A Cowboy’s Heart (The Callahans #2)

Chapter One

“Son of a bitch,” Devin Callahan muttered as he reread the letter yet again.

Tossing it onto the desk, he strode angrily from his office, down the hallway, entered the kitchen, and yanked open the refrigerator door to retrieve a beer. Just as he twisted the top off, the back door opened and his brother, Jaxon entered, stopped in his tracks then raised an eyebrow when he saw the beer in his hand.

“What? I can’t have a beer?”

Jaxon glanced at the clock above the stove. “At ten in the morning?”

Devin looked at the clock, swore, and put the beer back.

“Seems later,” he murmured.

“What’s going on, Dev?”

“I received a letter from some Hollywood agent. He wants to send Rocky Fontaine here to learn how to be a cowboy.”

Jaxon’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? Rocky Fontaine—the actor?”

“Yes. Seems Mr. Fontaine is going to be in a western and needs to learn some things. Shooting starts next spring.”

Jaxon pulled out a chair and took a seat. “I can’t see him in a western.”

“I can’t either. Those pretty boy looks will stick out like a sore thumb.” He hooked a chair with his booted foot, pulled it out, and flopped down.

“What did you tell the agent?”

“Nothing yet. I have to get back to him within a week after receiving the letter. He said if our guest ranch couldn’t do it, they’d have to find another one.” He drummed his fingers on the table in annoyance. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea but it was a great opportunity.

“How the hell did they even know about ours?”

“Seems the agent is a rodeo fan and he saw a documentary on me, saying how I left at the top of my career in bull riding to open a guest ranch. So, he sent me the letter.” He shrugged and wondered why he was even considering this.

“The only thing that bothers me about it is, what about our other guests?” Jaxon asked.

“He mentioned them signing a letter of confidentiality. Fontaine will be here for a month with an assistant of some kind. It seems Mr. Fontaine will be paying triple the amount to be here.”

“Triple? Shit. That’s a hell of a lot of money.”

Devin ran his hand around the back of his neck. “I know it is, but you know we don’t need the money, Jax. We have plenty of it. I just don’t know if this would be worth all the trouble. I have too much other shit to do.”

“Did Fontaine request you personally?”

“His agent did.”

Jaxon stood. “I think you should do it, but then it’s up to you. The money aside, it would bring a lot of exposure to the ranch.”

He knew Jaxon was right. He should do it, although other than gaining exposure he wasn’t sure why. Then again, did they really need it since they were already full every year? People were on waiting lists for two years.

Devin sighed as he considered drinking that beer after all.

“Since Fontaine is bringing an assistant with him, I’ll have to get in touch with the people who are booked for two cabins and see if any of them would be willing to change to rooms in the lodge. I’ll have to make it worth their while.” Devin ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

“Just let me know what you decide but if it were me, I’d do it.” Jaxon gave him a nod while getting to his feet then walked out the back door.

Two weeks later, he and Jaxon stood leaning against the corral fence when they both turned to see a vehicle coming up the driveway too fast, blowing dust all around once it left the blacktop behind for the dirt roads of the ranch.

“I guess whoever this is, can’t read,” Devin said, meaning the sign which read Please Drive Slowly located at the entrance to the ranch.

“Guess not.” Jaxon pushed his hat back.

Both men stared at the cloud of dust filling the air until a limousine emerged from it.

Devin snorted. “Well, that fucking explains it.”

“Your pupil has arrived,” Jaxon muttered.

“Shit.” Pushing himself away from the fence, Devin slowly strolled toward the vehicle.

The car stopped, and the chauffeur stepped out then walked to the back door. When he opened it, he saw a long, sexy leg emerge ending in a red stiletto-clad foot. Then the other leg joined it. His gaze ran up from those heels to shapely ankles, toned calves, and a red skirt that barely covered anything. His mouth suddenly went dry. A white blouse, and then a heart-stopping face framed by long, strawberry blonde hair completed the package.

