Country Mist, page 2
Heat burned under her skin at the memory. God, that had pissed her off. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
Tyson blew out his breath and stared at the road as he guided the vehicle onto the freeway and into the middle lane. He glanced at her before looking ahead again. “When I was in the restroom, those two asses made a bet on who’d get a certain blonde into bed first, and then they’d share her.” He glanced at her. “Then I saw them with you.”
Haylee’s cheeks flushed hot. “I would have handled them just fine and sent them packing. I didn’t need you jumping in and playing hero.”
“What if they got you alone before you found out what they had in mind?” Tyson pushed harder. “They could have taken advantage of you.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “They would never have gotten that far. I’m not naïve, and I’m not stupid. I’m a strong, capable, intelligent woman who wants to be treated as such.”
“Point taken.” He changed lanes and looked at her. “For the record, I believe you’re every one of those things.”
She pushed her long hair over her shoulder. “In the future, remember that.”
“There’s a future?” His voice held a note of teasing.
She rolled her eyes. “No.”
He flashed her a devilish grin. “Never say never.”
That grin did crazy things to her insides, making her stomach feel like it had flipped upside down. Whoa. She’d seen Tyson around plenty but never had an actual conversation with him.
Might as well change the subject and steer things to safer grounds. “Were you at the concert today?”
He shook his head. “Henry invited me for drinks and to meet his nephew, and I took him up on the offer, but he didn’t tell me who his nephew is.”
She tilted her head. “Would that have made a difference?”
“Nah.” He got into the fast lane and passed a slower vehicle. “I was just surprised. Kade Fields is a big name.”
“Couldn’t be a nicer man.” Haylee smiled. “I enjoyed talking with him.”
Tyson gave a nod. “The evening wasn’t so bad.”
She laughed. “Did you think it would be?”
He gave her a quick smile. “Let’s just say that parties aren’t my thing.”
“They are mine.” She lifted her hair away from her neck and let it fall over her shoulders. “I’m an event planner. That’s why I was here tonight—I planned an earlier concert party. I was only at the later one to meet Jen for a drink, and she said she wanted to introduce me to someone before we went home. That someone turned out to be the one and only Kade Fields.”
Tyson looked amused. “A little star-struck?”
Haylee held her hand to her chest. “Be still my heart.” She shifted in her seat to watch Tyson. He had such strong features—high cheekbones, a square jaw, and a cleft in his chin. He had the qualities of a big-time movie star with his looks.
She slowly blew out her breath. “What did you think of Kade?”
“I was impressed.” He glanced at her before looking back at the road. “I expected him to talk about country music and being on the road, but he didn’t. He sounded like a regular ol’ cowboy.”
“I noticed that, too.” Haylee watched Tyson’s big hands on the steering wheel and had the brief flash of an image of his hands on her body instead. Where is this coming from? “I had a feeling the last thing he wanted to talk about was being a star.”
Tyson put on the blinker before the exit that led to King Creek. “I don’t remember seeing you around town as much as I used to.”
He’d noticed? She inhaled, then let out her breath. “I’m in the Phoenix area so much now, thanks to how fast my event planning business has grown, that I’m not around a lot during the day anymore.”
Tyson took the exit. “You must enjoy it.”
“I like working with most clients and love the creative aspects.” She glanced at the reflective markers outside the window before looking back to him. “But my true passion is painting.”
He gave her an amused look. “I’m assuming you don’t mean houses.”
“Only if they’re the subject matter.” She rested one arm on the console between them. “I love to paint desert landscapes in acrylics.”
“I’d like to see your work sometime.” He turned onto Main Street. “Where do you live?”
“I live with my sisters on Oak.” She gave him the address, and they sat in silence as he took the streets to hers. “There it is. The one with the bicycle mailbox.”
He pulled up in front of her sage-green cottage-style home and parked the vehicle. She put her purse strap on her shoulder, and he held up his hand. “Wait right there.”
