Roman's Choice (Saddles & Second Chances Book 1)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Darla standing on stage, looking like a deer caught in the headlights, her hands covering her breasts in the teeny tiny top. Roman stomped to the edge of the stage. “Come down!” he demanded.

  With no hesitation, she made her way to the stairs.

  A beefy hand landed on Roman’s shoulder. He turned and came face to face with the owner’s twisted features. “Who the fuck are you? No one tells my girls what to do.”

  Roman faced the other man who was at least three inches taller with wider shoulders and Roman didn’t feel anything but a fire to put this man in his place. Over the massive broad shoulder Roman saw the even larger bodyguard step into view, his brawny arms folded and his eyes narrowed in warning. Roman had taken on bigger, badder men and he clenched his hands into fists, ready to take these men on as well.

  “These aren’t your girls, buddy,” Roman forced through tight lips.

  “Get back on stage!” The owner yelled at Darla, pointing.

  She stopped, fear turning her face to pink. She looked like a frightened child and Roman had never seen something so heart-wrenching in his life. He had no clue what brought her here, but there was no way in hell he’d be leaving without her. For her sake, and for Ted’s.

  His buddy would be heartbroken. That tore through Roman.

  “She’s not going anywhere!” Pippa barked back, facing the owner head-on. Roman was nothing compared to his wife when she was pissed off.

  “And you get back to work too!” The owner snarled in her face. “That tight ass can only get you so far, baby!”

  Roman took a large step forward, pushing the owner’s chest. The bodyguard was on Roman, hand on his shoulder. He looked at the tall, burly man. “Remove that or I’ll be visiting you at the hospital and signing your body cast.”

  The bodyguard opened his mouth, but Penn stepped up, his eyes blazing. “I’d listen. The last thing you need is two Jericho brothers showing you the ropes, buddy. Then you’ll have the rest of ‘em showing up, one by one, making sure you’ll never have use of those hands again.”

  The man looked from Penn to Roman, then back to Penn and gave his head a shake in defeat.

  The owner’s face lit up in all shades of red. “All of you! Get the fuck out of my building before I call the cops!” he shouted.

  Roman waited while Pippa wrapped her arm around Darla’s shoulders and led her toward the exit with Roman and Penn following close behind, ready to take on the entire crowd if needed.

  The owner and bodyguard walked them to the door.

  Once they were in the parking lot and Darla was safely in her car driving away, Roman grabbed Pippa around the waist and hugged her.

  “Hey, I’m okay. We’re okay.” She touched his cheek and gave him a reassuring smile. Then she looked passed him to Penn. “Will you ever forgive me?”

  He chuckled and kicked up the dirt with the toe of his boot. “Hey, there’s nothing to forgive. I haven’t had this much excitement on a Friday night in years.” He winked. “Anyway, the woman’s husband probably wasn’t cheating anyway.”

  “Yes, he was,” she said.

  Roman took a step back, looking down at her. “How do you know?”

  “Do you think I’d let you boys down.” She reached inside of her bra and retrieved the cell, holding it up with a proud smile. “I’ve got pictures of him with his pants down around his ankles. The girl looked like she was barely eighteen, so he might be more than a cheater. You men could have told me who he was.”

  “Now he’s one fucked mayor. He can’t talk himself out of this one.” Penn winked. “And now you understand why this case was so important.”

  “I’ll send the pictures to you,” Pippa said.

  “Okay, I’m going to leave and let you two lovebirds cuddle each other. I need a beer in the privacy of my house.”

  Roman entwined his fingers in Pippa’s hair and tilted her chin so that he could kiss her fully on the lips. He lifted his head, his entire body tingling. “You, my sweet, sweet wife. I’m taking you home…our home.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “SO, ALL I have to do is throw the pie in his face?” Pippa balanced the pie pan, topped high with whipped cream, on one palm, looking across the space of ten feet where her husband was locked in the wooden stock.

  Urban laughed and gently elbowed Pippa. “Make it count.”

  “Don’t be encouraging her, bro,” Roman narrowed his gaze.

