Sam tilted back his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. "I don't know what's wrong with her. This is the first time she's missed work since I've been here. Maybe she doesn't want to see you again." Righting the chair, he rose slowly to his feet, leaning his fists on the desk. "I think she's scared of you."
"There's no reason for Jessie to be afraid of me."
"I think she has a very good reason," Sam said. "She's afraid she'll get hurt. I wouldn't want that to happen, you understand?"
Cameron understood all right. "Are you in love with Jessie?"
Sam threw back his head and laughed. Cameron didn't know whether the man was laughing in amusement or bitterness.
"Who wouldn't love Jessie once they know her? She's beautiful and smart. And a damned good mechanic." Sam shrugged his shoulders. "When I came to Salt Fork, her husband had recently died. She was advertising for someone to help in the garage. I applied for the job and I've been here ever since. I love Jessie, but I'm not in love with her."
"So, you're her self-appointed guardian?"
Sam shrugged again. "She has no one else."
Cameron leaned forward and stared hard at Garza. The man didn't flinch or back away. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I don't intend to hurt Jessie in any way. She's a grown woman and can make her own decisions. Now, how much do I owe for the car?"
He pulled out his wallet and waited. Garza looked like he wanted to say something more, but didn't. He quickly flipped through the day's receipts and handed Cameron his bill.
****
Jessie scattered seed for the chickens, then gathered the eggs, placing them gently in her wicker basket. She replenished their water before herding the matronly brood into the henhouse for the night. After locking the door against nightly marauders, she headed for the house with Sherlock and Katnip following closely at her heels.
Dusk cloaked the barnyard as night settled in; the lone evening star twinkled in the sky. Crickets chirped their night song, and a soft breeze rustled the last of the leaves on the big oak tree near the back door. As the sun gave up its last vestiges of light, the halogen lamp on the tall pole in front of the house flickered on, casting a comforting glow around the yard.
Jessie stopped a moment under the lamp pole and breathed in a deep lungful of fresh air, enjoying the night sounds all around. What a stressful day it had been. In Lubbock, she'd seen her lawyer and set the groundwork to lease the oil rights she owned on the Diamondback Ranch. She hadn't actually committed the vile deed yet, but everything was in place. One phone call to Mr. Bennett, and he'd put the wheels in motion and make it happen.
Jessie kept hoping against hope that a miracle would occur--maybe she'd win the lottery or something, so she wouldn't have to make that call. But in reality, there were no other options available. Jessie knew she was going to be forced to renege on the promise she'd made to Ruth McCade. She didn't see any other way to get the money she desperately needed. She would have to warn Ruth; she owed her that much.
Jessie spotted the headlights of a car through the grove of mesquite trees bordering the dirt road leading to the house. Sherlock took exception to the newcomer and dashed to the edge of the lawn, barking loudly.
When the black Jaguar pulled up, Jessie's heart plummeted. She'd purposely stayed away from the shop today because she'd wanted to avoid another meeting with Cameron. She had tried not to think of the night before and that incredible kiss behind the cafe, but her traitorous body wouldn't let her forget. Her breasts ached and the feeling of emptiness deep inside reminded her of her lonely state.
Setting the basket of eggs beside the door, she gathered her courage and waited. And waited. Cameron made no move to get out of the car. Sherlock stood at the door on the driver's side, growling ferociously, his sharp teeth gleaming in the lamplight. For a split second, Jessie had a good mind to go in the house and leave Cameron to his fate. But that was the coward's way out and she wasn't a coward. She'd have to face him sooner or later. With a deep breath for courage, she called Sherlock to heel. The big German shepherd barked a few more times before relinquishing his position.
Slowly opening the door, Cameron eased out of the sports car. "That's some guard dog you've got there."
Jessie patted Sherlock, who had taken a defensive stand by her side. "He keeps unwanted visitors away."
Cameron squatted on his haunches in front of Jessie and spoke to Sherlock in a soothing voice, allowing the dog to sniff his hand, finally petting him on the scruff of the neck. "Am I an unwanted visitor, Jess?"
