Absentminded Angel [Divine Creek Ranch 20] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Heather Rainier

  Veronica giggled and gently poked Jesse in the ribs. “They look like they got caught in a blustery winter storm.”

  They drew her inside with their party and another chair was immediately placed at the table for her, and the waitress took her to-go order and brought her a complimentary glass of sweet tea.

  Veronica leaned forward and said, “I like that sling. At first glance it looks like a fashion accessory. Where did you get it?”

  All eyes turned to her, and it was her turn to blush a little. “I made it.”

  Veronica said, “Really? It’s exquisite. If I had a small baby, I’d sure want one of those.”

  Thinking Veronica would look wonderful in a sling made from fabric in the same color as her violet-blue eyes, Presley Ann got up and turned so they could see the sling better. “Actually, it’s great for toddlers, too. You see how the wrap goes like this around my middle? Well, with a small adjustment, instead of cradling a small infant, you can slip a toddler’s legs through here, and here, to form a seat, and then carry him…or her.” Presley Ann noted the sparkle in Hank’s and Travis’s eyes as they glanced at Veronica and held back a giggle. Maybe someone was planning to add to the Divine baby boom soon.

  Charlotta reached out and stroked the silky mesh fabric on her shoulder and smiled. “You use lovely materials. Are you making these and selling them?”

  “I am,” she said as she sat back down. “My dream is to turn this sideline into my main source of income. The key seems to be making them from better fabrics, in a large range of sizes, and with finer attention to details. Then I could be a stay-at-home mom.”

  Hank raised his glass of tea to toast her. “My money’s on you. I believe you could do anything you set your mind to.” The others agreed and gave her an informal toast.

  “Thank you.”

  Over the course of their conversation, Presley Ann discovered that Jesse and Barry were born in Montana, same as Veronica, but now lived in Lusty, Texas, a town in Central Texas she’d been hearing more and more about lately.

  She turned to Veronica and said, “Wait, didn’t you already have brothers in Lusty?”

  Veronica nodded. “Cord and Jackson. My oldest brothers. Jesse and Barry are my youngest brothers, even though they’re a year older than me.”

  “Two sets of twins? That’s so nice. It was only Leah and me, growing up. Sometimes I wonder what it would’ve been like to be a part of a big family.”

  Jesse said, “Twins actually run in the Benedict family, going all the way back to the late 1800s, and the first Benedicts to settle in Lusty, Caleb and Joshua.”

  They were discussing all the family connections, which quickly grew confusing for Presley Ann, until Travis changed the subject. “I haven’t heard from Deke in a while. Any news on the Maxwell boys?”

  A sour look crossed Veronica’s face, making Presley Ann curious. “The Maxwell boys?” The name sounded familiar and Presley Ann recalled the conversation at the store. She caught Veronica’s eye and her friend nodded in verification.

  Looking disgruntled, Jesse said, “Two losers from back home that Barry and I had the poor judgment to be friends with.”

  Travis said, “Phil and Gord Maxwell decided to help themselves to what wasn’t theirs. Jesse and Barry had set aside a parcel of their own land as a donation to the Bureau of Land Management for their wild horse and burro program—to serve as a temporary sanctuary for the animals. The Maxwell’s stole some of those horses and sold them for profit—some of them went to a slaughterhouse.”

  Presley Ann’s jaw dropped. “That’s horrible!”

  “So, with Jesse and Barry’s help, the BLM investigator arrested them. They were charged, tried, and sent to prison.”

  “Good!” she said with a nod.

  Barry shrugged. “Except they escaped on Thanksgiving and haven’t been recaptured yet.”

  The conversation moved on to other topics and Presley Ann asked Charlotta if she was in ranching, too. Charlotta explained that she was a psychologist working with emotionally disturbed kids at a wellness center and an equine therapy program, in Waco. That was how she’d met Jesse and Barry.

  Travis was talking about adding an equine therapy program at the Hill Country Boys Ranch, where he was a supervisor and counselor, when the waitress brought Presley Ann’s order to her in a large plastic bag.

  The waitress whispered to her that Rudy had heard of the near-disaster out front and had included complimentary desserts in the bag, hoping that she was all right.

