Dean picked up the beer and his change and looked around. Two cowboys played pool in one corner. The one with the checkered shirt bent over the table, the swinging light above him highlighting the lines of concentration on his face. His partner shifted a wad of tobacco from one cheek to the other. Dean wrinkled his nose. Disgusting habits these backwooders have. Several tables held groups of drinkers in various stages of inebriation. An old couple shuffled around the dance floor in time to the wailing from the jukebox. He took another swig of beer. What a dump.
I can’t take much more of Hicksville, so guess it’s time to look up the little woman and dole out some overdue punishment.
Tessa’s Treasures. It fit her perfectly. He took the last swallow of beer. Always doing the right thing, always ready to please. The harder she tried the more it pissed him off.
Then she finally got the guts to turn him in and hightail it back to big brother, Chief of fuckin’ Police. The bitch was going to pay for the eight years she took from him. Pay, and pay and pay. Hell, instead of killing her outright, maybe he’d bring her along with him when he left for his new home in Colombia. Fuckin’ A. Pleased with that bit of brilliance, he turned back to the bar for another beer.
****
Tessa pounded her fist on the steering wheel. It had been a long day at the store and she was ready to go home. But her car didn’t agree. She turned the key again, hoping for a spark of life. Nothing. Not even a twinge of noise. She sighed and leaned her forehead on the wheel.
She hated to call her brother, Mason. Things were always chaotic at his house. With the crazy hours he worked as Chief of Police, the kids, and his wife trying to get her real estate business off the ground, it was a place she wanted to avoid. Lucas was the obvious choice. Okay, so maybe not the obvious choice, but one she definitely favored. Just thinking about him brought a rush of heat to her body.
Amazingly enough, she’d felt no shame or uneasiness when she awoke naked in his arms on the boat, almost like they’d done it for years. They’d held each other and talked quietly, sharing stories and thoughts.
The boat rocked gently as Tessa drew circles on his chest with her fingertip. “Do you miss not seeing your sons?”
He shifted, looked down at her. “Every day. We used to be so close when they were younger. The three of us spent many a weekend on this boat. Lots of good memories.”
“Didn’t Patty go, too?”
His hand stilled where he played with her hair. “No.”
Just as she thought he wasn’t going to say anything more, he continued. “It didn’t take us long to figure out we’d married the wrong person. If it wasn’t for the twins, we would have called it quits early on. But we both wanted the boys to be raised by two parents. We called a kind of truce. It worked for a lot of years.”
Tessa sat up. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why, but I just assumed you were happy all those years.”
He pulled her back down and kissed her softly. “I’m happy now. That’s what counts.”
She didn’t share the horror story of her marriage.
As the sun bid its goodbye, they showered together, dressed, and headed back to shore. Comfortable silence had filled the air as Lucas drove her home, where he’d walked her to the door and gave her a gentle kiss good night. Despite the nap on the boat, she’d slept like a baby that night—better than she had in years.
She sighed. Ruminating wasn’t getting her home. She took out her cell phone and pushed the speed dial.
“Raven.” His clipped tone startled her.
“Lucas?”
“Hey babe, I was about to call you.” His voice, deep and sensual sent another wave of heat through her body.
“My car won’t start.”
“Where are you?” His tone held a degree of both warmth and concern.
“In the parking lot behind the store. I keep trying to start it, but it doesn’t even turn over. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. The car was fine this morning when I parked it.”
“Do me a favor and go back into the store and lock the doors.”
“Why?”
“For my own peace of mind, okay, sweetheart? I’ll be right there.”
Before she could protest he disconnected. Why should she go back into the store? He’d only scold her if she didn’t, so she locked the car and returned to the store, turning on the lights she’d just put out.
The old journal from Lucas’ attic rested on the counter right where she’d left it. Might as well keep busy by reading. She took out her glasses and opened the cover.
As she turned the brittle pages, her heart rate sped up. The journal had a great deal of information on a woman’s life, but strange comments were interspersed throughout. The writer referred more than once to a curse and a doll. She sat back and stared across the room.