She would have rolled her eyes as he jogged around the front of the vehicle, but she was used to it. He helped her out of the truck, and his grip felt warm and comfortable as she stepped onto the sidewalk. He closed the door behind her.
She tilted her head back to look up at him. “I appreciate the ride.”
“Anytime.” He studied her with a long, thoughtful look as if deciding whether or not to kiss her.
Whoa there, girl. It was just a ride. He probably had no such thoughts.
Or had he?
Haylee stepped back and smiled. “Thank you.” She turned, and her heels clicked loudly in the quiet night as she hurried up the walkway then up the creaking wood steps to her home. No doubt he was watching her to make sure she made it through the door safe and sound.
The screen door screeched as she opened it. She made quick work of the lock and looked back over her shoulder at Tyson. He was still there, watching her, leaning back against the truck, his hands in his front pockets.
A shiver went through her, and butterflies fluttered within.
She raised her hand in a farewell, then entered the house. She closed the door, rested her back against it, and held her hand to her heart.
What the hell just happened?
Her irritation with him all night turned into a strong attraction after the ride.
“If I hadn’t seen you leave with Jen, I would have thought you just came home from a date.” Leann’s sunny voice startled Haylee into dropping her purse. It hit the tile floor with a muted thunk.
Haylee scooped it up. “Tyson Donovan just gave me a ride home since Jen left early.”
“Oh, really?” Leeann took her by the arm and led her to the living room couch. “Sit and tell all.”
“Did I hear the name Tyson Donovan?” In her Snoopy PJs, Jill strolled through the archway that led into the kitchen. “God, what a man.”
“Ditto.” Leeann, wearing a robe and bunny slippers, plopped into an armchair. “Go on. Sit, Haylee.”
Jill perched on the arm of the chair Leeann had settled into, and Haylee dropped onto the couch and fell against the cushions.
“Not much to tell.” She set her purse beside her on the pillow. “First thing he did was tick me off, and I told him where he could shove it.”
Leeann’s jaw dropped, and Jill laughed. “I wanna hear this story.”
Haylee didn’t leave anything out. She shrugged. “Maybe I was too hard on him.”
Jill grinned. “Cowboy to the rescue. I think that was rather heroic of him.”
Leeann nodded her agreement. “I know you can take care of yourself, but we’re talking two men. I’m glad he stepped in.”
“You’re probably right.” Haylee sighed as her thoughts turned to the man himself. “Tyson is a lot hotter than I’ve ever noticed before.”
“How could you not have noticed?” Leeann fanned herself. “You were pretty young when he hung out with Bear and Brady in high school.”
“I was such a tomboy that I wasn’t interested in boys yet.” She grinned. “I’m a late bloomer.”
“Better late than never.” Jill pushed locks of her long, wavy dark hair aside and moved over to the couch, where Haylee sat. “Thing is, what are you going to do about it?”
“No clue.” Haylee sighed. “I’ve never had to chase a guy before.”
The memory of Danny Ames flashed through her mind, giving her pause. She hadn’t wanted to date anyone since his death just over a year ago. Was she even ready yet?
“I know what.” Leeann straightened in her seat, her words knocking Haylee out of her thoughts. “How about the fall barn dance at the Woodson’s next Saturday? You could ask him to do that.”
Haylee had that swooping sensation inside again as she considered dating again. “What if he’s already going with someone? A cowboy that hot has a girl in every stable.”
Leann snorted with laughter, her golden whiskey-brown eyes dancing. “That’s a lot of women.”
“Seriously.” Jill, an accountant pre-layoff, wore her practical, focused expression. “What’ll it hurt?”
Leeann nodded. “Worst he can do is tell you in that sexy, deep voice of his that he’s got other commitments.”
“Or laugh.” Haylee couldn’t help but grin at the thought of asking a gorgeous alpha cowboy out on a date. “But I’ll enjoy listening to the sound of it.”
