DevilinTexas

by Calista Fox

  If she slid too fast, he’d never be able to stop her. They’d both keep going ‘til they hit the ground.

  Hoping to calm her nerves, he said, “Worse that’s gonna happen, we both fall and break some bones.”

  That was probably a lie. They could break their necks, for Christ’s sake. But he wanted her to stay steady and focused. Not paralyzed with fear.

  As she started to lower herself, though, everything went awry.

  “Oh fuck!” she yelled in terror as the rug began to slip. It slid over the edge of the sill with her weight and Liza went with it, sliding down the side of the building like a kid riding a sled down a slippery ski slope.

  “Liza!” his heart leapt into his throat.

  She screamed as her body made contact with his. He tried to get a grip on her, but it all happened so quickly and he didn’t have the best stance, wasn’t balanced well enough. She slipped partially through his grasp and screamed again—this time in raw agony—as her side connected with the top step. He had a grip on her shirt though and held it tight as her bare feet searched for a rung, much lower than where he was positioned. She slipped a little further, finally landing on a solid step, though he could see her ankle was twisted in an unnatural way.

  She wrapped her arms around the side of the metal frame and held fast to it. The ladder swayed from the sudden and unstable weight, but the boys below held it in place.

  Jack was bent over, with one hand holding her shirt, the other holding the top step, because he was about to topple over.

  “Don’t move,” he said between clenched teeth. “Not an inch.” He fought to steady himself.

  Liza stilled and he regained his balance. When the ladder stopped shimmying and shaking, he said, “Are you holding on tight?”

  “Death grip,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Good girl.” He let go of the material in his hand and worked his way slowly and carefully down a few rungs to get to her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and said, “Can you make it down?”

  She nodded. “Having trouble breathing, though.”

  “We’ll take it easy.” She could have broken a rib. Punctured a lung. And her ankle was likely broken.

  They took one rung and she cried out.

  “Your ankle?”

  She nodded, her eyes squeezed shut.

  “Jack!” Eddie called out to him. When Jack looked down, Eddie was pointing up to the window. The flames had engulfed the attic. The side of the building was starting to burn. He feared it’d be a matter of minutes before the wood gave out and the ladder went crashing through the side of the shop. With him and Liza attached to it.

  “We’ve got to move, sweetheart.”

  She had opened her eyes and caught the entire exchange, both verbal and mental.

  “I can do this.”

  Just then the fire trucks pulled up and the crew went to work on the flames, the commotion below heightening the intensity of the situation. Jack would have loved to have waited for them to reach him and Liza with their own ladder, but even the fire captain knew time was of the essence.

  “You’ve got to get down from there, Jack,” he said as he climbed out of the truck, his voice deceptively calm. “Now.”

  “She’s hurt,” Jack said back, but eased her down another rung, trying to hold her against his body, take as much of her weight as he could so she didn’t have to put it on her ankle.

  “We’ll take care of her as soon as she’s down,” said Mitch Rockwell, one of the EMTs who’d arrived on the scene.

  They continued down the ladder, one rung at a time. They’d barely made it shoulder level to the Mason brothers when Mitch grabbed hold of Liza and took her from Jack’s arms. Chris and Carl reached for him and the three fell to the ground as a portion of the building gave way and the ladder went crashing inward.

  The firefighters had them on their feet in a heartbeat and out of the area. The police had moved the crowd across the street as the fire department battled the flames, which had spread to the stores on either side of Ginger’s.

  When Jack was steady on his feet, his head whipped in every direction until he located Liza. She wrested herself free of Mitch’s hold on her and started to limp toward Jack.

  He winced, seeing the pain in her eyes and on her face.

  “Don’t walk, darlin’.”

  “Okay.” She fell into his arms and he was quick to get a good grip on her.

  She held him tight, wheezing and shuddering. Her leg lifted, bent at the knee, to keep her weight off her bad ankle. He held her to him, trying not to crush her, but wanting to keep her close to his body. He smoothed a hand down her hair and kissed her temple.

