Always a Cowboy (16 page)

“Her cats are named that?” Luce went to grab her purse. “That's clever!”

“She's an artist, what can I say?” Blythe laughed. “I love her free spirit. She's beautiful, too, but I don't think she realizes it, just like you. She's a jeans kind of girl. What you have on right now is perfectly okay.”

That was a nice compliment—the one about being beautiful—but she didn't think Blythe was exactly unbiased.

If Drake loved her, the entire Carson family was going to love her, too. Hands down, no questions asked. They were that sort of family. Look at how they treated Raine, the mother of Slater's child, even though she and Slater were never married. Regardless, she was part of the family.

The drive into Mustang Creek wasn't too long. They pulled into the driveway of a small well-kept house with a neat yellow car. Blythe parked her sleek Mercedes next to it and twirled her hand. “We're here. Get in tune with your creative side. She has a display of her work, but mostly she does commissioned pieces. That's excluding what she sells to the shops in town.”

Melody Hogan answered the door in jeans and an old T-shirt that announced she'd graduated from Mustang High School. As Blythe had said, she was strikingly beautiful, a vibrant, energetic blonde. A baby wailed somewhere in the background.

With a smile, Melody said, “Welcome to the land of chaos. We're having green beans today and, as you've no doubt guessed,
somebody
around here hates anything green.” The child's cries escalated, and Melody winced. “Sorry about the noise.”

“If you think I haven't heard a baby cry before, think again,” Blythe said, obviously right at home. “Melody, this is Lucinda Hale—aka Luce. Her mother's a dear friend of mine, and I need a special anniversary gift for her.” She waved one hand. “Go handle the green bean crisis. We'll check out some of the pieces on display in your studio.”

Melody Logan nodded gratefully. “Look around all you want. I'll be back.” She sighed, heading for a nearby door. “Bananas?” she muttered to herself. “Or mashed carrots?”

Smiling, Blythe led the way to Melody's studio-gallery. The space was cozy and colorfully cluttered and, somehow, elegant, too. There were cases of jewelry, bracelets and earrings, and unique custom-made clocks on the walls, along with a few paintings, mostly landscapes.

A couch stood near the fireplace, currently occupied by three napping cats so similar that they might have been cloned. A worktable scattered with sketches and a baby monitor sat next to a computer.

Luce was immediately drawn to the charm bracelets, one of which would be a perfect gift for her sister's upcoming birthday. She was particularly interested in a charm that featured a mother's hand clasping a baby's.

“Do you suppose Melody would do a horse charm?” Suddenly inspired, she pulled up the picture on her phone. “Look at this little guy. He and I just met today.”

“Melody would do it.” Blythe's mouth held the hint of a smile and there was a twinkle in her eye. “You should give it to Drake.”

That made her laugh as she pictured one of these delicate pieces on his brawny wrist. “I was thinking of me, but he won't approve of that, either. He and Smoke have a love/hate relationship.”

“He told me you named the stallion. I hadn't seen him up close until that image Slater's film crew took. He really is a beauty. I like the name Smoke. It suits him.” Blythe turned back to the display. “Look at these gorgeous rings. Get Melody to show you her engagement ring. My friend Lettie Arbuckle tricked her into making it, and Melody didn't know it was intended for her. It's truly a work of art.”

As far as Luce could tell, everything was.

When Melody came back, there was a suspicious yellow stain on her shirt, and she was shaking her head and laughing. “Nap time. Even the bananas were rejected. But give him the right stuffed animal and he's out like a light. It's nice to have a nursery here where I work. Now, what did you have in mind?”

“Like I said, I need an anniversary gift, but it actually has to be for both of them.” Blythe gestured at one of the pieces in a display case. “I remember you made Lettie a set of rings that would fit on the neck of a wine bottle. They each had a charm. My friends live in Napa, so a wine-related gift works well. They entertain a lot, so I'd need six of them. Would it be possible for you to do this in two weeks?”

Melody nodded. “Of course. The ring and the chain aren't the issue. I need an idea about the charms. Want them all the same or six different?”

“I was thinking the letter
H
, done in pewter.” Blythe turned to Luce. “Sound good?”

It did; it sounded like a very tasteful gift and perfect for her parents. But Luce had already cottoned on to the fact that this wasn't why she'd been invited on Blythe's shopping expedition. She waited for it—and she didn't have to wait long. Very casually, Blythe said, “Oh, Melody, please show Luce your ring. I was telling her how lovely it is.”

