The Rancher and the Event Planner

Chapter Eight



Rafe stopped the truck in front of the old mansion where guys in hardhats hustled in and out, busy on the remodel. The construction company Linc had worked part-time for in high school and college was doing the renovation work. He noticed Jennifer’s car, a sporty red two door parked off to the side and an odd thrill stretched in the pit of his stomach, but he pushed it aside. Since their date, Rafe hadn’t seen much of her. She had moved into the cabin with Cade because the construction on the kitchen repair was complete. He needed Jennifer’s agreement on a new idea. Whenever he ran his ideas for expanding the ranch by Caroline, she leveled his excitement by starting an argument. These arguments generally consisted of his lack of attention to her needs, her likes and dislikes, not to mention her rife jealousies concerning any conversation he’d had with another woman outside the family.

“This house is old, Daddy,” Molly said from the passenger seat.

“Yes, but we’re going to make her pretty again.”

As soon as they climbed from the truck, Molly took off toward the house. “Hey, punkin , hold up.” He caught up with her easily and together they stepped inside. The house was built of rhyolite and red sand stone with dormers, arched windows, curved brackets and stained glass which gave the mansion a lush appearance.

She was still a grand old girl even with a wrinkle or two, but with the construction company giving her a solid facelift, she’d be back to beautiful in no time.

Dusty and scuffed, the wide plank floors spread throughout the house but once refinished, they would gleam. His gaze took in the faded wallpaper, the gorgeous inlay design in the entryway floor and the stunning chandelier hanging overhead. Two medium sized rooms took up most of the front of the house, and Rafe thought tearing out the wall and creating one large room would solve the dining problem. He’d mention it to the foreman.

Linc’s deep voice drifted on the air followed by Jennifer’s laughter. Molly let go of his hand. “It’s JC,” she exclaimed running in the direction of the voices. Scooting into a room on the left, Molly’s energetic greeting spilled into the hallway.

When Rafe walked into the room, Jennifer and Linc were sitting elbow to elbow, at a long table in the center of the room, grinning at each other like loons.

Molly’s arms were clasped snugly about Jennifer’s neck, her eyes bright, a sweet smile curling her lips. He turned soft inside like snow melting on a cliff side.

“Come and take a look at Linc’s ideas,” Jennifer said. “They’re fabulous.”

Linc gave her a smile. “I’m glad you like them.”

Jennifer squeezed Linc’s upper arm and said, “What’s not to like?”

Seeing her in such a congenial mood with his brother, irked Rafe and he didn’t know why, but he refused to let his feelings show or give in to them.

Molly placed a hand on Jennifer’s shoulder and lightly stroked her hair. “You look real pretty today. I like your hair and I like your hair clip, too.” She had twisted it into a knot on the back of her head with a few tendrils teasing her neck. A hair do-dad sparkled near the bun.

“Thank you. I like your hair, too.” After his wife died, he’d learned how to fix his little girl’s hair. He’d wrangled the perfect pony tail and braid and the importance of finding just the right spot for a bow. Rafe’s heart sighed at Jennifer’s interaction with Molly. He loved seeing Molly smile because her happiness completed his world. Coming here today, turned out to be a great idea.

“Thank you. Are you going to Mr. Blakeley’s barbecue this weekend?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe.”

Molly frowned. “It will be so much fun. We go swimming and everything. Daddy got me a new suit.”

“In that case, I have to go. What color is your suit?”

He studied the blueprints spread over a table, while Jennifer and Molly chatted.

“You’ve expanded the kitchen and made space for a large pantry,” he said to Linc. “Glad to see you’ve already considered turning those two rooms up front into one large one.”

Rafe gestured to the room around them. Bird’s eye maple wainscoting circled the walls with original oak floors and a massive bay window completed the space. “This room will be the perfect gathering place for guests. All it needs is a couple of tables for games, maybe create a library and during the holidays a huge tree will look great.”

