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He laughed when he saw her expression. “Not exactly a limousine, I admit. I had to bring my truck into town for some work so I borrowed a friend’s car. Or rather, I ended up with my friend’s son’s car.”
Leah blushed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I was just caught off guard.”
His manners were flawless as he helped her into the car, but that was no surprise. Country boy or not, he was a gentleman. And she wasn’t surprised when he pulled into the crowded parking lot at the Broken Spoke. She’d hardly expected him to take her to the country club, considering the man she was coming to know, and she had no doubt she was being tested again. Well, she’d eaten her share of chicken-fried steak, and she could probably remember how to dance the schottische in a pinch.
As soon as the waitress had taken their orders, Leah got down to business. “What would you like to talk about first?”
Wade folded his hands on the table in front of him. “I don’t like Pennington Bradford, and I don’t like his daddy even more. But I do love my daughter, and I want her to be happy.”
He paused. Leah waited.
“Myra Jo doesn’t think so, but I was young once, and I remember what it was like to be impulsive, to believe love was enough to solve any problem. I don’t think she has a clue what she’s facing if she goes through with this marriage, and I’d do anything to keep her from getting hurt.”
Warning bells went off in Leah’s head. “I think most fathers feel as you do,” she said, treading softly.
He raised one eyebrow. “Even in this day and age, I don’t think most fathers raise their daughters by themselves.”
Despite her earlier vow to be cautious, Leah decided to go ahead and say what was on her mind. If Wade was as up-front as he claimed, he’d respect her. If he wasn’t, it would be better to lose the contract now instead of risking a second disaster.
“Wade, I’ve been doing this for a long time, and one thing I’m sure of is that it’s a mistake to play God. I’ve seen couples I was certain were doomed become inseparable, and vice versa. So if you’re asking me to help you to keep Myra Jo from marrying Pennington, I’m afraid I can’t oblige you.”
Wade cast her an amused glance. “I’m not asking you to. I know the quickest way to get a child to do something is to forbid it, so my goal hasn’t been to stop her. I’ve dragged things out as long as I could to see if she’d open her eyes.”
“Start seeing things your way, you mean,” she said, unable to stop herself.
His look turned mocking. “No, I meant it the way I said it. If I thought she had any inkling of what marrying Pennington really means, I’d feel more at ease. The way it stands, I’m not convinced. The long and short of it is, I’m going to give Myra Jo the biggest wedding money can buy. And I’m also going to do my best to ensure her a chance at a happy future.”
“And if things don’t work out that way?” Leah asked quietly.
“Then my little girl can come home, and her daddy’ll do his damnedest to heal her broken heart.”
Hot tears sprang into Leah’s eyes despite her most valiant effort to contain them. It was clear that Wade would gladly play the bad guy, even risk his daughter’s rejection, to assure her happiness. Considering her “I’ll do it on my own” philosophy, Leah should have been scornful, convinced Myra Jo would never stand on her own two feet as long as she knew she had her daddy to fall back on. Instead, all she felt was a pang of envy.
“Maybe someday Myra Jo will know how lucky she is to have you for a father,” she finally managed to say.
“Maybe,” Wade echoed in a lighter tone, “but I’m still not wearing a tuxedo.”
Leah had to roll her eyes, but was grateful that Wade had lightened the mood.
“Come on, Wade. Surely that’s just another delaying tactic?”
“Maybe.”
Hope quickened in her breast only to fade as she realized he was serious about not wearing a tuxedo. The wedding was only a month away; now was not the time for him to be unreasonable.
“I’m no weekend cowboy, Leah, living in Westlake and thinking I’m a rancher because I own a few acres and run a few head. I work my land and my herds. My hands get dirty and my boots aren’t for show.”
He took a breath and continued. “I can still remember the year we got indoor plumbing. I remember the year we didn’t eat meat until fall and we butchered a hog. I remember skipping school because I had to help my dad. Those things mold a man.”
He studied his clean, square nails.
“My Daddy’s word has always been worth more than gold, so if my family wasn’t good enough for people like the Bradfords then, we’re sure the hell not good enough now.”
“I can understand how you feel, but in the end this is your only child’s wedding.”
“I’ve told you that I’ll give Myra Jo the full three-ring circus, but I won’t play the trained bear for anybody.”
Wade suddenly looked weary, and Leah felt her heart pull. She had to believe growing up poor was not the only reason Wade was so firmly set in his ways. She wondered if Myra Jo’s mother was to blame for him putting up such high walls, or if some other woman had turned him so self-contained.
Whatever the reason—sheer cussedness or deep conviction—it was clear a battle would wage to put some shine on a man who wore his humble beginnings like a badge of honor.
“So,” he said, drawing her attention again, “have I scared you off?”
Leah loved a challenge, but she doubted Wade knew how reasonable it was for her to be afraid. Her reputation was at stake. Wade might not think she understood pride, but she did. Just like him, she knew the desire to be judged for who she was, not what she could do or how much money she made. Oh, how she knew the desire for people to see past the trappings and accept her for the woman she was on the inside.
