The Rancher and The Event Planner (A Salvation Texas Novel)

by Cheryl Gorman

  “Whoa!” Rafe said eyeing the growing pile of diced peppers on the cutting board. “Size matters, Jennifer. Here, let me show you.”

  “Whatever,” she said and handed him the knife with a smile.

  “I’m just trying to help.”

  “First it’s my crust and now it’s my chopping technique.”

  “It isn’t your technique. Did you know the average human has approximately ten thousand taste buds?” He bit into a green olive and chewed.

  She loved olives. She loved them even more watching Rafe eat one. How would an olive taste on his lips?

  “I can taste this olive on the entire surface of my mouth, under the tongue, inside my cheeks and even the roof of my mouth.” He licked his lips and looked at her. “The taste buds on the lips are extra sensitive to salty foods.”

  His tongue swept over his lips causing her lust factor to shoot off the scale. She needed to stop thinking about Rafe in terms of sex, otherwise she was going to become as soft and pliable as the mounds of dough lying on the table waiting to be made into crusts. And the last thing she wanted to be was soft and pliable. She needed to keep herself strong because this job and her future depended on it. “Where did you learn so much about taste buds?”

  He grinned. “High school biology and the kissing booth at the school carnival.”

  Thinking about the last time Rafe kissed her by the stream at the barbecue made her heart rate jump. She remembered a young Rafe McCord flashing his pearly whites and giving the girls a come-hither look from his startling blue eyes. She tilted her head and laid the tip of her index finger on her chin. “I remember the kissing booth at the school carnival but it was manned or I should say “womaned” by the girls and I was one of them. Come to think of it I remember tasting a lot of flavors back then like cotton candy, soda pop and fried cinnamon tortillas.”

  Rafe gave her a long, simmering look and said, “Yeah, the boys were lining up.” His voice was deep, husky and caused a shiver to dance over her skin. Her pulse ka-boomed through her veins and her breath grew shallow. They were lining up all right but not for her. Rona and her drum beaters were the lip lock queens in the kissing booth. She focused her attention back to the pepper to regain her composure and said, “So, you were saying something about size?” She almost glanced again at his crotch but was able to control herself.

  “Right. When someone takes their first bite you want the flavors, the juices to explode on their tongue and the way to make it happen is to chop the vegetables into slightly larger chunks. Like this.”

  Rafe held the pepper cutting it into long, chunky strips. He picked up two pieces of the pepper, the smaller size she had chopped and one of the bigger strips and held it in front of her lips so she could take a bite. He looked into her eyes then shifted his gaze to her mouth. Her lips tingled. “Open up.” He placed the smaller piece of pepper on her tongue. “Now chew and tell me what you taste.”

  She wondered if some of the flavor of the pepper was mixed with the flavor of his skin and found herself wanting more. She swallowed and said, “It tastes sweet and crunchy but not that juicy.”

  His lips curved and his eyes darkened slightly. “Yeah…juicy is essential.” He held up a larger piece of pepper and said, “Okay, this time close your eyes while I place it on your tongue.”

  She closed her eyes with her heart pounding and opened her mouth. Rafe placed the pepper on her tongue, his fingertips lightly grazing her tongue and the surface of her lower lip. She nearly groaned. Closing her mouth, she chewed trying to focus on the flavor of the pepper and not Rafe’s delicate touch on her mouth. When she opened her eyes, Rafe was staring at her. “Juicy, definitely juicy.”

  He nodded, still looking at her. “Yum,” he said in a low voice. “Finish chopping the vegetables while I help put some pies in the oven. Just wait until you taste how juicy the ingredients are when they’re hot.”

  When he mouthed the words juicy and hot, she wanted to leap into his arms, clamp her legs around his waist and go for it.

  In a few minutes, the first pies were ready and the crowd began sampling the tasty treats. After the first rush, JC took a breather and stepped out of the tent. Rafe was standing with Molly munching on slices. Molly smiled and waved at her while Rafe tipped his hat. Something swelled inside JC, a feeling of accomplishment and pride but also pride in the people of Salvation. It was amazing how so many people had come together to help her. And Rafe had offered his expertise as well. He’d not only taught her something about making a great pie, but had helped her realize how close she’d come to her lust threshold.