  Pippa laughed. “Sweetheart, you’re doing this for a great cause. Every dollar spent goes to the local children’s charity.”

  “That’s because none of my wimpy brothers would do it.”

  “No, we knew you were the man for the job, bro. You have that ginormous head, might as well put it to good use,” Penn said as he stepped up, licking an ice cream cone.

  “When your brain is as big as mine, you need a big head to contain it,” Roman shot back.

  “Probably the reason why Penn’s head is so small. Ain’t got a lick of sense,” Urban joked, sipping his slurry through a straw.

  “Sit on a broom and take a spin, A-hole,” Penn huffed, quickly licking drops of ice cream melting in the heat. Several girls walked by, giggling and staring at the sight. No matter where the men went, they were the highlight.

  “Enough of this bickering, fellows. Kids are around,” Pippa gently reminded them.

  Urban and Penn nodded in understanding.

  “Look at that. In a matter of weeks, she’s managed to do what I’ve been trying to do for years. To get you boys under control.” Weston idled up, hooking his thumbs in his front pockets. “Aim for the nose, Pippa.”

  “You in on this too, Wes?” Roman sighed.

  “It won’t hurt you any to wear a little whipped cream.” Weston dipped his finger in and licked the cream. “Although, I’d rather have that on a piece of strawberry shortcake.” He looked at Urban and winked.

  Pippa saw the exchange. “What’s he talking about?”

  Urban shrugged shyly. “I brought strawberry shortcake.”

  “You picked it up at the bakery?”

  “No, he made it himself.” Penn gave him a shove.

  “You made it?” Pippa smiled.

  “There’s nothing wrong with a man who likes to be in the kitchen. It’s therapy, but better,” Urban growled.

  “I think it’s wonderful. I’m just upset that you’ve been holding out on me. Strawberry Shortcake is my favorite.” Pippa patted his shoulder.

  “Next thing you know he’ll be using that dishwashing liquid that softens hands while you wash.” Penn wagged his brows.

  “What I tell you about messing with Urban?” Roman spoke up. “Now, are you gonna throw that pie or let it mold?” He grunted.

  “You’re not in the position to demand anything,” Pippa said, biting back her laughter. “I just don’t think I can do it to you, babe,” she admitted.

  “Do it, woman,” Penn teased.

  “I have to live with him,” she said.

  “Oh, hell. Let me show you how it’s done.” Weston took the aluminum pie plate from her and tossed it, smacking Roman directly in the face. The pan slowly slid down his face and dropped to the ground, leaving the whipped cream stuck to his forehead and cheeks. His tongue came out and licked the cream.

  “That would be better on Strawberry Shortcake,” Roman said.

  “Oh, sweetie. Let me help you.” Pippa went to his aid with a napkin and wiped the mess from his face, starting with his eyes. “You’re such a trooper for doing this.” She kissed him, licking the cream from her own lips.

  “Get a room!” Hugh yelled.

  “Don’t be jealous,” Pippa said to him and went in to give Roman a bigger kiss. Several whistles, hoots and hollers were heard from the crowd.

  “Have I serviced enough, sweetheart?” he asked. “I really want to spend time with you now. I’ll even win you a stuffed animal at the ring toss booth.”

  “Wait, he’s not done.” Penn wei
ghted a pie plate in his hand. “I just donated a ten for the cause. That means I bought myself two pies.”

  “Bro, you know I’ll get out of this thing eventually,” Roman warned.

  “Yeah, true, but for now you’re stuck.” Penn laughed.

  Pippa saw movement across the yard and brought her attention to Darla who waved. Pippa waved back. “Roman, there’s something I need to do.” She gave him a swift kiss on the cheek.

  “You’re leaving me to these wolves,” he grumbled.

  “Just remember how many kids you’re helping.” She winked as she took off across the grass.

  “Hi, Darla.”

  “Hi. I wanted to see you. Have a minute?” She swept her sandal across the grass.

  “Sure. How about I grab us a lemonade and I’ll meet you on that bale of hay by the barn?”

