how it would look blown up to poster size, then shaking her head in embarrassment. “Have you ever thought about why he doesn’t want to be on the calendar?”
“He’s just a little shy.”
“Seriously? Cole is not shy. Cole is the farthest thing from shy that I’ve ever met. It’s not about shy.”
“Okay, enlighten me. What’s it about?”
Jess shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, you know him better than I do, but have you ever considered—maybe he wants to be known as more than the eye candy around here?”
Kyla looked mystified. “I’ve never treated him like eye candy. What are you talking about?”
“Never? So hiding behind a guest cabin while he hosed off so you can put this swoony picture on a ranch calendar wouldn’t be considered treating him like eye candy? Shall we define eye candy for you, sweets?”
“I don’t like when you put it like that. Makes me sound all stalkerish.”
“Huh.”
“Okay. I know. I did a bad thing. But look at the result!”
Jess leveled her with a look. “That’s seriously your defense? But Your Honor, it’s not a crime if I get a pretty picture out of it, right?”
Kyla pulled the pictures back together and slid them into an envelope. “You know, it’s usually Hayley who’s a killjoy.”
“Sorry. I just think it might be a good idea to show him the picture before you plaster it all over a calendar and start selling it.”
“But—cover shot!” Kyla wrinkled her nose. “Don’t make me do the right thing.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Jess shook her head. “So, does this mean he’s not actually Mister January any longer? You know, now that he’s shirtless and all?”
“He’s Mister Smokin’ Hot July, honey.”
Jess fanned herself, laughing. “I’m going to need about ten of these calendars, but only after you promise me you’ll talk to Cole and get his okay to use that shot.”
“I’ll do my best, but he’s awfully busy.”
“Kyla.”
“I’m already in deep owing them cookies and pies! I don’t know how to make anything else!” Suddenly her eyes brightened. “Ooh. I know what.”
Jess narrowed her eyes. “I hate that phrase.”
“Maybe you could convince him.”
“No.” She shook her head. “No way, no how. I will not condone anything that involves hiding behind barns like a miscreant paparazzo.”
“I’m hurt, Jess. I’m just trying to do a good thing here.”
Jess laughed. “If the profits of this calendar were going to the humane society or St. Jude’s or any other million charities that deserve help, you might have a leg to stand on there, honey. But you don’t.”
“Fine.” Kyla sighed, smiling. “But if he says no, I won’t be able to give you the framed eight-by-ten I made of this shot. Just saying.”
“Now, now.” Jess reached for the envelope. “We don’t have to go that far.”
Chapter 17
Later that morning, Jess sensed Cole before she could see him, even though he was a good ten feet away from where she stood at Sky Dancer’s stall. She felt him in the way her spine straightened, the way her nose caught the mixed scent of soap and aftershave, the way her fingers shook as she remembered him holding her close last night.
“Morning, Jess.”
His voice was soft as he walked toward the stall, where she’d been sneaking the horse a treat.
She turned. “Morning.”
“Did you finally get to sleep?”
“I did. Thanks for keeping me company last night.”
He stopped a few feet away, picking up a hose. “So”—he pushed the hose over the top of Apollo’s stall to fill his water bucket, turning away from her—“I’m not supposed to tell you what I’m about to tell you, but I’m gonna anyway.”
“Oh?”
“Not sure whether you’ve noticed, but there’s a plot afoot.”
“Ah. What kind of a plot?”
“Well, it starts with your matchmaker friends.”
“Oh. That kind of a plot.” Jess couldn’t help the smile that snuck out.
“And in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve been given an assignment.”
“By whom?”
“Kyla. Who told me just now that she’s—quote—this close to convincing you to stay for the summer.”
Jess bit her lip. “She might be overestimating her skills a tad. So what’s your assignment?”
“To do the rest of the convincing.” He kept his back turned, thankfully, since she could feel her cheeks go pink at his words.
“Oh.”
He laughed. “That was a very scared oh.” Then he turned toward her. “Wondering how I might try to convince you?”
“Maybe?” Jess felt her knees quiver.
“Well, I’d probably start with dancing. You know, since I already started there.”
“Naturally.”
He put down the hose and took a step toward her. “Moonlit rides to the secret waterfall