Cowboy Kind of Reckless

by Becca Turner

  “Will you sit here with me while I call Danica and Brandon? I think it’s time to tell them about Luke.” She dreaded the phone call and the hope it might raise. The power of failure it might carry.

  “I’ll be right here, holding your hand.”

  * * * *

  “I can’t feel my boob.” Jody raised her gaze to Nolan’s. “It’s really weird.”

  He managed a laugh, even though he felt like throwing up. Jody on a table with a surgical sheet covering her chest was his least favorite way to see her. “I think you might be a little loopy from the relaxant. You’ll probably wish you couldn’t feel it later today.”

  “It’ll be sore for a while after the anesthetic wears off. This might feel uncomfortable for a few minutes. Like a pressure,” the doctor said. She raised a thin needle. “I’m going to take a couple of samples, then we’ll get you out of here.”

  “When will she know something?” Nolan held Jody’s hand tightly, although she didn’t seem to notice.

  “Tuesday, most likely. Big plans for the weekend?”

  He looked away when the needle sank into Jody’s skin.

  The tiniest frown turned her mouth, but she stayed quiet.

  He cleared his throat. “I have something special in mind.”

  “He won’t tell me what it is. I don’t like surprises.” Jody’s frown faded. “He thinks he’s cute when he’s one step ahead of me.”

  He smiled at her and gave her hand a squeeze. “Hey, I’m always cute.”

  “Whatever it is, make sure you take it easy for the next couple of days. There shouldn’t be any complications, but I wouldn’t recommend swimming or riding any wild horses.” The doctor nodded at Nolan’s cowboy boots.

  “Darn. Looks like sky diving is out, baby.” He gave Jody a sad smile. “Maybe next time.” It had taken a remarkably short amount of time to get his plans lined up, but had required a lot of help from Luke. Hopefully Jody wouldn’t freak out when she saw what he’d done.

  Jody’s eyes widened. “I really hope you’re joking. I’m afraid of heights.”

  “But you’re not afraid to hang off Splash upside down?” She never ceased to amaze him. “You’ve got your priorities messed up.”

  He tensed when the doctor pushed the needle into Jody’s skin again a few more times. He’d watched worse injuries happen and be patched up, but he’d never felt so sick over being in a doctor’s office.

  “I’m all done here. Let’s get a bandage on this, then you can get dressed, Miss Caine. I’ll give you a call next week with the results.” The doctor wagged her finger at Nolan. “No sky diving.”

  “Nothing like that. Cross my heart.” He made the motion, then let go of Jody’s hand. “You made it. Feeling okay?”

  Jody watched the doctor apply the bandage, although the holes were out of her line of sight. “Right now, I’m good.”

  Probably still the relaxant working. Last night, she’d lain in his arms, trembling and stoic, even though she wouldn’t talk to him about the procedure. It surprised him this morning when she asked him to come along instead of going with Jessi.

  “There you go. Take care.” The doctor left them alone so Jody could dress.

  He helped her sit up and held up her shirt so she could get her arms through the sleeves, then her head through the top hole. “I think you should always go with the no bra look.”

  She looked down at her chest. “I barely have any boobs. If I don’t wear a bra, people just mistake me for a long-haired man.”

  “A pretty man.”

  “Thanks. I’m more than ready to go.” She stood up, seeming steady on her feet.

  “You want to grab a bite to eat or head home?” He kept pace beside her as they walked down the hall. It would be great if he knew what was going on in her head, but she didn’t seem inclined to tell him. “You worried?”

  “About what?”

  “Everything?” Trust Jody to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders, even when she was on a relaxant.

  “I don’t want to think about anything right now.” Her eyes brightened. “You wanna get a sno-cone? Let’s get a sno-cone.”

  There was a stand out by the supermarket, but he hadn’t expected her to say that. “Okay. Sounds refreshing.”

  She didn’t say anything else as they made their way out of the hospital. After she got in the truck, she put on her seatbelt, then turned to the window.

