Rafe: (Contemporary Western Romance) (New Horizon Ranch: Mule Hollow Book 2) Read online

  A look of panic came over her. “No, no, you’re right. I would rather not be seen in the bunny suit. If at all possible. It’s a little humiliating.”

  Those green eyes of hers sparked like a green flame despite the humiliation in her tone. His lips hitched into a partial grin. “You carry it off well. I figure it’d be alright either way. It’s up to you though.”

  She stood very still for a moment as if she were considering her options then she gave a short nod and climbed inside. He strode around, got in and backed out all the while wondering what he’d gotten into. What was her story?

  Sadie slid a glance at Rafe Masterson and her stomach dipped again just looking at the gorgeous cowboy. He was tough. That was it. She’d met a lot of good looking men, and some put on a tough act, some looked tough, and some tried but fell short. There was something about Rafe that told her he’d didn’t have to act at being tough…he just was. And there was something inside of her that reacted to that in a very curious and interested way.

  And that was just plain dumb on her part.

  Ridiculous. Par for the course for her lately though, especially today.

  Despite how silly she felt she knew she was going to have to confess her stupidity. How could she not?

  He parked as close to the front of the house as possible but the circle drive was packed with cars and so she was still going to have to walk there in her suit.

  He had his wrist hanging over the top of the steering wheel and he cocked his head to look at her and butterflies like she’d never felt before took flight inside of her. Sitting in the confines of that truck suddenly seemed like they were squeezed together inside a sardine can.

  “You ready?” he said, in a concerned drawl that had her nodding quickly and hopping out of the cab like a wolf was after her. She didn’t look over her shoulder, just headed toward the front porch of the beautiful home.

  A woman in jeans and a blue western shirt came out the front door. “Well howdy. Aren’t you cute in that bunny suit?”

  Sadie stopped short and glanced back at Rafe who’d just caught up with her.

  “Hey, Norma Sue.” He gave the woman an uncomfortable smile.

  A wide, warm smile sprang to the woman’s face. She had kinky gray curls that she wore short making a kind of halo about her head. Not a small woman, she looked sturdy as a tree trunk and capable of anything. Something about the keen assessing eyes told Sadie that Norma Sue was as reliable as she was stout.

  “Oh what a cute bunny suit!” A redhead exclaimed, poking her head out the door, big green eyes popping wide as she took Sadie in. “Rafe a singing telegram is a fun idea-but a bunny for a wedding party? I don’t get it?”

  “Esther Mae, that wouldn’t be the first time you didn’t get something,” the one named Norma Sue grunted.

  “Do you get it?” the redhead, Esther Mae, asked her friend indignantly.

  “Actually, no,” Norma Sue looked curiously from Sadie to Rafe.

  “It is a cute idea,” Esther Mae reiterated, earnestly. “We just don’t get it.”

  Sadie chuckled, and some of the tension she’d been feeling eased a bit. “I’m not a singing telegram ladies-but it is an idea.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  “A very good idea. I’d pay to see it,” Rafe said with a grin. “Sadie I’d like you to meet Norma Sue Jenkins and Esther Mae Wilcox. This is Sadie. She had a flat tire.”

  Both ladies greeted her then Esther Mae arched a pale eyebrow. “Why do you have the suit on? I can’t help it. I’m curious.”

  “I was just dressed up for visiting some of the children at Texas Children’s Hospital.”

  “Oh! Isn’t that nice,” Esther Mae exclaimed. “Norma, that’s better than a singing telegram, don’t you think?”

  “It’s wonderful,” Norma Sue said at the same time.

  Rafe placed his hand at the small of her back and she looked up at him. His expression was gentle as their gazes met. He smiled approvingly at her. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us I’m going to take Sadie in and show her where she can change. She’s probably hot and ready to get out of that suit.”

  Esther Mae looked sympathetic. “I bet it’s itchy. It’s cute and all but I’d suffocate in there.”

  “Come on out and see us when you get changed,” Norma Sue said and hustled her friend off the front porch. “Rafe, we were just admiring the house. It’s been a long time since we’ve been out here. That C.C., God rest his soul, didn’t invite many folks out here when he was in town. I think he liked to just be quiet and enjoy the peace and quiet when he wasn’t living his high powered corporate lawyer job.”