  Rising from her seat, she thanked them for letting her sit with them for a while. She reached out to take hold of the bag but Hank beat her to it. “I’ll just walk you to your car.” She huffed when she saw the implacable look in his eyes. As if to confirm it, he said, “Don’t argue, Presley Ann.”

  “All right, I won’t. Thank you,” she added almost begrudgingly. She had two feet, she could walk her own self out to the parking lot. She turned to Jesse and Barry with a heart full of gratitude. “You might not think you’re heroes, but I think you are.”

  Having stood with Travis as she’d risen, they nodded, still looking uncomfortable, and tipped their heads at her before sitting back down. She turned to Veronica, hoping she wasn’t interfering, and said, “You must be very proud of your brothers.” Veronica smiled at her but didn’t confirm or deny the fact, or even look at them. Presley Ann said good-bye to Charlotta and the others, and walked away with Hank, hoping it all worked out between them.

  As Hank held the front door open for her, Presley Ann turned to him and said, “I never took you for the pushy, overbearing, pit bull type, Hank.”

  Hank snorted. “You’ll get to know me better, Presley Ann, and learn that what you just said describes me to a T. I get that a lot from the women of Divine, Texas.”

  Presley Ann chuckled as she cradled the sleeping baby’s head. “And I can see by your big grin that you enjoy that reputation.”

  “Can’t deny it. And it helps to dispel the growing rumor that I’m a marshmallow on the inside. Keeping you ladies safe is worth taking a little grousing because I’m overprotective. Still carrying your pepper spray?”

  Presley Ann patted her purse. “Everywhere I go.”

  “Good girl.”

  He opened the rear passenger door and she carefully eased Whit out of the sling and buckled him securely in his car seat, then happened to catch Hank as he took his phone out of his pocket.

  She scoffed and said, “You’re calling them anyway, aren’t you?”

  “Can’t deny that either. Just watch me in your rearview mirror and I’ll direct you. Rudy lost a good portion of his parking lot the last time they widened this street. I hate that everyone has to back out onto Crockett Street in order to leave.”

  “But your lunch is getting cold.”

  Hank gave her the steely-eyed stare but she could see the faintest hint of a twinkle in his gray eyes. “If it gets cold it’ll be because I’m outside arguing with a woman whose safety I care about. Don’t forget to buckle up.” Something about the way he spoke to her suddenly reminded her of one of the heroes in that book of Veronica’s she’d recently finished. A gray-eyed hero who was also a…Dom. Oh my gosh. TMI.

  He gently closed her door after she got in, and she couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up as he walked out to the edge of the lot and then signaled with a wave for her to back straight out. She did as directed, not surprised when he stepped out onto Crockett Street and kept an eye in both directions for her and waved for her to continue backing out. When she put the vehicle in drive and turned the wheel, he smiled at her and waved. She glanced in the rearview mirror as she drove off. The man was already dialing a phone number as he walked back toward the restaurant.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ten minutes later, Presley Ann was sitting in Leah’s office, eating her fajita salad while Whit nursed, and chatting with her sister. She was just detailing her plans for the second half of her work day at home, sewing the first batch of
slings, when a quick knock on the door drew their attention. She draped her shoulder in case anyone walked by in the corridor, got up to open the door, and smiled when she saw Jared, dressed in his fire department sweats.

  “Hank called you, didn’t he? It was no big deal, I promise—”

  Jared stroked her upper arms and looked into her eyes as if assessing her. “Yes, but that’s not the only reason I’m here. I’ve got bad news.”

  Leah jumped up from her chair. “What’s the matter? What happened?”

  Leah’s haunted tone instantly drew Presley Ann’s attention and she was shocked by how pale Leah had become. She hadn’t looked like that since Patterson—

  Presley Ann went cold and grabbed hold of Jared’s biceps and demanded, “Where’s Kendry? Is he okay?” Whit whimpered before he continued nursing.

  Leah plopped back down in her chair and Presley Ann remembered that this very office was where she’d learned of Patterson’s accident the spring before.

