By the time they’d both settled, she didn’t have a bone left in her body. But she still managed to smile when he wrapped himself around her like the most wonderful blanket ever.
Oh, yeah. She didn’t have it bad at all.
15
GUNNER KEPT HIS attention on the road in front of them, clenching and unclenching his teeth, wondering how the hell everything had gone south so damn quickly.
Mallory’s arms were crossed as she stared out her window. They were only fifteen minutes from Blackfoot Falls. Thank God. It seemed she was getting grumpier by the mile.
Man, had she been pissed when he’d admitted there was nothing wrong with her car. She’d just run out of gas. It was good news, for fuck sake. She should be thrilled she wouldn’t be stuck with a huge repair bill. Although he had a feeling most of her anger was aimed at herself for overlooking the fuel gauge. Which she said was his fault because he’d been distracting her. He figured that was a good thing but he kept his opinion to himself.
Anything he’d said so far had just given her more ammunition. Even when he’d explained that the Hyundai hadn’t stayed on the side of the highway for long. Instead of being relieved the car was already gassed up and sitting in front of her house, she got pissed all over again.
What if someone had found the key he’d left under the mat and had stolen it? What if Billy, the kid who worked for Ben—and who Gunner now owed fifty bucks—had decided to go for a joyride?
Pointing out that neither of those two things had happened had only made her madder. So he left out the obvious fact that no one in their right mind would steal that piece of shit. And a joyride? In that? Come on.
All he’d wanted to do was prove that she could count on him, and this was what he got.
“What did you tell Ben?” she asked, her arms still crossed. “Does he know you were with me?”
“I didn’t tell him anything but I’m sure he suspects.”
“Why?”
“Why? From the other night when I stayed over with you.” Gunner knew they’d agreed to keep their arrangement quiet, which he would’ve done anyway. But Ben wasn’t stupid. “He knew I didn’t make it back to the ranch until the next day. Who else would I have spent the night with?”
She laughed, shrugged. “Just about anyone.”
Now that pissed him off. “You know, Mallory, I probably deserved that crack at some point in my life, but not now.” In his younger days he might have been less discriminating and not always discreet. But he’d never been the kind to go sniffing around for the hell of it.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
He wasn’t a hundred percent sure he believed that, but he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Especially after last night. The hotel, dinner, her in that dress... Everything had gone so smoothly it had given him hope. Made him think that if Ben could be serious about wanting a partner, maybe it was time for Gunner to give some thought to his future. No, he’d never cared for small-town living, but he was older now, and being here with Mallory would be worth it.
Briefly taking his eyes off the road, he glanced at her. “Besides, why would I be with anyone else when I have you?” he said, and reached for her hand.
As she entwined her fingers with his, her lips lifted in a small smile. “Do you think Ben will stick it out here?”
“You mean ranching?”
She nodded.
“Have you seen the Silver Spur? He’s put a lot of sweat and money into the place. It’s really something.”
“I know. They had me out there for dinner. It’s just...” She shrugged. “I mean, he’s his own boss and he loves working with horses, but there can’t be much excitement in running a ranch.”
Gunner tensed. “I don’t think that’s what he’s looking for.”
“Maybe not, but what happens in a few years when he’s bored and restless? Stuntmen are a whole different kind of animal,” she said, with the casual conviction of someone who didn’t allow for the possibility of being wrong. “Of course I don’t have to tell you. I mean, stuntmen aren’t exactly known for leading tame lives. It’s all about risk, excitement, adventure...”
“That’s true for some of them,” he said calmly. “Not all. It might be a rush in the beginning but that doesn’t last forever.”
“Retirement? They don’t know the meaning of the word. They have to be booted out or injured before they quit. And even then they can’t make peace with sitting on the sidelines.”
He wasn’t sure she’d even heard what he’d said. They hadn’t gotten much sleep. The whole thing about the car had upset her. Or maybe he just sucked at this relationship business and didn’t know when to zone out. Let her talk. Pretend he was listening. Hell, he didn’t know.
“Take my father,” she said and pulled her hand away to rearrange her ponytail. “A perfect example. After the accident, he got enough money to open the Renegade. Owning a bar was what he wanted. At least that’s what he’d say. But he wasn’t happy. He’d get drunk and moan about how much life sucked. How he’d been cheated. How stunt work was the only thing he’d ever cared about. I was a kid, his kid, sitting right there, listening to him.”
On a deep breath, she turned her head to look out her window.
Yeah, she’d been hurt by the old man, by both her parents. Gunner wouldn’t argue that. He’d heard Coop go off on his self-pity rants many times. But Gunner was still offended. “I liked your dad okay, but with all due respect, Mallory, don’t ever compare me to him again.”
Her gaze flew back to him. He kept his on the highway, but from the corner of his eye he saw that she was staring. She hadn’t returned her hand to his, and he hadn’t reached for it, either.
“I wasn’t. Really,” she said. “You aren’t anything like him. I know that. I’m sorry that it came out wrong.”
