“Goldie?”
“Later, Scott. Grab Hershey,” she said again and raised the barrel higher, as if readjusting her aim on Mr. Carmichael. “And if you try to shoot at my friend here, I’ll make sure you’re filled with more than buckshot. Got me?”
He laughed. Tossed his head back and laughed, like he’d just heard the funniest dirty joke the world had ever heard. “Do you even know how to use that thing, little girl? You sound like a city girl to me.”
Stevie looked at the old break-action shotgun she’d found in my truck like it was a new piece of technology. “I’m better with a nine millimeter, but the gist is the same right? Point”—she aimed the gun right at Mr. Carmichael’s chest and smiled—“and shoot. Right?”
Carmichael’s eyes rounded in fear, over whether she was a novice or crazy enough to shoot him, I didn’t know. But I knew his fear was genuine. “Crazy woman,” he grumbled and lowered his weapon. “Take the damn things, then.”
“How old is the pup?”
“Don’t know,” he snapped. “Found him on the side of the road about six months ago, was a little scrap of nothing then. Cold and wet, until I took him in and took care of him.”
Stevie snorted. “Some job you did. He probably would’ve been better off on his own.” She shook her head as I walked towards her with Hershey in my arms, licking my face. “If I hear you have animals out here again, I’m coming back and sticking you in that damn cage, got it?”
Carmichael nodded and grumbled something under his breath before turning away and slipping inside the house, animals already forgotten once again.
Once we had Hershey loaded up and Goldie comfortable in the trailer, we got the hell off the ranch, just in case Carmichael changed his mind. “Are you out of your mind? What in the hell were you thinking?”
Stevie turned to me, a frown on her face. “I’m not out of my mind. In this situation, I was the big strong man rescuing you. Deal with it.”
“Are you for real right now?” I couldn’t believe this stubborn woman. “You escalated the situation.”
“Seems to me I’m the one who settled it. If I waited in the car like you wanted, you two would still be out there dick measuring.”
“It was reckless.”
“No, it wasn’t. I know my way around quite a few guns, thank you very much. This is Texas, after all. Right?”
She had a point. Ty and I had been around guns since we were boys. You needed them when you drove country roads and spent time in the wild. “It was still reckless,” I said, instead of any of that.
“It’s done,” she barked back, folding her arms and looking out the passenger window, effectively dismissing me.
It was done, dammit, but it still didn’t sit right with me, a woman coming to my rescue. No matter how hot she’d looked holding that shotgun and no matter how old-fashioned and sexist it sounded, it was how I felt.
But there was something else. The more I learned about Stevie, the more I wanted to know about her.
Stevie
Big Mama’s Diner had the most eclectic menu of any small-town diner I’d ever seen, but nothing beats a big fat juicy burger. Even still, I took my time going through the menu to make sure the crazy old proprietress hadn’t added anything new since I got to town.
“Stevie. Fancy seeing you again.” Ginger flashed a wide smile when she spotted me as she came out the kitchen with two hot plates on one arm and a carafe of juice in another. “I’ll be with you in a sec.”
“No worries,” I told her and turned back to the menu, even though I already knew what I wanted and I was pretty sure Scott would appreciate a healthier version of whatever I ordered. The man forgot about lunch more often than not, skipping it completely when the office wasn’t busy, which was almost never since he was the only animal doctor in town.
“All right, what can I get ya?”
That was easy enough. “A bacon burger with extra ketchup and no cheese. A turkey burger with everything but cheese. Two orders of fries and a chocolate milkshake.”
Ginger’s chestnut brows rose. “Someone’s hungry. Or is this for the big man?” The quirk of her lips told me she had something else on her mind and I started to feel antsy, the way I usually felt when it was time to move on.
“Lunch for me and for Dr. Henderson.” It was better to remain formal in public since this town had a hankering for matchmaking. Who knew? “That’s all.”
