Her Unbridled Cowboy (Harland County Series)

by Donna Michaels

  Because Jordan had insisted they meet up there, that’s why. She glanced around the sea of happy faces. Where in the world was her sister? She had yet to see Jordan.

  Unfortunately, she couldn’t miss Connor.

  Mr. Tall-Broad-and-Sexy had stood out amongst the crowd when she’d first arrived. Jen had taken her coat, and he’d nodded from across the room. So far, they hadn’t spoken. Which was fine with Kerri. The more she was around that man, the more her thought process suffered. It would be nice to socialize with most of her brain cells intact. Of course, thanks to his steady appraisal, she still suffered from numb-tongue.

  Jeez, at times, his gaze appeared to be heated. Like now. Good Lord, she could barely breathe, and if he didn’t stop, she was going to hyperventilate. How embarrassing would that be? She could see the news feed now: Meek woman passes out when sexy cowboy gives her the eye.

  Wouldn’t that be swell? Not.

  She watched with a mixture of relief and disappointment as Kevin approached Connor and said something that had the cowboy smiling as the two men left the room.

  Taking advantage of the break, she inhaled and exhaled until her pulse quieted down.

  “Your steak-ka-bobs are a great hit, Kerri,” Jen said, approaching with her three-year-old son, Cody, in her arms. “Thank you so much for making them.”

  She smiled at the little boy clinging shyly to his mother’s neck. “It was my pleasure.”

  “Speaking of pleasure, I hear your Christmas dinner was a big hit, too. Kevin said Cole raved about your ham and turkey all week, and now Connor’s backing him up.”

  Warmth spread through Kerri at a rapid rate and could feel it settling in her cheeks. “Having the McCalls at my parent’s house gave me a chance to break in the new kitchen. It was great.”

  Needing to keep busy, she had been thrilled to handle all the holiday cooking and baking. She’d cooked and served both a pineapple-baked ham and a twenty-pound turkey with all the trimmings to the two families gathered in the adjoining dining room.

  Connor had been his usual self. Gorgeous. Dressed in new jeans and a chocolate brown Henley shirt, he’d lumbered into the kitchen looking completely edible, shrinking the large space to the size of a shoe box with his mere presence.

  “May I have the salt and pepper, darlin’?” He’d smiled his dang lop-sided grin.

  A few minutes later, he came back and asked for the butter. By this time, Kerri couldn’t help but wonder if her mother had deliberately forgotten things so they could send Connor in.

  Probably.

  She’d stopped what she was doing for the second time and handed him the butter, wanting him out of the kitchen so she could resume breathing again. It was easier to cook if she could concentrate, and it was easier to concentrate if she could breathe.

  She should have known better.

  Just as she picked up the knife and began chopping the last of the celery for the salad he waltzed back in and asked if she had any mistletoe. Kerri had nearly dropped the knife.

  Sexy bugger–she’d thrown a dish towel at him and shooed him from the room.

  If only she could do the same to the memory of that mistletoe kiss.

  “I bet those two McCalls didn’t leave any leftovers, either,” Jen said, regaining Kerri’s attention.

  Laughing, she shook her head. “Not much.”

  Only a small platter of each had remained, and she’d sent it to Hank and his wife and the other ranch hands the next day, along with some pumpkin rolls.

  “Well, look at the little cutie pie,” Jordan said, appearing out of nowhere with Cole at her side. Her sister touched the little boy’s head and smiled. “I didn’t expect to see you still up.”

  Jen transferred her gaze to the little fair-haired boy in her arms. “Yeah, Cody had an extra nap today, so he’ll probably be up longer than us.”

  Cole chuckled. “Takes after his Uncle Kevin.”

  “Holy crow. Don’t wish that on me, Cole,” Jen joked before excusing herself to get her son something to drink.

  Jordan turned to Kerri and whistled. “You look great, hun. I told you the little black dress was killer.” She pulled her into a hug. “Sorry we’re late.”

  Kerri drew back, taking in Jordan’s flushed face and satisfied expression. Yeah, you look sorry all right. Probably sorry they had to work in a quickie and couldn’t take their time.

  And Kerri immediately stopped thoughts of her sister’s sex life before any images had a chance to materialize. “No problem,” she lied.

