Chasing Charlie: A Romantic Comedy (The Texas Two-Step Series Book 1) (9 page)

Monty Joe turned to Davis. "She’s kind of cranky when she’s woken from a deep sleep."

"I can see that."

"She’s always mean as a sow in the mornings," added Monty Joe.

Davis coughed, fighting back a laugh. "That’s good to know."

He wanted to know details like this about Charlie. All the little stuff you don’t know about someone until you’ve known them for years. "What was she like as a kid?"

"Stubborn as a Nelson mule. She wasn’t scared of anything," replied Monty Joe as he turned a kitchen chair around and took a seat on it, leaning his head on the chair’s back. "I’ll never forget the time she decided to ride Diablo."

Bobby Gray guffawed. "Diablo won’t let us forget it, either."

As Ellen poured steamy hot chocolate into mugs and began handing them out, the brothers continued their story. Davis took a chair beside Charlie, who snarled at him, then quickly buried her face in her hands. Davis grinned.

Her brothers each had the same single dimple as Charlie. It had to be a dominant gene.

"She was only seven years old, and Diablo was pretty wild. Our stable foreman hadn’t had much luck with him and even I was thrown. But Charlie was certain Diablo would let her ride him."

Davis imagined Charlie as a tow-headed tot. She had to have been the apple of her protective brothers’ eyes. He could almost picture how much fun it would be to have kids who looked like her, demanding horsie rides on his knees. Davis bit his tongue. What was he thinking? Him? Kids?

"So early one morning, she snuck out of the house and led the horse to the field. When Diablo tried to act up, she stuck a handful of carrots into the crazed animal’s mouth. And dang if the horse didn’t calm down and let her mount him. Bare back."

Bobby Gray hopped onto the counter near where Ellen stood. "Yeah, but the problem is, now he won’t take a rider until he’s been fed his carrots."

"And he’s the best saddle horse on the Nelson Ranch," commented Charlie from between her fingers.

The Nelson Ranch. Davis snapped his fingers. He had to be the slowest man on earth not to have realized it before now. He’d even seen photographs of the famous brothers who resembled each other enough to be identical twins. If their coloring had been the same, it would be next to impossible to tell them apart.

They were curly haired like their sister, but unlike her, they exuded a rugged male confidence. Considering the number of women who thought the brothers had been sent down from heaven for womankind’s enjoyment, Davis found it interesting that neither had married. "I never made the connection. I can’t believe it that when I heard your names, I didn’t know immediately. You guys are Monty Joe and Bobby Gray Nelson of the Nelson Ranch!"

"All the wedding excitement probably caused your memory lapse," mumbled Charlie. "I’m sure I must have mentioned it."

"Not even once. Not even when you were telling me how you felt about cowboys." This explained exactly why she wouldn’t want to fall in love with one. What man could live up to the Nelson brothers who had been famous on the rodeo circuit for years? Their fame had grown thanks to the cattle produced by the Nelson Ranch. They were the livestock providers to one of the largest rodeos in the country.

And they were Charlie’s brothers.

Davis didn’t stand a chance when measured up to them.

Ellen handed him his mug. He took a scalding sip.

"Now that you mention the ranch, Bobby Gray, that reminds me." Ellen took a seat across from Charlie. "I’m so excited. Charlie’s brothers have decided to give an engagement party…"

Monty Joe interrupted, "Not a prissy engagement party, we’re giving an engagement barbecue…"

Ellen continued, "Next weekend, so there’ll be time…"

"We already called and invited a few of our cousins…"

"For Jim and me to attend before…"

"Aunt Irabelle assured me that cousins Jimmy, Ricky and Jerry will come…"

Bobby Gray spoke up. "Yeah, and Uncle Bob said he and his kids wouldn’t miss it for the world…"

"… we have to leave for Tokyo!" his mother finished.

Dead silence greeted her.

Ellen looked at Charlie, and then at Davis. "Isn’t this wonderful?"

"Just peachy," muttered Charlie, her expression hidden by her coffee mug.

"It’s a terrific thought." Davis scratched his chin, playing for time. "Did you run it past Jim?"

"Oh, that wasn’t necessary," Ellen replied.

"It wasn’t?"

"I think it’s time to finish your chocolate and go back to bed. Looks like Charlie is half asleep." Ellen patted Davis on the shoulder. "And, I didn’t need to mention the barbecue to Jim. It was his idea."

