by JoAnn Durgin
“Ready to go?” Putting a carryout bag on his chair, he helped her into the jacket.
After fastening his belt around her waist—ignoring his amusement as she tightened it—she accepted his hand without speaking as they headed into the dark, quiet and very brisk night. Their boots crunched on the gravel of the parking lot, the only sound the strains of the jukebox playing another slow ballad.
Surprising her, Cooper tugged on her hand and pulled her over to the side of the building. Lowering the bag to the ground, he stepped close. “Dance with me one more time.” His voice was low, without the customary playfulness.
“Here? I guess this is another situation where I need to use my imagination.” Catching his grin, she eased into a smile. “Okay, but if some random creature comes along and absconds with our dessert, don’t blame me.”
“I’m willing to take my chances if you are.” When she nodded, he tugged her close. They danced for a couple of minutes until the song ended. Slowing them down, he kissed the tip of her nose. “Do you feel it, too?”
Her breath caught.
“Did I say something wrong?” Cooper’s eyes, bright in the moonlight, searched hers.
She forced a smile but her heart wouldn’t stop its relentless pounding. “No, and yes, I feel it, too.”
His lips met hers, still curved with his wonderful smile. Moving his hand to cup her cheek, he caressed the line of her jaw with gentle fingers and anchored one firm hand behind her neck. She’d never wanted a man’s kiss more.
He sifted gentle fingers through her hair. “In case you missed it, I kind of like you. A lot.”
Did Landon and Cooper both subscribe to some “How to talk to gullible, vulnerable, needy career women and win them over” guide?
“What are you thinking?” His hold on her tightened, and when he ran his thumb over her bottom lip and then brushed his lips over hers, she was lost.
“I kind of like you too, Cooper. A lot,” she said, surrendering to his kiss. Her breath quickened with the unmistakable stirring of desire when he deepened the kiss. He kept them dancing as his mouth covered hers, and they twirled slowly, making her heady and dizzy with his nearness and the power of the kiss.
Lord, why did you plant this incredible man in my direct path? Are we crazy?
With his arms still around her, Cooper raised his face to the night sky. “Deep in the heart of Texas, huh?”
“Yep,” she said, scooping up his Stetson, forgotten on the ground. “Great aim. It fell right on top of the dessert.”
“Don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I need dessert anymore.”
“You are such a flirt. I think you worked up my appetite again. Um, I mean—” Feeling the besotted fool, she hoped the darkness hid her flaming cheeks.
“We’d better put that pact in place again,” he said, his voice quiet.
“What kind of pie did you get, anyway?” she asked, falling into place beside him.
“I didn’t. I got chocolate cake. I’ve always heard how women crave chocolate.”
“We do. Let’s pick up the pace, shall we?” She heard his chuckle as they walked back to the motel in silence. Although they didn’t hold hands, he stayed close enough to feel his warmth. She wondered what he was thinking but knew better than to ask.
Chapter 27
“I need to take a shower,” Amy said as they reached the motel a short time later. Probably not the best thing to say. She was nervous and wasn’t sure what to do, how to act. After that dance, and especially that kiss, she was more than a little worried.
“You take the bathroom first. I’m going to turn on the TV and catch up on some NBA scores and listen to the news. Take your time,” Cooper said with an encouraging smile.
Hoping he wasn’t watching, Amy tried to be as nonchalant as possible about pulling her things from her suitcase. Realizing she’d only brought a nightgown with her and a matching lightweight robe, she hesitated. Do I put these on or sleep in my clothes? She pondered her options. On the one hand, while modest, the nightgown wasn’t exactly made from a sturdy fabric. If she kept the robe on, the rather sheer fabric of the gown would be camouflaged and not reveal anything. She really didn’t want to sleep in her jeans. Now they were certainly made from a sturdy fabric, but . . .
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“Nope, everything’s just peachy.” With another silent prayer, Amy retrieved her nightgown and robe set and carried them in the direction of the bathroom.
“Dropped something.”
