The Taming of Delaney Fortune
The Taming of Delaney Fortune
Michelle Major
SEALING THEIR DEAL WITH A KISS . . .He's only been in Horseback Hollow for a couple of months, but sexy Cisco Mendoza has already made quite an impression! Little does anyone know his real reasons for being here–a top-secret deal that could shake the foundations of the small Texas town–and one important family . . .When Delaney Fortune Jones agrees to help Cisco win some hearts and minds, suddenly the tables turn–and the permanent playboy finds himself pining for the innocent cowgirl and her heart of gold. As business veers dangerously close to pleasure, Mr. Mendoza better hang on to his hat–pint-size Delaney might just teach him a lesson in the art of falling in love . . . Fortune-style!
MEET THE FORTUNES!
Fortune of the Month: Delaney Fortune Jones
Age: 24
Vital Statistics: A petite and perky spitfire.
You’ll never see her without her cowboy boots.
Claim to Fame: The youngest of Jeanne Marie Fortune Jones’s children, Delaney always calls ’em as she sees ’em.
Romantic prospects: She is currently being courted by Miami native Cisco Mendoza. But she is doing her best to resist …
“Maybe every girl in town has had her head turned by Cisco Mendoza. But I refuse to be swayed by his city-slicker swagger and his sophisticated ways. I’m in search of a solid cowboy, not a tourist. So what if he makes my stomach do a two-step? I’m not going to be roped in by chocolate-brown eyes and sweet nothings. But what if … what if I could wrangle Cisco’s heart for real?”
The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country: Lassoing hearts from across the pond!
The Taming of Delaney Fortune
Michelle Major
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
MICHELLE MAJOR grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com (http://www.michellemajor.com).
To the Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country team—Susan and Marcia, Judy, Cindy, Marie, Nancy and Allison. Thanks for being so welcoming!
Contents
Cover (#u3ac6d9c1-f52f-5562-b12b-d7c86fbea008)
Introduction (#u83dc3853-819e-5d4d-8396-b30d0e18aa20)
Title Page (#u884a22b5-aafd-543f-b533-84ac5f8ca1c7)
About the Author (#u4fd4eb91-ccb0-5e3e-aa51-daa9d7eaf634)
Dedication (#ua264c70f-c395-53b7-bbcf-d6d81b91d191)
Prologue (#u4674c20e-7f77-598a-bfa7-7286bc1ab45d)
Chapter One (#u329e0c30-3069-5869-93e0-e440a47d6f1f)
Chapter Two (#u99fe0942-a715-5821-9e69-9f68c67f96a4)
Chapter Three (#u82df2535-a3c2-5330-8f09-7e17c7f8e9be)
Chapter Four (#udb9dae7f-fb30-5d33-813b-b11ba13f2d2a)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue (#ulink_8a4a1d46-2683-58f5-977e-c11d222bc3b3)
Delaney Fortune Jones was a romantic at heart. She loved Valentine’s Day as much as she loved weddings. But it took a bit of work to convince herself that the tears she’d shed today, watching four of her siblings get married, were only the joyful kind.
Of course she was happy for Jude, Liam, Christopher and Stacey. They’d each found the love of their lives, and Delaney had been thrilled and honored to stand up as a bridesmaid while they said their vows. The ceremony had taken place earlier on the beautiful Parthenon-inspired stage that had been built next to the barn on her parents’ ranch. Each couple’s vows had been personal to their relationship, but when the ball of emotion wedged in Delaney’s throat as she listened, there was a wistful edge to it.
Only she and her brother Galen were single now. Delaney would be the last of Deke and Jeanne Marie’s children still living on the ranch after today. Her world had shifted, and she knew it would never be the same.
But Delaney was a romantic and an optimist. She believed she’d find true love someday. It was only a matter of time until the right cowboy came along to share the small-town life she treasured. Horseback Hollow, Texas, wasn’t big or fancy, but it was the only home she’d ever need.
Shaking her head, she took a breath and then a deeper breath. Her parents had transformed the barn for the reception, but underneath the flowers and candles, Delaney could still smell the comforting scent of hay and horses. The barn was her happy place, and looking around at all of the people she loved gathered together tonight chased away her brooding thoughts.
She tapped her cowboy boot along with the rhythm to a popular song, watching her family and friends on the dance floor. She’d changed from heels after the ceremony, but the pink shell inlay of the boots still matched her silk bridesmaid’s gown. Her young nieces and nephews ran around the edge of the dance floor, stopping to wiggle their hips as the tempo increased. Delaney laughed out loud but didn’t move to join them. She was good at a lot of things. Dancing wasn’t one of them.
However, the bar was set up on the far side of the barn, so she made her way through the crowd as the music ended. A woman turned as Delaney went to slide past her, and Delaney blinked several times. Shannon Singleton, who Delaney had known since they were girls, looked stunning in her black lace dress. The light in her eyes made her even more gorgeous.
“Delaney,” Shannon said as she gave her a quick hug, “Wasn’t it a beautiful ceremony?”
“The most beautiful,” Delaney agreed, but Shannon had already turned away, pulling a man forward.
“Delaney, have you met Cisco Mendoza?” Shannon asked. “He’s one of Gabi’s handsome brothers.”
“The most handsome,” the man murmured with a deep chuckle.
“Absolutely,” Shannon agreed with a bright laugh. “But don’t tell the rest of them I said so. Cisco, this is Delaney Fortune, the baby of the family.”
“Not quite a baby,” Delaney muttered, feeling her cheeks flame.
Handsome was an understatement for Cisco Mendoza. He was several inches taller than Delaney, with broad shoulders under his dark jacket and crisp white shirt that tapered to a lean waist. His eyes were the richest brown she’d ever seen, and his thick dark hair looked like it had been styled for a photo shoot. She tugged at her bouncy blond curls, which had taken an hour in hot rollers to create but suddenly felt too girlish.
“You two get to know each other.” Shannon looked over Delaney’s shoulder. “I owe Galen the next dance.”
Before Delaney could argue, Shannon had disappeared toward the center of the dance floor.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Cisco said, his voice smooth like the finest whiskey. Delaney didn’t actually drink whiskey, but that’s how she imagined it. Smooth with the subtlest hint of sin.
She realized he was staring at her, waiting for her to answer. One side of his mouth quirked, as if he could see how flustered she felt standing in front of him.
Delaney wasn’t thrown off balance very often, and it made her skin itch. The bodice of her strapless gown suddenly felt too tight and she struggled to draw in a normal breath.
“You, too,” she said, surprised that her voice was steady. “It means a lot to Gabi to have her family here. Do you like Horseback Hollow? How long are you in town?” She clapped a hand over her mouth to stop the babbling.
Cisco’s grin widened, and for a moment Delaney forgot her own name, the fact she was in the barn that felt like a second home, surrounded by people she’d known her whole life. All she could see was this man and his wicked smile.
“It means a great deal to us to be with her on this day,” he said slowly, as if speaking to a child. “I do like Horseback Hollow, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be in town.” He cocked his head as the music started again, a slow ballad this time.
Delaney tilted her head, mimicking his movement before snapping out of her lust-induced haze. A man like Cisco was not for her, but something about him...
“Would you care to dance?” he asked softly.
She stared at his outstretched hand, wanting nothing in the world as much as she wanted to step into his arms. She thought about her hand on that broad shoulder, her nose pressed into his throat. He would smell wonderful—she had no doubt. She practically burned with the need to touch him.
“Delaney,” he said, a little louder now. “Dance with me?”
She almost slid her hand into his, allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. Her fingers trembled in anticipation as she lifted them. But at the last minute she pulled her hand tight to her middle.
“Nope, sorry,” she said on a ragged breath. “Gotta go.” And with that, she turned and ran for the door.
Chapter One (#ulink_080b3b28-fb8b-523a-8da0-ff9c1f51fd2b)
A warm breeze blew across the Texas plains as Cisco Mendoza adjusted his cowboy hat. A thin bead of sweat trailed its way down his back. The temperature remained pleasant so early on this April morning, which meant the sweat was from nerves instead. He rolled his shoulders to force himself to relax.
Cisco didn’t do nerves.
Back in Miami, he was known for his ability to manage even the most contentious real estate deals with his signature mix of coolness and charm. But Horseback Hollow, Texas, was a far piece from South Florida. Still, a deal was a deal and if Cisco was good at one thing in his life, it was closing the deal.
“This project takes vision,” he said to the man standing next to him. “And we both know Alden Moore has vision. It’s one of the ways he’s built Moore Entertainment to be the success it is now.”
Kent Stephens, the regional VP of Marketing and Development for Moore Entertainment, not to mention Cisco’s new boss, nodded. “Mr. Moore has vision, all right, and these condos are a big part of it. He has high expectations for Cowboy Country, but the pushback from the locals in town has become a thorn in all of our sides.” He flipped a rock off to the side with the toe of his expensive loafer. “Those Fortunes won’t give us a chance and their influence seems to run all the way to Lubbock.” He pointed at Cisco. “Which, as we discussed, is where you come in. You’ve got pull with them and we need you to use it.”
“Right.” Cisco gave Kent a reassuring smile. “My sister is married to Jude Fortune Jones and you know that branch of the family wields a lot of power around town.” Before Kent could respond, Cisco walked back toward his truck, across the open land he planned to help develop into luxury condos. It was true his younger sister, Gabi, had married Jude a couple of months ago right here in town, but as far as the Fortune influence in Horseback Hollow, that was pure guesswork. Jude had a bunch of brothers and sisters plus a horde of Fortune cousins in the area, so Cisco figured he couldn’t be too far off the mark.
He’d originally come to Horseback Hollow just for Gabi’s wedding, but when he’d heard about Moore’s plans to develop the Western-themed amusement park and related real estate, Cisco had decided to stick around. He was busy and successful with his real estate projects in Miami. But recently he’d begun feeling restless and a little bored with the endless stream of business lunches, rounds of golf and nights spent with the who’s who of South Beach. He loved his life but attributed his change in attitude to a childhood spent moving from place to place as his family followed his father’s career in the air force. Cisco wasn’t the type of guy to put down roots, and he always enjoyed the thrill of a new challenge.
Too bad his expertise in Miami didn’t mean much to his new bosses in Horseback Hollow. What had been more important to them was his connection to the influential Fortune family—a connection that was tenuous at best. Gabi loved her new in-laws, and his father, Orlando, seemed a bit smitten with Josephine Fortune Chesterfield, the matriarch of the British branch of the clan. Cisco hadn’t gotten close to any of the Fortunes personally, something he knew was going to need to change quickly.
“When can we get a meeting on the books with your Fortune friends?” Kent followed him across the empty field. “Cowboy Country is scheduled to open next month, and Mr. Moore wants to break ground on the condos by the end of the summer. The condos are new territory for Moore Entertainment, so we want outside investors to support this project. They need to be lined up in short order and catching a Fortune will go a long way toward attracting other important players around this part of Texas.”
Cisco glanced over his shoulder at the other man. Moore Entertainment had bought this huge tract of land near the planned amusement park for the express purpose of developing condos to expand the Cowboy Country brand. From what Cisco could tell, Kent was a decent guy, in his late fifties and totally devoted to his job. He’d relocated to Horseback Hollow from Chicago to dedicate his time exclusively to Cowboy Country. Cisco knew Kent had a lot riding on the success of this venture. Everyone at Moore Entertainment did.
“I’ll bring you the investors.” Cisco kept his answer purposefully vague. “Closing the deal is my specialty.”
“As long as the Fortunes are part of the deal, we’re all good.” Kent opened the trunk of his expensive BMW and pulled out a roll of paper. He closed the trunk, then spread the sheets across the gleaming black surface. Cisco had to give the guy credit—it was no easy feat to keep a car so clean with all the dust out on the plains of Texas. For the next twenty minutes, they discussed the plans for the Cowboy Condos, including a marketing strategy and target market. Cisco had his first niggling of doubt as he looked at drawings of stucco buildings with windows shaped like boots. He was used to dealing with extremely upscale developments and while Moore was certainly sinking a bunch of money into this project, the designs didn’t yet have the spark Cisco knew they would need to appeal to high-end investors. Right now, the Cowboy Condos reminded him of a kitschy motel off the highway. He wanted to turn them into a Western-themed Ritz.
Kent seemed willing to take his advice and input. The Mendozas had roots in Texas, so Cisco capitalized on his family history to encourage some authentic Western additions to the project. By the time the other man rolled up the plans, Cisco felt more confident things would work out in this deal. He would make sure they did, no matter what he had to do to get the end result he needed.
He watched Kent drive away, then turned to climb in the truck he’d leased from a dealership in nearby Vicker’s Corners. As he did, he noticed a lone horseback rider in the distance, tearing across the land, horse and rider clearly in sync as the horse’s hooves thundered over the ground. He felt his mouth go dry and had to remind himself to take a breath. That was a real cowboy, or maybe a cowboy kid, by the size of the rider. Cisco knew enough about horses and the West to pass himself off as a cowboy to his coworkers at Moore Entertainment, but this rider was the real deal from the tip of his cowboy hat to the glint of the metal on his saddle. Talk about a thrill. He was too far away to be noticed, but he stood and watched until the horse disappeared behind an outcropping of rocks, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
That was the kind of adrenaline rush Cisco had been missing in his life, and he hoped pushing through this deal on the Cowboy Condos would reignite the fire that he’d been seeking.
* * *
Climbing into a booth across from his sister, Gabi, at the Horseback Hollow Grill an hour later, Cisco decided there was no time like the present to start making his future dream a reality.
“How’s it going, Mrs. Fortune Jones?” he asked with a wink. “I hope that husband of yours knows how lucky he is to have you and treats you accordingly. He’ll have big brother to answer to if not.”
Gabi rolled her eyes, but Cisco saw her mouth curve into a reluctant smile. “Jude and I keep each other happy,” she said. “I’m really glad you came in for the wedding and that you’ve stayed, Cisco.”
For a moment he forgot his reason for wanting to speak with his sister and took the time to enjoy the pleasure of her company. As the only girl in a family of four boisterous boys, Gabriella was always special, but her big heart and sweet soul made her even more so. It was good to reconnect with her now that he was in Horseback Hollow.
“It’s a cool town,” he answered. “For now, anyway.”
“Speaking of, what are your plans? The Cisco I know is always moving, working an angle or the next big deal. Do you plan to stay long enough to find a job here?”
He made the conscious effort not to cringe at her question. He hadn’t actually told anyone in his family that he was working for Moore Entertainment on the Cowboy Condos. It had quickly become clear his sister and father weren’t overly thrilled about the amusement park’s presence in town. He didn’t want to open himself up to their comments just yet.
“I’ve got some irons in the fire,” he said, avoiding a direct answer. “I also have loose ends to wrap up on a couple of Miami projects.” He paused as a waitress stopped by the table, giving him a friendly smile as she took their orders. He wiggled his eyebrows at Gabi as the young woman walked away. “Either way, I bet I can keep myself busy.”
Gabi blew out a frustrated breath. “Someday you’re going to find the right woman, Cisco.”
“I’ve found a lot of right women, Gabriella. Why limit it to one?”
“Because you have a huge heart under all that macho bravado.” She wagged a finger at him. “You’re more than a skirt chaser. Mama would have wanted you to find someone special.”
A place in his chest ached at the mention of their mother. Luz Mendoza had died three years ago. She’d been the heart and soul of their family and Cisco knew Gabrielle and their brothers still felt the loss of her as much as he did.
“Dad seems happy in Horseback Hollow,” he said, trying to subtly change the subject.
He figured Gabi was wise to his tactic, but she played along. “He fits here. It’s given him a way to feel a part of the community and taken away some of his loneliness.”
“He seems to be pretty close to some of the Fortunes, as well.”
Gabi nodded. “They’re a wonderful family. In fact, Jude’s parents, Jeanne Marie and Deke, are having a barbecue out at their ranch this weekend. I’m sure they’d love for you to join the fun. It would mean a lot to me for you to get to know Jude and his family.”
Cisco did an internal fist pump. He’d meet more of the Fortunes and make his sister happy in the process. Nothing like multitasking. “That sounds great. Text me their address and the details on when to be there.”
“I will.”
“I’ve been hearing a lot about the new amusement park in the works. They call it Cowboy Country, right?”
Gabi’s smile dimmed. “I wouldn’t bring that up at the barbecue. Most of the Fortunes aren’t too pleased about it.”
Cisco took a casual sip of coffee. “Really? Why?”
“A lot of locals like Horseback Hollow just the way it is,” Gabi told him. “Besides, from everything I hear, the company in charge doesn’t care about the history of the area. The place is hokey and utterly lacking any authenticity. People around here take the cowboy lifestyle seriously. It’s not just a carnival show to be exploited.”
“But won’t it mean more jobs?”
His sister shrugged. “True, but the cost of that sort of progress may be more than Horseback Hollow wants to pay.”
“So are all the Fortunes against it?” Cisco’s gut felt as if it had taken a direct hit with a sledgehammer.
“Jude thinks it’s an awful idea and so do his parents. In fact, I’d say the only member of the family who’s the least bit excited about it is Delaney, Jude’s baby sister.”