  She was beginning to think maybe she should’ve stayed home. Between Connor’s incessant staring and…and…that was it. Connor’s staring. The darn man befuddled her. He was a befuddler.

  Cole stepped close and pulled her in for a hug. “Jordan’s right, you look terrific.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You really do,” Jordan said, taking her hand, looking nothing short of a bombshell in a slate gray number hugging her curves to perfection. “Now, let’s find somewhere quieter. Cole and I want to talk to you.”

  Talk to me?

  Kerri’s heart hit her ribs. About what? Shoot. See? She should’ve stayed home. Was this going to be a good talk? A bad talk?

  An Oh-my-God-I-don’t-want-to-hear-it talk?

  She didn’t think she could handle that kind of talk right now. God, they better not be trying to fix her up with Connor. She couldn’t handle that either.

  Sneaking a peek at their faces yielded no clues, as she was tugged through the Dalton’s crowded house. Why did they have to rock the boat tonight? Their secretive, yet anxious expressions brought no relief.

  Dang it. She’d almost made it. The New Year started in less than an hour, and she’d almost made it through this year on her feet.

  Please God, let Jordan tell me something good like she’s pregnant. Yeah, that Kerri could handle. Actually, Kerri would love that. She’d make a great aunt. An awesome aunt. What she didn’t love was the fact they’d pulled her into the Dalton’s quiet kitchen and there, by the big butcher-block center island, stood Kevin and Connor having a beer.

  Oh, goodie, more of Mr. Hot and his sidekick Handsome.

  “Ah, we were wondering when the two of you would show up,” Kevin said to the couple with a grin.

  “Yeah.” Connor nodded. “We were about to take bets on if you’d make it this year or next.”

  Everyone laughed, including Kerri, except hers had nothing to do with amusement, and everything to do with her crappy luck.

  Cole dropped an arm around Jordan’s shoulders and tugged her sister close. “You’re both just jealous because I had a reason to be late.”

  “Yes, a very good reason. Me.”

  Jordan released Kerri’s arm then snuggled into her fiancé.

  The smug cowboys shook their heads, but Kerri knew they felt the same pang of envy tightening her chest. How could they not? The couple was so much in love it made you long for the same.

  “Seriously, though, Kerri,” Jordan turned to her and took her hand once more. “We wanted to talk to you.”

  Okay. So, it couldn’t be too bad if they were willing to talk to her in front of Kevin and Connor. Right?

  “Why don’t we sit down?”

  Shoot. Scratch that. Had to be bad if they needed to sit down. Now her legs were starting to shake.

  “Okay,” she said and followed them to the table.

  Kevin and Connor remained where they were, looking curious.

  “Do you want us to leave?” Connor asked.

  Yes, yes I do, Kerri longed to say, but kept her mouth shut. Besides, she couldn’t talk. Apprehension had dried her dang throat.

  “No, that won’t be necessary,” her sister replied.

  Kerri wanted to punch her.

  “We just wanted to get Kerri’s opinion about possibly opening a restaurant, here in Harland County.”

  Chapter Six

  A restaurant?

  Kerri blinked at her sister, then glanced at Cole.
The pair sat in complete silence, warmth and hope mirrored in their expressions.

  “I—a restaurant?” was all she could manage. Never, had she thought opening a restaurant was what they’d wanted to talk about.

  “Yes.” Jordan nodded, reaching across the table to squeeze Kerri’s clenched hands. “I know you were hoping we’d open Comets back up, and we still can, if you want to, but I’d also like to open one up here.”

  A restaurant in Texas. She let out a breath. “H-how? We haven’t gotten our insurance money yet.”

  “Me,” Cole said. “I’m giving you the money.”

  “Loaning the money,” Jordan corrected, softening her words with a smile at her fiancé before turning back to face her. “Cole graciously agreed to spot us the money we need, and we can pay him back in installments.”

  Kerri’s apprehension eased a little. “Wow, Cole, that’s awfully nice of you.”

  Her soon-to-be brother-in-law smiled broadly. “I’m a nice guy.”

  The cowboys by the island snorted in tandem.

  “And the biggest bullshitter, ever,” Kevin mumbled.

