Most Eligible Cowboy (Peach Valley Romance Book 1) (3 page)

“I’m still in shock you agreed to the ultimatum and everything that me failing could mean to our family.”

“You won’t fail. I know it. And the ultimatum was my idea.” She tucked her chin to her chest and gave him a serious look.

He shook his head, feeling a cross between admiration and frustration. “Actually, that makes a whole lot more sense.” He wanted to razz her more about her part in the marriage clause, but knew now wasn’t the time.

She laughed, taking a wicker basket from a cupboard under the counter and placed a fresh dishtowel down inside. Once it was arranged according to her liking, she stacked a dozen mini pies inside, placing the towel over the top when she’d finished. “Best go right away, while the pies are still warm.”

Jackson took the basket and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back for some for my house later.”

She clucked her tongue. “I’m taking them over now.”

“Good.” On his way out the door, he grabbed his tan cowboy hat, placed it on his head, and headed to his truck. It was filthy. When it wasn’t covered in dirt, it was actually silver blue. Jackson put the basket in the passenger seat and drove down the long dirt road toward the freeway.

Jackson went several miles until he reached the end of the Bale ranch and found the entrance to Patty’s land. He turned off the highway and onto the newly paved road. He passed the enormous house and headed around to the back, where the cottages sat.

From experience, Jackson knew Patty’s was the first. Across the front hung the sign,
Country Queen
. He snorted, shaking his head, and put his truck in park. The next cottage over had a faded red Volkswagen bug parked in front of it. All four doors hung open with boxes stacked on the back and passenger seats interspersed with camera equipment and a guitar case.

He chuckled as he tried to imagine the little car surviving a single Wyoming winter. After one snowstorm where the wind blew eighty miles an hour, the car would end up buried in a snowdrift and would likely not be seen again until spring.

If the car belonged to Patty’s new guest, she was in for a whole bunch of surprises come the middle of October. Luckily she still had three months for someone to talk sense into her. Lifting the basket, he exited his truck and headed toward Patty’s. Before he got halfway, the door to the cottage with the Volkswagen opened. A woman with shoulder-length, flaxen blond hair came out. For a second, it was like the world slowed down. He watched as she tucked some hair behind one ear, her eyes down, focusing on the stairs. She had long, dark lashes. Her skin was a lovely bronze. She seemed a tad on the thin side, her navy capris hung a little too loose. On her feet were navy boat shoes and no socks and she wore a white tank top.
Definitely not from around here,
Jackson thought. He figured someplace near the ocean like California or Oregon. Once she reached the bottom step, she lifted her gaze. His heart raced at the sight of her. She had bright green eyes and a slight smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose.

When she noticed him, she stopped. “Hey,” she said, shading her eyes so that she could get a better look.

Jackson moved the basket from his right to left hand. “Hi. You must be the new visitor staying with Patty?”

“Wow, news travels fast.” She smiled, a hint of surprise in her expression.

“Welcome to the life of a small town.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Jackson Bale. We’re neighbors. Your aunt and my mom are best friends. That could have something to do with it too.”

“Oh, that makes sense.” Her face relaxed and she stuck out her hand. “I’m Maya Vance.”

He took her hand, noticing how nicely it fit in his, and shook. “Good to meet you.”

Maya went around Jackson on her way to her car. But she froze mid step. “What’s in that basket?” She came back, inhaling deeply. “Whatever is in there, it smells like Heaven.”

Jackson chuckled. “Close.” He removed the towel, revealing his mother’s mini peach pies.

Maya glanced up, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. “Little pies. How cute.”

“I guess. You can have one. I promise you won’t be sorry.”

Maya reached inside. “Thank you.”

Jackson waited while she picked one up, interested to see whether she’d take a real bite or one of those dainty girly bites that drove him crazy.

To his surprise, she stuck half the pie in her mouth. While she chewed, she pointed. “This is the most delicious dessert I’ve ever tasted in my life. Who made them? You?”

Jackson chuckled, covering the remainder of the pies to keep them warm and free of possible bugs. “No, my momma.”

“You’re momma has skills.”

“Agreed.”

Maya polished hers off.

“Is your aunt around? My momma asked me to bring these to her.”

“Sure.” She finished the pie, licking her fingers. “She’s probably in her office. If not, we can find her at the Palace.” She wriggled her eyes as she spoke and Jackson laughed.

He followed her to the door. Maya knocked once and entered, the way her aunt had asked her too. “Aunt Patty,” she called, closing the door and glancing inside the office. “There’s someone here to see you.”

Patty was seated behind a large, oak desk, a pencil sticking out of her hair. When they walked in, she looked up. “Maya, have you finished unpacking already?”

