Destination: Love (The Sandera, Texas Series)

by Hollister, Raine

  Amber colored eyes invaded Josie’s thoughts. She had no way of knowing when Logan would visit Consuelo again, but she knew it was inevitable. He must have heard by now that she worked at the restaurant. Not that it mattered. What Josie did was none of his business. Still, a part of her wondered what he would say, or how he would feel about her staying in town. Would he feel anything? She sighed, annoyed that she’d given him any thought at all.

  And, just as she had dealt with everything else up to then, she would deal with Logan McKinnon when the time came.

  The Saturday night rush had begun. Josie’s hope that the night’s crowd would thin out before nine was squashed as she noticed a crowd standing near the entrance to wait for tables. She longed to go upstairs and collapse into bed.

  Balancing a bowl of chips and salsa in one hand and two beers in the other, Josie shouldered the kitchen door open, throwing a quick glance in Michael’s direction on her way out. He was eating dinner, enthralled by what Juana was saying.

  Josie carried the bowls and beer to a nearby table and set them down, then took a pen and pad from her skirt pocket and quickly jotted down the order. She turned to hurry into the kitchen—and plowed into a human wall.

  A gasp escaped her as she clumsily made a grab for the man’s shirt in order to keep from staggering backward into the table behind her. Strong hands reached out to steady her.

  Struggling to keep calm, Josie managed to breathe out an apology as she looked up to see who belonged to the broad chest. She stared, stricken, as familiar amber eyes held her prisoner. Josie drew in a shaky breath.

  She was aware one of the waiters, Enrique, stood patiently to one side, but she couldn’t tell if he had a look of pity in his eyes, or concern. It was as though the clock had stopped—conversation ceased, and Josie sensed people gawking at them.

  Then, from somewhere behind her she heard a woman say, “Psst. That’s her. That’s the one the sheriff carried to safety.”

  Another lilting voice replied, “Lucky girl.”

  Josie’s face heated with embarrassment. She was beginning to feel like a bit player in a terrible play. If only she were a magician, and could tear a hole in her world and escape. But Josie knew by now how useless it was to struggle against misfortune.

  She squared her shoulders. “Hello, Sheriff.” She fought to keep her voice steady.

  He nodded, his glance taking in her uniform, making Josie feel that he must think she looked like a tomato, too.

  Enrique walked away, and when Logan shifted slightly to one side she noticed an older couple seated at his table. Great! Another audience, Josie thought, attempting a smile, which came out as a grimace.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Of course. Evidently, my fate is to be embarrassed to death. Are you all right?” she questioned, then groaned inwardly. Hurt him? As soon as she could unglue her feet from the floor and walk away, they would all probably have a hearty laugh at her expense.

  His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m fine.”

  Josie focused her attention on his chest. She wondered what it would feel like to run her hands over the contours of his chest. She swallowed uncomfortably. “Good. Well, I’d better go.” As she brushed past him someone shouted, “Hey, Sheriff, maybe you should carry her to the kitchen.”

  A bubble of laughter rose from the crowd, and Josie turned as red as her clothes. By the time she reached the asylum of the kitchen, she was already making up excuses for not returning to her customers with their food. She could send someone else. But she knew if she didn’t go back out there, then he would think she was a coward.

  And would that matter?

  “Your food’s ready,” Juana said, her features as serious as though she were speaking of religious matters. Josie glanced away and spotted Enrique fumbling with a plate of hot food, and knew he’d told Juana what had happened.

  Yes, it would matter.

  Josie lifted her chin a notch as she raised the tray of food and pushed open the swinging door. Because of the crowd, Consuelo had added extra tables. Logan’s chair stuck out in the aisle like an instrument of torture, but Josie refused to walk the long way around. Instead, she took in a deep breath, sucked in her stomach, and began to squeeze through the opening, taking care not to touch him.

  But, as if in some terrible nightmare, she found herself wedged between Logan’s chair and the one behind her.