  “Yeah,” Connor agreed. “He’s so full of shit his eyes are brown.”

  Cole chuckled. “So are yours, bro.”

  Now Kerri and Jordan were laughing. If you asked her, Connor owned that distinction. He could sweet-talk a child into giving up their lollipop and make them think it was their idea. A trait, according to her parents, he’d inherited from his grandfather.

  “You’d better not try to say the same about me and Kerri just because our eyes are brown.” Jordan gave each man a pointed stare.

  Kerri watched and waited, a little shaft of expectation upping her pulse.

  Cole spoke first. “No, never.” He pulled Jordan close to kiss her quick on the lips. “You two have brown eyes from all the chocolate you consume.”

  A murmur of agreement echoed around the room. No one would argue that point. She definitely loved her chocolate dessert, and everyone knew Jordan had a huge soft spot for chocolate chip cookies.

  “Well, if there was a strawberry eye color, then Kerri would have it,” Kevin said, leaning against the counter. “Because she sure tastes like them, doesn’t she, Connor?”

  Heat rushed into her face so fast, she was betting her body didn’t have time to adjust and turned straight to crimson. Darn it. If ever the floor needed to open and swallow her, it was now. Please.

  With everyone’s gazes on her, Kerri suddenly became acutely aware of her killer black dress and how it dipped low enough in the front for the girls to make an appearance, and down the back to just above the bra. And it clung, too. She didn’t do clingy. That’s why she’d bought it. To force herself to step out of the norm, and surprisingly had no problem with it tonight…until now. Until a certain cowboy’s gaze lingered on her chest, making her tips tingle and reach out for his touch. Darn them…and him.

  Connor cleared his throat. “Chocolate and strawberry,” the cowboy replied evenly, although when she chanced a peek, he looked ready to strangle someone. Namely Kevin.

  “Not that it isn’t interesting to hear you two handsome cowboys discussing what my little sister tastes like,” Jordan said with a grin. “But I think we need to get back on track and talk about the restaurant.”

  Kerri could’ve kissed her sister right then and there. She tipped her chin instead. “We couldn’t have the same menu.” A Texas palate was very different than a Californian.

  “I know,” Jordan agreed, an excited smile spreading across her face. “It would be more steak, chili, barbeque and Mexican.”

  A slew of dishes flashed through Kerri’s mind in an instant slideshow. She’d longed to tweak some age old recipes, and try her latest barbeque concoction. Not something she could do in California.

  Now that she’d opened up that door, dang it, ideas and recipes flooded her mind. She glanced at her still smiling sister. Oh, she was good. So very, very good. The bugger.

  “I thought we’d put in a pit where you could cook steaks over an open flame right in front of the customers.”

  It was official. Her sister was a bitch.

  “You”—Kerri pointed to Jordan and narrowed her eyes—“you, my sister…you play dirty.”

  “No.” Jordan sat back, smug expression, eyes sparkling. “I play smart. I play to win.”

  Cole leaned forward and grabbed Kerri’s hand, his expression as light as his touch. “I’m living proof of that. What about you? Did she win?”

  Win? God, she didn’t know. Kerri wanted to reopen the restaurant, very much. The image of cooking for a crowd of eager people filled her with joy. Immense joy. Yes, she wanted to open a restaurant with her sister.

  But not here.

  “I—I don’t know,” she stammered. “That would mean I’d have to stay in Texas after the wedding.”

  “Yes.” Jordan nodded, face devoid of any sparkle or mischief. Her sister really was serious. “I’d like your help with this, Kerri. To get it started, create a fixed menu, routine. The works. Once it takes off and has found its own momentum, if you still want to open up Comets, I promise I’ll go to the coast and help you the same way.”

  She’d come to the coast…

  Breathing instantly became easier. Kerri wasn’t sentenced to stay in Texas. She could still go home. That actually made a difference. A big difference.

  “Leave the permits and legalities to me. I’ll take care of all that.” Cole squeezed the hand he still held. “So, what do you say? Are you going to stick around to help my fiancée open up the best damn steak and rib joint in Texas?”

