Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn Book 4)

by Ruth Cardello

  Chelle smiled back at them. “I thought Mason was crazy to have two planes, but he said the price of two small ones was just about the same as one large one. I think it’s a case of men loving their toys.”

  Remembering their earlier conversation, David shot for a serious tone and said, “We do love them.”

  Lucy started laughing and slapped his leg. “Stop.”

  With easy humor, David said, “In Texas, we say bigger is always better, but tell yourself whatever you need to, Mason.”

  Mason rolled his eyes and shook his head in tolerant amusement. “Chelle, this is the thanks we get for waiting for them.”

  Chelle laughed. “I had no idea David was so funny.”

  “Fucking hilarious,” Mason said, but he was smiling. “Lucy, why don’t my friends respect me?”

  David leaned forward and gave Mason a pat on the shoulder. “We would respect you, but we know you.”

  Deciding to have a little fun with David, Lucy said, “Mason, David actually says very nice things about you when you’re not around.”

  Chelle turned in her seat and smiled at David. “Mason speaks highly of David, too. It’s a bromance. How sweet.”

  Both David and Mason grunted at the same time, which made the women laugh. David laced his fingers with Lucy’s and pulled her in for a quick kiss. He could pretend to be irritated, but he felt too damn good about life for anything to change his mood. Lucy was at his side, the taste of her lips was still on his, and she was happy.

  Nothing was more important.

  Chapter Twelve

  Seated beside David at a long table that had been hastily engineered by pushing two rickety square ones together, Lucy took a sip of beer and smiled. These were her friends, and she knew how lucky she was to have them. Regardless of their financial status or level of fame, they had remained genuine and down-to-earth. Even Mason, whom Lucy often saw on television in a suit, was dressed in casual jeans and a T-shirt.

  Their meal had been a series of interruptions from townspeople, but the group had handled them gracefully. Some came to ask Tony a question about a horse, some to ask Mason if he would run for president, and one woman even brought a book over for Sarah to sign. For Lucy, though, the most fascinating interactions were between David and everyone who came to the table. He might not have been the one who drew them over, but while they were there, they spoke to him with open affection. Time and time again, they thanked David for his help with something and asked why they hadn’t seen him and when he next planned to come around.

  David always looked over at Lucy before explaining that he had been spending time in Mavis lately, and then he would introduce Lucy to the person. Their reactions were anything but subtle. The most common responses were “About time” and “I’m so happy for the both of you.” But a couple of the comments were more personal. One woman told Lucy she was nuts if she let David get away. Another asked when the wedding would be. After the first few, David began to look uncomfortable, but he didn’t stop introducing Lucy.

  Chelle asked everyone at the table to raise their glasses in honor of the fact that she and Mason had finally chosen a wedding date. They toasted and clapped as she and Mason exchanged a dramatic kiss that left the table laughing.

  A few minutes later, Lucy excused herself to go to the ladies’ room and got a taste of a darker aspect of town. The waitress who had served their pizza and drinks with a smile all evening cornered her when she came out of the bathroom and said, “If you break David’s heart again, I wouldn’t bother coming back to Fort Mavis. You won’t find it a very friendly place.”

  Lucy’s first impulse was to tell her to mind her own business, but she held her tongue. What does she mean “break his heart again”? Lucy met the woman’s eyes. “I have no intention of hurting him. I care about him.”

  The woman’s fake smile returned. “There’s plenty of women willing to help him get over you. I’d keep that in mind.”

  Lucy returned to the table. Apparently, David hadn’t been kidding about having feelings for her since they’d first met. She joked nervously, “The people in this town are pretty intense, aren’t they?”

  David frowned, looking protective and ready to take on anyone who might have offended her. “Did something happen?”

  Lucy decided it was best to keep some conversations to herself. She was still trying to figure out how to take in the whole town seeming to know how he felt about her. On one hand, it was reassurance he wasn’t lying about his feelings. On the other hand, it was pressure she didn’t feel ready for. “No, just a notion I have.”

