Cupcakes and Cowboys (Sunset Plains Romance Book 1) (8 page)

Oklahoma called to him, as did the woman currently walking away. He wasn’t ready to leave either behind. He couldn’t wait to go riding with Cassidy on Sunday.

The next few days were filled with hard work and learning the ins and outs of ranching. Jase had always considered himself physically fit, but ranch life worked muscles he hadn’t realized he possessed. Each night he fell into bed feeling satisfied with a job well done. It filled him in a way acting never had, and that scared him.

Jase spent Sunday morning helping Mason with the animals, then eagerly got ready for his riding date—could he call it a date?—with Cassidy. When she appeared in the barn, he’d already saddled two horses—Cupcake and Brownie, the horse he’d been riding. He chuckled at the names. Clearly, Cassidy picked them.

“Wow, you’ve already got them saddled,” Cassidy said from behind.

He turned, his breath catching. Sunlight illuminated her from behind. She wore jeans that hugged her curves and a red tank top that managed to be both casual and sexy. Her blonde hair lay in its customary braid over one shoulder.

“I packed a lunch, too.” He held up the basket. He’d asked the other cowboys for recommendations, then gone to a deli in town and ordered for both of them. “Felt like the perfect day for a picnic.”

“That was really thoughtful of you.” Her cheeks pinked, and he loved the way it lit up her face.

He watched Cassidy mount Cupcake in one fluid movement. Jase winced when he lowered himself into the saddle—he was still getting used to the long hours on a horse. Brownie was more headstrong than Cupcake, just like Cassidy said he would be, but Jase loved the feel of the animal beneath him.

He followed Cassidy away from the barn and main buildings and toward the south end of the ranch. Once the trail widened, he pulled Brownie up alongside Cupcake. “How was business this week?”

“Decent. A few people came in hoping to see you, I think. You’re good for business.” She gave him a fleeting smile.

“I’m happy to help. You deserve to succeed.”

She ducked her head, apparently uncomfortable with the compliment. “Thank you. A lot of people thought I was crazy to open it.”

“Drew?” he asked softly.

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath. “Race you!”

Before Jase could blink, Cassidy urged Cupcake into a gallop. Jase laughed, kicking Brownie into a faster pace and following. He clung to the saddle horn, leaning forward and keeping his heels down. The exhilaration of the hot wind blowing through his short hair eclipsed his fear of falling. Cassidy was at least three lengths ahead of him, her body crouched low over the horse as her braid flew behind her.

A few minutes later, she started to slow. Jase caught up with her as she pulled to a stop near a cluster of trees. She dismounted and he did the same, his legs screaming in protest at the movement. But being a little saddle-sore was well worth the exhilaration of riding with Cassidy.

“Here it is,” she said breathlessly, holding out her hands.

Jase glanced around. The stream cut through the grass, leaving only fifty feet between it and the fence marking the property boundaries. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was the same stream that ran through the property for sale that he’d looked at online. Trees dotted the banks of the water, most small and new. But one tree grew tall and strong, towering above the others. Tall grass swayed in the breeze, the impossibly blue sky just meeting the tops of trees in the distance.

“It’s not much, but I love it.” Cassidy took his reigns and looped them over the saddle horn. He raised an eyebrow, and she smiled. “They’ll stay close.”

He nodded, watching as the two horses wandered away to graze. “It’s beautiful here. I feel like we’re the only two people in the world.”

She smiled, clearly pleased. “Exactly. The stream cuts close enough to the property line that the cows don’t bother wandering this far.”

“I love it.”

He walked over to Brownie and retrieved the food from her saddle bags. Cassidy laid a blanket underneath the biggest tree, and they both sat down. Jase handed her a sandwich, and her eyes lit up.

“Their food is my favorite.”

“Good. I wasn’t sure what to get, but all the boys assured me Jackie’s Diner is the best.”

“They’re right.”

The next few minutes passed in silence as they ate. Jase was beginning to understand why Cassidy loved this spot. The tree shaded them from the sun perfectly, and the light breeze passed over the stream and made the air a pleasant temperature.

“Are you getting what you hoped to get by coming to the ranch?” Cassidy asked. “For the role, I mean.”

He’d spent less time researching his upcoming role and more fantasizing about the rancher’s daughter than he’d anticipated. “I think so. Mason’s great about answering my questions, and the other guys are all helpful, too.”

“I’m glad. I want you to feel like your time here has been worthwhile.”

He leaned on an elbow, giving her a lazy smile. “Just meeting you would’ve made my time here worthwhile, Cassidy.”

She blushed scarlet, making her eyes sparkle and lips turn up in an embarrassed smile. “I can see why you were nominated for an Oscar. You’re very good at what you do.”

“Do you think I’m acting with you?”

She looked away. “You’re famous. You make more money on one film than I’ll make in a lifetime. I think you’re getting into your role, and falling for the country girl is part of it.”

The words sliced through him, and he gritted his teeth. “I’m not Drew.”

“I know. But you still live in the same world as him. All the things that were points of contention with him exist with you—constant traveling, never knowing if you’re being genuine or playing a part, women fawning all over you.”

Everything she said was negative, but all Jase heard was that she’d thought of him in a relationship capacity. He reached out, caressing her cheek lightly with his finger. “I don’t enjoy the Hollywood lifestyle.”

“I don’t enjoy accounting, but it’s still part of my job.”

He leaned forward until they were close enough he could smell the strawberry scent of her shampoo. “I like you, Cassidy.”