  Josie became convinced that a sick cosmic joke was threatening her universe. She rarely read her horoscope, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Powers That Be, had earmarked this time for some major changes in her life. Josie wanted to demand that new positive planets realign themselves immediately or head in a difference direction, so she could wake up and start over.

  At that moment, survival had to be high on the list.

  To her horror, when she sucked in her gut to make herself thinner, all that sucking caused her ample breasts to lift and brush against Logan’s head.

  He stopped in mid sentence, his dark eyebrows shot up, and he turned slightly to look at Josie. He regarded her with a faintly mocking smile before his gaze boldly lowered to her low-cut blouse.

  Logan didn’t move his chair, and she didn’t ask him to. In fact, she had a feeling he was enjoying her discomfort. Several tense seconds passed before he finally stood up and let her pass.

  Josie delivered the food, then started back to the kitchen. She almost made it past Logan’s table, but the woman seated there reached out and stopped her. “You mustn’t mind the teasing,” she said. “They’re just having fun.”

  At my expense, Josie thought dejectedly.

  Logan had stood to let her pass again. “Josie, I’d like you to meet Elena and Diego Castillo.”

  Josie forced a smile. Hi, I’m Josie Hughes. Pleased to meet you.”

  The woman frowned. “We heard what happened. Oh my dear, how terrible it must have been for you.”

  Josie glanced at Logan. “Yes, it was.”

  “And your son, how is he?”

  “He’s fine. Excuse me, I have to go. It was very nice meeting you.”

  Diego smiled politely, but Elena’s smile froze halfway as she stared at a spot beside Josie.

  Josie glanced down to see what had alarmed the woman.

  “Mom, I’m going up to watch TV.”

  Josie’s brows creased as she glanced down at her son. It had to be something else that had alarmed Elena.

  Josie touched Michael’s shoulder. “Michael, this is Mr. and Mrs. Diego Castillo.”

  “Hello,” Michael said shyly.

  Diego leaned over and shook Michael’s hand, but Elena sat silent as though rooted to the spot. She barely managed a “hello, Michael.” Logan found somewhere else to stare.

  What was wrong with these people? Did everyone in Sandera have a problem with kids? Or was this woman ill?

  “It was nice meeting you both,” Josie said, and grabbed Michael’s hand.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” Logan promised.

  Not if I can help it, Josie thought as she headed toward the bar, where Consuelo sat conversing with two men. He might have saved her life, but that didn’t mean she had to like him.

  As she walked away, Josie heard Logan’s unmistakable drawl as he spoke softly to the woman.

  ”Don’t concern yourself.”

  Josie frowned. What an odd thing to say. Why had he chosen those words?

  At the bar, Josie glanced over her shoulder in time to see Diego Castillo say something to his wife, who seemed obviously upset.

  Was it something Josie had said? She ran over their conversation in her mind. There was nothing she could think of that could have been upsetting to the Castillos.

  Josie shrugged and returned her attention to Consuelo, who was laughing over something one of the men had said.

  “Hi Josie,” she called out.

  The tall, gorgeous man beside her turned and smiled. “So you’re Josie.”

  Josie
’s hackles rose. So help her, if anyone else brought up her encounter with Logan she would scream.

  The man held out his hand. “I’m Dylan McKinnon, Logan’s brother.”

  Josie’s mouth fell open. She noticed the strong resemblance. He was tall, about the same height as Logan or maybe taller, and just as broad. Those humorous glints in his golden gaze probably made many a woman’s heart beat faster.

  “You mean there are two of you?”

  Dylan threw back his head and laughed. “Hey, Connie, I like her.” When he turned back to Josie, his grin broadened. “Actually, there are three of us, but I’m the nice brother, Josie. Anyone will tell you that.”

  A snort came from Consuelo’s direction.

  Dylan ignored it. “And the gentleman and lady at Logan’s table are his ex-in-laws,” he added, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “So now you know most of us.”

  “Not quite,” came a voice from Josie’s left. “I’m Ben McKinnon, their cousin.”