“Delaney,” Cisco repeated quietly, trying to picture her from the wedding. “Tiny thing, lots of blond hair?”
“That’s her, but add in a thousand-watt smile and the energy to match. The topic of Cowboy Country came up at dinner a couple of weeks ago, and Delaney mentioned she thinks the park might be fun. She’s a total sweetheart, but Horseback Hollow is all she knows. I think she wants a little adventure in her life.” Gabi cocked her head, looking at her brother. “And why are you interested in Cowboy Country, anyway?”
He busied himself with adding cream to his coffee, avoiding his sister’s shrewd gaze. “Just want to keep up on the local business news. And if Delaney Fortune is looking for adventure...”
“No way, Cisco. She’s not your type of girl.”
“What’s my type?”
“Brainless and shallow,” Gabi snapped.
He’d made the comment to sidetrack her but had to admit his sister’s assessment of his taste in women stung.
Gabriella’s smile turned sympathetic. “Speaking of women, Matteo and Rachel will probably stop by the barbecue for a bit. Are you okay with that?”
Before Cisco could answer, the waitress brought their food. As she put the plate down in front of him, she also slipped a piece of paper under the edge. “You’re new to town, right?”
“All the way from Miami,” he said with a practiced smile.
“Give me a call sometime,” she answered. “I can show you the sights.”
Gabi let out a delicate snort. “Horseback Hollow doesn’t have ‘sights.’”
The waitress ignored her. “Call me,” she whispered to Cisco, then turned on her heel, her hips swaying gently as she headed back toward the restaurant’s kitchen.
Cisco’s smile widened as he gave his sister a quick wink. “I’m happy for Matteo. He and Rachel are great together.” Before his younger brother had claimed Rachel Robinson, Cisco had gone on a date with her, more to spark Matteo into action than because of any deep feelings between Cisco and Rachel. “You know I’m not going to settle down anytime soon, Gabi. It’s not who I am.”
His sister only studied him, a knowing smile playing at the corner of her mouth. “Famous last words, Cisco. Famous last words.”
* * *
“I’m here, Mom.” Delaney Fortune Jones rushed into the kitchen of the house she’d been born and raised in, snagging a chocolate-chip cookie from the counter as she did. Her parents were hosting one of their big family barbecues tonight, so there would be plenty to be done to get ready.
“Put the cookie down and wash your hands, young lady.” Her mother, Jeanne Marie Fortune Jones, had her back turned toward Delaney as she reached in the pantry. Delaney was pretty sure her mother had eyes in the back of her head, not to mention some psychic ability. She seemed to always know exactly what was going on with each of her children no matter where they were.
At twenty-four, Delaney was the youngest and the only one still living with her parents, but she was in no hurry to move into a place of her own. She loved her childhood home and the hustle and bustle that went with living on a working ranch.
“Sorry I’m late.” She set the cookie on a paper towel and turned to the sink. “I went for a ride after I helped the guys secure the fencing near the west border and lost track of time. But I’m here to help with whatever you need.”
Jeanne Marie turned, holding a large ceramic bowl in her arms. “It’s under control, sweetie. No worries. There’s still plenty left to get ready. You can help dish out the potato salad after you shower. We’ll need plates and napkins ready to go. And there’s a big pitcher of sun tea brewing on the back porch.”
“Potato salad, plates and tea.” Delaney flipped off the water, dried her hands on the paper towel, then took a bite of cookie. “These are so good, Mom. As always.”
“It doesn’t take much to please your sweet tooth,” her mother answered with a smile. “I’m sure Angie will bring her brownies, so save some room.”
Delaney patted her stomach. “I always have room for dessert. Besides, riding makes me extra hungry.”
“You’ve been out on longer rides than usual this week. What’s going on?”
“Flapjack has been restless,” Delaney answered before popping the rest of the cookie into her mouth. She went to the cabinet where her mother kept the paper plates and wicker holders for them and began stacking things on the counter. “I wanted to give him some extra exercise.”
“He’s not the only one who’s been restless.” Jeanne Marie’s soft arms came around Delaney’s waist as her mother rested her chin on Delaney’s shoulder. “I know it’s been difficult for you now that most of your siblings are partnered off.”
Delaney leaned back against her mother, breathing in Jeanne Marie’s familiar sweet smell. “It’s just Galen and me left now. I’m happy for the rest of them, but it makes things...different. Good, but different.”
“You’ll find the right man, Delaney. You’re an amazing woman with so much to give.”
“Spoken like a true doting mother.” Jeanne Marie stepped back and Delaney turned with a smile. “I know the perfect guy is out there for me, and I’m not in a hurry. I want what you and Daddy have. I love Horseback Hollow, and I’m going to find someone who values this town and the lifestyle that comes with it as much as I do.”
“Well, your brothers all have friends.”
“Who see me as their baby sister.” Delaney wrinkled her nose. “That’s just weird.” She reached behind her and unfastened the clip holding up her two braids. She’d taken to pinning up her long hair under her hat as she rode to keep it out of the sun and wind. “You never know—maybe the amusement park will attract some new cowboys to Horseback Hollow.”
“None of any substance,” Jeanne Marie said through her teeth. “I don’t understand your fascination with that development, Delaney. It’s a thorn in the side to most of the town.”
“Not to everyone,” she countered. “Amber Rogers is working with them, and Wendy and Marcus Mendoza can’t be too unhappy with the additional business for the Cantina. Maybe everyone has been too quick to judge Cowboy Country. Did you ever think of that?”
“I haven’t,” her mother admitted with a rueful smile. She gave Delaney another quick hug. “You have such a beautiful heart, my girl. I look forward to the day you find a man who will value it as much as I do.”
Chapter Two (#ulink_e2d0e0dc-481c-518d-ac39-8fffc64bab82)
Delaney came down the steps from her bedroom two hours later, putting her still-wet hair into a braid that trailed past her shoulders. The barbecue was already in full swing. As usual, there had been plenty of ranch chores to sidetrack her. After helping her mom she’d found her father in the barn feeding afternoon hay to the horses. Delaney loved nothing more than spending time with her dad, especially with the sweet, musty scent of the barn surrounding them.
Deke Jones was a quiet, sometimes crusty rancher and his relationships with his children, especially Delaney’s brother Christopher, hadn’t always been easy. But Delaney felt like she understood her dad and his stoic devotion to the land and his work, so his long silences and gruff tone had never bothered her much. So many of her good memories from childhood centered around life on the ranch. She knew that was part of the reason she felt so strongly about creating her own life in and around Horseback Hollow.
But as her gaze trailed across the crowd of family and friends gathered in the house and spilling out to the back porch and yard, her breath caught in her throat. There was no doubt she loved her large, boisterous family, and her brothers and sister had all made excellent matches in love. But the overabundance of couples and kids made her feel the tiniest bit wistful for a love of her own. It was silly, she knew. Delaney had always been the bubbly, happy-go-lucky kid in her family. She was in no hurry to settle down, but she’d always been a part of a group. As the youngest of seven, she’d never truly been alone. While her brothers and sister focused on their new families, she was suddenly left on her own and it didn’t sit well.
“Would you take this plate of fruit out to the tables?” her mother’s voice called from the kitchen.
Delaney made her smile especially bright, although she didn’t think for a moment that fooled Jeanne Marie and her laser-sharp instinct for her children’s moods.
“I remember the year Stacey finally went off to kindergarten and you were left alone here,” Jeanne Marie said as she handed Delaney the ceramic platter. “You got into more trouble that school year than all the other kids combined when they were little.”
“I’m not a little girl anymore,” Delaney offered. “I can handle this.”
“I know you can, sweetheart.” Her mother absently touched the turquoise pendant around her throat. “But you have a tendency to get reckless when you’re bored. I wouldn’t be doing my job as a mother if I didn’t worry over you.”
“I love you, Mom.” Delaney placed a light kiss on her mother’s cheek. “You go enjoy the party. I’ll take this plate out and make sure everything else is running smoothly.”
Jeanne Marie nodded and Delaney followed her into the backyard. She greeted her brothers and their wives and girlfriends, plus Stacey and her new husband, Colton, on the way. After she set down the fruit, several of her nieces and nephews came running up and she was once again lost in the happiness of her large family. She forgot about her restlessness and feeling alone in the midst of so much love and affection.
“These gatherings just keep getting bigger.”
She turned as her brother Liam walked up. He was followed by another brother, Toby, who handed her a glass of lemonade.
“It makes Mom and Dad happy to have all the kids running around again.”
“It makes me happy to have mine occupied by something other than making a mess for Angie and me to clean up.”
Delaney punched him lightly on the shoulder. “You’re not fooling me,” she said. “You’re the biggest softy in the world and those three kids are amazing.” Toby had taken in three foster children last year and then adopted Brian, Justin and Kylie, making a home for them along with his new bride, Angie. They were a wonderful family. Delaney loved seeing her brother so content.
“It’s a good life,” he agreed, grinning. “And between us, Angie left a special plate of brownies on the kitchen counter for you.”
“She’s the best sister-in-law ever.”
“Don’t let the others hear you say that,” Liam warned in a teasing tone.
Delaney laughed. “They’re all the best,” she amended quickly. “I’ll deny to my grave that I ever said anything else.”
It was a beautiful evening, the warmth of the day cooling to the perfect temperature as the sun began to set. The expansive Texas sky turned brilliant shades of orange and pink across the pasture behind her parents’ house. Once everyone ate and the food was cleared, her father turned on a movie for the kids and they snuggled up together on the comfy couches and chairs in the large family room. The adults drifted between the kitchen and the back patio, where the talk centered around calving season and the Texans’ chances in the upcoming baseball season.
Delaney grabbed a denim jacket off the hook near the kitchen door but found herself lingering at the edge of the gathering as she came back outside. For once, she was almost happy being alone, until a deep voice spoke at her shoulder.
“What’s a pretty lady like you doing out here by herself?”
She whirled around to find Cisco Mendoza staring down at her and fought the urge to fidget. Of course she recognized Cisco, since his sister, Gabriella, had married her brother Jude only a couple of months ago. Cisco had come to Horseback Hollow for the wedding and decided to stay in town. She’d met him briefly at the reception, making a complete fool of herself thanks to her body’s reaction to all that male perfection. But she couldn’t quite figure out why he was still here, since he clearly belonged in trendy South Beach more than her hometown. Even tonight he projected an air of cool sophistication at odds with his relaxed button-down shirt and dark designer jeans. No Wrangler jeans for this guy. It annoyed Delaney that her stomach did a tiny two-step at the way his lean shoulders filled out the expensive silk of his shirt. No one could deny Cisco was gorgeous, but Delaney wasn’t interested in a too-hot-for-words guy. She wanted someone strong and steady and doubted Cisco fit the bill.
“I’m not by myself,” she countered, trying not to sound breathless. “I’m surrounded by my entire family.”
His dark eyes flicked to the people gathered on the farside of the patio. “It was generous of your parents to include me in the party. My sister is lucky to have married into the Fortune family.”
“I’d think someone like you would find us a little country bumpkin.”
“Like me?”
She waved her hand in front of him. “You’re a sophisticated city slicker. All smooth angles and—” she leaned in to sniff him “—expensive cologne.”
“You think I smell good?” He gave her a cocky grin.
Delaney huffed out a breath. “Not. The. Point.”
“What makes you think I’m such a city slicker? My sister fits in here in Horseback Hollow just fine. My father loves it here.”
“You’re nothing like Orlando.” She touched the tip of one of her red cowboy boots to his. “Your boots aren’t even scuffed.”
“They’re new,” he argued.
“That’s the point,” she agreed.
Cisco rocked back on his heels. To Delaney’s surprise, instead of looking offended at her comments, he seemed to enjoy her remarks. “Are all the Fortunes as opinionated as you?” he asked, his smile now genuine.
“I’m sorry,” she said, surprised to realize she was. Delaney was a positive person, always wanting to see the best in people. She didn’t normally give grief to someone she’d just met. “I don’t mean to get all up in your face. My mom tells me I seem restless. Maybe that’s making me a little prickly.”
Cisco stifled a groan as he watched her take a sip of lemonade, her soft pink mouth pressing against the straw. Delaney Fortune Jones could get all up in his face anytime she wanted, he realized with a start. It was strange. Gabriella had been right—the petite blonde in front of him wasn’t his usual type. He couldn’t deny she was attractive, but it was definitely in a more wholesome way than he was used to. She wore a floral-patterned dress with a wide leather belt cinched around her tiny waist. The collar of the colorful fabric was ruffled and soft, giving him tiny glimpses of the pale skin at the base of her throat. She wore red cowboy boots but even with the heel on them, she was almost six inches shorter than him. A tiny, adorable package of a woman with her long blond braid draped over her shoulder and clear blue eyes. She looked like the kind of woman you took home for Sunday dinner, not wined and dined the way he was used to.
He knew his sister would have his head if he made any wrong moves with Delaney but he couldn’t seem to walk away. He told himself it was because he needed to reel in a Fortune for his job with Moore Entertainment. That was simpler than examining any other possibility.
“I don’t mind prickly.” He took a slow pull on his beer and let his eyes wander up and down her petite figure. “Especially not when the lady in question is as pretty as you.”
To his surprise, she poked him in the chest with one slender finger. “Don’t do that. Don’t try to smooth-talk me, Cisco Mendoza. You might be God’s gift to women but that doesn’t mean I’m practicing your particular brand of religion.”
His mouth dropped open in shock for a moment before he managed to snap it shut again. He rubbed the center of his chest and placed his beer bottle on a nearby table. It was only his second drink, but maybe the alcohol was hitting him harder than he thought. Never in his life had Cisco had a problem charming a woman. Even when he was a boy, his brothers would be angry with him for sweet-talking himself out of class assignments. The fact was Cisco had a way with the ladies, and he didn’t mind exploiting that gift when it suited him. But now he needed to get in Delaney Fortune Jones’s good graces and was making a total mess of the conversation.
He decided his only choice was to lay the truth on the line and go from there. “You are pretty,” he began, holding his hands up, palms forward, when she narrowed her eyes. Even if Delaney was immune to his charm, her natural beauty couldn’t be ignored. “But the fact is I need a Fortune. The kind with a capital F. And I need one yesterday.”
She waved toward her parents’ back patio. “There are plenty to choose from. Why is a Fortune so important to you?”
“I’m working on a business deal,” he said, giving her the truth even if it wasn’t the whole story. “I can’t share details yet, but we need investors. My bosses know I have a connection to the Fortune family through Gabriella.”
“The Fortune Jones family,” Delaney clarified. “There’s a big difference.”
“How big?”
“A-lot-of-zeros big.”
He tried not to look shocked but must have failed, because she chuckled. “James Marshall Fortune, my mother’s long-lost brother, tried to give her money, but she returned it. We Jones kids had a totally normal life here in Horseback Hollow. My dad is the best. He works hard and made sacrifices for his family, but no one in my branch of the family has the money of the Red Rock or Atlanta Fortunes. We took the Fortune name to honor my mom and her connection to her relatives, not to cash in on their wealth.”
“That’s...honorable,” Cisco told her, suddenly wishing he had done a bit more research into the Fortunes of Horseback Hollow before making promises to Cowboy Country.
“But if you need a Fortune for a meeting, I might be able to make some time in my schedule. Jude is definitely out because of calving season, even if Gabi asked him for the favor. I’m not sure any of my other siblings would be up for it. You’d be stuck with me.”
He studied her but she seemed to be sincere. “I’d be grateful.”
“I have conditions.” Delaney gave him a wide grin.
He couldn’t help but return her smile. It was infectious. “Lay them on me, cielo.”
“I want you to get your boots dirty.”
It was his turn to narrow his eyes. “What does that mean exactly?”
“Spend time with me out here. Our home is a working ranch.” She did a small twirl as her hands waved toward the expanse of fields behind the house and the large barn to one side. “I want to put you through the paces to see if you can handle what it means to be a Fortune Jones.”
The crisp, summery scent of her wafted over him as she moved. He wasn’t sure if it was her perfume or shampoo, but it made his senses reel. Cisco felt himself drifting closer to Delaney, as if pulled by an invisible thread of curiosity. She was so different from any woman he’d met before, completely authentic and pure, as if she was untainted by life. It was also obvious she loved life on the ranch. While he tried to live by his own code of right and wrong, the deals he brokered often left him walking a moral tightrope. It had been years since Cisco had felt anything close to innocent. He found that quality in Delaney intensely attractive.
But this was business, he reminded himself.
As if to drive home the point, his sister suddenly appeared at Delaney’s side.
“What are you two talking about so intently?” she asked with a bright smile for Delaney and a warning glance at Cisco.
“Delaney is going to teach me how to be a real cowboy,” Cisco told his sister.
He expected her to laugh or make a joke about how he wouldn’t be able to handle it, but she stepped forward and gave him a hug. “I think it’s a great idea.” She turned to Delaney. “It’s about time he broke a sweat in someplace other than a fancy gym.”
“You wound me,” Cisco said with a laugh. “For your information, there are plenty of times I’ve broken a sweat outside of a gym.”
Gabriella rolled her eyes when he winked. “Don’t go there, big brother.” She linked her arm in Delaney’s. “Let’s join the others. The desserts are going fast, Delaney. There’s a brownie with your name on it.”
