“Not as long as it’s gonna take if you don’t let me work,” the welder drawled, lifting his mask.
“That compartment had better be ready in half an hour,” Richard warned. “There will be hell to pay if it isn’t.”
Matty and the welder eyed one another. Matty shrugged. The welder nodded in acknowledgment and bent once more to his task.
Leaving the deceptively weathered exterior of the barn, Rich Kruger stalked to his Jaguar and burned rubber as he left.
Chapter Five
Josh tried to remember how long it had been since he’d shopped in a discount store. In some ways, it felt like a lifetime ago, but in his student days and his starving actor days, he’d known them all intimately. He certainly hadn’t grown up with money, either.
Now he wore Armani. Had his shirts handmade—most of which his stylist picked out for him.
At home, though, when no one was looking and he didn’t have to care about his image? Jeans and a t-shirt. Boots or sneakers or, better yet, bare feet. Board shorts when the weather was hot.
He followed Elena as she shopped. He’d give his eyeteeth to take her to Rodeo Drive. He’d buy out the store—any store she liked.
But she was dead-set on paying for her own purchases, and he was pretty sure she didn’t have much money. Still, there had to be some way to preserve her pride and still save her funds. He didn’t know how often he could get away with ordering too much food so she’d get enough to eat.
“What do you think?” she asked shyly, holding up a bright red peasant blouse to herself. Against the red, her dark hair and eyes struck a bold contrast.
She should be wearing silk and satin.
“Red is a good color on you,” he settled for saying. “I like it.”
Her eyes lit up. “You do?”
He nodded. Then inspiration hit him. “Why don’t you try it on?” That would buy him time.
“I don’t know….okay,” she decided. She made her way to the dressing area. “I guess I will.”
Josh scanned the vicinity for an employee. When he found one, he hurriedly enlisted her cooperation. “Tell me her size and help me find some other things that will fit her—it’s a surprise.”
“We don’t usually do that here.”
“Josh?” He heard Elena call him.
The employee blinked, and her mouth fell open as she recognized him.
“Please don’t out me. I’m here incognito. This woman was stranded on the highway in a rainstorm. I want to do something nice for her, but I don’t want to hurt her pride. Would you please help me?”
The woman stood dumbstruck.
“I’d be real grateful—” He cast a quick glance at her name tag “—Margie. Can I count on you?”
Margie was all smiles now and quickly made her way to the dressing room. She emerged a moment later and whispered to him. The two of them frantically combed the racks, selecting several items, constantly looking back over their shoulders toward the dressing rooms.
He quickly shoved several one-hundred dollar bills at her. “Would you please pay for these and have them ready at the checkout? And keep the change, would you?”
“Oh, I couldn’t.”
“Please. It would mean a lot to me. You’re doing me a huge favor.” He turned on the full wattage of his smile.
“How about if I put it in the jar for the local animal shelter?”
“Sounds great. Thank you very much. Seriously.”
The woman blushed as he kissed her cheek. “You’re welcome.”
“Josh?”
He hurried over to Elena, who stood there in the red blouse with its wide neck and deep flounce. Josh stopped in his tracks, taking in the sight of the jeans that fit her like a second skin.
Wow. Who knew she had that knockout figure hiding under the baggy clothes? He dragged his gaze from her delicious backside. “You look like a million bucks.”
Elena twirled to face him, and his gaze dropped to the swell of her breasts just peering over the neckline. He was reminded of Mo’s red dress just days before at the party, but Mo’s curves were artificial and, compared to Elena’s sweet lines, somehow obscene.
“Are you sure the blouse looks okay?” Her wistful expression touched him. “I haven’t worn red in a long time. It’s…frivolous.”
“It’s beautiful on you.” He came up to stand right behind her. “Let me buy it for you, please?”
She shook her head. “No—but thank you.”
Damn it. He could buy this whole store. Why wouldn’t she let him buy one blouse? “For what?”
“You make me feel pretty.”
“You are pretty. Don’t ever doubt it.” His hands came to rest on her shoulders and, wonder of wonders, she didn’t flinch from his touch. His thumbs and forefingers rested on her smooth, warm skin, and he tried to remember the last time anything had ever felt so good.
Then, recalling the filly, he forced himself to stand back. “Well, it’s sure got my vote.”
She threw him a grateful smile, then retreated to the dressing room.
His partner in crime returned just then. “It’s done.”
“Thank you very much.”
“That’s a lucky young woman in there,” she remarked.
“Life hasn’t been very kind to her,” Josh replied, his gaze fixed upon the door Elena had entered. He turned back quickly to his cohort. “Could I ask one more favor? Would you tell her I had to take care of something? Say I’ll be back in just a minute. Let her wear the clothes out of the store if she wants to, can you?”
“I sure can.” The woman nodded, and Josh slipped away.
Striding quickly toward the front of the store to reclaim his purchases and stash them in the trunk, Josh fought the urge to buy every red garment he passed. He was going to be in enough trouble as it was, once she found out what he’d done.
