My Cowboy of Convenience: Chapter 5

 

Chapter Five

Erin

Excitement and nerves danced through me as I zipped up my black skirt. The hem brushed the back of my calves and flowed around me as I twisted from side to side in the full-length mirror at my apartment.

“Not bad, if I do say so myself. What do you think, Clifford?”

He sat next to me on the floor. His ears perked and tilted his head from side to side.

“I know that is one handsome dog in the mirror.” I bent down and rubbed his soft ears.

He leaned into my hand and closed his eyes.

“You’re the best dog, ever.” I crooned.

The look he gave me said that he knew.

“Well, I better get going otherwise I’ll be late.” I grabbed my purse, car keys, and cell phone to hurry out the door.

The screen lit up as it buzzed in my hand. Mom’s picture flashed on the screen.

“Hi Mom. What’s up?”

“Oh, just checking in on my little girl. How’s Texas treating you?”

A pang of homesickness hit me hard in the chest. I tried not to think about Iowa, my family, or all that I left behind.

“It’s going well.” I infused a cheery note in my voice. The front door closed with a click behind me. “Doc and his wife are great. They’ve been keeping me busy in the clinic and doing farm calls. I like the work. Everyone here seems nice.”

“Are you taking anytime for yourself?” Her voice carried a hint of worry.

“I’m actually on my way to a dance lesson.” I hurried to the Buick and opened the door with my keys. “I’m making friends.”

That was a fib, but I didn’t want her to worry about me. Besides meeting Katie and Viola Ann, I hadn’t made any friends. At this time, I was perfectly happy throwing myself into my work.

“Oh good. And Clifford?” Mom asked.

“He’s spoiled as always. The technicians bought him a dog bed so he can sleep in my office while I work.” I slid into the front seat and shut the door with a click.

“Oh good,” she said.

“How’s everything at home?” Was everyone alright? She was usually more talkative, and it made me worried.

“Dad’s getting anxious about getting in the fields. It’s been raining here non-stop since you left. They will take a while to dry up if the rain ever stops. Everyone here misses you.”

“I miss you too.” I put my hands on the steering wheel. A tear escaped and ran down my cheek. I brushed it away with my thumb.

“I ran into Milly at the library.” Mom broke the silence on the phone.

A rod of steel infused into my back, and I gritted my teeth. I didn’t say anything as there was nothing to say.

“She said that she’s been calling and texting you. But you haven’t contacted her back.”

My breath blew out of me. “Mom…”

“I know, honey. But she’s been your best friend since kindergarten and cousin since birth. Maybe you should call her back sometime.”

“Mom, I can’t.” I shoved the keys into the ignition. “I don’t have anything to say to her. She hurt me…badly.”

The words came out in a whisper and filled the interior of the car. My blood pounded within my ears and took over my other senses. Closing my eyes, I laid my head on the steering wheel. I’d been trying to escape from what happened, hoping that she’d stop calling and texting when I didn’t respond. Alas, that wasn’t going to be the case.

“Erin, I know this is hard and what happened was awful. Don’t you think you should hear her out? I taught you to forgive and forget.”

I swallowed and pushed back the tears that threatened to fall. This wasn’t going to ruin the evening I had planned. I turned the key in the ignition. My ancient car rumbled to life, idling roughly in the drive.

“Mom, I’m not ready to forgive either one of them. I don’t know if I could ever forget it, either. I need more time.”

“Okay, honey. I just wanted to let you know that your dad and I are here for you if you ever want to talk about it.” Her disappointment palpable from thousands of miles away.

“I’ll think about it.” I promised with my fingers crossed. The red lights on the dashboard clock ticked over another minute. “Mom, I’ve gotta go. I’m meeting some people tonight.”

She sighed into the phone. “Call me more often. We love you and worry about you.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

I hit the end button, staring out the windshield. Shaking myself, I placed the cell phone in the cup holder and backed out of the driveway. Viola Ann walked up the sidewalk to her side of the duplex. We waved to each other before I drove to San Antonio.

