Fated for Love (27 page)

“I should have known. She’s got a mouth like a sieve. I told her not to tell anyone.” Wes ran his hand through his hair.

“And you thought that would work? I guess your brain really has turned to mush. It’s Emily. She loves love. Daisy says Em’s biological clock is ticking, so she’s living vicariously through us.”

Sweets yawned, and Wes scratched her head. “Great. Just what I need. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about the barbecue. You don’t mind if I bring Callie, do you?”

“After what I’ve heard, I’d be surprised if you didn’t.”

He pictured Luke pacing in the field, watching his horses while he ribbed Wes. He was six three with dark Braden eyes and was almost the mirror image to their older brother, Ross, with hair a shade lighter than Wes’s and worn longer on top.

“Okay, I’ll bite. What did you hear? And before you say anything, I also wanted to tell you that I get it now, and I’m sorry I gave you crap about falling for Daisy so fast.” He pulled Sweets into his lap and lifted the phone away from her pointy teeth as she tried to nip it.

“Not much. You’re in love with the hot librarian all the single guys had pinned their hopes on.”

Wes rubbed his temple with his thumb and index finger. “All the single guys?”

“From what I hear. Better get used to it. How do you think I feel knowing that half the guys who see Daisy are making up their symptoms?” Luke laughed. Daisy was the only family practice doctor in Trusty. She was a natural blonde with blue eyes and a killer body, and when she was growing up, she had fought against unwarranted rumors fed by jealous women. It didn’t surprise Wes to hear that men would line up to take their clothes off for her. But he never imagined his brother being able to handle it so calmly.

“Really? No way.”

“Yeah. She’s good about it, very professional. But it’s the same shit as the girls who go to the library when they know you’ll be there, Mr. Thursday.”

“How the hell do you know about that?” Jesus, the Trusty grapevine was running faster than the river.

“How could I not? I have breakfast at the diner once a week. Margie sees all and knows all. By the time you get back, you and Callie will be the dish of the week.”

“Good. Then maybe the guys will back off and the Tiffany Dempseys of the world will disappear. Luke, man…”

Luke laughed. “Callie?”

“Yeah. I just didn’t expect to be so bowled over.”

“Tell me about it.”

“It’s like someone punched me in the gut, turned me inside out, and somehow it is the best feeling in the world. What the fuck is that?” He petted Sweets, who was fast asleep across his lap.

“Love, man. I tried to tell you.” He knew Luke was pacing by the cadence of his voice. “All I can tell you is this. That fucked-up feeling that makes you say all sorts of bizarre shit you never pictured yourself saying and do crazy stuff like create fairy tale nights? Get used to it, because if she’s turned you inside out, it’s the real thing.”

Chip came into the office as Wes said goodbye to Luke. He leaned over the desk and stared down at Wes with his blond brows knitted together and his jaw clenched tight.

“What the fuck is going on in the conference room?”

Sweets lifted her chin from Wes’s lap. “Look what you did.” Wes set Sweets down on her bed beneath his desk.

Chip gazed at Sweets and his eyes, and voice, softened. “How are her paws?”

“Good. She’s a tough girl.”

Chip slid his butt onto the desk and crossed his arms. “What’s all that fluffy shit on the walls in there, and how’d you get Butch to agree to help you set it up?”

“The man was married for over thirty years. He knows what love is. Besides, he and the guys were more than happy to help.”

“
Pfft
. Yeah, right. Wait…love?” Chip arched a brow.

Wes ignored him and leafed through the papers on his desk. He didn’t want to get into a long discussion about why he shouldn’t be with Callie at the ranch. “Where’s the file of people you wanted me to interview?”

“I left it on your desk.”

Wes felt the heat of Chip’s stare as he rifled through the papers again, then tugged open the desk drawers and looked through them.

“Dude, your girl is in there wearing nothing but a towel and some he-man’s rubbing her body with oil.” Chip smiled. “Not smart, man.”

“I trust Callie.”

“Yeah, but do you trust the dude who’s rubbing her?”

Wes clenched his jaw. The guy was doing what he’d hired him to do, and he trusted Callie. That was all that mattered. He spotted the file beneath a stack of papers under Chip. “Move your ass.”

Chip lifted his butt, then sat back down after Wes snagged the file.

“Did you come in here just to give me shit?”

“Nah. Giving you shit was just a perk. Before you interview the applicants tomorrow, I wanted to ask you again about Cutter.”

