Choose Your Heart

by Callie Hutton

  Damian headed to the vending machine area, plunked in coins for a cup of coffee and a package of peanut butter and cheese crackers. He then slumped into a vinyl covered chair that had seen better days and finished off the snack.

  After two hours of rifling through old magazines and watching a stream of the walking wounded enter the doors of the emergency room, he was relieved to see Kerry stride up to him, a huge smile on her face.

  “Both mother and son are settled in and doing fine.” She collapsed alongside him, and rotated her neck. “It was really nice of you to stay, but you didn’t have to do that. I could’ve caught a taxi to a motel.” She yawned. “What time is it?”

  “Close to two-fifteen. And it was no problem to wait. I’m glad everything went well with the delivery.”

  She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Hmm. I could fall asleep right here.”

  Damian stood and drew her up. “Come on. I know a motel not too far from here. I brought your things with me. They’re in my truck.”

  Kerry groaned, and followed him out the door. “Why are you doing all this?”

  Maybe because I’ve been hit with something I can’t explain? “I told you. My mama raised me to be a gentleman.”

  She glanced at him sideways and smirked.

  Once settled into the truck, Damian pulled onto the highway and flipped on a radio station. A mellow number filled the air. Kerry settled herself against the door and closed her eyes. A few miles down the road, he entered the parking lot of The Primrose Motel—with a bright red “No Vacancies” sign flashing in the dark night. He glanced at his passenger...who was fast asleep.

  Damian returned to the highway and hit two more motels before he headed north toward his home. The clock on the dashboard read five after three when he entered the long driveway leading to his large ranch house. The rambling structure sat in shadows, outlined by the dim glow of the partial moon.

  “Kerry?” He shook her shoulder gently.

  “Um.”

  “Darlin’, you have to wake up.”

  “So tired.”

  “I know. Come on. I’ll get you inside, and you can go back to sleep.”

  Kerry sat up, and blinked a few times. She looked around and wiped her mouth. “Was I drooling?”

  He chuckled. “No. Snoring a bit, though.”

  She groaned. “Where are we? This isn’t a motel.”

  “I know.” He held up his hands, palms facing her. “Now, before you get all riled up, I tried three motels, but they were all full. I forgot there’s some type of bikers’ event this week. I brought you to my house, but I have every intention of settling you in the guest bedroom.” He jumped from the truck and retrieved her overnight bag, purse, and laptop.

  She narrowed her eyes as he opened the door. “I don’t think this is a good idea. I mean, I don’t even know you.” She crossed her arms. “I’ll sleep here in the truck. It’s comfortable.”

  Damian rested his hands on his hips. “All right. I’ll give you that. You don’t know me, and if you were my sister, I’d be stomping mad that you’d do something so reckless. But, there isn’t much choice, and you have been with people all night who know me.” He studied her for a minute. “Would it help if I told you my guest bedroom has a lock on the door?”

  She hesitated for a moment, and then slid from the seat. “Okay. A lock on the door is good.”

  He grinned to himself at the puzzle that was Kerry Mackenzie. The midwife side was strong, confident and assured. The woman was wary and suspicious. The more she revealed about herself, the more he wanted to peel away her layers of protection.

  He flashed what he hoped was a trusting smile and led her up the stairs to the porch.

  Even though it was the middle of the night with everything shrouded in darkness, Kerry was still impressed with Damian’s house. The ceramic tiled entrance hall opened into a living room that revealed a cozy ambiance once he switched on a few lights.

  Dark leather furniture surrounded a Native American patterned area rug. A huge stone fireplace took up almost one whole wall, with floor to ceiling windows on either side. The neatness of the room surprised her the most, being a bachelor home.

  Damian headed to the stairs, still carrying her belongings. “Come on upstairs, and get some sleep. I’ll give you the grand tour tomorrow.”

