by Myla Jackson
Dedication
I dedicate this book to those wonderful bars in the big and small towns where people go to connect with others and find more there than they imagined possible. Mechanical bulls, guys who’ll actually dance, cowboys, cowgirls, friends and lovers. A place where everyone knows your name.
Chapter One
“Well, I reckon it’ll do for a bachelor party. Mind if your old man comes along for a beer?” Jonathon O’Brien, owner of the Rockin’ O Ranch hadn’t seen the inside of the Ugly Stick Saloon for a couple years. He hadn’t felt much like getting out since his wife had died of breast cancer.
“What’s not to love about this place?” Gabe, Jonathon’s oldest son, waved a hand at the crowded interior of the Ugly Stick. “It’s got atmosphere.”
“They can provide the whiskey and stripper,” Tanner, the second oldest, noted. “That’s all we need.”
“Don’t be such an ass.” Sean elbowed his older brother.
“Why’s that being as ass?” Tanner frowned. “So I like women. The nakeder the better. And that makes me an ass? I don’t see you turning down the fairer sex.”
“Point made.” Sean chuckled. “But you’re still an ass.”
Tanner punched his brother in the arm. “Yeah, but you’re my brother. Takes one to know one.”
“Can you quit jackin’ around and focus?” Gabe interceded. “We’re here to commission this place for our little brother’s bachelor party.”
Jonathon shook his head, staring around the table at three of his four sons, his only daughter around the joint somewhere, waiting tables. “I can’t get over it. Of all my children, my youngest son’s going to be the first to get hitched.” He frowned at his grown sons, ranging in age from twenty-seven to thirty-one. “What are the rest of you waiting for?”
Gabe, Tanner and Sean’s eyes widened and they stared at each other.
Gabe raised a hand. “Now, Dad, don’t start.”
“Start what?” Jonathon waved a hand around the room. “There are plenty of nice young women around these parts, many of which would be happy to marry into the O’Brien family.” Each of his sons stood to inherit large parcels of land when he died. What woman wouldn’t want to be a part of that? “You’ve all proven yourselves good ranchers, increasing the size of our herd, building our stock of working and racing horses. And you’ve each done good at your other interests. You’re all strong and good-looking men, even if I am a little biased. ’Course you look like your old man.” He puffed out his chest and grinned. “Okay, better, but then I have a few years on you.”
“Dad…” Tanner shook his head. “We’ve been over this. We’ll get married.”
“Someday,” Gabe added.
“When we find the right woman,” Sean finished.
A dark-haired beauty passed by, carrying a tray loaded with beer mugs and whiskey shooters. A rowdy cowboy reached out and pinched her ass.
She turned, her cheeks bright pink, and slapped the man in the face, almost spilling the tray of drinks. “Keep your hands to yourself, George.”
Jonathon chuckled, liking that she was embarrassed by the unwanted advance, but that she could stand up for herself. She reminded him of his dearly departed wife when she was about that age. “What about her?”
“Isabella?” Gabe asked, his eyes narrowing. “She’s pretty, all right. But I’ve asked and she refuses to go out with me.”
“Really?” Sean grinned. “I asked her too, and got the same brush-off.”
Tanner’s gaze followed Isabella as she wove through the tables. “Apparently, she doesn’t care for the O’Briens.”
Gabe clapped his brother on the back. “Turned you down too, did she?”
“I didn’t say that.” Tanner glowered at Gabe.
Jonathon chewed on a toothpick, studying the gal in question. “Got good hips. Would bear children well.”
Gabe shook his head. “Dad, we aren’t looking for breeding stock.”
“She’s got nice—” Sean made the universal motion for figure until Tanner planted his elbow in his belly.
“Don’t be so coarse.” Tanner’s brows rose. “Isabella’s a nice girl. That’s probably why she won’t go out with you.”
“Did any of you ask her more than once?” Jonathon demanded.
“After she turned me down flat, I didn’t see the point.” Gabe scratched the five-o’clock shadow on his chin. “Still don’t know why she wouldn’t even go out for a cup of coffee.”
