“Probably not. I’m not feeling so well.”
“Something you ate?”
“I guess,” Cal conceded, but he knew better. His sickness had come upon him last night as he’d promised to find a husband for Jessica.
“You don’t need to be crawling on the back of another stupid bull if your head’s somewhere else. Hey, Tuck!” Mac called. “Cal’s through, and I don’t want to break any bones today. How about you and Spence?”
“We’re both finished. I’ll tell Leroy we’re headin’ on in to The Old Cantina.”
Mac frowned. “Tuck doesn’t sound any more enthusiastic than you do. Maybe there’s a virus going around.”
Cal would like to blame his sickness on a virus, but he didn’t think he could. But he also didn’t want to examine why he didn’t feel well. How could he explain his stupid conclusion about riding the bull?
Half an hour later, after washing the dust off their hands and faces, the foursome took their usual table at Jessica’s restaurant in Cactus.
“A round of beers, darlin’,” Tuck ordered as Nita reached their table. “And nachos.”
“Surprise, surprise,” she drawled, teasing since that was always their order on Saturdays.
Mac put his Stetson on the table and stared at his three friends. “What’s going on here? Everyone seems a little strange today.”
“Guess we partied too hard last night,” Tuck offered.
“It’s a cloudy day,” Spence added. “No sunshine. Downright depressing.”
“Yeah,” was all Cal could come up with.
“That’s it?” Mac demanded, his voice rising. “Tuck, I’ve seen you party till sunup and still put in a day’s work. Spence, the sun is back out now. And, Cal? ‘Yeah’? That’s all you can say?”
“Who are you? The sunshine fairy?” Tuck growled.
Cal ignored Tuck’s sarcasm. “It’s this damned bet our mothers have made. It’s upsetting everything.”
“You just have to ignore them,” Mac assured him. “I am.”
“You don’t understand,” Cal protested, about to inform them of Jessica’s involvement in the situation.
Spence, however, spoke up. “Say, Cal, if you’re wanting to win for your mother, you sure had a lot of chances last night.”
Panic filled Cal. Had anyone noticed how much he’d enjoyed dancing with Jessica? She’d kill him. “What do you mean?”
“There were several ladies there last night drooling over you.” That fact didn’t seem to make Spence happy.
And it did absolutely nothing for Cal. He wasn’t looking for a wife. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Who are you talking about?” Tuck asked, one eyebrow rising.
“There were several, but Melanie Rule definitely had her eyes glued to Cal and Jessica. You remember her? She’s the cute brunette who works at the drugstore.
The entire time I danced with her, she watched you. And she’d didn’t appear to be happy about it.”
“Kind of like the three of you,” Mac interjected. Then his eyes widened and he snapped his fingers. “That’s it! You three are acting like you’re lovesick!”
“No way!” Tuck shouted.
“Forget it,” Spence snarled.
“You’re crazy,” Cal returned.
“I hope you’re right. Women will mess you up faster than anything.” It wasn’t the first time Mac had warned them about women problems. He figured he knew best since he’d already tried marriage.
Cal took a deep breath. “Actually, my problem is woman-related, but not for me.”
The other three stared at him, waiting for an explanation.
“It’s Jessica.”
The reaction wasn’t what he expected.
“You mean, you and Jessica?” Spence demanded.
“Of course he does,” Tuck added
“You finally woke up?” Mac asked.
He glared at his friends. “No! I’m saying Jessica wants to get married!”
“That’s the only wedding I’d dance happily at,” Mac muttered. “Jess is terrific.”
“Not me!” Cal shouted.
“Easy, there, or the sheriff will be arrested for disturbing the peace,” Nita said, suddenly appearing at the table.
Everyone remained silent as she set the beers on the table. Then she put down the large platter of
nachos they always ordered. “Anything else right now, boys?”
“Nope. We’ll order later,” Cal said, wanting her out of the way so he could discuss his problems with his friends. As soon as she left, he leaned forward. “Look, Jess has decided she needs to marry so she can have kids. Something about that maternal clock they’re always writing about.”
“So, volunteer. You’ll have Jess, and your mom will be ecstatic,” Tuck suggested.
“She doesn’t want me! I’m like a brother to her!”
“She didn’t look like your sister when she locked her lips on yours last Saturday,” Spence remarked calmly, staring at Cal.
Cal knew he was thinking of last night, too, in the truck. But he’d promised not to say anything about that mistake.