  A large bed sat smack in the center of the room they soon entered, which was all her tired body could see. He dropped her things on the floor, and took off his hat. “Well, I’ll let you get some rest.” He pointed to a door in the corner. “There’s a bathroom in there. And, as I mentioned, a lock on the door.”

  She smiled at his discomfort. “Thank you. I really do appreciate all you’ve done for me tonight.”

  “Not a problem.” He fumbled with the brim of his hat. “Well, I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Oh wait.” Kerry stopped him before she closed the door. “What about my car?”

  Damian snapped his fingers. “I’ll call Boz first thing and run the keys over there.” He paused. “Unless you want to wait until you wake up, so you can deliver them yourself.”

  She grimaced. “Now you’re making me feel like a suspicious old lady.” She reached into her purse and handed the key ring over. “If you get up first, I would appreciate you dropping them off for me.”

  “Sure thing. Well, good night again.”

  “‘Night.” Kerry closed the door softly and turned the lock.

  She leaned against the door and gazed around the room. Here she was in a strange city, in a strange bedroom, in the home of a strange man. Well, she wanted to move on with her life, and assert some independence. But being attracted to that handsome cowboy on the other side of the door did not fit in with her plan.

  Her stiff fingers unbuttoned her blouse, leaving it to settle where it dropped, then slid her shorts down her legs. Leather sandals joined the rest of her clothes, right before she climbed into bed in her bra and panties. She really should get up and take a shower, or at least brush her teeth, but before the thought took root in her mind, she was sound asleep.

  Damian leaned against the doorjamb and listened to the sound of Kerry sinking into the mattress. Moisture beaded his forehead as he imagined climbing in alongside her, running his hands over her smooth, silky skin. Kissing her forehead, now salty from sweat, nuzzling her neck, cupping her breasts, tugging on her nipples.

  With a groan, he pushed himself away from the door and walked down the hall to his own bedroom. He headed directly to the shower, turning the knob to as cold as he could stand it.

  Not that it helped.

  Once settled in bed, he lay on his back and tucked his hands behind his head.

  The woman his heart suspected could be the one he wanted for now and always would disappear from his life and head to Albuquerque sometime tomorrow unless he could find a way to change her mind. He needed time to work it out. See if this connection between them was real.

  He flipped onto his stomach and punched the pillow. Things at the ranch were running smoothly, and he hadn’t had more than a day or two off in years. Maybe he could leave for Albuquerque tomorrow and hook up with Kerry while she’s there. Spend a couple of days with her before meeting with his supplier.

  His father and brother could manage without him. Now that they’d worked out their differences, he’d been able to convince the old man to try the new methods Damian had learned in college, and the profits on the ranch had soared. They’d hired several new employees to manage the extra stock, and were on their way to being one of the biggest family-held ranches in Texas. No small feat.

  He grinned. Yes, a few days with Kerry. See if this attraction was real, and more importantly, if Kerry felt it, too. It sure seemed so earlier tonight when their eyes met over the miracle birth.

  Damian reached for the cell phone by his bed and left a quick message for his dad.

  Yes, tomorrow, he’d begin his campaign to convince Kerry to allow him to tag along.


  Chapter Four

  Warm sunlight bathed Kerry’s face. She slowly opened her eyes, taking in the strange room. Where was she? Then it all came back in a rush. The flat tire. The waitress in the bar, the baby. And Damian Greer.

  Oh yes. Damian.

  Her gaze flicked to the still locked bedroom door.

  She shifted to her side, tucking her hands under her cheek. Her heart did a double thump when she remembered the look they shared after Bev’s baby slid into her hands. As insane as it seemed, she’d felt an instant connection with Damian like never before in her life. Almost as if they’d known each other forever. It had taken years of knowing Cody before she’d felt a similar bond.

  Get that out of your mind right now, girl.

  The first anniversary of Cody’s death last month had been a difficult day. The visit to his grave, the requisite dinner with his parents, the photo album they’d dragged out. It was while they told her again how they would always consider her their daughter, and they knew she’d buried her heart with their son that she realized she had to move.

