He frowned. “Not really. I just haven’t been ready for marriage.”
“Or fatherhood?” she said quietly.
Grinning, he said, “My mom would kill me if I did the second without the first. You know that.”
Jessica wasn’t so sure after her conversation with Mabel a week ago. Or maybe Mabel knew her son would take responsibility if he ever made a baby. Lost in the deliriously happy picture of her holding Cal’s baby, she didn’t realize what he said.
He touched her arm and repeated himself. “Jess, what are you going to wear?”
“Wear?” she questioned. Until recently he’d never discussed clothing with her. That had been the only area of her life that he ignored, until she’d worn those sexy outfits.
“Yeah. To the cookout.” When she continued to stare at him, he said, “You know, are you going to wear any of those man-chasing clothes?”
“No,” she said abruptly, leaning against the back of her chair, putting as much distance as possible between them. Her daydreaming had weakened her resistance.
“No? Then what are you going to wear?”
“It’s none of your business, but I’m wearing a T-shirt and jeans. That’s what everyone wears to a cookout.”
He nodded his head, looking pleased. “Yeah. That’s good. Loose jeans.”
“Loose jeans? You want me to wear baggy jeans?” She didn’t own any. That’s how city folks wore their jeans.
“That would be best. You know, you want to get to know these guys, let them appreciate your mind.”
He was doing it again. Protecting her.
Sighing, she leaned her head back on the sofa cushion. “It doesn’t matter what I wear. With you there, no one will touch me.”
“Touch you? Of course not, it’s a public party. You wouldn’t—”
“Come on, Cal! Do you expect me to marry someone without even kissing him? This is almost the twenty-first century, not the eighteenth.”
“I just want you to be careful. Some men don’t listen when you say no.”
“I know.” She’d had a frightening experience with such a guy in college. But she’d fought him off. That wasn’t a memory she was going to share with Cal, however.
But he could read her face even better than she thought.
“Did someone try that with you?” he demanded with a ferocious frown.
“It was a long time ago, Cal, and he didn’t succeed,” she hastily assured him.
“Someone from here? I’ll haul him into jail and—”
“No. He was from Texas Tech, someone you don’t know.”
Before she knew what was happening, Cal had pulled her out of her chair and up into his arms. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered.
“What could you have done, Cal? You would’ve insisted I come back home.”
“Damn straight! Going away to college all alone wasn’t a good idea.”
“You did it. Why not me?”
“Because you’re a girl. And I promised your mother.” His hold on her tightened.
She loved his strength, his warmth. One last time, she promised herself, and snuggled against him, her hands flat against his chest, sliding up to his neck. She let her lips touch his neck. “You’ve kept your promise, Cal, more than anyone could ask.”
He ran his big hands over her back, pressing her even closer, while his cheek rested on her hair. Taking a deep breath, he muttered, “I keep trying, but I worry about you all the time.”
She rested her face against his shoulder. “I guess that’s why you want to marry me off. So I’ll be someone else’s responsibility.”
Rearing back, he stared at her. “I’m not the one wanting you to marry. You said you wanted to, that you wanted to have kids. All this was your idea, remember?”
She remembered. Pushing out of his embrace, she paced the room, crossing her arms over her chest. She’d debated her behavior many a night.
“Jess? Have you really changed your mind?”
“I don’t know!” she wailed, spinning around to stare at the most obtuse man in the world.
“Baby, what’s going on? I’ve never known you to be so...so indecisive.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, unsure how to answer him. Finally she said, “I’m at a crossroads, Cal, and I don’t know which way to go.”
He gave a gentle smile, one that made her heart turn over. “Mom always says to follow your heart.”
She had to turn away. “I tried that, but it involves . . . other people. So it’s not so simple.”
Cal’s heart sank as he studied Jessica’s rigid back. She must be talking about a particular man. He hadn’t realized Jessica had a guy in mind for her future plans. Why had they developed a list? Unless the man was already on it....
“Is it someone you know?”
She turned to look at him, her eyes wide. “What?”
“Is the man you want to marry someone you know?”
“Of course he is!” she snapped. “I’d be pretty stupid to pine for a stranger.” Then her eyes widened even more and her hand covered her mouth, as if she regretted what she’d just admitted.
“Is he on the list?”
“I don’t want to talk about this.”
He strode to her side, but he managed to keep his hands to himself. “How can I help you if you don’t tell me who you want?”
She turned away from him. “You can’t help me, Cal.”