Cisco followed the two women back toward the rest of the guests, although he realized he would have been happy to keep Delaney all to himself for a while longer. Apparently he’d have more time to spend with her as he met her criteria for taking the meeting with the executives from Cowboy Country. He just had to come up with a plan to hold them off in the meantime.
* * *
“How about this one?”
Cisco grimaced as his father held up a garish Western shirt decorated with rhinestones and leather tassels. “Now you’re just being cruel, Dad. I may not be an expert on cowboys, but I can tell you no self-respecting man would wear that in public.”
“You’d be surprised,” Orlando answered with a chuckle. “But we’ll start you out subtle. After all, Deke Jones is going to expect you to look like you can handle yourself before he lets you do anything on his ranch.”
Like Gabi, Orlando had been all for Cisco spending time with Delaney at her family’s ranch. His brother Matteo had found it hilarious to imagine Cisco doing any sort of hard physical labor. That irritated him. Sure, his experience was brokering big-time deals, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t get his hands dirty. There might not be a lot of opportunity for that in Miami, but Cisco was confident he could hold his own.
Unfortunately, his wardrobe didn’t lend itself to ranching. In Miami the style was South Beach cool, silk shirts and trousers or polo shirts for the golf course. He didn’t want to look as green as he really was in front of Delaney’s father, so he’d asked his dad where to shop for Western clothes. Orlando had insisted on accompanying him to nearby Vicker’s Corners to pick up some new, more Horseback Hollow–appropriate clothes.
In the end they kept it simple—a few button-downs, one plaid with pearl buttons and two of solid colors, a few pairs of Wrangler and Cinch jeans, and a belt with a three-piece buckle.
They walked out of the store and threw the purchases in the backseat of Cisco’s truck before grabbing sandwiches from a local street vendor. Orlando led Cisco to a bench in a nearby park. It was good to spend time with his father and great to see how healthy and happy Orlando looked. He’d been nearly killed last year when the plane he was piloting crashed but now seemed to be back to his old hale and hearty self.
“Your mother would get a kick out of us shopping together,” Orlando said as he unwrapped his sandwich.
“I’m not sure she’d believe it.” Cisco took a drink of iced tea. “I’m not sure I believe it.” He reached over and patted his father’s shoulder. “But it’s good to see you so happy, Dad. Mom would have wanted that.”
The breeze blew through his father’s thick silver hair. “I miss her every day, son, but you’re right. She wouldn’t have wanted any of us to put our lives on hold and wallow in grief. Gabriella found her happiness, and it appears Matteo has, too. Now it’s your turn. Horseback Hollow is a good place for the Mendozas.”
“Whoa,” Cisco said quickly, his head shaking. “I don’t disagree the town is great, but I’m not looking to settle down like Gabi and Matteo. My life is in Miami. There are some business opportunities in Texas, and I’m going to take advantage of them. That’s all it is.”
Orlando opened his mouth to answer just as his cell phone beeped. He checked the screen, then punched at the keys with his thumbs, a small smile playing across his lips.
“Are you texting?” Cisco smiled around a bite of sandwich. It was grilled chicken with avocado on thick buttered toast and one of the best things Cisco had tasted in months. He ate out almost every night in Miami, often at trendy restaurants with clients, but somehow the down-home food in this area was infinitely more satisfying.
“I may be old, but I’m not dead.”
Something about the look on his father’s face gave Cisco pause. “Are you texting a woman?”
Orlando kept hitting keys on his phone, but as he pressed Send and looked up, Cisco noticed color rising up his neck. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Do you have a girlfriend, Dad?”
“I loved your mother very much, Cisco. I was devoted to her for all our years together. You know that.” Orlando pocketed his phone and concentrated on his sandwich.
“I know how much you loved Mom,” Cisco agreed, choosing his words carefully. “And how difficult it was when she died. But she’d want you to keep living. If you’ve met someone who makes you happy, I support you, Dad. We all will.”
Orlando looked at him a long moment, then nodded. “You’re a good boy, son.”
“So who is she?” Cisco nudged his father’s arm. “Are you officially dating? When do I get to meet her? Do we need to have the ‘be safe and responsible’ talk?”
“You’re a good boy who needs to mind his own business.” Orlando wadded up the paper from his sandwich. “Don’t worry about me. You just straighten out your own life.”
“My life is fantastic.” Cisco realized the words sounded more defensive than he’d meant.
“There’s more to life than work.”
“I understand, but I’m also building a career,” Cisco answered, irritation flaring through him. “You took your career in the air force very seriously.”
“Of course I did,” his father agreed. “But I had your mother and you kids, as well. It was a lot to juggle, and I know it wasn’t always easy on our family.”
“I didn’t mind it.”
His father chuckled. “You had a gift, Cisco. You could go into any school, any group of kids and make your mark within minutes. You were the leader of every situation. I’ve never met a kid with so much confidence.”
Cisco hadn’t thought of it that way as a kid. He’d been intent on survival. As “military brats” of Latino heritage, the Mendoza kids had definitely made an impression wherever they went. He’d felt as if it were his job to make sure the impression was a good one. He’d had a natural gift for influencing people that had served him well both as a boy and later as he started his career. Plus, he always liked a challenge, which was part of the reason he’d taken the job at Cowboy Country. His reputation in Miami was solid. It was time he made a name for himself in other areas.
“You and Mom set the bar high,” he told his father, standing and taking their trash to a nearby garbage can. “I’ll get there, Papi, don’t worry. But right now I’m focused on business.” Still, an image of Delaney and her cornflower-blue eyes popped into his mind. He shook off the mental picture.
“I know you will, son.” Orlando gave him a knowing smile. “You’re a Mendoza. We’re built for true love.”
Cisco wasn’t sure he agreed, but he didn’t argue. Right now all he wanted was to make this deal with the Cowboy Condos a success and move on to even larger projects. Texas was a big state, and he intended to conquer every inch of it.
Chapter Three (#ulink_042f7d8f-b66e-56d5-979f-258a1ed40d4f)
“Stop fidgeting.” Jeanne Marie took a pan of freshly baked blueberry muffins out of the oven. She turned to Delaney as she took the pot holders off her hands. “You look beautiful.”
Delaney huffed out a breath, annoyed as her stomach took another tumble. “I’m not trying to look beautiful.” She smoothed her palms down the faded denim of her shirt. “I’ll be working today and Cisco Mendoza is going to help.”
“He’s quite handsome.”
“Right,” Delaney said with a laugh. “Mom, saying Cisco is handsome is like saying Texas is hot in the summer.”
“Kind of an understatement?”
“Exactly.” She snagged a muffin from the cooling rack and bounced it in her hand until it cooled enough to take a bite. “I can’t image a woman not being attracted to Cisco. It doesn’t matter. I want a man with substance over style.”
“Who says you can’t have both? Your father was—and still is—the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”
Delaney shook her head. “I’m not looking for anything from Cisco but some good old-fashioned hard labor. Like you said, I get into trouble when I’m bored. He’s a diversion. Nothing more.”
“You can at least enjoy getting to know him. He comes from a wonderful family. You know how much we all love Gabriella, and Orlando is a good man. In fact, your aunt Josephine seems quite taken with him.”
“Aunt Josephine and Orlando Mendoza?” Delaney didn’t know her British aunt well but already felt a connection to her. “That’s kind of sweet.”
Jeanne Marie smiled. “Keep this between us. If there is something happening between the two of them, they should have the time to figure it out for themselves.”
“Of course.” It was strange for Delaney to imagine her sophisticated aunt being with a salt-of-the-earth man like Orlando. She had a picture in her mind of who people should fit with and for her it was always someone from a similar background. A man who’d been raised for the cowboy lifestyle—working hard and loving the land—just as she had. She wondered now if that was narrow-minded, something Delaney had never thought about herself.
It wasn’t a help for her already jumbled nerves, but she didn’t have much time to examine those feelings as she heard a truck rumble down the driveway.
“Have fun,” Jeanne Marie told her, wrapping up two more muffins in a napkin. “And take these to your new man. He’s going to need the energy for what I imagine you have planned.”
Delaney grabbed the napkin and gave her mother a quick kiss. She did, indeed, have plans for Cisco. The thought of the fun she was going to have with him turned her nerves into excitement.
The roller coaster in her tummy went dipping and twisting again as Cisco climbed out of his truck. She was pleasantly surprised to see he’d shed his sophisticated Miami clothes and this morning looked like a true Texas cowboy in his plaid shirt, crisp jeans and sturdy leather cowboy boots. Even his hat looked custom-fit, the sort of hat any of her brothers would be proud to wear.
“You cowboy up pretty nicely, Mr. Mendoza.”
“Thank you, Ms. Fortune Jones. I’m honored to be here.” He reached into his truck and pulled out a pair of leather work gloves and a small gift bag. “These are for me,” he said, slapping the gloves against his thigh. “This is for you.” He held out the gift bag.
Delaney looked over her shoulder toward the house. For a moment she wondered if her mother or one of her siblings had told Cisco about her weakness for presents. As the youngest of seven, Delaney had been the recipient of countless hand-me-downs. Clothes from her sister, Stacey, and saddles from her brothers. Her parents had always made her birthday special, but that came around only once a year and it wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy her.
“You didn’t have to—” she began, then stopped when she noticed Cisco grinning at her. “But I’m glad you did.”
She pulled a piece of folded tissue paper out of the bag and unwrapped it. Inside was a delicate gold chain with a small charm in the shape of the state of Texas hanging from the end.
“I hope you don’t have one like it,” Cisco said. “I saw it in a store in Vicker’s Corners and it reminded me of you.”
“It’s adorable.” Delaney cleared her throat when the words came out in a whisper. “I love it.” She did, too. The necklace was perfect for her. She wasn’t sure whether that meant she should trust Cisco’s taste or be wary of how smooth of a charmer he could be.
“May I put it on you?” The deep rumble of his voice brought her out of her musings.
She nodded but didn’t release the necklace. “Why did you get this for me?”
A look of surprise flashed across his face. “You’re doing me a big favor, Delaney. I wanted to thank you.”
“I haven’t done anything yet,” she countered.
“A thank-you in advance?” His smile was genuine.
She uncurled her fingers from the chain and dropped it into his palm. “Are you sure you’re not trying to get me to go easy on you?” She turned and lifted her braid out of the way as he reached his hands in front of her.
“Would it work?” His breath was warm on her neck.
As he spoke, he used one finger to push a stray strand of hair out of the way. A ripple of awareness shot down her spine in response. She shook her head a tiny bit, not trusting her voice.
“Then put me through the paces, Delaney.” He clasped the necklace together and turned her to face him. “I’m all yours.”
Delaney tried to ignore the satisfying warmth that traveled through her at his words. A man like Cisco wasn’t for her, she reminded herself. This wasn’t his real life. He didn’t belong in Horseback Hollow even if he’d shown up this morning looking the part. His boots might be sturdy, but they were brand-new.
* * *
By midday his boots were already broken in, along with the rest of him. When Cisco had told Delaney to put him through the paces, he hadn’t realized what he was asking. As he loaded a final bale of hay onto a truck in one of the far pastures at the ranch, every part of his body ached. This was definitely different from a five-mile run around South Beach and an hour at the gym. The sun shone high in the western sky, spreading patterns of golden light through the clouds.
They’d been working steadily since the morning. Delaney had saddled up a couple of horses first thing, and they’d started their day checking the fencing on the north end of the ranch. Cisco could hold his own on a horse, but Delaney rode as though she’d been born in a saddle. As he closed up the truck’s gate, the ranch hand behind the wheel gave a short wave and the truck slowly made its way back toward the barn.
He lifted his hat off his head and wiped one sleeve across his brow. It felt as if the temperature had risen several degrees just in the past hour.
“How are you holding up?” Delaney asked as she hoisted herself on the large horse she road. She looked more amused than concerned.
Cisco swung his leg into the saddle. “I’ll survive,” he said with a smile. “I knew running a ranching operation was a lot of work, but I didn’t appreciate how much until today.” He brought his horse to the side of hers. “The men have a lot of respect for you, Delaney.”
It was true. Deke Jones had greeted them on their way to the barn earlier this morning, but Delaney’s father had been heading to Lubbock to check out some new equipment. He hadn’t officially put Delaney in charge in his absence, but it had been clear the ranch workers looked to her for guidance.
She was a mighty force wrapped up in an adorably tiny package.
“My dad keeps this place running like clockwork. The men know what they’re supposed to do without much input from me. My brothers used to help out quite a bit but they’ve all got their own lives and families now. Well, Galen doesn’t have a family, but he’s busy.”
“Don’t downplay your role on the ranch.”
For the first time, she looked really flustered. “I’m not, but I think you’re giving me more credit than I deserve.”
“Or maybe, cielo, you give yourself less.”
Her eyes tracked to his for a moment and he saw a rare flash of uncertainty there. He realized Delaney Fortune Jones might not be as sure of herself as she led people to believe.
She looked up to the blue sky then, holding her straw cowboy hat to her head. “Let’s race back. Mom wants us to eat lunch with her and she’ll have it ready by now.”
“Did you just tell the time by looking at the sun?”
A hint of color crept up her cheeks. “It’s a habit. I don’t wear a watch when I’m out on the property.” She adjusted the horse’s reins in her hands. “Ready?”
He nodded and gave his horse a short kick with his boot heels, but Delaney was already off and running. Cisco didn’t bother to try to catch her. Instead he enjoyed the view of her moving across the pasture, the rhythm of her body perfectly matched to the animal beneath her.
When he’d first arrived in Horseback Hollow, he’d missed the BMW coupe he drove in Miami and the sports car’s power at his fingertips. Now he realized he’d underestimated the adrenaline rush of horseback riding. There was something about moving in sync with another living being that beat the excitement of even the fastest engine.
He’d totally forgotten about bringing up the idea of the Cowboy Country condos in casual conversation with Delaney. His plan going into this deal was to drop enough hints about the planned luxury community so she’d be amenable to supporting them when the time came. Instead he’d been so busy keeping up with her he hadn’t been able to think of anything else.
That was a mistake he couldn’t afford to continue. Cisco had a lot riding on this deal with Moore Entertainment. As delightful as he found Delaney, she wasn’t his reason for staying in Horseback Hollow. He had to stick to the plan, make this deal happen and move on to bigger things. He might enjoy women, but Cisco had never let himself get sidetracked by one before. He wasn’t going to start now.
* * *
Delaney couldn’t imagine why she’d ever thought to insist Cisco spend time on the ranch with her. She could barely keep straight in her mind her jobs for the day when he was at her side. That was part of the reason she’d pushed him so hard most of the morning. It helped distract her from her constant reaction to him.
But not enough. Every time he looked at her or gave her that half smile, Delaney got a little weak in the knees. When he was so close she could smell the mix of spice and soap she’d now always associate with Cisco, she couldn’t remember her own name, let alone what she was supposed to be doing.
She finished brushing down Flapjack and looked over to the next stall, where Cisco had groomed the bay she’d given him. Big mistake. His long fingers scratched behind the horse’s ears as he bent close to her head, whispering words Delaney couldn’t hear. She got an immediate mental image of what it would be like for him to touch her so gently and her body thrummed to life in a way she’d never experienced.
Delaney hadn’t exactly set out to “save herself” for the right man, but it seemed to be working out that way. She’d never had a truly serious boyfriend and all of the guys in town were too afraid of her overprotective brothers to look at her as casual fun. Eventually, she’d come to realize she didn’t want to be with a man until it felt truly right. She’d always thought her heart would guide her, but watching Cisco made her body want to take the lead.
He looked up at her then and color rushed to her face, although he couldn’t possibly read her thoughts. Still, it felt as though his dark eyes saw her in a way no one else had before. Delaney loved how he focused on her even as she reminded herself that this was how Cisco Mendoza operated. He was a lady-killer, and Delaney was sure he could charm any woman with his sexy grin and smoldering eyes. Delaney wasn’t special to him, no matter how he made her feel.
“Are you okay?” he asked, as if he could sense her jumbled emotions.
“Fine,” she answered quickly, striding out of the stall. “Just hungry. We can wash up at the house and see if Mom needs any help.”
He looked as if he wanted to question her further but simply followed her across the driveway and up the steps to the kitchen.
“You two were busy this morning,” Jeanne Marie commented as she came into the kitchen.
“Just a normal day,” Delaney said, throwing her mother a pointed look as Cisco turned on the water at the kitchen sink to wash his hands.
“If you say so, sweetie.” Her mother must have realized how hard Delaney had been pushing Cisco this morning, but she didn’t mention it outright. “I’m sure you’ve both worked up an appetite.”
“Thank you for having me to lunch, Mrs. Fortune Jones.” Cisco dried his hands on a towel and gave her mother that killer smile.
Delaney watched as her mother fluttered her fingers near her throat. Clearly no woman was immune to that smile. “Call me Jeanne Marie. I’m happy to have you here. The house is quiet now that Delaney’s the only one left at the ranch. I miss having a big crowd around all the time.”
Delaney finished washing her hands and walked over to give her mom a hug. Today Jeanne Marie wore a pale yellow shirt, long faded denim skirt and her favorite turquoise necklace around her throat. “Be careful what you wish for, Mama. You’ll have them dropping off the grandkids all the time.”
