Stud in Texas (Rugged and Risque 4)

Reese roped her attention once again. “I’m just getting started, sugar.”

“’Course you are,” Sky said with a snicker. “But maybe we can get back to the issue at hand—this very lovely structure I’m gazing at.”

The veranda of the Painted Horse Ranch & Inn was dove-gray against the crisp white of the colonial-style building that boasted arched windows with black trim and intricately designed pillars. A stately though inviting establishment.

“Pretty, isn’t it?” Reese led her into the spacious lobby of the inn, covered with a polished hardwood floor and sophisticated furnishings.

A grand staircase served as a focal point, along with a beautifully designed reception desk. A library that doubled as a lounge and board-game room sat off to the right. Reese guided them to the left, into the open and elegant dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased the manicured grounds.

Due north, Wilder Lake sprawled as far as the eye could see. A redwood deck with tables, chairs and umbrellas—as well as an enormous stainless-steel grill with multiple side burners—overlooked the lush event lawn. A carpet of vibrant green ran down to the water, the grass edged by full, colorful trees.

“That is one hell of a view,” Sky said.

“Isn’t it gorgeous? I fell instantly in love with the whole property. This building was supposed to be a house for a large family that never moved in. Caleb didn’t need all this space for just himself, so I came up with the idea of turning it into an inn.”

“Brilliant. It’s classy, but very warm and appealing. You’ve done a great job, Reese.”

“Thank you, thank you. I’m damn pleased myself.”

They entered the industrial kitchen and Sky whistled under her breath. “Some setup you’ve got here.” The chef station gave way to a prep area on one side of the room; a dishwashing station was tucked into the other side. Reese made a grand gesture toward the dessert station, farther back.

“All yours,” she said with a smug look on her face.

Sky eyed the U-shaped workspace, immaculate and tidy, with all manner of equipment and accessories for pastry making.

A hint of anxiety crept in on her. “I’m not so sure this is a good idea.”

“Of course it is.”

“Reese, I really don’t have much experience with desserts.”

“But you have a whole box full of recipes your mama left you. That’s why you started baking in the first place.”

“Yes, but again… My specialty is cakes.”

She shrugged. “So dazzle everyone with cakes to start, and then venture into other types of desserts. Really, Sky, this isn’t the Plaza Hotel. And besides, we just opened. We’re not all that busy right now. I mean, we’ve got private events scheduled—and Liza is our party planner. Plus, Caleb has his hands full with the medical facility for the horses on the west side of the property, and Sam manages the stable and corrals on the east side. But until we have a larger marketing outreach and word-of-mouth referrals, the inn is a work in progress.”

“Hmm. That doesn’t sound too bad. As a dessert chef, I’m a work in progress.”

“So you see? This is the perfect arrangement.” Reese smiled brightly. As in case closed brightly. Clearly, there was no discouraging her.

She introduced Sky to Kathy the sous chef, Marc the prep cook and David the dishwasher—along with the two servers on duty that afternoon.

“Oh my God!” The petite blonde server, Abby, gasped. “You’re the Sky Travis. I’ve seen your movie and I have your CD. You are so great!”

Heat tinged her cheeks. She didn’t like people making a fuss over her, but graciously said, “Thank you.”

“Why didn’t you make another film?”

Sky winced. Patrick Swayze had passed before they’d even taped a single scene on what would have been Sky’s second movie. She’d been devastated, given that Patrick had been iconic to her. She’d known he had cancer, of course. But he’d been valiantly fighting it when he’d agreed to the project. In fact, he’d looked good when she’d met with him the first time. She’d really believed that if anyone could kick the illness into remission, it’d be him.

Sky’s heart had broken when she’d heard the news of his death, because she was such a huge fan. The studio had immediately started searching for a replacement, but Sky couldn’t bring herself to make the movie with another leading man when she’d been so over-the-moon excited to film with her hero. She’d been only days away from signing the contract when he died, and she’d decided to walk away from the deal and leave Hollywood with just one movie under her belt—the one she’d starred in with Silver Monroe.

Shaking her head, she told Abby, “Just didn’t feel right. Acting’s not my true calling.”

“But you won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress.” Abby pulled a small piece of paper from her server’s book and thrust it and a pen at Sky. “Can I have your autograph? My friends back in Tulsa will never believe I met you.” To Reese, she added, “Wait ’til people hear Sky Travis is whipping up decadent desserts at the inn—we’ll be packed!”

Decadent desserts? Oh holy hell.