  He put his hand on her thigh after he started the truck. “No matter what happens, I’m here for you.”

  She turned her gaze on him. “I hope it’s nothing so I can live long enough to annoy you every day for the rest of our lives.”

  “That’s…sweet, Jody. Thanks.” He turned onto the street. It was about time to get her home. Seemed like she could use a nap.

  A smile lit up her face. “You know what we should do?”

  “We’re not getting shots to go with the sno-cones. Sorry to disappoint. Is there something else you want to do?”

  She nodded. “Get married. We could, you know. We’ll find one of those quickie places next to a courthouse. It’s only Thursday. It’s early. We’ve got plenty of time.” She grinned. “Say yes.”

  Holy shit. Women were throwing proposals at him left and right. He took his gaze off the road. “After the sno-cone?”

  Jody waved her hand. “We can get a sno-cone anytime. The courthouse closes at four.”

  He gripped the wheel tightly. “You might want to slow down and think about what you asked me.”

  Her grin fell. “You don’t want to marry me.”

  “Of course I want to marry you, but don’t you think it should wait until your head isn’t messed up because of prescription drugs? You might forget the important details if you’re not fully awake.”

  “We only have a little longer before we find out the results. Before I might have to have surgery or do chemotherapy. I want happy memories.” She sat back in her seat and her shoulders slumped. “It came to me while she was jabbing me with that needle. Never mind. I thought you’d be excited, but I was wrong. Take me home.”

  “Jody—”

  “Don’t Jody me. I get it.”

  The scary part was, she didn’t sound angry. Kind of robotic and stiff. “I’m going through the drive-thru at Honeybee’s. We’re getting lunch because you haven’t eaten since last night and you hardly ate enough for a bird then. When we get back to my house, you’re taking a nap. If you feel up to it, Jessi asked us to dinner.”

  “Okay. Whatever.” She stared at her hands on her lap as though they were more fascinating than the night sky. “Sounds great.”

  “You are definitely not in your right mind,” he muttered.

  “I heard that.” She lifted her chin to glare at him, but ended up leaning her head back and closing her eyes. “I just need some sleep.”

  When he got her home, she picked at her lunch, but gave up before she had a quarter of the meal eaten. “Wake me up in a couple of hours. Maybe things won’t be so fuzzy.”

  He waited until he heard his bedroom door shut before he dialed Will’s number. The second her brother answered, he said, “Code red. She’s trying to sabotage me.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “She asked me to marry her. Wanted to elope.”

  Will burst out laughing. “Are you shitting me? Did you record it?”

  “I didn’t have time. We were in the truck and moving already. It’s a pity, because I would love to play it back for her. She’s going to sleep for a little while. Hopefully when she wakes up, she’s thinking clearly. Can you let Luke know we’ll be headed your way in about two and half hours?”

  “Can do. This ought to be good.” Will laughed again. “See you soon, buddy.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  No matter how hard she tried to focus, the afternoon seemed like a hard to grasp memory. Jody rubbed her forehead, but aside from thinking how numb her breast had been—and it sure wasn’t now—and the really stupid dream that
she had asked Nolan to marry her, she couldn’t recall much. Thank God she hadn’t really asked him. He’d never let her forget it.

  He was surprisingly quiet as he drove them to Will’s house, although he kept sneaking glances her way.

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  “What?” He started like he’d been lost in thought. “No, you were pretty out of it on the way home. You don’t remember?”

  “Not much. How come I get the feeling you’re not telling me something?”

  The corner of his mouth twitched upward. “You wanted a sno-cone. That’s about it.”

  “A sno-cone?” She didn’t remember that at all. “Did I get it?”

  “Afraid not. We went home because you were tired.”

  “That was the best nap I think I’ve ever taken. I should get prescription drugs more often.” She slept better when she was with Nolan. Pity he hadn’t laid down with her. She might’ve kept him there instead of going to Will and Jessi’s for dinner. “Will you give me a hint about what we’re doing this weekend?”

  “Nope. I want you to be completely surprised.”

