Texas Heat (8 page)

Savannah knew if she stood there one more second she'd throw herself into his arms again. Without looking back, she turned and nearly ran from the room.

* * *

The Circle B Fourth of July barbecue was the event of the year for the town of Cactus Flat and all the neighboring ranches. Red-and-white-checkered tablecloths covered long buffet tables heaped with mounds of traditional holiday food: corn on the cob, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued ribs and enough potato salad to feed a hungry platoon of marines. The smell of the barbecuing food flavored the air, and a country western band played an assortment of favorite songs, ranging from Hank Williams to Garth Brooks. Red, white and blue banners and balloons decorated Sam McCant's landscaped patio area, and an ice-cream station was set up by the pool.

Stone Creek had once been as successful a ranch as the Circle B, but after Jake's mother had died, J.T. had seemed to lose interest in expanding. After he married Myrna, what money there was had been slowly eaten away by the woman's extravagant tastes.

Jake knew if he could hold on, it would only take a few short years before Stone Creek would be operating at full potential again. He could make the ranch what he and his father had always dreamed of.

If he could hold on.
That
was the problem.

The sound of laughter and talking brought Jake back to the present. It had been a long time since he'd been to a party. The collar of his black dress shirt felt too tight, his jeans too stiff. But determined to make the best of the day for Emma's sake, he drew a deep breath and placed a hand on Savannah's elbow as he guided her and Emma under an archway of paper streamers and balloons.

It was the first time he'd touched her since that night in his office almost a week before. He'd put in extra hours the past few days, not only to work off the frustration, but to keep his distance. He knew she'd been right to put an end to things before they'd gotten out of hand, but he also knew that if they were alone again, if even once he smelled the scent of peaches that always lingered on her skin, then he'd end up making a fool of himself. Again.

He looked at her now, dressed in a white ruffled blouse and short Western skirt that showed off her long legs. Legs that every man here would be looking at. His hand tightened on her elbow.

“Where'd you get those clothes?” he asked, suddenly irritated.

“Your sister loaned them to me. I didn't have anything appropriate for a party.” She glanced down at what she'd worn. “Don't you like them?”

Like them?
They showed every damn curve she had. He liked them so much all he could think about was taking them off. Jake made a mental note to have a chat with Jessica. “Jeans would have been fine.”

Savannah frowned at Jake. Her pulse had skipped at his unexpected touch. She was well aware it was the first time he'd come within six feet of her in the past week. Since Jared and Jessica had spent a lot of time visiting, she hadn't been at a loss for company, but still, she'd been out of sorts all week. Wanting something she couldn't put a name to.

“Get ready for the onslaught,” he warned, nodding to several people who were now looking their way.

Suddenly Savannah found herself surrounded by a group of men in Stetsons, clean jeans and a rainbow of Western shirts.

“Hey, Jake,” one man said as he slipped a long-necked bottle of beer into Jake's hand. Another man slapped him on the back, then smiled and stared openly at Savannah. “Now we know why you been hiding out, Jake.”

“I think Jessica is looking for you, Jake.” A third, gap-toothed man had squeezed between the other two men. “How ‘bout I show your lady around while you go see?”

“How ‘bout we ask Mary if that's okay?” Jake returned, taking a pull from his bottle.

At the mention of his wife, the man looked sheepishly behind him.

Savannah's cheeks flamed at all the attention. Jake had kept his hand on her back, and though he laughed and joked with the other men, she felt the tension coiled inside him. With his fingers splayed possessively on her back, it was difficult for her to concentrate on the introductions, but she smiled and nodded, trying to ignore the response he elicited from her with the simplest touch.

Emma suddenly had a circle of children her own age surrounding her, as well. Several women joined in, eager to meet Jake's new sister and her aunt. When Emma ran off to play, Savannah finally allowed herself to relax. She realized she'd been worried about meeting these people and how they would treat her niece. But not one person had looked at Emma with anything other than a welcome smile. She'd been completely accepted.

“Savannah!”

Jessica waved from across the pool and hurried over. She gave Savannah a hug, then reached up and gave Jake a kiss on the cheek. He said something to her under his breath that made her laugh.

“Come on, Savannah.” Jessica took Savannah's hand. “Let's get you away from my brother, the grouch. Maybe if he watches closely, he might learn how to have some fun.”

