This Kiss (Made In Montana Book 12) (7 page)

Huh.

She noticed something black on her fingertips. She checked the phone, but it was fine, so she set it down. Her other hand was also smudged. Glancing down at her red shirt, she saw that it was clean. And her jeans, well, who could tell...they were brand-new and still dark blue.

The dye maybe?

A thought struck her.

She grabbed her bag and turned it upside down on the bed, not sure whether or not she wanted to be right about the cause of the mysterious smudges. After checking every inside pocket, she dumped the meager contents of the purse she hated carrying but kept on hand.

God bless Lola and her makeup addiction. And for giving Sophie some of her castoffs. The blush compact was small, the mirror tiny. But it did the job.

Sophie stared at her raccoon eyes and laughed. She wasn’t used to wearing the epic amount of makeup she’d put on with the wig and obviously had done a poor job of removing all of it.

She found some tissue and went to work fixing her face, relieved she’d misunderstood Ethan. Though she had the feeling she would’ve been better off thinking he was a jerk.

7

“A
RE
YOU
SURE
this is a private ranch?” Sophie asked as they pulled into the Lone Wolf in Ethan’s truck. They’d argued over who would drive and ended up flipping a coin.

“Yeah, I’m sure. It’s been in the Gunderson family for several generations. Matt owns it now. Keep an eye out for a place to park.”

Sophie recognized his friend from the bar last night. “Look, isn’t that Matt motioning for you?”

“Yep. He must’ve saved us a spot.”

Sophie glanced around at the rows of parked cars close to the gravel drive, the trailers and motor homes lined up to the right of the beautiful two-story ranch house with green shutters. The two barns were easy to identify, and so was the large stable, but she had no idea about all the other smaller buildings.

“That must be the new arena he built,” Ethan said as he pulled up to Matt and lowered his window.

Sophie saw the large structure standing north of the corrals. Behind it were acres of sloping pastureland.

“Were you expecting this kind of turnout?” Ethan asked his friend.

Matt’s sigh ended with a mild curse. “We’ve got some kinks to work out, that’s for sure.” He looked at Sophie, nodded and then did a double take.

“Long story,” Ethan muttered. “I’ll explain later.”

“Should be good. See that kid with the yellow flag?” Matt pointed. “He’s holding a place for you. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.” He smacked the side of the truck and stepped back.

They were shown to a parking spot next to the arena. The huge building was definitely new with a green roof and rust-colored wooden siding. She couldn’t imagine what it was used for besides hosting a rodeo, and she wouldn’t find out anytime soon judging by the mob about to converge on them.

Or rather on Ethan.

The crowd barely let the poor guy climb out of the truck before they swarmed him. Two reporters pushed their way to the front. The thirtysomething man wore credentials around his neck, and the woman had a cameraman with her. A cowboy Sophie had seen at the bar last night stood to the side, grinning and watching fans shove pens and pictures in Ethan’s face.

He accepted the attention better than she would have. He smiled politely, greeted a few people by name and pretty much ignored the pair of blondes wearing skintight jeans and showing off their boob jobs.

Sophie took a discreet glance at herself. Okay, so she had no room to talk. Her jeans could’ve been sprayed on. The boobs were all hers, though. She pulled her shoulders back. It helped some.

A heavyset man wearing a diamond pinkie ring the size of her Jeep, and who’d been talking with Ethan, turned and gave her a friendly smile. “Now, who do we have here?”

Sophie had purposely stayed back and hadn’t expected any interaction. She cleared her throat. “Sophie,” she said, and stuck out her hand.

He seemed surprised but broadened his grin and shook hands with her. “You’re here with Ethan?”

They should’ve discussed this in case someone asked. For God’s sake, why hadn’t they? She smiled, nodded, managed a quiet “Yes.” And hoped the man would leave it at that.

“Sorry, Hal,” Ethan said, appearing at her side. “I should’ve introduced you two right off.” He slid an arm around her shoulders and smiled at her, his eyes asking her to go with it. “Sophie’s my girlfriend.”

“You don’t say.” The man seemed delighted. “Good for you, Styles. Though you best watch yourself. Your young lady has quite a grip,” he said, chuckling and flexing his hand.

“Um, sorry.” She’d been told that many times.

“No need to apologize,” he said, winking at her. “This boy needs a firm hand.” Hal was mostly bald, had no facial hair, but for some reason he reminded her of an overly friendly Santa Claus. “I’ll leave you to finish signing autographs, son. I’m sure we’ll meet again, Sophie.” He gave her a nod and then wandered toward the arena entrance.

