Anything But Sweet (20 page)

“Well, I do adore Pumpkin.” Sarah glanced down at their feet, where the poodle lay
in their shadows panting like a wild rabbit. “But yeah. Pretty much a lot better.”

After a few minor adjustments to the landscape order, Charli grabbed a rake and headed
over to the playground area to help spread out the rubber mulch. She loved the product,
which not only kept its color longer but protected the kids as well.

“You’re working too hard.”

Charli looked up to find Jana Wilder heading toward her with—thank God—a huge cooler
she hoped was filled with icy sweet tea. “Deadline’s creeping up fast,” Charli said,
taking the cooler before the teetering cups in Jana’s arms spilled onto the grass.
“Let me help you with that.”

“Thanks.” Jana eagerly handed over the heavy container. “I drove by earlier, and I
just couldn’t help notice how hot everyone looked. So I promised myself that as soon
as I got done returning the Calhouns’ folding chairs, I’d bring y’all something cool
to drink.”

“You’re a saint.”

“Now don’t go spreading rumors.”

“No Miss Giddy today?”

“Oh, she’d wandered out into the meadow and got herself all muddied up. I didn’t have
time to clean her up with everything else.”

Ice knocked against the interior walls of the cooler as they walked toward one of
the new picnic tables. With a grunt, Charli set it on top. “I figured you’d be home
trying to clean up after the party.”

“The boys took care of that this morning. Then I got them busy painting the living
room. Had them haul all the furniture out first. Not much going back in.”

Charli smiled and accepted a cold glass of tea. “You’re really getting into this redecorating
thing.”

Jana began filling more cups and waved the hot and thirsty crew over. “You were right,
just a change of paint color can really revive an old room into something brand-new.
I’ve been living with those white walls and dark wood for so long I had no idea. I
don’t know exactly what I’m going to do with the living room, but I’m starting with
a nice shade of sand with a splash of poppy.”

“Well I love the whimsy you brought to your bedroom. Even I would never have thought
about using wedding-dress ruffles on curtains. And the pink, rhinestoned bull horns?
Classic. You could create an entire business just by making them.”

“I could?” Jana’s bright blue eyes widened.

“I think you may have some real hidden talent.”

“Coming from you, that’s quite a compliment.”

“I never say something I don’t mean.” Charli took a long drink and wiped her mouth
with the back of her hand. “Where did you find those architectural columns?”

“I actually have a stash in the barn loft. I’ve been collecting old stuff that strikes
my happy for years. It started taking up too much room in the garage, so Joe made
me move it up to the loft.”

Charli lowered her cup. “How big is your
stash
?”

Jana shrugged. “Pretty much takes up most of the loft.”

“Judging by the size of the barn, that’s a huge loft.”

“Yeah, it’s all packed in there pretty tight. Last time I had Jackson carry something
up, he stood at the top of the steps and yelled down “There’s no damn place to put
it.”

A tingle of eagerness shimmied down Charli’s spine. “Jana. I absolutely have to see
your stash.”

“Oh, sure. Come by anytime.”

Charli thought about Reno. She hadn’t seen him all day, but when she’d left him in
bed that morning, she’d kind of invited herself into his plans for the evening. “Tomorrow
is my day off. Can I come look then?”

“Sure. I’ll be home all day.” Jana handed the last cup to Sarah. “But you’ve probably
seen this kind of stuff a million times in your work.”

“Actually, I’ve never had the privilege of seeing someone’s collection of what
strikes their
happy.
Mostly I order stuff from catalogs or stores.”

Jana laughed. “Then you need to hang around me more often. I know all the good places
to go.”

“Which are?”

“Yard sales. Flea markets. Blow-me-down barns that no one dares walk into except
crazy old me. I like stuff. I like it old. I like it with character. And I like it
at a good price. Best four days out of the year is when the Route 127 Corridor Sale
starts.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“What? Sugarplum, we are talking over six hundred glorious miles of yard sales. From
Michigan to Georgia and everywhere in between.” Jana’s smile was huge. “It’s like
dying and going to bargain heaven.”

“I think that’s definitely something I need to put on my to-do list.” Charli admired
Jana’s enthusiasm as well as her hidden design talent. She remembered the
FOR
SALE
sign she’d seen on the two-story Victorian on the way into town. A definite fixer-upper,
but with more potential on its front porch alone than most new houses had under their
entire roof.

A plan sparked.

