Authors: Stacey Espino
“Home sweet home,” said Grant as they turned off the dirt road onto a long, winding drive lined with mature oaks. She shifted out of her thoughts and returned her attention to the present. “I can smell the pork cooking from here. You hungry?”
She shrugged, taking in the scenery and large group of people in the distance. The town was still relatively new to her, and she wasn’t comfortable meeting so many faces all at once. “I haven’t had supper yet.”
“Good thing, because I’m gonna fill you up.”
He parked the truck behind the array of other vehicles and came around to open her door. She stepped out, impressed by Grant’s gallantry. It surprised her when he took her by the hand, making them appear as if they were a couple. He didn’t try to downplay any interest he had in her even though they were surrounded by people he knew. But Grant could be a playboy. The Garners were good people, but cowboys would be cowboys.
“About time. Corn’s already in the pots, no thanks to you,” said Matthew, mock scolding his brother. He’d often come into the office with Grant, usually telling a new joke he’d heard. In fact, Grant had been right, and she recognized a lot of the people. “Chase got here a few minutes ago, too. He was looking for you.”
“Lord, I haven’t seen him in ages.” Grant pulled her along through the throng of people. Country music muffled conversations, and a couple dogs trailed behind her. “You’ve never met my brother Chase. He lives south of here on his own ranch. Won’t be long now until he has my first niece or nephew.”
She could feel his excitement, giving him a schoolboy charm. Kayla missed that sense of family and completeness in her life. She’d give anything to know what it felt like to have roots and a sizable support system.
Grant led her to the pig roast, where his parents were busy talking with friends. There was a brunette ripe with pregnancy surrounded by a gaggle of men, all reminiscing. Kayla was introduced to everyone in a whirlwind of greetings but shortly afterwards found herself wandering away from the excitement. The Garner ranch was beautiful, with wheat fields as far as the eye could see to the east and forests to the far west. The distinct contrast from golds to greens with the backdrop of ocean-blue sky sparked the artist in her to life. She could just imagine the breathtaking sunsets Grant spoke about. Cowboys often referred to them as prairie fires because the orange-red flames would spread across the entire horizon, sending it ablaze, a miracle of God.
Insects droned in the tall grass, the murmur of conversation muted now that she’d put distance between her and the crowds.
“I haven’t seen you ’round here before,” said the deeply masculine voice to her right.
She turned to find a cowboy leaning against an outbuilding, holding a bottle of Molson loosely in his hand. He was darkly handsome with a neatly trimmed goatee and black Stetson. She’d never seen him before.
“I’m not family. I’m Clay Roberts’s sister.”
“Right. The new distribution center. Your brother’s brought a lot of good to the town.” He spoke with a slow drawl and pushed off from the wooden planks to step toward her. “I’m Ben Richmond.”
She shook the hand he offered. “I’ve dealt with your brother, Austin, before. He’s really sweet. You own the property on the far side of town.”
“That’s right. After seeing you I’m sorry I didn’t come to handle business myself.” He assessed her, his eyes burning a path along her flesh everywhere he looked.
She could feel the heat as it settled between her legs. She was only wearing a simple shirt and jeans. Why was she getting so much attention?
Austin
was what she assumed to be the strong, silent type. He came into the office, settled his bills, and left. His brother, Ben, was sex on a stick, making her hyperaware of every nerve in her body. This wasn’t his first seduction, that she was certain of, but he did it well enough that she still felt flattered by his attention.
“Well, I’m not in the office very much anymore. The Wilders run it now for the most part.” She played with the hem of her shirt, not used to talking to men that fantasies were made of. How could just a look melt her from the inside out?
He came closer, getting in her personal space. Now she realized why he was so friendly. He reeked of alcohol. “I knew there had to be a woman involved. My brother’s been acting all love-struck lately, but the only place he goes when he heads into town is the feed store.”
“I’m sure it’s not me. He barely even speaks when he comes in.”