Turning around slowly, Amy spied what she prayed she wouldn’t see lying there in all their pink, lacy glory. Cheeks flaming, she snatched them from the floor, mortified, ignoring his soft laughter. Retreating to the safety of the bathroom, she leaned against the door, breathing deeply, in and out. You’re an adult, so act like one. Never mind that one of the two most handsome men in her life was in the next room. Putting her hands on her cheeks, she shook her head. Without a doubt, she’d lost some brain cells during the last twenty-four hours.
A half hour later, she emerged from the bathroom, all freshly-scrubbed and clean. The shower had been invigorating with no creepy-crawly creatures to fend off, courtesy of the cold weather. “All yours.” She pretended to ignore him as he gathered his toiletries and headed into the bathroom. “I hope I left you some hot water.”
“That’s okay,” he mumbled. “I’m heated enough.”
Staring at him, open-mouthed, Amy picked up the bath towel and continued drying her hair. Remembering she hadn’t checked into getting him a cot for the night, she sat on the bed and dialed the number for the night desk clerk. She started to speak but stumbled over her words in the middle of the request. After being told a cot would be delivered to their room in a few minutes, she replaced the receiver with a sigh.
Grabbing the towel, she caught sight of Cooper standing in front of the bed. Still fully dressed, hands on his hips, his grin was wide. Maddening.
“Forget something, did you? Maybe drop your boxers on the floor?” She leaned over the edge of the bed, hoping that might be the case.
“No boxers.” The man didn’t miss a beat. Oh, this is getting too personal. Help me, Lord. I’m begging You. “If it makes you feel better,” he said, walking into the bathroom and coming back out again, “here.” He tossed light blue briefs on the floor with an irritating grin.
“Thank you,” she said. “That does make me feel better, in a very strange way.”
Walking over to retrieve whatever it was he must have left in his suitcase, Cooper stalked back across the room, stooping to retrieve his briefs with a backward wink before heading back into the bathroom. Soon after, she heard the sound of the shower. As she listened to the local evening newscast and continued drying her hair, she heard him singing. Tiptoeing over to the bathroom door, she pressed her ear against it. He was in the shower singing “How Great Thou Art.” Considering it was a fairly difficult hymn to sing, he did a decent job with it. She smiled as the higher notes sounded slightly off-key.
He emerged a short time later wearing navy sweatpants and a well-worn Texas A&M T-shirt stretched a bit tight across his chest and revealing highly impressive upper arm muscles. Wow. As he walked across the room, the scent of soap mixed with mouthwash lingered in the air.
Brushing her hair, Amy averted her gaze. “So, you sing in the shower. Hymns, even.”
“Only when I’m trying to maintain my Christian testimony and have an unbelievable woman right outside the door, sitting on a bed in the motel room we’re sharing.” He darted a glance her way. “Just so we’re clear, this kind of behavior isn’t commonplace with me.”
“Thank you for volunteering that information.”
Depositing his things in his suitcase, Cooper then draped his jeans over the chair. Amy tried to keep her focus on anything but his masculinity and how attractive he was. Maybe Christian girls aren’t supposed to have such thoughts. Forgive me, Lord, but You’re the one who made him.
A firm kno
ck sounded on the door. “That’s probably the cot,” he said, reaching into the pocket of his jeans. Pulling out his wallet, he strode over to the door, hidden from her view on the bed. After a few seconds of conversation, he returned with the portable bed. “The guy offered to assemble it, but I told him I’d handle it.” Lowering it to the floor, he started to work.
“Thanks. Were you thinking of my reputation?”
He shot her an amused grin. “That, too. You’re not really worried about a sullied reputation, are you?”
“Only because no one will know about this except you and me, right? Ever.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die in your arms,” he said, tugging on the last stubborn leg of the cot. “The way I see it, anybody who’d whisper or accuse us of doing something immoral are the ones with a guilty conscience.” He stopped his task and pinned her with one of his deep, piercing looks. “Just because they might succumb to temptation doesn’t mean we will. Hopefully this’ll be more comfortable than the bathtub.” Within less than a minute, he had it assembled. After testing it with one hand, he sat on it to test its sturdiness. “Uncomfortable as all get out, so it must be right.”
