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He’d totally forgotten about bringing up the idea of the Cowboy Country condos in casual conversation with Delaney. His plan going into this deal was to drop enough hints about the planned luxury community so she’d be amenable to supporting them when the time came. Instead he’d been so busy keeping up with her he hadn’t been able to think of anything else.
That was a mistake he couldn’t afford to continue. Cisco had a lot riding on this deal with Moore Entertainment. As delightful as he found Delaney, she wasn’t his reason for staying in Horseback Hollow. He had to stick to the plan, make this deal happen and move on to bigger things. He might enjoy women, but Cisco had never let himself get sidetracked by one before. He wasn’t going to start now.
* * *
Delaney couldn’t imagine why she’d ever thought to insist Cisco spend time on the ranch with her. She could barely keep straight in her mind her jobs for the day when he was at her side. That was part of the reason she’d pushed him so hard most of the morning. It helped distract her from her constant reaction to him.
But not enough. Every time he looked at her or gave her that half smile, Delaney got a little weak in the knees. When he was so close she could smell the mix of spice and soap she’d now always associate with Cisco, she couldn’t remember her own name, let alone what she was supposed to be doing.
She finished brushing down Flapjack and looked over to the next stall, where Cisco had groomed the bay she’d given him. Big mistake. His long fingers scratched behind the horse’s ears as he bent close to her head, whispering words Delaney couldn’t hear. She got an immediate mental image of what it would be like for him to touch her so gently and her body thrummed to life in a way she’d never experienced.
Delaney hadn’t exactly set out to “save herself” for the right man, but it seemed to be working out that way. She’d never had a truly serious boyfriend and all of the guys in town were too afraid of her overprotective brothers to look at her as casual fun. Eventually, she’d come to realize she didn’t want to be with a man until it felt truly right. She’d always thought her heart would guide her, but watching Cisco made her body want to take the lead.
He looked up at her then and color rushed to her face, although he couldn’t possibly read her thoughts. Still, it felt as though his dark eyes saw her in a way no one else had before. Delaney loved how he focused on her even as she reminded herself that this was how Cisco Mendoza operated. He was a lady-killer, and Delaney was sure he could charm any woman with his sexy grin and smoldering eyes. Delaney wasn’t special to him, no matter how he made her feel.
“Are you okay?” he asked, as if he could sense her jumbled emotions.
“Fine,” she answered quickly, striding out of the stall. “Just hungry. We can wash up at the house and see if Mom needs any help.”
He looked as if he wanted to question her further but simply followed her across the driveway and up the steps to the kitchen.
“You two were busy this morning,” Jeanne Marie commented as she came into the kitchen.
“Just a normal day,” Delaney said, throwing her mother a pointed look as Cisco turned on the water at the kitchen sink to wash his hands.
“If you say so, sweetie.” Her mother must have realized how hard Delaney had been pushing Cisco this morning, but she didn’t mention it outright. “I’m sure you’ve both worked up an appetite.”
“Thank you for having me to lunch, Mrs. Fortune Jones.” Cisco dried his hands on a towel and gave her mother that killer smile.
Delaney watched as her mother fluttered her fingers near her throat. Clearly no woman was immune to that smile. “Call me Jeanne Marie. I’m happy to have you here. The house is quiet now that Delaney’s the only one left at the ranch. I miss having a big crowd around all the time.”
Delaney finished washing her hands and walked over to give her mom a hug. Today Jeanne Marie wore a pale yellow shirt, long faded denim skirt and her favorite turquoise necklace around her throat. “Be careful what you wish for, Mama. You’ll have them dropping off the grandkids all the time.”
“You love a busy house as much as I do.” Her mother gave her a gentle squeeze, then picked up a plate of sandwiches. “When Delaney was a little girl, she told us she planned to have a dozen children. She wanted her own football team.”
“Mom,” Delaney said, shaking her head. “That was a long time ago.”
“I come from a big family, too,” Cisco said as he took the pitcher of lemonade and followed them into the dining room. “Having three brothers and Gabi was a help with the way we moved around for my father’s career in the air force. We were a pack and could watch out for each other.”
“Does that mean you want lots of kids, too?” Jeanne Marie posed the question casually, then laughed as Cisco’s eyes went wide. “I’m only teasing. Come and sit down, Cisco. Tell me about what you think of Horseback Hollow so far.”
“It’s quiet compared to what I’m used to in Miami,” he said as he took the seat Jeanne Marie indicated across from her.
As Delaney slid into the chair next to him, she couldn’t help but wonder if quiet was another word for boring.
