Cougar in Texas: 3 (Rugged and Risque) (3 page)

Why Reese had put up with his laziness for so long was beyond her. The best she could surmise, she’d taken her wedding vows too seriously—especially that “for better or for worse” part. Lord, had she been stuck with an awful big heap of “for worse”. But as Caleb had said, she could kick herself all she wanted. She couldn’t change the past or the huge mistake she’d made. She had to let it go.

Unfortunately she only managed to complete half the hedge grooming before the sun set. She’d heard her guest’s vehicle start up at some point, and figured Caleb had either gone into town for dinner or out to the ranch.

Too bad. She realized she’d been looking forward to him being in the house that evening. Having tightly bound most of her feelings when she’d learned of Tommy’s deception, she hadn’t allowed herself to accept the very harsh reality that suddenly came to mind, because of Caleb’s presence. She was lonely. And had been for an extremely long time.

Tears stung the backs of her eyes and she had to blink them away. She didn’t want to remain mired in disillusionment and disappointment. Though, admittedly, both emotions were difficult to shake off.

With a wistful sigh, she cleaned up, made dinner for one and then went to bed early with a sci-fi book, not trusting herself with a romance novel. She might end up fantasizing about the sexy cowboy staying downstairs…and wouldn’t that be all bad and wrong?

She rose before the sun the next morning, but didn’t see the menu selection for breakfast hanging on Caleb’s door. Peering out one of the many windows in the living room, she noticed no other vehicle than her own. She’d heard his SUV pull into the drive around eleven p.m., just before she’d drifted off to sleep. Apparently he’d decided to get an early start out at the Painted Horse this morning, right as dawn turned into a cloudless day.

In the kitchen, she discovered he’d taken a few scones with him for breakfast. He’d also left her his credit card with a note.

R., Took some pastries—hope you don’t mind. Don’t forget to charge me for the room. Nadine told me your going rate and I’m fine with that for the month. C.

She set the credit card next to the machine, but didn’t run it. A nightly charge would add up to quite a bit and she didn’t feel comfortable with the sum. She’d have to figure out a more reasonable price. It was just a room, for God’s sake. Not a suite at the Plaza Hotel.

Her curiosity about her guest from Dallas mounted as she entered his room to tidy up—and found it in almost the same orderly state as before he’d moved in. Though he hadn’t yet unpacked his bags, he’d made his bed and everything else was in its rightful place. Even the bathroom was neat and organized.

If he kept this up, her housekeeping services would be extremely light. One more reason she needed to adjust the rental rate.

With a shake of her head, she headed out the back door to finish her landscaping. Once completed, she went upstairs to shower and dress for dinner. At seven o’clock, she left the house and stood on the front porch. George Mills, Jess’ husband, honked the horn of his car as he turned onto the cobblestone entryway to her property. They were carpooling to dinner, since the Mills lived down the street.

George drove them into town and parked in the lot next to Pietro’s Fine Dining. The establishment made a mockery of its own name, since there was no Italian chef named Pietro in Wilder, nor would anyone associate with fine dining the flatware rolled in paper napkins, the brown, plastic cups, and the vinyl, red-and-white-checkered tablecloths. But hands down, the food couldn’t be beat.

Pulling the door open, George stood back and let everyone inhale the rich aroma wafting their way. Reese’s stomach growled in a very unladylike fashion. Always the reaction to the creations of the chef and owner, Mike Jones. His wife Ruby manned the hostess podium and also doubled as a server when it got busy. Which was pretty much all the time.

She was a lively sort, with red hair and a robust figure. Known for her surly wit and her homemade aprons with zany sayings on them—this evening’s black one insisting “Surrender to the Sausage” in white block letters—she was one of Wilder’s most beloved characters.

Reese sniffed the air again, her ability to dissect ingredients and spices with a very keen nose being an uncanny one. “Please tell me tonight’s special is Lasagna Bolognese.”

“Can’t fool you,” Ruby said.

Clearly Tommy had, but she refused to dwell on that this evening.