"
I
should be giving
you the silent treatment," said Charlie as she baited Davis’s hook the next morning.

He ignored her. For a moment, she considered using him as bait instead. She swung her bare feet over the pier and cautiously dipped her toe into the water. Too cold. Pulling her feet up under her, she added, "First, you turn me into a phony."

Davis, who sat directly beside her, stiffened but didn’t utter a word. The coward was afraid to face her.

"Then, instead of the ‘one measly night’ you promised, it turns into a weekend and a wedding." Charlie’s hands shook but she managed to get the minnow on the line.

"And now this, Davis Murphy, is the topper. You’ve involved my whole, entire family. You’ve involved cousins I haven’t seen since my parents’ funeral!"

"You’re not the only one upset over what’s been going on." His face muscles twitched. "I wanted to wallop Jim when I saw him this morning. It’s a good thing he’s leaving the country next week."

"Yeah, of course you’d think violence would be the answer."

"I didn’t touch him. And there’s my mother, who’s elated over you joining our family. She’s in there now, bonding with your brothers, all because she thinks that she’s not only getting a daughter in this deal, but also two additional sons." Davis swung his line out into the water. "I think I know how to fix it all."

"You do?"

He nodded and finally turned her way. His eyes were bloodshot. In fact, his whole face looked wan. Had he slept at all last night? She resisted an urge to tuck him back in bed. The man deserved to suffer for what he’d put her through.

"You can tell your brothers we broke up this morning. It’s not too late to cancel the barbecue."

"What a terrific idea," she said sarcastically. "I do so want to see your innards strewn on the highway between here and south Texas."

"Do you have any better ideas?"

"No." Charlie couldn’t think of anything. Perhaps that was the problem. Ever since she’d agreed to Davis’s little plan, she hadn’t been able to think. "Maybe we should just go through with the barbecue and then in a few weeks, when things have calmed down, I can write them a note saying I met another man."

"And when they demand to meet him?"

He had a point. It would involve more lies and she’d prevaricated more than enough to last her a lifetime. At some time her brothers would figure it out. Monty Joe was a lot more perceptive than he appeared to be.

Charlie pulled up her knees and put her chin on them. What was she going to do?

Davis ran his thumb down her cheek. He swallowed, hard, and she saw his Adam’s apple bob. "In that case, Charlie, this whole engagement thing isn’t so bad."

Her whole body silenced, stilled, like an animal frozen in headlights.

"I mean, if I have to be engaged to someone, I’m glad it’s you. I’ve been a fan of the Nelson brothers for most of my life. I’ve seen them compete. If I have to get married some day, and I don’t want to rush this, I could do a lot worse than marry into your family. So what do you say?"

No. No. She’d always dreamed of the day she’d have handsome men proposing to her. That day seemed to have arrived. In her fantasy, she was vivacious, beautiful and flirtatious, with men writing poems to her eyes. Instead, she got Philip asking her to marry him because she’d broken up with him. Now Davis was proposing—to marry her brothers. Could things get any worse?

She suspected they could. Some remote part of her, some hidden voice, had leaped with joy at the thought of marrying Davis. That was before she’d realized he didn’t want
her
. She was a woman he could never find acceptable, a woman who could please his mother, but never him.

"How nice that you approve of my family." She wouldn’t let him know how he’d hurt her. That would sting even more. "The only problem is—how I feel about you."

She pushed away from him and ran to the house, before he could spot her tears. She’d see this thing through and then she’d make a point of never again becoming entangled with another cowboy.

"
S
top fidgeting
," Davis insisted as he pinned the boutonniere on Jim. Using his hip, he slammed shut the refrigerator, where the flowers had been stored to keep them fresh.

"I wouldn’t need to fidget if you’d quit fussing over me like a hen," Jim replied dryly.

"The way I see it, you’re lucky you’re getting the chicken treatment instead of what I’d like to do." Davis smoothed Jim’s lapel, then stepped back. "Mom wouldn’t want you to come to the altar bruised."

"What fly is up your coattails, now?"

"Like you don’t know." Perhaps one little sucker punch? "Mom told me you suggested the barbecue."

"Well, son, at the rate you and Charlie are moving things along, I figured you could use all the help you can get."