“No, not yet, but I’ve met Mr. Jackson Bale. He’s brought you some of his mom’s delicious pies.” She indicated Jackson who stepped forward, handing over the basket.

“Oh, bless you.” She brought the basket up to her nose and inhaled. “No one makes peach pies better than Milly Bale.” She set down the basket and took one out, handing it to Maya.

Maya shook her head. “I already ate one.” Maya glanced at Jackson.

“It’s true. She had the whole thing gone in two bites.”

Maya opened her mouth in surprise and then laughed. “It’s true. I did. And I’d do it again. But not now. I need to finish unpacking and then get some real food.”

Patty took a bite and returned to her seat. “Fine,” she said when she swallowed. But perhaps Jackson wouldn’t mind helping you bring all of your boxes inside and then showing you where the grocery store is first?” She eyed him amicably.

Jackson felt torn. He’d promised the guys he’d be out to help wrangle the calves, but he couldn’t turn down a request from his momma’s favorite friend. “Sure. Of course.”

Patty set down the pie, wiped her hands on the towel in the basket, and came around the desk, her arms outstretched. “Thank you, Jackson. You’re a good man.”

He allowed Patty to hug him and smiled kindly. “It’s no problem, Patty.”

“Are you sure,” Maya asked. “I get the feeling there is some place else you’d rather be.”

“Well,” he took off his hat and ran his hand around the inside. Something he did when he was nervous. “I had been going to help my brothers bring in the calves for their weekly check up with the vet.”

“Oh, well go. Seriously. I can handle the boxes.” She smiled again, and it was genuine. “Plus I’m pretty sure I saw the grocery store. It’ll be no problem.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. It’d probably be best if I got out there as quickly as possible.”

Maya hugged herself and nodded. “I appreciate your offer, but I’ll be fine. Thank you.”

P
atty watched
the exchange with interest. “Curiouser and Curiouser,” she said when Jackson had gone.

“What is?” Maya asked, laughing at her aunt’s choice of words. She’d only just arrived and everything about her new surroundings felt that way. In Santa Barbara there’d been buildings in every direction. Here, it was rare to see a building in between acres and acres of land.

“I felt electricity in the air between the two of you.” Patty picked up her pie and took another bite.

“No.” Maya shook her head. “You are mistaken. What you felt was my affection for those pies and nothing more.”

Patty clucked her tongue. “If you say so.”

“I mean it, aunt Patty. I’m only recently divorced. The last thing on my mind right now is getting involved with a gorgeous man and starting a new relationship.”

“You think he’s gorgeous.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Plus, I’m not talking about a relationship right away, but a date never hurt any one. And Jackson Bale is a handsome man in serious need of a date, just like you.”

Maya remembered the moment she’d seen him, his dirty blond hair with the edges curling up along the brim of his hat. His face had been in shadow, but it was easy to see the square of his jaw. Jackson was tall and muscled. He wore a tee shirt and faded, old jeans along with cowboy boots that looked well worn and comfortable. When she’d come closer, she’d seen that his eyes were a deep blue, like the California sky just before a storm. They were kind and open. Her stomach had lurched at the sight of him, and it felt like someone had blown on a dandelion inside her tummy, causing the seeds to tickle and dance. “True,” she admitted. “But that doesn’t mean anything. A man’s deeds are much more important than his looks.”

“Oh, honey. I agree. You know I do. But you gotta be attracted to the man you marry.”

“Yeah, I don’t know that I’ll ever marry again. The first time didn’t go so well.” Deep down she knew if she found the right man, she would marry again. She hadn’t given up hope that she might have children of her own some day, but her aunt didn’t need to know that. She’d been in Peach Valley barely three hours and her aunt was already trying to set her up. That wasn’t going to happen.

“Oh, don’t say that, hon.”

“Fine, but definitely not anytime soon.”

Her aunt gave her a cursory glance. “We’ll see.” She returned to her seat. “Let me know when you’re ready to go into town for some lunch. Sill’s Café has the best scones you could ever want.”

“Will do, aunt Patty.” She laughed on her way outside, closing the door behind her. She walked to her car, but noticed all of her stuff was gone and the doors were closed. For the briefest instant, she thought she’d been robbed. “What the—” She studied her porch, absentmindedly recognizing that she wanted to buy a rocking chair and a side table so that she could sit outside in the evenings and watch the sun set.

Opening the front door, she went inside and immediately saw the boxes stacked one on top of the other in the doorway. Her guitar case and camera equipment rested against the couch. Her heart warmed. It had to have been Jackson.
What a sweetheart,
she thought, closing the door.

