We darted across, ducking behind vehicles until we reached his truck. He unlocked it, shoved the keys in, and dropped it into neutral. “Push.”
“Are you crazy?” I hissed.
“Hey, there’s a good chance my name is being dropped as the instigator of that fight. I’d prefer to just sneak away and deal with it in the morning.”
“Oh my gosh. I feel like I’m in college again.”
“According to your rap sheet, this is nothing compared to your college days.”
“I hate that you can pull up crap like that!”
“Just push!”
I dashed around to the back and gave it a good push. “I’m wearing a skirt you know!”
“Just push.”
He pushed from the driver’s door, steering it out onto the road until we rolled around the corner. He then let out a soft whistle, and I dashed around to climb in. He leaped in, started the engine, and we sped away.
We didn’t say anything until we hit the road to Papina. He then sighed out of relief. “They’ll come questioning me tomorrow, but I could probably get out of it.”
“How long were you there anyway?” I asked.
“Ah . . .” He grimaced. “I may have followed you guys.”
“The whole time?” I gasped. “What did you do? Hide in the dark corner and watch?”
He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.
“Are you insane?”
“I just . . .” He grunted. “I didn’t want you going off with someone else, or getting hurt, or the worst thing that I came up with was someone getting you drunk and taking advantage of you.”
I groaned.
“I knew I had to stay out of sight or Sarah would freak out—”
“Like she did.”
“But, I needed to make sure you were safe, and most of all I . . . ” He swallowed. “I got jealous.”
I folded my arms, looking him over. Man, he’s gorgeous. “Paul?”
“Yes?”
I stared out the windscreen. “One day, when I’m ready, you’ll be the first person I run to.”
He slammed on the breaks, making my seatbelt cut into my neck. “What?”
“Geez, are you trying to kill me?”
“Say that again because I’m not sure if I heard you right.”
I met his gaze. “When I feel like I won’t be betraying Forrest anymore, I want to be with you.”
He laughed and leaned toward me. His seatbelt caught him as our lips met, but he unclipped it in a flash and climbed on top of me. He unbuckled me and lay down the seat.
We made out like high school kids, with his hands all over my face and his fingers weaving into my hair. I clung to him, my heart pounding, feeling someone so strong and so full of love for me so close.
His left hand dropped from off my face and slid up my skirt. I moaned and wrapped my legs around him as he ran his hand up the inside of my thigh. His fingers found my underwear and I gasped.
“You really want to do that in your truck?”
“I don’t care where I do it, as long as it’s with you.”
His fingers slid underneath and I gasped at his touch. He bit down on my neck, and I shuddered. I pulled my knees up around him in anticipation, but his head shot up and he swore.
He pulled his hand away. Headlights pulled up beside us. As much as my body screamed for more, I dropped my legs a moment before someone tapped on the window.
Paul opened it. “Hey, Clint.”
“Paul?” His eyebrows rose with surprise. “You realize you’re parked in the middle of the road.”
Paul glanced around. “Oh.”
Clint rubbed his eyes. “I got a call about you starting a fight at the bar.”
“Nah, wasn’t me.”
Clint’s eyebrows rose further. “Really? Because they were very specific. Sheriff Davis came in, snatched up the widow of Papina, and hit someone on his way out.” He looked down at me. “Looks like Sheriff Davis did snatch up the widow of Papina, but did he hit someone on the way out?”
“Nope, not on the way out anyway.”
Clint groaned. “I miss having a quiet job. How am I supposed to explain this?”
Paul sat up and leaned out the window. “Just say you didn’t see us and I’ll deal with it in the morning.”
“We’re grown men,” he muttered as he turned away. “Grown! We’re both coming up on thirty, you know?”
“Not for about two years.”
“But, you’re acting like you’re coming up on twenty!”
Paul laughed. “Thanks, Clint.”
“You owe me.”
Clint climbed into the sheriff’s truck and drove away.
Paul looked down at me. “Now, where were we?”
I smiled and giggled as he kissed my neck, but I pushed him back. “We’re in the middle of the road, remember?”
“Hmm.” He sat up and glanced around.
“Plus, I think I should be getting home anyway.”
He huffed. “Really?”
“Yes.”
He glanced around again. “Will you let me come in for a night cap?”
And, just like that, reality returned. “No. If Nova sees you . . .”
He grunted. “Fine. I’ll pull the truck over so we can finish right here.”
“No, Paul.” I pushed up onto my elbows. “I think we’ve gone far enough.”
He climbed off me, muttering something about hitting Clint with a large stick.
Back at the house, he cut the engine and caught my arm. “Bray?”
I looked up into his eyes.
“Where do we stand now?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It’s complicated, right?”
I smiled. “Right.”
“You want to be with me, don’t you?”