The doll? She shivered and rubbed her arms. Ignoring the temptation to close the book, she read on.
****
Lucas frowned as he drove to Tessa’s store. He didn’t like this one bit. Call it his OSBI background or pure gut instinct, but the break-in at the store and now the car suddenly dying made him uneasy. Although he’d assured Tessa the break-in was kids, there was no way kids could have come and gone without leaving some type of evidence behind. Since Dean Phillips still hadn’t been heard from, Lucas' senses remained on high alert. He flipped open his cell and pushed a button. “You hear any more about Phillips?”
“Good evening, Lucas, nice to hear from you,” the familiar voice rang with derision.
“Sorry, Bran, this thing has me on edge.”
“So it appears. And no, he still hasn’t reported in. He signed for his bank deposit box a few weeks ago. We’re trying from our end to nudge them into doing a search warrant for the box, but it’s moving slow because he hasn’t broken any laws.”
“What about the parole violation? That’s breaking the law in my books.”
“Yeah, to me and you. We’re trying, but you know big cities. One, we have no authority there. Second, without a dead body, or at least the threat of one, the system moves slow. The ADA over there is swamped. Besides, if he accessed his deposit box, chances are he emptied it.”
Lucas gave an impatient shrug. “I feel like I’m sitting on a keg of dynamite here.”
“You might be looking under the bed for monsters that aren’t there.” Brandon chuckled softly, but Lucas didn’t share his humor. Not where Dean Phillips and Tessa were concerned.
“Maybe. I hope you’re right.” He sighed. “Thanks, I’ll be in touch.”
He flipped the cell closed as he pulled into the store’s parking lot. The lights glowed through the windows. Good girl.
Tessa focused intently on a large book, her face screwed up in concentration. He tapped lightly so as not to startle her. The frown morphed into an easy smile when she looked up at him through the window panel of the door. She hurried around the counter and flipped the lock to admit him. As soon as the door opened, Lucas pulled her into his arms, crushing her to his chest.
With one hand cupping her cheek, he smiled down at her. “Hi.”
“Well, hi yourself. That was quite an enthusiastic greeting.” She grinned and removed her glasses. “Come take a look at my car.”
They walked hand in hand to the parking lot. Tessa handed him the keys and he slid behind the wheel. He pumped the gas pedal and turned the key. Nothing. And no sound from the ignition. “I think you should call the shop and have it towed.”
She rested her hands on her hips and sighed. “Damn. I was hoping it was something easy, sort of a male thing, where you would say, ‘This is what’s wrong; here, I’ll fix it.’”
“Sorry, darlin’. Knowledge of cars is not high on my list of accomplishments. But I can offer a damsel in distress a ride. In fact, I’ll feed the damsel first.”
“But do you have plans I’m interrupting? I’m sorry about this.”
Despite her words, her voice carried not a smidgen of regret. A sudden burst of excite
ment, something at his age he figured he’d never experience, ripped through him. Tessa wanted to be with him.
Lucas got out of the car, locked it and handed her the keys. “No plans. Even if I did, nothing is more important than you.” He took her hand and escorted her to the jeep. “Come on, you can call the shop from my car.”
“Oh wait. I forgot the journal.” She jumped out and raced back to the store. Within minutes she was back, hugging the large book to her chest.
“Isn’t that the journal from my attic?” Lucas swung the Jeep into the traffic, eased over and made a left turn.
“Yes. It’s very interesting. And very old. There are no dates, but from the author’s descriptions of things it seems to be from around the mid-1800s. As a history buff, this is a gold mine to me.”
Though he concentrated on traffic and didn’t dare meet her gaze, he heard the smile and excitement in her voice. He reached over and twined their fingers together. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
****
The place could only be called a honky-tonk. But they served food. In fact, to Lucas’ way of thinking, Bubba’s Barn served the best ribs in Oklahoma.
Tessa glanced out the window as he parked the car. “Um, Lucas?”
