Dating the Cowboy

by Ann B. Harrison

  “Do it.”

  She stared at Crease before she gave in and grabbed another gold-wrapped chocolate.

  Sadie laughed. “You two are incredible. How do you know what the other is thinking?”

  He grinned. “It’s an art, dear sister-in-law. Surely you have Jethro all figured out. You’ve been married long enough to understand the man. Not that he’s complicated or anything.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s the problem. I understand him. He doesn’t understand me.” She pulled up a chair and sat down, a frown on her face. “I can tell exactly what he’s thinking, but when it comes to the other way around”—she slapped her palm on her forehead—“he’s hopeless. The most unromantic man I’ve ever met.”

  Crease sat back and his pondering look settled on his face. He shared a glance with Alice. She kept silent but kicked him under the desk, giving him the look that meant in your court, buddy. This was one place where Crease remained king. Coaching. Plus, it was his family. An area Alice would step around carefully until she knew them all better.

  “Well, maybe you need to do some coaching with me too.” He grinned. “Family rates. I can slip you in with the new group we’re starting today. Alice sent them an info sheet, which I can give you. They won’t have much of a head start on you if you read fast.”

  Alice couldn’t hold it in anymore. She burst out laughing and threw a pen across the desk at him, which he managed to catch and shoot right back to her. She caught it on the fly.

  “What?” Sadie stared between the two of them, totally lost.

  Crease gave her an apologetic grin and Alice immediately forgave him. Sadie didn’t deserve to be teased. From what she knew, Sadie had been Jethro’s savior, which in turn helped the whole family. Also the reason why Crease had the funds to go to college and start the business. Sadie had used her trust money to buy Crease and Nate out of the family ranch.

  “How about a coffee tomorrow? You and I can chat about my brother, his inadequacies, and how you’re going to spice up your marriage.” Crease wiggled his eyebrows, Charlie Chaplin fashion.

  A playful smile lifted Sadie’s lips. “I like that idea so long as you don’t ask me too many personal questions. How about one o’clock after I finish court? Alice, you’ll be there too? I could use all the input I can get, and a women’s view is never a bad thing either.”

  Nothing she’d like better. She wanted to get to know this family even if she wasn’t going to be here for very long, and not being the center of attention made it easier for Alice to blend in. They gave her a warm feeling she wanted to hang onto for as long as she could.

  “Sure. Just text us when you’re out and we can meet you anywhere.”

  Chapter Five

  “Repeat after me. I will let Jethro feel empowered.”

  Sadie blushed but repeated his words. “I feel like an idiot. For so long I thought being strong and independent was being helpful.”

  Crease patted her hand and smiled. “Honey, most women do. The thing is, guys know you can do all these jobs yourself; we always have. With the rise of the me too movement, who needs men. Right?”

  More doubt clouded her eyes. “I guess.”

  “Wonder Woman has a lot to answer for.” He leaned forward. “But here’s the thing. As much as they know you’re more than capable of looking after yourself, men still like to think you need them. Even if it’s something as simple as opening a door or helping you put your coat on. Let him do it if he offers. If he doesn’t, give him a hint. Guys like to feel needed even if deep down they know they aren’t. Goes back to their prehistoric roots where they were the provider and protector.”

  “Are you serious? The whole ‘he man’ is actually still a thing?”

  Crease nodded. “You got it. Guys like to feel useful just like you do. You smother him in love with your cooking and nurturing; let him have his little bit of pride. Now if that’s all it takes to make your husband happy, is it too much to ask?”

  Sadie chewed on her bottom lip as the turmoil rolled through her eyes. Crease felt for her. She was the stereotypical strong woman who didn’t let anything stand in her way. The women who’d been brought up to fend for herself and not show weakness. Determined, capable, and desperately seeking something to help what looked like a perfect marriage from the outside. Fingers crossed that she listened, because Crease knew he was right. He was a guy and thought like a guy. His brother was old-fashioned enough to want to feel like he was making a difference in the marriage. Sadie had come with money, something that had been a bone of contention in the beginning before she had won him over. Still, Jethro would like to have some pride left, and Crease suspected it was the one thing missing from this marriage. An easy fix if Sadie listened to his advice.

