Page 10 of The Texas Cowboy's Lady

A pointed glare landed on Jaxson.

“Well, I had considered saddling up the horses and taking you across country that way, giving you a real introduction to the ranch and all. But that would have taken a couple hours at best. Youdoride, don’t you, Sean? We’ll pick out a good mount for you at the barn. We’ll get you out on the land with us. That way you can better see what all it has to offer on film.”

“That’s good of you, Jaxson.” He tried to manage a smile, but it came off as more of a wince as somehow another deep rut made the Jeep jerk, and Sean made another grab to stay in the seat. “I have a passing acquaintance with horses. I think I’ll leave it to the stuntmen to handle those things on film.”

“I see.” This time it was Jaxson’s turn to toss a glance and a slight hint of a smile at the woman still glaring at him. “Well, horses and the outdoors aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. I’m sure you must have other good points that caught Laurel’s eye. She always did prefer the finer things over the dirt and sweat of hard ranch work. So, you two are a good match.”

“Thanks, I think,” Sean managed a mumbled response.

Laurel must have felt the veiled insult because she changed the subject to business talk that left Jaxson on the sidelines in silence. Which was fine by him. He wasn’t a babysitter, and before the day was over, he intended to come to an understanding with his brother about the insane idea of his time being taken as a glorified chauffeur for Laurel and her peacock boyfriend. He kept his thoughts on getting through the next couple of hours as quickly as possible and depositing them both back at the ranch. However, he did search out the roughest spots ahead of them—just to keep everyoneawake. But he should have known Laurel would not let his little game go unnoted.

Thirty minutes later, while Sean was in animated conversation with the contractor on the largest soundstage site, Laurel came up behind where Jaxson was leaning against one of the old cement sides of an empty stock tank. His mind was on how much daylight they were wasting.

“Did you enjoy your childish antics this morning?”

He pushed the brim of his hat back on his forehead and turned his attention to the irritated female in front of him. She was speaking in lowered tones so the others wouldn’t hear, but that still allowed the words to hit the targets she wanted with their sting.

“Childish? I wouldn’t call them that. Just helping to make sure that fiancé of yours gets the clear picture of what he is in store for if he is serious about moving out to the middle of nowhere from his rarefied Hollywood existence. Something tells me that you haven’t been as transparent on some things, so I’m just being helpful with the things you might have forgotten in your haste.”

“Your help is neither wanted nor appreciated. And for the record, it wasn’tmyidea that you would be the one chosen to be our guide. I fully intend to let my brother-in-law know that we can do without your services.”

“That puts us both on the same page. The last thing I need to waste time on is this latest whim of yours.”

“Whim?!” The sparks of fire were definitely shooting at him as she homed in her gaze on his. “This is no whim. I am going to put this area of Texas on the map for moviemakers—all sorts of movies, not just Westerns. The location is perfect, the weather cooperates most of the time, and it is all mine, or at least a couple hundred thousand acres of it is. And I also get to come back to the people I’ve missed and love, and all those things are not whims. So, get over it, big cowboy boss. I am here to stay. Just consider me that proverbial thorn in your backside.”

“Oh, you are that all right. You always have been. But you staying here? I’ll have to see that to believe it. Once that boyfriend gets his fill of this lifestyle, he’ll be on that jet, and you’ll be right beside him. Unless you don’t love him all that much? Not much evidence of a love match, if you ask me. More like a convenient business arrangement.”

Darn the man!“You don’t have a clue about me. You never did. And people do change. Maybe not a hardheaded, stubborn male like you, but others are capable of it. I know what I want and where I want to be, and I’m not leaving.”

“We’ll see. I’ll wager you won’t last until spring.”

“If that’s the best challenge you can do, you’re on. What do I get when you lose?”

“I’ll dance at your wedding.”

“You don’t like to dance.”

“That’s right. I don’t plan to lose, so there won’t be any need to dance.”

*

“I recognize theslamming of the door, steps plodding up the staircase to your room, and another slam. Should I guess, or are you going to just tell me? What drew your temper today?”

“That insufferable foreman of yours. How can you put up with him? He is so arrogant and obnoxious and just so... just a...”

“Just his usual self that is very good at setting you off on a tirade. He always had that ability where you’re concerned. Ever thought about why that might be exactly?”

“Since when did my little sister gain a psychology degree?” Laurel plopped down upon the foot of her bed and began taking off the boots she had worn that morning. They landed on the thick carpet that muffled their fall.

“One doesn’t need a degree to know that this is usual behavior between you two... ever since you met when he told you that you had no idea how to saddle a horse correctly. That just seemed to be the start of such a beautiful love/hate relationship. We all just got used to it.”

Laurel stood quickly and moved to toss her jacket on the back of a chair. Then she caught a brush from the dresser and began combing through her hair with swift, determined movements. “There was no love in that equation. Hate would be acceptable. He hasn’t changed with age, either.”

Sammi Jo took a perch on the arm of the sofa, softly shaking her head. “What did he do this time to stir you up?”

“He was horrid to Sean on the way to the land today. He chose the worst, roughest dirt track to take us on. And then he had the gall to bet me that I wouldn’t still be here in the spring. That I would leave like I always do. I’ve got news for him—he is going to lose his bet. I am here to stay, and he can just get used to it.”

“Well, I am glad to hear such decisiveness in your tone. Lacy is positively on cloud nine with thoughts of you being around with all your movie stars and your fashion sense, and you certainly can’t disappoint her now.”

---