“You love a busy house as much as I do.” Her mother gave her a gentle squeeze, then picked up a plate of sandwiches. “When Delaney was a little girl, she told us she planned to have a dozen children. She wanted her own football team.”
“Mom,” Delaney said, shaking her head. “That was a long time ago.”
“I come from a big family, too,” Cisco said as he took the pitcher of lemonade and followed them into the dining room. “Having three brothers and Gabi was a help with the way we moved around for my father’s career in the air force. We were a pack and could watch out for each other.”
“Does that mean you want lots of kids, too?” Jeanne Marie posed the question casually, then laughed as Cisco’s eyes went wide. “I’m only teasing. Come and sit down, Cisco. Tell me about what you think of Horseback Hollow so far.”
“It’s quiet compared to what I’m used to in Miami,” he said as he took the seat Jeanne Marie indicated across from her.
As Delaney slid into the chair next to him, she couldn’t help but wonder if quiet was another word for boring.
“But there’s a definite charm to it,” he continued. “You don’t easily find places anymore where most everyone knows each other. I understand why my dad and sister feel so at home here.”
“Horseback Hollow is a special place,” Delaney’s mother agreed. “There’s a lot of history and tradition in this town. Which is why it’s so upsetting to have those Cowboy Country outsiders coming in with their gaudy theme park.”
Out of the corner of her eye Delaney noticed Cisco’s fingers tighten around his glass.
“It might not be so bad,” Delaney said quickly. “The rides look fun and it will give people around here something new to do as entertainment.”
“That’s one of the problems.” Jeanne Marie took a sip of lemonade. “Local folks aren’t the ones Cowboy Country is trying to attract. Those people haven’t given one thought to how this is going to affect life here or what it even means to be a real cowboy. The whole theme is the Wild West but all they’re planning is some commercialized, demeaning version of it.”
“Won’t the influx of money be good for the town?” Cisco asked as he picked up his sandwich. “I’d think Horseback Hollow could benefit from additional resources.”
“Not if it means giving up our simple way of life,” Jeanne Marie told him.
“Just because change comes to Horseback Hollow doesn’t mean it has to change the people who live here.” His dark gaze went from Delaney to her mother. “When you found out you were related to the Fortunes, that was a big change. Did it change who you are on the inside?”
“Not at all,” Delaney answered quickly. “He has a point, Mom.”
“We were a solid family before I knew I was a Fortune,” Jeanne Marie said with a nod of her head. “But I’m not sure the entire town can withstand the influence of Cowboy Country and the people who might come with it.” She turned to Delaney. “As a matter of fact, your father and I were talking about your rides to where they’re building. We think you should stop that, Delaney. The opening is just around the corner, so there’s too much activity out that way.”
There were moments when Delaney loved the feeling of safety that came from being part of a large family and moments when she was stifled by her parents’ overprotectiveness.
“You’ve been visiting Cowboy Country?” Cisco asked.
“A few times a week I take my horse out toward the land around the amusement park to see the progress. It’s a good stretch of land for riding.”
She saw his mouth drop open. “That was—” He stopped himself and shook his head. “I agree with your mother. It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“I’m not a kid,” Delaney said, aware she sounded petulant.
“We only want what’s best for you,” Jeanne Marie said quietly.
“I know, Mama.” Delaney stabbed a grape with her fork. “I’ll be careful.” She glanced down at her watch. “We need to get back to work. We’re supposed to meet the guys at the lower pasture in a few minutes to finish some repairs on the fence.”
“Thank you for another wonderful meal,” Cisco said as he stood.
“I hope you can join us again.” Jeanne Marie led them back to the kitchen. “We spent the whole time talking about Cowboy Country.” She set her plate on the counter and turned to Cisco. “I still want to hear more about your plans in Horseback Hollow. I wouldn’t want you to think we’re against new people coming to town. We just want to make sure they’re here for the right reasons. Like you and your family, Cisco.”
Cisco’s shoulders stiffened but he gave her mother a warm smile. “Thank you, Jeanne Marie.” He took her mother’s hand and brushed a soft kiss on her knuckles as he gave her an almost courtly bow. “Your hospitality is matched only by your beauty.”
Delaney watched as her practical, old-fashioned mother blushed like a schoolgirl. “It was my pleasure. You’re welcome to join us anytime. In fact, Deke and I would love to have you over for dinner one of these nights. We don’t get a lot of time for individual visiting during our family barbecues. It isn’t often Delaney brings a boy home.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Delaney said with a gasp. “We’re getting back to work now.” She grabbed on to Cisco’s arm and tugged him toward the door. “Let’s go, Cisco.”
She dragged him, laughing, into the midday sun.
“It’s okay, Delaney,” he said when they were halfway to the barn. “I know your mother is only teasing. It’s obvious how much she loves you.”
She realized her fingers were still wrapped around Cisco’s muscular arm. She could feel the heat of his skin through his shirt and pulled away as if touching him for too long might actually burn her.
“Weren’t you laying it on a little thick in there?” she asked as she stepped away.
“Your mother is a lovely woman.” He lifted one finger and trailed it along her jaw. “You look like her, you know?”
How did he always throw her off balance? Delaney wanted a man in her life to hold her steady, but she couldn’t deny the way Cisco made her feel.
“You’re a lady-killer.” She shook her head. “I can’t tell if what you say to me is the truth or just another one of your well-rehearsed lines.”
His thick brows drew together and a look of actual pain crossed his face before his practiced smile was in place once more. “You are beautiful, Delaney. That’s the truth.”
She didn’t want to respond to him, didn’t want to lean in as he brought his face closer to hers. Then the door to the barn slammed shut and Delaney jumped back. Just because Cisco had agreed to spend time on the ranch, it didn’t change the fact that he was a big-city jet-setter. But change was inevitable. It was coming to Horseback Hollow and maybe she could change Cisco Mendoza, as well. Eventually Cisco had to fall for one woman and change his ways.
Delaney had no doubt she was strong enough to be that one.
Chapter Four (#ulink_0dd738d3-b29b-58f5-bd64-1951c09d73b0)
Cisco stretched his arms out in front of him as he walked toward the main gate at Cowboy Country several days later. For the first time since the barbecue, he hadn’t gone to the ranch, needing a day to catch up on his work at Cowboy Country and unsure he could spend one more moment with Delaney Fortune Jones and keep his hands to himself.
She tempted him in a way no other woman had before, and Cisco had been with plenty of women in his life. But Delaney was different, smart and sexy but also sweet and innocent. She was totally confident in who she was and wouldn’t let anyone steer her off course.
It was clear she was dedicated to the ranch and the values her parents had instilled in her and her siblings.
Cisco could relate to that as his father and mother had done the same thing for him and his brothers and sister. That was part of the reason he was so conflicted when it came to Delaney. He hadn’t exactly lied to her about his involvement in the luxury condos Cowboy Country had planned, but he’d definitely avoided giving any details of why he needed a Fortune for his business deal. Yet when she turned those cornflower-blue eyes on him, there wasn’t anything he could deny her, including the truth.
His hope was that as she and her family got to know him, they’d trust his judgment and give the planned community a chance. But the more Cisco understood about life in Horseback Hollow, the more he could see the design of the Cowboy Country condos and real life in this quaint town wouldn’t mesh. He figured it was up to him to bring the two closer in line. He had a lot riding on this deal, both his reputation and his own money. He wasn’t about to give up on making it work.
He waved to the security guard near the front entrance who was tasked with making sure no one but employees accessed the park until the official opening. He could see people in theme park uniforms milling about near several rides and attractions and took a quick turn down a path that led to the corporate offices of Moore Entertainment. He knew there weren’t many locals involved in the park at this point but didn’t want to take the chance on someone in the park recognizing him. Until he had everything worked out, he wanted to keep his relationship with Cowboy Country under wraps.
He heard shouting as he came up the steps to the building. The door banged open and an older man stomped out, muttering to himself. “You’re going to be sorry,” he shouted over his shoulder. “Horses aren’t mechanical. They’re smart, strong, living animals and you need to treat them with the respect they deserve.”
His angry gaze caught on Cisco and he shook his head. “Another suit,” he all but spit. “Just what this place needs.”
Cisco glanced down at himself. It was true that for his meeting with Kent Stephens this morning he’d traded his Western clothes for the more familiar feel of a tailored silk shirt and pressed trousers.
“What’s the problem?” he asked.
The man hitched his thumb toward the corporate office. “The problem is that any real cowboy worth his salt knows he’s only as good as the horseflesh he owns and how he treats his animals. Those fools wouldn’t know how to take care of a barn full of horses if their lives depended on it.” He shook his head. “They can find a new head trainer. I’m not putting myself on the line just so Alden Moore can make a fast buck.”
Cisco wanted to question him further, but the guy took off down the steps and toward the front of the park. Pulling open the door, Cisco glanced at the young receptionist who stared back at him with wide eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Mendoza,” she said calmly, her smile composed. “Mr. Stephens is expecting you.”
He raised a brow at her placid expression and hitched his head toward the door. “Everything okay this morning, Janie?”
“No different than most days,” she said in a softer tone. “I’m getting used to the sound of the door slamming.”
Cisco used two fingers to massage his forehead. He’d heard rumors in town of employee unrest at Cowboy Country but hadn’t wanted to believe they were true. If anything could kill a real estate deal before the financing was secured, it was dissension within the company. These days, investors didn’t want to promise their money if the business wasn’t smooth and successful. There was too much at stake and too many other projects vying for the same pool of funds.
“You do a wonderful job at the front,” he told the young woman. “Don’t give up on things yet. It will all work out.”
“Thanks, Mr. Mendoza.” Her eyes turned soft as she leaned forward over her desk. “It’s always a better day when you come to the office.”
He smiled automatically and opened his mouth to offer her some flirtatious rejoinder, then stopped himself. Delaney’s words about him being a lady-killer popped into his head. There was no doubt Cisco loved women, and flirting came as naturally as breathing to him. But now he held back, only nodding in response. He’d never given a second thought to how he’d come across before, but suddenly he wanted to save his banter for a tiny blonde cowgirl.
Before he could decide what that meant, Kent Stephens stuck his head out of the door to his office. “Mendoza, in here now. We need to talk.”
Kent paced back and forth on the far side of his desk as Cisco entered. Although the building was cooled with central air, a fine sheen of sweat shone on the man’s forehead as he talked into his cell phone. “I don’t care. Send her out now.” He hit a button and tossed his phone onto the desk. “I’m pulling more help from our other locations.” He shook his head, running his hands through his hair, leaving it flopping over his wide forehead. “At this rate, Cowboy Country is going to be completely run by people from out of state. It’s like no one in this godforsaken town needs a job.”
“Who was the man leaving?”
“The guy we’d hired to manage the Wild West show. He’s got decades of experience with horses but doesn’t want to do things the way we expect.”
“But wouldn’t you defer to him as the expert?” Cisco asked, taking a seat in front of the desk.
“All we defer to is the bottom line.” Kent dropped into the wide leather chair on the other side of the desk. “Everything Alden Moore touches turns to gold. Every park, every investment, each new idea. All of them have been a success until now.”
“Cowboy Country hasn’t even opened yet,” Cisco argued. “You can’t know it isn’t going to be a success.”
Kent pointed a finger at Cisco. “That’s why I like you, Mendoza. You’re confident. We need more of that attitude around here.” His hand curled into a fist. “What we need less of is country-bumpkin locals stirring up trouble for us. Hasn’t anyone in Horseback Hollow ever heard of progress?”
“I don’t think it’s progress they’re against,” Cisco answered carefully. “But there are traditions here—authentic cowboy traditions—and the people who value them don’t want to feel like some big corporation is making a mockery of the life they hold dear.”
“We’re not making fun of anyone,” Kent practically growled in response. “We just want to make some damn money.” He shook his head. “Mr. Moore doesn’t like the bad publicity. We need a shot in the arm to turn the tide of public sentiment in our favor.” He stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “The condos could do it for us. They’re a clean slate. No one has any preconceived notions, so if we handle the announcement right, it could help the whole operation. How’s it coming with the Fortunes?”
“It’s coming,” Cisco answered. “I’ve been spending time with some of them and—”
“Priming the pump, right?” Kent looked hopeful.
Cisco inwardly cringed. “I wouldn’t describe it that way.” He could only imagine how Delaney would react if she heard Kent’s words. “They’re good people, Kent. But like most of the town, the Fortunes have concerns surrounding anything to do with Cowboy Country. I’m in the process of building relationships. These things take time.”
“I don’t care what you call it,” Kent said quickly. “As long as you get them on board. You’re our rainmaker, Cisco. Right now we could use a typhoon-level storm.”
“I’ve got it under control.” Cisco nodded. “I’m meeting with a group of investors down in Lubbock next week. Even if the Fortunes don’t pan out, I’ll get the backing for the condos.”
“Whoa there.” Kent held up his hands. “Other investors are fine, but we need you to pull in the Fortunes. The family has a ton of money, and they’re going to put some of it into Cowboy Country. That was the deal when we hired you. Don’t forget it.”
“No chance of that with you reminding me every chance you get.”
“Sorry. Like I said, we need some good news around here. It would go a long way toward solidifying your place with Moore Entertainment if you were the guy to bring it.” He pushed a stack of papers forward on his desk. “Take a look at these. Moore Entertainment has a lot of plans once Cowboy Country is solid. This company has a bright future and there’s a lot of opportunity for someone like you, Cisco. Don’t blow it before you even get started.”
At the moment, Cisco was more worried about how his involvement with the theme park was going to affect his relationship with Delaney once that news became public. In a very short time, she’d become an important part of his life. More important than he could remember a woman ever being for him.
But he had to keep his head on straight. He’d stayed in Horseback Hollow for business, and he didn’t fail once he put his mind to something. He had too much at stake, both professionally and financially, to let this be the first time. He’d figure out how to handle Delaney and do this deal. He was certain he could make both things work.
He just had no idea how.
* * *
“You’re really staying in Horseback Hollow for the long haul?” Cisco glanced at his brother as he parked his truck in front of the building that housed the Fortune Foundation.
“Absolutely,” Matteo answered without hesitation. “This is where Rachel wants to be, so it works for me.” He gave Cisco a light poke to the shoulder. “I’m not going to let her too far out of my sight and have some slick charmer like you try to put the moves on her again.”
Cisco was relieved to see Matteo’s grin as he said the words. “You two are a great match,” he told his brother. “No other man would have a chance with her.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” Cisco paused before turning off the ignition.
“I’m surprised you’ve lasted here so long,” Matteo said. “Aren’t you missing some important shindigs this time of year in South Beach? I can’t imagine how all the movers and shakers are surviving without you.”
“I don’t actually miss it that much,” Cisco said, surprised the words were true. “The clubs and parties all run together after a while, you know?”
“I know,” Matteo said, climbing out of the truck. “But I can’t believe you’re saying that. You don’t have any big deals in the works? It’s not like you, man.”
“I have deals going,” Cisco said. “You’ve heard of cell phones and the internet, right?”
“You’re even looking more Texas than Miami.” Matteo pointed to Cisco’s boots. “That looks like genuine dirt on your heels.”
“I’ve been helping out a little on the Fortune Jones ranch,” Cisco answered evenly. He took a few more steps before realizing his brother had stopped. He turned to see Matteo practically doubled over, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
Matteo straightened and wiped a sleeve across his cheeks. “You mean to tell me you’ve become a ranch hand?” He shook his head. “I don’t believe it. You’re a city slicker through and through, Cisco. What gives?”
Cisco lifted his hands, frustrated at his brother’s reaction. “I’m not a stranger to real work. Dad always had plenty of jobs for us around the house. I wanted to get to know the Fortunes a little better. Gabi’s married into the family now and Dad works with them. I’ve got some time on my hands and this seemed like a good way to understand more about the Fortunes and the town itself. From what I understand, ranching is a big part of Horseback Hollow.”
Matteo nodded. “It makes sense but I’m not sure I buy it.” He held up his hand when Cisco would have argued. “I’m not going to push you, bro. You do what you need to do. This is a great little community.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m happy to have a chance to spend some more time with you.” He clapped Cisco on the back. “We’ve been at odds for too long.”
“It’s good to hang out with you, too, Matteo.” Cisco hadn’t realized how much the contentious relationship with his brother had hurt him until they’d begun to heal the rift between them. He paused at the entrance of the Fortune Foundation. “Are you sure it isn’t going to be weird for Rachel to have me here with you?”
“We’re solid,” his brother assured him. “Even though she’s with the right brother, she still likes you.” Matteo rolled his eyes. “Cisco Mendoza and his legendary charm. It never fails.”
For Cisco there was only one woman he was interested in charming these days. And when he stepped into the offices of the Horseback Hollow branch of the Fortune Foundation, he found himself looking right at her.