  “You’re handy to have around,” she said against his shoulder, her voice low and raspy, her body shaking.

  “Let’s try to keep the need for my sloppy rescues to a minimum, huh, darlin’?”

  His heart was still beating so hard it was a wonder he didn’t go into cardiac arrest. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about how badly Liza could have been injured if he’d botched his rescue attempt. Or if he hadn’t been in the vicinity in the first place. He couldn’t stand the thought of what might have happened to her if she’d remained trapped in that burning attic.

  He held her a little tighter, never wanting to let her go.

  “You did great,” she assured him, her grip on him a firm one too. “But, yeah. I’d like to avoid life-threatening situations in the future.”

  “Scared me,” he admitted.

  “Me too.”

  She stared up at him. No other words seemed to be necessary. She smiled weakly and he winked back at her.

  Several minutes passed before she pulled away slightly and asked, “Where’s Ginger? Is she okay?”

  “I’m over here,” Ginger chimed in. She was sitting on the back step of the ambulance, another EMT attending to her.

  “There wasn’t anybody else in the shop, was there?” the fire captain asked.

  “Not that we know of,” Ginger said.

  “No,” Lydia confirmed as she moved forward, having been standing off to the side. “I didn’t see anyone in the store. I didn’t know Ginger was in the attic. Or that Liza was with her.”

  “What were you doing in my store?” Ginger asked, ignoring the EMT next to her and getting to her feet.

  Lydia’s face flushed. Her gaze shifted from Ginger to Liza, then back. She didn’t speak for a few moments. When she finally did, however, her attention turned to the fire captain. “I’m the one who started the fire. It was an accident. Truly it was.”

  Jack felt Liza go stiff in his arms as she gasped in surprise.

  Lydia rushed on. “I just came in to speak with you,” she said as she returned her attention to Ginger. “And I saw your window display.” She wrung her hands as she admitted, “I was just so…shocked. And appalled. I just…I knocked over the candles. On accident!”

  “Oh my God,” Liza said on a sharp breath.

  Ginger sank back onto the step of the ambulance. “You set my store on fire?” Her voice was a mere whisper.

  “Not on purpose, Ginger. I swear! Of course, I would never do such a thing!”

  Liza moved in Jack’s arms and he let her. He knew what was on her mind, and he wasn’t going to stop her from saying it. He held her loosely, keeping her steady as her gaze locked with Lydia’s.

  “How dare you,” Liza said, her anger laced with the pain that was no doubt burning through her from head to toe. “You selfish witch.”

  Lydia gasped. Ginger’s head snapped up, her eyes wide.

  Liza didn’t stop. “Are you so blinded by the light that you can’t see what you and your husband and his followers are doing to this town? To the people in it? You’re destroying their lives, Lydia!”

  “No!” Lydia was quick to say. “That’s not true! This was an accident!”

  “It’s not just about the fire, Lydia. What about before that? Trying to keep Ginger from selling her goods? Turn
ing people against her by convincing them it’s a sin to go into her shop, to buy things from her? You destroyed her business long before you set fire to it. Now you’ve destroyed everything she’s worked so hard for. Every penny she’s ever saved was in that store and now it’s gone!”

  Lydia turned to Ginger, opening her mouth to speak, but Ginger turned away.

  “It’s not just her you’re hurting, Lydia,” Liza continued. “What about the other bar owners in town who had to close their doors because of the stupid laws being passed around here? What about their families and their homes and their livelihoods? They can’t possibly survive here! What about Jack?” she demanded, her argument gaining strength if the speed of her words and the intensity of her sore voice were any indication. “A man who’s always been on your side! He’s always been there for you, and your idea of thanking him for his friendship is to run him out of business?”

  “I didn’t know!” she shot back, but it was clear she had some idea of what the curfews and ban on alcohol were doing to the town. To his business. “I didn’t realize the full extent,” she said to Jack in a softer voice. “Not until this morning, when you told me things were tight. I never thought any of this would impact you.”

  “How could it not?” he asked once again.