"You’ve involved her family, Jim. It’s not right. Charlie’s been a real sport helping me out and now you’ve put her in a terrible position."

Jim laughed and slapped his thigh. "Yee-gads, the two of you are stubborn. You belong together. Otherwise, I’d have put a stop to this thing from the get-go."

"Getting married has addled your brain, Jim."

"Don’t be a horse’s backside. You belong with Charlie just as surely as I belong with your mom, and it’s clear as glass to anyone who watches you together."

"Charlie sure doesn’t feel that way. She won’t have me." One thing he knew. He’d hurt her. Davis wasn’t sure how, but he’d hurt her just as surely as if he’d punched her in the gut. Why couldn’t he have kept his stupid mouth shut?

"What makes you so sure she won’t have you?"

"I asked her." She didn’t want to marry him, which wasn’t surprising. He’d never be able to live up to her brothers’ image. But he’d hoped she at least found him tolerable. Heaven knew, she was the most tolerable woman he’d ever met. And now he’d gone and hurt her.

She didn’t want him to break the engagement, but she’d made it clear she had no intention of it continuing a second longer than necessary. He only wished it didn’t make him feel so funny, like his insides were heavy.

His mother’s worries may have been accurate. With her and Jim leaving, who would he have to talk to or be himself around? He felt lonely already, and they hadn’t even left. He’d never stopped to consider how much he’d miss Charlie when she left his life as well. Until now.

And it made him feel strange.

Not like himself at all.

Like he’d lost his best friend.

"If Charlie turned you down, then you screwed up the question." Jim threw up his hands. "Do I have to spell things out for you? Did you tell her how you feel?"

"You don’t understand, Jim. How can I tell a woman I’m so hungry for her company that I ache inside?"

"You tell her that you love her, that’s how."

"Love?" Davis was incredulous. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn. Just like your mother." Jim looked at the wall clock. "We’re due outside now. Have you got the ring?"

Davis patted his coat pocket. No ring. He stuck his hands in his pants, only to come up empty. His heart pounded. "Shoot, I think I lost it."

Jim rolled his eyes. "Check your inside left breast pocket."

Davis pulled the ring out and smiled sheepishly. "Got it."

"Good. I only hope you got what I was trying to tell you, too. Let’s go."

Within minutes, he and Jim were standing on the gaily decorated gazebo, watching Charlie walk down the pier, followed by Ellen. Elvis’s song
I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You
played over strategically placed stereo speakers.

His mom was a natural organizer. She’d managed to rope in Charlie’s brothers, who had good-naturedly acted as ushers. Monty Joe let out a wolf whistle when he caught sight of Ellen, who looked beautiful and excited in her youthful winter white suit. Everyone laughed and Davis heard his Uncle Roy comment on what a lucky man Jim was.

The music contributed to the festive mood. Jim and Ellen’s radiant joy was infectious and the wedding guests were jubilant. Like Davis, they’d waited a long time to see the couple who so obviously loved each other make a commitment.

Davis scratched an itch on his hand, idling wondering if he’d been bitten by an insect.

As Charlie approached, Davis saw she was pale, her smile forced. She’d avoided him all day and it was apparent she still hurt from their earlier conversation. If he could, he’d take back the day, take back whatever he’d said that gave her pain.

He tried to meet her eye. She wasn’t having any of that. She looked anywhere, everywhere, but at him, as if in her mind he no longer existed. Which was what he deserved for causing her distress.

He scratched another spot on his neck. Darn mosquitos.

He had to find a way to make it up to her. To make her dimple reappear. To make her face light up in laughter. If only he knew how to fix things.

Ellen smiled warmly at Davis as she took her place beside Jim, her happiness nearly bringing Davis to his knees. Is that what it meant to know you love someone and your love was returned?

His whole face began to itch. A whole herd of mosquitos must have turned out for the wedding.

Again, he glanced at Charlie. She was so pretty in blue, like a spring flower blooming after a long, brown winter. She deserved the best that life had to offer. She deserved a man who’d adore her, who’d make her proud.

He’d find a way to fix things for her and maybe, on the flight back to Dallas, he’d find a way to make up for having hurt her. Just then, Charlie met his gaze. Finally. She gave him a small smile and a flicker of hope flamed in his chest. Somehow, he’d find a way.