“I have your table ready. The others are here. Care for menus?”

“Special,” Reese told her, her mouth practically watering.

“Us too,” Jess said.

“Hmph. Someday I’m going to stop offering the menu, you’re not going to want the special, and then you’re going to be shit out of luck because you’ve never bothered to look at any of the regular items.”

“Not want the special?” Reese raised a brow. “When have we
ever
not wanted Mike’s special?”

“Yeah, well, the man’s been storin’ up sick days for some time now. He just might decide to use them.”

“Why would you torture us with that notion?” Jess quipped.

“I’m willing to do just about anything to get someone to read the menu so I won’t be kicking myself every night for having ‘em printed up.”

George laughed. “Maybe next time.”

“Yeah, right.” She led them into the dining room and pointed toward the far window. “The round eight-top over there.” She eyed Reese and said, “I don’t like empty seats at my tables. Next time bring a date.” She nudged her in a friendly way, then ambled away.

Reese let out a long-suffering sigh. “Y’all can nix any ideas of fixin’ me up. I’m going stag from here on out.”

They wound their way through the dining room, greeting the Reverend and Lydia Bain, along with Mayor Grant and his Southern-belle wife Emelda, before reaching their party.

Those previously seated stood and hugs ensued. No one had returned to their chairs yet when Ruby came back and cleared her throat.

“I’ve got a straggler,” she said. “Mind if he joins?”

Reese turned to find sky-blue-eyed Caleb standing off to the side. Her stomach flipped once again.

He was quick to say, “No, no, I don’t want to impose. You said I could have that table for two in the corner.”

Ruby shrugged. “Waste not, want not, is my thinkin’. I can put a couple over there. Besides, you’re staying at the B&B, right? So you already know Reese.”

“Man, there are no secrets in this town,” he said, looking a bit bewildered.

“Told you.” Reese gestured to the chair next to her. “We have no problem with you joining us. Please.”

Ruby’s expression was a smug one before she waddled off.

“Really,” Caleb said, “I’m not looking to crash your party. And,” he gave Reese a pointed look, “I’m not stalking you. I swear. I just came from the ranch. Nadine had suggested this place.”

She laughed, a sound that reflected too much excitement, in her opinion. Especially for a woman who’d only two minutes ago proclaimed she was henceforth a permanent singleton. So what was with the flirtatious giggle?

“Best restaurant in town,” she told him, striving for a normal tone of voice, not the breathy one that seemed to come out whenever she spoke with him. “You were bound to end up here. Let me introduce you around.” She turned to the group. “This is Caleb Bennett. Just closed on the Painted Horse Ranch, if you haven’t yet heard.”

Moving around the table, she indicated each of her friends as she told Caleb about them. “This is Ginger Monroe. She owns the lingerie shop I mentioned.” Naturally, heat crept up on her, flushing her face. She tried to ignore it. “And this is Wilder’s newest deputy and the reverend’s nephew, Ryan Bain. They’re soon to be Mr. and Mrs.” Ignoring the sting of envy at the marital bliss currently consuming the town, she circled the table. “Jack Wade, who owns Wade’s Saloon, and Liza, his wife. She works with Jess at the flower shop. And Jess is married to George Mills, our favorite dentist.”

“Handy man to know,” Caleb said.

Returning to her spot next to him, Reese muttered, “And then there’s me.”

“Not to be overlooked,” he told her with a wink and a smile.

Her heart fluttered and her breath caught in her throat. He was highly disarming. It was more than charisma that seemed to ooze from his every pore. His casual demeanor and sexy grin were showstoppers, no doubt about it. The face and body weren’t to be dismissed, but his genuine, friendly disposition truly made him handsome in her eyes.

To her friends Caleb said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for letting me have dinner with you.”

Everyone shook his hand and then they sat.

Ruby swooped in again, a server accompanying her to set out eight wineglasses. She placed two uncorked bottles of Chianti on the table and said, “These are on the house. Happy birthday, George. And congratulations on your new business venture, Caleb.”

