Beauty and the Cowboy Read online

  She knew and understood the whole Jesse Guthrie package.

  Well, not the whole package.

  She had to bite her bottom lip to keep from smiling at the thought.

  It was a wonder someone hadn’t snatched him up and taken him off the market. In fact, had he even had a serious girlfriend since Veronica? He’d dated Jodie MacCreadie off and on, but they were more off than on. Well, okay, there’d been Eve Canaday. They’d been more serious. Eve was blond, pretty and from a well-off family. Everyone thought that relationship had been heading somewhere. Charlotte would’ve been lying if she said she hadn’t been a tiny bit relieved when they broke up.

  God, she was horrible. She really wanted only what was best for Jesse. Even though Eve had been perfect on paper, there had just been something about them together that hadn’t been right.

  As if Charlotte had a vote.

  Jesse flipped on the overhead light and gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk.

  “Have a seat. I’ll grab that brochure I was talking about while we wait for Mattie to bring in the quote you requested for the added dressing rooms for the pageant.”

  He turned his back on them and began searching in the top drawer of a tall filing cabinet. Charlotte turned to say something to Jane and caught her intently gazing at Jesse.

  She wasn’t immune, either.

  Jane must’ve sensed Charlotte watching her watch Jesse, because she glanced at her and lifted an eyebrow then gave a discreet nod toward Jesse’s backside. Even though Jane didn’t utter a single word, Charlotte knew her friend was appreciating the…er…view and was encouraging her to join in the fun.

  Charlotte shook her head and made a censuring face at Jane, but that only egged Jane on.

  Jane was a professional through and through, and she was about as in love as any newlywed could be. Yet she didn’t feel the need to take herself overly seriously. That’s why Charlotte liked her. Especially when there was no questioning that a red-blooded, heterosexual woman would have to be blind not to notice the incredible work of art that was Jesse Guthrie’s backside.

  How had Charlotte never properly appreciated it before?

  Probably because she’d never stopped long enough to take in the view and, of course, there was Tom. But Tom wasn’t here. And sure enough, broad, muscular shoulders hidden beneath a light blue plaid cotton shirt tapered down to a trim waist that enhanced Jesse’s very finest jean-clad…asset.

  A strange thrill that was both electrifying and a little forbidden shot through Charlotte.

  Then Jesse turned, clutching the brochure that had been his mission. “I wanted to show you this—What’s wrong?”

  Charlotte wanted to crawl under the desk, because she was sure she and Jane were busted. But by the grace of God, Jane’s cell phone sounded a text, which she immediately picked up.

  Jesse handed the brochure to Charlotte. “This might be a workable option for more dressing-room space if you really think you need it. How many girls are entering the pageant?”

  Jane and Charlotte were producing this year’s Miss Marietta Fair pageant. It was the first year that the pageant was being run by the Marietta Chamber of Commerce rather than the Miss Marietta Fair board of directors, an independent group of mostly grandfatherly Marietta residents. In the past, the fair queen and her court had been voted on by the fair board of directors. Because of this, many local girls whose families weren’t as well connected as the others were shut out.

  Jane had come up with the idea of turning the pageant into an event that was open to all girls between the ages of fourteen and twenty-two. She’d convinced the mayor to make it a scholarship pageant that would give young women a chance to learn poise and public speaking.

  The mere idea had caused quite an uproar among some of the town’s old codgers—namely those with granddaughters who were eligible to be appointed to this year’s court. Even so, at January’s city council meeting, Jane’s plan to bring the fair queen and her court into the new millennium garnered enough votes to prevail. That’s when she’d hired Charlotte away from First Bank of Marietta to be her assistant and guide the pageant in its new direction.

  Charlotte glanced up from the brochure for the portable dressing tents. Jane was still tap-tapping away on her phone. The text seemed important.

  “We don’t have a final number because we’re still accepting entry forms until next Monday,” Charlotte said. “So far we’ve received seventeen entries. But we’re expecting several more based on the amount of interest. We’d like to plan on twenty-five girls or so. Would we have to buy these or do they rent them?”

  “You’d have to buy them.”

  “But they’re not air conditioned, and with the summer humidity and all that makeup and hairspray, that could be a problem.”

  Jesse shrugged. “I want to help you, Charlie, but I only have so much space to offer. I can’t manufacture it.”

  “How much do these things cost?” Charlotte asked.

  Before Jesse could answer, Jane got to her feet. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to go.” She held up her phone. “I have a situation that I tried to solve via the magic of text, but unfortunately it requires my presence. I’m going to leave this meeting in your capable hands, Charlotte. But will you walk out with me? Excuse us for a moment, Jesse?”

  “Sure, I’ll see how Mattie is doing with the papers we’ll need for the walkthrough.”

  Charlotte went outside with Jane. The two of them stopped next to her small, dark blue SUV.

  “Is everything okay?” Charlotte asked.

  Jane waved off her question. “Everything’s fine. It’s an issue with the Chamber directory. The printer needs me to sign off on proofs before they’ll start the job. If I don’t sign within the hour, they’re going to put a big job ahead of us.”

