Wanted: Fairy Godmother (11 page)

Marvin piped up, “She will be if we have anything to say about it.”

Jake’s middle contracted. Subtlety didn’t rank high on his cousins’ list of strengths. Gritting his teeth, he glanced at Callie, now blanching.

Callie’s heart sank to her toes. Looking at Jake, she saw the dark scowl and clenched jaw. With the boys alluding to marriage, she figured Jake might see her as more of a hindrance than a help.

How will I fix this blunder?
she wondered, filling with dismay. But worst of all, how could she go on pretending that friendship would be best for her and Jake when she knew damned well she’d just fallen head over heels in love with Jake Lassiter once again?

Jake held open the diner door, ushering Callie and his cousins in before him. Following Stan, Jake realized too late Callie picked out his favorite booth.
The booth where I first met her.

He noted Callie slipping in to one side and all three of his cousins slid onto the opposite bench, cramming in beside each other. A tightness seized his chest. Part panic, part thrill shot through his middle. He now recognized the combination of pleasure and pain that gripped him whenever Callie was anywhere in his vicinity.

Settling in resignation beside Callie, Jake made the best of a difficult situation. He tried to ignore the persistent buzz humming in his veins, the instant wave of heat that enveloped him, and the provocative scent of wildflowers teasing his senses.

“So, what’ll you guys have?” Callie asked as she picked up the well-worn menus and passed them around. “Do you have any suggestions, Jake?”

Her thigh rubbed against his, sending pin prickles of awareness scattering along his veins. He cleared his throat as a moan bubbled, ready to explode. “Ah…the steak sandwiches here are the best I’ve ever had.”

“Sounds good to me.”

The boys echoed her sentiments, mumbling in excited anticipation. As the others engaged in conversation, Jake remained silent, lost in his nagging thoughts.

It seemed odd to him that spending time with Callie could evoke deep-seated joy. In the past, the rodeo circuit and roaming the roads in his pickup were the only things that tapped the hidden reservoir of bliss. Now, he had troubling doubts that his freedom and subsequent happiness depended solely on escaping the clutches of running the huge ranch and the burden of his guardianship.

“You falling asleep on us, sugar?” Flossie’s question brought him back with a resounding crash.

He grimaced as he looked up at the gum-chomping, bubble-snapping waitress. Her hair was dyed a dark brown with purple streaks throughout. Smiling slyly, he said, “I guess I’m getting old and senile, same as my friends. Some of them can’t even see what’s right in front of them anymore.”

She rewarded him with a scowl. “I always told your daddy he should have smacked your bottom more for all your sass.”

He chuckled, feeling lighthearted and carefree all of a sudden. He glanced over at Callie and winked. She blushed and returned his smile. The day seemed infinitely brighter somehow.

“I see all of you got new matching cowboy hats. If I were you, I’d keep close tabs on them since Big Red fell in love with one recently.” Flossie cackled, slapping her hand on her thigh. “Isn’t that right, Jake?”

Even her joke couldn’t diminish his good spirits. He smiled. “Seems like more than one crusty old geezer has been falling for the most unusual things lately.”

Her quick frown revealed his hidden meaning hit home. “So, is the Lassiter bunch ready to order?” Flossie tapped her pencil on her order pad. Lifting her nose in the air to him, she shifted her gaze to Callie.

“Five steak sandwiches, right guys?” Callie checked for verification.

Jake nodded along with his cousins, and then, when asked, gave his preference of well done.

Stan stirred uncomfortably across from Jake. “Ah…Miss Flossie, is Trudy working today by any chance?”

Flossie perked up, her smile stretching from ear to ear. “Why, Curly Cue, I didn’t know you knew our Trudy.”

Stan ducked his head, averting his eyes. He mumbled, “We’re in the same grade at school.”

“Well, sugar, you’re in luck today. She’s due back from her break in another ten minutes.”

Stan brightened considerably.

“I’ll go place your order, then visit with you folks from the Lazy L.”

“No need on our account,
sugar
,” Jake said as she walked away. She snorted loudly, telling him she heard his snide remark.

“Wait, I’ve got a great idea,” Callie said, grabbing onto his thigh.