He felt his groin tighten as he continued to look at the woman. Full, pouty lips sat below a pert nose accompanied by flawless fair skin. Red sunglasses covered her eyes making him want to rip them off so he could see what color they were.

Watching her step out of the limo, she then glanced around before moving aside to let the other passenger out. Devin almost burst out laughing when he saw Rocky Fontaine as he stood beside the woman, dressed in new jeans that were pressed with a crease down the front and on his feet were pointy cowboy boots—brand new by the looks of them. They were shiny black and had the kind of pointy toes that cowboys referred to as roach killers, meaning they were so pointy they could be used to kill a roach in a corner.

As he watched, the man set a black cowboy hat with a turquoise band surrounding it on his blond hair and tilted it back with his thumb. Devin rubbed his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing aloud and turned to look at Jaxon, who had his head tilted down so his hat hid his face, but he could see his brother’s shoulders shaking with laughter. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

“Mr. Fontaine? Welcome to the Bur Oak Guest Ranch,” he said as he stuck his hand out.

“Thank you,” Rocky Fontaine said with a fake smile as he put his hand in Devin’s but dropped it almost immediately.

Devin clenched his jaw as his temper rose. If this Hollywood hotshot thought he was above him, he could go elsewhere. He sure as hell didn’t need this snob on his property.

“Why is it so hot here? I thought being in Montana it would be cooler,” Rocky said as he glanced around, his lips twisting in distaste.

“It’s July, Mr. Fontaine. Of course, it’s hot,” he said as politely as he could.

“For God’s sake, Rocky, don’t be an ass,” the woman said, surprising him and his brother for he heard Jaxon cough to cover his laugh.

Her soft husky voice had Devin’s dick definitely appreciating it. Shit! He sure as hell didn’t need to go all horny like a teenager around her.

“I'm not an ass, Willa. I just assumed it would be cooler closer to those mountains.”

Willa. What a beautiful name. Devin stepped closer to the woman, and he could smell her perfume. Light and flowery, not overpowering like some women wore.

“As I said, I’m Devin Callahan, and that’s my brother, Jaxon.” He motioned with his thumb out over his shoulder. “We own the ranch.”

He stuck his hand out to her. She smiled at him and placed her hand in his. He could swear a flash of lightning struck him and by the look on her face, she’d felt it too.

“Willa Foster. I’m Rocky’s personal assistant. We booked two cabins. No one was at the front office where we came in so…”

“Josie is probably at lunch. Let me run down there and see what cabins you’re in, and I’ll get your keys.”

Keys. As in plural. At least she wasn’t sleeping with the jerk. Of course, she could be and just wanted her own cabin too. Shut up, Callahan! It’s none of your business.

“Could you or your brother take our luggage to our cabins?” Rocky asked him.

Devin halted in his tracks and turned to face him. “No. I’ll tell you what cabins you’ll be using, and your driver can take you to them.”

“Then one of you will unload the car?” Fontaine frowned at him.

Getting annoyed and bordering on angry, he stepped forward but Jaxon’s voice stopped him.

“No, sir. You will unload your own luggage, Mr. Fontaine. Unless you ask the driver to do it. We are here to teach you how to ride or at least, look like you know what you’re doing. We’re not your servants. This may be a guest ranch, but it is also a working ranch. People come here to do just that and enjoy the activities. If you wanted your luggage carried, maybe you should have booked a room in the lodge.”

Devin bit back a smile and noticed Willa did too. He watched as she turned her back to Fontaine, but he had a feeling she was trying not to laugh. When she turned to face him, she smiled and shrugged. He gave her a nod.

“I’ll help Miss Foster with her luggage. You can carry your own. You are a man after all. At least that’s what I hear.” He stared at the man.

Rocky Fontaine’s jaw clenched. “Of course, I can. That’s what I meant by someone carrying the luggage in. We’re here for a month, Mr. Callahan. Willa and I have a lot of luggage. I’d appreciate it if you could help her.”

