Jeannie Watt - To Tempt a Cowgirl

“My sister is coming later this morning.”

“She could have given you a ride.” He walked down the damp stone steps. Dani pulled her eyes away from his bare feet and fixed them back onto his face.

“I like walking.”

“I noticed. How’s the mare?”

“I put her in a stall in the barn. As far as I know, she’s still there.” She took a few steps closer, turning the keys over in her hands. “I saw your car...leave.”

“It’s a company car, so I figured it’d be best to have it checked out.”

“What company?”

“I doubt you’ve heard of it,” he said with a half smile. “I’m a consultant for a company that designs parks and gardens for towns and universities.”

“Does the company have a name?”

One of his eyebrows lifted slightly at the question. “Gabe Matthews, Consultant, LLC.”

“You’re forcing yourself into a vacation?”

“It was either that or a heart attack.”

“Do you have other employees?”

“I contract my help for the most part.”

Which only brought more questions to mind, but Dani forced herself to step back. Her neighbor’s business had nothing to do with her. “Well, let me know what the damages to your car are.”

“Danica, I don’t quite know how to break this to you, but you’re not paying.”

“I’m not?” The words came out on a note of challenge.

“That’s what insurance is for.”

“What about the deductible?”

“My company has a top-notch insurance policy. Low deductible.” He stepped onto the purplish flagstones. “I’ll tell you what you can do.”

“What’s that?” she asked, her eyes never leaving his. They were the most amazing stormy gray, and looked even grayer because of the shirt he was wearing.

“You can give me a ride to town when I get the call to pick it up.”

“I could do that,” Dani agreed. “And maybe even buy you lunch.” It seemed the least she could do. Then maybe she could get answers to the questions she probably shouldn’t be wondering about in the first place.

“Or dinner. My treat,” Gabe said.

“That isn’t exactly me buying you lunch.”

“You can buy a drink later.”

Dani shook her head. “Lunch.”

“I’m not hitting on you,” he said on a note of amused exasperation.

“You’re not?” she asked, cocking an eyebrow.

He smiled crookedly. “Maybe a little, but in a neighborly sort of way.”

And maybe that was a bit flattering, but Dani shifted into retreat mode. She still had some Chad issues to work through before diving back into the dating—or even the quick-drink—pool. “I don’t know you and I don’t go out with guys I don’t know.”

“How do we get to know each other?”

“I guess we go to lunch.” Because that was as far as she’d let things go, even if he was the best-looking guy she’d seen in forever.

“Lunch it is.”

* * *

OKAY. DANI BRODY truly was skittish. He had to take care not to appear to be hitting on her, but he had to admit, it was a bit difficult when everything in him reacted to her in a positive way. A very positive way. It didn’t help that she looked pretty damned delectable wearing jeans she probably hadn’t expected to be seen in since she’d arrived so damned early. Form-fitting, well-worn, frayed holes at the knees...he blew out a short breath, shaking his head as he watched her ass while she stepped up into the truck. Yeah, the woman could wear jeans.

She started the engine and with a quick wave swung the vehicle into a circle and drove past him. The old truck groaned as she shifted gears, and not because she was bad with a clutch. No, this was more of a transmission-on-its-last-legs groan. Well, when she sold the ranch to Widmeyer, she’d have plenty of money for transmissions. She could buy property elsewhere and set herself up in style. New house, new truck. Big barn. Just without quite as much acreage as she had now.

He went back into the house and almost turned around and went back out again. He’d been rattling around alone inside of the elegant box for three days and now, without the car, he had no means of escape. Granted, he had work to do, but he preferred to work in the evenings, losing himself in his plans until somewhere along the line he realized it was early morning and he needed to go to bed. That was what had happened last night and it’d only been a fluke that he’d woken up and glanced out the huge window next to his bed to see Dani walking down the drive.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. When his friend Neal Widmeyer answered he said simply, “I’m going to need more to work on while I’m here to keep from going stir-crazy. Have anything you can send my way?”

“Not at the moment,” his friend said. “Go mingle with the locals.”

“I have no wheels.” Briefly he gave a rundown of what had happened and then Neal laughed.

“Sounds like you have your pretty neighbor right where you want her—beholden to you for not suing.”

“True,” Gabe said. “But she’s not very friendly.” Actually that wasn’t totally true. She was friendly, but only superficially so. She had barriers that Gabe was going to have to work around.

“I know charm is not your strong suit, but you’ll have to see what you can do. Push the envelope.”

“What are you talking about? I’m charming.” Gabe settled his hip against the black granite countertop, staring across the room at the state-of-the-art stainless-steel range and cooktop. Maybe he could take up cooking.

“No. You have money. There’s a difference.”

“You’re saying woman only like me because of my money?”

“Pretty much.”

“Bullshit. They like me because of my... Never mind.”

“Dream on,” Neal laughed. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re getting to know Ms. Brody. I’ve never seen Dad so determined to bring in a project.”

“Probably because he’s never been bent over and so thoroughly screwed by someone he trusted.” Gabe crossed to the front door and stepped outside to look out across the fields at the Lightning Creek Ranch. He could just see the rooftops of the two barns between the tall poplar trees. “Let him know that I’m doing my best to help him rectify matters.”

“Can you hurry?” Neal was only half-kidding.

Gabe gave a soft snort. “I don’t think this is a hurrying situation.” And even though Stewart was showing uncharacteristic signs of impatience, Gabe intended to approach the matter methodically, just as Stewart had taught him.

“You’re right. Best not to hurry and screw things up further.” He cleared his throat, then asked, “Did you hear from Serena?”

“Off on her vacation and she swears she won’t check in.”

“Right. Well, when she doesn’t check in, will you have her call me?”

“Uh, sure.” Gabe wondered why Neal didn’t simply call her himself, but decided against asking questions. At least not at this point in time.

“Thanks. If I find any work, I’ll send it, and in the meantime I know Dad’s fine with you picking up contracts.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Not with your charm.”

Gabe hung up and smiled. When he and Neal had first met, neither had seen their friendship lasting so long. Why would they have? They’d had nothing in common except for being forced to work at the same youth center during the summer before their freshman year. Neal had been there because his father had wanted him to see how the other half lived and Gabe because his youth probation officer had thought it was a good idea. Meanwhile, Gabe’s best friend, Sam Cody, had been enjoying all summer had to offer. Gabe had been pissed and Neal had been doing his best to rebel against Stewart—while still showing up for work on time.