“Are you all right?” he asked, gently helping Piper get up.
“I think so.” Piper lifted her chin. “The only thing that’s hurt is my pride.”
“How can you joke at a time like this,” Cord chided, his expression tight. His gaze slid past her to Renee. “Hello, Renee.”
Shock, worry and then anger flitted across the younger woman’s face. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. Then, as she took in the way he supported Piper, holding her close to him, she swallowed hard. “Do you two know each other?”
As Piper was about to speak, she caught movement from the corner of her eye. Her attacker had taken off running.
Cord tensed, about to go after him.
“Let him go,” Piper said. “We have more important things to deal with.” Ankle throbbing, she clutched Cord’s arm to keep from falling as she turned to face Renee. “Yes, we do know each other. I came looking for you.”
“Why?” Renee looked from one to the other.
“Your uncle has been worried sick about you. I’ve been helping him locate you.”
“Worried?” Renee’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Cord couldn’t care less what I do.”
“That’s not true,” Cord put in, his voice a deep rumble. “I’ve been searching for you ever since you took off.”
“Really?” Now Renee didn’t bother to hide her disbelief. “I’ve been here since day one. This isn’t that far from home. Not once have you shown up.”
“I didn’t know where you were.”
Piper looked from one to the other. Though she could tell Cord was trying, he’d assumed an adversarial stance, like a boxer gearing up for a fight. Picking up on this, Renee crossed her arms and lifted her chin.
A few people exited the front door, eyeing them curiously as they headed toward their vehicles.
“How about we go someplace private to talk?” Piper entreated. She tried to take a step toward Renee, but pain shot up her leg and she bit back a cry. If Cord hadn’t been holding her up, she would have fallen.
“Maybe you should get your ankle looked at,” Renee suggested. “My uncle and I can have our discussion another time.”
Next to her, Piper felt Cord stiffen. “I’m fine,” she lied. “When we get back to the house, I can ice it. I’d really like you two to get a chance to have a heart-to-heart.”
“The house?” Renee looked from one to the other. “Are you two living together?” She fixed Cord with a narrow-eyed gaze. “That was quick. I didn’t even know you were seeing someone. Of course, why would I, considering we never really talked?”
He cleared his throat. “I’d like to try and change that. Please. Come back to the house.”
Clearly still indecisive, Renee looked from one to the other. “For a little while,” she finally agreed. “But I’m taking my own car and I plan to leave once we’re finished.”
Cord stiffened. For a second Piper was afraid he’d say the wrong thing and drive Renee away. But finally, he nodded. “Sure thing.”
Sirens sounded in the distance.
Piper panicked. “We’ve got to go.”
“You can’t,” Renee said. “You’ve got to stay and tell the police how that guy assaulted you.”
“I can’t.” She lunged forward, meaning to go for Cord’s truck. Luckily, he still held on to her or she would have fallen again. The ankle had really started to hurt.
“Since her assailant is gone, and I got in a few good punches, I’m sure he has plenty of regrets. I don’t see the point of Piper reporting anything.” That said, he lifted Piper and carried her over to his truck. Briefly setting her down so he could open the door, he saw her wince. “Do you think you should go to the ER?”
“No. Though it hurts like the dickens, it’s a sprain, I’m sure. And there’s nothing they can do for that except tell me to put ice on it.” She glanced back at Renee. “I really hope you two can work things out.”
“Me, too.”
The sirens grew louder. In a minute they’d be turning down the street and into the parking lot.
Cord placed Piper inside the truck and closed the door. “We have to go,” he told Renee. “Now. Please. We’ll explain later.”
Finally, Renee spun on her heel and went to her car, something small and silver with multiple dents. “I’ll follow you,” she shouted. “Let’s go!”
And they were off.
“Do you think she’s really going to follow us?” Cord asked Piper.
“Why wouldn’t she? She said she would.” Piper spoke through clenched teeth. The pain from her ankle made her feel nauseous.