He about lost it when Willa Foster snorted. “I’m a big girl. I can carry my own luggage in.”

“It’s no problem. I’ll help you, Miss Foster. I’ll be right back with the keys,” he said then walked down the blacktop road to the registration office, muttering under his breath the entire way. Opening the door, he stepped inside. Josie smiled at him then frowned at the look on his face.

“Is something wrong, Dev?” she asked him.

“Two guests need their keys.” Walking around the counter, he looked at the computer to see what cabins they were registered for, and then picked up their keys.

“I’m sorry. I stepped out for lunch. No one was supposed to arrive until two.”

“I know. No problem, Josie. I’ll get them settled.” He gave her a smile then walked around the counter and out the door.

Jogging back up the road to the limo, he saw Willa leaning against it and glancing around, but he didn’t see Fontaine anywhere. Jaxon was heading in the direction of the barn. Devin noticed Willa straighten up when she spotted him and tapped on the glass of the limo, and he watched as the window lowered. She leaned down and said something then the window went back up.

She turned back in his direction, and he almost tripped over his own feet. She was stunning. He ran his eyes over her hair which was shining in the sunlight, down her beautiful face and those damn sunglasses to her breasts, and down her flat stomach to her long, shapely legs. He wanted to fuck her while she wore those shoes with those long legs wrapped around his waist.

Damn it! He didn’t need his dick getting hard, and he had to calm down before he got to her. Drawing in a deep breath, he walked the rest of the way to her and stopped in front of her. She smiled at him, and he wanted to pull her to him and kiss her senseless. He cleared his throat.

“I have your keys. You’re in cabin eleven and Fontaine is in sixteen.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Eleven and sixteen?”

“Sorry, that’s what was available when the cabins were booked. If there’s a problem, I can see if the guests in one of the cabins beside those would be willing to move to another cabin.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just that I set up Rocky’s itinerary and sometimes I have to talk with him late into the night.”

“Cellphones work here.” Devin smirked.

She laughed. “All right. What time is Rocky supposed to be in the barn?”

“Six.”

“In the morning?” When he nodded, she burst out laughing. “Good luck with that.”

“That was in the papers. Will you be there?”

“No. I’ll be busy working on his next move.”

Devin stared at her. “Have the driver take you to your cabins. I’ll be there in a minute to help with your luggage.”

“I told you I don’t need help.”

“Yeah well, I’m not ready to walk away from you yet,” he muttered under his breath as he moved around her and started up the road toward the cabins.

The limo drove past him and stopped in front of her cabin. Picking up his pace, he jogged to the back of the car when he saw the trunk pop open then he watched the door open, and Willa’s long legs extend out. Damn, he wanted her. He never remembered wanting a woman so fast. Scooting out, she stood then walked to the back of the limo.

“Which ones are yours?” he asked.

Willa pointed to hers as she pulled two smaller cases out to carry in herself. He lifted the two big ones, carried them into the cabin then returned for a few smaller ones then after delivering those, returned to the car to get the rest.

“Since you’re here, Callahan, you can carry my luggage into my cabin too,” Rocky said.

“I’m here to help Miss Foster. Mr. Fontaine, you are more than capable of carrying in your own luggage. You were informed about everything concerning this ranch from your agent. People come here and work. Their luggage is never carried into the cabins, only the lodge. I’m helping Miss Foster to be polite.” He was slowly losing patience.

Rocky stepped forward. “You don’t think you should be polite to all your guests?”

“I am. Unless they give me a reason not to be.”

With that, Devin picked up Willa’s suitcases and carried them into her cabin. She was standing by the door and took two of the smaller cases from him when he reached her. He entered in front of her and set the bags down by the others.

The cabins were all similar with an open living area, large stone fireplace, and a kitchenette. The cabin Willa was staying in had one bedroom, but some were equipped with two.

