The Cowboy and the Angel | ✓

Chapter One

"That'll be $2.48, Dixie," reported Hugo, the aging owner of the mercantile, while smiling brightly at the pretty young lady across the counter.

A frown creased Dixie's brow as she pulled two wrinkled dollars from her small leather purse. "Mr. Hugo, I am dreadfully sorry. All Pa gave me was these two dollars, nothin' more. Could you possibly hold it for me until tomorrow?"

"Put it with my stuff, Hugo," a deep baritone voice resounded from behind.

Dixie turned to see her hero, getting a noseful of cologne and an eyeful of plaid shirt. Looking up, she met eyes with the tall man who had jumped to her aid. Her heart did a flip, and she struggled for words. ". . . Jason? Is that . . . you?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jason drawled with a grin. "And Hugo, throw in a couple of peppermint sticks to seal the deal."

He couldn't help but stare. Dixie Harden, his elementary school crush, was standing right in front of him as pretty as you please. Much had changed. Instead of the tall, lanky, and awkward girl he had known and loved, there stood a gorgeous specimen looking every inch of a woman even in a dusty riding skirt and faded denim shirt. He didn't know why, but for some reason, even after all this time, he still had deep feelings toward her.

Hugo chuckled deeply, his eyes seeming to disappear into his pudgy face. "Jase, you try'na sweeten 'er up?"

Jason planted his Stetson more firmly onto his head, a slight tinge of pink peeking through his working-man's tan. "No, sir. Just figured she'd want one bein' it was her favorite at one time and all."

"You still remember?" Dixie asked a little breathlessly, her heart fluttering weirdly in her chest. Never in her life would she think Jason Archer would remember her from school, much less her favorite candy. Sure, he'd come over to spend time with her brother along with his adopted Hispanic sibling named Leroy, but that was it wasn't it? She never knew if he had paid her any mind even though he was the only guy she ever sought attention from.

Jason nodded, looking much like the boy he was all those years ago with an impish smirk. "Yes, ma'am, I sure do," he affirmed, handing her a peppermint stick while sticking the other in his mouth.

"Please, call me Dixie," she insisted, accepting the stick of sweet candy.

"Yes m--uh . . . I mean Dixie."

Hugo laughed fully, having as much fun over Jason's blunder as he would a comedian's joke. His comical laughter caused Dixie to join in.

The bell on the entrance door tinkled, signaling a new customer's arrival. The old rusty door creaked and moaned in protest as it shut.

"Dixie, what on Earth is takin' you so long? It doesn't take that long to buy a . . . . Well hey there, Archer!" Tavin greeted cheerfully, totally forgetting his sole purpose for going into the mercantile in the first place.

"Howdy, Tavin! What're you up to?" Jason greeted with a warm smile, the peppermint stick poking out from between his teeth like a cigar.

Tavin ran his fingers through his dusty red hair. "Nothin' but the normal. And seein' what Dixie was up to and what was holdin' her up. What 'bout you?"

"Work, and plenty of it. We got a load of green broken horses, and I've been workin' on 'em with some help from Leroy and the boys. I'm only here to pick up some supplies," Jason answered while staring at Dixie, not even trying to hide his interest from her brother.

The last time he had seen her, she'd been an eleven-year-old girl. That had been six years ago when the school had shut down. Sure, he had seen her off and on since then, but never up close and personal. What a beauty she had become. Those eyes of hers, such a mesmerizing frosted green, sparkled with happiness and nearly rendered him speechless. He fumbled for the pockets of his jeans, but couldn't find them. He tried again, this time searching the length of his thigh with no luck. Giving up, he sighed softly. Could this day get any better?

Tavin elbowed Jason roughly, painfully bringing him back from his stupor. He cut his eyes at Jason knowingly.

Jason coughed. "Ooof! I . . ."

"You what?" Dixie asked, cocking her head at Jason. Boy wasn't he taller from that angle, and even more handsome if it were possible.

"I'm . . . umm really enjoyin' this ole peppermint stick." Jason grasped for words as he pulled the twig-like candy from his mouth. "How 'bout you?"

She laughed. "I ain't even ate any of mine yet."

"And why not? It's your favorite sis," Tavin asked, his eyebrow arching in question. He didn't bother to ask how she got it. He had a pretty good idea already.

She glanced away for a moment. "I've been . . . distracted."

"Seems it." Tavin crossed his arms, peering at his sister through eyes narrowed by understanding. He gazed at Dixie, then to Jason, and back to Dixie. After a moment of silence, he patted Jason on the back. "Well, Jase, me and Dixie best be goin'. I wish y'all the best of luck with them horses. If you need a hand, just give me a holler. Better yet, swing by tomorrow and have supper with us. Pa would enjoy your company, and so would me and Leroy. That is, if you ain't too busy."

Jason nodded. He liked the sound of that. It'd be like old times, and would be the perfect opportunity to spend some time with the lovely woman standing in front of him. Even if he was too busy, he would find a way to go. "Alright, Tae. Sounds like a plan."

Tavin pushed open the door. "See ya later, Jase. You too, Mr. Hugo. Y'all take care now!"

As Hugo and Jason returned the farewell, Dixie grabbed the sack containing her goods and turned the full intensity of her stunning eyes on Jason. "Jase . . . ?"

Jason felt the heat assault his face and fire race under his shirt collar. It was just his nickname, but she made it sound like Heaven. Did everything that came out of her mouth have to have that effect on him? He mentally shook his head. He must be losing his mind or something. There was no reason for him to be acting like some lovesick boy. Maybe he had just grown soft over the years. "Yes, Dixie?"

She smiled. "It's been nice seein' ya. Thanks for helpin' me out, I owe you one."

"It's my pleasure." Jason dipped his Stetson as a deeper blush colored his cheeks. He felt more like a school boy dealing with his first crush than a man at that moment, and it confused and bothered him to no end. "See ya tomorrow."

Dixie beamed at him, a shade of pink staining her cheeks. "See ya tomorrow," she echoed, turning her back on the towering, attractive Archer and going through the door.

She looked forward to seeing him for supper the next day with every fiber of her being. Despite how crazy her long-kept emotions felt springing up from their hiding place, she basked in their warmth. With a shiver of excitement, she stuck the peppermint stick into her mouth and enjoyed its cloying, sugary flavor, her thoughts focusing on the one who bought it.