Hollow is a special place,” Delaney’s mother agreed. “There’s a lot of history and tradition in this town. Which is why it’s so upsetting to have those Cowboy Country outsiders coming in with their gaudy theme park.”
Out of the corner of her eye Delaney noticed Cisco’s fingers tighten around his glass.
“It might not be so bad,” Delaney said quickly. “The rides look fun and it will give people around here something new to do as entertainment.”
“That’s one of the problems.” Jeanne Marie took a sip of lemonade. “Local folks aren’t the ones Cowboy Country is trying to attract. Those people haven’t given one thought to how this is going to affect life here or what it even means to be a real cowboy. The whole theme is the Wild West but all they’re planning is some commercialized, demeaning version of it.”
“Won’t the influx of money be good for the town?” Cisco asked as he picked up his sandwich. “I’d think Horseback Hollow could benefit from additional resources.”
“Not if it means giving up our simple way of life,” Jeanne Marie told him.
“Just because change comes to Horseback Hollow doesn’t mean it has to change the people who live here.” His dark gaze went from Delaney to her mother. “When you found out you were related to the Fortunes, that was a big change. Did it change who you are on the inside?”
“Not at all,” Delaney answered quickly. “He has a point, Mom.”
“We were a solid family before I knew I was a Fortune,” Jeanne Marie said with a nod of her head. “But I’m not sure the entire town can withstand the influence of Cowboy Country and the people who might come with it.” She turned to Delaney. “As a matter of fact, your father and I were talking about your rides to where they’re building. We think you should stop that, Delaney. The opening is just around the corner, so there’s too much activity out that way.”
There were moments when Delaney loved the feeling of safety that came from being part of a large family and moments when she was stifled by her parents’ overprotectiveness.
“You’ve been visiting Cowboy Country?” Cisco asked.
“A few times a week I take my horse out toward the land around the amusement park to see the progress. It’s a good stretch of land for riding.”
She saw his mouth drop open. “That was—” He stopped himself and shook his head. “I agree with your mother. It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“I’m not a kid,” Delaney said, aware she sounded petulant.
“We only want what’s best for you,” Jeanne Marie said quietly.
“I know, Mama.” Delaney stabbed a grape with her fork. “I’ll be careful.” She glanced down at her watch. “We need to get back to work. We’re supposed to meet the guys at the lower pasture in a few minutes to finish some repairs on the fence.”
“Thank you for another wonderful meal,” Cisco said as he stood.
“I hope you can join us again.” Jeanne Marie led them back to the kitchen. “We spent the whole time talking about Cowboy Country.” She set her plate on the counter and turned to Cisco. “I still want to hear more about your plans in Horseback Hollow. I wouldn’t want you to think we’re against new people coming to town. We just want to make sure they’re here for the right reasons. Like you and your family, Cisco.”
Cisco’s shoulders stiffened but he gave her mother a warm smile. “Thank you, Jeanne Marie.” He took her mother’s hand and brushed a soft kiss on her knuckles as he gave her an almost courtly bow. “Your hospitality is matched only by your beauty.”
Delaney watched as her practical, old-fashioned mother blushed like a schoolgirl. “It was my pleasure. You’re welcome to join us anytime. In fact, Deke and I would love to have you over for dinner one of these nights. We don’t get a lot of time for individual visiting during our family barbecues. It isn’t often Delaney brings a boy home.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Delaney said with a gasp. “We’re getting back to work now.” She grabbed on to Cisco’s arm and tugged him toward the door. “Let’s go, Cisco.”
She dragged him, laughing, into the midday sun.
“It’s okay, Delaney,” he said when they were halfway to the barn. “I know your mother is only teasing. It’s obvious how much she loves you.”
She realized her fingers were still wrapped around Cisco’s muscular arm. She could feel the heat of his skin through his shirt and pulled away as if touching him for too long might actually burn her.
“Weren’t you laying it on a little thick in there?” she asked as she stepped away.
“Your mother is a lovely woman.” He lifted one finger and trailed it along her jaw. “You look like her, you know?”
How did he always throw her off balance? Delaney wanted a man in her life to hold her steady, but she couldn’t deny the way Cisco made her feel.
“You’re a lady-killer.” She shook her head. “I can’t tell if what you say to me is the truth or just another one of your well-rehearsed lines.”
His thick brows drew together and a look of actual pain crossed his face before his practiced smile was in place once more. “You are beautiful, Delaney. That’s the truth.”
She didn’t want to respond to him, didn’t want to lean in as he brought his face closer to hers. Then the door to the barn slammed shut and Delaney jumped back. Just because Cisco had agreed to spend time on the ranch, it didn’t change the fact that he was a big-city jet-setter. But change was inevitable. It was coming to Horseback Hollow and maybe she could change Cisco Mendoza, as well. Eventually Cisco had to fall for one woman and change his ways.
Delaney had no doubt she was strong enough to be that one.
Cisco stretched his arms out in front of him as he walked toward the main gate at Cowboy Country several days later. For the first time since the barbecue, he hadn’t gone to the ranch, needing a day to catch up on his work at Cowboy Country and unsure he could spend one more moment with Delaney Fortune Jones and keep his hands to himself.
She tempted him in a way no other woman had before, and Cisco had been with plenty of women in his life. But Delaney was different, smart and sexy but also sweet and innocent. She was totally confident in who she was and wouldn’t let anyone steer her off course.
It was clear she was dedicated to the ranch and the values her parents had instilled in her and her siblings.
Cisco could relate to that as his father and mother had done the same thing for him and his brothers and sister. That was part of the reason he was so conflicted when it came to Delaney. He hadn’t exactly lied to her about his involvement in the luxury condos Cowboy Country had planned, but he’d definitely avoided giving any details of why he needed a Fortune for his business deal. Yet when she turned those cornflower-blue eyes on him, there wasn’t anything he could deny her, including the truth.
His hope was that as she and her family got to know him, they’d trust his judgment and give the planned community a chance. But the more Cisco understood about life in Horseback Hollow, the more he could see the design of the Cowboy Country condos and real life in this quaint town wouldn’t mesh. He figured it was up to him to bring the two closer in line. He had a lot riding on this deal, both his reputation and his own money. He wasn’t about to give up on making it work.
He waved to the security guard near the front entrance who was tasked with making sure no one but employees accessed the park until the official opening. He could see people in theme park uniforms milling about near several rides and attractions and took a quick turn down a path