  Jared looked confused and shook his head. “He’s fine. He’s on duty right now. Hank called a few minutes ago to let me know about the near-accident and I was on my way to check on you. Kendry just called me from your Uncle Marvin’s place.”

  Leah sat up. “Uncle Marvin? Is he okay?”

  Jared nodded and gestured for Presley Ann to sit back down. “He’s fine. It’s your apartment.”

  No! What now? “What happened?”

  Jared grimaced. “Busted pipe. Your uncle noticed water puddling under your door so he went upstairs to check, thinking maybe a faucet had been left on. It’s flooded. Kendry is over there right now, with a couple of guys, moving what they can out of your place.”

  Leah groaned and said, “Oh no! Presley Ann, do you want to leave Whit with me?”

  Presley Ann drew a deep breath, trying not to think of Whit’s crib, her sewing machine, all those yards of fabric, and the new work table…all soaked and ruined. Shaking her head, she focused on what was necessary for the moment, until she knew more. “No, because he’s due for a nap, and you don’t want a fussy baby in the store while you try to work on one of the busiest days of the year.”

  “But Evelyn and I—”

  Presley Ann shook her head. “I appreciate it, sis. This is a disaster but no one’s hurt.” She turned her gaze back to Jared. “I’ll meet you at the apartment,” she said. “From there, I’ll decide what to do.”

  Jared nodded and then waved at Leah as he grabbed up Whit’s diaper bag and walked her out. “A plumber was on his way, so Kendry and Marvin should have a better idea of what needs to happen next by the time we get there.”

  Once she arrived at the apartment, she saw several men carrying furniture, her furniture, out the back door.

  She nodded at several of the firefighters as she opened Whit’s car door and made sympathetic sounds as she roused the sleeping baby from his after-lunch nap. She slipped him into his sling and prayed that he’d settle back down—a losing proposition given the chaos in what he normally considered a peaceful space.

  So much for thinking the scales were finally starting to tip a little in my favor.

  The musty odor of wet carpet assailed her as she made her way up the water-logged stairs toward the sound of Kendry and Marvin’s voices. Even though she’d made the place into a cozy little home for herself and Whit, there was no denying the fact that it was an old house, with old pipes and wiring.

  Marvin looked a little worse for wear as she spotted him and Kendry in the kitchen. He came to her and patted her shoulder. “So sorry, sweetie.” The paneling on one wall in the kitchen had been torn out and a man in a work uniform was crouched down, while one of the firemen held a flashlight for him as he worked on the busted pipe.

  Kendry kissed her temple and stroked Whit’s head and said, “When the guys heard what was happening, they came over to help, so I think we can get most of it out for you pretty quick.”

  She looked around at the rapidly emptying apartment, thankful that she’d kept it neat and tidy so she had little cause for embarrassment, except for the humble size of her space, which was really not all that embarrassing to her. Several firemen nodded and smiled at her when she said a quick thank you. “What do we do now? What about tonight? We can’t leave my things outside overnight, and I imagine this will take a while to dry out. Do we get industrial fans up here to dry it out? Has the pipe been fixed yet? What’s it like downstairs in your office space?”

  Marvin didn’t look very optimistic as he said, “Ceiling tiles are all soaked, some of the paneling is buckling. The office got the worst of it.”

  “All your equipment,” she said with a gasp.

  Marvin waved a hand. “I’m more concerned about you and your space up here. The plumber says that with the wiring not being up to code and the possibility of this happenin’ again…I’m not sure what I’m gonna do with this place. My main worry right now is getting you and this little baby situated somewhere safe and warm.” Her heart sank as his pessimistic tone registered.

  “But maybe if we just rip out all the carpet and get fans in here it’ll be okay.” This can’t be happening. She breathed deep to keep panic at bay. She was not moving home with her dad.

  She walked around the small space, cold water soaking into her work-worn flats from the carpet, and shuddered. It’s supposed to dip below freezing tonight. I can’t keep Whit warm in this space even if they remove the carpet, run fans the rest of the day, and I run the bathroom heater all night. We’ll both be sick.

  Suck it up, buttercup. It’s that or call Dad.