  “Sounds good.”

  At the lemonade stand, Pippa watched the young woman shake two cups, scoop in ice, then handed them over. Pippa dropped a ten in the donation can and took the drinks to Darla and handed her one, joining her on the makeshift seat. Laughter made Pippa look across the space where her husband had cream dripping off his face again. She’d have to reward him later. Remembering how they’d made love that morning lingered in her cells. She could never get enough of him.

  “I want to say thank you,” Darla said bringing Pippa’s attention back.

  “For?”

  “I knew I shouldn’t have been doing what I was doing, not while I was pregnant. I just got caught up.”

  “That’s easy to do. Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest until we’re out in the open looking in.” Pippa patted her knee. “I just want you to be safe.”

  The girl nodded. “I told both my mom and dad. They don’t hate me.” She shyly looked down into her lemonade. “Disappointed, yes.”

  “Of course they don’t hate you. I’ve never seen two people love a child more. It’s hard to see how much our parents care, but they do. They are there for you, and your baby.”

  Nodding, Darla picked at lint from her shorts. “I won’t be going to L.A., at least not right now. I’ve explained to Johnny that I’m also not ready to get married, and it seems he feels the same.” She shrugged.

  “I know you can do this.” Pippa sipped at her lemonade, seeing Roman finally released from the stock. He caught her gaze and she smiled. He winked as he wiped his face clean. His shirt was covered.

  “I saw what Roman did for you at the club. He protected you and it made me realize a lot of the things that I want in my life too. I want a man who’s willing to stand up for me, who looks at me the way Roman looks at you.” She gave a half-smile.

  Pippa’s heart swelled. “Things happen when we least expect them, sometimes even before we know the truth ourselves.”

  “Does Roman know how much you love him?”

  A pain ripped through Pippa. “I haven’t told him.”

  “Why not?”

  Shrugging, Pippa set her cup on the ground. “Honestly, I’ve never told anyone besides my parents that I love them. It’s a bit scary, overwhelming.”

  “But didn’t you say love is the best thing two people can share together?”

  “You’ve read my first book.” Pippa smiled.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “You’re right. And I do love him. Deeply.”

  Darla chuckled. “Then what are you waiting for?”

  “Good question.” Pippa watched Roman and his brothers. They were great men. Each of them.

  “I’ve gotta go. I’m meeting mom by the ring toss game,” Darla said as she stood. “I’m glad you came to town. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

  “Just be happy. That’s thanks enough.”

  Pippa sat there for a long time, mulling through her thoughts, realizing she was, for the first time, succumbing to her emotions. Once upon a time, she thought if she loved someone she would be prisoner to that feeling, but that wasn’t the case at all. She was overcome with a feeling of freedom—joy. Nothing mattered but love. They could jump any hurdle—even the rough start of a Vegas marriage.

  She started to stand…

  “There you are!”

  Sal’s shrill voice reached her and she looked up to find him coming toward her, wiping the sweat from his brow with a silk handkerchief. He was wearing a white suit and red shoes that definitely made him stick out in the crowd.

  “Sal? What are you doing here?”

  He shook his head and dropped beside her. “Good question.”

  There seemed to be a lot of those these days. “How did you find me?’

  “I stopped at a gas station to ask for directions to Second Chances Ranch and the lady told me about this fair. She wasn’t kidding when she said all of the town would be here.” He scanned the crowd and sighed. “I’ve never seen so many boots and plaid in one place in all my life.”

  She laughed. “Not true. Remember that country western concert you attended last year?”

  “I’ve totally pushed the memory out of my brain.” He shook his head.

  “Again, why are you here? For a piece of the roasted hog?”

  “If you would answer your phone sometimes it’d be a big help,” he huffed.

  “I left my cell at home. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had it turned on in days.” She now realized she didn’t mind being disconnected from the world.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake. You’ve gone country.”

  “I think it’s more that I’m happy.” She looked for Roman who wasn’t standing by the pie throwing stand any longer.

