Texas Strong

by Jean Brashear

  “No. It’s already done.”

  “Wow,” Brenda said. “You’re fast.”

  “I had help.”

  “So you did tell someone?”

  “No, not really. I—well, my car broke down, and Tank found us. He loaded everything up in his truck and brought us over, then towed in my car and fixed it.”

  The three of them looked at one another.

  “What?”

  “Tank?” Jeanette asked. “Seriously?”

  “He’s a nice man.”

  Those looks traded again.

  “What is it?”

  Ruby touched her arm. “Honey, I’m glad he helped you, but…he’s a troubled man. Just…be careful.”

  “Ruby, he’s more than troubled, and she should be warned,” Jeanette fired back. “I grew up with Tank, and he was a bully. He hasn’t really changed, and having a badge on his chest hasn’t helped. He likes to throw his weight around. His daddy was mean as a snake, and he’s too much like his father. You’d do better to stay away.”

  Chrissy shook her head emphatically. “You’re wrong. He was very kind, and he was great to my kids.” She smiled. “Thad calls him Big Theo—because both of their given names are Theodore.”

  “He told you that?”

  “He told Thad.”

  “Well, I don’t know what magic you worked, but that’s not the Tank Patton anyone else knows.”

  No wonder he was so lonely. She hadn’t mistaken the cold shoulder he’d received here the other day. “Maybe he just needs a friend.”

  Worried glances were exchanged. Finally Ruby spoke. “Honey, that’s very sweet of you, but—” She seemed to be trying to find the right words. “Just be careful. His daddy was a violent man, and the whole family suffered for it.” She shook her head sorrowfully. “It’s a black mark on all of us that back then we shied away from getting involved. I don’t think anyone knows just how bad it was, but…let’s just say that no one mourns Vernon’s passing.”

  A chill moved over Chrissy. Her ex had turned on her twice and the kids only once before she’d pulled up stakes and left him. She would never expose her children to a violent man again.

  But even as she thought that, she remembered his gentleness with Thad, his care with Becky, however awkwardly given.

  And she remembered that moment she’d relived a hundred times last night, when he’d gone so still as she touched his cheek and placed that chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth.

  There had been an edge of…vulnerability, she guessed. He was clearly not accustomed to touching, she’d seen that several times, such as Thad’s exuberant hug or when Becky looked up at him shyly and his hand had hovered that once over her hair…

  “I don’t—” She shook her head. The man she’d seen had been silent and stoic and uneasy. But his delight at the simple meal and all the ways he’d been going out of his way to help… “I think you’re wrong.”

  But even shy, sweet Brenda looked worried, and there was no way Chrissy was risking her children’s safety, ever again. They’d suffered from too many of her mistakes.

  The door opened, and customers began coming in for breakfast, so she had no further chance to discuss her confusion.

  He’d given her wide berth the rest of the time he’d been there yesterday, anyway, and when she’d offered to cook for him again, he’d declined. He’d left before the kids could come home, as though he couldn’t get away fast enough.

  So the warnings probably weren’t needed. She’d made a fool of herself yesterday, anyway.

  But she owed him for all he’d done and how he’d saved her. She had to figure out how to make that right.

  “Chrissy?” Jeanette turned, eyebrow arched.

  Yeah. Right now, she had work to do.

  Tank had thought about staying away from the cafe today, even though he still needed to change the oil in her car. Not that she’d asked him, but he’d noticed that the oil was dirty, and she’d admitted that she knew very little about cars. Plus he was pretty sure she was on a tight budget.

  She’d asked for a tour so she’d understand the vehicle’s needs better, but once he’d frozen at her touch, things had gone downhill from there.

  He was good at that, turning gold into ash. Taking the good and tainting it.

  What she’d never know—and he’d never tell her—was just how badly he’d ached for her to touch him again. In all his life, he’d been touched very seldom with simple affection—oh, he could remember his mother doing it when he was small, but not often, and the years of his father’s fists had beaten that need out of him.