  Tony looked at the waitress who had spoken to Lucy and said, “If that notion is that this town has its share of assholes, it does.”

  Mason shook his head. “Tony, have you ever heard of the law of attraction? What you put out in the world comes back to you.”

  Tony didn’t look bothered at all. He took a sip of his soda before answering. “Then I must be a saint, because I married one.”

  Sarah laughed and hugged her husband. “I love you.”

  Chelle touched her fiancé’s cheek lightly and teased, “Are you going to let Tony get away with being the most romantic man at this table?”

  Mason narrowed his eyes at Tony, then laughed. “I hate that I can’t think of something awesome to say.” He kissed Chelle briefly on the lips and joked, “Is smelling better romantic? Because I have him beat in that area.”

  This time everyone laughed.

  Lucy’s phone rang. She let it go to voice mail, but then it rang again. She checked the caller ID. It was Michelle from Mavis. With an apologetic wave of her phone, she said, “I should probably take this.”

  “Hello,” Lucy said, turning slightly away from her friends so her conversation wouldn’t interrupt theirs.

  “Lucy, I went by your house, but Wyatt said you were gone for the weekend.”

  “Yes, I’m in Fort Mavis visiting friends.”

  “With David?”

  Lucy glanced at David. He smiled at her, and she looked at him apologetically. He shook his head as if to say it was no big deal. That was David, always understanding. “Yes.”

  “You’ll have to tell me all about it when you get back. Promise?”

  “Sure. Is that why you called?”

  “No. I have something I want to tell you, but I don’t know how to.”

  “Just say it.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  “Now you’re scaring me. Is it bad?”

  “Oh no, nothing like that. This is good, but embarrassing. Lucy, I had my first orgasm all because of you. I did it. I used that toy you told me about, and I waited until I was home alone. At first, I was so nervous and afraid Ron would walk in on me, but then it started to feel good and then it started to feel great. I didn’t know anything could feel that good. Is it always this good? Does it get even better? I have so many questions.”

  Lucy lowered her voice. She was happy that her friend had made a self-knowledge breakthrough and wished she were able to say more. I don’t know what the appropriate thing to say is when your friend has her first orgasm, but I’m pretty sure whatever it is shouldn’t be said now, right in the open. “Can we talk about this later?”

  David didn’t plan to eavesdrop, but when Lucy’s voice had risen with concern, all conversation at the table ceased. Whoever she was talking to, it was obvious the conversation was an uncomfortable one for Lucy. She looked . . . guilty.

  He didn’t like the possessive feelings surging within him at the possibility that she might be talking to a man. When her eyes met his again, he mouthed, “Is everything okay?”

  She nodded, but waved one hand in the air in mild panic. He told himself he trusted her. Just because her body language looked like it was proclaiming she was hiding something, it didn’t mean she was. Or that it was a man. She’d never lied to him.

  I’ve never asked her if there is anyone else.

  Fuck.

  No. This has to be about someth
ing else.

  The more the caller spoke, the more Lucy averted her face. “I really can’t talk right now; I’m out at dinner with friends.” Lucy pushed her chair back so there was an even greater distance between her and everyone at the table. “I don’t know. That’s a decision only you can make.” She suddenly sounded sad. “I’ve asked myself that very question. We’ll talk when I get home.”

  Don’t let it be another man.

  I’m willing to wait, but I won’t share her.

  Lucy pocketed her phone and pulled her chair back beside David. “Sorry about that.”

  David placed his arm around the back of her chair. “Is there a problem back home?”

  Lucy didn’t meet his eyes. “No.”

  Sarah leaned across the table. “Who was that?”

  Lucy shrugged. “Just someone with a question.”

  Sarah smacked the table as an idea came to her. “Oh, a client.”

  “Sort of,” Lucy hedged.