Red-hot, scorching heat branded his leg. He figured her palm print would be forever ingrained on his flesh. His heartbeat thundered in his chest and his breathing became ragged. Perspiration dotted his forehead as she leaned close.

“What idea, sugar?” Flossie came back to the table. “Scoot over, Jake.”

Before he had a chance to respond, Flossie sat down next to him, shoving him into Callie.

Electric currents ran up and down his arm where it connected with Callie’s. With self-preservation uppermost in his mind, he moved his left arm so it now rested along the back of the booth. Safe, he thought, and then quickly amended that sentiment when Callie half-leaned, half-stretched across him in order to talk directly to Flossie.

His body clamored in reaction, sending poker-like shafts of passion through his system. Lord, he wanted this woman.

“Let’s have a party,” Callie said, glancing quickly at Jake. Excitement danced in her eyes. Her face glowed.

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Flossie nudged Jake in the ribs. “Isn’t it?”

Pulled from his desire-filled trance, Jake came to his senses. “Callie, don’t you think we should discuss this first?”

“Hey, that’s cool,” Lance said. “I can try out some new recipes.”

“Ah…can I invite…someone?” Stan tripped over his words.

“I’ll hook up the sound system,” Marvin said.

“Whoa!” Jake held up his right hand, halting the snowballing momentum. Turning to Callie, he hissed, “Don’t you think you should ask me?”

Confusion chased across her features. “What’s not to like?” She lowered her voice, whispering in his left ear, “Come on, Jake, this will be great for your cousins. It will be like a coming-out party. We’ll invite only the few people they’re comfortable with, just a half dozen or so, and kinda loosen them up.”

Her warm breath fanned the embers residing in him. She touched his chest. The delicate, feather-like stroke ignited sparks of hunger, a long-buried emptiness he yearned to fill.

“Haven’t you noticed Stan’s interest in Trudy? We can ask her to come to the party. Stan will be fixed up with one of the local girls. That was part of your plan, wasn’t it? Here’s your chance, Jake; take it.”

He sighed as she pulled away. An ache of longing swirled. Wanting her, craving her, yet remaining nothing more than friends seemed impossible. The whisper of forever tantalized him.
You’re just a good-for-nothing gypsy. You’re not good enough for her, Lassiter. You’ll leave. She’ll be hurt. Then she’ll hate you. Is that what you want?

“Please,” she said. She smiled, stealing the breath from his lungs. “We’ll do all the work, right guys?”

“Sure,” Stan said, answering for his brothers.

“And I’ll help,” Flossie offered.

Callie pressed on. “I’m sure Les and Gus would come and keep you company.”

He felt Flossie stiffen at his side. He grasped on to the notion. Not only would Stan get a shot at Trudy, but Gus would at Flossie. If the two old meddling fools were absorbed in each other, then they’d leave him alone, he figured.

He turned to look at Flossie, noticing how her lips compressed into a thin, straight line. “All right, Callie, let’s throw a party. I’m sure you’d like to see Gus again, wouldn’t you,
sugar
?”

Flossie shot out of her seat as if a firecracker exploded beneath her. “I’ve got work to do.” She threw over her shoulder, “Your time is coming, Jake Lassiter, and I’ll be the first to celebrate the day you get yours.”

Jake chuckled, feeling lighthearted once again. He glanced at Callie. Her sparkling eyes snagged him, eliciting a powerful yearning in his center.
A deep-seated wistfulness that he stuffed away years ago,
Jake noted.

She’d roped him into another scheme. A warmth stole over him as he realized he didn’t really mind at all for this latest one.

But how much longer could he withstand these blindsiding, titillating assaults? And how many more times would this sweet, sexy fairy godmother wrap him around her little finger?

***

At the party, Callie spotted Jake lounging against the doorframe across the crowded living room. Stan and Trudy swirled by, enjoying the lively country music.

Thankfully, Jake had agreed to this little get-together.
With slight pressure,
she added. Reflecting on her record with Jake, she realized that’s all he needed at times-a gentle shove in the right direction.

“Well, as far as his cousins were involved,” she murmured. “Now, I wonder if it would work if I nudged him toward me?” Smiling, she crossed her fingers behind her back, praying for the best outcome.

Figuring she had nothing to lose, she skirted the exuberant dancing Gus and Flossie, and made her way to Jake’s side.

