Crazy For the Cowboy (18 page)

He'd bought the gelding because it was time he had a horse of his own. A cowboy shouldn't go his whole life without ever owning a horse. Pulling a horse trailer wasn't that big a deal, and he'd always lived below his means so he could afford the expense of a horse.

Storm Cloud had been a great distraction the past few days, but he was also fun to have around. Outthinking him had become a game, and the horse's behavior had improved enormously in only a few days of constant attention and training. In a year or two he'd be amazing.

Vince hadn't expected the sense of satisfaction that training Storm Cloud had given him. He'd always enjoyed working with horses and figuring out their personality quirks, but inevitably he'd leave those horses behind when he quit the job. This time the horse would go with him. He'd reap the benefits of all the training in the years ahead.

True, he hadn't figured out the forty-year thing. He knew intellectually that horses could live that long but he hadn't thought about the actuality. It was fine, though. The thought of spending that many years with Storm Cloud made him smile. They'd have a good time.

“You look happy.” Cheeks flushed, Anastasia sat in the seat Georgie had recently vacated. She'd brought a glass of water with her and she fanned herself with a napkin.

“I usually am happy.” The music had continued but the guys were back at the poker table picking up the scattered chips. “No more dancing?”

“They wore me out.” She chugged half the water. “I tried to get them to dance with each other but they claimed it would take several more beers before they'd be ready for that.”

“I'm tempted to buy them a few rounds. It would be well worth the outlay.”

“I know, right?” She folded the napkin and looked at him. “I was surprised Georgie went home. She was super excited about those reservations. I thought she'd stay and party.”

“We have an early trail ride in the morning.”

“Nah, that's not it. I think you two got into a little spat. That's what I think.”

“Not really.”

“Spin it how you want, but I know my sister. If she left when we had so much to celebrate, then she has her undies in a bunch over something.”

Vince wished she hadn't phrased it quite that way. He'd already spent many long nights imagining Georgie's undies, only they were never in a bunch. Mostly they were on her for a second or two and then they were gone.

“Looks like you'll get a chance to see Charmaine again. Did Georgie tell you about that?”

“Nope. Is she coming home for a visit?”

“Not to see us. For the first trail ride. When my mother found out a rich man had made a reservation, she told Georgie that Charmaine had to go on that ride or else.”

Vince stared at her. “You're kidding.”

“I wish.”

“She's really trying to marry Charmaine off to someone with money?”

“It's all she talks about. She's desperate to get out of Bickford, so she wants both of us to find wealthy husbands. I told her no way, Jose. Ugh City. But Charmaine's gone along with it. That's why she's in Dallas where all the money is. It would be ironic if she landed her sugar daddy right here in Bickford.”

“I'm speechless.”

“So Georgie didn't mention any of that before?”

“No. I would have remembered. I don't think I've ever met your mother.” And now he hoped he wouldn't have to. He hated to think that Georgie put up with such a woman living in the house she cherished.

“Georgie thinks the whole idea is outrageous, but she'd probably love to have my mother move out of that house. Unfortunately, Mom told me if she could ever leave, she'll sell it.”

“Your mother owns it?” Now he felt even worse for Georgie.

“She inherited everything, even the store. Georgie's dad was devoted to her and she always pretended like she loved Bickford, but she doesn't. Anyway, I haven't told Georgie that she might sell, and don't you, either. She has enough to worry about.”

“But if— What's your mother's name?”

“Evelyn.”

“If Evelyn owns the store, she could sell that, too, right?”

“Yes, and I think she would once she doesn't need the income from it anymore. She thinks Georgie's devotion to the store and the town is silly, and if she took it all away she could force Georgie to do something better with her life.”

Vince had a few choice things to say about that, but they were talking about Anastasia's mother, after all. Anastasia was in a tough position, too. She might not like her mother's behavior, but she didn't want to be disloyal, either. She walked a fine line between two women with totally opposite views. And she loved them both.

