My Southern Bride (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 4) (4 page)

And heaven knew, it was one heck of a deception.

He started coughing—and couldn't stop, all the while trying to balance his plate on his legs.

Lori rushed into the room and began patting his back. "Are you okay?"

At last the steak made it out of his air pipe and slid into his stomach. "Fine. I'm fine."

"Oh, good. I didn't want to apply the Heimlich maneuver if I didn't have to."

This wasn't going as he'd planned. She wasn't supposed to save him. She was supposed to ask him what was for dinner.

But of course she was too contrary to do that. Instead, she sat on the sofa arm catty-corner from his recliner, dangling her legs only inches from him.

"You had me worried there, Tiger."

Tiger? From any other woman, he might enjoy the nickname, but from Lori, it had to be cynical or a veiled insult. Two could play that game. "Nothing to worry about—Kitten."

Lori swung her legs, obviously settling in for a chat. The kitten reference seemed to have gone completely over her head. But what other reaction could he expect from someone so self-centered? She probably thought it was a compliment.

"I really like your home. It's very comfortable." She pointed to the old photograph depicting Bobby Gray, Charlie and him, hanging just behind her on the wall between the den and the kitchen. "I can just picture all of you here, talking about ranching and rodeoing."

"That old photo? Must have been taken at least ten years ago."

She twisted to study the photo a bit longer, swinging her legs more briskly, then turned to face him. "It must seem quiet around here now."

She'd touched a little closer to the bone than he found comfortable. "I've got plenty to keep me busy running the ranch."

The last thing he wanted to talk about was the ranch being quiet. Why wouldn't she get to the real point and ask about food?

"I don't know about you, but I miss my family oodles when I don't get to see them for awhile."

"I see Charlie and Bobby Gray often enough." Even to his own ears, his words came out sounding clipped and short. Talk about a giveaway.

Lori pressed her lips together. While he didn't much like her, he'd never thought she was slow on the pick-up.

Yes, he was lonely. But he sure didn't want to show his tender underbelly to a woman like her.

Lori nodded at his nearly empty plate and changed the subject. "Is there some for me?"

Finally. He'd thought it would never happen. "There's another steak in the freezer and some veggies in the fridge. Help yourself."

"Cool."

She didn't look upset, like he'd wanted. She perked off the sofa arm and around the corner to the kitchen.

He listened intently as she swung open the freezer door. Next came the sound of rustling paper, then the closing of the freezer. A couple of cabinet-door openings later, he heard the sound of a ceramic plate clattering on the countertop.

The microwave door opened, followed by a series of short beeps. Then a long beep. Which shouldn't have happened. He frowned.

"Rats," Lori said, just before a new series of short beeps. Again the long beep. Then total silence.

For too long.

He couldn't stand it any longer.

Rising from his comfy chair, he took his plate into the kitchen and found Lori slumped in front of the microwave, looking sad and perplexed. What was it about her that made him want to come to the rescue?

If anyone didn't deserve it, Lori didn't.

And yet, he couldn't help himself. "Having problems with the microwave?"

She started, as though she hadn't heard him come into the kitchen. "What? Oh, yeah. It's not like the ones I've used before."

He glanced into the microwave only to see a fork sticking out of a giant hunk of frozen steak. She clearly didn't know what she was doing.

"Go have a seat in the den, and I'll take care of this for you."

When he reached for the fork, his hand brushed against hers. His rough skin against her smooth fingers took him by surprise.

The momentary brush of their fingers must have surprised Lori, too, as she pulled her hand back just as quickly and stood with a dismayed look on her pretty face.

Finally, Lori broke from the stare she shared with Monty Joe, then turned to tidy up the paper wrappings on the counter. Anything to keep herself busy, to cover her reaction—or rather, overreaction to Monty Joe's nearness. But she couldn't deny the tingles still playing along the skin of her hand, where he'd brushed against her. The gesture only made her more painfully aware of his brawn. She had to tamp down that awareness.

But, oh heavens, how?

She'd been so focused on the tension between them and dealing with it, she'd ignored a growing awareness of Monty Joe being a man and her being a woman. That keen awareness had erupted the minute his hand was on hers.

The simple brush of their fingertips changed everything.

And yet, she knew, all too well, how he felt about her. She hated the fact that he probably thought she was incapable of using a microwave in addition to his list of her other sins. "I appreciate the offer to take over thawing my steak, but could you just tell me what to do?"

"Don't worry about it. Go relax."

"I'd like to stay and watch. That way I'll learn how to use it."

His jaw clenched in what she figured was frustration with her. "Fine."

He pried the fork loose, and closed the microwave door. "Punch the Power button first, then 3 for Defrost."

Lori nodded, keeping a close eye on his hand. Her gaze traveled up his arm to admire his manly cowboy biceps.

"Then punch the Time button here. I'd start with three minutes, because we don't want it to cook in the microwave. It'll taste better cooked in the skillet."

As transfixed as she was with his muscles, she fought to stay focused on his instructions. "That does sound better."

"Then press Start." He did as he said, and the microwave hummed.

