OLIVER: WESTERN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (Blackwater Canyon Ranch Book 2)

OLIVER

A Blackwater Canyon Novel

Book Two

By Cindy Stark

www.cindystark.com

Oliver: A Blackwater Canyon Novel © 2015 C. Nielsen

All rights reserved

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. The ebook contained herein constitutes a copyrighted work and may not be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, or stored in or introduced into an information storage and retrieval system in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the copyright owner, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This ebook is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

A
lso by Cindy Stark

Blackwater Canyon Ranch

Caleb

Aspen Series

Wounded

Relentless

Lawless

Cowboys and Angels

Come Back To Me

Surrender

Reckless

Tempted

Crazy One More Time

I’m With You

Pinecone Valley Series

Love Me Again

Whispers (An Argent Springs Novel)

Retribution Novels

Branded

Hunted

Banished

Hijacked

Moonlight and Margaritas

Sweet Vengeance

Which Witch is Which?

Which Witch is Wicked?

Daisy Halsted sat on the patio at her mother’s condominium located in the heart of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Glorious June sunshine rained down on her, hitting all the areas her bikini didn’t cover. She was well on her way to the perfect tan, and she couldn’t be happier.

She smiled as her mother’s number appeared on the screen. “
Mom
. How are you?” Her mother had been living in Hong Kong for the past two months, helping her chemical company start up a new office.

“It’s so good to hear your voice, Daisy.” Warmth echoed from her words. “It’s crazy here. I’m sorry I haven’t called for a couple of weeks. I’ve seriously been working from sun up to sun down.”

“That’s okay. How are things going? Any idea when you’ll be coming back to the states?”

“It will be another three months most likely.”

“Three months will go by fast, and I wouldn’t mind spending one more summer in Cheyenne before we move to New York.” Though she was eager to move to the big city, too.

“That’s partly why I called.”

The ominous sound in her mother’s voice set her on edge.

“Daisy, my boss informed me this morning that they need us to vacate the condo. They know I’ll be moving soon, and they’ve decided to use it for out of town guests.”

“
They what
? They can’t do that. Can they?”

“Since they own the building, technically, they can.”

“What about our lease agreement?”

A long silence came over the phone followed by her mother’s sigh. “It expired years ago, and we’ve never renewed. Never thought it would be a problem.”

Frantic thoughts buzzed in her brain. “I’m not sure I can pack this all up by myself. I’ll need to find somewhere else to live, but not many places want to rent to someone for only three months.” At twenty-four years, she was old enough to live on her own, but she’d stayed with her mom to keep her company and to save on expenses while she finished college.

“I’ve already considered those problems. First, since my company is unwilling to wait the three months until I’m back, they’ve agreed to hire a moving company who will pack and store everything. All you’ll need to take with you is your things.”

“I have a lot of things here, Mom. My bed, my dresser…”

“If you stay with Rachel for the summer, you’ll only need to pack your personal items. She has several spare bedrooms, and she’s happy to have you.”

“You want me to live on a
farm
with Rachel for three months? No.” Slowly, the realization of what her mother had said sank in. “Wait, you’ve already asked her?”

“Yes. She’s excited to spend time with you. Besides, you two should be closer.”

The fact that she and her sister were more acquaintances than sisters wasn’t her fault. Rachel had gone to live with their uncle after their father had died, and the two had only seen each other a couple of times a year after that. It was hard to be close when they’d grown up apart. “I wouldn’t mind seeing Rachel, but it’s better when she comes to the city.”

“Well…you could always call and tell her no.”

She recognized her mother’s arsenal of guilt. “No, I can’t.” If she did, it would break Rachel’s heart.

Still, Daisy wasn’t sure how she’d survive. “They have cows, Mom. Stinky cows.”

Her mother laughed. “You’ll be fine. Besides, it might be good for you to spend time where your dad grew up. Get to know your heritage.”