“Thanks for telling me about that,” he said. “I won't discuss it with Georgie, but it helps me understand her a little better.” No wonder she didn't want to risk having an affair that could potentially interfere with this project. Wild Horse Canyon Adventures could turn out to be the lifeline she could grab if her stepmother left her dangling.

“Georgie's great. I don't know what I'd do without her.”

“She is great.” He was only beginning to appreciate how great. “And she's no dummy. She's probably aware that your mother could sell everything, but worrying about it in advance isn't sensible.”

“And Georgie's nothing if not sensible.”

“I've discovered that.” Vince thought about their ride tomorrow, which by all indications would be very sensible, indeed. Now that he knew what was at stake for her, he understood why that was important.

CHAPTER 18

G
eorgie woke long before dawn, a good two hours before she was scheduled to saddle Prince and ride over to Ed's stable. Her stomach was in knots, which was stupid. She was going on a trail ride. No big deal.

Except it was a big deal because it was the closest thing to a date she'd had in a very long time. And the furthest thing from a date, too, because nothing the least bit romantic would go on today. That concept was complicated in itself without the addition of her growing feelings, both physical and emotional, for Vince.

She'd tried to convince herself that he was nothing more than a friend, but her body wasn't buying that. As she lay in the darkness staring up at the ceiling, she could feel every nerve sparking at the thought of being alone with him for several hours.

They'd only chanced being alone once, that morning in her store, and it had been electric. She'd never forget his little speech about not bringing condoms yet still imagining all the things they could do without one. That was when they'd agreed to make sure they were never alone again. Yet they would be today.

And it would be
fine.
He seemed to have lost interest and she would control herself. Yes, he was sexy, and he'd be even more appealing in cowboy mode riding Storm Cloud. She'd only seen him on a horse one time—the day he and his friends had gone after the Ghost, and he'd looked damn good mounted on Cinder. He'd look even better today.

Impatient with the way her body mocked her by growing hot and achy, she flung back the covers and climbed out of bed. Lying there thinking about Vince astride a powerful black horse wasn't helping. She'd get dressed and then make their lunch. She'd agreed to pack one because they weren't sure how long they'd be gone.

After making turkey sandwiches, a subtle hat-tip to Wild Turkey Canyon, she put them in a zippered nylon pouch along with a few chocolate chip cookies and two water bottles. When she saddled Prince she'd tuck everything in a saddlebag. She'd done this hundreds of times. Theoretically the routine should calm her nerves.

It didn't. She should eat breakfast, but that didn't sound like a good idea considering her jumpy stomach. Instead she checked the website on her phone and was startled to see two more reservations for the inaugural ride. She recognized the couple, Beth and Drew Hightower. They'd stayed at the Double J almost every April for as long as she could remember.

Eight people. They were officially full for the ride taking place in less than two weeks. Anyone who wanted to go now would have to settle for another weekend. She wondered what impact a wealthy Dallas businessman might have on future reservations. Maybe none, or maybe . . . no, she wouldn't project how this man, Randolph Jamison Steele III, would affect their fledgling project. She'd just wait and see. But she liked being able to tell Vince this morning that the first ride was full.

She wouldn't be going on the first couple of rides. Ed would be the other trail guide until Georgie hired someone to take over the store while she was gone. She'd intended to have someone lined up by now, but finding the right person was turning out to be a challenge. Anastasia could probably do it, but that wasn't a permanent solution. If all went well, Anastasia would be too busy with her art to fill in at the store.

By now the sky was light enough for her to go out and saddle Prince. The poor horse hadn't been ridden since the incident with the Ghost. He'd performed admirably that day, however, thanks to intensive training years ago. Her father had helped her teach the big bay to stay calm even when she cracked a whip in his immediate vicinity. Prince was steady as a rock.

“I don't want him spooking at anything,” her father had said. “He's carrying precious cargo.”

“I miss my dad so much, Prince.” She buckled his bridle in place. “Why'd he have to go off and leave us with that woman, anyway?”

Affectionate as always, Prince nudged her shoulder.

“At least I have you, and I promise to spend more time with you in the future. I've been distracted by a certain cowboy.”

