Chapter Four
The next morning, Jaxon and Chip woke everyone and fed them breakfast. After everyone finished eating, they broke camp and prepared to mount up. Once he got back, he was getting into his Jacuzzi. His damn hip was killing him today. Rain must be moving in. He rubbed it as he stood over the pit to make sure the fire was out, and no embers remained. Glancing up, he saw Chip helping everyone take their tents down and roll up their blankets and sleeping bags. Jaxon shifted his eyes to Presley, and Rodney was talking with her again. What did he care? She was a beautiful, single woman and she could speak to whomever she wanted. There was no way he’d get involved with her. He couldn’t and not just because of the policy of no fraternizing with the guests. It was because he didn’t want another woman in his life. No matter what Bethany had told him. Kicking the ashes around to make sure the fire was entirely out, he walked over to Presley.
“Everything all right here?”
he asked. When she smiled up at him, he swore his heart skipped a beat .
“Yes. I just need to roll it up.”
She glanced up to the sky. “It’s going to be hot again today.”
“Yeah, but I think rain is moving in.”
He moved his hand down his leg but stopped when he noticed her looking at it.
She moved closer to him. “Are you all right,”
she said in a low tone of voice.
“Yes,”
he snapped then felt like an ass when she took her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded then moved back toward her tent. Fuck! Grasping her elbow, he turned her to face him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I just want to get in the Jacuzzi when I get home. It’s hurting a little.”
“I understand. I need to get busy, so we can head back. A Jacuzzi sounds good.”
He watched as she moved away to help Rodney with her tent. He’d been tempted to ask her to join him in his Jacuzzi. He tore his eyes from her ass in those tight jeans and headed for his horse.
A few minutes later, they were all mounted and ready to head out.
Jaxon waited until they were in a line and he brought up the rear.
He noticed that Bett was up closer to the front this time.
Maybe he’d finally gotten through to her.
He chuckled when he saw her flirting with Chip.
He ignored her, but Chip did seem to be interested in her friend .
Jaxon tugged his hat down over his forehead and put his sunglasses on.
He saw Presley slathering suntan lotion on her arms.
She was wearing a white, sleeveless blouse tucked into jeans and the jeans tucked into her boots again.
His eyes skimmed down her back to her ass in the saddle.
She had a fine ass.
Damn, now his dick was twitching at just the thought of her ass filling his hands, and he shifted in the saddle. Not going to happen!
Taking his eyes off her backside, he looked up to the sky when the sun disappeared.
Clouds were rolling in, and he hoped they made it back before it started raining.
Thunder boomed in the distance, and he saw all the riders looking up.
“It’s a way off, just keep moving at a steady pace and if we’re lucky enough, we’ll beat it in,”
he told them.
“Can’t we pick up the pace? I don’t want to get my hair wet,”
Bett complained.
Jaxon heard Presley snort and then she glanced back to him. He smiled at her and when she smiled back, it felt as if the sun had come back out. Fuck!
****
Presley was shocked when Jaxon smiled at her.
Just a slight lifting of his lips, but it was a smile.
The first one she’d ever seen from him, and it made her heart flutter.
Dimples peeked in his cheeks.
She loved dimples.
It had changed his whole face making it even more attractive. Damn, it was hot out! Glancing up to the sky, she noticed the clouds were beginning to darken.
“Chip, we can pick up the pace a little. Is everyone all right with that?”
Jaxon called out.
Presley noticed everyone nodded their heads.
They all nudged their horses into a trot to try to beat the rain.
Thunder rumbled above them.
She’d always heard if you could hear the roar, lightning could strike you.
As the thought entered her head, a streak of lightning lit up the sky.
She shivered despite the heat and was surprised when she saw Jaxon ride past her to get to the front, pulling the packhorse behind him.
The man could ride.
He had the horse at full gallop, and he didn’t move in that saddle.
She sighed.
Something about a cowboy.
As she watched, he slowed beside Chip and talked with him. Chip nodded while Jaxon started riding back, telling all of them they were going to make a run for the barn.
“This is going to be a bad storm. If you feel comfortable enough to ride at full speed, go for it. Just follow Chip. I’ll bring up the rear and stay with any of you who have trouble keeping up. ”
Presley watched as everyone in front of her nudged their horses into a run. Lightning flashed across the sky, and the thunder cracked overhead. She loved a good storm but not being right in the middle of it. She smiled when she saw Bett hightailing it out of there. Presley figured she’d be the one to hold back just to be with Jaxon. Apparently, her hair staying dry was more important.
