Once Upon a Cowboy Read online

  He laughed, putting out his hand. “Let me see.”

  Reluctantly, she handed over the phone, and he started scrolling through her playlists. Huh. Here he’d thought he’d find a bunch of instrumental New Age songs about ten miles long, but instead, he saw just about every eighties group he’d ever heard of.

  “This is an impressive collection, cowgirl.”

  “What did you expect?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. A little Carrie Underwood, some Shania, maybe an undercurrent of an oldie like Hank. Definitely a bunch of yoga stuff.” He scrolled some more. “Do you have a favorite on here?”

  “Depends on my mood.”

  “Okay. Let me find one appropriate for a midnight dance with a charming cowboy.”

  “Oh, I have a whole playlist for that. Happens all the time.”

  He felt a smile crack the corners of his mouth as she visibly relaxed. “Really.”

  “Absolutely.”

  He scrolled and scrolled. “Wow. You have a serious eighties addiction, hon.”

  “It’s a problem, yes.”

  “Love it.” He tapped a few times, then put the phone back down and straightened up. He opened his arms and motioned her closer. “Come here, cowgirl. Let’s dance. Maybe I can make you forget about all of the other cowboys you’ve used this playlist with.”

  She paused, and he could practically see thoughts flipping through her head. Did she already regret asking him? He stepped closer, slowly, like he would approach a scared horse.

  “Dance with me, Jess.” He kept his voice low, soothing.

  “Okay.” Her voice came out all breathy and low, and the sound of it hit him way down low. She stepped toward him, into his arms, gingerly leaning her cheek against his chest. He felt her quiver as he settled his arms carefully around her.

  “Are you cold?”

  “Kind of? Maybe?” She paused, taking a breath. “No.”

  “Nervous?”

  “Yes.”

  He chuckled, pulling her a tiny bit closer. “It’s just me, Jess. Just me. And I promise I won’t try any of those crazy lifts or anything while we dance. I won’t even spin you.”

  She laughed. “That’s a huge relief. Thank you.”

  They danced around the floor in a slow circle, and as they stepped and glided and slowly spun, he felt her relax, degree by degree.

  “So what do you do for fun back in Boston?” He spoke low in her ear. “I’m assuming midnight dances with cowboys are rare, even though you claim to have a playlist.”

  “Or midnight rides to waterfalls?”

  “Exactly. Or karaoke nights at cheesy Western bars.”

  She pulled back, smiling. “I’m sorry, but Boston’s got cheesy wrapped up. We have duck boats.”

  “What in the world is a duck boat?”

  Jess shook her head, rolling her eyes. “It’s a bus-slash-boat that gives tours of the historic sites, then drives into the Charles River.”

  “Points for uniqueness. What do you like to do when you’re not working?”

  “Take duck tours.”

  “Right.” He laughed. “What do you really like to do? Give me your best one-sentence online dating profile.”

  Jess shrugged in his arms. “Let’s see. I’m on a continual quest to find the perfect lobster dinner, I love live jazz music, and I have a membership at the Museum of Fine Arts.”

  “Yikes. Sounds like you’ve done that before.” He chuckled.

  “I haven’t. Promise.” She smiled. “How about you?”

  “Oh, boy. I don’t like seafood, prefer country music by a mile, and—don’t hate me—museums give me hives.”

  “Well, yoga gave you hives until ten minutes ago, right?”

  He squeezed her gently. “True. Maybe I’ve just never had the right museum tour guide.” He shook his head. “But jazz? Really? I would have said you liked any style but jazz.”

  “I like that it has rules, but it also doesn’t.” She shrugged again. “I don’t know—it just appeals to me. Country, on the other hand—” She cringed, making him laugh as her phone switched onto a new slow song.

  “And you call yourself a cowgirl?” He pulled away, mouth open in mock horror.

  “No,” she laughed. “You call me a cowgirl.”

  “Oh. Right. You’re actually just a poser.”

  He saw her face change as he said the words, saw emotions pass over it, then get erased on a deep breath.

  “You’re right,” she said. “I am just a poser.”

