“A house?” Tanner stared at Gage. “You’re giving up the condo life?”
Gage nodded. “It’s not fair to Rambo to keep him at the condo. He needs a backyard to run around in while I’m at work or on a drill weekend.”
“And it took you two years to figure that out?” Tanner’s lips pressed together. “A dog as big as Rambo needs room to stretch his legs.”
“Exactly. Thus, the move.” Gage tipped his head toward Jesse. “Her name?”
Jesse cast a glance around the room, took a deep breath and let it out slowly before he said, “Rachel Taylor.”
Tanner’s brows dipped. “I know that name.”
“You should. She’s done some marketing for Peschke Motors.” Jesse leaned forward. “And thanks, by the way. Her marketing team has done wonders with my chain of ranch supply stores.”
Leaning his head to the side, Tanner’s frown deepened. “Isn’t she the owner of the marketing firm?”
Jesse nodded.
“She wears skirt suits and pulls her hair back in a knot at the back of her head.” Tanner tapped the base of his skull.
“That’s the one,” Jesse said. “And she barely knows I exist.”
“How can that be?” Tanner rested his elbows on the table. “You hired her to run your advertising campaign?”
Jesse nodded. “I did.”
Tanner tapped his fingers on the sleek wooden surface. “You work with her on at least a weekly basis to make sure the campaign is effective?”
“Is she the one who has you modeling for your own ads?” Rip asked.
Jesse snorted. “I even had it written into the contract that she be present for every photo shoot.”
“Then she knows you exist,” Gage said. “Did you piss her off?”
Jesse ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t think so. Her executive assistant claims she has a strict ‘no fraternizing with the clients’ policy.”
Rip gave a bark of laughter. “A no what?”
With a sigh, Jesse sat back in his chair. “She doesn’t get involved with her clients.”
Gage flung a hand in the air. “Then fire her. Problem solved.”
“I can’t fire her. She’s doing a great job on the marketing, and it would look bad for her business to lose such a big client.” Jesse pushed back from the table and stood. Nervous energy set him pacing. “Besides, it’s the only way I get to spend time with her.”
Gage leaned back in his chair. “Sounds like you’re between a rock and a hard place.”
“Yeah,” Tanner said. “And you want us to help? How?”
Jesse ran his hand through his hair again. “I’m not sure.”
“If you’re looking for moral support, you know we’re here for you,” Tanner said.
“You need us to take out the competition?” Rip raised both fists. “We’ve gotcha covered.”
Tanner perked up. “Is there competition?”
“Not that I’ve noticed. Rachel is a workaholic. Up until the past few days, I didn’t think she had time for a relationship.”
Rip leaned closer. “But now you think she does?”
“Yeah. She and a friend of hers went to a bar tonight to go—as her friend put it—man-hunting.”
“That doesn’t sound good.” Gage drummed his fingers on the table, his eyes narrowed. “If you want my advice…”
“The man who doesn’t have time for women is giving advice?” Rip raised his brows and gave Gage a pointed stare before turning to Jesse. “The big question is, did they take rifles on this manhunt?”
Jesse frowned. “No. But the man Rachel met there wasn’t even close to right for her. I don’t understand where she found him, or why she would be interested in the guy. He was a taxidermist, for God’s sake.”
Tanner chuckled. “That’s kind of ironic. If they shot him, he couldn’t stuff himself, now could he?”
“Seriously,” Jesse paced a few steps away and turned back. “Rachel deserves a man who doesn’t smell like formaldehyde.”
“And ode du horse dung is any better?” Tanner asked.
Jesse dipped his head and sniffed his shirt. “Do I smell like the barn?”
Rip held up his hands. “I’m not getting close enough to find out.”
“What’s so special about this Rachel?” Gage asked. “Why are you so hung up on her?”
Jesse stopped and stared across the nearby barroom. For a moment, he didn’t say anything as all the little impressions of Rachel rippled through his mind, forming one sexy picture of a woman in skirt suit, her long, elegant neck begging to be stroked, her full, luscious lips perfect for kissing. “She’s driven.”
“Like you,” Tanner said.
“She owns a business she built from scratch.”
“Like you,” Tanner repeated.
“She’s smart,” Jesse said.
Rip snorted. “Well, two out of three ain’t bad.”
Tanner backhanded Rip across the chest. “Give the guy a break. He’s spilling his guts.”
“She has a big heart.” Jesse faced the other men. “She doesn’t brag about it, but I found out she volunteers at a children’s shelter, and she spends her holidays feeding the homeless at a soup kitchen.”
“Sounds more like a saint,” Rip grumbled, rubbing his hand across his chest.
Jesse smiled, his thoughts shifting to Rachel’s firm ass in her form-fitting skirts. “Only if saints can be sexy. I can see her as the mother of my children. And I want at least half a dozen.” He sighed and faced the others. “The problem is getting past her defenses. At work, she’s all business.”
“If you want my advice...” Gage started again.
Jesse raised his head. Normally, Gage was the last one to voice his opinion. Usually the big guy listened, took it all in, making his own decisions before he spoke. “Yeah?”
“It’s simple. You need to be around when she’s not at work. A lot,” Gage said. “Persistence pays off.”
Jesse rubbed his chin, his thoughts spinning. “She does have a friend who might help.”
“Female?” Tanner asked.
“Yeah,” Jesse answered.
Tanner held up a hand. “Be careful the friend doesn’t fall for your killer charm and good looks.”
Jesse nodded. “I’ll make it clear.”
“If you need me to run interference,” Rip patted his chest. “I’m your man.”
“We’re all here for you,” Tanner agreed.
“That’s right,” Gage said. “Now, go get ’er, Tiger.”
“And remember,” Tanner said. “Nothing can stop Jesse Jordan when he sets his mind to something.”
Jesse stood taller. He hadn’t gotten where he was by taking no for an answer. Securing Rachel’s love should be no different. “Thanks, guys. I was beginning to doubt my own abilities.”
“Don’t,” Gage said. “You’ve got this.”
“Now that Jesse’s back on track…” Rip stood and stretched. “Next round is on me. After I shake the dew off my leg.” He headed toward the bathroom.