“Can you go?”
Jaxon asked from beside her.
“Yes, I was just watching Bett go.”
She looked at Jaxon. “Her hair is more important than you.”
She smiled.
Jaxon burst out laughing. “Thank God. Let’s go.”
He jerked his chin for her to follow the others.
“Yes, sir.”
Prodding her horse into a run, she laughed as the sky opened and the rain poured out of it in sheets.
She couldn’t get his laugh out of her head.
He had a deep laugh, and his face lit up, showing his perfect white teeth.
He needed to laugh more often.
Could he be any sexier?
The rain was drenching her, but it was terrific.
Her blouse was getting soaked, along with her jeans and hat.
The hat that wasn’t keeping much rain off her face.
Glancing over, she saw Jaxon riding beside her.
His T-shirt was stuck to his chest, and her mouth was suddenly dry despite the rain slapping her in the face.
His face was wet from the rain too.
He looked over to her, and his eyes lowered to her damp blouse, and she could feel her nipples harden.
When he raised his eyes to hers, she gasped at the heat in them.
“Get moving,”
he yelled.
Glaring at him, she nudged her horse into a full gallop and hoped mud splashed on his face from her horse’s hooves.
Damn him. Staying in front of him, she rode back to the barn then entered the building. Some of the ranch hands came running forward to help everyone. All the riders dismounted.
“That was wild. I never saw a storm happen so fast,”
Bett said as she pushed her wet hair out of her face.
“Storms can pop up quickly in the mountains,”
Chip said.
“All of you can head to your cabins. We’ll take care of the horses,”
Jaxon told everyone.
“I’ll get soaked walking to my cabin,”
Bett complained.
“You’re already soaked,”
Jaxon pointed out.
Bett laughed. “That’s true. Come on, Trixie.”
The two women ran from the barn to head for their cabins. Presley looked out at the rain coming down in sheets.
“Afraid you’ll melt?”
Jaxon said from beside her .
“Of course,”
she said then ran out into the rain to head for her cabin and get away from him.
Reaching her cabin, she was wetter than before, if that was even possible.
Her hair lay plastered down on her head.
She’d taken her hat off when the brim flopped down and did nothing to protect her head.
Her little duffle bag was also soaked, but she had to wash the clothes inside anyway, so it really didn’t matter.
She loved that the cabins had stackable washers and dryers.
Running up onto the porch, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
After setting the duffle bag down, she shivered as the air conditioning hit her wet skin.
First on the list was getting into the Jacuzzi since she was sure her muscles were going to be sore tomorrow and if it were still raining, she’d spend the day curled up with a good book.
Although she’d rather be curled up with Jaxon even though it was the last thing he wanted.
Did he hate her for some reason? Shaking her head, she didn’t think that was it at all.
Muttering under her breath as she realized she was thinking of him too much, she unbuttoned her wet blouse and pulled it from her jeans.
She turned, locked the door then strode down the hallway, and entered the bedroom.
Taking a seat on the trunk at the end of the bed, she toed her boots off.
Her socks were even wet.
Standing, she unsnapped her jeans, and struggled with the damp material.
After finally getting them stripped off, she entered the bathroom, placed them in the hamper, and turned the water on in the tub.
She rubbed a towel over her wet hair, ran a brush through it and piled it on top of her head, and stepped into the tub and groaned as she slid into the water.
Hitting the button for the jets, she then leaned her head back against the tub.
The water swirled and bubbled around her.
Pure heaven.
Closing her eyes, she thought about Jaxon.
He was such a rugged man, a tough cowboy.
The man rode bulls for God’s sake.
Well, he used to.
She hoped he’d listened to the doctor and quit.
He seemed to be doing well here with this ranch.
Once the water started to cool, she turned the jets off and stood, letting the water glide down her body as she reached for a towel.
Stepping out, she dried off, then walked to the bedroom to put her sweatpants and T-shirt on.
Her muscles were sore from riding, but the jets had helped.
Entering the living room, she turned the TV on then took a seat on the sofa.
Leaning her head back, she loved the sound of the rain hitting the tin roof.
As she watched the news, she wondered what Jaxon was doing.
He had said he didn’t want any type of relationship, but a man like him had to have someone he spent time with.
Have sex with you mean?
“Yes, that’s what I mean,”
she said aloud. “Now he has me talking to myself.”
Sighing, she stood then headed for the kitchen to get something to eat. It had been a while since breakfast. It was still raining so she wasn’t going out in it. Startled when she heard someone knock on her door, she slowly walked to it and peered out the window to see Jaxon standing on the porch. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door to him.