  As they shook hands Josie’s mind was registering the fact that Logan dined with his ex-in-laws. So he’d been married before.

  “You sure are pretty, Josie.”

  Ben’s compliment made Josie uncomfortably aware that he still held her hand, and she politely removed it from his.

  “Yes, she’s pretty, but you’d better get away from her, Romeo,” Consuelo warned. “She’s a mother, and much too good for you.”

  Ben actually looked offended. “Hey, I’m a good guy. And single.”

  “And pushy,” Consuelo added. “Give her some space.”

  Josie was tempted to see if Logan was still in the room, but refrained from looking his way. She smiled at Ben instead.

  “What do you do, Ben?”

  The interest in his eyes flared. “I have a little ranch just outside of town. I could show it to you,” he added on a hopeful note.

  Ben seemed nice enough, but Josie didn’t want to give him the wrong impression.

  “Thanks, but I probably won’t be in town long enough to visit. I’m only here temporarily.

  Ben looked down at his empty glass. “Yeah, I heard about your car. Bummer.”

  “Yes,” Josie said quietly.

  Whatever Ben was about to say was interrupted as he glanced over Josie’s shoulder.

  “Oh hi, Logan.”

  Josie realized Logan was standing behind her—much too close.

  He practically elbowed Ben out of the way and faced Josie. “Mind if I talk to you for a moment?”

  “What about?” What could he possibly say to her that he hadn’t said already?

  “It’s private.” He held her glance.

  Josie looked away. “I was just about to take Michael upstairs.”

  Consuelo spoke up. “I’m on my way up so I can take him. You go ahead. Use my office.”

  Was it possible to feel someone’s heat from a few feet away? Josie felt her body hum with something alien, something she had never felt before. Whatever it was filled the air around her with an electric current so palpable it seemed to reach across and touch her. She took a deep shaky breath as she headed to Consuelo’s office, all too aware that Logan followed close behind.

  Logan frowned as he watched Josie walk in front of him. When he’d seen her laughing easily with his brother, he’d felt something very close to anger. He reasoned that it was because she’d decided to stay in town, and he had hoped to spare Diego and Elena the heartache of seeing Michael Hughes. The bit of food he’d crammed into his mouth had been tasteless. His anger fueled when he’d seen Dylan speaking to Michael, too. Couldn’t his brother tell? Didn’t he remember?

  As soon as they entered the office, Logan motioned for Josie to sit in one of the chairs in front of the desk. He chose the other chair beside it.

  Josie sat down, her features guarded.

  Logan reached into his pocket, took out a checkbook, and looked at her.

  “How much?” he asked.

  “Pardon?” Josie stared, open-mouthed.

  “It’s two thousand dollars, isn’t it?” He started scribbling something.

  “Wait—what are you doing?“

  I’m going to lend you the money.”

  “No,” she said.

  He looked up. “Do you prefer me to pay Tino directly, then?”

  Josie shook her head. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Call it a loan.”

  Josie felt something sad and painful well up and kick her in her gut—another man who couldn’t wait to be rid of her.

  She lifted her chin. “And to what do I owe this noble gesture?” As if she didn’t already know. What she didn’t know was why.

  He shrugged. “You need transportation to leave here. I’m just trying to help.”

  Her temper flared. “Oh, I see. You’re just a Good Samaritan, right? And you’d like me to believe that out of the goodness of your heart you’re willing to help me, a complete stranger. How do you know I’ll pay you back?”

  He shrugged. “A hunch.”

  He proceeded to write in the amount, and she reached out and placed her hand on top of his.

  “Thank you, but no...I can’t accept.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What about your son?” He’s already been uprooted once. The longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be for him.”

  “My son will be fine.” She snatched her hand back from his warmer one.

  “Maybe you’d better think about it before you say no.”

  Josie gritted her teeth. “I’ve made my decision. I’m going to stay and work off my debt.”

  “School starts in less than two months. If you want to be home before then, I can help.”