  “I’ve got news for you. You should be jumping up and down screaming in delight when you hear what I have to say.”

  “Did I win the lottery?”

  “Honey, you’ve got to play to win.” He sighed. “But hang onto your shorts. You’re not going to believe what happened.”

  *****

  Roman blinked, wondering if he’d heard Pippa right. “That’s not possible. Your manager is full of shit.” He slammed his hands into his back pockets and kicked up dirt with the toe of his boot.

  Pippa’s frown made his gut twist and turn. “I know it’s a shock, but he’s right. I verified it. The Elvis impersonator who married us wasn’t licensed, which makes our marriage unofficial. And he was also arrested for tax evasion. Apparently, I left Sal’s number with the receptionist at the Vegas chapel who called all of the married, yet not married, couples to advise them that they aren’t legally wed.”

  “Why did you leave Sal’s number?”

  “I don’t call my own and couldn’t remember it.”

  His gaze automatically fell to his empty ring finger. Why didn’t he ever bother with getting a ring? Now it seemed important—now that they were no longer married. Guess we never were. He gulped down the acid in his throat. Speechless.

  “Say something,” she whispered.

  He shrugged as he searched his mind frantically. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Disappointment raced over her expression. He ached to touch her, but he was drowning in his thoughts. Would she leave him? Would this be the end? Why didn’t he tell her how he felt before now? Before there was chance of losing her…

  They had no reason to be together.

  And yet every reason in the world.

  He opened his mouth, needing to tell her his heart. “I—”

  The bouncing and clanking of tires coming up the lane alerted Roman. He turned on his heel, watching as the beat up truck kicked up a cloud of dust, then came to a sliding halt. Penn jumped out of the driver’s side. “Roman!”

  “What is it?”

  Sweat dripped from his brother’s brow. “It’s Urban. He fell off the house roof.”

  “What the hell? What was he doing on the roof?” Roman’s chest tightened.

  “He had to fix a few shingles that fell off last night during the storm,” Penn said through spurts of catching his breath.

  “Damnit! He should have waited until he had some help. Wher
e’s he at?”

  “Weston and Hugh are driving him to the hospital. He hit his head pretty hard. They didn’t want to wait for an ambulance.”

  Roman looked over his shoulder at Pippa, meeting her gaze. She stepped forward and placed her fingers inside of his elbow. “You go with Penn. I’ll be right behind you. Okay?”

  He nodded. He climbed into the passenger’s side of the truck and Penn slammed it into gear. “Did he have any broken bones? Cuts?”

  “I don’t know. I was over taking care of the cattle when I got the call. Must be more than a cut if they’re taking him to the hospital.” Penn stopped at the end of the lane to check for oncoming traffic.

  “True.” Roman looked into the side mirror, thinking maybe he’d get a glance of his wife—of Pippa—but she was already gone. He turned his attention back through the window as Penn pulled out onto the main road and floored the gas pedal. Roman also knew Penn wouldn’t be this frantic unless he’d gotten a hint of something serious from the call he’d received.

  Several hours later, and a dozen cups of the nasty coffee from the vending machine, Roman dropped his empty cup into the trash can and went back to sit with Pippa who’d showed up with her manager.

  A part of Roman—a big part—wanted to blame the manager for the bad news, but sooner or later Roman and Pippa would have needed to know the truth.

  He could barely think right now, waiting on news of Urban. When they first arrived, the doc had come out and told the brothers that they had given him medicine that would help him sleep while they ran tests. Roman didn’t understand more than five words the doctor had said except that Urban needed to sleep and time would tell.

  Against better judgement, he stood. “I’m going to grab another cup of coffee. Can I get you anything?” he asked Pippa.

  “No, thank you.” She gave him a half-smile.

  Roman strolled through the sanitary halls with the polished floors, staring at the reflections. At the coffee machine, he dropped a few coins in, pressed a couple of buttons that he knew by heart. The cup came down and the brew poured in. Once the machine beeped, he took his coffee and started for the glass doors outside when he spotted Sal.