Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
ELLE
S taring in the mirror, I watched my pulse thrum in my neck as I applied one last coat of mascara. I couldn’t even think of the last time I’d worn make-up. It wasn’t something I really worried about anymore, but it felt nice to actually get ready to go somewhere. Taking one last look at myself, I smiled.
Every nice article of clothing I owned lay scattered across my room. I think I tried every combination I could think of, and I settled on my favorite dress. Hopefully, I wasn’t overdressed, but what did people wear on dates? My hands shook as I put my necklace on and it took a few times for me to get the clasp hooked properly, but I ran my hand over the turquoise pendant and smiled. It was one of the few things I’d splurged on when I had been in Arizona while my ex-husband had been training horses on a ranch there.
A knock on my door startled me out of my thoughts. Taking one last look at myself in the mirror, I reached up and smoothed my straightened hair once more and took a deep breath. “You got this,” I said to myself as I turned the light out in the bathroom.
Pulling open the door, I looked up at the man who’d been in my yard earlier today. Now he was in black wranglers, a blue plaid pearl snap shirt, and a brand new cowboy hat. “Evening, you look stunning,” he said, his low voice scratching an itch that I never knew existed.
I ran my hands over my hips as I smoothed out my dress. When I’d put it on I thought the mustard yellow, flowing skirt with a lace top had been too much, but I was glad I’d dressed up a bit more when I saw him. “You clean up pretty good yourself.” I smiled as we stared at one another. What was the plan here? Did I ask him to come in? Did we just leave?
“Come in,” I heard myself say as I stepped out of the way.
“These are for you.” He pulled a bouquet of pink roses from behind his back and held them out to me.
“They’re gorgeous,” I said as I buried my nose in the blooms. “Thank you. I’ll just put them in some water, and then we can go. He followed me further into the kitchen, and I inwardly winced at the scene before us.
The tap dripped non-stop, there was more than one door missing from the lower cupboards, and the linoleum was peeling in the high-traffic paths of the small kitchen. Squatting down, I reached to the back of the cupboard under the sink and landed on the one vase I possessed. It was dusty, so I rinsed it before filling it with water.
Gently, I pulled the brown paper off the flowers and set them in the water. Turning I couldn’t avoid his gaze. He was leaning up against the doorway into the living room, one thumb hooked in the pocket of his pants and the other down at his side. God, he looked good enough to miss dinner for and fall straight into bed with.
I tried to shake the thought from my head as I placed the flowers on the table and took a step back to admire them. How had a dozen pink roses made the entire kitchen look more beautiful? “I guess we should go.” He pushed off the wall and moved toward the door.
The sun was just beginning to set, and the pinks and purples filled the sky as we pulled out of my yard. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked as I folded my hands in my lap so I didn’t fidget as much.
“Nope, it’s a surprise.” He smirked when he looked over at me.
We drove in silence and the lights of Bozeman glimmered on the horizon. Weaving through the traffic downtown, Griff pulled into a spot in front of The Cattle Club Restaurant and Lounge. “Griff, this takes months to get into,” I said as he climbed out of the truck.
He walked around the front of the vehicle and opened my door. “Well when you supply the beef, you’ve got a little pull at the place.” He winked and helped me out of the truck. Without missing a beat, he closed the door and moved his hand to the small of my back. With the gentlest pressure, he guided me to the door of the restaurant and led me in.
“Mr. Harp, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” The hostess smiled up at Griff, as we walked in. “If you’ll both follow me.” She grabbed two menus, and we followed behind her.
“You didn’t even have to say your name. You must be popular around here,” I whispered as I wrapped my hand around his arm.
“Usually, I’m alone, and I’m here making business deals. I’ve never brought a woman here for dinner.” He looked down and grinned. We walked to the back of the seating area and were guided to a corner booth, secluded from anyone else. Candles illuminated the area, and there was wine already waiting for us.
“Your server will be with you shortly.” She smiled at Griff and popped her hip as she turned.
“The hostess has the hots for you, Mr. Harp,” I said in my sweetest voice, arching my brow.
“I didn’t even notice her; the most beautiful woman I know is sitting across from me.” His eyes were locked on mine. Neither of us saw the waitress come to the table.
She cleared her throat and we both turned. “Have you had a chance to look at your menus?”
