The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:) (6 page)

Better not encourage that,
she sighed, but she instinctively knew that he was a respectful guy and wouldn’t cross any lines. Stopping outside Hannah and Marty’s cabin she left the car and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Hannah’s voice called.

Cassie stepped inside and found Hannah at the kitchen island chopping up apples and pears.

“You are such the happy homemaker,” Cassie grinned. “What gourmet masterpiece are you creating now?”

“An apple and pear upside down cake with ginger,” Hannah declared proudly.

“Will you save a piece for Chad and me?”

“Sure, if Marty doesn’t eat it all in one sitting,” she laughed. “What’s up? You need something?”

“Didn’t you see all those trucks?”

“I couldn’t exactly miss them,” Hannah quipped

“I’m going up to the site. You want to join me?”

“Oh, man, I would love that, but you’ll have a wait just a few minutes. I need to leave things tidy,” she declared, reaching for a kitchen towel to wipe down the counter.

“Can’t you just leave that stuff?” Cassie frowned.

“I did that yesterday,” Hannah grimaced. “Marty walked in on the mess and I was AWOL. He reminded me about my priorities, if you get my drift.”

“Ooooh, I had a reminder of my own yesterday,” Cassie sighed.

The two friends shared a look, then cracked up.

“I think there’s something seriously wrong with us,” Cassie exclaimed.

“Or seriously right,” Hannah grinned. “Put those bowls in the fridge for me? I need to cover this stuff.”

Together they cleared everything away, then headed back to the car and drove up and around the hill to the site.

“Damn,” Cassie breathed as they approached.

The area was teeming with men in hard hats, lumber was being unloaded, and huge plastic sheets were being carried inside the cabin to protect its contents during the construction.

Looking across at the field that would be Cassie’s arena, they could see that Marty had finished his grading and was parking his tractor out of the way, and the barn builders were busy at work carrying large panels out of their truck; the entire area was buzzing with activity.

“I can’t believe this,” Hannah breathed.

“Chad is a man who gets things done,” Cassie remarked. “I guess the more men, the quicker everything will be finished. Speaking of Chad, do you see him anywhere?”

“No. He must be with in the house somewhere. I don’t see him with Marty or the guys building the barn,” Hannah replied. “Speaking of which, I’m going over to see my man. Back in a tick.”

Hannah jogged away and Cassie meandered across to the small home Chad had built for her several months before, then pausing for a moment she stared down at the lake.

“Great spot for a house.”

She turned to see a tall, sandy-haired man in jeans and a loose fitting T-shirt, wearing a hardhat and carrying a large bin. His features were chiseled, and he sported a stunning smile.

“Yes, it is,”
and damn, where did you come from? You should be on the front of GQ.

“
If I have to be working on a house, this is a great place to do it,” he remarked, the dazzling smile still radiating across at her.

“I’m sure,” she frowned. The man was so attractive, and his voice so refined he seemed completely out of place. “Is this your regular gig? I mean, do you work construction a lot?”

“Off and on,” he nodded, placing the bin on the ground. “I’m Jason Lewis by the way, and believe it or not I’m an architect. Every now and then I get the urge to work on a site and get my hands dirty. Don’t know why.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Cassie,” she smiled. “That’s interesting. Maybe getting your hands dirty gives you greater insight when you design a house.”

“Maybe, I worked my way through school doing this and I always enjoyed it, again, don’t know why,” he grinned.

He was sparkling at her, his hazel eyes full of invitation, and while she was finding the light flirtation enjoyable it was also making her uncomfortable.

“Do you work on the ranch?” he asked.

“Kind of. I’m engaged to Chad Douglas,” she announced, hoping it would put a stop to his subtle advances. “He built the cabin for us last year, and now we’re finally making into the house we want.”

“Romantic,” he smiled, tilting his head to the side.

“It was, and it is,” she nodded.

He locked her eyes, and she realized her declaration about the engagement had no affect on him at all; she swallowed, feeling her face flush. To her great relief she saw Mickey trotting towards her and gratefully shifted her gaze.

“Mickey, hey boy,” she called, crouching down to welcome him. “Where’s your pop?”

“Cute dog,” Jason remarked, but as he walked forward to pet him, Mickey began to growl.

