Chapter 3
Haylee gripped a glass of champagne as she moved through the crowd in the Scottsdale art gallery. To her relief, the showing had a good turnout, and it wasn’t just her family dropping in to give their support.
“The artist’s work is lovely.” A woman pointed to an acrylic of prickly pear cacti, purple fruit on each of its pads. “That would look wonderful in my office.”
“It would fit in perfectly.” The man standing next to her nodded. “I’ll let the gallerist know.”
Haylee moved away before the couple could catch her eavesdropping.
“I understand you’re the artist.” A lovely lady with long dark hair and model-fine features stepped beside her.
Haylee came to a halt and smiled. “I am.”
“I adore your art.” She spoke with a slight Spanish accent as she scanned the paintings on the easels and those on a wall. “I wish I could buy a dozen.”
“Thank you.” Haylee laughed. “I appreciate the compliment.”
“You deserve it.” The woman pointed to a painting of a saguaro with blooms on each arm and silhouettes of two more cacti in the background. “I’ll take that one.”
“I appreciate your interest in my art. Let me find the gallerist for you.” Haylee scanned the room then inclined her head toward the corner, where she saw the gallerist chatting with the couple who had expressed interest in the prickly pear painting. “Mrs. Rhodes can help you with your purchase. I can take you to her.”
“I’ve got this.” The young woman waved her away. “I know you’re busy. A lot of people showed up tonight, so I’m sure you’re in high demand.”
Haylee gave her another smile. “Thank you.”
Haylee was surprised to find that several of her original works had sold in just the first hour. She adjusted her white embroidered peasant blouse, brushed her palms down her broomstick skirt, and straightened her spine. Another couple of hours to go.
“This one is my favorite.” A familiar, deep, masculine voice had her spinning around, and she came face-to-face with Tyson.
Heat flushed through her from head to toe—embarrassment from having asked him out last night and pleasure in seeing him there.
“Hi.” She wanted to press her palms to her hot cheeks as she looked up into his amused yet sensual blue eyes. “How did you know I had a showing tonight?”
“Henry.” Tyson nodded in the direction of the front of the gallery. “He’s talking with the gallerist now.”
“I’m surprised you came.” Her throat felt dry as she spoke.
“Why not?” His smile grew more sensual. “I’m interested.”
“Ah—” In her or her art?
“Both.” He held her gaze as he answered her unspoken question. “Your art is brilliant, and you shine just as brightly.”
Her cheeks hadn’t cooled down and were probably bright red. “Thank you.”
He gestured to an easel with a painting of a palo verde near an old barbed-wire fence with weathered wood posts, the landscape dotted with dry yellow grass and creosote bushes. “I’d like that one for my study—it would fit right in with my Remingtons.”
She raised her brows. “You have more than one?”
“I’ve got a couple.” He gave a nod. “I enjoy western art.”
He tilted his head toward the gallerist who had just walked around a display wall. “Join me while I tell her which one I’d like to take home.”
Again, a long look told her the painting wasn’t the only thing he’d like to take home.
She fell into step behind him, her broomstick skirt flowing around her ankles.
Haylee struggled to think of something to say. Her mind had turned to mush with the man so close to her.
“I saw Brady and his wife Abby as they were leaving.” Tyson kept his stride short so Haylee didn’t have to work to keep up. “Did many of your family members come?”
She nodded. “Enough to make it look like the entire town of Scottsdale turned out tonight.”
Tyson grinned. “Your family encompasses half of the town of King Creek.”
Haylee laughed and slipped her hands into the pockets of her skirt. “Just about.”
The gallerist was speaking to a guest, and Tyson drew Haylee aside. He looked down at her from his six-four height, and she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. “Thank you for asking me out. But I’ll let you know one thing—if you hadn’t asked me last night, I would have been calling you today, and I wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.”
She caught her breath. “You would have?”
“Yep.” He touched her forearm in a barely-there caress that sent a shiver through her. “I know something good when I see it, and Haylee McLeod, you are special.” He slid his hand down to hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I noticed you long ago. I didn’t know how to get your attention.”
A flutter went through her abdomen then she thought about last night and gave him a wry smile. “So, that’s why you chased off those men.”
He grinned. “Not by a long shot, but if it got your attention, I’d say lucky me.”
She shook her head. “Just don’t do it again, okay?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you telling me that if we’re dating, I can’t chase off a couple of asses who have bad intentions when it comes to you?”
“We haven’t even gone on one date.” Haylee bit her lower lip. “But if it turns into something more, then that’s fair. As long as you’re not the jealous type.”
He gave a slight shake of his head. “I’m not. But I am protective of those I care about.”
He captivated her with his gorgeous eyes, the spark in them heating her to her core. It was a long moment before she could look away. She glanced at the gallerist, who stood before a small podium, writing in her book.