She exhaled, her minty breath surrounding him. “I won’t put aside my dreams for someone else again.”

“I’m not asking you to.” He cupped the back of her neck. “All I’m asking for is trust. Let me prove I’m a decent guy. Can you do that?”

Her eyes held his, and her tongue flicked out, licking her lips. When she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper. “It’s not that easy.”

“I know. But can you try?”

Her gray eyes were wide and vulnerable. Electricity sparked between them at every touch. Slowly, she nodded. “I trust you.”

The weight of her trust surrounded him like a warm blanket. Jase brought his other hand to her cheek, caressing it with his thumb. She inhaled, her lips trembling. But she didn’t pull away, didn’t tell him to get lost. Slowly, he lowered his head toward hers. He paused, their lips almost touching but not quite, giving her a chance to pull away.

She leaned forward, bridging the distance between them. Their lips met, and Jase knew he was lost.

Her fingers found their way into his hair and he held her chin in place, tilting her face to deepen the kiss. Everything else disappeared. Why had he spent the last few years making movies in California, when the life he wanted had been sitting right here in Oklahoma, just waiting for him to find it?

Cassidy pulled away, her ragged breathing matching his own. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, biting her lip. The motion made him want to kiss her all over again, but he wouldn’t push her further than she—or he—could handle. She was worth taking things slow.

“What’s it like in California?” Cassidy asked.

Jase struggled to focus on the conversation and not their kiss. “Awful, compared to here.”

They spent the next few hours laughing and talking. Jase loved hearing about Cassidy’s plans for the bakery, her likes and dislikes. And she seemed just as interested in him, if that were possible—him, and not his money or fame or social connections.

Eventually, they packed up their lunch and rode back. Jase helped Cassidy unsaddle the horses, then left her with a soft kiss. Somewhere along the way, spending time with Cassidy became more important than researching his role.

His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out. A notification alerted him to a new email—the final script and cast list for the film. He scrolled through the list, noting a few unfamiliar names. Halfway down the list, he stopped scrolling, his eyes glued to one name.

Drew Harrington.

Over the next two weeks, Cassidy saw Jase frequently. He ate dinner with the family more often than not, despite his initial claims he’d eat with the ranch hands, and she fell for him more every day. He was kind and considerate where Drew was selfish and conceited. Mason even grudgingly admitted that Jase was a hard worker who picked up on ranching quickly.

Cassidy tried to push her growing feelings aside and remind herself that Jase was leaving—and soon. Yes, his kisses filled her with fire and she counted down the minutes until she’d see him again. But he was leaving in a week, and she doubted he’d ever return. Whatever he claimed, she couldn’t make herself believe that this was for real. It wouldn’t do to grow attached. He would never leave his career, and she wouldn’t put hers aside.

She should’ve said no when he asked if he could take her out tonight. But as much as it hurt to think of him leaving, she couldn’t make herself push him away.

Cupcakes and Cowboys had only been open for a few minutes when Cassidy got a call from the town’s community college, asking if she could make a custom cake for a faculty training event they were having tomorrow. She said yes, thrilled at the money she would make. It almost made her forget about the wedding cake money she could’ve had from Anabeth. Almost.

Cassidy couldn’t wait for Kari to arrive so she could start on the cake. If she hurried, she might still make her date with Jase. She handed the box of cupcakes to the customer with a smile. Once the front door swung closed, she pulled out her phone and checked the time again. Just another thirty minutes.

She refilled the display case with a few cupcakes. The wall phone rang, and she quickly grabbed it. “Cupcakes and Cowboys, this is Cassidy.”

“Cassidy’s, it’s Kari.”

“Hey.” Cassidy’s eyes flicked to the wall clock. Hopefully, this didn’t mean Kari would be late. “What’s up?”

“I fell during cheer practice and hurt my ankle. I’m at Urgent Care right now, and they think I might have broken something. They’re sending me to the hospital for x-rays.”

“Oh no.” Cassidy knew how much Kari loved cheerleading. If she’d broken something, she’d be out for her senior year.

“I don’t think I’m going to make it in today. I’m really sorry.”

“Of course you can’t come in. Don’t worry about it. Call me once you know what’s going on, okay? You might need to take a few days off if it’s serious.”

“I will. Thank you.” The relief in Kari’s voice was palpable.

Cassidy said her goodbyes and hung up the phone. There was no way she could make her date with Jase now. She swallowed her disappointment, knowing it couldn’t be helped.

Cassidy pulled her cell phone from her apron pocket and dialed his number, hoping he wouldn’t be upset. Whenever she’d changed plans on Drew, he’d given her the silent treatment, sometimes for days.

“Hey, pretty lady.”

Her spine tingled as the smooth warmth of his voice flooded her. “Hi.”

“I hope you’re not calling to cancel our date. I’ve been looking forward to it all day.”

His directness startled her. But at least she wouldn’t have to beat around the bush. “I’m really sorry, Jase. I have a huge order I’ve got to get done tonight, and Kari just called in sick. Can we reschedule for tomorrow maybe?”

Jase was silent for a moment. “Sunday would be fine.”

“Thank you.” Worry flowed through her at his cool tone, so like Drew’s. “They only called this morning about the order. It’s really last minute, but the money’s good.”

“I understand.”

After saying goodbye, Cassidy hung up the phone. She tried to push the worry over Jase out of her mind. If that was how he dealt with disappointment, it was better she find out now than after wasting three years on the relationship like she had with Drew.