“Do you want me to put the sheets on for you?” she asked.
“Nah, thanks. I’ll take care of it before I hit the hay. Want to watch a movie and share that piece of chocolate cake now? I hate to see it go to waste . . . or we could have it for breakfast?”
She made a face. “Are you serious? Let’s eat it now.”
“You find us a movie and I’ll get it.” Grabbing the bag and sitting back down beside her, he gave her a sheepish shrug as he held up one plastic fork. “Do you mind sharing? Or else you can eat what you want and then give me any you don’t want. Or eat it all. Whatever you want.”
For a change, he was rambling, and she found it endearing. Could it be he was nervous? “Not a problem.” Sharing this man’s germs was the least of her worries. Finding a movie that didn’t have any language, violence or suggestive themes might prove more difficult. They finally found a station showing reruns of old TV sitcoms. Laughing together, they each took turns sharing the cake. He sat cross-legged on top of the sheet and she was beneath it. At one point, he offered a bite to her, and she took it. When he raised a brow, she did the same for him, wondering if it was wise, but not really caring.
“I’m done. You take the rest,” she said. Pushing the takeout container toward him, she shoved off the bed to go into the bathroom and brush her teeth again.
As soon as she came back into the room, he went into the bathroom and she heard running water and some serious teeth brushing. A man who paid serious attention to his dental hygiene was definitely a keeper. What in the world are you thinking? Either go to sleep or at least pretend you’re asleep. Her eyes traveled to the cot. The white sheet and blanket were neatly folded on top. She’d won contests in college for making her bed in record time. Sliding out of the bed, she slipped the robe off her shoulders and draped it over the end of the bed but still within easy reach. Setting to work, she unfolded and shook out the sheets. Working her way from top to bottom of the cot, she quickly tucked under the corners. “Very nice,” she said, smoothing her hand over the sheet before turning back to the bed.
Of course, God having the sense of humor He does, Cooper came out of the bathroom at that moment. He stopped short. After his gaze traveled the length of her, he averted his eyes and lowered his head, making an indescribable noise deep in his throat. Tossing his clothes on top of his open suitcase, he crawled under the covers of the cot while she did the same in the bed and made a big show of pulling the sheet and blanket up to her neck.
“Thanks for making up the cot,” he said.
“Welcome. Did you see the crisp corners? Earned a Girl Scout badge for that one.”
“I’ll take your word for it. One more thing.”
“No cookie jokes, please.” She caught his smirk. “Were you a Boy Scout?”
“Made it to Eagle Scout, as a matter of fact.” He winked. “Where’d you think I learned my survival skills?” Tossing the sheets aside, he walked over to his suitcase and pulled out his Bible. When he sat back down on the cot, it creaked and sagged a bit in the middle. “Easy does it. Hope you don’t hear a crash in the middle of the night.”
“My offer to fix up the bathtub’s still valid.” Pushing up in the bed and leaning against the headboard, she tucked the sheets around her.
“The view’s much better from here. Wanna know what I feel like doing right now?”
“Not sure.”
“Pray. Wanna join me? You can stay right there. Probably best if you do.”
“Um, sure.” That suggestion was the last thing she expected to hear, and yet the best idea considering her wandering thoughts.
And so, he read a few verses of Scripture and they prayed together. Amy prayed for everyone and anything she could think of to pass the time. When he grunted and nudged her foot with his, she finally stopped. “Your turn,” she mumbled. This man was no stranger to prayer. Nothing rote or routine about it, and she appreciated how he prayed for Beck and Kevin, the TeamWork crew, his mother and stepdad . . . seemingly everyone in his life except for his dad. Something was there, but she didn’t want to push him. It wasn’t the time. As Cooper finished his prayer, she half-listened as she silently prayed for him and his relationship with his father.
