Daring Dreamer: Quinn Valley Ranch Book 7 Read online

  “I don’t need lipstick, and you certainly don’t need a beard. Maybe you can be my beard, and I’ll be your lipstick . . .”

  She nodded. “That works for me. We’ll do that, and we’ll have fun doing it.”

  He left after that, and Sam joined her in the kitchen. “Did I just hear what I thought I heard? Are you and Chad really going to date?” The excitement in Sam’s eyes was very real.

  “Nah. Were going to pretend to date so we don’t have to deal with family members. No biggie.”

  “Are you sure? I remember you used to watch him when we were younger. You thought he was cute.”

  “He was cute.” Renae wiped off the pot she’d just washed and put it away. “You thought Bobling was cute!”

  “Well, other than that ridiculous name of his.”

  Renae shrugged. “What else are we supposed to call him? Bob Jr.? That would be worse than Bobling!”

  “In what universe?” Sam asked. “You really have always been odd, Renae.”

  “That’s what you love about me. Now hush and help me get this kitchen clean. I want to go home.”

  Chapter Two

  Renae had to work all day on New Years’ Eve, but she was home by six. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting of her night out with Chad, but hopefully they could at least get to know one another well enough that they would be able to fake having a relationship on Tuesday when they were with her family.

  He was punctual, arriving exactly at seven, and she was dressed in a sparkly red dress that felt like New Years’ Eve to her. She was putting on her shoes as she opened the door, wondering if she was making a mistake wearing heels. It was more than a little icy out, because it had gotten up to thirty-four that day, and a lot of the snow from Saturday’s snowfall had already melted. Then it refroze as it got later in the day. Now it was one big icy mess outside. And it was supposed to snow later.

  “Are you ready?” he asked, eyeing her shoes.

  “Yup. I just need to get my coat.”

  “Are you sure about wearing heels? I slipped twice on my way in. We wouldn’t want to ruin your cousin’s holiday by making her set your ankle after you broke it.”

  She looked down at her feet. “I was wondering the same thing. I have a pair of long boots I can wear, but they won’t look nearly as good with my dress . . .”

  “I’d rather you were in one piece than you were stylish. I don’t want to have to carry you everywhere.”

  “Are you saying I’m too heavy to carry?” Renae asked, putting one hand on her hip and glaring at him.

  “Not at all. I could carry you with no problem. But it is icy, and I would fall, and I’d land on you, and you’d break even more bones than if I let you just walk. No, I think it would be best if you changed into your boots.”

  She sighed. “Fine. We both know I’m going to land on my butt sometime during the night anyway.”

  “Are you really that klutzy?” he asked.

  “My mama didn’t name me Grace for a reason. There’s not a thing that’s graceful about me. I was in dance lessons when I was a little girl, but after my first recital, when I tripped, and caused a domino effect, knocking six girls off the stage, my mother was asked not to bring me back.”

  He bit back a laugh. “Is that really what happened?”

  “You saw me land on my backside in the snow the other day. What do you think?”

  “I’m afraid to think about it at all.”

  She hurried to her coat closet and pulled out her boots, sitting on the couch to change from her heels to the safer foot attire. “Come in and shut the door. It’s going to take a minute for me to get these things on.” She hated wearing boots. They always reminded her of recess in elementary school, when they’d had to sit on the floor and change from their regular shoes to boots before going outside to play.

  He closed the door behind him and leaned against it. Already she amused him. She may think of him as her beard—or lipstick as the case may be—but he was already thinking of her as more. Tonight would be their first kiss. At least, he was planning for a kiss. He’d convince her that they needed to try kissing to be comfortable with each other around her family. He’d been practicing his argument for two days. “So what happens at the pub on New Years’ Eve?”

  “Oh, the same things that usually happen. There will be a live band and lots of dancing. Fabulous food. It’ll be packed, and we’ll have fun.”

  “Do you go every year?”

