It's In His Heart (A Red River Valley Novel)

by Shelly Alexander

  Miranda sauntered over to their table, handing out their usual drinks without waiting for them to order. Her thick black hair slid around her shoulders like a bolt of silky fabric. “Hey, you two. Out on a date?”

  “Just friends,” they said simultaneously and laughed.

  “You two make a cute couple. I think you should call it a date.” She raised a silky black brow.

  “I know you want Coop to suffer a little, but I wouldn’t use Ross that way. He’s been too good a friend.”

  “I wouldn’t mind being used.” Ross shrugged playfully. “Probably be kind of fun.”

  Ella laughed. “Let’s just keep it friendly, okay? I need friends more than I need a boyfriend right now.”

  “Sorry, buddy,” Miranda said to Ross. “I tried.”

  Ross and Ella ordered, and Miranda walked toward the kitchen with a slinky saunter.

  Donna stormed in and stalked toward them. She slid into the booth next to Ross, pushing him against the wall.

  “Sure, have a seat,” Ross said.

  Donna ignored him. “Can you believe it? Hank has threatened to leave me if I don’t stop reading your books. Says he’s tired of being used like a sex toy. I mean, really? What straight man in his right mind wouldn’t want his wife reading your books? After every chapter, I give him the best sex a guy could ask for. Only that’s the problem. He doesn’t ask for it, and he acts like it’s an imposition for him.”

  Ross slammed down half his mug of beer in one large gulp.

  “Um, Donna, maybe we should talk about this later.” Ella gave Ross an apologetic look.

  Donna plowed on without missing a beat. “I mean, come on! Our sex life was always good, in an ordinary, okay sort of way, but now it’s soooo good I can’t wait for him to get home every night after work.”

  Ross downed another huge gulp.

  Lorenda walked up with her kids, but redirected them across the restaurant when she picked up the gist of the conversation. “Sorry, guys. Got to keep it G-rated tonight.” She pointed to her two boys, who strolled to a table on the other side of Joe’s.

  Ella nodded at Lorenda and returned her attention to Donna. “Maybe that’s the problem, Donna. I mean, those books are fiction. They’re not real-life stories about real-life people.” Well, okay. Some of it was based on real life, which was precisely the reason her own love life was in shambles. “Maybe you should dial it down a little. You know, give Hank time to catch up with you.”

  “Yeah, I think you might be scaring the poor guy. Just go a little slower, and eventually I’m sure he’ll see the uh . . . fun in it all.” Ross turned a little pink across the cheeks.

  Andy and Brianna walked in holding hands. “You two want to join us?” Donna asked as they strolled past.

  “No, we’re on a date tonight,” said Brianna.

  “Yeah, we’re on chapter eight.” Andy winked at Ella. “Thanks, Violet.”

  She laughed. “Sure thing, buddy. What are friends for?”

  Brianna and Andy found a spot for two in a secluded corner and held hands across the table.

  “See?” huffed Donna. “They look like new lovebirds that just started dating. Why can’t Hank get with the program?”

  Ella shrugged. “Men can be numbskulls.” She glanced at Ross. “No offense, bud.”

  “None taken,” he said and took another swig of beer.

  And speak of the devil—Hank walked in, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He was dressed to kill in a new pair of finely starched and pressed jeans, a western shirt, and a black Stetson. He walked toward them sporting a determined look.

  “Uh, Donna.” Ella nodded in Hank’s direction.

  When Donna glanced over her shoulder, she stood and faced him, her mouth hanging open. Her hands went to her hips.

  “Uh-oh,” Ross said.

  But instead of berating Hank, Donna threw her arms around his neck and all but screamed, “They’re beautiful, Hank!”

  “They’re not for you,” Hank said, with his trademark bland expression and monotone voice. “They’re for her.” His eyes still locked on to his wife, he thrust the bouquet at Ella.

  “Uh, thanks?” Ella slowly reached out to take the bouquet, afraid she might draw back a nub by the glower on Donna’s face.