Haylee swallowed and turned back to him. “Mrs. Rhodes is free.”
Tyson didn’t take his gaze off her. “I guess I should allow you to get back to potential clients. Not that I want to let you out of my sight.”
At that moment, she didn’t want to let him out of her sight. Instead of voicing that thought, she nodded. “I should be mingling.” She offered him a smile. “I’m looking forward to Saturday night.”
“That makes two of us.” He winked and walked toward the gallerist with long strides.
That sexy wink made her belly quiver. This was all too crazy and probably too quick, but what the hell? She had been interested in Tyson before but was now downright anxious for their first date.
He looked back and caught her still staring at him. Her flesh heated, and she forced herself to turn away and head for the nearest group of people gathered in front of a couple of her paintings.
After a while, she relaxed and enjoyed chatting with guests. She wanted to look for Tyson, but she kept herself focused on those who tried to talk with her about her work.
At one point, she noticed the painting of the palo verde was no longer on its easel, and her insides warmed at the thought that Tyson liked her paintings. She didn’t think he was the type to spend that kind of cash to impress a woman. No, he wasn’t the kind of man who tried to impress. He didn’t even have to attempt—he just did.
At closing time, the last of the guests had left, and Mrs. Rhodes had locked the front door. Haylee looked from one empty easel to another.
“Your first showing was a brilliant success.” Mrs. Rhodes stepped beside Haylee. “Well done, love.”
“I can’t believe how well it went.” Haylee made a sweeping gesture. “I didn’t expect so many of my paintings to go.”
The older woman moved toward the back of the gallery, and Haylee joined her. “I can officially say, ‘I told you so.’”
Haylee laughed. “One time when I don’t mind being told that.” She retrieved her cardigan and her purse. “It’s been a long day, and I’m going to sleep well.”
Mrs. Rhodes walked Haylee to the front, unlocked the door, and pushed it open, letting the cool night breeze in. “I’ll walk you to your car, Haylee.”
“I can escort her.” Tyson’s low drawl had Haylee spinning around.
She held her hand to her chest. “You startled me.”
“Sorry, hon.” Tyson moved his sensual gaze away from her. He looked at Mrs. Rhodes and touched the brim of his hat. “Evening, ma’am.”
“It looks like Haylee is in good hands.” The older woman smiled, looking completely charmed by Tyson. “You both have a good night, and be careful driving back to King Creek.”
“We will,” Tyson said before Haylee could utter a word.
Mrs. Rhodes stepped back, and the lock clicked into place.
Haylee turned her attention to Tyson. “What are you doing here?”
He gave her an amused look. “I’d think that would be obvious. I wanted to catch you before you left for home.” He looked along the street. “Where are you parked?”
She gestured to her fire-engine-red 4 x 4 truck with a camper shell, parked a short distance away. “Pretty close for you to have waited just to walk me to it.”
He slid his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “How’d you like to join me at the Prickly Pear?” He inclined his head in the direction of the upscale bar. “I’ll buy you a drink.”
Haylee looked up at him. “Have you started already?”
Tyson shook his head. “One glass of champagne at the gallery.”
She wanted to spend time with him more than she cared to admit. “It’s been a couple of hours since I had a glass of champagne. I guess it can’t hurt to have a drink.”
He smiled, and she caught a glint of pleasure in his eyes in the streetlight. She stepped beside him, and he touched the small of her back, sending a shiver through her.
She glanced up at him. “Have you been waiting out here all this time?”
“Henry and I stood outside and talked a bit.” Tyson shrugged. “He left not ten minutes ago.”
She smiled, pleased Tyson had waited for her.
He settled his palm at the curve of her waist. “It looked like the event was a success.”
“It was.” She gave a happy sigh. “Perhaps one day I can paint full-time. I could leave event planning and focus on my art.”
They reached the steps to the Prickly Pear, and he smiled at her. “I’m sure you’ll be even more of a success.”
Haylee stopped beside him. “I’d still like to do something part-time on the side to interact with people and not just inanimate objects, but I’m not sure what. But it will take a while before I can afford sell my business, and I still have a name and reputation to build in the art world.”
“Sounds like a great idea.” He guided her up the steps to the front door and grasped the heavy wood and glass door handle. “Do you like prickly pear margaritas? Those are their specialty.”
She laughed. “Of course.”
Smells of bar food, beer, and margaritas flowed over her as she walked in. It was loud inside for a Saturday night, but not so much that they couldn’t hear each other talk. The hostess showed them to a table for two in the corner, away from the long mahogany and mirrored bar.
Tyson pulled out her chair and seated her before taking his own, close to her. The server swept in, took their drink order, and retreated into the crowded bar.
