Lookin' for Trouble (Honky Tonk Angels Book 6)

by Ciana Stone

  His arms went around her of their own accord, one hand moving to the back of her head to tangle in her hair. She pressed against him and the feel of her body against his sent something zinging through him, like electricity.

  She angled her head and her lips slanted across his. Her tongue invaded his mouth, caressing. Max’s hand tightened in her hair and pulled her tighter into the kiss.

  Time lost all meaning. The taste of her, the feel of her body pressing into his, her hands fisting his hair and the little moan in her throat became his entire reality.

  He’d never experience that kind of kiss. It was like being joined with someone, feeling the tension in her body match his own, and the way she strained to press closer. The kiss became almost desperate, each of them seeking to devour the other, as if they could consume one another and stop being separate entities but merge into something else, something joined.

  He never wanted it to end and when it did, when her lips left his, he wanted only to pull her back.

  She ran her hand over the side of his face. “I will never forget that. Not as long as I live.”

  He was quite sure he would not either.

  The Present

  “You were my first,” he said. “The first time I’d been kissed by a woman. You remember what you said?”

  She looked at him sadly. “I never forgot Max. I won’t ever.”

  “Then tell me why, Livi? Why did you leave me?”

  She turned away and walked to the door. “I think you should go, Max.”

  “Why won’t you answer?”

  “Max, it won’t make a difference. It’s done. We can’t undo it or go back. Those times are memories that we won’t forget, but that’s all they are.”

  He picked up the box from the bed, walked to the door, and handed it to her. “Maybe you’re right, Livi. Maybe I was wrong. About a lot of things.”

  He walked out and didn’t look back until he reached the elevator. Her door was closed.

  And apparently, a chapter in his life was closed as well. Just like before, she was lost to him.

  Chapter Four

  Olivia closed her eyes and breathed in the heavenly scent. Sweet’s Sweets may have upgraded their storefront and from the looks of things, the interior as well, but one thing had not changed. That divine smell.

  She spotted Stella Sweet behind the counter and walked over. “Hi, Mrs. Stella.”

  Stella looked up, and a frown came on her face. “Hi…” The frown vanished and her hands went to her cheeks. “Oh my goodness. Olivia?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Stella raced from behind the counter to hug Olivia. “Oh my. Oh, my.” She hugged Olivia tightly for a long moment then released her. “Oh honey, I’m so glad to see you.”

  “I’m glad to see you.”

  “Come on. Sit with me and let’s catch up.” Stella yelled over her shoulder to a young woman behind the counter. “Darleen, hon would you be a dear and get us some coffee and a plate of those fritters?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Stella.” Darleen replied and smiled.

  “Such a sweet girl.” Stella said as she led Olivia to a table by the front window. “Sit, sit. Oh, let me look at you. It’s been what? Seven years since last you were here?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Stella reached across the table to take Olivia’s hand. “And you’re better now?”

  “I’m working on it.”

  “Oh honey, we were all so proud of you. Pulitzer prizes. And those photos.” Stella released Olivia’s hand to swipe at the tears that threatened her own eyes. “I still can’t think about them without getting all misty. And to think that you rush into that kind of danger. It’s just… well, it’s just unbelievable.

  “You know we all prayed for you when we heard about that bomb. Billy and I in particular. All I could think about was that sweet girl who used to help me so much with my girls.”

  “They were the cutest babies ever.” Olivia replied and meant it. She was almost twelve when Cody was born, and had started babysitting right here in the bakery in the afternoons after school to help Mrs. Sweet. When Hannah came along, she babysat for her as well. By the time Olivia graduated and headed off to college, she felt as if the Sweet girls were as much hers as they were Stella and Billy’s.

  “I’m so sorry I’ve been so bad about staying in touch.”

  Darleen arrived with the coffee and pastries. Once she departed, Stella spoke up. “You’re no more guilty than I, so don’t apologize. Lives get busy. But tell me, how are you Livi?”

  Olivia looked down as she opened her mouth to lie, but couldn’t force the words out. She closed her mouth, shook her head and looked at Stella. “I saw him. Max, I mean.”

