Cupcakes and Cowboys (Sunset Plains Romance Book 1) (5 page)

“We’ll take the truck.” Mason strode off across the grass toward the back of the bunkhouse.

“We’re not taking a horse?”

Mason snorted. “It’d be mighty hard to carry everything on back of one of the animals. We’re not riding the range.”

“Oh. Right.” Jase felt stupid, and then angry at Mason for laughing. He was here to learn—if he already knew how ranch life worked, he would’ve stayed in L.A.

An old and battered Ford pickup, the blue paint chipped and fading into rust near the tailgate, was filled to overflowing with wire, wooden fence posts, and tools.

“Hop in,” Mason said.

Jase nodded and opened the door with a loud creak, revealing a bench covered in a neutral brown fabric, frayed to the point of ripping. Dust filtered through the air, and the dashboard was dark from sun rot. A musty, humid smell filled the cab. Jase struggled for a moment with the hand-crank, finally getting the window lowered.

Mason revved the engine, and they headed down a dirt road away from the main house and outbuildings.

“Nice truck,” Jase said. It was worn, but sturdy and hardworking, just like a cowboy.

Mason grunted. “It’s the ranch’s. My truck is a lot nicer kept than this one.”

Jase leaned his arm out the window, relishing the feel of the warm summer breeze playing with his hair. “I think this truck holds a certain charm. How often do the fences need repairing?”

“Depends.”

Jase gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his frustration. “On what?”

Mason shrugged. “Weather. If the cows knock them down. Lots of things.”

Maybe Mason was just a man of few words. That was a common trope in westerns, and tropes were usually based in reality. Jase took a slow, deep breath, then said nothing.

Mason drove for fifteen minutes down a well-worn dirt path, just wide enough for one vehicle. Tall grass blew gently in the breeze and fences lined both sides of the road. The land stretched out forever, trees visible in the distance. The flat expanse was so unfamiliar after the hills and beaches of L.A.

Jase saw the damaged fence moments before Mason pulled to the side of the road and parked the truck. The sun just crested the trees, bathing the ranch in golden light. Jase didn’t see any cows nearby though. Maybe they were in another pasture?

He got out of the truck, striding over to the damaged fence. It looked as though it had been trampled by the animals. Posts were at crazy angles, some of them knocked all the way down, some of them snapped in two, and a six-foot section of barbed wire had been stomped into the soft mud.

Jase reached out to examine the fence. “How do you keep the cattle from trampling the fence more often?”

“It’s electrified.”

Jase jerked his hand back, glaring at Mason. “Thanks for the warning.”

“It’s not electrified right now—lightning struck the fence and flipped the breakers. That’s how the steers got through. We’ll turn the fence back on once we’ve fixed it.”

Jase wasn’t so sure Mason would’ve warned him if it had been turned on. “So what do we do?”

Mason reached into the back of the truck and pulled out a shovel. “I’ll set the posts in the holes, and you’ll fill ‘em back up with dirt. I’ll replace the ones they busted.”

They worked for an hour in silence. Jase tried to begin a conversation a few times, but Mason’s one-word grunts were definitely feeling personal. Jase thought back to the way Mason’s arms had lingered around Cassidy when they hugged, and wondered if he viewed Jase as a threat. Was Mason that insecure?

The sun slowly rose, heating the air until sweat beaded on Jase’s forehead and soaked his collar. Mason did most of the work, only occasionally giving Jase instructions. They finished up the fence as the sun reached its zenith. “Let’s head back for lunch,” Mason said. “Then we’re going into town to pick up the antibiotics the vet called in for the sick cows.”

Jase nodded. He helped Mason pick up the tools, then climbed into the truck for the short drive back to the bunkhouse.

“What’s a typical day like?” Jase asked.

Mason shrugged. “Board with our assignments is posted in the administrative building each evening. I work with the horses a lot, but I go out on the range, too.”

“What do you do with the horses?”

“Train them. Ride them. Make sure they’re fed and cared for.”

Jase ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Did I do something to offend you, Mason?”

Mason flicked a glance his direction. “No.”

“I get the feeling you don’t like me.”

Mason didn’t refute Jase’s claim. Instead, his scowl deepened. “I would think it was obvious why.”

“Enlighten me.”

Mason’s jaw flexed, as though he was trying to decide whether or not to be upfront. Then he said, “Drew Harrington.”

Jase didn’t know what he’d expected to hear—that Mason didn’t like actors, didn’t like people with lots of money, didn’t like Californians. That he worried Jase would make a play for Cassidy. But Jase hadn’t expected to hear the name of the obnoxious actor he’d worked with on the latest box office hit.

“What does Drew have to do with anything?”

Mason flicked a glance at Jase. “Hold up a sec. You don’t know?”

“Don’t know what?”

Mason rubbed his chin. “Drew was Cassidy’s fiancé. He left the night before the wedding. That’s the last she heard from him.”

The air flew out of Jase in a gasp.

Mason pulled to a stop in the grassy pasture behind the bunkhouse and turned his full attention to Jase. “Cassidy . . . well, Drew was sort of pressured into proposing by Randy because of the circumstances. The whole town was telling Drew to do right by her. They’d been together for a while, and Cassidy really loved him.” Mason cleared his throat and looked away. “She didn’t take his leaving well. Got real sick after he left. Caused quite a scandal around these parts for a while. She still blames him.”

Jase pieced together what Mason wasn’t saying. Cassidy had been pregnant with Drew’s child? And he had just
left
? “And Cassidy knows about the movie Drew and I were in together?”