  “To Jennifer,” Rafe called interrupting her thoughts, “for making the best pizza in the state.”

  Unexpected tears filled JC’s eyes as pride flooded her body. Despite the rocky beginning, the day had turned out to be a success.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Contestants, please walk your dogs around the ring one more time, while the judges make their final decisions,” Ellie Blakeley said in a chipper voice.

  Molly’s tiny fingers clutched JC’s hand and her other held a female white lab’s leash as they circled the rink. Hope lit Molly’s eyes, yearning for a win and with a little luck, she would take home not only the blue ribbon but the dog as well.

  Cooler temperatures ruled the day. Thank God. A breeze stirred JC’s hair, soothing her heated skin. The dog, named Dixie, wagged her tail in response to the relief from the oppressive heat. As they passed by Rafe, standing on the outside of the ring, Molly waved to him. “Hi, Daddy.”

  JC tingled from head to toe at the sight of him, his handsome face, his blue eyes glinting with love for his daughter. He looked incredible today in his white shirt, jeans and cowboy boots sporting a spit shine. His cowboy hat sat perfectly on his head casting a slight shadow over his face.

  “Hi, punkin,” he said. With a slight tilt of his head, his blue gaze settled on JC. Suddenly, her world tilted. Dizziness tangled with a swooping sensation, the emotions swirled through her stomach. She stumbled.

  I’m in love with Rafe. I’m totally in love with him.

  “Are you okay, JC?” Molly asked.

  No, no I am definitely not okay. Her throat squeezed, tears burned the back of her eyes, but she blinked them away. Keep smiling even if it kills you. “I’m fine, sweetie. I tripped on a rock.” And my foolish heart tripped over Rafe and went splat.

  “Okay, everyone, the judges have made their decision. Please line up in the middle of the rink to award prizes.”

  Twenty dogs and their companions formed a line with Molly and JC in the middle. Molly squeezed JC’s hand and looked up at her. “I did good, didn’t I, JC?”

  She smiled at Molly. “You were fantastic. Promise you won’t be disappointed if you and Dixie don’t win.”

  Molly lifted her chin. “I promise, but Dixie’s going to win. I just know it.”

  JC laughed. The honorable mentions were awarded first then the countdown began. Holding her breath, JC waited for the final announcement.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Grand Prize Winner for Best in Show is Dixie, shown by JC Barrett and Molly McCord. Congratulations!”

  Molly squealed. “We won, we won.”

  JC beamed. “I know, I can’t believe it.”

  Together, JC, Molly and Dixie accepted the ribbon and trophy. Rafe walked over and swung Molly up into his arms. “Congratulations, I’m so proud of you.”

  “JC,” one of the councilman said, “On be-half of the entire city council, we think you’ve done a fabulous job on helping Salvation’s chances of winning the Best Texas Vacation contest. Don’t you agree, Mr. Mayor?”

  “Absolutely,” Rafe said.

  “Thank you, it was my pleasure.” She turned to Molly and said, “You’d better give Dixie some water. She’s had a busy morning.”

  “Okay,” Molly said and kissed Dixie. “I love you, Dixie.”

  A lump rose in JC’s throat. You are the sweetest kid. “I’ll see you soon, Molly,” JC
said her voice cracking, because now that she knew she was truly in love with Rafe her emotions were in turmoil. She wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with Rafe and be a mother to Molly but she still wasn’t sure how Rafe felt about her. Her gaze connected with Rafe’s. She memorized every nuance in his face, the exact color of his eyes and the way his hair fell across his forehead. She turned to go when the councilman laid a hand on her arm. “Wait, that’s not all.”

  She wanted to return to Cade’s cabin, get a hold on her emotions and figure out what she was going to do about these feelings for Rafe, but she squared her shoulders instead.

