by Debra Kayn
It took Margot and Bisette both to loosen the side of the hydrant with the wrench they’d found in Sam’s truck. With the fire hose hooked up, and Chantilly manning the direction of the soon-to-be spray, Florentine, Margot and Bisette lined up behind their ticked off sister to hold the hose in place.
Their spur of the moment plan to steal the fire department’s equipment went off without a hitch. Set up across the street from Valenciennes’ Place, the McDougal sisters were a safe distance away ready to blast Roy Lee, Sam and Jack with a stream of water, sure to soak them to the skin, as they walked out of the bar.
“Why are we doing this again?” Florentine asked.
Chantilly snorted. “’Cause Jack is gettin’ too big for his britches.”
Margot coughed on a laugh. “Sheesh, sis, is nothing personal anymore? We don’t need to know about his attributes.”
“Funny. Ha. Ha.” Chantilly smirked and gazed over her shoulder. “You know how yesterday was Jack’s birthday and I’d set up the whole surprise of meeting him at the door in the slinky little outfit I bought and serving him cake in bed?”
“I take it your plan didn’t go very well.” Margot shook her head. “What happened?”
“Jack, Sam, and Roy Lee is what happened!” Chantilly glared. “Sometime during the day, Jack sat down with the guys and offered them his cake after they finished tagging the rest of the cattle.”
“What?” Bisette gasped.
Chantilly turned back around, her shoulders stiffened. “I ran through the house buck naked to grab the cake, ready to give him the best birthday of his life, and the cake was gone. My special present to him turned out to be a dud. When I asked him what happened to the cake, he confessed to sharing it with the guys.”
“How could he not tell it was a birthday cake?” Margot rolled her eyes.
“Well, it was a small cake, enough for the two of us, and I’d frosted it with chocolate and added cherries. I was going for a sexy dessert…you know, not the typical birthday cake. This one wasn’t for blowin’ out the candles if you know what I mean.” Chantilly scoffed. “That doesn’t mean he had a right to ruin my big plans. Plus, once I finally accepted that the night was ruined, the coyotes started howling and he had to go out and ride the fields. He was worried about the yearlings. His birthday was a total bust.”
“You’re right. The guys need to pay for ruining your surprise.” Florentine repositioned the hose tucked under her arm.
Chantilly wiggled her upper body and lowered her voice. “This was his first birthday with us being together. I really wanted it to be special.”
Margot widened her eyes. “Roy Lee’s just as guilty. I’d told him not to stay too long, because you were surprising Jack.”
“I’ll fill in for Val. My brother-in-law needs to learn you don’t mess with a McDougal when she’s got her heart set on something.” Bisette squared her shoulders.
“Pick the hose up.” Margot grunted. “Damn this is heavy.”
“Don’t worry, Chantilly. Next year, you can do something bigger and better to celebrate.” Florentine patted Chantilly’s back.
Bisette tugged on the hose. “They’re comin’. They’re comin’.”
“Hurry, get into position.” Margot motioned with her head. “Get ready.”
“I’m more than set.” Chantilly lifted the nozzle higher. “Make sure to keep the water flow arched through the air. We want to get the guys, not the cars that could go by.”
“Who do we aim for? Jack, or all three?” Florentine stood on her tiptoes to see in front of her.
“All three of them are tighter than a tail tangle, and you know the other two will stick up for Jack if they see us attacking him.” Chantilly took a step forward, dragging the hose and Margot, Bisette and Florentine with her.
All three guys strolled around the corner, with Sam and Roy Lee flanking Jack. Margot caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Oh, we’re gonna get so busted for this.
“Now!” Chantilly pulled back the lever, sending a huge arch of cold water over Main Street toward the men on the sidewalk.
Without losing her hold on the hose that seemed to take on a life of its own, Margot leaned to the left and witnessed Sam slide along the sidewalk on his boot heels, crouch down and duck his head. He struggled to fight his way out of the surprise assault. No doubt, Jack and Roy Lee were battling their own way free behind the curtain of water. The sisters had knocked their men down like a ten-pin strike.
