Perfect Storm

by Geri Foster

  She smiled up at him. “Sleeping in. Yay.”

  “I’ll pick you up around one?”

  “That’s perfect.”

  Her mouth begged to be kissed. That’s the only excuse he could use as he leaned forward. She hesitated for only a moment then rose on her tiptoes, meeting him halfway.

  Their lips came together like two forest fires merging. Hot and restless. Reaching and stoking. The taste of her thumped his heart and sped up his pulse. He wrapped his right arm around her to keep her upright and against his chest as the kiss deepened. A tiny moan escaped her lips as his tongue slipped inside to play. Again, that strange, enticing and familiar sensation hit his body like an electric shot right to his groin.

  He heard himself groan as the kiss intensified. Afraid they’d go too far, he reluctantly broke the kiss and stepped back, releasing her.

  She ducked and pressed the back of her hand to her mouth as he licked his lips for one last taste of her. He fought the urge to swing her up in his arms and find a bed, but he didn’t dare. That’s not what this was about. He didn’t want to push her and, honestly, he didn’t feel ready either.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He turned to leave and she called out, “I really had a nice time, Austin.”

  Turning back, he waved, a smile tugging the corners of his mouth. “Yes, me too. We’ll have to do it again.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” She lowered her head, then lifted her gaze. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Around one. Be sure to wear a jacket. The weatherman says cooler temperatures are expected.”

  “Okay, see you then.”

  With a final wave, he hurried toward his vehicle like a fourteen-year-old with a curfew. Damn, Candi Matthews sure rattled his brain.

  Early Saturday morning, Jeff Crawley received a call from Benny letting him know the Patricks had accepted his offer. Luckily, since staying with Russ, he’d moved his money to the bank in town. Firing up his pickup, he drove toward the bank to get the necessary cashier’s check to close the deal.

  Settling on the house wasn’t the only thing brightening his morning, however. He didn’t want to admit it out loud, but he also kind of looked forward to seeing the bank manager, Nancy Wigan, who’d taken care of transferring his business account to the Rainwater bank. He liked her dimpled smile and the way she handled the customers, kind and courteous to everyone.

  It didn’t take long before he parked and alighted from his pickup. Stepping inside, he, immediately spotted Nancy in the far corner, her head down, staring at a stack of papers. She held a pen in her right hand, nibbling on the end, deep in thought.

  He approached and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Miss Wigan, but I’d like to see about getting a few cashier’s checks. The Patricks accepted my offer.”

  She smiled as she rose from behind the desk. He noticed she’d had something different done to her hair, but he didn’t want to say anything. Better she not know he noticed her appearance. Besides, he had no time to chase after a woman and run a ranch. Not to mention, he’d learned a long time ago, women couldn’t be trusted to be loyal. So few were.

  “Of course, Mr. Crawley. I’ll be more than happy to help you.” She held out her hand. “Congratulations on becoming the owner of a new home. I know you must be excited.”

  The feel of her palm in his shocked him at first, but he instantly grew used to it and for a moment wanted more—until he realized how dangerous that thought might be. “I’m anxious to get my cattle moved, but the house is just a place for me to eat and sleep.”

  She wrinkled her brow. “Mr. Crawley.”

  He held up his hand. “I thought the last time I came in here we settled the whole Mr. Crawley business and settled on you calling me Jeff.”

  She blushed so sweetly he briefly glanced away.

  “Yes, we did, but when you came in you called me Miss Wigan instead of Nancy, so I assumed we were back to square one.”

  He lowered his head for a moment. “Okay, let’s just get back to first names only.”

  She finally smiled again. “I’m fine with that, Jeff.” She folded her arms across her middle. “But, surely you must’ve liked Harold and Opal’s house. I find it very well kept and consider it a great place to live. The front yard, thanks to Kendall Matthews, is worthy of a magazine cover.”

  He had no idea what magazines she read, but to him what mattered was a sturdy house that was clean inside and comfortable. He wanted a place he didn’t have to worry about putting up his feet or sprawling out on the couch.

