TYLER DIDN’T HAVE to think very hard about why Alex was taking another shower. After she’d allowed the showerhead to do its job, she’d expected to be less needy, but instead she’d kicked her libido up a notch. So she’d shut off the hot water and finished her shower with cold.
If Alex was having as much trouble as she was dealing with their sexual attraction, he might have needed a session with cold water, too. If so, their predicament was bordering on ridiculous. They were indeed behaving like a couple of refrigerator magnets, just as Morgan had said.
She dressed quickly, choosing a pair of tight black jeans with rhinestones decorating the back pockets. She’d bought those on a whim, thinking the bling might be too sparkly for a working ranch, but if she was supposed to be the entertainment, they’d be perfect. High-heeled boots, a black silk blouse and chandelier rhinestone earrings added more glamour to her look. She dried her hair quickly, piled it on top of her head and fastened it with tiny combs and hairpins, several of which were decorated with rhinestones.
Yes, she looked sexy as hell, and Alex wouldn’t appreciate that. But she couldn’t worry about the effect on Alex. She’d spent enough time looking like a bedraggled waif.
Now she intended to show off her other side, the woman who directed activities aboard a luxury cruise ship, the woman capable of dazzling the Last Chance’s open-house guests. If she put them in a buying mood, that would benefit everyone and would ultimately help Morgan and Gabe. Alex would just have to deal with seeing her like this.
As she put the finishing touches on her makeup, she heard him coming down the hall, his booted feet striking the wooden floor with swift precision. He didn’t pause beside her door on his way toward the stairs. Good. They’d made it through their first morning of waking up within twenty feet of each other.
She would have to talk with him, though. They had to work together this morning, unless he’d decided against using her help. She hoped he hadn’t. He needed her, and not only in a sexual way.
On her way down the curved wooden staircase, she spotted Sarah coming from the west side of the house.
Sarah glanced up and gave a low whistle. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you.”
Sarah waited for her at the bottom of the steps. “I love my sons to pieces, but I wouldn’t have minded having a girl, too. Girl clothes are so much more fun than boy clothes.”
“So, are you hoping Morgan has a girl?” Tyler walked with Sarah through the living room where the scent of wood smoke lingered from the night before.
“A little bit, maybe, although I’ll be thrilled no matter what she has. Now that Josie’s pregnant, I have another shot at a girl. I’m hoping for several grandchildren, so statistically at least one has to be female, right?”
“You’d think so.” They headed down the hallway. “In any case, those grandchildren will be lucky to grow up in such a beautiful place.”
“Yes, they will. I only wish Jonathan had lived long enough to be able to teach them to ride and take them on fishing trips. He was so looking forward to that someday.”
“I’ll bet you miss him.” Tyler had a sudden realization of what it would be like to be married to someone for all those years, and it seemed…nice. Sure, their time together had been cut short, but they’d had each other for more than thirty years, and they’d obviously enjoyed that time to the fullest.
“I miss him every day,” Sarah said. “But—and I hate to admit this—now that he’s gone, the boys are coming into their own in a way they might not have if he’d lived. Even Alex is part of the new order. Jonathan would never have hired someone to handle marketing. He thought he could do a better job of selling horses than anyone.”
“Did he?”
“He was good, but that made us dependent on his personality to turn a profit. He was the brand, not the Last Chance. Alex wants to make the Last Chance a brand that will endure regardless of the people involved. It’s a better way to move forward, and we wouldn’t be there if Jonathan had lived.”
“That’s such a positive way to look at it.” Tyler already respected the heck out of Sarah Chance, but this discussion added a new layer of high regard. As they walked into the empty dining room, sounds of frantic activity, including Alex’s laughter, came from the kitchen.
Sarah smiled. “Now,
that’s
the sound of progress.”
“You’re really good about accepting change, aren’t you?” Tyler thought she could take a lesson from Sarah on that subject.
“It’s a survival mechanism, sweetie.” Sarah glanced at her. “Change comes whether we embrace it or not. I’ve decided to embrace it.”
“That makes you a very wise lady.”
“I don’t know about the wise part, but I sure as hell am flexible. Come on. This will be a big day, and I need coffee.”
13
ALEX KNEW HE had to talk to Tyler, but at least here in the kitchen, with Mary Lou bustling around getting ready for the caterers to arrive, he wouldn’t be tempted to haul Tyler off into a dark corner and kiss her until they were both breathless.
“Hey there, cowboy.” Mary Lou gave him a smile. “Emmett and Jack just left. Get yourself some coffee and I’ll be back in a sec to fix you something.” She ducked into the walk-in cooler.
He got a kick out of her calling him cowboy. He wasn’t sure he deserved the label yet, but he was working on it. He poured himself some coffee and took a sip. Ah, that helped unscramble his brain. Mary Lou made terrific coffee.
She emerged from the cooler carrying a wheel of cheese. “How about some bacon and eggs?”