“Feel free to turn off the light now,” he said. “Unless you’re one of those people who likes falling asleep with the light on.”
“No, it’s fine.” Reaching for the switch, she turned it off, bathing the room in moonlight through the small opening in the heavy drapes. As her eyes adjusted, she saw him cross his arms behind his head, heard his deep sigh.
“Ah, you and me. In a motel room. In the middle of nowhere. In Texas. And no one else knows we’re here. Who’d have guessed?”
A grin curved her lips. “God knows.”
Cooper groaned. “That’s right. He does. Thanks for the reminder.” He turned on his side, facing her, and propped a fist under his head.
“You’re not going to start singing bad country songs, are you?”
He shook his head, grinning. “It’s kinda hard for a guy, you know, especially with how fetching you look in that nightgown.”
“We shared prayer. Please don’t spoil the moment, but thanks for noticing. I didn’t time it that way, so please don’t entertain such thoughts.”
“I love how you think you know what I’m thinking. I have to say, though, God’s timing is perfect, isn’t it?”
“Thank you, I think,” she said, yawning. Better to switch course. “In spite of everything, I had a wonderful day. Thanks for taking such good care of me.”
“It was my honor. I’m sorry about having to come to this motel, though.”
“That’s not your fault, and I’m not sorry. Not at all.” It was her turn to sigh. “I mean . . .” she paused, searching for the right words.
“I know what you mean, and I feel the same way.”
A loud popping sound made them both jump. Bolting upright, Amy switched on the light. “What was that? Please tell me it’s fireworks.”
He shot her a look. “We’ve probably got a brawl going on.”
Chapter 28
“You mean with guns?” Amy said. “What should we do now? Get dressed?”
“No, you stay put. I’ll go check it out.” By this time, Cooper was already off the cot and shrugging into his jacket.
“Chivalry aside, you don’t need to play the hero card. Why don’t we call the front desk?”
“They probably heard it, too, and I pray it’s a guy on duty. I’d better check that out, too.”
“Look, Cooper, I know we’re in Texas and all, and I can appreciate your vigilante attitude, but maybe we should stay put and call 9-1-1? They do have that here, right?”
“Yeah, they have it, but in this rural area, you never know where you might find law enforcement at this time of night on a Sunday. Esp
ecially since I’m pretty sure that was the deputy sheriff lovin’ up a girl in the back corner at Scully’s.”
“Lovin’ up?”
“Yeah. Surely you’ve heard of it.” The grin he gave her could melt an igloo. “Want a demonstration?”
“Remember the pact’s in place.”
“Ah, yes. You love to remind me. Smacks of ‘remember the Alamo,’ doesn’t it?”
Shaking her head, Amy laughed. “You Texans. So funny.”
Sitting in the chair by the table, he pulled on his boots. “You love it.”
“Didn’t say I didn’t.” What a sight he made when he stood up with one leg of his sweatpants stuffed inside the boot, one hanging outside.
She stifled her grin. “Cooper, I like you, but I don’t want you playing target practice out there with who-knows-what-or-whom. This is serious and you could get hurt. Not to mention you’re full of chocolate cake and it might slow you down.”
He shot her a look. “Calories won’t slow me down, and not everyone in Texas engaged in a brawl carries a sawed-off shotgun. I’m not one to sit on the sidelines, and I’ll be fine. Promise.”
“Yeah, but a lot of hooligans do carry them, and apparently this isn’t a case of happy people shooting off firecrackers in the parking lot. I can’t let some ridiculous sense of bravado get you killed, so please don’t do anything on my account.” She shook her head and ran a hand through her still-damp waves. “Tell me this isn’t happening.”
“Would if I could, sweetheart. I’m more shocked to hear you use the word ‘hooligans.’ And it’s not bravado or me trying to impress you, although I appreciate the concern. It’s more a desire to help out when and where I can. Kind of like someone else I know.” Another pop sounded and they stared at one another. “Yeah, well, I’d better go check it out.”
