Second Hope Cowboy (15 page)

Walking to the arena, she steadied herself against the metal rails of the fence and watched as a young girl led her cow out to the dirt ring to show her prided animal.

“Plan to bid, sweetheart?” A familiar deep voice said from behind Hope.

Startled, she turned and met Tucker’s eyes, the sun turning them as pale as worn denim. He hadn’t changed a bit since that young man she’d came here with on a date. A few added lines around his eyes only added a unique quality and didn’t take away from his strong, sexy looks. “I’m surprised you found me.”

“It was easy to spot you, sweetheart.” He skimmed his gaze downward and every nerve ending jolted to interest. “I’m glad you decided to spend the afternoon with me,” he said with a sugary smile.

What had come over him? Was he flirting with her?

Her toes curled. “Who can pass up a county fair?” And what woman, even an ex, would pass up spending some time with a gorgeous cowboy?

She gave her head a quick toss. Had her brain cells dislodged?

“You been in the livestock building yet?” he asked.

“No, not yet.” Their gazes stayed connected.

“How about I show you around, just like I did back on our first date.”

“You remembered.” She smiled. Something about his mention of that first amazing date flattered her.

“How could I forget?” A slow smile curved his lips and his blue eyes held hers.

The way he looked at her, the warmth of his gaze and the sexiness of his smile, sent heat straight through her stomach and into her loins. She swallowed. Heaven help her. “Some night, huh?”

“Most certainly. How about that walk now?” He held out his arm.

She stared at his offering for a long second until she finally ticked her fingers around his elbow and they walked side by side into the building. Although the smell wasn’t any better, the shade kept the area cooler and the breeze coming in through the open sides soothed her balmy skin.

As they strolled through the barn, kicking up straw with their shoes, Hope thought it was very natural to be next to Tucker. Definitely like old times.

When they came to a stop in front of one stall, she peered in at the goat. His fur was completely s shaven and he chewed straw. She looked up at Tucker and pushed her hair off her shoulder. “You looking to buy a goat?”

“I already did. This little fellow is mine, or rather, he belongs to Becca. She wanted a goat so I got her one. Think she’ll like him?”

His love for the little girl touched Hope in desolate places—places she’d attempted to forget owning. “I think she’ll love him.” She reached through the slat of the pen and nuzzled his head. She received a snort in reward. “He’s humorous too.”

“Now let’s see what else we can get into,” Tucker said.

As they moved on through the building that housed the chickens and then into the cleaner space of the art exhibit area, Hope tugged Tucker toward the display of pictures painted by elementary students. “I don’t know a lot about painting, but these are great for children their age. Sure stars in the making. This one especially.” She pointed at the drawing of a cowboy walking in the sunset. Feeling his stare, she turned her cheek. “What?”

“Why haven’t you followed your dreams of teaching, Hope?”

She shrugged. “I like my job. I enjoy fundraising.” She caught the gentle shake of his head. “You don’t believe me?”

“When we met you wanted more. I’m glad I convinced you to go back to school to get your teaching degree. So why haven’t you used it?”

He put her on the line, and she didn’t like the pressure. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you a fair isn’t a place to talk over anything important? Come on, let’s get out of here.”

They walked out of the exhibit hall and into the bright sunshine. Loud music played over the large speakers, making it difficult to hear. Silently, they walked the worn, brown path of trampled grass toward the row of food booths. The mixture of scents—spicy to sweet—made her stomach grumble. She laid her palm against the protest.

He must have read her motion. “Want something to eat? They have the junk food you love.” He smiled. “I think that’s the only reason why you wanted to come out each year.”

“That wasn’t the only thing.”

“Oh, I don’t want to forget about the Whirl n’ Twirl. You ready to conquer that ride this evening?” His mouth quirked.

“No way, no how. You go on ahead while I grab an elephant ear and enjoy myself.”

“I didn’t think I’d change your mind. I’ll go get you an ear with extra powdered sugar.”

She watched him walk away. He didn’t just walk, he strutted, his powerful muscles in his back bulging underneath the red plaid shirt. His worn Wranglers fit his bottom like a comfortable glove. She wasn’t the only one who watched. Every woman in a twenty-foot vicinity turned her head. Even some men.

He approached the window of the food cart and the young woman behind the counter blushed three shades of red and threaded her fingers through her long curls. Hope could practically see the tremor in the woman’s hands as she took Tucker’s money.

Hope chuckled.

He turned and looked her way, smiling innocently. The man had no clue how he could turn every head in the area and get young women blushing.

She returned his smile.

Yeah, no denying, he was one ride she wouldn’t mind taking a spin on.

****

Tucker and Hope walked past the trashcan where she threw away her empty plate, and they continued to move through the crowd of people. Carnies yelled out, tempting the crowd with large stuffed teddy bears and cartoon characters. Loud noises of balloons popping under sharp darts. People laughing. It was impossible for him to talk to her.

And that wouldn’t do.

“Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and led her away from the crowd. He scanned the area and spotted a photo booth. “Wanna try?”

Her expression brightened. “Sure, why not.”

They popped behind the red curtain into the small cubicle. He dunked in the coins and pushed a button. When she went to take the seat next to him, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down on his lap. It was more of an impulsive act, a natural one.

Their gazes connected as the first flash of the camera was followed by a click.

Neither made an effort to turn. Instead, he brought his hand up to her cheek, palmed her silky skin and inhaled sharply. “My God, you’re so beautiful.” He brought his mouth to hers—needing a sample to satisfy the raging desire pounding through him.

But a sample wasn’t enough.

