All Flash No Cash

By Randi Alexander

When bar owner CJ Overton hires Pete Gonally to paint a motorcycle for a charity giveaway, she expects him to do it her way. After all, he’s a small-time rancher, and graphic arts is just his hobby. But Pete comes back with his own ideas, and sparks fly as tension builds between them. The only way to relieve the pressure is one hot night in her bed. Just one. But Pete wants more.

Pete lets CJ think he’s just a farm boy, but he’s accumulated a small fortune working on the oil field for years. CJ’s dream future includes selling the bar, leaving Deadwood, and traveling the world. Attaching herself to a hayseed like Pete would only ruin her chances. How can Pete convince CJ that falling for a “dirt-poor farmer” will make her happier than anything she’d ever find outside of her small town of Deadwood, South Dakota?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Randi Alexander
• Release date: Oct 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311076403

Randi Alexander

Randi Alexander writes romance novels in a fun variety of genres, like western, paranormal, menage, BDSM, motorcycle club, and even sweet. When she’s not writing a story or dreaming about her next book, Randi is biking trails along remote rivers or snorkeling the Gulf of Mexico. Forever an adventurous spirit with a romantic imagination, Randi is family-oriented and married to the best guy in the world. Give in to the allure of passion as Randi’s emotional love stories sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless. You’re guaranteed a story that’ll give you a happily ever after.

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All Flash No Cash

All Cowboy Series, Book 2

by

Randi Alexander

ALL FLASH NO CASH

All Cowboy Series, Book 2

Original Printing 2014

Revised Version Copyright © 2021 Randi Alexander

*~*~*~*

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web -without permission in writing from the author.

Chapter One

Pete Gonally wandered past the row of motorcycles parked along the curb, each one leaning like a domino ready to fall. The mid-September sun glinted off the shiny chrome and polished tanks and fenders. Dirty Harry’s Saloon was a favorite watering hole in Deadwood, South Dakota, even on a Sunday. Pete looked down at his bib overalls, mud-crusted steel-toed boots, and oversized T-shirt. He’d stick out like a pansy in there, but he had to do this. Today.

He turned back to look at the semi he’d parked a block away, loaded with round hay bales that he’d picked up at his uncle’s farm in Wyoming. He could make the trek back to his family’s ranch in Lemmon before meeting with his client, but it’d take three hours to get there, a while to shower and change, then three more hours to get back here to Deadwood. And he still had to drive up to North Dakota tonight so he could be at work by six the next morning.

Suck it up. It was just his nerves making an appearance. He had to ace this interview. This could be the start of his career as a graphic artist. He stepped into the dark bar, letting his eyes adjust for a few seconds. As he’d predicted, nearly every head in the place swiveled to look at him. The scent of leather and spilled beer rolled up his nostrils. Everywhere he looked, black T-shirts with orange graphics, bandanas, and tattoos covered patrons’ bodies. ‘80s rock played from a jukebox in the corner. He pulled off his seed cap and walked to an empty spot at the bar. He ran his hand through his curly blond hair, hoping to look halfway presentable for this meeting.

A man sitting a ways down the bar laughed. Best card this one. He looks like he just fell off the turnip truck.

Pete forced his mouth into an amiable smile. No sense riling anyone up.

The bartender turned and looked at Pete. A shock of short, curly, platinum blonde hair surrounded her tanned face. Serious sea-green eyes met his brown ones. Wow, she was spectacular. Walking toward him in her no-nonsense red tank top, her eyes drifted to his work clothes. She had to be almost six feet tall, just five inches shorter than him. And thin, like a runner.

Stopping in front of him, she tipped her chin up, a quick motion.

He swallowed, wanting to see if those tight lips of hers would loosen up when he kissed them, if that slightly-fuller bottom lip would be biteable, if—

You drinking, hayseed? The woman was all business and a good portion rude. She crossed her long, thin arms over her small chest.

No, ma’am. He tried to form a sentence, tried to remember who his placement counselor at the graphic arts school had told him to ask for. But his body just hummed in acknowledgment of the Amazon in front of him.

Hun, I got work to do. Did you just come in to stare? Her eyes widened a bit, and her cheeks pinked up a little under her tan.

The bikers on either side of him snickered, keeping a close watch over the two of them.

Ma’am, I’m looking to talk to the owner, CJ Overton. Is he here today?

One of her light-brown eyebrows rose. Yeah. He’s here. What’s your business with him?