He turned off the ignition and faced her. “What?”
“What am I supposed to eat here?” She hitched her thumb in the direction of the weathered wooden building with wagon wheels propped against a decorative wood fence. Two cowboys, arms slung over the shoulders of a woman in tight jeans and a midriff top, stumbled past the Jeep.
“No problem. They have all kinds of salads. I’ll even give you the coleslaw that comes with my ribs.”
She sniffed and reached for the door handle. “No you won’t. You will eat it all yourself.” She turned to him and winked. “Every bite.”
The noise from the band blended with voices attempting to rise above the music. A young hostess in skinny jeans, white blouse and a blue cowboy hat led them to a picnic-style table covered with a red and white checked oilcloth. “One tap beer and one white wine, please,” Lucas shouted over the noise and settled across from Tessa.
She cupped her hands around her mouth, and leaned across the table so he could hear her. “I’m not exactly dressed for this place.”
“You’re fine.”
The band took a break as the waitress returned with their drinks, and took their order. Tessa excused herself for a trip to the ladies room. As she crossed the room, the gentle sway of her hips beneath the long flowered dress drew more considering gazes than just his. For a moment, his gut clenched—until he reminded himself she was with him, wanted to be with him. As she disappeared into the ladies room his mind turned to their day on the boat, when she’d been dressed in much less.
And the tramp stamp.
Nothing had ever turned him on as much as seeing that bit of rebellion on Tessa’s lower back. Even now, picturing it under her demure dress had him breaking into a sweat. He shifted on the bench to accommodate the reaction his thoughts caused.
Old feelings for Tessa had resurrected when she fell into his arms, and the protective layer of ice around his heart from his soured marriage, melted after making love to her. The magic of joining his body with hers, knowing he’d given her an orgasm for the first time, brought out all the love he always knew would be hers for the taking.
The band started again as Tessa returned to the table. Dinner soon arrived, so conversation wasn’t necessary. Lucas dug into his ribs and fries, and tried unsuccessfully to avoid the coleslaw, but Tessa kept pointing at it, lips twitching with humor. It was finally easier to just eat the damn stuff. It felt good, though, to have someone who cared about him. He could get used to that.
He pushed his empty plate aside and stood up. “I’m going to the men’s room. I can stop at the bar on the way back if you want another glass of wine.”
She dabbed at her mouth with the paper napkin and smiled. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather leave.”
“No problem. I’ll be right back.” He made his way through the mob. He’d thought for a weeknight it wouldn’t be so crowded. He took the time to settle the check then visited the men’s room. Peaceful quiet descended on him as the door swung closed. Maybe I’m getting too old for this kind of place.
As he exited, his gaze moved directly to where he left Tessa. The table was empty. He frowned. Maybe she was in the ladies room again. As he grew closer, he caught sight of her flowered dress out of the corner of his eye. She was on the dance floor with what seemed to be a drunken cowboy. Blood pounded in his ears when she attempted to push her partner away, but he grabbed her back with such force her fingers splayed across his chest like she was trying to create distance. Her mouth twisted in distaste as she arched back from his body, turning her head to the side. As he plowed through the crowd, Lucas saw her wince when the jerk’s hand grabbed her upper arm. Fear etched lines along her forehead.
His hand clamped on the man’s shoulder. He glanced at a pale-faced Tessa, as her shoulders slumped with relief. “I suggest you let the lady go.”
“Go git yore own gal. This one’s mine.” The words weren’t too clear, but the intent of hanging onto Tessa was.
Every protective instinct screamed for release. “I’m saying this one more time, cowboy. Let the lady go.”
The drunk shoved at Lucas' chest, which was all the incentive he needed. His fist connected with the man’s face. The drunk tried to swing back, but stumbled, and fell face-first to the floor. Lucas turned and took Tessa’s arm to leave when someone shouted. “Behind you!”