“That’s his way. It takes time for him to warm up to a woman, but I guarantee he will. You see, we work better as a team, keep each other in check.”
What was that supposed to mean? Were the
Richmond
brothers also into the ménage scene? It seemed like half the town was in a multiple-partner marriage. Perhaps the high ratio of men to women was to blame, but it still seemed so unorthodox.
“I better go find Grant. He’s the one who drove me here.” As much as she’d love to look at Ben all day, it made her nervous being around someone influenced by alcohol. Her brother rarely drank, but she’d had a run in or two with a rowdy drunk.
“Grant?” He looked off into the distance to where the crowd around the pig roast had grown. “Looks like he’s abandoned you, baby doll. Good thing I’m a gentleman.”
Yeah, right. He looked like a playboy if ever she saw one. At least Grant kept her guessing. Ben would only be good for a quick roll in the hay, and Kayla had been down that road and wasn’t willing to relive it again. She needed a real commitment, and it would take a special man to teach her how to open up again.
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Why don’t I get you a plate? Tiny thing like you must be starved.”
Was he too drunk to notice she wasn’t a size three? She wanted to laugh out loud but figured he was too wasted to be sarcastic and just had flawed judgment. Before she could answer him, Grant showed up.
“I’ve been looking all over for you, sweetheart.” He placed a possessive hand at her lower back, turning her into him. Why was he glaring at Ben? He must have been an invited guest, but then again he was out on the periphery rather than mingling with everyone else.
“I was just exploring a bit,” she said.
“You should stay where I can see. Good things rarely lurk in the shadows,” said Grant, challenging Ben as he spoke. They were both well-built men, and neither backed down to the other. Kayla continued to look between them, frozen by the tension and afraid that one of them would actually strike out.
Ben laughed. “Am I the bogeyman now? Someone should have told me.” He leaned close to her, and Grant’s hand tightened against her back to steer her away. “Promise I won’t bite. Unless you want me to.”
For the briefest moment she felt the heat of his skin on her face and the caress of his breath against her ear as he spoke. His presence enveloped her, making her pussy respond by pulsing in deep, distracting waves. Then that teasing whisper vanished as he pulled away and drank the remainder of his beer. He shuffled back to the outbuilding, calling over his shoulder.
“You’re a greedy man, Grant Garner. A greedy man.”
Once they were alone, Grant led her back to the festivities. Every step brought the sound of laughter and music closer. “Don’t you mind him. He’s drunk as a skunk, and even when he’s not, you’d be best to steer clear of Ben Richmond.”
“Why’d you invite him? You don’t seem to get along very well.”
“We used to be best friends, but not anymore. He’s here because our daddy’s still friendly with their daddy.”
The topic was dropped after a lengthy silence. Grant led her to an empty picnic table and sat across from her. First he fiddled with his hands and the leather bracelets he wore on one wrist, and then he focused his energy on her. His eyes were so blue with the setting sun casting its rays on his face. Not just the washed-out blue she saw every day, but one rich with color, multidimensional, and hypnotic. She didn’t think she could create such a color with her pallet and all the combinations of paint in her apartment.
“You’re prettier than a summer rose,” he finally said.
She instantly blushed, the heat radiating around her like a veil. He reached out and held one of her wrists across the table, linking them as one. His thumb painted slow circles over her pulse. This wasn’t a date, she reminded herself. Grant was the cute flirt who frequented her office. It was just a fun game they played. Surely he didn’t really want her for more than a casual affair. She looked away, studying the fields and the way the wind gently swept the grain, so graceful and seamless.
“I thought you were cattle farmers,” she said, glad to have thought of something to say to break the intimacy she wasn’t used to.
“We farm cattle, wheat, barley, and corn. It’s smart to diversify with the economy and weather the way it is.”
“Sounds like a lot of work.”
“When we don’t get rain, it’s the devil keeping the wheat healthy, same thing when we get too much, but we have the land for it, and the government subsidizes our crops because we’re certified organic.”