She moved and he expected her to push him away, but she brought her arms over his shoulders and pressed her soft curves deeper into his lap. Her hip rubbed his bulging zipper, and he grew harder until he thought he’d bust a seam. She moaned and he swallowed the sweet sound of enjoyment.

Bringing his hand into her hair, he threaded his fingers in the shiny locks, slightly tugging her scalp. He held a wild bull inside, raging to be released. Their breathing grew labored while her fingers dug into his shoulders, clinging to him.

The small cubicle became steamy.

Neither of them had released their hold, not even when the last photo was taken and the pictures were deposited in the tray.

He moved his hand to her breast, squeezing, rubbing his thumb across her tight nipple under the thin bra.

Tucker barely registered the sound of laughter just outside the curtain.

Ding.

He lifted his mouth. “What the hell?”

A couple burst through the narrow doorway, almost falling on top of Tucker and Hope.

The man and woman realized that they weren’t alone. The man’s mouth fell and the woman’s eyes widened. “Excuse us,” the man apologized.

“We’re sorry.” The woman backed away, dragging the man along with her.

Hope jumped off Tucker’s lap, swiped the back of her hand across her lips and fled the cubicle.

“Damn!” Tucker went after her, finding her standing a few feet away. Thankfully, all sign of his interest went flaccid after the run-in with the strangers.

When he approached, Hope brought her gaze up. Her cheeks were rosy and her lovely lips swollen from his kiss. “I-I guess I overreacted,” she stammered.

“Overreacted or followed your heart?”

She smoothed her tongue along the plump curve of her lower lip, as if to taste the remainder of their kiss. His zipper bulged again and his breath swooshed out of his lungs.  “Tuck—”

“Tucker Bailey. Is that you?” The screeching voice made him jerk.

He brought his chin around and warning bled through him. Damn! If he had to run into anyone at the fair, why did it have to be her? “Suzy. Imagine running into you here.” He gave Hope a sidelong glance, seeing her eye him with enough heat that he should have fried like an egg on a Texas sidewalk midday.

This would not end well.

Suzy moved toward him, her long legs carrying her in a gliding manner. Her chest bounced under the white blouse and the bunching of her nipples was noticeable through the material, telling him she was happy in many, many ways. She flipped her long red hair over her shoulder and a slight image of that very thick hair spread over his pillow flashed through his mind. The part of him that had been solid moments before was now limp.

She snuggled up next to him, brushing her firm breasts against his arm. A long time ago, that’d caused a sudden urge to erupt, but not anymore.

He glanced over the top of Suzy’s head. Hope watched him, her arms rigid at her sides, curiosity making her gaze dark.

“Suzy, I’d like you to say hello to Hope.”

Suzy’s mouth turned down at one corner. “Hope? Your ex-wife?” Surprise widened her mascaraed gaze. She swiveled on her leopard print heels. “This is a shock.”

Hope lifted a hand and held it out. “Yes, I believe you and I have met before. At a friend’s party, back when—” her gaze slightly lifted, “Tucker and I were still married.”

“I had no clue that you two—well—were back together.” She made a sweeping motion with one long red-tipped finger, pointing from Hope to Tucker. Her matching crimson lips dipped into a frown.

“And I had no idea you and my hu—Tucker knew each other.”

Suzy wasn’t the type for modesty. Tucker cringed. He realized now he’d only slept with Suzy on the several occasions because he was lonely and hadn’t been thinking when he came across her at a local bar.

“We only had gotten to know one another recently.” Suzy laid her fingers possessively across his arm. He gave a shrug but she dug her nails in. Yeah, she liked to use her nails on all areas of his body. How stupid could he be? “You should have called me, Tucker,” she drawled.

Movement dragged Tucker’s visions upward just as he saw the back of Hope as she was disappearing into the throng of people along the main drag.

He stepped in the same direction, but a tug on the arm of his shirt steadied him. “I’ve got to go,” he said.

“But Tucker, does this mean we won’t be seeing each other again?” Suzy’s bottom lip puckered slightly.

“Just as I told you six months ago. You and I are on separate pages, we want different things.”

“I thought you and I were getting along so well.” She blinked.

“We both know it was only a temporary thing. Now, I have to go.”

He mazed his way through the crowd, elbowing his way along, pushing as he apologized. By the time he made it to the gates, Hope was long gone.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The electricity went out as Hope was wiping down the counter top. She’d just finished her dinner for one. She slowly felt her way to the utility closet and fumbled for the flashlight. She clicked it on.

If she wasn’t already lonely before the darkness, she certainly was more now that she only had the dim light to keep her company.

Two days ago, she’d left Tucker standing with Suzie Montgomery at the county fair. As she’d walked away, she didn’t even look back to see if Tucker had noticed. By the time he’d arrived home three hours later, she’d been in bed, but she wasn’t asleep. She’d listened to his heavy boot steps come up the stairs, down the hall and stop at her door. She’d held her breath until he’d moved on.

Disappointment had slithered through her, but didn’t diminish the anger. She’d wanted to crawl out of bed and race after him, yelling at him, because Suzy must have kept him busy.

Just like now, anger still scorched like fire though her veins.

He’d gotten up before daylight the last few mornings and hadn’t come back home until after she’d gone to bed. Was he avoiding her?

What would she say to him when she did speak to him?

It was obvious his relationship with Suzy was more than friendship. The way she’d laid her hand across Tucker’s arm had driven jealousy through Hope. She had no rights to him. She’d even told him to continue his personal life while she was here. She had only herself to blame if she was jealous.

But Suzy Montgomery?

Hope gave her head a quick shake. Suzy was a cliché from her skin tight jeans, fake talons to the rich widow status. Her latest husband had died and left her a large bank account.