  Chapter 16

  “You just danced? That’s it?” Kyla’s eyes were wide as she angled her car into a parking space along the downtown square early Friday morning. As she looked around, Jess marveled at how bright and colorful everything looked. Pansies spilled out of big whisky barrels along the sidewalk, and the striped awnings over the storefronts looked freshly washed and welcoming.

  Even the leaves on the trees in the park were bright against the blue, blue sky. Coupled with a few white, puffy clouds, the scene would have made for great postcard shots for the Montana tourism board.

  Jess smiled. Or maybe it was her mood coloring everything brighter and happier.

  She hugged her arms across her body, still glowing from the feel of Cole’s arms around her last night. “Yes. We just danced.”

  “Well, he must be a damn good dancer, if your face looks like that.” Her eyes narrowed. “You sure you didn’t do more than dance? Not even a kiss?”

  “Nope. Just danced. For, like, ever.” Jess smiled. “It was really sweet. He was really sweet.”

  After his poser comment—which of course he’d made completely innocently—he’d seemed to sense her sudden change in mood, and he’d scooped her up and spun her till she was dizzy. They’d slow-danced for another hour, laughing and talking, and then he’d walked her to her cabin in the moonlight. She’d braced herself for the conflicting emotions that always accompanied a first-kiss moment, but at her steps, he’d simply squeezed her hand, said good night, and then hugged her tightly.

  She still wasn’t sure what to make of it. Had he not wanted to kiss her? Had he maybe just not wanted to risk changing what was—in her opinion, anyway—an already perfect night? Last time he’d looked like he might kiss her, she’d backed up like a scared deer, after all. Who could blame him for not even trying this time?

  Jess joined Kyla on the sidewalk outside the Heaven Scent Bakery, feeling her mouth water as the warm scent of yeast rolls wafted out the screen door. “Oh, no. I forgot about Jenny’s rolls. I’m about to gain five pounds just standing here, aren’t I?”

  “Ten if you sniff her cupcakes.”

  “If she starts making bagels, I’m going to have to move out here for real.”

  Kyla opened the door, motioning her through, and Jess smiled as she headed for the display cases, inhaling the potpourri of sweet scents. In Jenny’s cases were doughnuts of all shapes and sizes, loaves of bread, platters of yeast rolls, and a small display of birthday cakes done up with fondant and swirls.

  “Does she do all of this decorating by herself?”

  Kyla nodded. “Sure does. I think she’s looking for an assistant to start doing some of the breads, but she’s been out straight with wedding cakes and other special occasion stuff since last summer. People are ordering from thirty miles away.”

  Jess tapped her finger on the case. “Can we just take one of everything?”

  “Absolutely!” A tiny woman dressed in white blasted around the corner from the back kitchen. “In fact, I have a one-of-everything special today!” She wiped flour-dusted hands on her apron.

  “Hey, Jenny. How’s Hayley’s cake coming?” Kyla leaned in confidentially. “We’re here for a sneak peek at the design.”

  Jenny shook her head, smiling widely. “Sorry. Can’t do that. But rest assured. It’s my best yet.”

  “Better than mine?” Kyla pretended to pout.

  “Different from yours. Not better.” Jenny turned to Jess. “Welcome
back to town, Jess! Have the gals convinced you to move out here yet?”

  Jess laughed. “They’re trying.”

  “Well, let me help them out.” Jenny reached into one of the display cases and took out a giant cinnamon roll. She wrapped waxed paper around half of it, then handed it to Jess. “One bite of this, and you’ll be packing your bags.”

  Jess held it under her nose, practically tasting the cinnamon before she took a bite. “You play dirty, girl.”

  “Absolutely. I have no pride.”

  Jess took a bite, and layers of taste sensation filled her mouth. Yeasty dough, cinnamon, apple, nutmeg, and the tiniest wisp of ginger worked together to create a light, chewy nirvana unlike anything she’d ever tasted.

  “Good?” Jenny’s eyebrows were up.

  “Oh, God,” was all Jess could manage to say.

  “Told you.” Jenny turned her attention back to Kyla. “Well, that’s figured out. She’ll be out here apartment-hunting within a month. What can I do for you?”

  Kyla scanned the case while Jess took another bite. “Can I get a dozen of those cookies there? And maybe a dozen of these ones in front with the sprinkles? We’ve got a herd of kids this week.”