As the cowboy swiped his sleeve across his bloody nose, he came at Lucas full force, broken bottle in hand. Lucas shoved Tessa behind him and brought the side of his hand down hard on the attacker’s wrist in a hard chop. The bottle shattered on the floor, spewing glass in every direction. Lucas grabbed him by the collar and shoved him up against the wall. Lucas needed several deep breaths to calm himself, all the while maintaining his grip. Never in all his years of dealing with the dregs of society had he lost his temper like this. Seeing the man’s hands on Tessa had ripped his gut apart.
A meaty hand landed on Lucas' shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll take care of him, buddy.” The message was clear. His part was over. The bouncer squeezed again, and Lucas let go. The drunk slid to the floor. Lucas stood breathing deeply, hands on his hips. He brought scraped knuckles to his mouth and sucked on the cut from the contact with the cowboy. Turning slightly, he eyed Tessa standing across from him. She was plastered against the wall. White knuckled fingers gripped the collar of her dress. It didn’t take a genius to recognize terror.
Oh shit, what have I done?
Chapter Seven
Lucas put a hand out as he advanced toward her. “Are you all right, honey?”
She tried to push herself further into the wall, shaking her head.
He dropped his hand and slowed his approach as if she were an injured animal. Softly, so as not to alarm her, he spoke in her ear. “It’s okay. Come on, let’s go.”
Her voice shook as slender hands rubbed up and down her arms. “It is not okay.”
A small crowd gathered to watch the aftermath. “We need to leave. It’s over now.” As he reached out, she flinched. Lucas raised both hands palms up, and backed away. “I won’t touch you. I’ll go to the jeep. Can you follow me?”
She nodded.
Once at the Jeep, Lucas opened the passenger door and waited for her. Tessa avoided his eyes, climbed into the vehicle, then leaned over to clutch at her middle and rock. What should he do now? He rotated the muscles in his neck before sliding behind the wheel. He sat for a minute, taking deep breaths. “Put your seat belt on.”
She continued to rock back and forth; a keening sound came from somewhere deep inside. Lucas deliberately lowered his voice, spoke slowly. “Tessa, we can’t leave until you fasten your seat belt. I don’t want to touch you right now, so can you please buckle up?”
Shaky ha
nds pulled the belt down and buckled it. Lucas started the engine and exited the parking lot. Now what? He wasn’t comfortable leaving her alone. Would she freak if he suggested taking her to his house? He could always take her to Mason’s, he supposed, but nixed that idea. Not with all that pre-teen chaos.
They rode in silence while various plans ran through his head. Since Tessa had no idea he was aware of her background, it would be hard for her to accept comfort from him. But she still sat, staring out the front window, expression closed off and hollow. At least she had stopped rocking.
He put his right signal on and swung into his driveway, killed the engine and turned to her. “Tessa.” Some of the terror had left her face. Encouraged, he said, “Since I have to drive you to work tomorrow anyway, I thought it would be a good idea for you to stay here tonight.”
Not the greatest excuse, but one that might work. When she didn’t object, he came around the Jeep and opened her door, unbuckling her seat belt. So far, so good. No longer cowering, she accepted his hand to help her out.
As they entered the dark house, he flicked on lights as they walked through the downstairs to the kitchen. Lucas pulled out a chair from the table and she sat. While he made tea, he kept glancing at her. If he could get her to talk, it would help. He needed to know what was going on in her head. Was it him using his fists like her ex-husband had? His stomach clenched. He would never put his hands on a woman in anger. Or a child. God knows how many walks he’d taken when the twins were in the rebellious teenage years to keep from slugging one of them.
He put two cups on the table, poured boiling water over the tea bags, and sat across from her. Her hands were clasped together on the table, her knuckles white. He laid his hand over hers and squeezed with light pressure. She seemed to come awake. “Honey, we need to talk about this.”
She ran her fingers over the scratches on his knuckles. “You got hurt.” Her eyes met his, brimming with tears. Her face crumbled. “You got hurt. You were fighting. That man was awful, he grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.” She pushed the chair back, jumped up and walked in circles, wringing her hands.
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