Harlequin American Romance November 2014 Box Set: The SEAL's Holiday Babies\The Texan's Christmas\Cowboy for Hire\The Cowboy's Christmas Gift (2 page)

“Private?” Ty glared at Sam. “Nothing's private in BC.”

“This is,” Jade said. “You have to take your overprotective, buttinsky self elsewhere.”

She hated to send him off. But the thing about Ty was that the more he hung around her, the more her hopes rose. It was something she had almost no control over. He treated her like a little sister—and her heart mooned for him. Stupidly.

And this year, her resolution was to get on with her life and accept that Ty was simply too much bad boy for her. Her practical nature knew this, accepted that she wanted something completely different when she envisioned a husband.

But her heart—and her female side—wanted Ty. In fact, her mind and her body were practically enemies at this point, warring with each other, each convinced the other was right.

She'd done a darn good job of moving on, seeking new opportunities. And a new man. Okay, Sam Barr wasn't “the one,” but he was the first man she'd gone out with in a long time, and he was nice, and she was looking for
nice
on her man list, wasn't she?

“Go,”
she told Ty, her voice a little urgent as she gave him a pointed push, practically edging him out of the booth.

He stood, put on his brown Stetson, looked at her a bit sadly with those big brown puppy-dog eyes and tipped his hat to her and Sam before returning to his own booth.

“Poor fellow,” Sam said. “Doesn't know what he wants in life.”

“Poor fellow?” Jade refused to glance Ty's way. “The man brought you here on a mission. He's not a poor fellow at all. Don't fall for the injured look he wears so well.” She sipped water, glad for the coolness, but couldn't meet Sam's eyes.

“He's going to make it,” Sam said, his tone admiring. “He's trained for a year to make it through BUD/S. Trained like a maniac. I predict he not only makes it, but he terrorizes all the other recruits.”

“Of course he's going to make it!” Jade said, astonished. “All Ty's ever wanted to do was be a SEAL. A lean, mean, fighting machine, as I heard one of the men call him once. He's dedicated to his goal.” She swallowed hard. “Ty will make it, and once he does, we'll hardly ever see him around here again.” The thought was so painful it physically hurt her stomach.

“Yeah, that's what he told us.”

Jade's gaze flew to Sam. “Told you what?”

He shrugged, a handsome lug of good intentions and impeccable character that she felt absolutely no zip, no zing for—not the way Ty kept her emotions all riled up.

“Ty's working on his Plan.”

“Plan?”

Sam shrugged. “His life goal. Short list. One, settle some good friends of his—bosom buddies—in BC to tempt the local population of females.”

Jade felt her back stiffen. “Go on.”

“Two, see his dear friends happily married, with babies, to stifle Robert Donovan's evil plan to turn BC into a concrete wasteland—a project already under way with Donovan in the process of bidding out parcels he owns to various government contractors.”

“Let me guess. You and Frog and Squint are the bait for Ty's grand vision.”

“And Justin.” Sam grinned. “Justin was first, but he took so long to get down to business that Ty began to worry. So he brought the three of us along.”

Alarm bells rang inside Jade. “Well, wasn't that thoughtful of Ty. And three?” she asked sweetly.

“Three is to clear his father's name. The murder that was never solved was pinned on his father's incompetence, and that's something Ty also lays at Donovan's door. He's convinced Donovan had a plan to oust his father as sheriff and bankroll the election of his handpicked pawn of Satan, as Ty puts it.” Sam reached for her hand again, going back to the place where they'd been before Ty had butted into their booth.

But they couldn't go back, because once Ty had leaned up against her side, invading her space and her every sense, she'd felt herself slipping. And now that she was hearing of the perfidy of his Plan—who did he think he was, anyway, bringing in men to charm the ladies, as if the BC women were simply a herd of goats—she was really annoyed.

“Fourth, and finally,” Sam continued, “the last part of The Plan is for Ty to make it into BUD/S, get his Trident and spend the rest of his days, as long as he can, in every far-flung locale of the world, chasing bad guys. Setting his brothers free.” Sam looked thoughtful. “In another life, I do believe Ty would make the perfect assassin. He likes the loner lifestyle. Says he's most at peace when he's alone. Probably because he's adopted, is his theory.”

