Midnight Ride

The corners of Tyler’s mouth lifted. “I think that’s a very good idea. I can’t think of a better way to start a morning than greeting the day with a beautiful woman and some good coffee.”

His stare was so intense upon her that she felt her cheeks heat. She couldn’t exactly say thank you since he hadn’t said she was that beautiful woman he’d been referring to, but the implication had been there. Judging by the look in his eyes as they focused solely on her, his meaning was clear.

“Then I’ll see what I can do . . . about Rohn’s coffee, that is. It’s the least I can do to pay you back for your work on the fence.” Desperate to get out from under his gaze, she threw out that response and then turned toward the counter to add sugar to her own mug.

“I’ll look forward to it.” There was amusement in Tyler’s voice as it came from much closer to her than she expected.

He leaned past her to set the container of half-and-half on the counter next to her. The move put him close enough that the combined scents of manly deodorant and good clean sweat hit her. That, along with the warmth radiating off his body as he brushed against her before moving back, had her hyperaware of Tyler. He was a man and she was a woman. Her body knew it and didn’t care he was younger and she was a fool to even think of him that way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIDNIGHT
Ride

C
AT
J
OHNSON

ZEBRA BOOKS
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com

All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

Table of Contents

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

John Dollar, the inspiration for my tattooed Oklahoma bad boy, Tyler.

The Alaskan cowboys, Rohn and Colton, for the use of their names.

The bloggers and reviewers who support me—Slick, Kelly, Dawn, Terri, Kathy, Kim, Tanya, Brenda, Anna, Laura, and Moddiker, just to mention a few of the many.

Eliza Gayle, my sounding board and fellow strategist in navigating the many twists and turns of this crazy publishing world. Together, we chased our dream, and made it all the way to the top of the
New York Times
bestseller list.

The Joseph’s Fine Foods crew in Drumright, Oklahoma, who I finally got to meet in person.

My fellow authors, always there with a kind word, a hearty congratulation, a kick in the butt for motivation, and a strong shoulder to lean on.

The men who are my consultants and inspiration, whether they wear combat or cowboy boots.

My cowboy-loving Tweethearts around the world—you know who you are. Some I’ve met, and some I haven’t, but I feel as if I know you all.

Chance Butterfield, the Canadian steer wrestler who took time to answer my question on Twitter.

The Book Obsessed Chicks who have so generously welcomed me into their hearts and homes. You know how much I love you!

Finally, my readers, old and new, near and far. Too many to mention by name, but all important. Some make me handmade gifts. Others send cards. Some, I’m amazed and humbled to say, have tattoos of my tagline. More than all that, every one shows me they care and encourages me to go on when it would be too easy to quit. For that I will be forever grateful.

Chapter One

There was something about a really good, down-home barbecue joint that made Tyler Jenkins happy, deep down all the way through his stomach and to his very soul.

Of course, to meet his very high culinary standards, it couldn’t be one of those bullshit places that pretended to be real. It had to be authentic, or why bother? If all the restaurant did was slap some sauce on a piece of meat and call it barbecue, he might as well go to a fast food chain.

To be worth his time and money, there had to be smoke, and lots of it. He wanted to smell it in the air as they slow-cooked the meat out back. He wanted to taste it the moment the food hit his tongue.

Like most things worth doing, getting that kind of result took time. Hours. All day, in fact. Only the best places devoted that kind of time and effort. Where he sat now was one of those places.

It looked like nothing from the road. A run-down shack with an old RV parked next to it. A couple of wooden picnic tables inside and a couple more out front by the parking lot, each with a roll of paper towels set out on top for customers to wipe their hands and mouths.

That was the extent of it, except for the most important part—the smoker. The big steel barrel pumped a mouthwatering cloud of meat-laden smoke into the air.

Yes, sir, there was everything right with this place. Incredibly good food that was fast and cheap—everything Tyler looked for.

As he sat with the sun beating down on his shoulders and the wide brim of his cowboy hat shading his eyes, he was in heaven. He shoved another piece of marbled brisket between his lips, and a burst of flavor filled his mouth. He couldn’t help the sound of appreciation that rumbled from deep within him.