I let out a long breath. “Yes.”
“And, you know I love you.”
My heart fluttered. “I do.”
“So . . . ah . . . ” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Why don’t we go on a date? But, you know, keep it on the down-low so certain people don’t freak out.”
I smiled and grabbed his hand. “I’d like that.”
He breathed a sigh of relief and his whole body relaxed. “Next Friday?”
“Friday, it is.”
He leaned over and softly kissed me. “I’ll make sure it’s great, even for a cowboy.”
I giggled. “Good night, Paul.”
I climbed out and waved as he drove away, feeling giddy. I turned and walked up the stairs, pleased to hear no noise inside.
As I reached for the door, a shadow stood from the patio armchair. I jumped, gasping. “Sarah, I didn’t see you.”
She tossed my handbag at me viciously. “You got Paul to bring you home?”
“Well, you just left—”
“But, Paul? Couldn’t you find anyone else?”
“He was right there and I needed to get home.”
She shoved me. “You’re supposed to be my friend. You know how I feel about him, how could you betray me like that?”
My own feelings for Paul bubbled up inside me. “Sarah, you know friendship is a two-way street, but you are so jealous over Paul that you refuse to see I have feelings for him, too. I didn’t do it out of spite, it just happened. I’ve been resisting him because I wanted to respect your feelings, but the truth is, we want to be together, not because we want to hurt you, but because we love each other.”
She gasped and stepped back. “What?”
“I wish you would be happy for me, and support me like I’ve always tried to do for you.”
“Tried, but failed.” She marched down t
he stairs and out the gate, heading up the street toward her home.
Sighing, I turned around and jumped to see Megan standing at the door. “Is everyone trying to give me a heart attack?”
A wicked grin swept across her face and she yanked me inside. She pushed me down onto the couch and sat right beside me. “So . . . Paul?”
I groaned and slapped my forehead. “I’m going to bed.”
She pushed me back against the couch. “Come on, Bray! The tension between you is like, argh! I know all this stuff that’s been happening has been keeping you apart, but he’s still crazy about you, despite how ridiculous he’s been.”
“Megan, I’m tired.”
“And, Sarah is furious! Oh, I need to know what happened. Clint called me and said he was going out to find you guys because the Bearville cops called him, and when he did, you were parked in the middle of the road fogging up the windows.”
I groaned.
“So, what happened?”
I slumped back and looked at her eager face. I ran my hand over my forehead and into my hair. “Is Nova asleep?”
“Has been for at least an hour.”
I glanced around and leaned closer. “Well, we might be, possibly, thinking about getting together.”
She squeaked.
“Shh.” I grinned. “I’m still not sure if the timing is right, so our date and all of this must be kept quiet.”
She nodded. “I understand. It would be a huge scandal if it got out prematurely.” Her eyes widened. “What happened with Sarah? Does she know? Did she see him kiss you?”
I shook my head. “He . . . ah . . . he got into a fight over me.”
Her jaw fell. “Paul got into a fight?”
“He didn’t start it. I was dancing with a guy—”
“And, he lost it with jealousy?”
“Not exactly—”
“Did Paul swing first?”
“No—”
“Oh my gosh, what happened to the other guy?”
I paused. “I don’t actually know.”
“I bet he bloodied him up for laying his hands on you.”
“Good heavens, I hope not!”
“So, did you run away together before the cops came?”
“Well, not exactly, but we pushed his truck down the street so—”
“What happened to make him just jump you in the car? How far did you go?”
Heat rushed into my face. “Megan!”
She giggled. “I’m sorry, I’m just . . . ” She squeezed my hands. “I’m just so happy for both of you. You both found each other and can finally be happy. I’m so glad you love him, too. It would be—”
“Whoa, back up. I never said I love him.”
She stared into my eyes with a wide smile. “Yes, you did.”
“No, I didn’t.”
She giggled. “Yes, you did. When you were telling Sarah to back off, you said you love each other and she just about died.”
“I . . . no I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did!” She tapped my cheek. “I’m going to bed. Is it okay that Donny’s in with Jackson? They both really wanted to sleep together and I didn’t have the heart to refuse. You should see them curled up side by side with their teddy bears. They’re so adorable.”
She stood, and I whispered, “Did I really say that?”
She smiled. “Yes, Bray, and there’s nothing wrong with it.” She made her way up the stairs.
I flopped back and let out a long breath. I couldn’t believe I’d said that! Did I really feel that strongly for him? Possibly. I’d been fighting it so hard I hadn’t given the feelings a chance to surface. I thought I had when we made out in the sheriff station, but then that could have been hormones.
