Wanted: Fairy Godmother (7 page)

Unnerved by Jake’s penetrating stare, Callie smiled weakly at him. His response, an arched eyebrow, made her shackles rise. The challenge, though silent, flashed from Jake to her, charging the air to a crackling fever pitch.

As the guys dismounted carefully, Callie took a big, cleansing breath, releasing the fluttery panic in her.

Jake folded his arms across his chest, leaned back against the corral rail, and then propped a booted right foot on the bottom rung.

Let her get out of this one,
he thought, enjoying her precarious position, yet admiring her grit, her spunk. Another spark of interest ignited, joining the dozens of others he tried to deny in the last week. She intrigued him, held his curiosity captive.

He heard, as well as felt, his cousins join him at the rail. Gus muttered something unintelligible under his breath as he and Les hovered somewhere near Jake’s left shoulder.

“Well, fellas,” Callie said. “What will it be today? You’ve got your rope tricks and you’ve got your
rope
tricks.”

Holding the loops loosely, she began to twirl it lazily in her right hand. With a flick of her wrist, she changed the circle’s direction; now it swirled horizontally to the ground.

Jake froze as if a cold bucket of water doused him. Speechless, he watched her in fascinated wonder.

“Wow! Where did you learn to do that?” Marvin asked what Jake couldn’t.

She shrugged, saying, “Oh, I picked it up here and there. You know how a nanny needs a whole bag of tricks to entertain her charges. You’ve seen
Mary Poppins
, haven’t you?”

Lester whistled softly between his teeth as she enlarged the spiraling rope and jumped in the middle, and then back out the other side, changing hands in the process.

“That’s cool,” Lance said. “Do that again.”

Callie repeated the maneuver, gaining applause from Jake’s cousins. “Well, thank you,” she gushed, sending Jake a flirtatious glance under her lashes.

His blood hummed at the coy, provocative gesture. He tried to clamp down on the pool of heat gathering in his middle.

“Hey, you got any more?” Stan asked, leaning so far over the top rail that Jake thought he’d topple over onto his head. “And can you teach us how to do that fun stuff?”

“Sure,” Callie said, shifting the lariat once again so now she twirled it vertically. She hopped over the rope, and then back again.

“Damn,” Gus muttered. “I ain’t seen something like that since my rodeo days.”

Silently, Jake echoed his assessment. Callie Andrews was no amateur. The woman vexed him and thrilled him all at the same time. Annoyed at being made a fool, Jake said, “That fancy stuff is all well and good but you haven’t roped a damn thing yet.”

She switched the rope so now it twirled over her head. With one quick movement, the lariat sailed through the air, headed right toward Jake. He braced himself for the inevitable. He didn’t have long to wait. The lasso settled over his head, tightening around his upper arms.

Smiling, she tilted her head. “Well, lookee here, I’ve roped a real live cowboy.”

Laughter rang all around Jake, jarring the dull ache nipping at the edges of his mind into a full-fledged raving headache.

“That you did, Callie,” Gus said with a smile in his voice. “Now that you got him, what you gonna do with him?”

She tugged on the rope. Jake resisted, not budging from his rigid stance. He wouldn’t go to her, wouldn’t give in to her.

Somehow she must have sensed the standoff; she walked toward him, keeping the line taut by gathering the excess twine.

When she stopped a mere foot from him, Jake looked down at her, locking gazes. He melted at the radiant glow on her upturned face and the shimmering happiness in her sea-green eyes. His heartbeat galloped in his chest, thundering wildly in his ears.
What would it feel like to kiss her?

“So what’s a girl to do with her own cowboy?” she asked.

Lord, was that a loaded question?
Jake thought, suppressing the groan bubbling in him. His mind danced with possibilities. His nerves jumped in heady anticipation.

“That,” he cleared his throat, “is obvious.” He leaned close, close enough so what he said next would be privileged information. He whispered huskily, “You ride him.”

Jake settled in a straight back chair in the tack room. He propped his feet on a nearby empty barrel and shifted his Stetson so it covered his face. Tilting the chair back so it rested on its hind legs, he longed for some much-needed peace and quiet.

