Her mouth fell open as in one fluid motion Stetson leaped onto the horse’s back and sent it into a trot. His hat fell off, landing in the dirt. A breeze ruffled his hair. Yep. Dangerously gorgeous.
~
Stetson slid from the horse’s back and glanced toward the house. Someone watched from the shadows of the porch. Lou Anne would be his guess. Why wouldn’t she listen to him about Frank Murphy? His heart wouldn’t be able to take anything happening to her.
It was more important than ever that he hire someone to replace him and get back to his real job. The barn and the grounds were looking good. The work that still needed to be done could be done on the weekends. If he were smart, he’d send over one of his men to do the work and keep his distance from a beautiful, dark-haired woman who was leaving soon.
He brushed the young horse’s coat and secured it in its stall. Tomorrow, he’d place an ad in the paper and start interviews. With heavy steps, he turned off the lights and went to bed.
He woke the next morning to his phone vibrating off the nightstand with text messages. He glanced at the screen and groaned. Ashlee. Couldn’t the woman give him twenty-four hours before the suffocation began?
If he could turn down the job, he would. As it was, he’d be sure to assign his workers to her house and stay well away from the scarlet-clawed woman. It remained a mystery as to how he’d dated her for six months. If he hadn’t discovered she was also seeing someone else…he shuddered to think what might have happened. His parents’ tumultuous marriage, then Ashlee’s infidelity, all added up to the reasons he’d vowed years ago to never marry. Now, Lou Anne had shaken things up, and Stetson wasn’t sure about anything.
Lou Anne screamed.
Stetson bolted from bed, clumsily pulling on a pair of gym shorts as he ran. “What?”
She barged from her room and barreled into him. “Look what I found in one of the boxes from the attic.” She waved a yellowed piece of paper in front of his face. “A treasure map. That explains everything.”
“What in heaven’s name?” Betty rushed toward them. “Do we have an intruder? Is there a fire?”
“No.” Lou Anne grinned. “A treasure.”
Betty took the map. “Everyone and their grandfather has looked for this. It doesn’t exist. It’s another story.”
“I haven’t looked for it.” Lou Anne glanced from Betty to Stetson. “This is why Frank wants the house. I guarantee it.”
“Let it go.” Stetson ran his hands through his hair. “Stop fighting every step of the way, Lou Lou. There is no treasure, the house isn’t a historical landmark, and your book probably won’t be published. Get your head out of the clouds.”
She narrowed her eyes and two-hand shoved him. “When did you get to be such a pessimist? While dating Ashlee? I can see how that would scar any man.”
If she only knew how close she was to the truth. He grinned. “Jealous?”
“Hardly.”
“For crying out loud.” Betty shook her head and marched back down the hall muttering something about blind fools.
“You don’t have to help.” Lou Anne stepped back, her eyes glistening. “I can take it from here, thank you.” She whirled and entered her room, slamming the door.
That didn’t go over well. Stetson leaned against the wall. Lou Anne was right. He had turned into a pessimist. Once upon a time, he’d been full of dreams. More than eager to go on adventures or try something new. He glanced at Lou Anne’s closed door. What would it hurt to go along with her on a fairy-tale treasure hunt?
He raised his hand to knock on her door. “If we’re going to do this, we’ll need blue prints of the house.”
The door flew open, banging against the wall. “You’ll help me?”
He nodded, not able to take his gaze away from her tear-streaked face. “You’re crying.”
“It’s allergies.” She rushed for the bathroom. “Meet me outside in fifteen minutes.”
“What about breakfast?”
“Okay, after breakfast.” She closed the bathroom door.
Stetson stared after her for a moment, then returned to his room to quickly get dressed before going to the kitchen. He couldn’t cook much, but he did make a mean omelet.
Betty entered the kitchen as he cracked eggs into a bowl. “When are you two going to talk about your feelings?”
He dropped the shell and all into the eggs. “What?”
