Wild for You

by Cheyenne McCray

  Wild for You

  Cheyenne McCray

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Also by Cheyenne McCray

  About Cheyenne

  Chapter One

  Leaves fell from giant birch trees and swirled to the ground. They scattered across the path and crunched beneath Jack McBride’s boots. He continued up the path toward the rustic building in front of the special needs ranch in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains.

  A cool September wind pushed back at him, chilled his cheeks, and slid inside his sheepskin-lined jacket. He shrugged his jacket more firmly around his shoulders to chase away some of the cold.

  Smoke curled from a chimney of the stone and log building. The smell of wood burning was warm and inviting.

  He’d never been to the Special Dreams Ranch, but his baby sister, now grown and recently married, was best friends with Dara, who ran the place.

  Over the years, Jack had spoken only briefly with Dara when she’d been at the McBride house to see Bailey. She was also his high school friend’s little sister—only Dara Winters had grown into a beautiful, mature woman.

  From what he saw of the grounds and building, Dara made sure her employees kept up the place—well-maintained fencing, buildings in good condition, and tidy landscaping.

  He opened the heavy wood door and let himself into the roomy entryway of the ranch house. A gust of wind followed him in and the flames in the fireplace diminished before he closed the door and the fire grew brighter again. The warmth in the room was comfortable, the feel of the place inviting.

  Jack stuffed his hands in his front pockets and rocked back on his heels as he took in his surroundings. Leslie, his sixteen-year-old daughter was supposed to meet him in the front room. Her truck hadn’t started this morning after he’d gone out to the north pasture of his ranch to repair a fence line. Leslie had texted that her friend was giving her a ride to school then work.

  Relaxing-looking overstuffed leather couches and chairs took up the room in front of the fireplace. The end and coffee tables looked rustic in what was likely the place guests to the ranch waited.

  “Hi, Jack.”

  He turned at the sound of his name. Dara walked toward him, a smile lighting her beautiful features. Her dark hair lay over one shoulder, shining in the afternoon glow pouring through the window she passed.

  Snug blue jeans hugged her curvy figure. She’d rolled her long-sleeved rust-colored shirt up to her forearms, the shirttail hanging over her ass in the back and past her thighs in front.

  Damn, she looked even sexier than he’d remembered.

  He cleared his throat. “I like what I see of the operation you have here.”

  Like what I see of the operator, too.

  Her smile widened. “I’ll show you the ranch when you have the time.”

  “I’d like that.” He smiled. “Where’s Leslie?”

  Dara looked over her shoulder at a glass door. On the other side was a patio, and beyond that lay a path. She brought her gaze back to his. “She’s finishing up with the horses. One of the kids wanted more time with the Appaloosa, and Leslie was happy to let him. She’s cleaning up the last stall now.”

  “That girl loves her horses,” Jack said. “If she could, I think she’d spend more time with them than she does with people.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised.” Dara exuded the attractive quality of confidence and being comfortable in her own skin. “She’s done a great job with our stable.” Dara pushed her long dark hair back behind her shoulders. “Heard from Bailey?”

  Jack flashed a grin. “I’d bet you hear from her a hell of a lot more than we do.”

  Dara laughed. He liked her laugh a lot. Full, genuine—the kind of laugh that made a man feel warm and welcome.

  “You’re probably right.” Dara slid her hands into her back pockets, and the movement caused her shirt to tighten over her breasts that were full enough to fill his hands.

  Damn.

  “But since she left on her honeymoon with Seth,” Dara went on, “Charlee and I haven’t heard from her.”

  “If you and Charlee had made it on time to Hawaii, that girl wouldn’t be in Spain for the next couple of months.” Jack grinned. “Considering Seth is a good man, we’ll let it slide.”

  “True.” Dara laughed again. “Things do happen for a reason.”

  Do they? That thought had passed through Jack’s mind whenever someone made that same casual statement. He’d wondered how that could be true after his wife died in the car accident five years ago.

  Dara’s words had been casual and friendly, not meant to send him down a dark path of thought. But the comment didn’t cause him pain or bitterness anymore, especially when it came from Dara.

  Jack braced one hand on a high-backed leather seat. “How’s your big brother?”

  “Andy is doing great.” Dara smiled. “Living the good life that only being a pro assistant basketball coach can provide.”

  “Andy’s team had a good season this year,” Jack said. “Too bad they didn’t make it all the way to the finals.” Jack smiled. “Andy set more pro basketball records during his career than I can remember.”

  “You set a lot of Prescott High records,” Dara said thoughtfully. “But you gave up a basketball scholarship to Arizona State University, didn’t you? Playing forward?”

  “University of Arizona and I played guard.” Jack rolled his shoulders to work out the kinks. “I wasn’t interested in the same career path as your brother. Mine led me down an entirely different road.”

  “You’ve done well.” She nodded slowly. “Bailey told me Silver Dove Ranch is one of the largest ranches in the state.”

  “At one time it was.” He shrugged. He’d settled into a less demanding role. “Started scaling back a few years ago, once the kids got closer to their teens.” When he’d felt his kids needed him home more after their mother passed.