  “No,” Hank said. “Thank you, Ella.” He glanced at her with a strange look. “Or Violet . . . or whatever your name is.” Then his eyes grew husky with lust as they latched on to his wife again. “Thank you for what you’ve done for our marriage.”

  A lilt of feminine “awws” circled the room.

  “I’ve been an ass, Donna. Can you forgive me?”

  “Of course, you handsome man, you,” Donna said. “But what changed your mind?”

  One side of Hank’s mouth curved into a smile. “I read chapter three.”

  “Oh,” Donna said with a knowing smile. “I definitely forgive you, then.”

  “Then this, little lady, is for you.” Hank captured Donna in his arms and sank her back into a dip that would’ve made Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers weep with pride. He laid a dreamy kiss on his wife. And stayed there. For a long, long time.

  A round of cheers and claps went up around Joe’s.

  “Miranda,” Ella called. “A round of drinks for everyone on me.” It was the least she could do, after all. When her eyes grew wet, she picked at the flowers and cleared her throat.

  “Okay, okay, you two, get a room,” Dylan said as he walked by to deliver a tray of drinks for Miranda.

  Without breaking the kiss, Hank flipped him the bird and then grabbed his wife’s ass.

  When they finally came up for air, Donna whispered, “Let’s get outta here.”

  “Oh, thanks be to Jesus in heaven.” Miranda rolled her eyes as she delivered another tray of drinks to the booth next to them and made the sign of the cross, but her mouth twitched up into a smile.

  “Well, there you go.” Ross raised his glass to Ella. “Who needs marriage counseling when they’ve got Violet Vixen?”

  Ella smirked and glanced at Coop behind the bar. Serving up an endless supply of drinks, he still wore the same stony expression.

  Some marriage counselor she’d make. Violet Vixen might be winning friends and influencing marriages around the globe, but she’d also cost Ella her heart. Her life was a bigger mess than anyone else’s, and she had no one to blame but herself.

  The next day Ella sat on the old fallen log in back of the cabin and stared at the shifting stream. She pulled Coop’s gray hoodie tight around her, breathing in his scent. She’d leave it in the cabin when she moved out tomorrow, but tonight, just one more time, she wanted his presence wrapped around her.

  On the highway, a vehicle slowed and turned onto the driveway. She held her breath until Butch’s truck appeared and pulled to a stop. A sigh of relief escaped her, and she waved him over.

  “Hi, Butch,” she said, giving him a warm smile as he joined her on the log. “If you came to pick up more of Coop’s things, I’ll be gone soon, and he’ll have the place to himself again.”

  “Nope.” Butch shook his head, and stared at the stream, too. “I came by to see how you’re doing.” Crossing his legs at the ankles, he scratched his whiskered cheek. “It’s peaceful here, isn’t it?”

  Ella nodded. “I’m glad I got to spend one last summer at this cabin.” She let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry I made such a mess of things, Butch.”

  “It takes two, Ella.” Both arms crossed over his chest as he gazed at the rustling leaves overhead. “You know, Bradley would be a tough act for anybody to follow. That kind of pressure might make any man have second thoughts.”

  She frowned. “I never compared Coop to Bradley.” But Coop had accused her of it anyway.

  “You don’t have to. Coop knew Bradley better than anyone except you. The male ego is an inter
esting thing. More fragile than we men care to admit.” He chuckled. “Take it from someone that’s been married as many times as I have, we don’t like being runner-up.”

  Ella bristled. “I didn’t intentionally give Coop that impression, and the accusation is insulting, quite frankly. He won’t listen to my apology for the things I did do wrong, I’m not about to apologize for his imagined offenses, too.”

  He patted her hand. “I’m not accusing you of anything, Ella. But I suspect Coop is doing a fine job comparing himself to Bradley all on his own.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter now. Coop doesn’t want my apology because I’ve caused him so much trouble.”

  Butch exhaled. “Yeah.” He nodded. “Yeah, you have. But he did a pretty good job of getting himself into trouble before you got to Red River. Seems to me if you found it in that big heart of yours to stay by Bradley’s side until the end, you might be able to dig a little deeper and try to get that hard-headed son of mine to listen just one more time.” He brushed a bug off his pants. “Just a thought. Your call.” He stood. “So I’ll see you tonight at the going-away party?”