“We’ll both have prime rib, rare for me.”
“Medium for mine please.” I smiled at the poor girl, whose face was bright red.
“Baked potatoes, and mixed veggies for sides.” He handed the menus to the girl and she nodded before walking away.
“Are you in the habit of ordering for your dates?” I asked as I picked up the white wine in front of me.
“Not usually, but I wanted you to have the best so I hope you’re not offended.”
“Well, I probably should be but there was something kind of sweet about it.” That was a bald-face lie; there was nothing sweet about it; it was dominating and hot.
“I’ve been trying to get you into eat since we started working together, and now the time has come.” A man walked up to our table and Griff slid out of the booth and hugged him.
“Well, I think I told you I needed someone special to bring first. Nick, I’d like you to meet Elle Greggory.” He reached over the table, and I held my hand out to him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for getting this guy to my restaurant. You clean up all right.” Nick said looking back to my date, laughing and slapping him on the back. “I won’t keep you, but I just wanted to say hello and meet your someone special. We’ll talk next week. I’m going to need more beef and discuss the other ranches that are sniffing around looking for business.” He moved closer to Griff when he said the last part.
“Sounds good. I can come back later in the week if that works for you.” Griff also lowered his tone, and I ran my finger around the rim of the paper-thin crystal wine glass.
“See you then, my friend. Your meal is on the house tonight, I’ve already spoken to your waitress.” He smiled at us both and walked away before Griff could argue.
“He seems like a nice man.” I said when Griff took his seat again.
“Yeah, he is. When this place was getting ready to open, his beef supplier backed out so he called as many ranchers as he could find contacts for and got turned down with every call. Because we’re so large and haven’t ever hidden our information he drove right onto the ranch and asked for a meeting. He knew what he wanted, and he figured out a way to get it.” Griff reached for his glass and took a sip. I’d never given much thought to a big, burly rancher drinking wine out of a dainty glass, but there he was right in front of me, and I liked what I was seeing.
“Are you worried about what these other ranchers will do to undercut you?” I asked shifting in the horseshoe-shaped booth so I could sit closer to him.
“No, we have an exclusivity clause with him, but I am concerned that this discussion had floated into talking about business. Is that really all you want to know about me?” He reached out his hand and dragged his finger along my arm.
“I find aspects of this business fascinating, but no, I don’t want to talk about this all night.” Griff slid along the bench and put his arm over the back of the seat so that his fingers could glide over my shoulder.
“Tell me about Parker.” He said quietly.
“He’s amazing.” I beamed. “He’s a wonderful student, so easy to get along with. He has handled the divorce with more grace than I have, that’s for sure. He’s been used to his dad being on the road so it’s not a lot different now, just that we don’t share a house anymore. Parker is with Troy half the time, so he might even see him more now.” I let my voice trail off. What could be worse during a first date than one person talking about their ex-husband.
“I want to know it all, Elle, not just the pretty stuff,” Griff said, quietly shifting his arm and wrapping it around me.
“He struggled when we moved here. Parker’s deaf, and there’s little to no help for him at the school.” I watched Griff’s face closely to gauge his unspoken reaction, but he didn’t even flinch, “The cochlear implants have been a godsend; he settled in and is thriving there now. We moved into town when we first got here, which was hard. His life revolves around his video games and the horses, so when one of those things was taken away, he had a rough time. That’s why renting the Hays place was so good for us. Not that I like living there. It’s kind of a mess.”
“Kind of?” Griff interrupted.
“Fine, it’s a disaster, but it brought my boy back to me. If I can’t find anywhere, I’d decided I was going to talk to Jake Gordon and see if I can board the horses at his place. It seems like the easiest thing since he’s not too far from town, and Parker could ride home with Jake’s girls after school.” I didn’t miss the flash of irritation that crossed Griff’s face at the mention of Jake’s name.
“You won’t need to do that. The ranch has more than enough room for a few extras and even if I don’t convince you to move in with me, we have a few empty home sites that you can have a look at.” He reached for his wine again and I shifted in the seat.
“Are you jealous of Jake?” I smirked, waiting for his answer.
“Not at all. Jake’s a good friend, but if anyone’s helping you out, it’s me. Understand?” There it was again, the quiet dominance I hadn’t expected, the part of him that is so sure of himself, and it melted me a little more.