They’d be miles away by then, however, and she couldn’t take any of it back. She wouldn’t have to wear what he’d bought if she didn’t want to, but he was bound and determined she would have some pretty clothes, even if they weren’t as fancy as he’d like.
He made one more impulse purchase, then completed his errand quickly and returned.
Elena stood near the dressing room, her posture rigid. A flicker of panic in her gaze turned to relief as soon as she spotted him.
“Sorry—I remembered something I’d forgotten to pick up for myself. Are you ready?”
She nodded but peered back over her shoulder once or twice as they left. “That saleswoman certainly was friendly. She even offered to take care of ringing up the purchase so I could wear these out of the store,” she remarked. “Did you arrange that?”
“Am I in trouble if I did?” He grinned, unrepentant.
“Oh, Josh…” But she smiled back. “Thank you.”
“You are very welcome. Accompany me to our chariot, my lady?” He proffered an arm.
After only a faint hesitation, she accepted.
When they reached the car, Josh took down the top and recovered his last purchase from the back seat.
“You don’t have to wear this if you don’t want to, but I think it’s my responsibility to protect your hair from the wind whipping it to death now that the top is down.” With a flourish, he presented her with a cream-colored picture hat, with three big red blossoms attached to the band and bright red ribbons streaming behind. “Voila.”
“You did this for me?”
He could see her starting to frown. “Consider it as belonging to the convertible, if it’ll make you feel better.”
Hesitantly she took it and tried it on, ducking to see herself in the side mirror.
“Or let’s just say it’s mine and you’re borrowing it for however long you like. When you get tired of it, I’ll wear it. Deal?”
Elena’s laughter made his heart swell. “You know you’re cheating on our rules,” she admonished.
“Nuh-uh. You never said I couldn’t loan you things,” he pointed out.
The hat framed her face and the ruffled blouse settled around the sweet slope of her shoulders.
“You sure make a picture, pretty lady.”
The shadows rushed back. “I’m no lady.”
He frowned. “Who was he, Elena? Who convinced you you’re not a lovely and desirable woman?”
“Please, Josh. Just…drop it.”
He wanted to do so much more. Like grind his fist in the bastard’s face.
The wind caught her hat, and he grabbed for it, bringing their bodies close.
He snagged the hat, but he didn’t move away. “Elena…”
He saw her swallow, but she didn’t retreat. Instead her eyes rose to his, but he couldn’t read what was in them.
He lowered his head, powerfully tempted to kiss her.
Her lids swept down. She tensed, if only slightly.
He made himself draw back. “I hope someday soon you’ll feel you can talk to me about what’s troubling you. You can, you know.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. Then she leaned into him for the barest of seconds.
When she drew back, he was surprised by the sense of loss. Still, it was a victory. She’d touched him voluntarily. She was learning to trust him, bit by bit. He’d have to be content with that.
But how much progress would he be able to make before it was time to leave her? Abruptly, the three weeks he had didn’t seem long enough.
Then he remembered something they’d passed in the store’s entry. He grabbed her hand. “Come with me. I want a souvenir.”
“What?”
He led her from the car. “Humor me, okay?”
“Okay.” She had to lengthen her stride to keep up with him, so he slowed his pace. As they entered the front door, he pointed toward an instant photo machine.
“Oh, Josh, I don’t think…”
“Please? Do this for me?” When she frowned, he persisted. “Come on, Elena, it’s just for fun. Let me have a picture of the prettiest girl in town.”
“You are insane.” But she looked pleased.
They climbed inside, Josh first, Elena forced to sit on his lap.
She perched there, tense and awkward.
But the warmth and weight of her felt good.
He was so toast.
Then toast, squared, when he had to shift against her to feed in the money.
The first flash captured them staring at each other.
Josh couldn’t help leaning toward her. Pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
Flash two.
Elena started to rise.
Josh restrained her lightly with a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry.”
Third flash.
Elena jumped up immediately and escaped, her hat toppling to the floor.
The final flash had him alone. Chagrined.
You know better. With a sigh, Josh rescued the hat and followed her.
She stood stiffly, staring outside.
The machine whirred out the pictures, and Josh grabbed them as they fell into the slot. Whistled in amazement. “You photograph well.” Josh held out the strip of photos. “Don’t believe me—see for yourself.”
She studied them for a long time, and when she looked up, her cheeks were rosy. “A lot of women would kill to have this.”
“I don’t care about a lot of women. I’m here with you.”
“Please don’t toy with me, Josh. I’m not…I haven’t….”
“Honey, I’m not toying.”
Their gazes locked. For a moment he felt an intense sense of connection.
She turned away and broke it.
As he followed her, he wondered if he’d gained ground or lost.
And again, why he cared.
He reached the car first and opened her door with a flourish. Time to lighten the atmosphere. “My lady?” He bowed, sweeping off his cap, a courtier’s grin on his face.
Her too-serious eyes studied him as she slid into the seat.
She would trust him, he vowed. He would figure out why that mattered so much. In the meantime, he would exert patience. The rewards far outweighed the effort required. Her smile alone was worth gold.
And this odd feeling of connection?
