All Hat No Cattle: A Red Hot and BOOM! Story Read online

  She’d used the word risk. Was she saying she thought it’d be a risk to her heart being with him that way? His heart beat faster. Was she already falling for him?

  Was he already falling for her? Something was happening between them, but if he told her about his land, would she only be with him because he fit her model of the perfect man?

  Could he make her fall for him—the real him—not the one working the oil fields only to make money to buy cattle?

  “I understand.” He looked at the green ice cream. “Want this back?” He held it out to her.

  “No, thanks.” She seemed upset, fidgety.

  “I’m gonna toss it, then. Tastes like mouthwash.”

  She smiled. “No, it doesn’t.”

  He stood to find a trash bin, and she got to her feet, too. “I’m going to head back.”

  “Let me walk you.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t need to. It’s the opposite way from your truck.” Harper looked around, hefting out a long breath. “It’s so nice here. I love a small town.”

  He tossed the cone in a barrel and gestured in the direction of the inn. “I need the exercise.”

  With a frown, she nodded.

  “You’re staying at the inn?”

  Her brows lifted. “How did you know?”

  “There are three hotels and one inn here. I figured you’d be at the best one.”

  “Company pays. I’m taking advantage.”

  He chuckled. “I would too, if I were you.” Reaching down, he took her hand. Warm and soft in his, he could walk next to her for miles.

  “Do friends do this?” She lifted their hands.

  “Yep. All the time.”

  They strolled the next three blocks commenting on the houses and landscaping. At the front door of the inn, she turned and withdrew her hand from his. “Thanks for this morning. The parade was really fun.”

  “You’re welcome. Will I see you at the rodeo this afternoon?” Today was the four o’clock performance. He stepped closer, into her space.

  Her eyes widened, she licked her lips, then blurted, “I’ll be there,” as she spun away and pushed in through the glass doors.

  Seemed odd that she’d run off so fast. Maybe he was getting too far under her skin for her to resist. He grinned and turned to walk back to Huck’s truck. Checking his phone, he spotted three texts. The guys were at a bar downtown. He headed in that direction.

  Humming a hot country song, he pictured himself dancing with Harper after the rodeo tonight. Her soft body would melt against his, he’d pull her tight and they’d sway together, the sun low on the horizon, warming them.

  Would he move in for a kiss? Or would that make her bolt? By the time he reached the bar, he was hard for her. “Damn woman.” Didn’t she see how well they fit together?

  Inside the dark building, he spotted his buddies sitting at a high-top table, a pitcher of beer in the middle of it.

  “Hey, Donahue, grab a glass.” Pete shouted it across the room.

  Shaw snagged a frosty mug and sat with his friends, pouring himself a frothy cold one.

  “How’s it going with the soda lady?” Dax leaned his arms on the table, seeming honestly interested.

  “Good. I guess. I don’t know.” He took a long, cold pull. How much did he want to confide in these guys?

  “She’s a ways out of your league.” Huck frowned and slid a cardboard coaster toward Shaw. “Is that the problem?”

  Shaw lifted a brow. “Actually, the opposite. But I don’t want to get into it. It’s complicated.”

  Dax looked at the Gonallys. “Do we get him drunk and get it out of him that way?”

  Huck topped off Shaw’s beer. “Works every time.”

  “Not this time. I’ve got to figure this one out on my own.” He looked at his friends. “But I need a favor from you.”

  “Talk you up to her? Let her know what a good guy you are?” Pete slurred his words. “You’ll have to pay us some big bucks for spreading that bullshit.”

  “What part of ‘on my own’ didn’t soak into that thick skull of yours?” Shaw took a few icy gulps of beer. “No talking me up to her. I just need you to keep quiet about my ranch. I want her to think I’m a roughneck for life.”

  Pete nodded. “You think she’s after your money.”

  “No.” Shaw stood. “Not at all. She’s probably got ten times more than I have. I just want to do this my way, and if it works out, then it’s meant to be.”