“Are you hungry?” Tyson picked up one of the menus the server had left behind and held it out. “You worked hard tonight.”
Haylee took the menu from him. “I wouldn’t call that work, but I am famished. I didn’t have dinner, and lunch was long ago.”
Her pulse slowed from the rapid pace it had been beating from being so close to Tyson. She looked over the selection, which wasn’t more than a fancy take on bar food.
She closed the menu and set it on the table in front of her and watched him as he perused his own. God, he was so good-looking. His hair was so dark it looked black in the low lighting, and his eyes were the kind of blue almost startling in intensity. He was handsome in a rugged, solid way, with square-cut features and a cleft in his chin.
Tyson glanced up from his menu and caught her staring at him. She had to force herself not to look away in embarrassment.
He set down his menu, his gaze never leaving her face. His firm lips curved into a sexy grin. “What’s on your mind, Haylee?”
The way he said her name, a low and sensual caress, melted her into a puddle of goo.
She shrugged, affecting casualness. “Not much.”
Relief swept through her as the server set a prickly pear margarita in front of her and a foam-laden glass of Guinness in front of Tyson.
Haylee ordered a black and bleu hamburger with bleu cheese and sautéed onions, and she picked truffle fries for her side. Tyson ordered a cowboy cheeseburger with steak fries and bacon-wrapped dates filled with cream cheese.
When their server had left, Haylee looked at him with amusement. “You must have missed dinner, too, if you plan on eating a half-pound cheeseburger.”
“I guess I was thinking about you and not dinner before I got here.” He grinned. “And when I saw you at the gallery, I knew I had to get you to go to dinner with me.”
Heat filled her chest. “You did a good job of warming me up.”
He looked at her over his glass, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Everything’s going according to plan.”
Haylee knew he was teasing her. She laughed then sipped her margarita, the sweet and sour drink flowing over her tongue, and tasted the salt on the rim. Like regular margaritas, she preferred salt rather than sugar on the rim of the prickly pear version.
She kept her hand on the thick stem when she set her glass down. Condensation dampened her fingers, and the scent of the beverage lingered in the air.
“I heard you went into the service after high school.” She leaned back in her chair. “Which branch of the military? What did you do?”
Tyson set down his beer. “I was an MP in the Army for a couple of years before I decided it was time I came home where I belong and dig my heels into ranching.”
“I understand you’ve developed a successful ranch over the years.” She put both her hands on the table at the base of her margarita glass. “It hasn’t been that long since you were in the service?”
He kept his gaze on hers as he reached out and put one of his large hands over her smaller one and gripped it. “Long enough.”
She swallowed. “I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m prying.”
“Nope.” He turned her hand over so that their palms touched. “I like that you’re interested in me.”
“I am.” She surprised herself with her own honesty. “I’m glad you said yes.”
He smiled in a way that made her toes curl. “You certainly made it easy on me.”
Haylee linked her fingers with his. “You went to school with Bear and Brady. I bet you three got into all kinds of trouble.”
Tyson laughed and squeezed her hand. “My daddy about tanned my hide more than a couple of times thanks to what you might call our little adventures.”
“Oh, really?” She cocked her head. “I’m dying to hear about them.”
“Well, there was the one time we climbed the town’s water tower and painted our high school mascot on it.” Tyson grinned. “I thought I did a pretty damned good job on the bull, and your brothers painted our senior class motto above it.”
Her eyes widened. “You were the ones? I remember seeing that bull on my way to King Creek Middle School from the ranch, wondering who’d done it. You’re talented.”
“I always thought you were a cute kid.” He smiled. “Then holy hell, did you grow up to be one gorgeous woman.”
A flush crept up her neck to her face. “Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “I was such a tomboy I didn’t notice guys until high school. By then, you were long gone.”
“I was.” He gave a nod. “But we’re here now, and I like that just fine.”
The server arrived with their food, and Haylee reluctantly withdrew her hand from Tyson’s. She loved the strength and the warmth in his touch.
Haylee’s stomach rumbled as she breathed in the delicious smells of burgers and fries. She ate a fry, enjoying the taste of the truffle oil, salt, and pepper on the potato. Tyson took a big bite out of his cowboy burger while she cut her black and bleu in half. He chewed, looking thoughtful, as she bit into hers, and she wondered what he was thinking.
They ate quietly for a few minutes with just background laughter, the clink of glasses and dinnerware filling what would have been comfortable silence. Considering they had both missed dinner, it wasn’t a surprise they were focused on their meals for the moment.
“You’ve asked me questions.” He set down his beer glass. “My turn.”
She finished chewing and swallowing. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
She grinned. “My life has not been exciting to date. You’d be bored.”
“Never.” He picked up a steak fry. “I understand you went to Arizona State. What did you major in?”