“Coop was a shitty father, but that had nothing to do with him being a stuntman. Ben, me, a lot of guys, we don’t all live for the job. At first, yeah, probably. And then one day you realize it’s the only thing you know how to do and the money is too good to just walk away. At least not without a damn good plan.”
Silence lasted long enough for him to regret including himself in the mix. That opened him up for questions. And now sure as hell wasn’t the time to discuss the possibility of him turning his life upside down on a gamble. There were still too many considerations.
“You’re not tired of stunt work,” she said.
Well, it wasn’t a question. Despite his irritation, he almost laughed. Guess she had all the answers.
“Are you?”
He saw a sign up ahead. His eyes were too weary to make out the words, but he knew it meant they were close to town. Good. This dialogue was headed for trouble. “Getting there,” he said finally.
“Since when?”
“For a while.”
She fidgeted, then he heard her quietly clear her throat. “Have you decided on when you’ll be leaving?”
He slid her an amused look. “Trying to get rid of me?”
“Of course not.” She studied him for a moment. “I hope you were kidding,” she said, sounding cross. “I only asked because you rarely take time off. You always have work. Dale and Lawson are jealous as hell that every stunt coordinator in the business has you on speed dial.”
Gunner shook his head. “Lawson’s a wimp. He’s turned down enough of the tougher shit that all the big guns have quit asking for him. I don’t know what Dale’s problem is.”
Great. Now they were both in crappy moods.
Her phone signaled she had a text. She dug it out of her pocket. “Oh. Okay. Sadie confirmed the water main is fixed and I can open tonight.”
“You don’t sound thrilled.”
“I wouldn’t have mind
ed staying closed. I’m pretty tired.”
“So do it. You’re the boss.”
“I don’t know. Elaine’s already lost a day’s work. She might need the money.” Mallory thumped her head back against the headrest. “What am I saying? I need the money.”
He’d been wondering how she was doing financially and if he could help. He wouldn’t ask now.
They entered the town limits and drove past the crew that had been working on the water main.
“They look thirsty. Could be your first customers,” Gunner said, just to say something that wasn’t going to blow up in their faces.
Mallory ignored the comment and they rode in silence down Main to her street.
He parked behind her car and waited for her to say something snarky.
“So,” she said, picking up her dress and carefully draping it over her arm, “I guess you’re not going to tell me when you’re heading back to LA.”
“If I knew I’d tell you.”
“Fine.” She opened her door and paused. He thought she might invite him inside. Instead she nodded at the Hyundai. “What do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“Bull. I know you have to pay the kid for the gas and his time.”
“Jesus, Mallory, don’t worry about it.”
“I want a number, Gunner. I mean it. And I should pay for the hotel, too. You wouldn’t have gone to Kalispell if it weren’t for me—”
“You really want to piss me off, huh?” He could feel his temper fraying.
“I’m not saying we have to settle up at this minute,” she said, that stubborn streak of hers refusing to let her back off. “Anyway, thanks.” She climbed out of the truck. “For everything.”
So much for a goodbye kiss. Maybe she’d like to shake hands.
“Listen,” he said, keeping his cool. She had a long night ahead of her, and he didn’t want to be a jerk. “If you need—”
“Nope. I’m fine,” she said and closed the door.
Gunner stared in disbelief as she opened the gate to her walkway without so much as a backward glance. She’d cut him off. Hadn’t even known what he was going to say. What the hell was that about?
He leaned across the seat and opened the passenger door. “Hey, Mallory.” She didn’t turn around right away, but he waited until she did. “Say the word and I’m out of here, sweetheart. I’m sure you won’t have trouble finding some other guy to help paint that nice little picket fence of yours.”
The words tasted bitter on his tongue, but he was too damn angry to smooth them over. Her running hot and cold like this was bullshit. He’d driven fourteen hundred miles chasing after her, trying to see if they could work things out. And he was sick of being the only one making the effort.
The second she spun back around and hurried up the porch steps, he slammed the truck door and sped away.
* * *
MALLORY GOT TO the bar ten minutes late. She felt like crap when she saw Elaine standing near the door in a small wedge of shade, fanning herself.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, trying to insert the key and missing until her third attempt.
“Slow down, honey. I’m not going anywhere and neither is that lock.”
“I’d like you to have a key,” Mallory told her as they walked inside where it was at least a thousand degrees cooler. “If you don’t want the responsibility, that’s fine. I totally understand. So think about it. And let me know.”
“I don’t have to think. Makes sense. So as long as you trust me, sure, I’ll keep a key.”
“Why wouldn’t I trust you?”
“Well, you’ve known me less than two weeks. I thought you California people were more guarded than that.”
Mallory laughed. It was either that or start crying.
“Are you okay?” Elaine was setting out mugs and frowning. “You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine. Late night.”
“Ah.” Elaine smiled. “Gunner?”
“Why would you think—” Mallory sighed. She was too tired to lie or pretend or even be human. Just as long as no more tears fell she’d be okay.
