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“Once we get started you won’t be able to come in here,” the head contractor, Justin Cervantes, said. “Safety reasons.”
Jackson nodded. “We figured as much. Not a problem.”
“How long before we’ll be able to get back in, exactly?” Sammie asked.
Mr. Cervantes scanned the space, doing mental calculations. “We’ve got to texture the walls, build the shelving, put in the counters and paint. Mr. Worth wants it done quickly. If we work steady through the weekend, I’d say not until midweek. That’s as quick as we can do it.” He sent a solid look to Jackson. “I’ll be in touch every day.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jackson said.
His cell phone rang. He took a quick look at the screen and then excused himself to deal with the call.
Sammie finished the conversation with the contractor, thanking him and giving him her phone number also in case he had any questions about design. Exhilaration stirred in her belly. This was really happening. She’d have a new place, one that was infused with enough cash to give the establishment a good start. She was getting a second chance, doing something she loved to do. Back in Boston she’d had a little hole-in-the-wall boutique, hardly any space at all, yet she’d made a decent living and enjoyed some success. This space was three times the size. It would be luxurious and comfortable for her and her clients. She planned on spending most of her time here. Diving into her work with guns blazing would never be an issue.
When Jackson finished with his call, he motioned for Sammie to meet him in the back room. The space would serve as her office and a lounge for her employees, and behind that area a stockroom would be built to house the inventory.
“What’s up?” she said.
“That was my brother Clay. He’s inviting us to a little show they’re having at Penny’s Song tomorrow night. Since we’re both coming out to the ranch, he suggested that we stay with them for the weekend.”
Penny’s Song was a dude ranch on the Worth property designed for children recovering from illness. Sammie had been there once, when Callie had married Tagg. The charity helped provide children an easy way to acclimate back into society. Young Penny Martin, a local Red Ridge resident, had been the inspiration, and upon her death, all three Worth brothers had helped in starting up the foundation. The charity had touched the heart and soul of the entire town.
But the invitation to stay out at the ranch with Jackson brought a wave of fear to her heart. She’d hoped to keep as much distance from him as possible and it appeared that she was losing that battle.
A wealth of guilt glided through her mind. She hadn’t out and out lied to Callie about her time spent with Jackson in Las Vegas, but when they’d talked, she’d skirted the issue and hid the truth from her. Something she’d never done before. Just being in the same room with Jackson and Callie would fray her nerves. She wasn’t looking forward to it.
“I’m sure you’ve got plans for Saturday night.” Sammie could only hope.
Jackson shook his head and gave a nonchalant shrug. “Actually, I’m open.”
Great.
Why in heaven’s name didn’t he have a date or something?
Her cell phone rang this time. And she didn’t have to look at the screen to know it was Callie. Small-town life was like that, she was finding out, and news traveled fast, especially in a close-knit family. Sammie knew exactly what Callie would say.
“You’ll stay with us,” Callie said a few seconds into the conversation, proving Sammie right. “At our house, and Jackson will stay with Clay.”
“Callie, I love you dearly, but I don’t want to impose on you and Tagg.”
“You’re not. I’d love some female company up here.”
Tagg and Callie’s house was set at the base of the Red Ridge mountains on the site of the original Worth house built in the 1800s. Clay and his family lived on a bigger piece of land that supported the cattle, corrals and outer buildings. All of it was considered Worth property. Tagg raised horses, and Clay raised cattle. And Jackson was the dealmaker and entrepreneur of the family.
“You’ll stay the weekend. Come on … say you will. Please.”
“Okay,” Sammie said without pause. She couldn’t disappoint her best friend. She’d just have to find a way to deal with being around Jackson twenty-four-seven.
Sammie had met steeper challenges before.
Though, for the life of her now she couldn’t recall a single one.
Three
“Squeeee! I’m tickled to death you’re here for the entire weekend.” A very pregnant Callie had opened her front door and stepped out onto the porch before Sammie had gotten a chance to knock. Her friend wrapped her arms around Sammie as far as her baby bump would allow. Her bulging stomach took up a good foot and half of space between them. Callie called it “happy space.”
Callie’s eyes beamed and her face was radiant with a pregnancy glow.
Sammie grinned. The two had met and become friends while going to college in Boston. “Since when do you say things like ‘tickled to death’?”
Callie laughed and her hearty laughter echoed in the vast open space surrounding them. Behind her stood the Red Ridge mountain range where Callie and Tagg had spoken their vows. “You know I grew up in Red Ridge. Back in Boston, we’re jazzed.But here, we get tickled to death.”
“Or tickled pink?”
