Dating the Cowboy Page 4

  “Woot.” She stood and wiggled her hips in a happy dance, the very idea sending shivers down her spine.

  Chapter Four

  Alice held out a sheath of papers to Crease over the desk. “Here are the first six male customers for you to work with. I’ve emailed them to be here tomorrow night at seven thirty for a briefing. So far only four have replied. I’ll let you know when the other two get back to me. I’m working on organizing the first ladies’ class now too.”

  “Excellent!” He grabbed them and flicked through the sheets, giving each one a quick perusal before placing them in the right slot in the filing cabinet. “Have you put their information into the database for me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Snap, snap,” they both replied together. They high-fived each other again, the joy of a well-thought-out plan coming together, so satisfying.

  “Let me at it, baby.” Crease powered up his computer, opened the document, and scrawled through the information Alice had brought up. “Wow. I can’t believe some of these answers.” He shook his head.

  “I know, right? It’s not a wonder some of these poor people are still single. Waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right to come along isn’t as easy as people think. I can’t even imagine the last time he knocked on someone’s door and announced himself.”

  “Truly sad. Just as well you and I are here to fix things.”

  “My biggest concern is that they won’t like what I’ve put together. I don’t know how many times I’ve been told I’m wrong about what I do.”

  Crease leaned back in his chair and stared across the desk at her. “I don’t know why you second-guess yourself. Nothing you come up with is wrong because it all comes from our clients themselves. Once I get them in a class and they can see we’re guiding them on the best way forward, it’ll all be okay. The last thing you should be is worried now. You weren’t second-guessing yourself when we were at college.”

  “Because this is your hometown. I didn’t have to prove myself then. It was just us and a bunch of our college friends.”

  “And you don’t have to here either. Just be you, Alice. Everyone will love you as much as I do when they get to know you.”

  A shadow crossed the window, and Crease sucked in a breath. “Keep a low profile. I think we have a hoverer at the door.” Alice peeked as Crease stood up and waved at the cowboy doing his best to not look inside.

  “Go get ’em, Crease.” Alice made a beeline for the conference room with her laptop tucked under her arm.

  “Hey, Nash. How nice to see you again. It’s been, what, five years since we last caught up? How are you?” He shook the hand of the man who had caused his brother Nate all the problems with his then new wife, Joy.

  Nash looked at his feet a minute before giving Crease a quick glance. “Crease. Yeah, it’s been a long time. Heard you were back in town to start up your own business.” He fidgeted and looked everywhere but at Crease.

  The guy was a nervous wreck. Crease had met his type before. With a small amount of encouragement, he’d come around. They always did when things started to go right. “And it’s good to be here. Come in for a coffee. You have five minutes to catch up with an old friend, don’t you?” Crease found it hard to hold a grudge when all he wanted was for people to be happy. Besides, none of that aggression had been aimed at him, so it wasn’t really his business as far as he was concerned.

  Nash glanced around uncomfortably. “Well, I guess. Just five minutes though. Don’t want to hold you up with, ah, work or anything.” He took his battered hat off and followed Crease inside the office.

  Crease shut the door behind him. “You’re not.”

  “Don’t want to go disturbing anything if you’re busy.”

  “You’re not,” Crease repeated as he smiled over his shoulder while he poured two cups of coffee. “Tell me, what’ve you been up to? Still working for your pa?”

  “Yeah. Not much has changed. He’s still a cranky old bastard but can’t do so much anymore. His arthritis is keeping him closer to the house most days, so me and Leroy get to run the ranch more the way we want to. He’s starting to lose the plot, and we’re thinking of getting him into a retirement home. Dementia, the doctor said. Reckon Pa needs the kind of in-house care I can’t do too good. But the ranch is doing okay. Cattle prices are high and our pastures are top notch this year.”

  “That’s a shame about your pa.” Crease leaned on the corner of his desk. “Have a seat, Nash. Glad to hear you’re doing okay though.” He sipped his coffee and bided his time.