  “You got it.” Jenny opened a big white bakery box and started filling it. “How about some peanut butter ones for the boys?”

  “Of course. As long as Ma doesn’t find out you’re still sneaking them out to the ranch.”

  Jess laughed. “Who are you sneaking cookies to?”

  “Cole and Decker. But officially, it’s Dad who serves as courier. I just hand him the bag in the morning.”

  “Aha. So that’s why Roscoe makes a point of visiting the barn when he delivers Ma’s breads every morning?”

  Jenny made a lip-zipping motion. “I know nothing. I’m just the baker.” She stood on tiptoe to look at Jess’s now empty hands. “Are they not feeding you at Whisper Creek? Or was the roll that good?”

  “It was that good.” Jess took out her wallet. “I think maybe I’ll need a couple more, though, just to be sure.”

  Jenny nodded and grabbed a waxed bag. “So, ladies, how are the Whisper Creek men these days? I feel like I haven’t seen them in town forever.”

  Kyla shook her head. “They’re both crazy-busy. Decker’s been up at the new development all the time, and Cole’s holding down the fort at the ranch, for the most part. I’m not sure when either of them find time to eat, most days.”

  “Good thing I sneak them cookies, then.” She folded Jess’s bag and put a pink sticker on it, then handed it across the counter. “So Marcy and her crew were just in here. Sounds like Cole finally asked her to the wedding?”

  “What?” Kyla’s eyebrows shot up, mirroring Jess’s. What?

  Jenny looked from one of them to the other. “Maybe I’m wrong. She was on her way to look for a dress over at Danielle’s shop. Said something about making Cole regret waiting this long to ask her.”

  Kyla put her hand to her forehead. “That woman. She never stops.”

  “So—no? Tell me now, because I was sorely tempted to put a little jalapeño in his peanut butter cookies tomorrow morning. Couldn’t believe he was being that much of an idiot.”

  “No. I guarantee you he didn’t ask Marcy to come as his date.” Kyla winked. “I’m actually pretty sure he’s got his eye on someone else.”

  Jenny leaned over the counter. “You have to tell me.”

  “Sorry.” Kyla laughed. “You’re worse than a beauty parlor in here. If I told you, it’d be all over town in fifteen minutes flat.”

  “I’m offended.” Jenny put her hand to her chest, but then she laughed. “It wouldn’t take that long. Twelve minutes, tops.”

  Jess smiled, relieved that Kyla had left Jenny hanging on the subject of Cole.

  Kyla handed Jenny her credit card to pay for the cookies. “So what about you? Any prospects these days?”

  Jenny laughed. “Nope. I’m up at three o’clock in the morning and in bed by eight. This does not bode well for a hot dating life.”

  “You know Michael will be there, right?”

  Jess saw Jenny’s face go a little pink under the flour. “I assumed as much, yes.”

  “Well?”

  “Well, nothing. He will probably bring a date.”

  Kyla shook her head. “I don’t think so. He and Decker have been so busy on this project that I don’t think he’s had time to go out in forever. And I did happen to see a seating chart last night, and I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy with where Hayley seated you.”

  Jenny’s face colored again, but she covered it by ducking down to tape up the box of cookies. She pushed them across the counter, then added a little white bag to the top. “For you,” she winked, handing it to Kyla. “I’m supposed to be the matchmaker around here, not you. Maybe these will distract you.”

  “All right, all right. I just think the two of you would make a cute couple. I can’t help it.”

  “You realize he towers over me by, like, a foot and a half, right? Define cute.” She looked over at Jess. “In fact, Jess here would make a better height match for him. Maybe you should set them up.”

  Jess gulped, but Kyla winked at Jenny. “I think Jess already has her eye on somebody else, to tell the truth.”

  “Someone out here? Really?” Jenny’s eyes went wide. “Who?”

  Kyla mimicked Jenny’s lip-zip. “Top secret. Sorry.”

  “Will you tell me if I let you see the cake design?”

  “Ooh. Now you’re talking.”

  Jess broke in. “Hey! You can’t use me as a bargaining chip!”