“I’d say the party is a rousing success, wouldn’t you?” She held her breath, glancing at his profile. Averting her gaze, Callie tried to blot out the image of him, his white dress shirt pulled tight across his broad chest. The top buttons strained and wisps of dark curls poked out, teasing her.

Oh, how she longed to touch him there once again. Looking downward didn’t improve her discomfort; the black jeans he wore revealed his powerful thighs. Absently, she noted his big, shiny rodeo belt buckle.

“Looks like you’ve done it again.” Admiration colored his voice, warming her. He gave her a half-smile, sending tingles to her toes. His long, lazy perusal of her in the black slinky dress caused heat to mushroom and spread. “I’ve got to give you credit. I was certain the boys wouldn’t go for the haircuts.”

“You’d be amazed how young men react when faced with the prospect of seeing young ladies.”

He chuckled. “Is that how you did it? Well, I’ve never seen Stan’s hair in anything but an unruly mess.”

Callie smiled. “It does take some getting used to, doesn’t it?”

As a new dance number wailed from the speakers, she checked out the boy’s neatly styled hair, now combed back and off his forehead. Shifting to look at his brothers, she noted the attractive, much shorter haircuts.

A wealth of pride rose in her chest at the incredible change she’d rendered. “And what about you? You haven’t said if you liked yours or not.”

He turned his head, capturing her stare. Callie gasped, recalling Jake shirtless and helpless in a chair before her. The sensuous feel of running her fingers through his thick hair replayed itself, making her warm and jittery all over again.

Apparently, by his intense, penetrating gaze, he’d felt a similar, seductive tug, a connection that went beyond the moment.

He dragged his hand through his well-groomed dark hair. “Old Buzz down at the barber shop could take some lessons from you.”

His husky tone brought a warmth to her cheeks.

He cleared his throat. “So I guess we can add hairdresser to the long list of descriptive duties you’re an old pro at. Let’s see, expert poker player, skillful gardener, professional rope performer, amateur bull dodger, miracle worker, knowledgeable fashion consultant, proficient last-minute party planner…Is there anything I’ve missed?”

She laughed. “Oh, I’m sure there are dozens more.”

“With one exception. Cook.”

“My one and only flaw. What can I say?” Callie shrugged, glowing at his teasing manner. “I think I prefer the all-encompassing title of fairy godmother.”

“Well, Fairy Godmother, is adept dancer among your many virtues?”

“I get by.”

He pushed away from the doorframe and held out a hand. “Come on and show me your stuff then.”

Tentatively, she placed her hand in his large palm. His warm hand swallowed hers up. A tiny thrill raced up her arm and through her veins. Her heartbeat picked up speed.

Jake tugged Callie onto the dance floor just as the song ended.

“I’ll get it,” Marvin called out, rushing to the stereo. “How ’bout a slow one for a change?”

“Perfect,” Jake said. He heard Gus, Stan, and Les echo his sentiments.

He felt Callie tremble as his hands rested around her small waist and her arms circled his shoulders.

Did she want him as much as he wanted her?
he wondered as the woeful song began. He moved her in time to the lyrics of a Garth Brooks tune. The first haunting line resounded in his ears. He tried to brush it aside, asking, “Did Ray hurt you today?”

She shook her head.

“Good. He’s bad news. Stay away from him.”

“I intend to.” Her voice sounded reed-thin.

Gritty determination rippled in him. Caring for her stomped down his need to get away from the ranch. How could he leave her if she needed him?

Shock reverberated through him. No one had ever made him push aside his need for freedom and independence.
No one!

Callie wove her magic spells, snaring him in a warmth that seeped into the icy spots in his soul. To give that sensation up, to walk away from it seemed insane.

Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to relax his tough, harsh stance on keeping his distance from her, on denying his natural instincts where Callie Andrews was concerned.

Jake embraced Callie tighter, savoring the closeness, feeling her softness, inhaling her wildflower perfume, and relishing the well of emotions bubbling inside him.

Now concentrating on the words of the song, Jake realized they paralleled his own life.

Jake had never found any woman he couldn’t leave, until Callie walked in to his life, turning it upside down, yet setting it right side up, too.

He closed his eyes, afraid of the truth, afraid of not being able to walk away from her when the time came.