Cowboy State of Mind (Tarnation, Texas Book 4)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  From where Adam sat, he scanned the room, skirting his attention from one wall to another until he spotted the framed picture on the mantel. It was of CC and another woman who looked similar. This must be her sister. His gaze automatically stayed on CC in the photo. She looked happy, youthful.

  Replacing the picture, he looked around restlessly. The light on in the kitchen drew his attention. He stopped at the threshold and peered in at the tidy space with flowered wallpaper and a vase of sunflowers on the table. He had a vision of CC standing at the island cutting up vegetables, and he was standing next to her. He sucked in a breath and shook his head in disbelief. Adam couldn’t be classified as a chef in any sense of the word, but if he said yes to her proposal he would learn to be the husband she needed, at least until she called it quits.

  Taking a step back, he started to turn when he noticed the basket on the windowsill. It contained medicine bottles. . Why did CC take medicine?

  “I’m almost ready,” he heard CC yell from the top of the stairs.

  He situated himself at the bottom of the stairs and looked up in time to see her. His breath came out like air from a tire. She was beautiful. No, not just beautiful, but stunning. A woman like CC didn’t need much help, but sometimes a woman set out to make a statement and she certainly did. Her hair hung in satin waves down her shoulders. Her red-checked flannel was tied at the waist showing off a sliver of flat stomach. The dark denim skirt landed mid-thigh, the frayed hem brushing her toned legs. Worn cowgirl boots elevated the look—the look that warned she wanted to take some cowboys down tonight, or maybe just one.

  Adam stood there dumbfounded, even when she stood in front of him, smiling innocently. “You ready to go?”

  Was he ever! Like a volcano ready to erupt.

  Dragging himself out of his thoughts, he managed to pretend that he wasn’t beside himself. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  He followed her out to her truck, watching the sweet sway of her bottom that reminded him of a pendulum rocking, hypnotizing, making him almost forget the troubles of his situation. A man could get lost in those hips and long, toned legs. Hell, he already was lost, but he didn’t realize how deep until this moment. His body turned rock hard and by the time he made it to the passenger seat of her Dodge, he didn’t think he could slide comfortably into the leather seat without ripping something. She was already situated behind the wheel and she leaned forward, looking at him through the open door, her thin brows connected in question.

  “Something the matter?” she asked.

  Damn, if he didn’t get his body in control and fast he was bound to make a fool of himself. “No problem. Just admiring the beautiful evening.” He climbed in, squinting, then dragged the seatbelt over his chest and lap. He refused to glance over at her bare legs that would look good wrapped around his hips, but a man had to do what a man had to do. He looked. Stared. Took in the fringed hem of the skirt that had scooted higher on her firm thighs. Her legs stretched for miles and miles until he reached the tops of the brown, leather boots.

  Her laughter dragged his attention back up to where he saw humor on her face. “You’re acting like you’ve never seen a girl in a skirt before, my friend.” She shifted the truck into reverse, backed out, then spun out.

  Those two itty-bitty words “my friend” did some damage to his ego. She’d given him a ride into the friend zone. Sure, maybe he should count his lucky stars that she seemed to have given up on the whole marriage idea, but why did he feel like a blast of ice-cold water had taken him down a notch? Problem was, he’d decided he wanted to marry her. Damn Buzz for putting Adam in a compromising position. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.

  The situation sounded more like a movie than reality. And yet, this was his life for the moment. He’d never had much use for drama, unless it was holding onto a bronco for the eight second ride. The decision to marry hadn’t come easy, but he liked her, respected her, found her attractive. Oddly so, he shouldn’t marry her for those reasons. If he married a woman to appease the stipulations of his father’s will then it should be with someone he could let go…

  Yeah, a woman like CC could put a real hurtin’ on his heart.

  And she only wanted him for what was between his legs…or rather what he could provide.

  He’d come to tell her he wanted to marry her and now he determined he couldn’t. It was too dangerous. He’d given up on eight second rides long ago.

