King Creek Cowboys Box Set 1

Chapter 5

Justin stood outside one of the corrals while he stared at his phone. He’d already plugged in and saved Miranda’s phone number yet hadn’t talked with her since their date on Thursday, three days ago. He should have called her earlier, but he’d been almost afraid to.

Damned if he knew why. Maybe it was because of the way he felt about her already, and it scared the hell out of him. That made no sense at all.

He’d never known a woman like Miranda. She was not only beautiful and intelligent, but there was a sense of strength from within her that he felt whenever he came near her. She had a vibrant personality and he wanted to get closer to her than he’d ever been with another woman. Sure, he wanted to take her to bed, but he felt the need to have more from her than that. It was the kind of connection he’d never imagined having with any woman.

He kept staring at his phone. He should have called her Friday and Saturday. Here it was, Sunday, and he hadn’t yet.

Ah, hell.

He inhaled then let out a long breath, then pressed her number on his phone. He brought the phone to his ear.

Her voice was pure music when she answered the phone with, “Hi, Justin.”

“Hey.” Justin watched Thunder trot around the corral. He had a lot of energy and Justin needed to take him out today. “How’re you doing?”

“All’s well here in Wonderland.” Miranda sounded sweet and not mad at all that he hadn’t called her. “How’s Kaycee?”

He glanced at the barn, where the girl was brushing down Sunshine. “She’s been spending more time with her Appaloosa, but still isn’t ready to ride.”

“That’s great she’s working with her horse.” Miranda had a smile in her voice. “She’s thinking about riding again, and that’s good.”

“Yeah.” Justin turned his gaze back on Thunder as he spoke. “Once she’s in the saddle, she’ll forget why she couldn’t get on in the first place.”

“Something like that.” The sound of horses neighing on Miranda’s end of the conversation let him know she was outside, too. “I enjoyed Thursday. Dinner was nice and I loved the artwalk.” She didn’t ask why he hadn’t called.

He figured he might as well not make excuses. Fear wasn’t a good one. Made him sound like a wuss.

“I had a great time.” Justin thought about how her dress had hugged her curves in all the best places, and just how long and beautiful her legs were. “You looked absolutely gorgeous. Like you have every time I’ve seen you. Doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or what you’re doing, you are beautiful.”

He hadn’t planned on saying that. Made him sound like he was laying it on thick, which wasn’t what he’d intended.

“Thank you.” She spoke warmly, not at all like she thought it was overkill. “You know how to make a girl blush.”

He laughed. “You do have a cute blush.”

“You say the sweetest things.” Amusement was in her voice.

He ran his hand along the top rail of the corral. “What are you doing today?”

“The barn needed a good cleaning out, and I’m about to finish.” She let out a breath loud enough to hear. “To be honest, I think I need a nice long bubble bath when I’m done.”

The thought of Miranda’s beautiful body clad only in bubbles made him harder than a fence post and he had to shift positions. “Need any help? With the barn or the bubble bath or both.”

Miranda laughed. He loved her laugh.

“Sure, cowboy.” Her answer surprised him. “But letting you join me in a bubble bath might break the hold on my willpower, so I guess we’ll have to hold off.”

He grinned. “Who needs willpower when it comes to bubbles?”

She let out what sounded like a little groan. “I do. When it comes to you, I really do.”

He liked the sound of that. “I feel the same way, Miranda. You’re not alone.”

“I had a feeling.” A moment of silence. “Maybe we’d better get on a safer topic.”

“Maybe you’re right.” He turned and leaned his back against the fence. “Picturing you in nothing but bubbles is making things…hard…right now.”

She laughed. “Stop it.”

“Sorry.” He couldn’t stop grinning when he talked with her. “Can’t help myself when it comes to you.” He paused. “Tuesday is too long to see you again during Kaycee’s appointment, and Wednesday is too far away to wait for a date with you. What do you say about shooting pool at Mickey’s Bar tomorrow night? He has a special on pool and beer on Mondays.”

