CHAPTER THREE
Austin fiddled nervously with his watch as he stood outside the motorhome. Natalie had offered to pick him up in her truck so Nolan could stay behind with Casey. He’d quickly wrangled the keys to Nolan’s truck. Even if he hadn’t dated in over eight years, he couldn’t imagine letting a woman pick him up, no matter how social norms had changed.
At two minutes to seven, she pulled up and waved.
He held up the keys to Nolan’s pickup.
She shrugged, then climbed out. “You have to be in control, huh? Not always a bad thing when it comes to relationships--as long as there’s a healthy dose for both parties.” Natalie, in dark jeans, a crisp western shirt, and her auburn hair in loose waves, strolled the distance between the two vehicles like a beauty queen. Shimmery blue eyeshadow highlighted her eyes.
“You look nice.” It popped out before he had time to give his words much thought. “Real pretty.”
“Aww, that’s sweet. You’re very handsome too. Where are Casey and Nolan?”
“I told them to beat it until you got here. They’re off visiting with some other folks we know. I didn’t need her hovering like a worried mother hen.”
“Would she?”
“I don’t know. It’s never come up before. I don’t date. Not even casually. I mean, yeah, a couple of one-night stands here and there when she was pretty small, but I’ve never brought a woman home to meet her.” God, this was awkward. “I don’t have a lot of time between rodeos and trying to keep up to date with her homeschooling. I’m terrified she won’t meet the educational requirements and the board will force me to put her in a regular school. Not because she’s done anything wrong. Casey’s quick as a whip. It’d be my fault.”
“Austin.”
“Yeah?”
“Take a deep breath. I’m sure you’re doing fine.” She patted his arm. “It’s obvious that she’s bright. You’re so dedicated to her. It’s wonderful.”
“Someone has to be.” He couldn’t meet her gaze. “Guess you can tell from everything that was said that Alaina isn’t much of a parent. She prefers people not to know that Casey is hers.”
“It wouldn’t look good for Miss Rodeo USA to be a single mother, would it?” She sounded a little disgusted.
“No.” Bitterness burned through him. “That’s why she’s still single too. We were just kids when Casey was born, too young to be parents, but I did what I had to do. She dreamed of being popular and representing rodeo her way. So it’s up to me to give Casey what she needs. Alaina’s parents are helpful, when they have a mind to be. At least they’re willing to acknowledge her existence.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what kind of difficulties the situation brings you. How selfish of Alaina. She’s missing out on not knowing Casey. But then, she doesn’t really deserve to, does she?”
“No. Not even a little bit, except that Casey is curious about her.” He sighed. “Sorry to dish on all the family drama. I’m a great date.”
“You’re fine.” She tucked her arm through his. “Let’s get something to eat. I’m starved.”
“Okay. Unless you’re so disgusted, you don’t want to do this anymore.” His palms were sweaty and he felt like he’d drank a gallon of coffee even though he’d only had one cup while he waited. Taking a woman out was the farthest thing from his mind when he got up this morning.
“Gosh, lighten up a little, cowboy. I’m not disgusted. Just curious. I like hearing about Casey, so you can talk about her all you want. Talk about anything. We’re going out as friends. Nothing major.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “You were good this afternoon. I think a lot of people are impressed by your roping skills.”
“I hope so. Someday, I’d like to teach a camp.” She smiled when he opened the truck door for her. “Such a gentleman.”
“My mama raised me right.”
“Clearly.” She climbed into the truck as fluidly as she’d ridden Moose that afternoon. “What about you? What will you do when you’re past your rodeo prime?”
He considered as he rounded the truck, then got in. “Don’t know. Maybe I won’t be too decrepit to flip burgers at McDonalds.”
“Ugh, the torture. Obviously none of us are going to get rich in the rodeo, but you’re saving up for Casey, right? College?”
He gripped the steering wheel. Alaina’s parents had set up a trust fund for Casey almost right away. At least he didn’t have to worry about her going to college. “Yeah. That’s all settled.”
“No huge work opportunities in Swells?”
“Not really. The auction house is about the biggest business there. Maybe I could get a job with them.”
“Don’t sound so enthusiastic.” She leaned on the armrest that broke up the seat. “Rodeo is everything, isn’t it? It’s unimaginable to think of life beyond it.”