Jake scowled at his sister, but said nothing as she hauled Savannah away. From then on, Savannah felt as if she was in a whirlwind. Jessica introduced her to nearly every man and woman there, careful to keep her away from Myrna, then loaded a plate of food, explaining every dish and whatever history might be attached to it. They drank beer, ate barbecued ribs and played several games of bingo, where Savannah won a handwoven basket filled with dried flowers and Emma won a game of jacks.

Dancing started when the sky turned a hazy shade of gray and orange. As the couples paired off, Savannah glanced at Jake and saw him break away from the group of men he was standing with. She felt her heart lurch as he made his way toward her, his eyes focused and intent.

She couldn't help but think how handsome he looked in his black dress shirt and shiny boots. Dark and dangerous. The way he moved emanated a masculinity few men could match, and his appeal radiated from a level that even chemists couldn't explain. Her own chemistry responded at that same level, and as their gazes met, her heart was pounding against her chest.

“Savannah?”

She jumped at the sudden voice so close to her ear. Beer splashed out of the glass she'd been sipping for the past hour. “Mr. McCants. You startled me.”

“Sam.” He smiled and took the glass from her hand. “We'll get you another one of these after we have that dance you promised me.”

Hesitant, Savannah glanced at Jake again and saw the frown on his face. He was still moving toward her, but stopped when a woman stepped up and touched his arm. It was the redhead she'd seen in town that day.

Sam had already slipped an arm around her waist and was leading her toward the other dancers.
Why now?
she groaned to herself, trying to get a look at Jake. She couldn't possibly be rude to the host. Helpless, she forced a smile and moved onto the dance floor, managing to follow along with the fast two-step. She tried to break away when the music stopped, but he pulled her close as a waltz started.

“You move nice,” Sam said, sliding his gaze over her.

“Thank you.”
Jake! Where are you?

Sam's hand tightened on her waist and subtly nudged their bodies closer. There was no doubt in Savannah's mind that Sam McCants had a stable full of women. He was handsome, obviously successful and extremely charming. But for some reason, he just didn't quite ring her bell, she thought, remembering their meeting in the feed store.

And that reason was Jake, she realized. She scanned the crowd for him again, but he was nowhere in sight.

“I thought you might like to come over one day this week and I'll show you around the ranch,” Sam offered.

His expression told her the only place he'd like to show her was his bedroom. What could she say? It was pretty difficult to have a busy social schedule in the middle of nowhere. “Well, I—”

“My turn, Sam,” a deep voice interrupted.

Grateful, Savannah turned. It wasn't Jake, but it was the next best thing. Jared. Reluctantly Sam released her, tipping his hat as he thanked her. His gaze stayed on them both as she stepped into Jared's arms and they danced away.

“You saved me,” she whispered.

A half smile tilted one corner of Jared's mouth. “Actually it was Sam I was saving. I think Jake went looking for a gun when you started dancing with him.”

“What's the problem between those two?” Savannah asked, remembering Jake's hostility toward Sam.

Jared shrugged. “Can't really say. Some things a man keeps to himself.”

Something told Savannah that Jared had things he also kept to himself. Things that made his eyes lonely and his smile sad.

“Don't look now,” he said, grinning as he twirled her, “but Jake's giving me the evil eye.”

Savannah tried to see around Jared's wide chest, but he pulled her back. “What say we slip another burr under Jake's saddle?” he teased, whispering in her ear as if they were lovers. “Can't think of anything more fun than gettin' my big brother's goat.”

She wanted desperately to see where Jake was, but Jared was moving around too much. “What makes you think it matters to Jake who I dance with?” she asked carefully.

Jared laughed out loud. “Lady, I'm tempted to call the fire department every time you two get within shoutin' distance of each other. You might be foolin' each other, but you're not foolin' anyone else.”

Savannah felt her cheeks flame. Was it really that obvious? Could anyone just look at her and know how she felt about Jake? With a small groan, she laid her forehead against Jared's chest. “We're not even fooling ourselves, Jared. It just won't work.”

“Don't make it more complicated than it is,” Jared said, then dragged her against him. She actually saw a smile in his eyes. “He's watching. Look at me like you're madly in love. That will set his pot to boiling fast.”

Jared dipped her suddenly and she held on tight, laughing at his outrageousness. She might be miserable inside, she thought with a sigh, but at least she was having fun on the outside.