  “Yeah. It’s a challenge, but I love the place still. His bad mood isn’t enough to make us want to leave.”

  “I get that. It’s a lovely ranch. I passed it when we came back into Marietta. Looking pretty good from the road. You must be proud of all the work you do there.”

  A grin spread over Nash’s face. Before Crease could say any more, the smile disappeared. “Listen, Crease. This business you have here.”

  “Strings Attached?”

  “Well, I was wondering. If it isn’t too much trouble. I mean…” The poor man was working himself up into knots.

  Crease put a hand on his shoulder. “Before you go too far, Nash, yes, of course I’ll help you if that’s what you want.”

  Nash’s shoulders slumped and his hand shook. He put the coffee down on the desk and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his face. “Gosh darn it. That was harder than castrating a herd of bulls.” A shuddering breath slipped from his lips. “Ain’t never asked for this kind of help before. Never thought I’d need to either.”

  Poor guy was terrified. Crease understood the feeling.

  “I know. I totally get it. It’s nerve-wracking to ask for help to find the person to spend the rest of your life with. It can be hard to know where to start. Heck, I remember only too well how embarrassed I was when I started asking girls for a date at college. Boy, did I luck out in a big way.” He’d been the laughingstock at campus. The hick cowboy who had no idea of etiquette. He’d stumbled around like a young calf trying to find its feet. They’d even found a name for him—Desperado. Lucky he was a quick learner.

  “How could that be? You’re young and handsome. Girls would be falling over themselves to date a guy as good-looking as you are.”

  Crease bent forward. “Let me tell you a secret. Girls aren’t looking for good-looking guys. They’re looking for more than that. They want commitment; they want to feel special. Looking good is merely window dressing, and it fades over time. They can see past that.”

  “Well, that’s a relief. I ain’t got much in the looks department.”

  “But you’re reliable, solid, a hard worker, and, if I’m not mistaken, would be a good provider for some lucky lady. That’s more important than looks any day, my friend.”

  “How do we go about this, then?”

  Crease took a printed form from the shelf against the wall and placed it in front of him. “First I need you to fill this out and I’ll have Alice do her side of things and find out what kind of lady you should be targeting so you don’t go wasting time on all the wrong women. Nothing more depressing than barking up the wrong tree. Take that as gospel from someone who knows.”

  Nash snorted his disbelief.

  “It’s true, believe me. Ask Alice one day and she’ll back me up. But back to you. I’ll coach you myself.”

  “What, like in front of other people?” The terror was back and Crease was face-to-face with his first challenge.

  Crease smiled. “I usually do groups of six at a time. It’s okay, Nash. We can work something out if that doesn’t suit you. I’m not sure exactly how flexible my calendar is going to be because signups are rolling in, but I’ll look after you. I don’t want you to worry about a thing.”

  Once the form was filled in, Crease told him some of the things he’d be covering and saw Nash out the door. He strode to the conference room where Alice worked on her laptop and slid the form in front of her. “And here’s another one. Thi
s guy might come across as a challenge, but I think we can work our magic for him. He has little faith in himself but really wants to find someone. Claims he’s not as young as he used to be and is running out of time to find his perfect partner.”

  “He’s come to the right place then.” She picked up the form and glanced at it. “Quiet type. Bit of a challenge, but that’s what we’re here for. I’ll work on it now if you like so you can help him. Leave it with me.”

  Crease smiled. “Thanks. You’re a wonderful person to be so understanding and putting him at the head of the queue when you have so many other forms to work on. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. I really can’t see him sitting in a class with a group of younger guys. Not his style at all.”

  “We’re here to make a difference, Crease. As much as I didn’t think a small town like this would give us much business, I’m glad I listened to you. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the turnout so far.”

  Crease mentally wiped his brow and thanked his lucky stars. If this business hadn’t had an impact on the town, he’d have stressed out trying to keep Alice from moving to her preferred city. No way he could’ve coped with that.