“Hal’s a good guy,” Ethan said, intently watching the older man stop and shake hands with a young cowboy. “I didn’t expect to see him here.”

She wondered if Ethan realized his arm was still around her shoulders. “Who is he?”

“Hal and his brother own Southern Saddles.” He glanced at the sponsor patch he was wearing on his sleeve, then returned his watchful gaze to Hal and the young man. “Probably checking out the new talent. Danny just joined the pro tour this year, but he’s kicking ass.”

“What does he do?”

“Bull rider.” Ethan finally lowered his arm from her shoulders but then resettled it around her waist.

“You’re not worried about being replaced, are you? Companies sponsor more than one athlete all the time.”

He shrugged. “If I miss the finals again, yeah, I’d expect they might replace me. That’s what I’d do if I were in their shoes.”

“That’s not fair,” she said, and noted his small tolerant smile. “I understand it’s just business, of course I do. But if you miss the finals, for whatever reason, yeah, it’ll totally suck, but the fact remains that out of hundreds you qualified to ride in the first place. That has to count for something.”

He just kept staring at her and smiling. “How about a kiss?”

With a laugh, Sophie leaned away from him. “People are waiting for autographs.”

“How long does a kiss take?”

She moved back in close, brushed her lips across his ear and whispered, “Depends how slow and deep you go.”

Ethan promptly released her and started laughing. “Yeah, thanks, I need to ride a nineteen-hundred-pound bull while I’m distracted by a hard-on.”

“Go sign autographs. That should cool you off.”

He kissed her right on the mouth before she could stop him. “Remember, anybody asks, you’re my girlfriend.”

“I could’ve just as easily been your cousin,” she grumbled, which she knew he’d heard as he walked back toward his waiting fans.

Ethan Styles’s girlfriend for the day, she thought, and actually caught herself stupidly twirling her hair around her finger.

How pathetic.

* * *

A
NOTHER
THIRTY
MINUTES
and the rodeo would officially start. Sophie sure hoped Ethan wouldn’t give her a hard time about getting on the road right after his event.

Damn, the man knew everyone. Rabid fans, casual fans, the volunteers from Safe Haven who’d helped organize the fund-raiser...

Sophie couldn’t keep track of all the people she’d met. But she’d taken an instant liking to Matt and his wife, Rachel. She was friendly and outgoing and treated Ethan and Sophie as though she’d known them forever.

The four of them stood near the stable, the only open area where cars weren’t parked bumper to bumper.

“If we do this again next year,” Matt said, eyeing the swelling crowd with unease, “we’re setting up a table for autographs. Off to the side, maybe near the east barn.”

“Oh, trust me, we’ll be doing this again.” Rachel scanned the list on her clipboard. “Here you go, Ethan,” she said, and passed him a number to wear.

Ethan removed the protective sheet to expose the sticky back and slapped it on the front of his shirt.

“This should’ve been a one-day event,” Matt muttered, too preoccupied with what was going on around them to keep up with the conversation. Poor guy. He did seem tense.

“I wondered about that,” Ethan said.

Matt strained to look beyond them and nodded to someone.

“My fault.” Rachel sighed. “You warned me, and I was stubborn and wanted to help, but...”

“It’s okay.” Matt caught her hand and pulled her close. Looking into her eyes, he smiled before kissing her. Someone yelled for him, but he was completely focused on his wife. “Ethan and I have to go. Call me if you need anything.” Matt gave her another quick kiss before pulling back and winking. “Everything will be just fine.”

Rachel nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Busy being a voyeur, Sophie hadn’t noticed Ethan moving closer. She felt his hand at her waist and with a start turned to him. “What?”

So much for a tender moment à la Matt and Rachel. Sophie had barked like an old harridan.

Ethan grinned. “I’m waiting for my kiss.”

She knew Rachel was watching, so Sophie leaned in to plant a peck at the corner of his mouth.

He slid his hand behind her neck, preventing a retreat. “I know you can do better,” he murmured near her ear. “Kiss me like you did last night.”

She was about to warn him not to push it, but he slipped his tongue inside her mouth and didn’t pull back until her heart almost thumped out of her chest.

“Come on, Styles,” Matt yelled. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“He’s right about that,” Sophie whispered with a gentle shove to his chest.

Ethan stared at her a moment, his smile so faint it barely qualified. “You had to ruin it.”

Her breath caught. She had no idea what he meant. Or how to respond. Somehow he seemed disappointed and it bothered her.

And dammit, that bothered her, too. Why should she care?

He glanced at Rachel, touched the brim of his hat, then turned and jogged toward Matt.

“Did you mess up his ritual?”

Sophie dragged her gaze from him and looked at Rachel. “Excuse me?”