“Or when she was dancing with you last night,” Tuck added. “You know, I’ve never seen Jess dressed that way before.”
“And you won’t again,” Cal answered. “I told her to burn those clothes. And...and I showed her what could happen if she went around dressed like that.” He stared at Spence, wanting him to know the reason for that embrace in the truck. At least, the reason he’d come up with to explain his behavior. “She’s not very experienced, you know.”
“So, if she doesn’t want you, what’s the problem?” Mac asked.
“I’ve got to find her a husband,” Cal replied, his voice filled with sadness.
“Can’t she find one on her own?” Spence asked.
“The way she looked last night, I suspect she’d have a line all the way to the city limits if she tried.”
“Of course she could. No man still breathing would turn her down. But she’s special. She can’t marry just anyone. I want her to be happy.”
Silence fell as they all stared at each other.
“Don’t look at me,” Mac protested. “I’m not getting married again.”
“I didn’t mean...” Cal began, the pain he felt in his chest at the thought of one of his friends with Jessica making speech difficult.
“Hell, Cal, we love Jessica, but she’s almost like a sister to us, too,” Spence added.
Tuck nodded.
“So where do I find a good husband for her? And don’t suggest Johnny.”
“There’s got to be some nice man who’ll be a good husband. Though not as good as you, Cal,” Mac added.
Cal glared at him again. “For someone who hates the idea of marriage, you sure are saying some stupid things today.”
“I just think no one could love Jessica and care for her as well as you,” Mac said softly, his gaze focused on Cal.
Cal hoped he kept the pain he was feeling out of his face. “She doesn’t want me,” he said gruffly. “You should’ve heard her when she told me about Mom.”
“Your mother? What about your mother?” Tuck asked. “You mean, about the bet?”
“No. I mean about Mom trying to force Jessica to marry me. She’s decided she’ll win the contest if I
marry Jessica. And Jess wasn’t happy about it. I could tell.”
He could barely face his friends. They all looked sympathetically at him, as if they knew how he felt. He hoped they didn’t.
With a sigh, he added, “I promised to find her a husband. It’s not going to be easy.”
Tuck, who was facing the door to the restaurant, appeared to choke. Then he said, “I think maybe it just got easier.”
“What are you talking about?” Cal demanded.
“You may have told Jess to burn those clothes from last night, but, buddy, what she’s wearing today is going to set every man in town on fire.”
Cal whirled around to stare at Jessica as she crossed the room toward them, pausing to greet old customers.
He felt his temperature rising.
Chapter Six
J
essica knew the instant Cal saw her.
A flush crawled up from her chest, not stopping until her cheeks glowed like the one red light in Cactus. She’d told Mabel she wasn’t sure she could pull off her “new look.”
. She hadn’t looked in Cal’s direction, too worried about what she’d see, so she was nearly thrown off balance when he grabbed her arm.
“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded in a guttural voice.
She looked at his features, harsh with anger, and shrank back. “Hi, Cal. How are you?”
“I was a damned sight better two minutes ago. Come with me.”
As if she had a choice. Oh, she could’ve made a scene. She knew Cal wouldn’t force her. But it was easier to go with him and get this confrontation over with.
They went through the swinging doors and Cal came to a halt, staring at the staff-filled kitchen.
Jessica almost giggled at his stunned expression. Did he think she did all the work herself? In nine
restaurants? “My office,” she muttered, and became the leader of their two-person parade.
The space was scarcely large enough to be called an office, but it offered privacy, at least. She closed the door behind him and then leaned against the wall. “Well?”
“What are you doing dressed like that?”
She let one eyebrow slip up. She was prepared this time. “Enjoying myself. Being feminine.”
Cal’s mouth gaped and he struggled to speak. Finally he managed to get out a few words. “That outfit’s even worse than last night’s!”
Jessica smiled. Mabel had expressed the same sentiments only in different terms, accompanied by a wicked smile. Jessica had told herself it wouldn’t make a difference, but she’d also decided it wouldn’t hurt to torture Cal.
“No, it’s not!” The halter neckline of her dress framed her voluptuous figure, exposing her back and shoulders, the vee-shaped front dipping scandalously low. The lightweight floral-print material seemed to float when she walked. The skirt stopped about three inches above her knees.
“We’re almost into winter,” Cal roared. “You’re going to catch pneumonia.”
He pronounced his words with all the arrogance of a doctor, sure he had a direct line to God.
“Cal, it’s only October and we’re experiencing Indian summer. It’s eighty-five degrees out, for goodness’ sake.”