  Josie stood up. “I’m sure you can, but I wouldn’t feel right taking your money.”

  “That’s a first.” He stood up and faced her.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” she snapped.

  He took a step closer. “Josie, a woman never refuses money, not if she’s smart. Take it,” he said quietly.

  Josie shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no.”

  “So you’ve definitely made up your mind to stay.”

  Her chin raised a notch. “Yes.”

  “I see.” He stuck the checkbook and pen back into his pocket. “You’ll accept help from Consuelo, but not from me.”

  “I can’t.

  “You mean you won’t.”

  “All right, I won’t. I would rather fight my own battles than accept help from you—a man who clearly dislikes me and my son.

  “Dislikes?” he said, incredulously. “Oh, lady, you have no idea—”

  His mouth took on a warning slant. He stood there glaring at her, then closed the distance between them. She had to crane her neck back to look up at him.

  “Just so we’re clear on a few things, I want you to think about something while you’re sleeping in that safe bed of yours tonight.” His voice was lazy and deceptive, but there was no mistaking his tone or the gleam in his eyes as he reached out and pulled her to him.

  Josie gasped as Logan’s mouth took possession of hers. Surprise and shock caused her eyes to remain open, but as he deepened the kiss they fluttered closed. From somewhere deep inside her, something came welling up, something warm— some long-forgotten yearning that caused her to respond to this man though she didn’t even like him. Josie lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck as she returned his kiss, forgetting why they were there, and their differences of opinion. And, as she met his bold tongue with hers, her body trembled with sensations she’d never experienced with anyone, not even her ex-husband. Josie didn’t have time to analyze why, because he pulled away and stepped back, but not before she’d felt his hard arousal against her stomach.

  His voice lowered to a husky pitch. “That, sweet Josie, is what will happen if you stay.”

  By the time he reached the door and opened it, Josie was struggling to breathe normally. He glanced over his shoulder, his gaze briefly traveling the length of her body.
/>   “By the way,” he said, “you look like a chili pepper.”

  Then he was gone, leaving Josie standing there staring after him, her heart hammering. She closed her eyes and felt a hungry emptiness, knowing she hadn’t wanted to let him go.

  Chapter 5

  “A chili pepper?” Consuelo stared open-mouthed at Josie, and then laughed. No sooner had she stopped laughing then started up again.

  Josie scowled from across the table. “I don’t believe this. He insulted me, and you’re laughing?”

  Consuelo stopped laughing long enough to wipe tears from her eyes. “I really think he meant it as a compliment, Josie.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Well, for one thing, Logan loves chili peppers.” Consuelo winked. “Which means he must find you good enough to eat.”

  Josie’s cheeks burned, recalling the day she’d watched him eat nachos.

  “Well, I found his statement offensive. Besides, it’s all your fault for making me wear this...color.”

  Consuelo grinned and took her last bite of juevos rancheros. “That shade of red is a beautiful color for you. Besides, I’ve heard that red is supposed to bring on the appetite—perfect for the restaurant business, don’t you think?” Then, in a more serious tone, she asked, “Was there something else you said to him just before he made that statement?”

  Josie’s face flamed and she looked away. “No. Our entire discussion was spent on him trying to talk me into leaving town.”

  Consuelo appeared thoughtful. “He knows you want to leave, amiga. He did offer to lend you the money, so it sounds to me as if he wants to help you.”

  “I won’t take his money,” she said stubbornly.

  “Well, then he has to respect that.”

  Josie swallowed the rest of her coffee and set the empty cup aside. “He was very pushy about me taking it.”

  Consuelo smiled. “I’m sure he meant well. Once you get to know him better, you’ll see that there’s not a mean bone in his body.”

  Josie doubted that. For a moment, she wondered what Consuelo would say if she knew that Logan had kissed her. What excuse could Consuelo give on behalf of her precious Logan if she knew that? She couldn’t understand Consuelo’s need to leap to his defense each time his name was brought up. What kind of man instilled such loyalty?