It might very well be hereditary in the Jenkins men—this appreciation for fine barbecue. Tyler’s older brother Tucker had his own favorite place in Drumright. Tuck would travel quite a distance if he had to, and drive hours to get his favorite smoked meat. It must be in their genes, right along with the other Jenkins traits—dark hair, blue eyes, an appreciation for the gentler sex, a love of all things rodeo, and, of course, the ability to sniff out good food.

Closing his eyes to better enjoy every subtle nuance, he absorbed how the smoky taste stuck around for a while. He could feel it settling in on the back of his throat for a nice long stay, even after he’d swallowed the beef.

Another sound of pure appreciation grumbled from within him. Two things made Tyler purr like a house cat from total contented satisfaction, but only one of them was something he could do out in public. “Mmm, mmm. This right here is good enough to make you want to smack your own ass.”

With a forkful of jalapeño macaroni and cheese poised in midair, Tyler’s boss let out a laugh. “You ain’t kidding. How’d you find this place to begin with? There isn’t even a sign out front.”

Tyler laughed at the older man. “Rohn, please. There are two things I can always find—women and food. I’ve been working for you at the ranch for long enough, you should know that by now.”

The truth was, the scent of smoked meat and the telltale trail from the smoker rising into the air like a beacon had first led him here.

The building was partially hidden from the road by a hardware store in front of it. The OPEN banner blowing in the breeze from a pole stuck in the dirt along the road hadn’t told Tyler what the hidden establishment sold, but the scent in the air sure had. He could sniff out good barbecue a mile away. He was certainly glad he’d swung the truck onto the dirt of the parking lot that day.

His dining companion dipped his head. “You’re right, Ty. My apologies. You are the master when it comes to all pleasures of the flesh.”

“Thank you.” Tyler accepted the compliment from the older man with a tip of his hat.

“How old are you again?” Rohn asked between mouthfuls.

“Twenty-four. Turning twenty-five shortly.” Single, young, healthy, and living the dream. Tyler couldn’t ask for anything more. Well, maybe another order of cornbread.

“Twenty-four.” Rohn shook his head. “Damn. At that age I was already married to Lila and working my ass off to pay the note on the ranch.” The man got the same faraway look in his eyes Tyler had seen there whenever he talked about his late wife.

Rohn had lost her to cancer a few years ago, but it was clear he still missed her badly. It had to be lonely living on the ranch with nobody for company except the guys he hired to help him out with the stock during the day.

Tyler couldn’t bring Rohn’s wife back, but he could do something about his boss being alone and cooped up in that house every night. “So, Colton and I are fixin’ to go out. Why don’t you come with us?”

Rohn’s hair and his closely cropped beard had already begun to show strands of steely gray, but it suited him. The man probably hadn’t turned fifty yet. He kept himself in good shape, physically. There were a lot of women who’d find him plenty attractive, but he sure as hell wouldn’t find them while hunkered down in his living room.

“Me? Go out with you two tonight? What the hell would I do out with you and Colton?” Rohn’s brows rose beneath his cowboy hat.

“I don’t know. There’s plenty to do at the bar.” Tyler shrugged. “You could knock back a few cold ones. Shoot some pool.”

“Look like a fool hanging around with you two young bucks and sniffing around women young enough I could be their father?” Rohn laughed while shaking his head.

“Aw, come on. That’s not how it would be at all.”

“No?”

“No. I’ve seen some old—er men and women at the places where we go out.” Tyler had had to scramble to cover that he’d almost called his boss
old
. He hid his cringe and tried for some damage control. “Hell, it’s never too late. I know a guy who’s forty. Logan Hunt. He grew up next door to my parents’ house and is real good friends with my brother. Anyway, he just got married for the first time in August and now he and his wife have a baby.”

If his longtime friend Logan could meet a woman, get married, and have a kid at forty, Rohn should at least be able to go out and have a little fun.

Rohn swung his head from side to side and let out a snort of a laugh. “Yeah. Thanks for the words of encouragement, but no. You two have fun. Just don’t come in to work dragging your ass tomorrow morning. We got a shitload of work to get done.”

“Yes, sir.” He stabbed his fork into another piece of meat. The marbled brisket would serve well to coat his stomach in preparation for the beer he’d be consuming later. He was intent on his barbecue until Rohn let out a sigh that had Tyler glancing up. “What’s wrong?”