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Michelle Major
SEALING THEIR DEAL WITH A KISS . . .He's only been in Horseback Hollow for a couple of months, but sexy Cisco Mendoza has already made quite an impression! Little does anyone know his real reasons for being here–a top-secret deal that could shake the foundations of the small Texas town–and one important family . . .When Delaney Fortune Jones agrees to help Cisco win some hearts and minds, suddenly the tables turn–and the permanent playboy finds himself pining for the innocent cowgirl and her heart of gold. As business veers dangerously close to pleasure, Mr. Mendoza better hang on to his hat–pint-size Delaney might just teach him a lesson in the art of falling in love . . . Fortune-style!
MEET THE FORTUNES!
Fortune of the Month: Delaney Fortune Jones
Age: 24
Vital Statistics: A petite and perky spitfire.
You’ll never see her without her cowboy boots.
Claim to Fame: The youngest of Jeanne Marie Fortune Jones’s children, Delaney always calls ’em as she sees ’em.
Romantic prospects: She is currently being courted by Miami native Cisco Mendoza. But she is doing her best to resist …
“Maybe every girl in town has had her head turned by Cisco Mendoza. But I refuse to be swayed by his city-slicker swagger and his sophisticated ways. I’m in search of a solid cowboy, not a tourist. So what if he makes my stomach do a two-step? I’m not going to be roped in by chocolate-brown eyes and sweet nothings. But what if … what if I could wrangle Cisco’s heart for real?”
The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country: Lassoing hearts from across the pond!
The Taming of Delaney Fortune
Michelle Major
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
MICHELLE MAJOR grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com (http://www.michellemajor.com).
To the Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country team—Susan and Marcia, Judy, Cindy, Marie, Nancy and Allison. Thanks for being so welcoming!
Contents
Cover (#u3ac6d9c1-f52f-5562-b12b-d7c86fbea008)
Introduction (#u83dc3853-819e-5d4d-8396-b30d0e18aa20)
Title Page (#u884a22b5-aafd-543f-b533-84ac5f8ca1c7)
About the Author (#u4fd4eb91-ccb0-5e3e-aa51-daa9d7eaf634)
Dedication (#ua264c70f-c395-53b7-bbcf-d6d81b91d191)
Prologue (#u4674c20e-7f77-598a-bfa7-7286bc1ab45d)
Chapter One (#u329e0c30-3069-5869-93e0-e440a47d6f1f)
Chapter Two (#u99fe0942-a715-5821-9e69-9f68c67f96a4)
Chapter Three (#u82df2535-a3c2-5330-8f09-7e17c7f8e9be)
Chapter Four (#udb9dae7f-fb30-5d33-813b-b11ba13f2d2a)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue (#ulink_8a4a1d46-2683-58f5-977e-c11d222bc3b3)
Delaney Fortune Jones was a romantic at heart. She loved Valentine’s Day as much as she loved weddings. But it took a bit of work to convince herself that the tears she’d shed today, watching four of her siblings get married, were only the joyful kind.
Of course she was happy for Jude, Liam, Christopher and Stacey. They’d each found the love of their lives, and Delaney had been thrilled and honored to stand up as a bridesmaid while they said their vows. The ceremony had taken place earlier on the beautiful Parthenon-inspired stage that had been built next to the barn on her parents’ ranch. Each couple’s vows had been personal to their relationship, but when the ball of emotion wedged in Delaney’s throat as she listened, there was a wistful edge to it.
Only she and her brother Galen were single now. Delaney would be the last of Deke and Jeanne Marie’s children still living on the ranch after today. Her world had shifted, and she knew it would never be the same.
But Delaney was a romantic and an optimist. She believed she’d find true love someday. It was only a matter of time until the right cowboy came along to share the small-town life she treasured. Horseback Hollow, Texas, wasn’t big or fancy, but it was the only home she’d ever need.
Shaking her head, she took a breath and then a deeper breath. Her parents had transformed the barn for the reception, but underneath the flowers and candles, Delaney could still smell the comforting scent of hay and horses. The barn was her happy place, and looking around at all of the people she loved gathered together tonight chased away her brooding thoughts.
She tapped her cowboy boot along with the rhythm to a popular song, watching her family and friends on the dance floor. She’d changed from heels after the ceremony, but the pink shell inlay of the boots still matched her silk bridesmaid’s gown. Her young nieces and nephews ran around the edge of the dance floor, stopping to wiggle their hips as the tempo increased. Delaney laughed out loud but didn’t move to join them. She was good at a lot of things. Dancing wasn’t one of them.
However, the bar was set up on the far side of the barn, so she made her way through the crowd as the music ended. A woman turned as Delaney went to slide past her, and Delaney blinked several times. Shannon Singleton, who Delaney had known since they were girls, looked stunning in her black lace dress. The light in her eyes made her even more gorgeous.
“Delaney,” Shannon said as she gave her a quick hug, “Wasn’t it a beautiful ceremony?”
“The most beautiful,” Delaney agreed, but Shannon had already turned away, pulling a man forward.
“Delaney, have you met Cisco Mendoza?” Shannon asked. “He’s one of Gabi’s handsome brothers.”
“The most handsome,” the man murmured with a deep chuckle.
“Absolutely,” Shannon agreed with a bright laugh. “But don’t tell the rest of them I said so. Cisco, this is Delaney Fortune, the baby of the family.”
“Not quite a baby,” Delaney muttered, feeling her cheeks flame.
Handsome was an understatement for Cisco Mendoza. He was several inches taller than Delaney, with broad shoulders under his dark jacket and crisp white shirt that tapered to a lean waist. His eyes were the richest brown she’d ever seen, and his thick dark hair looked like it had been styled for a photo shoot. She tugged at her bouncy blond curls, which had taken an hour in hot rollers to create but suddenly felt too girlish.
“You two get to know each other.” Shannon looked over Delaney’s shoulder. “I owe Galen the next dance.”
Before Delaney could argue, Shannon had disappeared toward the center of the dance floor.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Cisco said, his voice smooth like the finest whiskey. Delaney didn’t actually drink whiskey, but that’s how she imagined it. Smooth with the subtlest hint of sin.
She realized he was staring at her, waiting for her to answer. One side of his mouth quirked, as if he could see how flustered she felt standing in front of him.
Delaney wasn’t thrown off balance very often, and it made her skin itch. The bodice of her strapless gown suddenly felt too tight and she struggled to draw in a normal breath.
“You, too,” she said, surprised that her voice was steady. “It means a lot to Gabi to have her family here. Do you like Horseback Hollow? How long are you in town?” She clapped a hand over her mouth to stop the babbling.
Cisco’s grin widened, and for a moment Delaney forgot her own name, the fact she was in the barn that felt like a second home, surrounded by people she’d known her whole life. All she could see was this man and his wicked smile.
“It means a great deal to us to be with her on this day,” he said slowly, as if speaking to a child. “I do like Horseback Hollow, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be in town.” He cocked his head as the music started again, a slow ballad this time.
Delaney tilted her head, mimicking his movement before snapping out of her lust-induced haze. A man like Cisco was not for her, but something about him...
“Would you care to dance?” he asked softly.
She stared at his outstretched hand, wanting nothing in the world as much as she wanted to step into his arms. She thought about her hand on that broad shoulder, her nose pressed into his throat. He would smell wonderful—she had no doubt. She practically burned with the need to touch him.
“Delaney,” he said, a little louder now. “Dance with me?”
She almost slid her hand into his, allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. Her fingers trembled in anticipation as she lifted them. But at the last minute she pulled her hand tight to her middle.
“Nope, sorry,” she said on a ragged breath. “Gotta go.” And with that, she turned and ran for the door.
Chapter One (#ulink_080b3b28-fb8b-523a-8da0-ff9c1f51fd2b)
A warm breeze blew across the Texas plains as Cisco Mendoza adjusted his cowboy hat. A thin bead of sweat trailed its way down his back. The temperature remained pleasant so early on this April morning, which meant the sweat was from nerves instead. He rolled his shoulders to force himself to relax.
Cisco didn’t do nerves.
Back in Miami, he was known for his ability to manage even the most contentious real estate deals with his signature mix of coolness and charm. But Horseback Hollow, Texas, was a far piece from South Florida. Still, a deal was a deal and if Cisco was good at one thing in his life, it was closing the deal.
“This project takes vision,” he said to the man standing next to him. “And we both know Alden Moore has vision. It’s one of the ways he’s built Moore Entertainment to be the success it is now.”
Kent Stephens, the regional VP of Marketing and Development for Moore Entertainment, not to mention Cisco’s new boss, nodded. “Mr. Moore has vision, all right, and these condos are a big part of it. He has high expectations for Cowboy Country, but the pushback from the locals in town has become a thorn in all of our sides.” He flipped a rock off to the side with the toe of his expensive loafer. “Those Fortunes won’t give us a chance and their influence seems to run all the way to Lubbock.” He pointed at Cisco. “Which, as we discussed, is where you come in. You’ve got pull with them and we need you to use it.”
“Right.” Cisco gave Kent a reassuring smile. “My sister is married to Jude Fortune Jones and you know that branch of the family wields a lot of power around town.” Before Kent could respond, Cisco walked back toward his truck, across the open land he planned to help develop into luxury condos. It was true his younger sister, Gabi, had married Jude a couple of months ago right here in town, but as far as the Fortune influence in Horseback Hollow, that was pure guesswork. Jude had a bunch of brothers and sisters plus a horde of Fortune cousins in the area, so Cisco figured he couldn’t be too far off the mark.
He’d originally come to Horseback Hollow just for Gabi’s wedding, but when he’d heard about Moore’s plans to develop the Western-themed amusement park and related real estate, Cisco had decided to stick around. He was busy and successful with his real estate projects in Miami. But recently he’d begun feeling restless and a little bored with the endless stream of business lunches, rounds of golf and nights spent with the who’s who of South Beach. He loved his life but attributed his change in attitude to a childhood spent moving from place to place as his family followed his father’s career in the air force. Cisco wasn’t the type of guy to put down roots, and he always enjoyed the thrill of a new challenge.
Too bad his expertise in Miami didn’t mean much to his new bosses in Horseback Hollow. What had been more important to them was his connection to the influential Fortune family—a connection that was tenuous at best. Gabi loved her new in-laws, and his father, Orlando, seemed a bit smitten with Josephine Fortune Chesterfield, the matriarch of the British branch of the clan. Cisco hadn’t gotten close to any of the Fortunes personally, something he knew was going to need to change quickly.
“When can we get a meeting on the books with your Fortune friends?” Kent followed him across the empty field. “Cowboy Country is scheduled to open next month, and Mr. Moore wants to break ground on the condos by the end of the summer. The condos are new territory for Moore Entertainment, so we want outside investors to support this project. They need to be lined up in short order and catching a Fortune will go a long way toward attracting other important players around this part of Texas.”
Cisco glanced over his shoulder at the other man. Moore Entertainment had bought this huge tract of land near the planned amusement park for the express purpose of developing condos to expand the Cowboy Country brand. From what Cisco could tell, Kent was a decent guy, in his late fifties and totally devoted to his job. He’d relocated to Horseback Hollow from Chicago to dedicate his time exclusively to Cowboy Country. Cisco knew Kent had a lot riding on the success of this venture. Everyone at Moore Entertainment did.
“I’ll bring you the investors.” Cisco kept his answer purposefully vague. “Closing the deal is my specialty.”
“As long as the Fortunes are part of the deal, we’re all good.” Kent opened the trunk of his expensive BMW and pulled out a roll of paper. He closed the trunk, then spread the sheets across the gleaming black surface. Cisco had to give the guy credit—it was no easy feat to keep a car so clean with all the dust out on the plains of Texas. For the next twenty minutes, they discussed the plans for the Cowboy Condos, including a marketing strategy and target market. Cisco had his first niggling of doubt as he looked at drawings of stucco buildings with windows shaped like boots. He was used to dealing with extremely upscale developments and while Moore was certainly sinking a bunch of money into this project, the designs didn’t yet have the spark Cisco knew they would need to appeal to high-end investors. Right now, the Cowboy Condos reminded him of a kitschy motel off the highway. He wanted to turn them into a Western-themed Ritz.
Kent seemed willing to take his advice and input. The Mendozas had roots in Texas, so Cisco capitalized on his family history to encourage some authentic Western additions to the project. By the time the other man rolled up the plans, Cisco felt more confident things would work out in this deal. He would make sure they did, no matter what he had to do to get the end result he needed.
He watched Kent drive away, then turned to climb in the truck he’d leased from a dealership in nearby Vicker’s Corners. As he did, he noticed a lone horseback rider in the distance, tearing across the land, horse and rider clearly in sync as the horse’s hooves thundered over the ground. He felt his mouth go dry and had to remind himself to take a breath. That was a real cowboy, or maybe a cowboy kid, by the size of the rider. Cisco knew enough about horses and the West to pass himself off as a cowboy to his coworkers at Moore Entertainment, but this rider was the real deal from the tip of his cowboy hat to the glint of the metal on his saddle. Talk about a thrill. He was too far away to be noticed, but he stood and watched until the horse disappeared behind an outcropping of rocks, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
That was the kind of adrenaline rush Cisco had been missing in his life, and he hoped pushing through this deal on the Cowboy Condos would reignite the fire that he’d been seeking.
* * *
Climbing into a booth across from his sister, Gabi, at the Horseback Hollow Grill an hour later, Cisco decided there was no time like the present to start making his future dream a reality.
“How’s it going, Mrs. Fortune Jones?” he asked with a wink. “I hope that husband of yours knows how lucky he is to have you and treats you accordingly. He’ll have big brother to answer to if not.”
Gabi rolled her eyes, but Cisco saw her mouth curve into a reluctant smile. “Jude and I keep each other happy,” she said. “I’m really glad you came in for the wedding and that you’ve stayed, Cisco.”
For a moment he forgot his reason for wanting to speak with his sister and took the time to enjoy the pleasure of her company. As the only girl in a family of four boisterous boys, Gabriella was always special, but her big heart and sweet soul made her even more so. It was good to reconnect with her now that he was in Horseback Hollow.
“It’s a cool town,” he answered. “For now, anyway.”
“Speaking of, what are your plans? The Cisco I know is always moving, working an angle or the next big deal. Do you plan to stay long enough to find a job here?”
He made the conscious effort not to cringe at her question. He hadn’t actually told anyone in his family that he was working for Moore Entertainment on the Cowboy Condos. It had quickly become clear his sister and father weren’t overly thrilled about the amusement park’s presence in town. He didn’t want to open himself up to their comments just yet.
“I’ve got some irons in the fire,” he said, avoiding a direct answer. “I also have loose ends to wrap up on a couple of Miami projects.” He paused as a waitress stopped by the table, giving him a friendly smile as she took their orders. He wiggled his eyebrows at Gabi as the young woman walked away. “Either way, I bet I can keep myself busy.”
Gabi blew out a frustrated breath. “Someday you’re going to find the right woman, Cisco.”
“I’ve found a lot of right women, Gabriella. Why limit it to one?”
“Because you have a huge heart under all that macho bravado.” She wagged a finger at him. “You’re more than a skirt chaser. Mama would have wanted you to find someone special.”
A place in his chest ached at the mention of their mother. Luz Mendoza had died three years ago. She’d been the heart and soul of their family and Cisco knew Gabrielle and their brothers still felt the loss of her as much as he did.
“Dad seems happy in Horseback Hollow,” he said, trying to subtly change the subject.
He figured Gabi was wise to his tactic, but she played along. “He fits here. It’s given him a way to feel a part of the community and taken away some of his loneliness.”
“He seems to be pretty close to some of the Fortunes, as well.”
Gabi nodded. “They’re a wonderful family. In fact, Jude’s parents, Jeanne Marie and Deke, are having a barbecue out at their ranch this weekend. I’m sure they’d love for you to join the fun. It would mean a lot to me for you to get to know Jude and his family.”
Cisco did an internal fist pump. He’d meet more of the Fortunes and make his sister happy in the process. Nothing like multitasking. “That sounds great. Text me their address and the details on when to be there.”
“I will.”
“I’ve been hearing a lot about the new amusement park in the works. They call it Cowboy Country, right?”
Gabi’s smile dimmed. “I wouldn’t bring that up at the barbecue. Most of the Fortunes aren’t too pleased about it.”
Cisco took a casual sip of coffee. “Really? Why?”
“A lot of locals like Horseback Hollow just the way it is,” Gabi told him. “Besides, from everything I hear, the company in charge doesn’t care about the history of the area. The place is hokey and utterly lacking any authenticity. People around here take the cowboy lifestyle seriously. It’s not just a carnival show to be exploited.”
“But won’t it mean more jobs?”
His sister shrugged. “True, but the cost of that sort of progress may be more than Horseback Hollow wants to pay.”
“So are all the Fortunes against it?” Cisco’s gut felt as if it had taken a direct hit with a sledgehammer.
“Jude thinks it’s an awful idea and so do his parents. In fact, I’d say the only member of the family who’s the least bit excited about it is Delaney, Jude’s baby sister.”
“Delaney,” Cisco repeated quietly, trying to picture her from the wedding. “Tiny thing, lots of blond hair?”
“That’s her, but add in a thousand-watt smile and the energy to match. The topic of Cowboy Country came up at dinner a couple of weeks ago, and Delaney mentioned she thinks the park might be fun. She’s a total sweetheart, but Horseback Hollow is all she knows. I think she wants a little adventure in her life.” Gabi cocked her head, looking at her brother. “And why are you interested in Cowboy Country, anyway?”