She gave her head a little shake to stop her wandering thoughts. She could take comfort in the fact that Wade would play fair. Tough, but fair. That she could handle.
“Nope,” she finally said, holding out her hand. “You may have met your match, Wade Mackey.”
He paused a long moment before a smile slowly grew and he took her offered palm. “That would be a rare treat, Leah Houston.”
They sat back and let the waitress serve their dinners, and Leah discovered her appetite had returned.
“So what’s the next shindig on the list?” Wade asked between bites of steak.
“Myra Jo wants a barbecue as a combination graduation party and official announcement.”
“That’s right, I’d forgotten. I still think it’s pretty silly to ‘announce’ a year-old engagement.”
“I’ve seen the guest list,” Leah said carefully. “It’s going to be quite an affair.”
His lips tightened. “Bradford’s up for reelection and I guess he saw an opportunity to slap backs at my expense. But hell, I don’t care.”
Leah wasn’t sure that was entirely true, but she was sure this wasn’t a financial issue. She’d already been given the okay to hire the best caterers in Texas and one of the hottest up-and-coming bands. The decorations alone were no small cost, but the agreement she’d sent him had come back to her desk without a mark on it except his bold signature on the approval line.
“At least attire won’t be a fight,” she said, trying for some levity. “Denim will be de rigueur.”
“You think so?” he said, lifting an eyebrow. “We’ve already had three fights that my brand of denim isn’t good enough. Myra Jo wants to buy me some highfalutin designer jeans and have boots custom-made for the occasion. My Tony Lama’s will be just fine with a little spit and polish.”
Since they were back to square one, Leah decided to let things go for now. She only had a week until the barbecue, but then she would have another two until the rehearsal. Surely she could find a way to make him change his mind in three weeks. After all, she’d gotten the governor to dress up as The Beast so his daughter could be Belle at a costume party, hadn’t she?
The conversation drifted into the mundane for the rest of the meal, and the evening took on a delightful air. It wasn’t until the check arrived that they once again squared off.
Wade reached for it at the same time she did. His face took on that stubborn expression Leah decided she’d better get used to, so she finally let go. The test of wills had only taken a matter of seconds, but the battle had been real.
How foolish of her even to think of picking up the tab, even though the meal was a business deduction for her. He might only be seven years her senior, but feminism seemed to have passed this cowboy by without even ruffling his hair.
Leah noted Wade’s generous tip with absurd pleasure. She might have scratched cowboys off her fantasy list, but selfish men had never even been a consideration.
“Look, Leah, I’ve had about all the arguing I can stand. I clean up real good, so I can promise you I won’t show up at the barbecue, or even the wedding, in overalls. You just take care of Myra Jo and don’t worry about me.”
Oh, sure. That should be a breeze. Just as it had been a breeze to reserve the country club for the reception on such short notice, and book the caterer who was usually scheduled a year in advance, and cajole the baker into guaranteeing a five-tiered bride’s cake, a groom’s cake and the numerous extras required for an affair this size. What had Myra Jo been thinking to send out her invitations without these details planned? Now she could add getting the world’s most stubborn cowboy into a cutaway.
Any more “easy” tasks and she might just scream.
She calmed her wayward thoughts as Wade led her to the car, keeping a solicitous hand on her elbow. The evening sky was filled with a billion twinkling diamonds, and the quiet wrapped around them, incongruously making the parking lot seem intimate after the music-filled evening.
She wasn’t expecting the thrill that raced through her veins when he stopped and turned to give her an inscrutable look.
“Would you like to go for a walk on Town Lake before I take you home?”
Years of practice allowed Leah to keep her astonishment hidden. No, their meeting hadn’t been a date by the usual definition, but she probed her memory and found many real dates which hadn’t been this enjoyable.
Why did she find Wade’s interest in her companionship so hard to believe? Why was she looking for ulterior motives when the man might simply wish to spend some time with her? They’d had a pleasant evening, and all he wanted was to go for a walk by the lake.
Perhaps most surprising of all, she wanted to accept the impromptu invitation.
“That sounds lovely.”
The short drive down Lamar Boulevard was companionable. Leah congratulated herself on being able to put Wade a bit more at ease, and hoped she was building a good foundation to work from when things got dicey. For now, she decided to follow Wade’s example and enjoy the moment.
She matched his slow pace as they strolled along the Town Lake trail. The moon, pregnant with summer promise, reflected off the Colorado River. Pecan and cypress trees held hands over their heads, flirting with the night wind.
The occasional lap of the water against the bank, the crunch of gravel under the wheels of a passing bicycle, and the muted sound of traffic from the street only made the solitude seem safer, more comfortable. When they reached the rock overlook departing from the trail, it seemed entirely natural to lean her arms on the railing beside Wade’s and watch the lights from the power plant dance on the water. If it were earlier in the day, they’d be visited by the ducks and swans in search of a handout, but they had all found their nests, leaving the humans to enjoy the evening in relative peace and quiet.
Leah shivered when a gust of wind chased down her spine.
“Are you cold?” Wade asked, concern coloring his voice.