Drake was going to die laughing when he heard that one of the “conniving matchmakers” had invited her on an excursion to look at engagement rings. Melody extended her hand. The ring, a sapphire surrounded by small diamonds, was exquisite. “I wasn't aware I was making it for myself,” Melody explained, “but maybe you've heard that story.”

Might as well play along. “Gorgeous,” she said with a smile, “and yes, I've heard it.”

“Blythe is about to ask you if that would be the kind of ring you'd like and what center stone you'd choose. She'll do it wearing her most innocent face. I have informants in the Carson household.”

“That Grace!” Blythe threw up her hands. “What a traitor. If I didn't adore her and she wasn't about to give me a grandchild, I'd be offended. I'm just trying to help my son, who's a wonderful person but who's likely to walk into a jewelry store somewhere, squint at the case for five seconds and then say, ‘That one looks fine to me.' Now, if he was buying her a saddle, he'd really take his time and know what he was doing.”

Luce was touched
and
amused. One of the cats rose and yawned and then stretched and the other two did the same thing. They settled back down, facing the opposite direction, once again in the same pose.

“We haven't even discussed marriage. He hasn't asked me yet.”

“He will,” Blythe said with conviction.

Melody echoed that. “From what I hear, he will.”

Luce's phone beeped, signaling an incoming text—from Drake.
Dinner out? Just us?

Was that timing or what?

She responded,
Yes.
Then she told Melody, “Should the subject ever come up, I've always loved rubies.”

“Good choice.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

D
RAKE
WAS
ABSURDLY
nervous and couldn't understand why.

The evening ahead was no big deal, just dinner at the resort his sister-in-law managed.

Calmly, Drake changed into a white button-down shirt and tan slacks, thought about wearing a tie, but he'd have to borrow it from Slater, since he didn't own one. Hated the things actually.

Finally, when he figured he was as presentable as he was going to get, he texted Luce.

Meet me downstairs in five minutes?

Hey, Cowboy,
she texted back.
I'm already down here, ready and waiting. If you're primping, stop it. I've seen you covered in dirt and you've seen me sopping wet.

He couldn't stop himself.
Not to mention, naked. That was the best part. Be right there.

Taking Luce—or anybody else—out for a formal dinner was a little out of character for Drake, but he wanted more one-on-one time with her.

When he got downstairs and saw Luce, he had to catch his breath.

Hot damn, she looked good. She wore a skinny black dress, shoes with heels and some sort of long sweater in a silvery gray. All that luxurious hair was loose and she'd gone a little Hollywood with the makeup, compared to her usual outdoorsy style. It wasn't excessive or anything and he definitely approved.

Drake wasn't a hermit. He dated, but not very often, since he was always working. Occasionally, he'd meet someone through friends or at community events, and he'd even gotten semiserious a time or two, especially back in college. So far, though, he'd never met anyone like Luce.

Maybe because there
was
no one like her.

He gave her a deliberate once-over. “Damn.”

That
was eloquent. He wanted to groan at his own awkwardness, but she laughed, so maybe it wasn't too bad. “I was going to say that about you,” she said.

He opened the front door and, for the second time in two nights, ordered Violet and Harold to stay. They both looked disappointed—those two had expressive canine faces—but they immediately sat down.

As they went down the steps toward his truck, Luce asked him, “How did you train them so well? My mother's Yorkies are the cutest dogs, but it took obedience school to get them to listen. I can't picture you doing that.”

“I got them as puppies and I just talked to them. They caught on fast. Animals are so much smarter than most people give them credit for. It's just a question of whether they choose to go with what you tell them to do. They both learned right away that if they didn't do what I asked, I wouldn't take them with me the next time. So they do it. These two have to be some of the best herding dogs anywhere.”

“I believe it.” Somehow she managed, even in that skimpy dress, to get gracefully into the passenger seat of his truck. In retrospect, he should've borrowed his mother's expensive classy car. His truck was expensive, too, but probably not what a lady wanted to ride in to a nice dinner.

She didn't seem to mind.

“What a beautiful evening. Very different from last night.” She gazed out the window as they went down the drive. “Wyoming has such beautiful sunsets. I love the mountains.”

He did, too. “California doesn't do too poorly in that department, either. I've visited my grandparents fairly often, especially when I was younger.”