They passed the police cars, two of them, going in the opposite direction.
“That was close.”
All Piper could do in response was nod.
“Are you okay?” He glanced at her. “I really think we should stop at an ER and get that checked out.”
“First off, we can’t. They’ll want ID and insurance, and since my family is pretty well-known around here, they’d call Fowler. Second, I’ll be fine once I get a hold of some ice.”
Though he didn’t appear convinced, he nodded and concentrated on the road.
Piper leaned back in the seat and wished she could fall asleep.
When they pulled up in Cord’s driveway, she tensed, dreading getting out of the truck.
“I’ll get you,” Cord said, correctly interpreting her expression. “Once I have the door open, I’ll carry you inside and put you on the couch.”
“What if you drop me?” She ruined her weak attempt at humor with a muffled cry when she tried to move. “I’m not all that light, you know.”
“Really,” he scoffed. “I bet you don’t weigh over a hundred pounds soaking wet.”
Headlights pulled in behind them. “Renee’s here,” Piper pointed out. “Please be kind to her.”
But he’d already gotten out of the truck so she wasn’t sure if he’d heard her, which was probably for the best.
Biting her lip to stifle a moan of pain, the next few minutes felt like an eternity. Renee still had her key and hurried up the sidewalk to unlock the front door.
“Ready?” Cord asked.
Piper inhaled and then nodded. “As much as I’m ever going to be.”
Then he lifted Piper out of the truck and set her down gently. “Lean on me,” he said as he did. “Keep that ankle off the ground.”
“What, decided I’m too heavy, after all?” she managed to quip, despite breaking into a sweat due to pain.
Instead of responding, he lifted her up and carried her inside.
“Wow.” Renee watched, her heavily made-up eyes wide. “Like carrying your bride over the threshold.”
Piper couldn’t help but snort. “Right. He wishes.”
“Do I?” Despite the gleam in his eye, he set her down gently on the sofa. Truman greeted them with a happy bark and wiggled his entire body.
Bride. Huh. She wondered why Renee would even think such a thing. Maybe a wishful longing for a family. Piper attempted to flash a friendly smile but it ended up feeling more like a grimace.
The ankle hurt. Cord made an ice pack and Renee gave her two Advil and a glass of water.
“Maybe she should have something stronger,” Cord suggested. “I’ve got whiskey.”
Renee nodded. “Would you rather have that?”
At that moment, the pain was so intense that Piper would have taken an elephant tranquilizer if offered. “Please,” she managed, after downing the two pills with water.
But Renee stood stock-still, staring. “I recognize you now,” she said slowly. “You’re Piper Colton.”
All Piper could do was glance at Cord before nodding. “Yes, I am.”
She frowned. “Aren’t you like, rich or something? What are you doing here with my uncle?”
Shifting the ice pack around, Piper took a minute to answer. “He’s helping me. I got in a bit of trouble and—”
“You were arrested for murdering your father,” Renee i
nterrupted. “Now I remember. I saw it on the news.”
If she hadn’t been in so much pain, Piper would have been embarrassed. All she could do right now was nod toward Cord. “I’m sure Cord will be happy to explain.”
She hoped he’d get the hint. He’d been sitting like a brooding lump for the entire time Renee had been there. If he really wanted her back, he needed to show it.
“Well?” Renee faced Cord. “What the heck is going on?”
“Does she look like a murderer?” Cord asked, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “She didn’t kill anyone. In fact, we don’t even know if Eldridge is dead. Someone planted evidence on her and we’re trying to find out who.”
“I see.” Renee’s expression cleared. “So her staying here is a...business arrangement, then?” The sarcasm in her voice made Piper smile.
“It is,” she said. “One of my brothers hired him to find me and bring me home.”
“Well, that obviously didn’t work out.” Clearly interested, Renee tapped one foot. “So what happened?”
“She agreed to help me look for you in exchange for me trying to figure out who framed her and why,” Cord said.