“You were shit-faced drunk. That’s why.” Tanner lifted his mug and emptied the last swallow. “Point is, Dad, I haven’t found the right woman.”
“I kinda thought Isabella was that woman. She’s not like any of the others.” Sean stared after Isabella as she returned to the bar with a tray of empties and orders for more drinks.
“Yeah, she’s got a great laugh when you can get her to loosen up.” Gabe’s gaze followed Isabella as well. “But you can’t make someone love you.”
“Are any of you even trying to find a woman?” Jonathan glanced at each of his sons, one at a time.
Tanner frowned. “Dad, it’s not like shopping. You can’t just choose one off the shelf.”
“You have to be persistent and let a gal know you’re serious.” Jonathon smacked his palm on the table. “I want grandchildren. Lots of them. You can’t be too picky or all the good ones’ll be gone before you know it.”
“And how long did it take you to find Mom?” Sean asked.
Jonathon’s head rose, his chest swelling. “I fell in love with your mother the first time I saw her. I knew by the second date I was gonna ask her to marry me.”
Isabella stopped at their table and collected the empties. When she smiled, all three of Jonathon’s sons smiled back. Damned if they weren’t taken with this little girl.
“Can I get you boys anything?” she asked.
“Well, as a matter of fact…” Jonathon started.
“Dad…” Gabe warned. “She’s asking about drinks.”
Jonathon frowned at his oldest son. “I’d like to talk to the owner.”
“And we’d like another round.” Tanner drew a circle with his finger over the table.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” Isabella turned, her long, rich, brown hair swinging over her shoulders, and her short, frayed cutoffs barely covering the curve of her ass.
“Yeah, I think she’ll do,” Jonathon muttered, an idea spinning in his head. “Is Isabella one of the for-hire strippers?”
“I don’t think so.” Gabe glanced at the dance floor, his boot tapping to the beat of the music. “Why don’t you ask her when she comes back?”
“I will.” It was about time someone did something about getting his sons married off. Since the three at the table didn’t seem to be in any hurry, it was time he took matters in his own hands. “You say a woman owns this place now?” Curious about the owner, Jonathon craned his neck, searching the interior of the saloon for an older female face that looked like she’d be the owner.
“That’s right.” Tanner nodded toward the strawberry-blonde beauty behind the bar, helping out. “Audrey Anderson bought it.”
“The pretty blonde? Is she old enough to serve whiskey?” Jonathon scratched his head.
Gabe laughed. “She’s almost my age, Dad. And she’s pretty smart.”
“Why don’t one of you go out with her?”
“She’s taken.” Tanner crooked his head toward the tall, dark-skinned Kiowa cowboy leaning on the bar. “Jackson Gray Wolf staked his claim and they seem plenty happy. Wouldn’t be surprised to hear wedding bells soon.”
“That’s what I mean.” Jonathon’s lips tw
isted. “If you boys take too long deciding which girl is right for you, you’ll miss out on all the good ones.”
“Well, hell, Dad, I’d better get out on that dance floor and find me a woman before they get snatched up.” Tanner pushed back his chair and stood, cracking his knuckles. “Lemme see. That pretty redhead oughta do.” He struck out across the floor for the bar. Before he got there, another man stepped up to the redhead, said something that made her smile and led her out on the dance floor.
Gabe chuckled across the table. “Seems our brother missed his shot at another one of the good ones.”
“See what I mean?” Jonathon crossed his arms.
Tanner moved to the brunette who’d been sitting next to the redhead. She shook her head and held up her hand, flashing a wedding ring.
After one more try, Tanner returned to the table, a scowl marring his tanned brow. “Didn’t really feel like dancin’ anyway. Besides, I think the show is about to start.”
Isabella returned with a tray of drinks, plunking them on the wooden tabletop, one at a time.
Jonathon leaned toward her as she passed by him. She even smelled pretty. Yup, if she was willing and the creek didn’t rise, he’d hire her to perform at the bachelor party. Maybe that would get the ball rolling.
Audrey Anderson moved in behind Isabella. “I’ll take that tray. You’d better get into your costume for the show.”
Jonathon’s ears perked. “She's in the show?”