  She nodded. “Last year all of my sisters and I went together. This year, Roxie is married, and she’ll go with Ciran. The others asked me to go with them, but they asked too late. I already had plans with you. I told them I had a hot date, so you better act like you’re really into me.”

  He grinned. “I think I can manage that.”

  “Good. I wouldn’t want to lose face with my sisters. They’re already a pain in my butt.”

  “What about Bobling?” Her older brother had been in high school at the same time he was. He remembered him well.

  “Oh, he’s in the Marines. We haven’t seen him around a holiday in years. He’s supposed to get out next year, but he keeps renewing. I hope he actually comes home this time. We miss him.”

  “He’s a good guy. We were on the football team together. I had no idea he was a jarhead.”

  “Yeah, he joined up right after high school, and we’ve barely seen him since.” Renae got to her feet, glad he’d talked her into her boots. She felt on more solid footing in them. Heels were sometimes a disaster for her even in the summer.

  “You ready now?” he asked, amused at how much shorter she suddenly was. Her heels had added a few inches to her diminutive height.

  “I think so. Let me get my coat and purse. I told Ryder to save us a table.”

  “Good. I passed the pub on the way here, and the parking lot was packed. I’m glad we won’t be standing all night.”

  “Well, there’ll be dancing, so you could have danced with me, and we could forget we wanted a table. A real boyfriend would want to hold me close, you know.” She locked the door and followed him to his truck. “How long have you been back in town?”

  “Just a month. I’m surprised Sam didn’t tell you.”

  “Sam and I haven’t gotten together for our weekly lunch in a while. Since Joe started doing long hauls, she’s had less time for girl stuff.”

  He frowned at that. “I had no idea. She could leave Ricky with me once a week, so you guys could have your lunches.”

  “I’ll tell her you said so. Don’t think you can back out now!”

  “I wouldn’t. I know how much you two treasure your girl time. I used to hear your giggles through the walls.”

  Renae smiled. “I’ve never had a friend I could communicate with quite like Sam. We think alike.”

  “I can see that.” He watched her try to climb into the truck, but her skirt was just a bit too tight. She edged the hem up, and then climbed in, and if she hadn’t grabbed the handle, she would have fallen. “You’re going to break yourself, and everyone is going to blame me.”

  She grinned at him. “No one will blame you. They’ll just say that I pulled a Renae. Trust me. No one expects me to arrive anywhere with no scrapes or bruises.”

  He sighed. “I feel like I need to wrap you in bubble wrap to make sure you don’t die while you’re under my watch.”

  “Under your watch? I’m not a little girl anymore, Chad. I can handle myself.” He mumbled under his breath something about handling her, and she made a face. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

  “Let’s just go to the pub. I hope Ryder remembered your table request.”

  He drove the short distance to the pub, and they got out. He held the door for her as she walked in, his hand carefully under her elbow. “The floor may be wet. Be careful.”

  There was a laugh, and Renae turned to her cousin Ivy, making a face. “Are you laughing at me?”

  “Nope. Just laughing at how well he knows you.
How long have you been dating? Like a day?”

  “I’m not feeling a whole lot of love for you at the moment, Ivy.”

  “That’s okay. I feel love for you!” Ivy grinned and led them to a table. “Ryder’s been saving this for you, but if you’d gotten here five minutes later, I’d have given it away. We’re slammed tonight.”

  “It looks like a good party to me,” Renae said. “Do you know Chad? He’s my friend Sam’s big brother, and he just got out of the Army and came home.”

  Ivy nodded. “I’ve seen him around town.”

  Chad smiled. “Thanks for saving us a table.”

  “No problem. What are you drinking?”

  “Shirley Temple for me. Make sure to put an umbrella in it, so it looks extra festive,” Renae said with a smile.

  “I knew that.” Ivy rolled her eyes. She’d always been amused by Renae’s drink choices.

  “That sounds good to me, too,” Chad said.

  “A match made in heaven,” Ivy mumbled as she walked away.

  “I think I just got the cousin treatment,” Chad said to Renae.