“Did you?”
“Not yet.” Cord got out his best bottle of whiskey and poured several fingers’ worth into a glass. He brought it to Piper. “This is actually sippin’ whiskey, but in your case I think it might be better if you do it like a shot. Just toss your head back and shoot it.”
She stared at him before accepting the drink. “That’s a pretty big shot.”
“Believe me, you’ll feel better after you drink it. You might even be able to sleep.”
Privately she doubted that, but why not. She had nothing to lose. Plus, she wanted the focus off her and back to the two of them. If they were ever going to resolve their differences, they couldn’t keep pretending the other one wasn’t in the room.
Raising the glass to her mouth, she took a sip. “Not bad,” she lied. “Since the two of you have a lot to discuss, I’ll just lie here and drink my whiskey. Slowly.”
Cord shot her a look before turning to face his niece. “Renee, why’d you run off?”
“I...” Renee’s expression, an interesting combination of rebellious and holding back tears, matched her shaky voice. “You were angry all the time. And busy. Two years ago, when my parents died, I knew you weren’t planning on taking care of a sixteen-year-old girl. We both toughed it out as long as we could. Once I turned eighteen, I didn’t see the need to stay someplace where I wasn’t wanted.”
“I wanted you, Renee.” His steady gaze and sure voice weren’t angry or judgmental. “I just had a piss-poor way of showing that I cared. You’re right, I didn’t expect any of what happened. You lost your mom and your dad and I lost my sister. I was grieving, and then Sam, the man who was more like a father to me than my own, died. Not only did I have to navigate his estate, but I had to learn how to run my own business.” He swallowed. “I know I was busy, but I honestly was trying to keep us afloat. Plus, the truth is, I didn’t really know how to interact with a furious sixteen-year-old girl.” He cut her a look. “And you have to admit, your attitude didn’t make it any easier.”
Renee’s expression didn’t change. “I was angry, in the beginning. The grief was so overwhelming, rage felt better.”
Pretending strong interest in her drink, Piper continued to sip, trying not to gag at the taste, and adjusting the ice on her swollen and sore ankle. She couldn’t help wishing the two of them would just hug and make up. Renee might think she was grown, but Piper could tell she still longed for a family connection.
“I’m not angry anymore, though,” Renee continued. “I haven’t been for a while. I did my best to change, to do well in school. I wanted you to notice. Yet you stayed the same—remote and uninterested.”
“That’s not true.” Cord’s stricken expression made Piper ache. “I went to your graduation, bought you a gift. I know I wasn’t very good as a father figure, but I didn’t know how.”
Renee nodded, her expression unconvinced. As if he sensed she needed him, Truman went over and put his head on her leg. She pet him, almost absentmindedly, while considering Cord’s words.
“I’d like a second chance.” Cord moved closer. “It can’t be easy, the life you’re living now. Come back home. Let’s try again to be a family.”
Hesitating, Renee looked at Piper, who hurriedly averted her eyes.
“I like my job,” Renee said. “But I have no real place to live. I’ve been crashing at various friends’ houses. I’d like to have my room back. Or is she—” Renee pointed at Piper “—staying in my room?”
“She’s in the guest room. The one I was using as an office.” Relief colored his voice. Now he finally hugged her, a one-armed, quick embrace that both seemed to find uncomfortable. “Yes, I’d love for you to have your room back.”
“I’m not quitting my job,” Renee said, as if she expected him to demand it. “I make decent money tending bar and I really like it. I’m saving up to get my own apartment.”
Piper could see Cord visually bite back whatever he wanted to say. “That’s cool,” he agreed.
“Okay.” Finally, Renee smiled.
“Then it’s settled. We can go and get your things.”
“No need.” Renee held up her backpack. “Everything I own is in here.” She took a deep breath. “It’s late and I’m really tired. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to my room now and close the door.”