I nodded, and we spent the rest of the evening in quiet discussion about everything from life to horses. Sitting here listening to this man talk so passionately about the wild horses and his desire to keep them free endeared me to him even more. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d ever had such a wonderful date.
“We should go,” he said quietly and motioned for our waitress to come back to the table.
“Your meal is on the house, I don’t have a bill for you.” The poor girls eyes were wide and she looked terrified.
“That’s fine, but this is for you, and this is for the back of the house.” Griff slid cash across the table, and the poor girl paled at the sight.
“Nick said he’d fire me if I took your money.”
“He’ll do no such thing, and if he does, we’ll sue him for wrongful termination. The service and meal were exceptional tonight. Please thank the chef, and I’m serious. If Nick gives you any trouble, tell him to call me.”
“Yes sir. Thank you.” She grabbed the two piles of money off the table and scurried away.
“You better not have gotten that poor girl fired.” I frowned at him.
“I know a good lawyer in town. She’d own the business once I was done with him.” Griff grinned, and I couldn’t help but smile up at him as he offered me his arm.
“You’ve got an answer for everything, cowboy.”
“Usually.” He tightened his grip on my arm as we walked out of the restaurant.
We talked all the way home and I didn’t even realize we’d pulled into my yard. Again Griff hopped out of the truck and opened my door. “Care to take a walk?” I asked not wanting this night to be over just yet.
Griff didn’t say a word, he just nodded as he shrugged out of his jacket and put it around my shoulders. We wandered over to the pasture and we leaned against the fence, enjoying the night air and being together.
He took a step closer and I wished I could stop my racing heart.The shrill ring of his cell phone cut through the quiet darkness. “Hold that thought.”Griff took a step away from me and pulled his cell out of his shirt pocket. “What?” The irritation in his voice made me smile. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.” He ended his call and tucked his phone away.“I’ve got a horse in trouble. She’s foaling.”
“Well, why are you still standing here?”I said, putting my arm around his waist and walking with him back to the front steps.
“I had a wonderful time.” He said as we moved toward his truck. “Did you have a good time?”
“Griff, I had an amazing time. Will you let me know when the foal is here?” His eyes brightened ,and I grabbed his phone. Just as I expected no password. Finding the contacts I added my number.
“It might be late.” He said looking at the time.
“Well, my date’s leaving me for another lady so I’m sure sleep won’t come easy.” I grinned but his face fell. “Hey, I’ll be awake because I want to know what she has. You better get going.”
“I hate that our date’s ending this way.” He groaned and pulled open the door to his truck.
“Seems fitting to me since horses brought us together.” I smiled and he chuckled as he climbed into his truck.
“I’ll keep you posted. Good night, Elle.”
“Night Griff. Good luck with the other lady.” I grinned, and he shook his head. I watched his taillights disappear down my road and wished I could run after him. His hand on the small of my back guiding me into the restaurant, opening the door for me, and making me feel like I was the only person in the world while I was with him. I didn’t need a man to make me feel like a woman, but sometimes, it was nice to be taken care of.
Closing the door to my house, I looked around, and heat crept up my neck. What a mess this place must have looked to him. Shrugging out of his jacket, I lifted it to my nose and inhaled his scent. Smiling as I hung it over the back of my chair, I decided I’d return it tomorrow.
My phone chimed from my purse. Reaching for the small clutch, I frowned when I didn’t recognize the number.
Unknown: It’s Griff, I didn’t give you my number.
Me: Thank you I’ll add you to my contacts.
Unknown: As long as you don’t list me as The Cheater or something like that.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Me: No, I think Cowboy will be sufficient.
Cowboy: As long as I’m the only one you call that.
Me: Only one in my life right now, so you’re it.
Cowboy: That’s what I like to hear.
Me: How’s your horse?
Cowboy: Stubborn.
Me: Takes after her owner apparently.
Cowboy: You’re so funny.
Me: I try.
Cowboy: Talk soon.
I smiled at my phone and set it on the table. Kicking off my heels, I walked along the cool floors to my room and took my dress off. Smiling at my reflection in the mirror as I looked at the blue bra I’d worn at his request. There was mild disappointment deep down that he didn’t get to see it, but I also wasn’t a put-out-on-the-first date type of girl.