“All my girls either sing or dance as part of their duties at the Ugly Stick Saloon.” Audrey smiled at Isabella’s retreating figure. “And we have a special presentation tonight. A new toy I’ve added to the Ugly Stick arsenal and hopefully a way for the girls to earn a few more tips.” Audrey winked.
“What is it?” Sean leaned forward.
“You’ll see.” She nodded toward the stage where all three of the Gray Wolf brothers were pushing a big machine out onto the dance floor.
Tanner’s frown lightened. “Is that a mechanical bull?”
“Close.” Audrey grinned. “It’s a mechanical horse. The only one of its kind, as far as I know.”
“I’ve never seen one before. I thought mechanical bulls went out in the seventies.” Jonathan had ridden a few mechanical bulls in his younger days. “They never did give the same look and feel of riding the rodeo circuit, but they were good for training and impressing the gals.”
“I found this one at an auction and had it repainted and tuned up.” She clapped her hands and glanced at the chair beside Jonathon. “Mind if I join you? Isabella is up first and I didn’t get to see her practice.”
Jonathon jumped up and pulled the chair out for her. “Please. I have something I want to talk to you about after the show.”
Audrey dropped into the chair, turning to face the dance floor. “Isabella really didn’t want to be the first to perform on the horse in public, but I insisted. She’s the best rider we have.”
“Why didn’t she want to do it?”
“She doesn’t think she’s sexy enough to pull it off.” Audrey snorted. “That girl just needs to look in a mirror.”
Jonathon agreed and his sons apparently did too.
Gabe, Sean and Tanner craned their necks, waiting for Isabella to appear.
Jonathon wanted to see Isabella in action as well, before he committed to hiring her for the bachelor party. Although he’d pretty much decided on her anyway. She was pretty, sexy and could take care of herself.
The band struck up the tune to some country song about saving horses and riding cowboys.
From the back of the bar behind the stage, Isabella emerged wearing black leather chaps, black cowboy boots with rhinestone studs and a bright red bikini. Nothing else.
“Hot damn, that outfit makes me horny.” Audrey sat forward and hooted along with the rest of the crowd. “Not sexy, my ass. Isabella’s hot tonight!”
Isabella’s gaze remained fixed on the mechanical horse. She placed her boots one in front of the other as she walked through the throng of cowboys. When she reached the horse, Jackson Gray Wolf grabbed her around the middle and swung her up on the fiberglass body.
“That horse doesn’t have a saddle. How’s she going to stay on?” Jonathon asked.
“Isabella assured me she was used to riding bareback.” Audrey leaned toward Gabe, her eyelids drooping. In a conspiratorial whisper, loud enough for all at the table to hear, she added, “She told me she prefers to ride bareback in the moonlight, but this will have to do.”
Jonathon shot a glance at Gabe, Tanner and Sean. Each of his sons’ gazes followed the woman up onto the horse, where she straddled the beast, wrapping her legs around its middle. She gave Jackson a nod and he reached to push the On switch.
The horse lurched forward.
Isabella kept her seat, her back straight, her legs tightening around the fiberglass body.
As the music swelled, the horse settled into a smooth and easy rocking motion.
Isabella swayed with the electronic creature, her movements all sex-in-motion.
When the horse spun to the side, she stayed with it, her body twisting and bending in a languid, captivating style.
Jonathon alternated between watching the girl and watching his sons. When the song came to an end, men were tossing twenties at the base of the contraption, yelling for an encore. Gabe rose, his hand going to his pocket. Tanner and Sean followed suit, each reaching for their wallets.
Jonathon grinned. “Yessirree, she’s the one.”
Smiling broadly, Audrey turned to Jonathon. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
“Miss Anderson, I have a proposition for you.”
She winked, her smile broadening. “Now, Mr. O’Brien, I’ll take that as a compliment, however, my man might not.” She tossed her hair, motioning toward Jackson who was standing guard beside the mechanical horse and its sin-worthy rider.
“Not that I wouldn’t be tempted by such a lovely lady, but I’d like to hire your establishment for my son’s bachelor party.”