Jake, on the other hand, wasn't having any fun at all. He leaned back against a patio column, arms folded, a bottle of beer in his hand, and tried to decide who he was going to kill first—Sam or Jared. Sam probably. He'd danced with Savannah first. Jake supposed he really shouldn't kill his own brother, though. It might not set well with Jessica or Emma. Okay, he decided, taking a pull from his bottle, he'd just maim him.

Dammit, anyway. He felt his neck heat up. Why was she looking at Jared like that? Like she wanted to be kissed. And why were they dancing so damn close and laughing like that? His hand tightened on the neck of the bottle he was holding.

Jared whispered in Savannah's ear and Jake could see her blush from here.
That did it!
He slammed the bottle down on the patio table. He
would
kill him.
After
he maimed him. He started to make his way to them, then swore again and stopped himself short.

What was he going to do? Play the wounded husband? He wasn't her husband. He wasn't even her lover. He had no claim on Savannah. She'd said it herself—they wanted different things. Beating up every man who looked at her wasn't going to change that. He could punch out twenty guys and it wouldn't ease the ache he felt for her.

So what was the use? He'd only make a bigger fool out of himself, and Emma probably wouldn't even speak to him. Jaw set tight, Jake did the only other thing he could do.

He headed for the bar.

“S
imon says, touch your nose.” Savannah touched her finger to her nose, and all the children, now gathered around her under a tree a short distance from the party, followed suit.

“Simon says, wiggle your ears without using your hands.”

The children screwed up their faces and worked furiously to wiggle their ears. Emma, sitting cross-legged on the ground, squinted her eyes and wrinkled her nose. Her new friend, a little blond girl named Amy, furrowed her brow and pursed her lips.

Savannah stood back and laughed, thankful she'd finally managed to escape from the dance floor. After an hour of nonstop two-stepping and twirling, her feet were killing her. She must have danced with every man at the party at least twice, some even three times.

Every man except Jake.

She hadn't even seen him since her dance with Jared, though she'd watched for him. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen that redhead, either, the one who'd stopped him when he'd been walking toward her.

The mellow strain of slow music drifted on the cool evening air, and Savannah glanced at the dance-and-pool area. A full moon shimmered in the water, and the couples held each other close in the flickering lights of patio torches.

As Savannah stared at the dancers, she had a sudden yearning to be in Jake's arms, her body moving with his to the rhythm of the music. If she laid her cheek on his chest, would she hear his heartbeat? If she touched his skin, would it be as hot as it had been when he'd kissed her?

And was he out there now, she wondered, holding that redhead?

A burst of giggles from the little girls brought Savannah out of her wandering thoughts. One of the boys had actually managed to wiggle his ears and the other boys were gathered around him in admiration.

“Spread your arms wide,” Savannah said loudly, stretching her arms out from her sides, forcing her attention back to the game. Most of the children copied her, then realized quickly she hadn't said, “Simon says.”

Amid the groans and complaints, someone yelled it was time for ice-cream sundaes. Game forgotten, the children ran off, leaving Savannah alone. With a sigh, she leaned back against the tree and listened to the slow country ballad. An ache spread through her as she watched the dancers. Unwillingly she scanned the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of one tall cowboy with a black Stetson, praying she wouldn't find him in another woman's arms.

Foolish thoughts,
she told herself, but that didn't stop her. Every time he came close, every time he looked at her, she felt the energy pulsate between them. Her heart beat faster and her stomach twisted into a knot. She either needed a doctor or a lover, she thought with a wry smile. But did she dare let her guard down and give in to the attraction she felt for Jake? It would be so easy. So very easy—

“A penny for your thoughts.”

Startled, Savannah turned. It was Sam. “I was just enjoying the music,” she said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

“Alone?” He leaned a shoulder on the trunk of the tree and faced her.

She forced a smile. “I'm afraid my admirers left me in lieu of ice-cream sundaes.”

“Not all your admirers,” he said, leaning closer.

The bark of the tree scraped against Savannah's back as she inched away. “You have a lovely home,” she said, ignoring Sam's blatant come-on.

“You never got a chance to accept my invitation to come out to the ranch one afternoon. We could go to dinner after.”

After what?
Savannah wanted to ask. “Uh...why don't I call you?”

