Page 14 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

“You’re already soaked,” Jaxon pointed out.

Bett laughed. “That’s true. Come on, Trixie.”

The two women ran from the barn to head for their cabins. Presley looked out at the rain coming down in sheets.

“Afraid you’ll melt?” Jaxon said from beside her.

“Of course,” she said then ran out into the rain to head for her cabin and get away from him.

Reaching her cabin, she was wetter than before, if that was even possible. Her hair lay plastered down on her head. She’d taken her hat off when the brim flopped down and did nothing to protect her head. Her little duffle bag was also soaked, but she had to wash the clothes inside anyway, so it really didn’t matter. She loved that the cabins had stackable washers and dryers. Running up onto the porch, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. After setting the duffle bag down, she shivered as the air conditioning hit her wet skin. First on the list was getting into the Jacuzzi since she was sure her muscles were going to be sore tomorrow and if it were still raining, she’d spend the day curled up with a good book. Although she’d rather be curled up with Jaxon even though it was the last thing he wanted. Did he hate her for some reason? Shaking her head, she didn’t think that was it at all.

Muttering under her breath as she realized she was thinking of him too much, she unbuttoned her wet blouse and pulled it from her jeans. She turned, locked the door then strode down the hallway, and entered the bedroom. Taking a seat on the trunk at the end of the bed, she toed her boots off. Hersocks were even wet. Standing, she unsnapped her jeans, and struggled with the damp material. After finally getting them stripped off, she entered the bathroom, placed them in the hamper, and turned the water on in the tub. She rubbed a towel over her wet hair, ran a brush through it and piled it on top of her head, and stepped into the tub and groaned as she slid into the water. Hitting the button for the jets, she then leaned her head back against the tub. The water swirled and bubbled around her. Pure heaven.

Closing her eyes, she thought about Jaxon. He was such a rugged man, a tough cowboy. The man rode bulls for God’s sake. Well, he used to. She hoped he’d listened to the doctor and quit. He seemed to be doing well here with this ranch.

Once the water started to cool, she turned the jets off and stood, letting the water glide down her body as she reached for a towel. Stepping out, she dried off, then walked to the bedroom to put her sweatpants and T-shirt on. Her muscles were sore from riding, but the jets had helped. Entering the living room, she turned the TV on then took a seat on the sofa. Leaning her head back, she loved the sound of the rain hitting the tin roof. As she watched the news, she wondered what Jaxon was doing. He had said he didn’twant any type of relationship, but a man like him had to have someone he spent time with.Have sex with you mean?

“Yes, that’s what I mean,” she said aloud. “Now he has me talking to myself.”

Sighing, she stood then headed for the kitchen to get something to eat. It had been a while since breakfast. It was still raining so she wasn’t going out in it. Startled when she heard someone knock on her door, she slowly walked to it and peered out the window to see Jaxon standing on the porch. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door to him.

“What are you doing out in this?” she asked.

“I have candles for you. We’re going to each cabin to hand them out. The power could go out, and I’m sure all the cabins could use more candles.” He handed her a bag.

“Do you want to come in for a minute?” She watched as his eyes moved over her from head to toe.

“No. There are matches in the bag too.” Turning, he ran down the steps and climbed into his truck. Without looking in her directions, he drove to the next cabin.

Presley closed the door and leaned back against it, clutching the bag against her chest, she blew out a breath. She was making a foolout of herself over a man who obviously didn’t want anything to do with her. She couldn’t think about it, or she’d drive herself insane, and she was crazy enough about him. Walking to the sofa, she flopped down on it then jumped when the thunder shook the cabin. The lights flickered but stayed on. Quickly, she set the candles around the room and carried one to her bedroom. It was only early afternoon, but it looked so much later because of the storm. In the bedroom, she lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. This was just so ridiculous. To be so hung up on a man she didn’t really know and one who obviously wasn’t interested in her. Sitting up quickly, she reached for her laptop beside the bed. Opening it, she entered his name in the search engine. She propped the pillows up behind her and sat back against the headboard as a page of hits came up. She clicked on one and read all about Jaxon Callahan.

He had started bull riding when he was twenty years old and won the championship four times. He’d been at the height of his career when he’d been injured and forced into early retirement. Jaxon and his fraternal twin, Devin started a guest ranch five years ago, that flourished more each passing year.