Jade was stunned. She pulled her hand from Sam's, took another sip of her water to calm her racing thoughts. “That doesn't make sense. Ty was never alone. He was part of our family.”

“But that's not how my brother feels. In his mind,” Sam said, pointing to his own head. “Ty says he's alone. Got no family, got no one. Says it suits him fine. He was born alone, plans to die alone.”

“Is that so.” Jade hopped to her feet. “Well, I have something to say to Mr. Loner Spurlock about that. If you'll excuse me, Sam.”

Ty Spurlock had another think coming if he thought his Plan was going to work on her. It wasn't—and he wasn't going to zip out of BC under cover of night and leave without her telling his majesty what a nonsensical dumb-ass he was.

This is one lady Ty's going to find it's impossible to bait.

Chapter Two

“Hello, Ty,” Jade said, astonishing him because she'd arrived at his booth with something on her mind, judging by the compelling grip she had on his sleeve. “Could I speak to you privately for a moment? Outside?”

Ty glanced at Squint and Frog. “Fellows, I'm being called to duty.”

They raised mugs of root beer to Jade. “When duty calls, a gentleman always answers,” Frog said.

“If there was a gentleman around,” Jade replied, and Ty thought he heard a bit of an edge in the darling little lady's voice. He followed her outside into the bright sunlight, having no choice, really, because she'd let go of him only once he'd left his booth.

Following her was no hardship, since he got to surreptitiously watch that sweet, heart-shaped fanny of hers move ahead of him in a determined locomotion of female-on-a-mission.

Sam must have dropped the ball somehow and upset his conquest. Ty couldn't remember seeing Jade so steamed before, the results of her temper obvious by the lack of a smile on her face and the light frown pulling her brows together. Poor Sam. Nice guy, but a bit too beta male—gentle, sweet, bearlike—for a heart-stopper like Jade.

It was known that women went for the alpha male, the bad boy in boots, which was something Justin Morant, Squint Mathison and sometimes Frog had in abundance. Okay, maybe not Frog; he was pretty beta as beta males went, somehow mellowing after life in the navy. Ty had worried about bringing Sam Barr along for The Plan, fearing he was too easygoing and nice and free-spirited—almost hippielike in his approach to life—then figured maybe BC had a librarian or a kindergarten teacher who might be looking for a plainspoken, existential bear of a man who wouldn't raise her blood pressure.

“Ty Spurlock,” Jade said, stopping so fast in the middle of the pavement that he had to reach out and grab her to keep from knocking her down, “who do you think you are?”

He registered soft female and sweet perfume in his arms before he reluctantly released Jade. “What do you mean?”

“I know all about your stupid Plan. And it really is stupid!”

He grinned. “Sam has a big mouth.”

“And you have a big head!”

Ty laughed. “Aw, Red. Don't worry.” He tugged her back into his arms for a hug disguised as brotherly, but which was just an excuse for him to hold her again. “I didn't leave you out. There are plenty of men to go around.” He hesitated, lost for a moment in the scent of peachy shampoo, and the feel of soft curves wriggling against him, before he started to give her a good, brotherly knuckle-rubbing on her scalp. Then his hand suddenly arrested as he realized the knuckle-rub wasn't as satisfying as he'd thought it would be.

Holy crap, she felt good. And sexy as hell.

Jade kicked his ankle, a smart blow he felt even through his jeans and boots. He released her, surprised. “What was that for?”

“You think you're
so
smart.”

“Look, Jade. There aren't enough men in this town, you know that. The ladies outnumber us four to one or something. Or ten to one. I'm just trying to do the right thing.”

She gazed at him, and he could see disgust heavy in her eyes. “I don't want you doing the right thing for me. Your right thing. Leave me out of The Plan.”

He shrugged. “Sweetcake, if you don't like the goods, don't buy them. But it looked like you might like Sam a little bit, from where I was sitting. Pretty cozy lunch the two of you were having.”

“So I should fall in with your plan and marry Sam? Is that how this is supposed to work?”

A streak of pain lanced Ty's heart, but just for a moment, and he ignored it for the greater good. “If you fall in love with one of the fine gentlemen I've brought to BC, I would call that a happy ending.”

“You're an ass, Ty Spurlock.”

He was honestly mystified. “It's no different than a blind date, if you think about it. You've been on a blind date before, haven't you?”