  “Oh, good. I was afraid maybe it was about Sam.”

  Jane’s hand fluttered to her neck. “Oh, no. He’s doing fine. Healthier than ever, thank God.”

  The day after Jane and Sam McCullough had announced their engagement in late May, Sam had suffered a mild heart attack. Charlotte was relieved to hear that he continued to do well. It just went to show what the power of love could do for a person. It also proved that life and love were precious and not to be taken for granted.

  Charlotte rubbed her bare ring finger again.

  She decided when she got home this evening, she’d call Tom so they could talk through some of the ambivalence she’d been feeling. Why had she been keeping all the weird emotions inside when, for all she knew, he might be harboring the same doubts and fears? Marriage was for sharing—for better or worse. Now was as good a time as any to start living those tenants.

  “Be firm with him and get what we want,” Jane said.

  “What?” Charlotte asked.

  “Talk to Jesse about the extra lighting and the dressing rooms. The city could shoulder the cost of the dressing rooms and use them for future events. Remind him that we’re not in this to make money, but we have to break even. Get him to work with you. And don’t be distracted by that fine ass.”

  Charlotte felt her face flame. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes, you do. It wouldn’t hurt you in the least to do a little sightseeing while you and Tom are trying to figure things out. You know I love my husband, but I’d certainly endorse Jesse Guthrie’s ass as one of Marietta’s natural wonders.”

  “Oh, really? Will that be an official Chamber of Commerce campaign?”

  “There’s a thought. See, I knew you were looking. You may be engaged—”

  “Almost engaged.”

  “Almost engaged is all the more reason that you should be considering your options.”

  Options? Please. Jesse was hot, but she’d never considered him an option.

  But, God, he was pretty hot, wasn’t he?

  She didn’t even have that marquise ring on her finger, but she could feel it digging in. And now she had to go back in there a
lone, with her eyes opened and her head spinning with thoughts that shouldn’t be there, and face Jesse with his fine ass and those piercing blue eyes.

  Chapter 2

  “So, you and Tom are finally tying the knot?” Jesse said as he and Charlotte set out to do the walkthrough of the stage and the backstage areas they’d use for the Miss Marietta Fair pageant. “When’s the big day, Charlie?”

  She shrugged. He caught a weird vibe from her as they walked side-by-side across the planes of the dusty fairground. “I don’t know. We haven’t gotten that far yet.”

  “No? What are you waiting for?”

  “A formal proposal would be nice.” She shoved her hands into her pockets and lifted her chin a little higher as they walked.

  “I heard you went ring shopping last weekend.”

  She stopped and looked at him with her hands on her hips and her head cocked. “I expected more from you, Jesse Guthrie.”

  “What?” His voice had more of an edge than he’d intended, but there she was in her defensive stance, looking like she wanted to argue, and he couldn’t understand why. All he did was ask about Tom.

  “You’re listening to the town gossip? I didn’t take you for the type.”

  He threw his hands up. “I’m talking to you about you, aren’t I? I’m not taking the gossip at face value. Forget it. We don’t have to talk. I was just making conversation.”

  They walked a few steps in silence. Jesse fixed his gaze on Copper Mountain, which loomed strong and silent on the horizon. Finally, Charlotte slanted him a glance. “I’d like to talk about it. Actually, I’d like your advice on something.”

  Advice? That sounded dangerous. He already regretted bringing up the engagement, or the non-engagement, in the first place. Should’ve kept the conversation on business. But she was a friend, and he’d thought wedding talk would be a good conversation.

  His mistake.

  Charlie Morgan hadn’t been like any other girl he’d ever known. He’d never been as comfortable around a woman as he was with her. Then again, she hadn’t been a woman back when they used to hang out. She’d been a girl and he’d been a boy.

  And then life had gotten in the way. What a shame it had had to happen like that. But here she was asking for his advice.

  “I’ll make a deal with you,” he found himself saying before he could think better of it. “I’ll trade you advice for advice.”

  Her eyebrow shot up. “You want my advice about something?”

  He nodded.

  “Okay,” she said. “You go first.”

  They’d reached the fairgrounds’ stage area. There were some folding chairs leaning against the stage wall. He set up two and dusted one off with his handkerchief.

  “I didn’t know men still carried handkerchiefs.”

  He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “You never know when they might come in handy. Here. Have a seat.”

  She complied. “This sounds serious. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. Sure.” This was ridiculous, actually.

  He was just about ready to say, Never mind. Instead, he heard himself saying, “It’s Matt. She’s suddenly gone all girly on me. I don’t know what to do with her.”

  A hiccup of laughter escaped Charlotte. Her hand flew to her mouth. She cleared her throat and was suddenly serious.

  “Before you came into the office, she and I were talking, and I noticed how she’s grown up. It’s natural, Jesse. But I can see how it’s hard for you. It has to be hard for her, too, growing up without a feminine influence. She’s a good kid. I’m sure she’ll be just fine. If she needs some girl time, send her to me. We can go shopping or paint our nails. It would be fun.”

  He must’ve not looked convinced, because she said, “Was there something specific? Or is it just her girliness in general that’s bothering you?”

