And right now she wished she hadn’t let Ian talk her into putting him up.
Her heart hurt. She wanted to rub at it and make that misery go away. How on earth had she let herself fall so far into a fantasy?
Never mind that he was a sexual sorcerer, that he’d plied her body with caresses and kisses and treated her to the most astonishing heights of her life…Mackey didn’t belong here, whatever Ian said. He operated on a different stage.
For the first time in her life, Rissa wished to be anywhere but in Sweetgrass. Wondered what another life would be like.
She almost snorted aloud. What could she do, anywhere but here? She had no education past high school, no job skills…sure she worked her fool head off, but how would she use that work ethic, apply it as a fry cook at Mickey D’s?
You have any idea how much business I could bring your way? You have a gift.
Was something like that even possible?
“Rissa?” A soft voice broke into her increasingly dark thoughts. “Mackey asked me to bring this to you.”
Her head jerked up to meet Brenda’s shy gaze. “Thank you.”
“What does it say?” Samantha asked. Even Eric was half-leaning over the table, and Melba Sykes from the next table over glanced their way as if she’d heard.
But Rissa didn’t open the folded napkin. She didn’t know what it would say or if she was ready for whatever it was.
She hated being on display. “Excuse me. I have to—” She rose and headed for the restrooms, but there were others in that hallway, so she turned and escaped to the kitchen, her loathing for attention stronger than her aversion to City Girl.
“What are you doing back here?” Then Scarlett’s brows drew together. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I just—I’m going out the back way.”
“Rissa…” Scarlett caught up to her. “Can I help?”
“No!” Rissa stiffened and shook her off. “Sorry. Just…please. Let me go.”
“I’m going to get Mackey.” Scarlett turned.
Rissa grabbed her arm. “No!” She let go quickly. “Please. Don’t make me look any more pathetic than I already do.” She was horrified to feel the burn of tears.
“Oh, honey…talk to me. What hurts?”
Rissa almost broke down then, but she could hear the din around them. She knew how hard Scarlett worked, how much it would screw things up if Scarlett didn’t get back to cooking. “I’ll be okay.” She forced her gaze to Scarlett’s. “Really.”
Scarlett swore under her breath. “I can’t desert Nana, blast it.” She clasped Rissa’s icy fingers. “He cares about you, I am positive of that. It’s obvious when he looks at you.”
Rissa bit her lip. “But that doesn’t help. He can’t…and I can’t…” She tore her fingers away and pressed her lips together. “It was nothing. It was only some good times. He was never meant to be here.”
“You don’t know that, Rissa. You don’t,” Scarlett insisted as Rissa shook her head in denial. “Ian thought that about me—shoot, I thought that about me, too, but when it came down to brass tacks…” Her eyes were warm and soft. “Don’t give up on him. Don’t give up on love. You don’t know what can happen.”
Every word was a stone on her heart until she could feel it collapsing under the weight of dreams that would never be. “We’re not you and Ian. And I have to go now. Please, Scarlett. Please.”
Her cousin captured her and hugged her hard. “All right. For now. But we will continue this discussion. I’m taking you for a girl outing.”
Rissa laughed shakily. “Now you’re just trying to scare me.”
Scarlett drew back, but she brushed a hand over Rissa’s hair, and it felt like a blessing. The last person to stroke her hair had been her mother, so long ago.
And she would break down if she didn’t get out of here. Now.
She grasped Scarlett’s hand and squeezed. “But thank you. Threats and all.” She managed a small smile.
“Scarlett?” called Henry. “The grill—”
“Go,” Rissa urged her and turned away.
Then fled outside as fast as she could.
She moved to the corner of the building where there was just enough light to read the note, but she couldn’t quite make herself do it yet. Depending on what was written there, she would still need to find a ride home. If she hadn’t worn these stupid sandals and this silly skirt…
Maybe Scarlett would loan her car.
Read it, coward.
Rissa brushed her eyes and unfolded the napkin.
I don’t want to stay away from you, but Ian thinks I’d embarrass you if I came after you.
The choice is yours. Tell me what you want.
Chapter Fourteen
“Where did she go?” Mackey realized she wasn’t at the table with Celia and the kids anymore.
“She started for the restrooms, then went through the kitchen instead,” Ian replied.
“She doesn’t have a vehicle here. She’s not leaving, right? She wouldn’t just take off?” Had she read the note? What did her absence mean?
Brenda was clear across the room, so he made his way to the table Rissa had left. “Did she read my note? What did she say?”
Celia shook her head. “Nothing. She wanted privacy, I think.”
“Why aren’t you sitting with us?” Samantha asked. “Don’t you like us anymore? I told Rissa you belong to us, and you should be here.”
“You should,” Eric agreed quietly.
You belong to us. Could he have made a bigger hash of things? He glanced helplessly at Celia. She met his gaze steadily, and he couldn’t read it.
He turned back to the kids. “I wanted to sit with you, but Ian didn’t get a big enough table.” How lame was that explanation?
“You could both come here,” Samantha insisted.
He found a smile for her and forced himself to patience. “Every chair in this place is taken up, honey. And right now, I need to see Rissa.”
