by Fox, Calista
“Can’t fool you,” Ruby said.
Clearly Tommy had, but she refused to dwell on that this evening.
“I have your table ready. The others are here. Care for menus?”
“Special,” Reese told her, her mouth practically watering.
“Us too,” Jess said.
“Hmph. Someday I’m going to stop offering the menu, you’re not going to want the special, and then you’re going to be shit out of luck because you’ve never bothered to look at any of the regular items.”
“Not want the special?” Reese raised a brow. “When have we ever not wanted Mike’s special?”
“Yeah, well, the man’s been storin’ up sick days for some time now. He just might decide to use them.”
“Why would you torture us with that notion?” Jess quipped.
“I’m willing to do just about anything to get someone to read the menu so I won’t be kicking myself every night for having ‘em printed up.”
George laughed. “Maybe next time.”
“Yeah, right.” She led them into the dining room and pointed toward the far window. “The round eight-top over there.” She eyed Reese and said, “I don’t like empty seats at my tables. Next time bring a date.” She nudged her in a friendly way, then ambled away.
Reese let out a long-suffering sigh. “Y’all can nix any ideas of fixin’ me up. I’m going stag from here on out.”
They wound their way through the dining room, greeting the Reverend and Lydia Bain, along with Mayor Grant and his Southern-belle wife Emelda, before reaching their party.
Those previously seated stood and hugs ensued. No one had returned to their chairs yet when Ruby came back and cleared her throat.
“I’ve got a straggler,” she said. “Mind if he joins?”
Reese turned to find sky-blue-eyed Caleb standing off to the side. Her stomach flipped once again.
He was quick to say, “No, no, I don’t want to impose. You said I could have that table for two in the corner.”
Ruby shrugged. “Waste not, want not, is my thinkin’. I can put a couple over there. Besides, you’re staying at the B&B, right? So you already know Reese.”
“Man, there are no secrets in this town,” he said, looking a bit bewildered.
“Told you.” Reese gestured to the chair next to her. “We have no problem with you joining us. Please.”
Ruby’s expression was a smug one before she waddled off.
“Really,” Caleb said, “I’m not looking to crash your party. And,” he gave Reese a pointed look, “I’m not stalking you. I swear. I just came from the ranch. Nadine had suggested this place.”
She laughed, a sound that reflected too much excitement, in her opinion. Especially for a woman who’d only two minutes ago proclaimed she was henceforth a permanent singleton. So what was with the flirtatious giggle?
“Best restaurant in town,” she told him, striving for a normal tone of voice, not the breathy one that seemed to come out whenever she spoke with him. “You were bound to end up here. Let me introduce you around.” She turned to the group. “This is Caleb Bennett. Just closed on the Painted Horse Ranch, if you haven’t yet heard.”
Moving around the table, she indicated each of her friends as she told Caleb about them. “This is Ginger Monroe. She owns the lingerie shop I mentioned.” Naturally, heat crept up on her, flushing her face. She tried to ignore it. “And this is Wilder’s newest deputy and the reverend’s nephew, Ryan Bain. They’re soon to be Mr. and Mrs.” Ignoring the sting of envy at the marital bliss currently consuming the town, she circled the table. “Jack Wade, who owns Wade’s Saloon, and Liza, his wife. She works with Jess at the flower shop. And Jess is married to George Mills, our favorite dentist.”
“Handy man to know,” Caleb said.
Returning to her spot next to him, Reese muttered, “And then there’s me.”
“Not to be overlooked,” he told her with a wink and a smile.
Her heart fluttered and her breath caught in her throat. He was highly disarming. It was more than charisma that seemed to ooze from his every pore. His casual demeanor and sexy grin were showstoppers, no doubt about it. The face and body weren’t to be dismissed, but his genuine, friendly disposition truly made him handsome in her eyes.
To her friends Caleb said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for letting me have dinner with you.”
Everyone shook his hand and then they sat.