In order to divert his attention from the throbbing pain hammering away in his head, he carefully reviewed the last hour spent watching Callie skillfully teach the boys how to rope. She’d done a damn good job, too, he admitted ruefully. Now, he was out one fine horse.

No matter how unorthodox her games and lessons, Jake knew he’d found the magical key to helping his cousins.

But the little minx tied him in knots, confusing him and tantalizing him all in the same breath.

He recalled that little shocked gasp of hers after he told her what to do with her cowboy. And the telltale flame of desire bursting in her stare sent shivers from the top of his head to the tips of his toes.

But the total acceptance of him in her gaze made him ache for more than a long night of slow lovemaking.

Sweet, fun-loving Callie touched a tender spot buried deep inside him, one that hinted at forever, one he’d only ever dreamed of one time before when he was just a boy. Never again.

Her smile snared him, her laughter warmed him, her perfume sent him to heaven, her antics impressed him, and, most of all, her devotion to his cousins tugged at his heart.

She’s too good for you, Lassiter.
A hollow feeling began in his center, and then spread out.
Unlovable, undesirable.
The truth screamed in his head, reminding him of who he was, the circumstances that shaped him.

Unwanted by his gypsy mother, Jake grew up with that cold, harsh fact, molding him into a loner, a confirmed bachelor, a reject. Bull riding and the championship proved he was a winner at something in his sorry life.

That brought his thoughts plunging back to his cousins. He actually liked them the way they were: creative, inventive, brilliant, resourceful, and clever. A part of Jake hated to change them to fit in with his ideals. But the sensible part didn’t want the orphans ending up like him, alone and empty.
A misfit.

Shoving aside his growing misgivings on changing the trio, Jake knew he couldn’t jeopardize his cousins’ lessons, their chance at happiness. Callie worked her magic on the boys, bringing them out of their shells and back to life. Now, if only the enchantress would curtail her sorcery against him, he mused.

Callie entered the small, compact tack room. The pungent mixture of saddle soap and leather brought a rush of bittersweet memories flooding back.

Noticing him, she whispered, “Jake?”

His answering grunt assured her he wasn’t asleep.

Stepping near, she gingerly moved his hat, resting it on the back of his head. She fixated on his dilated pupils. Pain etched the depths. “Another headache?”

“Uh huh.”

A hand squeezed her heart in sympathy. “Let me help you.” Walking behind him, she removed his cowboy hat, tossing it to the nearby worktable. It hit with a dull thud.

She hesitated a moment, rubbing her fingers across her palms. The task at hand proved daunting. How could she touch him without giving away her growing feelings?

“Well?”

Startled, Callie chuckled at herself. “Relax,” she said softly, placing her fingertips on his hot, damp skin. Slowly, she massaged his temples; the tight tense muscles spasmed at the contact.

She longed to lean forward and drop a kiss on the top of his head, soothing away his pain. But she caught herself in the nick of time.

Instead, she talked to him in a low voice. “You know, you try too hard teaching the guys. Face it, Jake: the three of them won’t ever make up one of you.” She felt his whole body stiffen. “Hear me out before you get defensive on me.”

Gently, she pulled his head to her bosom. Sinking her fingers into his thick, dark hair, she rubbed his tight scalp. Warmth pooled in her center; a well of caring followed, plucking at her tender heart. He groaned softly, causing a swift tide of heat to sweep through her veins.

Clearing her throat, she said, “As I was saying, the boys are like ships lost at sea. They need an anchor to secure them in place. You and I can be that for them.”
I want what they need.

Jake moved so fast it startled her. One moment, he rested against her, apparently enjoying her ministrations. The next moment, he dropped the chair back on all four legs and rocketed out of his seat. Now, he stood facing her with a scowl on his features.

“If that’s a proposal, then I ain’t biting, lady.”

“Proposal?” Disbelief shafted through her.
Does he think I’m no different than the other women chasing him?

He frowned. A puzzled expression crossed his face. “Well, didn’t you just ask me to marry you?”

“No.”

“Lovers, then?” Was that hope she heard in his voice?

She shook her head. His comical, quizzical look nearly had her laughing out loud.

He dragged a hand through his hair, making it stand on end. “Then exactly what did you mean?”