“Whoa, Mickey,” she scolded. “That is so weird, he never does that.”

“He’s just being protective,” the man said lightly. “He doesn’t know me, I’m on his turf talking to his woman.”

“He does kind of think of me that way,” Cassie grinned.

“Well, I’d best be moving on,” he said, picking up the bin. “Don’t want get fired first day on the job. Great to meet you. Hope to see you again.”

“Yes, sure,” she nodded, and as she watched him saunter away she heard Mickey let loose with another low snarl. “What’s up fella?” she frowned, dropping down and petting him again. Mickey’s growl turned into a whine, and he licked her face as he held up his paw.

“There you are, there you both are,” Chad declared. “I’ve been lookin’ for him, and what are you doin’ here?”

“Hi, just came up to be nosey,” she giggled. “I can’t believe there are so many people here. It’s weird.”

“Best to get it done as fast as possible, and all at once,” he replied, “but you need to stay away. You’re too gorgeous and you’ll be a total distraction, besides, a construction site can be a dangerous place.”

“You can’t blame me for wanting to take a look,” she protested.

“No, I can’t,” he smiled. “Did I see you talkin’ to one of the laborers?”

“You did, he’s an architect apparently, one who likes to work construction now and then,” she replied.

“Huh,” he frowned. “Keep your distance, okay? We don’t know these guys, they’re all day laborers.”

“Sure,” she nodded.

“Come on, I’ll give you a quick walk around and then you scoot,” he said.

“Oh, yes, please,” she nodded. “I’d love that.”

As Chad led her towards the house, Hannah had reached Marty and was watching, fascinated, as the barn builders were beginning their work.

“Three days start to finish,” Marty declared shaking his head. “Hard to believe, but there it is.”

“Incredible,” she agreed.

“If I went home right now,” he said casually, “what would I find?”

“A perfectly orderly kitchen,” she replied. “You don’t have to worry. You made your point and I get it.”

“If there weren’t a bunch of strange men around…” he grinned.

“Please finish that sentence,” she giggled.

“If there weren’t a bunch of strange men around, I’d pick you up, throw you over my shoulder, and carry you off to a nice soft patch of grass somewhere,” he said, his voice low and deep.

“Works for me,” she tittered.

“I think Cassie’s tryin’ to get your attention,” Marty remarked, nodding his head across the field. “I’ll bet Chad’s told her to get her butt home.”

“How long will you be up here?” she asked.

“Most of the day. I’m waitin’ for the sand and footin’ delivery. Gotta spread it real good, make sure it’s all even. I’ll be back for lunch though.”

“Please be careful,” she said softly, gazing up at him. “I worry sometimes.”

“Hey kitten, worryin’s my job. Go on now, I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

Standing on her toes she lifted her head and pecked him on the cheek, then jogged across the freshly dragged field back to Cassie. As they climbed into the car, Hannah spotted a handsome worker standing at the edge of the site; he was staring directly at them.

“Whoa, I wonder who that guy is,” she remarked. “He’s hot.”

“His name is Jason, he’s an architect, and he works on construction sites occasionally,” Cassie grinned as she started the car and headed back to the house.

“How do you know?” Hannah asked with wide-eyed surprise.

“He came up to me, started talking, and you’re right, he’s totally hot. He was flirting with me.”

“Shit. Did you flirt back?”

“A bit. It was awkward, but flattering, and then I just felt weird,” Cassie frowned.

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Hannah shrugged. “He wouldn’t have known who you are.”

“But that’s just it. After I told him I was engaged to Chad it didn’t phase him at all. He just kept right on flirting.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Hannah said, staring at her. “You’ll never see him again. Not unless you come back up, and Chad will be around then anyway.”

“Yeah, you’re right. It was just kind of a weird thing,” Cassie muttered,
and a bit unsettling. Hannah’s probably right. I won’t see him again, and he’s probably one of those guys who flirts with everyone.

But as she drove Hannah back to her cabin, she couldn’t help but think about how Mickey had growled at him.

Were you trying to tell me something? I’ve never seen you snarl at anyone.

O
ver the next few days Cassie fell into an easy schedule with both Jeb and Tommy taking turns riding in the ring. Knowing Cassie would have her own arena had taken the pressure off them all, and though the trucks rolling by and the distant sounds of hammers hammering could be annoying, the sounds of the construction signaled a welcome addition to Horse Haven Ranch.