  She sat on a straight back chair and cradled her forehead for a few seconds as she tried to think. Whit patted her cheek with his pudgy hand. She knew she was just delaying the inevitable. “I guess I need to call my dad and tell him we’re moving home.”

  Kendry squatted down by her chair. “What about another rental? If we call around we may be able to find another apartment or a small house for rent.”

  Her cheeks heated up as she whispered, “I can’t afford anywhere else. I emptied my savings buying fabric and supplies. The only way I’ve made ends meet so far has been because Marvin gave me a great deal on the rent.”

  “Kitten?” Kendry said as Jared joined them. “We may have a solution.”

  “We just don’t know if it’s one that will interest you,” Jared said with a dry chuckle. “I hope you’re not superstitious.”

  “Huh?”

  * * * *

  Presley Ann stood in the entry of the small rock cottage, looking decidedly unsure of herself. Whit’s head bobbed as he looked around the dim space. Thinking it might help to shed a little light on the subject, Jared moved around the small living room with Kendry, opening curtains and propping windows open.

  “It needs a good airing out,” Jared said. “But if you think it might work, it’s yours. All of the furniture came with the place, so you can use whatever you want. ”

  Earlier at the apartment, with the slump of defeat in her shoulders, she’d said it was time to call her dad. Jared knew that the thought of moving home, even temporarily, bothered her. And he’d felt guilty for forcing her to spell out the fact that she couldn’t afford to move. If he’d thought she would accept, he would’ve offered to move her into their house. Then he’d remembered about the mother-in-law cottage.

  “So…she died here?” she asked as she looked around at the ceiling, the sheet-draped furniture, and the dusty carpet.

  “Yeah.”

  “Was she…”

  Jared chuckled at the slightly worried look in her eyes and her questioning tone. “No, she wasn’t murdered. She just died of massive heart failure in her sleep. When he showed us the place, the real estate agent made a point of clarifying that, since he knew we were considering buying it rather than just leasing it. You never answered me,” Jared said as he parted the metal screen to investigate the interior of the small fireplace.

  “About what?” she asked and then reacted with playful sympathy wh
en Whit sneezed. Jared put down the poker, thinking he was just stirring more airborne debris.

  “Are you superstitious?”

  “As long as she didn’t meet a violent end, it doesn’t bother me. When I was sitting outside the other day, this little place intrigued me. It needs a thorough cleaning, but I like it. Only I’m not sure…”

  “Not sure about what?”

  “You said you were planning to buy the whole place, rather than just lease it. You could fix this place up and charge a premium rent for it. What I paid Marvin for rent wouldn’t even come close to what you could make.”

  Kendry glanced at him and shook his head. “It was never our intention to rent this place out. That would mean others coming and going, which would put a damper on us enjoying our privacy out here.”

  Jared knew what Kendry left unsaid was the fact that he was—hell, they both were—hoping that she might eventually make their house her home and Whit’s. For now it was just a dream, though. And one they knew was too soon to express to her.

  He also didn’t mention what they had no intention of accepting rent money from her. It might keep her from actually accepting the offer and moving in with her dad instead.

  Presley Ann lifted a sheet from one of the chairs, a solid oak straight-back chair by the look of it, and nodded. “I can more than make do in this place, if you’ll have me?”

  If I’ll have you? I’m thinking of all the ways I want to have you, kitten.

  Presley Ann pulled out her smartphone and tapped the screen. Smiling at the two of them, she put the phone to her ear. “Lydia? Hey. I’m doing fine. Remember when we talked and you told me that it was okay to ask for help sometimes? Yeah. I really do.” She went on to briefly explain the busted pipe and her emergency exodus. “Can you come? LuAnn, too? You’re kidding! Please thank them for me. Yeah, anyone else you want to bring is welcome. I really appreciate it.”

  Tears glimmered in her eyes when she ended the call but she was smiling. “We’ll have help soon. Lydia is calling everyone to see who can come. Chance and Clayton are going to take a horse trailer to the apartment to load up all my stuff. Chris Potter and Julian Alvarez were there with them and they said they’d help. Can you go meet them? And what about the chief, Kendry? You’re supposed to be on shift right now.”