He leaned away and looked at her for a long minute. “Maybe I've misunderstood your relationship with Jake,” he said carefully. “If I'm stepping in on his—”

Savannah felt her cheeks flame. “You're not stepping in on anything. I'm here as Emma's aunt and guardian, nothing else.” She emphasized “else.”

“I see.” Sam lifted one eyebrow and smiled. “Well, then, as Emma's aunt and guardian, are you also handling her business affairs?”

She didn't like the word “affair” when Sam McCants was involved. “What business affairs?”

“The land J.T. left Emma,” Sam said. “I've tried to talk to Jake about buying it, but he's managed to avoid the subject every time I bring it up.”

Avoidance is Jake's specialty,
Savannah thought. “What about the land?”

“I could use some extra grazing land.” He leaned closer to her again. “Maybe we can work out a deal that will satisfy both of us.”

“It's not for sale.”

Savannah jumped at the sound of Jake's voice. He stood a few feet away, his thumbs shoved tightly in his belt loops, his gaze intense as he stared first at Sam, then at her. A wave of relief washed over her at his timely interruption, but for the life of her, she couldn't understand why she also felt guilty.

“Everything has a price, Jake.” Sam smiled and leaned back against the tree. “Name it. Emma could use college money more than grazing land.”

“I'm touched you're so concerned about my sister's education,” Jake said dryly. “But I'll manage to pay for her college when the time comes.”

He'd
pay for her college? Savannah started to object, but the men were too busy testing their testosterone levels to pay her any attention.

Sam pushed away from the tree. “Dammit, Jake, if you weren't so bullheaded, you just might see—”

“The only thing I see—” Jake took a step closer to Sam “—is you butting in where you aren't invited. You stick your nose in my business again and you'll be breathing out the back of your head.”

Savannah stared at the two men in disbelief. They stood nose to nose, their eyes narrowed and bodies tense. What was going on here? Even though she realized that wars were fought over land, these two looked as if they were ready to kill each other.

She stepped beside Jake and laid a hand on his arm. “Jake,” she said tightly, “can we please talk about this later?”

He stared down at her hand. “I'll wait for you and Emma in the truck.” He looked back at Sam. “Some things don't have a price tag, Sam. Not for any amount.”

His body rigid, Jake turned and walked away. Savannah stared after him, unsure if she should follow and try to talk to him. Right now, though, it might be like trying to talk to a fence post. Clearing her throat, she turned back to Sam and smiled awkwardly. “I—I'm sorry. Emma's land seems to be a sensitive subject with Jake.”

Sam shook his head. “That wasn't about Emma's land, Savannah.” He leaned back against the tree again and looked at her curiously. “He wasn't even this touchy with Carolyn, his ex.”

Carolyn.
Jake's ex-wife. Savannah hadn't even known her name. “You knew her?”

He nodded grimly. “I knew her.”

It was none of her business, she told herself. Still, a driving need to know more about the woman nagged at Savannah. “Were they married long?”

Sam shrugged. “They probably felt as if they had been, but it was actually only a couple of years. She had a romantic notion of what ranch life was like and he wanted kids. Seems they both lost out.”

Jake had said his wife left because of money, but Sam was implying it was more than that. Though tempted to question him further, Savannah knew she had no right. If Jake wanted her to know something, then he'd tell her himself.

Yeah, sure, he would.
Just like he'd told her about the land.

She faced Sam and offered her hand. “Thank you for including Emma and me tonight, Sam. We had a nice time.”

Sam wrapped his fingers around hers and grinned. “Don't mention it. And if Jake can't get his head out of a dark place, give me a call. I have the feeling it just might be worth Jake rearranging my nose.”

He walked away, whistling, and Savannah stared thoughtfully after him. Something told her there was a lot more going on between Sam and Jake than either one of them had let on.

“Aunt Savannah!”

She turned sharply at the sound of Emma's call. Her niece was running across the yard with her friend, Amy.

“Aunt Savannah! Aunt Savannah!” Emma launched herself at Savannah and threw her arms around her waist. “Amy asked me to come to her birthday party tomorrow and Jessica says I can spend the night with her and she'll take me to the party tomorrow. Can I please, please go?”

Off balance, Savannah grabbed hold of her niece so they wouldn't both fall. It took a moment to absorb the child's words.

“I don't know, Pecan. We really can't ask Jessica—”

Jessica walked up then. “It's no problem at all. I'd love for Emma to stay with me. We can shop in the morning for a present and I can bring her home after the party.”