Oh no. She wanted him and that was the problem in a nutshell.
"Well, it depends on your intentions," she said. "You come waltzing into town, after being gone for years, and expect me to fall into bed with you. I can't do it, Cameron. I don't know you very well. We went out exactly one time when we were kids. I can't deny the attraction between us, but that's not enough for me. I need more, and I don't think you're willing to give it."
There. She'd said her piece and unburdened her heart. Now, Cameron would go back to Houston and she'd never see him again. Never feel his arms around her . . . never lie in bed with him . . .
Cameron rose to his feet and grasped her by the shoulders. An odd expression played across his handsome face. What was he thinking?
Why couldn't she just invite him in the house and let tomorrow take care of itself? She was good at that--taking one day at a time. But somehow, she didn't think it would work in this situation. Guarding her heart was paramount.
"I didn't come to town to seduce you into bed," he said. "I came home for my mother's birthday."
Jessie's legs trembled. She grabbed hold of his forearms, feeling the strong tendons beneath her sensitive fingers, the roughness of the hair covering his skin.
The pressure on her shoulders increased, as Cameron supported her weight. "I won't lie to you, Jess. You know I want you. I wanted you the night of the prom. I want you now. But you have a valid point. We don't know each other very well."
Dropping his hands to his sides, he backed away. Jessie stifled a moan and locked her knees in place, willing them to keep her upright. Just ask him in, Jess. Don't think about tomorrow.
"Cameron?" Her voice sounded strange to her ears; her pulse pounded in her throat. She was about to do something totally against her nature. She couldn't let him walk away forever. Not again.
He raised an eyebrow in question, his eyes dilating with desire. The force of the passion radiating between them hit Jessie like a bowling ball crashing down an alley, laying all the pins flat. Her lungs refused to operate and she gasped for breath. One touch from him and she'd be flat on her back like those pins, and to hell with tomorrow.
Before she could speak, Cameron placed a finger on her lips and shook his head. "No. You're right; we do need to get better acquainted. I want to know you inside and out, backward and forward, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. And everything in between."
Jessie stood mesmerized by the subtle love words and the light pressure of his finger on her lips. Her body craved contact. She remembered the taste of his mouth and wanted to taste it again. Good grief, the man was lethal.
"I won't be here very long," he said. "Let's go out tomorrow night. No pressure, just go out and have fun. You can catch me up on things here, and I'll tell you about Houston and my practice."
Jessie smiled. "You really do enjoy being a doctor, don't you? You had it all planned out when you were young and you made it happen." She hadn't been part of his plans back then. Last night, he'd said he'd almost changed them because of her. Somehow she didn't really believe him.
"Yes, I love being a doctor," he said. "What about tomorrow night, Jess?"
"Where would we go?" She was stalling for time because she wasn't certain where this would lead, how it would end. He wanted her in bed and she wanted him. But then what? He'd return to Houston, she'd be in Salt Fork . . . she'd been through it all before.
"How about Billie G's?" he said.
"We could have a few beers. Play some pool."
Jessie shook her head. The honky-tonk up on the Caprock was popular, but not one of her favorite places. "I don't drink much, and I've never really liked pool."
"Then how about a movie?" Cameron wanted to spend time with Jessie and not just in bed. The more he saw of her, the more he realized how much he'd missed by leaving all those years ago. He traced his fingers along Jessie's jaw, over her collarbone, down her arm.
She shuddered deliciously beneath his touch. Cameron dropped his hand to his side when she stepped away. He forced himself not to grab her and kiss her till she moaned.
"The closest theater is in Cactus Gap, remember?" Jessie swiped her hair back from her face. Cameron wanted to bury his hands in the silky threads. He wanted to bury himself inside her body.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to concentrate on her words instead of the husky tone of her voice. "Right. Cactus Gap's fifty miles away."
"Afraid your car won't make it that far?" Her green eyes widened as soon as the words left her mouth. She'd set herself up and knew it.
Cameron grinned. "No problem. I'll be with one of the best mechanics in Texas. I'm sure she wouldn't leave me stranded."
