Cupcakes and Cowboys (Sunset Plains Romance Book 1) (7 page)

So much for Mrs. Collins being an excellent secret keeper. “I’m glad I could help.” He just hoped photos of him at a cupcake shop in Oklahoma didn’t go viral and alert everyone to his current location.

“Want something?” Cassidy asked, motioning to the nearly empty display case. “It’s the least I can do to repay you.”

He’d been dying to try a cupcake all day. If she’d inherited her mother’s talent in the kitchen, her desserts promised to be divine. “Sure.”

Cassidy pulled a red velvet out of the display case and handed it to him. “The red velvet and vanilla are always the last left.”

The cupcake held a perfect spiral of cream cheese frosting, with dark chocolate shavings as a garnish. Jase peeled back the wrapping and took a giant bite, groaning in delight. The cake was moist and dense, a perfect blend of cream cheese and red velvet. “This is amazing.”

Cassidy smiled, taking a cupcake for herself. “I’m glad you like it.”

“You’ve got a good business going here. I can’t believe you do this yourself every day. Do you have any employees?”

“Just one. She comes a few afternoons a week, but she had today off.”

Jase couldn’t help admiring Cassidy for going after her dream. She knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to work for it. Jase wasn’t sure he had the same courage. The five-acre plot popped into his head again, and he quickly brushed it aside. Burnout was normal. It didn’t mean he should give up acting for a quiet life in Oklahoma.

Cassidy finished her cupcake and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Ready to go shopping? I’ve got to order new appliances and stop at the store or I’ll have nothing to sell tomorrow.”

“Ready,” Jase said.

The one-hour drive to the big discount store in Tulsa flew by. Jase couldn’t believe how easy it was to talk to Cassidy. She was genuine in a wholly unfamiliar way. For the first time in his life, he felt at home.

Cassidy hadn’t expected Jase to be an asset while buying new appliances. He schmoozed the salesman with an autograph and selfie, then negotiated a rock-bottom price for the refrigerator and freezer—much lower than what Cassidy would’ve managed on her own—and convinced the salesman to throw in free next-day delivery.

It was nothing short of a miracle. Once the insurance sent her a check, she’d end up only paying a few hundred dollars out-of-pocket for brand new appliances.

She’d expected Jase to be another Drew—self-serving, conceited, and a little manipulative. Instead, he’d devoted an entire day to helping her, and been gracious and kind to everyone they interacted with. She wasn’t sure how to reconcile the two pictures of Jase in her head. Could she trust that she was seeing the real Jase, or was it all an act?

The next day was filled with furious baking as Cassidy attempted to replenish her freezer stock. But all the baking in the world couldn’t keep her thoughts from wandering to Jase. He was such a good conversationalist, funny but thoughtful, too. Her heart jumped every time the front door jingled, hoping she’d walk into the front room to find him smiling. But she didn’t see or hear from Jase all day.

It was better that way, though. She didn’t need to lose her heart to another actor.

When she arrived home, it was after eight o’clock, the sky brilliant with the oranges and pinks of a sunset. Cassidy got out of the car and headed toward the pasture, longing for the quiet and calm only Cupcake could provide. The horse heard her coming and lumbered over to the fence, nickering when Cassidy patted her nose.

Cassidy reached into her pocket and pulled out a few sugar cubes, smiling at the tickle of lips against her palm. Cupcake kept her going in the months after Drew left. She’d been the one being in Cassidy’s life who gave her unconditional love and didn’t ask questions. “Hey, girl. I’ve missed you.”

Cupcake whinnied, nudging Cassidy’s shoulder with her nose in a friendly hello.

“How did the baking go today?”

Cassidy jumped, whirling toward the voice, a hand to her chest. Cupcake let out a snort of concern. “You scared me.”

“Sorry.” Jase emerged from the shadows of the barn. “I saw you come home and wanted to see how today went.”

Cassidy patted Cupcake’s nose, calming the horse. “It went well, thank you. What did you do today?”

“More fence repairs. Mason said tomorrow we’ll be riding the range.”

“That’s always fun. There’s nothing like it.”

Jase adjusted his hat, tipping it back on his forehead. “I’m a little nervous. I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

“Never?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets, and though the increasing darkness shadowed his face, she saw a hint of a blush creep up it. “I never had a reason to ride. I haven’t needed to for a role until now, and it’s not like there are a lot of horses in L.A.”

Cassidy shook her head. He’d never ridden, and tomorrow he’d spend a full day on the range. She headed toward the barn. “C’mon. I can’t believe Mason’s going to let you go out on the range without at least the basics. I’ll teach you.”

“Really?”

She heard the eagerness in his voice as he followed her inside. Cassidy whistled for Cupcake, then grabbed a brush. “I don’t want you embarrassing cowboys everywhere in that movie. So you’ll have to learn how to saddle a horse.”

“I’m sure Mason would’ve taught me a thing or two tomorrow.”

Cupcake entered the barn and came to a halt beside Cassidy. She handed Jase the brush. “Step one is brushing her down to make sure there’s nothing on her back that’ll be irritated by the saddle. Long, even strokes. No, not like that.” She placed her hand on top of his, and heat shot through her. She felt his gaze on her, but steadfastly avoided it and focused on their hands. “Like this.” She guided his brush along the horse, but soon he took control. She gulped, pulling her hand away. “I think that’s good.”