Daisy highly doubted it. “Fine. Three months. When we get to New York, you’re taking me to dinner wherever I want, and it won’t be cheap.”

“You have a deal. Call Rachel and let her know you’re coming. I’ll get back to you with instructions from the movers.”

Daisy was plenty sick of driving by the time she reached Cody. Six hours on the road was enough, even if she did love driving her Mustang.

Instead of continuing to Rachel’s house, she made a slight detour toward the airport. Her sister had asked if she could pick up one of her ranch hands who’d been away. The favor would save Rachel or Caleb a trip, and Daisy couldn’t exactly say no when her sister had graciously opened her home to her even if she didn’t want to be there. Daisy had promised her mom she’d make the best of things, and she intended to try.

As Daisy neared the turn she’d take to the airport, her phone rang. “Hello?” she said, knowing the guy she’d be picking up was supposed to call her after he landed.

“Is this Daisy?” A smooth, southern drawl crept across the phone line like sweet molasses. The sound pleased her senses in a way she couldn’t explain.

“It is.”

“This is Oliver Dixon. Rachel said to give you a call when I have my bags. I have my bags so…”

“Okay, I’m close.” At least she hoped she was. She knew Yellowstone Regional Airport was small, but the building she headed toward seemed tiny. “How will I spot you?”

“Uh, I’ll be standing outside, wearing jeans and a ball cap.”

Daisy rolled her eyes. That described more than half the guys in Wyoming. “How about the color of your shirt?”

He chuckled. “How about you tell me what you’re driving and I’ll flag you down?”

She shook her head. Men and their need to control everything. “Fine. I’m driving a black Mustang. You
could
tell me what color you’re wearing.”

“I see you,” he said over top of her words.

As she approached, she realized why he wasn’t concerned. Only a few people milled outside the terminal, making it hard to miss the dark-haired man wearing a charcoal t-shirt, jeans and a ball cap. “Okay. Hanging up.” She ended the call before he could respond.

She parked in front of the terminal and killed the engine. With a push of a button, she popped her trunk and then exited the vehicle. Late afternoon heat radiated off the pavement as bright sun warmed her shoulders, but not as much as the look of the man warmed the rest of her.

Lean hips eventually widened into broad shoulders. Hair, the color of rich soil edged his dirty Colorado State University ball cap. Supporting CSU would be a minus point for the man in her book. Hardened biceps peeked from beneath his shirtsleeves along with a hint of a tattoo.

“Daisy?” Oliver said, looking her over and killing off most of the irritation he’d generated on the phone.

Still, she hoped he didn’t think she was a simple country girl who didn’t have much of a brain and who could be charmed by a flash of those beautiful blue eyes. She was tempted to say she wasn’t Daisy just to mess with him, but she probably shouldn’t. Instead, she paused to give him the same perusal he’d given her.

“Hello, Oliver.” All in all, she’d rate him about a…seven. Eight if he hadn’t worn her archenemy’s emblem on his hat.

He lifted his duffel bag and stuffed it into the trunk next to her suitcases before he closed it. He turned to her with a warm smile that soothed her irritation as he stuck out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Daisy. I appreciate the ride.”

She slid her fingers along his until they reached his palm, and she gave him a brief, but firm shake. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

He held her hand for a several long seconds, enough that she had time to look away and then glance at him again to check his reaction. He only smiled and finally released her hand.

When he followed her to the driver’s side of the car, she stopped. “Where are you going?” He couldn’t possibly think he was driving.

“A gentleman always opens a door for a lady.”

“Oh.” She stared at him for a long moment, not sure how to take him. He irritated her but was also engaging and thoughtful. She exhaled a deep breath and climbed into her car. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He shut the door and walked to the passenger side.

The next ten or so minutes ought to be interesting. She started the engine as he climbed inside. The intriguing scent of his cologne stole her attention, and she paused for a brief second to appreciate him. A nice-smelling man was a huge turn on for her. Not that it was enough to raise him higher than his current seven rating, though.