  The reverend’s car drove up at that moment and as he climbed out of the car and ducked under the police tape—because no one would dare stop him—Liza took that moment to turn to Jack.

  She said, “You running for City Council is the best thing to happen to this town. I didn’t tell you this before, but back in New York, I was the director of Public Relations for the country’s largest industrial risk insurer.” Her thought got momentarily derailed, however, as she turned to Ginger and asked, “You have insurance, don’t you?”

  Ginger nodded. “Of course.” And breathed a sigh of relief for the tiny miracle. “Thank God.”

  Liza turned back to Jack, who still held her in a loose embrace. She said, “I know more than a thing or two about public campaigns. If George doesn’t take offense, I’d like to take over management of your campaign. You’re going to win this election, Jack Wade!”

  Jack grinned. That meant she was staying. “Darlin’, consider him fired.”

  She turned back to Lydia, who’d been joined by Reverend Bain. “If this fire isn’t a wake-up call, our campaign will be. You can bet your sweet asses on it.”

  Jack laughed. He hugged her to him, albeit gently. “You are a breath of fresh air in this town, sweetheart.”

  She smiled up at him.

  George appeared by their sides, with Jess in tow. “Time to take the town back, Jack!” He said.

  The reverend and his wife looked sufficiently mortified. Jack didn’t give a rat’s ass. To the bristling Bains, he said, “Looks like the sinners are taking a stand.” To Liza, he said, “Now let’s get you to the hospital, darlin’.”

  “Good idea.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Surprise!”

  The word echoed in the cavernous room above the eruption of applause.

  Liza pulled up short as she stepped inside Wade’s saloon, staring at fifty or so people, most of whom she didn’t even know. She gasped, then said, “I’ve ruined someone’s surprise, haven’t I?”

  She turned around to look at the door, wondering if the person this crowd had really meant to celebrate was about to step into the entryway.

  “No, darlin’, you haven’t ruined anything,” Jack said. She turned back to face him as he stepped away from the crowd, coming toward her. “This party is for you.”

  A lump of emotion swelled in her throat. “For me?”

  “Yeah,” Jack said as his head dipped and his lips brushed hers. Stealing her breath. Reminding her of all the clever things that mouth was capable of. All the wonderful sensations he made her feel. All the incredible things he did to her body.

  Unexpectedly, he scooped her up in his strong arms, sweeping her off her feet in more ways than one.

  He crossed to the bar, the throng of people parting to let them by.

  “This really isn’t necessary,” she told him. Though her ankle was broken, she’d been outfitted with a walking cast. And her cracked rib was healing.

  “You know me,” he said with a playful wink. “Any chance I get to mark my territory.”

  Her insides lit up, sizzling and crackling the way they always did when the Devil in Blue Jeans looked at her. For today’s festivities, he’d paired his sinfully fitting Levi’s with a burgundy-colored T-shirt. One that hugged his hunky body and made her mouth water.

  He settled her onto a barstool and she caught her first glimpse of the sign hanging from the side wall, which read, “Welcome back to Wilder!”

  She laughed. “I never actually left, you know?”

  Jack’s beautiful blue eyes glowed under the soft lighting, his sooty lashes framing them. He leaned in close to her and whispered, “I’m thanking God for that one every day, darlin’.”

  Her toes curled, the ones in her boot causing her to wince. She didn’t mind the sting. “He answers sinners’ prayers, does he?”

  “Apparently so.” He kissed her, slow and easy. Making everyone around them erupt with another round of applause.

  When he pulled away, she fanned herself with her hand. “Hmm, lucky me for not rushing off.”

  “No,” Jack said, his smile sweet, the dimple showing. “Lucky me.”

  “No,” Jess said as she stepped forward, wedging her lithe body between Jack and Liza. “Lucky me.” She gave Liza a hug and said, “I’ve set up displays all over town this week and people are buying my flowers! Eddie Mason even asked if he could have a display by his checkout counter. Can you imagine that? In the hardware store! Seems he thinks Wilder could use a little more romance too.”