By the time Prince was saddled and the lunch was stowed, she had another thirty minutes before she was supposed to meet Vince at the stable. Shoving her phone in the pocket of her denim jacket, she wondered what the heck she could do for thirty minutes. Then her phone chimed.

Pulling it out, she saw a text from Vince.
I'm ready. How about U?

Her heart began to race. One silly text telling her he was early, and she was imagining all sorts of things that probably weren't true—that he was eager to see her, that he was as nervous about this ride as she was, that he'd also been awake for hours.

She calmed down enough to send him a return text.
B right there.
Then she put away her phone and mounted up. The steady motion of Prince's gait as they walked over to the stable was comforting.

The sun wasn't up yet when she arrived at the stable, but she had enough of the pearly predawn light to see Vince mounted on Storm Cloud. The horse was beautiful, but the man . . . She was in so much trouble it wasn't even funny.

There was nothing remarkable about his outfit. Instead of the chaps, spurs, and vest routine he'd brought out for the Ghost incident, he'd worn regular jeans and boots, a blue plaid Western shirt, and a denim jacket not much different from hers. His hat was the same one she'd seen on him countless times, a black Stetson that had seen better days.

None of that should have caused her to tremble. But regardless, looking at him inspired a shiver of anticipation. She doubted that he would have noticed, and even if he had, she'd pass it off as a response to the cool breeze.

“Good morning,” he called out.

“Same to you. I checked the website before I came over, and we have another couple, which brings us to our max of eight.” She walked Prince over to where Vince waited by the side of the stable wall.

“Excellent.” His grin flashed, a smile guaranteed to turn a girl's head.

She wouldn't let hers be turned. She drew up alongside him. “I was worried, but now the next inquiries will be told the first ride is sold out. I like the sound of that.”

“It's the sound of success, Georgie.” His voice was warm. “Congratulations.”

She was close enough now to get a whiff of his aftershave. She'd developed a fondness for its pine scent. “I'm not counting my chickens, yet, but I have to say the future looks promising for Wild Horse Canyon Adventures.”

“And you've worked hard for that.”

“So have you.”

He shrugged. “Like I said, I'm just a small cog in the wheel. But I'm happy for you. You deserve for this to work out.”

“Thanks.” There was something in his tone that hadn't been there before, a cheerleader quality that told her he'd found out a few things about her circumstances. Her money was on Anastasia, who'd stayed at Sadie's after Georgie had left.

She decided not to question him about it. No sense in getting into a personal discussion when they had a job to accomplish. Personal discussion would only lower the barriers between them, and they certainly didn't want to do that.

He gestured toward the path leading to the trail. “After you.”

“You want me to lead?”

“Absolutely. You know this territory better than I do. I'm here to make notes and learn. Some of it came back to me when I rode out here with Mac and Travis, but I don't pretend to be as up on this as you are.”

“You're going to make notes?”

“I am.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small pad of paper. “After we've taken this preliminary ride, I'll come back out here with my notes and retrace the route until I have it down. I don't want any of us fumbling around come the big day.”

She gazed at him. “You're not quite who I thought you were.”

“If you mean I'm not a total screw-up, I'll take that as a compliment.”

“I never thought you were a total screw-up. You've spent plenty of time doing this kind of work, and I've never heard anyone say you were careless about it. But I didn't expect . . . well, the notes and the plan to practice the route.”

He laughed. “Maybe I just have a bad memory and I'm trying to compensate.”

“Or maybe you've accepted this job and you intend to do it to the best of your ability. I think you have standards and you intend to live up to them.”

“I do, but you make me sound like some kind of exception to the rule. Mac or Travis would have done the same. We may act goofy sometimes, but we all realize that when you put greenhorns together with a string of two-thousand-pound animals, you'd better be paying attention, and you'd better not leave anything to chance.”

She drew in a breath of the sweet morning air and let it out, buying herself time as a sudden onslaught of emotion ebbed away. She was falling for him. Too bad for her. “I appreciate hearing you say that. You just made me really glad that I asked you to take part in this venture.” There. That sounded businesslike.