#####

The dance studio sat on a corner of an intersection. Its glass walls shone out into the darkening afternoon, showing off the people inside twirling and stepping together. The boutique shops on either side of the studio lit up the area with lights. People walked from one to another with large shopping bags and cups of coffee.

I circled the parking lot, looking for one smallish spot to squeeze my car into. Finally, there was one at the end of the lot next to a monstrous pickup truck. It sat with its passenger tires resting on the dividing line between the stalls.

It would have to do. The session started in a few minutes, and I didn’t want to be late. I inched the car into the spot with inches of room on the driver’s side. A sigh of relief escaped. I did it without scratching either vehicle, but there wasn’t any room to get out on the driver’s side. There wasn’t any other way out. I climbed over the arm rest, holding my skirt down with one hand to exit the passenger side. I swung my purse over my shoulder and marched to the dance studio.

The early evening air cooled my skin. The scent of popcorn hung on the air from the nearby movie theater. People called to each other with shouts of excitement over the noise of passing cars.

I pushed the conversation with my mom from my thoughts. I would have to face my feelings for Milly another time. Not tonight. Pasting on a smile, I opened the glass door to the brightly lit studio.

Soft music played in the background while twinkling lights hung from the ceiling in long strands, softening the overhead lights. On one wall, a floor to ceiling mirror reflected the room back onto itself. People chatted as they changed into their street shoes. A perky dance instructor sat behind a tall counter in the corner collecting release forms and scheduling the next session for students.

“Erin!” Katie called from the corner where she snuggled against her fiancé, Levi, on a couch. A few plush chairs were arranged in a half-circle around them. On the wall behind them, shoes and bags were neatly placed in cubbies. She waved and stood up. “Come over here!”

A tall man stood in the corner, trying to blend into the shadows. A scowl on his face and his arms crossed tightly over his chest, causing the muscles to bulge under his t-shirt.

I stepped around the dancers changing their shoes. Katie hurried toward me and wrapped me in a hug. She squeezed my ribs hard and trapped my arms against my side.

“I was getting worried you’d be stuck at work tonight and couldn’t make it.” Releasing me, she beamed. Her gold curls reflecting the lights. Her blue eyes dancing behind her frames.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week.” I smiled back at her.

The man in the corner snorted. Katie threw him a look over her shoulder. She reached behind her, grasping Levi’s hand. She tugged him closer.

“Levi said you met a few weeks ago?”

I stuck out my hand and shook his. “Yes, we did.”

He pushed a shock of black hair out of his eyes. “I’m glad you could make it tonight. It’s almost time. Katie and I are paying for the lessons tonight. You just need to sign the liability release form.” He nodded to the desk.

“They’re expecting you.” Katie added. She squeezed Levi’s hand, gazing into his eyes. She bounced on the balls of her feet as she leaned into him. “This will be so much fun.”

The man in the corner snorted again. My eyes cut him. His blue eyes shot bolts of lightning at me. A challenge. Straightening my shoulders, I stared him down.

Katie frowned and turned to look at him. “It will be fun if you lose the attitude, Kaleb Kisment.” She glared at the large man. They communicated without words for a second before Katie spun around.

She linked her arm in mine. “Come on. Let’s get you signed in.” She dragged me toward the counter. “Ignore grumpus in the corner. That’s my oldest brother Kaleb and he isn’t happy unless he is on the back of a horse.”

I glanced over my shoulder at the man. He stared after us as Levi talked to the instructor. Something in his look tugged at me, giving me a thrill. A dangerous thrill.

“Can’t please all men.” I turned my attention back to where we were headed.

She laughed. “I knew that we would get along.”

She gave my name to the woman behind the desk while I signed my life away on liability release forms. The studio emptied as the people from an earlier class left the building, leaving the four of us and two instructors behind.

A tall thin man moved gracefully walked out to the middle of the open floor. He clapped his hands above his head.

“All right, peeps. Time to learn how to dance.” He pressed his palms together and twirled in a circle. “I’m your lead instructor, TJ. Let’s gather in the middle and talk.”

I set the pen down on the table and followed Katie out to the middle of the polished wood floor. TJ pressed one hand to his hip, pointing his black dance shoe out to the side. His button up shirt tucked in neatly to his black slacks with a thin black belt. A fuchsia tie was the only bright spot of color in his monochrome ensemble.