  Chelle leaned forward with interest. “A client? That’s awesome. Sarah said you were starting a home business. She wouldn’t tell me what it was. Mason thinks you’re selling makeup. I said there wasn’t enough money in that, but I thought maybe health products. Really, neither of us knows much about either, but it was fun to guess. Were either of us close?”

  Lucy glared at Sarah, then smiled, but it looked forced. “You both were close, but I feel weird talking about it. I’m just starting out.”

  Chelle reached out and laid a hand on her arm. “I know how you feel. I sold candles one year. I hated asking everyone if they were interested in hosting a party or buying something. They’d say yes, but I was never sure if they felt pressured. You don’t have to feel like that. Whatever you’re selling, we’ll buy ten. Right, Mason? Just to get her started.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Lucy said, shooting what looked like a save-me look at Sarah.

  Sarah clearly knew what Lucy’s new business was, and Lucy apparently didn’t want anyone else to know. He watched her squirm and told himself a better man would step in. I’m only human, though, and dammit, I want to know.

  Tony added, “No reason why we shouldn’t all do what we can. Sarah, buy as much as you want. We’ll find a purpose for it.”

  Sarah gurgled and bit her knuckle. “Anything you say, sweetie.”

  Chelle clapped her hands. “That reminds me. I donated baskets to the church raffle, and that brought in some business. I can help you with ideas like that if you want.”

  Sarah burst out laughing. “Sorry, I’m picturing everyone’s face if you donated a basket at church.”

  Lucy threw a piece of crust at Sarah and stood. “Thanks for the support, Sarah.”

  Sarah instantly stopped laughing. She stood and made a grab for her friend’s arm. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

  Lucy pulled her arm away from Sarah. “No, you weren’t.”

  Frantically, Sarah waved at their friends. “They don’t know anything. I didn’t tell anyone, I swear. Not even Tony.”

  Tony frowned.

  David knew exactly how he felt. He didn’t like being on the outside either.

  Lucy was shaking her head angrily. “No, but now they want to know. It didn’t have to be an issue.”

  Mason raised both hands. “I don’t need to know.”

  Tony nodded in agreement. “I heard nothing.”

  Chelle went to stand with the other two women. “We love you, Lucy. As long as it’s legal, does it matter what you’re selling?”

  Lucy threw her hands up in the air. “It’s sex toys. Okay? Satisfied? That’s how I plan to save my ranch—by selling high-tech vibrators.”

  A man at a nearby table said, “No wonder he likes her so much.”

  David rose to his feet, and the man meekly went back to eating. “Lucy—” David didn’t know what to say, but moved to stand beside her in support.

  Mason said, “We’ll still take ten.”

  Chelle swatted at him and shook her head. “This is no time to joke.”

  Mason shrugged, with big innocent eyes. “Who’s kidding?”

  Lucy moved to walk away, and David stepped in front of her. “There’s no need to leave. No one will judge you here.”

  She waved her hand at everyone in the restaurant and tears filled her eyes. “You don’t think so?”

  David looked pointedly at the nearest man to him. “Will you?”

  The man shook his head.

  He scanned the nearby tables of people who were watching them. “Does anyone here have a problem with what Lucy is doing?”

  Tony stood, as did Mason. David didn’t need their help. He was more than ready to take on the first person who said anything.

  From across the room, one man called out, “My wife wants to know if you have a catalogue.”

  Laughter erupted, and the tension in the room eased.

  Lucy looked fragile, but hopeful. He felt like an ass for letting her friends push her into sharing something before she was ready to, but she had a choice to make. She could hide or be proud of who she was.

  She raised her chin and answered, “Not yet, but I’ll have some for my next visit.”

  Two young men at a corner table said something, but David didn’t hear exactly what it was. He turned toward them. “If you’ve got something to say, be man enough to say it to my face or smart enough to keep your mouth shut.”

  An older man from another table walked over and slapped one of the young men in the back of the head. “Sorry, David. That one is mine. I’ll talk to him.”