“I know a lot of rodeo cowboys are superstitious, especially right before they ride. At least that’s what Matt told me. I wasn’t around when he was part of the tour.”

“Did you meet him after he quit?”

“No. I’ve known Matt most of my life. We both grew up here in Blackfoot Falls. Although we had a ten-year interruption.” Rachel waved an acknowledgment to someone motioning for her. “Mind walking with me?”

“Not at all. If you have something for me to do, put me to work.”

“I probably will,” Rachel said, grinning at first, and then she glanced back toward the guys and sighed. “Poor Matt. I don’t know how he puts up with me. I had no idea this thing would be such a headache. He’s right. One day would’ve been enough, but everyone in town got so excited about the business the rodeo was bringing and I just figured, why not add a day?”

“You want to help your community. That’s nice.” Sophie smiled, starting to feel better. She liked Rachel and really hoped there was a way to help. “I have a feeling Matt isn’t too upset with you.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll think of some way for me to make it up to him,” she said, her green eyes sparkling even as she blushed.

“How long have you guys been married?”

“Almost eight months.”

“Wow. Not that long. You mentioned a ten-year interruption?”

“Matt’s four years older and he left town at nineteen. I had a stupid crush on him and was completely convinced my life was over. Oh, but please don’t tell anyone. God forbid the other half of the town should find out.” Rachel rolled her eyes, making Sophie laugh. “A few years later I went off to college. After graduate school I came home—it was only supposed to be for the summer.” She shrugged. “I stayed to help with my family’s ranch and never left again.”

They reached the frazzled woman who’d waved for Rachel. How to handle the collected entry tickets was briefly discussed and then Rachel and Sophie headed for the concessions.

“What do you do here at the Lone Wolf?”

“Not much. Most of the hired men have been here forever, so they take care of the cattle. Matt’s more interested in raising rodeo stock. The horses and bulls they’re using today are his. In fact, that’s why he built that monstrosity,” she said, glancing at the building that housed the arena. “He wanted a year-round place for demonstrations and such.”

“Is he riding today?”

“Oh, God no. I’d be a nervous wreck.” Rachel pressed her lips together. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

“No, it’s fine.” Sophie shrugged. “Frankly I’m not a fan. But I try not to say much.”

“Yes.” They exchanged looks of mutual understanding, and then Rachel said, “Okay, I want to hear all about you and Ethan.”

“It’s not what you think.” Sophie saw they were approaching the hot dog booth and hoped a mini crisis would distract Rachel. Nothing big or awful. Just a little something—

“Oh? How long have you two been together?”

“We’re not, really. When he calls me his girlfriend, it’s not like— We knew each other in high school.” Sophie was a horrible liar. “And honestly we hadn’t been in touch for years until...well, recently.”

“Huh. How weird. Kind of like Matt and me.”

Sophie sniffed the chilly air. “I think the hot dogs might be burning.”

“Oh, great.” Rachel glanced over her shoulder. “We’ll talk later. At the barbecue.” She was already backing toward the booth. “There won’t be too many people staying.”

“Barbecue?”

“Yes, at the house. Ethan said you two could make it. Didn’t he tell you?”

A woman passing out programs intercepted Rachel. Sophie thought about reiterating her offer to help, but she figured she’d mostly be in the way. She also was anxious to go inside and find a seat, though not thrilled about having to sit through so many other events before it was Ethan’s turn.

Dammit, she was nervous for him.

Bull riding was dangerous enough without Ethan’s eerie penchant for having one thing or another go wrong just before the finals. So how could he not be distracted? Which only upped the chances of something bad happening.

Sophie felt her stomach knot. A stiff breeze coming off the mountains made her shiver. The Lone Wolf was a beautiful spread carved into the foothills. Thousands of pines made up for the barren trees. Up this far north and at this altitude, the leaves had fallen weeks ago.

She looked up at the overcast sky and wondered if snow was expected.

Her Jeep was okay in snow. Though she had yet to put it to a real test, since the county where she lived kept the roads plowed. Out here, driving could get tricky. They could take Ethan’s truck and get to Wyoming in time, but not if he insisted on being pigheaded.

A barbecue?

Right.

Under different circumstances it might’ve been fun, Sophie thought as she finally entered the new arena. The place was huge and, according to some people in line, had only been completed last week. There were rows of bleachers on two sides, wooden picnic benches and folding chairs directly across. Metal pens and chutes for the animals finished the makeshift rectangular arena. The floor was a combination of concrete and dirt, and whiffs of sweat and manure had already taken Sophie by surprise. She tried not to inhale too deeply. No wonder the food concessions had been set up outside.