“Let’s start with Mr. Broody. Name and dance experience, please.” He waved his hand with a flick of his wrist.

“Kaleb Kisment,” his voice rumbled. “Only here because they made me.” He jerked his chin at the smiling couple. “I can do the two-step and a few line dances.” The furrow between his brows deepened at his last words.

A scowl seemed to rest permanently on Kaleb’s face. His T-shirt drawn tight over his bunched muscles of his pectorals and biceps. My eyes traveled down his torso to his faded blue jeans and scuffed cowboy boots. So, this was the man that ran the Kisment Ranch. Definitely a cowboy and a surly one at that. But he was pleasant to look at.

A pull answered deep within me. I shut it down. I wasn’t going to give in to it. It had only been a couple of months since my cancelled wedding. No, I didn’t need even the distraction. And this man was one of Doc’s biggest clients. No dating clients, even if they were handsome

“Alright then. Thanks for sharing with the group your feelings.” TJ clapped his hands together. His eyes lighting up when they fell on me. “How about you?”

“Erin,” I said. “I’ve been dancing since I was little and can do most of the steps.”

“I didn’t know that!” Katie punched Kaleb in the arm. “See you’ll learn fast.”

He scowled at me.

What was his problem? I shot him my best no-nonsense look right back.

“Katie and Levi, I already know.” TJ waved his hand at them. “Let’s get started.”

“We’ve been taking lessons with TJ for a couple of months,” Katie said to me.

TJ led us to the center of the room. The girl from behind the counter strode to stand next to him. “This is my assistant, Mirena. We will demonstrate the steps and you will give it a try. We will start with something easy and move on from there.”

Mirena floated to the stereo system sitting in the corner. She pressed a few buttons and music played from hidden speakers around the room.

Mirena and TJ stepped together as he explained hand placement and where to look. They demonstrated the first step we were going to learn tonight. I studied Kaleb out of the corner of my eye as they danced.

His scowl sat firmly on his face and his arms were tight across his chest. When he looked at Katie, it softened. He turned his gaze toward me and frowned even more.

I quickly blinked and brought my attention back to the dancing couple.

“That is your basic box step. Let’s start there.” TJ separated from Mirena. “Face your partner.”

Kaleb turned toward me, uncrossing his arms. He looked like he’d rather hold an alligator than dance with me.

Mirena came up behind him. “We’ll start in an open position. Extend your arms forward and rotate your palms up.”

I placed my hands in his. The minute our hands touched a warm sensation flowed through me causing my heart to pitter patter out of control. Seriously, Erin, I told myself. Hold it together. He’s not the first attractive man you’ve danced with. Breathing deeply, I glanced up into his stormy blue eyes, trying not to lose myself in them. His frown lines deepened and he loosened his grip on my hands.

Mirena went on to explain the first step of the dance. “Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Kaleb’s voice deepened.

TJ pressed the small remote he held in his hand. Music played a couple of bars.

“I’ll count down from three. Three – two – one.”

Kaleb didn’t hesitate. He stepped right into the first step, leading me like we’d been partners for years. I glanced at him. His gaze fixed solidly over my shoulder. His hands lightly clasped my mine. The calluses on his palm rubbed against the skin on mine. His broad shoulders tensed as he led me in the box step. The music continued to play, and we danced a box step a few more times.

“Perfect” TJ paused the music. “Everyone that was good. Now we are going add on.”

Over the next hour, TJ and Mirena coached us through the next beginner steps. The steps eventually added together to a dance which I was familiar with. My partner didn’t speak or look at me once, which was fine with me. I didn’t have time to block advances of attracted men. Instead of dwelling on his coldness, I focused on losing myself in the steps and in the music. It was the first relaxing day I had since moving to Texas.

“Alright, that’s it for this session. Great job! See you next week.” TJ clapped his hands together. Mirena turned off the stereo.

Kaleb stopped my next step by squeezing my hands. His brows drew together as his gaze locked on mine, sucking me into their depths. The sole of my shoes skipped on the dance floor, and I stumbled forward. His arm snaked around me, catching me. My front bumped into his hard chest. My heart beat wildly at way his arm felt around me, pressing me into his chest.