At the same time Margot had second thoughts about their dirty trick, she spotted Jack rising out of the watery mist, larger than life, holding his cowboy hat on his head and stalking toward the girls with his gonna-do-business mask on.
“Run!” She dropped the hose, grabbed Bisette’s hand, and hightailed it across the road toward the old historical house that contained the town library. If she got lucky, the hedge growing around the back would provide a hiding spot.
“Hurry, Bisette.” Margot tugged on her sister’s arm. “We can’t let them catch us.”
“Over here.” Bisette pulled Margot to the left.
She skidded across the gravel, stopping Bisette. “No. There’s nowhere to—”
Two wet arms swept Margot off the ground. “Where you goin’, sweetheart?”
Margot screamed and reached for Bisette, but Roy Lee stepped out of reach. Dangling in his arms, she scrunched up her face. “Bisette! Help me!”
Her sister shook her head and glanced around as if searching for help or a place to hide from Roy Lee. “No way. Roy Lee’s got murder in his eyes.”
“Dammit, Bisette. Don’t let him take me.” She kicked her legs trying to break out of his arms, but Roy Lee had ten inches and eighty pounds more strength than she did.
Her feet suddenly landed on the ground, but before she had time to slip away, Roy Lee spun her around, picked her back up and flung her over his shoulder like a fifty-pound sacka spuds.
“Put me down right now, Roy Lee!” She pounded his tight rear end with her fist. “You’ll pay for this. You can’t drag me off wherever you want. There’s laws against this…it’s called kidnapping!”
He swatted her rear. She squeaked and her whole body stiffened. He did not just spank me.
“I’ll make sure you talk to the sheriff ’bout pressing charges.” He chuckled.
Her head bounced off his back with each long step he took. She closed her eyes to keep the ground from spinning. “Please, Roy Lee. This was all Chantilly’s doing. It had nothing to do with you.”
“If you haven’t noticed, I’m wet, Margot.”
Her fingers dug into the back of his thighs. With his jeans plastered to his legs, she could feel each contraction of his muscles as he hauled her away. Despite every one of his steps making his shoulder dig into her waist, she couldn’t help appreciating the view. Maybe a little too much.
“Uh, Roy Lee?” She halted kicking her legs. “I’ll make a deal with you…”
He stopped.
She breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t so far gone that a bargain was out of the picture. “How about we find a nice private spot…or go back home. I swear on next year’s beef prices, I’ll give you a time to remember.”
Roy Lee shifted. She smiled. Oh, thank—
She flew off his shoulder. She gasped as her head sank under water. Flaying her arms, she blindly searched for something to grab onto to save her life. Her fingers closed around something hard and she pulled herself up to a sitting position gulping as her head broke the surface.
“Are you cow shit crazy?” She turned her head left, right, and then gazed down at where she sat. “You. You. You dumped me in a horse trough!”
Roy Lee crossed his arms. His mouth twitched and he grinned. She narrowed her eyes and slowly pulled herself up and out of the tub. She fisted her hands straight down at her sides. “This is not funny.”
He lowered his gaze and his brows shot up. She looked down at the front of her shirt and groaned. Today was not the best day to wear a w
hite blouse.
“Stop staring.” She pulled the material away from her stomach, bunched the shirt in her hand and tried to wring it out. “I told you I was sorry. You didn’t have to go and get me wet too.”
Roy Lee continued to stare at her body rather than her face. She tried mustering her disdain over the rude treatment of swimming in the slimy horse water enough to give him a piece of her mind, but her mouth grew dry. She licked her lips.
His bangs hung down over the corner of his forehead. The sleeves of his shirt clung to his biceps and shoulders. Dang if he didn’t appear sexier than all get out.
She stepped toward him. He raised his chin, his expression heated and hungry. A slow smile came over her. She thrust her shoulders back and slinked toward him. Without any hesitation, he picked her up in his arms and captured her mouth. She kissed him back hot and heavy, her ankles hooked behind his back. She held on to his shoulders. Her body tingled from the heat of him coming through their wet clothes.
