by Fox, Calista
Damn it all to hell, the cowboy’s low chuckle was as arousing as everything else about him.
Chapter Two
Caleb continued to laugh softly as he left the room via the side door and collected his duffle bags from the truck. While he brought in his favorite saddle, Reese delivered fresh towels for him. She’d cleaned up, even tidying her ponytail. He’d liked all the loose strands of long, dark brown hair that had looked silky and slightly disheveled as they’d framed her sculpted face and crested her shoulders. She had tawny-colored eyes that conveyed a slew of emotions, none of which he could specifically identify except when heat flashed in them. Clearly, she found him attractive—and the feeling was mutual. By a lot.
Eyeing the saddle he carried over one shoulder, she said, “I can track down a stand for you.”
“Brought my own, thanks.”
Her gaze slid over him and pink tinged her cheeks. She remained rooted where she was for a few moments, then seemed to break out of her trance. Shaking her head, she moved away, heading into the bathroom to set out the towels.
“Pie’s ready,” she said when she returned.
He ditched the hat, ran a hand through his hair, then followed her to the living room, where she’d arranged a place for one at the table in the alcove. A large slab of the dessert, complemented with vanilla ice cream, sat on a plate.
“Would you like milk or iced tea?”
“Tea’d be fine,” he told her. “Thanks.”
She ducked into the kitchen. He pulled out a chair, but didn’t sit. Instead he trailed after her. “You’re gonna join me, right?”
Her face flushed again. Damn she was a pretty thing. Maybe five-foot-seven, with a tight yet curvy body. Extremely feminine. Completely distracting. Caleb didn’t particularly need any distractions in his life, but this one had grabbed his attention from the moment she’d opened the front door and he had a feeling his libido would never be the same.
Her provocative voice stirred all kinds of crazy-wicked sensations in his body as she said, “I have scones to finish making.”
He grinned, hoping to win her over. “They can wait a few minutes, can’t they? Don’t you think we should get to know each other, if I’m gonna be hanging around here for a month or so? I mean, you haven’t even asked for my credit card yet.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” She shook her head again, as though needing to clear it. With any luck she was having the same thoughts he was.
Again, not that he needed to complicate his life, especially with a divorcee who seemed to have some lingering issues about her split from her ex, since she’d said it wasn’t fine by her. But Caleb had never really been attracted to a woman in this way—finding her appealing sexually, but also sensing something emotionally stirring that drew him in and which, oddly, made him want to discover her secrets. Maybe chase away the sadness that seemed to eclipse the other emotions in her eyes.
He hadn’t come to Wilder to meet a woman. He’d been more than happy to leave the debutants behind, especially the gold-digging ones. No, his intention was to break away from the family constraints he’d found oppressive and do something meaningful with his life. Something that didn’t involve hoity-toity parties thrown to show off new designer duds or his parents’ financial ability to offer a free-flowing river of champagne at every social event they hosted. Though he loved his parents, one thing he could never abide was their lack of civic responsibility. All that money they had… A more substantial portion should go to charitable causes. He believed it in his heart. Now it was time to act upon his convictions.
His goal was a lofty one, so getting sidetracked by a beautiful B&B owner who clearly had emotional drama to contend with wasn’t the least bit wise. But he’d liked her instantly and that couldn’t be overlooked.
“Come on,” he coaxed. “It’s just a piece of pie.”
She laughed softly. A sound he liked hearing, because it was natural and a tiny bit self-deprecating. Not at all calculating or conceited, as was typically the case with the women in his past.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” She served herself and joined him at the table. He’d brought along the pitcher of iced tea and two glasses she’d left on the counter.
Settling across from him, she said, “I hear you’re from Dallas.”
“Word travels fast in this town.”
“Yes, be forewarned.” She seemed to fight a frown by reaching for her tea and taking a sip. “Whether it’s good or bad news, someone’s always ready to add something new to the grapevine.”
“I’m guessing your divorce was a headliner.”
She sucked in a breath. Then she let out a sharp snicker that made him cringe. “You’ll likely get the full account whether you want it or not. He cheated on me.”
Caleb sat back in his chair. He hadn’t even touched his dish yet. “That’s bullshit.”
Her gaze snapped up from her plate. “Excuse me?”
Lifting his hands in the air, he said, “Plain and simple, that’s bullshit. You don’t do something like that to someone you’re committed to.”
“No,” she agreed in a quiet voice. “You don’t. Or at least…you’re not supposed to.”
Reaching for his fork—finding it a tad disturbing he was so deeply offended for this woman he didn’t even know—he added, “You’ve realized you’re better off without him, right?”
As he chewed, she seemed to contemplate his question. She sipped her drink again, then said, “You don’t beat around the bush.”
“What would be the point? You could kick yourself until you’re black and blue over this but the outcome would still be the same. You can’t change the fact he messed around. Or that you married him in the first place. But you can move on.”
She picked at her pie, not taking a bite, just flaking away the top crust with the prongs of her fork. “That’s not exactly an easy thing to do in Wilder. Not that I don’t love it here, but the reminders never go away. We’re a population of a little over three thousand, taking into account the vast outlying areas and the lake. Within the town limits, however, you’re looking at maybe two hundred people. Everyone knows everyone’s business in the general community.”