Maybe her thoughts moved faster than they should. Maybe she—as always—saw the end
results. The big reveal of her life, so to speak. And maybe anyone with half a brain
in their noggin would tell her she’d booked first class on the crazy train. Still,
she held on to that ticket and climbed on board.

“Does two o’clock tomorrow work for you?” she asked.

“Yep. I’ll even make us some cobbler.”

Charli placed her hands on Jana’s shoulders. “You might want to hold off on any rewards
until you find out exactly what I have in mind.”

T
he summer sun hung low in the sky as Reno watched Charli pull the Hummer up to the
barn and head upstairs to the apartment—the place where she would remain for only
another few weeks. He couldn’t help notice that she looked hot and tired. And while
his nerves jumped, he hoped his plans would not go awry.

Postparty, he’d spent most of the day putting the Wilder Ranch back together and hauling
furniture from his mother’s living room so she could “spread her wings.” He didn’t
know why she’d become so hell-bent on redecorating the house. He didn’t see anything
wrong with it.

The sofas, chairs, and tables he’d hauled outside brought back memories of sitting
around with his family, playing board games, munching on popcorn while watching movies,
and huddling together on the sofa as a thunderstorm rolled through. It was a childhood
most kids took for granted—even his brothers. But he knew every moment they’d spent
doing such simple things together was special.

Something to be cherished.

Air pushed from his lungs as he stuffed the remaining contents of his surprise into
the saddlebags and snapped the flap closed. Life should never be marginalized—exactly
the reason he’d pulled his sorry ass out of bed this morning and decided to take a
chance.

Before that, he’d lain there, strangled with thoughts and fears that threatened to
suck him under. He’d never been the kind to just give in. He’d battled the worst life
had thrown at him. Though at times the worst claimed temporary victory. Still, he’d
always managed to come back—ready to put one foot in front of the other to make it
through another day.

Until Diana died.

He stared out the window, not really seeing the green rolling hills or the stands
of oaks shadowing the ground. In his mind, he pictured the semitruck bearing down
on the woman he’d loved. Colliding with her compact car. Mangling everything until
it became unrecognizable.

Pain seared through his chest as breath-stealing as the day he’d received the call
that she and her sister had been killed.

From that moment, he’d cursed life—dared it to take him down. Instead of complying,
life had laughed in his face. Dared him to live another day. Pushed him to open his
eyes and see the joy that stood before him if only he’d grasp it.

He’d lived in darkness for too long. He could see that now.

Charli had changed everything.

She brought something to the party that made him feel things he’d never felt before.
Or at least not in a long time. He didn’t know how to sort through the tangle of emotions
that churned in his chest. He only knew he wanted more.

He flung the saddlebags over his shoulder and looked down to Bear, who sat with pointed
ears perked up. “Sorry, buddy. You need to stay home this time. I’ll see if your girlfriend
wants to come visit.”

Bear rubbed his nose with a paw and sneezed.

“Yeah, I know she’s a pain in the ass. But don’t tell me you don’t like her just a
little.”

The dog stood, stretched, and wagged his tailless butt.

Reno chuckled. “That’s what I thought.”

He reached down and gave his dog a good rub between the ears, then headed out the
door.

Inside the barn, he tended business, taking his time until he heard the water shut
off in the apartment above. He gave her a few minutes, then he climbed the stairs
and knocked.

The door creaked open. A happy glint brightened her eyes. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Much like the first time he’d knocked on her door, her warm brown hair was pulled
up into a messy tumble of damp curls on top of her head, and her coconut scent danced
through the air between them. This time, however, instead of being bundled up in her
robe and looking like a marshmallow peep, her sweet curves were loosely wrapped in
a big fluffy towel. One little twirl was all it would take to unravel her naked into
his arms.

While he had big plans for the night, he wasn’t above taking advantage of a gift when
it was handed to him.

“I needed to see you.” He grabbed hold of the towel and drew her against him.

“I wanted to hold you.” He lowered his mouth to hers. “And kiss you.”

With a sweet sigh, her arms slid over his shoulders and wrapped around his neck.

Much to his delight, the towel sailed to the floor.

The softness of her breasts pressed against his cotton shirt, and he wished he were
without clothes as well.

“And I wanted to touch you.” His hands smoothed down her warm, damp body. “All over.”

“Then please . . .” she whispered in a husky voice. “Be my guest.”

He moved her inside the apartment. Kicked the door closed behind him. And gave himself
permission to touch her wherever his hands could land. He swept her into a wild, unrelenting
kiss. Her mouth softened, and his tongue swept between her lips, claiming her, giving
her more of himself than he’d ever intended.

