The Billionaire's Cowboy Groom (Sweet Billionaires Book 4) Page 8

  Their gazes locked, and her lips parted. Cal took that as his sign and leaned forward. How perfect would a kiss in the pouring rain be? Movie perfect, that was how perfect. Time seemed to slow down as he inched closer, and the heat between them grew. Her lips were inches from his when he closed his eyes. The beating of his heart sped up in anticipation of the moment he had only dreamed of for years, but when he reached the place he thought her lips would be, there was nothing but air.

  Then her hand escaped his grasp and pushed against his chest. “Cal, I can’t. Not while I’m engaged to someone else.”

  Cal wanted to protest, to remind her that they were married, but he didn’t want to push her back into her shell. And she had said not while she was engaged to someone else which gave him hope that she was reconsidering their divorce. He could wait a little longer if it meant he could be with her forever.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I got caught up in the moment.”

  “Me too.” Her voice was soft as her eyes sought his. They still brimmed with a hunger, and it was clear she was fighting the urge to kiss him as well.

  Though desire still clouded his vision, he would respect her words. “We could have more moments like these,” Cal said. His hand twitched at his side. He wanted so badly to touch her face, to feel her cheek in his hand.

  Carrie’s eyes slid to the side and Cal wondered if he had stepped too far. He wished he could rewind time and take the words back.

  “This was dumb,” Carrie began, and Cal’s heart dropped, but then her lips curled into a small smile, “we should have run toward the inn. Now, we just have farther to walk back in the rain.”

  Though she tried for a teasing tone again, he could hear the difference in her voice. The moment was gone, and all Cal could do was hope he would have another chance.

  Chapter 9

  When they reached the truck, Cal opened the door for her and she slid in feeling a little like a drowned rat. He entered the other side a moment later and started the truck, turning on the heater to warm them up and dry them off a little.

  “Okay, that was more than a little rain,” he said with a smile, “but I can give you most of the rest of the tour from here anyway. Over there is the town hall and Marnie’s, a sit down but casual eatery.” He shifted in his seat to point out her window. “Down that street is the flower shop, the general store, and Ernesto’s, a more upscale restaurant, though I’m confident it’s nothing like you have in New York.”

  “Can we stop at the general store?” Carrie asked. She wasn‘t sure why but she wanted to see what they offered. Dixie’s comments were still rattling around in her brain, and she hated that such a nice woman couldn’t get the kind of clothes she wanted.

  “Uh sure,” Cal said putting the truck in drive, “Any particular reason why?”

  “I want to see their clothing section.”

  His lips twitched at the corners. “Feeling the desire to dress a little more casually?”

  “Something like that.”

  The general store was much smaller than Carrie had expected, about double the size of her apartment back home. They made a mad dash for the inside as the rain still poured down.

  “Perhaps we should get an umbrella,” Carrie said with a laugh as she shook the water out of her hair.

  “Hey, watch where you’re flinging that mane.” Cal held up his hands and turned away from her.

  “Oh, sorry, did that get you wet?” Carrie grinned and shook her hands at him sending a few more droplets his way.

  “What’s going on here?” A deep voice asked from behind her. Carrie’s smile faded, and she lowered her hands.

  Cal’s smile, on the other hand, deepened. “Sorry, Jim. It’s a little wet outside. I guess we got a little carried away. If you’ll point me toward a towel, I’ll clean it up for you.”

  “Nah, I’ll get one of the employees to clean it up, but you can introduce me to your friend.”

  Carrie turned around to face the man and stuck out her hand. “I’m Carrie Bliss.” As she regarded him, she had the distinct feeling she had seen him before though she couldn’t place where.

  Jim took her hand but flashed wide eyes Cal’s direction as if for confirmation. Cal nodded. “Jim, Carrie. Carrie this is my brother-in-law, Jim.”

  Brother-in-law. Now, Carrie understood why he seemed familiar. This must be Stacy’s husband and she had recognized him from the picture on Cal’s desk. “Nice to meet you, Jim. I’m sorry about the water. It was my fault.”

  “Ah, well in that case, I’m certain Cal deserved it,” Jim said with a smile.

  “Hey,” Cal protested but his smile told Carrie that he knew Jim was teasing him.

  “Anyway, don’t worry about it. I’ll get one of the guys to lay out some extra mats. I’m positive you two won’t be the last wet customers we have today.”

  “Thanks, Jim. See you guys at church tomorrow?”

  “You bet. It was nice to meet you Carrie.” Though he said the words to her, Carrie didn’t miss the expression he flashed Cal’s direction. He must know who she was.

  “So, clothing section?” Cal asked as Jim walked away.

  Carrie nodded and followed him to the right. The general store was set up much like a Walmart only on a much smaller scale. Groceries were to the left and everything else was to the right. The whole clothing department was about the size of Carrie’s bedroom, and the selection was dismal to say the least. Two racks of dresses in sizes six to fourteen, two racks of shirts, and one rack each of pants and skirts. Nearly everything was either monochromatic or plaid flannel and all of it lacked imagination.

  “Are you looking for something in particular?” Cal asked as Carrie flicked through the offerings.