“But there’s a definite charm to it,” he continued. “You don’t easily find places anymore where most everyone knows each other. I understand why my dad and sister feel so at home here.”
“Horseback Hollow is a special place,” Delaney’s mother agreed. “There’s a lot of history and tradition in this town. Which is why it’s so upsetting to have those Cowboy Country outsiders coming in with their gaudy theme park.”
Out of the corner of her eye Delaney noticed Cisco’s fingers tighten around his glass.
“It might not be so bad,” Delaney said quickly. “The rides look fun and it will give people around here something new to do as entertainment.”
“That’s one of the problems.” Jeanne Marie took a sip of lemonade. “Local folks aren’t the ones Cowboy Country is trying to attract. Those people haven’t given one thought to how this is going to affect life here or what it even means to be a real cowboy. The whole theme is the Wild West but all they’re planning is some commercialized, demeaning version of it.”
“Won’t the influx of money be good for the town?” Cisco asked as he picked up his sandwich. “I’d think Horseback Hollow could benefit from additional resources.”
“Not if it means giving up our simple way of life,” Jeanne Marie told him.
“Just because change comes to Horseback Hollow doesn’t mean it has to change the people who live here.” His dark gaze went from Delaney to her mother. “When you found out you were related to the Fortunes, that was a big change. Did it change who you are on the inside?”
“Not at all,” Delaney answered quickly. “He has a point, Mom.”
“We were a solid family before I knew I was a Fortune,” Jeanne Marie said with a nod of her head. “But I’m not sure the entire town can withstand the influence of Cowboy Country and the people who might come with it.” She turned to Delaney. “As a matter of fact, your father and I were talking about your rides to where they’re building. We think you should stop that, Delaney. The opening is just around the corner, so there’s too much activity out that way.”
There were moments when Delaney loved the feeling of safety that came from being part of a large family and moments when she was stifled by her parents’ overprotectiveness.
“You’ve been visiting Cowboy Country?” Cisco asked.
“A few times a week I take my horse out toward the land around the amusement park to see the progress. It’s a good stretch of land for riding.”
She saw his mouth drop open. “That was—” He stopped himself and shook his head. “I agree with your mother. It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“I’m not a kid,” Delaney said, aware she sounded petulant.
“We only want what’s best for you,” Jeanne Marie said quietly.
“I know, Mama.” Delaney stabbed a grape with her fork. “I’ll be careful.” She glanced down at her watch. “We need to get back to work. We’re supposed to meet the guys at the lower pasture in a few minutes to finish some repairs on the fence.”
“Thank you for another wonderful meal,” Cisco said as he stood.
“I hope you can join us again.” Jeanne Marie led them back to the kitchen. “We spent the whole time talking about Cowboy Country.” She set her plate on the counter and turned to Cisco. “I still want to hear more about your plans in Horseback Hollow. I wouldn’t want you to think we’re against new people coming to town. We just want to make sure they’re here for the right reasons. Like you and your family, Cisco.”
Cisco’s shoulders stiffened but he gave her mother a warm smile. “Thank you, Jeanne Marie.” He took her mother’s hand and brushed a soft kiss on her knuckles as he gave her an almost courtly bow. “Your hospitality is matched only by your beauty.”
Delaney watched as her practical, old-fashioned mother blushed like a schoolgirl. “It was my pleasure. You’re welcome to join us anytime. In fact, Deke and I would love to have you over for dinner one of these nights. We don’t get a lot of time for individual visiting during our family barbecues. It isn’t often Delaney brings a boy home.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Delaney said with a gasp. “We’re getting back to work now.” She grabbed on to Cisco’s arm and tugged him toward the door. “Let’s go, Cisco.”
She dragged him, laughing, into the midday sun.
“It’s okay, Delaney,” he said when they were halfway to the barn. “I know your mother is only teasing. It’s obvious how much she loves you.”
She realized her fingers were still wrapped around Cisco’s muscular arm. She could feel the heat of his skin through his shirt and pulled away as if touching him for too long might actually burn her.
“Weren’t you laying it on a little thick in there?” she asked as she stepped away.
“Your mother is a lovely woman.” He lifted one finger and trailed it along her jaw. “You look like her, you know?”
How did he always throw her off balance? Delaney wanted a man in her life to hold her steady, but she couldn’t deny the way Cisco made her feel.
“You’re a lady-killer.” She shook her head. “I can’t tell if what you say to me is the truth or just another one of your well-rehearsed lines.”
His thick brows drew together and a look of actual pain crossed his face before his practiced smile was in place once more. “You are beautiful, Delaney. That’s the truth.”