“Now that I can do.” She turned to face him. “When are you planning this event and what kind of food and entertainment would you like to provide for your guests?”
“A week from today, I’ll leave the food up to you, and I want her.” He pointed to the woman on the fake horse. “Is she one of your for-hire strippers?”
Audrey frowned. “No, Isabella made it clear she doesn’t want to hire out as a stripper. She doesn’t think she’s as pretty or sexy as the other girls.”
“Seriously?”
“She has confidence issues where her sexuality is concerned. I don’t get it, but she does. How about Lacey?” Audrey pointed toward one of the women holding a full tray of beverages, fielding passes from every man at the table she was serving. “Lacey’s one of my best and she’s sexy as hell.”
“Nope.” Jonathon nodded toward Isabella and made his stand. “We want her. If you can’t get her, the deal’s off.”
The owner of the Ugly Stick Saloon stared across the floor at Isabella. “She’s a beauty, but she’s never expressed an interest in stripping.” Audrey shrugged. “All I can do is ask.”
“Tell her I’ll pay her five hundred dollars a dance if she’ll do it. And I’ll pay you a thousand-dollar commission to get her to agree, on top of renting the saloon for the party.” He pulled his wallet out, extracted ten one-hundred-dollar bills and slapped them on the table. “There’s a good-faith deposit.”
Audrey stared down at the pile of bills. “You don’t even know how much I charge to rent the place.”
“Money’s no problem. I just want that girl there.”
“I’ll do my best.” Audrey picked up the bills and stuffed them into the low-cut top of her shirt inside her red, lace bra just barely visible. “No guarantees. I don’t insist on my girls stripping. It’s completely up to them.”
“I’ll be by tomorrow to sign papers.”
Audrey leaned back, her brows forming a V over her nose, h
er lips quirking upward in a smile. “You’re a pushy bastard, aren’t you?”
“Only way to get what you want.”
The woman chuckled. “And I’ll bet you get what you want every time.”
“That’s my aim.” He grinned and stuck out his hand. “I’ll be by tomorrow. Tell my boys I’ll see them at home.” He nodded toward his sons, pushing their way through the crowd of men now standing around the horse and its bareback rider, catcalling and hooting with every move of the woman’s luscious body. His boys had a thing for this Isabella. Her reluctance to perform as a stripper endeared her to Jonathon even more. She was modest and unassuming about her body. And damned sexy, even if she didn’t think so. Even if she wasn’t the one, she just might get his boys interested in finding a woman and settling down.
Audrey stood, tucking her hands into her back pockets. “Will do, Mr. O’Brien. Drive safely.”
His duty done, Jonathon left the Ugly Stick Saloon and headed back to the Rockin’ O Ranch, more than determined to see his boys settled.
When the raucous cowboy song ended, Isabella had been more than ready to dismount her gallant machine and change into her uniform of cutoff jeans, tank top and cowboy boots. Normally, she wouldn't be caught dead struttin' around in a bikini and cheesy chaps. But when she saw the amount of money the cowboys were throwing on the floor at her feet, she couldn’t just walk away. One more song. She could ride for one more song.
Though dancing half-naked in front of a bunch of drunken cowboys wasn’t her thing, Isabella had to remind herself that it was all for a good cause. And they didn’t seem to mind that she wasn’t quite as busty as the other girls, or that she wasn’t as graceful and sexy. One of Audrey’s requirements of her girls was that they either sang or danced in order to get hired on as a waitress at the Ugly Stick Saloon. Since Isabella couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, she’d opted to dance. Not that she’d done much dancin’ on the horse ranch. Dancing was like having sex, only in public. And Isabella didn’t consider herself sexy.
As liquored up as these men were, anything with a vagina would be sexy to them.
Still, this was her first time performing by herself and she was anything but a performer. Give her a real horse and a decent pair of jeans and she’d show them what real riding was. The sexy outfit was just for show. She hoped it did the trick. Being a sex object had never been one of her goals in life and she wasn’t so sure she had all the right equipment to qualify. Her body wasn’t shaped like the other girls, and she didn’t have the moves. Hell, she was more at home in a barn than in a bedroom. Her track record in relationships had proven that.