  “I’m glad you like it.” He wanted to add she could come out for a visit anytime, but at forty, he didn’t need to change his way of doing things. So far, he’d managed to keep women out of his life, except for a man’s needs, and he planned to keep it that way no matter how nice Nancy Wigan looked and smelled.

  “I’m also glad you’ll be living in Rainwater close to your brother. Russ needs his family nearby. He’s getting up there.”

  “His son, Austin, is moving here as well. I think he’s already started looking for a place.”

  “Austin?” She pressed her finger into her bottom lip. “Isn’t he the FBI guy that worked on Jim Snyder’s case?”

  He nodded. “He attended high school here in Rainwater.”

  She pressed her hands together and gave him a grin as big as Texas itself. “I’m glad to see all of you come back home.”

  Realizing he’d wasted enough time, he lowered his voice and said, “Can we start this transaction? Benny’s waiting.”

  She seemed to wake from a daze. “But of course. I’ll get to it right away.” She sat down at her desk and turned the computer screen so they both could see it. When she pulled up his account, he told her how much to make the checks out for to give the Patricks, Benny, and the title company to cover closing costs.

  When he had the three envelopes in hand, he stood.

  “It’s been a pleasure serving you, Jeff,” Nancy said in her soft, feminine voice. For a man who’d spent years in the military and then alone on a ranch, the sound of a woman’s voice always touched him somewhere deep inside where he hid all the pain.

  Chapter 8

  Candi hadn’t told Tyler their plans for the afternoon in advance. She decided she’d much rather surprise him. He’d left the house with instructions to be home for lunch. No, he couldn’t spend the entire day at his friend’s house. Kyler’s mother worked a full- time job and didn’t need an extra kid to look after on one of her two days off.

  Not having the money to buy frivolous things meant she didn’t own a pair of cowboy boots. Thankfully, when she’d talked to Rachel last night, she’d agreed to lend her a pair. Since she and Lucas lived in the country on a small horse ranch, Rachel had stocked up on the necessities—like boots.

  Excitement followed her all day as she cleaned, did laundry and managed to get Tyler’s room in order. Next weekend she planned to paint it, however, before that could happen, she had to find it, hiding underneath clothes and toys, and that meant getting all the clutter and junk out of the way.

  She glanced at the clock over the kitchen sink again, something she had done a dozen times already. Why were the hands moving so slowly today? No doubt because Austin planned to pick her and Tyler up in a couple of hours. Nothing she could find to do made the clock move faster.

  Finally, the time came for her to shower and get dressed. She had jeans and a shirt, and so did Tyler. Her son had requested a pair of cowboy boots from her parents last Christmas and, for his birthday, Russ had gifted him a small Stetson. They were his prized possessions and, if given the choice, he’d wear them every single day.

  She imagined his excitement today when he learned they were going to a real ranch. The closest he’d come was Lucas’ place but, according to Russ, Jeff had over three hundred acres with lots of animals. Tyler would love that.

  She didn’t know who she felt more excited for. Herself, because she’d be with Austin—and if she were luc
ky they’d share another kiss—or Tyler, who loved being in the wide-open spaces and around animals.

  She’d just tucked in her shirt when Tyler crashed through the door. “I’m home, Mom. What’s for lunch?”

  “Your sandwich is on the table. Eat up. We’re going out this afternoon.”

  As she brushed her hair, he came through her bedroom door with his half eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “Where are we going?”

  She looked at his features in the mirror. “It’s a secret.”

  “A good secret, or a bad secret?”

  She turned to her seven-year-old, her brows wrinkled. “When have you had a bad secret?”

  He plopped down on the edge of her bed. “The time you took me to the doctor for my shots so I could go to school.”

  She straightened and tilted her head. “That wasn’t a secret.”

  Eyes identical to hers narrowed. “You said it was.” His little voice sounded so grown up. “You even said it wasn’t a bad secret.”

  “That was for your own good, young man. You wanted to go to school with Kyler, didn’t you?”

  “Course I did, but you shouldn’t have lied.”