“I don’t know.” She hesitated. “Maybe that’s moving a little too fast.”

“It’s just pool, Miranda,” he said. “And beer.”

A moment of quiet again and then, “Sure. I’d like that.”

The elation that shot through him was more powerful than he could have imagined. Seeing Miranda sooner than he expected was like getting a gift that he’d be able to open early.

“By the way,” she said. “I’m gonna kick your sexy butt at pool.”

“Sexy butt, huh?” He laughed. “I’d like to see that.”

“You will.” The promise in her voice made him hard again, like she’d just promised to do more than just shoot pool with him.

Damn, this woman was driving him out of his flipping mind.

“Looking forward to it,” he said and meant it.

“I’d better get this barn finished so I can get to my bubble bath,” she said.

“Sure you don’t need help?” He wanted more, but kept to a teasing tone. “With both.”

The smile in her voice told him she didn’t mind the thought. “I’ve got it. Maybe next time.”

“You’re on.” He tipped his head and looked up at the blue sky. “See you Monday night, Miranda. Five p.m. okay with you?”

“I’ll see you then,” she said then added, “Bye,” before disconnecting.

He felt like he’d just won a jackpot. He pocketed his phone and whistled to Thunder. The horse trotted toward him, neighing and tossing his head, telling Justin he was ready for a good long ride.

Justin slipped into the corral and shut the gate behind him. He clipped a lead to Thunder’s bridle.

“I’m done with Sunshine, Dad.” Kaycee’s voice came from the direction of the barn.

He looked toward her. “Homework now?”

She nodded and gave a dramatic sigh. “I’ll never be done.”

“I’m taking Thunder for a ride.” He paused at the gate, waiting for Kaycee to pass in case being too close to the stallion would make her more nervous than having the corral between her and him. “I’ll be back in time for dinner.”

“See you later.” She turned and headed for the house, kicking up dirt with her boots as she went. Something was bugging her—he’d have to see if he could find out what it was when he got back from his ride.

He patted Thunder on his flank before taking him out of the corral, closing the gate behind him, and heading for the barn. His thoughts returned to Miranda and he was glad to be getting out with his horse.

Dwelling on that woman was going to drive him out of his mind. He needed her like crazy in so many ways. One of which involved sex and lots of it.

The other ways—he was afraid to look too deeply into that right now. It just might scare the hell right out of him.

Justin kept busy with work around the ranch. In the evening, when he got back from his ride with Thunder, he took care of the big horse as well as the others and settled them in for the night.

Afterward, Justin headed for the house. Kaycee sat at the kitchen table, doing her homework.

She looked up. “Hi, Dad.”

“Hey, kiddo.” He slid into the seat across from her. “How’s it going?”

She shrugged and set down her pen. “It’s okay.” Still looked like she was dwelling on something, chewing it over in her mind.

“Something’s bugging you,” he said. “Wanna talk about it?”

Kaycee frowned and didn’t respond for a moment. “I’m not sure I want to.”

Justin folded his arms on the table. “You know you can talk to me.”

“Yeah…” She looked away then back at him. “If you and Miranda end up getting together, are you still going to have room for me?”

He hadn’t expected that. “Of course. You’re my daughter and my Number One priority. You’ll always have me.”

“Are you sure?” Kaycee didn’t look convinced. “I don’t want to be in your way.”

Justin put his hands over hers. “Honey, you will never be in the way. Don’t you worry about that. Nothing will change between you and me.”

“Okay.” Kaycee let out a long breath. “I guess there’s plenty of room here. It’s a big house.”

“And we are getting way ahead of ourselves.” He squeezed Kaycee’s hands before letting her go. “Miranda and I have only been on one date. We just met her last week.”

“True.” Kaycee gave a little smile. “When are you seeing her again?”

“Tomorrow.” He straightened in his seat. “Pool at Mickey’s.”

“That’s cool,” Kaycee said, but without enthusiasm.