“What are you doing out in this?”
she asked.
“I have candles for you. We’re going to each cabin to hand them out. The power could go out, and I’m sure all the cabins could use more candles.”
He handed her a bag.
“Do you want to come in for a minute?”
She watched as his eyes moved over her from head to toe.
“No. There are matches in the bag too.”
Turning, he ran down the steps and climbed into his truck. Without looking in her directions, he drove to the next cabin.
Presley closed the door and leaned back against it, clutching the bag against her chest, she blew out a breath. She was making a fool out of herself over a man who obviously didn’t want anything to do with her. She couldn’t think about it, or she’d drive herself insane, and she was crazy enough about him. Walking to the sofa, she flopped down on it then jumped when the thunder shook the cabin. The lights flickered but stayed on. Quickly, she set the candles around the room and carried one to her bedroom. It was only early afternoon, but it looked so much later because of the storm. In the bedroom, she lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. This was just so ridiculous. To be so hung up on a man she didn’t really know and one who obviously wasn’t interested in her. Sitting up quickly, she reached for her laptop beside the bed. Opening it, she entered his name in the search engine. She propped the pillows up behind her and sat back against the headboard as a page of hits came up. She clicked on one and read all about Jaxon Callahan.
He had started bull riding when he was twenty years old and won the championship four times. He’d been at the height of his career when he’d been injured and forced into early retirement. Jaxon and his fraternal twin, Devin started a guest ranch five years ago, that flourished more each passing year.
Devin and Jaxon were fraternal twins. That floored her since she would never have imagined that. There was a resemblance there, but twins? Devin was a gorgeous man, too, with his black hair and grey eyes. Of course, she knew fraternal twins didn’t always look alike at all. Both men were tall and had the same build. Shaking her head, she went back to reading.
Jaxon had two male cousins who also competed in bull riding at one time or other in their lives. His parents were still living in the same town as were his cousins. His age listed him as thirty-one. His wife or the accident that killed her wasn’t mentioned. As she read on, she gasped when she learned that he was also part owner of Callahan Irish Whiskey, along with his brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, and his parents. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she did know that name. He was well beyond rich. Yet, he and his brother opened this guest ranch. Why?
Closing the laptop, she set it on the floor. He’d been a silent partner in the guest ranch until two years ago, right after his accident. She knew he worked hard on the ranch though and seemed to enjoy it, but she knew how upset he’d been when he was in the hospital. Closing her eyes, she couldn’t imagine the pain he’d gone through. Not the physical so much as the mental. Falling back onto the bed, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
*** *
Jaxon drove his truck to his home, parked and threw the door open and ran for the porch. Jinks barked from inside the house. At least the dog was smart enough to stay out of the rain. Jaxon opened the door then entered the house. Hanging his hat on the peg, he squatted down to rub the dog’s ears.
“Hey, boy. I bet you’re hungry.”
Jaxon laughed as Jinks spun in circles, barking.
Jaxon picked up the dog bowl and filled it then set it down. Jinks stuck his nose in the dish and ignored Jaxon as he ate. Jaxon pulled his T-shirt off over his head and tossed it into the mudroom then sat on the chair by the back door and toed off his boots then peeled his jeans, along with his socks, and boxer briefs, down his long legs. He wanted to hit that Jacuzzi. Walking through the kitchen, then the living room, he headed down the hallway to the bedroom. He stood by the nightstand and lifted the chain from around his neck and placed it there. He only took it off when he showered, or bathed. Any other time, that chain with his and Bethany’s wedding bands on it was around his neck.
After entering the bathroom, he turned the faucet on then stepped into the tub and sank down into the water. Hitting the button for the jets, he leaned his head back and groaned. His hip was aching. It usually did after a day’s ride, and he had a short trail ride tomorrow. Just in time for his hip to feel a little better. The damp weather wasn’t helping much that’s for sure, but the hot water soothed his muscles. Once it began to cool, he turned the jets off and opened the drain.
Stepping out, he reached for a towel and dried off, then wrapped it around his waist. Standing in front of the large sink, he swiped his hand across the mirror so he could see to shave. Picking up the shaving cream, he shook the can then squirted the foam into his hand and lathered his face and neck. While he shaved, he thought about Presley. She was so beautiful, and when she’d asked him if he wanted to come in earlier, he’d almost done it. What the hell were you thinking? You don’t want or need a relationship. No good could come of it because you’re too fucking scared. She’d only get hurt.