His elbow bumped hers where they met on the center console. She shot him a brief glance to see if he’d done it on purpose but the look on his face seemed innocent. Funny how the interior of her car hadn’t seemed so cozy before now.

“Pretty fancy ride you have here.” His look was cryptic, his tone unreadable.

She gave a small laugh. “I can’t tell if you’re actually giving me a compliment or being facetious.” She checked her side-view mirror and then pulled out.

“Facetious?”

She slid another gaze toward him. “You know, flippant, teasing.”

“I know what facetious means, but I don’t know why you’d say that about me. I’m as genuine as they come.”

“I’m…sorry. Didn’t mean to judge. You sounded like you were teasing.” When she reached the open road, she gunned the engine, giving him a taste of what her car could do.

“Nope. This is an awfully sweet ride. That’s all I said and all I meant.”

Okay…. “Thank you. I like it.”

He nodded, his poker-faced demeanor driving her crazy. “Your sister says you’ve been living in Cheyenne with your mom.”

Rachel had told him about her? “I was staying in her condo while she’s in Hong Kong. After she comes back to the states, we’re both moving to New York.”

“New York? Why would anyone want to live there? It’s all tall buildings and hundreds of people. Enough to choke somebody.”

She reined in her annoyance. “Some people prefer that lifestyle.”

“That’s quite a distance from Wyoming. Is this your last visit before you move?”

Daisy tamped down her guilt knowing she wouldn’t have been on her way to her sister’s ranch if she hadn’t been forced into it. “My mom had to give up the condo early, so I’m staying with Rachel for the summer.”

He slid another easy gaze over her, and she couldn’t miss the piqued interest in his eyes. “I’ve been living in Moose Meadows for a while, but I don’t think we’ve ever met. How often do you travel north to visit your sister?”

She exhaled, as his words nipped her again. The ranch had always been her sister’s place. Not hers. “I came to Moose Meadows for Rachel’s wedding, but I haven’t been to Blackwater Canyon Ranch in…eighteen years. Not since I was six.”

He snorted. “You’re shitting me. Have you lived in Wyoming all this time?”

She lifted a brow at his backwoods comment. “Yes, I’ve always lived here, and no, I am not
shitting
you.” Besides, for ten of those years, Daisy was too young to hop in a car to visit Rachel. Also, her mom agreed that it was better if Rachel came to see them instead.

“Sorry,” he said, actually sounding like he meant it. “Excuse the language. I’m just surprised that you’ve stayed away for so long. Rachel says you get along fine, so I can’t imagine what would keep you away.”

She turned the air-conditioning up a notch. “I don’t like bugs or bears.” Not to mention, the last time she’d left Blackwater, she’d been in an ambulance.

His amused chuckle filled the quiet interior of her car. “We rarely see bears, and there is such a thing as bug spray. Are you telling me there are no bugs in Cheyenne?”

She sent him a couple of sarcastic blinks. Why did it seem he demanded a reasonable excuse for living wherever she wanted? “My building hires an exterminator.”

“Oh, I see.”

She waited for him to explain what he meant, but he didn’t. “You see what?” He didn’t know her well enough to make judgements.

“You’re more of a city girl than someone who can appreciate the wide open country we have in Moose Meadows.”

“You make that seem like a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with preferring a pulse in my city.”

“You sound like my dad.” He chuckled, drawing her attention as she stopped at a traffic sign. “Just so you know…my town has a pulse. It’s soft and hits you deep like a lover’s whisper.”

For a moment, the sound of his southern drawl and the look in his eyes mesmerized her. Such pretty words.

Then she regained her sanity.

They obviously had different definitions of what constituted a pulse. “Whatever. You can keep your stinky cows and fields. I have better things in my future. “

“Yeah?” He stretched out his long legs in front of him and relaxed against the seat. “Like what?”

