Chasing Charlie: A Romantic Comedy (The Texas Two-Step Series Book 1) (11 page)

She turned to Davis. "I think Jim said he and Ellen would arrive in about an hour, so I’ll stick around here to welcome them."

"Thanks." Davis leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

Her eyes widened.

Bobby Gray, probably noticing Davis was tempted to give her a longer embrace, grabbed Davis’s arm. "There’ll be time enough for that later. If we want to have you back for the barbecue, we need to head out now."

Davis stepped back from Charlie. "See you later."

"You bet," she replied with a relieved smile.

He should have figured out some way to kiss her before now. It might have helped his case.

Charlie wanted to fan her cheeks. How could one swift kiss from Davis make her feel this way? Better hurry him on his way before she grabbed him and refused to let go. "Monty Joe, don’t use up all the time showing him your latest equipment. Take him to see the bunkhouse and make sure he gets to see one of the cattle sheds."

"Yes’m," replied her brother with a sheepish grin.

She’d been kidding him for years over the visitor who’d come and never seen the ranch. Instead, he’d spent his whole time with her brothers in the three equipment buildings, each the size of a football field, looking at tractors and semi-trailers. "He’d probably like to meet the vet and the foreman, too."

Monty Joe laughed. "We’d better get out of here before she gives us an itinerary."

Charlie waved as they drove off in the four wheeler, feeling a little deserted even though she’d been the one insisting they go.

Turning toward the house, she saw the family dogs dart toward her. "Ali and Ray! Good dogs. You’re glad to see me, aren’t you?"

She’d helped bottle-feed the collies seven years earlier when their mother had died. The neighbor who owned the dogs had offered the pups to the Nelson kids, saying he didn’t want to be saddled with the responsibility of taking care of such young puppies. They’d been the perfect addition to the Nelson family and had ruled the ranch ever since.

Charlie hugged them closely and buried her face in their thick white ruffs. One of the ranch hands took care of bathing them, and they smelled of saddle soap. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed them. With Joanne moving out soon, Charlie should look into getting a dog at her new home, even if Ali and Ray were irreplaceable in her heart.

She grinned, picked up her suitcase and headed inside. She’d definitely get a collie of her own. It would be impossible to feel lonely when she had seventy pounds of dog sitting on her chest.

N
othing
, thought Charlie, beat the barbecue grilled on the Nelson Ranch. Their cook, Sing Hop, had a special sauce he prepared unlike anything she’d tasted elsewhere. It was just spicy enough to leave a tang in her mouth and yet not so hot that steam shot out of her ears.

She and Davis had been toasted by her brothers, aunts and uncles, Jim and Ellen, neighbors, relatives and kissing cousins by the score. The lemonade and iced tea flowed like a Texas stream—the Rio Grande.

Tables had been set up near the pool area, and the house was open to show off the treasures of the ranch. Overhead several yellow and white striped awnings had been erected. The early March weather had cooperated. A light breeze stirred the air but it was warm enough to go without even a sweater. And although the sun had already gone down for the day, the area was well lit with Tiki lanterns and outdoor spotlights.

Davis, seated beside her, had thoroughly enjoyed his tour of the ranch and kept spouting off statistics about the size of it. She’d grown up knowing the ranch was just over thirty-five square miles and composed of more than thirty-thousand acres, but it was all new to Davis. Although she’d never admit it, she did feel a certain pride in having been a part of the ranch. Knowing the history of her roots helped her feel more grounded and self-assured.

Monty Joe stood and yelled for everyone’s attention.

Charlie grinned, and sat up straight, certain he’d find another way to toast her coming nuptials and wondering if he’d find a way to work a naughty pun into it. The guys had been trying to one up each other that way all evening.

"As most of you know," said Monty Joe, "we supply the local rodeo with its stock for their yearly competition. It kicks off tomorrow and we have a little surprise in store for you."

The sound of applause filled the air as well as a few wolf whistles. "Bobby Gray and I agreed to give an exhibition performance this year, and we’re pleased to say we have an addition to the Nelson contingent."

Their guests clapped even more loudly and a few heads turned to look her way. Charlie hadn’t ridden in years, and she couldn’t be talked into it, even if Monty Joe thought he could convince her through public humiliation. She shook her head. He knew she didn’t stand a chance, even at exhibition barrel racing, without having practiced.