  “Meant to be?” Dax narrowed his eyes at Shaw. “You that deep into her already?”

  Was he? Could it just be the thrill of the chase that had him juiced and hot for her every second he was with her? And every other second when he wasn’t? He wouldn’t make any judgments until he had a few more days with her. And did a search.

  “I’m goin’ back to the hotel.”

  “We’re ordering hamburgers.” Huck pointed to the menu written on the wall.

  “I’ll get something on my way back.” He took a step. “One of you the designated driver?”

  Dax lifted his hand. “I’m nursing a half a beer.”

  Shaw pulled Huck’s truck keys out of his pocket and slid them across the table to Dax. “Later.” He left the bar. As he walked the quiet streets toward the hotel, he gave in and pulled out his phone. He’d wanted to do this since last night, but talked himself out of it. Now, he needed more ammunition if he was going to win this battle, win a chance with Miss Harper....

  He pulled up her company’s website and found her profile. Harper Johansen. The name fit her. Graduated with a master’s degree, interned with the company, and was one of their top sponsorship representatives.

  He tucked his phone away and stopped at the takeout place next to the hotel. Toting a bag with a couple burgers and a large fry, he sat on the small patio outside his room and popped open a can of beer.

  Accessing a search engine on his phone, he typed in her name and sent it looking. He didn’t feel too guilty. After all, she’d probably done her research on him... “Hell.”

  He stopped the search and plugged in his own name. Nope, nothing came up about his owning land. Unless she hired a company to look into his background, he was still just a roughneck to her.

  He dug into the bag, munching on fries as he scrolled through a list of Harper’s activities. The next few days were going to be a whole lot of fun.

  ****

  Harper paced her room, biting her lip. Should she or shouldn’t she? Her laptop sat open, all she had to do was type in his name. “No.” She pressed her fingers over her eyes. She’d already decided. She wasn’t going to pursue this.

  Shaw was a great guy, she liked him, but she’d taken a vow.

  His idea of just being together for the next few days had tempted her unmercifully. As interested in Shaw as she was already, it was going to hurt to say goodbye to him Sunday. If she weakened and they slept together, heck, even if they just kissed, it’d just plain kill her to know she’d never see him again.

  “Focus, Harper.” She had work to do. Research on customers, planning for the next few rodeos, and shipments to check on. But it was nearly one o’clock, the rodeo started at four today, and there was a carnival going on in town. “You’re a weak woman.”

  Shutting her laptop, she changed into walking boots, jeans, and a cute floral shirt. She slathered on sunscreen, plopped her cowgirl hat on her head, and left the building, heading for the carnival.

  At a few minutes before four, Harper walked up the ramp into the rodeo arena. The place was packed with people laughing and talking. And here she was, alone again.

  She’d spoken to a few cowboys at the carnival, was offered phone numbers from a few, but had only taken one, because he wouldn’t leave her alone otherwise. A rancher. Older, maybe forty-five, who seemed very polite, serious, not flirty.

  But he wasn’t Shaw.

  As if just thinking of her roughneck conjured him, he stood with his three friends by their seats. She glanced
around. She’d walked right past her section. Was that a mental slip, or what?

  “Miss Harper.” Shaw tipped his straw hat. He wore a white shirt with a black winged logo on the left chest and shoulder. Always handsome, this shirt made him extra sexy, in a kind of dangerous way.

  “Hi. I just...wanted to stop by and say hello.” The lie almost stuck on her tongue.

  “Hi.” Shaw stared a few minutes before he turned to his friends. “This is Harper Jo...” He cleared his throat.

  She frowned. Did he know her last name? It probably wasn’t difficult to find, once someone knew the company she worked for.

  “Meet Dax, Pete, and Huck.” Shaw pointed to the appropriate cowboy.

  She smiled. “Glad to meet you.”

  They each touched their hat brim and offered a greeting.

  Dax looked behind them. “I’ll go up in the general seating, Miss Harper. You can have my seat.” Not as tall as Shaw, he sported a whole lot of muscles. He winked one of his gorgeous blue eyes at her.