  “It couldn’t possibly fail with you doing what you do best, Alice.”

  *

  Alice looked up. “I heard you talking him through filling out the form. You’re a good man, Crease Hansen.”

  He smiled in the disarming way he had when he didn’t want to accept her praise. But Crease had always had a sense of selflessness that amazed her. When people taunted him in the beginning for his simple ways, he’d smile and say something kind to them. Before too long, those taunts turned into conversations everyone wanted to be a part of. His little snippets of wisdom were sought after and held close. Especially by those who’d had a hard day, a knock to their confidence, or a rejection from the opposite sex.

  Eventually, it had turned to matchmaking, and when the success stories had started rolling in, the business idea had taken flight and she’d been dragged along with him.

  “He’s a nice guy under that shy exterior. Lonely and desperate to meet someone. I’m afraid that’s not going to happen without our help though. He doesn’t understand that to find the woman of his dreams, he has to leave the ranch and meet people. The thought of joining a dating site terrifies him.”

  I can’t find Mr. Right, he doesn’t exist, and all the good men are taken. How many times had they heard that?

  “The biggest fallacy in romance. Love doesn’t come knocking on your door. You have to put some effort into finding it.” Alice leaned back in the chair and tapped her lips with a pen. “He might need some one-on-one training. I know we planned on doing group coaching only, but we can do that, can’t we? Be a shame for him to miss out, because listening to you talk, I can’t see him sitting in a room full of guys learning how to talk his way into a date. He doesn’t quite fit the mold. No point in knocking his confidence from the get-go.”

  Crease pulled out a chair opposite Alice and sat down. “Sure. I was actually thinking the same thing. Don’t see why we can’t so long as it’s not the same nights we have the group training. I promised I’d look after him somehow. He’s almost family in a way.”

  “Good. And no, long nights don’t suit you. Maybe fit him in during the day.”

  “No, Mother, they don’t.” He stretched his hands over his head then rubbed at his temples with his fingers. “Hey. Fancy chocolate for lunch?”

  Alice grinned and stood. Chocolate was her weakness and Crease knew it. “Sounds like a good idea. Can I choose?”

  “Sure. I told you Marietta has the best chocolate shop in the world and I promised to take you for a sample. Today seems perfect to me. It’s the real reason I wanted to come home, but don’t tell Sage that. I’d hate it to go to her head.”

  He feigned pain when she nudged him in the ribs. “Sure, Romeo.”

  Alice enjoyed the sun on her face as they strolled, arm in arm, down the main street. At the shop, Crease held the door for her. “After you, my chocolate lover.”

  Alice giggled as she tumbled inside the store and was immediately hit with the overpowering smell of chocolate. Her taste buds stood to attention and her brain went into hoarding mode. How much could she purchase without looking as though she had a problem? She mewled and hurried to the glass display counter. So many chocolates to choose from. How was she ever going to pick just one? And they were all so prettily displayed too.

  “Well, if it isn’t the lovebirds.” A woman dressed in jeans with a white apron over the top came from behind the counter and wrapped her arms around Crease, giving him a big hug. “Welcome home, stranger.”

  “Sage. How lovely to see you. I missed you last night.” He gave her a big hug, then held her back and looked into her face. “What happened?”

  “I’d loved to have come to the grand opening and I planned to, but to be honest, I was up to my neck in chocolate and couldn’t spare the time. Trade has been so good I have to work extra hours.” She raised her eyebrows in Alice’s direction.

  Alice stepped forward, used to the inquisitive glances from the folk of Marietta after two days in town. “Hi. I’m Alice, Crease’s business partner. Lovely to meet you.”

  Sage smiled. “I’ve heard all about you two. Congratulations on the business and the relationship.”