  “All right, all right.” Jenny laughed as she headed back through the door to her industrial kitchen. “I’ll find out my own way. See you two at the wedding.”

  When they were back outside, Kyla put the boxes into the backseat of the car, then turned to Jess. “It’s too nice to go back just yet. Let’s take a walk.” She linked elbows and pulled her toward Java Beans. “Or maybe get some cocoa?”

  Jess pointed at the thermometer outside the bank. “It’s eighty degrees. You really want cocoa?”

  “I always want cocoa. Come on. I’ll buy you one.”

  Jess shook her head. “How about an iced tea instead?”

  “Fine. I’ll get tea. Here. Sit out here and save us a table while I go get drinks.” She pointed to an ornate little garden table outside the coffee shop, and Jess sat down while Kyla went in to order.

  Little shops stretched along Main Street to her right and left, all of them facing a town square that was quintessential Americana. It covered more than an acre, with lush green grass, a little pond, and a bright white band shell in the center. A group of tiny children played in a sandbox while their mothers and nannies looked on, and Jess could see an elderly man and woman sitting on one of the benches in the shade.

  Sitting here under the striped umbrella, feeling the warm breeze on her skin, smelling nothing but fresh mountain air, roasting coffee beans, and Jenny’s cinnamon rolls, she felt a peace steal over her. Boston was frenetic on the quietest of days, but the pace here in Carefree was just—calm. She hadn’t heard a car horn since she’d arrived, and SUVs and sedans meandered around the square like they were in no particular hurry on this gorgeous day.

  She watched people walking up and down the four streets that bordered the park, and was struck by just how unpretentious it all was. She saw way more L.L.Bean than Ralph Lauren, way more sneakers than fancy boots, and way more T-shirts than sundresses.

  As she smiled and waved back at the fifth person who passed, she realized she saw a lot more smiles out here, too. While city dwellers were used to passing less than a foot away from one another and never raising their eyes, people in Carefree went out of their way to say hello.

  “Your tea, m’dear.” Kyla sat down at the table, placing Jess’s tea in front of her. “They even have your favorite kind. See? It’s a sign.”

  “That I should move out here?”

  Kyla
took a big sip of her cocoa, leaving a whipped cream smudge on her upper lip. “Yup. Just think—you could have your favorite tea with Jenny’s cinnamon rolls. Heaven, right?”

  “Just sitting here is heaven.”

  “I’ve been telling you that for over a year now.”

  “I know, but it’s different when you feel it.”

  Kyla set down her cup. “Jess, I know we keep joking about this, but is there any, any chance you’d actually consider staying for the rest of the summer?”

  Jess sighed. “That’s such a big, huge question.”

  “I know, but it’s got an easy answer. Listen, be honest. How is your studio doing back east right now?”

  “You know how it’s doing.” Jess rolled her eyes. “We’re in the height of summer, the students have all gone home for the summer, and everyone would rather exercise outside. I only had twenty students all last week. It’s dismal.”

  “How in the world are you paying the rent, if you have no students?”

  “With a savings account that’s moving quickly in the wrong direction.” Jess felt a little stab in her gut when she thought of Grampy’s check.

  Kyla fiddled with the cardboard handle on her cup. “You know, I’m not just asking you because personally, I’d love to have my two best friends out here. I’m also asking because I could really, really use your help getting the spa up and running.”

  “I appreciate that, Kyla, but you don’t need me for that. I’m sure there are people out here who’d be more than happy to help. I’d love to do what I can while I’m here, but you don’t really need me for the whole summer. You know you don’t.”

  “I’m not talking about a pity job here. Yes, there are spa people out here. We’re planning to compete with some of them, as a matter of fact. But I don’t want their expertise. I want yours.”

  “Sweetie, I run a yoga studio with a little herb shop in the corner. I’m really not sure I’m qualified to design the kind of thing you want to have here.”

  Plus, there’s the small matter of my past getting closer in the rearview mirror, and that’s something I’m certainly not going to draw any of you into.

  Kyla put down her cup, her expression serious. “Jess, I saw your face when you saw that space, and I know you felt it, too. Wouldn’t it be a dream to help me design it? To make it a reality? To make it a destination like no other?”