“Yeah. Mostly we ramble from place to place, live event to event, and whatever happens in between happens.” It sounded like a terrible way to live, but he didn’t mind it. She must think him a total drifter who rambled whichever way the wind blew. “I have a little in savings. We’re not homeless nomads or anything. I could hold down a job if I wanted to.”
Her face crinkled with concern. “Of course you could. I get what you’re doing. Rodeo is in the blood. The best kind of disease.”
“You think so?” He relaxed a little as he started the truck, then took them out onto the street. “There are a lot of people who probably think I’m stealing Casey’s childhood.”
“Does Alaina think that? Or her parents?”
“They don’t agree on much, but they don’t entirely approve of us living on a beat up old bus.” But what did they know about upkeep on the thing and raising a kid as a single parent?
“I think it’s whimsical.”
The amusement on her face wasn’t a lie.
“Personally, I would have loved it when I was a kid. I just worry about her when she gets older. You know how teenagers can be. They think about friends, phones...boys. I can’t imagine explaining birds and bees to Casey.” He shuddered. “She could become a completely different person. She might hate me for the kind of childhood I’ve given her.”
“It is so sweet how much you worry about her. How much you love her.”
If you only knew. He swallowed. “Casey and Nolan are pretty much all I’ve got in the world.”
“Maybe someday you’ll have more. If it was feasible, would you get married and have more kids?” Her hand slid over the armrest and her fingertips rested lightly on his thigh.
A shiver went up his spine. He glanced at her, then back at the road. “Sure, I guess. If I found the right woman. I’d do whatever I could to make her happy. Rodeo doesn’t have to be everything, but I’d still want it to be part of my life.”
“I hear you. I want to give my family one hundred percent, but I don’t want to give up rodeo either.”
He couldn’t fight the smile that came to his lips. “Okay, in five years, if neither one of us is married, let’s give it a shot.”
“Oh, a proposal. On the first date. I must have made quite an impression, considering we haven’t even got to the food portion of the night yet.” She laughed. “I like you, Austin. I’m so glad we’re hanging out.”
After all the games Alaina had played, he’d guarded his heart. “I like you too. How open and funny you are. It’s a nice change from my own company.”
“You’re too hard on yourself.” She tapped her fingers against his leg. “You only have to loosen up a little and have a good time. That’s what tonight is about.”
“I want to.” He did. Already some of the tension he carried had faded away. “I just feel like I have to be careful. I don’t want you to think this could turn into something serious.”
“I’m don’t. Promise.”
He flexed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Thanks for getting me out tonight. Sometimes I forget I need a little adult company.”
“Well, I’ll fix you up. Dinner, maybe some dancing?” She traced a figure eight on the denim covering his leg. “A few drinks to lighten things up?”
His groin tightened with the simple touch of her fingers on his pants. “Okay.”
* * * *
They ended up at a country western club where the music was a little too loud and the room too crowded for Austin’s taste. Natalie seemed to like it, moving with the music--and because she’d had a couple of drinks.
She wasn’t shy about laughing or touching or eating. Whatever she did, it came naturally. Every bit of it endeared her to him a little more.
She swayed in front of him to some upbeat song he could barely hear the lyrics to because the speakers were apparently on the highest setting. She abruptly stopped, grabbed his hand, and pulled him to a crowded bar.
“I’m thirsty,” Natalie shouted. “Just water this time. If I keep going, you’ll have to carry me back to the truck.”
“It’s a good thing I drove.” He leaned across the bar and asked the bartender for two glasses of water.
When he had them in hand, he led her away from the band and the speakers to a quieter part of the bar. Not a lot quieter, sadly, but at least his ears weren’t ringing anymore. They found an empty booth and she slid in beside him instead of across.
Natalie took her water and drank it down in a few gulps. “This place is not your style, cowboy.”
He laughed. “How could you tell?”
“You dance like a fence post.”
“I’m that good? It’s an improvement. I used to dance like a rock.”
She leaned into him. “You’re a lot of fun when you let go.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.” She placed her hand over his. “You should do this more often. It’s good for you.”
“Well, I might, if I had someone like you to drag me around.” He turned his hand palm-up so he could put his fingers together with hers. “I am having fun.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. You know what we need?” She leaned closer.
He couldn’t begin to guess. “Not a clue.”
Her lips were so close to his. His heart thundered in his chest.
Natalie closed her eyes for a second. Was he supposed to lean into it and kiss her?
The upbeat music died and the notes of a slow song poured through the speakers.