“Yes, but—”

“You'd participate in a bachelorette auction for charity, right? We do those events here every year. The Best Man's Fork run, the Bridesmaids Creek swim—”

“Am I going to the highest bidder?” she asked, and Ty recognized a warning tone in her voice, which he actually didn't want to hear. He moved quickly to soothe her and ameliorate any damage.

“Now, Jade, as one of Bridesmaids Creek's most generous supporters, you deserve nothing but the best. And I've brought my very best to BC. That being said, if you don't like the fellows, don't go out with them. Sam, Squint and Frog will find other ladies to chat with.” Ty tipped his hat, hoped he'd moved off the hot seat, and headed toward his truck with a sigh of relief.

Jade got in the passenger side before he'd even situated himself in the driver's seat. “And what about you? I noticed you left your name off the bachelor offerings.”

“I'm not eligible.” He started his truck, backing up. “If you're riding with me, buckle up. If not, advise me where I may drop you off. You wouldn't want to keep Sam waiting, I would presume.”

She gave him a decidedly annoyed eyeing. “You really are a jackass, aren't you?”

“So they say. You coming?”

Jade leaned back, buckled her seat belt. “I'm not done telling you off.”

“Fine by me. We ride together, but you may not like the destination.” He glanced at her, ridiculously happy to have Jade in his truck—and happy as hell that she wasn't back at The Wedding Diner being romanced by Sam.

Which was kind of bad, because Sam had only been doing what he'd come to BC to do: find a wife. Or at least that's what Ty had told Sam and the guys they wanted: a wife, and a chance to have a family, become dads. Ty had promised them that BC was ripe, full-to-bursting ripe, with ladies who would leap at the chance to run to the altar.

He sighed. “So what's the topic?”

“Topic?”

He looked at her long, slim legs in Wranglers, the dangerous look in her eyes. Curves in all the right places. Was pretty certain his libido was starting to smoke. “The topic you're in my truck to discuss.”

“Let's start with your Plan.”

“Everybody has to have one, little lady. Otherwise nothing ever gets done.” He rolled down his window, happy to smell fresh country air, be driving a truck in the greatest little town on earth, and have the most dynamite sexy redhead he knew glaring at him from the safety of her seat belt. “You have a problem with plans?”

“
The
Plan. The Plan that seems to start with you bringing bachelors to town, getting them married, and then you skittering off like a cockroach.”

“I see no problem with that plan. Sounds like all the holes are filled.” He frowned. “Maybe a slight quibble with the cockroach part. Don't think I ever saw myself in that role.” Ty brightened. “You could rephrase it as Ty rides off into the sunset, leaving behind a grateful town. A veritable hero, and the townspeople cheered their thanks.”

“Ass,” she murmured under her breath.

“Hero.”

“Okay, but say someone decides you're the catch of the day before you go—”

“Riding off like a
hero
.”

“Skittering off like—”

“It is understood by all,” he interrupted quickly, before she could bring up the roach bit again, because in the mood she apparently was in, she was going to get around to saying something about how roaches got squished under female boots, “that I've never been a marrying man. This has never even been questioned.”

“Ah, the happy, footloose, untamed cowboy.”

“Exactly,” he said, pleased now that they understood each other perfectly.

“Which is why you interrupted my lunch with Sam.”

“Why?”

“Because you don't think Sam's the man for me. Obviously.”

“Well,” Ty said, uncomfortably acknowledging that what she'd said held the ring of truth, “there are better options.”

“And who would those better options be? Because quite frankly, Sam suits me.”

“How?”

“He's nice. He's gentle. He says what he means. Unlike some people, who are full of baloney.”

Ty supposed she meant him. She certainly had that you're-the-guy-full-of-baloney tone in her voice. “I take it you're not happy I interrupted your lunch.”

“Face it, Ty, you've always been something of a showboat.”

“You mean I live life large.” He sneaked another glance at her shapely body, red-hot from the flaming topknot of hair to her boots. “I remember when you and I used to play with our friends all day in the fields. Ball, chase, Red Rover—if it was a game, we knew it.” He sighed. “I miss those days sometimes.” He didn't understand how his best friend had grown up to be such a siren. Jade had him tied in knots he wasn't sure could be undone, except maybe by some kind of spell. Or his absence. “I'll be leaving soon,” he said, reaching for the easiest knot to untie.

“Good,” she said pleasantly.

