I have the photos, but apparently not the essay, she fibbed, carefully extracting the four-by-six photos taped to a blank page. She passed it to Mack, and watched both kids sigh in relief.
Mack studied the top two prints dispassionately. He cringed when he got to the one at the bottomthe one Zoey had taken of him in the bathroom.
J.J. noticed a crimson blush rising up his neck and staining his tanned cheeks. He tugged on one ear, and she recognized it as an old habit of his, especially prevalent whenever he felt uncomfortable. She used to consider it an endearing trait in a guy who was tough in other ways. Her veneer of disinterest started to crack. Perhaps Mack wasnt so changed from the man shed once known and loved, after all.
His color still high, Mack handed back the photos. I cant pretend to have a clue why Zoey pulled this little stunt. Im a rancher, not a male model, for Gods sake. Zoey, you said you planned to take photography in junior high next year. If thats true, I cant imagine your teacher approving of a student doing this. He stabbed a finger at the pictures J.J. was busily tucking away.
Brandy was the one to answer. The fact that Zoeys photographs were good enough for New York magazine people will impress teachers, Mr. B. She grinned while Zoey only looked more uncomfortable.
J.J. was beginning to find the whole thing amusing, since Mack didnt see himself as hot the way Her Own Womans staff did.
J.J. didnt like the contest, either, but for now she would keep the girls secret, mostly because she liked seeing Mack stew over his decision. Clearly he loved Zoey and didnt want to disappoint her. How could J.J. not give the guy points for that?
Mack checked his watch. Again he frowned in obvious frustration. Bug, uh, Zoey, I wish you kids had talked to me before you did any of this. But if you entered me hoping to earn money for my charity, I guess your hearts were in the right place.
Zoey hunched into her shirt collar. Im sorry. We didnt think youd totally hate it if you won. I thought it was cool that the magazine picks a reader to bring your check. I thought youd like a nice woman to go out to dinner with.
But why not enter some young guy like Trevor? Mack asked, referring to the younger of his ranch hands.
I heard Moms cooking club talking about the contest, Brandy admitted. You sponsor the charity, Mr. B., so youre the one who needs to be in the magazine. Last year our class collected stuff like toothpaste and deodorant to send to soldiers. The teachers talked about how you give money to build homes for hurt veterans, so Zoey and me wanted to help get you more money.
J.J. saw Brandy dig her elbow in Zoeys side, which prompted that girl to nod vigorously. Yeah, she agreed, her big hazel eyes still glossy with tears.
J.J. rolled her own eyes as she listened, sure Mack was being manipulated. The girls were cute as could be, but what a pair. She saw Mack begin to cave and wondered if the kids knew to quit digging themselves a deeper hole when they might be winning.
Hmm. So, its only a one-time story in your magazine, right? Macks eyes bored into J.J.
She could lay out his daughters real reason for sending the essay and scare him off, or she could give the girls a break. Shed probably come to regret this later, but she elected to play along for Zoeys sake. One time, yes. Each monthly winner gets a four-page spread in the center of the magazine. Yours is slated for our August issue, with a follow-up on the check presentation the next month. I can give you our web address if youd like to see the other men weve worked with. Basically I interview you and write an article about your life, your work and your charity. Well include photos of you on a horse and with your cattle, like the pictures Zoey provided, but professional. She shrugged, figuring hed bolt for sure if she said readers specifically liked beefcake.
Well, about the photos Zoey took... He scowled. Just so its clear...I dont usually work around the ranch without my shirt on.
So, are you gonna do it, Daddy? Zoey asked, hope creeping into her voice.
Mack was still teetering. He didnt want Jill Walker here. He certainly didnt want her poking in his life. He didnt want her following him around the ranch. But, dammit, neither did he want her to go before he had a chance to ask why shed dumped him so unceremoniously when he thought theyd settled on a life together. Not that it mattered after all these years. Common sense said Jill wouldnt be straight with him, anyway. But his common sense fled as he faced her. She still had the power to ignite ripples of desire no other woman had sparked in more years than he could count.
All right, he said with a sigh. Ill agree because the girls already did what they did, and because your magazine shelled out some bucks to send you here. So Ill go along with it, Jillyuh, J.J.
Zoey and Brandy discreetly bumped elbows, a move so practiced that J.J. guessed it held special meaning for the friends.
J.J. separated another page from her folder. First things first. Sign and date this release giving me permission to proceed. Ill scoot on out to the ranch for a few tests with my light meter while you check on Erma. This shouldnt take more than a few hours to wind up.
Nodding, Mack ran a thumb over his lips before he took the pen she held out to him. He scribbled his name where J.J. indicated. As he jotted todays date he was starkly reminded of how many years had passed since this beautiful woman had hurt him so badly. He needed to keep his distance and be vigilant about not letting her hurt him again. Him or Zoey. Mack recognized hero worship in both girls eyes, and he was already regretting his decision.
Shouldnt Ms. J.J. ride with us so she can find our place? Zoey asked, sunny again.
My rental car has a GPS system, Zoey. I left it at the motel, but Ill be fine on my own, J.J. said.
Macks cell rang and he excused himself, turning his back as he took the call. They all saw him massage his neck and heard his tense voice, so their chatter ceased. J.J. was afraid it was bad news about Erma. Instead, he exclaimed, Trudy, this is a surprise....Uh, Ermas still in the E.R. How did you hear about her accident so quickly?...Its kind of you to, uh, want to rush to the ranch to help out....Really, theres no need. Thanks, though....Hey, sorry to cut you off, but Im heading to the clinic for a verdict on Erma. He closed his phone, straightened and turned in time to see Zoey and Brandy making ugly faces.
Girls! Thats rude. Erma might have a few things to say about Ms. Thorne, but she has a good heart and was just being neighborly.
J.J. alone caught the mock gags the girls exchanged, because Mack had dug out his keys, dropped them and had leaned down to retrieve them. On rising, he motioned the girls toward a big, black, extended cab pickup. J.J. had already guessed it belonged to him based on the chrome cowcatcher bolted to the front bumper.
Zoey stopped, looked back and waved shyly. See you, Ms. J.J. I like your boots a lot, she added. I hope you dont mess them up tramping around our ranch. We have a lot of dirt.
J.J. smiled. Please, girls, call me J.J. without the Ms. She cast a glance at Mack and interrupted him in the act of checking her out from head to toe. She felt her cheeks grow hot. Her boots were fashionable, with high heels, but they were black leather and should wipe free of dust easily. I can wait and photograph you with your cattle tomorrow. I brought sneakers and a sturdier pair of boots for navigating around cow patties, she said, flashing him an exaggerated smile.