“And you’re still smarting over the fact people know what happened to you.”
“It’s been over six months since the divorce was finalized. I’d like to let it go. But…it’s humiliating.”
“Sure, I can understand that. I’ve been put in my place a time or two, believe me. But you don’t deserve to have your face rubbed in it. You weren’t the one to do something wrong.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I was. I mean, not so much that I did something wrong… Clearly there was something I didn’t do right.”
He speared her with a look. “Don’t buy into that.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “You don’t even know me.”
“Not well, no. But I’m pretty observant. I can see you keep a neat and tidy home, which also suggests you take pride in your business. You knew I was coming over and baked a pie. You’re hospitable, likely very accommodating. If I said I wanted steak and eggs for breakfast tomorrow morning and it wasn’t on the menu, what would you do?”
She smiled sweetly. “Make steak and eggs. You’re a guest.”
“There you have it.” He swallowed down another bite and added, “Let’s not overlook the fact you’re insanely beautiful.”
Her laugh was much heartier this time. “Yeah, sure.” Her blush deepened. He liked how the color made her cheeks rosy. She didn’t wear much makeup, not that she needed it. The occasional tinge of pink on her otherwise porcelain complexion was warm and natural. Everything about her was so down-to-earth he couldn’t help but find her alluring.
“Seriously,” he said, “you seem like a very classy woman. So to hell with the ex, right?”
For the first time, her tawny eyes twinkled. “Right.”
He could see it was mere wishful thinking on her part. She still didn’t make a dent in her dessert. She
cut up a few pieces of apple, but only pushed them absently around her plate.
He said, “It’s probably good cold, but damn tasty warm.”
“What?” Her gaze lifted from her pie, then quickly dropped. “Oh, yeah. Of course.” She finally dug in, though she only polished off half. And the ice cream melted into a small puddle.
He finished his slice and wiped his mouth with a sage-colored linen napkin that matched the walls above the crisp, white wainscoting and wide molding. Everything about the place was pristine and well-coordinated visually.
“That was fantastic. Thanks.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.” She pushed her chair back. Apparently she’d been waiting for him to wrap up so she could move on. He’d likely spouted off at the mouth too much when it had come to her ex. Not something he’d done to prickle her nerves. He was just the sort to point out an injustice when he saw it. Yes, he’d drawn his own conclusion as to where to place the blame. But from the clues he’d immediately picked up on, she did not strike him as the type to push a man into infidelity. He suspected her ex had willingly crossed the line, hoping to get away with it. Some men were like that. Caleb was not.
At his age, he couldn’t claim to have extensive experience with a serious, committed relationship. But he knew they existed and he knew it was what he wanted when he finally reached the point in his life when he was ready to settle down and start a family. After he’d gotten his new business venture well underway.
He could see himself, in the future, with a woman like Reese Middleton. She had natural charm and sensitivity. And he liked how comfortable she looked in her faded jeans and a white sweater that conformed to her upper body and had a mock turtleneck with a zipper down the front. Granted, he wouldn’t mind reaching over and sliding that zipper several inches lower to loosen the material around her throat and enticing chest, but that was a thought he was smart enough to push from his mind.
He stood along with her and collected his plate and glass.
“Don’t bother with that,” she told him. “I’ll take care of it.”
“I can clean up after myself.”
She grinned. “It’s supposed to be a perk of staying at a B&B or a motel. Someone else does your dishes and makes your bed. Oh that reminds me. There’s a laundry room off the kitchen. Feel free to use it for your clothes. I’ll take care of the bedding and the towels. The detergent and softener I buy in bulk, so there’s plenty of both. Help yourself.”
“That’s nice of you. I wasn’t looking forward to hanging out at the laundromat.”
“It’s next to the diner, so that makes it less painful.”
He followed her into the kitchen and set his dishes on the counter next to the sink. “Is there a tack shop in town?”
With a nod, she said, “This is Texas. Isn’t there a tack shop in every town?”
“Good point.”
“Around the corner from Ginger’s lingerie shop on Main Street. That’s where I work some afternoons.”
His brow jerked up. She worked where? “Tack or lingerie?”
“Lingerie.”
“Whoa…” He moved away as all sorts of wicked images raced through his mind, all centered solely on Reese in something lacy or satiny or just downright skimpy. She had the kind of body that easily inspired erotic fantasies. Though, again, the last thing he needed popping into his head were visions of her sprawled across a bed, wearing a risqué ensemble and licking her lips in anticipation of what he suddenly wanted to offer her.
“What?” she demanded in her soft tone, breaking into his wayward thoughts. “I don’t look like the type of woman who could sell bras and panties?” She gave him an impish look as she planted a hand on her hip.
“That’s not at all what I was thinking.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Thanks for bringing me new towels. I’m gonna take a very cold shower now.”
“Oh please,” she scoffed as she waved a hand at him in apparent exasperation.
Caleb stared at her. “You have no idea how alluring you are, do you?”
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip.
He shook his head. “Well, I’m just sayin’…” He turned and walked away.