Ruby swooped in again, a server accompanying her to set out eight wineglasses. She placed two uncorked bottles of Chianti on the table and said, “These are on the house. Happy birthday, George. And congratulations on your new business venture, Caleb.”
So he’d already endeared himself to Ruby. No easy feat. He’d probably set a record for winning her over. She didn’t even seem to mind he hadn’t requested a menu.
Eyeing him as though he were the Last Supper, Ruby said, “I put your order in for the special. It’ll be up at the same time as everyone else’s.”
“Thanks, that’s kind of you.” He smiled at her and Reese could have sworn the other woman nearly swooned.
Sheesh. The man was a sexual force with which to be reckoned. A dangerous notion for Reese. Although she longed for a little charm in her life, she couldn’t afford to fall for his sweet-as-honey words and the sparkle in his eyes.
Luckily Jack distracted her. He asked Caleb, “So what are your plans for the Painted Horse?”
“Nonprofit organization,” he said as he reached for his roll-up and tore the white band from it to unravel his napkin and silverware. “I’m going to rescue horses. Ones that have been malnourished, abused, neglected or abandoned. Most of them are in pretty bad shape. I’m hoping to house about twenty of them at a time, depending on what kind of support staff I end up with.”
Reese stared at him, dumbfounded. Seriously? The man was too damn good to be true. “You save horses?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a smile. “I’m a large-animal vet.”
“You didn’t tell me that yesterday.”
“Didn’t come up.” To the others, he said, “I visited a rescue operation in Kentucky a few years ago. They take on retired or injured Derby horses so they’re not euthanized or turned over to slaughterhouses when they’re no longer considered an asset or used for breeding. That’s where I got the idea.”
Reese’s heart melted. “Oh come on,” she said on a breathless whisper. “Could you be any nicer?”
“I think that’s wonderful,” Jess added in a dreamy tone.
He had that effect on every woman, it seemed, because even Liza and Ginger looked smitten. Relatively speaking of course, because all three of the women were completely taken by the men in their lives.
“Damn, and all I do is serve beers to the locals,” Jack said, clearly noting the women’s reaction to Caleb. But in a very earnest tone, he added, “You probably need volunteers to supplement the medical staff, since you’re a nonprofit. I know a thing or two about horses and would be happy to lend a hand.”
“Me too,” George concurred. “In fact, Jess had horses growing up. What do you say?”
“Oh I’d definitely pitch in,” she said enthusiastically. “In fact, I’ve tried for years to convince George to move to a property with acreage so I could have horses again. But he fell in love with our Tudor on the edge of town and refuses to sell it.”
“I did remodel the damn thing.”
“You?” she jerked an eyebrow at him.
With a smirk, George said, “All right, I oversaw the remodel. Hey, Caleb. If you need a good construction and design crew, I’ve got recommendations.”
“Thanks, I’ll gladly take the names. I need a team dedicated to the house. I’ve already hired specialists to update the current stable and construct the med facility and an additional stable. And I’ll be repairing all the fencing myself, so getting the house renovations underway would be a huge help.”
George jotted down several names and numbers on a napkin and
handed it over.
Ruby and her assistant returned at that moment and set plates in front of everyone, each showcasing a huge square of lasagna oozing meat, sauce and cheese, and accompanied by thick slices of garlic bread.
“Bone app-etit,” she joked in her thick Southern drawl.
“Smells divine,” Jess said after inhaling deeply.
“I’d like to propose a toast if y’all can keep the drool from dripping down your chins for two seconds,” Jack said. He lifted his glass of Chianti and said, “To George, a great friend and husband, on Jess’ word. Happy birthday. And to Caleb and his rescue mission. Welcome to Wilder.”
They all clinked glasses.
George said, “I’m not going to mention how old I feel around some of you.”
Unfortunately Reese felt the same. Having recently celebrated their own birthdays, Ginger and Ryan were Caleb’s age.