Turning when she entered the cabin, he watched as Willa set the two cases down then closed the door. She leaned back against it, folded her arms, and stared at him. As he leaned against the back of the sofa, he heard the limo drive off to go to Fontaine’s cabin. Watching as she removed her sunglasses and looked at him, he noticed tiny crow’s feet at the corners of beautiful jade green eyes. She was older than he’d first thought, but he didn’t care. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

“You’re staring, Mr. Callahan,” she said as she tilted her head.

“Sorry. I was just thinking how beautiful you are.”

Willa laughed in a deep husky tone. “Do you use that line on all your guests?”

“Not all of them… just the women.”

She looked startled then burst out laughing. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Have dinner with me.”

“No, thank you. I have too much to do.”

“You have to take a break sometime.”

“Do I?” Willa pushed away from the door. “Look, I’m flattered, but I’m not interested in a fling and especially with a younger man.”

“What’s age got to do with it? It would be just dinner unless you were expecting more?” He watched as her lips twitched and he wanted to kiss her so bad he could taste it.

“No. If that were the case, why even bother with having dinner?”

“You’re right. Let’s just go to bed.” Stepping closer to her, he inhaled her scent.

“You really are cocky, aren’t you? I’m not interested in that, either. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to soak in that big tub I saw in the bathroom. Thank you for helping Rocky and I settle in. Have a good day, Mr. Callahan.”

“Devin. Have a good soak, Miss Foster and if you need me to scrub your back, just call the number on the phone list. Josie will find me.” He grinned.

“This isn’t over,” he said under his breath as he pulled the door open, glanced over his shoulder to make sure she heard him, and smiled then closed it behind him.

****

Willa shook her head and laughed. Men came on to her all the time. She wasn’t vain, but she knew she appealed to them with her long, strawberry blonde hair and jade green eyes. Many men would stop in their tracks and stare, but not one of them had ever appealed to her like Devin Callahan did. He was younger though, since he hadn’t denied it when she’d mentioned it. But by how much? She was forty and she’d bet her bottom dollar he was in his late twenties or early thirties. She’d never been with a younger man and never had a desire to be. She had always preferred older men. Until now. When she’d stepped out of the limo and saw him, she wanted to crawl back inside… with him and have her way with him behind those tinted windows.

“Damn, it’s hot,” she muttered as she picked up the smallest suitcase and walked toward the bathroom.

She stopped at the thermostat to see it was set on seventy. Using one hand, she pulled her blouse from her skirt, unbuttoned it then spun back around, marched back to the door, and locked it. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Devin Callahan but Rocky had a bad habit of just barging in whenever he felt like it. At times, he acted like a pampered child. At one time, she’d thought herself in love with him—until they kissed. He could be lazy and egotistical, he expected everyone to do his bidding so she was happy when Jaxon Callahan told him to carry his own luggage.

Devin had followed the limo to help her, and Rocky hadn’t been happy about it at all. Willa couldn’t remember him ever having to carry his own bags anywhere. She had jerked when she’d heard Rocky’s cabin door slam shut and he was five cabins away. Shaking her head at his temper tantrum, she’d leaned against the door to see Devin propped against the back of her sofa with his arms folded across his broad chest, grinning. Dimples peeked in his cheeks, and God knew she’d always been a sucker for dimples.

Now blowing out a breath, she walked down the hallway to the bathroom. It would do you no good to get involved with him. Other than having some hot sex.

“What makes you think it would be hot? Maybe he’s a dud in bed,” she muttered as she set the suitcase on the bed, kicked off her stilettos, and stripped.

A queen size bed with an iron scrolled headboard and footboard sat cattycorner with a big antique steamer trunk at the bottom. A blue and white quilt covered the bed. The pale blue interior walls were trimmed with white, and French doors looked out into the woods behind the cabin. A dark blue plush carpet covered the floor. It was a beautiful room.

She unzipped her suitcase, pulled out lounge pants, a T-shirt, panties, and bubble bath. Entering the bathroom, she was pleased to see the large Jacuzzi tub sitting below a frosted glass window. The afternoon sun shone through, but it wasn’t possible to look in or out of. A skylight above the tub also let the sunshine in. After turning the faucets on and adding bubble bath, she stripped and piled her long hair on top of her head then slid into the hot, steamy water.