“Hmm,” she said vaguely, ripping the order sheet from the pad and sliding it to the cook. “I heard you were a pretty big badass with a shotgun.” This time, her smile bloomed big and bright as she shook her head. “Never would’ve guessed it about you, though.”
I frowned as two thoughts competed for authority. The first was wondering how in the hell she’d heard about that, since Scott didn’t seem like the gossiping sort. The second was a bit more personal. “That’s what the old man said. Why is it so hard to believe?”
Ginger shrugged, unmoved by my emotions. “You’ve got the whole city-girl thing going on, kind of like Nina only more… citified, I guess.” She shrugged again. “I’m guessing all you need is a little time.” She smirked and shook her head, like she was in on some joke the rest of us weren’t. “But if you wouldn’t mind sitting down for an interview for the paper, that would be great.”
Luckily, Big Mama chose that moment to make her appearance with a broad smile and her newly-designed shirts with Big Mama’s splashed across the front. “Stevie, I thought I heard you out here, girl. I heard you handled that old Carmichael coot but good.” She smacked the counter and laughed. “Lunch is on me today, because you’ve got spunk. And balls.” She held up a closed fist and I assumed she wanted a bump, so I gave it to her. “All right! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
I didn’t know what I was supposed to need, but I nodded and returned the money to my back pocket. “Thanks, but it’s not necessary. I just wanted to get out of there, and the gun seemed like the easiest way to make that happen.” And to make sure he thought twice about firing at Scott.
Big Mama huffed her displeasure at the way I downplayed events—in just ten days, I’d learned just how much the good folks to Tulip loved drama and gossip. Any kind would do, and today, I guessed, it was my turn.
The bell above the door sounded and Eddy walked in with Helen and Betty behind her. The three women didn’t look like they were natural friends but, according to Scott, thanks to the Hometown Heroes calendar, matchmaking and meddling had brought them all much closer. I turned away before Eddy could spot me but it was too late, not to mention the fact that the diner was small enough that there was no place to hide. “Three specials please, Ginger, and if you can rush it, we’re off to do manicures at the senior home!”
Senior home? I kept my thoughts to myself, grateful the topic of conversation had changed. Ginger nodded and jotted down the order before disappearing into the kitchen. Suddenly, a pair of strong but bony arms wrapped around me and squeezed tight. “Stevie, Scotty told me what you did for him, and though he didn’t seem too happy about your heroics, I am genuinely grateful to you for saving his life. Anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. Please.”
Big Mama must have seen the discomfort in my eyes because she laughed. “Eddy, let the poor girl breathe.”
“Sorry.” She pulled back. “It’s just… my Scotty.”
“I was just doing my job, Eddy. That guy was a jerk and he mistreated his animals.” Four sets of eyes were on me and I started to back away until a big wide wall stopped my progress.
“That’s my line, isn’t it?” It was a deep voice I vaguely recognized but only once I turned did I realize it was Ty, Scott’s older brother. And Sheriff of Tulip, the one who’d caught us kissing on the side of the road.
“Sheriff.”
“Stevie,” he returned, trying hard not to laugh. “Seems like you saved his life, if the rumors are true.”
I shook my head, doing a sneaky look around to see where the hell Ginger
was with my order. “No, I saved the most adorable puppy in the world and a scared filly. Scott was never really in any danger.” Mostly.
“So modest, too,” Big Mama added with a smile as she boxed up two slices of pie I didn’t order and placed it in my bag, which was growing bigger by the minute. “I like you, Stevie.”
“Uh, thanks.” I grabbed the bag and made my escape before anyone could ask any more questions.
Scott
I stood in front of the reception desk for several long moments, watching Stevie work. She bit down on her bottom lip when she was deep in concentration, turning it an even brighter shade of pink. She continued working as if unaware of my presence, but I knew that couldn’t be true. “Eddy’s invited you to dinner tomorrow night.”
My words didn’t startle her, which meant she’d known I was there the entire time. Her gaze moved slowly, but eventually, those violet orbs made their way to mine. I couldn’t read the emotion in them until a small crinkle formed between her ebony brows. “Not that I’m in the habit of turning down a free, home-cooked meal, but why?”