She moaned her pleasure and smiled against his mouth. “So why are we just standing
here in the middle of the living room when we could both be naked in the bedroom?”

His hands covered her bare bottom, and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Because there’s
no way in hell I’m doing it in my brother’s bed.”

She laughed, and the sound played across his skin. “I didn’t think about that.”

“And,” he said, sliding the backs of his fingers down the gentle slope of her breast.
“Because we have plans.”

“We do?”

He nodded. “Get dressed. Long pants. Those fancy red boots. And a sweater.”

“That’s all?” She leaned in and brushed the side of his neck with quick little kisses.
“No shirt? No bra? No . . . underwear?”

He smiled, remembering how hot he’d gotten when she’d told him she hadn’t been wearing
panties. When he’d raced home and found her naked beneath that soft dress, he’d about
come all over himself.

“Surprise me.” He gave her a soft swat on the bottom, then watched her sashay away.
He loved to watch her—walk, laugh, smile, frown—didn’t matter. She might very well
be the most animated woman he’d ever known. And for that he considered himself a lucky
man.

Chapter 16

C
harli took no time at all to throw on a pair of jeans, tank top, boots, and grab a
lightweight hoodie. She left her hair up in the messy bun and didn’t bother with makeup.
She didn’t think Reno would care—or want to wait for her to get all glammed out.
If she judged the size of his erection correctly, he had hot and messy written all
over his thoughts.

Not that she minded.

Hopefully, the slathering of frosted-cupcake body lotion she’d put on would make
him not only hot but hungry.

She called to Pumpkin, then realized her dog wasn’t in the bedroom. Grabbing her hoodie,
she went out to embrace the man waiting to show her a good time and found him pinned
on the sofa.

“No wonder Bear is always exhausted if she’s this amorous,” he said, while her tiny
apricot poodle licked his chin as if she’d found her very own dessert.

Charli couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled up from her chest. His tone might have
held a shadow of Mr. Grumpy, but the smile on his face said he didn’t mind at all.
In Charli’s world, that said a lot about the man.

“Well, you can hardly blame her. Bear does have the same certain
something
as his owner.”

His head cocked, and his smile turned into a grin. “Did you just compare me to a dog?”

“No, silly boy.” She reached out her hand to pull him up. “Just the animal magnetism.”

He came up off the sofa, wrapped her in his arms, and buried his nose in her neck.
“God, you smell good. I could just eat you up.”

She kissed him. “That’s the plan, Cowboy. Now let’s get going before you ruin your
appetite.”

With a chuckle, he reached down and took her hand in his. Locked their fingers together.
“Just in case you think of running.”

She looked up and noted a sudden seriousness on his face. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“For now.”

She didn’t want anything to ruin tonight. Not when she’d been thinking of him all
day and imagining scenarios where she’d never have to leave Sweet. Or him.

“I thought you were taking me on a date,” she said. “Our
first
date.”

“I didn’t show you a good time last night?” The smile was back, and so were those
amazing dimples.

“You did. Several times.” She tugged him toward the door. “Now let’s drop Pumpkin
off with Bear, and you can show me some more of those amazing acrobatic feats.”

“Always give a lady what she wants.”

“Smart way to stay out of trouble.”

They hit the stairs side by side, and Pumpkin took off on a run toward the house.
When they got down to the barn level, Charli noticed two horses just outside the doors,
tied to the big, pine hitching post.

“Uh-oh. Is
that
our transportation?”

“Yep.”

“You do know I’ve never ridden a horse before, right?”

His dimples flashed. “Thought you were giving it a pretty good go last night.”

She gave him a playful punch in the arm. “That doesn’t count.”

“I
was counting.” He took her in his arms as they reached the horses, which looked much
bigger and scarier up close. “You know I wouldn’t ever put you in danger. Right?”

“Depends on how much of a smart-ass I’ve been.”

He pressed his brow to hers. “You’re always safe with me. Even if you do drive me
crazy.”

A slow leak of air pushed from her lungs. She knew that. But those animals looked
. . . She turned to glance at the blond horse nuzzling her arm. Dark eyelashes swept
down in a flirty wink. Charli laughed. The animal suddenly looked kind of cute and
harmless.

“This is Bonnie,” Reno said, giving the horse a smooth stroke down her long neck.
“She’s been around as long as I can remember. She’s gentle and so trained you don’t
even need to pick up the reins to tell her where to go. She’s the horse Izzy rides.”

“Well, if a two-year-old can master riding, then I guess I can too.”

