CJ Fisher Finds Love Book 3: CJ Fisher Finds Love
Автор
Heather Teston
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CJ Fisher grew up on his family’s cattle ranch, always more interested in charm and short-lived flings than settling down. Even after becoming a doctor, he never strayed far from the ranch—or his reputation as a player. Love was never part of the plan until he met Samantha Cain. From the moment he saw her, something changed. Determined to win her heart, CJ quickly learns that Samantha isn’t impressed by easy smiles or smooth lines. Between his demanding career, ranch responsibilities, and a woman who refuses to make things simple, CJ discovers that true love is nothing like the game he thought he mastered.
Chapter 1
BOOK 3: CJ FISHER FINDS LOVE
Removing his doctor’s jacket, CJ grabbed his cowboy hat, said good night to the receptionist, and headed to Parker and Dakota’s place for dinner. Every Thursday night, that was where he went. Most nights, he went to his parents’ place to eat.
Last year, he finally moved out and built his own home on the piece of land his father gave him. Living at his parents’ place was starting to cramp his lifestyle and his love life.
As was his normal behavior, he walked right into Parker’s home without knocking. He was, after all, more like family than a friend.
Dakota was standing with her back to him in the kitchen, stirring something on the counter, when he went over and put his arms around her waist. “Hey, beautiful, what are you cooking for me?”
She jumped and looked over her shoulder, giving him a stern look. “Christ, CJ, you scared the hell out of me.”
Parker’s voice came out of nowhere. “Let go of my wife. Get your own woman.”
With his arms still around her, CJ turned to look at Parker, who was standing there with his arms crossed, shaking his head. “Now, why would I want to get a woman when I have this sweet little thing here?” he asked jokingly. Kissing her cheek, he let her go.
Walking over to Parker, he put him in a headlock, and they started wrestling like a couple of little kids.
“Will you two ever grow up?” Dakota asked, trying not to laugh. “Stop before I call Dawn and have her come here and set you boys straight.”
They both stopped and stared wide-eyed at her.
“You wouldn’t dare call my mom,” CJ said with a smirk and sat down. “Where are the rugrats?”
“Chad is cleaning his room, and Ellie is napping,” Dakota said.
“Chad, Uncle CJ is here,” Parker called up the stairs.
He had barely finished his sentence when five-year-old Chad came bouncing down the stairs, screaming his name and jumped onto CJ’s lap. “What did you bring me, Uncle CJ?”
“Well, let’s just see what I have in my pocket,” he said, pulling out a bag of sweets.
“Yippee,” the little boy squealed in delight. “Thank you, Uncle CJ.”
Dakota turned her head. “Not before dinner, young man.”
“Ah, Mom,” Chad whined.
“You heard your mother. Now go wash up for dinner,” Parker said sternly.
“Oh, all right,” Chad said as he got off CJ and took the piece of candy his uncle handed him, then ran off.
Parker leaned over and looked at him. “Dakota is going to kill you.”
CJ grinned. “Not if she doesn’t catch me.”
“Catch you doing what?” Dakota asked when she brought the roast and set it on the table.
She never knew what these two were always getting up to. When they were together, they acted like a couple of kids.
The men were saved by the bell—or baby, in this case—when two-year-old Ellie started wailing, waking from her nap.
“I’ll go get her,” CJ said, jumping from his seat. He went upstairs and brought her down.
Dakota and Parker watched him as he held the baby in his arms, so loving and gentle. He kissed her cheek and set her in the high chair he had bought for her. Chad sat next to him.
“You’ll make a good father someday,” Dakota said, sitting down to eat. “You really ought to settle down and get married.”
CJ smiled, showing her his dimples. “I’m waiting for you to leave this bum”—he pointed to Parker—“and come away with me.”
Reaching over, she took his chin in her hand. “Oh, sweetheart, Parker can hardly handle me. What makes you think you could?” Letting him go, she started eating.
She knew if Parker thought CJ was being serious for one minute, there would be hell to pay. But they knew it was just his way of teasing; he loved them both and respected their marriage. He also didn’t have those feelings for her.
After dinner, while Parker and Dakota washed up, CJ gave the kids their baths, put them in their pajamas, tucked them into bed, and read them a bedtime story.
Kissing Chad’s cheek, he watched as the little boy drifted off to sleep. A part of him wanted to be a father someday, but he had yet to find that special woman like Parker had. The one who had your heart racing, the one who made your heart ache until you laid eyes on her again.
He doubted he would find her, so he settled for playing the field.
Kissing Ellie’s cheek, he went back downstairs and caught the other two groping each other, kissing passionately. “Save some of that for me, you guys,” he said, walking over and pulling Dakota from Parker’s grip.
Parker made a face and pushed CJ away when he tried putting his arms around him. “Knock it off, CJ,” he barked.
“Come on, Parker, you know you want me,” CJ said, laughing.
Dakota was holding her side, aching from laughing so hard at the antics in front of her. CJ never ceased to amuse her. “You boys go sit on the porch, and I’ll bring out some beers,” she said, motioning for them to leave.
“You’re a lucky man, Parker. You have a wife and children who love you. I envy you at times; it almost makes me want a family of my own,” CJ said.
“Then maybe you should stop being a player, stick with one woman, and see where it leads,” Parker replied.
CJ leaned toward him. “I’ve been with a lot of women.”