She was a suspicious little thing and that intrigued me further. Stevie was a woman full of secrets, and I was just interested enough to uncover them. For now, though, I was on a mission. “For saving my life, just in case you haven’t heard.” Because I’d heard about it at least a thousand times since I’d made the foolish, rookie mistake of confiding in Eddy. One stupid little rant about Stevie going off half-cocked at the Carmichael Ranch and my fate had been sealed. My own frustration had gotten the better of me and now I, and Stevie, would have to pay the price.
“When will this end?” she groaned, banging her forehead against the wrist rest in front of her keyboard. After a few moments of self-abuse, she looked at me and sighed. “Tell your grandmother I’d love to come for dinner. I’ll even bring whiskey.”
“Make it Irish and she won’t kick you out before dinner begins.” I smiled playfully at her so she knew I was joking.
“Good to know.” Her lips twitched in amusement, and I would have given anything to know what she was thinking. “How’s Hershey?”
Guess I’d find out later. “Good. He’s settling in at home and I’m hoping once he’s properly socialized, I can bring him to work with me.”
She smiled. “Like a therapy dog, but for other animals?”
“Something like that, yeah.” It sounded better than being too busy to take care of another living creature. “He eats like a horse, though, so I might have to rethink this whole having-a-pet thing.”
Stevie laughed, and the sound was rich and deep. “He’s adorable so you could do worse, as far as pets go.”
“He is pretty damn adorable, and he’s got so much energy.” I’d forgotten just how energetic puppies could be until a session of fetch dragged on into the second hour. “He’s been enjoying my morning run, though, so when I go home to feed him, he hasn’t destroyed my place.”
She laughed again, and the smile even made it to her eyes. “Did you manage to grab yourself something to eat while you were there?”
I felt the heat flame my cheeks as I shook my head, feeling embarrassed that instead of my assistant, she’d taken on the role of caretaker, as well. “No. I wasn’t even thinking about me.”
Her lips twitched. “Admirable in a doctor, but ridiculous in a grown man.” Stevie pushed a stray lock of hair from her face and flashed another of those amused grins. “There’s a burger on your desk and thirty minutes until the next appointment arrives.” She nodded back toward the office and waited for me to go.
“Trying to get rid of me?”
“No, but if you stand here any longer, someone will stop in to ask you a question and next thing you know, lunch will be over and you’ll be elbow-deep in a pregnant Dachshund.”
She was right about the first part, and I wasn’t even touching the second part of that statement. “Thanks, Stevie. You’re the best.” I made my way down the hall and headed towards the office, her laughter ringing behind me.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Doc!”
Her words stayed with me as I entered the quiet office and attacked the burger and fries that were waiting for me from Big Mama. Despite the tattoos and wild hair, and her distinctly unprofessional appearance, Stevie was the best damn assistant I ever had. And the most tempting, dammit. Hiring her was supposed to stop this desire, but if Eddy’s matchmaking and Stevie’s tattoos couldn’t stop it, could anything?
I wasn’t sure, but I was equally unsure if it mattered, in the end. Would all the strikes against her matter against the heat and chemistry between us?
Stevie
“So, honey, you got a boyfriend?” Eddy’s question wasn’t all that surprising, considering she’d been asking questions like that since I’d showed up for dinner an hour ago. It didn’t seem to matter that Scott and Ty were both seated at the table, or that Janey had shown up for some reason fifteen minutes ago. All that mattered was my love life. Past and present.
“No, Eddy, I don’t. And I’m not looking.” I figured it was best to cut her off before she got a good head of steam going, but the old woman was tough as hell.
“Well, why not?” She frowned, genuinely confused. “Are you interested in getting a girlfriend? Because if you are, I ain’t judging. I just have to… readjust my expectations.” Her sly smile reminded me that this woman was clever. Too clever for her own good, and mine.
