“Is that what’s holding you back?” Donna pried, turning sideways on the sofa and staring at her. “Then again, I’ve never seen you flirt with any man. You do like men, right, Tracy?”
“Yes, I like men. But I’ve not come across the right one for me,” she replied, wondering if the right man hijacked one’s every thought like Cash had been doing to her since the moment she’d met him.
“Cash belongs on the cover ofPeopleas the sexist man alive,” Donna said.
“Yes, he does,” Tracy admitted. She had every hope and intention of Cash being on the cover ofRanchers and Ranges.
“I suspect I’m older than Cash by a dozen years or so. You’re probably younger than Cash by half a decade…at least,” Donna said with a question in her voice. “Oh well, maybe I can show him a thing or two in the bedroom.”
Covering her shock, Tracy heard herself calmly say, “I doubt that. I think Cash Cooper is as much a stud as his stallion.”
“You don’t know, he might want to be taught, like in my case. Or he might want to teach, like in your case?” Donna asked. Tracy didn’t confirm or deny her inexperience. She’d never shared such personal details with Donna, nor did she plan to start. But apparently, her naiveté with men was evident. “If Cash doesn’t start flirting back, I’ll set my sights on Sam or Beau.”
“Sam is married to Kellie,” Tracy said.
Donna got a call on her phone and looked at the number. With a glance at Tracy she hopped off the couch and went into her bedroom to take it. Tracy sat stunned at Donna’s morals or lack thereof. To her relief, the woman must have fallen asleep because she didn’t return. As Donna began to snore, Tracy went back to her laptop. But in her mind’s eye she saw Cash on the screen instead of the words she was trying to put there. An hour later the clanging of the chuck wagon dinner bell sounded.
“Hey,” Cash said through the open half of the Dutch door.
“Oh!” Tracy jumped in surprise and laughed. “Hay is for horses.”
“And supper is for their riders.” He grinned, gave her acome-onwave of his hand, and disappeared. But Tracy heard him call, “It’s Taco Tuesday.”
Tracy closed her laptop and met Cash at the front door. “I love tacos and I’m starving.”
Cash proffered his arm and she took it. Tall and made of muscle, in walking at Cash’s side Tracy felt safe and…wanted. Where had that thought come from? From the attention and strength of the man beside her. They strolled into the café, already bustling with activity. Guests and wranglers were mingled at tables talking about the day’s events while chowing down on tacos, chips, and dips. In addition to water and sweet tea, glass pitchers on tables held something frosty and lime colored.
“Taco Tuesday,” Kellie called to Cash and Tracy and held up a basket of chips in one hand and sauce in the other. “Follow me.” She led them to a corner, not too far from and not too close to the other tables. As they sat across from each other, Kellie gave a nod to a pretty young woman and said, “Cristen’s summer school class at Pikes Peak State College is over so she’s back to work. Here she comes with drinks, and I’ll bring your tacos.”
“Margaritas?” Cristen asked. Holding a pitcher of margaritas and two glasses, she had an hourglass figure and long blond hair. Tracy figured they were about the same age.
“That’s a hell yes for me,” Cash said. “Thanks, Cristen.”
“For me, too,” Tracy agreed.
Cristen poured and left the pitcher with them. Jacob caught their attention and snapped a photo before returning his attention to Natasha and Michaela who were at his table with Larry.
“Think I can have some photo approval as to what goes in the magazine?” Cash asked.
“Absolutely,” Tracy said. Cash smiled and held up his glass. Tracy held hers up, they clinked their glasses and drank. It was delicious. “Especially if they put you on the cover.”
“What?” Cash asked. Obviously the thought had never crossed his mind. “The cover?”
“Yes. Donna thinks you should be on the cover ofPeopleas the sexiest man alive,” she told him.
He shook his head and muttered, “Donna.” He paused and asked, “What do you think?”
“I think I’m gonna do my very best to get you and your ranch on the cover ofRanchers and Ranges.”
“I’m only one-third of the Triple C Ranches,” he said. “As I told the group yesterday, Chase runs a cattle ranch and Jade offers equine therapy on Triple C-Central. Chloe andDerek run the bed-and-breakfast and Percheron businesses on Triple C-West.”
“Right.” Tracy’s eyes grew as round as their basket of chips, and she scooted forward in her chair. “I just had an idea! Do you think I could interview them? It wouldn’t be nearly as extensive as your story and I’d have to run it by my editor, but I think he’d go for it.” Her mind was racing. “I know I have to vacate my cabin after this week, but if I could come back next week for maybe a day, do you think your family would pose for a few photos?”
Cash chuckled at her enthusiasm. “I don’t know. I guess we could ask them.”
Something or someone caught Cash’s attention behind her, and he raised his hand. Tracy glanced over her shoulder and saw an older man arriving for Taco Tuesday with Beau. Tracy also noticed Cristen, smiling from ear to ear, as she hurried to greet them. Beau wrapped an arm around her, and Cristen stood on tiptoes to give him a quick kiss.
“Donna will be disappointed,” Tracy thought and realized by Cash’s expression, she actually said that out loud.