Justin stood and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, kiddo.” He stepped back. “What would you like for dinner?”

She considered his question. “Comfort food sounds good.”

“Meatloaf and mashed potatoes?”

“Yeah.” She smiled at him. “One more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

He couldn’t imagine any sweeter words.

Justin pulled up to Miranda’s place a couple of minutes early. He sat in his truck for a moment. He had to make sure he didn’t push things too far, too fast with her. Last thing he wanted to do was scare her away or make her regret anything.

He climbed out, shut the door behind him, and strode up to the mobile home. It was nice for a home with wheels. He could understand why Miranda wanted something more permanent, though. It was the way he felt about things, too. Never could settle for anything less than what he wanted in life. It was why he’d had so few long-term relationships over the years. If he didn’t see potential, he moved on. No use spending time with a woman he couldn’t see himself sharing the rest of his life with. He wondered if that sounded harsh, but it was more fact than emotion.

Now Miranda, she was a woman he could picture in his life permanently. He imagined her in his kitchen, with him snuggled up on the couch, and definitely waking up to her every single morning for the rest of his life.

He dragged his hand down his face. Maybe he’d been a bachelor too long. He needed to stop obsessing over her. She could turn out to be a mistake, but everything in his gut told him she wasn’t even close to being one. She was anything but.

When she opened the door to his knock, her smile took his breath away.

“I don’t think I could ever tell you enough how beautiful you are.” He reached up and caressed her face. “Every time I see you, I can’t think straight.”

She smiled. “Keep talking that way and I might drag you inside and not let you out of my house.”

He laughed. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

Miranda grabbed a sweater and slipped it on over her button-up blouse before tucking her phone in one pocket and her ID in another. She wore snug jeans that hugged her figure and her hair fell over her shoulders in a long dark wave.

She hugged her sweater close and he rested his arm around her shoulders as they walked to his truck. It felt so comfortable and natural, not like it was only their second date.

As they drove to Mickey’s, they didn’t miss a beat. It was like they’d been together last night instead of several days ago.

“Before I forget,” Justin said as he guided the truck into town. “My brother Carter and his wife, Kit, invited us to dinner next Tuesday. Would you like to go?”

Miranda hesitated, but only a moment. “Sure, I’d love to.”

He gave what looked like a relieved grin. “I’ll let them know.”

Mickey’s was a small country bar and grill that catered to locals. It was rare an out-of-towner would come through the doors, but it happened. They walked up onto the long wood-planked porch and in through the swinging glass and wood doors. Everything was rustic, and well, old, but comfortable.

When they entered, the music pounding from the jukebox banged Justin’s eardrums. The usual Monday night pool crowd appeared to be there.

Justin grasped Miranda’s hand and led her to the bar. He turned to her. “Hungry? Mickey has decent bar food.”

“I can go for decent.” She slid onto a barstool, and he took the one beside her.

Mickey, a former pro bodybuilder, looked like he was in his early fifties, but had to be in his late sixties. He kept in shape and didn’t need a bouncer—he did a fine job alone kicking troublemakers out on their asses. Justin wouldn’t even want to cross the big man, who stood at six-six and looked like he was still a pro in the ring.

“Hey, Mickey.” Justin gave a nod to the man. “How’re you doing?”

“Good, real good.” Mickey’s face cracked into a smile. “That little girl of yours must be growing up fast.”

Justin nodded. “Too fast.” He turned to Miranda. “Meet Mickey, who you no doubt figured is the owner.”

He looked at Mickey. “Miranda bought some property from Maxine. She’s working with kids and horses.”

“Hi.” Miranda extended her hand.

Mickey took it. “A pleasure, ma’am.” He released her hand and braced his palms on the bar top. “You two drinking, eating, or talking?”

“All of the above.” Miranda smiled. “What do you recommend on your menu today? I’m starving.”

Mickey plopped a couple of menus on the bar and slid one to Justin and the other to Miranda. “Short ribs are great tonight, which means you can’t beat the short rib nachos.”