The waterworks had started earlier, halfway to her front door, but she was fairly certain Gunner wasn’t the wiser.
“I think we’re going to be busy tonight,” Elaine said. “Any chance you read the manual so we can plug in Fanny?”
“Um, no.” Of course she should have, instead of screwing around in Kalispell. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. It’s your bar.” Elaine glanced at her watch. “Want me to give it a look if I have time?”
Mallory had to think a moment. Right. The instructions were in the cabinet under the register. She laid them on the bar.
“So, you think we’ll be busy?”
“You must’ve heard about the movie being shot in the area,” she said, and Mallory nodded. “Yesterday they made camp about twenty miles south of here and we’re the closest town.”
“Oh, believe me, they’ve brought plenty of booze with them. But when they get tired of hanging out at their trailers, we should get some business out of it.”
She glanced over at Fanny’s instructions. They probably weren’t difficult to understand, but it was better to let Elaine read them. Mallory’s concentration was shaky at best. Her thoughts kept jumping back to Gunner and the stupid things they’d said to each other and how everything had gotten blown out of proportion.
God, she’d run out of gas? How humiliating. She’d never done anything like that before. Being consumed with thoughts of Gunner, daring to dream about a future with him, was making her sloppy. She’d end up no better here in Blackfoot Falls if she didn’t pull herself together. Sex while he was here was fine. But that’s all it could be.
Part of her knew he’d only tried to be helpful, taking care of her car and giving her a night on the town. But he should’ve kept her informed. She had to make her own decisions concerning the bar, her car, her life in general.
Didn’t he realize the moment he left she’d be completely on her own again? Sure, there was Ben, and Mallory was getting to know Grace and Elaine and Sadie. Luckily she liked them and they seemed to like her. If an emergency arose, she knew she could call any one of them and they’d gladly help if they were able.
But the regular everyday stuff fell to her. Even the little things she’d gotten in the habit of bouncing off him. Gunner was making it tougher to say goodbye. She had to explain it to him, make him understand she wasn’t trying to get rid of him. Or hoping to snare some cowboy into filling his shoes.
That last remark of his still pissed her off. But that was okay. In fact, it was her saving grace. Remembering it helped keep the tears at bay.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I ran into Cecil at the Food Mart.” Elaine brought out the bowl of limes and smiled at Mallory’s blank look. “The electrician?”
“Right.”
“He has two days open if you want him to work on the stage. I think you have his number.”
Mallory nodded. “I was going to tell you, I heard Boot Stompin’ last night. They’re really good.”
“Yeah, that’s what my neighbor said. They’re new and kinda young, aren’t they?”
“That’s the only reason I can afford them.” She’d exchanged info with their lead singer last night and had received a text from him an hour ago. “I can get them for Fridays for sure.”
“Hey, a weekend night? That’s pretty good.”
“I think so, too.” She would’ve asked Gunner what he thought, but not now. Probably not even later. Unless he surprised her and showed up tonight. Which was doubtful. They’d both been so angry.
And exhausted. Hopefully their harsh words would lose some of the sting and blow over after they both got some rest. Or maybe his solutio
n would be to leave tomorrow.
God, the thought depressed her.
Did he really believe she was anxious for him to leave?
That’s not what she wanted. It was the complete opposite. And he hadn’t helped by pretending he was tired of stunt work. Had he thought that’s what she wanted to hear? She wasn’t as good at hiding her emotions as Gunner. She’d fallen hard for him, and all these new raw feelings inside her weren’t easy to ignore. Had she given herself away and scared him?
Damn, she wished she could replay their last ten minutes together in slow motion. Just so she could get a grip on what was real versus what she might have imagined in his face, his tone. Everything seemed fuzzy.
Okay, maybe he was getting tired of the work, although she found it odd he’d never mentioned it before. The thing was, it wouldn’t last. She knew Gunner. He liked doing risky stunts and being in the action. He didn’t want a slow, uneventful life.
And she did.
16
FRIDAY NIGHT WAS one of those nights when Mallory wondered if she’d taken on more than she could handle. The Full Moon was packed. It seemed everyone wanted to ride Fanny, she obviously needed to buy another pool table, and if one more person asked for the darts, she was liable to throw them out on their ass. For God’s sake, she’d put a sign right there on the dartboard that read Not Tonight.
Elaine had the good sense to consider that with this many people darts meant nothing but trouble.
Oh, and it would’ve been really helpful had Mallory remembered to order more beer and tequila for the weekend. If she ran out, she didn’t know what she would do. Certainly not trouble Sadie. After all her kindness, it bothered Mallory to hear the Watering Hole had been dead all week.
It was almost 10:00 and Elaine and Heather had been hustling since the doors opened. Sheila had pitched in, though she wasn’t on the schedule and had to leave early. Even the dance floor was crowded with couples moving to the jukebox music. Maybe hiring a band was an unnecessary expense. Mallory would have to ask Gunner what he...
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