  He wasn’t bothered by her girliness.

  He started to protest, but then realized he was. Sort of. It was just that she was his kid sister.

  “It just seems like I can’t do anything right.” He ran his hand over his face as if he could scrub away the awkwardness of what he was about to say next. It didn’t help. So he just spit it out. “She’s been making noises about being in this pageant you’re running, and I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  Charlie laughed again. “Why would it not be a good idea? It’s a very conservative pageant. No swimsuit competition, if that’s what you’re worried about. The girls compete in interview, an outfit of their choice that shows their style and personality and formal wear. It would be good for her.”

  He found himself squinting at her, unsure where to even start with all the reasons that it could turn out to be a cluster of disasters.

  “I’m…I…I’ve already told her she can’t. I just don’t want her to embarrass herself. She’d be judged against these other girls who have mothers and sisters to help them. She doesn’t even own anything that could pass for formal wear, and I don’t know the first thing about helping her get it.”

  Charlie reached out and touched his hand. Her hand was soft and warm on his bare skin. He had a strange desire to turn over his hand and see how her hand would feel in his.

  But he didn’t.

  “Jesse, it’s not that hard. Even if she didn’t win—and I’m not counting her out—she would learn so much. This pageant is not meant to embarrass or exploit the girls, it’s meant to help them gain poise and self-confidence. Let her do it. I think she’ll resent you if you don’t.”

  “She already resents me. That’s nothing new.”

  A knowing look flickered through Charlie’s eyes. “I think I know one thing that might help. She’s wanting people to call her Mattalyn and not Matt. I know it’s a hard habit to break, but honoring her request would go a long way in bringing the two of you closer. Believe me, I know. You’re talking to a girl who was called Charlie her whole life. So, I understand. She’s at that age where she just wants to be thought of as a girl and not a tomboy.”

  He’d always been aware that Charlie—er, Charlotte—was a girl. Hell, now she was all woman, and everything male in him appreciated that.

  “I still call you Charlie. Sorry. I didn’t realize it bothered you.”

  “It doesn’t anymore. Besides, you’re grandfathered in. I probably wouldn’t think you were talking to me if you called me Charlotte.”

  She laughed, and he realized her hand was still on his.

  There was a moment where neither of them spoke, and he didn’t know what to say.

  She had always been beautiful. Even back in the days when she entered all those beauty pageants. He never understood why she didn’t win some big state or national title, because as far as he was concerned there was nobody in all of Marietta—or even Bozeman—as beautiful as Charlie Morgan. With her long silky dark hair and those brown eyes that could bring a man to his knees, she’d always had a power over him. Sitting here with her like this, he realized that hadn’t changed.

  He pulled his arm away and leaned back in his chair, locking his hands behind his head, a safe distance from her touch. “I’ll keep that in mind. What did you want to talk to me about?”

  Charlie gave him the lowdown on her ring-shopping trip with Tom Tucker. He’d be home in a few weeks, but she was thinking about calling him tonight to talk about her fears.

  He had to weigh his words to keep from pointing out that the guy was a jackass. Tom didn’t deserve Charlie. This engagement-ring debacle was case in point.

  “You want my honest opinion?”

  She nodded. Those brown eyes were huge and tinged with a sadness that shouldn’t be there.

  “It may not be what you want to hear.”

  Great, now she looked like she was about to cry. This was one of those times where he needed to just listen and nod and tell her that he didn’t have a crystal ball. Her guess was as good as his, etc., etc.

  He got to his feet. “Just call the guy up. Tell him what you told me. Ask him where he stands. Do you
love him?”

  Crap. He hadn’t meant to ask that last part.

  She studied a spot on the ground for a long time. “I think so. I don’t know. I think maybe the two of us are just getting scared since this is getting so real.”

  It was totally irrational, but a stinging current swam through his veins.

  “Well, yeah, and when two people talk about spending the rest of their lives together, it should be real. A relationship isn’t always easy or comfortable. It’s messy and crazy, but that’s where the passion is.”

  She was looking at him like he’d jumped bass-ackward onto the back of a bull. But he was on a roll.

  “You asked for my opinion, here it is: I don’t understand why he would even take you ring shopping. When you get to the point where you’re talking about getting married, the man should know the woman so well he should be able to pick out the perfect ring for her. He should surprise her and get down on one knee and propose the old-fashioned way.”

  “Yeah? That’s a nice fairy tale, but that’s not how Tom operates. He wanted my input on the ring.”

  “No, he didn’t. He ignored you when you showed him the one you wanted.”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “It’s not on your finger, is it?” Jesse folded up his chair. “Just call him and ask him what’s up. We should probably finish this walkthrough so we can get back to work.”

  When he looked up, Charlie was swiping tears from her eyes. Now he felt like the jackass for making her cry.

  “Hey, sorry.” Jesse made a conscious effort to soften his tone. “Don’t cry. I’m just saying Tom had better watch out. If he doesn’t put a ring on your finger, someone’s going to steal you away. Like my grandpa always said, ‘Until there’s a ring on her finger, she’s fair game.’”

  Charlotte scoffed.

  The two stood in silence for a moment.