“Yeah, I could.” He cupped her shoulders and settled her warm body against him, burying his nose in her hair. “I could tell him you’re...a wonderful lady. I could point out what a good wife you’d make.”
Pulling away from him, she crossed the room before she faced him. “And you think those facts would make a man love me?”
“Of course they would!”
She smiled sadly, wrapping her arms around her taut body. “It’s not that easy, Cal. A man...a man has to want to marry, to settle down, before he even thinks about a woman that way.” Her gaze flew away from him. “My man doesn’t.”
My man.
Those words tore at Cal’s heart. Those same words had described him a few days ago. Until he’d awakened to his feelings for Jessica. Him and his friends.
Like a lightning bolt, his last thought flashed through his mind. His friends... That’s why Jess wouldn’t talk to him, wouldn’t reveal the name of the man she loved. The man she wanted to marry had to be one of his three friends. And of his three friends, the one most resistant to marriage was Mac.
Cal loved Tuck, Spence, and Mac like brothers; he’d shared everything with them through the years. But he and Mac were particularly close, ever since they’d been on their own in Dallas. He’d lived through Mac’s marriage and the disastrous divorce that followed.
He’d never forget the night Mac had called him and asked him to meet him at a crowded, dark bar, a place they almost never frequented. Mac had
wanted to talk about his marriage ending, and he hadn’t wanted anyone to overhear. That painful evening was etched on Cal’s heart.
Mac had vowed then he’d never tread those waters again. And Cal was pretty sure he wouldn’t. But if anyone could persuade him, it would be Jess.
He almost rubbed his chest to ease the pain he felt there. Not only would he lose Jessica to another man, but he’d have to watch their happiness from close quarters.
Could he bear it?
He squared his jaw and said quietly, “Tell me who he is, baby,” seeking confirmation from Jessica, “and I’ll help you. We’ll hog-tie him in no time. And you’ll be happy.”
Chapter Eight
P
rior to Friday night’s party, Cal returned to Mac’s home. Now that he had figured out it was Mac that Jessica wanted, he had to do something. Even if she’d refused to confide in him.
He didn’t blame her. Mac was a great guy. Financially, all four of them were set, but Mac, because of his law degree, had earning potential even if there was a financial disaster.
He was also the most determined against marriage. That must be why Jess was so sure her case was hopeless.
Not with Cal helping her.
His friend would have to give up his resistance to marriage. Jessica had to be happy. And Cal was resigned to a lot of suffering on his part.
“Everything ready for tonight?” Mac asked as Cal sat down.
“Mostly. But something occurred to me, and I figured you could help me out.”
“Sure, Cal, whatever you need.”
“I want you to stick close to Jess tonight.”
Mac frowned. “I thought that was your job. You’re the one who—”
“That’s why it has to be you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If I stick close to Jess, all the men will keep away. I’ve threatened most of them at one time or another. They won’t have forgotten.” He grimaced. Jess was right. He’d done too good a job.
“Hmm,” Mac said. “You could be right Okay, I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Unless you’ve got plans with another woman.” Cal watched Mac closely.
His eyebrows shot up. “Another woman? You think I’ve changed my mind about marrying?”
“You seemed real enthusiastic about Jess’s change of heart.” Cal leaned against the back of the chair, trying to look casual. “Maybe marriage isn’t such a bad idea.”
“Are we searching for your wife next? I think you should marry Jess and keep everything simple.”
Cal’s face flooded with color. “I wish you guys would stop suggesting such a thing. That’s not what Jess wants.”
“What do
you
want?”
His answer was simple. In spite of the complicated emotions he was beginning to feel for Jessica, he knew what he wanted. “I want her to be happy.”
Mac sent him a surrender grin. “Okay, I’ll do my duty. But, Cal, I’m not going to be as rigorous as you. I expect a man to touch her, you know.”
Cal frowned. Mac must not be as interested as he’d hoped, because he knew he’d flatten anyone who dared lay a finger on Jess. “You’re probably right,”
he said slowly, keeping a smile on his face, though the words hurt. “Maybe you should, you know, hug her... or kiss her a time or two to give the others an idea.”
Mac laughed. “I don’t think any of the men in Cactus need that kind of instruction.”
“No, but it might give them the idea that...that I’m not guarding Jessica anymore.”
“But it might give Jessica the wrong idea. She’s a sweetheart, but I wouldn’t mislead her for anything. And you, of all people, know I never intend to marry again.”