  “He sure did have good taste,” Esther Mae quipped. “This is a showplace and that’s for certain. Rafe, you and your partners have kept it up nice since he died and left it to y’all.”

  “Yes ma’am, we try to keep things like C.C. liked them. He willed it to us but he did it because he knew we each loved the place as much as he did. He felt like we could make a profit and keep his legacy going...but also, he was just that kind of man.”

  Norma Sue’s expression was thoughtful. “He chose well. You five really know your stuff.” She looked at Sadie. “This here is a fine, smart cattleman.”

  Sadie glanced at Rafe and noticed an odd almost suspicious look come over his expression.

  “It’s true,” Esther Mae assured her. “And handsome too.” Her green eyes twinkled as they moved from Rafe to Sadie.

  “Thank you. I’m sure y’all are wanting to get back to the party,” he said, and held the door open for Sadie. “After you.”

  She didn’t need any encouragement. “I’m sure I’ll see you ladies later, it was nice to meet you both.” Before they had time to reply Rafe had the door closed behind them and was ushering her down the hall. She got the distinct impression that something was bothering him but she didn’t ask. Instead, she took in the large room they entered right off the entrance hall. It was huge with high ceilings that rose two stories and had a staircase that curved up to the second level. The furnishings were large, masculine and the place reminded her of photo layouts she’d seen in many different magazines of a top-notch hunting lodges with its wood floors, colorful throw rugs, Texas flavored furnishings of unique wooden tables and chairs.

  She could hear people talking in another room which was connected to the one they were in and assumed it was the kitchen. Rafe started up the stairs and she followed, relieved she wasn’t going to meet others at the moment. Her feet flopped on the stairs and she tried to step lightly hoping not to make too much noise. The bunny suit had begun to feel as if she were carrying a full grown black bear on her shoulders and she was anxious to tear it off. She had no idea what she was going to do for clothes, but felt certain that Rafe had something in mind and all she could do was trust him.

  “Where are we going?” she asked quietly. It came out more of a hiss as she tried not to be heard, really hoping they made it up the stairs before anyone else spotted them.

  “I’m taking you to one of the guest rooms and then I’ll go get Maddie. She’ll have something for you to wear I’m certain.”

  She’d been right he had it under control. Rafe Masterson struck her as the kind of guy who always had everything under control. They made it to the landing without mishap.

  Suddenly one of the doors on the top floor opened and two cowboys came walking out. They both stopped short at the sight of her.

  Both, like Rafe looked to be in their late twenties-early thirties and they were dressed similar to him in starched western shirts, jeans and the look was finished off by boots and hats. It was enough to make a gal-who hadn’t sworn off men-consider her decision. One had light brown hair, a wide jaw and serious gray eyes. The other reminded her of Blake Shelton with dark wavy hair and olive green eyes that lit up with the smile that slammed across his face at seeing her.

  “Rafe,” he drawled, sweeping his hat from his head. “Who’ve you got with you?”

  The other man had re
moved his hat too but looked on expectantly not saying anything. Instead, he waited for Rafe to answer.

  “Ah, Dalton,” Rafe said addressing the Blake look-alike and then the other, “Ty, y’all this is Sadie. She had a little car trouble and I’m showing her to an extra room so she can change.”

  Dalton grinned bigger. “I’m glad to meet you, ma’am,” he drawled again, with the manners of a Texas charmer who probably did his fair share of flirting and laying it on thick when he wanted to.

  “If y’all will excuse us I’ll catch y’all downstairs. Would one of you go find Maddie and ask her to come up here?”

  “Sure, whatever you want,” Dalton said.

  The quieter one nodded. “Nice to meet you. See you downstairs, Rafe.”

  They moved on and Sadie was never so happy to see a bedroom in all of her life when Rafe opened a door.

  “I’ll wait downstairs and send Maddie up as soon as she comes in and grabs you some things to wear. Is there anything I can get you? There’s a bathroom connected to the room but you might want to look and see if it’s got everything you need. You know, if you want to freshen up or something.”