  Or so he’d thought. Since he’d been grown, he’d had physical contact during sex, of course, but he didn’t engage in that often, either, because he didn’t want to pay for sex, and normal women wanted more than just the physical.

  Not anyone around here, of course, not with him, but women he met along the way, women who didn’t know his story.

  Mostly he just stayed to himself. Life went smoother that way, and he needed to remember that now.

  Finally, though, hunger drove him to the cafe. He had to be in Johnson City to testify in court soon, and he needed a quick bite beforehand. He called in an order that he’d just take along with him, a simple burger and fries he could eat while he drove. It wouldn’t take him long, just in and out, and he might not see Chrissy anyway.

  He should hope not to.

  But as soon as he opened the door to Ruby’s, he was aware that his breathing had quickened and his heart sped up.

  There she was, taking orders from a booth along the side wall.

  At that point, he knew he was lying to himself. He did want to see her. He wanted her to touch him again. Just that small hand on his arm, didn’t even have to be his face or his lips or—

  Then she turned and saw him, and for a second, he thought he saw gladness.

  Immediately, her features went still and wary.

  Yeah. So…she’d been warned. Just as well. He quickly averted his gaze and headed for the cash register. “I have a pickup,” he said to Jeanette.

  Usually Jeanette’s gaze just slid over him, but not today.

  Her mouth opened to speak, but he didn’t want to hear the warning he saw in her eyes. “I’m in a hurry. Gotta be in court.”

  Her mouth closed. One quick nod. “Be right back.” But she glanced over toward where Chrissy had been, and Tank could almost feel the eyes locked on his back.

  His heart chilled, and he let the comforting curtain of ice close over him. When Jeanette returned, he paid and turned toward the door.

  Keeping his eyes to himself as he should have all along.

  Chrissy excused herself. “I’ll be right back.” She rushed to the door and outside. “Tank—”

  His steps faltered, but he kept going.

  “Tank, wait.”

  He halted but didn’t turn. Had she made him that uncomfortable? “I wanted to apologize.”

  He turned, a quizzical expression on his face. “For what?”

  “You did all those nice things for me, and I upset you when I—” She shrugged. Such a tiny kiss shouldn’t be embarrassing, but she felt awkward and uncertain. “Would you like to come to dinner tonight? I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He glanced toward the cafe. “Didn’t they tell you?”

  “Tell me what?” She was jittery because she couldn’t afford to get fired, but even if she had orders that would be ready any minute, she couldn’t just leave it at this. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay out here. I have orders coming up, and I can’t lose this job, but we need to talk.”

  “No, we don’t.” Every line of his frame was rigid.

  “I just mean—” Exasperation overcame her. “Blast it, Tank, just come to supper tonight. I owe you.”

  “No.” A harder edge to his voice. “You don’t.”

  “Of course I do—and anyway, you promised to show me things about my car.” Wow, was she b
allsy or what? He’d already gone so far out of his way and she was asking for more? It was a desperation play, but all she could think of. She’d seen that first beat of longing when he’d walked in, right before he’d clammed up once more and she’d been drawn to him all over again.

  Only her mind and heart were at war. “It’s only supper, Tank. I get off at four, and I feed the kids about six.”

  “I might be working.”

  She started to throw up her hands, but something wouldn’t let her. “Please just come. If not at six, I’ll save you a plate.”

  “You don’t want to do this, Chrissy. Listen to them.”

  “I have to go,” she said, urgency fighting the certainty that she had to make him come over, so she could figure out who he really was. “I’m making you a plate, Tank.” Then she turned on her heel and went back inside.

  “No, I’m not crazy,” Laura said to her sister as her car barreled down the road.

  “Don’t bet on it. You have a man—a hunk, by the way—who’s never so much as winked at another woman. Who loves you to distraction, has provided for his family and, despite a very busy career, missed few of the kids’ plays and games and recitals—and you’re leaving him?”