  Tearing his gaze away from her, he watched the dark landscape through the window. He shouldn’t have agreed to go anywhere with her. Good thing he’d waited to tell her he’d marry her long enough to change his mind. So why, then, did he feel like his balls were in a vice? Like he’d been socked in the stomach? If he didn’t agree to marry her and father her child she’d ask another man. She said so herself. Imagining her with some other cowboy did a number on Adam. He’d already envisioned himself in her kitchen cooking up grub. Did he really want another potential baby father touching her utensils?

  “CC—”

  “I need—”

  They both started at the same time.

  “You go ahead,” he offered.

  “I was just going to say that I need to stop off at the pharmacy. Do you mind?” she asked.

  “Not at all.”

  “You seem preoccupied. Want to share your thoughts?”

  What if she didn’t want to marry him any longer? She had told him that she wanted to pretend she never asked. Although she’d retracted the proposal the idea still hung between them like a fly strip. He should just clear the air. Ask her what she was thinking. But the words didn’t come. Thankfully, an answer wasn’t required because they pulled into the corner store and she turned off the engine.

  “I’ll be just a minute.” She slipped from the driver’s seat, and he watched her make her way up the sidewalk and in through the glass doors. He could still see her through the large window where she had walked to the back to the pharmacy counter. She gave the pharmacist a smile and he handed her a small white bag. They chatted for a few more minutes. Adam was curious. He saw the pill bottles back at the house and now she was getting more medicine. Not that it was any of his business. Maybe she was picking up her birth control? But didn’t make any sense considering she wanted to get pregnant.

  He was over thinking.

  CC stopped to speak to an elderly woman in the aisle.

  “Hey there, Adam.”

  Bringing his chin around in the direction of the female voice, he saw it was the pretty blonde from the hardware store. She was pressed against the passenger door offering him an enticing smile that stretched from one dangling earring to the next. She brought her fingers up and threaded them into her hair then gave the locks a feminine toss over one shoulder.

  “Hi, uhh…” He’d completely forgotten her name.

  “Betty.” She puckered her thick bottom lip. “Did you forget me?” she purred.

  “No, of course not. You’re from the hardware store. You helped me with the tools.”

  “Yes, I did. I just came out of the store and saw you. By the way, I haven’t seen you in the hardware store in a while, so I’m guessing the tools worked just fine?” She leaned closer, causing her breasts to pop up higher in the low-cut shirt. Adam wouldn’t deny that she was seductive, and had given him the signal that she was available, but why didn’t it do something for him?

  And that was why she would make a good option for a wife.

  Swiping a hand down his jaw in agitation, Betty touched his bicep, sliding her talon-like nails down his shirt. “You look stressed.”

  “Only a bit,” he muttered, stealing a glance down the sidewalk. He couldn’t see CC through the window any longer.

  “I can refer you to a massage therapist who works her hands like magic.” She wagged her thin brows.

  “Oh yeah?” He barely registered what she was saying.

  “Yes.” She giggled. “I just opened a shop right over on Church Street. Call any time.
You get a discount on your first visit, but I might be talked into giving you a free session.” Her tongue came out to roll along her lower lip.

  “I’ll think about that.”

  “Where are you headed?”

  “CC invited me to a party, some type of an engagement gathering.” He glanced toward the pharmacy again. Where was she? The she appeared. Coming toward the truck wearing one of her heartbreaking smiles.

  “Hello, Betty,” CC said as she slipped up to the driver’s door, opened it and slid in, catching Adam’s gaze for a long second.

  “Hi there, CC.”

  “How’s Tic Toc? Is the eye healing?”

  “I’ve been putting the drops in twice a day just like you prescribed. She’s much better.” Betty touched Adam’s arm again. “CC is the best vet in Texas. My poor kitty had a sick eye, thought we were going to have to remove it, but doc CC saved it. She’s something.”

  “Yes, she’s something,” he murmured.

  “Adam told me you two are heading to a party. Is that Cady’s party by chance?”

  “Yes, that’s where we’re headed.” CC started the engine.