He busied himself with adding cream to his coffee, avoiding his sister’s shrewd gaze. “Just want to keep up on the local business news. And if Delaney Fortune is looking for adventure...”
“No way, Cisco. She’s not your type of girl.”
“What’s my type?”
“Brainless and shallow,” Gabi snapped.
He’d made the comment to sidetrack her but had to admit his sister’s assessment of his taste in women stung.
Gabriella’s smile turned sympathetic. “Speaking of women, Matteo and Rachel will probably stop by the barbecue for a bit. Are you okay with that?”
Before Cisco could answer, the waitress brought their food. As she put the plate down in front of him, she also slipped a piece of paper under the edge. “You’re new to town, right?”
“All the way from Miami,” he said with a practiced smile.
“Give me a call sometime,” she answered. “I can show you the sights.”
Gabi let out a delicate snort. “Horseback Hollow doesn’t have ‘sights.’”
The waitress ignored her. “Call me,” she whispered to Cisco, then turned on her heel, her hips swaying gently as she headed back toward the restaurant’s kitchen.
Cisco’s smile widened as he gave his sister a quick wink. “I’m happy for Matteo. He and Rachel are great together.” Before his younger brother had claimed Rachel Robinson, Cisco had gone on a date with her, more to spark Matteo into action than because of any deep feelings between Cisco and Rachel. “You know I’m not going to settle down anytime soon, Gabi. It’s not who I am.”
His sister only studied him, a knowing smile playing at the corner of her mouth. “Famous last words, Cisco. Famous last words.”
* * *
“I’m here, Mom.” Delaney Fortune Jones rushed into the kitchen of the house she’d been born and raised in, snagging a chocolate-chip cookie from the counter as she did. Her parents were hosting one of their big family barbecues tonight, so there would be plenty to be done to get ready.
“Put the cookie down and wash your hands, young lady.” Her mother, Jeanne Marie Fortune Jones, had her back turned toward Delaney as she reached in the pantry. Delaney was pretty sure her mother had eyes in the back of her head, not to mention some psychic ability. She seemed to always know exactly what was going on with each of her children no matter where they were.
At twenty-four, Delaney was the youngest and the only one still living with her parents, but she was in no hurry to move into a place of her own. She loved her childhood home and the hustle and bustle that went with living on a working ranch.
“Sorry I’m late.” She set the cookie on a paper towel and turned to the sink. “I went for a ride after I helped the guys secure the fencing near the west border and lost track of time. But I’m here to help with whatever you need.”
Jeanne Marie turned, holding a large ceramic bowl in her arms. “It’s under control, sweetie. No worries. There’s still plenty left to get ready. You can help dish out the potato salad after you shower. We’ll need plates and napkins ready to go. And there’s a big pitcher of sun tea brewing on the back porch.”
“Potato salad, plates and tea.” Delaney flipped off the water, dried her hands on the paper towel, then took a bite of cookie. “These are so good, Mom. As always.”
“It doesn’t take much to please your sweet tooth,” her mother answered with a smile. “I’m sure Angie will bring her brownies, so save some room.”
Delaney patted her stomach. “I always have room for dessert. Besides, riding makes me extra hungry.”
“You’ve been out on longer rides than usual this week. What’s going on?”
“Flapjack has been restless,” Delaney answered before popping the rest of the cookie into her mouth. She went to the cabinet where her mother kept the paper plates and wicker holders for them and began stacking things on the counter. “I wanted to give him some extra exercise.”
“He’s not the only one who’s been restless.” Jeanne Marie’s soft arms came around Delaney’s waist as her mother rested her chin on Delaney’s shoulder. “I know it’s been difficult for you now that most of your siblings are partnered off.”
Delaney leaned back against her mother, breathing in Jeanne Marie’s familiar sweet smell. “It’s just Galen and me left now. I’m happy for the rest of them, but it makes things...different. Good, but different.”
“You’ll find the right man, Delaney. You’re an amazing woman with so much to give.”
“Spoken like a true doting mother.” Jeanne Marie stepped back and Delaney turned with a smile. “I know the perfect guy is out there for me, and I’m not in a hurry. I want what you and Daddy have. I love Horseback Hollow, and I’m going to find someone who values this town and the lifestyle that comes with it as much as I do.”
“Well, your brothers all have friends.”
“Who see me as their baby sister.” Delaney wrinkled her nose. “That’s just weird.” She reached behind her and unfastened the clip holding up her two braids. She’d taken to pinning up her long hair under her hat as she rode to keep it out of the sun and wind. “You never know—maybe the amusement park will attract some new cowboys to Horseback Hollow.”
“None of any substance,” Jeanne Marie said through her teeth. “I don’t understand your fascination with that development, Delaney. It’s a thorn in the side to most of the town.”
“Not to everyone,” she countered. “Amber Rogers is working with them, and Wendy and Marcus Mendoza can’t be too unhappy with the additional business for the Cantina. Maybe everyone has been too quick to judge Cowboy Country. Did you ever think of that?”
“I haven’t,” her mother admitted with a rueful smile. She gave Delaney another quick hug. “You have such a beautiful heart, my girl. I look forward to the day you find a man who will value it as much as I do.”
Chapter Two (#ulink_e2d0e0dc-481c-518d-ac39-8fffc64bab82)
Delaney came down the steps from her bedroom two hours later, putting her still-wet hair into a braid that trailed past her shoulders. The barbecue was already in full swing. As usual, there had been plenty of ranch chores to sidetrack her. After helping her mom she’d found her father in the barn feeding afternoon hay to the horses. Delaney loved nothing more than spending time with her dad, especially with the sweet, musty scent of the barn surrounding them.
Deke Jones was a quiet, sometimes crusty rancher and his relationships with his children, especially Delaney’s brother Christopher, hadn’t always been easy. But Delaney felt like she understood her dad and his stoic devotion to the land and his work, so his long silences and gruff tone had never bothered her much. So many of her good memories from childhood centered around life on the ranch. She knew that was part of the reason she felt so strongly about creating her own life in and around Horseback Hollow.
But as her gaze trailed across the crowd of family and friends gathered in the house and spilling out to the back porch and yard, her breath caught in her throat. There was no doubt she loved her large, boisterous family, and her brothers and sister had all made excellent matches in love. But the overabundance of couples and kids made her feel the tiniest bit wistful for a love of her own. It was silly, she knew. Delaney had always been the bubbly, happy-go-lucky kid in her family. She was in no hurry to settle down, but she’d always been a part of a group. As the youngest of seven, she’d never truly been alone. While her brothers and sister focused on their new families, she was suddenly left on her own and it didn’t sit well.
“Would you take this plate of fruit out to the tables?” her mother’s voice called from the kitchen.
Delaney made her smile especially bright, although she didn’t think for a moment that fooled Jeanne Marie and her laser-sharp instinct for her children’s moods.
“I remember the year Stacey finally went off to kindergarten and you were left alone here,” Jeanne Marie said as she handed Delaney the ceramic platter. “You got into more trouble that school year than all the other kids combined when they were little.”
“I’m not a little girl anymore,” Delaney offered. “I can handle this.”
“I know you can, sweetheart.” Her mother absently touched the turquoise pendant around her throat. “But you have a tendency to get reckless when you’re bored. I wouldn’t be doing my job as a mother if I didn’t worry over you.”
“I love you, Mom.” Delaney placed a light kiss on her mother’s cheek. “You go enjoy the party. I’ll take this plate out and make sure everything else is running smoothly.”
Jeanne Marie nodded and Delaney followed her into the backyard. She greeted her brothers and their wives and girlfriends, plus Stacey and her new husband, Colton, on the way. After she set down the fruit, several of her nieces and nephews came running up and she was once again lost in the happiness of her large family. She forgot about her restlessness and feeling alone in the midst of so much love and affection.
“These gatherings just keep getting bigger.”
She turned as her brother Liam walked up. He was followed by another brother, Toby, who handed her a glass of lemonade.
“It makes Mom and Dad happy to have all the kids running around again.”
“It makes me happy to have mine occupied by something other than making a mess for Angie and me to clean up.”
Delaney punched him lightly on the shoulder. “You’re not fooling me,” she said. “You’re the biggest softy in the world and those three kids are amazing.” Toby had taken in three foster children last year and then adopted Brian, Justin and Kylie, making a home for them along with his new bride, Angie. They were a wonderful family. Delaney loved seeing her brother so content.
“It’s a good life,” he agreed, grinning. “And between us, Angie left a special plate of brownies on the kitchen counter for you.”
“She’s the best sister-in-law ever.”
“Don’t let the others hear you say that,” Liam warned in a teasing tone.
Delaney laughed. “They’re all the best,” she amended quickly. “I’ll deny to my grave that I ever said anything else.”
It was a beautiful evening, the warmth of the day cooling to the perfect temperature as the sun began to set. The expansive Texas sky turned brilliant shades of orange and pink across the pasture behind her parents’ house. Once everyone ate and the food was cleared, her father turned on a movie for the kids and they snuggled up together on the comfy couches and chairs in the large family room. The adults drifted between the kitchen and the back patio, where the talk centered around calving season and the Texans’ chances in the upcoming baseball season.
Delaney grabbed a denim jacket off the hook near the kitchen door but found herself lingering at the edge of the gathering as she came back outside. For once, she was almost happy being alone, until a deep voice spoke at her shoulder.
“What’s a pretty lady like you doing out here by herself?”
She whirled around to find Cisco Mendoza staring down at her and fought the urge to fidget. Of course she recognized Cisco, since his sister, Gabriella, had married her brother Jude only a couple of months ago. Cisco had come to Horseback Hollow for the wedding and decided to stay in town. She’d met him briefly at the reception, making a complete fool of herself thanks to her body’s reaction to all that male perfection. But she couldn’t quite figure out why he was still here, since he clearly belonged in trendy South Beach more than her hometown. Even tonight he projected an air of cool sophistication at odds with his relaxed button-down shirt and dark designer jeans. No Wrangler jeans for this guy. It annoyed Delaney that her stomach did a tiny two-step at the way his lean shoulders filled out the expensive silk of his shirt. No one could deny Cisco was gorgeous, but Delaney wasn’t interested in a too-hot-for-words guy. She wanted someone strong and steady and doubted Cisco fit the bill.
“I’m not by myself,” she countered, trying not to sound breathless. “I’m surrounded by my entire family.”
His dark eyes flicked to the people gathered on the farside of the patio. “It was generous of your parents to include me in the party. My sister is lucky to have married into the Fortune family.”
“I’d think someone like you would find us a little country bumpkin.”
“Like me?”
She waved her hand in front of him. “You’re a sophisticated city slicker. All smooth angles and—” she leaned in to sniff him “—expensive cologne.”
“You think I smell good?” He gave her a cocky grin.
Delaney huffed out a breath. “Not. The. Point.”
“What makes you think I’m such a city slicker? My sister fits in here in Horseback Hollow just fine. My father loves it here.”
“You’re nothing like Orlando.” She touched the tip of one of her red cowboy boots to his. “Your boots aren’t even scuffed.”
“They’re new,” he argued.
“That’s the point,” she agreed.
Cisco rocked back on his heels. To Delaney’s surprise, instead of looking offended at her comments, he seemed to enjoy her remarks. “Are all the Fortunes as opinionated as you?” he asked, his smile now genuine.
“I’m sorry,” she said, surprised to realize she was. Delaney was a positive person, always wanting to see the best in people. She didn’t normally give grief to someone she’d just met. “I don’t mean to get all up in your face. My mom tells me I seem restless. Maybe that’s making me a little prickly.”
Cisco stifled a groan as he watched her take a sip of lemonade, her soft pink mouth pressing against the straw. Delaney Fortune Jones could get all up in his face anytime she wanted, he realized with a start. It was strange. Gabriella had been right—the petite blonde in front of him wasn’t his usual type. He couldn’t deny she was attractive, but it was definitely in a more wholesome way than he was used to. She wore a floral-patterned dress with a wide leather belt cinched around her tiny waist. The collar of the colorful fabric was ruffled and soft, giving him tiny glimpses of the pale skin at the base of her throat. She wore red cowboy boots but even with the heel on them, she was almost six inches shorter than him. A tiny, adorable package of a woman with her long blond braid draped over her shoulder and clear blue eyes. She looked like the kind of woman you took home for Sunday dinner, not wined and dined the way he was used to.
He knew his sister would have his head if he made any wrong moves with Delaney but he couldn’t seem to walk away. He told himself it was because he needed to reel in a Fortune for his job with Moore Entertainment. That was simpler than examining any other possibility.
“I don’t mind prickly.” He took a slow pull on his beer and let his eyes wander up and down her petite figure. “Especially not when the lady in question is as pretty as you.”
To his surprise, she poked him in the chest with one slender finger. “Don’t do that. Don’t try to smooth-talk me, Cisco Mendoza. You might be God’s gift to women but that doesn’t mean I’m practicing your particular brand of religion.”
His mouth dropped open in shock for a moment before he managed to snap it shut again. He rubbed the center of his chest and placed his beer bottle on a nearby table. It was only his second drink, but maybe the alcohol was hitting him harder than he thought. Never in his life had Cisco had a problem charming a woman. Even when he was a boy, his brothers would be angry with him for sweet-talking himself out of class assignments. The fact was Cisco had a way with the ladies, and he didn’t mind exploiting that gift when it suited him. But now he needed to get in Delaney Fortune Jones’s good graces and was making a total mess of the conversation.
He decided his only choice was to lay the truth on the line and go from there. “You are pretty,” he began, holding his hands up, palms forward, when she narrowed her eyes. Even if Delaney was immune to his charm, her natural beauty couldn’t be ignored. “But the fact is I need a Fortune. The kind with a capital F. And I need one yesterday.”
She waved toward her parents’ back patio. “There are plenty to choose from. Why is a Fortune so important to you?”
“I’m working on a business deal,” he said, giving her the truth even if it wasn’t the whole story. “I can’t share details yet, but we need investors. My bosses know I have a connection to the Fortune family through Gabriella.”
“The Fortune Jones family,” Delaney clarified. “There’s a big difference.”
“How big?”
“A-lot-of-zeros big.”
He tried not to look shocked but must have failed, because she chuckled. “James Marshall Fortune, my mother’s long-lost brother, tried to give her money, but she returned it. We Jones kids had a totally normal life here in Horseback Hollow. My dad is the best. He works hard and made sacrifices for his family, but no one in my branch of the family has the money of the Red Rock or Atlanta Fortunes. We took the Fortune name to honor my mom and her connection to her relatives, not to cash in on their wealth.”
“That’s...honorable,” Cisco told her, suddenly wishing he had done a bit more research into the Fortunes of Horseback Hollow before making promises to Cowboy Country.
“But if you need a Fortune for a meeting, I might be able to make some time in my schedule. Jude is definitely out because of calving season, even if Gabi asked him for the favor. I’m not sure any of my other siblings would be up for it. You’d be stuck with me.”
He studied her but she seemed to be sincere. “I’d be grateful.”
“I have conditions.” Delaney gave him a wide grin.
He couldn’t help but return her smile. It was infectious. “Lay them on me, cielo.”
“I want you to get your boots dirty.”
It was his turn to narrow his eyes. “What does that mean exactly?”
“Spend time with me out here. Our home is a working ranch.” She did a small twirl as her hands waved toward the expanse of fields behind the house and the large barn to one side. “I want to put you through the paces to see if you can handle what it means to be a Fortune Jones.”
The crisp, summery scent of her wafted over him as she moved. He wasn’t sure if it was her perfume or shampoo, but it made his senses reel. Cisco felt himself drifting closer to Delaney, as if pulled by an invisible thread of curiosity. She was so different from any woman he’d met before, completely authentic and pure, as if she was untainted by life. It was also obvious she loved life on the ranch. While he tried to live by his own code of right and wrong, the deals he brokered often left him walking a moral tightrope. It had been years since Cisco had felt anything close to innocent. He found that quality in Delaney intensely attractive.
But this was business, he reminded himself.
As if to drive home the point, his sister suddenly appeared at Delaney’s side.
“What are you two talking about so intently?” she asked with a bright smile for Delaney and a warning glance at Cisco.
“Delaney is going to teach me how to be a real cowboy,” Cisco told his sister.
He expected her to laugh or make a joke about how he wouldn’t be able to handle it, but she stepped forward and gave him a hug. “I think it’s a great idea.” She turned to Delaney. “It’s about time he broke a sweat in someplace other than a fancy gym.”
“You wound me,” Cisco said with a laugh. “For your information, there are plenty of times I’ve broken a sweat outside of a gym.”
Gabriella rolled her eyes when he winked. “Don’t go there, big brother.” She linked her arm in Delaney’s. “Let’s join the others. The desserts are going fast, Delaney. There’s a brownie with your name on it.”
Cisco followed the two women back toward the rest of the guests, although he realized he would have been happy to keep Delaney all to himself for a while longer. Apparently he’d have more time to spend with her as he met her criteria for taking the meeting with the executives from Cowboy Country. He just had to come up with a plan to hold them off in the meantime.
* * *
“How about this one?”