“I don’t want to put you out.” If he’d arrived earlier instead of angsting over Tyler, he could have eaten with Emmett and Jack and saved her the extra trouble. “I’m late getting down, so I’ll just grab something.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. People can’t just ‘grab something’ in my kitchen. Not while I’m still alive and kicking. You need a proper meal.” She set the wheel of cheese on the counter. “And breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
Alex smiled. “My mom used to tell me that all the time.”
“So sit yourself down and make both me and your mom happy.”
“Thanks. That would be great.” Alex pulled out one of the kitchen chairs and sat, although he wasn’t sure how much he could eat, as keyed up as he was over Tyler.
“What do you hear from your folks?” Mary Lou turned on the large griddle, tossed several bacon strips on it and cracked eggs into a bowl. “Are they coming back out this summer?”
“They already have reservations with Pam at the Bunk and Grub for August.”
“They should stay here.” As the bacon began to sizzle, Mary Lou nudged it with a spatula and grabbed a wire whisk for the eggs. “We have the room, and we’ll get the plumbing fixed on that other wing before August.”
“Yeah, but Sarah won’t take any money from them, and they want to stay a couple of weeks. Pam’s willing to let them pay for their lodging, although I’m sure she’s giving them a cut rate.”
“But they’re
family,
” Mary Lou said. “They shouldn’t have to be paying for anything.”
“I know.” Alex was distracted by the sound of Tyler’s and Sarah’s voices as they made their way toward the kitchen. When he raised his mug to take another sip, his hand shook. Damn it, Tyler was driving him batshit crazy. “Maybe I’ll get them to buy a place out here and that will solve the whole problem.”
“Good idea.” Mary Lou turned toward the doorway as Tyler and Sarah walked in. “Just in time for some bacon and eggs. I made extra just in case.”
Alex had prepared himself for the sight of Tyler walking into the kitchen. Or rather, he thought he had. But he wasn’t nearly ready to see her looking like this.
He’d wisely put his coffee mug on the table once he realized his hand was shaking. If he hadn’t, the mug would have dropped from his nerveless fingers when he caught his first glimpse of her.
Lord almighty. He’d seen her in an old-fashioned bridesmaid outfit last summer, in a sexy turquoise dress yesterday, and in jeans and knit shirts after that. In between he’d been treated to the sight of her in a terry robe, and not least of all, gloriously naked. But he hadn’t seen her dressed to dazzle.
“Good morning.” He managed a smile that encompassed both Sarah and Tyler, although he couldn’t have said what Sarah had chosen to wear if his life depended on it. Tyler was the only person in the room as far as he was concerned.
“Same to you, Alex.” Tyler glanced his way briefly before sauntering over to the coffee urn in her high-heeled boots.
Her jeans fit with amazing precision, and the rhinestones on the back pockets winked at him when she shifted her weight. Dodging that cock-stirring sight, he lifted his gaze to her upswept-hair arrangement that exposed her tender nape. The updo seemed sexier than when she wore her hair down, maybe because he imagined pressing his eager lips to the back of her neck, burying his fingers in that glossy hair and coaxing it loose as he breathed in the scent of shampoo and desire.
Her earrings sparkled and swayed as she poured herself a mug of coffee and turned, heading for the table. The view from this angle was just as dangerous as the flip side.
She’d left the top three buttons undone on her black silk shirt, and the shadowy hint of cleavage revealed by the open neck of the shirt would make any man who wasn’t dead want to unfasten that fourth button. Alex supposed her outfit would be a hit today when she performed, but for him personally, it was cruel and unusual punishment.
She sat across from him and cradled her mug in both hands. “Have you talked to Watkins?”
He was so busy remembering how her hands had cradled his balls that he almost missed the question. His response came a little late, like a tape delay. “Not yet.”
“Can you call him on his cell?”
“Uh, no. Watkins thinks a real cowboy shouldn’t carry one. But I can call Jeb. Jeb’s young enough not to give a damn what real cowboys do, so he packs a cell. He’ll be able to get Watkins and tell him we need him up here.” Alex pulled his phone out of his jeans pocket.
“He should bring his guitar,” Tyler said.
“Right.” Alex wondered if he would have remembered to say that. He needed to get his head in the game, and fast. He quickly made the call to Jeb, who promised to send Watkins up to the main house pronto.
“This is exciting.” Sarah joined them with her own mug of coffee. “What a great idea—Watkins and Tyler.”
“Well, he hasn’t agreed yet.” Alex had a sudden image of Watkins developing stage fright and refusing.
“He will.” Sarah smiled at Alex over her mug. “You know he loves to perform, but he’d be shy about doing it alone for an event like this.”
Tyler put down her coffee. “I’d planned on three one-hour sets. Is he up to that?”
“He should be.” After answering the question, Alex turned back to Sarah. “I’m counting on his inner rock star to show up.” Focusing on Sarah was a better idea than looking across the table at Tyler with her cleavage and her flashy earrings. He’d been right to make sure other people were around when he had to deal with her. If he couldn’t block out the memories of her silken skin and tempting kisses, he could mute them slightly in a crowd.
“Watkins will come through for us,” Sarah said. “By the way, Jack called while I was getting dressed. He’s already down at the tractor barn moving the equipment out. We’ll serve the food and drinks in there. I think that’s where Tyler and Watkins should perform, too, don’t you?”