“Please, please,” both Emma and Amy echoed.

Savannah looked down at the children's pleading faces, then at Jessica. They all stared at her expectantly. How could she say no?

She drew a slow breath and nodded. Emma and Amy screamed and hugged each other, then Emma kissed Savannah goodbye and the girls ran off.

“She'll be fine,” Jessica reassured Savannah with a hug, then followed the girls.

Savannah swallowed down the tight feeling in her throat as she watched them walk away. It wasn't Emma she was worried about, Savannah thought. It was herself.

She and Jake were going to be alone.

* * *

Jake swung his pickup off the main road and headed for the ranch. Savannah sat beside him, her arms folded stiffly as she stared out the window. The silence between them had been as brittle as dried corn husks. He gripped the steering wheel tighter and floored the accelerator. How did women always do that? he thought angrily. Turn a situation around so the men were the bad guys. Did they learn that in school, or was there some secret ritual where they passed on every annoying habit that drove men crazy from one generation of females to the next?

She grabbed hold of the armrest as he hit a ditch, but still refused to look at him.
Good,
he thought. If he was going to be annoyed, he wanted some company.

He stopped the truck in front of the house and came around to open Savannah's door, but she'd already slid out of the cab herself and brushed past him.

She was also limping.

“What's wrong with you?” He followed her.

She took another step, then winced. “My feet hurt.”

A smart reply was on the tip of Jake's tongue, but when Savannah bent over to pull off one of her boots, any intelligible word he might have uttered flew out the window. She obviously had no idea that the view she suddenly offered of her rounded derriere was like a white-hot kick in the gut.

Jaw slack, he stood there, taking in the erotic sight of her. As she pulled off her second boot, her hair spilled over her shoulder, reminding him of wheat fields under a midnight moon. Her long legs were bare, and he followed the slender curve all the way from her toes up to the edge of her short skirt, which skimmed the enticing flesh where thigh met buttocks.

Boots in hand, Savannah straightened and wiggled her toes. She closed her eyes and the soft sigh of contentment that passed between her parted lips had Jake silently cursing. She had to be doing this to him on purpose. She couldn't be so naive that she didn't realize the effect she had on him.

After Jake reminded himself to breathe, he dragged his gaze away from Savannah's legs and moved past her. Teeth set, he held the front door open for her as she walked tentatively up the steps and into the house.

Inside, moonlight washed the living room in pale silver. He watched as Savannah set her boots by the couch, then sank into the cushions with a small groan.

“You should have warned me that Texans like to dance so much. I would have worn slippers, instead of new boots.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. “I think I know what the term ‘bone tired' really means.”

He thought about turning on the light, but didn't. Instead, he moved over to the couch and stared down at her. Her lashes were dark against her pale skin, her lips full. He watched the soft rise and fall of her breasts and knew he should leave. Now.

He sat down beside her.

Savannah felt the cushion beside her dip beneath Jake's weight. Cautiously she opened her eyes and stared at him. Considering the mood he'd been in since he'd walked up to her and Sam, she'd expected him to storm off to his room the minute they got inside.

The soft hum of the refrigerator filled the silence, and somewhere a clock was ticking. As she met his dark gaze, the anger drained away and her heart began to pound heavily.

He was close. So incredibly, wonderfully close. The faint smell of sandalwood after-shave drifted to her, mixed with the intoxicating scent of Jake's own masculinity. The combination was exciting, and the curling sensation in her stomach spread through her like warm honey.

When he reached down and pulled her leg across his thigh, she pulled away.

He tugged her gently back. “Relax.”

“Jake, I don't—”

“Simon says, relax, Savannah.”

A shiver whispered over her skin when he said her name. And she also realized he'd been watching her as she'd played games with the children. Her breath caught as his hand slid over her calf.

This isn't a good idea,
she reminded herself, but when his hand moved down to her foot, tingles shot from the tips of her toes to the tips of her fingers. She laid her head back and sighed.

“You danced a lot tonight,” he murmured.

But not with you.
“What did you do?”

“I was around.”

With that redhead? Savannah wondered. “Around where?”

Jake was amazed at how smooth Savannah's skin was. Like rose petals. He moved up to her ankle, then skimmed his palm over her calf. He knew he should stop. But he couldn't. It wasn't humanly possible. And he was feeling extremely and primitively human at the moment.