The Rancher and the Event Planner - By Cheryl Gorman Page 0,3
him like a frisky colt on a cold morning. “Jennifer?”
He hadn’t seen her since he was a senior in high school. Sexy curves had replaced her rail thin figure along with toned legs. She must put in some gym time in between planning events. She’d grown her hair out and the suit she was wearing must have cost a bundle. Her skin still looked peaches and cream soft, but she generated strength and self-confidence. Gone was the shy, insecure girl he used to know. He liked her this way.
She gave him a quick hug, barely touching her cheek to his. She smelled like flowers and hot Texas nights. “I go by JC now. I took Mom’s name for my middle initial.”
Her voice had acquired a soft, husky tone. Attraction grabbed a hunk of mane and dug a spur into his solar plexus. Damn, where did that come from? Since Caroline died in a car accident four years ago, he’d corralled himself off from women, not wanting to screw up anyone else’s life, but with one friendly gesture JC had opened the gate a crack. His brother—was going to pay. Big time.
“Isn’t this great? It’s like old home week,” Linc said turning his attention to Jennifer. “Too bad we have to get reacquainted under these circumstances. I hope you can forgive me.”
Jennifer smiled at his brother displaying straight white teeth. Male appreciation dug those spurs in further. The overbite and braces were gone and in their place was a dazzling smile guaranteed to make a cowboy drool. But he’d always thought she was pretty even with the overbite. Now she was gorgeous, sexy and since she was his best friend’s little sister—definitely off limits. “Considering I can still fulfill my duties in Dallas, I suppose I’ll have to forgive you.”
Linc grinned. “Good.”
Rafe looked at his brother. “You and I need to talk.” He turned his gaze to Jennifer who managed to look fresh despite the stifling heat. “Would you excuse me for a minute?”
Rafe walked a few feet away from Jennifer and stared at his brother.
Linc smiled. “What’s the problem?”
When they were kids, a shit-eating grin from Linc meant war. They’d have been exchanging punches and rolling around in the grass by now. “There has been a gross miscarriage of justice, big brother.”
Linc folded his arms over his chest. “Not from where I’m standing.”
“I’ve known her practically my whole life,” he said in a harsh whisper. “She’s Cade’s little sister.”
His brother gave him his stubborn-to-the-bone look, which meant a stampede couldn’t change his mind. “So? What’s the problem? Last night you said you needed help. You said you were in way over your head and didn’t have a clue where to start. Jennifer is an event planner now and exactly the help you need. And you already know each other which should make it easier to work together. And what does Cade have to do with it? You should be thanking me.”
“Thanking you? Listen, Shamrock, I’m serious.” Rafe took some satisfaction in seeing the color rise in His Honor’s cheeks. Rafe had branded his brother with the nickname when he’d dressed up like a four leaf clover for a play in second grade. “I’m up to my ass in work at the ranch. I’ve got Molly to worry about now that Mom has remarried and moved to Colorado and I still haven’t found someone to look after my daughter on a permanent basis. I’m not—I can’t work with her.”
A knowing look lit his brother’s eyes. “You’re attracted to her.”
The image of Caroline’s tear-streaked angry face as she sped away from the ranch in a cloud of dust and gravel flashed into his brain. He’d had no idea it would be the last time he saw her alive. A tangled mix of guilt and regret nudged his heart like someone unexpectedly poking him in the dark. If only she had trusted me. “No way.”
His brother grinned. “Thank God, you’ve been moping around here long enough.” He pointed his finger at Rafe. “And don’t call me Shamrock or I’ll have you out on the highway in an orange vest picking up trash.”
Chapter Two
While Rafe and Linc talked, JC called her boss in Shreveport and explained what had happened, assuring him she could do the job in Dallas and serve out her sentence in Salvation at the same time. Having huge multi-tasking skills was part of being an event planner. Then she called Senator Grant’s office, apologized profusely explaining that she had car trouble