  Dara glanced at the glass doors again, before returning her gaze to meet Jack’s. “I can check on Leslie if you’d like.”

  “Nah.” Jack smiled. He enjoyed talking with Dara. “Unless I’m keeping you.”

  “Not at all.” She nodded toward an archway to the left. “Have a mug of coffee with me.”

  “Coffee sounds good.” He fell into step beside Dara as they headed into a huge kitchen.

  “The kids will be coming in soon to help with dinner.” She walked to a long counter, to a half-filled coffee pot. “We have about fifteen minutes before all hell breaks loose.”

  Jack grinned. “It’ll remind me of home.”

  Dara gave him a wry smile. “Only if you live with a small herd of elephants.” She filled two mugs with coffee. “Sugar or cream?”

  “Nah. Black is good.” He accepted the mug she offered and took a long swallow. Not bad.

  She sipped hers, which she’d kept black, too. “I can’t seem to keep my hands warm once fall hits.” She gripped the mug with both hands. “Half the time I’m either in front of the fireplace or carrying coffee around with me.”

  Dara warmed him, he thought idly, more than the coffee. The smile in her voice, the sparkle in her eyes, the soft curves of her body.

  He’d always liked Dara but this was the first time he’d talked with her for more than in passing. She, Charlee, and Bailey were always on the move. Now he found himself wanting more than just a brief conversation with her.<
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  “I just had a thought, Jack.” Dara looked as if she was considering something before she continued. “Our 4-H leader, Sam Greenfield, is moving to Wyoming next month. Would you consider thinking about being his replacement? I think you’d be perfect.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t been a 4-H leader since the kids were young.”

  “Like falling off a horse,” Dara said with a grin. “Except, please don’t do that.”

  Jack gave a low laugh. “I’ll give it some thought.”

  “Good.” She set her mug on the kitchen island. “We’re having our last monthly meeting with Sam a week from Thursday. Why don’t you come by and we can fill you in?”

  He nodded. He liked the idea of seeing Dara again. “What time?”

  “We get started at six-thirty.”

  “I’ll be here.” Before he knew it, he found himself adding, “Are you up for getting together at Nectar’s for a drink this weekend?”

  “I’d like that.” She didn’t miss a beat. “When?”

  He leaned his hip against the kitchen island and set his mug down. “Why don’t I get your number and give you a call?” he asked.

  “Hold on.” Dara pulled open a drawer in the island and rummaged through it. She brought out a business card and a pen. After she scribbled on the card, she handed it to him. “My cell number is on the back.”

  He intentionally brushed his fingers against hers. He liked the softness of her touch as he took the card from her. He pulled out his wallet and tucked the card inside.

  The back door leading into the kitchen opened and Leslie whirled in over the threshold. “Hi, Dad.”

  “Hi, gumdrop.” Jack slid his wallet into his back pocket. “All finished?”

  “Yup.” Leslie brushed her windblown bangs out of her eyes. “Do you know what’s wrong with my truck?”

  “Battery connectors needed to be cleaned,” he said. “Good as new.”

  “Awesome.” She reached him and he leaned down a bit so she could kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Ready to head on home?” he asked.

  Leslie hitched her backpack higher on one shoulder. “I’ve got a ton of homework to do.” She groaned. “I think Mrs. Olander hates me.”

  Jack tweaked her long braid that laid over one shoulder. She liked to wear her hair like her Aunt Bailey. “I doubt that,” he said.

  “She wrote me up and gave me detention.” Leslie’s shoulders slumped. “All I did was come into class ten seconds late.”

  “Detention will give you extra time to get your homework done in school.” Jack sighed. “And maybe you’ll start getting to class on time.”

  “Ten seconds, Dad,” Leslie grumbled.

  “How about getting there ten seconds before class?” he said.

  “Ugh.”

  “More coffee, Jack?” Dara filled her mug again and glanced at Leslie. “How about you, Leslie?”

  Leslie shook her head. “I’ll be bouncing all over the place if I have caffeine now. I need focus, not ping pong.”

  Dara grinned. “A young woman who knows her limits.”

  Jack emptied his coffee in a couple of swallows. “No more for me.” He set the mug on the island. “Thanks for the coffee, Dara.”

  “Looking forward to next Thursday,” she said.

  “So am I.” He wondered why she hadn’t said anything about this weekend.

  Leslie frowned as she looked from Dara to her dad. “What’s Thursday?”

  “The next 4-H meeting,” Dara said. “I asked your dad to consider being the 4-H leader to replace Mr. Greenfield.”

  “Oh.” Leslie glanced up at her dad. “Are you going to do it?”

  “Maybe.” He jerked his thumb toward the front door. “Let’s get on home and you can get busy on your homework while I fix dinner.”

  “Have Max do it.” Leslie grasped the strap of her backpack. “He makes the best mac and cheese with hotdogs in it.”

  “Her favorite meal since she was a toddler.” Jack looked at Dara. “I wonder if she’ll be serving it to her husband one day.”