  She slapped her hand on the table, rattling the coffee cups and shocking Alice, who’d been daydreaming. “Yes. Of course I’ll do it. It makes sense that he needs to be the man about the house. Feminists can back the hell away. I know I can do anything I want, but we need to be happy in our marriage.”

  “Men are simple creatures at heart. We like to protect and provide.”

  Sadie stood, gathered her handbag, and pushed in her chair. She bent down to put a chaste kiss on Crease’s cheek. “Thank you, darling brother-in-law.” She turned to Alice and did the same. “I can see why you love him, Alice. He’s such a sweet man. You grew up well, Crease. Your mom would be proud of you. So would your grandpa.” Sadie wiggled her fingers as she strutted away, determination glowing from her.

  “Well, it seems that even your sister-in-law believes we’re in love. Maybe we should tone down the lovey-dovey stuff. What do you think?” Alice collected their cups and stacked them in the middle of the table.

  “Why stop when it works so well? The better we look together, the more signups we get, the better the business is doing. Let’s leave things as they are for a bit longer.”

  *

  And therein lay the problem. Alice ran the risk of becoming too comfortable as Crease’s girlfriend. As best friends they could step away and date other people, put a little much-needed distance between them when necessary. That wasn’t a possibility right now, and it should’ve bothered her. The problem was, it didn’t. And that was what scared her more than anything. The tag of being in love with her best friend sat very well on her shoulders, despite pretending otherwise, and more than once she questioned her initial refusal to date him. Now that he was all grown up and not acting like a gung-ho cowboy, maybe it was time to rethink the dating versus friends scenario with Crease. Perhaps he was feeling this too. He certainly acted the part well. How was she going to figure out the truth without ending up with egg on her face? If it was all in her head, how embarrassing would that be after all the times she’d rejected him?

  “Better get back to the office and get the conference room ready for your first training session. You have six love-hungry ladies dying to hear all you have to share. And if the comments I’ve had from the group are anything to go on, you have your work cut out for you.” She stood and clutched her wallet. “And while you’re doing your thing, I still have the data to crunch on the last lady.”

  Alice pushed in her chair. “I honestly find it mind-blowing that people expect love to fall at their feet. None of these ladies are looking in the right place for their dream date so I’m not surprised they’re still single. Talk about putting out confused signals.”

  “Once they see what you’ve done for them, gleaned from their signup forms, I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before they change their mindset.”

  “You have a huge part in that, Crease. Team effort.”

  Together, they walked back to the office, put out bottles of water, paper, and pens, and made sure the PowerPoint presentation along with the notes they were handing out were set up.

  “Looks like you’re ready to go, Romeo.”

  Crease rubbed his hands together. “Phew. This is only slightly nerve-wracking.”

  Alice walked up a
nd put her arms around him. “You’ll be great. Just imagine yourself in front of the students at college. No different, really.”

  “I know. But this is a big step up from free chats over at the student café or the people knocking on my door at ten thirty at night after a failed date.”

  “Meh, same difference. You get more beauty sleep this way though.” Alice pulled back and stared into his eyes. “Pretend you’re asking me for a date. You had such enthusiasm back then.”

  “Like that got me anywhere.” He rested his chin on her head and sighed.

  “But did it stop you from trying? No. Remember that time you tried to take me on your scooter to that terrible black-and-white film premier, thinking it was the kind of highbrow thing I’d like?”

  “Of course I remember. That was the second time you turned me down.” She pulled away. “You seem to forget we had an exam the following day. Unlike some people, I had studying to do, and it paid off, I might add.”

  “Would you have gone with me if that hadn’t been the case?”