Cisco grimaced as his father held up a garish Western shirt decorated with rhinestones and leather tassels. “Now you’re just being cruel, Dad. I may not be an expert on cowboys, but I can tell you no self-respecting man would wear that in public.”
“You’d be surprised,” Orlando answered with a chuckle. “But we’ll start you out subtle. After all, Deke Jones is going to expect you to look like you can handle yourself before he lets you do anything on his ranch.”
Like Gabi, Orlando had been all for Cisco spending time with Delaney at her family’s ranch. His brother Matteo had found it hilarious to imagine Cisco doing any sort of hard physical labor. That irritated him. Sure, his experience was brokering big-time deals, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t get his hands dirty. There might not be a lot of opportunity for that in Miami, but Cisco was confident he could hold his own.
Unfortunately, his wardrobe didn’t lend itself to ranching. In Miami the style was South Beach cool, silk shirts and trousers or polo shirts for the golf course. He didn’t want to look as green as he really was in front of Delaney’s father, so he’d asked his dad where to shop for Western clothes. Orlando had insisted on accompanying him to nearby Vicker’s Corners to pick up some new, more Horseback Hollow–appropriate clothes.
In the end they kept it simple—a few button-downs, one plaid with pearl buttons and two of solid colors, a few pairs of Wrangler and Cinch jeans, and a belt with a three-piece buckle.
They walked out of the store and threw the purchases in the backseat of Cisco’s truck before grabbing sandwiches from a local street vendor. Orlando led Cisco to a bench in a nearby park. It was good to spend time with his father and great to see how healthy and happy Orlando looked. He’d been nearly killed last year when the plane he was piloting crashed but now seemed to be back to his old hale and hearty self.
“Your mother would get a kick out of us shopping together,” Orlando said as he unwrapped his sandwich.
“I’m not sure she’d believe it.” Cisco took a drink of iced tea. “I’m not sure I believe it.” He reached over and patted his father’s shoulder. “But it’s good to see you so happy, Dad. Mom would have wanted that.”
The breeze blew through his father’s thick silver hair. “I miss her every day, son, but you’re right. She wouldn’t have wanted any of us to put our lives on hold and wallow in grief. Gabriella found her happiness, and it appears Matteo has, too. Now it’s your turn. Horseback Hollow is a good place for the Mendozas.”
“Whoa,” Cisco said quickly, his head shaking. “I don’t disagree the town is great, but I’m not looking to settle down like Gabi and Matteo. My life is in Miami. There are some business opportunities in Texas, and I’m going to take advantage of them. That’s all it is.”
Orlando opened his mouth to answer just as his cell phone beeped. He checked the screen, then punched at the keys with his thumbs, a small smile playing across his lips.
“Are you texting?” Cisco smiled around a bite of sandwich. It was grilled chicken with avocado on thick buttered toast and one of the best things Cisco had tasted in months. He ate out almost every night in Miami, often at trendy restaurants with clients, but somehow the down-home food in this area was infinitely more satisfying.
“I may be old, but I’m not dead.”
Something about the look on his father’s face gave Cisco pause. “Are you texting a woman?”
Orlando kept hitting keys on his phone, but as he pressed Send and looked up, Cisco noticed color rising up his neck. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Do you have a girlfriend, Dad?”
“I loved your mother very much, Cisco. I was devoted to her for all our years together. You know that.” Orlando pocketed his phone and concentrated on his sandwich.
“I know how much you loved Mom,” Cisco agreed, choosing his words carefully. “And how difficult it was when she died. But she’d want you to keep living. If you’ve met someone who makes you happy, I support you, Dad. We all will.”
Orlando looked at him a long moment, then nodded. “You’re a good boy, son.”
“So who is she?” Cisco nudged his father’s arm. “Are you officially dating? When do I get to meet her? Do we need to have the ‘be safe and responsible’ talk?”
“You’re a good boy who needs to mind his own business.” Orlando wadded up the paper from his sandwich. “Don’t worry about me. You just straighten out your own life.”
“My life is fantastic.” Cisco realized the words sounded more defensive than he’d meant.
“There’s more to life than work.”
“I understand, but I’m also building a career,” Cisco answered, irritation flaring through him. “You took your career in the air force very seriously.”
“Of course I did,” his father agreed. “But I had your mother and you kids, as well. It was a lot to juggle, and I know it wasn’t always easy on our family.”
“I didn’t mind it.”
His father chuckled. “You had a gift, Cisco. You could go into any school, any group of kids and make your mark within minutes. You were the leader of every situation. I’ve never met a kid with so much confidence.”
Cisco hadn’t thought of it that way as a kid. He’d been intent on survival. As “military brats” of Latino heritage, the Mendoza kids had definitely made an impression wherever they went. He’d felt as if it were his job to make sure the impression was a good one. He’d had a natural gift for influencing people that had served him well both as a boy and later as he started his career. Plus, he always liked a challenge, which was part of the reason he’d taken the job at Cowboy Country. His reputation in Miami was solid. It was time he made a name for himself in other areas.
“You and Mom set the bar high,” he told his father, standing and taking their trash to a nearby garbage can. “I’ll get there, Papi, don’t worry. But right now I’m focused on business.” Still, an image of Delaney and her cornflower-blue eyes popped into his mind. He shook off the mental picture.
“I know you will, son.” Orlando gave him a knowing smile. “You’re a Mendoza. We’re built for true love.”
Cisco wasn’t sure he agreed, but he didn’t argue. Right now all he wanted was to make this deal with the Cowboy Condos a success and move on to even larger projects. Texas was a big state, and he intended to conquer every inch of it.
Chapter Three (#ulink_042f7d8f-b66e-56d5-979f-258a1ed40d4f)
“Stop fidgeting.” Jeanne Marie took a pan of freshly baked blueberry muffins out of the oven. She turned to Delaney as she took the pot holders off her hands. “You look beautiful.”
Delaney huffed out a breath, annoyed as her stomach took another tumble. “I’m not trying to look beautiful.” She smoothed her palms down the faded denim of her shirt. “I’ll be working today and Cisco Mendoza is going to help.”
“He’s quite handsome.”
“Right,” Delaney said with a laugh. “Mom, saying Cisco is handsome is like saying Texas is hot in the summer.”
“Kind of an understatement?”
“Exactly.” She snagged a muffin from the cooling rack and bounced it in her hand until it cooled enough to take a bite. “I can’t image a woman not being attracted to Cisco. It doesn’t matter. I want a man with substance over style.”
“Who says you can’t have both? Your father was—and still is—the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”
Delaney shook her head. “I’m not looking for anything from Cisco but some good old-fashioned hard labor. Like you said, I get into trouble when I’m bored. He’s a diversion. Nothing more.”
“You can at least enjoy getting to know him. He comes from a wonderful family. You know how much we all love Gabriella, and Orlando is a good man. In fact, your aunt Josephine seems quite taken with him.”
“Aunt Josephine and Orlando Mendoza?” Delaney didn’t know her British aunt well but already felt a connection to her. “That’s kind of sweet.”
Jeanne Marie smiled. “Keep this between us. If there is something happening between the two of them, they should have the time to figure it out for themselves.”
“Of course.” It was strange for Delaney to imagine her sophisticated aunt being with a salt-of-the-earth man like Orlando. She had a picture in her mind of who people should fit with and for her it was always someone from a similar background. A man who’d been raised for the cowboy lifestyle—working hard and loving the land—just as she had. She wondered now if that was narrow-minded, something Delaney had never thought about herself.
It wasn’t a help for her already jumbled nerves, but she didn’t have much time to examine those feelings as she heard a truck rumble down the driveway.
“Have fun,” Jeanne Marie told her, wrapping up two more muffins in a napkin. “And take these to your new man. He’s going to need the energy for what I imagine you have planned.”
Delaney grabbed the napkin and gave her mother a quick kiss. She did, indeed, have plans for Cisco. The thought of the fun she was going to have with him turned her nerves into excitement.
The roller coaster in her tummy went dipping and twisting again as Cisco climbed out of his truck. She was pleasantly surprised to see he’d shed his sophisticated Miami clothes and this morning looked like a true Texas cowboy in his plaid shirt, crisp jeans and sturdy leather cowboy boots. Even his hat looked custom-fit, the sort of hat any of her brothers would be proud to wear.
“You cowboy up pretty nicely, Mr. Mendoza.”
“Thank you, Ms. Fortune Jones. I’m honored to be here.” He reached into his truck and pulled out a pair of leather work gloves and a small gift bag. “These are for me,” he said, slapping the gloves against his thigh. “This is for you.” He held out the gift bag.
Delaney looked over her shoulder toward the house. For a moment she wondered if her mother or one of her siblings had told Cisco about her weakness for presents. As the youngest of seven, Delaney had been the recipient of countless hand-me-downs. Clothes from her sister, Stacey, and saddles from her brothers. Her parents had always made her birthday special, but that came around only once a year and it wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy her.
“You didn’t have to—” she began, then stopped when she noticed Cisco grinning at her. “But I’m glad you did.”
She pulled a piece of folded tissue paper out of the bag and unwrapped it. Inside was a delicate gold chain with a small charm in the shape of the state of Texas hanging from the end.
“I hope you don’t have one like it,” Cisco said. “I saw it in a store in Vicker’s Corners and it reminded me of you.”
“It’s adorable.” Delaney cleared her throat when the words came out in a whisper. “I love it.” She did, too. The necklace was perfect for her. She wasn’t sure whether that meant she should trust Cisco’s taste or be wary of how smooth of a charmer he could be.
“May I put it on you?” The deep rumble of his voice brought her out of her musings.
She nodded but didn’t release the necklace. “Why did you get this for me?”
A look of surprise flashed across his face. “You’re doing me a big favor, Delaney. I wanted to thank you.”
“I haven’t done anything yet,” she countered.
“A thank-you in advance?” His smile was genuine.
She uncurled her fingers from the chain and dropped it into his palm. “Are you sure you’re not trying to get me to go easy on you?” She turned and lifted her braid out of the way as he reached his hands in front of her.
“Would it work?” His breath was warm on her neck.
As he spoke, he used one finger to push a stray strand of hair out of the way. A ripple of awareness shot down her spine in response. She shook her head a tiny bit, not trusting her voice.
“Then put me through the paces, Delaney.” He clasped the necklace together and turned her to face him. “I’m all yours.”
Delaney tried to ignore the satisfying warmth that traveled through her at his words. A man like Cisco wasn’t for her, she reminded herself. This wasn’t his real life. He didn’t belong in Horseback Hollow even if he’d shown up this morning looking the part. His boots might be sturdy, but they were brand-new.
* * *
By midday his boots were already broken in, along with the rest of him. When Cisco had told Delaney to put him through the paces, he hadn’t realized what he was asking. As he loaded a final bale of hay onto a truck in one of the far pastures at the ranch, every part of his body ached. This was definitely different from a five-mile run around South Beach and an hour at the gym. The sun shone high in the western sky, spreading patterns of golden light through the clouds.
They’d been working steadily since the morning. Delaney had saddled up a couple of horses first thing, and they’d started their day checking the fencing on the north end of the ranch. Cisco could hold his own on a horse, but Delaney rode as though she’d been born in a saddle. As he closed up the truck’s gate, the ranch hand behind the wheel gave a short wave and the truck slowly made its way back toward the barn.
He lifted his hat off his head and wiped one sleeve across his brow. It felt as if the temperature had risen several degrees just in the past hour.
“How are you holding up?” Delaney asked as she hoisted herself on the large horse she road. She looked more amused than concerned.
Cisco swung his leg into the saddle. “I’ll survive,” he said with a smile. “I knew running a ranching operation was a lot of work, but I didn’t appreciate how much until today.” He brought his horse to the side of hers. “The men have a lot of respect for you, Delaney.”
It was true. Deke Jones had greeted them on their way to the barn earlier this morning, but Delaney’s father had been heading to Lubbock to check out some new equipment. He hadn’t officially put Delaney in charge in his absence, but it had been clear the ranch workers looked to her for guidance.
She was a mighty force wrapped up in an adorably tiny package.
“My dad keeps this place running like clockwork. The men know what they’re supposed to do without much input from me. My brothers used to help out quite a bit but they’ve all got their own lives and families now. Well, Galen doesn’t have a family, but he’s busy.”
“Don’t downplay your role on the ranch.”
For the first time, she looked really flustered. “I’m not, but I think you’re giving me more credit than I deserve.”
“Or maybe, cielo, you give yourself less.”
Her eyes tracked to his for a moment and he saw a rare flash of uncertainty there. He realized Delaney Fortune Jones might not be as sure of herself as she led people to believe.
She looked up to the blue sky then, holding her straw cowboy hat to her head. “Let’s race back. Mom wants us to eat lunch with her and she’ll have it ready by now.”
“Did you just tell the time by looking at the sun?”
A hint of color crept up her cheeks. “It’s a habit. I don’t wear a watch when I’m out on the property.” She adjusted the horse’s reins in her hands. “Ready?”
He nodded and gave his horse a short kick with his boot heels, but Delaney was already off and running. Cisco didn’t bother to try to catch her. Instead he enjoyed the view of her moving across the pasture, the rhythm of her body perfectly matched to the animal beneath her.
When he’d first arrived in Horseback Hollow, he’d missed the BMW coupe he drove in Miami and the sports car’s power at his fingertips. Now he realized he’d underestimated the adrenaline rush of horseback riding. There was something about moving in sync with another living being that beat the excitement of even the fastest engine.
He’d totally forgotten about bringing up the idea of the Cowboy Country condos in casual conversation with Delaney. His plan going into this deal was to drop enough hints about the planned luxury community so she’d be amenable to supporting them when the time came. Instead he’d been so busy keeping up with her he hadn’t been able to think of anything else.
That was a mistake he couldn’t afford to continue. Cisco had a lot riding on this deal with Moore Entertainment. As delightful as he found Delaney, she wasn’t his reason for staying in Horseback Hollow. He had to stick to the plan, make this deal happen and move on to bigger things. He might enjoy women, but Cisco had never let himself get sidetracked by one before. He wasn’t going to start now.
* * *
Delaney couldn’t imagine why she’d ever thought to insist Cisco spend time on the ranch with her. She could barely keep straight in her mind her jobs for the day when he was at her side. That was part of the reason she’d pushed him so hard most of the morning. It helped distract her from her constant reaction to him.
But not enough. Every time he looked at her or gave her that half smile, Delaney got a little weak in the knees. When he was so close she could smell the mix of spice and soap she’d now always associate with Cisco, she couldn’t remember her own name, let alone what she was supposed to be doing.
She finished brushing down Flapjack and looked over to the next stall, where Cisco had groomed the bay she’d given him. Big mistake. His long fingers scratched behind the horse’s ears as he bent close to her head, whispering words Delaney couldn’t hear. She got an immediate mental image of what it would be like for him to touch her so gently and her body thrummed to life in a way she’d never experienced.
Delaney hadn’t exactly set out to “save herself” for the right man, but it seemed to be working out that way. She’d never had a truly serious boyfriend and all of the guys in town were too afraid of her overprotective brothers to look at her as casual fun. Eventually, she’d come to realize she didn’t want to be with a man until it felt truly right. She’d always thought her heart would guide her, but watching Cisco made her body want to take the lead.
He looked up at her then and color rushed to her face, although he couldn’t possibly read her thoughts. Still, it felt as though his dark eyes saw her in a way no one else had before. Delaney loved how he focused on her even as she reminded herself that this was how Cisco Mendoza operated. He was a lady-killer, and Delaney was sure he could charm any woman with his sexy grin and smoldering eyes. Delaney wasn’t special to him, no matter how he made her feel.
“Are you okay?” he asked, as if he could sense her jumbled emotions.
“Fine,” she answered quickly, striding out of the stall. “Just hungry. We can wash up at the house and see if Mom needs any help.”
He looked as if he wanted to question her further but simply followed her across the driveway and up the steps to the kitchen.
“You two were busy this morning,” Jeanne Marie commented as she came into the kitchen.
“Just a normal day,” Delaney said, throwing her mother a pointed look as Cisco turned on the water at the kitchen sink to wash his hands.
“If you say so, sweetie.” Her mother must have realized how hard Delaney had been pushing Cisco this morning, but she didn’t mention it outright. “I’m sure you’ve both worked up an appetite.”
“Thank you for having me to lunch, Mrs. Fortune Jones.” Cisco dried his hands on a towel and gave her mother that killer smile.
Delaney watched as her mother fluttered her fingers near her throat. Clearly no woman was immune to that smile. “Call me Jeanne Marie. I’m happy to have you here. The house is quiet now that Delaney’s the only one left at the ranch. I miss having a big crowd around all the time.”
Delaney finished washing her hands and walked over to give her mom a hug. Today Jeanne Marie wore a pale yellow shirt, long faded denim skirt and her favorite turquoise necklace around her throat. “Be careful what you wish for, Mama. You’ll have them dropping off the grandkids all the time.”
“You love a busy house as much as I do.” Her mother gave her a gentle squeeze, then picked up a plate of sandwiches. “When Delaney was a little girl, she told us she planned to have a dozen children. She wanted her own football team.”
“Mom,” Delaney said, shaking her head. “That was a long time ago.”