  “You don’t understand.” Laura couldn’t blame her sister. Chrissy’s ex had not only cheated on her but had done worse, she suspected, though Chrissy wouldn’t discuss it. “Everything’s different now.”

  Chrissy’s sigh was loud. Frustrated. “He still returns home to you, Laura. He loves you. How bad can it be?”

  Laura chewed at her lip. Decided. “He forgot Our Day.”

  “Oh. Wow.” Chrissy had babysat their children many a year so that this one inviolable celebration could go on. “But maybe he—”

  “Chrissy,” Laura said. “Please be on my side right now.” She couldn’t keep the tears from her voice. “I don’t want to do this, but nothing gets better. He’s like an addict who doesn’t believe there’s a problem even when his arms are covered with needle marks.” She blinked hard. “I’ve talked to him, been patient, made excuses for him. That what he’s doing is so important only makes things worse. But I’m scared to death of winding up like Bob Hunter’s wife, Linda. I’ve got a lovely home and no financial worries, but I didn’t marry a house or money. I married a man I hardly ever see anymore.” She sniffed back tears. “I miss him so much.”

  “Of course you do.” Chrissy became solicitous. “I’ll make up the sofa. It’ll be ready by the time you get here.”

  “No,” Laura said. “I’m terrible company. I think I just want to be alone. Besides, Puddin’s with me.”

  “Okay, now I really am worried. You’ve kidnapped Jake’s dog. That’s serious stuff.”

  “He’d starve to death if I left him there.” Laura stroked the head of the gray-muzzled mutt. “And he’s my dog, too.” Though it was Jake who’d found him and brought him home. Ever the savior.

  “Everybody adores Puddin’. Come here, Laura. Let me take care of you for a change.”

  She wanted to so much. But she was the one who cared for everyone. Being the sister in need was hard. Most often, Laura had been the one who’d had things wired, who picked up the pieces when Chrissy’s luck had gone astray. It had been a point of pride for Laura that she had the perfect family, the dream home, the complete package.

  She wanted that dream back. She longed to turn around and go home. Let Jake have one more chance.

  But she was very afraid that nothing would change if she did.

  “Not now. Not yet, at least. I need to think.”

  “I’d say you could do that here, but I hate to lie to someone I love.”

  Laura found a slightly soggy laugh. “I appreciate the invitation, really. And maybe I will, but I just need—” She didn’t really know what she needed.

  Besides Jake.

  “Where will you go?”

  She didn’t really know, but Chrissy would worry. “I have a friend with a cabin.” That much was true, though she wasn’t ready to tell anyone but Chrissy that she was leaving her husband.

  The words tore the breath right out of her lungs.

  Please, Jake, let this wake you up. Let us find our way back to each other.

  She was terrified he would choose medicine over her.

  So Laura petted the dog for comfort.

  And kept driving.

  Jake’s butt was seriously dragging as he approached the tiny break room off the ER administrator’s office, but worn out though he was, he couldn’t help noticing the crowd spilling out the door. He frowned and tried to skirt past because all he wanted to do was be home and horizontal as soon as possible.

  But someone hollered out his name. “Yo, Doc. Your woman is amazing.”

  His head snapped to the side. “What?”

  “Come here,” said Stella. “Let him through, you hogs. Let the man have a chance at the goods.”

  A path widened for him, and he spotted what the fuss was all about.

  A spread, the likes of which made his mouth water, filled the entire table. Fat clumps of grapes, plump strawberries, an array of meats and cheeses, vegetables, crackers and dips. A variety of pastries that smelled like heaven.

  Vintage Laura. Despite the fact that every hand he saw was full, there was plenty of food left, and all of it beautifully presented.

  “You are one lucky sonofagun, Cameron,” said a male nurse he was certain belonged to ICU and not the ER.

