Cindy Kirk – A Jackson Hole Homecoming (страница 2)
But there were any number of women in Jackson Hole who’d be happy to be his date.
“Why me?” she asked, puzzled. “Why not ask someone else? Someone who appeals to you?”
Merely saying the words brought a pang of regret. They could be so good together … if he’d just give her a chance.
“You’re a beautiful woman.” Tripp spoke quickly as she began edging her way down the hall. “Any man would be proud to have you by his side.”
Adrianna stopped and fisted her hands on her hips. “You didn’t answer my question.”
This time Tripp didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “With you there’d be no expectations. I could network without worrying I’m neglecting you. You could do the same. Don’t we have fun when we’re together?”
Adrianna reluctantly nodded. Yes, they always had fun. Yes, she enjoyed being with him, but that was no longer enough. Last week she’d looked at the calendar and realized she’d turn thirty in a few weeks. She’d hoped that by this point she’d have a husband and a couple of kids.
That wasn’t going to happen if she kept hanging around Tripp Randall. She
“I’ll go.” Adrianna’s heart skipped a beat at the smile he shot her. “On one condition.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Whatever you want.”
She ignored the tingles shooting up her arm and met his gaze. “You have to promise to introduce me to all your single friends.”
Tripp ran a finger along the starched inside collar of his shirt and wondered why—just once—the hospital couldn’t host a fundraiser where jeans and boots were de rigueur instead of formal attire.
Even though Tripp had been away from horses and cattle for many years, the fact that he’d grown up working on his father’s land gave him an automatic “in” with many in the community, especially those involved in ranching.
But when Tripp had decided to return, it was his MBA in Healthcare Leadership at Yale and almost ten years of experience in health-care policy and economics that had made him a viable candidate for the CEO position.
“Mark my words, that bull will—”
“I think Tripp knows exactly what the bull will do. Let the boy get back to his date.” Paul’s wife pointed to some friends across the room and insisted her husband come with her to say hello.
“Nice to see you again, Marie,” Tripp called out as she took her husband’s arm in a steely grasp and they disappeared into the crowd.
Tripp snagged a glass of wine from a passing waiter and took a sip, surveying the large room. The Spring Gulch Country Club was where most hospital events were held and this year’s fundraiser for pediatric monitoring equipment was no exception.
Tables with silent-auction items filled the perimeter of a large room just off the country club’s foyer. A huge rustic stone fireplace acted as the focal point for the room. Chandeliers made out of antlers hung from the angled ceiling. Even though the beautiful hardwood floors and the tables topped with linen screamed elegance, the chandeliers added a distinctly casual touch.
Huge urns of flowers surrounded the shiny wooden dance floor. Crystal goblets and sterling-silver flatware gleamed in the candlelight. Most of those in attendance, men in tuxedos and women in cocktail dresses, were people Tripp had known his entire life.
When he caught a glimpse of his parents on the dance floor and his mother gave him a tremulous smile, Tripp realized once again how good it was to be back. Even though the man who’d once herded cattle all day was now having difficulty slow dancing with his wife, the fact that his dad was here and on his feet brought a thankful lump to Tripp’s throat.
While Tripp didn’t regret his years on the East Coast, he did regret staying away so long.
His sister had grown from a girl into a woman while he’d been away. He caught sight of her dancing with one of Travis Fisher’s younger brothers, a big smile on her face. Like him, Hailey loved to dance.
Tripp realized he hadn’t been on the dance floor yet this evening. But that could be easily remedied. Even though there were dozens of single women at tonight’s event—including the red-haired maternity nurse, Leila—he would dance first with the woman he’d brought. He glanced around the ballroom until he spotted Adrianna walking with Lexi on the edge of the dance floor.
“You’ve got a good eye.” A man’s voice sounded from Tripp’s left. “She’s the prettiest filly in the stable.”
Tripp turned. The man, standing with a glass of whiskey in one hand, was unfamiliar. Even though he had to be in his early thirties—which would make them close to the same age—he wasn’t from Jackson Hole.
Tall, with an athletic build, the stranger had the confident stance of a person used to giving orders. His dark hair was cut stylishly short and the Hublot Black Caviar on his wrist hadn’t come off the ten-dollar watch rack. But it was his steely gray eyes that defined him.
Tripp extended his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Tripp Randall, the CEO of the Jackson Hole Hospital.”
The man returned Tripp’s handshake with an equally strong grasp. “Winston Ferris.” He flashed a smile showing a mouthful of perfect white teeth. “Call me Winn.”
“Are you new to Jackson Hole, Winn?”
“I am,” Winn acknowledged, his eye shifting back to the dance floor. “My father has been here a couple of years.”
Tripp had already forgiven the man for his error in judgment. After all, like his son said, Jim was relatively new to the community.
“Are you planning to stay?” Tripp didn’t want to pry, but he was curious. Jim Ferris had recently outbid his father on the large cattle spread adjacent to their property.
“Haven’t decided yet.” Winn’s eyes took on a lust-filled glow. “But if she’d give me a tumble, I’d definitely give more thought to hanging around.”
Tripp shifted his gaze in the direction Winn stared. A group of women stood clustered together, laughing and talking. Any one of the beauties could have caught Winn’s eye. But Tripp knew instantly which “filly” stood out from the herd.
When he’d picked up Adrianna tonight, he’d taken one look at her and immediately thought of a thousand things he’d rather be doing than attending a fundraiser.
Things he shouldn’t be thinking about a woman who was only a friend. A woman who’d been his wife’s friend. Even if Tripp had been ready to date again—to get naked with a woman again—it wouldn’t be with Adrianna. It would be with someone new, not with someone so deeply linked to his past.
Yet, he couldn’t deny there was chemistry between them. Desire had hit him full force when he’d first seen her this evening. He’d had to restrain himself from pulling her into his arms and scattering kisses across her face and neck. From pulling the pins from her hair so he could run his fingers through the silky strands. From easing the dress from her shoulders and letting it fall to the floor—
“Who is she?”
Tripp jerked his thoughts back to the present. Even though he should be relieved—after all, he had no business thinking of Adrianna in that manner—he found himself irritated by the man’s persistence.
“Which one?” Tripp forced a bored tone.
Winn snorted. “The hot brunette. She’s a dead ringer for that Brazilian actress.”
Tripp took a sip of wine. “Adrianna Lee. She’s a nurse midwife.”
“Is she married?”
Tripp didn’t like the way Winn looked at Adrianna, as if she were a piece of meat and he hadn’t eaten in a week.
There was no point in lying. Winn could easily discover the truth for himself. “She’s not.”
“The night is definitely looking up.” Winn grinned. “One more question. Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?”
Tripp thought of the promise he’d made to Adrianna. But Winn was a new acquaintance, certainly not a friend. And even if he was, she deserved better than a man who’d compare her to a horse.
“Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?” Winn repeated, a determined glint in his gray eyes.
Tripp smiled. “As a matter of fact, she’s with me.”
Adrianna felt Tripp’s gaze on her from clear across the ballroom. But then, being so aware of him was nothing new. She’d recently told her friend Betsy it was as if she had special “Tripp radar” hardwired into her system.
“Do you know the guy Tripp is speaking with?” she asked Lexi Delacourt, another dear friend and one of the most beautiful women in Jackson Hole.
Lexi obligingly shifted her attention across the room, missing the admiring glances sent her way by a couple of cowboy types walking past. Adrianna could see why the men were impressed. Her friend looked especially lovely this evening in an off-the-shoulder dress in crimson with her sleek dark hair hanging loosely to her shoulders.