Callie nodded. “That, too. You’ll catch on. It won’t be long until you’re speaking our language out here in the wild, wild West. This weekend we’ll be roomies again.” Callie was beside herself with happiness. “Oh, I’ve missed you. I can’t wait to have a good sit down and catch up on everything.”
Behind Sammie’s eyes, tears stung. Callie was the closest thing she had to a sister. Her gracious welcome touched something deep inside. She hadn’t felt this kind of love since her father died. She’d lost her mother at an early age, so he and Sammie had been very close up until the day he’d taken his last breath. If she’d had any doubts about making the move to Arizona, they’d all just vanished into thin air. She’d made the right move. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“The timing’s good, too, isn’t it?” Callie asked. “We’re not pulling you and Jackson away from your work, right?”
Hearing her name paired with Jackson’s gave her momentary palpitations, but she recovered quickly. She didn’t want to walk on eggshells, worried that someone might guess they’d slept together. It was a secret she’d have to keep without experiencing a guilt trip every time Jackson’s name was mentioned.
“It’s absolutely good timing.” It was the truth. She would be able to spend the weekend here and still have enough time to put the finishing touches on her apartment when she returned home. She was almost finished hanging pictures and organizing her kitchen. As for Boot Barrage, the crew wouldn’t be done with construction for several days and Sammie didn’t have any stock due to arrive until the end of the week.
She glanced at Tagg, who’d gone out to the car to say hello to Jackson. The two men were deep in conversation as Jackson pulled Sammie’s small suitcase out of his truck. He turned and found her watching him, and that ridiculous jolt smacked her right between the eyes again.
He studied her for a second, his gaze drifting down to her black ankle boots with three-inch heels and Grecian straps crisscrossing her calves. The boots complemented the flower-print black and white dress she wore. The only jewelry she wore was a lacy silver necklace that dipped over her breasts with earrings that matched.
It was as if Jackson hadn’t noticed anything else on her body but her boots. And now his gaze slowly rose up her legs, over her little dress, until he looked her straight in the eye.
The moment froze in time.
Her nerves jumped.
Get a grip, Sammie.
She had a feeling she’d be saying that to herself a hundred times before this weekend was over. She could endure Jackson’s hot looks and the momentary weakness she lapsed into when she gazed at him, if only Tagg and Callie wouldn’t find out the truth. She vowed to get over this crazy thing she had for Jackson. Somehow.
Sammie was the first to break eye contact.
Callie grabbed her hand. “Come inside. I want to show you the nursery. Tagg’s got it all set up.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I’ve been trying to picture it in my head from your descriptions.”
“I’ve been boring everyone I know about it. But trust me, seeing is believing and I think you’re going to like it. It’s a combination of what Tagg and I love most.”
“That’s intriguing.”
They walked down the hallway, and the subtle baby-powdery scent of fresh diapers and all things infant wafted by. She followed Callie into the sunny room.
Sammie took one step inside and was transported to a Western rodeo, baby-style. The walls were the faintest beige with accents of browns and blues. One part of the longest wall was painted with sweet little lambs, goats and chicks in a white picket pen as part of the petting arena. The other side of the wall was a mural of a rodeo stadium, the shoots filled with friendly looking bulls and beautiful black stallions. A replica of a shiny silver championship buckle took center stage directly over the crib with the name Rory Worth scrolled in italic lettering on it.
Sammie’s mouth gaped open. “Callie, this is gorgeous.” The whole thing was tastefully done and so sweet. Perfect for a Worth baby boy. “It’s the Superbowl of baby nurseries.”
“Thank you. We’re pretty happy with how it turned out.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this. You thought this up?”
“Yes, it was my idea, but with input from Tagg, of course. We had fun picking out the furniture for the room. But I can’t take credit for painting the mural. That was created by an artist. Now that it’s all done, I can’t wait for the baby to arrive.” Callie patted her belly and her eyes grew wide with delight. “Oh, he just kicked. Here.” Callie grabbed Sammie’s hand and put it over her stomach.
The skin rippled under her palm and Sammie’s hand moved from the motion. “Oh, wow.” She took a swallow, awed at feeling the life move inside Callie. Softly, she said, “This little guy is ready to ride broncos.”
“I know. He’s very active and keeps me up most nights. He’s a little kicker.”
“I can see that.” Sammie hadn’t given up on the idea of having children. She wanted them one day, but that day seemed to be postponed further and further into her future. It was a timeline without end and Sammie had to resign herself to that for now. She could only focus on making a home in Arizona and building a business. Babies might come later down the road, or not at all. That notion pulled at her heart with sadness and she hurried the thought away. “The baby’s strong and healthy, Callie.”
“I think so, too. I’m trying to do all the right things for him.”
“I know you are. You’re daddy didn’t raise a slacker.”
