ranch long, but she’d quickly become one of his only friends. Caring and outgoing, she was one of the nicest people he’d ever met. And he knew she had demons in her past as well. Maybe he could confide in her. Maybe she could help him.
“I did some things when I was a kid. Things I’m ashamed of.” He told her his story, the first time he’d said it out loud to anyone. It had been both terrifying yet cathartic at the same time.
“Listen,” she said and rested her
hand on top of his. “People make mistakes. No one on this earth is exempt from that, including me. It’s what you do to make up for them that matters. Just tell her what you told me. I’m sure she’ll understand.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want her to know. Ever.”
“I can’t tell you what to do, but I do know, stuff comes out whether or not you want it to.”
“This can’t. You have to promise me you’ll never breathe a word to her. Or anyone.”
“I promise, but I really think you should tell her. Maybe not immediately, but at some point.”
No. If she found out she’d want nothing to do with him.
“But let’s not think about it right now, okay?” Sarah said. “Just concentrate on sweeping her off her feet.”
He met her bright gaze and tried to regain his earlier excitement. “Okay.”
“So what’s the plan? How are you going to sweep her off her feet?”
“I need a plan?”
“Of course!”
This dating this was a lot harder than he thought.
*
“Raelyn, I need your help!” Laney tried to keep the panic out of her voice. “I have this dinner thing tonight and I don’t know what to wear.”
“A dinner thing? With that guy?”
“Don’t sound so excited. But, yeah.”
“So, a date.”
“No. It’s just dinner.”
“Then why are you freaking out about what to wear? Throw on a tee and some jeans and be done with it.”
“I can’t.”
“And why’s that?” Laney could hear the playfulness in her sister’s voice. She knew what she wanted her to say.
“Fine! Okay! You win! It’s a freaking date.”
“Yay! I just needed to hear you say it. What made you change your mind?”
Laney plopped down on her clothes-covered bed. “I don’t know. He’s…different. There’s just something about him. He’s simple. Authentic. What you see is what you get.”
“And what you see is total hotness. I wish I could see him. You need to snap a pic and text it to me.”
“I’m not doing that. But back to my problem. What do I wear? I’m not going to impress him with designer clothes or anything like that.”
Lone Star Burn: Broncos & Bouquets (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 2