Country Frost (King Creek Cowboys #8)

Chapter 4

4

L eeann had prepared for the evening out, excited to spend time with Porter, yet feeling bad about leaving Ashley behind. She’d seen the same sentiment in his expression, but the girl had made it clear she wasn’t going.

Porter could have tried to force her, but Leeann was certain that wouldn’t have gone over well, and he knew it.

He knocked on the door five minutes early, but Leeann was ready. She wore her dark hair loose around her shoulders and had selected a blue-green top and a flowing skirt in swirling shades of blue-green, royal blue, and purple. She chose a few pieces of silver jewelry she’d made and knee-high, black, low-heeled boots.

Damn, she thought as she opened the front door and the screen. He looked so hot she could have eaten him all up. He wore a black jacket, brown Stetson, a cream-colored western dress shirt, dark blue Wranglers, and polished brown boots that matched his belt, which had a gold and silver western buckle.

She gave him a flirtatious smile. “You sure look handsome all gussied up, Porter. ”

“It helps to take a shower.” He looked at her in a way that told her he more than liked what he saw. “You are one beautiful woman.”

“Thank you.” Heat rose in her face as he helped her slide into her long black coat. “I’ve worked up an appetite. Lunch seems like it was ages ago.”

“I called and made a reservation.” He stepped back while she locked the door behind her, and then followed her down the path to his truck.

It was a short drive to the Steak-Out, which had been erected on the edge of town, not far from Mickey’s. A family new to the area had built the restaurant to look like a log cabin.

To the right of the building was a patio surrounded by wrought iron, where empty tables sat beneath dozens of various sizes and shapes of hanging lights. The illumination gave the area an appealing glow. Holiday garlands were draped from the eaves.

“It would be nice to be on the patio when it’s not so cold.” Leeann looked at it as they walked up to the front entrance. “I’m sure it will be pleasant in the evenings when the temperatures are higher.”

Porter opened the glass door and escorted her inside. Warmth flowed over them, chasing away the chill in her cheeks.

A Christmas tree stood next to the entrance, the white lights sparkling on the green and red ornaments. The walls were paneled in polished pine, and it had an open-beamed ceiling overhead. A rock fireplace with a garland over the mantle was at the center of the wall directly in front of them, a bar to its left, and the archway leading to the kitchen on the right.

A young hostess seated them at a table near the fireplace and close to the bar and gave them menus. Leeann ordered a glass of wine, and Porter requested a dark beer.

After the hostess left, Leeann leaned closer to Porter. “I love the atmosphere. I have a feeling this place is going to be popular.” She glanced around the restaurant, which was almost full of patrons. “Scratch that. It is popular already.”

“Looks like it.” Porter nodded.

Leeann picked up her menu and scanned it. “Steak, steak, and more steak.” She looked up. ‘They have grilled chicken, seafood, burgers, and sandwiches, too, but it looks like they specialize in beef. Considering the name of the place, it makes sense.”

“Suits me.” Porter looked over his menu and then closed it. “I’ll have the prime rib.”

“What, you’re not having the porterhouse?” Leeann teased. “I’ll have the filet.”

They set aside their menus, and he held her gaze. “I don’t date much.”

“I’ll bet that’s because you aren’t much for conversation.” She smiled. “That’s okay, because I talk enough for the both of us.”

The corner of his mouth quirked into a grin. “I had the same thought.”

Leeann laughed, then looked at him intently. “Is Ashley doing okay? She looked tired by the time we left.”

He gave a slow nod. “She’s a fighter, but too much in one day takes a lot out of her.”

“You said she’s sick.” Leeann hesitated. “Do you mind telling me what’s going on with her health?”

“She has cancer.” He blew out his breath. “She inherited a genetic risk factor from her mother, who died of the same type. It’s rare for a child her age to get it, but she was diagnosed just over a year ago.”

“I’m sorry.” Leeann’s chest tightened. “She’s so young.”

“Yeah, she is.” Then he gave a little smile. “That girl is tough, though. If anyone can beat it, she will.”

“I believe it,” Leeann said .

She looked up as their server arrived with their drinks. After they gave their meal orders, he retreated.

When they were alone again, Porter sipped his beer.

Leeann slid her fingers along the stem of her wine glass. “Will her health affect her ability to barrel race?”

“I don’t know.” Porter shook his head. “I intend to ask her doctor at her next office visit. He’s starting her on a new treatment that’s just been approved. And he’s given us hope that it will work.”

Leeann sipped from her glass and set it down. “If she can learn how to barrel race, I’ll be happy to help in any way I can. My niece, Kaycee, is state champion, and I know she would enjoy sharing her experience and teaching Ashley.”

Porter studied her. “How long did you barrel race?”

“From junior high until my senior year.” Leeann thought back on those days. “Lots of good memories.” She shifted. “What exactly did you do in rodeo?”

“Bull riding,” Porter said.