“There’s our girl.” Leeann put her bunny slippers up on the coffee table. “I bet he’s still up. Why don’t you call him now?”
“Yes.” Jill grabbed the purse off the pillow, opened it, and held it out to Haylee. “Get your phone and call.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’m having second thoughts.”
“Come on.” Jill put the purse closer to Haylee.
Haylee took it and looked down. Her phone stared back. She glanced from Jill to Leeann. “I don’t have his phone number.”
“Oh, Lord.” Leeann drew her phone out of her robe pocket and touched the screen. “Hold on.” She raised the phone to her ear, and there was a moment’s pause. “Brady? Hey, I need Tyson Donovan’s phone number. Why? Haylee’s going to ask him out on a date. Text it to me now, please, brother dear.”
Haylee’s face burned hot, and she slid down the couch. She was never going to hear the end of this from her brothers.
Leeann disconnected the call and appeared to be pleased with herself.
“Why did you do that?” Haylee’s voice sounded strangled from the desire to laugh and moan.
“Gotta do this before you lose your nerve.” Leeann’s phone dinged, and she looked at her messages. “Forwarding to you.”
Haylee’s phone made the sound of birds chirping as the message came in. She closed her eyes. “I’m not looking.”
“I’ll do it.”
Haylee’s eyes snapped open as she felt her sister reach into her purse and snatch her phone. “Wait—no.”
Jill held it up to Haylee’s face before she could stop her and unlocked the phone with facial recognition.
Haylee made a grab for it, but Jill jumped up and danced away. “There’s the message…and…dial.” She held out the phone to Haylee.
Her gut bottomed out as she brought it to her ear and heard the ringtone. Maybe he wouldn’t answer.
“Donovan here.” There was that incredibly sexy voice.
“Uh.” She took a breath. “This is Haylee.”
A pause. “You’re not in bed yet.”
She gripped the phone tighter. “Did I wake you?”
“Nah.” Now, he sounded amused. “What’s up?”
“Do it,” Leann whispered.
Jill mouthed, “Ask him.”
Haylee turned her back on her sisters. “Are you going to the Woodsons’ barn dance next Saturday?”
“Hadn’t made up my mind about it one way or another.” He paused. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
She closed her eyes as fire burned her face. “Yep.”
He gave a low chuckle. “And I thought you had damned me to hell.”
She held her hand to her stomach. “The jury’s still out on that.”
“Tell you what, Haylee.” His voice dropped an octave, and he said her name in a way that weakened her knees. “I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty that night.”
She swallowed. “I’ll be ready.” She moved the phone from her ear and pressed the off icon.
Haylee faced her sisters and put her hands to her mouth.
“Well?” they both demanded.
She lowered her hands. “He’s picking me up at 7:30.”
The girls squealed, and Haylee found herself in a group hug. They tumbled to the floor, laughing and giggling.
When Haylee had caught her breath, she sat up straight. “I can’t believe I just asked Tyson Donovan out on a date.”
“You’re going to have a fantastic time.” Leeann sat back on the floor, her legs straight out and bracing herself with her hands.
Jill wrapped her arms around her knees as she settled next to Leeann. “You’ll have to tell us everything.”
Haylee grinned and shook her head. “A girl’s gotta have some secrets.”
“Not from her sisters.” Leeann’s eyes sparkled. “Neither one of us is seeing anyone. We need to know all so we can live vicariously through you.”
“No promises.” Haylee smiled from one sister to the other. “Who knows, this might be a terrible idea.”
Leeann smirked. “Or it could be the best idea ever.”
3
Haylee gripped a glass of champagne as she moved through the crowd in the Scottsdale art gallery. To her relief, the showing had a good turnout, and it wasn’t just her family dropping in to give their support.
“The artist’s work is lovely.” A woman pointed to an acrylic of prickly pear cacti, purple fruit on each of its pads. “That would look wonderful in my office.”
