by Ciana Stone
“That whole oil thing is really having an impact on this place. This week alone we noticed an increase at the bar, and I hear the new housing development is nearly sold out and it’s not even finished.”
“Yeah, they’re moving in as fast as we can finish them.”
“So, do you think this is a good thing or is it going to be too much, too fast? Liz said she and Cooper have seen that happen where they’re from in the Dakotas.”
“I think everyone’s trying to not rush it so that the growth isn’t so fast and furious. Bronson said they still don’t have a drill manager. They’ve been trying to hire this guy who’s the best, but so far they haven’t been able to nail him down, so they’ve been through two temporaries and it’s starting to wear on them. Bronson’s getting downright ornery.”
“He just needs to get laid.”
“Oh, say what?”
“You heard me. He and Pressley have been making eyes at each other for a long time. They just need to move things along.”
“Don’t we all?”
She rolled her eyes then laughed. “Indeed we do. But with teenagers and two-year-olds…”
“Who are both in bed.”
Callie considered it for about two seconds. “Then what are we waiting for?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Jayce bounded to his feet, pulled her up and into his arms. She laughed softly as he carried her into his room, locked the door, then plopped her on the bed. After a searing kiss, he stood and started undressing.
Callie watched, appreciating the show. By the time Jayce was naked, she was all for skipping foreplay and getting right to the main event. He was that potent. She started to undress and he assisted, which slowed the process but made it twice as enjoyable.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered against the skin of her breast as his hands stroked slowly down her naked back to her ass.
One second they were on their knees facing each other and the next, he had her on her back with his head between her legs and his mouth and tongue doing things that had her hands tightening into fists on the bed covers. She made an effort to be quiet, but damn if she didn’t feel like screaming in pleasure.
When he moved up to capture her lips in a kiss, she wound her legs around him and rolled them over so she was on top. She sat back, trailing her hands over his chest and down his abdomen. Jayce reached over to open the drawer of the nightstand to pull out a condom. Callie plucked it from his hand and slid it on him.
Jayce smiled at her as she reached down to guide him inside her. Jayce’s hands moved up her legs to her hips as she started to move on him. His gaze locked with hers and then there was only the two of them.
At first, their lovemaking was slow, touches soft and light, but in time, the demands of their bodies caused things to take a more primal tone. Callie thrilled to it when Jayce exerted control, taking her time and again to the edge of release, then pulling her back.
It was a sublime torture she craved and she gladly submitted to him, letting him set the pace and tone, take her where he wanted her to go. Jayce gave her more than what she dreamed – pleasure that was almost overwhelming.
She felt love in his touch and saw it in his eyes and it removed the last of the fear that threatened. “I love you.” She gently stroked his face. “So much.”
“And I will always love you.”
She needed no more than that. Her world was more wonderful than she’d ever imagined it could be. This was the life and the man she’d dreamed of, and miraculously now she had it.
So why did she allow that small cloud of doubt into her mind, that annoying voice that asked just how long it would last before Deke Ramsey found a way to turn her life into hell.
Again.
*****
“She’s living with him?” Callie looked up as Jayce walked into the room, then spoke into the phone again. “Lily, Jayce is here so I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Okay. Like I was saying, he was released three days ago and according to what our investigator found, is staying with Janice Garretson.”
“The ADA?” Jayce asked.
“Yes.”
“Well, what happened with the investigator trying to prove she’s the one who stole the evidence so he could get out?”
“He came up empty. We still think she did it, but we can’t prove it and neither could the DA, so Ramsey is a free man.”
“And is trying to get his hands on my child.”
“He is the biological father.”
“That’s meaningless, Lily, and we both know it. He never provided a thing for Lily and damn it, he tried to kill her. There’s no way in hell I’m letting him even near my daughter.”
“Then you need to be at that hearing in Nashville.”
“Isn’t there a way for us to get it changed to Texas? I mean, I don’t live in Nashville, so how can the courts there decide?”
“You have a point. Let me look into that and I’ll get back to you later today.”
“Okay. Thanks, Lily.”
Callie ended the call and looked at Jayce. “I swear to all that’s holy, I’ll kill him before I let him touch Lily.”
“He’s not going to even get close to her, sweetheart. If Lily can get the case moved to Texas, I’d bet money no judge would even give him visitation rights. Just be patient and let Lily do her job. It’s going to be okay. I promise I won’t let him hurt you or Lily.”
Callie went into his arms. For the first time in her life, she was truly happy and now Deke had to screw it all up. She had to find a way to stop him. For good. But for the moment, she needed to pull it together and not be a burden on Jayce. He had enough on his plate trying to manage all of the jobs his company had going, stay on top of Carson’s sports practice and game schedule and give JD a hand at least once a week on the ranch.
She couldn’t add any more responsibility on him than what he’d already taken on by inviting her and Lily to stay there.
Callie pulled away at the sound of Lily’s voice, hollering at the tops of her lungs. “New day, Mommy. New day.”
Jayce chuckled. “I’ll go get her.”
Callie gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll get her milk and start on the oatmeal.”