Jennifer gazed at him. “I totally agree.” She did? “With the right furniture, paint and accessories the room will be elegant, comfortable and inviting.”

Satisfaction flooded Rafe because she didn’t question him or insist on some other ideas. But that wasn’t the point. She was aware of Salvation’s down-home values, their love of family and friends, and their version of welcome to our town. Of course she wouldn’t question them. “I’m glad we agree.”

“Maybe you’re better at relationships than you think.”

Had she forgiven him for his thoughtless remark the other evening? He looked for a trace of hurt and didn’t see any. Did this mean she was going to keep trying to win the challenge they had each laid out for the other that day in the barn? Did he want her too? Or did he want her to stop trying? The thought of her stopping didn’t make him feel as good as he expected. He felt anxious and even a little scared at the prospect. But why would he feel scared? Was it the prospect of Jennifer leaving Salvation and going back to her life in Shreveport? He pushed his questions away. He wanted her to go back because he wasn’t good at relationships and he didn’t want her to end up being hurt. That had to be it. It had nothing to do with the feelings he felt growing inside him.

“JC has this great idea about removing the back porch and building a first class spa,” Linc said. “I’m sure we can integrate it into the overall design with no problem.”

At least she’d agreed with him about this room and if Linc agreed the end result would integrate well, the spa might turn out okay. “Let’s go for it.”

Jennifer had a soft yet teasing look in her eyes. “That wasn’t so hard was it? You and I agreeing on something, I mean. Careful or you might start to actually see how well we link up together.”

They did, he realized as a wave of panic knocked around his good sense. How did it happen? Maybe it began the first time he saw her again in his office, an old friend who has blossomed into a beautiful, intelligent woman loaded with sex appeal. Dancing with her at the Round Up hadn’t helped because they’d both relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. Not to mention the kiss they’d shared on the dance floor. And what about the kisses they’d shared since then? What man wouldn’t be drawn to her?

He looked at Molly standing close to Jennifer, with one hand resting on Jennifer’s shoulder. His little girl obviously loved her and that made goose-bumps pebble his hide. He had started to think about Jennifer beyond the boundaries of friendship but that only strengthened his worry that he might hurt her. She had a hard time trusting people and if she trusted him that meant her heart would be susceptible to kindness, her feelings an open book and it was up to him to protect her.

He pushed his worries temporarily to the side and focused again on the project. “What do you think about adding a retaining wall and expanding the front porch to surround the house?” He asked the question to no one in particular, but he hoped Jennifer would argue the point because her disagreement would make him feel a whole lot better.

“Terrific idea,” Jennifer said, “It will add a new dimension to the house, and I think the guests will love the porch. We’ll add some ceiling fans, gliders and rocking chairs.”

“If everything goes well, we could have a grand opening by Thanksgiving,” Linc said.

“Will you be here when it opens?” Molly asked.

Jennifer smoothed her hand over Molly’s head. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Molly smiled and flung her arms around Jennifer’s neck.

A sick dread rose in Rafe’s chest. He was putting his heart at risk. He wasn’t worried about Molly because she had family and friends close around her. She would be happy of course when Jennifer came to town to visit and miss her at first when she left but kids bounced back so quickly. Would he be able to bounce back each time Jennifer came for a visit and left again?

***

“Your home is lovely,” JC said.

Ellie Blakely beamed. “We’re so glad you could join us for the barbecue. Garrett’s supervising the pig roast as usual.” She looked in the direction where the food preparation had been set up, and JC followed her line of sight where Mr. Blakeley, wearing casual slacks and a short-sleeved shirt, instructed one of the cooks.

“Just mingle. You know most everybody anyway. I need to speak to Garrett about the drinks supply. Toodle-loo,” she said, with a wave of her manicured fingers. She walked away, her wide hips shifting from side to side, in her floral capris, matching top, and bright pink sandals.