  “And?”

  “And it’s just not going to go away Mrs. Stella. I can’t make it go away.”

  “Well, maybe it’s not intended to, honey.”

  “But I can’t live this way. I… “ She pulled a paper napkin from the holder on the table and wiped at her eyes. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Follow your heart, honey.” Stella took Olivia’s hand again. “Your heart knows even if your head can’t keep up.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t think I can go through losing him again.”

  Stella nodded and squeezed Olivia’s hand. “I’ll pray for you sweetheart. Every day.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Are you here for long?”

  “Just a couple of days.”

  “Then you have to get over to the Honky Tonk.”

  “Honky Tonk?”

  Stella chuckled. “Billy gave Cody and Hannah each a third interest in the bar. It’s been rebuilt and they run it. Do a darn good job too. Please say you’ll come by, have dinner and see the girls. In fact, let’s do it tonight.”

  “I’d really like that.”

  “Good. It’ll be good for you. There’s nothing like being with family to lift the spirits.”

  Olivia smiled. She wasn’t sure she believed that, but it was a nice thought. And it would be good to see Billy and the girls again.

  *****

  Max parked his car between a pickup truck and a compact car in the grocery store parking lot. He wasn’t in need of a lot, but he’d had to get out of the house so making a grocery store run had seemed like a good choice. He wasn’t in the mood to socialize, just get out of the house for an hour or so, and hopefully away from the thoughts that had control of his mind.

  Just as he closed his car door, Bryson Weathers walked up.

  “Hey, Max. How you doin’? Are those ranch hands JD found for you working out okay?”

  Max smiled. He had grown up and gone to school with Bryson. They had not been close friends, but they’d been friendly enough and Max had always liked Bryson. When he bought the horse ranch here in Cotton Creek, Bryson’s oldest brother JD had helped him find people to work the ranch.

  “Great, I really appreciate all he did.”

  “So, you gonna stick around a while this time?”

  “To be honest, I don’t know.” Max replied. “The place is changing.”

  Bryson nodded. “Yep. The oil strike brought in a lot of people. The town is struggling to keep up.”

  “So, JD mentioned that you’re engaged to Hannah Sweet.” Max turned the conversation to Bryson.

  “I am.” Bryson grinned.

  “She still as pretty as she was when we were kids?”

  “More.”

  “Well, congratulations.”

  “Thanks. Say you should stop by the Honky Tonk Angels Bar and Grille sometimes. That’s Billy Sweet’s old place. He gave the girls a stake in it and they’ve fixed it up. Still the best barbecue in West Texas, too.”

  Max put a hand to his belly. He hadn’t eaten yet and the idea of barbecue had his stomach rumbling. “You know, I might just do that.”

  “Well tonight’s good. Being Friday, they just pulled a pig out of the pit. I’m headed over there around six. Why don’t you
ride over and join me and Jasper for dinner? You remember my brother Jasper, don’t you?”

  “I do. And I just might do that.”

  “People are probably eager to see you now that you’re a big-time writer and film person.” Bryson added.

  “I don’t know so much about that, but I think I will ride over. So, I better get my shopping done. See you at six.”

  “Looking forward to it, buddy.” Bryson shook his hand with a grin.

  Max smiled and headed into the store. If nothing else, running into Bryson had lifted his spirits. He hadn’t been to the bar since he’d been back and it might be nice to see who would be there that he might remember.

  *****

  Olivia spotted Billy Sweet the moment she walked into the Honky Tonk Angels. He was a little grayer, a little stockier but his smile was still as kind and infectious as ever. “Mr. Billy, it’s so good to see you.”

  “Livi Warren, as I live and breathe. Come gimme a hug, sugar.”

  Had it been anyone else, she’d have taken it as being hit on by an older man. Coming from Billy Sweet, it was like being engulfed in the arms of your favorite uncle. Olivia smiled when he released her. “The place is beautiful Mr. Billy.”

  He grinned and took her hand to wrap it through his arm. As he escorted her toward the center bar, he gestured with his free hand. “A tornado durn near tore the place down over a year ago. We had it rebuilt and my girls and me run it now. You remember Cody and Hannah?”