“Business with a minor in non-profits, and I took art classes.” She held her half a burger. “My degree has helped me with my event planning business, especially the events for non-profits. I want to explore that aspect of my education, but the opportunity hasn’t arisen yet. The art classes allowed me to further explore that part of my interests.”
She took a bite as he nodded. “What’s it like being the youngest of eight?”
Haylee chewed and swallowed. “Oh, my God, it’s nuts. My five brothers were over-protective, and my sisters and I squabbled constantly. Thank goodness Leeann, Jill, and I became good friends over the years, and we can cohabitate without wanting to kill each other. My brothers are still watching out for me, but they’re all great guys.” She cocked her head. “You have two older brothers, don’t you?”
He swallowed the beer he had just taken a drink of and set the glass on the table. “Yep. They were hell growing up with, but things are better between us now. I felt I had to live up to them in school and sports—to me, they had it all.” He gave a self-deprecating smile. “I was scrawny growing up and more into books than sports.”
Her eyes widened. “You, scrawny and bookish?”
He grinned. “Up until high school, when I grew into my hands and feet. I still enjoyed school, but I also developed an aptitude for basketball and an interest in girls. My grades suffered from that change in my life.”
Tyson made a satisfied sound after eating his entire burger and most of his fries. “I needed that.”
Haylee had finished half of her black and bleu, which was plenty since it had been so big. She wiped her fingers on her napkin and smiled at him. “Me, too. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until our server placed it in front of me.”
“Dessert?” he asked.
“This was more than enough for me.” She smiled at him. “I’ve enjoyed the time with you. Thank you for asking me.”
“Entirely my pleasure.” He gave her a sexy smile before knocking back the last of his beer and thumping the glass on the table. “It’s getting late. I’ll follow you home.”
“I’m fine, Tyson.” She rested her hand on his. “I don’t need you to follow me.”
He laced his fingers with hers. “It’s my nature, and it has nothing to do with how capable you are. I’m just cautious, and I watch out for those I care about, and I care about you.”
“I get that.” She gave him a long look. “I’m an independent woman, and I need to know that you won’t feel like you have to watch out for me all the time.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’ll do my best.” He signaled for the server, who brought the check. Tyson immediately took it and fished out his wallet. One thing Haylee knew was to not get into it with a cowboy about who intended to pay the check—she’d always lose.
When everything was settled, he escorted her outside, his hand resting lightly on her waist. He took her hand as they walked down the stairs and kept a slow and leisurely pace while they headed for her truck.
They stood beside the driver’s side door, and she looked up into his eyes. He had moved so close, almost pinning her against her vehicle, but she didn’t mind. She liked his body so near her own.
He held her gaze for a long moment and stroked strands of her hair away from her face. “I think we can consider this our first date. Don’t you?”
Shivers skittered through her body at the intensity of his expression. “Yes.” The word came out in a whisper.
His voice grew lower and more vibrant. “I’d like to kiss you, Haylee.”
Flutters filled her belly. Instead of answering, she raised on her toes and brushed her lips over his.
Tyson slid his fingers into her hair and drew her close, their bodies pressed together, his hands at her waist. He took her mouth in a challenging, possessive kiss that stole her breath.
He tasted of beer and his masculine flavor, and despite just having left the bar, he smelled of country air and sun-warmed flesh. He moved his mouth over hers, teasing, tempting, then taking all he could, all she would give him. He kept his hands at her waist, and she was grateful he wasn’t taking liberties so soon in their relationship.
When he finally drew back and raised his head, she wasn’t sure she could catch her breath. She stared up into his half-shuttered, beautiful eyes.
“I’d better get home.” The words came out in a whisper, and she raised her voice enough that she was sure he could hear her. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Can’t wait.” He let her step back out of his strong embrace.
She unlocked her truck with the fob. He opened the door and helped her up and into the cab.
“I know better than to comment on a big truck and a petite woman,” he said in a teasing tone. “So, I’ll just let you get home.”
Haylee laughed. “I’ve never been called petite, but yeah, you should refrain from teasing me about my truck. I love ol’ Red.”
Tyson rested his palm on her thigh. “As long as he gets you home safe.”
She touched his cheek in a brief caress before leaning in and lightly kissing him. “Good night.”
“Good night.” He waited until she put her seatbelt on before he shut the door.
He stepped back and watched as she turned over the big engine, which roared to life. She backed into the street, waved to him, then headed off. She glanced in the rearview mirror and saw he still watched her as she drove away. She took a right at the corner and couldn’t see him any longer.
Haylee blew out a long breath. Were things progressing too quickly? Her boyfriend had lost his life doing something he believed in, but the pain from the loss tightened her chest.
But she knew in her heart that she should move forward. She would never forget Danny, but it was time to open herself up to dating and the possibility of love again.