I shut my eyes and remembered his kiss, his touch, his smell, his taste. My whole body quivered before I forced the memories aside. There were still obstacles, but his promise rang in my mind: I will break down every wall you see in the way, and I will wait until your heart is ready to love someone again. You keep fighting for Nova, Jackson, and Forrest, and I’ll keep fighting for you.
I forced myself to my feet and trudged up the stairs, collapsing in bed. What a night! I couldn’t get Paul off my mind as I wriggled out of my clothes and into my pajamas. Finally, I relaxed onto the pillows and sighed as his face filled my mind.
The door creaked and footsteps rushed toward me. My eyes shot open as Nova climbed into bed beside me and curled up with her head pressed against my chest. I suddenly felt glad that I’d refused Paul coming up for a “night cap.” But, then I remembered.
“Nova, you can’t be in here.”
Her head shot up and she shook it.
“Nova, they could take you away.”
She sat up, pouting. She gave me a kiss on the cheek before she slipped back out of the room.
Everything was still very complicated, but for the first time in a very long time, warmth filled my heart.
Chapter 24
I sat eating breakfast with Jackson, Donny, and Nova while Megan showered, when the loud banging on the door made us all jump. I rushed over to answer it.
“Give me my boots, slut,” Sarah snarled in my face.
I frowned. “Sarah, can’t we talk about this?”
“No.” She folded her arms and scowled.
I moaned. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Shut up and give me my boots.”
Nova rushed over and grabbed my arm.
Sarah’s lip curled. “You already have so many people who would do anything for you. Now give me my boots.”
“Sarah.”
Nova let go of my arm. She reached over and plucked up the boots from beside the door and threw them at Sarah.
Sarah gasped, wincing as they hit her, but spun and marched away.
“Sarah, please!” I called as she marched to the front gate. “Can’t we work something out?”
She kept walking.
I turned at the sound of Megan rushing down the stairs. She paused when our eyes met, and frowned. “Are you okay?”
I shrugged. “This isn’t going too well.”
Megan snorted. “She’s just being a brat.”
“She’s in love with him, Megan.”
“So?” Megan stood in front of me. “He’s not in love with her. Does she really think being like that is going to win him over?”
Nova flew between us, shaking her head. Her gaze shot between Megan and me.
“I think I know what she’s thinking,” Megan said with a frown. “Nova, Sheriff Davis is in love with Bray.”
She shook her head violently and clutched my arm.
“Yes, hon, and Bray has feelings for him, too,” Megan said.
Nova flinched.
I held my breath as Nova turned and faced me. Her eyes pleaded up at me.
“Nova, he’s been very kind to us.”
She pulled away as horror shot across her face.
“Nova, surely after everything that’s happened, you’d be able to forgive him for shooting you years ago.”
Her chin quivered as she shook her head. Then, she darted up the stairs and into her room, slamming the door behind her.
I sighed. “I guess telling her about our date on Friday would be bad.”
A wicked grin swept across Megan’s face. “You didn’t say you had a date. I’m babysitting.” She spun on her heel and marched into the kitchen.
~ ~ ~
I bundled Jackson up and set him in the stroller. The snow had come down heavy during the night, so heading to Bearville was impossible, which I wasn’t complaining about one bit. Not having to drag Nova down to meet with lawyers, and every other profession on the planet, to a
nalyze and pick at her was a relief.
I pushed the stroller out the front, pulled the door shut, then gasped. I stared at my car, the word slut keyed into the side. I left Jackson on the porch and rushed down. Circling the car, on the other side I found whore keyed into it. I had no doubt who did it. The problem was; I wasn’t sure what to do. Should I point the finger at Sarah and make matters worse, or let it go and foot the bill for the repairs?
I hurried back to Jackson and made my way down the street, running through my options in my mind.
I headed straight to the grocery store where Reba smiled at me. I hurried to collect what I needed.
I headed back outside and stared up at town hall. Should I talk to Sarah? Yes, I needed to resolve this.
I marched up and pushed through the door.
Her head lifted and she shot to her feet. “Get out.”
“This is a public place–”
“Get out!”
“Sarah, I’m trying to–”
“Steal my job from me now? What else do you want, my house, my truck?”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
She laughed shrilly. “You knew, Bray. I trusted you.”
“Sarah, I’ve been resisting my feelings because I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You bitch.”
I clenched the stroller handle. “I’m not doing this to spite you.”
Her gaze lifted and she sank down into her chair, ducking behind the desk.
Paul brushed by me and leaned over the desk. He spoke in a low firm voice. “Enough, Sarah. Don’t think I don’t know what you did to her car. I was just on patrol and saw it.”
Sarah whimpered.
“I have never given you anything to think we had something going on, so if you really care about me, you’d let me be happy.”
She bowed her head.
“I won’t charge you for destruction of personal property if you pay for the damages you caused.”
She nodded without looking at him.
The Widow of Papina Page 23