  “No, I just wanted to see the offerings.” It was clear now why Dixie wished more was available. It would be hard to have an individual style with what was here. She wondered how profitable a shop would be out here? Maybe she could hire someone to run a small branch. Surely rent wouldn’t be expensive in such a small town, but would it make enough to be profitable?

  Carrie shook her head. She was getting ahead of herself. The first thing she needed to do was find out what kind of clothing Dixie wanted and if she had an idea on what might sell. Then she could figure out the cost and see if what the people could afford would be profitable to her.

  “You’re not going to buy anything?” Cal asked.

  A laugh escaped Carrie’s mouth before she registered how rude it must sound. She composed herself and thought about her words carefully. “Uh, not yet. Nothing here is really my style, but I do want an umbrella. Plus, I rather think I owe your brother-in-law.”

  “You don‘t, but all right, let’s get you an umbrella.” Cal led the way to a small sporting good section and Carrie chose a simple black one.

  After paying, they headed back to the truck, but the rain had stopped, and Carrie had no need to open the umbrella. The air had cooled though, and she found herself wishing she had brought a coat.

  “I’d be happy to finish the tour, but do you mind if we stop by the ranch, so I can check on Dexter and the herd?”

  “Sure.” Carrie shrugged. “I’m at your mercy today.”

  Cal pulled into the ranch and Carrie opened her door and stepped out. Involuntarily, a shiver raced down her spine. The air had certainly cooled with the rain.

  Cal’s eyes filled with concern, and he closed the space between them. “Are you cold? Come inside with me, and I’ll get you a jacket.”

  “No, I’m fine,” Carrie protested, but even as she did, another gust of wind hit her, and she shook again.

  “You are not.” His hands twitched at his side causing her to wonder if he was fighting the urge to wrap them around her. “Look, it’s going to take a bit for me to check on the herd, and I don’t want you freezing. Please, just humor me?”

  His emerald eyes pleaded with her, and a flicker of déjà vu surfaced in Carrie’s mind.

  “I’m not drunk, Cal,” Carrie
said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She knew this was crazy, but she’d felt a connection from the first moment he approached her on the dance floor. The gaze he sent her way made her feel something she had never felt before, something she hadn’t even known she was even craving, and she didn’t want to let go.

  He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and his hand traced a trail down her face to cup her chin. “You say that now, but I want you to be certain. This is marriage we’re talking about, so please just humor me and drink the coffee?”

  “If it will make you feel better,” she said with a wink. She dropped one arm to the table and picked up the mug of tan liquid. She took a sip and then downed the rest of the coffee. He watched her with a bemused smile and twinkling eyes. When she was finished, she placed the mug back on the counter and turned to him with a challenging stare. “Done, now can we go get married?”

  Oh gracious. She hadn’t been drunk. She had felt something for him then. No wonder he had been so shocked when she performed a one eighty the next morning.

  “Are you okay?”

  This time his hand did touch her arm, and Carrie started at the heat that seared up her arm. The image from the past shattered in her mind. “Yeah, fine, I’ll take you up on that coat.”

  “Good, come on.”

  Carrie followed Cal into the house expecting him to turn down the hallway to the bedrooms, but he stopped just inside the door and pulled a leather jacket off the coat tree.

  A masculine scent washed over her as she took the jacket from him and another memory flooded her mind. The woodsy cologne rising from the leather was the same one that had filled her nose the night they married.

  “Are you two sure you want to get married?” The minister, an Elvis impersonator in a sparkly white jumpsuit, regarded them as he posed the question.

  Carrie looked around the wedding chapel. She wasn’t certain getting married in an Elvis chapel had been her dream but marrying Cal would be worth it. “We’re sure,” Carrie said as she took Cal’s hands.

  He squeezed them and flashed a return smile. “Never been surer of anything in my life.”

  “All right, well then let’s get this hunk a hunk of burning love legal.” He took the marriage certificate from Cal and scanned over the names. “Dearly beloved,” he began in an Elvis drawl. “We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

  “You coming?”

  “Huh?” Carrie blinked the memory away and focused on Cal who stood staring at her. He had on another leather jacket, black to match his hat.

  “I asked if you wanted to come. You could ride on the back of Ginger with me.”

  “Um, okay all right.” Carrie wasn’t positive she should be getting up on a horse behind Cal. She was even less sure she should wrap her arms around him and breathe in his scent, but the words were already out, and her feet carried her his direction anyway.

  Cal led the way outside and to the barn. Carrie watched as he saddled up his horse and then led her out of the barn. He swung up first and then held his hand out to her. “Just put your foot in the stirrup like last time, and I’ll help pull you up.”

  “Okay.” Carrie followed his directions and before she knew it, she was up and behind him. Her arms wrapped around his waist and she held on for dear life as he urged the horse to speed up. Even through her fear, the heat radiating off Cal reached Carrie. Her heart thudded in her chest at being so close to him and inhaling the woodsy scent coming off him. For the first time since she’d arrived, Carrie knew that if she didn’t leave soon, she might never want to go, and it terrified her.