  Her heart ached and guilt bumped against her conscience. She dropped to her knees in front of him. “Think how upset and worried you’d have been if I told you days before your visit to the doctor that you were going to get three shots. I didn’t want you crying every day.”

  His bottom lip stuck out. “I don’t cry that much.”

  She massaged his skinny shoulder. “I know you’re very brave, but sometimes moms have to protect their children. I was doing that.”

  “You promise this time no doctors or shots?”

  Jumping to her feet, she assured him, “I do,” before lifting him off the bed. “Now go in the bathroom and clean up. You get to dress like a cowboy today.”

  His tiny face brightened. “Really? No kidding? Even my hat?”

  “Yes, all of it. But you better hurry up or you won’t be ready when Austin picks us up.”

  “Austin?” His eyes grew bigger. “We’re going with him?”

  Her heart paused briefly. Did he not like Austin? He’d only met him once, so she hadn’t considered the possibility of something like that happening. “Yes, he’s taking us to Jeff’s ranch.” She gazed into his eyes, searching. “You do like Austin, don’t you?”

  He looked up at her and blinked. It took a few seconds until he finally shrugged. “I don’t know. I only met him once at Russ’.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip. Had she been mistaken about this being a day he would love? Didn’t he get a good vibe from Austin? She thought about calling Russ to get his son’s phone number to cancel the day’s event. Oh goodness, less than twenty minutes to go. What could she possibly use as an excuse?

  Her brain refused to work that quickly. Suddenly, Tyler laughed and she glanced down at him. “What is it?”

  “I can’t wait to go to Jeff’s ranch. He has a billy goat. Can I see it?”

  Relief let go of her shoulders and they dropped. That was close. “It will be up to Austin. He’s taking us.”

  He shrugged. “I guess it’s all right. I don’t really know him, but I’m sure I want to go to Jeff’s ranch.”

  She placed her palm on the back of his head and veered him toward the bathroom. “Get in there and wash up or we won’t be ready when our ride gets here.”

  Stomping into his boots a few minutes later, Tyler raced across the kitchen when the doorbell rang. He opened the door before she had the chance to ask him to wait. “Howdy, Austin. We’re ready to go.”

  She rushed to the door to see Austin standing in the doorway looking like a completely different person. Having only seen him in well-fitted suits or dress slacks, the sight of him in worn jeans, scuffed boots, and a faded shirt with a tattered Stetson in his hand nearly took her breath away.

  Unsure which way she liked him best, the thought of the kiss they shared last night made an encore in her mind. Placing her hands on Tyler’s shoulders, she smiled. “We’re ready.”

  He glanced down at Tyler. “I see that. My, you’re quite the cowboy.”

  Tyler held up his right foot. “My grandma bought me these cool boots.” Next, he tipped his hat. “And Grampa Russ bought me this Stetson. He said you can’t be a cowboy without a hat.”

  Austin laughed. “He’s absolutely right.” Stepping aside, he motioned to his car. “Your trusty steed awaits in the form of a silver Lexus.”

  “That will be fine.” Closing the door and locking it, she ushered Tyler ahead of her. As she passed Austin, she smiled up at him. “Thank you so much for including Tyler. He’s been dying to visit Jeff’s place.”

  “Then today is his lucky day.”

  With everyone buckled and heading toward Decatur, Tyler’s chattering distracted Austin enough for her to get a chance to really take him in. Today, he’d surprised her. He no longer appeared so formal and official, like a formidable FBI agent. Instead, he looked like a man ready to do a hard day of manual labor. She liked this side of him as much as the powerful, no-nonsense official side.

  Looking back to the road, she couldn’t help wondering what today would bring. Knowing Aaron sat in jail made their outing twice as pleasant. He wouldn’t be intruding on her thoughts or their fun.

  Aaron hated the idea of spending a Saturday sitting in jail eating a cold plate of scrambled eggs and a dried-up biscuit. “Could you get any worse food in this place?” He tossed the Styrofoam container against the wall along with the contents.