“I come from a big family, too,” Cisco said as he took the pitcher of lemonade and followed them into the dining room. “Having three brothers and Gabi was a help with the way we moved around for my father’s career in the air force. We were a pack and could watch out for each other.”
“Does that mean you want lots of kids, too?” Jeanne Marie posed the question casually, then laughed as Cisco’s eyes went wide. “I’m only teasing. Come and sit down, Cisco. Tell me about what you think of Horseback Hollow so far.”
“It’s quiet compared to what I’m used to in Miami,” he said as he took the seat Jeanne Marie indicated across from her.
As Delaney slid into the chair next to him, she couldn’t help but wonder if quiet was another word for boring.
“But there’s a definite charm to it,” he continued. “You don’t easily find places anymore where most everyone knows each other. I understand why my dad and sister feel so at home here.”
“Horseback Hollow is a special place,” Delaney’s mother agreed. “There’s a lot of history and tradition in this town. Which is why it’s so upsetting to have those Cowboy Country outsiders coming in with their gaudy theme park.”
Out of the corner of her eye Delaney noticed Cisco’s fingers tighten around his glass.
“It might not be so bad,” Delaney said quickly. “The rides look fun and it will give people around here something new to do as entertainment.”
“That’s one of the problems.” Jeanne Marie took a sip of lemonade. “Local folks aren’t the ones Cowboy Country is trying to attract. Those people haven’t given one thought to how this is going to affect life here or what it even means to be a real cowboy. The whole theme is the Wild West but all they’re planning is some commercialized, demeaning version of it.”
“Won’t the influx of money be good for the town?” Cisco asked as he picked up his sandwich. “I’d think Horseback Hollow could benefit from additional resources.”
“Not if it means giving up our simple way of life,” Jeanne Marie told him.
“Just because change comes to Horseback Hollow doesn’t mean it has to change the people who live here.” His dark gaze went from Delaney to her mother. “When you found out you were related to the Fortunes, that was a big change. Did it change who you are on the inside?”
“Not at all,” Delaney answered quickly. “He has a point, Mom.”
“We were a solid family before I knew I was a Fortune,” Jeanne Marie said with a nod of her head. “But I’m not sure the entire town can withstand the influence of Cowboy Country and the people who might come with it.” She turned to Delaney. “As a matter of fact, your father and I were talking about your rides to where they’re building. We think you should stop that, Delaney. The opening is just around the corner, so there’s too much activity out that way.”
There were moments when Delaney loved the feeling of safety that came from being part of a large family and moments when she was stifled by her parents’ overprotectiveness.
“You’ve been visiting Cowboy Country?” Cisco asked.
“A few times a week I take my horse out toward the land around the amusement park to see the progress. It’s a good stretch of land for riding.”
She saw his mouth drop open. “That was—” He stopped himself and shook his head. “I agree with your mother. It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“I’m not a kid,” Delaney said, aware she sounded petulant.
“We only want what’s best for you,” Jeanne Marie said quietly.
“I know, Mama.” Delaney stabbed a grape with her fork. “I’ll be careful.” She glanced down at her watch. “We need to get back to work. We’re supposed to meet the guys at the lower pasture in a few minutes to finish some repairs on the fence.”
“Thank you for another wonderful meal,” Cisco said as he stood.
“I hope you can join us again.” Jeanne Marie led them back to the kitchen. “We spent the whole time talking about Cowboy Country.” She set her plate on the counter and turned to Cisco. “I still want to hear more about your plans in Horseback Hollow. I wouldn’t want you to think we’re against new people coming to town. We just want to make sure they’re here for the right reasons. Like you and your family, Cisco.”
Cisco’s shoulders stiffened but he gave her mother a warm smile. “Thank you, Jeanne Marie.” He took her mother’s hand and brushed a soft kiss on her knuckles as he gave her an almost courtly bow. “Your hospitality is matched only by your beauty.”
Delaney watched as her practical, old-fashioned mother blushed like a schoolgirl. “It was my pleasure. You’re welcome to join us anytime. In fact, Deke and I would love to have you over for dinner one of these nights. We don’t get a lot of time for individual visiting during our family barbecues. It isn’t often Delaney brings a boy home.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Delaney said with a gasp. “We’re getting back to work now.” She grabbed on to Cisco’s arm and tugged him toward the door. “Let’s go, Cisco.”
She dragged him, laughing, into the midday sun.
“It’s okay, Delaney,” he said when they were halfway to the barn. “I know your mother is only teasing. It’s obvious how much she loves you.”
She realized her fingers were still wrapped around Cisco’s muscular arm. She could feel the heat of his skin through his shirt and pulled away as if touching him for too long might actually burn her.
“Weren’t you laying it on a little thick in there?” she asked as she stepped away.
“Your mother is a lovely woman.” He lifted one finger and trailed it along her jaw. “You look like her, you know?”
How did he always throw her off balance? Delaney wanted a man in her life to hold her steady, but she couldn’t deny the way Cisco made her feel.
“You’re a lady-killer.” She shook her head. “I can’t tell if what you say to me is the truth or just another one of your well-rehearsed lines.”
His thick brows drew together and a look of actual pain crossed his face before his practiced smile was in place once more. “You are beautiful, Delaney. That’s the truth.”
She didn’t want to respond to him, didn’t want to lean in as he brought his face closer to hers. Then the door to the barn slammed shut and Delaney jumped back. Just because Cisco had agreed to spend time on the ranch, it didn’t change the fact that he was a big-city jet-setter. But change was inevitable. It was coming to Horseback Hollow and maybe she could change Cisco Mendoza, as well. Eventually Cisco had to fall for one woman and change his ways.
Delaney had no doubt she was strong enough to be that one.
Chapter Four (#ulink_0dd738d3-b29b-58f5-bd64-1951c09d73b0)
Cisco stretched his arms out in front of him as he walked toward the main gate at Cowboy Country several days later. For the first time since the barbecue, he hadn’t gone to the ranch, needing a day to catch up on his work at Cowboy Country and unsure he could spend one more moment with Delaney Fortune Jones and keep his hands to himself.
She tempted him in a way no other woman had before, and Cisco had been with plenty of women in his life. But Delaney was different, smart and sexy but also sweet and innocent. She was totally confident in who she was and wouldn’t let anyone steer her off course.
It was clear she was dedicated to the ranch and the values her parents had instilled in her and her siblings.
Cisco could relate to that as his father and mother had done the same thing for him and his brothers and sister. That was part of the reason he was so conflicted when it came to Delaney. He hadn’t exactly lied to her about his involvement in the luxury condos Cowboy Country had planned, but he’d definitely avoided giving any details of why he needed a Fortune for his business deal. Yet when she turned those cornflower-blue eyes on him, there wasn’t anything he could deny her, including the truth.
His hope was that as she and her family got to know him, they’d trust his judgment and give the planned community a chance. But the more Cisco understood about life in Horseback Hollow, the more he could see the design of the Cowboy Country condos and real life in this quaint town wouldn’t mesh. He figured it was up to him to bring the two closer in line. He had a lot riding on this deal, both his reputation and his own money. He wasn’t about to give up on making it work.
He waved to the security guard near the front entrance who was tasked with making sure no one but employees accessed the park until the official opening. He could see people in theme park uniforms milling about near several rides and attractions and took a quick turn down a path that led to the corporate offices of Moore Entertainment. He knew there weren’t many locals involved in the park at this point but didn’t want to take the chance on someone in the park recognizing him. Until he had everything worked out, he wanted to keep his relationship with Cowboy Country under wraps.
He heard shouting as he came up the steps to the building. The door banged open and an older man stomped out, muttering to himself. “You’re going to be sorry,” he shouted over his shoulder. “Horses aren’t mechanical. They’re smart, strong, living animals and you need to treat them with the respect they deserve.”
His angry gaze caught on Cisco and he shook his head. “Another suit,” he all but spit. “Just what this place needs.”
Cisco glanced down at himself. It was true that for his meeting with Kent Stephens this morning he’d traded his Western clothes for the more familiar feel of a tailored silk shirt and pressed trousers.
“What’s the problem?” he asked.
The man hitched his thumb toward the corporate office. “The problem is that any real cowboy worth his salt knows he’s only as good as the horseflesh he owns and how he treats his animals. Those fools wouldn’t know how to take care of a barn full of horses if their lives depended on it.” He shook his head. “They can find a new head trainer. I’m not putting myself on the line just so Alden Moore can make a fast buck.”
Cisco wanted to question him further, but the guy took off down the steps and toward the front of the park. Pulling open the door, Cisco glanced at the young receptionist who stared back at him with wide eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Mendoza,” she said calmly, her smile composed. “Mr. Stephens is expecting you.”
He raised a brow at her placid expression and hitched his head toward the door. “Everything okay this morning, Janie?”
“No different than most days,” she said in a softer tone. “I’m getting used to the sound of the door slamming.”
Cisco used two fingers to massage his forehead. He’d heard rumors in town of employee unrest at Cowboy Country but hadn’t wanted to believe they were true. If anything could kill a real estate deal before the financing was secured, it was dissension within the company. These days, investors didn’t want to promise their money if the business wasn’t smooth and successful. There was too much at stake and too many other projects vying for the same pool of funds.
“You do a wonderful job at the front,” he told the young woman. “Don’t give up on things yet. It will all work out.”
“Thanks, Mr. Mendoza.” Her eyes turned soft as she leaned forward over her desk. “It’s always a better day when you come to the office.”
He smiled automatically and opened his mouth to offer her some flirtatious rejoinder, then stopped himself. Delaney’s words about him being a lady-killer popped into his head. There was no doubt Cisco loved women, and flirting came as naturally as breathing to him. But now he held back, only nodding in response. He’d never given a second thought to how he’d come across before, but suddenly he wanted to save his banter for a tiny blonde cowgirl.
Before he could decide what that meant, Kent Stephens stuck his head out of the door to his office. “Mendoza, in here now. We need to talk.”
Kent paced back and forth on the far side of his desk as Cisco entered. Although the building was cooled with central air, a fine sheen of sweat shone on the man’s forehead as he talked into his cell phone. “I don’t care. Send her out now.” He hit a button and tossed his phone onto the desk. “I’m pulling more help from our other locations.” He shook his head, running his hands through his hair, leaving it flopping over his wide forehead. “At this rate, Cowboy Country is going to be completely run by people from out of state. It’s like no one in this godforsaken town needs a job.”
“Who was the man leaving?”
“The guy we’d hired to manage the Wild West show. He’s got decades of experience with horses but doesn’t want to do things the way we expect.”
“But wouldn’t you defer to him as the expert?” Cisco asked, taking a seat in front of the desk.
“All we defer to is the bottom line.” Kent dropped into the wide leather chair on the other side of the desk. “Everything Alden Moore touches turns to gold. Every park, every investment, each new idea. All of them have been a success until now.”
“Cowboy Country hasn’t even opened yet,” Cisco argued. “You can’t know it isn’t going to be a success.”
Kent pointed a finger at Cisco. “That’s why I like you, Mendoza. You’re confident. We need more of that attitude around here.” His hand curled into a fist. “What we need less of is country-bumpkin locals stirring up trouble for us. Hasn’t anyone in Horseback Hollow ever heard of progress?”
“I don’t think it’s progress they’re against,” Cisco answered carefully. “But there are traditions here—authentic cowboy traditions—and the people who value them don’t want to feel like some big corporation is making a mockery of the life they hold dear.”
“We’re not making fun of anyone,” Kent practically growled in response. “We just want to make some damn money.” He shook his head. “Mr. Moore doesn’t like the bad publicity. We need a shot in the arm to turn the tide of public sentiment in our favor.” He stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “The condos could do it for us. They’re a clean slate. No one has any preconceived notions, so if we handle the announcement right, it could help the whole operation. How’s it coming with the Fortunes?”
“It’s coming,” Cisco answered. “I’ve been spending time with some of them and—”
“Priming the pump, right?” Kent looked hopeful.
Cisco inwardly cringed. “I wouldn’t describe it that way.” He could only imagine how Delaney would react if she heard Kent’s words. “They’re good people, Kent. But like most of the town, the Fortunes have concerns surrounding anything to do with Cowboy Country. I’m in the process of building relationships. These things take time.”
“I don’t care what you call it,” Kent said quickly. “As long as you get them on board. You’re our rainmaker, Cisco. Right now we could use a typhoon-level storm.”
“I’ve got it under control.” Cisco nodded. “I’m meeting with a group of investors down in Lubbock next week. Even if the Fortunes don’t pan out, I’ll get the backing for the condos.”
“Whoa there.” Kent held up his hands. “Other investors are fine, but we need you to pull in the Fortunes. The family has a ton of money, and they’re going to put some of it into Cowboy Country. That was the deal when we hired you. Don’t forget it.”
“No chance of that with you reminding me every chance you get.”
“Sorry. Like I said, we need some good news around here. It would go a long way toward solidifying your place with Moore Entertainment if you were the guy to bring it.” He pushed a stack of papers forward on his desk. “Take a look at these. Moore Entertainment has a lot of plans once Cowboy Country is solid. This company has a bright future and there’s a lot of opportunity for someone like you, Cisco. Don’t blow it before you even get started.”
At the moment, Cisco was more worried about how his involvement with the theme park was going to affect his relationship with Delaney once that news became public. In a very short time, she’d become an important part of his life. More important than he could remember a woman ever being for him.
But he had to keep his head on straight. He’d stayed in Horseback Hollow for business, and he didn’t fail once he put his mind to something. He had too much at stake, both professionally and financially, to let this be the first time. He’d figure out how to handle Delaney and do this deal. He was certain he could make both things work.
He just had no idea how.
* * *
“You’re really staying in Horseback Hollow for the long haul?” Cisco glanced at his brother as he parked his truck in front of the building that housed the Fortune Foundation.
“Absolutely,” Matteo answered without hesitation. “This is where Rachel wants to be, so it works for me.” He gave Cisco a light poke to the shoulder. “I’m not going to let her too far out of my sight and have some slick charmer like you try to put the moves on her again.”
Cisco was relieved to see Matteo’s grin as he said the words. “You two are a great match,” he told his brother. “No other man would have a chance with her.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” Cisco paused before turning off the ignition.
“I’m surprised you’ve lasted here so long,” Matteo said. “Aren’t you missing some important shindigs this time of year in South Beach? I can’t imagine how all the movers and shakers are surviving without you.”
“I don’t actually miss it that much,” Cisco said, surprised the words were true. “The clubs and parties all run together after a while, you know?”
“I know,” Matteo said, climbing out of the truck. “But I can’t believe you’re saying that. You don’t have any big deals in the works? It’s not like you, man.”
“I have deals going,” Cisco said. “You’ve heard of cell phones and the internet, right?”
“You’re even looking more Texas than Miami.” Matteo pointed to Cisco’s boots. “That looks like genuine dirt on your heels.”
“I’ve been helping out a little on the Fortune Jones ranch,” Cisco answered evenly. He took a few more steps before realizing his brother had stopped. He turned to see Matteo practically doubled over, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
Matteo straightened and wiped a sleeve across his cheeks. “You mean to tell me you’ve become a ranch hand?” He shook his head. “I don’t believe it. You’re a city slicker through and through, Cisco. What gives?”
Cisco lifted his hands, frustrated at his brother’s reaction. “I’m not a stranger to real work. Dad always had plenty of jobs for us around the house. I wanted to get to know the Fortunes a little better. Gabi’s married into the family now and Dad works with them. I’ve got some time on my hands and this seemed like a good way to understand more about the Fortunes and the town itself. From what I understand, ranching is a big part of Horseback Hollow.”
Matteo nodded. “It makes sense but I’m not sure I buy it.” He held up his hand when Cisco would have argued. “I’m not going to push you, bro. You do what you need to do. This is a great little community.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m happy to have a chance to spend some more time with you.” He clapped Cisco on the back. “We’ve been at odds for too long.”
“It’s good to hang out with you, too, Matteo.” Cisco hadn’t realized how much the contentious relationship with his brother had hurt him until they’d begun to heal the rift between them. He paused at the entrance of the Fortune Foundation. “Are you sure it isn’t going to be weird for Rachel to have me here with you?”
“We’re solid,” his brother assured him. “Even though she’s with the right brother, she still likes you.” Matteo rolled his eyes. “Cisco Mendoza and his legendary charm. It never fails.”
For Cisco there was only one woman he was interested in charming these days. And when he stepped into the offices of the Horseback Hollow branch of the Fortune Foundation, he found himself looking right at her.
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Michelle Major
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 16.04.2024
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О книге: SEALING THEIR DEAL WITH A KISS . . .He′s only been in Horseback Hollow for a couple of months, but sexy Cisco Mendoza has already made quite an impression! Little does anyone know his real reasons for being here–a top-secret deal that could shake the foundations of the small Texas town–and one important family . . .When Delaney Fortune Jones agrees to help Cisco win some hearts and minds, suddenly the tables turn–and the permanent playboy finds himself pining for the innocent cowgirl and her heart of gold. As business veers dangerously close to pleasure, Mr. Mendoza better hang on to his hat–pint-size Delaney might just teach him a lesson in the art of falling in love . . . Fortune-style!