Jessie laughed.
"I like it when you laugh." Cameron stepped closer and reached for her, thankful she didn't pull away. "I like kissing you, too. I want to kiss you, Jess. I need to kiss you."
The laughter died in Jessie's throat when his lips brushed hers. His words touched something deep inside. The kiss was gentle, very different from the passionate one they'd shared last night. Before she had time to respond, Cameron released her. He searched her eyes as if looking for something.
"Will you go to the movies with me?" he asked softly.
Jessie couldn't speak, still trying to recover from the kiss. She thought he sounded almost hesitant. Like her answer mattered to him a lot. Finally, she just nodded.
Cameron smiled. "Good. When I see you tomorrow for the tour of your clinic, we'll finalize the plans."
Jessie stood in the lamplight after he drove away. She traced her lips with one finger. The gentle kiss they'd shared had been different, nothing like she'd ever experienced before. Especially with Cameron McCade.
****
The next morning, Jessie rolled herself on the creeper underneath Mrs. Jones's late model SUV and loosened the oil plug. Placing a pan to catch the oil, she mentally willed the black fluid to drain quickly. It was eleven-thirty and she was starving. She hadn't eaten any breakfast. She'd still been shaken by the gentleness of Cameron's kiss the night before. The man confused the hell out of her.
The oil flow stopped and Jessie quickly changed the filter. Wiping her hands on a grease rag, she rolled herself out from under the vehicle. Before she knew what was happening, she was lifted from the creeper and held in Cameron's strong arms. Amused blue eyes stared down at her from beneath his Stetson, and she was certain she had oil on her cheeks. She tried to wipe it away.
Low laughter rumbled in Cameron's throat. He took the rag in one hand, her chin in the other. "You're just making it worse. Let me do it."
Jessie tried to quiet the tremulous pounding of her heart. The firm pressure from Cameron's fingers on her chin warmed her skin and a delicious heat spread downward. A hunger of a different sort made her lean toward him.
Careful, Jess. She grabbed the rag to finish the job herself and stepped away, forgetting about the creeper on the floor. One minute she was falling; the next, she was safely in Cameron's arms again. He held her tightly against the length of his body. But Jessie knew she wasn't safe at all. In fact, she was in too much danger for her peace of mind.
She pushed out of the embrace and desperately tried to get hold of her wayward emotions. "Thanks for catching me."
"My pleasure," he said with a wink.
Prickles of awareness rose on the nape of her neck at the sound of his low, seductive voice. Jessie bent down, picked up her baseball cap and jammed it on her head. She felt like a clumsy fool. Not only for tripping over the cart, but for her lack of control to Cameron's touch.
The look of raw hunger on his face froze Jessie on the spot. What was this thing between them? It grew stronger each time they were together.
Jessie tossed the grease rag in the trash barrel. "I didn't expect to see you for another hour. Has something come up?"
Cameron stuffed his hands in his pockets. Something had definitely come up, but it wouldn't be polite to mention it, especially when he had promised Jessie he wouldn't put pressure on her. "Actually, I couldn't wait any longer to see you again. So, I brought lunch. I thought we could go to the roadside park and have a picnic, before you showed me your clinic."
Jessie melted a little inside. How sweet. "Shouldn't you be spending this time with your family?"
"I rode out with Dallas early this morning to inspect the cattle, then visited with Mom at breakfast. I promise you, she didn't mind at all when I said I wanted to have lunch with you. In fact, she packed a basket for us."
"I hope Ruth isn't getting any ideas." Jessie was trying not to get any ideas either.
Cameron smiled. "Mom's always getting ideas. You know how she is. You are hungry, aren't you? I stopped by the cafe. There's two pieces of Sarah Sue's carrot cake for dessert."
Jessie's stomach growled in response and she laughed. "You sure know how to tempt a woman. Let me wash up." She turned on her heel and ran to the office, blushing at her unruly tongue.
Know how to tempt a woman? Good grief, what would she say next? She hadn't missed the flash of heat in Cameron's eyes.