“My favorite.” Justin looked at Miranda. “I can never get enough of those. Big plate, plenty to share.”

“Sold.” Miranda left her menu closed. “I’d like something domestic and cold to drink along with it.”

Justin held up two fingers. “Make it two.”

“You got it.” Mickey pushed away from the bar and headed into the back.

“Good guy.” Justin turned his stool to face Miranda. “I’d just hate to get on the wrong side of him.”

“I can see why.” Miranda glanced at the doorway he’d ducked into before looking at Justin. “He’s built like a Mack truck.”

“He was a pro bodybuilder but retired about twenty years ago.” Justin shook his head. “I don’t think he ever slowed down on working out.”

Miranda slid off her sweater as she let her gaze drift around the bar, over the pictures that covered the walls, of Mickey and famous guests, rodeo stars, and pictures taken during local rodeo events.

She rested her sweater on her lap. “Who are those people in the pictures?” She gestured to the framed photos. “I take it they’re well-known folks?”

He pointed toward the first one. “That’s Mickey with Kade Fields.”

“The hottest country music star out there,” Miranda said.

Justin nodded. “Then there’s Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Brad Paisley.” He gestured to another set. “Rodeo stars there, like world champion bull rider, Creed McBride, from Prescott, and a bunch of other cowboys and cowgirls.”

Miranda nodded. “Looks like Mickey knows a lot of famous people.”

“From what he says, he met his share during his pro wrestling days.”

She settled her gaze on the pool tables. “So that’s where I’m kicking your ass.” She glanced at his seat. “And yes, it’s definitely a nice one.”

He sure liked how she checked him out.

“Drink up.” Mickey arrived with their beers, then turned to the next customer.

Miranda sipped from her beer mug then set it down. “Nice and cold, just the way I like it.”

Justin took a swig of his own beer. “How long have you been shooting pool?”

“Since college.” She pushed a chunk of her long dark hair behind her ear. “I’m out of practice, but I still think I can take you.”

“I’ve been playing since I was a kid.” He laughed. “Let’s make a wager.”

She gripped the handle of her mug. “How much?”

“Not how much, but what.”

“Oh?” She raised a brow. “What do you have in mind?”

He needed to come up with something that would keep her close to him. “Since I’ll be winning, we’ll be going fishing for rainbow trout up in Black Canyon Lake on the Mogollon Rim this Saturday.”

“My, aren’t we cocky?” Miranda laughed. “I’ve never been fishing, so that would be an interesting challenge. Not so sure about fish guts.”

“I’ll take care of gutting the fish.” Justin adjusted his position on the barstool and rested one elbow on the bar as he faced Miranda. “I’ll teach you all you need to know about baiting and hooking.”

She grimaced. “Worms on a hook.”

“Maybe PowerBait, depending on just how squeamish you are.”

“I’m not squeamish.” She shook her head. “But the thought of hooking a worm isn’t appealing.”

He grinned. “Then PowerBait it is to start, earthworms later.”

“My turn.” She looked thoughtful. “If—when—I win, you have to wear a pink T-shirt to pool night next Monday.”

“Oh, hell no.” Justin shook his head. “No pink.”

Miranda laughed. “It’s that or Hello Kitty.”

No way was he losing this bet—he was taking her fishing. He dragged his hand down his face as he considered the stakes. “Okay, you’re on. We leave this Saturday at six a.m.”

“We’ll see about that.” She tilted her head to the side. “You’ll look adorable in pink or wearing Hello Kitty.”

“Adorable? Not even close.” Justin groaned at the thought. “I’m not losing this bet.”

Mickey showed up with a huge pile of nachos that made Miranda’s eyes go wide. “Holy crap,” she said.

Justin grinned as Mickey set the platter down and gave them each a small plate. “Dig in.”

Miranda did and made a sound of pleasure. “This is freaking amazing.”