She didn’t want to respond to him, didn’t want to lean in as he brought his face closer to hers. Then the door to the barn slammed shut and Delaney jumped back. Just because Cisco had agreed to spend time on the ranch, it didn’t change the fact that he was a big-city jet-setter. But change was inevitable. It was coming to Horseback Hollow and maybe she could change Cisco Mendoza, as well. Eventually Cisco had to fall for one woman and change his ways.
Delaney had no doubt she was strong enough to be that one.
Chapter Four (#ulink_0dd738d3-b29b-58f5-bd64-1951c09d73b0)
Cisco stretched his arms out in front of him as he walked toward the main gate at Cowboy Country several days later. For the first time since the barbecue, he hadn’t gone to the ranch, needing a day to catch up on his work at Cowboy Country and unsure he could spend one more moment with Delaney Fortune Jones and keep his hands to himself.
She tempted him in a way no other woman had before, and Cisco had been with plenty of women in his life. But Delaney was different, smart and sexy but also sweet and innocent. She was totally confident in who she was and wouldn’t let anyone steer her off course.
It was clear she was dedicated to the ranch and the values her parents had instilled in her and her siblings.
Cisco could relate to that as his father and mother had done the same thing for him and his brothers and sister. That was part of the reason he was so conflicted when it came to Delaney. He hadn’t exactly lied to her about his involvement in the luxury condos Cowboy Country had planned, but he’d definitely avoided giving any details of why he needed a Fortune for his business deal. Yet when she turned those cornflower-blue eyes on him, there wasn’t anything he could deny her, including the truth.
His hope was that as she and her family got to know him, they’d trust his judgment and give the planned community a chance. But the more Cisco understood about life in Horseback Hollow, the more he could see the design of the Cowboy Country condos and real life in this quaint town wouldn’t mesh. He figured it was up to him to bring the two closer in line. He had a lot riding on this deal, both his reputation and his own money. He wasn’t about to give up on making it work.
He waved to the security guard near the front entrance who was tasked with making sure no one but employees accessed the park until the official opening. He could see people in theme park uniforms milling about near several rides and attractions and took a quick turn down a path that led to the corporate offices of Moore Entertainment. He knew there weren’t many locals involved in the park at this point but didn’t want to take the chance on someone in the park recognizing him. Until he had everything worked out, he wanted to keep his relationship with Cowboy Country under wraps.
He heard shouting as he came up the steps to the building. The door banged open and an older man stomped out, muttering to himself. “You’re going to be sorry,” he shouted over his shoulder. “Horses aren’t mechanical. They’re smart, strong, living animals and you need to treat them with the respect they deserve.”
His angry gaze caught on Cisco and he shook his head. “Another suit,” he all but spit. “Just what this place needs.”
Cisco glanced down at himself. It was true that for his meeting with Kent Stephens this morning he’d traded his Western clothes for the more familiar feel of a tailored silk shirt and pressed trousers.
“What’s the problem?” he asked.
The man hitched his thumb toward the corporate office. “The problem is that any real cowboy worth his salt knows he’s only as good as the horseflesh he owns and how he treats his animals. Those fools wouldn’t know how to take care of a barn full of horses if their lives depended on it.” He shook his head. “They can find a new head trainer. I’m not putting myself on the line just so Alden Moore can make a fast buck.”
Cisco wanted to question him further, but the guy took off down the steps and toward the front of the park. Pulling open the door, Cisco glanced at the young receptionist who stared back at him with wide eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Mendoza,” she said calmly, her smile composed. “Mr. Stephens is expecting you.”
He raised a brow at her placid expression and hitched his head toward the door. “Everything okay this morning, Janie?”
“No different than most days,” she said in a softer tone. “I’m getting used to the sound of the door slamming.”
Cisco used two fingers to massage his forehead. He’d heard rumors in town of employee unrest at Cowboy Country but hadn’t wanted to believe they were true. If anything could kill a real estate deal before the financing was secured, it was dissension within the company. These days, investors didn’t want to promise their money if the business wasn’t smooth and successful. There was too much at stake and too many other projects vying for the same pool of funds.
“You do a wonderful job at the front,” he told the young woman. “Don’t give up on things yet. It will all work out.”
“Thanks, Mr. Mendoza.” Her eyes turned soft as she leaned forward over her desk. “It’s always a better day when you come to the office.”
He smiled automatically and opened his mouth to offer her some flirtatious rejoinder, then stopped himself. Delaney’s words about him being a lady-killer popped into his head. There was no doubt Cisco loved women, and flirting came as naturally as breathing to him. But now he held back, only nodding in response. He’d never given a second thought to how he’d come across before, but suddenly he wanted to save his banter for a tiny blonde cowgirl.