His lips twisted of their own accord. “Guess that means no going-away party.” Or kiss, for that matter.

“I wish you the best of luck. I hope you make it through BUD/S. You've worked hard enough to get there.”

He turned his head at the soft, earnest note to her voice, surprised. “I believe you mean that.”

“With all my heart.” She opened the door when he stopped at the last crosshatch of road at the town's edge. “See you around, Ty.”

“You can't get out here.” They were a good two miles from the main drag. He didn't want her to leave, anyway. He'd been enjoying having her in his truck, even though he sensed she had something urgent on her mind.

“I'll be fine. Sam followed us.”

She waved, closed the door, and as she headed to the truck behind his, which was indeed Sam Barr's vehicle, Ty's last glimpse of Jade was her sweet fanny as she got on the running board and scooted up into the passenger seat. He blinked, stunned by how fast he'd lost her. Damn Sam for being such a resourceful fellow, Ty thought, recognizing at the same time that Sam had many fine qualities, resourcefulness notwithstanding, or Ty would never have brought him here as an outstanding, trustworthy candidate to be won by the ladies of BC.

But he didn't have to be
so
darn resourceful.

* * *

“I
T
WAS
LIKE
taking candy from a baby,” Sam observed to his two friends as they perched in the bunkhouse at the Hanging H ranch. Their friend—and project—Justin Morant had married Mackenzie Hawthorne here not so many months ago, making himself the proud father of four little girls. Justin had kept the three amigos—as he called Squint, Sam and Frog—on at the Hanging H, saying he had big plans to expand the spread and operations. They would also need a lot of help when they put the Haunted H into full swing, the renaissance of Bridesmaids Creek's beloved “haunted” house and amusement place for kiddies and families. This October, they'd be putting the haunted back in the Hanging H, and BC was buzzing with the return of one of their most profitable and renowned projects.

“Candy from a baby?” Squint said. “Even a baby has better sense than Ty.”

Frog grinned. “I figure putting you up to following Ty around was a stroke of genius. There you were, the proverbial white knight, when Jade decided she needed a ride away from temptation.”

Sam sank into the leather sectional sofa in the comfortable bunkhouse, sighing with pleasure. “They say a man doesn't know what he's lost until it's gone. And the only way to capture Ty in his own snare is to make him think the bait is about to be stolen.”

They all crowed about that, lifting beer bottles to each other in victory.

“What we need is a real challenge,” Frog said.

The room went silent.

“I don't believe there's anything more challenging than getting Ty Spurlock to pull his head out of his butt,” Sam offered. “What do you have in mind?”

“Well, let's see.” Frog gazed at the ceiling. “The haunted house will start by the end of this month, for nine glorious months of family fun. Then BC kicks off Christmas Wonderland all over town, and Santa Claus takes over right after Thanksgiving. What do you say,” Frog said, warming to his idea, “if we give ourselves a two-week deadline to get Ty and Jade engaged?”

Squint looked at him doubtfully. “What you're really aiming for is to get Ty off the dime before he leaves for BUD/S. That's just not going to happen. You know as well as anyone, since you were by my side in Afghanistan, that a BUD/S candidate is encouraged to take care of any detail that might be a distraction before he gets to training. Along that topic, a candidate is also discouraged from taking on new decisions, such as a wife. I say hold your horses, there, son. BUD/S is serious stuff.”

“Then why are we doing this? Why are we trying to pull the rug out from under Ty?” Sam shook his head. “It'd be unfair to Jade if we're all going to wave goodbye to Ty in a couple of weeks, and her heart is broken.”

“That's why an engagement is even more important.” Frog nodded wisely. “No questions left unanswered.”

“There are too many questions,” Squint said direly. “You forget there was a murder here years ago that was never solved. Ty hasn't forgotten that the lack of an arrest was put down to his father's bungling of the investigation. He's not going to pop any questions until his dad's name is cleared. And the only way to clear it is to reopen the Haunted H, and let everyone see that the past is the past. Whatever happened then no longer matters.”

They considered that.

“I guess so,” Sam said. “We're not being fair to Jade, then. She doesn't want a man who's all hung up in his head.”

“No,” Frog agreed. “She'd be better off with you.”

“Yeah, but I don't want to settle down,” Sam declared. “I want to see Ty caught in his own trap!”