Page 8 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

He blew out a frustrated breath. Every time, there seemed to be some woman after him on their vacation, but he wasn’t interested in a fling with any guest. Maybe he should start wearing a wedding band, but he knew that didn’t deter some women. Devin was hit on all the time too. His eyes roamed the area, and he saw Presley struggling with her tent, but she didn’t ask for his help. She did it on her own. Looking around, he saw Bett talking with one other woman. He didn’t know who was with whom on these trips unless they told him. All he knew was there were six single women and nine single men at the ranch for vacation, and he did know he had two married couples on this trip along with three single women and four single men. Devin had six couples with him on the trail ride along with the other single men and women. Four couples had wanted to work the ranch. Jaxon grinned as he bet they were ready to call it a day already. It amazed him that people always thought they could work a ranch, until Ken put them to work. If they felt the need to quit, he’d let them. Ken never pressured anyone. The rest of the guests were probably relaxing around the pool, playing tennis, or taking hikes. Jaxon strode over to where Bett was struggling withher tent, took the poles from her, and helped her assemble the tent. She beamed at him when he got it set up for her.

“Get your bedroll and clothes inside. It’s best to lay the sleeping bags and blankets out now, so you don’t have to worry about it once it gets dark.”

“Thank you,” Bett said to him.

“Yes, ma’am.” Walking back to the fire pit, he then helped Chip when he saw him coming with an armload of wood.

“I’ll get more after you get that started. I’m sure everyone is getting hungry.” Chip glanced around. “I think she needs some help.” He jerked his chin in Presley’s direction.

Jaxon glanced over toward her. “If she does, she’ll ask.” Then he went about making a fire. He was sure Presley would get the tent set up since she seemed so determined. Until he saw the same guy who had talked to her earlier on the trail heading her way. Jaxon clenched his jaw. No way was he interfering. If she wanted the guy’s help, she could have it.What the hell is wrong with you? You’re not interested, remember? No one could replace Bethany. Ever.

Jaxon put kindling in the pit then added wood and lit a match. The flames took off, and the wood crackled and snapped as the flames wrapped around the logs. Sparks liftedtoward the sky but died before getting much momentum. After he moved the firewood around a little bit with a poker, he added more logs and looked up when he heard Presley laughing then she hugged the guy who had helped her. Jaxon grit his teeth so hard, he was surprised they didn’t shatter.Son of a bitch!He did not need this shit. Standing quickly, he strode off into the woods. The more wood for tonight, the better.

Chapter Three

Presley crawled into her tent with her bedroll and untied it. After she unrolled it, she placed the blanket on top of it. She’d love to walk down to the creek to wash off a little. Zipping the tent closed, she pulled her sweat dampened T-shirt off over her head and pulled on a red one. Rummaging through her bag, she found soap, and a towel then crawled from the tent. Getting to her feet, she looked around. It was beautiful here. Birds were chirping, but it was otherwise, tranquil. Should she let someone know she was heading for the creek? Everyone else was sitting on the logs surrounding the fire pit with hot dogs on sticks. Jaxon was nowhere around. Spotting Chip, she headed for him.

“Chip? Is it all right if I walk to the creek to wash off? I feel so sweaty.”

Chip smiled at her. “Of course, do you need me to go with you?”

“No, I don’t think so. I just want to wash some of this trail dust and sweat off me.”

“I understand. I’m sure we’ll all be heading that way eventually. Do you want me to start a hot dog or burger for you?”

“Sure. A burger would be great, please. I won’t be awfully long. Thanks,” she said then walked down the path that led to the creek. She could hear it before she arrived. When she stepped from the brush, she gasped at the beauty of it. Large boulders sat on the opposite side, and the water was so clear, she could see the bottom. She wished she’d brought her swimsuit because she would definitely get in. Squatting down on the shore, she put her hand in the water. It was cold. She smiled when she saw a school of fish swim by in front of her.

Reaching for the soap, she turned to see Jaxon standing by the shore a little way down from her. He hadn’t seen her, or if he had, he was ignoring her. She wouldn’t doubt it if that were the case. He seemed to avoid her as much as possible. The conversation they’d had earlier surprised her in that he’d spoken to her that much. As she watched, he took his cowboy hat off and dropped it to the ground then he pulled his T-shirt out of his jeans. Reaching behind his neck, he tugged it off over his head. Presley couldn’t stop the gasp when she saw his hard, solid pecs and six-pack stomach. The man was built for a woman’s dreams. She’d never seen his chest or belly in the ER. The doctors had been too interested in getting his jeans cut from him, and she was glad she hadn’t seen his abs, orshe really would have embarrassed herself by either drooling or touching him. He was magnificent. He must work out but also working the ranch would make muscles too. When he glanced toward her, she quickly looked away. The heat poured into her cheeks. So she dipped the soap into the water along with the washcloth then ran it up her arms. She heard his boots on the rocks along the bank as he walked toward her.

“Where is everyone else?” he asked her.

“I suppose they’re making their hot dogs and burgers.” She couldn’t look up at him.

“I had to cool off a little first. You too, huh?”

“Yes.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth when he sat down on the gravel and bent his knees, resting his wrists on them. His hat lay between them and she really,really, hoped he had put his shirt back on.

“What are you doing here?”

“Here? I’m trying to get the dust off me.”

“Not here at the creek, here at Bur Oak.”

“Oh. I have a decision to make on a job. I’ve been offered a position in the Recovery Unit, and I wanted time to think about it.”

“What’s holding you back?”

“I don’t know. It’s better hours, better pay, but…” She shook her head.

“You’ll figure it out.”

“I know. I believe everything happens for a reason,” she said as she looked at him.

Jaxon shook his head. “That’s bullshit.”

“Skeptic, huh?”

“Yes. Did you get your tent set up all right? I see you had some help.”

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