“Probably,” Alex agreed. “We can move the stage I’d planned to use for the country band in there. I’ll warn you that the stage is rustic, but I think it’ll work.”
Tyler looked over at him, her manner totally professional. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. How are the acoustics in the tractor barn?” It was as if she’d pulled on a protective shell along with the flashy outfit.
He’d been in the barn a few times. “I doubt they’re very good, but at least you won’t get wet.”
She sipped her coffee. “That would be a nice change.”
She
would
have to reference the times they’d been wet together. He wanted to chew the furniture. How was he supposed to function today when he so desperately wanted a woman who was now off limits? He needed her help, no question, but he hadn’t counted on her wearing a fantasy costume that was now burned into his retinas.
“I’m sure the acoustics are terrible in that barn.” Mary Lou started passing out plates of bacon and eggs.
“I hope you made a plate for yourself, Mary Lou,” Sarah said.
“I did, as a matter of fact. Let me get my coffee.” Mary Lou joined them at the round oak table. “As I was saying, if we intend to make a habit of this, we should figure out a covered venue that would be semipermanent. There’s no time to do it today, but it should be finished by the time Alex has another event.”
“That would be terrific.” Alex grabbed the new topic with relief. “Good thought, Mary Lou.” He cherished many things about the Last Chance, but he especially loved the democratic spirit that invited everyone who worked there to voice an opinion about how things should be run.
“Jonathan would have loved the idea of live entertainment as part of this.” Sarah looked around the table. “He also would have loved the way everyone’s pitching in to boost sales.” She winked at Tyler. “Even if we draft someone into service who’s supposed to be on vacation.”
“It’s not a problem,” Tyler said. “This is my cause, too, you know. If the ranch does well, then so much the better for my sister, Morgan, and the mystery kid.”
Sarah put down her fork. “So you still haven’t found out if she’s having a girl or a boy?”
“Nope. That has to be the most closely guarded secret in the universe.”
“I suppose I’ll just have to wait.” With a sigh of resignation, Sarah picked up her fork. “But I would really love to know, because…” She paused as her cell phone chimed. “Excuse me. That’s Gabe.” She left the table and walked out into the large dining room to take the call.
Mary Lou glanced over at Tyler. “You look mighty pretty this morning, like you belong on a country-music video or something.”
“Why, thank you.” Tyler’s expression warmed. “What a nice thing to say.”
Alex felt like a complete jerk. He’d been so busy controlling his reaction to her that he hadn’t paid her a single compliment. No wonder she’d been so prickly toward him. She’d probably expected him to say
something.
Better late than never. “You do look great, Tyler. Fantastic.”
“Thanks.” Her protective barrier seemed to crack a little. “I asked Sarah if it was too over the top, but she seemed to think it wasn’t.”
“It’s not. It’s great.” He could kick himself for not saying anything when she’d first walked into the room.
Sarah returned, tucking her phone in her pocket as she came over to the table. Instead of sitting down, she picked up her plate and mug. “I’m going to drive out to Gabe’s.”
“Nothing’s wrong, I hope,” Mary Lou said.
“I’m sure everything’s fine. Morgan’s had a few mild contractions, which she’s convinced are Braxton Hicks, but Gabe wants me to stay with her so he can do the cutting-horse demonstration without worrying.”
“Probably it is Braxton Hicks.” Tyler shoved back her chair and stood. “But I—”
“Who’s Braxton Hicks?” Alex left his chair, too. He didn’t like the sound of this, for many reasons. “Have I met the guy? What’s he doing out at Morgan and Gabe’s house, anyway?”
Tyler glanced at him. “Braxton Hicks contractions are named after the doctor who identified them. Basically it’s false labor. I remember my mother having it with my little brother.”
“Oh. Well, then.” What he knew about childbirth could be written on the head of a pushpin.
“Anyway, I’d like to ride out with you, Sarah,” Tyler said. “If everything’s fine, Gabe can bring me back when he drives here.”
Sarah shook her head. “She specifically said you weren’t to come. She agreed I could sit with her, but she wants you to stay here and get ready for your gig.”
“But I can still get ready after I come back.”
Sarah came over and wrapped an arm around Tyler’s shoulders. “Look, I know she’s your sister and you want to make sure everything’s okay, but I promise to call if I need reinforcements. Morgan made it very clear she expects you to stay and sing your little heart out.”
Tyler hesitated. “I left my cell phone upstairs. Will you please wait to leave until after I’ve called her?”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“Thanks.” Tyler hurried from the room.
Alex didn’t realize he’d watched her go until Sarah spoke.
“She’s a beautiful girl, Alex. I can see why you’re smitten.”
He swung back to Sarah and opened his mouth to issue a denial, but her knowing smile stopped him. “I’ll get over it,” he said.
Mary Lou left the table and came over to join them. “You’re going to have to, I’m afraid. One look at that outfit of hers and I can see why she’s perfect for her job on the cruise ship.” She gazed up at Alex. “Have you ever been on one?”