A corner of his lips pulled up. “You alright?”

I blinked widely, trying to gain control of my runaway emotions. “Um…” I swallowed.

His hands slid up to my shoulders and set me back on my heels. His touch left tingles on my skin. He stepped back and glanced toward the door. My body mourned the loss of his body heat.

People for the next session chatted quietly by the door. They tied on their dance shoes and stowed their belongings in the cubbies. Katie bounced over to us, dragging Levi by his hand.

“That was so much fun. I know it was pretty basic, but TJ said that was a good place to start to get everyone on the same page.” She dropped his hand and wound her arm within mine. She pulled me over to where we left our purses and shoes. “Will you come back next week?”

“Sure, my dance partner was surly, but I don’t think that had anything to do with me.” I glanced over toward Kaleb.

His scowl was still in place, but the creases weren’t as deep. His eyes weren’t shooting daggers at people, anymore.

“I wouldn’t worry about him.” She shrugged. “He’ll come around. He’s just annoyed that he had fun.”

“You think?”

“Definitely, any man would love to dance with you,” she whispered in my ear.

I laughed. “I’m not anything special. Just a girl at a dance lesson.”

“Ladies, ready to go.” Levi held out an open knit sweater for Katie to slip her arms in. His fingers brushed her arms as he shuffled the sweater over her shoulders.

“Where did you park?” Katie entwined her fingers with Levi’s.

“At the end of the lot. Next to some person with a big truck that can’t park.” I rolled my eyes. “The spot next to his was the only one open. I had to climb out the passenger seat to get out.”

Katie laughed and shook her head. “I’d love to see that.”

“It wasn’t graceful in a skirt and all,” I muttered.

We walked out the glass doors. Katie and Levi stepped out on to the sidewalk, first. Kaleb followed me, holding the door for the next few people coming in.

The night air brushed cool against my skin. A slight breeze rustled through the newly planted trees. A few stars sparkled in the inky sky. Buttered popcorn drifted on the breeze from the movie theater.

My stomach grumbled. I rubbed it. I’d forgotten to eat dinner before I left my place and now I was starving.

“Well, we are this way.” Levi pointed toward the side lot. “We’ll see you around.”

Katie waved as they walked away to their vehicle.

Kaleb and I stood awkwardly in silence at the edge of the curb. A crush of teenagers surged around us, pushing us closer together.

He cleared his throat. “Where are you parked?”

“In the lot across the street.” I motioned to the cars across the street.

“I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Really? Why?” Startled, my gaze locked with his. The swirling blue depths of his eyes drew me in. My feet drew me a step closer to him, like the pull of two magnets.

“Make sure you get to your car safely.” His expression was unreadable.

A laughing couple passed by us, breaking my trance.

“That’s chivalrous of you, but I’ll be fine.” I tucked my hair behind my ears.

“I’m heading that way anyway.” He grabbed my elbow as we crossed the street, avoiding on-coming traffic. His touch was firm and warm. I pushed against him. I didn’t need him dragging me around. He held on and hustled me to the parking lot. Once there, his hand fell away from my elbow like it was a hot potato. He shoved it into his pocket.

“I’m over there.” I led the way to my ancient Buick.

The poorly parked, overly large truck still sat in the spot next to my car. I groaned, not wanting to crawl over the passenger seat again.

He drew out his keys and beeped the unlock on his key fob. The taillights flashed on the truck.

“It’s yours?” I raised my eyebrows at him. “Don’t you know how to park?”

He shrugged. A ghost of a smile played on his lips. “It’s a small lot.”

I rolled my eyes and groaned. “Whatever.” I unlocked the passenger door to my car and hit the unlock button.

“Give me a second.” He climbed into the cab and backed out of his parking spot. The truck backed further down the lot. A large black Rocking K was stenciled on the side of his truck.

“Kisment Ranch. How did I miss that?” I wondered as I unlocked my car. I sunk into the front seat. Turning over the engine, I backed out of my spot. Kaleb flashed his lights at me as I drew away.