Chapter 5 Like a Rhinestone Cowboy
like a rhinestone cowboy
ROXANNE
Once I shower the grime off me, I stand in my towel, staring at my reflection. I need to get a grip because I’m going to have to leave this room and endure an evening with that cocky, attention-seeking, insufferably attractive menace known as Duke Faraday.
I hate that my cheeks heated the second that half-naked, dripping-wet mountain man handed me my shoes.
He’s like an Adonis who was raised by wolves in the wilderness.
It took everything in me not to gape at the cut of his abs and the sharp lines of his chest. I bite down on my lip, angry at the traitorous part of me that has forgotten why men like him are a terrible idea.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that despite plunging into a trough of cold water, my body betrayed me, igniting like a damn wildfire the second his face slammed into my breasts and his rough, calloused hand gripped my thigh.
No. Absolutely not going to replay that moment over and over again in my mind.
That’s why I didn’t even want to shake his hand. I knew then, one touch, and I would start to forget every reason I’m here.
I squeeze my eyes shut, inhaling slow, willing the memory away. The shower got rid of the horse drool, but not the heat that man left behind.
I open my eyes and exhale sharply.
Focus on why you’re here, Roxanne. He’s the ranch owner. You’re going to have to interact with him if you want to get through this.
Glancing at the clothing I brought from New York, I know I have nothing truly appropriate for this environment, but I settle on pressed navy pants and a white mock neck long-sleeve top. This time, some flats in case we have to walk around after dinner.
When I join everyone back at the grand fireplace in the lobby, I smile. Allie and Leo really prepared for this trip and wore appropriate clothing for dinner. They’re both relaxing on a leather sofa sipping glasses of wine and laughing like they have already fallen in love with this place.
Topper and Rusty have also joined them. Rusty is sitting in a wool-covered chair decorated with a colorful Southwest motif.
Topper sits next to Allie and Leo on the sofa, and they’re carrying on as if they’re old friends.
Everyone shifts their attention to me when I enter the room.
I don’t even know who’s asking what as they all inquire about how I’m doing.
I smile and put my hand up. “I’m fine, really.”
“Really sorry about that, ma’am,” Topper says. “Can I get you something while we wait for dinner?”
“I would love a glass of wine,” I say, lowering myself onto the sofa next to Allie. She wraps her arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “Pinot Noir, if you have it?”
“We keep a few bottles in the kitchen for special occasions,” Topper replies with a wink. “Pretty sure a post-trough recovery qualifies.”
He disappears through a side door as Allie nudges me and grins.
“He’s adorable, isn’t he?” she says.
“Oh yes,” Leo chimes in.
Allie sets her wine down and glances behind her, then back at me. “Did you see his eyes? They are mesmerizing.”
“Heterochromia,” I say.
“God bless you,” Leo says.
I roll my eyes, but smile. “That’s the name for the condition of having eyes of two different colors.”
“Well, whatever it’s called, he’s beautiful,” Allie says. “I’m going to ask him if I can call him Wyatt though. Topper is a cool name, but Wyatt is so wild, wild, West.”
“You can call me anything you like,” Topper says. He pumps his eyebrows at Allie and hands me a wine glass. “We’ll start dinner shortly.”
“Will Mr. Faraday be joining us for dinner?” I ask.
“Uh, yes,” Rusty says.
A shiver of unease weaves its way up my spine as Rusty and Topper exchange anxious glances.
“Maybe we should head into the grand dining room now,” Rusty says, peeling away his shirt cuff to peek at his watch.
“We’re excited to have you experience your first meal here.
One thing about Firebird is that we’ve hired an exceptional kitchen staff so our vets have the best food and so that we can accommodate all diets. ”
“That’s wonderful,” Allie says.
“I can’t wait to learn more,” Leo adds.
“Shall we?” Rusty says, opening his arms.
“Sure, yes, let’s do that,” Topper replies.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t wait for Duke?” Allie asks. “We’ve been having such a good, cozy chat here.” Allie winks at Topper who chuckles.
There she goes. This is why I love Allie, because she throws her heart and soul into everything with reckless abandon. I wish I could be that way, but I wrapped my heart in a steel cage a long time ago and threw away the key.
Something outside the main entrance catches Topper’s eye and he immediately starts herding us through two heavy knotty alder doors. “Uh, I think we should head in now. We’ll save Duke a seat.”
We get to our feet when the front doors swing open wide. A howl sounds, followed by the clink of spurs. Allie and Leo gasp. Rusty folds his arms across his chest, and Topper blows out a long breath. I cock my head and stare as Duke Faraday approaches us in a ridiculous cowboy costume.
And yes, there are rhinestones on it.
“Whoooo! Well, I’ll be, if this isn’t going to be the rootin’ tootinest bunch of guests I have ever seen!” Duke says in an exaggerated accent. “Being in your company tonight is as stimulating as the first lungful of fresh air to an old miner.”
Allie starts clapping and jumping up and down. “This is amazing. Is this like a performance you put on at dinner or something?”
“No,” Topper says.
Rhinestone Cowboy continues his one-man show, stomping around and twirling so the fringe catches air. My expression remains flat while I try to ignore his “hootin’ and hollerin’” as they say in the West.
I know what he’s doing.
I recognize his goal.
He wants to shock us, and it’s amusing watching him make a complete fool of himself. He flirts with everyone else near me, including ranch residents who are passing through the lobby. The funny thing is that everyone is eating it up. Everyone is giving him the attention he wants.
Everyone except me.
I casually sip my wine and glance up at the ceiling.
He stomps across the floor, stopping in front of me when it was clear I wasn’t going to look at him anymore. “How about you lovely Roxanne? Would you like me to show you how to ride a bull later?”
There are so many things I want to say at this moment, but I settle on, “Mr. Faraday … your fly is open.”
He snaps out of his act and quickly checks his crotch, finding that his fly is actually up. A thin smile wanders across my lips.
Rusty grins and extends his arm to me. “Ma’am, may I accompany you to dinner?”
“That would be delightful,” I say, taking his arm.
“Miss Allie?” Topper says, extending his arm to her.
“Yes, thank you! Great costume, Mr. Faraday!” she calls.
I glance over my shoulder before walking into the restaurant to see Duke wilt. I admit that I loved taking the wind out of his rhinestone-covered sails.
You’re going to have to work a lot harder to get under my skin, Duke Faraday.