JC grabbed a glass of lemonade and chatted with some people she hadn’t seen since she arrived in town. Her gaze skimmed the crowd, for a glimpse of Rafe and Molly, but she didn’t see them. They had offered to pick her up, but she decided to drive her own car in case she wanted to leave early.

White tents covered the tables in case of inclement weather and there was a large kidney-shaped pool filled to the brim with laughing, ebullient kids. Elm, pine and sweet gum sprouted in clusters over the property with a stream meandering at the back. Gorgeous. It was nice to be out in the fresh air. Because she’d been cooped up in Cade’s cabin most of the day, making phone calls and setting things in motion for the town’s first big event. She had two weeks left in Salvation before she headed back to Shreveport and there was still so much to do. She had to oversee the gala in Dallas next week, not to mention her efforts to try and convince Rafe that they belonged together.

“Hey, glad you made it.”

JC turned at the sound of Linc’s voice. The judge was handsome in his slacks and deep blue t-shirt with beat-up loafers on his feet, but the only womanly affect his charms had on her was mild female appreciation. “Hi, Linc. Nice to see you again. Looks like quite a party.”

“Yeah, Garrett and Ellie go all out.”

“Are Rafe and Molly here?”

Linc grinned. “They’re in the pool. Talk to you later,” he said and sauntered toward an attractive young woman arranging pastries on a table.

JC walked to the large kidney-shaped pool and searched the crowd of kids until she spotted Rafe’s dark head. Sunlight shown on his wide shoulders and the hair on his chest glistened with water droplets. How could she have missed him? The man stood out like a life-saving beacon on a cold, stormy night. He stood in the deep end, his arms held out to Molly, her body encased in a blue suit with little mermaids on it, standing on the side of the pool. She leaped without any doubts into her daddy’s waiting arms and Rafe snuggled her to his chest.

Something softened and stretched inside JC as attraction grew stronger and stronger. Not because of his good looks, but because of his love for Molly. What would it have been like to have a father like that growing up?

Molly spotted her. “JC!” she exclaimed.

Rafe turned his gaze on her as well, and her pulse nearly stopped. His eyes, blue as the sky above, pinned her in her tracks.

“Hey, you two.”

Rafe set Molly on the side of the pool, and she ran to JC. “How do you like my suit?”

“I love it.”

“Where’s yours?” Molly asked.

“Yeah, where’s yours?” Rafe said rubbing his head with a towel, soaking up some of the water, leaving his wavy locks in sexy disarray. With sunlight streaming over his skin and water trickling down his muscular chest, JC nearly melted into the concrete.

She held up the tote in her hand. “Right here. I’ll go change and meet you in the pool.” She’d been using the treadmill at the ranch every morning since she arrived to stay in shape after eating so many of Linc’s delicious meals. The treadmill didn’t give her a model’s body by any stretch of the imagination, but after she’d been working so hard, there was no way she was going to miss having some fun.

* * *

When Jennifer strolled out of the pool house, Rafe nearly swallowed his tongue. The black, strapless one-piece clung to her curvy body like a second skin with a bright pink and orange flower made into the fabric covering one breast. The woman was smoking hot. Good thing she was headed for the pool because somebody had to douse those sensual flames she was emanating.

“JC,” Molly said, “I love your suit.”

She smiled at his daughter as she walked slowly down the steps in the shallow end, her hips swaying in a gentle motion, the tops of her breasts giving him an eyeful. She was like Venus rising from the water. Where was a large scallop shell when you needed one?

“Thank you,” she said to Molly stepping into the water. She lowered herself into the water until it covered her head. Standing, she lifted her face to the sun and slicked back her wet hair. Water droplets beaded her skin as the sun’s rays washed over her.

“The water feels great.”

No shit. He’d feel pretty damn good too if he was covering her from head to toe.

“Want to watch me practice my dive?” Molly asked.

“Sure.”