  He looked quite uncomfortable and suddenly out of his element.

  “If there’s a towel and soap then I’d love to go ahead and take a shower. This thing is like wearing fiberglass insulation.”

  “Go ahead, all that’s in there. I’ll tell Maddie you might be in the shower when she gets here with the clothes.”

  “Okay, she could just leave them on the bed.” Sadie had reached her limit and not only did she need to get out of the itchy suit she needed a bathroom break in the worst way.

  “Then enjoy your shower and I’ll see you when you’re done.”

  With that he turned and headed back down the stairs. Sadie started yanking at Velcro the instant the door closed. She hurried to the bathroom as she tugged and pulled and maneuvered out of the suit. Cool air hit her hot irritated skin and relief surged over her. Within moments she was in the walk-in shower in the gorgeous bathroom. As she let the hot water pour over her, she wondered again, what she was doing?

  Chapter Three

  Maddie had just come inside when Rafe reached the kitchen. She looked pretty in her dressy jeans and soft pink top. She was as tough as he, Chase, Ty and Dalton but a whole lot prettier. Today she didn’t look like the tough cowgirl he knew but instead a sweet gal who was soon to be his sister-in-law.

  “What’s this I hear about you having a bunny in here?” Her blue eyes were filled with curiosity.

  Before he could get a word out Ty, Chase and Dalton and his brother, Cliff, crowded into the kitchen behind her asking questions.

  “Okay y’all, here’s the deal. I found Sadie stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire and wearing a bunny suit. That’s all I know. Except that she needed help, kinda looked like she was in some kind of trouble so…I’ve hired her on as the cook.”

  Five sets of eyes stared back at him as if he were an alien or something.

  “The cook,” Maddie said first.

  “Well, yeah, with you going to be over at your own house and the way we are always scrounging around I figured it might be a good thing.”

  Chase who was the one who kept the books and wrote the checks for all their hired hands looked thoughtful for a moment then hiked a shoulder. “I think it’s a good idea but do you know anything about her?”

  “I hadn’t gotten that far.”

  Cliff grinned. “Nope, my brother saw a woman who needed help and he offered it.”

  “Y’all would have done the same thing,” Rafe said, knowing it was true but glad it had been him. “Okay, y’all get back out there to the BBQ I don’t want her to come downstairs and find everyone gawking. I need to talk to Maddie. I’ll bring her out to meet y’all in just a bit.”

  “So what’s up?” Maddie asked after the others left.

  “Well there’s something else I didn’t mention-she doesn’t have any clothes.”

  Maddie’s eyes got wide. “None?”

  “She’s taking a shower, do you think you could find a few things for her? She’s about your size.”

  “Sure I can, I’ll handle this you go on outside. So you have no idea what’s going on?”

  “None. But I will. Thanks, Maddie. I hate to do this at your engagement party.”

  “Hey, not a problem. Go on now, I’ve got this. Is she in the guest room?”

  “Yes. Thanks again,” he said relieved to hand it over to Maddie.

  “Stop looking so worried, Rafe. I’ll take good care of her.” Maddie studied him. “You like her.” It wasn’t a question. “I think that’s great.”

  “Don’t go to jumping to any conclusions. I just met her and there’s more unanswered questions than there are answered.”

  “True, but the key is you’re interested in finding out the answers to those questions.”

  And she was right.

  When a knock sounded on the door Sadie poked her head out. Wrapped in a towel she wasn’t sure who would be standing there.

  “Hi, Sadie. I’m Maddie Rose and I’m here with clothes,” said the pretty, dark headed woman about Sadie’s age.

  “Please come in,” she stepped back and opened the door. Maddie carried an armful of clothes with her and even some shoes.

  “Shoes, I hadn’t even thought of those. You probably think I’m awful.”

  “Naw, I figure you’ve got a very good reason to be stranded without clothes. I have to say I’m not at all sure why you’d be wearing a bunny suit-which I might add I need to see to believe.” Maddie’s eyes twinkled as she laid the clothes on the bed.