He broke the kiss. His breath tickled her cheek as she held his head close to her. She kissed the tip of his nose. “So…you’re not mad anymore?”
“Nah.” His hand smacked the seat of her wet shorts. “Besides, I’m interested in this bargain you were talking ’bout. Still wanna do business with me?”
“Oh yeah, Sheriff.” She laughed. “I think I got something you might want.”
“Margot!”
She turned her head, her eyes widened. “What in the world?”
Ryan skipped down the sidewalk. No, that wasn’t right. His gait was more hop, wobble, stumble as he attempted to run in what appeared like brand new black cowboy boots. She studied his feet. “Sweet gravy, check out the size of the heels on those suckers,” she whispered to Roy Lee.
Roy Lee burst out laughing. She covered his mouth with her hand. “Sh…you’ll hurt his feelings.”
Roy Lee growled.
She lowered her arm and slid down Roy Lee’s body until she stood on her own two feet. “He’s trying real hard to fit in. You need to cut him a break.”
“Margot, are you okay?” Ryan stopped and grabbed her shoulder, trying to keep his balance.
“I’m fine, Ryan. What—”
“Oh my.” Ryan sucked in a breath as his gaze swept the length of her body. He unbuttoned his shirt. “Here, you can wear my shirt. I can take you to the clinic—”
“As you can see, Cityboy.” Roy Lee reached down and picked up Margot’s hand. “I’ve got the situation under control.”
“But, she’s all wet.” He waved his arms in front of Margot. “In the middle of town, no less.”
Roy Lee grinned. “Yep, it isn’t the first time Margot’s found trouble on Main Street. Probably won’t be the last.”
“It’s okay, Ryan. We were just having fun.” She stepped away from Ryan as Roy Lee pulled her away. “I’ll see you Monday.”
“You’re not seriously going to let him treat you with so…so much disrespect, are you?”
Roy Lee dropped her hand, turned, and she barely succeeded in grabbing his arm as he raised his fist. “I’m about tired of your mouth, Cityboy.”
“Roy Lee!” She tugged hard. “Stop. Please.”
“Better listen to her, Sheriff.” Ryan glared. “Margot’s special. She deserves someone who’ll treat her right.”
“Ryan…I’m fine.” She walked backward, dragging Roy Lee with her.
Leaving Ryan with his mouth open, his shirt open, and standing with boot heels three inches high, Margot hurried Roy Lee away before a fight broke out. The best thing for everybody would be for Roy Lee to forget about Ryan.
She wrapped her arm around his waist and kept walking. “Take me home, Roy Lee. I don’t think the town of Pike is ready to see how the veterinarian seduces the sheriff on Main Street.”
Chapter Nine
Margot ended the phone call, slipped her cell in her pocket and squealed before jumping into Roy Lee’s arms. She squeezed him tight. “I’ve got awesome news. Florentine’s leaving tomorrow. She was able to make the cut before time ran out.”
“That’s excellent news.” He stroked her hip.
Leaning back, she pulled him down and gave him a fast kiss. “I’ve never been happier to see her take off outta Pike before. I think she needs to get back into the swing of life, instead of sticking around here.”
“She’s back on the roster then?” Roy Lee sat down in the chair and put his feet on the edge of her desk.
“Yup.” She bent over at the waist, gathered her hair high on the back of her head, and slipped the rubber band on. “I was afraid she didn’t call in time, but she said she wanted to get confirmation before she told the family, and that meant she had to wait until they’d posted the draw.”
“It’ll be good for her to get back to what she loves.”
Straightening up, she planted her hands on her hips. “Now we need to talk some sense into Bisette, and the McDougals are heading in the right direction again.”
“Stuart would be proud of you, sweetheart. He wouldn’t want you all to quit doing what you love.” He patted his thigh. “Come here.”
She plopped down in his lap, but the phone rang and had her standing back up. “Dang, I can’t believe it’s eight already.”
“Work never ends…”
Picking up the headset, she leaned over the desk and grabbed a pen. “Double M Veterinary—”
Nodding, she patiently waited to hear the rest of the conversation. “Keep her down. I’ll be right there.” She hung up the phone. “Sorry, babe. Jeremy Cotter’s mare is down. Can you leave a message for Louann and let her know where I am? I should be back by eleven or so. She can reschedule the appointments.”