“The magazine articles call you his best friend.”

Jase wasn’t surprised Drew was spreading that rumor. Suddenly, Cassidy’s cold shoulder made so much sense. “Drew is a lying cheat. He did nothing but try to use me for my connections while on set.”

“You aren’t friends?”

“Not even close.”

The two men sat in silence for a moment. “I’m sorry I’ve been unkind,” Mason said. “I was upset on behalf of Cassidy. We’re good friends. I shouldn’t have judged you without knowing the whole story.”

“Thank you.”

Mason opened the truck door. “We should get inside before all the food’s gone.”

Jase nodded. His mind reeled with this new information. Never had Drew mentioned an ex-fiancé. He had, however, showed up to work with a different girl every day and been photographed with a different woman every night.

Jase needed to talk to Cassidy and clear the air.

Mason was much friendlier during lunch, introducing Jase to a few of the other cowboys and answering questions with more than a grunt. Then Mason grabbed a disposable container from the kitchen and filled it up with leftovers.

“Who’s that for?” Jase asked.

“Cassidy. Her cupcake shop is a few doors down from the pharmacy. I like to bring her lunch when I come into town. She forgets to eat anything good during the day.”

Jase’s heartbeat quickened at the thought of seeing the blonde beauty so soon. But this was good—he could tell her he hadn’t been sent to torment her. Maybe then Jase could forget about her and focus on preparing for his role.

Jase watched with interest as they drove through downtown Sunset Plains. He’d arrived at Star Ranch by the highway and hadn’t made it into town. Main Street was narrow, with businesses on each side, ranging from dilapidated to updated. Mason pulled the truck in front of one of the smaller storefronts. Jase glanced up at the pink and brown sign, grinning at the name—Cupcakes and Cowboys.

“That’s strange.” Mason frowned as they got out of the truck.

“What?” Jase asked.

Mason pointed to the handmade sign on the front of the door.
All merchandise 50% off, today only,
it said in curly writing that must be Cassidy’s.

“Maybe she felt in a sales mood today,” Jase said.

“Cassidy has too thin of a profit margin for that.” Mason pushed the door open, and a bell jingled. Jase’s eyes widened at the overflowing bakery case.

Cassidy straightened. Jase hadn’t noticed her bent behind the display case, filling it with cupcakes.

“Cassidy, what happened?” Mason asked.

Her eyes glistened with tears, but she forced a tiny smile. “Lightning fried the fridge and freezer. Now I have to sell everything or throw it away.”

Cassidy hated that Jase was seeing her at her worst. The morning had been a complete disaster. She’d called the power company and the landlord, but an electrician couldn’t make it until noon, and then it would take at least a few hours to rewire everything and replace the fried breakers. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma summer invaded the bakery, making its way into the creases and crevices of the old appliances.

Cassidy had her doubts that the fridge and freezer would turn back on, even after the breakers were fixed. Best case scenario, it’d be evening before everything was up and running again. She knew that newer appliances would keep the food cool that long, but her ancient units didn’t stand a chance. So she’d done the only thing she could think of—mixed a huge batch of frosting with the cream cheese from the fridge and made a sign saying everything was half-off.

“I had no idea.” Mason walked around the counter and pulled her to him in a hug. She let him, relishing the comfort he provided. In the absence of Tanner, Mason was a much-needed surrogate older brother.

Cassidy pulled back, aware that Mason held on a moment longer than was necessary. She didn’t want to give him any ideas about the two of them. “It’ll be fine.” She forced a brightness into her tone and ran her fingers underneath her eyes. “I’ve posted on social media about the sale, and Pastor Mike already wants a few dozen cupcakes for the Bible study group. Hopefully I’ll get everything sold today.” Then at least she wouldn’t lose money, even if she didn’t make any, either. She wouldn’t think about the cost of replacing the appliances.

“What can we do to help?” Jase asked.

Cassidy stifled a groan, no longer able to ignore Jase. His cowboy hat was too clean, the creamy-white leather still unblemished by dirt or sweat. The designer jeans screamed Hollywood, and the scent of his cologne mixed with the baked goods in an enticing aroma. Everything about him said “actor”—except the words coming out of his mouth, and the genuine concern in his eyes.

“Nothing. I know you have to get back to the ranch.”

“I wish we could stay.” Mason’s voice was heavy with regret. “We’re picking up a prescription for the cows and they need it as soon as possible. But I wanted to bring you lunch since we were coming this way.” He held out a container of food.

Cassidy took it, her heart swelling with affection. “That’s really sweet of you.”

“Are you sure there’s nothing we can do before leaving?” Mason asked.

Cassidy opened her mouth to reassure him she was fine. She’d make do, just like always.

“I can stay,” Jase said.

Cassidy’s eyes flew up to his. “No. You’re shadowing Mason.”

“But you need help, and I can give it. I bet you can answer my questions about ranching as well as Mason. I’ve mostly been observing today anyway.”

Mason looked back and forth between Cassidy and Jase, his brow creased. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I wouldn’t be able to pick you back up.”

“Cassidy can give me a ride.”

He couldn’t stay. Confusing feelings about the sexy ranch guest was the last thing she needed today. “I might not get home until late. It depends on what the electrician says.”

“That’s okay. Today, I’m at your disposal.”

Mason’s scowl deepened. “I was going to show you how to administer medicine to the cows. You’re here to learn about ranching, right?”