“She’s sad,” Eric said. “She didn’t want to eat.” The boy’s gaze accused him.
“I’m going to fix it,” he promised. Somehow. “See you all later, okay?” He strode toward the kitchen, ignoring the proffered greetings, intent on only one thing: Rissa.
“Hey!” Scarlett called out as he entered the kitchen. “Stop right there. What do you think you’re doing?”
His gaze whipped to hers. “I’m going after her.”
Scarlett might be no bigger than a minute, but she had the force of will belonging to a giant, just like her grandmother. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”
“No,” he shot back. “But I’m damned tired of everyone thinking they know it for me. Including your husband.” He glared at her.
She glared right back. “Leave her alone if you’re still planning to go back. I mean it, Mackey. End it now before she gets hurt any worse.”
I’m miserable, too. “The last thing I want to do is hurt her.”
“I believe that. Doesn’t mean you won’t.”
Though every atom of him longed to go to Rissa, he threw up his hands. “I’m just feeling my way through this, Scarlett. I don’t know what’s right or wrong. It was only supposed to be—”
Scarlett narrowed her eyes. “Just a fling, right?” Then she did an odd thing. She burst out laughing. “Been there.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry for you. I hope you don’t figure out what’s important when it’s too late.”
He had the itch to punch his fist through a wall in sheer frustration. “I don’t want—” He snapped his mouth shut. He had no idea what he wanted.
Except to see Rissa. Make sure she was okay.
“It’s okay. Leave her to us.” Scarlett’s tone was rich with sympathy. “We’ll take care of her once you’re gone.”
“I don’t need your help,” he snapped at his best friend’s woman. Wow. Batting a thousand here, buddy.
“I’m going to cut you some slack because you’re upset,” Ian said from the doorway. �
��But don’t you ever talk to Scarlett like that again.”
Mackey turned to face his normally easygoing friend. He wanted to bark back, but he knew he was solidly in the wrong, so he held up his hands. “I apologize, Scarlett. Now will you people please leave me the hell alone and let me find Rissa?”
He didn’t wait for an answer as he made for the back door.
Rissa was headed for the back door to ask Scarlett for the loan of her car when it opened.
Mackey charged through.
They both froze.
He recovered first. “Did you get my note? Why did you leave?” He descended the steps.
She stepped away. “What are you doing out here?”
“Coming after you.”
“Why?”
He swore. “Ris, I told you, it wasn’t my choice to be seated separately. I wanted—I thought we’d—”
“Thought we’d what? Reveal ourselves to the whole town? Make sure every last soul knows we’re doing the dirty?”
He reared back. “It’s more than that, and you know it.”
“No, I don’t. It’s exactly that. Just sex, remember? Just having a good time. Getting our rocks off.”
“Don’t say that.” He grabbed for her, but she sidestepped.
“It’s okay, Mackey. You didn’t do anything wrong.” She put on her best horse-soothing tone.
“Don’t you manage me,” he snapped. “I’m not one of your animals.” He closed the gap between them and clasped her shoulders. “This isn’t just sex, Ris. It’s not.”
She shook her head. “That’s all it can be. You said it yourself. You won’t be here long.”
He looked pained. “The kids say I belong to you all.”
She glanced away. “You don’t. You know you can’t.”
“Ian said I can belong here anytime I want to.” His voice went silky and low.
“Don’t!” she snapped. “Don’t you seduce me. Do not use that playboy tone on me. Give me that, at least, Mackey. Stand back and give me a chance.”
His fingers squeezed her upper arms. “A chance for what? To walk away from me?”
Fury rose. “You’re the one who plans to go.”
“What if I changed my mind?”
“Stop it, Mackey.”
“You act as though I’m a threat to you. I’m not.”
You’re the worst kind, she thought. One that breaks your heart into pieces and leaves you shattered.
She would not wind up like her father.
The thought froze her stock-still. Was that it? If her father hadn’t had the capacity to love and love deeply, her mother’s death wouldn’t have turned him so brittle? So bitter?
For the first time since childhood, Rissa began to remember the covert touches, the secret smiles her parents had shared. How her father had teased her mother, how she’d flirted right back.
“Love hurts too much,” she said, half to herself.
“It doesn’t have to.”
“How would you know? You told me you’d never been in love.”
“Did I? I wonder…” He bent to her, brushed her mouth with his.
She shoved at his chest. “I don’t want this, Mackey. I don’t want you.”
He wouldn’t let her push him away. Instead he pulled her closer. “You might not want to, but you do, Ris. Maybe as much as I want you.” He closed his mouth over hers, teasing hers open in a kiss of such sweetness and need she felt her resolve melting away.
“Mackey, please…” But she couldn’t resist kissing him back, twining her body around his. Falling again into the magic between them.
So magical she heard music.
He stiffened, and she realized the music was his phone.
“Ignore it,” he said.
“Can you? Who is it? It might be important.”
“It’s my agent. I don’t care.”
“It’s your livelihood, Mackey.” She drew away. “You’re dying to get back to work. Answer it.”
He exhaled. Swore, then reached for his phone. “What?” he snapped.
