Barefoot Blue Jean Night

by Debbi Rawlins

  “Ah, rules number one and two, never hesitate to grab a deposit, and strike the word refund from your vocabulary.”

  Rachel laughed. “So you’re more than a pretty face and gadabout travel blogger.”

  Jamie smiled wryly. “Let’s say I learned the hard way during the initial stages of my blog.”

  “Yes, I’m beginning to see I have a lot to learn, too. Getting this place started has been pretty overwhelming.” Rachel glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen door that led to the mudroom and then outside. “I had to chase Hilda and my mother out this morning. They’ve been burning the candle at both ends.”

  “As I’m sure you’re doing, especially handling the website and reservations.”

  “Yeah, but they have thirty years on me. I don’t want to work them to death. And now, with the added stress of last night…” She opened the dishwasher and sighed. “And God only knows why I’m telling you all of this.”

  Jamie shrugged. “It’s nice to be included.” That sounded wrong, not at all what she meant. “I’m glad you feel comfortable with me.”

  Rachel transferred a stack of plates from the counter to the sink, then gave Jamie a long thoughtful look. “I do. I’m not sure why, except that you remind me of one of my sorority sisters. I bet if you lived here we’d be friends.”

  “I bet we would, too.” Jamie took a sip of the hot coffee then seized the opening Rachel had handed her. “Do you plan on staying here in Montana?”

  The surprise in the other woman’s eyes turned guarded. “I love it here. I can’t imagine…” She shook her head. It seemed clear to Jamie that this was a sore subject and not open for discussion. “Living away at school was fun. I had a blast, but there’s no place for me like Montana.”

  “It is beautiful.” Jamie set down her cup and went to the sink to rinse the dishes. The window above framed part of the Rockies and she stared out at the breathtaking view. “I can understand you wanting to stay.” She passed Rachel a plate. “You have a special guy hidden away?”

  “Wouldn’t that be cool?” Rachel sighed and continued to load the dishwasher. “The downside of living in a small town.”

  “No proverbial high-school sweetheart?”

  Rachel’s short laugh sounded bitter. “Right. Matt Gunderson. I was still a senior when he left town.”

  “Gunderson?” Jamie nearly choked.

  “I know, right?” Rachel smiled. “You should see your face.”

  The slam of a car door saved her from responding. They both looked out the window, craning their necks to see who’d pulled up out front.

  Jamie had a better view. “I think it’s the sheriff.”

  “Yup, that’s Noah.” Rachel dried her hands. “Cole called him. Let’s go see what’s going on.”

  “Um, I don’t think I should.”

  “Why not?” Rachel pulled out a dry dish towel and pushed it on Jamie.

  “Because it’s none of my business?”

  “Do you want to know?”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  Rachel chuckled. “Then come on. I just made you an honorary member of the family.”

  Jamie quickly dried off and hurried after Rachel through the dining room and into the foyer. As soon as she saw Cole from the front window, Jamie’s heart started to pound. She hoped he didn’t have a problem with her tagging along with Rachel. If he did, oh well… Nothing to do about it.

  Noah was walking toward Cole, who’d just ridden in from somewhere past the barn and was handing over the reins of his horse to one of the wranglers.

  “What about Noah?” Jamie whispered while they were still on the porch. “You ever go out with him?”

  “God, no. He’s like one of my brothers.” Rachel gave her an amused glance. “Why, are you interested?”

  “No,” she said, a little too vehemently. He was totally hot, but her eyes were on Cole and just the sight of him made her melt a little.

  “Didn’t think so,” Rachel murmured in a smug voice.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I don’t think you want me answering now,” she said in a hushed tone as they came up on Cole and Noah.

  Jamie exhaled in a whoosh. Crap. Was she that obvious with Cole?

  Both men looked over at them and lapsed into silence. They hadn’t had time to get into a serious discussion yet so Jamie didn’t feel too bad about interrupting.

  “Mornin’, Rachel,” Noah said, his gaze sliding to Jamie. He smiled, touched the brim of his hat. Light brown hair, blue-green eyes. Very hot. Bummer for Rachel that he was more like a brother.

