Country Courtship (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 2) (5 page)

"Are you okay, Bobby Gray?" Kelli didn't think he looked good. The odd light in his eyes made her wonder if he was dazed.

She jabbed the security guard, whose nickname was Mount St. Helens, in the arm again. "You weren't supposed to break him, Mike."

"No, ma'am. It wasn't me. It was Larry."

Kelli glanced at the other guard and shook her head.

He said sheepishly, "Was only trying to look after you."

"I told you not to harm him."

That was when the cowboy opened his mouth to interrupt and Kelli almost swooned at what she saw. "Call 911. He's got internal injuries."

"Just the tongue." Mike straightened his tie.

She leaned over Bobby Gray, close enough to feel his heated breath on her face and despite her concern, a small frisson of awareness chased down her spine. "Just lie still until EMS arrives."

"No EMS."

"We'll see. Get me a cloth, guys, to clean him up." They hightailed it, but the cowboy kept trying to get up.

"Sit still."

"I'm okay."

"No, you're not."

"Am."

"You're injured."

"Look, Kelli. I know if I'm injured or not. Mainly my dignity is hurt."

He kept struggling to rise and it was all she could do to keep him semi-prone. "I'm in a better position to know if you're injured."

"Oh, yeah?"

"I'm a doctor."

"You're a
horse
doctor."

"Veterinarian. And your point is?"

"I'm okay. It's only a tooth wound."

"Oh."

The two security guards returned then, each carrying one of her mom's best damask tablecloths. She'd scold them all if Bobby Gray stained them. "Stay back, guys."

"Help me," moaned Bobby Gray, struggling to sit up.

She shot him a quick look to see if he'd gotten worse, but he didn't look bad.

"I need some protection, men. There's a mad doctor determined to treat me."

"Very funny." She glanced at the guards. "You guys go take those tablecloths back where you got them and I'll get him to the kitchen for some ice."

* * *

Once they were in the kitchen, he allowed Kelli to wash his face and stuff a boatload of ice into his mouth. Then he figured it was time to get to the point.

"Woo eww gewww ouee wie me?" he asked. Did that sound like, will you go out with me? Maybe too much ice was stuck to his swollen tongue.

"Keep the ice in your mouth for thirty minutes," Kelli directed, "and you should be fine." She patted his arm as if he were a child or sick animal in need of reassurance.

All he needed was reassurance that he'd have her on his arm in two weeks. He tried to speak again, but nothing but gibberish came out. And she was edging toward the door.

He rose from the stool she'd seated him on and tried to follow her, and she pushed him back. "Sit. Stay."

She was giving him dog orders! He said around the ice, "Wai..." But she was on her way out the door already. He leapt up to follow her. He reached the door just in time for it to swing shut. It slammed into his face.

Crushing his nose.

"Owww."

He moved the ice from his mouth to his proboscis, then looked out the door. She was nowhere in sight.

Sheesh. The woman was dangerous.

First his tongue, then his nose. He really didn't want to consider what body part was next on her Destructo list.

Chapter 3

Although Lori had provided Bobby Gray with a return ticket for a flight to College Station, he decided not to use it. At least not right away.

It was far too soon to return home. Not only would Monty Joe not be over his huff, but Bobby Gray wanted to get to know Kelli Palmer better. A lot better.

So he'd taken a cab from the Palmoral estate to his sister's home not far outside of Dallas, hoping she'd agree to let him stay for a few days.

Fortunately for him, even though it was the Fourth of July, Charlie and her husband, Davis, were at home.

"What are you doing here?" Charlie asked when she answered the door.

"I was in town and couldn't leave without visiting you and Davis first."

She just gaped at him.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked, feeling a little nervous since the cab that had brought him here had already left.

"Of course," came a male voice from behind Charlie. Davis swung the door further open. "Come on in."

Charlie stepped forward and gave Bobby Gray a hug. "You're welcome here anytime. You know that."

She looked good. Happier even than the day of her wedding to Davis. Apparently marriage suited her and, from the five pounds or so it appeared that Davis had gained, marriage suited him, too.

Once they'd exchanged pleasantries and were seated in the spacious living room, Charlie couldn't keep her curiosity at bay any longer. "Seriously, Bobby Gray, what brings you here?"

"I came down for a party and decided it would be nice to stick around for a few days. I've got a little business to attend to."

"I hope you're going to stay with us while you're here."

"Thanks, Sis. I'd love to."

"That's good." She smiled. "Care to tell me what happened to your nose? Did you finally meet a bronco who could best you?"

"No way." He reached a hand up to it, and it was still sore. "A door and I had a little disagreement."

"A door, huh?"

The way she said it made him think she didn't believe him. "Honest, Charlie. No brawling. It was just a door."

"It came right up and slugged you, huh?"

Bobby Gray cocked her a grin. "Just about."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "This is all about some girl, isn't it?"

It wasn't about some girl—at least not the way she said it. It was about a special girl, not that he had any intention of discussing her with his nosy sister.