“Who are you trying to convince?”
he muttered as he stared at himself in the mirror. The thought of being with another woman made him ache. Bethany had told him to find someone new right before she died in front of him, and all he could do was beg her to hang on. Help was on the way. But she didn’t, and now he was alone. It was how he wanted it to be. Presley Reynolds was beautiful, there was no doubt there but she was the long-term type, and he wasn’t. Not anymore.
“Ouch,”
Jaxon mumbled as the razor nicked his chin. That’s what thinking about another woman will do to you, and you kissed her, like an idiot!
Finishing up, he wiped his face off, splashed on aftershave, then entered the bedroom. The rain beat on the tin roof and thunder rumbled in the distance. It sounded like it was moving off. It would be nice if the power stayed on. He was sure no one would be scared, but they were all in a strange place, and he hoped Presley was doing all right being alone. Shit! You seriously needed to stop thinking about her. Dropping the towel, he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and T-shirt then padded barefoot to the kitchen to make something to eat. It was going to be a long afternoon, and if he didn’t stop thinking about her, it would be an even longer night.
The next morning, the sun was beating down, and the ground was drying from the rainstorm. It had rained all night, but the power stayed on. Jaxon drank his coffee then grabbed his hat off the peg, walked out the door, and after climbing into his truck, he drove to the barn. It was going to be another sweltering day. He parked behind the barn then after getting out of his vehicle he strolled into the barn to see Devin and Willa kissing .
“Hey, don’t be doing that shit here. Go home and do it,”
he told them.
“Can we?”
Willa asked him, smiling.
Jaxon grinned. “No. He has work to do today.”
“How’s your hip after yesterday?”
Devin asked him.
“I’m all right. Why?”
“I can take the trail ride, and you can supervise work.”
“I’m good, Dev.”
“Okay. They should all be here in a little while. I saw a lot of them having breakfast in the lodge.”
Jaxon pulled the clipboard off the peg and looked at the list of names, but he didn’t see Presley’s anywhere.
“There are only six going on the ride.”
“That might change by the time breakfast is over. They’ll be talking to see who is doing what.”
Devin grinned.
“I need to get to the office. You two have fun today.”
Willa stood on her toes and quickly kissed Devin on the lips then she walked to Jaxon and hugged him. Giving a little wave, she walked away.
Jaxon cleared his throat when Devin kept his eyes on her. Devin turned to look at him and smiled.
“What?”
Jaxon shook his head. “You got it bad. ”
Devin laughed. “Yep. I won’t deny it.”
He tilted his head. “Isn’t it time you found someone?”
“You know that’s not going to happen. Besides, what woman wants to look at my leg?”
“Oh, I don’t know. A woman who wouldn’t care about it. A woman who would think it’s a part of you, and she’ll take all of you.”
“Hell, when did you get so philosophical?”
“When I fell in love.”
Devin slapped him on the back. “Like you should do just as Bethany wanted you to.”
“Not interested. Here they come.”
Jaxon jerked his chin toward the open barn doors. People entered the barn and walked toward the two men. He was a little disappointed when he didn’t see Presley.
“If you haven’t signed up for the two-night camping trip for Thursday, there is still time. There is no limit to how many can go,”
Devin said to them. “If you’re working the ranch, you can follow me. Jaxon will be taking the trail ride today.”
Jaxon watched as some people followed Devin and then looked at the people in front of him. Bett stood there, smiling at him. Damn . What was it going to take to get her to get it through her head he wasn’t interested ?
“All right pick your horse. We have them saddled, and once you’re in the saddle, we’ll get the stirrups adjusted. Is there anyone who hasn’t been on a trail ride?”
When no one said anything, he continued.
“Good. This is a short ride.
Just an hour round trip, so when you get back, you can do whatever you want for the rest of the day.
Also, anytime you want to go into town for shopping or just to look around, let someone know, and we’ll get directions for you.
If you don’t have a GPS, we can supply one for your vehicle.
And in case some of you didn’t read the brochures, there are several excursions into the towns during the week.”
He glanced around at them. “Any questions?”
“Am I too late to join the ride?”
Jaxon’s heart flipped when he heard Presley ask as she entered the barn and he couldn’t stop the grin.
“Of course not. Let me get another horse. Everyone else, mount up, please. Jose? Please help them with the stirrups,”
he told one of the ranch hands then he grabbed some tack to get a horse for Presley. Suddenly the day seemed brighter, and it pissed him off .