  “Not fair.” She couldn’t comfortably cross her arms, so she settled for putting her ankle over her knee and staring out the window.

  “Don’t pout.”

  “You wouldn’t be happy if someone was keeping things from you. Do Will and Jessi know what we’re doing?”

  His smile grew. “Maybe. Maybe not. I can’t tell you.”

  “I’d better like your surprise or else you’ll be in big trouble, mister.” She couldn’t keep the laughter out of her voice. “I’ll have to spank you.”

  “Promise?” He winked at her as he turned down Will’s driveway.

  “We should’ve stayed at your place. We could have found something more entertaining to do than sit at a table with my smartass brother.” She ran her hand over his thigh. “Maybe we can make it a short evening.”

  A flash of worry burned through his laughter. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “We’ll be careful. I’ll take a painkiller. No problem.”

  “Let’s get through this evening before you go making me randy. There’s always tomorrow.”

  “Hmm.” He could say that without worry, but who knew how many tomorrows she had left?

  “Don’t be mad at me. I just want to make sure you feel all right.”

  “I’m not mad. I swear.” Mostly confused and worried. Any anger she harbored was at the unfairness of life. Not that life gave a damn about her opinions. “Did Will say what he was barbequing this time? I think he only knows how to cook on a grill.”

  “No telling. I hope it’s steak.” He parked the truck in the driveway. Then his phone bleeped. “Oh, got a text. Hang on. I’ll help you out in a second.”

  “I’ve got it. I’m not a weakling.” To prove her point, she opened the door, then slid down. The landing gave her a tiny jolt that aggravated her still-bruised thigh. That hurt more than the needle pricks in her chest. “See? Fine and dandy.”

  “Okay, good.” He hastily typed a response to his text, then gave her a wan smile. “Promise me you’ll take it easy.”

  “No dancing on the picnic table? Ah, you’re no fun tonight. Can I have a beer?”

  “Maybe hold off on that for a day or two.”

  “Or forever?” She arched a brow. “I know you hate it.”

  “Let’s not fight about it. Not tonight. I want us to have a good weekend.”

  She nodded. “Forget I said anything. The last part of the conversation didn’t happen. I love you, Nolan.”

  He managed a real smile. “I know.” He took her hand and led her around the house.

  The kids were sitting around the picnic table, munching on hot dogs, surprisingly subdued. Jessi sat in a lawn chair near them, clearly keeping an eye out for unruly behavior. Faith sat farther away, rubbing one of her feet. Her ankles were puffy and she looked tired.

  Jody grimaced. “Hi, everyone.”

  Her brothers were nowhere in sight. Weird. Usually Will didn’t get away from his grill until everyone was fed.

  “Hey, Jody. How are you feeling?” Jessi rose. “Can I get you something to drink? Take my chair. Nolan, I’ll grab another one for you.”

  She seemed overly animated and her face flushed.

  “I’m fine. Um, whatever you’ve got to drink will work. I am kind of thirsty.”

  “Okay, sure. Nolan?” Jessi’s hands fluttered at her sides. “For you?”

  “Nothing right now. I’ll get something in a while.” He glanced between Jessi and Jody. “Sit.”

  At the table, Dusty let out a giggle.

  Jody shifted. “Is something going on? Where’s doofus and dodo brain?”

  “Checking on a horse in the barn. They’ll be here in a minute. Really, Jody, have a seat.” Faith gestured at the chair. “You look worn out.”

  Jody glanced down at her shirt. She’d put on clean clothes, right? Brushed her hair? Maybe she’d smeared her mascara and Nolan hadn’t bothered to mention it. “I actually don’t feel too bad. Thanks, though. You guys sure know how to make a girl feel good about herself.”

  Jessi hovered near the back door. She flushed when Jody looked her way. “I’m going to get that chair for Nolan.”

  She disappeared through the doorway.

  Jody lowered herself into the chair. Her stomach growled. “Are we having steak or what?”

  Faith nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

  “Oh, no! One of the horses is loose!”

  Something sounded stilted about Jessi’s cry.