* * * * *
Reese watched him go, her heart pounding, her pulse racing.
Had he just said…? Had she heard him correctly?
Her eyes narrowed on the doorway. “Seriously?” she whispered.
But no… What was she thinking? He was being kind. A Southern gentleman and all that. No way in hell did he find her attractive.
Except that she had noted some lingering gazes. And he’d described her as “insanely beautiful”. While she’d received her fair share of compliments, no man had ever called her that. Not even Tommy when he’d first been so enamored with her.
None of it mattered though. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d told her friends at the flower shop she wasn’t interested in a new man. So she did her best to push thoughts of Caleb from her mind as she finished the scones and wrapped everything up, leaving the pastries on the counter for him to enjoy whenever he wanted. Then she went about her business, tending to the flowerbeds and courtyard, and trimming the tall hedges along the full perimeter of the property. The foliage offered privacy from the neighbors she had on either side of her. A dense forest managed by the BLM lay beyond the boundary of her backyard.
For the most part Reese found her lot easy to maintain without help. She’d been doing all the yardwork herself for the past eleven years, since Tommy hadn’t offered his assistance. Although he was handsome and a former football player, he lacked ambition in a big way. The affliction had worsened over the years until he’d basically become no more than an armchair quarterback, beer in one hand and chips in the other.
Why Reese had put up with his laziness for so long was beyond her. The best she could surmise, she’d taken her wedding vows too seriously—especially that “for better or for worse” part. Lord, had she been stuck with an awful big heap of “for worse”. But as Caleb had said, she could kick herself all she wanted. She couldn’t change the past or the huge mistake she’d made. She had to let it go.
Unfortunately she only managed to complete half the hedge grooming before the sun set. She’d heard her guest’s vehicle start up at some point, and figured Caleb had either gone into town for dinner or out to the ranch.
Too bad. She realized she’d been looking forward to him being in the house that evening. Having tightly bound most of her feelings when she’d learned of Tommy’s deception, she hadn’t allowed herself to accept the very harsh reality that suddenly came to mind, because of Caleb’s presence. She was lonely. And had been for an extremely long time.
Tears stung the backs of her eyes and she had to blink them away. She didn’t want to remain mired in disillusionment and disappointment. Though, admittedly, both emotions were difficult to shake off.
With a wistful sigh, she cleaned up, made dinner for one and then went to bed early with a sci-fi book, not trusting herself with a romance novel. She might end up fantasizing about the sexy cowboy staying downstairs…and wouldn’t that be all bad and wrong?
She rose before the sun the next morning, but didn’t see the menu selection for breakfast hanging on Caleb’s door. Peering out one of the many windows in the living room, she noticed no other vehicle than her own. She’d heard his SUV pull into the drive around eleven p.m., just before she’d drifted off to sleep. Apparently he’d decided to get an early start out at the Painted Horse this morning, right as dawn turned into a cloudless day.
In the kitchen, she discovered he’d taken a few scones with him for breakfast. He’d also left her his credit card with a note.
R., Took some pastries—hope you don’t mind. Don’t forget to charge me for the room. Nadine told me your going rate and I’m fine with that for the month. C.
She set the credit card next to the machine, but didn’t run it. A nightly charge would add up to quite a bit and she didn’t feel comfortable with the
sum. She’d have to figure out a more reasonable price. It was just a room, for God’s sake. Not a suite at the Plaza Hotel.
Her curiosity about her guest from Dallas mounted as she entered his room to tidy up—and found it in almost the same orderly state as before he’d moved in. Though he hadn’t yet unpacked his bags, he’d made his bed and everything else was in its rightful place. Even the bathroom was neat and organized.
If he kept this up, her housekeeping services would be extremely light. One more reason she needed to adjust the rental rate.
With a shake of her head, she headed out the back door to finish her landscaping. Once completed, she went upstairs to shower and dress for dinner. At seven o’clock, she left the house and stood on the front porch. George Mills, Jess’ husband, honked the horn of his car as he turned onto the cobblestone entryway to her property. They were carpooling to dinner, since the Mills lived down the street.
George drove them into town and parked in the lot next to Pietro’s Fine Dining. The establishment made a mockery of its own name, since there was no Italian chef named Pietro in Wilder, nor would anyone associate with fine dining the flatware rolled in paper napkins, the brown, plastic cups, and the vinyl, red-and-white-checkered tablecloths. But hands down, the food couldn’t be beat.
Pulling the door open, George stood back and let everyone inhale the rich aroma wafting their way. Reese’s stomach growled in a very unladylike fashion. Always the reaction to the creations of the chef and owner, Mike Jones. His wife Ruby manned the hostess podium and also doubled as a server when it got busy. Which was pretty much all the time.
She was a lively sort, with red hair and a robust figure. Known for her surly wit and her homemade aprons with zany sayings on them—this evening’s black one insisting “Surrender to the Sausage” in white block letters—she was one of Wilder’s most beloved characters.
Reese sniffed the air again, her ability to dissect ingredients and spices with a very keen nose being an uncanny one. “Please tell me tonight’s special is Lasagna Bolognese.”