His hand was still on hers, and she was aware of every minute movement he made. Grant wasn’t some dumb hick. He was intelligent and intellectual, and she imagined he could carry on a real conversation with her.
“So just you and Matthew take care of everything?”
“Yes, ma’am. From sunup until sundown, we’re working the land. But it’s ours, and there’s nothing else I’d rather do.” He smiled, and she noticed his teeth were straight and white. A cute dimple appeared on his left cheek. “What about you? Any plans for the future?”
She rarely contemplated tomorrow, too trapped in the static present. “I guess I’d like to move closer to the city so I can visit the art galleries, maybe take some real lessons. I wanted to take art appreciation in college, but back then we were traveling the circuit, always on the move, so I didn’t get a chance at secondary education at all.”
“I heard about Clay riding in the rodeo. I knew it would take a no-holds-barred man to tame my little sister.” They both laughed at the thought of Grant’s sister. Even Kayla had been on the receiving end of Angel’s wrath a time or two before she settled down with her brother. “You’re not really planning on moving, though, are you?”
“I can’t stay here forever. It’s easier for a single woman to be independent in the city with the public transportation, an apartment, and stores nearby. There’s no future for me in this small town.”
“But there could be,” he whispered.
He lifted off his seat, leaning over the center line of the picnic table on his strong forearms. Grant’s lips were teasingly close, his broad shoulders distracting. Was he going to kiss her?
Chapter Three
Grant had to make his move faster if Kayla was planning to ditch their small town for the lure of the city. He needed to prove to her that the county had everything she could ever want and more, including a man who’d love to please her in and out of bed.
When he leaned over the table, desperate to be closer, to connect, to show his intentions, Matthew showed up. His brother sat on the edge of the table, forcing them to separate and give him space.
“What is it?” Grant asked, trying unsuccessfully to disguise his irritation.
“Dad says to get a plate before the food’s gone.”
“Okay. Got it.” He waited for his brother to leave so he could continue to woo Ms. Roberts, but Matthew was evil, staying put and testing him. Tonight he’d make Matthew pay for ruining his private time with Kayla. Maybe he’d put a snake under his blanket or something equally unpleasant. “Shouldn’t you be doing something? I’m sure Chase would love to shoot the shit with you.”
“But it’s so much more fun to stay here and spend time with my favorite brother.”
Kayla grinned. “I don’t mind waiting if you want to get the food now.”
Grant exhaled in a huff. “I’ll be right back.” He stood up, adjusting his belt and scowling at Matthew. “You mind your manners with Ms. Roberts.”
He loved all his siblings to death, but he still wanted to strangle Matthew for impeding his courtship. One thing for certain—he wouldn’t have to worry about his brother moving in on his territory. Certain things were sacred, and a woman was one of them. She may not be Grant’s yet, but she would be when he was through. It was high time he settled down. His brother and younger sister had both married while he remained on the family farm with not even a girlfriend. There weren’t any women in town who caught his eye. Since he’d grown up with most of the available women, it didn’t feel right to court them.
Kayla was like a high-school crush, and he couldn’t get her off his mind. The other day he nearly fell out of the hayloft daydreaming about those big, dark eyes. He made excuses to visit the office more than necessary, staying longer than he needed to just to talk with her and tease a bit. She was sweet, but feisty when necessary. Some of the cowboys liked to pick a fight about prices, even with a woman, but she didn’t put up with their malarkey. It was good she could hold her own, because he had been tempted to step in on her behalf on a few occasions.
He made it to the fire pit, only to be confronted by Kayla’s big brother. “You look mighty comfortable with my sister, Grant.” Clay was standing with Grant’s father near the spit. He felt put on the spot, not wanting to discuss his intentions in front of either man. His father would no doubt push him into settling down. Now that his eldest son, Chase, had married, he was the next in line. As the brother of a little sister, Grant didn’t want to talk about his feelings with Clay.