  Garrett Blakeley puffed out his chest, his thumbs tucked into the pockets of his vest and said, “The council members would like you to stay on in Salvation and manage the new resort full time.”

  He mentioned a generous salary and healthcare package.

  Molly bounced on her toes. “Say, yes, JC, please say yes.” Molly’s green eyes glimmered, a gap-toothed grin spread over her lips.

  “Does that include the mayor?”

  “I only vote in the case of a tie. The members voted unanimously.”

  JC’s mind spun with possibilities. She could buy her own place and settle down to a good life here in Salvation. But now that she realized she’d fallen for Rafe, she wasn’t so sure anymore. Rafe’s explanation offered no encouragement toward her acceptance. She had no idea how he truly felt and until she did she couldn’t say yes. “Thank you for the offer. Could I have a few days to think about it?”

  “Of course. Contact me or Rafe when you’ve made a decision.”

  Molly’s face fell. “Why do you have to think about it? Don’t you love me?”

  JC squatted to eye level with Molly. “Sweetheart, just because I need to think about it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I will always love you.” She cuddled Molly, glanced up at Rafe who frowned down at her.

  * * *

  A few days later, JC pulled into the parking lot of the Salvation county fairgrounds, cut the engine and climbed from her car. After overseeing much of the set up earlier in the day, she’d barely had enough time to go back to Cade’s place to shower and change. A large sign hung on the outside of the exhibition center building declaring Celebrate Texas in large red and blue letters making her spirits soar.

  This event would go down without a hitch she could feel it in the marrow of her bones. She gazed at the sky spreading overhead in a clear blue arc, the clouds from the earlier rainstorm had moved off. Humidity drenched the air and a mosquito buzzed her head, but she wasn’t going to let a mosquito or two spoil the evening. She dug the repellent from her bag and reapplied it. Her jeans hugged her legs and hips and were designed to make her butt and hips look trim, but when she’d checked in the mirror they appeared as wide as usual.

  JC stepped into the exhibition center humming with the sound of voices and closed the door at her back. A wave of cool air relieved the stifling evening heat. Each booth was filled with vendors from Salvation. She waved at Grace and Ryn over in the Bluebonnet Cafe booth. Other booths teamed with local artisans showcasing their pottery, fresh baked cinnamon rolls, paintings and arts and crafts. The hardware store, the local nursery and the Salvation Garden Club had a booth. There were vendors selling hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, fresh squeezed lemonade and baked potatoes with the works.

  Saw dust covered the floor. Lights illuminated the space and ceiling fans placed at intervals helped stir the air. JC waved at people she’d reconnected with since she’d arrived back in town and lightness filled her heart. She’d been none too thrilled to be stuck here, but the people had opened their doors and their hearts to her. Even Rafe except for the heart part. The barricade around his emotions was still firmly in place.

  JC walked through the exhibition center and out the back door onto a path leading to a big cattle barn. A covered arena stood off to the left with lights blazing inside and the echo of the sound system being checked. Rafe’s truck and horse trailer were parked outside the cattle barn and her heart skipped a beat. She’d asked him if he would ride his horse and carry the flag for the opening of the show and he had agreed. A band stand and dance floor had been erected along the midway along with some refreshment stands. She’d hired an up and coming local band. The owner of the hardware store had donated the lumber and other electrical supplies not to mention his time to build a dance floor complete with lights and a stage for the band. Everyone had rallied to help her make this the best night it could be and she was more grateful for their kindnesses than they would ever know.

  Two large trucks and multiple trailers belonging to the Harlan Wild West Show pulled into the parking lot. The truck’s big tires rolled over the dirt and gravel stirring up a cloud of dust before the trucks stopped with a squeak of brakes and a metallic groan.

  JC checked her watch. Thank goodness. The owner had phoned and said he might be late because they had engine trouble, but she didn’t expect them to be this late. They had a little over an hour before the show was set to begin.