  Jake glanced around and saw that the crowd held many more people than simply trauma personnel. Laura understood their lot; the staffs housed in this wing seldom got proper breaks to go eat. Everything they did was about speed and immediacy. The lives under their care couldn’t wait for someone to return from a leisurely meal, and the people here were dedicated to an extreme degree. Long shifts, high pressure and little down time exacted a toll.

  Damn. What a woman. “I am,” he responded, and ducked Stella’s gaze. He’d screwed up so badly and what did Laura do? She made him a feast. Sure, she’d cooked it for all of them, but he knew whom she was really caring for.

  Him. Lucky sonofagun Jake Cameron.

  Starving Jake Cameron. He dove in, snagged a handful of food and wheeled to go.

  Home to Laura.

  “Wait—” The unit secretary grabbed his arm.

  “Uh-uh. I’m way overdue to leave.”

  “I understand. But she sent you something special.”

  Jake spotted a bag in the woman’s hands, with his name on it. He accepted it and resumed his departure.

  “Hey, Doc, you’re not going to let us peek?”

  Recalling all the times Laura had packed him a lunch and slipped in something private and often racy, Jake shook his head. “Nope.” And winked before he left. To the sound of whistles and jeers and laughter.

  Excellent stress relief. Thank you, Laura. From all of us.

  He practically inhaled the food as he loped toward the doctors’ locker room. Once inside, he made certain he was alone before he opened the bag, already grinning in anticipation.

  Then he frowned.

  A package of underwear. With a note.

  Here. Thought you might need this.

  No signature. No Love, Laura. No sketched heart.

  Why would he need new underwear? There was plenty at home, always clean and folded in his drawer.

  What had that note in the kitchen said?

  The cook ran off to join the circus.

  But she’d made food for them, when she’d said the kitchen was closed. Food meant love to Laura; she’d always told him she put her heart in every meal.

  She wouldn’t actually leave him.

  Would she?

  Jake didn’t wait to change; he remained in his scrubs, simply tossed his clothes and shoes in his gym bag and seconds later was out the door.

  The kids had just dropped off to sleep after a busy, exciting second day at their new school. They’d both chattered from the moment they stepped off the bus, and Becky
’s highlight was still her new teacher, while Thad was thrilled that a boy in his class had thrown up.

  She grinned as she straightened up the after-bath mess. Oh, how relieved she was that the second day had gone as well as the first. Becky had met one little girl who’d invited her to sit by her at lunch the first day, and they’d become fast friends already. As shy as her daughter was, the power of that little Samantha’s generosity couldn’t be overstated.

  Thad, who had never met a stranger, hadn’t waited for any invitations. He already knew the names of more children than she would ever remember, and he’d had a thoroughly good time at recess and lunch.

  She paused for a moment in the living room and just took a deep breath. Things might work out here—oh, how she hoped so. Her children weren’t the only ones who needed a place to belong. She stepped out on the back porch to enjoy the waning light of the warm evening.

  A noise off to the side alerted her. City instincts had her backing away toward the door to go inside and lock it—

  Until she saw the light in the garage.

  He’d come. Without a word to her, but…he’d shown up.

  Equal parts nerves and anticipation rode her as she crossed the grass. She could see his long powerful legs sticking out from under the car. A clang and muffled curse emerged, and she couldn’t help her giggle.

  The legs went still.

  She went to her knees and peered beneath the car.

  “What are you doing here?” they both asked.

  “I live here,” she answered first. “What are you doing?”

  A small shrug. “Changing your oil.”

  “You know how to do that, too? Without a bay dug in the ground or anything?”

  A faint smile curved his lips. “Old school.”

  “Can I see?”

  “Not unless you want to get filthy, and that’s without getting near the oil.”

  She glanced down at the ancient jeans and faded t-shirt she wore. She’d been certain he wouldn’t show, so she hadn’t bothered with her appearance. “I’m game.”

  “You’ll regret it.”

  “Hey, I might need a new job one day. This is a good skill to learn.”