Wes set a dark stare on him, but his conversation with Callie had crossed his mind several times, and he found himself considering Cutter more seriously for the position. Embarrassingly, he wondered if Cutter’s interest in Callie had strengthened his resolve against considering him for Ray’s position. He didn’t want to believe that he could be the kind of guy who would let something personal affect his work relationships, but he’d been gnawing on that thought and it tasted like shit.

Unable to come to a decision, he shifted his eyes away from Chip.

“All right, whatever. For the record, I still think it’s a mistake.” Chip’s gaze softened. “And the other reason I came in was, you know, I wanted to make sure you were doing okay.”

“What do you mean? I’m fine.” Wes came around the desk and sank into the chair in front of Chip. He skimmed over the applications in the file.

Chip sat in the chair beside him and kicked his feet up on the desk. “Well, you left our office on Thursday a single guy with nothing more than a pup on your mind, and now you’re throwing massage parties and you’re all googly-eyed.”

“It’s weird as shit, isn’t it?” Wes closed the file and looked at the man who had been his best buddy forever. There was no judgment in Chip’s tone and no hint of a tease. Wes realized that he’d been defensive about Callie from the moment Chip made the first comment about them the other day, and as he sat beside his best friend, he realized that he didn’t need to be. Not with Chip.

Chip shrugged. “It was bound to happen to one of us sooner or later. I just didn’t expect it to be you.”

“That makes two of us.” A relationship was the last thing he’d expected. But he hadn’t expected to fall for a puppy that couldn’t smell a damn thing either, and Sweets was one of the best parts of his life. Callie was a hundred times better. “I guess the best things in life really are the least expected ones.”

“I guess.” Chip laid a hand on Wes’s shoulder. “Hey, man, you’re happy, I’m happy. But I still think you shouldn’t leave her alone half naked with those guys.”

“Maybe you’re right.” He’d love an excuse to check in on Callie. It had only been a few hours and he already missed her. “By the way, the dance tonight…”

“Clarissa told me you’ve got something special planned. What can I do to help?”

“Help? Really? Thanks, Chip. If you could have Cutter or Butch get Ghost ready for me, and don’t laugh when you see what I’m wearing.”

Chip arched a brow.

“Don’t ask. Wait. How did Clarissa know I had something planned?”

“Emily was running late for a client meeting, so she had Clarissa arrange for the shipment this morning. She already guessed that you’d fallen for some chick. Apparently, you had her ship jeans and shorts? Or did you forget?” Chip pushed to his feet.

Wes rubbed his temples. “That feels like a year ago.”

“You’ve had a crazy few days, that’s for sure. Listen, buddy, if you need me, I’m around.”

“Hey, can I ask you something?”

Chip flipped his chin and his long blond bangs swung to the side, then fell back in his eyes. “Shoot.”

“If I hadn’t gone to the library every week, would you have known that Callie worked there?” He’d been thinking about what Ross had said.

“Shit. Everyone knew about the hot brunette working at the library. But you had your sights set on her from the first day you saw her, so I never even bothered.” He narrowed his eyes. “Maybe you had your sights set on her and never realized it yourself. You’re kinda dumb like that.”

“Ass.”

“Whatever. I gotta run. I told Clarissa I’d go over the marketing figures with her tonight.” Chip reached for the door.

“Is that what they call it now? Or are the figures foreplay?”

“I’ll let you know.” With a smirk on his lips, Chip sauntered out the door.

CALLIE SAT IN one of the armchairs by the window, sipping tea.

“I swear I could just stare at these guys all day. The girls, too. Have you ever seen such beautiful creatures?” Bonnie asked.

“Yes. He’s about six three with dark hair, dark eyes, and has a sweet little puppy.” Callie smiled and admired her freshly painted nails. “My body is so relaxed right now. I feel like I could slip from this chair like liquid.”

“Maybe that’s his evil plan. Get you all loosey-goosey so he can have his way with you.” Christine raised her brows.

“Then why would he invite you guys?” Callie lifted her bare foot and rested it on Christine’s knee. “Face it. He’s just a nice guy.”

“Yeah, he is,” Christine admitted. “So he’s staying tonight and you’re coming with us? When will he go back?”

“Tomorrow night. He has to interview people tomorrow. I thought about staying an extra day, but I’ve already taken off work, and I can’t afford any more time off.” And boy did she ever wish she could.