Davis nudged Charlie in the ribs. "Can't you see the man doesn't want to talk about it?"

She sighed. "Okay, Bobby Gray. You're off the hot seat—for now."

* * *

Two days had passed since the party and, now that Bobby Gray's nose was barely discolored, he was ready to act. He'd spent the last couple of days helping Davis out on their small ranch and laying out a plan of action.

BOBBY GRAY'S FIVE-STEP PLAN

#1. Take Kelli out for coffee.

#2. Then take Kelli out for lunch.

#3. Then take Kelli out for an event.

#4. Then take Kelli out on an official date.

#5. Take Kelli to dinner with the Nelson Ranch banker.

Okay, he didn't say it was a great plan, but it was the best he had.

The problem was he couldn't get to step one.

He hadn't managed to hook back up with Kelli at all, although he had wormed the phone number and address for her veterinary practice out of Abby.

She'd said, "Kelli will act like she's not interested. She'll tell you she's not, but persevere. She doesn't mean it. She really
likes
you..." Then Abby had given him all of Kelli's contact information. He wasn't totally sure Abby knew what she was talking about, but who was he to argue with her?

Hoping to straighten things out, he'd left three messages for Lori, but so far she hadn't returned his calls. Nor had Kelli.

He had to find a way to prove to Kelli that he and Lori were only friends. Thus far his efforts had proven fruitless.

It was now time for Plan B.

There were also five steps to Plan B. First he needed a cooperative and slightly ailing animal.

He eyed his sister's collie, Sally. The dog didn't much care for him and wouldn't stop barking whenever he was around, even though he'd stayed with Charlie and Davis for the last couple of nights. The barking had made it hard to get any sleep.

Sally might work for his plan, if... Maybe he could kill two birds with one stone? He took a step toward the mutt.

"Don't even think about it," said Charlie, placing herself between him and the collie.

"I wasn't going to hurt your dog."

"Says you."

"Well, I decided not to. Animal cruelty, you know."

"You're just worried your vet will think so."

"Nuh uh."

"Uh huh."

Ever since she'd married Davis, she'd gotten too big for her britches. If they'd been kids at home on the Nelson Ranch, he'd have turned her upside down until she cried uncle.

He had to sigh for the good ol' days.

He wouldn't do it, but should he make her think he would? He took a step closer and she backed up a pace. "I've half a mind to dangle you, Sis."

"Don't you dare. Davis would skin you alive. He'd flay you."

"Doubt it." She'd called his bluff successfully, though.

Charlie smirked at him. "You're just sore 'cause you finally met your match—a girl who refuses to be charmed by you."

"Don't be too sure about that."

She smiled widely and extended an open hand toward him. "Want to bet?"

There was no way he'd accept her wager, and besides, he didn't think Kelli would like the idea of him betting about her. "Look, Sis. I need a date with her for the dinner with the banker in two weeks. He's a
royalophile
and is sure to give us the loan for our western expansion at the interest rate we're after if he gets to meet her. You gotta help me."

Charlie's face told him immediately that he'd said the magic words,
it would help the ranch.
"What do you need?"

His gaze settled on Sally, who was still bow-wowing her head off at him. He looked back at Charlie. "All I need is a sick pet."

"There's no way Sally will go with you. She'd rather turn you into a gnaw bone."

Sally chose that moment to stop barking. She switched to a low growl.

"She just wants to play." He reached out to grab the dog, but she darted away.

"Don't touch a hair on her." Charlie stood protectively between him and her dog. She looked into his eyes and he tried to radiate his sincerity to her.

She shook her head and sighed. "I probably shouldn't make this suggestion because I fear it will come to nothing but trouble. And let me warn you, if you tell anyone I suggested this, I'll see to it that Davis dangles
you
. I'll merely point out that there's a barn just outside."

Bobby Gray beamed at her. He started toward the door.

"Stop. I'm not talking about my livestock." Charlie held up her hand to halt his progress. "But I don't think anyone would notice if one of the barn cats wasn't around for a few hours."

"Have I mentioned lately that you're my favorite sister?"

"I'm your
only
sister."

"You'd still be my favorite even if I had a barn filled to the rafters with sisters."

BOBBY GRAY'S PLAN B

#1. Find sick animal.

#2. Take it to see Kelli.

#3. Woo her over said sick animal.

#4. Convince her to eat dinner with him.

#5. Give her the kiss he couldn't stop dreaming about.

* * *

It had been three days and Kelli couldn't seem to get the irksome cowboy out of her mind. Of course, his many phone calls might have had something to do with that.

She'd tried to remain busy by concentrating on her animal patients and by cleaning out her closet at home, but no matter what, she couldn't get the cowboy out of her mind.

When she'd checked with her receptionist mid-morning, she learned Bobby Gray hadn't called today. She'd said, "Good riddance," but now she wondered.

Why hadn't he called?

Bobby Gray was giving up awfully easily. If Kelli had been intent on wooing a man—say,
him—
she wouldn't have given up after a few phone calls. She'd have considered it a challenge.