Then she felt rather than saw Davis grin. Turning, she watched him, as if in slow motion, stand. "Not only am I proud to become a part of this great family but I’m ready and willing to join it in the arena."

"That’s right, folks. Davis is going to compete in the steer-roping event. We hope you’ll all be there to cheer him on."

Their guests applauded more loudly still. Whistling and cheers filled the air. But Charlie hardly heard the cacophony. She couldn’t believe it. Even though Davis had told her he’d trained for the rodeo, and steer roping in particular, that didn’t make what he wanted to do safe. How could her brothers do this? And why would Davis agree to something so foolish?

She literally shook with fury. By risking his neck, it proved to her how utterly unsuited they were for each other. How she felt about him didn’t matter. All that mattered were the risks he chose to take without giving her one thought.

He could have discussed it with her before agreeing. Her brothers could have brought it up to her before asking him. This was so like men, not bothering the little woman.

She might be small, but that didn’t mean she had to take it without expressing her views on Davis’s stupidity and her brothers’ idiotic behavior. As soon as the barbecue guests left, she’d set things straight.

Meanwhile, she did her best to smile and pretend she was having a good time.

Unfortunately, her brothers had set up a dance floor and the guests who’d finished eating had already begun a line dance. Everyone seemed to take it as a given that the bride-to-be and her intended would dance, too.

When the band struck up another song, Davis asked, "Shall we?"

Maybe she could plead a headache? Monty Joe would never let her get away with it. "If we have to, but just one dance."

"What’s wrong?" he asked as he led her onto the floor.

"Let’s talk about it later." Just her luck, it was a slow dance, which involved being close, almost too close to Davis for her comfort. She kept as much distance as possible between them as he led them around the dance floor.

"Are you mad about something?"

"What could I possibly be mad about?" she bit out. He ought to know what was bothering her. She’d told him often enough.

"I don’t know, but sure as shootin’, you’re mad."

"I can’t believe you’re going to compete tomorrow."

Davis grinned and pulled her closer as he swung her around. "Is that all? It’s no big deal."

"That’s where you’re wrong. It’s a very big deal. You could get yourself killed."

"I don’t think that’s very likely."

She stopped dancing. "It can and does happen. I’ve seen it."

Davis dragged her along with him for a step or two until she reluctantly followed his steps. "I could also be hit on the head by a meteor, but I’m willing to take my chances in order to stay outdoors snuggling with you."

"Very funny." There had to be some way to convince him he shouldn’t do this. What would she do if something happened to him?

"Don’t do it, Davis. It would mean a lot to me if you didn’t."

"You can’t be serious."

She nodded.

Now Davis stopped dancing. He led her to a shadowy area just off the dance floor. "What is all this about?"

"You asked me earlier why a cowboy was out of the question for me. What you’ve got planned for tomorrow proves my point."

Davis rubbed his eyes. They felt gritty, as if they were full of sand. "So competing tomorrow would be taking a needless risk."

"My point exactly. Don’t do it, Davis."

He had the feeling that if he backed down, she’d agree right here and now to marry him. But he’d dreamed and worked and planned for this moment for years. It was more than a childhood aspiration. How could he make it clear to her and yet retain any chance of a relationship between them?

"All my life, Charlie, I’ve been following someone else’s dreams and postponed mine. When my dad died…" Davis’s voice broke. Even after all these years, talking about it still stung.

Charlie wrapped her arms around him, giving him strength in a way he couldn’t explain. It encouraged him to believe he could find a way to work things out.

"I’ve lived my father’s dream of turning Murphy Title into a successful business. I’ve taken care of my responsibilities since I was an adolescent. I deserve an opportunity to achieve at least one of my dreams, Charlie. I’ve worked too hard for this moment. Please, don’t ask me to give it up."

She let go of him. Even in the darkness, he could see tears filling her eyes. Reaching up to wipe them away, he lowered his hand when she stepped back.

"Charlie, I love you."

"I love you, too, Davis. But I just can’t do this. I’m going home in the morning. There’s no way on earth I can stand around and watch you get maimed or killed."

