Chapter Three
Devin chuckled as he watched her walk away and he could swear she had a little more sway in her hips when she did. It made him think of something he heard his cousin, Reid, say about his wife, Lucy. I hate to see her go, but I love watching her leave. Now that was the truth. Damn.
He really wanted Willa to have dinner with him. Why wouldn’t she? He wasn’t vain but he knew women liked his looks, he was a nice guy, and he tried his best not to hurt anyone. He could honestly say that the women he’d been with in the past were still his friends.
Blowing out a frustrated breath, he turned to see Rocky staring at him. “Back to work.”
A little while later, Devin knew he needed to give Rocky a break.
“We should quit for the day. I don’t want you to get saddle sore. You did great. We’ll take tomorrow off to give your body a rest then take it up again on Wednesday. I have a trail ride scheduled for that morning, so we’ll start when I get back around seven.”
“All right. That sounds good. I’ll be back here Wednesday then.”
“Be here around six-thirty in case I get back early.” Devin climbed the fence and then jumped down on the other side. “I’ll hold her while you get down. Just swing your right leg over the saddle, hold onto the saddle horn, and step down. Be careful because you’re going to be a little weak in the knees.”
He watched as Rocky did as he instructed but almost lost his balance when he put his foot on the ground. Rocky laughed self-consciously and looked at him.
“Damn, you weren’t lying. I don’t know if I can walk.”
“I’ll ride you up to your cabin in one of the golf carts.”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure. Stay here and I’ll get it. There is also some liniment in your cabin to use on your sore muscles. Make sure you use it. Everywhere. Trust me, by tomorrow you’ll wish you had if you don’t.” Devin turned away from him.
“Chip,” he called out.
A young man came striding down the aisle of the barn. “Yeah, boss?”
“Put Moondancer up, please. She’s worked hard today so give her some extra oats. I’m taking Mr. Fontaine to his cabin.”
“Understood, boss.” Chip took the reins from him and led Moondancer away.
Devin looked at Rocky. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
Rocky gave him a salute and leaned against the fence rail. He chuckled as he ran for the golf cart. They only used them for emergencies but he knew Rocky had to be sore, and a walk to his cabin would be painful. He climbed into the cart, started it up, and drove to the corral. Stopping it beside Rocky, he watched him as he gingerly climbed in.
“Shit. I’m going to hurt,” Rocky exclaimed with a loud groan.
“Yes, but if you use the liniment, it will help. I’ll make sure you have some before I leave. We try to make sure all the cabins have it. If not, I’ll get you some. People are always amazed at how much they use their muscles when riding a horse.”
“I believe it. What are you doing the rest of the day?”
“I have some paperwork to do, and I want to work on the webpage a little.”
“You won’t be going swimming?”
He heard the teasing in Rocky’s voice. “If I want to go swimming, I have a pool at my house.”
“Do you and your brother live on the property?”
“Yes. Jax and I each have fifty acres behind each of our homes. We’re on opposite sides of the property. The entire ranch has a thousand acres.”
“Impressive. Look, Devin, I want to apologize for being an ass yesterday. I didn’t mean to be. I was just damn tired and irritable.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Devin glanced over at him. “Tell me about Willa.”
Rocky laughed. “I was wondering when you’d get around to that.”
He grinned in response. “What can I say? I thought you and she were an item.”
“We thought we were too, for about five seconds. Willa is a great person. I love her like a sister, but she had a rough time with her ex-husband. He’s a real asshole. It’s not for me to tell you about him but I don’t want to see her hurt.”
He glanced over at Rocky and nodded. “I get it, but she won’t even have dinner with me so it doesn’t look like anything will come of it. I think she’s absolutely gorgeous though.” He shrugged.
“She is, but she’s also a good person.” Rocky sighed when he saw his cabin. “I’m going to soak forever in that Jacuzzi tub. I’m glad my cabin has one.”
“They all do.”
He stopped the cart in front of Rocky’s cabin. He watched as Rocky slowly climbed out and walked up the steps, resembling one of those cowboys in an old western movie with his bowed legs. He tried not to laugh since he’d been there too, but it had been a long time since then.
Following him inside, Devin wanted to make sure there was liniment. After finding it, he handed it to Rocky then headed toward the door.
“Take it easy tonight and tomorrow. I’ll see you Wednesday morning.”
Devin couldn’t stop the grin as he pulled away and headed back to the barn. As he drove past some women walking toward him, they smiled and waved at him. He knew he could have any of the single women here. Hell, probably a few of the married ones too, but he wouldn’t do that. The guests were off limits. Well, they always had been before he’d set eyes on Willa Foster.
Shit, he really wanted her. Her age didn’t mean a thing to him. He didn’t care if she was almost ten years older than him. He wouldn’t care if she was twenty years older. He’d never wanted a woman more. As he thought of her reclining by the pool in a swimsuit, he wondered if she wore a one-piece or two. For some reason, he really thought a one-piece was sexier than a bikini.
