Her earrings sparkled and swayed as she poured herself a mug of coffee and turned, heading for the table. The view from this angle was just as dangerous as the flip side.
She’d left the top three buttons undone on her black silk shirt, and the shadowy hint of cl**vage revealed by the open neck of the shirt would make any man who wasn’t dead want to unfasten that fourth button. Alex supposed her outfit would be a hit today when she performed, but for him personally, it was cruel and unusual punishment.
She sat across from him and cradled her mug in both hands. “Have you talked to Watkins?”
He was so busy remembering how her hands had cradled his balls that he almost missed the question. His response came a little late, like a tape delay. “Not yet.”
“Can you call him on his cell?”
“Uh, no. Watkins thinks a real cowboy shouldn’t carry one. But I can call Jeb. Jeb’s young enough not to give a damn what real cowboys do, so he packs a cell. He’ll be able to get Watkins and tell him we need him up here.” Alex pulled his phone out of his jeans pocket.
“He should bring his guitar,” Tyler said.
“Right.” Alex wondered if he would have remembered to say that. He needed to get his head in the game, and fast. He quickly made the call to Jeb, who promised to send Watkins up to the main house pronto.
“This is exciting.” Sarah joined them with her own mug of coffee. “What a great idea—Watkins and Tyler.”
“Well, he hasn’t agreed yet.” Alex had a sudden image of Watkins developing stage fright and refusing.
“He will.” Sarah smiled at Alex over her mug. “You know he loves to perform, but he’d be shy about doing it alone for an event like this.”
Tyler put down her coffee. “I’d planned on three one-hour sets. Is he up to that?”
“He should be.” After answering the question, Alex turned back to Sarah. “I’m counting on his inner rock star to show up.” Focusing on Sarah was a better idea than looking across the table at Tyler with her cl**vage and her flashy earrings. He’d been right to make sure other people were around when he had to deal with her. If he couldn’t block out the memories of her silken skin and tempting kisses, he could mute them slightly in a crowd.
“Watkins will come through for us,” Sarah said. “By the way, Jack called while I was getting dressed. He’s already down at the tractor barn moving the equipment out. We’ll serve the food and drinks in there. I think that’s where Tyler and Watkins should perform, too, don’t you?”
“Probably,” Alex agreed. “We can move the stage I’d planned to use for the country band in there. I’ll warn you that the stage is rustic, but I think it’ll work.”
Tyler looked over at him, her manner totally professional. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. How are the acoustics in the tractor barn?” It was as if she’d pulled on a protective shell along with the flashy outfit.
He’d been in the barn a few times. “I doubt they’re very good, but at least you won’t get wet.”
She sipped her coffee. “That would be a nice change.”
She would have to reference the times they’d been wet together. He wanted to chew the furniture. How was he supposed to function today when he so desperately wanted a woman who was now off limits? He needed her help, no question, but he hadn’t counted on her wearing a fantasy costume that was now burned into his retinas.
“I’m sure the acoustics are terrible in that barn.” Mary Lou started passing out plates of bacon and eggs.
“I hope you made a plate for yourself, Mary Lou,” Sarah said.
“I did, as a matter of fact. Let me get my coffee.” Mary Lou joined them at the round oak table. “As I was saying, if we intend to make a habit of this, we should figure out a covered venue that would be semipermanent. There’s no time to do it today, but it should be finished by the time Alex has another event.”
“That would be terrific.” Alex grabbed the new topic with relief. “Good thought, Mary Lou.” He cherished many things about the Last Chance, but he especially loved the democratic spirit that invited everyone who worked there to voice an opinion about how things should be run.
“Jonathan would have loved the idea of live entertainment as part of this.” Sarah looked around the table. “He also would have loved the way everyone’s pitching in to boost sales.” She winked at Tyler. “Even if we draft someone into service who’s supposed to be on vacation.”
“It’s not a problem,” Tyler said. “This is my cause, too, you know. If the ranch does well, then so much the better for my sister, Morgan, and the mystery kid.”
Sarah put down her fork. “So you still haven’t found out if she’s having a girl or a boy?”
“Nope. That has to be the most closely guarded secret in the universe.”
“I suppose I’ll just have to wait.” With a sigh of resignation, Sarah picked up her fork. “But I would really love to know, because…” She paused as her cell phone chimed. “Excuse me. That’s Gabe.” She left the table and walked out into the large dining room to take the call.
Mary Lou glanced over at Tyler. “You look mighty pretty this morning, like you belong on a country-music video or something.”
“Why, thank you.” Tyler’s expression warmed. “What a nice thing to say.”