So he’d already endeared himself to Ruby. No easy feat. He’d probably set a record for winning her over. She didn’t even seem to mind he hadn’t requested a menu.

Eyeing him as though he were the Last Supper, Ruby said, “I put your order in for the special. It’ll be up at the same time as everyone else’s.”

“Thanks, that’s kind of you.” He smiled at her and Reese could have sworn the other woman nearly swooned.

Sheesh.
The man was a sexual force with which to be reckoned. A dangerous notion for Reese. Although she longed for a little charm in her life, she couldn’t afford to fall for his sweet-as-honey words and the sparkle in his eyes.

Luckily Jack distracted her. He asked Caleb, “So what are your plans for the Painted Horse?”

“Nonprofit organization,” he said as he reached for his roll-up and tore the white band from it to unravel his napkin and silverware. “I’m going to rescue horses. Ones that have been malnourished, abused, neglected or abandoned. Most of them are in pretty bad shape. I’m hoping to house about twenty of them at a time, depending on what kind of support staff I end up with.”

Reese stared at him, dumbfounded.
Seriously?
The man was too damn good to be true. “You save horses?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a smile. “I’m a large-animal vet.”

“You didn’t tell me that yesterday.”

“Didn’t come up.” To the others, he said, “I visited a rescue operation in Kentucky a few years ago. They take on retired or injured Derby horses so they’re not euthanized or turned over to slaughterhouses when they’re no longer considered an asset or used for breeding. That’s where I got the idea.”

Reese’s heart melted. “Oh come on,” she said on a breathless whisper. “Could you be any nicer?”

“I think that’s wonderful,” Jess added in a dreamy tone.

He had that effect on every woman, it seemed, because even Liza and Ginger looked smitten. Relatively speaking of course, because all three of the women were completely taken by the men in their lives.

“Damn, and all I do is serve beers to the locals,” Jack said, clearly noting the women’s reaction to Caleb. But in a very earnest tone, he added, “You probably need volunteers to supplement the medical staff, since you’re a nonprofit. I know a thing or two about horses and would be happy to lend a hand.”

“Me too,” George concurred. “In fact, Jess had horses growing up. What do you say?”

“Oh I’d definitely pitch in,” she said enthusiastically. “In fact, I’ve tried for years to convince George to move to a property with acreage so I could have horses again. But he fell in love with our Tudor on the edge of town and refuses to sell it.”

“I did remodel the damn thing.”

“
You
?” she jerked an eyebrow at him.

With a smirk, George said, “All right, I oversaw the remodel. Hey, Caleb. If you need a good construction and design crew, I’ve got recommendations.”

“Thanks, I’ll gladly take the names. I need a team dedicated to the house. I’ve already hired specialists to update the current stable and construct the med facility and an additional stable. And I’ll be repairing all the fencing myself, so getting the house renovations underway would be a huge help.”

George jotted down several names and numbers on a napkin and handed it over.

Ruby and her assistant returned at that moment and set plates in front of everyone, each showcasing a huge square of lasagna oozing meat, sauce and cheese, and accompanied by thick slices of garlic bread.

“Bone app-etit,” she joked in her thick Southern drawl.

“Smells divine,” Jess said after inhaling deeply.

“I’d like to propose a toast if y’all can keep the drool from dripping down your chins for two seconds,” Jack said. He lifted his glass of Chianti and said, “To George, a great friend and husband, on Jess’ word. Happy birthday. And to Caleb and his rescue mission. Welcome to Wilder.”

They all clinked glasses.

George said, “I’m not going to mention how old I feel around some of you.”

Unfortunately Reese felt the same. Having recently celebrated their own birthdays, Ginger and Ryan were Caleb’s age.

They all dug in, the conversation coming to an instant standstill. Reese resisted the urge to moan as the ricotta melted on her tongue and the combination of sweet and spicy Italian sausage complemented the zesty sauce. She had to work out several times a week in order to have dinner at Pietro’s two or three nights in the same period, but the rigid exercise regimen was worth every single savory bite.