“Got it.” Roy Lee’s feet hit the floor. “Drive careful.”
She paused long enough to brush a kiss against his cheek and hit the door running. “See you tonight.”
Roy Lee headed downstairs, taking the stairs two at a time since he’d parked out back out of sight from the road. Opening the door to the inside kennels, he ran smack-dab into Ryan. “Whoa…partner.”
“Jesus…” Ryan stumbled backward.
Roy Lee grabbed the smaller man’s shoulders to keep him on his feet. “Sorry ’bout that. I didn’t think anyone was down here.”
Ryan’s mouth tightened.
Roy Lee dropped his gaze to the package of caramel squares in Ryan’s hand. He cocked his brow, his gut tightening. “A little morning snack?”
“Sorry, Sheriff. I can’t talk right now. I’ve got an early morning appointment due any minute, and I’m running late.” Ryan stepped past him.
Roy Lee frowned at the quick exit. He shook his head and pulled his cowboy hat down farther. Well that answers the question ’bout the mysterious candy showing up, doesn’t it? Let me see what other kind of mistakes you’ve made, Cityboy.
The last drop of daylight hovered on the horizon as Margot pulled her truck into the yard at Roy Lee’s ranch. After shutting off the engine, she sat staring out the window. There was something missing, but for the life of her, she couldn’t put her finger on it.
The porch ran the length of the front of the single story house. The bleached gray cedar siding blended well with the surroundings and the mature rhododendron bushes hid the railing providing a windbreak in the winter. She tapped her thigh. No, there was something else the house needed…
She slapped the wheel. Shutters! Roy Lee’s place lacked the homey feel of shutters.
Grabbing her bag, she climbed out and hurried to the house. She gave a couple short knocks, before turning the door handle and stepping inside. “Roy Lee?”
“In here.”
She followed the voice into the kitchen. Setting her things down on the table, she moved over to the chair beside Roy Lee. “Mm, I missed seeing you over lunchtime. It’s getting harder to go without seeing you all day. All I think about is making it out of the office in time to make a trip out here before you go to bed. I think I spend more time at your place than at
my apartment above the clinic.”
“Sweetheart.” He removed his hat, set it on his knee and combed his hand through his hair. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes?”
“Sure.” She frowned. “You look serious. It’s not Stormy, is it?”
He shook his head.
Her breath caught. “One of my sisters?”
“No, sweets. Everyone in your family is okay as far as I know.” He leaned forward. “It is ’bout Ryan though…”
She scoffed. “Face it, Roy Lee, you don’t like him. I need him at the clinic, though. If you haven’t noticed there ain’t a whole lot of draw for someone to move to Pike…especially someone qualified to practice anywhere in the world. Plus, without him, I’d be back to working seven days a week and leaving on calls in the middle of the night.”
“He’s in love with you.”
Margot laughed and turned away from Roy Lee to unzip her bag. “He is not.” Ryan enjoyed her companionship. They understood each other in a pure common educational background kind of way. It was the same way in veterinary school. She got along with her peers because they all loved animals and experienced the same stress load and worries about schooling.
Heat filled her cheeks. She turned away from Roy Lee. There was probably more to what was going on with Ryan than either one of them knew about and she hoped Roy Lee was wrong.
Deep down, she couldn’t help being worried Roy Lee might be right and Ryan did have a crush on her. She swallowed. It didn’t mean anything to her. She never encouraged him or gave him any sign he should pursue any other kind of relationship with her.
“Ryan’s lonely. No one has made Pike feel like home away from home for him. Even you.” She glanced back at Roy Lee. “The cityboy jokes…need to stop. I think you’re hurting his feelings. He seems sensitive about being accepted.”
She removed the bag containing her half-uneaten lunch. A few caramel squares fell on the table. She smiled up at him. “You have no idea how finding these caramels throughout the day makes me smile. You’re quite the romantic underneath your stubborn cowboy hat, Sheriff Hanson.”