  “No, please, I don’t want to kick you out of your spot again.” She held up her hand as if to stop him.

  “Aw, no problem. I see some cuties up there.”

  The other two, Pete and Huck, who by their looks must be brothers, turned to scan the crowd.

  “You paid premium for these seats. Please don’t let me chase you away.”

  Huck grinned at her. “Ma’am, when Shaw is with us, the ladies don’t see nobody but him. We’re better off as far away from the chick magnet as possible.” He and his brother were close to Shaw’s height but wiry and really very cute.

  Shaw grunted. “Miss Harper has seats up front. She doesn’t want to be back here where she can’t see.”

  Shaw’s three friends started to walk away.

  “Wait.” Harper’s voice came out too loud.

  Chapter Four

  Shaw and his three friends froze, staring at Harper. The rodeo crowd flowed around them, heading for their seats.

  She was being such a baby. Couldn’t she handle sitting next to him for three hours? “My company provides two seats, and I’m here alone. Will you sit with me, Shaw? Give these guys a chance to meet some cuties down here in the reserved seating?”

  Shaw’s brows rose. “I’d be honored.” He picked up two cans of beer. “Would you like me to get you a drink? Or something to eat?”

  The rodeo would be starting any minute. “Let’s wait until after the opening ceremonies.”

  “You can have one of my beers.” He held up an unopened can. “That’s what friends do.” Shaw got them walking.

  “Friends? What the fuck?” One of the guys’ voices reached her.

  Shaw guided her to their row and she pointed to their spots. When they were seated, he opened the extra beer and handed it to her.

  She took a sip. Cold and full-flavored, it tasted heavenly. She hadn’t realized how parched she was. “Thanks for buying my brand.”

  He laughed. “You know that’s all they sell here.”

  “True.”

  “But I’d buy it anyway, just ‘cause I know you. And we’re friends.”

  Glancing up into his eyes, she thought about her options. She’d like nothing more than to haul him back to the inn with her after the rodeo and spend the rest of the night with him in her bed.

  He lifted his beer halfway to his lips then stopped. Cocking a brow at her, he gave her a half-smile. “What’s on your mind right now, Miss Harper?” His voice rolled low and sensual.

  She swallowed and felt heat rising to her face.

  The music changed and a rider burst into the ring holding a pole with the American flag flying from it.

  They stood and held their cowboy hats over their hearts. They both sang along with the national anthem, but her voice barely peeped out.

  The rodeo went by quickly, and Harper kept her thoughts strictly on the action. Shaw gave her his program and showed her how to record the scores. Big-name bull riders were thrown from rank bulls, one after another.

  “The company that breeds these bulls must make a fortune.” She’d met the ranching family last year at an event she’d sponsored.

  “Do your future plans include breeding stock?” His brown eyes glittered with gold highlights in the low-hanging sun.

  “I haven’t thought that far ahead, but it’s a possibility.” Talking about the reason she didn’t want to have a relationship with him gave her a blast of guilt.

  “You know.” He looked around. “I didn’t even think of it when you offered, but were you hoping to attract the attention of a rancher? Is that why you didn’t want me in this seat?”

  He pointed to their left. “See that man there? I bet he’s—”

  She elbowed him. “That’s not why I didn’t offer the seat. I just figured you’d want to sit with your friends today.”

  He frowned at her. “Why would I want to sit with those ruffians when I can sit with you?”

  “Stop being so gallant. You should be back in your seat checking out cuties.”

  He tipped his hat down. “Don’t want to be anywhere but here, ma’am.” The way his eyes darkened sent flutters down low in her belly. Such a nice guy. She didn’t want to be anywhere but here, either. What the heck was happening to her?

  This was a man she could easily spend her life with, but could she be happy settling down in North Dakota while he worked the oil fields? She looked away, fisting her hand. She had to resist temptation. Had to hold out until she found a man who could give her everything.

  After the rodeo, he walked her out. They stopped to listen to the band, but he didn’t ask her to dance, and her disappointment ate at her.