“Why am I not surprised?” Leeann laughed. “I bet you have dozens of scars and mended broken bones to prove it.”

“I’ve got my fair share of both.” He held her gaze. “Tell me what a writer does for fun.”

“People watch.” Leeann let her gaze drift over the now-crowded restaurant before she looked back at Porter. She inclined her head toward the bar. “See the guy in the striped shirt? He’s looking awfully drunk, so I might make up a story about him. Maybe he got laid off, or his girlfriend dumped him. Heck, maybe he won the lottery, and he’s celebrating, or he got a promotion.”

She nodded to an elderly lady alone at a table for two. “She could have picked this restaurant to celebrate her wedding anniversary alone, her husband having passed away recently. Maybe it’s been a while, and she goes out every year on that date. Or perhaps she’s here for a ladies’ night out with a longtime friend. Or, it could be that she’s waiting for her granddaughter because they have dinner once a month.”

Porter looked intently interested. “So, those are the kinds of things that go on in a writer’s head?”

“Oh, you have no idea the kinds of crazy things in authors’ brains.” She gave him a wicked grin. “We know where to bury the bodies where they can’t be found. If the door’s ajar, you might think the wind blew it open. However, we think that a murderer has broken into the house and is hiding, ready to jump out with a double-headed axe. Don’t cross a writer, or she’ll kill you off in her next book.”

At Porter’s expression of amusement, she leaned forward. “We know fae beings inhabit underworlds, and werewolves and vampires are real.” She leaned back in her seat. “In other words, there’s a lot going on in an author’s head.”

“You know where to bury bodies, huh?” Porter still looked amused. “Should I be worried?”

“Not if you’re a good boy.” She picked up her wine glass. “I’ll let you know if you’re in any danger.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Porter watched her as she sipped her drink and set it down. “Your first novel will be in stores soon?”

“The last week in December.” She held her palm to her belly as it fluttered. “I’m getting so nervous.”

“Why?” He looked genuinely curious.

“So much hinges on how a book does.” She sighed, feeling somewhat overwhelmed just thinking about it all. “Sales have to be great. It needs to be high on a list, like the New York Times or USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly , or a major bookseller’s list . It should get great reviews from review sites and readers, and there must be word of mouth.” She groaned. “More angst than I think I’m ready for. ”

“I have a feeling you’ll do well.” He spoke with a serious, intent expression. “What made you decide to write?”

“I’ve wanted to be a writer since elementary school when I read my first novel,” she said. “I wanted to build worlds that readers could get lost in, like I did with my favorite novels.” She shook her head. “And then there are all these people in my head begging me to write their stories. How can I not write?”

“I can’t begin to imagine.” He shook his head.

The server arrived with their meals. Porter ordered a second beer, and Leeann asked for another glass of wine.

The filet was tender and juicy. “Mmmm. Delicious.” She sighed with pleasure. “Do you like to read?”

“Yep.” He cut another piece off his prime rib. “Mostly history and biographies.”

Leeann put butter on her baked potato. “What kind?”

“Old West history and biographies of famous cowboys.” He took a bite of the beef and chewed.

“Those would be interesting.” She spread sour cream on her potato. “Do you like Zane Grey?” The doctored potato tasted great.

He swallowed. “I’ve read and liked several of them.”

“I haven’t read a Western in a long time.” She speared a piece of her filet. “I tend to like suspense and thrillers, and there’s a lot of great YA out there.”

They continued eating their meals and talking about books and movies. Leeann did most of the talking, but she didn’t mind. Porter was the kind of guy you had to drag things out of, and she was good at it.

Porter preferred action, adventure, and Western movies. Leeann was all over the board and enjoyed just about anything with good audience scores. She didn’t care what the reviewers had to say—it was public opinion that mattered. She loved romcoms, superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy, action movies, and the occasional drama.

By the time they got to dessert, hot bread pudding with a whiskey sauce, Porter seemed to be more at ease than he had at the start of their date.

“Do you have any hobbies?” She dipped a forkful of bread pudding in the buttery whiskey sauce and then ate it.

“Whittling.” He shrugged. “Cowboy caricatures.”

“I’d love to see your work.” She leaned forward. “May I?”

He studied her a moment. “Sure.”

She gave him a brilliant smile. “I can’t wait.”

“I’d like to read your book.” Porter set his fork on his plate. “What’s it about?”

“Not cowboys.” Leeann didn’t know why she suddenly felt unsure and maybe embarrassed about him reading her novel. “It’s considered to be women’s fiction. It’s a woman’s journey as she navigates the waters of being single and adopting a young girl, along with secrets that tear her family apart and threaten to bring her world crashing down.”

She tried not to cringe at the thought of him trying to wade his way through the protagonist’s inner and outer struggles. “Honestly, I don’t think you’d find it interesting.” She felt totally lame after saying it.

He eyed her. “Don’t sell yourself short, honey.”

Heat burned her cheeks. “I don’t mean to do that. I have high hopes that women will love my book.” She winced. “Men reading them is something I’ve never considered.”

