The Rancher and the Event Planner - By Cheryl Gorman Page 0,15

that but she’d had a taste of it in those few moments she’d been in Rafe’s arms, his mouth on hers. She’d experienced it and inside she knew she’d never be able to wipe it from her memory. But his reaction was exactly as it should have been. There was nothing between them and there never would be. It was just one moment out of time encouraged by the music and the low lighting and two old friends reconnecting. Nothing more. And the sooner she accepted that, the better off she’d be. Besides she could never be the kind of woman that Rafe McCord would want. She straightened from the wall and headed back inside.

***

Rafe watched Jennifer disappear into the crowd. He’d seen the glimmer of hurt in her eyes when he started making all those lame excuses. And they were lame. Who was he kidding? He’d enjoyed every minute of having her in his arms and he’d do it again given half the chance. But he couldn’t. He had to keep things in perspective or her brother would hang his nuts from the nearest flag pole and he’d deserve it. Cade had watched him turn his marriage into a hopeless mess. He took a sip of beer and slumped back in his chair. And of all people, why Jennifer Barrett? He already knew the answer before he asked the question. Because she was genuine and strong, a woman who didn’t know the meaning of the word whine and could stand on her own.

“Glad you changed your mind.”

Shit.

Rona rested her hand along the back of his chair and touched his neck with one finger. He shifted away from her touch and turned. She was an attractive woman in her own right but did nothing for Rafe. “Hi, Rona.”

“Mind if I sit down?” she asked as she plopped into Jennifer’s chair before he could object. “Just got here. Band must be taking a break. Are they any good?” She stopped a passing waitress and asked for a glass of white wine.

“Yeah, they aren’t bad but—”

“Great. Hope you saved a dance for me. I’m just itchin’ to try out these new snake skin heels.”

Rafe glanced over Rona’s shoulder and saw Jennifer walking toward them. She was beautiful and natural, such a contrast to bright and shiny Rona. Her jeans hugged her figure and her lavender shirt enhanced her skin tone and bust line without drawing undue attention. Jennifer smirked when she saw Rona in her seat. He smiled at her and Rona turned just as Jennifer stepped up to the table. “Hi, Rona. Sorry, but you’re in my seat.”

“Didn’t realize you two were together.”

“We aren’t,” Rafe and Jennifer said the words at the same time.

“Oh, they’re together all right,” the waitress said as she placed Rona’s glass of wine in front of her. “Should’ve seen them earlier. Couldn’t have gotten a blade of buffalo grass between ‘em.” She tossed Rafe and Jennifer a smile before walking away.

Rona pressed her mouth into a thin-lipped smile, stood and shouldered her purse. “Hate to rush off but see some friends I need to speak to.” She wiggled her fingers in a wave. “Bye.” In a moment, she was gone.

Jennifer laughed and Rafe joined in. Something eased inside him. Thank God, they were back on friends-only ground again which is exactly where they should be.

“It’s been a long day,” Jennifer said. “Would you mind if we called it a night?”

***

Rafe’d been up since five after a long night of tossing and turning like a horse fighting colic. Girlish laughter caught his attention as he headed in the back door. And not just any laughter, JC’s laughter. His pulse ratcheted up a notch. He couldn’t get the thought of Jennifer sleeping across the hall out of his mind. Just a few measly feet. Did she wear silk or cotton to bed? Was it long or short? Did it cover her from head to foot or just the important parts? Or did she sleep au naturale?

Damn it, he had to stop thinking about her that way. If he didn’t, he was going to get his ass royally stomped by Cade. He had to rein it in because Cade was real savvy when it came to people. He could read a person no matter how many walls they threw up. He was hoping a couple of hours of hard work before breakfast would help him stop feeling so churned up over Jennifer and he thought it had until he’d