  “How could I ever forget them? I so wanted them to be my little sisters.”

  “Well, they were – and are, sugar. At least according to the heart. Well, hey, there’s Cody now.”

  Olivia saw a petite brunette with long hair and what appeared to be the bump of a pregnancy belly emerge from swinging doors to one side of the center bar. “Cody!” Billy called out.

  When Cody looked in the direction of her father’s voice and saw Olivia a big smile came on her face and she ran over to them. “Livi? Oh my god, it is you!”

  Olivia and Cody hugged for several seconds. When they parted, Olivia smiled and gestured to Cody’s belly. “When are you due?”

  “Late spring, early summer.”

  “You’re married?”

  “Nope.”

  “Oh. Okay, so you’re going to raise the baby by yourself?”

  “Oh heck no. The baby’s daddy and I live together. Riggs. Jaxon Riggs.”

  “I’m so happy for you.” Olivia said. “You’re so beautiful, Cody. I wish I had my camera.”

  “Then you’ll have to come back sometime when you do. Oh, wait, I know. Come for Christmas.”

  “Oh, I don’t know if I can.”

  “Yes, yes, that’d be perfect.” Another female voice came from behind them. Cody grinned and Oliva turned to look.

  “Hannah?”

  “Come’ere girl.” Hannah wrapped her arms around Olivia. “Oh my god, it’s good to see you.”

  “Same here. And wow, you’re gorgeous.”

  “Why thank you, big sister.” Hannah said and grinned.

  Olivia smiled at the compliment. “It’s so good to see you. I stopped by the bakery and saw your mom and she said I should come here. The place is incredible. I can’t believe you two are running it.”

  “With help.” Hannah smiled at her father then turned her attention back to Olivia. “So, back to Christmas. Please do come. Cody and Riggs have a great place just outside of town with lots of room, and I have room at the place I’m renting in town.”

  “And there’s always room at our place.” Billy added.

  Olivia looked around at the Sweets. “I will try. Seriously. I’ve missed you all so much.”

  “Well, you’ve been busy becoming a Pulitzer prize winning photo-journalist.” Cody pointed out. “Hey, we have framed photos of you behind the bar. We cut them from newspapers when you got your awards.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Are you kidding?” Cody scoffed. “You’re family and we’re all proud.”

  “Well, thank you. And I’m sorry I’ve been so… MIA, I guess.”

  “It’s okay.” Hannah put her hand on Olivia’s shoulder. “We all get caught up in our own lives.”

  “Well, well.” The high-pitched voice had Cody, Hannah, Billy and Olivia all freezing. The same expression of dismay appeared on all their faces. Nellie Mae Baker and her sidekick, Netta walked up to them.

  “I never thought I’d see you have the gumption to show your face in this town again.” Nellie Mae declared with one hand going to her hip and her chin thrusting up. “Why the nerve.”

  “That’s enough Mrs. Nellie Mae.” Cody said in a tone that sounded suspiciously threatening.

  “Don’t you that’s enough me, Cody Sweet. You’re a one to talk, standing there all swollen with child and not a husband to be seen, but we’ll get to you later. Right now, you—“ She pointed to Olivia. “You should be purely ashamed to show your face after what you did to that poor boy Maxwell Clearman.

  “You nearly put his mama in her grave and truth be told were probably the reason those folks split up after Maxwell went to Californy to go to college.”

  “Mrs. Baker, I don’t think –“ Olivia was trying hard not to lose her temper.

  “I don’t care much what you think, Missy. You gave up your right to any respect from the good folks of Cotton Creek with your shenanigans with that boy back then. Bless him, you probably scarred him for life.”

  “Wasn’t that him we saw with the Weathers boy outside?” Netta asked.

  “Indeed it was.” Nellie Mae answered.

  “Max is here?” Olivia asked and grabbed Cody and Hannah each by a hand. “Come on.”

  She turned, looking around. “Which way to the back door.”

  “Here.” Cody led the way into the kitchen. “Look, you don’t have to leave.”