  “You wouldn’t mind if I tagged along would you? I was going to drive over myself, but you know how much I hate driving.” Betty met Adam’s gaze a fleeting second.

  “Sure. Hop in. More the merrier.” CC gave him a knowing smile, waited for Betty to climb into the back seat, then backed away from the curb and pulled out to the red light.

  Adam noticed how CC thrummed her fingers on the steering wheel. She had nice, long fingers with short clean nails. The third finger on her right hand was adorned with a silver ring.

  “I’m so grateful that I saw you. Nothin’ like going to a party alone,” Betty slurred as she scrolled through her phone.

  “You didn’t have a date?” CC asked.

  “Of course, but he got called into work. A doctor’s work is never done. And a rancher’s of course.” Betty laughed and reached around to squeeze Adam’s shoulder. “This guy here was so busy, he didn’t take me up on my offer to let me show him around town. Looks like you had some luck dragging him away from that ranch, CC. Maybe I’ll have better luck convincing him to become one of my customers.”

  “Well, even a cowboy needs a little entertainment.” CC didn’t look his way but he could see her smile.

  “Lucky us, CC. We get to share the company of Adam tonight.”

  “At least he’s not wearing his usual growl,” CC teased.

  “Hey, I’m sitting right here and can hear your trash talk.” He chuckled.

  “Sorry. Just sayin’. How’s the new business coming, Betty?” CC turned the truck onto the highway.

  “Splendid. Much better than working at daddy’s hardware store.” Her groan echoed off the interior of the cab. “I swear I couldn’t take another second of that place.”

  “I’ll make sure I spread the word about your store. I’ll even remind Adam that every cowboy needs a massage on occasion.”

  Chapter 6

  “YOU FINALLY MADE it!”

  CC was pulled into the arms of Cady, her younger sister by a year.

  “I had to make a stop, but I’m here.”

  Although they were about the same height, weight and physically looked very similar, they were worlds apart in everything else. Cady was always the life of the party and CC never had much time for partying because she worked most of the time. Cady made jewelry and owned an online shop where she made a decent living. In her spare time, she liked to paint. CC always envied how artistic her sister was.

  “So, who do we have here? I thought you told me you were coming alone?” Cady gave CC a teasing wink.

  “Cady, this is Adam Colt. Adam, this is my little sis.” CC introduced them.

  “Only by eleven months and three days. Nice to meet you, Adam.” Cady greeted him with a handshake and her signature sweet smile. “I was wondering if she’d make it. She’s always working but I swore if she didn’t I’d never forgive her.”

  “I’m afraid we have that in common,” Adam said. “Workaholics.”

  “Then both of you deserve a break. Adam, help yourself to the open bar. The bartender makes a mean Sex on the Beach. Do you mind if I whisk my sister away for just a moment? You know, girl chat and all.”

  “Whisk away. Can I get you anything?” Adam asked CC.

  “I’ll take a seltzer water with two cherries, please.” CC barely had time to get the answer out before she was dragged away.

  Cady looped her arm around CC’s and leaned in. “So, this is one of the Colts? I’ve heard so much about the brothers.”

  “He’s one of five.”

  “Well, Adam certainly is a cutie. Those eyes and cheekbones. I’m envious.”

  “I guess he is.” CC’s gaze naturally found him standing at the bar, speaking to the bartender.

  “You guess? Are you feeling okay? What did you do with my sister?”

  When Cady placed her palm against CC’s forehead, she rolled her eyes and pushed the hand away. “I’m feeling fine. We’re only friends.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Oh, when you make that noise in your throat it’s a signal that you don’t believe me.”

  “What noise?”

  “Like you’re clearing phlegm. It’s pretty disgusting if you ask me.” CC averted her gaze, scanning the crowd for familiar faces.

  Cady tapped CC’s shoulder. “I know you, sis. I see the way you look at him. You wouldn’t have invited him here unless—”

  “Don’t play Cupid. You never were good with a bow and arrow and will only hurt yourself.”