  “Good for him,” Liza said, that lump of emotion still making it difficult to swallow.

  “And lucky me,” Ginger said as she changed places with Jess. “The insurance adjustor who came to inspect the remains of my store and inventory, of which there was, um, none left, is a lingerie fan. She’s from Austin and couldn’t believe my prices when I told her about them! She said I’ll have my check in no time so I can reopen. Meanwhile, Cooper Denton offered me the space he has available for rent—cheaper than what I was previously paying under different management. And it’s a corner unit. Think of all that window space I’ll have to fill!”

  “That’s wonderful!” Liza said. “More exposure.”

  Ginger nodded. “I’ll be working on sketches until I’m ready to reopen. And I’d really like to move forward with the website. Will you still help me?”

  How could she say no? “Of course I will.”

  Ginger hugged her. “I’m so glad we’re friends!”

  Tears stung Liza’s eyes. No one had made such a big fuss over her in New York. Wouldn’t throw her a “welcome back” party if she returned home tomorrow. Not that she intended to. Her heart was most definitely in Wilder.

  The party got underway and Ruby presented her with her own apron—a red, lacy number, no saying needed. Jeannette from the bakery in town set out a beautiful cake that also said, “Welcome Back”.

  Liza turned to Jack. While the others talked amongst themselves, she said, “I never meant to come between you and Lydia.”

  Jack shook his head. “You didn’t. Things have been strained between us for some time. It occurred to me when she was here that morning you came in that we’d never be friends the way we once were. And that’s okay. She’s got her cross to bear. I’ve got my life to live.”

  “That sounds very mature, Jack Wade.”

  He grinned at her. “And what about you, Miss Manhattan? You keeping that unexpected hand Fate dealt you?”

  “Oh hell, yes,” she said excitedly.

  “Sounds like you’re going to have your hands full, what with Jess’ shop, Ginger’s website and my campaign. That’s not too much for you, darlin’?”

  A deaf man wouldn�
��t miss her enthusiasm, she was sure. “Are you kidding me? I’m thrilled to be a part of all of this. Oh!” She smacked her hands together as a thought tickled her brain. “I totally forgot to tell you my idea for keeping the saloon open on Sundays! Well, it’s not that I forgot. Lydia was here when I came in to tell you and then—”

  “Stay focused, darlin’,” he said, obviously not wanting to rehash what had led to the mayhem in town just a week ago.

  “Right. So, here’s what I’m thinking. All-you-can-eat Sunday brunch!”

  This caught the attention of the people around her. The conversation dimmed and all eyes turned to Liza. She realized this was her true forte. She was an idea girl. One who knew how to execute as much as she did brainstorm.

  Carefully slipping from her barstool, with a slight protest from Jack, she stepped over to an empty table in the center of the room.

  “Picture, if you will,” she said as she held her audience captive, “white linen table clothes covering all the tables. Matching napkins folded in fancy styles. Silverware at each place setting—not that cheap plastic crap you serve with the bar food,” she said to Jack, who rolled his eyes, albeit playfully. Continuing on, she gestured to the table, pointing out items that weren’t actually there. “Crystal goblets for the ice water. Tall glasses for the iced tea. A pretty vase in the center of the table with fresh blooms from Jess’ shop.”

  Jess clapped her hands together, excitedly. “Eat your heart out, everyone. She works for me!”

  Liza smiled and moved on. Turning to the east wall where the banner hung, she said, “The buffet table could go against this wall.” It was split in half by the tall fireplace, trimmed in river rock. She pointed to the far corner. “A made-to-order omelet station over there and, next to it, a buffet table of pastries, muffins and Danishes from Jeannette’s bakery.” She turned back to the crowd. “Inviting ambience for a lovely Texas afternoon. Golden light from the chandeliers. Soft jazz music flowing from the speakers—”

  “Jazz?” Jack interjected, his dark brow crooked, making her think of the first time she’d met him, when he’d challenged her limited beer knowledge.