The Rancher and the Event Planner - By Cheryl Gorman Page 0,59

but we can.”

She looked at him. “Did you just say we?”

“Yep. Go back to Cade’s, get changed and meet me back here in half an hour. I have some calls to make.”

“But—”

He pressed two fingers to her lips. “No buts. Trust me.”

***

JC was in stun mode. Her body still tingled from Rafe’s amazing love making session and being forced from his arms too soon. By the time she arrived back at the park it was filled with people. But not just any people.

The people of Salvation.

Including Rafe.

They worked through the night, saving some of the plants and replacing the ruined ones with stock from the local nursery. Lights had been set up, food and drink had been supplied by the Bluebonnet. By the time the sun peaked over the horizon, the park appeared as if nothing had happened. JC was overwhelmed. She didn’t know what to say except thank you, but everyone brushed off her thanks. Then Linc walked over and said, “It’s the least we can do for one of our own.”

His words brought fresh tears to her eyes. One of our own. She belonged in Salvation, she truly did and she belonged with Rafe and his family. With her heart soaring, she looked for Rafe and found him throwing the last bit of broken branches into the flatbed of his truck. “Rafe, we did it. We really did it.” She pulled him close but he only gave her a light pat on the back then lowered his arms at his sides. Hurt, she pulled back and looked into his eyes. “What’s the matter? Did I do something wrong?”

He looked away. “No, you did nothing wrong.”

She pulled his chin around. “What then? I’m a grown woman who just gave herself to a man and it isn’t something I do every day. Tell me what’s wrong. I deserve at least that much.”

Pressing his lips to her fingers, he held her hand a moment, before lowering it to her side. “You’re right. Your tears tore me up. I couldn’t stand it until you were happy again.”

Humiliation made her spine snap straight. She folded her arms over her chest. “Oh, so you made love to me out of pity. Gee, thanks.”

He raised a hand stopping her. “No, it wasn’t out of pity. I just—I couldn’t—”

“Couldn’t what?

“I couldn’t walk away and leave you, okay? But I didn’t think first about how being with you would change things. And it can’t change things. We’ll go on as we did before. For both our sakes.”

Shock, sadness and fury numbed JC from head to toe. “I see. So you still think we don’t belong together.”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t. Believe me, it’s for your own good. I’ll end up hurting you and we’ll both regret it.”

“Fine.” She stepped forward until she could smell their loving on his skin. “But remember this, Rafe McCord, I am not Caroline.”

Chapter Fifteen

The renovations on the mansion were complete and the grounds had been landscaped. The pool had been retiled and filled and the water sparkled under the summer sun. Practically the entire town had gathered on the new gravel drive outside a brand new gate to the property. The name Cotton Hills had been woven into the wrought iron design on the gate and the resort’s new crest had been placed on the entrance pillars holding the gate. The committee had made the final decision about the winner of the contest and hung a banner across the front of the gate.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” the chairman of the contest committee said. “It is my pleasure to declare Salvation, Texas the winner of the Best Texas Vacation Contest.”

Applause and whoops rose into the air. When the crowd had quieted the chairman continued. “I’d like to ask Rafe McCord and JC Barrett to please step forward.”

JC stood to the side wearing slacks and a sleeveless blouse with new flats. She’d curled her hair, made up her face and plastered on her best game face although inside her heart panted. She stepped over to the chairman joining up with Rafe. The chairman held out an oversized pair of scissors. “With the cutting of this ribbon, I declare the Cotton Hills resort officially open.”

JC took one side of the scissors and Rafe the other. Together they cut through the ribbon and a cheer rose from the crowd.

He’d barely said hello to her, the jerk pervert. How could a man be that twisted and act as if nothing had happened between