If you don’t mind, I’ll take that up with Mr. Overton. He hadn’t meant to be impolite, but it’d sure come out that way.

Ooooooh, a few of the bikers piped up.

Those tight lips of hers went even stiffer. She looked toward the other end of the bar. Take over, Tony. Her gaze barely brushed over Pete’s face. C’mon, hayseed. I’ll bring you back to the office. She strode out from behind the bar, her short denim skirt reaching only mid-thigh, her long, slender legs ending in ankle-high, lace-up red tennis shoes.

Along the hallway leading to the back exit, she stopped and punched in a code beside a black door marked Keep Out and led the way into a room with two desks that were loaded with papers and files. Beyond these, in a glassed-in office, an immaculately clean, scarred wood desk sat with an office chair behind it and two guest chairs in front.

She walked into the office. Have a seat. She gestured to the guest chairs.

Thank you, ma’am. He stayed on his feet, waiting for her to leave.

She didn’t. She walked behind the desk, sat in the office chair, and laid her palm on the desk. I’m CJ Overton. What ‘cha need?

Shit. He could feel his face heat. My apologies. He plopped down on one of the chairs. I’m from the Williston School of Graphic Arts. My placement counselor asked me to stop by and talk to you about your project.

Her brows rose infinitesimally as she stared at him. He told me you’d be by. You’re the one at the top of your class?

Technically, he hadn’t graduated yet, but he’d aced the classes he took Tuesday and Thursday nights while he worked days on the oil field in North Dakota. Yes, ma’am.

Okay. She sat back in her chair. You know the deal?

He nodded once. It’s a motorcycle job. You’re raffling it off on Halloween as a fundraiser for a charity. You’ll reimburse me for supplies and mileage, and it needs to be done in four weeks.

Yep. She pulled out a picture of the bike and slid it across the desk to him. Your counselor said you could only work weekends, and I’m fine with that, as long as it’s finished by the deadline. You wanna do it?

The photo showed big twin gas tanks and wide fenders. He could almost feel the airbrush in his hand already. He looked up at her. Sure. I’m happy to do this for your charity organization.

And for the line on your resume, I’m sure.

He bit back a retort. His momma taught him to defer to the softer gender and be polite.

She tapped one finger on the desk. You’re gonna need to turn in receipts for your expenses, or they won’t get reimbursed. And they’ll be carefully audited before we cut you a check. Got it? Her eyes narrowed. You even old enough to work in a bar?

This lady was tough as leather. Not a woman he needed to pull his punches on. First off, like I said, I’m doing it for the charity. The opportunity to have real-time experience, that’s secondary. He stood and placed his hands flat on the desk, working up a fair piece of anger. And what I put on my resume, that’d be my own business, ma’am.

CJ didn’t move a muscle.

His posture had to look aggressive to her. He straightened up, hands at his sides. The expenses will have backup, and you can audit them all you want, ma’am. That’s all he said out loud, but in his head, the words …and shove the audit where the South Dakota sunshine doesn’t reach echoed.

Pete tucked his cap back on his head. Now, if you need to see my ID, I’ll whip it out.

One corner of her mouth twitched as if trying to smile but not remembering how. She pulled a scrap of paper from a box on her desk and looked at it.

After a few minutes of standing there like an idiot, he hitched a thumb over his shoulder. You want me to leave? You don’t sound convinced I’m the man for the job. If you wanna find somebody else to do this, somebody older, more experienced, who will still work at cost and be able to meet your tight schedule, you go right ahead. And good luck.

CJ’s intense green eyes looked up into his.

He waited nearly a minute before turning to leave. This had been a waste of time.

The bike… Her voice sounded a little less harsh this time. It’ll be delivered Friday afternoon. Come by then, and you can get started.

He let out a long breath. He’d let his temper get the best of him. He turned to face her, meeting her gaze. Thank you. You won’t regret it.

She did a partial eye roll and handed him the picture of the motorcycle. I’m sure I won’t.

Pete couldn’t tell if that was sarcasm or not, but he took the photo from her. What time are you here Friday? He couldn’t wait to get started. This was really happening. He wanted to pump a fist into the air, but he figured she wouldn’t appreciate it much.

She blinked very slowly. I’m here every day, from when we open at three, to when we close at two.

Didn’t sound like much of a life, but it explained a lot about her hard outer shell. I’ll be here sometime that night. He waited for her to say more, then left, walking through the bar, feeling dozens of sets of eyes on him.

He fired up the semi, hung the picture of the motorcycle on a clip on the dashboard, and