  “This is my friend, Jamie,” Rachel said, by way of introduction, then slipped into business mode. “You know anything yet?”

  Startled, Jamie blocked out Noah’s answer, barely registering the flicker of surprise on Cole’s face. Rachel had referred to her as a friend, not as one of the guests, or just plain Jamie. Warmth blossomed in her chest and crawled up her neck.

  Nothing unpleasant, it was just that Rachel’s casual inclusion was so unexpected…so touching….

  Good Lord, her reaction was crazy. Jamie had friends, for goodness sake. Really good friends. The best. She wasn’t that scared twelve-year-old kid anymore, standing on the outside looking in, not quite getting the private jokes or looks. She was feeling a bit adrift, but that didn’t mean anything in the long run. She’d built herself an independent life, one that she was damn proud of. This was a brief fling, that was all. With Cole, with Rachel, with the illusion of a family. It felt great, but it was temporary. Exactly the way she liked things.

  10

  “I’VE GOT ROY AND GUS going door-to-door,” Noah said. “So far no one saw anything unusual last night or this morning. We’ve been warning folks to check their fields and barns to make sure they don’t have equipment missing, too.”

  Cole would be surprised if the deputies turned up anything and he knew Noah well enough to believe he felt the same way. “We had a few transients looking to hire on last month.” Cole picked up his hat, ran a hand through his hair, and then resettled the Stetson on his head. “They were headed north but there’s no more work up there than down here. It’s possible they came back through and were desperate enough to take whatever they thought would bring in a few bucks.”

  Without being rude, or giving Jamie the impression that he was avoiding her, he kept his body angled toward Noah. Why Rachel had felt compelled to bring Jamie out here with her was beyond him. Jamie distracted him, and that was the last thing he needed right now. Look where cozying up to her had gotten him last night.

  Obviously keeping his eyes averted from her wasn’t enough to stay focused. Noah had said something, and Cole had no idea what it was. So they just kept staring at each other until Cole chanced a small shrug and hoped it was answer enough.

  Noah hooked his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans. He’d worn his gun today, which was unusual. “I know you think Gunderson had something to do with it. Wouldn’t surprise me if he did, but I’ve got no evidence to warrant searching his property.”

  “When Wallace is sober, he’s not stupid,” Rachel said. “If he arranged to steal that trailer, it’s long gone.”

  “You make a good point.” Noah paused for a moment. “Gunderson wouldn’t have done the deed himself. He’d have arranged it with one of his men. Friday’s payday.” A sly smile tugged at Noah’s mouth. “You could get your boys to hit Sadie’s bar. A couple of those young bucks from Colorado that Wallace hired last year can’t hold their liquor worth spit. If they know anything at all, well—”

  “I always did like you, Noah.” Rachel turned her grin on Jamie. “You and I should go to Sadie’s on Friday. I bet we could loosen those boys’ lips.”

  “Jesus, Rachel.” Cole sighed with disgust. “Don’t go dragging your guests into this,” he said, and caught the glint of temper in Jamie’s eyes. He couldn’t identify the cause, but it was directed at him.

  “Hey, I’m in.” Jamie lifted a hand
, and Rachel high-fived her. Then Jamie gave him a satisfied smirk. “Don’t you worry about your sister’s guest. I have a mind of my own, thank you.”

  The emphasis she’d put on “sister’s guest” told him all he needed to know. Hell, how had she expected him to refer to her? “No,” he said, setting his jaw when the two women glared at him as if he’d suggested they run him a hot bath and serve him supper in bed. “The answer’s no.”

  “Huh. I don’t recall the question.” Jamie’s brows rose, her gaze pointedly locking on him for a few seconds before turning to Rachel. “Do you?”

  “Nope.” His sister was doing a piss-poor job of keeping a straight face. Never could. That’s why the boys liked playing poker with her. “Did you bring a sundress or anything sexy to wear?” she asked Jamie. “If not I bet I have something that’ll fit you.”

  “I only packed one dress, but I think it’ll work. Let’s go see.” Ignoring him and Noah, talking and laughing, the women headed for the house.

  Cole stared after them. “Goddammit.”