  Alice shrugged. “I don’t remember.” She straightened his shirt collar, loath to tell him the truth. “I’ll go out front and welcome everyone and shuffle them in here for you.”

  *

  After his initial welcome statement, Crease got down to business, and after a few moments of nerves, his enthusiasm kicked in and he was where he loved being best—training people.

  “It’s a shame you aren’t on the free and ready list, Crease. You’re so kind and warm and funny. Everything I want in a man.” Ebony McKellar puckered her glossy red lips in his direction.

  Flirting with the teacher would get her nowhere, but he was loath to make her unhappy, not his style. Word of mouth was everything, and he had to prove to the good folks of Marietta he knew exactly what he was doing. Teaching a man-killer like Ebony to find a date who wasn’t only after a good time was challenging, but Crease was up to it.

  “If I were a free man, I’d be the first to send you a text, Ebony. But”—he pointed to the second dot point on his whiteboard—“if the first guy doesn’t react to your small talk at the party you didn’t want to go to, what do you do?”

  A tiny voice spoke up. Lianne was a bar waitress at the hotel and new in town. She said she felt confident when she was working behind the bar, but away from her “crutch” she was a different person. Timid and unsure of herself. “Work the room. Don’t give him a chance to say no before you go onto the next person. Don’t let him think that he’s the only person in the room who has caught your attention. Act confident, like he doesn’t matter because you are a bad-ass lady.”

  “Exactly. You need to work the room, ladies. Just a snappy ‘hi, how are you?’ or ‘lovely party, do you know the hosts well?’ or ‘love your glasses. Who’s your optometrist?’ is all you need to do. Comment on someone’s outfit. And by someone, I mean men and women. You don’t have to stand in front of the guy who doesn’t want to talk to you, hoping to get his attention. You don’t want to come across as desperate, because you’re not. And don’t forget that, okay? If he’s not that interested, don’t waste your time. Move on. Make yourself active in the room. Flirt a little.”

  That last comment was met with nervous giggles.

  “Guys love it, and I’m not talking sexy talk either. That’s not how you’re going to impress the guy you want to be with. Be complimentary instead. People love that kind of connection. Tell him you love his tie; ask him who cuts his hair. There’re a million ways to break the ice and let him know that you’ve noticed him. And when you go to the next person, the guy who’s interested will be still watching you.”

  “But I don’t know how to talk to guys. I always freeze.”

  Lianne blushed under his gaze.

  “Honey, you don’t have to worry, just be yourself. If there’s one thing I want to stress here, it’s don’t be someone you aren’t because sooner or later, your date will figure out that you’re putting on a front. Be you from the get-go. It’s better to be true to yourself because it’s easier. Keeping up with a lie is hard work.” He reached for his water and took a drink. He should know—he was the expert at being someone he wasn’t. The fact that it worked so well didn’t help ease his guilt.

  “Does that help you, Lianne? I know you can do this, and you don’t only talk to guys. To make contacts, you talk to everyone. Think of it this way; if you want to increase your chance of finding Mr. Right, you need to talk to lots of people. He won’t come knocking on your door unless you’ve already crossed his line of vision and he knows where to find you.”

  “Why talk to girls then? I don’t get it.” Rachel, a tall blonde with huge blue eyes held up her hands.

  Crease grinned. It amazed him how narrow people’s ideas were when it came to finding their soul mate. “Think of it like this. The girl you meet at the pharmacy with the gorgeous haircut you wish you had, for example. You say hello and ask who cuts her hair because you’re looking for a new hairdresser. She offers you a card for that business and you find out her brother owns it, so she has a vested interest in passing along his contacts. You make an appointment and learn that he’s taken, but the guy who supplies him with shampoo and colors is his best friend who makes a delivery when you’re sitting in the chair and he’s looking for Mrs. Right. See how it works?” Which reminded him, he should take Alice to the hairdressers and introduce her to Rainey Brown from Nell’s Cut and Curl. He’d been a bit slack in introducing her to the services she needed to make her feel at home in a new town. Time to rectify that before Alice decided Marietta wasn’t the place for her.