  “Dad.” Leslie groaned and turned toward the archway out of the kitchen. “Let’s go.”

  “Right behind you.” He grinned at Dara. “I’ll give you a call.”

  She gave him a smile so beautiful it could have dropped him to his knees.

  “If you decide to take over leadership, that would be fantastic.” She raised her hands, palms facing him. “No pressure, of course.”

  He shook his head but smiled. “I can see that—none at all.”

  Dara flashed him a mischievous grin as they walked toward the front door. “Call me if you have any questions.”

  Jack wasn’t sure if he read more meaning into her words than she meant. He found himself hoping she had intended to let him know she wouldn’t mind a call from him sooner rather than later.

  “I’ll do that.” He turned to see Leslie watching from the open doorway.

  Her brows furrowed. “Come on, Dad.”

  He joined her at the door, turned and gave Dara a nod before stepping out into the chilly evening with his daughter.

  Leslie’s braid flopped over her shoulder as they walked to his truck. She looked deep in thought and didn’t say anything. They climbed into his vehicle and she finally spoke when they were headed away from Special Dreams Ranch, into the late evening.

  “You haven’t forgotten Mom, have you, Dad?” Leslie asked.

  He frowned as he looked at his daughter. “How could I forget your mother? Even though she isn’t here, she’ll always be in our hearts and memories.”

  Leslie worried her lower lip. “Are you ever going to date someone?”

  Jack blew out his breath as he looked at the road ahead. “I don’t know, Gumdrop.”

  Now was not the time to mention he was taking Dara out this coming Saturday. He wasn’t sure when would be a good time. He hoped Dara wouldn’t say anything before he had a chance to. He didn’t think she would make casual conversation with a teenager who worked with her, but hell, who knew?

  “Mom’s only been gone five years.” Leslie’s throat sounded tight, like she might cry. “You still love her, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do.” He reached over and put his hand over hers. “I was with your mom since we were twelve-years-old and in junior high school. You can’t stop loving someone you loved for twenty-four years.”

  Leslie nodded. “Then why would you think about dating some other woman?”

  He sighed. “Leslie, there’s a lot of room in all our hearts.” It had taken him five years to finally feel like he could make room for someone else. For the right someone. He glanced at Leslie and saw her biting her lip again. “Right now you don’t need to worry about that. Okay?”

  A hesitation and then Leslie nodded. “Okay.”

  What brought that on? he thought.

  Had it been too obvious that he’d found himself interested in Dara? It was the first time he’d opened up to another woman since Lucy passed away. His family had been telling him for some time now that he needed to move on. He’d finally realized they were right, but he had no interest in online dating or hanging out in bars.

  He’d been waiting for the right woman to cross his path.

  Could Dara be that woman? He’d known her since she was a kid and she was one of his baby sister’s two best friends. He already knew she was a good person even though he hadn’t spent much time talking with her while Bailey and Charlee were around.

  He wanted to talk to her now. Wanted to know more about her and what she was like on the inside.

  “Dad?” Leslie’s voice drew his attention to her. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Need to check the south pasture for damage from the last storm,” he said. “Just before I stopped to pick you up, your Uncle Jayson was telling me there were some downed trees in that area. We don’t have any cattle in that pasture right now, but I’ll have to take a look at it.”

  Lesli
e seemed satisfied with his response.

  Girl is too smart for her own good.

  If he did decide to date, he’d have to have a talk with Leslie and Max. The two missed their mother like hell. Leslie would take it harder, he knew that much.

  Leslie was more like her mother. Dynamic, exuberant, and positive for the most part, but reactive. Like Lucy, Leslie held onto things that bothered her and blew up if she didn’t work it out constructively. Usually the working out came after the blowing up.

  Max would just move on instead of letting things get to him. He was easygoing and wise for his years. He accepted things more easily than Leslie.

  “Are you all set to chase the cans at the county fair?” Jack asked. His daughter was a natural barrel racer. She’d started the sport because her Aunt Bailey had been so good at it.

  Leslie shrugged. “I’m always ready.”

  Wasn’t that the truth. Girl was a superstar in the making.

  “I’m planning to go to Michelle’s house tomorrow for a girls’ day,” Bailey said. “Is that okay?”

  “That fine.”

  Michelle had been Lucy’s best friend. As Leslie grew, Michelle had taken more of an interest in doing girl things together, probably as a way to be there when Lucy couldn’t be.

  Jack pulled up to the new ranch house and threw the truck into park. Leslie was out of the vehicle like a shot. She was a dynamo, like her mom.

  He closed the truck door and shoved his keys into his front pocket. They’d lived here for over a year now, but he still thought of it as the “new house.” Three years after Lucy’s death, Jack had decided he needed a new start for his family that wouldn’t be filled with memories of his late wife. It had been hard to move on with her everywhere around them, her touch in everything they did.

  He’d sold the other house on the western hundred and sixty acres to a couple from Indiana. He’d had the new house built in the northeastern section of the five hundred remaining acres of Silver Dove Ranch.