  “I do.” Olivia argued in a soft voice. “I don’t want any trouble. And not just for me. Please don’t let those old biddies harass Max.”

  “Stay.” Hannah urged. “No one believes you did anything bad, Livi. Well, at least no one who matters.”

  “I appreciate that. And I don’t think I’m guilty of doing anything horrible either. What happened back then … it – it wasn’t bad or ugly and I hate it when people try to make it that way. But people did get hurt and that hurt still hasn’t healed so it’s best if I go.”

  “Will you come back?” Cody asked.

  “I will. For Christmas.”

  “You promise?” Hannah asked.

  “Yes. I do. In fact, give me your phone numbers now.”

  They all exchanged phone numbers and then hugged. Olivia walked out of the back door and gave them a wave. “I’ll see you soon.”

  With that, she headed for the parking lot where she’d left the rental car. It was time to get back to the hotel, get packed and head back to New York, where her job and her life waited. And where her secrets were safe

  Chapter Five

  It had been two weeks since Olivia returned to New York. In that time, she’d looked at the box Max had given her a dozen times a day and still she had not opened it. She wasn’t sure what she was afraid of. Emotional pain? More regret?

  Unable to stand the solitude and the threat of “the box” she called her best friend, Lydia Ozoro and invited her for drinks at one of their favorite bars.

  Olivia decided to forego trying to hail a cab. It was twelve blocks, but the walk would do her good, clear her head.

  She made it to the bar ahead of Lydia and ordered a Crown on the rocks. It wasn’t until after she’d ordered that she realized she’d ordered her “despondent” drink. She almost shoved it aside, but figured it was a shame to waste good liquor.

  Lydia arrived, took one look at Olivia, and ordered the same. “You look like shit warmed over, girl.”

  “Well, gee, thanks Lyd. Nice to see you, too.”

  Lydia passed the sarcasm off with a wave of her hand. “You ready to tell me what’s been
eating you? You’ve been mean as a snake ever since you got back from Texas.”

  Olivia took a sip of her drink, gathering her thoughts. No one but Lydia knew about Max. Hell, no one but Lydia knew the whole story of Olivia’s life. Not even the shrink she’d been seeing for the last two years.

  “Max.”

  Lydia’s eyes widened, and she reached across the table for Olivia’s hand. “You having flashbacks to when you were in that bombing? If it’s the PTSD acting up maybe you— “

  “That’s who I went to shoot, Lyd. In Texas.”

  “You have got to be kidding?”

  “I wish.”

  Lydia made a face. “Hold on. I thought you were going to shoot some hot director?”

  “Yeah. M.E. Clearman. Maxwell Edward Clearman.”

  “Fuck me sideways! Didn’t you know before you left it was him?”

  “No. You know me. I don’t follow that stuff. Hell, I don’t even read the magazine and it pays my bills.”

  “Word, girlfriend, it might pay to stay up with current events.”

  “That’s a little like twenty-twenty hindsight.”

  “Yeah. So, how much has he changed?”

  “Not much. No, a lot. No, both. He’s older, more handsome. Confident.”

  “And rang your bell?”

  Olivia propped her elbows on the table, lowered her face into her hands, and stared at the tabletop. “He wanted to know why I left him.”

  “Oh, oh. Did you tell him?”

  Olivia shook her head. “I couldn’t.”

  “Well, why not? It’s not like you did something horrible or evil, Liv. You did what you thought was the right thing. And it’s not like you had a choice.”

  “And look where that landed me,” Olivia replied.

  “Okay, we are not going there, again. You can’t blame everything that’s happened to you on that.”

  “Can’t I?” Olivia looked up at her friend. “What if I hadn’t left? What if I’d followed my heart instead of my head? What if I hadn’t been so fucking scared--?”

  “Now hold on,” Lydia’s voice took on a scolding tone. “I’m not going to sit here and listen to you beat yourself up again. You thought you were doing the right thing. And yeah, you were scared about what people would say. It’s not like it is now. Cougars are mainstream today. Then, it was a different tale. If a woman hooked up with a man a dozen years younger, it was cradle robbing. There were prejudices then that don’t exist now.