The fully furnished cottage was less than a thousand square feet, but had been laid out to provide maximum use of the space. An open floor plan, the kitchen, dining, and living room all resided together off to the left of the front door. Directly to the right of the door was a small guest bedroom. In between it and the master was a full bathroom. The master bedroom contained a queen-sized bed with the cutest patchwork quilt, a dresser, a window seat and an overstuffed chair. There was a master bathroom with a clawed-foot tub and a shower, which she’d already used, and knew it had great water pressure, as well as a small walk-in closet. When her aunt had first shown her the place, she’d become all teary eyed. “It’s too much,” she’d said. Her aunt had insisted that it was the least she could do.

Maya unpacked her boxes, placing the contents in their proper places. She didn’t have much, mostly clothes, a few toiletries, a couple of pans, and some cutlery.

As she finished putting away the last of her socks, her aunt showed up. “You ready to eat. If we don’t go now, I’m going to polish off the rest of Milly’s peach pies by myself, which might ruin my appetite.”

Maya chuckled. “Yes, I’m ready.” She grabbed her purse. “Do you want me to drive?”

“Sure. It’ll help you figure out where everything is.”

Maya turned onto Interstate Five heading toward Peach Street. As she drove down the freeway, she noticed the Bale Ranch sign. Their land seemed expansive and she couldn’t help but wonder if Jackson were there and whether he was still wrangling calves.

“Still thinking about Jackson?” Patty asked, an amused expression on her face.

“No, not at all.” Maya gave the road her full attention after that even though there wasn’t another car in sight. At Peach Street, she turned left. When she reached the town center, her aunt advised her to park anywhere. She’d parked in front of the gazebo, which was across from Sill’s Café.

As soon as they got inside, a slightly plump hostess with an infectious smile seated them in a booth near the window.

“It smells good in here,” Maya said. The place was probably three quarters full, with all ten stools at the counter filled as well.

“Yes, it does,” her aunt Patty agreed.

Maya took up her menu, as did Patty. A dark-haired waitress wearing a red-and-white checkered polo shirt and jean shorts came over to the table. “Hey, Patty. How are you?” She smiled, a nice easy smile.

“Ornery as ever,” Patty answered, which produced a smile on the waitresses face.

“That’s what you always say, but I’ve never seen you ornery.”

“Thanks, Aliza. I’d like to introduce you to my niece, Maya. She’s new in town and will be staying at the Palace for a while.”

“Hey, Maya. It’s good to meet you.” She had dark hair that looked slightly frizzy pulled back into a ponytail and sweet, brown eyes.

“You too.” Maya said, returning Aliza’s smile.

“Aliza just turned twenty two. She graduated from the city college in Cheyenne and is back for the summer or until she finds herself.”

Aliza giggled. “Yeah.” She pulled the pad from the pocket on her black apron. “What can I get you?”

Maya looked at her aunt to tell her she wasn’t ready, but Patty ordered for them both. “We’ll have two iced teas and two of your lunch specials.” She closed her laminated menu and Maya followed.

“You’re in for a real treat,” Aliza said, taking the menus. “I’ll have your drinks right out.”

“Thank you, dear.”

When she’d gone, Maya asked, “What did you just order for me?”

Aunt Patty laughed. “You’ll see. And you won’t be sorry. Trust me.”

“Okay, sure.” Maya liked pretty much everything, except lima beans and sushi. She figured whatever Patty had ordered would probably be fine.

Aliza brought their iced teas quickly. “It’ll be a bit since it so busy, but I’ll get your food to you as soon as possible.

Once she’d gone again, Patty spent the next thirty minutes giving Maya the rundown on the town gossip. When their food finally came, Maya felt like she had a better take on take on the small town and some of the people in it.

Maya was happy to note that her lunch special included a large homemade scone and two crispy-cooked pieces of chicken. She slathered the scone with sweet cream honey butter before pouring warm maple syrup over the top. Her first bite melted in her mouth and she forced herself not to moan.

“I know, right?” Her aunt swallowed a bite and took a sip of tea. Bill Taylor, the man who runs the place can cook like no body’s business.”

Maya took another bite, shaking her head in agreement. So far she’d tried Milly’s peach pies and now Bill’s chicken and scone. It seemed that country living produced some delicious food.

When Aliza came back to give them their bill, Maya paid, leaving Aliza a nice tip. The waitress smiled, and then paused.

“Okay, I’m dying to tell someone and since you’re new in town, I’ll tell you.”

“What?” Maya said, twining her fingers.

“It’s just that Jackson Bale, only the hottest, most gorgeous guy in the county has finally been given the ultimatum from his daddy.”