She swallowed hard, fighting the powerful urge to demand those rights to him he’d suggested. “Teamwork, that’s all,” she said instead. “You and I need to be on the same side in order to help the boys and, in turn, help you.”

“I thought we already were.”

“You say that but it hasn’t felt like that to any one of us lately.” She saw the frown reappear and tried to explain. “The boys feel abandoned since their parents died. They’ve been uprooted from all that is familiar to them. They’re lost, adrift.”

He groaned in understanding. “I guess I haven’t done much right by them.”

Putting a lighthearted touch on the issue, Callie said, “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. As head of the family, you had the great wisdom to hire the very best fairy godmother in the land.”

He chuckled, and then laughed outright, sending a warm glow straight to Callie’s core. “Is that right? So, Fairy Godmother, what do you suggest we do as ‘anchors’?”

“Well, Cowboy,” she said, leaning over and snatching up his hat. “First of all, we make them feel welcome and needed, make them feel at home.” Bowing slightly, she handed him his hat with a flourish.

Jake grinned, grabbing the Stetson and then settling it on his head. “And how do you suppose we do that, Fairy Godmother?”

His playful tone had hope surging through her body. “Shall we?” she asked, linking her arm through his and guiding him out of the room and down the long center corridor of the barn. Squashing down on the bubbling sensations in her at the close contact, Callie went on, “Do you ever notice how they stop talking the moment you enter the room they’re in?”

He shrugged. “I figured they just wanted some privacy.”

“It’s more likely they’re walking on eggshells around people, especially you.”

“Why me?” He halted, turning toward her.

Looking up into his dark, magnetic eyes, Callie felt her head spin and her heartbeat clamor in her chest. Reluctantly, she pulled her attention back to his cousins. “You have the ability to change their lives like that.” She snapped her fingers. “They’re unsure of their status around you. My advice is for you to be more accessible to them. Talk to them, listen to what they think and feel. You’d be amazed at what great young men they are: bright, warm, funny.”

A dark scowl formed on his features. “I’ve done all I can for them. That’s why I hired you. I can’t play nursemaid. I’ve got a championship to get ready for. This is my last shot at the title and I’m not going to let anything stand in my way, understand?”

Callie crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping she’d be able to say the right words, in just the right way, so he’d come around. “I’ve got the perfect solution to everyone’s problem. Why don’t you let the guys help you prepare for the rodeo circuit? Stan can tap into the computer and get all the statistics on the bulls you have to ride. You know, like what they’ll do when they get in the ring, which way they’re most likely to turn, and that kind of stuff.”

“That’s on a computer?” Disbelief and amazement colored his words.

“Sure. Stan can access anything. Didn’t you know he’s a genius when it comes to computers?”

He chuckled. “That’s what they tell me. Maybe I’ve underestimated the value of one of those contraptions.”

Callie smiled, thinking he’d definitely give it a try. “And don’t forget Lance can help with your diet. You’ll need lots of carbohydrates for energy and stamina.”

“And what do you propose Marvin does? Come up with some newfangled invention?” The edge of sarcasm wasn’t lost on her.

“As a matter of fact, he can work on a better design for a flak jacket. One that will protect that bum shoulder of yours.” She felt the ripple of shock that raced over him. The temperature changed from balmy to arctic with the rise in tension emitting from him.

“How did you find out about my shoulder?”

She brushed it aside, directing him to continue their walk down the aisle. She didn’t dare divulge the guys’ eavesdropping as her source. “Come on, it isn’t a great big secret, is it? Getting thrown, breaking your collarbone, severely re-injuring your bad shoulder, and being sidelined in mid-season last year must have been devastating to you. It’s only natural you’d want to come back with a vengeance, tearing up the circuit. So, what do you say? Do it in style with the help of your family.” She held her breath, praying he’d agree.

He sighed heavily. “You’ve presented a very convincing case. One I’m having a hard time saying no to. So, where do you fit into all of this?”

Her heart leapt. She longed to tell him just exactly where she’d love to belong.
In a family. At Gramps’ ranch.
Instead, she answered, “Why, I’ll be the one waving the magic wand, of course.”