She could hear Jayce and Lily as she prepared the oatmeal. He was so patient and loving with Lily, exactly what Callie would wish for Lily to have as a father. A few minutes later, Jayce enter the kitchen, carrying Lily. She was dressed and smiling.
“My bush teefe.”
“Well, aren’t you the big girl?” Callie hurried to give her a kiss and offered to take her from Jayce, but Lily clung to him. “You ready for breakfast? Mommy can fix you oatmeal.”
“Hmmm, oatmeal.” Jayce carried her to the table where he’d placed Carson’s old high chair.
He put Lily into the chair and gave her a kiss on the head. “Okay, punkin doodle, you have a good day. I’ve got to get to work.”
“Get work, Ace,” Lily mimicked. “Bye bye. Wubs Wil-wee.”
Jayce looked at Callie “Wil-wee? Is she saying her name?”
“I think so. Lily, what’s your name, baby?”
“Wil-wee. Ace wub Wil-wee.”
“You bet I do, Lily Belle.” He gave her another kiss. “You have a good day, okay? I’ll see you later.”
“Waider.” Lily grinned. “My wubs you.”
“I love you.” Jayce grinned and grabbed Callie for a quick kiss. “What you have planned for the day?”
Just that simple act stirred her blood and she wondered if she’d ever grow immune to his appeal. “Stella asked me to come by and help her with her books on the bakery this morning and then I’m taking Lily to the park. After that, I’m meeting Pressley and Hannah for lunch and then I’m coming back here to start making jelly with those plums your dad got.”
“Sounds like a good day.”
“Yes. Oh and I’m making dinner, of course. Carson asked if I’d make meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans an
d that squash casserole he liked so much. Is that okay with you?”
“Sounds great.”
“Okay, just let me know what time you can make it?”
“Seven. I promise to be here by no later than seven – no, make that seven-thirty.”
“Okay. Have a good day. I love you.”
“And I love you.” The kiss he gave her had her wishing Lily was still asleep and he didn’t have to go to work.
She watched him leave then turned her attention to Lily’s breakfast.
*****
Callie sat in the sand box with Lily, building piles of sand for Lily to top with rocks, leaves and weeds – or flowers, as Lily called them.
“Well, that’s a mighty fine garden you’re creating there, Miss Lily.”
Callie and Lily looked up at the same time. “My Doe.” Lily grinned. “Come show me.”
The gray-haired man with the kind face knelt beside Lily. “All righty then. Show me.”
Lily pointed to every pile, rock and leaf, babbling about each one. Callie smiled at the way Joe nodded, commented and appeared to be so interested in what Lily was saying. But then, he was that kind of man.
She’d first met Joe right here at the park. He’d been sitting on the bench one day when she and Lily arrived and they’d struck up a conversation. Since that day, she saw him at least once a week when she brought Lily.
Callie liked Joe. He reminded her of her dad and when she was with him, she remembered what it was like to feel safe and protected. She knew it was silly, but that was how he made her feel. Not because he was big and strong, or mean and threatening, but because he seemed to have a calm that made her feel that everything was okay.
“So, how are things going, Miss Callie?”
“Okay.” She looked at him and when he made a face that clearly indicated he wasn’t buying it, she dusted off her hands. “For the most part it is. Living with Jayce is wonderful. It’s almost like we’re a family. But now Deke is trying to take me to court to get shared custody of Lily and…”
She stood and stepped out of the sand box. “Lily, honey, Mommy’s going to sit on the bench for a minute, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.”
Joe followed Callie and took a seat on the bench beside her. “I won’t let him, Joe. Even if I have to run away, I won’t let him be near my baby.” She looked at him, panic swelling. “He tried to kill us and now he thinks he deserves to be her dad? No. I won’t allow it. I swear, I’ll kill—”
“No.” Joe put his hand on her arm. “Don’t ever say that. You know you don’t mean it.”
“But I hate him so much.”
“You hate what he’s done and what he’s become and rightfully so, but you can’t let hate take root in your heart, Miss Callie. Hate kills love and joy and hope, and those are the things you want Lily to have in her life. If you let him turn your heart to hate, then he’s won and I know you don’t want that.”
“Then what do I do?”
“You trust that it’s going to be okay, that if you do what’s right, it will work out and you and Lily can have a happy life here with the people you love.”
“Like you.” Callie took his hand. “You remind me so much of my dad.”
“I’m going to take that as a big compliment.”
She smiled. “He was a wonderful man and so are you. You’re a good friend, Joe. I hope you know how much I appreciate our friendship.”
“Well, I feel the very same, Miss Callie.”
She smiled and looked at Lily. “So, I guess I’m just going to have to go to that hearing in Nashville and make that judge understand why he shouldn’t be allowed to be around my baby, huh?”
“I think that’s exactly what you should do.”
“And you think the judge will see things my way?”
“I think you’re going to leave Nashville with exactly what you want.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “Thanks. I guess I better get Lily cleaned up. We’re supposed to meet some friends for lunch. Want to join?”
“I sure appreciate the offer, but I’ve got a couple of friends I promised to look in on. I’ll be seeing you soon, Miss Callie.”