Aunt Patty’s smile disappeared. “Maybe you shouldn’t gossip, Aliza. It doesn’t become you.”

Never mind Patty had just gossiped for the last hour. “What? I want to know.” Maya couldn’t help thinking about Jackson’s smile and his kind blue eyes.

Aliza giggled and indicated Maya should scoot over. “Well, as you may or may not know, Jackson is the thirty-year-old heir to the Bale family fortune.”

“I didn’t know,” Maya said, since she seemed to be waiting on her to answer.

“I didn’t think so.”

Patty crossed her arms and leaned back, seemingly resolute to let the girl get out whatever was on her mind.

“His daddy is dyin’. Cancer, you see, and him and Milly want to see their oldest child married.”

“I’m so sorry about his dad.” Maya glanced at Patty, who nodded that it was true.

“They’ve given him sixty days to find himself a woman and get engaged. With a marriage within thirty days after that.”

“Whoa, that’s fast. Does he have a girlfriend?” She tried to act casual, but her stomach felt queasy. Not that she felt like she had dibs. Of course not. She’d just met him. He’d done something really nice, gentlemanly even by bringing in her boxes. That was it.

“No, but he will here real soon.” She patted Maya on the hand like they’d been friends for years. “I’m throwing my hat in the ring, and I know I won’t be the only one.” She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, “Peach Valley’s most eligible bachelor is on the market.” She giggled, her face getting flushed. “Have you met him? Probably not, but the man is gorgeous, even if he is a little old. He’s still hot.”

Maya gave her aunt a sideways glance and noticed she was smirking.

“Sorry, not old.” Aliza giggled louder. “But, you know, older than me. By a lot. Which is fine. I mean he’s seriously smokin’ hot. Have you seen him?”

Maya waited for the girl to take a breath before she responded. “I have. He is good looking.”

Aliza nudged Maya. “Adam Levine is good looking. Blake Shelton is good looking. Jackson is not good looking. He’s so fine, he makes my knees literally go weak every time I see him.”

“Wow,” was all Maya could say. “But question?”

Aliza touched her middle fingers to her thumbs, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “I’m ready. Ask me.”

Patty shook her head. “You need a hobby, girl.”

Aliza pouted, then bounced off her seat, placing a foot under her before sitting again. “I just got one.”

Patty continued to shake her head.

Maya forced herself not to laugh. “What happens if Jackson doesn’t want to get married? What if, god forbid, he doesn’t find the woman of his dreams within the allotted time?”

Aliza shook her head like a wet puppy on a hot summer day. “No way. Jackson will not let that happen. Nooooo way. If he doesn’t marry in ninety days, his daddy will sell Bale ranch. That ranch has been in the family for five generations. Nooooo way will he let his dad sell it. So, in ninety days Jackson will be married.” As she said the last part, she bounced up and down.

“Well, we better get going, Aliza. Have a good afternoon.” Aunt Patty slid out of the booth.

“Oh, right. Absolutely.” Aliza stood and Maya followed. “It was so good to meet you.” She patted Maya on the arm. “Hey, if you want to hang out, meet some more people, me and the girls are going to get drinks at Peaches Bar tonight?”

“Sounds good, but probably not tonight. I’m in serious need of a good night’s sleep.” She didn’t mention that she didn’t like to drink. It was a personal choice.

“Yeah, okay. But if you change your mind, we’ll be there around nine o’clock. I’m sure we’re gonna discuss strategy.”

“Strategy?” Maya raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah, when you go huntin’ you always gotta have a strategy?”

Maya shrugged.

“Come on, I’m talking about Jackson.”

“Right. Well, good luck with your strategizing.”

* * *

A
unt Patty apologized
for Aliza when they returned to the cottages, but Maya told her it was fine. The girl seemed harmless. She hugged her aunt, promising to let her show Maya around the Palace and the sixty-five acres tomorrow. She went inside her adorable new place that already felt more like home than her apartment ever had. Exhausted, she took off her shoes, and lay down. The bed was so comfortable. She tucked her hands behind her head and found herself thinking about Jackson. He was incredibly handsome, with a rugged exterior, but there was softness in his eyes, and kindness too. She’d immediately wanted to get to know him better. His blue eyes and the slight scruff on his tanned face had her heart pounding, just thinking about him. And that was strange because he was so different than Quin. She turned onto her side, shaking any thought of her ex out of her mind, and before she knew it, she’d fallen asleep.

When she woke, it was nearing sunset. She’d slept for nearly four hours. After using the bathroom and brushing her teeth, she went out onto her porch to witness the sun setting. The way the rays broke through the leaves on the peach trees took her breath away. She ran back inside to get her camera.