Chapter Eight
Eight
The past two weeks had been a blur of bliss for Esme, a time of discovery, getting to know Jesse, their differences fading in the face of so many shared interests, laughs and kisses.
They’d spent nearly every moment together, going on dates, buying last-minute Christmas gifts and adding to the scant wardrobe in her suitcase.
Touring his land, decorating his Christmas tree, making love in front of the fire.
He’d learned she had a weakness for flowers and could eat her way to the bottom of a bowl of popcorn. Heavily buttered. She sang Christmas carols with gusto, her pitch questionable, her enthusiasm undeniable.
Her equestrian skills were some of the best he’d ever seen. She was fire in motion on a horse.
Esme was a sensual woman who took pleasure in experiencing life.
Their nights had been spent passionately exploring in a lengthy quest to discover what made the other unravel with desire.
But she knew their time together was drawing to a close. She would have to return to Houston and her job. She’d delayed as long as she could.
Tomorrow, she was due to go back to Houston. Key members of the Royal chapter—including Jesse—would be touring the new club’s building renovations. Afterward, there would be a meeting with those Royal players, held at the Houston site.
Cases would be made for who should be the new president. Had she done enough good during her time here? Heaven knew, she’d been focused more on her relationship with Jesse than on her father’s bid for power.
She shoved aside the pinch of guilt. There was nothing she could do about that now, and she wouldn’t let it steal the joy of this last evening with Jesse.
Tonight, they were enjoying a five-star dinner at the Texas Cattleman’s Club—the original branch—in Royal. Music from a string quartet filled the room with classical Christmas melodies.
Looking around, no one would guess the place had suffered a devastating tornado, the fiercest to hit Royal in nearly eighty years.
They’d rebuilt, better than ever. Pride surged in her heart at this community, the bonds made in this space.
No wonder Jesse felt like these people were family.
His comfort here showed in his easy manner, his way of greeting friends who stopped by their table.
The club was housed in a large, rambling single-story building made of dark stone and wood. The interior decor consisted of mostly dark wood floors, leather upholstered furniture and super-high ceilings.
Hunting trophies and historical artifacts adorned the paneled walls.
Her favorite was the tooth of an ancient relative of a horse.
As a child, she’d been delighted to know herds of horselike creatures roamed the lands she called home.
She’d even had her own horse tooth in a small shadow box that always felt strangely comforting to her.
That the Royal club boasted a similar horse tooth gave a sense of continuity between the two spaces.
A slice of home for her. In addition to the elegant formal dining hall, there were several private meeting rooms and a great room for both public and private Texas Cattleman’s Club events.
During her tour of the place prior to being seated for dinner, she’d been most surprised to discover the club had a childcare center for club members and employees, the laughter and squeals broadcasting how much the kids enjoyed the setup.
To see how inclusive the Texas Cattleman’s Club had become warmed her even on the somewhat chilly Texas evening.
And of course, that was just the inside. Outdoors there was a stable, a pool, tennis courts and even a playground. Her mind was spinning.
She pulled her attention back to the table, tapered candles flickering in the middle of an arrangement of white poinsettias and holly.
She spooned up the last of her chocolate trifle. “Thank you, Jesse. This is the perfect end to an incredible meal, from the lobster bisque to the filet mignon.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” He stretched a leg out. He’d worn his good boots with the suit.
“This has been an amazing two weeks.”
He clasped her hand across the table. “I agree. I don’t want things to end just because we’re going to Houston.”
Her chest grew tight. It was ironic how excitement and anxiety could make such a tangle. “I feel the same.” Not wanting to risk wrecking their evening by wading into deep waters too soon, she said, “I’m looking forward to you meeting my family.”
“I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you back,” he said with a pensive look in his green eyes.
She reached for her wine, avoiding his gaze, not ready to have the Houston-versus-Royal discussion yet.
She sipped the after-dinner wine, then set the crystal glass on the table again.
Her fingers tapped nervously along the gold beading at the glass stem, syncing with the Christmas carol playing softly.
The silence between her and Jesse stretched until she looked up self-consciously, pulling her hand away from the glass and clenching her fingers. She nodded toward the string quartet. “‘Silent Night.’ It was my mother’s favorite carol.”