  She and Cody had been friends all through middle school, and lovers toward the end of high school. Three months after they graduated they married. Six years of marriage, while she went to nursing school and he started his landscaping business, had been happy ones. His parents had a little too much to say about their life, but she’d grown used to it.

  Then Cody kissed her goodbye one morning and left to take his flying lesson. The plane crashed, killing him and his instructor.

  In a quest to console herself and fill her empty hours, she’d taken numerous classes, not finishing any of them. Her condo was riddled with partially finished puzzles, embroidery, and scrapbooking. Projects that were supposed to distract her from her loneliness. The expensive camera she’d bought for a photography class gathered dust on a closet shelf, and she’d lost her tuition again for an unfinished online class in Chinese.

  Chinese? Seriously?

  A light knocking at the door jerked her from her musings.

  “Kerry, are you awake?”

  Damian.

  She sat up and rubbed her palm over her face. “Yes.”

  “I’m putting coffee on. I heard from Boz. I’ll give you the news about your car when you join me in the kitchen.”

  “Okay. I’ll take a quick shower.” She flipped the covers off and headed to the bathroom.

  Refreshed from her shower, the enticing aroma of coffee led her to a sunny kitchen. Damian leaned against the counter, ankles crossed, sipping from a cup with the picture of a bull on it.

  He gestured with his head toward the coffee pot. “Help yourself.”

  “Thanks.” She glanced sideways at him as she fixed the coffee. He looked even better in the light of day than he did last night. His hair still wet from his shower, it curled along his neck and over his ears. The snug, checkered western shirt he wore emphasized his broad shoulders and chest. Well-worn jeans hugged muscled legs, the bottom of the pants covering the better part of scuffed cowboy boots.

  “Delicious.”

  He raised his eyebrows.

  Kerry held up the cup. “The coffee, I mean.” Heat rose to her face. How long had he watched her ogling him?

  Damian waved her to a chair, then straddled another one, placing his cup on the table. “I ran the keys out to Boz’s shop early this morning. He called about a half an hour ago and said the flat tire and spare are no problem, but you also have a busted water pump. Since your car is an older model, it’s gonna take him a couple of days to get the part and fix it.”

  “No.” Kerry shook her head. “I have to be in Albuquerque by two o’clock tomorrow for my appointment with the realtor. She’s going out of town the next day, and I really don’t want to make this trip again.”

  Damian ran his fingers through his hair. “I have an idea.” He stood, rested his hands on his hips and grinned. “I have a well-running truck that’s hankering to get out on the highway.”

  Kerry raised her eyebrows, coolly assessing him. “And?”

  “I’d like to drive you to Albuquerque.” He raised his palm. “Before you dismiss it out of hand, hear me out. I called my supplier this morning, and he can squeeze me in earlier than the time we set.” He took in a deep breath, then flashed a slow, lazy smile. “And frankly, I’d really like to spend a bit more time with you.”

  A jolt shot through her at the casual end of his statement. She tilted her head and studied him. So far, nothing he’d said or done led her to believe he was anything more than what he seemed. A nice guy. The people last night knew him quite well and trusted him. And—she did have to be in Albuquerque for her appointment tomorrow. There would probably be a bus, but once she got there, she’d have to rent a car, which would seriously deplete the money she’d set aside for this move.

  The biggest drawback was his last comment. He wanted to spend time with her. What exactly did that mean? That thought caused butterflies to take flight in her stomach. The tension crackling between them right now was palpable. Damian Greer was not only a nice guy, but a damned sexy one. And the connection she already felt disturbed her. Her plan was to gain some independence and move to Albuquerque.

  And that’s what she would do.

  It was better if she did this on her own. No more detours or distractions.

  She opened her mouth to speak and startled herself when she said, “All right. You can drive me.”

  Damian swallowed the last of his coffee. He’d done it! For a minute there, he’d have sworn she was about to turn him down.