  Oh, ribs. She’d forgotten about them. There was a recipe she’d started to fool with on her laptop…

  “Yeah, Kerri,” Kevin spoke up. “Come on. Lord knows Harland County could use one. Hell, every last one of those steak things you brought tonight are all gone.”

  “Really?” She turned to study him.

  He smiled. “Really.”

  “But…I made over five dozen.”

  “I know, and they’re all gone. Everyone loves your cooking. Take pity on us,” Kevin pleaded, blue eyes rounded. “Harland County needs you.”

  She snickered. Another bull-shitter. Jeez, the man should run for office. Between his incredible looks and smooth tongue, he’d be a shoe-in. No matter the position.

  Her gaze shifted to the silent cowboy at his side. Connor just stared at her, jaw working, mouth shut, gaze neutral except for what could almost be mistaken for…fear? No, couldn’t be. See, now her anxiety was making her see things again. Connor McCall scared? That was laughable.

  So she did. She laughed, then turned to her sister and Cole. “Okay,” she said, squeezing her future brother-in-law’s hand, her gaze bouncing between the happy couple. “I’ll help you open a restaurant here, then you can help me re-open Comets.”

  “Deal.” Jordan stood and pulled Kerri to her feet so they could hug. “Thank you.”

  Kerri drew back and smiled at her grinning sister. “No, thank you.”

  “You’re already going through recipes in your mind, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, you bitch.”

  They were still laughing when Cole shoved a glass of champagne into their hands. Where in the world that came from, she had no idea.

  “I’d say a toast is in order.” He lifted his glass, and Kevin and Connor drew near, holding up their beer as well. “To Harland County. Future home to the best steak and ribs Texas will ever see.”

  They toasted and drank, and Kerri refused to dwell on the fact she’d just committed herself to staying in Texas a good half a year—if not full year—longer than planned. Crud. Nope, not thinking about that...or the great smelling cowboy standing so close behind her she could feel his intoxicating heat.

  “So, when do we start looking?” she asked, slowly moving toward the door and away from Connor.

  Jordan laughed. “In a hurry, are you?”

  Kerri wasn’t sure if her sister was referring to the rest
aurant or the cowboy. Either way, the answer was the same.

  “Well, yeah.” She smiled. No reason to lie. About the restaurant, anyway. They all knew her stay was temporary. Besides, she was actually starting to get excited.

  “I’ll have Stella find you a good realtor so you can start scouting locations this week,” Cole said.

  Cole’s secretary was a shrewd one. The woman would find them a top-notch company, Kerri had no doubt. She and Jordan both nodded before they all rejoined the party.

  An hour later, with only mere minutes left until the end of the year, all the party goers crowded into the Dalton’s living room to watch the live action from Time Square on TV. The ball would soon drop. And the crowd was breaking into couples, no doubt getting ready to ring in the New Year with a kiss.

  Kevin had two beauties under his arm. Jordan and Cole were cuddling in the corner. Jen and her husband Brock held a bright-eyed Cody, smiles on all their faces.

  And Kerri had never felt so darn alone.

  Intent on escaping to the porch, she made her way through the crowd, but couldn’t get to the door thanks to the multitude of bodies blocking the path. So she did the next best thing—snuck into the Dalton’s laundry room.

  Another year alone.

  She leaned up against a wall and sighed. But at least she wasn’t being hurt or cheated on. The truth eased some of the ache from her chest.

  Kerri started to feel a little better, until the door opened and Connor walked in, sucking all the air from the darkened room. Oh, wait, that was her. She’d inhaled and pressed her back against the wall, hoping he wouldn’t see her in the dark.

  “Are you all right?” He stepped right to her.

  Bugger. What does he have, night vision? Friggin’ cat’s eyes? Jeez. She’d forgotten he never needed a flashlight when they’d played flashlight tag. Bugger.

  “Yeah. I’m fine.” She sighed, trying not to notice the great scent of his aftershave. Fail. Or the heat from his hot body. Fail. Or the fact he now stood directly in front of her. She cleared her throat and grabbed at the first random thought to enter her mind. “Do you think I was just duped?”

  Moonlight filtered in through a small window on their right, illuminating his face enough for her to see his expression. Contemplative. He removed his hat, set it on the washer to her left then ran a hand through his hair.