“That’s my girl,” he said to her, not the horse. “Wait here, I’ll go let Pumpkin in
the house.”

“Okay.”

He gave her a short, sweet kiss, then walked toward the back veranda. She tilted her
head just slightly and watched him go. The man did look amazing from the rear. He
looked over his shoulder and smiled at her as if he’d read her thoughts.

And he looked damn good coming too.

In more ways than one.

Bonnie gave her elbow another nudge, and Charli lifted her hand to pet the animal’s
strong neck. The hair beneath her fingers wasn’t nearly as soft as it looked. In fact,
her nearly white mane felt wiry to the touch. In those few quiet moments of shuffling
hooves and horsey snuffles, Charli felt like they bonded. Or at least she hoped they
did.

“All right, let’s hit the trail.” Reno clapped his hands together.

“Where are we going?”

“A pleasure ride.”

“Well, doesn’t that just sound like my slice of pie.”

Reno laughed, then showed her how to mount the horse—which was fairly easy because,
Lord knew, she was a tall girl. Moments later, as she got used to sitting in the saddle,
Reno went to his own horse, put his foot in the stirrup, and swung his long, muscular
leg over.

He settled a straw cowboy hat over his dark hair. His boots looked like they’d seen
many ranch miles. And the tight T-shirt and jeans combo, well, wasn’t that just about
every woman’s fantasy?

“What’s your horse’s name?” she asked.

“Cisco.”

“Like
the Kid
?”

“Yep.” He made a clicking sound. Both horses turned their heads and started toward
the gate that led to the big meadow and beyond. “He’s a champion cutting horse.”

“What’s that?”

“A performance horse. It’s a competition where the horse and rider cut one cow from
the herd without letting it return. My dad and Cisco brought home a lot of trophies.
He’s made some pretty good earnings over the years.”

“I’d like to see that kind of competition.”

He turned to look at her. “You would?”

“Of course. I’m always willing to try something new.”

“Well, Fancy Pants, you are about to do just that.”

S
he didn’t seem to mind him calling her Fancy Pants anymore.

Reno smiled to himself.

Guess she realized at some point it had gone from a slur to a term of endearment.

The horses prodded along at an easy clip, in no hurry to get anywhere, and neither
was he. With Charli at his side and a warm breeze at his back, he figured he could
be riding anywhere, and it wouldn’t matter. On the plus side, her curiosity kept him
entertained.

They’d just passed a small herd of Whitetail that made her gasp. Moments later, she
pointed, and asked “What kind of trees are those?”

“Take your pick. You’ve got some live oaks, lacy oaks, cedar elm, and on the banks
of the creek, you have some cypress and pecan. And those”—he pointed to the clusters
of cacti—“are the Texas state plant. Prickly pear cactus. Which are edible. My mom
makes an excellent jelly with them.”

“Mmmm. Sounds delicious.” She took a long look around. “I never knew Texas looked
like this. I always imagined it flat and dry, like in the John Wayne movies.”

“You watched the Duke?”

“Didn’t everybody? Of course, in a young girl’s heart, he really couldn’t hold a candle
to Brad Pitt in
Legends of the Fall.
And then there’s Daniel Craig in
Cowboys
& Aliens.
And let us not forget Johnny Depp in
Rango.
”

“Wait a minute,” he said. “Rango is a lizard.”

“I beg your pardon. He’s a
chameleon.
And the fact that you even know who Rango is gives you extra points.”

He laughed, tipped his hat back, and gave her a hopeful look. “So you’re saying you
like cowboys?”

“Yes.” Her dark eyes licked him up and down. “So you’re saying you watch cartoons?”

“Busted.” He gave Cisco a little kick. “I’ve already got a date with Izzy to see the
new Disney princess movie.”

“Be still my heart.” She fanned herself, then stopped suddenly. “Wait. Should I be
jealous?”

“Only if you refuse my offer to come along. I do look pretty tempting with melted
butter and Raisinets stains on my shirt.”

She whoaed Bonnie, then crooked her finger. “Come here.”

He sidestepped Cisco closer and was rewarded when Charli curled her arm around his
neck, leaned in, and gave him a kiss. “I wouldn’t dream of taking your attention away
from your adorable niece. But I
would
offer to lick off your butter and chocolate.”

He leaned closer and framed her face with his hands. “You have a deal.”

Her gentle laughter floated across the meadow as they got the horses going again.
Something settled into Reno’s soul that he wasn’t sure he’d ever feel again.

Peace.