  Boz discovering the broken water pump only reinforced Damian’s belief that fate had stepped in to allow time to pursue this connection between him and Kerry. And it kept him from having to make up a ridiculous tale about why he should drive her to Albuquerque—starting off a relationship he’d hope would grow into something by lying, didn’t sit well.

  “When do you want to leave?” He placed his cup in the sink.

  “Right away. Isn’t it about five hours from here?”

  “Not the way I drive, darlin’.” He flashed her a grin and checked the silver and turquoise watch at his wrist. “It’s already after ten, sleepyhead, but I agree, we should get started.”

  “I can’t believe I slept that late. Usually I’m up at the crack of dawn.”

  “Considering it was almost dawn when you fell asleep, you’re excused.” He winked.

  She tapped her chin with her finger. “I’ll have to get my moving file and notebook from my car, and check with Boz.”

  “What time did you say your appointment was tomorrow?”

  “Two o’clock.” She gave him a half-smile. “If we get there tonight, it will give me plenty of time in the morning to take another look at the area.”

  “Let me throw a few things together, then we’ll head out to Boz’s shop and leave from there.”

  Kerry touched his arm as he turned. The heat where her fingers rested shot from there to his groin. Her huge hazel eyes captivated him, dried up his mouth as effectively as a wad of cotton.

  “I want to make one thing clear. When we get to Albuquerque, we will not be sharing a room. I’m not...like that.”

  Damian rested his wrists on her shoulders, leaned down, and looked her in the eyes. “I won’t deny the idea hasn’t crossed my mind, but I want more from you than a quick tumble.”

  She reared back and gasped at his blunt words. “I don’t know what you want from me, but I’m not in a position to give anything to anyone right now. I have a plan, and I will follow it.”

  He kissed the tip of her perky nose. “And I have my plan.”

  ****

  A small airplane buzzed overhead, and the strong odor of animals drifted through the open window of the truck as they drove away from Damian’s house, then down the long drive to the road. After a brief stop at Boz’s service station, they hit the highway.

  Kerry still second-guessed her decision to travel to Albuquerque with him. Oh, she wasn’t af
raid of him—physically. So far, he’d proved to be nothing less than a gentleman. It was her heart and determination that concerned her.

  She was ready to move on with her life, and fully intended to begin dating. But getting involved with a man in Amarillo while headed to Albuquerque didn’t make sense. Especially a man who rattled her like no one since Cody.

  Damian fiddled with the radio until he landed on a Josh Turner song. He grinned at her. “One of my favorites. Makes me want to hold a gal in my arms.”

  “Really?” She raised her eyebrows.

  “Yep. Really.”

  The fire in his eyes slid right to her core.

  Kerry shook her head, hoping she misread his look. Timing was everything in life, and this was not the time to become infatuated with a handsome, virile, please-don’t-flash-me-that-smile-again, man.

  He rested one arm along the back of the car seat and drummed his fingers in time with the music. “Tell me more about Albuquerque. Why you’re so all fired up about it. You have friends there? Family?”

  She gazed out the window for a minute. “My husband died in an airplane accident a little over a year ago. We dated in high school and got married as soon as we graduated.” Kerry shifted so she faced him. “His parents are wonderful people, and I love them. But they panicked every time I mentioned starting to date again.” She sighed, and picked at a thread in her jeans. “I really feel I’m ready to move on with my life. I mean, I loved Cody, but he’s dead, and…well, I’m not.” She winced. “I’ll bet that sounds awful.”

  Damian shook his head and reached over to take her hand, stilling her movements. “What about your family?”

  “My parents are divorced. I seldom see them. They each started new families, and I always seemed to be the outsider, so I considered Cody’s parents a substitute.”

  After a few minutes of silence, Damian asked, “Why Albuquerque?”

  “It’s far enough away so I won’t feel smothered, but close enough that I can visit them once in a while.”

  “And what happens when you meet someone else and re-marry?”