Luce gave him a sidelong look. “I'm surprised we never met. My mother's always throwing some sort of party and your grandparents always come.”

He shrugged. “For all I know, we did. Remember, I'm a lofty six years older than you. Until I turned twenty-four, you were beneath my notice.” His grin held a tinge of humor. “Not to mention underage, and I don't do that any more than I do casual. By the time I graduated from college, the ranch was waiting for me. It's far easier for my grandparents to visit here than the reverse.”

He didn't add that elaborate social events bored the hell out of him, and they had his entire life. Even as a kid he'd preferred taking a long afternoon ride or reading a good book in a secluded place, preferably outdoors.

“Speaking of which, I'm hoping a specific weekend will be convenient for us to fly out there.”

Uh-oh. “Why?” he asked cautiously.

“An anniversary party for my parents.”

He almost groaned at that announcement. He managed to stifle it, but only just.

She added lightly, “I believe your mother's also invited.”

“My mother? That should be a relaxing, romantic trip.”

“You were looking for romantic? That's reassuring.”

“After last night, do you doubt it? But the idea of meeting your whole family, with my mother right there, sounds worse than a root canal.”

“You'll like them. Anyway, I'm going to change the subject. I really want that new colt—Smoke's baby. I sent you his picture.”

He stopped dead in the very act of pulling out of the drive onto the county highway, hitting the brakes and looking over at her incredulously. “What exactly would you do with it?”

“Eventually ride him.” Her mouth was set in a firm line and she stared straight ahead.

“I see.” He didn't discount the possibility that she could do anything she set her mind to because she'd succeeded quite often in his opinion. Her plan to study wild horses in unfamiliar territory didn't seem as illogical as he'd originally thought. She could handle herself well outdoors, and quite frankly, she'd managed to get a lot closer to the herd than he had. In his defense, he didn't have all day to sit around taking pictures and writing notes, but still... Luce had shown dedication and resolve.

He knew he'd have to tell her he was rounding up help to move the horses. She'd asked for time, and the two weeks they'd agreed to were up.

“He'll need his mother for a while,” he said calmly. “Red can train a horse like nobody else, but he's getting a little old to hit the ground that often. Slate, Mace or I can do that part.”

“I can have him, then? The foal?”

“I sure as hell want that mare back, so yes, if we can work it out.”
Here comes the hard part.
“If you want that horse, you'll have to move to Wyoming, Luce.”

“Mind clarifying that?”

He gave an exasperated sigh. “You know what I'm saying.”

“I'm not sure I do.” She'd finally turned to look at him. “Drake, if there's a question dangling in there, just ask me.”

So he did. “Marry me?”

“We've known each other less than a month and slept together once.”

“The amount of time that's elapsed since you started annoying the hell out of me doesn't really matter, and thank you very much, but it was more than once last night, remember? I'll feel vaguely insulted if you don't.”

Her laugh was encouraging. “Oh, yeah, I remember. You do know how to charm a girl, by the way.
Annoying the hell out of you?
”

“Maybe that wasn't well put. How about—annoying the ever-lovin' hell out of me. Better? I could elaborate and tell you that I think about you all day instead of concentrating on what I should be doing, I've had more sappy thoughts since I met you than in my whole life and I've even wondered if our children would have my eyes or yours. That's it. I'm done.”

She was quiet, her face averted. Then she said, “That could be the best proposal in history. Yes.”

“Yes?” He swerved a little, then straightened the truck.

“Yes.”

Well, that was settled. He muttered, “So, I think I should meet your parents. I mean, before we tell the world.”

Now she was truly smiling. “That is so sweet—and so old-fashioned.”

He smiled at her. “I like to do things right.”

She let that one pass. There were plenty of things Drake Carson “did right”—in and out of bed. “We'll figure something out.”

“Hungry?”

She nodded.

“Me, too,” he answered. “Let's go to dinner, have a glass of Mountain Vineyards wine and see what Stefano has on the menu for tonight. I had the lobster ravioli last time I was there, and while Harry is a wizard, that's not in her repertoire.”

“It sounds like I'm going to have a remarkable evening.” She looked him right in the eyes and hers were luminous. “You have no idea how happy I am.”

Wrong. He was just as happy. Maybe happier.

* * *

S
HE
TEXTED
B
ETH
, just two words, as Drake went to park the car after dropping her off at the entrance to the resort.