Damn it. Now his dick was twitching. It seemed like he’d been hard since yesterday. All he had to do was think of her and his dick shot up like a flag going up a pole with a steady breeze lifting it. Salute!
As he started to drive past the lodge, it seemed like the cart had a mind of its own and steered toward the pool. Stopping the vehicle, he shut it off and stepped out then gazed around the area. The minute he saw Willa, he groaned. A black one-piece swimsuit hugged her body like a second skin.
Taking a deep breath, he walked to the pool. After opening the gate, he strode around the pool heading for her lounge chair. Out of politeness, he stopped and spoke to several guests as he set his sights on Willa. He couldn’t take his eyes off her legs. Several of the women sent him inviting smiles. Giving them a nod, he put his fingers to his hat and moved on past until he reached her, and his shadow fell across her.
Shading her eyes with her hand, she gazed up at him, and a smile lifted her lips.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Callahan. Imagine that.”
He grinned. “Yes. I’m just making the rounds to make sure all of our guests are… satisfied. Are you, Miss Foster? Because if you’re not, I will do my damnedest to make sure you are.”
Willa laughed low in her throat. “I don’t doubt that for a minute but as of right now, I am very satisfied. What about you, Mr. Callahan?”
“If I said no?”
Willa shrugged. “I’d say you need to make sure you are.”
“How do you suggest I do that?” He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He was sure he was salivating when she bent one knee, and he noticed her red toenails.
Swinging her legs over the side of the lounge chair, she slowly stood. Willa was so close he could smell her vanilla scented shampoo and suntan lotion. Smiling at him, she leaned closer, and he did everything he could not to look at her cleavage. He was dying. Plain and simple.
“Find someone to help you get some satisfaction. Someone who would make sure you were completely satisfied when all was said and done,” she said in a low tone of voice.
Groaning, he looked at her lips. “Do you have anyone in mind?”
Willa’s grin was wicked. “Of course, I do.”
She walked to the edge of the pool and dove in.
Shit! Son of a bitch! Fuck! Devin had to get the hell out of here fast or embarrass himself. Damn her. She knew he’d have to run like he was on fire and he was, damn it. He had to get home and take a cold, very cold, shower. It was that or he’d take her right here. Right now.
****
When Willa came up from her dive into the cool water of the pool, she didn’t see Devin anywhere. Exhaling as she glanced around, she was happy to see he was gone. She’d had to jump into the pool or attack the man where he stood. Dipping her head back to get her wet hair from her face, she moved through the water and walked up the cement steps to her lounge chair then sat down.
“That man is so hot,” a woman beside her said.
She glanced over as she dried off with a towel and smiled, but didn’t say anything.
“You should go for it. I wouldn’t care if I was older or not. If I was your age and he acted that way with me, I’d have him between the sheets in no time.”
If I was your age?
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from blasting the woman. Instead, she forced a smile and sat on the lounge chair. “ I don’t just hop into bed with anyone.”
Reaching for her suntan lotion, she slathered it on since she burned easily being so fair skinned and she hoped the woman got the point.
“Are you participating in any of the activities or just lazing around the pool?”
Willa inwardly sighed and leaned her head back. Apparently the woman had missed it, and she didn’t feel like having a conversation with her. Especially since she was so much older than everyone. But she wasn’t a rude person.
“I’m here with Rocky Fontaine. I’m his personal assistant.”
“Wow. I haven’t seen him yet. I think he’s hot, though not as hot as either of the Callahan men. I like the tall, dark, and handsome type.” The woman smiled at her. “I’m Judy, by the way.”
“Willa. Rocky is very handsome and a great guy.”
“Are you and he… you know?”
Willa raised her head and looked at her. “Dear God, no. We’re friends. We have been for years.”
“Good job to have though, huh? Following a hot Hollywood actor around.”
If she only knew, Willa thought. It just astounded her how many people thought it was an easy job. It was far from it. She had to get his schedule set up for appearances, take care of finances, check in with Christopher regularly, and do Rocky’s bidding. He used to call her at ungodly hours of the morning just to tell her to get him a coffee, but she put the brakes on that real quick.
Smiling, she remembered the fights they would have in the beginning. When she’d told him she wasn’t his maid, it all came to a head and she almost walked out. Then Rocky apologized, and they became friends. The only time they even thought of it going any further had been after a party. He’d kissed her but when it was over, they both knew it would lead nowhere and the friendship started. Now, she could say anything to him and not worry about him firing her. He respected her decisions and always asked for her advice. In fact, she knew if she had pressured him a little more about not coming here, she knew he wouldn’t have. Once she realized how badly he wanted to do this, she had agreed. He could be such a child at times. She’d even recently considered quitting, but she had no idea what else she would do. She practically fell into the job with him, and she couldn’t imagine not doing some kind of public relations work.