Callie’s bright smile dimmed a little. “No, he didn’t.”
Instantly Sammie realized her blunder. Just months ago, Callie had been torn between her love for Tagg and her father, Hawk Sullivan. The two men were bitter business rivals; they hated each other. “Sorry to bring up a sore subject.”
“No it’s okay. It’s the same old, same old with my dad. But I think he is softening a little. I’m hoping that once the baby comes, my father will see the error of his ways and want to be a part of our lives.”
“And Tagg is good with that?”
“Tagg? I’m beginning to think he’s more reasonable about it. He trusts my judgment when it comes to my father. Having Tagg’s trust means everything to me. I won’t abuse it. My husband knows our baby comes first, no matter what.”
“That’s a good thing, Callie. You and Tagg have come a long way.” The baby gave another kick and roll. Sammie smoothed her hand over the baby bump tenderly before pulling away. “You’ve got a good life here, my friend.”
“I do.” She sighed. “Once Tagg and I worked out the kinks, we ended up with something pretty special.”
Sammie stared into Callie’s eyes. They radiated encouragement and kindness. Callie didn’t have to say that she hoped Sammie would find the same happiness. Sammie read it all in her sincere expression.
“Come into the kitchen while I fix supper. You can tell me all about Boot Barrage. I’m anxious to hear everything. Don’t leave a crumb out.”
“Okay, okay. I will, but you have to stop saying things like ‘don’t leave a crumb out,’ or I won’t recognize you anymore.”
Callie only smiled as she led Sammie into the kitchen.
“How’s our little Rodeo Rory doing today?” Jackson asked, coming to stand beside Callie as she chopped cucumbers for the salad. He gave her a peck on the cheek.
Callie turned from the kitchen counter to face him, her lips forming a perfectly adorable pout. “Stop calling him that and we’ll be fine.”
Sammie chopped tomatoes as she listened to their banter.
“Tagg’s paying me to call him that,” Jackson said in his own defense.
“I’ll pay you more not to,” Callie said.
“How much more?”
Callie gave Sammie a sideways glance and clucked her tongue. “Can you believe this guy? Negotiating about his soon-to-be godchild?”
“It’s pretty low down, if you ask me,” Sammie said, tsking and shaking her head. “I would never do such a thing. Rory will know just which godparent has his back.”
Jackson cut her a glance with raised brows and a twinkle of admiration in his eyes. Sammie was a fast learner. She had to be to keep up with the Worths.
Jackson stole a slice of cucumber from the pile of chopped vegetables, plopped it into his mouth and stepped back before Callie could swat his hand away. “Hey, blame Tagg, not me.”
Tagg appeared at that moment, leaning against the kitchen doorjamb, arms folded, his gaze faithfully on Callie. The Worth men were deadly handsome and when they looked at a woman the way Tagg looked at his wife, it was pure heaven. Sammie sighed quietly.
“Leave me outta this, bro. I have to live here, remember?” Tagg said.
“So does Rory. Poor kid. He’ll be in high school and dreaming of baby lambs and goats.” Jackson was pretty pleased with himself at that comeback. Callie simply shook her head.
“Maybe he’ll dream of riding Razor the bull and winning a championship buckle.” Tagg sauntered into the room.
“Now that’s a nightmare waiting to happen.” Callie tossed lettuce into a bowl and Sammie dumped the tomato wedges in. The two of them worked hand in hand just like when they were roommates in college. “Don’t you go putting bull riding thoughts into our son’s head.”
“Me? Not a chance.” Tagg sidled up next to Callie and wrapped his arm around her rotund waist. “Honey, you know that boy’s gonna bust broncos. Maybe even break a few of my stallions here at the ranch.”
Callie nibbled on her lower lip and stared into Tagg’s eyes with so much love Sammie could have melted. “Oh, yeah. That’s right. I forgot,” Callie said and gave a quick shake of the head to Sammie, as if to say that’s never going to happen.
Sammie chuckled, Jackson grinned and Tagg kissed Callie once again, right before she announced, “Dinner’s ready. Tagg, would you help me serve while Jackson and Sammie get settled in the dining room?”
“Oh, I’ll help you serve.” Sammie took a stance by the stove and picked up the oven mitts, giving Tagg no choice but to retreat when she glanced at him. “I’d love to. It’ll be just like old times.”
“Sounds good to me,” Tagg said amiably, grabbing two beers out of the refrigerator. He tossed one underhanded to Jackson, who caught it without flourish.
“I have eight months of pampering my friend to catch up on,” Sammie said to Callie. “Starting right now.”
Callie smiled. “I’ve been getting my fair share of pampering.”
“But not from me.”