“No kidding,” Parker scoffed.
“What I’m trying to say is that not one of them has made me feel the way Dakota makes you feel. My heart doesn’t race: there are no butterflies in my stomach. I don’t even care if I see them again; I can’t even remember their names for some of them.”
“You just haven’t found her yet, man. She’s out there.”
Dakota walked out with the beer, handing them both one and settling next to Parker with her own beer in hand. “What are you two talking about?”
“Just that it’s time for him to stop playing the field and find someone to settle down with,” Parker said, his arm over her shoulder.
“How do you know when you’ve found the right one?” CJ asked.
“You’ll just know, and it usually happens when you least expect it. Something clicks; it’s chemistry, and the sparks fly. CJ, trust me, you’ll know,” Parker said, looking at Dakota. He knew the moment he first saw her that she was special.
Looking back at CJ, he added, “Don’t wait too long; you’re not getting any younger.”
“Hell, man, I’m only thirty-one,” CJ answered. “Well, guys, I think I’ll head home now. I’ve got a busy day tomorrow.” He put the empty beer bottle down, kissed Dakota’s cheek, and left.
It seemed like everyone he knew was married or getting married. He’d had plenty of chances himself since the women he dated made it clear they’d love to be a doctor’s wife. But he wasn’t ready to settle down, and he’d never found one he wanted to be with.
Feeling a bit down, he decided to stop by Donna Payne’s place for a little one-on-one. They had an arrangement where if either one needed some company—no strings attached—they’d get together for sex.
She was blonde, slender, and beautiful, but he had no romantic feelings toward her. She was great in bed, though, and knew how to satisfy him.
It was close to midnight when he knocked, and she answered wearing a flimsy nightgown. Her hair was tousled, and she’d obviously been asleep. But when she saw him, she pulled him inside and closed the door behind them.
***
The sun was rising when CJ woke. He looked over at the naked blonde beside him. He quietly slipped out of bed and pulled on his pants that lay crumpled on the floor.
He had to get home to shower and change for work. Pulling on his boots, he grabbed his shirt and put it on as he snuck out of Donna’s house. He was glad she hadn’t woken up, or she would have wanted a repeat performance.
Before heading home, he stopped at the local diner for coffee.
Only a few men were inside, eating platefuls of bacon and eggs. He walked up to the counter and noticed a new waitress behind it. Her back was to him.
His eyes moved down her backside, taking in the soft feminine curves beneath the uniform that hugged her body. She had a nice, round ass, and her legs were long and shapely.
He watched as she turned to face him, tucking a strand of jet-black hair behind her ear. His breath hitched when he looked into her smoky brown eyes. She was drop-dead gorgeous.
He couldn’t help but stare. A strange electricity shot through him, and he finally managed to smile, showing off his dimples—the ones that usually had all the ladies swooning.
“Do you want something, or are you just going to stand there with your mouth wide open?” she asked snarkily.
CJ was dumbfounded. His dimples usually got the ladies’ panties wet, but this woman seemed immune. Her standoffish way didn’t stop him, though. If anything, it made him more determined to win her over.
“You must be new here. I haven’t seen you around before.”
She placed her palms on the counter and shot daggers at him. “If you’re not going to order anything, you’ll have to leave. I have other customers waiting.”
“I’ll take a large coffee to go, milk, no sugar,” he said, his smile never wavering.
He kept his eyes on her while she poured his coffee, then put the lid on and handed it to him. “My name is CJ. What’s yours?”
He heard her sigh. “That will be two dollars and seventy-five cents,” she said, not bothering to answer his question.
CJ laid a five-dollar bill on the counter. “Keep the change,” he said.
He turned and started out, stopping at the door to look back at her. He could have sworn she was watching him, but she turned her head when he looked back.
***
After a quick shower, he changed into dress pants, a white shirt, and black dress shoes, then headed out.
Maureen, his nurse, was already busy getting his files ready at the office. She was a fifty-year-old woman who was a godsend to him. She was efficient and kept his office running smoothly.
He could have hired someone younger and sexier, but he took his job as a doctor seriously. It was all business—no horsing around with female patients. Some made it hard for him when they came in for various reasons.
Even the older and married ones came on to him, but he didn’t take the bait. At least not in the office. Outside of work was another story.
“Mr. Henderson is waiting in room two,” Maureen said, not looking up as she continued typing into the computer.
***
When lunchtime rolled around, unable to get the dark-haired beauty out of his mind, he decided to go to the diner for a bite to eat.
He hoped she was still on duty and was thrilled to find she was there.
He sat in her section and tried to hide his smile when she walked toward him carrying a menu. She handed him the lunch menu and asked if he wanted a drink to start with.
“Just a glass of water,” he answered.
“I’ll be right back with it,” she said, turning and walking away.
He stared at her ass and the way her hips swayed as she left his table.
“I’ll just have the special,” he said when she returned with his water. “I’m sorry; I didn’t catch your name.”
“That’s because I didn’t give it to you.” She smirked. “I’ll be back with your meal in a few minutes.”
She was not only beautiful but feisty as well. He found this exciting—and a challenge he was looking forward to.
He ate his meal, leaving money on the table for the food and a generous tip.
As he left the diner, he knew he was going to find out more about her. She wore no wedding ring, so she had to be single. If a boyfriend was in the picture, he wouldn’t be for long.