  “Settle down,” his dad warned. “You got yourself in here. I don’t know why you can’t leave that damn Matthews girl alone. The Sheriff warned you, David has warned you.” Levi threw his hands in the air. “Hell, half the town’s warned you and you’re so stupid you keep going back for more.”

  “Your father is right,” his attorney, Lee, said. Looking at him quizzically, Aaron realized he had no idea the rest of his father’s attorney’s name. He’d only known him by Lee all his life. “And half the town is ready, even eager, to stand up in court and testify how you go in the diner and humiliate her.”

  “I’m only talking!” he shouted. “Can’t a man speak around here?”

  “You’re not speaking,” Lee continued. “You’re harassing her for no good reason. Buck Winston signed an order today forbidding you to step foot on his property. George Humphries did the same. If we go to court, you might be incarcerated.”

  His dad stepped between the two of them. “No son of mine is going to prison and I don’t want to hear any more about that.”

  “But, Mr. Travis,” Lee pleaded. “This has been going on for years. If Miss Matthews ever decides to contest your claim that child of hers doesn’t belong to your son, we don’t stand a chance.”

  “She’s not going to do anything, ‘cause she don’t want us to have rights to the boy and we don’t want them.”

  “That doesn’t mean she can’t demand financial reimbursement from Aaron. And with all she’s been through, there isn’t a judge who wouldn’t take her side.”

  “She ain’t perfect you know.” Aaron turned and paced the small cell. “Buddy Morris came in earlier today and said she went to dinner last night with Austin Crawley. Bet he spent the night.”

  The very thought clawed at his insides like a grizzly bear. How dare she date another man and make a fool out of him. They had no right to be happy while he sat in jail rotting away. And for another thing, she belonged to him. Austin had no right to touch her let alone look at her.

  “You don’t know that for sure,” Lee said. “And if he did, it’s not your business. You have no claims on her. You know the child is yours, yet you don’t want it. Candi Matthews has moved on and has made a good life for her and that boy. Now, a man comes along she might be interested in and you’re complaining?” Lee rubbed his fingers over his bald head. “You’re my client, but right now, Aaron, you’re acting like a complete ass. Isn’t the old saying, if I c
an’t have her, neither can anyone else? Do you want your cake and to eat it too?”

  “You go straight to hell!” he shouted. He didn’t need another person telling him what to do or that he couldn’t have what he deserved. “I don’t want her. I’ve already had her. So, cut the crap and get me out of here.”

  “No one believes that for a second, the way you chase after her all the time. But it’s a moot point. I can’t do anything until we meet before a judge on Monday and we see what he has to say.”

  “That’s a bunch of crap,” Levi grumbled. “There’s no law in this town. That judge will be out to make my son pay and you know it. Get the case moved. I don’t want him going to trial here.”

  “I can’t do that. The harassment charges were filed here. This is where we have to stand and fight.”

  Aaron’s dad scrubbed his big paws down his face, the stress clearly etched in every deep wrinkle. “I’m sick of Lucas Quinn pushing us around. It’s time I go to the council about him. I got plenty of pull there.”

  “You might,” Lee agreed, “but now is not the time to do anything that will taint the judge’s opinion. Let this all work its way out. Hopefully, Aaron will either walk out with a stern warning,” he pointed his finger at him, “that he must heed, or, he’ll get probation.”

  Levi slammed his palm against the bars. “I don’t like either one. I want my son out of here and home where he belongs. They claim he’s harassing her, but what are they doing to him?”

  “Levi, I’ve known you for thirty years. I’ve warned you about Aaron and his wild ways on many occasions, but you both refused to listen to reason. Now, Sheriff Quinn has finally done something and he was duly authorized to arrest Aaron. Now, I’ve said all I can say on the matter. If you think you’d feel more comfortable with another attorney, feel free to pursue that avenue.”

  Aaron watched as the fancy Dallas attorney picked up his briefcase and marched out the door. He felt perhaps his last chance for freedom had just abandoned him and fear set in, feeding his anger.