  Crease winked at Alice and she held out her hand to him, mindful of their pact. “Thank you so much. It’s delightful to be here among all of Crease’s family and friends. He’s told me so much about all of you, haven’t you, my darling man?” Alice stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, draping her arm around his waist. “But forget about us. Tell me about your chocolate. I’m in heaven here if you couldn’t tell.” It was hard not to drool at the sight before her. “I want to taste it all eventually. Every delectable, mouthwatering piece.”

  Sage smiled and stepped back from the counter so Alice could see the range. “Everything is handmade, by me.” She swept her hand across the glass showcases. “I try to bring a new recipe in every week or so, but it doesn’t always happen. Depends on the demand for my other chocolates.”

  “I need a chocolate fix. Can I try some samples?” Her taste buds were dancing with anticipation.

  “Sure. Tell me what you like for a start. Dark or milk?”

  “Dark. Always dark chocolate for me.”

  “Soft centers or hard?”

  “Either, so long as chocolate is involved.”

  Sage took out some samples and waited while Alice tried them. The flavors that melted on her tongue were amazing. She nibbled her way through almost a dozen before she held up her hand. “Oh, my goodness. I’m going into a chocolate coma soon. Crease, have you tried these?”

  “Of course I have. Why do you think I promised you chocolate to come to Marietta?”

  Alice made a face at him. “You’re so lucky I love you more than chocolate, but after this, I may have to rethink that. What should we get? It’s so hard to choose.”

  “If I may suggest something?” Sage offered. “Why not take a mixed box, a little of everything?”

  “Make it a big one then, please.”

  “And throw in a bag of caramels, Sage. Alice goes nuts over caramels. If she had to choose just one, they would be it.”

  Alice snuggled into him. He knew her so well.

  “The first time I asked her out on a date was when we discovered a little shop that sold dark caramels near campus. She went nuts over it. It wasn’t as big a business as this shop and sold a heap of other things, but she was in heaven all the same. I thought I was onto a winner and figured, how could she resist me when I take her to all the best places?”

  Sage grinned. “Was that the start of you two as a couple?”

  Crease laughed. “No. She turned me down. A long list of rejections I’m only just getting over. She did let me walk her back to that shop though on a regular basis, I might add.”

  “Wow. You must have made an impression eventually because here yo
u are. Two of the cutest people I’ve seen in ages.”

  Alice’s skin heated under Sage’s gaze. Sage had a dreamy look on her face as she stared at the two of them. Eventually, she boxed up the chocolates and handed them over, taking Crease’s credit card to pay for the purchase after insisting on a sizeable discount for friends. This playing-it-up-for-the-locals spiel seemed too easy.

  Back at the office an hour later with a chocolate haze taking over, she unwrapped yet another caramel delight and chewed on it with as much gusto as she had the first one. “Gosh, these are to die for. So, how did I do?”

  Crease laughed at her. “Sorry, don’t understand chocolate. Chew that and then repeat the question.”

  She kicked him under the table. “You understood every single word or you wouldn’t know it was a question.” She threw a chocolate at him and caught him on the chin. He reached for it and tossed it back and forth in his hands.

  “I think you did great. She believes we’re a couple and so did everyone else that came in the shop while you were munching your way through the whole lineup.” He unwrapped his chocolate and inspected it before jamming it in his mouth. “Good idea putting that signup sheet online and telling everyone. There’s some pretty private people around who wouldn’t want to be caught dead using our services. It was nice of Sage to take a handful of business cards too.”

  “That’s what you pay me for.”

  “Brains, beauty, and wit. Don’t forget those. They’re what makes you so special.”

  The door slammed, making both jump. They were so busy eating that neither of them had heard the door open. “Aww, you guys are so sweet. You’re perfect together.” Sadie waltzed over to their desks, leaned over, and snaffled a chocolate for herself. “I see you’ve discovered Sage’s shop, Alice.”

  “Crease got me to move here with the promise of chocolate. It’s just that he took longer to get me to the shop than I had hoped. Now I have to make up for lost time.” Alice licked a spot of chocolate off her fingers. “Would it be greedy to take another one?”