  Ella stood and gave him a hug. “Sure thing.”

  Waving as Butch backed up and drove away, she sat down on the log and covered her face with both hands. She just didn’t have any more fight left in her. Even if Coop was ready to hear her apology, maybe even try again, how could she live torn between the love she’d had for Bradley and Coop’s absurd fear of being second-best?

  Tears spilled over and trekked down her cheeks. Damn it to hell, she was tired of crying over men. She’d arrived in Red River crying over the memory of one man she’d loved. Now she was leaving Red River crying over another man that she loved just as much.

  She shook her head and dropped her forehead into her hands. No. Actually she loved Coop much more. Guilt washed through her. Coop was right. Neither one of them had let Bradley go. Not completely.

  Chapter Thirty

  Joe’s was decked out with balloons and confetti. A banner hung over the bar that said, “We’ll miss you, Ella,” and the drinks and merriment flowed.

  Becca, Carissa, and Marilyn drove up to Red River for the party and were spending Ella’s last night at the cabin so they could see her off in the morning.

  Lorenda and Becca discussed the real estate market and a possible venture between the two of them.

  “Okay, you two real estate gurus. Stop talking shop,” chastised Marilyn. “Tonight is about fun.”

  Becca rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to the crowd around their table. “So, are there any cute guys in East Texas?” she asked. “Straight, cute guys?” she clarified, since her first husband had inadvertently forgotten to tell her that he was batting for the other team.

  “Who cares? I’m still pissed that our best friend in the whole world forgot to mention that she is a famous erotic romance writer.” Carissa almost hummed. Even though she wore a scolding expression, the pride was evident in her tone. “How could you hold out on us like that?”

  Ella shrugged innocently.

  “Ella, you’re my husband’s favorite author, and he’s never read your books,” said Marilyn. “So, I forgive you.”

  “Me, too,” said Donna. “You’re my hero.” Donna raised her mug and her voice so everyone at Joe’s could hear her. “Here’s to Ella and Violet. May you find happiness in your next home, and keep writing juicy stories.”

  “Hear, hear,” rounded the place and glasses clinked in harmony.

  “You guys are so sweet.” Ella bumped mugs with her friends and took a long drink. “I’m really going to miss you. But, I’ll be back eventually to get my things out of storage in Albuquerque, so I’ll stop in Red River then. I’ll just need a place to stay.”

  “I told you, you can stay in one of my rental cabins whenever you want,” offered Ross.

  “Of course she’ll take you up on it, as long as her Albuquerque friends can tag along,” said Becca. “You got room for the rest of us gals, Ross?”

  He smiled wickedly. “I’ll make room, vacationers can stay somewhere else.”

  “Well, Ella, your cabin might be vacant, because Coop’s legal problems are over,” said Miranda. “I’m sure he’ll move back to Albuquerque soon.”

  An uncomfortable silence settled over the group.

  “What?” Miranda asked, looking around at the annoyed expressions.

  Lorenda glared at Miranda. “We weren’t going to bother Ella with all that.”

  “Sorry,” Miranda offered an apologetic smile.

  “Wait. Coop’s case is closed?” Ella’s eyes went wide.

  Everyone looked at each other, and Ross tried to excuse himself.

  “Sit,” commanded Ella. Ross slowly sank back into his chair, mumbling. She glared around her circle of friends. “And you all were saying?”

  “His ex-girlfriend found a dentist. Said there were no hard feelings because it was all just a big misunderstanding,” Lorenda explained.

  “No hard feelings, my ass,” Marilyn huffed.

  “So when is Coop moving back to Albuquerque?” Ella’s mind raced.

  “He hasn’t said, but I’m sure he will. He can open up his practice again,” Lorenda said. “So if you have the cabin all to yourself, you could stay longer if you wanted, or come back for extended vacations.”

  The energy drained from Ella’s limbs, and she slumped back in her chair. “It’s not my cabin anymore.”

  The circle of friends went quiet again.

