The Last-Chance Maverick

“Date.” The word popped out of his mouth before he could think about it, but the dazzling smile of Vanessa’s was worth the white lie. “Nice to meet you, Tommy.”

The cowboy pushed up the brim of his hat and offered Jonah a long look before finally taking his outstretched hand. “Dalton,” he said. “You related to Anderson Dalton?”

“My cousin, why?”

“Just curious.” Tommy finished the handshake. “I’ve worked on the Daltons ranch for the last ten years or so.”

Okay, so maybe that’s why he looked familiar. “They’re a good outfit. Right up there with The Circle D.”

“You don’t work for your family’s ranch.”

It wasn’t a question. “No, I’m back in town to work on the renovation of the new resort.”

Tommy only responded with a nod of his head, and then turned his attention back to Vanessa. “So, how about a dance?”

“No, thanks. It’s getting a bit late.”

He glanced at his watch. “At ten o’clock? You and I have been out later than this, darling.”

Was it his imagination or did Vanessa just lean in a bit closer to him?

“Yes, but that’s all in the past now,” she said, her fingers playing with the numerous bracelets on her wrist. “And I think it’s time I head home.”

“We.” Jonah corrected her, again surprised when the word came out of his mouth. Not bothering to think as to why, or maybe he was just too tired, he drew her against his side and slid his hand around to cup her hip. “We’re heading home.”

They were?

Vanessa felt like a tennis ball, bouncing back and forth between Tommy and Jonah, but she never expected him to say that.

Heck, hearing him call himself her date had weakened her knees. Or was the sensation from how amazing it’d been to be in his arms as they danced? Or the way he held her right now?

“We are?” Her gaze collided with his for a second and she read understanding in Jonah’s dark hazel eyes. She turned back to Tommy and smiled. “Ah, yes, we are. So, I’ll—ah, we’ll see you later.”

With Jonah’s hand pressing against her back—oh boy, that felt good, too—she walked past Tommy and headed back to their table. Eli Dalton still sat there alone, but the bottles and glasses had multiplied, indicating he had company at some point while they were gone.

Jonah dropped his hand from her hip, putting some distance between them just before Eli looked their way. On purpose? Probably. A few dances and a few fibs to an ardent admirer didn’t make them a couple.

Far from it.

They were...coworkers, she guessed, for lack of a better description, from the many questions he had about the mural. Questions she didn’t have any answers to.

Yet.

But she would, she hoped.

She also hoped to get better acquainted with Jonah because she liked him. More so than any of the first dates (or seconds!) she’d gone on since coming to Rust Creek Falls. She’d been waiting for the right cowboy to come along. Could Jonah Dalton be the one?

“Hey, congratulations, Vanessa.” Eli said, toasting her with a raised beer. “You not only got my little brother on the dance floor, you managed to keep him out there. What’s your secret?”

She glanced at Jonah, already deciding she wasn’t going to share that he’d actually been the one who offered to stay for more than one song.

“I’m not sure.” She grabbed her glass, which was now just water as the ice had long melted. “Once he figured out I’m still a newbie at two-stepping I’m lucky he didn’t go off and leave me standing there.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

Jonah’s soft words caused her to look at him again. “I know that.”

He dropped her gaze, focusing on the table for a moment before looking up at his brother. “I guess all of this means you aren’t ready to head home? Or are you having a party of one?”

“The blondes returned. They’re on the dance floor now and no, I’m not ready to leave.” Eli tipped his head toward the poker table. “Besides, Derek’s still playing. I thought I’d stick around. You know, just in case.”

She wasn’t sure what he meant, but Jonah seemed to understand the message. “Any chance you can get a ride home from your new friends? I’m ready to get out of here.”

“I’ll take you.” Vanessa spoke before Eli could open his mouth. “I mean, that’s what we said...” Her voice trailed off for a moment. “We’re both heading back to the same place. You to the ranch house, me to the cabin. You are staying with your folks, right?”

“Oh, yeah, he’s staying at the big house.” Eli grinned.

“You okay to drive?” Jonah asked his brother.

Eli nodded. “This is my last one. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, then.” Jonah turned to her, picking up her sweater and holding it out in her direction. “I’m ready if you are.”

They said their goodbyes, but when Jonah started for the front entrance of the bar, she grabbed his hand and motioned toward the back. He followed and soon they were outside in the cool evening air. Cool enough that Vanessa stopped and tugged on her sweater, wishing she’d remembered her jacket, once again fighting with her jewelry after she managed to get it over her head.

“You must really like those.” Jonah said, pointing at her captured wrist.

“Yes, I do.” She freed her hand, shaking her wrist to enjoy the noise her precious collection made. She then tugged the ends of the sweater down over her hips. “Some are made of beads or crystals, but my favorites are the individual metal circles that expand when you press on them. Each holds an individual charm.”

Her favorite one, purchased during her and Adele’s last trip to New York City, caught her eye. She looked down at it, gently rubbing her thumb across the raised heart engraved there.

“Gifts from friends and family?”

“Some.” Vanessa blinked hard so the tears would be gone when she looked up at him. “A few I purchased myself. When I couldn’t resist one that caught my eye, especially while trolling the internet in the wee hours of the morning.”

Jonah seemed to be studying her and she was glad for the dark shadows in the parking lot. Digging out her keys from her pocket, Vanessa pointed toward the first row of vehicles. “I’m parked down in front. A perk of getting here early.”

She started across the gravel lot and Jonah fell into step next to her. The music and noise from the bar filtered out through the open windows reminding her again of the huge favor he’d done for her tonight.

“Thank you. For dancing with me...and everything else back there,” she said as they walked. “Hopefully Tommy was smart enough to pick up on the pretending we were doing.”