"And afterward?"

"It’s over, Davis. You’re a cowboy, through and through. I can’t afford to love you." She turned and walked over to join her brothers, who stood near the dance floor.

Davis wanted to destroy something. He wanted to kick and beat and rip at something. But what was the point, when what he really wanted was to destroy the dream inside himself that Charlie couldn’t love.

C
harlie placed
her suitcase in the back seat of her car. The early morning chill clung heavily in the air, forcing a shiver from her body. Determinedly, she got into the car and headed for the bunkhouse and the ranch foreman, Willie Fred Miller.

She needed to make arrangements for Davis to return to Dallas since she would be leaving him without a way back home. The bunkhouse was only two miles from the main house and she arrived in only a few minutes.

She headed for the main barn, where she was certain she’d find Willie Fred. Sure enough, he was seated in his office going over paperwork. Charlie tapped on the doorframe.

"Charlie, I wasn’t expecting you this morning." He stood and offered her his hand.

She returned his friendly gesture. They didn’t know each other that well since he took the job at the ranch just after she’d left to go to Dallas. She’d never had a chance to get to know him, but he always welcomed her with a kind and gentle smile.

Davis’s plans to compete in the rodeo brought things to the surface that she’d carefully buried. How her parents had been killed in an auto accident while on their way to compete; how the previous ranch foreman, Hank Rowan, the man who’d placed her on the back of her first pony, had been killed while competing in the last rodeo she’d ever attended.

Charlie was sick to the heart at having people she loved taken away.

"I’ve had a change of plans, Willie Fred. I need to get home to Dallas this morning and Davis will need transportation back later in the day. I wondered if you could make arrangements for him?"

"I’d be happy to help, Charlie. Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to make it possible for you to stay? Your brothers will be mighty disappointed that you’re leaving so soon."

"I know. But there’s nothing to be done. I have to leave." She gave him a nervous smile, unwilling to explain and afraid her emotions were easily read on her face. "I appreciate your help."

It was all she could do to keep from running to her car. She felt his concerned eyes on her back the whole way out of the barn.

As if ghosts of the past pursued her, she jumped in her car and set out with the accelerator nailed to the floorboard. She had to get away. She had to leave before her weakness for Davis forced her to stay.

W
earing borrowed
chaps and with his arms wrapped in tape, Davis grabbed the leather strips he’d fastened to the fence post and pulled. It was nearly time for his event.

His mouth tasted bitter, as if the beer he’d consumed last night had settled in to raise yeast. He’d been awakened by a message from the ranch foreman about the arrangements made for him to get back to Dallas that afternoon. It had been an eye-opener. He’d hoped and prayed during his drive back to town with Charlie that love would somehow prevail.

But it wasn’t to be.

He’d quickly learned that Charlie had already left the ranch. Too late to beg her to stay. Too late.

It had taken all the joy out of his first rodeo as a competing cowboy. As he looked into his future, all he could see was the futility, the emptiness.

If he had it to do over again, would he make the same decision? Having Charlie forever had been within his grasp, and he’d blown it. Totally blown it.

He had to be a first-class idiot.

He heard his name being called. Turning, he couldn’t believe his eyes. "Charlie?"

He ran to join her and pulled her to his chest. "I thought you’d left."

"I did. But I came back." She stepped away from him. "I had to watch—to be here. I had to be sure you would be okay."

Davis wanted to pull her into his arms and never let go, but she kept her distance. "Thank you for coming back. It means a lot to me."

The steer-roping event was announced over the loud speakers. "I need to go to the staging area."

Charlie nodded. "I know. Be safe." Her voice wavered. She gave him a sorry excuse for an encouraging smile, making his gut clench.

"Make me proud, Davis."

"You’ll be here when it’s over?"

"This doesn’t change anything." She bit her lip. "You need to hurry, Davis, or you’ll miss your turn. Afterward, I still have to go."

"But you’ll watch me compete?"

She nodded.

"I will make you proud. And afterward, we’ll talk."

"No promises." She grabbed him and gave him a fierce kiss, then pushed him on his way. "Go get your steer."

Her smile churned his insides. He was grateful she was here. It meant there was still a chance. Maybe he should take this as a sign to leave well enough alone. Maybe he shouldn’t ride.