  “Oh, trust me. You did. We’re family, so all is good.” She looked down at her menu, trying to decide what she wanted. “Did you notice what the special was when we came in?”

  He shook his head. “Nope, we’ll have to ask Ivy when she comes back.”

  After they’d ordered, Riley and Raina came over to the table. “Hey, Renae,” Riley said, making it clear she was there for an introduction by making a strange face.

  Renae sighed. “Riley, Raina, this is Chad. He just got out of the Army.”

  “Oh, it’s good to meet you, Chad. I knew there had to be someone pretty handsome around if he was keeping Renae away from her favorite sisters,” Raina said with a grin.

  “Yeah, that’s me. Handsome Chad. I’m the best-looking horse trainer in town.”

  Renae wiggled her eyebrows. “And the best kisser, too.”

  “Oh?” Riley asked. “Maybe I’ll stand next to him at midnight.”

  “Nope. He’s all mine.” Renae made a shooing motion with her hand. “Go find men of your own. I’m on a date.”

  Raina made a hurt sound. “Do you believe she just said that to us? Our own sister!”

  “I guess you’re going to have to be my date for tonight,” Riley said. “Just don’t expect a kiss at midnight, because you’re not my type.” With those words, she spun on her heel and walked away.

  “My sisters are brain-damaged. I’m sure you noticed, but just in case you didn’t, I thought you should know.” Renae watched her two sisters walk away, glad to see the back of them.

  He laughed. “They seem a little bit special to me.”

  “Very special.” She took a sip of her drink. “I have to work with them!”

  “I don’t even know what you do!” He shook his head. “We’re supposed to be learning about each other tonight.”

  “I’m a foot zoner.”

  “What exactly does that mean?” he asked. “I’ve never even heard of that.”

  “Foot zoning is a more complete form of reflexology. I basically rub different parts of the feet to keep a person’s body working properly. Make sense?”

  He shrugged. “Not particularly.”

  “Think of it as a foot massage with a purpose.”

  “I could use a foot massage.”

  She sighed. “I knew that was coming. I just knew it.”

  Ivy rushed by and said, “Food will be ready in a few. I’ll get you both refills,” and then she was off again. The place was hopping. Normally Renae would feel like she should get up and help a little, but not tonight. She was there with a date after all.

  Roxie and Ciran were the next to come by. “Hey you,” Ciran said. “How’s my favorite sister-in-law?”

  “I bet you just said the same thing to Riley and Raina,” Renae said with a frown. “Stop trying to butter me up.”

  Roxie ignored her sister. “Chad, right? I think you were a senior when I was a freshman.”

  Chad nodded. “I think so. You look familiar.”

  “I’m Roxie. This is my husband Ciran.”

  “I know Ciran. He was on the football team.”

  Ciran nodded, shaking hands with Chad. “I knew you were familiar. It’s been a long time.”

  “Yeah, I just got out of the Army.” Chad felt like he’d said the same thing a dozen times since returning to Quinn Valley. It was like his whole identity was now wrapped up in being a former soldier.

  “Did you see action?” Ciran asked.

  Chad nodded. “Afghanistan. And no, I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “I can understand that. I had several friends who were stationed there, and the stories I’ve heard aren’t pleasant.” Ciran held his hand out. “Thank you for your service.”

  Chad nodded. It always felt good when someone said that to him. It reminded him that the hell he’d been through overseas had truly made a difference to the country he loved. “So what have you done since high school?” he asked, determined to change the subject.

  Ciran grinned. “I went to college and law school, worked for one of the most prestigious defense firms in all of Texas, and now I own a taco truck.”

  Chad laughed. “Sounds like you have some stories, too. We’ll have to find some time to talk.”

  “Are you going to Grandma’s tomorrow?” Roxie asked. “You could always talk then.”

  “That seems to be the plan. I’m a little nervous about being the new guy on the block, but I’ll be there.”

  “Nothing to be nervous about,” Ciran said. “It’ll just be the whole family looking you over and trying to decide if you’re good enough for one of the Quinn granddaughters. No big deal.”