  David nodded at the old man. “Thanks, Pete.”

  Mason whooped and clapped a hand on Tony’s back. “I always thought this town was afraid of you, but I think it’s David they’re afraid of.”

  Clara, the waitress, chirped in, “That’s not fear, Mr. Thorne, that’s respect. There ain’t a person in here David hasn’t helped one way or ’nother. When my daddy lost his retirement, David helped him find a fancy lawyer in Dallas who got it back for him.” She looked at Lucy. “A smart woman doesn’t walk away from a man like that.”

  David’s cheeks warmed. “Your family has been just as kind to me.”

  Tony grumbled, “Life was a whole lot less complicated before we all started sharing so much. Are we staying or going?”

  Not caring who was watching, Sarah said, “Lucy, I really am sorry.”

  Lucy gave her a quick nod, but her attention remained on David. She searched his face. “I didn’t mean for it to come out like this. The last thing I wanted to do was embarrass you.”

  “You didn’t. Now, what do you want to do—stay or go?”

  Lucy looked at Clara, then back and said, “I want to stay.”

  “Then let’s have another round of beers. In fact, how about a round for everyone—on Mason. Vote Thorne for president!” David smiled.

  Mason called out, “I’m not announcing anything, but I will buy all of you a drink.”

  General applause filled the room while David, Lucy, and their party sat back down. Once everyone was settled, David took Lucy’s hand in his. He spoke softly into her ear. “You could have told me.”

  “I was working my way toward it.”

  “Is there anything else I should know?” Now is the time to tell me if there is someone else.

  “No, that’s the only secret I had.”

  Thank God.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A few hours later, Lucy was tucked against David’s side on the porch swing of Sarah and Tony’s house. The evening air had cooled off just enough to make the thought of going inside something neither were ready to consider.

  There was also the hanging question of how and if they would part for the night. Lucy wasn’t comfortable enough with David to share a room with him in the main house. She couldn’t imagine going back to the equally not-private bunkhouse with him. Eventually, they’d have to come to a decision, but at the moment, Lucy was right where she wanted to be.

  As
if he could hear her thoughts, David kissed the top of her head. “I had fun tonight.”

  With her head resting on his strong shoulder, Lucy looked up at him from beneath her lashes. “Me too, if you can believe it. I’m glad I didn’t leave. I like Fort Mavis.”

  David caressed her arm as he talked. “No town is perfect, but there are enough good people here to make up for the trouble that sometimes bubbles.”

  “And they love you. If you ran for an office here, you’d win hands down.”

  He shrugged. “Like I said, it’s a good town. We watch out for each other.”

  “I was born in the town I live in, and I could count on one hand the number of people who like me.” It wasn’t something Lucy was proud of.

  “So why stay? Why not sell the ranch and move on?”

  “I promised my mother—”

  “I don’t know a mother who would want her daughter to stay where she’s not happy.”

  Lucy raised her head and sat up straight. “You don’t understand.”

  He kept his arm around her. “Then explain it to me.”

  Lucy pressed her lips together for a moment before speaking. She wasn’t sure she could explain something she was still working out for herself. “For a while, I told myself I was saving it for my brother. I also told myself I had to hold on to it because of the family history. I’m not sure either was the real reason. When I came home, David, I lost so much. I was ready to give up—” David’s eyes snapped to hers and she quickly added, “Not kill myself. Well, not physically, but I was dying on the inside, and I had started to think maybe it was for the best. Maybe feeling nothing was better than hurting so much. Thank God, I spoke to Sarah. She gave me the kick in the ass I needed. I knew I had to make a decision, and saving the ranch was what I decided to do.”

  “That’s why you were angry when I stepped in.” David rubbed his cheek in memory.

  “Yes. I need my business to work out. I need to pay you back. Not because it will save the ranch, but because it will save me.” Lucy laid a hand on his thigh, praying what she was saying made sense to him. “I want to be with you, but I’m so afraid of losing myself again.”