Devin and Jaxon were fraternal twins. That floored her since she would never haveimagined that. There was a resemblance there, but twins? Devin was a gorgeous man, too, with his black hair and grey eyes. Of course, she knew fraternal twins didn’t always look alike at all. Both men were tall and had the same build. Shaking her head, she went back to reading.

Jaxon had two male cousins who also competed in bull riding at one time or other in their lives. His parents were still living in the same town as were his cousins. His age listed him as thirty-one. His wife or the accident that killed her wasn’t mentioned. As she read on, she gasped when she learned that he was also part owner of Callahan Irish Whiskey, along with his brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, and his parents. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she did know that name. He was well beyond rich. Yet, he and his brother opened this guest ranch. Why?

Closing the laptop, she set it on the floor. He’d been a silent partner in the guest ranch until two years ago, right after his accident. She knew he worked hard on the ranch though and seemed to enjoy it, but she knew how upset he’d been when he was in the hospital. Closing her eyes, she couldn’t imagine the pain he’d gone through. Not the physical so much as the mental. Falling back onto the bed, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

****

Jaxon drove his truck to his home, parked and threw the door open and ran for the porch. Jinks barked from inside the house. At least the dog was smart enough to stay out of the rain. Jaxon opened the door then entered the house. Hanging his hat on the peg, he squatted down to rub the dog’s ears.

“Hey, boy. I bet you’re hungry.” Jaxon laughed as Jinks spun in circles, barking.

Jaxon picked up the dog bowl and filled it then set it down. Jinks stuck his nose in the dish and ignored Jaxon as he ate. Jaxon pulled his T-shirt off over his head and tossed it into the mudroom then sat on the chair by the back door and toed off his boots then peeled his jeans, along with his socks, and boxer briefs, down his long legs. He wanted to hit that Jacuzzi. Walking through the kitchen, then the living room, he headed down the hallway to the bedroom. He stood by the nightstand and lifted the chain from around his neck and placed it there. He only took it off when he showered, or bathed. Any other time, that chain with his and Bethany’s wedding bands on it was around his neck.

After entering the bathroom, he turned the faucet on then stepped into the tub and sank down into the water. Hitting the button for the jets, he leaned his head back and groaned. His hip was aching. It usually didafter a day’s ride, and he had a short trail ride tomorrow. Just in time for his hip to feel a little better. The damp weather wasn’t helping much that’s for sure, but the hot water soothed his muscles. Once it began to cool, he turned the jets off and opened the drain.

Stepping out, he reached for a towel and dried off, then wrapped it around his waist. Standing in front of the large sink, he swiped his hand across the mirror so he could see to shave. Picking up the shaving cream, he shook the can then squirted the foam into his hand and lathered his face and neck. While he shaved, he thought about Presley. She was so beautiful, and when she’d asked him if he wanted to come in earlier, he’d almost done it.What the hell were you thinking? You don’t want or need a relationship. No good could come of it because you’re too fucking scared. She’d only get hurt.

“Who are you trying to convince?” he muttered as he stared at himself in the mirror. The thought of being with another woman made him ache. Bethany had told him to find someone new right before she died in front of him, and all he could do was beg her to hang on. Help was on the way. But she didn’t, and now he was alone. It was how he wanted it to be. Presley Reynolds was beautiful, there was no doubt there but shewas the long-term type, and he wasn’t. Not anymore.

“Ouch,” Jaxon mumbled as the razor nicked his chin.That’s what thinking about another woman will do to you, and you kissed her, like an idiot!

Finishing up, he wiped his face off, splashed on aftershave, then entered the bedroom. The rain beat on the tin roof and thunder rumbled in the distance. It sounded like it was moving off. It would be nice if the power stayed on. He was sure no one would be scared, but they were all in a strange place, and he hoped Presley was doing all right being alone.Shit!You seriously needed to stop thinking about her.Dropping the towel, he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and T-shirt then padded barefoot to the kitchen to make something to eat. It was going to be a long afternoon, and if he didn’t stop thinking about her, it would be an even longer night.

The next morning, the sun was beating down, and the ground was drying from the rainstorm. It had rained all night, but the power stayed on. Jaxon drank his coffee then grabbed his hat off the peg, walked out the door, and after climbing into his truck, he drove to the barn. It was going to be another sweltering day. He parked behind the barn then after getting out of his vehicle he strolled into the barn to see Devin and Willa kissing.

---