“No, just goose bumps. I’ve lived in Texas all my life, so you’d think I’d be used to the scorching hot days and cool nights of early summer in these parts.”
“Or maybe a rabbit hopped over your grave.”
She tilted her head. “Now there’s a pleasant colloquialism!”
Leah looked back out over the water. On the surface, Wade seemed content to stand in companionable silence, but she sensed a controlled hunger in him. It was her business to read people, and her instincts said his confident bearing was hiding something. Maybe she simply recognized a kindred spirit, a soul not yet fulfilled, a yearning for something ineffable.
Those thoughts making her want to reach out to him also awakened the little voice that had served her well over the years. And the voice reminded her to tread carefully. Wade had not invited an intimacy with her, and in fact, the very idea was illogical to contemplate. If anything, Leah knew better than to mix business with...anything else.
“Wade, it’s been a nice evening and all—”
“But...”
“But I’ve had a long day and my nap is wearing off.”
One side of his mouth tipped upward. “That’s an awfully roundabout way of saying you want to go home.”
“In my business, you learn subtlety.”
“Meaning you have to fib to get what you want?”
“Not fibbing, exactly. More like...redirecting.”
“So instead of telling the groom’s mother she looks like a purple sausage in the outfit she’s wearing, you’d do what? Give her a gift certificate to a dress shop?”
Leah was losing the fight against a grin. “I’d probably mention to her how lovely she’d look in peach, with her hair and complexion, and ask her if she’d seen the new collection by a designer I think would flatter her.”
“Very good!” Wade took his hat off and set it on the flat rocks off to his right. “So if I told you I wanted to haul you into my arms and kiss the daylights out of you, you’d say...?”
Leah’s jaw worked silently for a second or two before she realized she probably looked like a fish out of water. Heaven knew she shouldn’t be this flustered, but he’d managed to blindside her yet again.
She cleared her throat and said, “I’d probably say...um...something like I was flattered but it wouldn’t be a good idea. Yes! I’d tell you it would be foolish for you to kiss me since I’m going to be working so closely with you and your family and...uh...kissing, as it were, would be inappropriate since—”
Her words were cut off as his mouth closed over hers, a warm, firm pressure that served effectively to silence her.
As he pulled her into the steely strength of his arms, she was forced to wonder again if she were dreaming. She felt the wind snatch away the scarf Wade had dislodged, the slide of silk against her sensitized skin almost harsh.
She tried to think, tried to concentrate. She never lost control. Ever. And she wanted to deny her will was being drained so easily. Not her, no-nonsense Leah, who never wasted time in hopeless moments of pure whimsy. She simply couldn’t be standing on the Town Lake trail kissing a man she barely knew.
Surely it wasn’t she, melted against a rugged cowboy’s length, feeling the cool smoothness of his buttons slide provocatively against her breast...feeling the hardness of his sex pressed intimately at the apex of her thighs and the gentle scratch of his callused thumb against her throat, sending tremors down her spine.
Leah gasped softly as his kiss deepened and his hands moved against the fabric of her dress, pulling her just the slightest bit closer. Her awareness of him increased, if that were possible, making his chest feel like a granite wall against her softness, making her fingers clutch the bulging muscles of his biceps, making her swear she’d have a denim pattern stamped on her thighs for a week after this.
Oh, but it would be worth it. She felt vibrantly alive and thoroughly desired, feelings she couldn’t ever remember feeling.
With a shuddering breath Wade abruptly set her away from him and turned back to the railing, clenching the cool metal so tightly his knuckles showed white.
“Leah, I apologize. I’ve never been quite so...impulsive... before.”
Impulsive? She was still standing there like a dazed idiot and he was worrying about being impulsive?
Somehow she forced a brain cell to work and stepped back one more pace. With an unexpectedly even tone, she said, “Please don’t apologize. You’ve only proven my point. We need to maintain a proper relationship if we’re going to work together to make Myra Jo’s wedding a success.”
Wade pushed off the rail and picked up his hat. He seemed inordinately preoccupied with brushing away nonexistent particles of dust. “That might be good.”
He straightened then and walked a few steps down the trail to retrieve her scarf. His eyes seemed drawn against his will to the skin exposed by the vee of her dress, but he forced himself to look away. A shiver that had nothing to do with the breeze shook her. His gaze had flowed over her like warm, gray smoke, and combined with his citrusy aftershave still in her nostrils, it was overwhelming to her still-dazed senses.
She accepted his offered arm, and they walked to the car as if nothing had happened, but she was glad he couldn’t see the hand holding the strip of silk. The fabric would never be the same from being clenched in her fist.
During the ride to her house, Wade was as congenial as a woman could hope a man to be. And she amazed herself by responding in a normal voice.
“I’d like you to come out and meet my folks,” Wade said as he took the turn into her neighborhood. “If you think Myra Jo wants you to groom me a bit—”
“She didn’t say—”
“Leah,” he said shortly, “I’m nobody’s fool.”
This was not new information to her. “Certainly. I can come out anytime,” she said as they reached her condo and Wade walked her to her door.