They all dug in, the conversation coming to an instant standstill. Reese resisted the urge to moan as the ricotta melted on her tongue and the combination of sweet and spicy Italian sausage complemented the zesty sauce. She had to work out several times a week in order to have dinner at Pietro’s two or three nights in the same period, but the rigid exercise regimen was worth every single savory bite.
Wilder’s newcomer appeared equally enthralled with the food. And this from a guy connected to Dallas society. That certainly spoke volumes of Mike’s talent in the kitchen.
When the plates had been cleared away, Ruby delivered separate checks to each couple, excluding Reese and Caleb. He quickly reached for her bill.
“For letting me hang with you and your friends,” he said as he handed Ruby both tabs and some cash. “I forgot to pick up the credit card I’d left in the kitchen when I went back to the B&B to shower and change.”
“I haven’t run it yet. We ought to discuss a fair room rate.”
“I’m okay with whatever works best for you.” He grinned at her.
“We can come to an agreement later.”
“I’m sure we can.”
She resisted the urge to sigh over how utterly breathtaking he was, and those gorgeous blue eyes… She could gaze into them all night long and never consider it a waste of an evening.
“You really don’t have to buy my dinner,” she said.
“Too late.” His grin was such an easy, comfortable one, it caused a tickle of excitement along her clit and made her pussy throb in a dull, aching way. The man set her on fire with very little exertion on his part. All that natural charm and hunkiness… He was lethal to a woman’s resolve not to stroll down Romance Lane again.
“How about a round or two at the saloon?” Jack suggested, unfortunately not distracting her this time from the erotic sensations coursing through her.
Everyone agreed, then turned their attention to Reese and Caleb.
“You’re joinin’, right?” Jack asked.
Caleb said, “Thanks for the invite. I could use a night out before I dive into the work at the ranch.”
“Reese?” Ginger prompted her in a discreet tone. Though there was nothing discreet about how all these people where trying to hook her up with the sexy vet.
But the constant fluttering of her stomach led her to throw caution to the wind. “What the hell?” The live music would be loud and the atmosphere cheerful. She could hardly dispute both would vastly improve her mood of late. Although she suspected Wilder’s newcomer could do that all on his own.
Caleb stood and pulled back her chair.
As she got to her feet, she said, “You probably don’t know how to get there.”
She turned to Jack for him to give directions, since it was his saloon, but Jess intervened, suggesting, “Why don’t you go with Caleb? You can show him the way.”
“I carpooled with Jess and George this evening.”
“Perfect,” he said with a nod. “I can drive you over and then back to the B&B.”
“You’re okay with that?” she asked, a bit breathless from another tickle of desire against her clit.
“You’re kidding, right?” He stared down at her, his hypnotic eyes holding a twinkle of mischief that was intriguing. And enticing.
“Okay, then.” Jack clasped his hands together. “We’ll see you there.”
The group dispersed. When they stepped outside, they walked in different directions to their vehicles. Caleb led her to a Range Rover parked in front of the pawn shop. He opened the passenger side for her and she slid into the seat. He closed the door and rounded the front. Reese tried to latch her seatbelt but it was tricky. She suspected her shaky fingers caused the problem.
He climbed in beside her and the space seemed much smaller. More intimate. Downright cozy. The strong Italian seasonings in Pietro’s had overpowered Caleb’s cologne, but now she drew in a long stream of air filled with a masculine, earthy scent that was warm and inviting. It had a calming effect on her.
Glancing over at him, she said, “Take Main Street to the junction and then turn left. Wade’s is set back a few miles out of town.”
“Got it.” His gaze lingered a moment. “Your friends are great.”
“I’m usually a good judge of character. One slipup, but other than that…” She shrugged off her miscalculation with Tommy. “They all liked you, I could tell. Well, the women, obviously…”
He chuckled. “They’re very friendly. And to offer to help with the horses. That was incredibly nice.”
“Their offers are genuine, I assure you. They don’t carelessly throw things like that out. If they say it, they intend to commit to it.”
