Rough Rider (Hot Cowboy Nights, #2)(67)

“I sure like horses better than spelling…or math…or reading.”

“All right, I get it.” Janice laughed. “I didn’t like school much either at your age but had to keep my grades up in order to compete on the rodeo team.”

“Can I do that too when I get bigger?”

“Sure you can,” Janice said. “Which leads to some news you’re gonna be real happy about.”

“What’s that?” Cody asked.

“The Knowltons invited us all out to the ranch on Sunday. Dirk said to come out early ’cause he has a horse for you to ride.”

Cody’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “For real?”

“Yeah. He’s a big sorrel named Red Man. Now, let’s get to work on your spelling.”

*

Janice could hardly remember the last time she’d put on a dress, or eaten out at any place that required reservations. Even though there wasn’t a place in the whole state of Montana where jeans weren’t welcome, Dirk’s parting words inspired a desire to “wow” him. Although she was once a clueless cowhand, her years of waitressing in Vegas had taught her the value of a feminine appearance.

She rifled through her closet for a little black dress she’d bought after Grady had qualified for his first world championship. There was a sponsored big pre-event party for the bull draws and she’d wanted to do him proud, but he wasn’t the only male who’d taken notice when she’d worn it. Although the dress was several years old, the sheath style still worked, and—more importantly—it still fit, albeit a tad tighter through the hips and boobs. Her matching pumps were also a bit outdated, but she doubted anyone in rural Montana would notice.

She pinned up her simple French braid into a chignon and then applied a touch of makeup, knowing this was a version of her that Dirk had never seen before. Would he like it? At the sound of his truck pulling in the drive, she stepped in front of the mirror her heart pounding with sudden self-doubts, but she had no time to change her mind. She exited her room and descended the stairs, feeling far too much like a nervous schoolgirl on prom night.

She was on the landing when he entered. He wore a crisply pressed dress shirt in a shade of blue that set off his icy colored eyes and a pair of snug-fitting jeans with knife-edge creases. He looked up the staircase in a sudden double-take that made Janice freeze in her tracks. Her pulse raced as his gaze swept slowly over her. His mouth curved into a slow wolfish grin that heated her from the inside out.

She descended the rest of the stairs on shaky legs. Dirk met her at the bottom step. His arm came around her waist and his lips brushed her cheek. “My, my, Red,” he murmured in a tone that promised very wicked things. “You take my breath away.”

His words made Janice acutely self-conscious, but she still managed a flippant reply. “You don’t clean up so bad yourself, cowboy.”

“Where’s Cody and your mama?” he asked.

“Mama’s arthritis is acting up real bad and Cody’s upstairs playing video games,” Janice said. “I’d call him down here but you’re already gonna get more than your fill of him on Sunday. He’s beside himself with excitement.”

“I’m looking forward to it too,” Dirk said.

His reply surprised her. “You are?”

“Sure. I’d like to get to know him better. I haven’t been around a lot of kids, but I like ’em well enough.”

“Well, be prepared. Cody’ll talk your ear off. He’s not the least bit shy and has a mind of his own. He hasn’t quite learned when to back down on an argument and is always getting called out by the teachers for it.”

“He might suffer for it now,” Dirk said, “but it’ll play to his advantage later in life.” He glanced at his watch. “We’d better be going. Our reservation’s for eight thirty and it’s an hour’s drive.”

*

Janice began peppering him with questions almost as soon as he pulled onto the highway. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see when we get there,” he replied.

When he turned north on 287, she remarked, “There’s nothing in Whitehall, and Bozeman’s a good ninety minutes away.”

“Yup,” he agreed.

“We going to Belgrade?” she asked.

“Nope.” Dirk shook his head.

“Manhattan maybe? I’ve heard Land of Magic’s really good.”

“It is at that,” he concurred with a nod.

“So that’s where you’re taking me?”

“Wrong again.”

“C’mon, Dirk! Quit tormenting me and spill it.”

“No way. Anticipation is half the pleasure. Besides, I’m having way too much fun torturing you.”

Janice huffed.

He chuckled and flashed a teasing grin. “Guess you don’t read many mystery novels, do you, Red?”

“No. Haven’t read much of anything since high school, but why would you say that?”

“’Cause you can’t stand suspense. Bet you talk during movies too, don’tcha?”

“Maybe,” she replied.

“I’ll have to remember that.” He gave her a teasing leg squeeze. Then his hand rested there. She laid hers on top of it.