“It can be a pain sometimes, but I love it.”
“Well, if it brings you to places like this, I’d be all for it. Especially with all the hot cowboys here.”
Willa smiled but didn’t reply. Sure, she went on many trips with Rocky but it had driven her husband into the arms of another woman. A younger woman.
Mentally shaking her head, she wondered how much longer she’d be with Rocky. It was getting to the point where she wanted someone special in her life. Not a spoiled man who sometimes acted like a child if he didn’t get his way. She loved him like a brother, but some would say they’d rather deal with friends than relatives. He was a good man, but he could throw temper tantrums better than any two-year-old could.
Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back, and Devin Callahan flashed through her mind. He definitely fit in the tall, dark, and handsome category. None of the men in Hollywood could hold a candle to that rugged, sexy cowboy. Damn man. She should just go for it. Have sex with him and get over it.
She snorted.
“Are you all right?” Judy asked her.
“I’m fine. Just thinking about some… things.”
Judy laughed. “I know what I’d be thinking of if one of the Callahan men was interested in me.”
Now, she couldn’t help it, she laughed and glanced at Judy. “Maybe you should go after one of them then.”
“Don’t think I wouldn’t like to but I read there is no fraternizing between the guests and staff.”
“The Callahans are the owners, not staff.” Now she wondered if she was trying to convince Judy or herself.
“I have a feeling it means them too. Which is why you should go for it… if he’s coming on to you, then he doesn’t care about the rules. He made them, he can break them. A nice roll in the hay while you’re here. And I’m sure there is a lot of hay around here to be rolled in.” Judy winked at her.
Willa nodded wanting to roll her eyes at the woman but closed her eyes instead. Maybe she’d been in the sun too long, and her brain was being fried since she couldn’t stop thinking about Devin, about how sexy and hot he was. Did it really matter if he was younger?
Nine years is a big difference! When she’d graduated from high school, he’d been nine years old. Oh, dear God! She mentally shook her head. It wasn’t like she’d been lusting after him then. He was a man now. A full grown, sexy, hot cowboy.
“You don’t even watch westerns,” she muttered.
“What?” Judy asked her.
“Nothing. Just thinking out loud.”
“Thinking about going for it?”
She stood and stared down at Judy. “No. He’s really not my type. I’m heading back to my cabin. I’ll see you later. ”
“Are you going on the trail ride, Wednesday? Because Devin is leading that one.” Judy smirked and pulled her sunglasses on.
Willa picked up her towel, suntan lotion, and after putting her sunglasses on, she walked from the pool without answering. She had a feeling Judy was being a smartass about it, and that remark had been her way of telling her she was going on that ride.
“Probably going to be all over Devin too,” Willa said under her breath as she walked down the road toward her cabin.
At the last minute, she headed to Rocky’s cabin to see how he was doing. She knocked and waited. When he didn’t answer, she pounded on the door and called out to him.
“Rocky? It’s me, Willa.”
“I’m coming,” he said from inside.
The door opened, and Rocky stood there in nothing but sweatpants. His blond hair was mussed, and he looked like he’d just gotten up.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I must have dozed off. Devin gave me some liniment and after I put it on, I laid down.”
“Do you need to be at the barn in the morning?”
“Nah, Devin told me to rest tomorrow. I’m meeting him Wednesday.”
“Wednesday? I thought he was leading a trail ride?”
Rocky grinned. “He is, but he said he’ll be back by seven. They take the rides out early to beat the heat. The trail ride is only an hour.” Leaning against the doorjamb, he folded his arms. “Are you going on the ride?”
“I was thinking about it…” She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
Rocky snorted and straightened up. “No reason. I’m going to go lie back down. My ass is killing me.”
Willa groaned and shook her head. “Too much information, Rock. I’ll see you later.”
“I’d say let’s grab dinner, but I don’t feel like going anywhere.”
Waving, she stepped off the porch. “Don’t worry about it. I plan on going to the lodge to eat. I could bring you something. They have great food.”
“No, thanks. I’m hoping to sleep until morning. I might soak in the Jacuzzi again first though. Hey, did you enjoy the pool?”
“I did.” She glanced down at her swimsuit. “How did you know?”
He grinned. “Just a hunch. I’ll see you later, Wil.” He closed the door.
Willa followed the road to her cabin. Glancing around, she decided it really was a beautiful place with those gorgeous mountains in the distance. When she reached her cabin, she entered it then walked to the bathroom to shower to get the chlorine from her hair and skin, after which she was going to read the brochures to see what the Bur Oak ranch offered.