  “Thanks, man. I see you have my back,” Chad said, shaking his head at Ciran. “I can’t quite remember why I used to like you . . .”

  Ciran laughed. “On that note, I think we’ll vamoose. I need to dance with my wife.”

  Chad watched them walk away, before looking over at Renae. “Do you dance as well as you walk?”

  “Yup. I’m a real dynamo on the dance floor. I can slow dance with the best of them, but when it comes to the faster stuff, I tend to trip over my own two feet. Remember how I told you about the domino reaction at that dance recital?”

  He nodded, his eyes getting big. “Yeah?”

  “Think of dominoes and me when you think of fast dancing.”

  “All right. Slow dancing it is.” He shook his head. “What can I expect at your grandmother’s tomorrow?”

  “Food. Lots and lots of food. And if the snow is wet enough, we do snow sculptures. If not, we’ll divide into teams and play some sort of board game.”

  “Not Twister, I hope!” His face was filled with mock horror.

  “Oh, please. They threw the game away after the first time I played. It was . . . well, it was bad.”

  “You’re not going to hurt me, are you?” he asked, sounding a little nervous.

  There was a laugh from beside the table. Her cousin Brooke and her boyfriend Jared stood there, and Brooke was grinning. “You have her number already.”

  “Hey, Dr. Quinn.”

  “Hi, Chad. I didn’t know you were dating my cousin.”

  “Every third person in town is your cousin. Who else would I date?”

  Brooke laughed. “Fair enough! See you tomorrow!”

  Ivy came back then with their food, and Brooke and Jared made themselves scarce. “Thanks, Ivy,” Renae said, pulling her plate toward her. “I’m starving.”

  “I’ll be back to check on you in a minute. Anything else for right now?”

  “Extra napkins?” Renae asked, knowing she’d need them.

  Chad said nothing as he hid his grin. Renae was something else. He couldn’t believe he was just getting to know her now.

  “Be right back.” Ivy hurried off to get them, seeming to think it was an emergency.

  “So who all goes to the thing at your grand
ma’s house? All of your cousins? Or just a few?”

  “Oh, everyone has to go. All of the cousins who live in the area for every holiday. I hope the snow is packable, because we don’t want to be cooped up in the house with all those crazy people. It’s always best if we can spread out a little more.”

  He shook his head. “Your family is like Quinn Valley royalty. Everyone is always thinking about how they wish they were part of it, and there you are, talking like it’s the craziest bunch of people on earth.”

  “Doesn’t everyone think their family is crazy?”

  He thought about that for a moment before nodding. “Fair point.”

  As soon as they finished eating, he took her hand. “We’re going to dance, and you are not going to trample all over my feet.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that . . .”

  He grinned. “Then I’ll look forward to it.” He led her to the dance floor, happy that it was a slow song, and pulled her into his arms. She felt right to him. Until she stomped on his foot the first time. “Ow. Maybe dancing wasn’t a great idea.”

  “I warned you . . .” Renae wasn’t going to apologize for her terrible dancing skills when he’d been told all about them.

  “Would your family make fun of you if I stopped dancing with you and took you back to the table?”

  “Oh, yeah. It’s all I’d hear about all day tomorrow.”

  “Then you may trample all over my feet as much as you need to.” He grimaced. “Not so hard!”

  She giggled. “I’m doing my best.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.” He pulled her even closer, hoping that would help her follow his lead better. “Just so you know, I’m going to kiss you at midnight.”

  “That’ll be good practice. It’ll make us more comfortable together at Grandma’s if I’m not constantly wondering what it would be like to kiss you.” Her eyes went to his lips, and she found herself wondering right there and then.

  “Meaning you’re wondering that now?” Chad asked.

  “Well, of course. You have your arms around me. We just had a lovely dinner with minimal familial interruptions. Why wouldn’t I be wondering about kissing?”

  “Wonder no more.” He slowly lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers lightly. “Now you know.”