Alex felt like a complete jerk. He’d been so busy controlling his reaction to her that he hadn’t paid her a single compliment. No wonder she’d been so prickly toward him. She’d probably expected him to say something.
Better late than never. “You do look great, Tyler. Fantastic.”
“Thanks.” Her protective barrier seemed to crack a little. “I asked Sarah if it was too over the top, but she seemed to think it wasn’t.”
“It’s not. It’s great.” He could kick himself for not saying anything when she’d first walked into the room.
Sarah returned, tucking her phone in her pocket as she came over to the table. Instead of sitting down, she picked up her plate and mug. “I’m going to drive out to Gabe’s.”
“Nothing’s wrong, I hope,” Mary Lou said.
“I’m sure everything’s fine. Morgan’s had a few mild contractions, which she’s convinced are Braxton Hicks, but Gabe wants me to stay with her so he can do the cutting-horse demonstration without worrying.”
“Probably it is Braxton Hicks.” Tyler shoved back her chair and stood. “But I—”
“Who’s Braxton Hicks?” Alex left his chair, too. He didn’t like the sound of this, for many reasons. “Have I met the guy? What’s he doing out at Morgan and Gabe’s house, anyway?”
Tyler glanced at him. “Braxton Hicks contractions are named after the doctor who identified them. Basically it’s false labor. I remember my mother having it with my little brother.”
“Oh. Well, then.” What he knew about childbirth could be written on the head of a pushpin.
“Anyway, I’d like to ride out with you, Sarah,” Tyler said. “If everything’s fine, Gabe can bring me back when he drives here.”
Sarah shook her head. “She specifically said you weren’t to come. She agreed I could sit with her, but she wants you to stay here and get ready for your gig.”
“But I can still get ready after I come back.”
Sarah came over and wrapped an arm around Tyler’s shoulders. “Look, I know she’s your sister and you want to make sure everything’s okay, but I promise to call if I need reinforcements. Morgan made it very clear she expects you to stay and sing your little heart out.”
Tyler hesitated. “I left my cell phone upstairs. Will you please wait to leave until after I’ve called her?”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“Thanks.” Tyler hurried from the room.
Alex didn’t realize he’d watched her go until Sarah spoke.
“She’s a beautiful girl, Alex. I can see why you’re smitten.”
He swung back to Sarah and opened his mouth to issue a denial, but her knowing smile stopped him. “I’ll get over it,” he said.
Mary Lou left the table and came over to join them. “You’re going to have to, I’m afraid. One look at that outfit of hers and I can see why she’s perfect for her job on the cruise ship.” She gazed up at Alex. “Have you ever been on one?”
“No.” Crystal had pestered him to go on a cruise, but he’d resisted because the ones she’d suggested looked like one big party to him.
“I have, about ten years ago, for the hell of it. The staff was a fun bunch, and I’m sure Tyler’s personality fits right in. She’s found her niche.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I have no intention of trying to change her mind about that, either. I—”
“Okay, I’m staying here,” Tyler announced as she came back into the kitchen. “You’re right that she’s adamant about that, and I don’t want to argue with a hormonal pregnant lady. I’m afraid if I go out there she’ll be so upset with me that she might go into real labor.”
“Wise decision.” Sarah patted her arm. “I promise to keep you informed, but I’m guessing it will be a quiet day out at Gabe’s. Maybe I’ll trick Morgan into telling me what she’s having.” She glanced over at Alex. “But promise that you or one of the boys will call and give me updates on how the sales are going.”
“You bet. Let’s hope your cell phone rings off the hook.”
“That would be wonderful. By the way, I rounded up some umbrellas and left them by the front door. Tyler, you should use one for sure when you go outside. I’d hate to see you ruin your outfit and your hair walking through the rain.”
“Thanks. I’ll grab one on the way out.”
“Okay, I’m off.” As Sarah left the kitchen, she narrowly missed bumping into Watkins, who came barreling in toting his guitar in a case.
His face was ruddy with excitement, but he took one look at Tyler and his smile sagged. He set down his guitar case with a thud. “Dang, Alex. I don’t have the clothes for this.”
Tyler looked crestfallen. “It’s too much, isn’t it? I was afraid of that, but I—”
“No, no,” Watkins said. “You’re beautiful in that outfit. Folks will love it. You look like a star. Whereas I’m just going to look like an old cowboy.”
“Which is exactly how you’re supposed to look, Watkins,” Mary Lou said. “Have you ever heard that expression ‘fade into the background’?”
Watkins smoothed his mustache with nervous fingers. “’Course I have.”
“That’s your job. Play a little guitar and fade into the background. You don’t want rhinestones flickering all over your buns, calling attention to yourself. Tyler’s the one they’re supposed to look at.”