What makes you think it would be hot? How about the fact that the man was way too sexy? When he’d removed his cowboy hat, she’d wanted to thread her fingers through his silky looking black hair. His grey eyes were the color of a cloudy day, and they twinkled with humor. And his jeans fit him like a glove. His black T-shirt stretched tightly over his pecs, and she could make out a six-pack stomach. Even the short sleeves were tight around his fantastic biceps.

No. She could not and would not get involved with him. No matter how hot he was. She’d seen a lot of hot men in Hollywood, and she always thought she preferred a man in a three-piece suit to one in T-shirt, jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat. That was all before she arrived here and saw Devin Callahan. He wasn’t an urban cowboy either. He was the real deal. So was his brother, who was just as sexy but there was something about Devin that had her thinking about his offer to go to bed.

Sighing, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It felt so good to relax. Dealing with Rocky on the jet, and then in the rented limo had her clenching her jaw. He was like a brother to her but at times, she could kill him and be happy about it. Once the water began to cool, she pulled the plug, stood, and reached for a towel. After drying off, she stepped out and begrudgingly got dressed.

It was going to be a long day but she had some work she could do, and she imagined Rocky was probably taking a nap. He probably hadn’t unpacked either. Blowing out a breath, she shook her head. Knowing Rocky, he was waiting for someone to do it for him. She’d learned a long time ago not to give in to his demands. They’d had a big argument over it, and he threatened to fire her. When she’d stood up to him and told him to do it, he’d backed down. They’ve been together ten years, but the job was really wearing thin lately. This idea of his, to learn how to get on a horse so he could do his own riding in the movie, was insane and she’d tried like hell to talk him out of it and so had his agent, Christopher.

Sitting down on the sofa with her laptop, she jumped in surprise when someone knocked on her door. Exhaling, she set the computer down then walked to the door. She had a feeling it was Rocky but when she peered through the peephole, she saw that sexy Devin Callahan standing on the porch. Opening the door, she folded her arms and smiled.

“Miss me already?” she asked and watched his eyes run over her.

“I was hoping you missed me.” Devin grinned at her. “Actually, Josie just notified me that Mr. Fontaine has not signed the papers stating he wouldn’t sue us if he’s injured. I knocked on his door but he didn’t answer, so I thought I might find him here.” He tilted his head to glance behind her.

“He’s not here. He’s probably napping. He puts earplugs in, and he’s dead to the world.” She reached for the papers. “I’ll give them to him.”

“He has to sign them before even getting near a horse tomorrow morning. If he breaks his fool neck, Jax and I are not getting sued for it.”

Smiling, she leaned against the doorjamb and folded her arms again. “I’ll get them signed before tomorrow morning, and Rocky can bring them when he shows up in the barn.”

Devin leaned toward her, and she did everything she could not to bend forward into him. “If he’s not at the barn at six a.m., there will be no lesson tomorrow. We clear?”

“Crystal.” She put her hand out and wiggled her fingers. “Papers.”

Devin handed her the papers but didn’t let go of them when she tried to take them. She lifted an eyebrow at him.

“Dinner?”

“You don’t give up, do you?” she laughed, shaking her head.

“Not when I see something I want.”

“How old are you?”

“Christ, here we go with the age thing again. I’m thirty-one, so you’re what? Four years older than me?”

“What a charmer you are. I’m nine years older than you.”

A grin split his handsome face, and those gorgeous dimples peeked out. “Sexy. Age is just a number, and numbers mean nothing to me. People worry about them far too much.”

“Have a good evening, Mr. Callahan.” Willa laughed softly and started to close the door.

“I’m sure we would. What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of anything. I just don’t do one-night stands.”

“I don’t either.” He smiled at her. “It would be a hell of a lot longer than one night, darlin’. Just so you know—I don’t give up. Good evening, Miss Foster.”