Before he could decide what that meant, Kent Stephens stuck his head out of the door to his office. “Mendoza, in here now. We need to talk.”
Kent paced back and forth on the far side of his desk as Cisco entered. Although the building was cooled with central air, a fine sheen of sweat shone on the man’s forehead as he talked into his cell phone. “I don’t care. Send her out now.” He hit a button and tossed his phone onto the desk. “I’m pulling more help from our other locations.” He shook his head, running his hands through his hair, leaving it flopping over his wide forehead. “At this rate, Cowboy Country is going to be completely run by people from out of state. It’s like no one in this godforsaken town needs a job.”
“Who was the man leaving?”
“The guy we’d hired to manage the Wild West show. He’s got decades of experience with horses but doesn’t want to do things the way we expect.”
“But wouldn’t you defer to him as the expert?” Cisco asked, taking a seat in front of the desk.
“All we defer to is the bottom line.” Kent dropped into the wide leather chair on the other side of the desk. “Everything Alden Moore touches turns to gold. Every park, every investment, each new idea. All of them have been a success until now.”
“Cowboy Country hasn’t even opened yet,” Cisco argued. “You can’t know it isn’t going to be a success.”
Kent pointed a finger at Cisco. “That’s why I like you, Mendoza. You’re confident. We need more of that attitude around here.” His hand curled into a fist. “What we need less of is country-bumpkin locals stirring up trouble for us. Hasn’t anyone in Horseback Hollow ever heard of progress?”
“I don’t think it’s progress they’re against,” Cisco answered carefully. “But there are traditions here—authentic cowboy traditions—and the people who value them don’t want to feel like some big corporation is making a mockery of the life they hold dear.”
“We’re not making fun of anyone,” Kent practically growled in response. “We just want to make some damn money.” He shook his head. “Mr. Moore doesn’t like the bad publicity. We need a shot in the arm to turn the tide of public sentiment in our favor.” He stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “The condos could do it for us. They’re a clean slate. No one has any preconceived notions, so if we handle the announcement right, it could help the whole operation. How’s it coming with the Fortunes?”
“It’s coming,” Cisco answered. “I’ve been spending time with some of them and—”
“Priming the pump, right?” Kent looked hopeful.
Cisco inwardly cringed. “I wouldn’t describe it that way.” He could only imagine how Delaney would react if she heard Kent’s words. “They’re good people, Kent. But like most of the town, the Fortunes have concerns surrounding anything to do with Cowboy Country. I’m in the process of building relationships. These things take time.”
“I don’t care what you call it,” Kent said quickly. “As long as you get them on board. You’re our rainmaker, Cisco. Right now we could use a typhoon-level storm.”
“I’ve got it under control.” Cisco nodded. “I’m meeting with a group of investors down in Lubbock next week. Even if the Fortunes don’t pan out, I’ll get the backing for the condos.”
“Whoa there.” Kent held up his hands. “Other investors are fine, but we need you to pull in the Fortunes. The family has a ton of money, and they’re going to put some of it into Cowboy Country. That was the deal when we hired you. Don’t forget it.”
“No chance of that with you reminding me every chance you get.”
“Sorry. Like I said, we need some good news around here. It would go a long way toward solidifying your place with Moore Entertainment if you were the guy to bring it.” He pushed a stack of papers forward on his desk. “Take a look at these. Moore Entertainment has a lot of plans once Cowboy Country is solid. This company has a bright future and there’s a lot of opportunity for someone like you, Cisco. Don’t blow it before you even get started.”
At the moment, Cisco was more worried about how his involvement with the theme park was going to affect his relationship with Delaney once that news became public. In a very short time, she’d become an important part of his life. More important than he could remember a woman ever being for him.
But he had to keep his head on straight. He’d stayed in Horseback Hollow for business, and he didn’t fail once he put his mind to something. He had too much at stake, both professionally and financially, to let this be the first time. He’d figure out how to handle Delaney and do this deal. He was certain he could make both things work.
He just had no idea how.
* * *
“You’re really staying in Horseback Hollow for the long haul?” Cisco glanced at his brother as he parked his truck in front of the building that housed the Fortune Foundation.
“Absolutely,” Matteo answered without hesitation. “This is where Rachel wants to be, so it works for me.” He gave Cisco a light poke to the shoulder. “I’m not going to let her too far out of my sight and have some slick charmer like you try to put the moves on her again.”
Cisco was relieved to see Matteo’s grin as he said the words. “You two are a great match,” he told his brother. “No other man would have a chance with her.”
