Vicki Thompson - In The Cowboy's Arms

Matt was the first to move. “Let me take that.” He came forward and divested her of the bag.

“Thank you.”

He gave her a curt nod. “You’re welcome. Mom, where should I put it?”

“The green bedroom’s all made up.”

“Right.” He disappeared down a hallway.

“Hi, Geena.” Lexi walked over to shake her hand. “I’m Lexi Simmons and this is my fiancé, Cade Gallagher.”

Cade touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am.” The greeting, polite but with no warmth, was identical to the farewell Damon had given her a while ago.

“I’m Herb, Rosie’s husband.” The wiry guy had kind eyes and a firm grip. “Welcome to Thunder Mountain.”

“Thank you.” She swallowed a lump of nervousness. “I’m glad to be here.”

“And we’re pleased to have you.” Rosie said it as if daring anyone to contradict her.

Geena couldn’t remember when she’d felt less sure of herself. “Look, you were all doing something before I barged in here, so please continue.”

“We were working on a dance step,” Lexi said. “I don’t suppose you’d want to learn—”

“Why not?” Geena nudged off her heels and put them in a corner.

“Before you get into that,” Rosie said, “are you hungry? Can I make you a sandwich?”

“I’m starving.” Her hunger pangs wouldn’t allow her to say anything but the truth. “I headed out here as soon as I picked up the rental.” Her gaze swept the room. “I knew it was late, although I didn’t realize how late. I apologize for that.”

“Then let me fix you something. Any issues? Food allergies?”

“I’ll be grateful for anything, but let me make it myself. I don’t expect to be waited on.”

Rosie waved her off. “Tomorrow I’ll put you to work, but tonight relax and enjoy yourself. What do you want to drink?”

“Water, please.”

“That’s it? How about an adult beverage?”

Geena considered where she was and what they might have on hand. Under the circumstances, alcohol would be welcome. “A beer would be great.”

Matt came back at that moment. “I’ll get it. You can sample my brother’s brew.” He said it with enormous pride before leaving the room.

“Cade?” She glanced to him. “You make beer?”

“Oh, no, not me. That would be Finn O’Roarke. He has a microbrewery in Seattle. Very successful.” His gaze issued a challenge. “We have a lot of talent in the brotherhood. Brewers, lawyers, horse trainers, firefighters. You name it, we got it.”

“Impressive. You called it a brotherhood. What’s that all about?”

“Nothing.” Matt arrived and handed her an open bottle of beer and a glass before turning to glare at Cade. “Absolutely nothing.”

“Yeah.” Cade exchanged a glance with Matt. “Just a figure of speech. Not important.”

Geena didn’t push it, but her PR instincts were telling her that if Matt belonged to a group calling themselves the brotherhood, she needed to pay attention. A public apology for the kiss didn’t interest her anymore, now that she knew Matt would have to lie in order to make one. But apparently he had a rich tradition of family and loyalty.

She could work the heck out of that angle. Fans would love to know that he was part of a close-knit group of foster brothers who’d grown up on a working ranch. Talk about wholesome. She wasn’t sure what would be the best promo vehicle to get the story out, but it probably didn’t matter. Judging from his reaction so far, he’d never let that story be told.

Chapter Four

Matt hadn’t wanted Geena anywhere near his family, and yet here she was, and damned if she didn’t fit in much better than he could have predicted. Barefoot and wearing a tight skirt that restricted her movements, she still managed to execute the dance moves Cade and Lexi taught her.

Worse yet, she was very appealing doing it. No, not just appealing. The glasses paired with her excellent sense of rhythm created a dynamite combination of brains and sexy moves.

In the months he’d known Geena he’d had many inappropriate thoughts about her, even though mostly she’d sat behind her desk while they talked. She wasn’t behind her desk now, and every time she wiggled her hips, his johnson gave a twitch in response.

She was making inroads with his family members, too. His mom had defected immediately and he wanted to know what those two had talked about outside. Lexi and Herb had both warmed to her, as well. Cade had been a holdout for quite a while, but her willingness to learn the new dance step was slowly winning him over.

Then Rosie brought in Geena’s sandwich and everyone took a break. Matt fetched some chips and more of Finn’s beer from the fridge in the rec room. That was another thing. Earlier, Geena had put down the glass he’d brought her and was drinking from the bottle like everyone else. It was a small thing, but small things added up. She was easy to be with.

While Geena ate, the group lounged on the displaced furniture and talked about Thunder Mountain Academy. Matt hadn’t wanted Geena to know anything about that, either, but it was a logical topic because several chores were in the works during this break between sessions.

Geena seemed fascinated by every aspect of the program. Matt’s family softened even more in response to her enthusiasm. It wasn’t artificial enthusiasm, either. That was a quality he’d liked about her from the beginning. Hollywood was crawling with fakes, but Geena never pretended to be something she wasn’t.

Perfect example—she could have arrived all duded up in an effort to present herself as a cowgirl. Instead, she’d worn the type of clothes he’d always seen her in. This was his first glimpse of her bare toes, however. She’d propped her feet up on the coffee table and he couldn’t help noticing her sea-blue polish. And her delicate ankles and shapely calves.

He looked away. The situation was complicated enough already.

“Do you ride?” Lexi asked her.

“I don’t know the first thing about horses.” Geena finished off her sandwich. “I take that back. I know what a Clydesdale is because I’ve seen the commercials. My hat’s off to whoever came up with the idea of using them to market beer.”

Lexi smiled. “Yeah, everybody loves those big ol’ horses, me included. I just thought you might be a rider since you’re so interested in the academy.”

“I wouldn’t mind trying it sometime, but I’d be a total beginner.”

“Want to try it while you’re here?”

Matt bit back a groan. That was so Lexi, eager to introduce the uninitiated to the wonders of horseback riding. That was why she was such a good teacher, but in this case he wished she’d zip her lip.

“I’d love to, but all I brought to wear was stuff like this.” Geena gestured to her skirt and jacket.

“I can find you some clothes and boots,” Rosie said. “I’ve stocked up on spare items for the students.”

“I don’t know. I’m pretty tall.”

“So are some of the girls we get here. I try to be prepared when pants get ripped and kids come with expensive boots that shouldn’t be worn to muck out stalls.”

“So they have to be financially well-off to attend?”

“At first they did.” Herb hadn’t spoken much but this was a favorite topic of his. “We’re working on changing that. We already have one scholarship opportunity thanks to Ben Radcliffe, a local saddle maker who conducts a class every semester. We’re looking for more sponsors. There are plenty of kids who would benefit but don’t have the tuition.”

“I’ll offer a scholarship,” Matt said. “I can probably handle two or three if the money stays good. I can’t believe I haven’t thought of it before.”