"I see what I did wrong. I just punched the Defrost button, then 3 for the power level."

"If you use the Defrost button, you have to tell it the time, rather than the power and time."

She had to hand it to him. When most people would be impatient with having to teach someone to use a simple tool, like a microwave, Monty Joe took the time to make sure she understood. "Got it."

Their gazes snagged for a moment. Monty Joe cleared his throat and took a step back, as if he was worried she might grab him.

She fought a blush at the thought, and lowered her gaze to the Saltillo tile floor. The microwave emitted a long beep, and she lifted her eyes to watch as Monty Joe tested the steak's thawed-ness. He closed the door and punched more buttons. It wasn't ready yet.

He reached beside the sink on the opposite side of the galley kitchen, and grabbed a well-aged iron skillet. His denim-clad legs caught her attention. Manly. Powerful.

When he returned to the stove, he shot her a look that said he knew she'd been ogling him.

Again the blush.

"Go make yourself comfortable in the den and I'll bring it to you when it's ready. How do you like your steak?"

"Medium."

"It won't be long, then. Skedaddle."

She reluctantly left the kitchen and reentered the den, turning to look more closely at the photo on the wall. What was it Monty Joe had said about keeping busy running the ranch? He very well might stay occupied, but he had to feel as though he was rattling around an empty ranch without his brother and sister.

He must be extremely lonely.

But then, he was a retired rodeo star. It was certainly possible, especially with his good looks, that he had women tripping over themselves to spend time with him.

Lori shoved her hair off her shoulders. Whatever.

Taking a seat on the sofa, she grabbed the remote control and turned the TV channel to HGTV. No one would believe it was her favorite channel, but she loved watching people house-hunt and redecorate. Maybe some inner need to nest that she'd never acknowledged. Whatever.

A short time later, the scent of garlic wafted her way. She turned to see Monty Joe entering the den with her dinner. "That smells wonderful."

As he handed her the plate, her stomach growled. Loudly. Did he hear it? She already felt self-conscious enough as it was.

She must have been even hungrier than she'd thought, because she finished the delicious dinner in silence.

"That was awesome."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I like a woman with an appetite."

As soon as he said the word "like," he frowned. Lori couldn't help laughing inside. Did he think she was going to come on to him? Or that she would think he was coming on to her?

"It's very sweet of you to put me up like this on such short notice. I truly appreciate it. I promise my bags will be packed and I'll be ready to head for the airport first thing in the morning. I'll be out of your hair for good."

Just then the TV emitted a loud squawk, and a red banner flashed across the screen. "Urgent. The National Weather Service in College Station has issued a Blizzard Warning in effect tonight through tomorrow. Potentially life-threatening winter storm..."

Chapter 5

Monty Joe didn't know how Lori managed it, but she beat him to the back window overlooking the Nelson Ranch. Of course, he could usually see the rolling hillside and the old barn, but now snow was coming down so thickly and the wind blowing so hard, it was impossible to make out anything except billowing white. Oh, yeah. They had themselves a full-blown blizzard.

"I can't believe it," said Lori. "Have you ever had a storm like this before?"

"Never. I didn't think it was even possible to have a snowstorm this far south." He automatically pulled his phone from his pocket and punched the speed dial for Will Miller.

Will answered on the second ring.

"You see this?" asked Monty Joe.

"Yup. The men have already taken care of the stock, so we're ready to ride the storm out."

"Call me if you—" Monty Joe pulled the phone away from his ear at the sound of loud static. Once it stopped, he said into the phone, "You there, Will? Hello? Will?"

Nothing.

He punched redial, but was greeted with only silence. When he checked, his cell showed no bars. Dashing into the kitchen, he picked up the receiver for the landline. No dial tone.

He walked back into the den. Lori still stood by the big picture window watching the snow swirl.

"Does your cell phone work?" he asked.

She gave him a blank look at first, as though mesmerized by the storm. Awareness slowly returned to her eyes. "My phone? Uh, I think it's upstairs. I'll go get it and check."

Monty Joe couldn't help noticing the graceful sway of her hips as she headed for the stairs. He gave himself a good shake. Lori was nothing but trouble, and he needed to keep that in mind.

The first thing in the morning... Bull puppies! With this storm, he'd be lucky to get rid of her the day after tomorrow. The last person in the world he'd ever want to be snowed in with was Lori Palmer.

The stubbornest, most difficult and selfish woman he'd ever had the displeasure of meeting.

He should never have taken Kelli's call. He should never have agreed to fetch Lori from the airport. If only his phone had gone dead a few hours earlier.

But he could play "if only" all night long, and it wouldn't change anything.

He was stuck with Lori during a freak blizzard for who knew how long.

As soon as the snow melted enough to get his truck out, he'd toss her and her belongings into it and deposit her at the airport so fast it would make her head spin.

Just then Lori returned downstairs and her expression was bleak. "No bars. No reception."

Great. Not only was he snowed in with her, he was stuck without a phone to call for help.

At least Will Miller had ensured the stock was properly cared for, so Monty Joe didn't have that to worry about. But he should make sure his personal horses and Billy would be okay for the night.