  Some of the performers in the Wild West show climbed from the vehicles, looked around with a tired and worn out expression and headed for a booth near the dance floor selling burritos, rather than getting to work on the show’s set up.

  Shocked, JC walked over to speak to them. “Aren’t you going to start setting up?”

  One man said, “We’ve got miles of road behind us and we’d like to get something to eat first.”

  “The show is supposed to begin in a little over an hour. Couldn’t you eat later? I’ve already paid you a deposit,” she said. She knew her words sounded harsh, but tonight had to be a success.

  “We’ll be ready in time, don’t worry.” He wiped his sleeve over his mouth, tossed the remains of the burrito he was eating into a trash receptacle and walked away.

  “You should try and be a little nicer or those people might walk out on you. And their deposit be damned.”

  At the sound of Rafe’s voice, her whole body tingled down to her toes, while inwardly she gave a high five. After composing herself, she turned around. He was dressed in black down to his boots. “I was just trying to make a point, because I’m an event planner and it’s my job to make sure everything goes without a hitch. And by the way, I’m always nice to my vendors as long as they do their job.”

  Rafe pushed the hat back on his head and he stepped closer. She fought the nearly overwhelming urge to hold him and kiss him senseless. “If you don’t add a little honey to the mix, you might end up with more than just a hitch tonight.”

  JC folded her arms over her chest to put more distance between them. “Are you saying you never need to have a heart-to-heart with your hands on the ranch? Does everything on The Rocking M always run perfectly?”

  “Not a damn thing runs perfectly on a ranch, but I don’t let things chap my hide because problems come with running any business. I’m just saying—”

  A full smile played around his mouth and his eyes twinkled—which only infuriated her more.

  “I know what you’re saying, but I have things under control. Just let me do my job my way.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He tipped his hat. “I need to see a man about a horse.” She watched him walk away, his long legs striding smoothly over the ground.

  Love and fury sparked inside her like a jar full of fire flies. He didn’t know zip about event planning and he had the gall to tell her how to do her job. She didn’t give him orders or advice on how to run the ranch or the town. Why did Rafe McCord get her so tangled up every time she was near him? She already knew the answer. She had fallen stupidly in love with him. She looked around. Where was Molly? She hoped she wasn’t sick. No, if Molly was sick, Rafe would be at home. In her mind, she saw him sitting at Molly’s bedside, feeding her chicken broth and ice chips.

  She glanced back in Rafe’s direction and started after him to enquire about Molly, but he rounded the corner of the barn and disappeared from view.

  “Hi,
JC.”

  JC waved at Cade and Ryn. “Hi, thanks for coming.”

  They continued toward the fairground arena hand in hand. She wondered if there was romance in the air for her brother. JC didn’t want to remain single, striving for as much success as she could with no one to share it with. She knew a lot of people got married and settled down into marital bliss. She planned the perfect day for people all the time. She knew she could give other people their happily-ever-after but she wasn’t so certain she could do the same for herself.

  She’d never have believed she’d find the right man in the small town of Salvation. She’d had a crush on Rafe growing up but she had no idea that crush would blossom into the almost overwhelming love she felt inside. Instinctively she laid her palm over her heart as if to shield the emotion from hurt.

  The hour swiftly passed and the show was about to begin. The stands had filled with people and from the license plates JC had seen on some of the vehicles in the parking lot, many people had come from out of town. She waved to Molly who looked adorable in a cowgirl outfit, sitting next to Linc. JC motioned to one of the council members in the announcer’s booth and he picked up the mic.

  “Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Celebrate Texas.”

  A flurry of applause rose to the rafters of the arena. “First, please stand for our national anthem.”

  As soon as the music started, Rafe galloped into the arena on the back of his horse, Silver Bells balancing the end of the flag pole on the toe of his left boot and held the reins with his other hand. JC covered her heart with her hand, drinking in the sight of him and his beautiful horse, as her heart thumped wildly under her palm. The flag waved through the air in a flurry of red, white and blue and tears sprang to her eyes. She always got teary eyed when the national anthem played.