“You know what.” She measured coffee into the maker. “You love her so much your addlebrained. She’s the same way. Take her for a drive, a picnic, something and talk about things.”
“She’s leaving.”
“That isn’t for sure until she’s back in Little Rock.” She snapped him with a towel. “I thought you were a smart man.”
“I am. Smart enough to know not to fight a losing battle.”
“Coward.” She stepped into the pantry, returning with a bag of sugar.
“I’m placing an ad for a hired hand. Someone who can take care of the boarded horses for you. Do you want me to hire a maid?”
Her eyes flashed. “I’m perfectly capable. Run away, Stetson Maxwell. You aren’t who I thought you were.” She plopped the sugar next to the sugar bowl and stormed out the back door. “I like mushrooms in my omelet.”
He shook his head. There was no way he could win against two Burgess women. Especially when one drove him crazy and the other insisted he talk about his feelings. They were both crazy…Betty and Lou Anne.
Falling in love was the dumbest thing Stetson had ever done.
Chapter Eight
“It’s here!” Lou Anne waved the contract for Hidden Secrets of Serenity. “With a five-figure advance.” Auntie’s problems were solved.
“Really?” Auntie took the contract and read through it. “I can’t believe someone would actually want to publish other people’s stories. Well, I never.” She collapsed onto the sofa.
Lou Anne laughed. “I’ll load the food into the car while you mull over your good fortune.” She hefted the small ice chest containing potato salad and fried chicken, leaving the heavier one with drinks for Stetson. She couldn’t wait to tell him about the contract.
“We’ll need to have a lawyer look over it to make sure we aren’t being swindled,” Auntie called.
“Tomorrow, Stetson and I are looking for that treasure. Can you take care of the lawyer?” Lou Anne stepped outside, letting the door slam behind her. She stowed the cooler in the bed of Stetson’s truck. Stetson carried the heavier one out as she strolled back to the house.
“Ready to lose at softball?” He grinned, moving past her.
“You wish.”
Once upon a time, Lou Anne had been a heck of a pitcher. Of course, that was ten years ago. Now, it seemed the town had voted to have men against the women in a friendly game at the Fourth of July picnic and wanted her to pitch. She shook her head. Drawing numbers made more sense. Regardless, she planned on having a good time and not worry about her time in Serenity coming to a close or how much leaving Stetson would hurt.
Each day Auntie’s home regained more of its former beauty. With Stetson working as hard as he was, and Lou Anne cleaning and organizing, she had a couple of weeks left. The thought left a lump in her throat.
“What’s wrong?” Auntie looked over from where she was putting plastic forks in a box. “I thought you’d be happy about the contract.”
“I am.” She grabbed the box. “Ready?”
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong. I don’t want your mood dampening this day.”
“I was thinking about how much time I have left here.” She stormed from the house.
“You can always change your mind,” Auntie yelled.
“About what?” Stetson took the box from Lou Anne and added it to the bed of the truck.
“Nothing.” Lou Anne climbed into the bed. Auntie could sit in the cab since she liked Stetson so much. Before they’d gone a mile down the road, Lou Anne was staring through the back window wishi
ng it was her next to Stetson.
The field behind the church was packed with tables, automobiles, and people. Off to one side was a makeshift stage for fireworks. Opposite that, someone was walking and placing markers for the softball bases. The Fourth of July celebration had begun.
Lou Anne jumped to the ground and started unloading the truck bed. She grabbed one of the few trees unoccupied and set up their folding table and chairs. It didn’t take long for Stetson to bring the coolers and box.
He grinned. “The game will be right after lunch, Lou Lou.” He tapped her nose. “So, don’t eat too much.” He slapped his cowboy hat onto his head and strolled away, looking mighty fine in faded jeans, a white tee-shirt, and cowboy boots. Yummy.
“Put your eyes back in your head before someone sees you gawking.” Auntie chuckled. “Or maybe not. A vulture has swooped in.”