“Well, Cal, I’m proud of you. You stuck with everything we did. You rescued Sweets. You even fished. It wasn’t so bad, was it?” Bonnie inspected her newly painted toenails.

“Not only was it not so bad, but I enjoyed it. Well, except for the climbing-down-the-mountain thing. That was so scary, but worth it to save Sweets. Sweets is so…sweet.” She sighed.

“
Sweets
. Yeah, that’s who I was thinking about, too.” Christine rolled her eyes.

Kathie was poring over her notebook, writing page after page with a serious face.

“Are you still working on your schedule?” Callie asked.

“Oh God, no. I’m done with that. I’ll work when Paul’s at work. Done. End of workday.” Kathie didn’t lift her eyes as she spoke. “I’m taking notes about an idea for my next book. It’s about a woman who loses everything and discovers that family’s what matters most. How’s that for a simplified plot? Lots of great heart-wrenching stuff will happen, of course.”

“You amaze me, Kathie.” Callie finished her tea and went to the window. “I can’t wait to read this one, knowing you came up with it on this trip.” The window looked out over the entertainment barn. The sun was going down, and the barn was lit up with white holiday lights. “Hey, you guys, come here.”

Christine and Bonnie joined her by the window.

“They must be getting ready for the dance,” Bonnie said.

“What are you guys wearing tonight?” Callie asked.

“Whatever. Jeans and boots. It’s a barn dance, so it doesn’t really matter.” Bonnie’s eyes widened. “Wait, for
you
it does, Cal. Your first dance with your new man. Wow. How could we forget? What are you going to wear?”

“Probably that cute skirt that Kathie got me last year for Christmas.” Callie ran her hands down the heavy curtains. “You guys, I saw this room the other night. Remember I told you about the conference room? This was it. These curtains weren’t here. I know I’ve said it a hundred times since we got here, but I still can’t believe he did all of this.”

“Yeah, well, enjoy it now.” Christine hooked her thumbs into her pockets, shook her shoulders, and spoke with a tough voice. “When you get back to Trusty, those bitches are gonna be hatin’ your pretty little ass for taking the best horse in the barn off the market.”

“Oh God, you’re so weird.” Callie bit her lower lip. “Wait. Do you think so?”

“You’ve got supersexy Wes Braden to come home to. What does it matter what anyone else thinks? Besides…” Christine fisted her hands and blew on her knuckles. “I’ve got your back. Just let someone mess with you. I’ll take them down.”

“Thank God for little favors.” She smiled at Christine. “I think we’d better get ready for the dance, but I’m not sure how we tip these guys.” Callie looked at Bonnie. “Any thoughts?”

“We didn’t bring our purses,” Bonnie pointed out.

“Okay, fine. I’ll take a hit for the team and…you know.” Christine wiggled her eyebrows in quick succession.

Callie smacked her arm. “No, you will not.”

“I know. I just love to tease you because you get all prissy about that.” She eyed one of the men. “I think Billy’s going to be dressing like a prince tonight.”

“I’m not prissy.”
If you’d seen me last night, you wouldn’t call me prissy!

The doors opened, and Sweets darted in with something tied to her collar with a big red ribbon. Callie dropped to her knees, and Sweets padded right up into her lap, licking her cheeks and whimpering with excitement.

“What is that?” Callie tried to untie the ribbon, but every time she reached for it, Sweets twisted her head toward her hand, desperate for more petting. “Sweets, maybe you could sit still.” She tried again.

Bonnie picked up Sweets and held her tight. “Go ahead. Untie it.”

Kathie was still glued to her notebook.

Sweets wiggled in Bonnie’s arms while Callie struggled to free the paper.

Callie laughed as she untied the ribbon with Sweets’s tongue lapping at her fingers. “Let me see what you’ve got.”

She unrolled the paper and her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh. No way. No way. No way.” She looked at Bonnie. “Pinch me.” She slammed her eyes shut. When no one pinched her, she opened her eyes again. “I said pinch me!”

“Fine.” Christine pinched her.

“Ouch! Thank you. Whew, I’m not dreaming.” Callie turned the paper so it faced the others.

Kathie came off her chair and knelt in front of Callie, then read the paper.

Princess Callie,

I would be honored if you’d grace me with your presence at the ball tonight. If you agree, tie the ribbon to Sweets’s collar and send her out, and I’ll pick you up at your cabin at seven o’clock. If Sweets appears without a ribbon, I will assume you have other plans and wish you a lovely evening.