“Sure.” Cord cleared his throat, apparently struggling to find the right words. “Thank you,” he said. “I’m glad to have you back home where you belong.”
Head down, Renee nodded before hurrying off down the hallway.
By some miracle, Piper had managed to empty her glass. “You were right,” she told Cord. “The whiskey helped.”
*
“Good.” Her drowsy smile made him ache to hold her.
Instead, he grabbed the glass. “Want more?”
Briefly she considered. Then closing her eyes, she nodded. “I think so. Just a little. I have a feeling I’m going to need all the help I can get to sleep.”
He did, too, judging from the force of his arousal. How he could want her now, injured and in pain, boggled his mind. But he did.
After pouring a little more whiskey, he placed her glass on the coffee table. “Why don’t I help you get to your room? I can bring you the whiskey there and you can drink it in bed, if you want.”
Of course, thinking of her tangled in her sheets didn’t help his libido any.
She nodded, coloring. “That sounds great. But first, do you mind helping me get to the bathroom? I need to freshen up and stuff before I go to bed.”
The intimacy had just ratcheted up to an entirely different level.
“No problem.” Though he replied automatically, he couldn’t help but imagine undressing her, her silky skin bare.
“Great.” She held out her hands. He gripped them, trying to keep as much space as possible between them while still supporting her.
As she struggled to stand while keeping her ankle up, he got a good look at it. Swollen to the size of a grapefruit, bruised in various shades of blue and purple, he realized she should have had it professionally looked at. Too bad he didn’t know a doctor. Or even a nurse.
“I think you might have broken that,” he said.
“Do you?” She sounded supremely unconcerned. Or maybe she was just focused on getting to her feet.
Somehow, he got her standing and, with her leaning heavily on him, they made it to her bathroom. Once she was able to stand, holding on to the counter, he made a hasty exit. At least it was a small room, and she’d be able to move between sink and commode without taking too many steps.
“I’ll be right out here if you need me,” he said, closing the door to give her privacy. He went down the hall to get their drinks and then headed to her room. He took a seat on the edge of her bed, listening while the water ran a
nd she washed up and brushed her teeth.
“I’m ready,” she called out.
First taking one more quick gulp of his own whiskey, he went to retrieve her and get her settled for the night. Once he had, he took his drink and beat a quick retreat, wondering if he’d get any sleep at all that night unless he took an icy shower.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Cord went down to the kitchen and drank a cup of coffee while both Piper and Renee slept. He’d tossed and turned all night, torn between desire for Piper and relief that he’d finally found Renee. Having his niece back home felt like a block of concrete had been lifted off his chest.
While he didn’t like—at all—the idea of her working in a bar, he’d realized this was her way of declaring her independence while at the same time needing her family. Though he’d used a lot of Fowler’s money paying bills, he wanted to make sure Renee had a chance at another kind of life. Bartending was fun and he could see how it would appeal to an eighteen-year-old girl who wasn’t yet able to legally drink. But he wanted her to have a chance at more. He wondered if she’d consider enrolling in a junior college in the spring. Though he knew a question like that would have to wait, he’d ask her after the holidays.
The holidays. He thought of Piper, wondering what she planned to do. From what he remembered of his time living on the ranch, the Colton family had a huge shindig for Thanksgiving.
While he...usually he went out to eat at the local Waffle House, if anything.
This caused a pang. Even though he’d always made sure to take Renee with him, for the first time he wondered if she’d like something more traditional, like turkey.
Before Sam had died, he used to smoke a turkey in his smoker and invite Cord over. The two of them would drink beer and feast on the bird with maybe a side of Stove Top Stuffing. The first year after losing Sam, despite inheriting the smoker, Cord hadn’t felt like continuing the tradition. The second, he’d refused to think about it. Maybe this year, he should.
Pouring another cup of coffee, he went down the hall to check on Piper. He found her sitting up in her bed, hair tousled, dark shadows under her eyes. Truman lay curled up beside her, barely raising his head when Cord entered.
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