Page 37 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

Cassie was in the center of the kitchen, apron on, and nodding. “Casserole, check. Beans check. Dining room table is set. I’m working on the salad now. Matt dropped off the extra bag of ice in the freezer and has gone home to help the birthday girl get ready.”

“Good, I’ll run up and change and get back down here to finish up the cake.” She breezed through the kitchen, gave a swift hug of thanks to her sister, ran through the dining room checking its bright decor out and then up the stairs to her bedroom for a quick shower and change.

Applying the last of her makeup, she had scanned her closet, dismissing what her original outfit was to be and coming up with another one. She wasn’t making the change because of a change in the guest list, she told herself. But just because she felt a need to be an even more festive hostess. Jillie had decreed that she wanted her favorite Mexican food for her birthday, so they had decorated the dining room in festive colors from the tablecloth to the napkins, stoneware in bright colors, papier-mâché flowers suspended on gaily colored ribbons from the ceiling, and music to match the event playing. Jillie would have her fiesta dinner.

Tori had bought a bright blue peasant blouse with an off-the-shoulder ruffle flounce at the neckline. The skirt was cut with a generous flare of panels of multi-colors. Her hair she let hang down and tucked a bright pink flower behind her ear. That was the best the hostess could do with a cake still waiting for a final touch-up. She ran down the stairs and stopped in the doorway of the kitchen. Cassie was laughing at something the tall man with his back to Tori had just said.Talk about a party downer.Tori’s smile dimmed. The pair turned as they realized someone else had come into the room.

“Our guest came to help.”

“Please.” He smiled at her sister. “I’m here to work and help, not as a guest. Just tell me what to do.” Then he just had to add, “And not necessarily where to go.” That was clearly aimed at her. The smile came back to her face.Fun evening ahead.

She headed to the far cabinet and began to assemble the decorations she would add to the cake, which had already been baked and iced and was ready to be completed. Tori blocked out the other two in the kitchen and began her work. Bright-colored trim and lots of roses per Jillie’s request, and then the writing:‘Happy 8th Birthday, Jellybean.’

“That is some cake,” came the praise from the man who had been standing a few feet away so as not to distract her. “But Jilliebean?”

“That has been the nickname for Jillie since she was born,” Cassie responded. “Her aunt Tori gave it to her and the family followed suit.”

“I see,” Cade said with a smile. “It suits her.”

“Well, I’m going to get ready upstairs. Matt will let us know when they’re getting close.”

Tori added the last rose and stepped back. She was pleased.

“Those bright roses are a nice touch.”

He was alluding to other roses and they both knew it. She might as well get it over with while they had the kitchen to themselves. She turned to face him.

“Nice touch? Let’s talk about the roses that arrived in my office and have become the talk of this town. Why would you do something so outrageous?”

“Was that wrong of me? I thought most women liked flowers and you did mention that roses where your favorite. Did I get that wrong?”

“Roses are my favorite. But when you send such an outrageous number that leads to all sorts of speculation from others, and you know it. Why did you do it?”

“Well, I saw the flower shop and I thought of you, so I wanted to let you know that you were being thought about. I would have stopped by and delivered them myself but I didn’t think that would be a good idea since you never seemed to like me just dropping in to your office. I was trying to not upset you.”

“Well, you managed to do it. Because now we are the talk of the town. And I don’t like being part of the daily gossip.”

“I’m not sure what the problem is exactly now since you made it clear you didn’t want them around and I understand they did brighten the day for a lot of people at the nursing home. Nice gesture on your part. But then that only stoked the gossips more who think we might be having a lover’s tiff or something.”

“Lover’s tiff? Are you crazy? We are not lovers, and I dare anyone to say that around me.”

He had the audacity to smile. And he moved closer, one hand reaching out and carefully removing the icing knife from her hand and placing it in the sink. “I think it is better our conversations do not have sharp objects around them. This also isn’t the place for this discussion. But I am sorry that I upset you by what I did to try and make you smile by sending your favorite flowers. I’m not versed in flowers as I don’t usually send a lot of them. But I was thinking about you, so I did it on the spur of the moment. I have learned a lesson. Now can we agree to try to make a truce for Jillie’s party?”

Tori hated it when he was right. And something tried to tug at her heartstrings, which she wasn’t used to dealing with. But it was Jillie’s evening, and they could behave like adults for a few hours, right?

“Agreed.”

“Now I have a couple of calls to make so I’ll step into the living room and leave the master chef to her kitchen.”

Cassie came down the back stairs into the kitchen. She looked around and then gave a deep sigh in her sister’s direction. “You didn’t run him off while I was gone did you?”

“No, I did not. We agreed to try and behave like adults this evening for the sake of the party. He’s gone to make a couple of calls.” She began pulling out other platters and pans from beneath the cabinet.

“I didn’t check but he did remember the tortillas, right?”

“Yes, Tori. He arrived with them, and they are in the warmer. And just in case you want to know…I happen to like him. You do too. So get off your stubborn high horse and do something about it.”

“This is not a discussion we are having now. Let it alone.”

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