Your soulmate is alive in this time…
He shook his head. No way. He was simply tired. A good night’s sleep was all he needed.
“Are you tired?” Elena asked after a while. “Do you want me to drive? You didn’t get any sleep last night.”
“I’m okay so far. The coffee and cooler air helps. Are you cold? I can put the top back up,” he offered.
“Oh, no, please don’t. I love it.”
He had a hard time looking away from the delight on her face, the sparkle in her eyes. With her red blouse and her floppy hat with its red blossoms, she was a heart-stopper.
But he caught her shiver.
“If you won’t let me put the top up, why don’t you get my jacket off the back seat?” he suggested. “It’ll keep you warm.”
She stretched over the back of the bench seat, holding onto her hat with one hand as she reached with the other. He had a great view of surprisingly long legs for someone so petite. The curve of her delectable backside was within easy reach.
When she settled back into her seat, Josh worked to ignore how much he envied his jacket, remembering the feel of her bottom curved into his lap in the photo booth. She snuggled into the jacket, leaning against the door, legs curled beneath her.
While he struggled to think of anything but her.
“I love the smell of the mountains.” She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
She’s sensual, Josh thought. If only she could trust, there’s a passionate woman under all that fear.
But she was light years from that kind of abandon. He would only drive himself crazy thinking about it.
So he followed suit, taking a whiff unclogged by exhaust fumes, just simple, sweet, fresh air. “Yeah, me, too. The crispness reminds me of home.”
“Where is home for you?”
He stared at the road ahead, wondering himself. “West Texas always will be, I guess.” He shook his head ruefully. “Funny, I could hardly wait to get out of there and find the bright lights and the big city. Now I envy the hell out of my brother.”
“Is he older or younger?”
“Five years older, going on fifty.” Josh thought of the youth Quinn had sacrificed for him and their sister.
“You look sad,” Elena observed.
“I can’t help thinking about all that Quinn gave up when our parents died. He took on raising my sister and me, with only my great-aunt’s help. Without him, I don’t know where I’d be now.”
“I’m sorry you lost your parents.”
“Yeah, me, too. They were wonderful. I had a charmed childhood—we all did, while they were alive. And even after, Quinn and Tía Consuela made sure Clarissa and I never went lacking for love.”
“Tía? That’s Spanish.”
“She’s Latina. My dad’s mother was, too.” He smiled fondly. “My dad was Scottish on one side and Latino on the other…made for quite an interesting mix.”
“I guess so.”
“Tía Consuela is still living. She’s the local curandera. You know what that is?”
“Of course. My great-grandmother was one, I’m told. I never knew her.”
“Really?” He paused. “So you believe in the woo-woo stuff?”
“Do you?”
“Quinn does.”
“You say his name with such respect, as though he’s the better man.”
“He is.” But he was surprised at her insight. Most people assumed, because of his fame, that he was the successful one, but he had never outgrown his awe of his big brother.
“You’ve accomplished much in your life.”
He shrugged. “Being famous and deserving of respect are two different things. I play pretend for a living and get paid an obscene amount to do it. But Quinn…he
made sure I had it easy, and he sacrificed his youth to do it. Then he almost died when our sister was murdered. His life has been anything but easy, while mine has been too much so.”
“What happened? If you don’t mind my asking.”
“I don’t. It was several years ago. Clarissa was a TV reporter in Houston who acquired an obsessive fan. Quinn was a homicide detective in Houston at the time. The creep murdered her, and Quinn couldn’t get there in time. She’d never told Quinn about being stalked, but still, not being able to save her ate at him for a long time.”
“He wasn’t responsible.”
“He thought he was. He felt it happen.”
“Felt it?”
Josh was shocked that he’d confided what few people knew. “Quinn’s psychic.” He glanced over to see her reaction. “He had visions before she was murdered but didn’t know what they meant.”
She put one hand over her mouth. “Oh, my God. How awful for him.”
She didn’t question that he was telling the truth.
He was surprised but relieved. “It got worse. Lorie is his wife now, but she was my co-star on a soap opera then. We both lived in New York, and she was being stalked. Quinn had visions of her danger while he was still in Texas, before he ever met her. He thought he was losing his mind because he didn’t believe in things like that. If Tia hadn’t understood so well what was happening, I don’t know what he would have done. She says her father had very strong powers and that Quinn is like him. She stayed after him to recognize his gift and come to terms with it.”
“She sounds amazing.”
“She is. I wish you could meet her. She’s cared for so many people over the years. Lorie left acting when she married Quinn, and she’s been training with Tía to take over her midwife duties. Tía isn’t getting any younger.”
“And what is your gift?”
His gaze whipped to hers, but she seemed serious about her question.
“That stuff’s not for me. I mean, I respect their abilities. I’ve seen too much that can’t be explained any other way. But me, I’m just a regular guy. The genes skipped me.”
“What about your parents?”
“No gifts that I’m aware of.”
Elena was silent for a long span.
“So, want to go meet my weirdo woo-woo family?” he teased, before he could stop himself.
The Marshalls Boxed Set (Texas Heroes: The Marshalls Books 1-3) Page 29