“It’ll be a big help. I just need them to know it’s not a pretty sight when a neglected horse comes into a shelter. Took some muscling through the first dozen times I witnessed it.”
“That’s why I didn’t volunteer,” she said. “Not that I wouldn’t like to help in some way, but abused horses… That’s like looking at puppies that have been kicked around and tossed out a car window, left to suffer on some deserted country road.” She shuddered at the thought. It was a fate more tragic than her own personal debacle with Tommy, yet she could certainly relate to how bad it felt to be punted emotionally.
“Yeah,” he said in a low voice. “I hear ya. And don’t feel obligated. I won’t be offended. Some cases can be excruciatingly painful to deal with. Most of them, as a matter of fact. No decent human being wants to see an animal that’s been mistreated.”
“Takes someone with a very strong character to do what you’re trying to do, Caleb.” She thought about what she’d said earlier to Jess and Liza about their husbands, and how they’d never have to worry about the men cheating despite how attractive they both were—and how they easily caught the eyes of other women—because they had such strong constitutions. Reese had a niggling suspicion the cowboy veterinarian who’d recently shunned Dallas society for a higher purpose just might be made of similar stuff.
He started the engine and she settled more comfortably in her seat. She was perfectly at ease in his presence. Stealing glances at his chiseled profile, she couldn’t deny how he revved her own engine. The man was all brawn and brain and inner beauty. How the hell was he still single?
“Was it difficult to leave family and friends behind in Dallas?”
His eyes remained on the road as they turned at the junction and the town’s antique lampposts no longer provided additional illumination. Silver rays from the moonlight lit his cheekbones and streaked his dark hair.
“Actually, I was ready for a change of scenery. My dad has been breathing down my neck about a position in his company. But I’ve always known what I wanted to do. Work with animals.”
“You’re kind of young for such a big responsibility, don’t you think?” She couldn’t help it…the five-year age difference still stuck in her craw.
His jaw tightened briefly, as though she’d hit a sore spot. Interesting.
“I suppose so,” he said. “But I’ve been around horses my whole life. And I started volunteering at
clinics and shelters when I was thirteen, under strict adult supervision of course. Since a lot of vet schools will accept you on good grades with a minimum of forty-five or fifty college credits, I spent two years studying at the university level, then did my four years at vet school. A year as intern followed and I was offered a job at that particular facility. I did that stint for another year, and now here I am.”
“That’s serious dedication.”
“I always knew this was my calling. But rescuing horses on my own is new to me. I contracted with a more seasoned equine specialist to work part-time. And he recommended a number of skilled techs willing to relocate or drive over from Austin. I think we’re going to have an outstanding group.”
Reese tore her gaze from his profile and stared out the window. “That’s incredible,” she said. “My biggest dream was a bed and breakfast.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Weary travelers need to rest their heads somewhere.”
She turned back to him. “You don’t judge, do you?”
“Who am I to do it?” He was silent a moment and she motioned with her hand for him to turn off the road onto a gravel drive that led to a nearly packed parking lot. He pulled into one of the few empty spots and said, “I’m supposed to follow in my father’s footsteps, as he did, and as his father followed in my great-grandfather’s footsteps. But I don’t like the corporate mentality and the focus on making more and more money without concern for the environment or social responsibilities. I wanted to head up corporate contributions. But the fund is so bare bones—meeting minimum requirements that allow for tax deductions—that it’s not even a necessary position. So I struggle with how conscientiously the company is run.”
She stared at him, thinking he was quite the gem. Too bad she’d already ruled out any sort of romantic involvement with him. He had a hell of a lot to offer by way of sexual chemistry and, as her mother would have said—were she still alive—true grit.
“Well,” he said, “looks like a lively time lies in wait.” He exited the vehicle while she tried to work the latch on her seatbelt. Damn thing wouldn’t give.
He opened her door and saw her struggling. “It sticks sometimes, sorry. I should have warned you.” Leaning in, he asked, “Do you mind?”