Rafe helped Molly to the side of the pool and lifted her out. She stood with her toes on the edge, her arms extended with her hands together and her head bent between her arms.

“Remember to keep your head down, punkin .”

The first two tries were mostly belly flops but the third one she didn’t lift her head.

Molly burst through the water and smiled. “I did it! I really did it!”

“You’re a champ,” Rafe shouted and swam to Molly’s side but found his arms full of more than just his little girl because Jennifer hugged her at the same time. Her breasts graced his arm and her slick, toned legs tangled with his. A palm landed on her waist then slid down to her hip. He heard her breath catch and he lifted his head to find her gaze fixed on his. He stirred to life in his swim trunks and looked down to see them tented like a tee-pee. Her lashes were clumped together, her lips parted and wet and her blonde hair streamed over her shoulders in gentle waves. If he leaned just slightly toward her, he could steal a kiss.

“Daddy, I’m hungry,” Molly said.

Me too, but not for food. “Okay, let’s get changed.” He would have to stand in the water for a few extra minutes before he could get out of the pool without embarrassing himself or anyone else. “Jennifer, would you mind helping Molly change then I’ll meet you both by the chow tables in a few minutes.”

***

Later, JC sat with Rafe and Molly beneath a sheltering elm where the tree’s wide, leafy branches offered relief from the day’s boiling heat. Molly finished her food and went to play with some of her friends. “Stay away from the pool, sweet pea,” Rafe said.

“I will, Daddy,” she called, as she ran toward her friends.

Rafe alerted Linc that he and JC were going for a walk and asked him to keep an eye on Molly. He disposed of their paper plates and drink cups and together they wandered toward the stream at the back of the property. JC wanted to know more about his marriage to Caroline, to give her more of a solid understanding of why he believed he was bad at relationships, but how should she ask him?

A sturdy wooden bench sat beneath one of the willow trees dangling its branches over the stream. They sat down and JC listened to the water trickling over the rocks jutting upward from the stream bed. Her pulse thudded and her heart skipped like a stone on water. “I thought we could have another date and try again. What do you think?”

He glanced at her then back at the stream. “I know you believe we’re right for each other but there are things you don’t know about me or my marriage.”

Here was her chance to find out. “Would you like to tell me?”

He leaned forward and rested his arms on his thighs. “You tell me about your marriage and then I’ll tell you about mine.”

She nodded. “Fair enough.” She exhaled a breath and leaned against the back of the bench. The breeze caressing her face and the sound of the water soothed her. No reason why she shouldn’t tell him. They were old friends after all. “I met him at a rodeo. He was friends with a guy I worked with. He was all smiles and charm. Swept me off my feet, promised me the moon and all the stars and I believed him. Two months into the marriage I caught him with a buckle bunny in the back of his truck between rodeo events. We had a major blow up. We fought like curs over a scrap of meat, tearing gouges out of each other right there in the parking lot. When the yelling and accusations had stopped, and the dust had cleared, we both knew there was nothing left, so we decided to go our separate ways. Whew, now it’s your turn.”

Rafe’s fingers grasped her chin and slowly moved her face toward his. “I’m sorry you had such a hard time, but thank you for telling me. The guy was a total jerk who wasn’t fit to wipe the dust off your shoes much less be your husband.”

They sat still for a moment and listened to the trickling stream, the hot breeze through the willow branches, the tittering birdsong. Rafe’s gaze lowered to her lips. Laying his firm, cool mouth on hers, Rafe sampled her lips as if tasting a rich dessert. When the kiss grew deeper, desire spiraled through her, he pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in the security of his body. His heart beat in rhythm with hers as she fell into a dark, sensual abyss until suddenly the kiss ended. Smoothing his thumb over her lower lip, he stared into her eyes and said, “I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again, but you’re way too much woman for me to resist.”

She rested her palm on the side of his face. “That’s good,” she said through tingling lips. “I still have a chance to convince you, but first I want to know about you and Caroline and what went wrong.”