“Cupcake seems like a calm horse.”

Cassidy smiled, giving the horse an affectionate pat. “I’ve had her since she was a filly. She was calm, even then. One of the easiest horses we’ve ever broke.” She grabbed the saddle pad and handed it to Jase. “Put the pad on at her shoulder, then slide it backward into place. We don’t want Cupcake’s hairs to get pinched. Then put on the saddle. Make sure you hook the stirrups onto the horn so they don’t hit her.”

Jase nodded. Cassidy adjusted the pad, then Jase easily slid the saddle into place. She swallowed as his muscles flexed, bulging the arms of his shirt. Her mind replayed the movie trailers she’d seen of him without his shirt on and she looked away, blushing.

“Like this?” Jase asked.

“Yes. You’re a natural.” Cassidy bent down, showing him how to tighten the cinch. When she turned around, he stood startlingly close. She let out a shaky breath. Cupcake’s warm body pressed against her back, and Jase’s warm eyes stared down into hers.

It’s not real,
she told herself.
He’s an actor, trying to get into character.
She wouldn’t let another man manipulate her emotions and distract her from her dreams.

“It’s a lot simpler than I thought it would be,” he said in a quiet voice.

“There’s not much to saddling a horse.”

He took a step back, and her pulse slowed. What was wrong with her? This man was an actor—a nice one, sure, but still an actor that would be gone in four short weeks.

She showed him how to connect the breast collar, then Cupcake obediently took the bit and let Cassidy finish bridling her. She instructed Jase to tighten the cinch strap one more time, now that Cupcake had let out her breath, so the saddle wouldn’t slide and dump him onto the ground.

“I already feel like a real cowboy.” Jase grinned. “Can I ride her?”

“Sure. Just place your foot in the stirrup and—”

Jase didn’t wait for her to finish. He swung onto Cupcake’s back like he’d been born to ride. “Did I do it right?”

He looked better than right. His back was straight, his head tall, cutting a striking silhouette against the darkening night sky. “Yeah, that’s great. You even mounted on the correct side. Always do it from the left.”

Cassidy handed him the reins and led them out into the corral. She sat on the fence and watched as Jase rode Cupcake around the corral, gradually growing more comfortable on the horse. She gave him instructions from her perch, leading him through a trot and lope after he had the hang of a walk.

“This is fantastic.” He brought the horse to a halt and dismounted, leading Cupcake by the reigns to where Cassidy sat.

Cassidy fed Cupcake another sugar cube. “She’s a calm horse. The ones they use on the range are more headstrong.”

Jase gave her a lazy smile. “I’m not worried. But it’s almost dark and we should probably get inside.”

Cassidy reluctantly nodded and followed Jase back into the barn, letting him lead Cupcake. She showed him how to remove the saddle and rub her down, then gave Cupcake a bucket of oats and left her in the stall for the night.

“How have I gone my whole life without riding a horse?” Jase asked.

Cassidy laughed. “It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? Cupcake’s my best friend.”

“I can see why. She’s a special animal.”

Cassidy knew she should leave it at that and go inside.
Don’t get sucked in. It’s not like this can go anywhere.
But she craved Jase’s presence, like a caffeine addict desperate for their morning coffee. “We could go riding sometime. For real, I mean. There’s a nice spot I visit on Sundays to relax.” She played with her braid, curling the end around her finger. “Would you like to come with me this week?”

“I’d love to.” Jase inhaled deeply. Darkness had fallen completely, and she could no longer make out his features. “I love it here. It’s so peaceful and calm.”

“Don’t you miss California?”

“Not really. I like this slower pace of life.” His phone rang, and he pulled it from his pocket, giving her an apologetic smile. “Hello?” His face darkened at whoever was on the other end, and for the next minute, he didn’t say anything. Cassidy looked away, not wanting to intrude on a private moment but not sure how to break away.

Why had she invited him to go riding with her on Sunday? She’d never taken anyone to her special hideaway. It wasn’t much, just a secluded tree near the edge of the property that perfectly shaded a picnic blanket. She could spend hours underneath it, reading a book or sleeping or just thinking about life. There was no reason for her to share that with someone who was barely more than a stranger—especially someone who would soon be leaving. Someone who might be less than genuine.

“I understand. Goodbye, Mother.” Jase flicked off the phone, his agitation evident in the abrupt movement. “Sorry about that. I’ll see you Sunday, then?”

“Around two o’clock.” That would give her enough time to get home from church and change.

“Two o’clock.” He tipped his hat and smiled, but the way he gazed right through her said his thoughts were elsewhere. “I’ll be there.”

Cassidy watched him stride toward the bunkhouse, his silhouette fading into the night. She put her hands to her flushed cheeks. What was wrong with her? She absolutely, positively could not fall for Jase Larson.

Jase let out a curse as he left Cassidy and strode toward the bunkhouse. The phone call with his mother gnawed at him. He’d antagonized his mother—his boss—and for what?
It’s just burnout. I can push through it.
She’d argued he needed to return to California a week before production started. But for once in his life, Jase held firm.