“It could be a hundred and five and you’d still need to be covered up.”
“If it’s that cold, why are you sweating?”
He ran a finger around the neck of his T-shirt. “We’re not talking about me.”
“We’re not talking about me, either. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to greet the rest of my customers.”
“Jess, at least put on a sweater,” he pleaded.
“This dress would look ridiculous with a sweater.” She said it calmly, as if fashion chic was her only concern.
“You’re right. It would look better under a raincoat,” Cal said, his clenched jaw making his words come out tightly.
“Are you on that ridiculous kick about what a temptation I am?” She stared at him. “I’m not exactly Marilyn Monroe.”
“Aw, baby,” he said, his voice suddenly husky. “Marilyn Monroe couldn’t hold a candle to you. You’re the prettiest woman in Cactus.” He lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, hair she’d left loose again today to curl down her back.
She leaned a little closer, drawn by his touch. “Are you going to show me what could happen to a woman if she dresses too sexy?”
As if mesmerized by her gaze, he leaned toward her, pulling even closer, until only a breath separated their lips. “Yeah,” he began softly, “I’ll show—”
She didn’t wait for him to complete his sentence. Her hands flattened on his hard chest and her lips met with his, her tongue darting into his mouth, eager to taste him again.
With a groan, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her softness tightly against him, opening his mouth and joining her in her feast.
Excitement raced through Jessica as she surrendered herself to Cal. He was hers, she could feel it. At least for this moment. Her fingers slid under his T-shirt, stroking the hair-covered chest, wishing she could follow her hands with her tips.
Cal ground his manhood against her, letting her know how hot he’d become in thirty seconds, and one hand inched closer to her breast, his thumb coming daringly near the vee of her dress.
The knock on the door functioned like a pail of cold water thrown at Jessica. It took Cal a little longer to gain control,
“Yes?” she demanded, her voice breathy.
“You have a phone call,” Nita said.
Jessica stared at the desk where a telephone sat. Had it rung and they’d both ignored it? She certainly hadn’t heard it.
“Um, okay, I’ll pick up in here.”
Cal immediately backed away. Then, as she moved to the desk, he opened the door, intent on hurrying away.
“Cal, wait,” Jessica called, not yet picking up the receiver.
“I apologize,” he muttered, but he never looked at her. He just charged out of that small space as if a hundred demons were chasing him.
WHAT HAD COME OVER HIM? If they hadn’t been interrupted, he’d have taken her right there, up against the door, like a wild animal. Jessica. His little Jessica.
Cal was thoroughly ashamed of himself. It had been a while since he’d been with a woman, he admitted, but he was older now. Not so randy.
Or at least that’s what he’d thought. But if he couldn’t be trusted with Jessica, who could he be trusted with? She’d already let him know his mother’s scheming upset her.
Of course, her behavior hadn’t been completely innocent, either. Dressing like that, kissing him. But she expected him to protect her. She was inexperienced. It wasn’t her fault that he couldn’t control himself.
She probably wanted to test her feminine wiles. He’d heard that young women did that Especially if they’d been sheltered for a period of time. God knew he’d tried to shelter Jessica. So maybe he’d taught her a lesson today. Maybe she knew now not to play with fire.
And maybe he could put out the fire one more time.
In the men’s room he splashed his face with cold water until he gained some semblance of control. Then he rejoined his friends.
“You get Jessica straightened out?” Tuck asked, a grin on his face.
“No. I think I’m going to have to accept her behavior until I find her a husband. She’s real determined.”
Tuck’s smile faded.
Spence frowned at Cal. “You’re sure she’s not interested in you?”
“I’m sure. Now, let’s make a list. What eligible men do we know?”
His three friends, after exchanging sad looks, leaned forward and put their minds to the topic. Soon they came up with five men. Good men. A banker,
a rancher, the drugstore owner, a home builder, and, last but not least, the young minister who’d come to town last spring.
“I’m not sure about Tony.” It was Spence who named the minister.
“What’s wrong with him?” Cal asked.
“Nothing, really. But the way Jessica’s dressing. he might not be interested.”
Cal bristled. “She may be dressing a little suggestively, but he’ll be interested. Believe me,” he assured them, his cheeks flushing. Jessica could tempt a saint.
“Are you going to tell her now?” Mac asked, his gaze going past Cal to the young lady heading toward their table, her look apprehensive.
“Why?”
‘“Cause here she comes.”