“Okay. You take care, Joe and have a good day.” She leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek, then hurried to get Lily cleaned up.
Funny, but suddenly she wasn’t so nervous about the custody thing. Now she was just determined to win and get Deke Ramsey out of her life once and for all.
Her phone rang and she hurried to answer. It was Hannah.
“Hey, we’re on our way.”
“Actually, I was wondering if we could have lunch at the bar? There’s something Pressley and I want to tell you and Cody.”
“Sure.”
“Okay, meet you there.”
Callie wondered what the news was. Hannah and Pressley had gotten to be pretty good friends, but she couldn’t imagine what they wanted to tell her and Cody. She gathered up Lily’s things, got everything—along with Lily put into the car—and headed for the bar to find out.
Everyone else was already at the bar when Callie arrived. Cody swooped in to take Lily from her the moment they walked in. Lily squealed as Cody hugged her and twirled around.
“So what’s the big news?” Callie asked.
“Hannah and Pressley won’t say. They’re in the kitchen fixing up lunch. So girl, that music guy Jack couldn’t stop talking about you after ya’ll left.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. He was really impressed.” Cody put Lily down and watched as she took off exploring.
“Well, that’s nice. I guess.”
“Oh oh, what happened?”
Callie quickly told her about the custody situation.
“That rat bastard!” Cody slammed her hands on her hips. “This is wrong, just plain wrong.”
“I know it is, but he’s not going to get away with it. I decided this morning that I’m not going to wait on Lily Matthews to try and have the case moved to Texas. I’m going to the hearing in Nashville and I’m going to tell the judge why he doesn’t deserve to even see Lily.”
“And what if the judge doesn’t agree and gives him visitation?”
“Then he’ll have to find us to see her and I swear that won’t happen. I’ll take her somewhere he won’t ever find her.”
“No. You’re not giving up your life here, Cal. Go to that hearing and convince the judge. Maybe he’ll throw the case out when he hears what that bastard did to you and your mom and tried to do to Lily.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
“So are you taking Lily with you?”
There was the rub. Callie didn’t know if she could stand to be parted from Lily. The time she’d been away from her when she was in the hospital had been the worst time of her life.
On the other hand, if she took Lily, then Deke would see her. And what if the judge ordered Callie to allow Deke to hold Lily or talk to her? Callie didn’t know if she could stand that.
“No. I can’t take the chance. I… I’m going to have to talk to Jayce about this.”
“You know you can leave her with us, Cal. Between the whole family we’ll make sure she’s taken care of and never left alone. You know we love her like she was our own.”
“I do and I thank you, but this really is something I need to discuss with Jayce.”
“So, things are that serious?”
“They are for me.”
“And for him?”
“Well, he isn’t shy about telling me he loves me. And…and I believe him.”
“You should. I don’t think he’s ever been guilty of saying those words to any of the women he’s been with. Jayce might have been something of a player, but he’s never been anything other than honest.”
“I don’t know about his past but I do know that I trust him. Now, enough of that. I want to know why Hannah and Pressley wanted to meet here.”
“Because we have an idea.” Hannah’s voice had Callie and Cody turning.
Hannah and Pressley each carried trays. They unloaded the trays onto a table. “Come on, let’s eat and talk,” Hannah said and went to the foyer to get a booster seat.
Once everyone was seated, Cody brought up the subject. “Okay, your idea…?”
“Honky Tonk Angels.”
Cody looked at Callie. Callie shrugged and looked at Hannah. “You want to elaborate?” Cody asked.
“Actual Honky Tonk Angels. We let women try out to be an Angel and every Friday and Saturday the Angels perform on stage. We can have T-shirts made up that we can sell, and maybe even beer mugs or plastic cups and—”
“Perform?” Cody cut in. “What kind of performing?”
“And you already sort of do that,” Callie offered, hoping she wasn’t overstepping. “I mean not all the time, but it’s kind of a thing for you and Cody and whoever to get up and dance.”
“Line dance,” Cody added. “Nothing – you know, too out there.”
“Well, I wasn’t talking about exotic dancers, Cody. Just girls in shorts, tank tops, boots and hats doing line dancing.”
“And we need to do that, because?”
“Because there are so many more people coming into town,” Pressley finally spoke up. “The new motel on the highway is filled, the campground at the lake and everyone in the county is overflowing. There’s barely an empty room, vacant lot or cot available in thirty miles and on the weekends you know people are headed here to eat, drink, listen to music, dance and yes, watch some pretty women dance. It’s a draw.”
“Well, why do we need a draw if we’re already the only game in town?” Cody asked. “If they want dancers, they can go to Rock Ridge. The building might be new, like the name, but the spirit of this place is still the same – a place where everyone feels comfortable. If we start doing things like having dancers, or Angels, like you say, it’s going to change and folks who’ve been coming here forever won’t keep coming. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I’m not willing to cater to folks who are only going to be here for the strike. Pressley, you know better than most that a strike like this brings in a lot of people. But most of the rights have already been snapped up. In a year, the wildcatters will have either struck pay dirt or given up and your company will be chugging along with established crews.”