Cal nodded. He remembered. And this conversation was killing him. But he kept Jessica’s happiness in his sights. “Just a kiss or two. For me.”
JESSICA HAD SPENT the day at Florence Gibbons’s house, leaving just a few minutes before Cal had arrived, unaware of his enlistment of Mac’s services.
After a shower, she pulled on her jeans and T-shirt, in a much better mood for the first time since the sale of her restaurants. She’d devised a new steak sauce and she and Florence had marinated the meat for this evening.
A new idea was swirling around in her brain. When Alex had arrived, a few minutes earlier, she ran it by the attorney to be sure she wouldn’t be abusing the noncompetition clause.
“No, you’re okay,” Alex had informed her. “We made the noncompetition clause applicable to Mexican restaurants only. Give it an American name, don’t serve nachos, and you’re home free. Are you really going to do it?”
“Wait until you taste the steaks tonight, and you tell me.” But Jessica knew. She was excited about her new recipe. And she was excited to have something else to think about besides Cal.
When she emerged from her bedroom, her long hair tied back with a green scarf to match her green T-shirt, Alex was waiting for her.
“I hope you didn’t mind the long drive. Tuck thought it was important that you be here for the celebration.” She watched in surprise as Alex’s cheeks reddened.
“Not at all. It was a good excuse to skip work today. The long drive gave me some time to think. Burnout is becoming a distinct possibility.”
“Really? You’re always so enthusiastic, I assumed you love your work.”
“I do! At least, I would. Most of the time I’m so busy I don’t have time to enjoy anything. And most of my clients aren’t as much fun as you.” Alex ran her hand through her thick, blond pageboy and sighed. “I’m kind of confused right now.”
“Jain the crowd. I feel like I’ve been cut adrift in the middle of the ocean.”
“Do you regret the sale?”
“No. I’d gone as far as I could go with The Old Cantina. If my new idea works, it’ll be a new challenge, something to occupy myself with.”
“And since you made so much money, you don’t have to be quite so anxious about it succeeding,” Alex pointed out.
“No money worries. Just personal pride.”
“Yeah,” her attorney agreed, almost as if she faced the same thing.
“Shall we go? I want to get there early and make sure the steaks are properly cooked.” It was only five o’clock. It wouldn’t be dark for another hour, but Alex seemed as eager to go as she was.
When they arrived at the Langford ranch, it appeared others had wanted to arrive early, too. At least a dozen vehicles, mostly trucks, were parked in front of the house.
“Looks like we’re going to have a good turnout,” Jessica murmured.
“Is that unusual?”
“Not really. Out here, when someone has a big party like this, everyone assumes they’re invited whether they are or not.” She grinned at the city girl beside her. “I hope you wore your dancing shoes. There’s sure to be a fiddler or two in the bunch, and the Langfords have a great deck for dancing.”
“Will they build the bonfire that close to the house?” Alex asked, frowning.
“It won’t be that close. And there’ll be plenty of men keeping an eye on it. Grass fires are a serious thing out here. We don’t get a lot of rainfall. But after we eat, they’ll move the party to the deck.”
They entered the front of the house without knocking. Most of the guests were going around, heading for the pile of wood that was already starting to flame up. But Jessica wanted to check the meat.
“Howdy, Jess,” Ruth Langford said with a smile. “Who’s this pretty lady?”
Jessica introduced Alex to Tuck’s mother, Mabel, Florence, and Edith Hauk. “I wanted to check on the steaks. How do they look?” Jessica asked Florence.
“Good. I can’t wait.”
Jess opened the refrigerator door and stared at the meat on trays. Then she lifted the plastic wrap and sniffed. “Perfect.”
“Is this a special recipe?” Mabel asked.
“A brand-new one. Let me know what you think.”
The excitement in her voice must’ve given her away.
“You got something on your mind?” Mabel asked. “Something to do with steaks?”
“Maybe,” Jessica returned with a smile. “I’m not saying anything else. Just let me know what you think.”
“We won’t have to tell you, honey,” Florence said. “Just see how quick those boys wolf them down. That’ll be the answer.”
“I don’t know. Seems to me you could cook leather and they’d wolf it down. They’re human eating machines,” Jessica teased, since all four women could claim one of those eating machines.
“Hey, where are the steaks?” Tuck roared from the back door.
“Speak of the devil,” Ruth said with a laugh, opening the refrigerator again and pulling out one of the long trays. “Jess, you want to take this one? And, Alex? Can we draft you? We have six trays and there are six of us.”