Chad had been busy with the preparations for his upcoming clinics, and the appearance of his new line of women’s shirts and T-shirts for the spring season. The logo Cassie’s had designed, two horses heads set inside a heart, had brought oooh’s and aaah’s from all who’d seen it. The clothes boasting the embroidered logo were about hit the market, the unique equine heart gracing the collars and cuffs of the silk-cotton blend shirts, and emblazoned upon the front of the T-shirts.

It was lunchtime, and Cassie had just finished a great ride on Shelby. Her thoroughbred jumper had felt fit and excited, and Cassie was itching for her jumps to arrive and her ring and barn to be finished.

Running into the house she saw Chad was on the phone in his office, so after taking a quick shower she made her way to the kitchen to rustle them up something to eat.

She had just brewed the coffee and was grilling them some cheese and tomato sandwiches when he strolled in carrying a large carton.

“Hey beautiful,” he grinned.

“Hey yourself, what’s that?”

“I almost don’t wanna tell you, you’ll leave that frypan and burn those sandwiches,” he chuckled.

“Why?” she giggled. “What’s in there that would…oh, my, gosh, are those the shirts?”

“Yep. The first merchandise with the new logo,” he declared proudly.

“Open it, quick!” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe it.”

Setting the box on the table he tore open the top and pulled out the contents. Each shirt and T-shirt was individually wrapped in plastic, and as she turned off the stove and hurried over, she gasped in joy as he unpackaged one of each.

“Chad, it works,” she beamed. “It really works!”

“It sure does! This is gonna be a million dollar seller,” he decreed.

“I’d buy one,” she laughed.

Chad laid down the T-shirt he was holding and turned to her.

“You are so amazin’, Cassie. I’m so damn proud of you, I swear my heart’s gonna burst.”

Cassie felt a surge of heat in her throat, and unexpectedly overcome she threw her arms around him.

“Chad, you’ve changed my life so much,” she stammered, her voice catching.

“Hey, easy there,” he murmured.

“I didn’t know life could be like this. I’m so happy, I’m really, truly happy, and it’s all because of you.”

Holding her tightly Chad squeezed his eyes shut. Her heavy emotion was contagious, and not trusting his voice he stroked her hair until the unexpected wave of feeling had passed.

“Goes both ways,” he sighed, and pulling back he brought his lips to hers with a loving, lingering, longing kiss. “There’s somethin’ real important you need to do for me,” he whispered.

“Anything,” she breathed.

“Check that sandwich. You turned off the gas but-”

“Oh, you,” she quipped, punching his arm.

“I’m serious,” he said in mock surprise. “That pan will still be hot, and it smelled so good when I walked in here it made me really hungry.”

Breaking away she hurried to the pan and picked up the spatula to flip the bread.

“Burnt?” he asked.

“Not quite,” she replied, “as usual your timing was perfect.”

“These shirts are great. I’m gonna give one to each of the women in the clinic,” he remarked, “and you should have one in every color.”

“I agree,” she nodded as she removed the sandwiches from the pan and placed them on dishes. “You want to grab the coffee pot?”

“Sure. I’ve got another surprise for you,” he declared as he fetched the coffee and placed it on the table.

“I’m not sure I can stand much more good news,” she laughed as she placed his snack in front of him. “What is it?”

“Your barn will be finished this afternoon,” he grinned. “The fencin’s up and the footing is in.”

“Oh, wow, that’s fabulous. I’d love to move up there tomorrow, but I’m worried about the construction. What do you think?”

“I’m thinkin’ you should take all three horses up there on the weeks I’m doin’ the clinics. The construction will be on pause then. Not ideal, but it’s better than not havin’ a ring at all. Of course you could always try it for a day and see how they deal with it.”

“Hmm. Maybe towards the end of the construction it won’t be so noisy. Just the windows and stuff, right?”

“Yep. We’ll just play it by ear. I think Dominic and Rembrandt would be fine with the noise up there,” he remarked. “It’s Shelby who might have an issue.”

“I could always put her in the paddock and stay for a while. Make sure she’s okay. I think as long as she’s with her friends and they’re calm, she will be too.”