  Shaw checked his phone. “The guys are going to the bar downtown. Want to go have a drink?”

  They’d been so kind, offering to give up their seats. The least she could do would be to buy them a few beers. “Sure.”

  His eyes opened wide. “Great. Where’s your car?”

  “At the inn. I walked over.”

  “Well, it’ll be a tight squeeze, but we’ll fit you into Huck’s truck.”

  “Now that sounds like fun.” She didn’t know why she said that, but he chuckled as he put his hand on her lower back and guided her toward the parking lot.

  His touch, even a slight brush of his shoulder during the rodeo, set her heart skittering.

  She squeezed in to the back seat between Shaw and Dax, who was very careful not to touch her. Must be some guy code.

  “What’s your favorite event, Dax?”

  He turned his dark blue eyes on her. “Honest, I’m not too interested in the rodeo except for giving me ideas for songs.”

  “You’re a songwriter?”

  “I’m tryin’ to be. Ain’t easy to find time with the job on the Bakken taking up ten hours a day.” Dax smiled.

  “Bakken?” Harper had heard the term a few times since she’d rolled into town.

  The guys explained that it was the name of the oil deposits located in North Dakota, eastern Montana, and up into Canada.

  At the bar, they found a table for four and stole a chair from a neighboring table.

  “First round’s on me.” The cowboys all refused until she told them it would go on her expense account.

  Shaw’s friends were great guys. They talked about her job, asked interesting questions, and shared the names of their favorite beverage brands with her.

  She asked Dax about his songs, and the man impressed her with his knowledge of the music industry.

  When Shaw stepped away for a few minutes, they talked about him like he was the prime catch this season. Seemed like the man was exceptional in the eyes of his friends.

  Huck leaned toward her. “What’s the deal with the ‘friend’ thing?”

  “We’ve decided to just be friends. It works better for both of us.”

  The guys looked at each other then Dax cleared his throat. “Ma’am, maybe you haven’t seen the way Shaw looks at you, but there ain’t much friendship in that
stare.”

  Her face heated and she ducked her head, sipping her beer to cover the color that always seemed to rush to her cheeks when there was anything to do with Shaw.

  When he returned, he looked around at their faces, settling his gaze on her. “What?” He sat and tipped his head down to hers. “Did they offend you?”

  “No. Not at all. I’m just thinking about some things I need to check on for the music showdown tomorrow.” She pasted on a smile to cover her unease. “My company’s sponsoring it, so I hope you all can make it.” She glanced at Shaw as she stood. “I should probably be getting back to my room.”

  All four guys got to their feet.

  “Nice to meet you all.” Harper smiled at each of Shaw’s friends. “And thanks for the advice.”

  They promised to see her at the music showdown the next day and Shaw walked out with her, his hand on her lower back.

  She didn’t even try to talk him out of accompanying her to the inn.

  The warm night air hit her chilled skin like a soft blanket. Shaw removed his hand and the loss of his touch seemed almost painful.

  “Thanks for buying the beer tonight.” He shortened his stride to match hers.

  “Your friends are nice people.”

  “Yeah? What advice did they give you to make you blush that way?”

  Harper sucked in a deep breath. “Just talking you up.” She grinned at him. “You have a fan club.”

  He gave a snort. “We’ve been buddies since high school. Decided to head up to the oil fields together to seek our fortunes before we...” He hefted out a long breath.

  What was that about? After a few moments of silence, she asked the first thing that came to her mind. “You’re from around here, right?” She’d been so cowboy-awed the night before, she’d barely remembered her own name, much less the details of Shaw’s life.

  “Yep. Lemmon, South Dakota. It’s a sweet little town up by the North Dakota border.”

  “Your family lives there?” She shouldn’t be asking him personal questions, but didn’t friends know things like this about each other?

  “Yep.” That’s all he said.

  “What do they do in Lemmon?”

  He shrugged. “It’s mostly rural. Farm and ranching country.”