“You must miss her a lot this time of year.”
“Very much.” She blinked back tears. “We all do. Even my dad, although their marriage wasn’t the best. She married him out of duty. He married her for power. It’s no surprise things didn’t work out well at all.”
“Is that why you reacted so strongly to the matchmaker idea?” he asked insightfully.
She could only nod, not trusting her voice.
He clasped her hand again. “Thank you for telling me that.”
“Thank you for listening.” She swallowed down a lump in her throat, then drew in a shaky breath. “Okay, that’s enough serious talk for one night. I just want to enjoy this night of Royal’s finest. In fact, I’m thinking we should order more dessert to take home and enjoy later.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea. How about you choose for the both of us and surprise me?” Jesse placed his linen napkin by his plate. “And while you’re doing that, I need to have a quick word with my friend Cord. I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.” She smiled, soaking up the sight of him in a charcoal-gray suit and festive red tie.
“You really are incredible.” Jesse’s gaze smoked over her from across the table, lingering on the plunging neckline of the emerald velvet dress she’d chosen in one of the specialty boutiques at the Courtyard Shops. He dropped a kiss on her lips before stepping away.
Her toes curled in her Valentino heels. Tingles spread through her all the way down to her fresh pedicure.
The day had been deliciously pampering from start to finish. While Jesse had had business to attend to at his lawyer’s, he’d suggested she spend the day at Royal’s Saint Tropez Salon. She hadn’t expected such a luxurious, high-end spa in a small town. She’d felt petty for judging so quickly.
Her appointment at the salon had afforded her time for reflection. Something about lavender-scented towels and rubs peeled away stress. And the relative silence had helped. It had forced contemplation. Forced reflection.
Truth be told, these weeks with Jesse had dominated that reflection.
How wrong she’d been about him. The silly but serendipitous circumstances of their meeting.
How lucky they’d both been to find each other because of the chaos of the storm.
Ironic, she’d mused, for a man who craved stability and practicality.
She’d met so many incredible people over the past couple of weeks, some of whom were seated in the dining room tonight.
She smiled in response to Megan and Whit Daltry.
Megan ran the local animal rescue, Safe Haven.
Jesse had brought Esme along when he’d dropped off a donation to help with the rescue’s three horses recently taken in.
Esme had been amazed at the large operation, one that was apparently growing exponentially under Megan’s leadership.
Megan and Whit were dining with Natalie and Max St. Cloud, a fascinating couple.
Even though Max was a tech genius billionaire, his wife still owned and operated the Cimarron Rose bed-and-breakfast, with a small bridal dress shop attached.
Both couples’ children were enjoying a Christmas-themed movie night in the childcare center.
Her heart tugged at the memory of glimpsing those sweet little faces when Jesse had taken a detour there to pass out Christmas candy. They all clearly knew and adored him. And she couldn’t deny being enticed by the notion of a baby of her own someday, and celebrating family Christmases.
A cleared throat pulled her attention back. She found Zoe Warren, Cord’s girlfriend, standing by the table. The towering brunette looked stunning in a simple gold sheath dress. Esme had enjoyed getting to know her and Cord during a lunch at the Royal Diner.
Zoe smiled genuinely. Drink in hand, she gestured to the table. “I hope I’m not interrupting your dinner.”
“Not at all. I’m glad you came over.” Esme stood quickly and then greeted her with a welcoming hug. “Have a seat. It looks like our dates are deep in a conversation that isn’t close to wrapping up.”
“Thank you. I would like that.” Zoe settled into a chair beside her. “I enjoyed our lunch the other day.”
A phantom gurgle tickled her stomach, even though she was far from hungry.
Lunch with Zoe the other day had been at a small, vaguely yellowing local spot.
Esme had her doubts as she crossed through the metal door.
But after sitting down, her senses had been delighted.
She felt as if she’d stumbled upon a contender for one of those reality television shows about stellar restaurants with questionable exteriors.
And the diner’s food—she’d ordered the chicken-fried steak and a glass of sweet tea—had been every bit as wonderful as the interior. “The Royal Diner is one of those fun finds off the beaten path of major cities.”