He asked.

The reply was immediate.
I knew it!

You can't say a word to anyone. Drake wants Mom and Dad to know before we make any announcements.

I won't say a word. If I wasn't breast-feeding I'd drink a glass of champagne to celebrate. See you soon. Can't wait to meet him.

Well, she'd had to tell
someone
and her sister was a logical choice. She was tempted to tell Grace, too, since they were becoming friends. But Grace was married to Drake's brother and part of sharing a life was, after all, sharing everything. When Drake chose to tell his family they were engaged was up to him.

The resort was perfect for the area, rustic but classy. Luce could tell that while it catered to affluent clients, there was no sense of exclusivity. Western-style hospitality was the attitude, and the theme of the decor, too.

Drake steered her toward the restaurant entrance with a hand on her elbow. The place was high-end but low-key, she thought with admiration. The art was impressive—spectacular landscapes, exquisite horses, portraits of Native Americans in ceremonial dress. Several pieces were obviously Melody Hogan's work, such as the clever mobile fashioned from old spurs and stirrups.

Soft instrumental music played, and the tables were beautifully set, with white cloths, candles and gleaming china and silverware. A distinct change from Bad Billy's.

“Lovely,” Luce said as they were shown to their table and Drake pulled out her chair. “But I would expect that with Grace in charge.”

“She's a perfectionist. So is Slater. No wonder they get along so well.” Drake sat down and smiled in a way that suddenly made her feel vulnerable. “I'd love it if you told me what makes
us
get along so well—despite our differences. Quite frankly, I can't quite put a finger on it.”

“A love of adventure?” she suggested. “Or that I annoy the hell out of you.”

“Could be,” he agreed. “I—”

When he stopped in midspeech, Luce first thought it was because the waitress had arrived with their menus, but it took her about two seconds to realize that wasn't it.

The nervous waitress passed them the leather-bound menus with a tremulous smile. “Hi, Drake. It's good to see you. Can I get you all a drink?”

“Danielle. I didn't know you were working here.” His voice was even, but the impassive look on his face spoke volumes. “How are you?”

“Getting a divorce. Which you've probably heard.”

He nodded.

“Otherwise, I'm managing. I just got this job. Your sister-in-law really helped me out. Grace persuaded the restaurant manager to take a chance on someone who's been a stay-at-home mom for fourteen years. You know Reed. He's determined to make this as nasty as possible. The kids and I are living with my parents right now. But you don't need to hear my sad story. How's your mom?”

“She's fine. And I
asked
how you were. Which means I wanted to know.”

“I guess. Well, thanks. Um, I'd better get to work. Drinks?” She flipped back the pad she was holding, pen poised, but her hand wasn't steady and her smile was forced.

Luce homed in on it. She just
knew
. He'd been in love before—he'd said so—and it was with the woman standing in front of her.

She couldn't blame him. The woman was one of those delicate blondes with a flawless complexion. She wasn't heavy, but not thin, with nice curves. She could still pass for a high school cheerleader.

Drake ordered a bottle of chardonnay, Mace's label, of course.

Luce knew she shouldn't ask, but she couldn't help it. “What's the story?”

He did his usual thing. “Long time ago.”

“But you were serious.”

“We were young.”

“Quit with the three-word sentences and
tell
me. It seems to me that we're committed to a permanent relationship now. And I have to say, I don't understand why any woman would give you up.”

His smile resurfaced. “I appreciate that, Ms. Hale.”

She raised her eyebrows in question.

“High school romance. It might've gone further, but she got involved with someone else. Never liked the guy, but it was her life and her decision. Not a big deal.”

Luce sensed that it
had
been a big deal for him. A healed wound still left a scar. He wasn't the kind of person to take betrayal lightly and she knew exactly what that felt like. A different waitress showed up then with their wine, which confirmed that the old romance—the broken romance—was significant for them both. Luce had the feeling that they weren't going to see Danielle for the rest of the evening.

After the tasting ritual, the new waitress poured them each a glass. Drake didn't comment on the change in waitress. This would be life with him; if he didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't bring it up. On the other hand, if
she
brought it up, he wouldn't argue but would respond directly.

“Shall we toast?” She admired the golden liquid in her glass. “This looks like that wine Mace served at dinner recently. I loved it.”

“Could be. He's an alchemist. All I saw was a label I recognized. I usually drink beer.”