After her shower, she dressed in lounge pants and a red tank top then padded barefoot to the kitchen. Maybe she’d just stay in tonight. It was only their second night here, after all. There was plenty of time to check out dinner at the lodge. She hated the idea of dressing and going out again. The sun had made her tired, and she’d probably hit the sheets early tonight. Too bad Devin wasn’t hitting them with her.
“Willa LeAnn Foster, you seriously need to let it go,” she said aloud. “It ain’t happenin’.”
Flopping down on the sofa, she turned the TV on and flipped through the channels. Nothing appealed to her because she was just too antsy. Antsy? No, not antsy. Horny! And it was all Callahan’s fault.
“ Grrrrr .”
Sitting up, she picked up a pillow and threw it across the room then slumped back down. That damn man was working his way into her head, and she couldn’t keep him out. As long as she could keep him out of her bed, that was all that mattered. She snorted. If she didn’t stop thinking of him, she was going to make herself so horny she’d attack him the next time she saw him and that could not happen since she was terrified that one time with him would never be enough.
Sighing, she reached for the brochures on the coffee table to see what the ranch had to offer besides gawking at hot cowboys. Leaning back, she opened one and saw it was about the lodge and restaurant. The ranch opened the first of March and closed the last week of August. There were twenty rooms at the lodge, along with a gift shop in the lobby. She’d have to check that out. The next brochure mentioned the activities. Opening it, she began reading. There was something for everyone every day—from trail rides to cattle drives, hikes, hayrides, swimming, tennis, fishing in the large pond, and trips to town. There was a bonfire on Wednesday nights. She also read about no fraternizing between guests and staff. She had to remember that rule.
On Saturday nights, there was a dance in the largest barn as a farewell to guests leaving the next day. She smiled. It sounded like a great place to spend a vacation. Tossing the brochure onto the table, she decided she’d talk to someone about going on one of the trips to town to look around. According to the pamphlet, it was a small, picturesque town.
Picking up the remote once again for the TV, Willa found an old movie. It would do.
****
Devin walked to his house as the sun was beginning to set behind the mountains. Glancing around, he could see people walking or jogging along the roads that surrounded the ranch. He’d seen a few people heading in the directions of the hiking trails too. Removing his hat, he swiped his arm across his forehead. It was damn hot and only just the beginning of July.
He chuckled when he remembered Rocky saying how hot it was yesterday when he’d arrived. Had it only been yesterday? Seemed like Willa had been here longer, which brought his thoughts back to her. It was beginning to become a habit for thoughts of her to pop into his head at any given moment and he needed to get past it because, although she liked to flirt or give him a rough time, he honestly didn’t think he had a snowball’s chance in hell with her.
Putting his hat back on, he continued to his home and sighed when he caught sight of the beautiful log home. Jaxon had a log home too, but they looked nothing alike. Jaxon’s was a one-story, and Devin’s was a two-story with rows of windows across the front from the porch to the eaves.
He shook his head as he thought about Jaxon. His brother had been through so much. Losing his wife in a car accident and getting so injured himself that his career as a bull rider had ended. Devin would never forget his uncle Declan flying him and two of his cousins, along with all their parents, to Idaho Falls to visit Jaxon in the hospital two years ago. He’d had hours of surgery to repair his hip and busted leg. Bethany’s funeral had been put on hold until he was well enough to attend. For a year, Jaxon wanted nothing to do with anyone but he eventually moved on and began working Bur Oak as hard as anyone else. Maybe harder to prove to himself he was still capable. He never backed down from any job and that included baling and stacking hay and leading trail rides, but Devin knew how much his brother missed his wife, Bethany, every day. The only thing Jaxon didn’t do was lead the cattle drives since it required a two-night camping trip and only because sleeping on the ground more than one night bothered his hip too much. Devin was more than happy to do it, and he knew without a doubt that if, for some reason he couldn’t, Jaxon would despite the chance of his hip bothering him. Devin hoped his brother would find happiness with someone again .
He entered his house and squatted down to pet his Border collie, Dolly. He had found the dog’s mother in the barn about to give birth, and he knew the minute he saw her that someone had dropped her off. She’d been in bad shape. A week after having three puppies, she died. Between him, Jaxon, and the staff, they’d taken turns feeding the puppies. When they were old enough to find homes, he, Jaxon, and Roark had each taken one.
Dolly sat and waited patiently for him to feed her. Devin grinned as he scooped food into her dish. “If only Willa Foster looked at me like you do, Dolly-girl.”
He set the dish down and smiled as she began to eat.
“Now you’re doing exactly as she does when I’m around. Ignoring me.”
Laughing, he shook his head and walked out of the kitchen through his living room, and up the stairs. Time for a shower and he hoped he didn’t have to change the water to cold again like he had earlier today from the conversation at the pool. It wasn’t much of stretch for him and the other men working the ranch to shower twice a day, but he had a feeling that he’d be taking a lot of cold showers since Willa Foster was here. Damn woman.