After slipping out of her coveralls and making sure her sweater and slacks were okay, she ran a comb through her hair and grabbed her purse. She scribbled a note for Sam to finish Mrs. Jones's SUV when he came back from his break, which would be any minute now.
Jessie hurried outside. The look of admiration on Cameron's face generated a warm sensation in the pit of her stomach. Since she was an expert at compartmentalizing her troubles, she banished all worries and doubts to the back of her mind and decided to enjoy Cameron's company today.
****
Cameron waited with arms folded, leaning against his car, watching Jessie's approach. She had exchanged her coveralls for a pair of pants that outlined her shapeliness and a sweater that teased his imagination.
He dug his keys from his pocket, glad to release some of the tension from his tight jeans. Since coming to the ranch, he'd been in a constant state of arousal. That in itself was exciting and new. For the past decade, his schedule had been so tight and hectic, he hadn't had much time to pursue the ladies, no matter what his mother thought. He'd essentially put his libido on hold, but Jessie had certainly awakened it.
She stopped in front of him with a smile on her lips. "Ready?"
Oh yeah. "That didn't take long," he said. On impulse, he held out the keys. "Why don't you drive?"
Jessie's green eyes widened with delight. "You trust me with your Jag?"
"Sure, I trust you." He tossed her the keys and she caught them to her chest, the movement pushing her breasts against the plush fabric of her sweater. Cameron swallowed hard. Quickly, he walked to the driver's side and opened the door. "I trusted you to repair the fan belt, didn't I? And since you're intimately acquainted with the engine, you deserve the chance to drive the car."
"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
"Not in this lifetime."
Jessie's eyes crinkled with humor. She climbed in the driver's seat and closed the door.
Cameron slid in on the passenger side and buckled his seat belt. Her impish expression made her look about fifteen again. He felt the old familiar tug toward her combined with something dangerously new.
She hesitated a moment, then inserted the key and the motor roared to life. Jessie let out a sigh of contentment. Throwing a mischievous look his way, she floored the gas pedal and the car zoomed onto the gray pavement heading out of town.
"Bet
ter slow down," Cameron said. "You don't want to get a ticket."
"This car wasn't made to go slow." She revved the engine and shot past the city limits.
"I never figured you for a speed demon." He flipped a switch on the console and the roof of the Jaguar folded back. A clear blue West Texas sky appeared above their heads.
Jessie laughed and leaned back against the headrest. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
"I'd like the chance to find out." Cameron watched her in fascination. Her laughter stoked a fire deep within. He had an almost uncontrollable urge to trail kisses along her neck and down her collarbone. When she turned to look at him, inviting him to share her joy, he planted a quick kiss on her smiling lips, pulling away before she had time to respond.
"Cameron!" The car jerked slightly to the right. Immediately, Jessie corrected the angle of the wheels, keeping her concentration on the road.
"Sorry, couldn't resist." He realized he was having a good time and really enjoying himself. No feeling of restlessness, only the pleasant hum of anticipation.
Jessie shook her head, trying to frown, but couldn't. Her hair whipped across her face and her eyes danced with pleasure.
Before long, the roadside park came into view. She pulled up beside the awning-covered tables and handed the keys to Cameron. "Thank you. It was everything I dreamed it would be and more."
Cameron crammed the keys into his pocket, then snagged the picnic basket from the floorboard. Jessie's husky voice, the words she'd spoken, sparked erotic images in his overheated brain. Silently, he counted to ten. Slow down, McCade.
Setting the basket on one of the concrete tables, he walked toward the lookout point, where Jessie stood gazing at the view. The park was located on the edge of a deep rocky gorge stretching and twisting as far as the eye could see. Striations of red rock and white gypsum contrasted with the green of mesquite trees and sagebrush. The Double Mountains stood on the horizon, majestic in their height and splendor.
Jessie sighed and held out her hand to Cameron. He hesitated. The gesture invited an intimacy, a closeness he had avoided all his life. He took hold of it gingerly.
The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance) Page 6