âI suppose being spoiled by a man is nice,â Mellie said.
She held Caseâs probing stare. âBut most women I know want to take care of themselves.â
For the first time, she saw a shadow of cynicism on his face.
Mellie stood abruptly, feeling out of her depth and alarmingly sympathetic toward the man whoâd been born and reared with every possible advantage. âI really do have to get busy.â
Case unfolded that long, lean body and joined her at the dishwasher, his hands brushing hers as he put his plate alongside her cup. âIs your boss such a slave driver?â he muttered.
They were almost in an embrace, the counter at her back and one big, contrary cowboy planted in front of her. âIâm the boss, Case. And I donât need to be spoiled. If I want to fly to Paris this weekend, Iâll buy my own damned ticket.â
His gaze settled on her lips. For one heart-thumping second she knew he was going to kiss her. âYou just told me Iâm not your boss. Weâre here as equals, Mellie. So I guess whatever happens, happens.â
* * *
Courting the Cowboy Boss is part of the Texas Cattlemanâs Club: Lies and Lullabies seriesâBaby secrets and a scheming sheikh rock Royal, Texas!
One
âTo our new president!â
Three of the four men at the table lifted their glasses in a semicongratulatory toast. Case Baxter, the object of their wry tribute, shook his head and grinned. âThanks, guys. Youâre all heart.â
Mac McCallum finished off the last bite of his Angus burger and wiped his mouth with a linen napkin. âSeriously, man. What were you thinking? Youâre like all the rest of us...up to your ears in work. Adding president of the Texas Cattlemanâs Club to your résumé means more headaches.â
Mac was CEO of McCallum Energy...and understood as much as anybody that success was a double-edged sword. Even so, with his big laugh and extrovert ways, he always seemed laid-back and easygoing.
Though the formal dining room at the Texas Cattlemanâs Club was an elegant venue, the majority of the diners were men like Mac and Case. Tough, honed by physical labor, perpetually tanned by the hot Texas sun. And wealthy...wealthy enough to think they had the world on a string.
Case shrugged. âI know what youâre saying. And youâre right. But when the committee asked to put my name on the ballot, I could hear my great-grandfather cheering from the grave. Itâs an honor. And a privilege.â
His companions hooted with laughter. Jeff Hartley wiped his eyes. âOf course it is. No denying that. But unless you have some magic formula for adding an extra eight or ten hours to every day, Iâm not exactly sure how youâre going to manage.â Jeff owned and operated the Hartley Cattle Ranch. He knew more than a little about hard work and long days.
Case had an ominous feeling in his gut that said his buddies were right. The truth was, though, Caseâs family had lived in Royal for generations. They believed in tradition, honor and service. He hadnât been able to bring himself to say no to the nomination. Then again, he hadnât expected to be elected. The other two candidates were older and, as far as Case was concerned, more suited for the position.
But now it was too late for second thoughts. âIâm counting on the three of you to be my unofficial advisors.â
Parker Reese leaned back in his chair. âDonât look at me. Iâm a doctor, not a rancher. I can get your baby through colic, but all I know about cattle is not to wave a red flag in front of a bull.â
In the general laughter that followed, Case spared a moment to marvel at how things had changed. Not long ago, women had finally been admitted into the hallowed halls of the club as full members.
Times, they were a-changinâ...
Case looked at Mac with a lifted brow. âI thought Logan was joining us for lunch.â Logan Wade was Macâs best friend and one of his key investors.
âHe bought three new horses last week,â Mac said, âand theyâre being delivered today. You know how he is.â