“First, I’ll finish my education this fall and then find an amazing job. An apartment in New York…and all the nightlife I can stand.” Then maybe she’d be happy and not so restless all the time.

“Sounds like you have it all planned out.” It also sounded like he wasn’t impressed.

“I do.” She whizzed past the Moose Meadows city limit sign. “Am I dropping you off in town, or do you live at Blackwater?”

“I should live on the ranch with as much time as I spend there. But no, I have my own place. However, I left my truck at Blackwater, so I’ll ride there with you.”

“Okay.” As the minutes ticked by, she examined her weird reaction to Oliver. She’d never had a problem getting along with people, so what was up with this guy? He seemed like a regular man, so why was she sensitive to everything he said?

Maybe her guilt? Maybe she’d made much out of nothing. Maybe she needed to try again. “I haven’t been back to Moose Meadows for a long time, but I used to know some of the people who lived here. Who are you renting from?”

“I’m not renting. I own my own place.”

“Really? You own your own house?”

“Does that surprise you?”

“No. I…just…I wondered if you lived somewhere familiar to me.” What was with him? She’d never had this much trouble communicating with someone before.

“4201 Sage Lane. Does that ring a bell?”

She exhaled. “No. I was too young to remember the names of roads. I would need to see it.”

He lifted a brow. “Are you’re inviting yourself over?”

Daisy gave up her pretense of polite conversation. This guy was too much work. “That would be a negative. No, Mr. Dixon, I’m not inviting myself over.”

He stared at her for a moment and then grinned. “Come on. I’m teasing you, Daisy.”

Maybe so, but she apparently didn’t understand his sense of humor. She gave up trying for friendly conversation and drove the rest of the way to her sister’s house in awkward silence.

“Turn at the next right,” he said when they neared the drive that led to Blackwater.

“I do remember how to get here.”

“I thought you didn’t.”

“I said I don’t recognize the names of streets, but places, especially this place, are familiar to me.” She exhaled a breath, not liking her disposition. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’ve been on the road for six and a half hours, and I’m tired.”

“No problem. I understand. I’m not one who loves traveling, either.”

She parked in front of the big ranch house and glanced out the window at the captivating surroundings. “I don’t remember it being pretty.”

“Is that so?” Oliver said before he opened his door.

“Yeah, it—” He closed the passenger door, cutting her off. Stunned, she shook her head at his rudeness.

That was fine. She didn’t need to be his friend. In fact, she didn’t need to be friends with any of the ranch hands.

She only needed to survive and be ready to move to the glamourous and happening town of New York City. Then her life could start, and she wouldn’t have to see Oliver again. Hard to believe she’d actually thought him to be cute. His surly attitude dropped him down to a four. Maybe even a three.

She popped the trunk and pulled the handle on her own door, only to have Oliver tug it away from her, opening the door the rest of the way. His gaze was unreadable as he extended his hand to help her from the car. She considered refusing, but that would only give him another reason to argue with her. “Thank you.”

He closed the door behind her, and they both moved toward the trunk. His muscles flexed as he pulled out his duffle bag and both of her suitcases, and she begrudgingly admired his form. She didn’t know how much he had going on upstairs, but if she ever needed someone to, say, lift a car, she’d call him.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen suitcases that color of pink before.”

No doubt he mocked her this time. “There’s nothing wrong with pink. It’s pretty, and it’s easy to spot on the airport’s luggage carousel.”

“I’ll bet it is.”

She shook her head in disgust, took hold of one of the suitcase handles, and prepared to grab the other.

He snatched the second handle before she could claim it. “I’ll get them.”

“I can take care of my own, thank you. I managed to get them this far. I’ll be fine.”

He covered her hand with his on the handle of the first suitcase, making it impossible for her to move it. “Don’t worry about your luggage. Go on in and say hello to Rachel. She’s been talking about you all week, driving the rest of us crazy.”