  “I gave it to Coop.” She spun her mug around in a slow circle.

  “Beg your pardon? You didn’t just say you gave it to Coop, did you?” Becca asked. She looked around the circle of people. “Someone tell me she didn’t just say that.”

  Ella shrugged sheepishly. “The cabin wasn’t ever really mine. I wouldn’t have felt right keeping it. I think Bradley would be happy with my decision.”

  “Bradley would’ve also kicked his buddy’s tail if he heard the way Coop talked to you,” said Marilyn. “No matter the circumstances.”

  “You’re probably right.” Coop’s voice startled all of them. “Bradley had four inches and at least twenty pounds on me, so I would’ve been dead meat. Plus, he was a lot smarter than me. Smart enough to know a good thing when he saw it.”

  Coop stood at the edge of the circle like an unwanted guest. He gave Ella a gentle look. Her pulse zinged to life, sending tingles through her body all the way to her fingertips and toes.

  “What are you doing here, Coop?” Lorenda asked.

  “Since you all did such a good job not inviting me to the party, I just wanted to stop in and say good-bye to Ella anyway.” He stared at the guest of honor, his eyes searching hers.

  “Good-bye,” Ella whispered, and then clamped her mouth shut.

  Miranda cleared her throat. “Seriously, Coop, it’s a party. Nothing personal, buddy, we’re your friends, too. But you being here does kinda put a damper on the festive atmosphere.”

  “Exactly why Coop’s not staying, are you?” Donna said to him, but Coop didn’t answer. He just kept looking at Ella.

  Finally Ross started to ease out of his chair. “Why don’t I walk you to the door, Coop.”

  “I think I can find my own way, thanks,” Coop said, his cloudy eyes still locked on to Ella, soft yet penetrating to her soul.

  Ella’s heart thrummed, and her girlie parts broke into a waltz. She swallowed and tried to steady her uneven breaths.

  “But first, I just wanted to ask Ella myself if she really wants to leave Red River.” He let a beat go by. “Do you, Ella?” Uncertainty flashed in his hazel eyes, but he plowed on anyway. “Do you want to leave? Because look around, there’s a lot of people here that love you and want you to stay.” He ran a hand over his jaw before continuing. “Most of all, me.”

  All eyes turned t
o Ella, and she choked back tears. He was so beautiful standing there asking her if she wanted to stay, and all she really wanted was to kiss the daylights out of him.

  “I . . . I—” Ella fumbled for words. Any words would be fine right now.

  Ella looked around the circle of people. Somehow, they’d become her family. She’d never imagined being happy in a small town, but she was happy here in Red River. With these people that got in her business and tried to run her life, and defended her when someone hurt her.

  Ella sniffed and shook some more, but warmth spread through her, because she belonged here.

  “Excuse me,” Coop said, trying to sidestep past Miranda.

  Miranda didn’t budge.

  Lorenda and Ross closed the gap even further.

  “I need to see Ella,” Coop protested.

  “Sorry, buddy,” said Miranda. “Not until we get the word from Ella.” A few more people joined the blockade.

  “I just need to ask her a question, if you don’t mind.” His voice rose a notch, still trying to push through the human wall of friends that’d formed a defense line around Ella.

  Her heart beat a little faster. “It’s fine, guys. Let him through.”

  Miranda put two fingers between her lips and a loud whistle ripped through the room. “Let the man through. He’s got a question for Ella.” The crowd parted like the Red Sea, and he pushed his way to her.

  “Jesus, they’re like the Mafia.” Coop shot a thorny stare around the crowd.

  The coldness in Ella’s chest drained away when she looked at him. He was so cute when he was angry and under pressure from the mob.

  “They used to be my friends, too. Do you have them on your payroll or something?” His eyes cloudy, his brow wrinkled like he was unsure of himself, he turned his attention to her. Only her, and Ella’s heart skipped again. “Can we have this conversation in private, please?”

  She stood up, and Coop took her elbow, pulling her along into the ladies’ room. Thank God it was vacant. When the door closed, he moved her in front of it, and placed a hand next to her head, anchoring the door shut.