“It would fit in perfectly.” The man standing next to her nodded. “I’ll let the gallerist know.”
Haylee moved away before the couple could catch her eavesdropping.
“I understand you’re the artist.” A lovely lady with long dark hair and model-fine features stepped beside her.
Haylee came to a halt and smiled. “I am.”
“I adore your art.” She spoke with a slight Spanish accent as she scanned the paintings on the easels and those on a wall. “I wish I could buy a dozen.”
“Thank you.” Haylee laughed. “I appreciate the compliment.”
“You deserve it.” The woman pointed to a painting of a saguaro with blooms on each arm and silhouettes of two more cacti in the background. “I’ll take that one.”
“I appreciate your interest in my art. Let me find the gallerist for you.” Haylee scanned the room then inclined her head toward the corner, where she saw the gallerist chatting with the couple who had expressed interest in the prickly pear painting. “Mrs. Rhodes can help you with your purchase. I can take you to her.”
“I’ve got this.” The young woman waved her away. “I know you’re busy. A lot of people showed up tonight, so I’m sure you’re in high demand.”
Haylee gave her another smile. “Thank you.”
Haylee was surprised to find that several of her original works had sold in just the first hour. She adjusted her white embroidered peasant blouse, brushed her palms down her broomstick skirt, and straightened her spine. Another couple of hours to go.
“This one is my favorite.” A familiar, deep, masculine voice had her spinning around, and she came face-to-face with Tyson.
Heat flushed through her from head to toe—embarrassment from having asked him out last night and pleasure in seeing him there.
“Hi.” She wanted to press her palms to her hot cheeks as she looked up into his amused yet sensual blue eyes. “How did you know I had a showing tonight?”
“Henry.” Tyson nodded in the direction of the front of the gallery. “He’s talking with the gallerist now.”
“I’m surprised you came.” Her throat felt dry as she spoke.
“Why not?” His smile grew more sensual. “I’m interested.”
“Ah—” In her or her art?
“Both.” He held her gaze as he answered her unspoken question. “Your art is brilliant, and you shine just as brightly.”
Her cheeks hadn’t cooled down and were probably bright red. “Thank you.”
He gestured to an easel with a painting of a palo verde near an old barbed-wire fence with weathered wood posts, the landscape dotted with dry yellow grass and creosote bushes. “I’d like that one for my study—it would fit right in with my Remingtons.”
She raised her brows. “You have more than one?”
“I’ve got a couple.” He gave a nod. “I enjoy western art.”
He tilted his head toward the gallerist who had just walked around a display wall. “Join me while I tell her which one I’d like to take home.”
Again, a long look told her the painting wasn’t the only thing he’d like to take home.
She fell into step behind him, her broomstick skirt flowing around her ankles.
Haylee struggled to think of something to say. Her mind had turned to mush with the man so close to her.
“I saw Brady and his wife Abby as they were leaving.” Tyson kept his stride short so Haylee didn’t have to work to keep up. “Did many of your family members come?”
She nodded. “Enough to make it look like the entire town of Scottsdale turned out tonight.”
Tyson grinned. “Your family encompasses half of the town of King Creek.”
Haylee laughed and slipped her hands into the pockets of her skirt. “Just about.”
The gallerist was speaking to a guest, and Tyson drew Haylee aside. He looked down at her from his six-four height, and she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. “Thank you for asking me out. But I’ll let you know one thing—if you hadn’t asked me last night, I would have been calling you today, and I wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.”
She caught her breath. “You would have?”
“Yep.” He touched her forearm in a barely-there caress that sent a shiver through her. “I know something good when I see it, and Haylee McLeod, you are special.” He slid his hand down to hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I noticed you long ago. I didn’t know how to get your attention.”
A flutter went through her abdomen then she thought about last night and gave him a wry smile. “So, that’s why you chased off those men.”