Lou Anne narrowed her eyes as Ashlee wearing barely there shorts and a…halter top, of all things, sidled up next to Stetson. Her giggle reached to where Lou Anne stood. “I’m going to be sick.”
“You’ll lose him if you don’t act. Mark my words.”
“He isn’t interested. I won’t have a man start a relationship with me out of friendship or obligation. Isn’t that why he’s spending so much time working on the house? Why he set his company aside to help get the horse boarding business up and running? Because you’re his mother’s best friend. I’m only part of the obligation he feels toward you.”
Auntie stared at her as if she’d sprouted antennas. “That doesn’t deserve comment.” She waved Lou Anne away as if she were a fly.
“Fine.” She set off toward Michelle, wanting to talk more about what the woman needed done in her home.
Michelle turned and smiled. “Lou Ann, it is so good to see you.” She wrapped her in a hug that smelled of citrus. “Are you going to help me fix up Grannie’s house? Please say you will.”
“When?” Lou Anne returned the hug, then stepped back.
“We need to pull everything out before renovations begin and put them in storage. I thought we could go through things while we’re doing that and you can help us decide what to keep. Then, you can help us organize. I’m as bad as Granny was and Ashlee won’t bother.”
Lou Anne calculated the time it would take in her head. “I can help clean out the house, then come back to Serenity when the renovations are done. Will that work?”
“Wonderful.”
Lou turned to return to their table and ran into Stetson’s chest. Why was the man always sneaking up on her? She glanced up, her frown fading at the hurt in his eyes. Why would he be bothered about her leaving? It had never been a secret.
“Betty said it’s time to eat.” He marched away without waiting for her.
After lunch, the two teams gathered for the coin toss. Men were batting first.
Lou Anne tugged her cap tight on her head and wound up for the pitch. Strike one. Maybe the women had a chance of winning after all.
Stetson stepped up to bat. He winked and gripped the bat.
Lou Anne stared, took a breath, and let the ball fly.
The crack of the bat filled the air. Lou Anne turned to watch the ball fly toward the short stop. The ball bounced. Stetson rounded second. Lou Anne dashed for home plate. The short stop scooped up the ball and threw.
Lou Anne’s head snapped back from the force of the ball striking her in the back of the head. She fell to her hands and knees.
“Lou Lou.” Stetson skidded to a stop next to her and joined her on the ground. He cupped her face in his. “Are you alright? How many of me do you see?”
“Thankfully just one.” She righted her hat. “I’ve nothing more than a headache.”
“Let me see.” He removed her hat and ran his broad hands through her hair. “There’s a bit of a bump. Someone get some ice.” He stood and scooped her into his arms.
Her gaze clashed with his. “What are you doing?”
His gaze settled on her lips. “I’m wondering if you would still rather kiss your horse.”
“Yes.” She slapped against his chest. “Put me down.”
~
“No.” He continued his trek to the dugout and sat her on the aluminum bench. “A hit to the head is never anything to take lightly.” He knelt in front of her. “Stay.”
“What?” She tilted her head.
“Here. In Serenity. With me.”
“Why are you saying this? We’re friends, Stetson. We’ll always be friends. Ten years away didn’t change that. Why ruin what we have?”
He took her hands in his. “I’m not. I’m making it better. Sit out a couple of innings, all right? I’ll be back to check on you.” He waved Betty over, then with a heavy heart, returned to the game, stopping on second base.
Lou Anne returned to the game at the end of the fourth inning, sending him a look that challenged him to say anything. Fine. He’d keep his mouth shut and watch her like a dog watches a prime piece of…wait. She wouldn’t take kindly to be compared to a bone or a piece of meat. Okay, a child with his lollipop. He grinned.
She sent him a curious look, then shrugged and wound up for a pitch. The women won the game five to two.
Stetson stuck close to Lou Anne’s side through the rest of the games. Horseshoes, three-legged race, balloon toss, you name it, Serenity played it.