“I’m going to read it.” His serious expression told her he meant it. “Get used to the idea.”

She held back a groan and instead said, “Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.”

“I’m sure I will.” He always looked like he was studying her. “You asked me about hobbies. What about you? ”

“I make jewelry when I have time.” She raised her arm and held it so that he could see her silver bracelet with its gemstone nugget charms. “I’ve had little time to make more since I got the contract. There’s been so much to do with social media and promotion, not to mention writing.”

“I’d like a closer look, if you don’t mind,” he said.

She slid the bracelet off and extended it to him. He took it and studied it. “Nicely done.” He handed it back to her, and she put it on again. “Do you have any pieces for sale? I think Ash would like a bracelet or necklace.”

“I have quite a few that I made a while ago.” She folded her arms on the tabletop. “I used to sell my jewelry at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. It’s the largest, most prestigious show of that kind in the world. Selling there is one of the things I liked to do that I’ve had to table for now.”

“I’d like to see more of what you’ve made,” he said.

“Okay.” She smiled.

He gestured to her plate, where a third of her bread pudding remained. “Eat up.”

“One more bite, and I’m finished.” Leeann slid another forkful of the sweet dessert into her mouth as Porter signaled the server to bring the check.

After paying, he helped her into her coat and escorted her to his truck. Leeann’s belly did flip-flops on the way home. Would he kiss her goodnight? She certainly wouldn’t mind that, just not anything more at this early stage in their relationship. From what she’d gotten to know of him, her gut feeling was that he would never push her.

By the time they reached her front door, her skin was tingling all over.

“Would you like to come in and see the jewelry?” She didn’t want him to think she wanted anything more than that.

He reached up and touched a lock of hair that had fallen across her cheek. “It’s late, and I don’t want to keep you up.” He pushed the hair behind her ear. “That’ll give me an excuse to see you again.”

“You don’t need an excuse.” Leeann trembled from his touch. “I do want to see more of you, Porter.”

“Good.” The corner of his mouth curved into a rare smile. “You’re growing on me.”

She laughed. “My dastardly plan is working.”

“It is.” Amusement was in his expression before darkening into something almost feral as he took her chin in his fingers.

Porter lowered his head, and his mouth hovered over hers for a moment. His breath warmed her lips as her heart rate sped up.

And then his lips met hers in a harsh, fiery kiss, his beard and mustache coarse on her face—she liked the way it felt. She answered him with a passion that met his.

He backed her up to the door, the strength in his kiss no surprise to Leeann. He was a powerful man with a fierceness of spirit that would be difficult to control once he let the beast out.

She leaned back against the door, letting it support her as she dug her fingers into his jacket, wanting nothing more than to burrow close to him and kiss him endlessly. He smelled so good, of leather and spice. He tasted of beer and whiskey sauce.

He broke away and put his head to hers, his breathing heavy. “I’m sorry, honey. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”

“Don’t be.” She had a hard time catching her breath, too. “I wanted it as badly as you.”

“You drive me crazy.” He raised his head and held her gaze. It was too dark to see his hazel eyes. “When you parked your cute butt on that stool at your brother’s and started talking, I knew I needed to get to know you better.”

“Watch it, or you’ll ruin your reputation for speaking as little as possible.” She managed a small laugh. “I saw you, and I had to learn more about you. I’m glad I did.”

He drew back, still looking into her eyes. “Where do we go from here?”

“You ask me out, and I say yes, or I ask you out, and you say yes.” She ran her finger along his sleeve. “See, it’s easy.”

A low chuckle rose up from him. “I knew you’d have all the answers.”

“Yep.” She slid her arms up his chest to his shoulders. “What’s next?”

“I’ll call you tomorrow night.” He twirled his finger in a lock of her hair. “We’ll figure it out when we can both think more clearly.”

“Deal.” She rose up on tiptoes and kissed him softly. “Goodnight, Porter.”

His lips curved. “Goodnight, honey.”

“One more thing.” She slid her arms around his waist. “I’m a hugger, and I need a big one.”

“Any time.” He wrapped her in his embrace and hugged her tight.

She rested her head against his chest and sighed. “Best thing ever.”

He squeezed her tightly, then released her. She stepped back. “Talk with you tomorrow.”

“Go on inside.” He nodded toward the door. “I’m not leaving until I hear that lock.”

“All right.” She laughed. “See you.” She unlocked the door, eased inside, and gave him one last look before shutting it and sliding the bolt.

She went to the window and watched his dark form head down her walkway, her lips still tingling from his heart-stopping kiss.

When he drove away, she wandered toward her bedroom, wishing her sisters still lived with her so that she could tell them all about her night. But Haylee and Jill were both married and home with their husbands.

As she stripped out of her coat and clothing, her thoughts drifted to the possibility of a future with Porter. She wanted the opportunity to get to know him better and find out if that was something they could have together.