Justin had to agree. He never got tired of Mickey’s short rib nachos.

When they finished eating, Justin ordered another beer for each of them. After they had beers in hand, they walked over to the pool tables, Justin carrying Miranda’s sweater. He set it and their beers on a nearby high-top.

They lined up quarters on one of the tables as they waited for a couple to finish their game. Justin had known the pair for years, and cracked jokes with Hector as they played. Jenny grinned at Justin with appreciation for distracting Hector whenever it was his turn.

Belatedly, Justin hoped Hector wouldn’t turn the tables on him. Last thing he wanted to do was wear pink to play pool next Monday. Hell, Miranda might get him a pink T-shirt with Hello Kitty on it and he’d have to go into hiding. Kaycee loved Hello Kitty when she was young and would probably get a kick out of it. One thing was for sure—no one would ever let him live it down.

Jenny won and Hector took a position beside the pool table. “Paybacks are a bitch as they say, amigo.”

Justin groaned. Me and my big mouth.

He introduced Jenny and Hector to Miranda.

Miranda greeted the pair then chalked her cue. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

“Ladies first.” Justin blew out his breath as he racked up the balls. Here goes.

“Eight-Ball.” Miranda had a nice stance and grip. She aimed and made the break straight-on left-handed and sank the five ball. Her stroke and follow-through were excellent, and he had to admit probably better than his own.

“Solids” She lined up her cue on the red ball. “Three, right corner.” She sank the three, then proceeded to make a bank shot, pocketing the seven ball. She failed on a jump shot, missing the two ball.

Miranda groaned and stepped back from the table. “Have at it, Justin.”

Justin shook his head. She was damned good.

He moved to the table and immediately Hector started in on him.

“Can’t beat your pretty brunette,” Hector said. “Might as well give up.”

No way was Justin wearing pink or Hello Kitty.

He did his best to ignore Hector, who wasn’t finished. “Your form sucks. What did you bet?”

Justin looked at Miranda, silently pleading she wouldn’t mention the shirt.

She just grinned and shrugged.

Growing up, Justin had plenty of experience ignoring his four brothers and two sisters, so he eventually tuned out Hector, who hadn’t stopped needling him.

Justin called his shot then curved the cue ball, striking and pocketing the ten. He called a corner shot, hugged the rail, and dropped in the fifteen. He set his jaw and managed to make a bank shot to sink the eleven, which put him ahead.

Feeling more confident, he aimed at the cue ball, took his shot, and glanced off the fourteen.

“Damn,” he muttered. He’d hoped to clean the table and not give Miranda another chance to beat him.

Miranda bent over the table, her fine ass right in front of him. He imagined coming up from behind her and—

She made a jump shot and dropped the one into the pocket.

Justin groaned, both from her making the shot and him getting distracted with a fantasy in the middle of playing pool.

Hector cheered on Miranda, tossing Justin a grin every time Miranda made a shot.

She had one ball left on the table when she slipped and sent the cue ball into a pocket and scratched.

Miranda let out a huff of breath. She was far more competitive than he’d realized. He figured he might have just met his match in more than one way.

“You’ll look adorable in a pink Hello Kitty shirt,” she said with a grin as she passed him, getting in her own jibe.

Hell no. The comment only served to make him more focused and helped him block out Hector who had started up again.

Justin sank all his balls, one after another. He would win, damnit. Finally, he lined up on the eight ball and had to take a few deep, even breaths as both Hector and Miranda heckled him.

He steadied his aim, tensed his jaw, and narrowed his brows. It was a complicated cut shot that he’d had problems with in the past, but this time he had to make it.

Steady. Easy goes it.

He blocked out images of pink Hello Kitty shirts and focused on the ball.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Justin took the shot. Hector jeered, Jenny shouted, and Miranda yelled, “No” as he watched the ball…

The eight-ball angled, hugged the rim, then dropped into a side pocket.

Justin let out a deep breath. No pink in his future, unless Miranda was wearing it.