“That’s what I wanted.” She pulled on his hand. “Dance with me.”
“We just sat down.” A weak protest. He wanted to hold her close for this song. When she tugged at him again, he went along behind her.
They found a spot right at the edge of the dance floor. Natalie wrapped her arms around Austin’s waist and leaned into his chest. He settled his hands at her hips. The unfamiliar weight of a woman against him seemed odd, but it wouldn’t be difficult to get used to.
Natalie closed her eyes and let him lead, even though he wasn’t sure what he was doing. She didn’t seem to mind. They traveled in tight circles. His heart pounded like Jacko’s hooves in the arena. His palms sweated against the waistband of her jeans. It had nothing to do with the drinks he’d consumed, and everything to do with Natalie. A sweet scent, something flowery, drifted up from her hair. Perfume or shampoo, hard to tell with all the other scents flowing around him in the club. It made him lightheaded. Between her tight hold, her slim form, and the smell, he was getting horny too.
She’d laugh at him if she realized it. Not out of meanness, but probably because she’d like the idea that she turned him on. Maybe it was just the crooning lyrics or the soft music. Maybe it was because he’d been too long without a woman. Maybe there was something magical about her and the way she’d won him over so easily.
Natalie raised her head, met his gaze. “You’re smiling.”
“I am?” Surprised, he pinched his lips together.
“Don’t stop. It’s a beautiful smile. I bet Alaina doesn’t give you a lot of reasons to use it. That’s why I’m glad it’s me you’re holding on to.” Her smile faded. “You still love her a little bit. Despite everything she’s done to you and Casey.”
He grimaced. “To Casey more than me. And, yeah. She’s got her claws in me. I don’t know how to get shuck of her.”
“You need a new love interest.”
“Sure. I’ll put up an ad on Tindr. Maybe Casey can show me how.” He chuckled. “Can you imagine? Must love rodeo and a guy who’s gone every weekend. Plus there’s a kid attached. No, I don’t see many women answering that ad.”
“You’re such a pessimist.” She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t think like that. You know how to show a girl a good time. I’m having a blast. You want to put up a Tindr ad, I’ll help you. Sweet, sexy cowboy needs some lovin’. Adorable daughter included for a ready-made family. Just add wife.”
“Man, I’d almost respond to that ad.”
“Oh, dang straight you would. I can think of half a dozen women who would.” She settled her head on his chest again. “I sure would.”
“I’d swipe whatever direction I had to in order to respond to you.” That might’ve been the alcohol talking. He never so openly flirted with women.
“Luckily, we haven’t posted that profile yet, so no swiping involved.” She met his gaze. “You could come back to my motel room.”
His heart skipped a beat. “I don’t… I’m not sure what to say here, Natalie. You know I want to, but--”
She pressed a finger over his lips. “Nolan’s got Casey. He’d be disappointed if he found out you turned me down.”
He pulled his head back. “I’m not him.”
“Oh? I hadn’t noticed.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not asking you to spend the night. You should be there when Casey wakes up because you’re her dad. She needs you. She’ll always need you, but you have to take care of your needs sometimes too.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m the kind of man who takes advantage of a lady.”
“I invited you. If anyone’s being taken advantage of here, it’s you.” She poked his chest. “Yeah, I’m a little buzzed, but I’m not out of my mind with drink. I know what I want. That’s you. You really gonna turn me down here, cowboy?”
He drew in a breath. “No. I’m not that stupid. I want to know that this isn’t going to change anything. That we can still be friends.”
A wicked smile curled her mouth. “Oh, yeah. We’re definitely still going to be friends.” She let go of his waist, then grabbed his hand. “Let’s get out of here. Your carriage turns into a pumpkin at midnight.”
His heart beat even faster as he licked his lips. “Okay.”
She led him out of the nightclub like a fire raged behind them. He barely remembered digging the keys out of his pocket once they climbed into Nolan’s truck. She put her hand on his crotch and the wicked gleam in her eyes made him clench his jaw. It took every ounce of concentration to follow her directions to her motel.
They barely made it through the door before they were losing clothes. She pushed him to the bed as she popped the snap buttons on her shirt, then helped him unclasp his belt buckle.
Natalie’s hungry mouth fell over his. He tangled his hands in her silky hair as she stretched across his body.
Whatever happened between them, he needed this. Needed her. Needed one night away from the worry that he was screwing up Casey’s life.