Chapter 6
Carina
“Look at you.” Miranda approaches. “I’ve only seen you in basic black work clothes since you got here, but tonight you’re the belle of the ball. I guess I should say, the belle of the cookout.”
We laugh.
“Thanks for the compliment. I hope I’m not overdressed,” I say, smoothing down the slinky fabric of my dress.
“Have you looked around?”
I scour the garden. “Definitely overdressed.” Crap. “Maybe I should go change.”
Miranda places her hands at her hips. “You will do no such thing. The dress is stunning on you. It would be a crime if you were to merely blend into the crowd. Good for you for standing out.”
“Orange has a way of screaming, I’m here.” I make ta-da hands.
“Riley would be proud of you.”
“She is. She professed, and I quote, ‘In that dress––in that bold color––you’ll lasso a ranch hand before dessert.’”
“She kills me.” Miranda laughs. “However, in this case, she’s right.”
There’s nothing like a holiday sale in New York City.
I love everything about this dress.
I lucked out.
It was the last one in my size in the store. Once Nonna Ambrosia chopped off the length, it was perfect.
The sash that ties in a knot at the front gives the illusion of smaller breasts and the maxi length makes me feel so much taller than I am.
I’m usually a little self-conscious about exposing my arms, but it’s way too hot for me to be covering up.
Since the color makes the dress, I kept my accessories to big gold hoops and a chunky bracelet.
I decided on a simple party-perfect makeup and after a half hour of hard work, I managed to tame my waist-length hair.
“I feel pretty. Bonus, it’s super comfy,” I say, extending a leg out.
Miranda’s gaze drops to my gold sandals. “No cowgirl boots?”
My eyes move to her thousand-dollar hand-stitched brown and turquoise boots accentuated by flowers running up the leg—a birthday gift from her man—before pulling my gaze back to hers. “With a dress?”
“Down here, boots go with everything.”
“Noted.”
“There are a few shops in town, but you’ll get a great selection in Fort Worth or Dallas.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for the next time I’m there.”
“Speaking of which, since you got back in town late last night and you’ve been helping Riley all day, we didn’t get a chance to catch up. How was it?”
“I can’t believe I ended up working there for two weeks. The pace is a lot busier than it is here. I’m glad to be back in Summerville.”
Since I was already in town, Riley asked me to cover for a few other chefs who were sick in her other two locations. Thank God she footed the hotel bill.
“I’m from Savannah and lived in LA, and I feel the same way,” Miranda says. “I’d rather work here in Summerville anytime. It’s true I’m closer to my honey, but it turns out, I don’t mind living in a small town.”
She has a dreamy relationship… one I can only hope for.
“There are a lot of new faces,” I say, looking around.
“Yeah, there were two waves of new hires.”
“Are all the men in the area ruggedly handsome or is this a state-wide thing? Come to Texas where we grow ‘em hot.”
“You bet.” Miranda nods. “Of course, I wrangled the hottest one of them all.”
“Without a doubt.”
We both laugh.
Hunter is from LA, but everything about him screams bona fide local boy.
“There’s no denying it. Men down here are tempting. The small-town charm factor is icing on the cake.”
I nod as my eyes bounce around the garden.
I’m too much of a chicken to go up to one of the gorgeous studs surrounding me, but I can still appreciate the tempting view.
Very. Nice.
From the corner of my eye, I catch sight of a large pair of boots. My eyes brush up the length of the man’s body, taking in the definition of his thick muscular legs through his well-defined black jeans—Wranglers, I’m sure.
My gaze travels up and up before I fix my eyes on his… crotch.
God, does he look good in those. Real good.
I continue my inspection.
He’s wearing a black shirt that stretches across his powerful chest. A few buttons are undone, allowing for a peek of his chest.
Mmm.
Then, I meet his gaze.
Whoa.
It can’t be possible.
It must be a guy who looks exactly like him.
I blink a few times to make sure I’m not seeing things.
Nope. I’m not.
It’s really him. Six-foot-however-many-inches of sexy goodness.
It’s hard to forget his chiseled jaw and defined cheekbones. And those stunning eyes…
I don’t even know the guy. I shouldn’t be this turned on. And, if my fluttering pussy is any indication… I’m most definitely turned on.
What’s wrong with me?
He’s a complete stranger—a sexy as sin stranger—but a stranger, nonetheless.
Holy Jesus.
Wait a minute. What is he doing here?
“Is he the one you were drooling all over before leaving for Fort Worth?” Miranda’s voice startles me.
What did she say? “Sorry?”
“You’re practically eye-fucking Mr. Hot, Broody, and Delicious over there. Is he the one you were drooling all over before leaving for Fort Worth?”
I blush. “You remember that conversation?”
“I remember the expression on your face… the same one you have right now. Are you going to fess up?”
“It’s— I— Well—” What’s the point of denying it? I’m already busted. “That’s him.” I’d recognize those eyes anywhere.
“His name is Rhett.”
“You know him?” I’m so stunned, I nearly choke on my words.
“He started at the ranch on Monday.”
“Rhett.” I repeat his name almost to sear it in my mind. “Rugged name.”
Miranda leans in. “Rugged man.”
I swallow.
“From what I hear, he used to be one of the top rodeo stars in the country,” she says.
“I know nothing about rodeos.”
“Neither did I until I moved out here,” Miranda says. “Trust me, it’s like a religion down here.”
“Got it.”
“So he’s the one…” Her grin is so wide, it practically takes over her face.
A tall, dark, and handsome man coming our way catches my attention. “There you are, sweetie.” Hunter plants a kiss on Miranda’s cheek. “Carina.” He nods.
“Hunter.” I nod back.
“It goes without saying my fiancée is the hottest girl out here tonight, but you’re a close second.” He winks. “You look stunning.”
I beam with pride. “Thank you.”
“Doesn’t she?” Miranda arches a brow.
“I hate to pull you away, sweetie, but Riley is having a dessert crisis.”
Miranda glances up at her fiancé. “I thought April was on it. Didn’t Riley ask April to stop by the shop on her way to the ranch to grab the remainder of the cherry and apple pies her pastry chefs prepared for tonight?”
“Riley is having a meltdown because she’s afraid there won’t be enough for everyone,” Hunter says. “She’s wrong, but you know Riley. Jake and Allison are barbecuing up a storm, so that leaves you to talk some sense into her.”
“Okay,” Miranda says.
“I can help—”
“Sorry, Carina.” Hunter shakes his head. “I have a strict order from your boss. She doesn’t want to see you in the kitchen.”
I frown. “Why not?”
“You are to party and mingle. Something about you getting lucky and wrangling a ranch hand… or was it something about you knocking boots with a ranch hand.” He snaps his fingers. “Now, I remember. It was about you being tied up to a ranch hand’s bed.”
Miranda laughs.
Hunter joins her.
I’m not sure if I should join them or cry.
I feel so exposed.
“I’m exaggerating.” He gives me a onceover. “However, she did mention it would be a crime if you didn’t snag someone tonight in that dress.”
Miranda takes a step closer. “Sometimes, six feet of rugged sexiness is a sure way to get wrangled.” She points to someone with her chin. I don’t have to turn around to know who’s she’s referring to.
Hunter follows her gaze. “She’s got her eyes on one of the new guys.”
“She does.”
My cheeks burst into flames.
“I guess we’ll catch you later… or not.” Miranda purses her lips.
“Let’s hope not.” Hunter winks.
With that, they’re gone.
All right. I guess I’ll just hang out here… alone…
And then my gaze zeros in on him.