He met her gaze. “I'm glad you did, too, Georgie.”

For one heady moment, she let herself look into those eyes and pretend that he meant that as something more than a simple statement of gratitude. She allowed herself to imagine that he was still crazy about her and wished that life could be different so that they could indulge in what would be an amazing love affair.

But she didn't dare prolong that moment or he might suspect that in spite of all she'd said about not wanting to get involved, she longed for him with an intensity that scared the devil out of her. He couldn't ever know that. She'd be humiliated beyond belief.

She straightened in the saddle. “We need to go.”

“Like I said, you're the leader.”

“Then we're off.” She nudged Prince into a fast walk. The first part of the trail was common knowledge and didn't require any narration from her, but she was super aware of Vince behind her.

The soft creak of his saddle reminded her of the parts of him currently in contact with that leather. She'd never fully appreciated the erotic image of a well-endowed man on a horse until now. Conversation wasn't necessary at this stage of the ride, but if she didn't start talking, she was liable to indulge in fantasies about the man riding behind her.

Talking about his new horse seemed like a safe topic. “Storm Cloud seems pretty steady.”

“He's coming along. He's going to be a good mount for me.”

“I'm glad, especially since you didn't get to ride him before you made the decision.”

Vince chuckled. “That would have embarrassed both him and me, with him feeling honor-bound to try all his tricks, and me demonstrating what a good rider I am. Like a mother whose kid throws a tantrum in the grocery store, neither of us would have come out of it looking good.”

“But we're always advised to ride a horse before buying him.”

“I know, which is why I had that in my head, but the minute I tuned in to Storm Cloud, I could tell that riding him in front of an audience wasn't a good way to start our relationship. We've had our disagreements, but it's been in private, where we could both save face if necessary.”

She hadn't given him credit for being that sensitive, but she should have. Ed had mentioned that Vince was good with horses and Ed didn't hand out praise often. She took a chance on a slightly more personal question. “Did you grow up with horses?”

“No.”

When he didn't elaborate, she let it go. The birds were waking up and she picked out a mockingbird going through its repertoire, along with the distinct caw of a raven interspersed with the twitter of smaller birds. She loved this time of day when the canyon came alive. Maybe if she immersed herself in her surroundings she wouldn't obsess about her sexy trail partner.

Then, surprisingly, he offered some information. “My dad worked in the oil fields.”

She noticed he'd said
worked.
“He doesn't now?”

“He's on disability. He and my mom live in Fort Worth.”

Little by little, she was adding pieces to the puzzle that was Vince Durant. “So you must have had a chance to see them before you came here.”

“I did.”

“And they're doing okay?” She wondered if she'd get another short answer.

“Yeah, but the job took its toll on my dad. It's not an easy life. Hard work, moving a lot.”

Ah. She'd wondered about that when he'd been so concerned about relocating the horses if Wild Horse Canyon Adventures didn't make it. “So you moved a lot, too.”

“We did, but that didn't bother me. The oil rigs aren't my thing, though. Once I figured out that cowboys weren't extinct, especially in Texas, I set out to work on ranches, which were mostly dude ranches. That's okay. I don't have to herd cattle to feel like a real man.”

Georgie listened in fascination. It was the most he'd ever revealed about himself, and she doubted he would have told her any of that if they'd been sitting face-to-face. But out here on the trail he might have decided it was a safe thing to do.

Or maybe he was trying to keep from thinking about sex, too. Either way, she wanted to keep the conversation rolling. “Except for when I went away to school, I've never lived anywhere besides here.”

“I figured as much.”

“Does that seem boring to you?” She thought it must. When her father was alive the family had traveled a little, mostly around Texas and a couple of trips to New Mexico. But taking a vacation somewhere didn't count the same as living in a different place.

“Not boring as much as really foreign to me. You grew up in that house. It's the only place you've called home. I've had so many places that were temporarily my home that they blur together.”

“And that seems foreign to me. I can't imagine it.”

“It was what I knew. My folks' town house in Fort Worth is the first place they've owned. But I don't have any memories stored there, either. It's just a place I go to see my parents.”