“I’m not interested in dating right now, Eddy. I have a lot of other things on my mind.” Particularly, how long I would be employed by Scott. After that kiss, I wasn’t sure how long he’d be willing to keep me on, so I was keeping my head down and doing my job to the best of my ability. If he fired me, the reasons would be strictly personal.
“Such as?” Eddy arched a brow and leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand.
“Such as my job, which I just got and there’s no guarantee will be there tomorrow or the next day.” I sent an apologetic look at Scott, who looked back at me like a deer caught in headlights. “Sorry, but it’s true. He doesn’t want or need an assistant, and I refuse to start anything with the future being so uncertain.” There. That sounded well thought-out and mature, surely Eddy could respect that.
“Oh, that’s bull, and you and I both know it. Life is filled with uncertainty—you might as well enjoy every moment while you can.” She flashed a smile, so proud of her argument which, I could admit, was a winning one.
“Maybe so, but if my stay here is temporary, then I don’t want to get attached.”
“Some people come to Tulip for a visit and end up staying for love,” Janey put in with a mischievous smile.
“Yeah?” My question was smug, because this sounded like one of those things people said to win an argument but when pressed, couldn’t come up with one example. “Who?”
Ty and Scott both groaned at the question, the first sign of my misstep. A satisfied grin split Janey’s face in half. “Tulip. She came here to see about starting over and fell in love with a farmer. Together, they built a flower empire and this awesome little town.”
It was a nice story, one I’d read about online before coming here and had heard at least half a dozen times since I arrived. But it still didn’t change the facts of my life. “Sounds like you might have more luck hooking Janey up with some stranger passing through town, Eddy.” Everyone laughed and the tension that had been ratcheting up in the room disappeared.
Janey sucked in a breath and narrowed her gaze at me. “Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome.” To stop any more questions or answers, I shoved a slice of juicy lamb in my mouth with a smile and focused on my plate. The food was delicious, lamb and roasted vegetables with the most delicious garlic mashed potatoes I had ever eaten. “This food is amazing, Eddy. Almost worth the interrogation.”
“Only almost?” She huffed her disbelief at my words. “Guess I’ll have to have you around again to remove that almost.”
I laug
hed around a comically large mouthful of potatoes. “I’m willing to try if you are.”
Eddy glared for a long moment and then erupted in a loud, raucous laugh. “I like you, Stevie.”
“Thanks, Eddy. You’re a little crazy, but I like you, too. And your roast lamb.”
Her grin lit up. “You sure you don’t want a boyfriend? My grandsons are two of the handsomest bachelors in town.” Eddy did her best game show hostess impersonation as she waved her hands in the direction of Ty, then Scott, just in case they weren’t sufficiently on display. “Aren’t they, Janey?”
Her cheeks turned pink, and I thought maybe she did have a crush on one of the Henderson brothers. “Uh, sure. They’re all right, I mean. You know.”
Very interesting. “They are very handsome, Eddy, but I’m sure you know it takes more than that to have a relationship. Unless you’re trying to pimp these hotties out?” Both men erupted in simultaneous fits of coughing, with Ty taking time to shoot a glare in my direction while he choked. “Not a bad side hustle for the calendar, Janey.”
Eddy was howling with laughter as she stood. “On that note, dessert is optional.”
I stood, shoving the last carrot in my mouth and following behind Eddy. “I’ll help with the dishes and take my dessert to go, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, honey. It’ll be nice to have someone to chat with while I clean up.”
I grabbed the plate from her hand. “I’ll wash and you can dry. Since you did all the cooking.”
Eddy wanted to argue, I could see in her eyes and the tense set of her shoulders, but she surprised me and gave in easily. “Fine. Thank you, Stevie.”
I smiled. “Thanks for dinner.” I couldn’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.
“Anytime. Usually, I invite more people, but I didn’t want to embarrass you by questioning you in front of other folks.”
Hero Boss: An Alpha Male Office Romance Page 7