  “What the hell?” Jody rose again as Splash came flying around the house. “Splash, what are you—”

  He stopped in front of Jody, looking proud of himself. He had a long piece of white butcher paper hanging over his back. His halter was decorated with fake flowers and more were woven into his mane along with white ribbons. He carried a basket between his teeth.

  Her breath caught and she pressed her hand over her heart.

  Someone had written Will you marry me? in red marker on the butcher paper.

  “What the hell?” She turned to Nolan. “What is this?”

  He spread his hands, clearly trying to maintain an innocent expression. “The horse is asking you a question. I think he might have something for you in that basket too.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest. “I’m still asleep, right? I passed out while the doctor was doing the biopsy, maybe? Bad reaction to the anesthetic, probably. Because this has gotten way too weird to really be happening.”

  Nolan’s face fell. “You don’t like it?”

  Bear let out an exasperated sigh. “Aunt Jody, Nolan’s asking you to marry him. Splash is bringing you the ring. Uncle Luke taught him.”

  Jessi, Will, and Luke emerged from around the house, worried expressions on their faces.

  Realization hit Jody hard. It wasn’t a joke. Nolan was asking her to marry him and she was messing it up. “Oh my God. You’re really proposing.” She covered her mouth with her hands to smother her laughter. It took a moment to get control again. “I’m so sorry. I thought…I don’t know what I thought.”

  Nolan took a ring box from the basket Splash held. He popped the lid open and held it out. “Maybe we kind of botched it, but this afternoon when you asked me to marry you, I was a little worried you’d found out I planned this. I wanted to wait until tomorrow when I was sure your drugs had worn off, but then it seemed like I’d better get on it before you asked me again. You acted kind of insulted when I didn’t agree right away.”

  She tore her gaze off the mesmerizing diamond sparkling in the box. “Wait, I asked you? When? Where was I?”

  He laughed and ducked his head. “In the truck on the way home. You wanted to go to one of those quickie places that pop up beside courthouses.”

  No memories of that surfaced. “I don’t think so. That doesn’t sound like me. Was this before or after I asked for a sno-cone?”

  “After, actua
lly.” He plucked the ring out of the satin-lined box. “So what do you say? I thought we could leave for Arkansas early in the morning and get married at this place I saw on the internet. They do weddings and old-time photography.”

  Splash dropped the basket, then turned his head and began tearing at the butcher paper draped across his back.

  Nolan smiled. “Looks like someone wants an answer.”

  She met Will’s gaze. He gave her a quick nod. Just do it. Take the poor man’s ring already.

  “Give me that.” She slid the ring over her finger. The cool metal warmed right away. Is this happening? What if she couldn’t give him very long? She wanted it anyway. Wanted a cheesy wedding at some photo shop. Maybe they could wear old-timey costumes. She wanted a care-free weekend with him as her husband.

  The damned tears started again and then she threw herself into his arms with a sob.

  “Are you mad at me? What’s wrong, Jody?” His breath was hot against her ear and he had a note of panic in his voice.

  “I’m happy. Shut up and let me be happy for a minute.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes.”

  Some of the tension left his body. “I’m sorry this turned into such a mess. I thought it would go smoother.”

  “Shut up. I loved it. It couldn’t have been any better.”

  Nolan laughed. “You’re sure?”

  “Just shut up.” She kissed him so he’d finally be quiet while she let her happiness soak in.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Jody absently stroked her thumb over the back of Nolan’s hand. Her gaze was distant and any sign that she’d spent a relaxing weekend wrapped in his arms had fallen away the minute they got back on the road to Swells. The last hour of travel had been filled with silence.

  He didn’t doubt that she’d enjoyed herself. She’d barely brooded from the time they picked up the rental car until they’d checked out of the motel this morning. If her biopsy had been on her mind, she managed to hide it well. She’d even managed to get some sleep and looked rested. But with Monday half over and Tuesday looming, he knew her worries increased by the minute. The silver lining of becoming Mrs. Locke wouldn’t block out the real world forever.