How that was possible when only a few weeks ago he was ready to run her ass out of
town on a rail, he didn’t know.

But, she’d been right. He’d damn sure changed his mind.

“So Cisco belonged to your father?”

“My dad owned Cisco’s mom. He was there from the moment Cisco was born, and he trained
him from that day forward.” He reached down and gave the horse a pat on the neck.
“They made a great team.”

“They say you can tell a lot about a man from the way he treats his mother,” she said.
“I’d have to add you can tell a lot about the way a man speaks of his father too.”

He shrugged. “Wasn’t anything I wouldn’t have done for him. For either of them. They
saved my life. They were amazing parents.”

“And you’re still trying to pay them back.”

He looked up—saw the admiration in her eyes. “I’ll be trying to pay them back until
the day I die.”

He could never do enough to prove how much he appreciated being rescued that day when
he was a scared, hungry, little boy. He’d never forget the comforting arms that surrounded
him and made him feel safe or the house they’d brought him to, where he felt an immediate
sense of homecoming. The day Angela had died, people asked him how he felt. He’d
felt nothing. Just because a woman could give birth to a child didn’t make her a mother.
Just because a man could get a woman pregnant didn’t make him a father. Reno knew
he’d been lucky because in every sense of the terms
mother
and
father,
he’d found Jana and Joe.

They’d raised him to be caring, smart, and self-sufficient.

His father had taught him to be a man.

His mother had taught him to love.

And he’d never stop trying to prove his appreciation.

He and Charli rode in silence for a hundred yards, then he asked, “You hungry?”

“Starving.”

“Then kick that pony into gear and follow me.”

T
ogether, they worked as a team. Reno grabbed the saddlebags and set them down on the
blanket he’d spread out on the ground next to the creek while Charli held the reins
of both horses until he had everything in place. When he removed the tack, the mare
and gelding wandered off to munch grass.

“Won’t they run away?” Charli looked up at him, concern tightening her voice.

“Nope. All I have to do is whistle, and they’ll come back from wherever they roamed.”

“Well, they’re better behaved than Pumpkin then. She just ignores me when I call.”

“Yeah, she does have the tendency to be a bit of a wild child.”

“She probably gets that from me.” Laughter rumbled deep in her chest. “I’m probably
a bad influence.”

“Is that so?” He snaked one arm around her and pulled her close, aware of the desire
that rode up his thighs and settled in his groin.

“Yes.” She kissed him, then nipped his bottom lip. “And if you’ll show me what you’ve
got in those bags, I’d be happy to give you a demonstration.”

“Guess if I want a real show, I’d best feed you first.”

“I hoped you’d say that. Because I’m starving.”

“How’s this sound?” He opened the flaps and pulled out the contents, holding each
bag up as he called them out. “Barbecue brisket sandwiches and coleslaw from Sweet
Pickens. Fresh Dutch apple pie from Bud’s Diner. And cabernet from the Sweet Oak Wine
Cellar.”

She looked at the banquet he’d set out on the blanket and licked her lips. “Heavenly.
Only one thing would make it taste even better.”

“What’s that?”

She closed the space between them. Her cupcake scent drifted like a sweet bouquet
beneath his nose. While his heart thumped against his ribs, she slid her hand up the
front of his shirt and curled her fingers around his nape. The heat of her hand sent
a warm shot of desire down through his chest.

His hands clutched the paper bags—fingertips tingling. Every cell craved that perfect
union of bodies that made him feel more complete than he’d ever dreamed. It was all
he could do not to grab her, tear her clothes off, and go all he-man.

Her hand slid down past his buckle to his zipper. She stood on tiptoe and kissed the
underside of his jaw as her palm pressed against his erection. “If I can use you as
a plate.”

The bags fell from his hands. “The hell with dinner.”

He crushed her to him, claimed her mouth, and forgot about anything but the raw, aching
need to be one with her. To be deep in her slick, moist heat. To feel her long arms
and legs wrapped around him, holding him close.

With a sigh of sensual surrender, she softened in his arms. God, he loved that about
her. One moment she could be sassy, fully in charge of the situation—and him. The
next moment, she was like a warm pat of butter, eager to be molded by his hands and
lips. He kissed her with not so much brute force as desperate need.

Far sweeter than any dessert he’d ever tasted, her tongue met his—playing a game
of hide-and-seek he was only too happy to let her win. His erection swelled beneath
the heat and pressure of her hand. “Put your hands behind your back.”

Her head came up, eyes heavy-lidded. “Why?”

“Do you trust me?”