  “I think so.”

  “Staying at home every night waiting for Mr. Right isn’t going to bring him knocking on your door. Think about that for a minute. You’ll still be waiting next year if that’s your plan of attack. You have to go out and meet people. Cupid isn’t hovering over your house, honey. You have to take your own bow and arrows and go hunting.”

  The ladies laughed.

  “Before you go, don’t forget to make an appointment to go over Alice’s recommendations. She’s going to give you all a one-on-one breakdown on the information you provided when you signed up. You can use it or not, your choice, but I have to tell you—if you listen to what she says, you’ll have success faster than if you don’t.”

  “So she’s going to tell us who to date?” Rachel stood with her hands on the desk, her gaze on Crease.

  “Not exactly. She’s going to tell you the type of person you should be targeting for a lasting relationship. Once you have that information, what I’ve just told you will make more sense.”

  “I can target you, can’t I?” Ebony gave him a saucy wink.

  “Sorry, taken, as you already know. But there are plenty of men out there waiting to meet lovely ladies such as yourselves.”

  A couple of hours later, upstairs in their apartment, Alice presented him with a glass of champagne. “To us.” She tipped her glass to his. “That was a great first official coaching session, if I may say so. Now all I’m going to think about is the women of Marietta running around with imaginary bows and arrows, sizing up every person they meet. Fearless because you told them they would be.”

  Crease sipped, let the bubbles slide over his tongue and down his throat. It’d been an interesting group tonight and he had high hopes for them. He loved helping people. It gave him a sense of self-worth that more than made up for the crappy childhood he’d endured. Making people happy was what he liked doing best. “It’s a good analogy though.”

  “Perhaps we should’ve put cowboys and a bow and arrow on our business cards.”

  “No. I think what you designed is good enough. Everyone loves hearts. They scream love.” He drained his glass and held it up. “Another one? I think we deserve it.”

  Chapter Six

  Alice breathed in the smell that was uniquely Crease. She could find him in a crowded room from the scent alone. The aftershave mixed with the lime of the organic moisturizer they’d both
gotten hooked on the first summer they met when they’d raided a friend’s bathroom cupboard to stave off the sunburn they were silly enough to get. That one day at the river had caused more damage sun wise than all the days he’d spent on the ranch, according to him.

  Crease’s nose had peeled and Alice had skin flaking from her cheekbones, yet it was nowhere as bad as the rest of the group who’d been out paddling in the river with them. Crease and Alice had taken care of each other and the bond was forever cemented.

  They’d decided then and there it was the moisturizer they must have, and they were never without a tube on hand. Despite the ribbing from the other guys, Crease religiously used it to keep his skin smooth and hydrated. It’d become his signature scent and Alice loved it.

  She snuggled closer, closed her eyes, and wished she had the nerve to tell him how he made her heart race. Even being in the same room with Crease made her feel as though she was a better person somehow. He was the ultimate bestie. But was it time to make him more than that?

  This week away from everything that was familiar had made her look at him in a different light.

  Alice wanted to tell him how proud she was when she watched him coaching their first group of hopeful ladies tonight. He was kind and considerate. Never rushed anyone when they wanted to talk even if it took time away from what he was doing. Everyone got his full attention.

  When people first signed up, they were surprised at the model Crease and Alice had developed. There were no matches to swipe right on, no database of handsome faces to pick and choose from. No speed dating over lunch or cocktails.

  This dating service was all about making their clients the best they could be and giving them the skills to brave the dating game. She and Crease were training them to do what came naturally to the human species—find the perfect match. Teaching them how to react, how to behave when their nerves were encouraging them to race home and hide on the couch because it was easier. How to feel more secure in their own body. And how not to discount anyone in their quest for true love.