He listened for a second, and his face changed. “Why now? Damn it, I put myself on the line for him.” His gaze went to hers, apology in it.
She stepped back, her heart sinking. She dug her fingernails into her palms. Hadn’t she known better than to relent? Already she could tell he was leaving.
He grabbed her arm as she turned to go.
He finished his conversation and jammed his phone into his pocket. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re leaving.”
“I don’t want to, but the stunt coordinator on this big-budget film got a guy hurt badly. I recommended him, so it’s on me to fix this. They can’t afford to stop production, but they can’t replace him fast enough, not with someone good. People could get hurt, and I can’t—”
“It’s okay.” Somehow she managed to keep her tone steady, though her heart was shattering inside her chest.
Just as well not to let anything go further than it already had.
He’s a con man. Always was. You can’t count on him. She didn’t want to think her father was right.
“I can come back, Rissa. There’s not too much filming left.”
“Whatever. Don’t worry about me. I can get a ride—”
He yanked her close. “I said I’ll be back. And you’re coming with me to the ranch right now.”
“Why? Do you need help packing?” She kept her face carefully still.
“What? No—that’s not—”
“Go on, then.” She looked around them, wanting desperately to flee. “I’m not ready to leave yet,” she lied. A long goodbye would kill her.
“Rissa,” he said softly. “You could come with me. To California.”
“What?” Her attention whipped back to him. “Why would I do that?”
He stepped in. Cradled her face in his hands. “I want to show you what we could have.”
“Mackey, I can’t leave here. You know that.”
“What’s here for you?” he insisted, his green eyes solemn and intent. “More backbreaking work? More silence from that hard-hearted father who ignores the treasure you are?”
“There’s no one else,” she whispered as the truth of his words scraped at her heart. “This is my family land, and I’m all that’s left after six generations.” She pressed her lips together against the words that itched to leap forth. Stay. You could stay with me.
But no one ever did.
Her head bowed as tears threatened. She did not cry. Would not. Even over him.
“Ris, I could give you so much. Please…let me have a chance to show you.”
She shook her head. Refused to look at him.
“Damn it, I don’t want to leave you.” He bent to her. Tilted her chin up and sweetly, gently kissed her with none of the scorching heat that had raged through them before.
This kiss was far more devastating in its simple plea. Its lure to her heart. “I’ll come back,” he said.
But she couldn’t believe him. She didn’t dare.
Mackey watched one tear leak from beneath her lids. He sipped it with his kiss. “Look at me, Ris.”
“I can’t.” Her voice broke.
“I want to come back.”
“But you won’t,” she whispered. “Nobody does.”
“I don’t want to go yet,” he said, as something inside his chest tore loose. “But I have no choice.”
“There’s always a choice.”
“They need me.”
She looked at him, her heart in those big brown eyes. He waited for the words to form. I need you.
Say it to me, Rissa. No one ever had, he realized.
For an endless moment their gazes locked, and worlds passed between them, universes of pain and yearning, of heartache and beauty, of promise unborn.
At last Mackey glimpsed a future that could be there for them, a path he’d never imagined walking.
“Wait for me, then,” he said. “I’ll be back.” He could tell s
he didn’t believe him. He watched her shut down, saw the light go out of her eyes.
“I will,” he insisted.
She stepped away. Only nodded. “Safe journey, Mackey.” She turned away.
“Let me take you home.” Let me have a little longer with you.
She shook her head. “I said I’m not ready to go yet. I’ll catch a ride later.”
“Come back to the cafe, then. I’ll walk you inside.”
She clasped her arms over her middle. “I’ll go soon. Please, Mackey, just…go.”
The anguish in her tone matched that in his heart. “I can’t just leave you out here alone.”
She managed a smile. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to sit on Ruby’s screened-in porch for a bit. This is Sweetgrass, remember? Nothing exciting ever happens here.”
“Scarlett nearly got abducted.”
“And the entire mobster presence came and went in one night. One night of excitement in all these years.”
He didn’t want to leave her. It was that simple. “Please. Just come for a weekend, even. Don’t say no. I’ll send you a ticket.”
“There’s no point.” A tiny shrug. “It’s better this way anyhow…but thank you.” Her smile became a little more genuine. “It’s been great to see you. Hey, I got to make out at the bluff and skinny dip with big, bad Mackey. I had a good time.”
“Damn it, Rissa…”
“Go on now. You’re making this harder on us both. Promise me you’ll drive safely?”
Nothing had ever torn his heart out like the prospect of walking away from her now. “Is there any argument I can make to convince you to come to California with me now?”
She shook her head sadly. “People are depending on me. Animals, too. But who knows? Maybe one of these days…”
“We could have something, Ris. I could give you so much. You need to let me have a chance to show you.”
He saw a spark of interest that heartened him.
“Maybe I will.”
“No maybe. I’ll talk to Ian. He’ll help. Hell, I’ll hire you some help.”
He could see the war in her, the temptation…and the doubt. “I’ll show you. I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m sending you a ticket, and you’ll come see the life you could have. It’s a big world out there, honey.”
Texas Wild: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 2 Page 18