Jessica led the way. She wanted to check the placement of the grill before any of the meat went on the fire.
“Jess!” Tuck exclaimed as she appeared, but she noticed his gaze slipped past her to Alex. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“We’re here. I want to see the grill before we start
cooking.” She went past him, not surprised that he waited for Alex and took the tray away from her. He was always a gentleman.
“Hey, Jess, you’re not cooking tonight,” Tuck called from behind her. “I am. We wouldn’t ask you to cook your own celebration dinner.”
She ignored his protest. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Besides, it’s what I want to do.”
As they approached the fire, she was surprised to see that Cal remain seated on a nearby log while Mac stood and came toward her. What was up?
As she got closer she realized Cal was visiting with Melanie Rule, a friend who worked in the drugstore. Was Cal interested in Melanie?
“Hey, Jess, need some help?” Mac asked, reaching out his strong arms for the long tray.
“Thanks, Mac. I want to check the grill before I put the steaks on.”
Mac protested, with Tuck’s repeated words, that she wasn’t doing the cooking. Jessica just smiled.
The grill was six feet by three feet of heavy metal that Tuck’s father had had made specially for outdoor grilling. It was laid on top of two logs and coals were raked out of the fire beneath it.
“Looks like your pile of wood has been burning for a while. Those are great coals,” Jessica observed, trying to keep her gaze from flying to Cal. He hadn’t moved from his place beside Melanie.
Mac was the only one to answer. “Uh, yeah, Tuck started it about an hour ago.”
Jessica looked over her shoulder to find Tuck and Alex in an involved discussion. She decided Alex could handle Tuck, so she turned her attention back
to the meat. “The steaks are ready.” With a long fork, she began laying them on the grill.
“How WAS YOUR DRIVE?” Tuck asked, his voice soft as he leaned toward Alex.
“Fine.”
“It’s good to see you again.” Hell, he was practically panting. And no wonder. She was wearing a T-shirt and jeans that were formfitting.
“You, too,” she said with a smile, but he wanted more. He wanted to see hunger in her eyes like the hunger that was in his gut.
He wanted her. Not to many, of course. In spite of his teasing Cal and the others, he had no intention of marrying. At least not for a while.
Life was good. He didn’t want it to change. But the last few weeks, he’d been unable to forget Alex.
“Want to visit the barn? Joey missed you.” He’d introduced Alex to his favorite horse when she’d toured his ranch earlier.
He’d also introduced Alex to making out in a hay barn. A very satisfying experience. Male pride filled him as her cheeks darkened. She remembered.
“Do we have time before dinner? I’d like to see Joey again.”
“I think we have a little time,” he said, keeping his tone casual even as his pulse speeded up. He grabbed her hand and headed toward the barn, not caring who was watching. He was about to put his stamp on the lovely Alex...again.
JESSICA HAD THREE ROWS of big steaks already sizzling when Cal approached her. Nonchalantly, she
looked up, expecting Melanie to be at his side. Instead, he was alone.
“How’s it going?” he asked, but she noted his gaze left her and traveled almost immediately to Mac.
“Great,” Mac replied. “These steaks smell wonderful. Aunt Flo must’ve put some kind of special seasoning on them.”
Cal put his hands on his hips and muttered, “I didn’t mean the food.”
Jessica looked at him sharply. What had he meant, then? She ducked her head again and remained silent, hoping Cal might forget she was there.
“She just got here,” Mac said softly.
“Yeah, but—”
“Howdy, Jessie,” Trevor Heywood boomed from behind Jessica.
She hated being called Jessie. With a cool look over her shoulder, she replied, “Hey, Woodie.”
“Don’t call me that!” he snapped.
“Don’t call me Jessie,” she returned without emotion.
“Sorry. I forgot. Say, let’s get together and talk later this evening. I’ve got some good ideas for investments and I hear you’ve got a few dollars to put away.” A genial smile didn’t hide the greed in his eyes.
“Thanks for the offer, but I have a bank in Dallas handling my investments.”
“Those banks don’t give personal attention to a small amount like you have, so—”
Alex, who’d disappeared with Tuck for a few minutes and then returned, her hair slightly mussed,
laughed. “You obviously don’t know the value of Jessica’s restaurants, Mr. Heywood, if you think that. I can assure you any bank in Dallas would give Jessica all the attention she can stand.”