“Having young guys like you and Colton and Justin at the ranch . . . it’s starting to make me feel old.”

“You’re only as old as you feel, and that’s exactly the reason you should come out with us tonight.” With his brisket still poised on his fork, Tyler made sure he emphasized the point before he finally shoved the meat into his mouth. It was a sentiment he truly believed.

“Maybe next time.” The tone of the older man’s answer said pretty much the opposite of his words.

It wasn’t in Tyler to give up easily, but there wasn’t much he could do if his boss was dead set against coming. He swallowed and nodded. “A’ight. We’ll be at the Two-Step, if you change your mind.”

“The Two-Step? Jesus.” Rohn laughed. “Is that place still standing?”

It was a valid question. The local hangout had been around forever. It had definitely seen better days, but Tyler loved every rickety old board of it. The whole run-down, hometown atmosphere.

Tyler grinned. “It is, but the floor is so crooked that the last time I was there I had to shove some shims under one end of the pool table just to keep the balls on the felt long enough for a game.”

That had been a good night. He’d walked out with a wad of cash from winning at pool and with a girl on his arm to warm his truck seat for an hour or so.

Life got hectic sometimes, and it had been too long since he’d visited the Two-Step. He was glad Colton had suggested going tonight.

“I used to go there when I was your age. That floor always did lean a bit toward the back bar. I can tell you, I would use that fact to my advantage when I was shooting pool against any out-of-towners who didn’t know about it.” A twinkle lit Rohn’s eyes and Tyler saw hope. He might be able to get him to come out after all.

“They’ve got a two-for-one beer special tonight.” He dangled that carrot as inspiration to sway Rohn’s decision.

The Two-Step had dollar drinks for ladies, too, which was the main reason he and Colton were going. Tyler didn’t think the possibility of many—not to mention very drunk—women being at the bar would encourage Rohn to join them, so he kept that tidbit to himself. Plenty of time to ease the man back into the world of dating, but first they had to get him out of his house. Baby steps.

Rohn screwed up his mouth beneath his mustache. “Nah. You guys go and have a good time.”

“Oh, we will. Don’t you worry about that.” He’d work some more on Rohn and his love life later on. As for tonight, Tyler was going to have a whole lot of fun, hopefully while surrounded by a whole lot of women.

A man was only young once. He was going to take full advantage of this time in his life, because when he settled down, it would be for keeps. When he asked for a woman’s hand, he intended it to be for a lifetime. That, however, hadn’t happened yet, and it probably wasn’t going to for a long while, even if all the single people around him seemed to be pairing off.

It seemed most folks he knew were dropping like flies after being bitten by the love bug. His brother Tuck had gotten married again, just when they all thought he never would after the disastrous end to his first marriage. He seemed happy enough.

Hell, even his little sister Tara was settled down and seriously dating Tuck’s buddy Jace. That was all fine and good for them, but not for Tyler . . . yet.

He didn’t discount the fact that it could happen at any time. He just hadn’t found the person he wanted to spend more than a few weeks with, never mind a lifetime. He certainly didn’t plan on finding the future Mrs. Jenkins at the Two-Step’s ladies’ night.

Nope. Tonight’s goal was to consume a good amount of hops and barley, and sow some wild oats. That way, when he finally did meet the right girl and the time came for him to retire his single status, he’d be good and ready to do so. He’d settle down and turn in his player card after he’d lived a full life of fun, but not one minute before.

As for the here and now, Tyler was good and ready to devour some more of his tasty barbecue. He and his boss had to finish eating before they headed back to the ranch, where they’d left Colton to handle the last of the afternoon chores.

The lumber that Rohn and Tyler had picked up while in town was in the back of the truck. They’d all unload that, and once they’d dumped the wood behind the shed they’d be fixing tomorrow, Tyler’s workday would be done. He’d shower and then he and Colton would be off for fun and good times at the Two-Step.

All the best stuff in life was right there within his grasp. Life was good and he was going to live it to the fullest. With that thought, Tyler tucked into the remainder of his brisket.

He let the flavors take him away to his happy place—the place where his belly was full and there were cold beer and hot girls in his near future.