Not only did she want to help Callie and feel like a part of this family, but the less time she spent alone with Jackson, the better. It was a win-win.
Until the men walked out of the room and Callie asked, “So, you and Jackson seem to be getting along well.”
Sammie concentrated on pulling the roast out of the oven. She knew this conversation was coming whether she wanted it or not. It was only natural for Callie to be curious about the two of them. With potholders secure on both hands, Sammie pulled down the oven door and lifted the roasting pan onto a cooling rack. “Yeah, we are.”
“He’s got a good head for business. With your smarts and his backing, you’ll both do well with Boot Barrage.”
“Thank you,” Sammie said cautiously, trying not to prolong the conversation. She didn’t want to lie to Callie. Sins of omission were bad enough.
“I mean, Jackson’s a good guy and all and he’ll make a great partner.”
“Uh-huh.” Sammie lifted aluminum foil off the roast and steam shot straight up in the air. She waved at it with her potholder. The pungent scent of onions, herb seasonings and brisket filled the room. “This looks delicious.”
“It’s Jackson’s favorite. My brother-in-law gets a bad rap sometimes, but he’s really good-hearted.”
Callie wouldn’t let it rest, so Sammie felt obligated to add to the conversation. “Well, I know one thing for sure—I wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for the two of you. I owe both of you.”
“You’ve thanked me enough, Sammie. You don’t owe anyone anything. And if Jackson didn’t think you had a shot here in Arizona, I doubt he would have gone into business with you.”
“Oh, yeah? I thought it was your arm twisting that finally convinced him.”
Callie had the good grace to laugh. “That, too. He doesn’t mess with pregnant ladies. At least he’s said so a dozen times. I pretty much have carte blanche with him.” She covered a basket of thickly sliced bread with a red paisley napkin and finished assembling the salad. “I’ve come to love Jackson like a brother actually, and you know how much I care about you. I figured you two could work together without a problem.”
Sammie’s brows furrowed and curiosity got the best of her. “What kind of problem?”
Callie tilted her head to the side and picked up the bread basket. “The you’re-too-smart-to-get-involved-with-him kind of problem.”
“Oh, that.” Sammie refrained from saying more. Callie handed her a large fork and knife and Sammie focused on slicing the roast.
Callie continued, “He’s gorgeous to look at and has a devil’s worth of charm, but he’s—”
“Not my type.” Sammie rationalized that her admission wasn’t a lie. Jackson was so out of her league it was laughable.
Callie blew out a breath. “I’m glad to hear that. Jackson’s intentions are good, and he never sets out to hurt anyone, but he’s pretty much a heartbreaker. It all has to do with some girl he was crazy about in high school—Blair Caulfield. Ever since she left him when he was seventeen Jackson has had commitment phobia. He’s never had a long-term relationship. Women love him though. I mean, what’s not to love? But he’s never wanted to settle down with anyone. So any woman that gets serious about him stands to be disappointed.”
What happened in the past between her and Jackson was done and there was no going back to change things. Heck, she couldn’t remember the good parts of that night anyway. And even as guilt wormed its way into her stomach, she had to reassure Callie that all would be well. “If you’re warning me about Jackson, you don’t have to. I get it.”
Sammie was dying to know what had happened between Jackson and Blair, but now wasn’t the time to delve into it.
“It’s just for your own good, honey. After what happened with that loser Allen and, uh …”
“Losing my father.” Sammie finished her sentence so her sensitive friend wouldn’t feel uncomfortable bringing it up. The pain of her dad’s death was buried deep in her heart. Sammie struggled each and every day not to think about how much she missed him. And when she did think of him, she tried to remember the happier times, before he’d taken ill.
“Yes, after losing your father. I’d hate to see you get hurt again. After all, you’re part of the family now.”
Sammie released her uneasy feelings. Being accepted as a member of Callie’s family was what she really wanted. Hearing her say it put a glow in her heart. “I am?”
Callie nodded. “Yes, of course you are. Let’s go serve those hungry Worth men. They get grouchy when they’re not fed.” Sammie and Callie picked up their dishes and brought them into the dining room.
“C’mon you two, get up and dance.”
Callie’s plea made Jackson chuckle. He took his gaze off his sister-in-law to glance at Sammie and then shook his head. The last time he’d danced with the slender brunette they’d ended up in bed together. “No, thanks. I think Tagg and I will just sit here and watch the show.” Jackson leaned back on the parlor sofa and stretched out his legs.
“You’ve got yourself a better dance partner than me now, sweetheart,” Tagg added.
Callie laid a hand on her belly and swung her body to the country music sounds echoing in the room. “I think you’ve got a point, honey. Sammie and I rocked back in college.” The girls gave each other a nod in agreement.
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