Cal spun around to stare at Jessica. She didn’t look happy. He understood. She was embarrassed about what had happened as much as he was. Of course she was. She wasn’t used to a man’s hunger.
It was up to him to make her feel at ease.
“Hi, baby. Was the phone call serious?”
“It was Alex. She wanted to set up a closing for the purchase of the restaurants.” She didn’t look at him.
“Well, hey, I have some good news,” he assured her, pasting on a brilliant smile. He was able to hold it in place until she’d glanced at him and looked away again.
“What’s that?”
“We’ve come up with some potential husbands for you.”
Mac stood and pulled another chair over between him and Cal. When he gestured for Jessica to sit, she slipped into the seat he’d been occupying, leaving the chair beside Cal for Mac.
That hurt. She wouldn’t even get that close to him. Was she afraid he’d grab her again? Here in public? He slid the list toward Jessica. “What do you think of these as potential husbands?”
She glared at him before picking up the paper. “They look fine,” she said after a moment.
His heart took another bruising. He’d hoped she’d look at the names and refuse to consider any of them. In fact, he told himself she might not have such an aversion to him as he’d thought, if she wasn’t interested in the five sterling citizens he’d listed.
“So...” He cleared his throat. “Which one would you like to start with?”
“Whoever’s on top. I bought some more new clothes today, so I’m prepared to wow him.” She leaned forward, drawing everyone’s gaze to her breasts, and grabbed Cal’s beer, taking a long drink.
Cal stared at her. She never drank beer. In fact, she never drank any alcohol. What was wrong with her?
“Want Nita to bring you one of your own?” Tuck asked, staring at her.
“No, thanks, but tell her to bring all of you another round, on the house. After all, you should be rewarded for finding some husband material for me.” She stood, ignoring their stares. “I’ve got to go. Let me know when you’ve bribed the first one on the list to go out with me, Cal. I’ll be ready.” She gave him a devilish smile and walked away.
His face heated up as he remembered just how ready she’d been a few moments ago in her office. Damn! What was wrong with the girl?
Mac leaned toward Cal. “What happened when you and Jessica went to the kitchen?”
Cal whipped his head around to stare at his friend. “Huh?”
“What happened—”
“Nothing! Nothing. She got a phone call. We didn’t really get a chance to talk.” That was the truth. He’d been too busy kissing her.
“She sure is acting strange,” Spence said softly, staring at Cal. “Like her feelings are hurt or something.”
Or something. She was regretting his behavior, Cal felt sure. Maybe she’d started out teasing him, testing his control, but she’d discovered he didn’t have any. He must’ve frightened her.
But she hadn’t acted scared at the time. He supposed women could get as carried away with sex as men. Maybe.
“Are you sure you want to go ahead with this?” Spence asked, nodding at the paper Jessica had left on the table.
“Yeah, I’m sure. You heard her. She liked the list,” Cal said. He had to marry her off to someone else, so he couldn’t touch her. Otherwise he’d lose her as a friend.
And he’d have nothing.
JESSICA STARED at her purchases. When she’d returned from Lubbock with Mabel, she’d had such
hopes. Once more she’d let Mabel convince her to try for Cal’s heart.
Instead she’d reached his libido.
She took her purchases, wadded them into a ball and threw it into the back of her closet So much for sexy dressing. She’d never thought women who dressed that way were smart, anyway. They were simply putting their bodies on the market.
What they got in return were bodies.
She wanted a heart.
Cal’s heart.
With a sigh, she sank down onto her bed. She’d told herself she’d get on with her life.
Now she had a list of names. She’d go out with all of them, if Cal could convince them. And one of them would become her husband, the father of her children, her companion for the later years.
He just wouldn’t be the love of her life.
MABEL HAD ASSUMED that Jessica would spend Saturday night with Cal. Dressed as she’d been, Jessica could have convinced a eunuch to spend the evening with her.
Preparing for church the next morning, she said to her husband, “Ed, you don’t have any objections to Jessica, do you?”
Ed frowned at her, distracted from putting his belt through the pants loops. “Objections to Jessica? For what? I think she’s terrific. I love her like you do.”
“I thought so,” Mabel said with a warm smile. “It will be so great when she and Cal marry.”
Ed looked as if he’d been poleaxed. “Did I miss
something here? Who said they were getting married?”
“Me. I’m going to get them married and then I’ll get a grandbaby. And I’ll win the bet.”
Ed stepped toward her. “Woman, don’t mess with Cal’s personal life.”