But the sounds of the rodeo called to him. The sounds of his childhood dreams to grow up to be just like his grandfather.

Reaching the staging area, he got into his place in line. The smell of horse and bull and hay filled his senses. The noise of the crowd and the announcer’s voice clogged his head. The trapped boy inside him begged for just this one ride. Let him get his steer.

Monty Joe came forward and thwapped him on the back. "You’re going to do great."

"I sure hope so."

Before he knew it, his turn to mount his horse arrived.

F
ear was an amazing thing
, Charlie realized as adrenaline rushed through her limbs. She tried to separate her thoughts from her body, as if by concentrating on the physical she could deny the emotional.

Davis climbed onto his horse and the chute opened. He chased after his steer. She willed her eyes to close, unwilling to watch. Fear did that to a person, she told herself. Fear mocked courage.

Forget these idiot cowboys!

Anger now replaced her fear. Anger over men willing to risk everything for a few minutes of glory. Anger over being unable to stop a risk-taking cowboy. Anger over her inability to control things. Why couldn’t she have meant more to Davis than his foolish need to prove he was more macho or braver than all the others?

She heard the roar of the crowd. She prayed,
Let Davis be okay
. She threw open her eyes. Davis stood beside his steer. No blood. No broken bones. She checked the clock. He’d done it in an extremely short time. And he was safe. She sent up a silent prayer of gratitude.

Davis positively beamed. He blew her a kiss from the arena. Charlie’s stomach somersaulted. She was going to be sick. She had to get away. The roar of the crowd buffeted her and dizziness clouded her senses.

Standing, she fled the arena area and quickly found her car. She couldn’t watch any longer. Images of her brothers, her parents and Hank filled her head. She couldn’t watch another cowboy’s excitement as he took his seat. She couldn’t watch Davis do this again.

It would kill her.

Because she loved him. It would kill her by inches, slowly eroding everything she was, everything she believed in. Risk was good when it meant life could be experienced. But there had to be a happy medium. With a cowboy, there were no happy mediums. Her whole life experience taught her that.

She struggled with her seatbelt until it snapped into place. Placing her car in gear, she headed for home and safety, as if by adding physical distance between her and Davis, she’d find some measure of emotional space as well.

D
avis saw
Charlie leave the arena, and realized she was leaving for good this time. He wanted to chase after her, but he’d won the buckle for the event and her brothers wouldn’t let him leave until he picked up his prize.

Now the rodeo was over and both Bobby Gray and Monty Joe stood before him, glaring.

"You should have let me go after her."

"The way I figure it," replied Bobby Gray, "she wouldn’t have left if you hadn’t done something wrong." His facial muscles flexed.

"What did you do?" demanded Monty Joe, taking a step closer to Davis.

"I didn’t do anything. She made it clear she didn’t want me to compete."

"Is that all? She’s a tad squeamish is all." Monty Joe laughed. "You’ll have between now and the wedding to make her come around."

Davis sighed, worried about what would happen next, but he thought it best to lay his cards on the table. "There’s not going to be a wedding."

D
avis wasn’t
sure if it would work, but he’d never been a quitter, so he wouldn’t start now. He strode into Charlie’s library as if he owned the place. As if his whole world hadn’t tumbled down around his boots.

He rode the elevator to the top floor, where the research department had its offices. As the doors opened, he immediately saw Charlie behind a glass window. His heart skipped a beat.

He exited the elevator and took a step toward her. She looked beautiful, just like love personified. She also looked tired—and sad. Had he done that to her?

He stopped.

By refusing to take his calls at home or here, she’d made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Perhaps that would be best. The past three weeks had been the longest in his life. But he’d needed them to think things through and complete his plans.

Charlie spoke into a phone receiver, a furrow wrinkling her brows. Then her eyes caught him in a look so loving and so frightened that he realized it was too late. He was snared as surely as any rabbit caught in a trap. Not only did she own his heart, she owned his soul. If it meant a lifetime merely watching her from behind a glass window, that’s what he’d do.

"He’s here. Quick, tell me what to do!" Charlie’s heart hammered in her throat. Her gaze settled on the bandage taped to Davis’s forehead and she wondered what had happened to him.