  “I don’t have to play matchmaker. It’s happening without my expertise.”

  “It’s not like that between us.” CC sighed. Cady, the ever-protective sister would have a cow if she knew that CC had asked Adam to marry her and to give her a child.

  “You know it’s okay, right?”

  “That I have a friend?” CC had a feeling she knew where this was headed.

  “That you move on from Rob.”

  “I have moved on. Just because I haven’t slept with every Tom, Dick, and Harry since Rob and I divorced doesn’t mean I’m still stuck in that era.”

  “I hear you say those words, but…”

  “Spill it, sis.”

  “I can’t believe you still speak to Rob. He wants you back. Jagger said Rob told him he made a big mistake when he let you leave.”

  CC smirked. “No, he doesn’t want me back, not really. He enjoys his freedom.”

  “It should be interesting to see how he reacts when he sees you here with Adam.”

  She jerked her gaze to Cady, groaning. “Is Rob going to be here?”

  “Honey, you know he’s cousins with Jagger. What was I supposed to say?”

  “That you don’t want Rob at your party. How simple is that? After all, you’ve been preaching to me enough that I should stay away from him. I don’t want to see him.”

  “Okay, then, if you really feel that strongly, don’t look to your right,” Cady warned.

  CC looked and saw her ex among the crowd. “Who’s that woman he’s with?” She referred to the tall, voluptuous red head that had her hand securely wrapped around Rob’s elbow.

  “His newest flame I’m assuming. You know they change weekly, like the ice cream flavors at the Dairy Hut.” Cady laughed.

  “We have to give him credit where it’s due. She looks old enough to buy her own drinks at least. Oh shit! He spotted me.” She swiveled and faced the framed pictures of Elvis on the wall. “He’s coming this way, isn’t he?” She looked through the glass and saw him in the refection. “I’m out,” she whispered then did a wide sidestep through a group of people. “Excuse me,” she said politely and made a beeline through the gathering. She stopped to glance behind her and when she turned back around she almost bumped into Adam.

  “You okay?” he asked in low drawl.

  “Sure. I guess. I just found out—”

  “CC?” R
ob’s voice came from behind her.

  She cringed and wished the floor would open up and swallow her. Preparing a smile she didn’t feel, she turned and there was her handsome ex-husband. He was clean-shaven and wore an expensive green sweater and fitted, grey slacks. He’d always been a stylish dresser, looking like he stepped out of GQ. And the fact that he was a genius only made him more attractive to many women. Unfortunately, his ethics were distorted.

  “I thought that was you.” He smiled, showing off brilliantly white teeth against tanned skin. She didn’t remember him being so polished when they were a couple. “I thought you saw me.”

  “I-I was coming to grab my drink,” she said in a smooth voice, taking the glass from Adam who looked a little confused. “And to find my date.” She held his gaze then winked.

  “Oh?” Rob slid his azure gaze to Adam, sizing him up.

  The difference between them was astronomical. Although they were about the same height and weight, and each had an unspoken confidence, Rob was refined and stylish, almost appearing out of place in the atmosphere of the country bar. Adam didn’t seem to concern himself with his appearance, and yet his good looks came naturally.

  It was hard to believe that, once upon a time, she gave her heart to Rob when she looked at him now and didn’t feel anything, not even a sliver of the emotions she’d once felt.

  Looping her arm around Adam’s, almost splashing her seltzer water on him in the process, she gave him a nervous smile. “Thank you for the drink, sweetie pie.” Sweetie pie? For heaven’s sakes. She couldn’t remember ever using corny nicknames like that before, but she found she sort of liked it.

  Adam’s surprise lasted less than a blink of an eye before he burst into a smile then wrapped his arm around her waist, dragging her in close, nuzzling her cheek. He was willing to aid her in pretending they were here on a date, but Lord help her, being near him made all her cells come alive. She liked that about him, the ability to make her feel an adrenaline rush. “Anything for you, sweetheart.” He caressed her hair. Was he normally this affectionate?