  * * *

  Cal finished checking on the herd and then urged Ginger back to the house. He didn’t want to return as he was relishing the presence of Carrie’s body pressed against his back, but he had promised to show her the rest of the town, and the weather had him a little worried. The air had shifted again, and the dark clouds looked as though they might pour more rain down any moment.

  “Why don’t you head inside while I take care of Ginger?” Cal suggested. Carrie’s face was flushed though whether it was from the cold or the proximity they had shared, he wasn’t sure. He hoped it was the latter.

  “Are you sure?” she asked. Her eyes found his for a moment before glancing away, but in that small moment, he read the desire and confusion in her gaze.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. Make yourself at home. I’ll just be a minute.” He smiled as he walked Ginger to the barn. Carrie was remembering. He was almost sure of it. Twice he had caught her staring off into space. If he could get her to remember that night - well, he had to. It would change everything.

  He removed the saddle and brushed Ginger down quickly before returning to the house. He found Carrie staring at the photo above the fireplace.

  “Ready?” he asked as he entered.

  She turned to him, an unreadable expression on her face. “Do you have a television?”

  “What?” He hadn’t been expecting that question.

  “A television. You know. TV.” She turned back toward the fireplace. “The black box you watch entertainment on.”

  Cal’s lips twitched. “I am aware of what a TV is. Yes, there’s one in my bedroom though I don’t watch it much. Why do you ask?”

  Carrie’s thin shoulders rose slightly and fell back down. “Everyone in my circle has multiple TVs. I found it odd that you didn’t have one in here.”

  Would that be a deal breaker for her or was she comparing him to the men in her life? “I’ve never been much for TV. Too many other things to occupy my time.”

  She turned back to him, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “In this town?”

  “There’s so much to a small town. There’s community and nearly every month we have a festival. Almost everyone comes out and pitches in with food or decorations or music. I bet you don’t even know your neighbors’ names, am I right?”

  Carrie sucked in a breath, opened her mouth as if to answer, and then sighed. “Guilty. I can recall the doorman’s name and that’s about it.”

  “See here everyone knows everyone else in town. There’s an army to help if you’re sick or down on your luck. People pray for you, say hello in the grocery store. You learn about your neighbors and friends, so yeah there are too many other things to do besides watch other people live on a black box.”

  Carrie held his gaze for a minute as if taking in his words. “Where did this picture come from?” She pointed to the landscape shot above the fireplace.

  “Stacy took it.”

  Her eyes widened. “Stacy took it?”

  Cal shrugged. “Yeah, she always had a photo bug growing up. I remember when she first got a camera. I think she was six. Most girls that age wanted dolls or stuffed animals, but not Stacy. She wanted a camera, and she was really careful with it. It took her awhile, but by the next Christmas, she was taking amazing pictures. She learned how to develop her own in high school.”

  “Why didn’t she become a photographer then? She’s talented.”

  “She met Jim and wanted to raise a family. Now she takes pictures in her free time kind of like my whittling.”

  “You whittle?” Her eyes shifted to the side as if puzzle pieces were falling into place.

  “I do.” He said the words slowly wondering if she would elaborate on why she was asking. “Ranching can be a little lonely in the evenings without someone to share them with. I whittle to pass the time.”

  Her eyes caught his, and his breath stilled. The desire to kiss her flooded through his veins creating a pounding sensation in his head. Electricity crackled in the air, and he leaned forward.

  “It’s beautiful, the picture I mean.” Her voice was soft, but she had pulled back. The moment was broken.

  “Thank you.” Cal swallowed his disappointment and motioned to the kitchen. “Shall we get some lunch? I don’t want to eat anything too big because if I know Dixie, she’ll have a feast planned.”

  Carrie nodded and follo
wed him into the kitchen.

  Chapter 10

  When the sandwiches were gone, and the paper plates thrown away, Cal held out his hand to Carrie. “Can I show you something?”

  She nodded and took his hand, but as he led her down the hallway to the guest room, she protested, “Cal, what are you doing?”

  “Just wait.” The simple guest room didn’t contain much, but it held one large secret. He opened the door to the closet and stepped back. Inside he had installed a few shelves and they were lined with his carvings.

  She gasped as she stepped forward. Her hand touched a few of the carvings, delicately as if she were afraid they would crumble under her fingers. “Cal, these are beautiful. Why do you keep them hidden?”

  “They’re nothing special, only a hobby.”

  She turned to face him, her beautiful green eyes shining with intensity. “These are not nothing, Cal Roper. They are amazing, and people would pay big money for these.”

  This was the moment. He felt it. “What changed you, Carrie?” He held his breath hoping she would answer and he hadn’t misread her.

  Her eyes held his, bored into his soul as if searching his intentions. Then she sighed. “My dad got sick. Shortly after I graduated from college.”

  Cal could tell there was more to this story, so he crossed to the bed and sat down. Then he patted the space next to him. Carrie hesitated but finally joined him.

  “I told you in Vegas I wanted to be a designer. When I graduated, my dad gave me money to start my boutique, but then he was diagnosed with cancer. My mom was a stay at home mother, and my dad’s money was consumed pretty quickly with the treatments. I tried to sell the boutique to help out, but he wouldn’t let me. He died a few months later, and I swore that I would be successful to make my dad proud.”