  “Sorry, buddy, didn’t mean to cause trouble,” Noah said, the amusement in his voice fueling Cole’s foul mood. “Should’ve known better than to make that suggestion in front of Rachel. Here I was worried about saying too much in front of the blonde.”

  “Her name’s Jamie,” Cole said irritably.

  “Ah, that’s right.” Noah knew her name. He was just trying to get a rise out of Cole. Which he had.

  “I don’t need shit from you.” Cole massaged the kink in his neck.

  Noah laughed. “No use telling Rachel to give up the idea. Once she gets it in her head to do something, it’s hard to pry the notion loose.”

  “I’ll talk to her, anyway.”

  “You might have better luck talking to Jamie.” Noah paused. “What’s going on there?”

  “Jamie?” Cole shrugged. “She’s only been here a couple of days.” He stared toward the house, even though the women had disappeared inside.

  “Making the sparks flying between you two all the more surprising.”

  “Sparks?” Cole frowned. Man, he hoped Noah was imagining things. Had to be Jamie getting her nose out of joint over him calling her Rachel’s guest. All the more reason to keep his distance. The last thing he needed was for anyone to find out about what he and Jamie had been doing last night.

  “It’s not like that,” Cole murmured. “She won’t be here that long.”

  Noah’s cell rang and he answered the call.

  Cole half listened, knowing that it was Wade, one of the deputies, on the other end. While Noah was distracted, Cole mulled over how he was going to get Rachel to drop the foolishness over going to Sadie’s. The idea was still worthwhile. He’d have to make her see that Josh and Kyle going to the bar to shoot pool and drink beer on payday wasn’t out of the ordinary. Her suddenly showing up would be.

  He caught part of Noah’s conversation. Sounded as if something had happened at the T&J. He listened more closely until Noah hung up.

  Exhaling sharply, Noah slid his cell phone into his breast pocket. “The moon is full and the crazies are out.”

  “Another theft?”

  “Harlan Roker says he’s missing a trailer.”

  “A horse trailer?”

  “Nah, a small flatbed. Didn’t know it was gone till Roy started asking questions, but now Harlan is all fired up, especially with his sons away at the Billings rodeo. Of course Avery is right there alongside him kicking dirt. You know he’s gonna try to convince everyone that you McAllisters are to blame for bringing in outsiders.”

  “Spread the word that before they leave all guests’ luggage will be checked for stolen four-wheelers and trailers.”

  Noah smiled and glanced over his shoulder toward the barn. “I’m headed over to Harlan’s now, see if I can calm down the old man.” He scanned the stables. “You might think about posting night watch until we get a handle on what’s going on.”

  “I already spoke to Dutchy about it.” Cole walked him to his truck. “I’m taking the first watch myself tonight.”

  The front door to the house opened, and the sound of feminine laughter spilled out into the bright sunny morning. Trace led his group of enthusiastic white-water rafters onto the porch. Daisy Duke shorts and skimpy halter tops seemed to be the uniform of the day.

  “I’m outta here.” Noah quickly climbed into his truck, then from the safety of his cab, he put up his hand in a brief no-nonsense wave.

  “Chickenshit,” Cole muttered before he closed the driver’s-side door.

  Noah just smiled, started the engine and reversed the truck.

  Trace jogged over to Cole. “Anything?”

  He shook his head. “Harlan Roker says he’s missing a trailer. Noah’s on his way over there now.”

  “This makes no sense. None of this. What the hell’s going on, Cole?” Trace frowned after the sheriff’s vehicle.

  “I don’t know, but starting tonight we’re going to keep a man outside from sundown to sunup. We’ll split each watch in two. I’ll go first.”

  “I don’t mind following on your heels.”

  Cole glanced toward the women starting to look impatient while they waited for Trace by his truck. He had a feeling his brother was gonna be tired tonight. “I’ll see how Dutchy worked it out. Go take care of your field trip.”

  “I dunno…” Trace said, concern clouding his boyish face. “I should get one of the other guys to take them.”