"Who’s there?" asked Joanne.

Davis’s ring, which she’d removed the day she left the Nelson Ranch, burned her chest where it hung, hidden, on a chain beneath her blouse.

She could barely breathe. Davis, despite the bandage, looked so good she wanted to throw her arms around him. Yet his mere presence threatened her in every sense of the word. She wanted to run. She wanted to hug him and never let go.

"Him. What am I going to do?"

"Davis is there?"

"Yes." Her voice reflected her hysteria by rising an octave, but she couldn’t stop watching him. Couldn’t break her eyes away from his. "What do I do now?"

"Want to know what I’d do?"

Davis took a step toward her.

"I’d welcome any ideas. My brain has turned to mud."

"I’d hang up this phone…"

"And then what?" She couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe.

"Then I’d get down on my knees and beg him to propose again."

"You’re no help at all. I can’t marry him." With each step Davis took, her heart beat harder and faster.

"You’re an idiot, Charlie. Worse than any cowboy you’ve ever talked about."

"He’s almost here."

He entered her office. She dropped the phone and it landed on the floor. She could hear Joanne saying, "Charlie? Charlie?" But she was unable to move. Davis was looking at her with the same look he’d given his mother that first night at the country club.

A look that screamed of love and acceptance, and oh, she was scared.

Without saying a word, Davis took her hand. She trembled at his touch. Even her teeth shook.

He lowered himself to one knee.

She was hyperventilating. She knew it. She ought to place her head between her knees. But then he spoke.

"I love you, Charlotte Susan Nelson. I love you with every fiber of my being and I have reason to believe you love me too."

Her heart stopped. Her breathing stopped. Her mouth was parched. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t close her mouth. Couldn’t do anything but store up the memory of Davis kneeling in front of her.

"Marry me. Please, Charlie. Marry me."

She couldn’t speak. The sound of Joanne’s voice rang out of the telephone receiver. "Say yes, Charlie. Tell the man you will!"

Charlie shook her head. She couldn’t. She simply couldn’t.

Davis’s jaw clenched. Then that stubborn, determined look that so reminded her of her brother’s prize bull came over his face.

"I don’t need your final answer now, Charlie. I have something to show you."

He swooped her up into his arms.

"What’s happening?" asked Joanne.

As he headed toward her office door, Charlie yelled, hoping Joanne could hear, "Call 911. I’m being kidnaped!"

Davis hefted her more tightly into his arms. "Whatever it takes, Elf. Whatever it takes."

"This won’t work, you know."

"The only thing I’m sure of is you’re more contrary than any mule I’ve had the misfortune to meet."

Charlie crossed her arms. "I don’t have to speak to you."

"Fine." Davis gave her a sly grin. "Kissing doesn’t require conversation."

"Don’t even think about it," growled Charlie.

"I can’t stop thinking about it." Davis loaded her into his vehicle.

He’d been truck shopping. It was a bright red pickup, with a rack mounted in the rear window. She bit back a laugh when she realized the rack held branding irons rather than rifles. Talk about a one-track mind.

No matter what Davis had in mind, Charlie knew she was safe with him. He’d never force her to do anything she felt uncomfortable about. She trusted him. But she still scootched to the far right corner of the truck.

He started the engine and took off without saying a word.

After ten minutes of highway driving, her curiosity peaked. "Where are you taking me?"

"You’ll see."

"Davis."

"Yes?"

"Tell me before I scream."

He grinned. "You’re one of those people who try to peek at their Christmas and birthday presents early, aren’t you? Finding clever hiding places will keep me on my toes."

Charlie stuck her chin in the air, giving up on wheedling their destination out of him. She shifted to look out of the passenger window, needing time to get her wayward emotions under control.

He’s a cowboy
, she reminded herself.
Charlie Nelson doesn’t do cowboys.
She repeated the thoughts over and over again, like a litany.

While she’d hoped her cold-shoulder treatment would deter Davis from whatever wild scheme he had in mind, it wasn’t working. After he good-naturedly selected a country western on his iPod connected to the truck stereo, he sang along with the musicians. He pounded out the beat on the steering wheel and headed out of town.