“Stop following me. Don’t you have some guy friends?” She whirled and planted her hands on her hips.
“Sure, but I’ve decided to convince you that Betty is right.”
“About what?” Her eyes flashed.
“We love each other.” He grinned.
“Stop looking at me like that.” She stormed away.
He followed. “Think about it, Lou Lou. I’ve thought long and hard. If you didn’t have strong feelings for me, you wouldn’t be bothered so much by my presence.”
“Those are good feelings I have for you.”
“Liar.”
That stopped her in her tracks. “Excuse me?” She slowly turned.
Stetson took a step back. He licked his lips. From the murderous look in her eyes, he might want to think carefully about his next words. “I said you aren’t telling the truth about how you feel.”
“You’re crazy. I’m leaving in two weeks.”
So soon? His heart dropped. “Then I have two weeks to convince you to stay.”
She put a hand over her heart as if his words pained her. “Please stop.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “It’s hard enough to leave this town.”
“I know the answer to that.”
She hurried away, ducking into the rock building housing the men and women’s restrooms.
Stetson leaned against the wall and considered his options. He would definitely court her, starting immediately. What girl could turn down the country charm of a cowboy? Well, those were Betty’s words, not his, but he was willing to do anything.
“Doesn’t look good.” Betty came around the corner of the building. “Our talk late last night doesn’t seem to have done much good.”
“I’m trying.”
Betty had found him hunched over the kitchen table looking like a man who’d totaled his brand-new truck. She’d made coffee and settled in to talk, finally convincing him that losing Lou Anne was the worst possible thing that could happen. She’d reminded him of how he’d felt when she’d left town ten years ago. It would be harder this time.
“Why is she so reluctant?” He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair.
“She’s convinced you’re only acting out of obligation toward me and your mother.”
He pushed away from the wall. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve never done anything I didn’t want to do with my whole heart.”
“Convince her of that, not me.” She patted his arm. “See you at the fireworks.”
Stetson had a feeling Betty meant more than those that would be bursting in the night sky. By nightfall, he was leaning back on a faded quilt between his two favorite ladies. At
every opportunity he’d shift, brushing his arm against Lou Anne’s or his leg against hers. She’d sigh and pull away, but seconds later the display in the sky would have her at ease again.
He turned slightly to see her profile better. The full lips slightly parted with awe, the gentle curve of her cheek, the long lashes. She truly was more beautiful than she knew and he wanted to kiss her more than anything.
Betty cleared her throat, gave him a nudge, then walked away. Stetson could take a hint.
Taking a deep breath, he took Lou Anne’s hand. When she faced him, he pulled her closer. “I’m going to kiss you now, Lou Lou, and you’re going to like it.”
Her eyes widened.
He pulled her even closer, lowering his head to place his lips on hers. He started off gentle, but soon entwined his hands in her hair. Her hands went around his neck. A soft moan deep in her throat had him deepening the kiss between them. She tasted of lemonade.
There was no way he was letting her get away again.
Chapter Nine
“That rotten Frank Murphy is up to his shenanigans again.” Auntie threw an envelope on the table. “He’s offering two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the house and land.”
“That isn’t even close to what it’s worth.” Lou Anne closed the refrigerator with more force than necessary. “I know you said there isn’t a treasure, and Stetson and I haven’t found a trace of one, but Murphy really wants this place. Why?”
“The land.” Auntie shrugged. “It continues to go up in value.”
“Maybe.” Lou Anne felt there was more to Murphy’s consistent appetite for the house and land. There was something here he desperately wanted, and it was more than acreage. “We need to get him off your back. I’m leaving in a few days.”
“Short of having him arrested, I have no idea.” She gave a naughty smile. “We could hire a hitman.”
“Stop.” Lou Anne laughed. “Don’t joke like that.” She put the cap on the water bottle she’d filled. “I’m finishing up the attic before going to bed. Yell if you need anything.”
Love Draws Near Page 23