  Cole clapped his shoulder. “Nothing more you can do here, little brother. Nothing either of us can do. Stick to the plan, and keep this low-key. I don’t want to advertise that we’ll be posting watch. If anybody asks about last night, just tell them the sheriff is looking into the theft.”

  Trace nodded. “Jesse called. Something came up on his rescue. He’ll be back late this afternoon.”

  “You fill him in?”

  “Ma talked to him, not me.”

  “Okay. Go. Your harem is waiting.” Cole smiled at Trace’s snort of disgust.

  “This dude ranch business was fun the first week. Not so much anymore,” he grumbled in a low voice before plastering on his lady-killer grin and striding toward his adoring fans.

  Cole watched him, wondering how many guest rooms the kid had snuck into since the ranch opened. Trace wasn’t a bastard about it, but he’d always been popular with the ladies. Hell, he’d been proposed to twice his senior year in high school. As soon as Rachel had proven serious about booking guests, Cole had pretty much known he’d lose Trace.

  Not that Cole was complaining. Didn’t have the right even if he were so inclined. He wasn’t getting much done himself. Although his problem was a bit more narrow in scope. In fact, his problem had just walked out onto the porch.

  No way he could pretend he hadn’t seen Jamie. If he thought he could’ve gotten away with heading for the north pasture he would’ve swung into his saddle and ridden as fast as humanly possible. When he was around that woman he didn’t have the sense God gave a gnat.

  He eyed Tango, who was busy munching on hay, and resignedly waited for her.

  She stopped in front of him and placed her hands on her hips. “You’re avoiding me.”

  “I had business with the sheriff.”

  “I know that, but you could barely look at me.”

  “What do you want, Jamie?”

  “It’s what I don’t want,” she said. “I don’t want you to regret what happened between us last night.”

  “Nothing happened. I think I would’ve remembered.” The hurt in her eyes made him wish he’d chosen his words more carefully.

  “That surprises me. I admit it.” She visibly swallowed. “I wouldn’t have guessed you to be so dismissive after what we…” Her shoulders sagged. “You know what? Forget it. You win.”

  “Hey, wait.” He caught her arm, preventing her from walking away. It was probably a mistake. If he’d let her go, maybe she’d be the one doing the avoiding and he could stop thinking ab
out her. “Trust me, I’m not dismissing last night.”

  “What is it, then?”

  “Not once, for as far back as I can remember, have we ever had anything stolen off this ranch. Not so much as a gallon of fuel.”

  “That’s quite remarkable with such a large operation,” she said slowly, confusion creasing her brow. “But I don’t see how that has anything to do with you and me.”

  They were standing out in the open, and he was still holding her arm. He let her go and rubbed his palms down the front of his jeans. “I’m responsible for this place.”

  “Yes, I understand.” Her gaze sharpened and locked steadily on his. “But you weren’t responsible for the theft last night.”

  “Maybe if I hadn’t been distracted—”

  Still staring at him, she made a tiny shocked sound. “Oh, my God. You’re actually saying you’re supposed to watch the entire ranch 24/7? That you can’t take an evening off for yourself?”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Cole saw Dutchy come out of the barn with Kyle. “This isn’t the time or place.” Cole pulled his gloves from his back pocket.

  “My schedule is wide open. Tell me where and when.” Her lips lifted in a teasing smile. “My room, tonight? If the ranch can spare you?”

  He had to laugh. Persistent little thing. “You up for a ride, or are you still too sore?”

  “Give me a minute to tell Rachel where I’m going.” Jamie had already started backing toward the house.

  “It won’t be a joy ride,” he called after her.

  She smiled, turned and practically jogged the rest of the way to the front door, her shiny honey-colored hair bouncing off her slim shoulders.

  Like a damn fool he stood there watching her instead of getting busy and making sure the ATVs were gassed up. He knew he was courting trouble by taking her with him to Mill Creek Valley. Normally he wasn’t one to speak first and think later. But something about Jamie was making him do all kinds of strange things. And what made everything worse, he had a feeling there wasn’t a soul at the Sundance who didn’t know it.

  * * *

  “YOU’RE SUCH A SOFTIE. I wonder if the men know,” Jamie said, and smothered a laugh when she saw Cole grimace.