  Relief washed over Sadie as she realized Maddie might be someone she could relate to. Maddie seemed down to earth and practical. A what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of gal and Sadie needed that. She’d felt so betrayed at finding Andrew, her fiance, with his secretary. She was still reeling from that-almost more than Andrew’s betrayal.

  “It’s a long story and I’ll fill you in later, you’re missing your engagement party.”

  “We’ll get there. First I’m helping you. Mule Hollow folks don’t rush parties. They’ll hang around and we’ll all have time to enjoy ourselves. So, I wasn’t sure what would work so I brought a variety of things from jeans to stretchy stuff. There’s some underthings too.”

  Sadie stared at the clothes, and suddenly felt blessed in the midst of this horrible day.

  From the moment Rafe had stopped to help her it had been that way. A lump formed in her throat. “Thank you,” she managed softly then picked up a blouse.

  They spent the next few minutes going through the items and Sadie actually was the same size as Maddie. Another blessing. She was however a little taller but thankfully several of the things worked perfectly.

  Sadie hurried, not wanting to keep Maddie from her guests too long and knowing the quicker she dressed the sooner they could get to the party.

  Hurrying and trying to focus on the blessings of this horrible day Sadie couldn’t completely sideline thoughts of her own party she wasn’t showing up for back home. Anger rushed hot and coarse through her thinking about it-but at the same time relief steadied her. She had known something wasn’t right. Had known she was making a mistake.

  So why did it still hurt so much?

  “Seriously, she was wearing a bunny suit?”

  At Chase’s question, Rafe grinned despite knowing Ty and Dalton were studying him. They were still unable to believe she had been in a bunny suit or that he’d hired her on the spot while she was wearing the bunny suit. “Yes, one of those kind you see someone wear to a kid’s birthday party.”

  “I bet that was a shocker,” Ty said.

  “Pretty much.” Rafe was still in some shock.

  Dalton grinned. “I’m just glad we have a cook. Man oh man that’s gonna be nice.”

  Grins spread across their faces. They normally took turns with cooking duties but they got up early and worked late a lot an
d so their meals were nothing to celebrate.

  They were standing to the side watching the main throng heading toward the fajita line of the party that was now in full swing. When they’d come back outside Cliff had immediately been surrounded by well-wishers and his admiring group of young cowboys who were always after him for tips to help their own bull riding endeavors.

  Rafe still couldn’t believe his bull riding champion of a brother had come to town and in a whirlwind romance with Maddie that had lasted less than two weeks, had fallen in love and asked Maddie to marry him. It was crazy—as far as Rafe was concerned it was reckless, but it wasn’t for him to say one way or the other as long as they were happy that was all that mattered. Cliff deserved to be happy and Rafe was glad he’d finally been able to leave the demons of their past behind and stop running. Rafe had stopped running a long time ago and though he had a good life, he knew deep inside he still dealt with the past in many ways.

  He was glad Cliff and Maddie both had found love. Still, two weeks was a little fast for Rafe. He was more cautious than that—and with reason.

  "So how long do you give them?" Ty asked, looking worried. Rafe was glad the conversation was shifted from him and Sadie.

  He shrugged. "I’m going to give them forever. I know my brother and once he commits to something, wind from a hurricane couldn't shake him loose. And you’ve seen the poor sodbuster when Maddie’s around, he’s about as love-struck as a man could be."

  "I agree,” Chase added. “I just hope he really loves Maddie. She deserves it."

  "Yeah," Dalton grunted. "She does.”

  “He better not let her down. That's all I have to say," Ty said quietly. He didn't say much but he meant what he said. And he had a soft spot for Maddie just like the rest of them.

  Ever since she'd come to the ranch and begun working beside them two years ago, she'd been tough and tougher. She just wouldn't stop. And there was no way you could miss that she loved what she did. Hard or not, she loved it. That was one reason they all felt like C.C., their boss, had included them all in his will, leaving them equal partners in the ranch. They all loved the ranch and the work. C.C. had loved it too and since he had no children he’d left it to all of them. It was something none of them had expected or had completely gotten used to. Maddie especially.