by Nancy Glynn
“What else can I do then? When’s your next doctor appointment?”
“Tomorrow.”
“How would you’ve gone before?”
“Uber.”
“Uber?”
“Yeah. It’s a driving service just like cabs, but they’re regular people. It’s an app you activate, and they meet you.”
“Never heard of it. But I’m not letting you get an Uber. I’ll drive you. I’d also like to hear what the doctor has to say.”
She snickered. “Okay, boss. You’d really make Danny proud.”
“Again, I’m not doing it just for Danny. I like helping you.” His eyes drifted to her lips and then down her throat.
Pulling her shirt away before his eyes made their way down there, she moved out of his magnetic gaze and hopped toward her desk in the living room. “I really need to write. There’s a fireplace in the family room if you want to start a fire?” She glanced back to find him in the same place, gazing at the wall, clenched jaw. Not meaning to turn cold on him, but she didn’t trust men’s agenda. And there always was one. Even with Cowboy Wayne.
She couldn’t fulfill that agenda…ever.
Thumping to her seat and throwing her crutches against the wall, she tried to force the hot tears that wanted to fall. Nope. Not allowing it. She jumped when he spoke behind her.
His hand touched her shoulder. “You okay?”
Looking up at him, she gave a small smile and nodded. “It’s just I have so much to get done. I have three chapters that need editing. I’m sorry if that was abrupt. You have no idea how appreciative I am of you being here. Please know that, Hayden.” She touched his hand on her shoulder.
“I’ll start the fire and then head back to the hotel to let you get some peace.”
She swiveled in her chair to face him. “Would it be easier to stay here the whole time? I don’t mind, and I like the company. It gets a little lonely at night, not that you have to entertain me. Just having you in the house is nice.”
A smile tickled his lips. “I’d like that, but would your brother?”
“Who cares? I’m a grown woman. He’s not my father. You came and did what you set out to do, keeping your end of the bargain up. He has no more say in this. I’d tell him I don’t have to get up so much.”
“Okay, it’s settled then. I’ll go back and get my things.” He stood closer to look her in the eye. “I do want you to be comfortable, though, and noticed you weren’t in that kitchen. I want you to know you’re safe with me, Aubrey. I’d never do anything a woman didn’t want.”
She chewed her lip. “I know that. It’s my own whacky issues, not yours. You’re the real deal. A real cowboy. I get why Danny sent you instead of any of his other buddies that were getting out.”
“Well, there’s more to it than that, but yeah. I guess you’re right. Thanks for noticing. Would please my mom to know that.” He smiled. “Okay, I’m gonna brave the Chicago winter. I’ll start the fire when I get back. Wish me luck.” He yanked his boots on, then coat and cap.
She smiled. “You’ll be fine. You’ve handled worse, remember?”
Before he opened the door, he saluted her and then closed the door against the wicked winds.
***
She stirred the pot of chili for the hundredth time before pacing to the window to see any sign of him. It was after 6:00, and she couldn’t reach him on his phone. Must be dead. The phone! Not…him.
Her heart lurched at the thought of something bad happening to him. Would never forgive herself. She already placed her grocery order, finished two chapters, and started dinner. She figured he’d like chili since he was Texan.
When she lived with Joel, she hated cooking for him. Maybe because he didn’t appreciate it. Was always on his phone or computer, working with clients. He’d show her some of their work, disgusted by their use of the English language. She hated when he did that…like he was better than them.
She hobbled to the living room to look out that window, but still nothing. “Come on, Hayden. Don’t do this to me.” Sitting back down at her computer, she tried to concentrate on her third chapter.
The hour turned into another, which turned into 8:00. The chili simmered as she stirred it again, tasting it. And then headlights flashed across the kitchen through the window. She dropped the ladle and met him at the door.
He stomped his feet, dropping grocery bags to the floor next to the door. “Am I ever so glad to see you, Aubrey.”
She threw her arms around his neck after letting her crutches fall to the floor. “What happened? I was so worried.”
Holding her to him, he spoke into her hair. “I got lost looking for the dang hotel, found it, took a faster shower, got all my stuff together and checked out. They said they’d be charging me for the whole week since that’s what I paid for, so I said fine.” He looked into her eyes as she pulled away to face him. “I wanted to get some things at the grocery store, so you didn’t have to get everything. Here, let’s sit you down. I don’t want you straining yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
He lifted her up and carried her to the couch, sitting next to her. He took off his boots and coat before turning back to her. “So, then I get in the truck and go to call you, but my phone’s dead. Forgot to charge it at the hotel. Sorry about that.”
Her face softened as she listened, anger now a distant memory, replaced by understanding.
He continues his story. “I’m on the road and the snow starts up again. I see this car run off in a ditch and can’t just keep going. So, I pull behind them and get out to find this woman trying to spin the tires, only making things worse. She’s crying, so I tell her what I need her to do. Another car stops and helps, so there’s a few of us now pushing her car until finally it budges and skids onto the road.”
She touched his arm. “That’s so nice. You helped an older woman get out of the snow.”
“Well, she wasn’t exactly older…maybe in her 30s. She jumps out of her car and throws her arms around me like I was the best thing that’s ever happened to her.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh.” Her heart began a steady pace building up to a hard knock. Different questions now entered her mind; was she pretty? Available? Looking for love from a kind, handsome cowboy? “Did she say anything else? Or was that it?”
He shrugged. “That was basically it. She noticed my dog tags dangling from my rearview mirror and asked about it. I just wanted to get in the truck and go, but she kept talking, gave me some business card and asked me to call her. Said I’d be leaving for Texas and probably wouldn’t, but that didn’t seem to stop her. Was a little annoying, to tell you the truth.”
A smile filled her face as she sat up straighter. “Oh, too bad. I mean that she was annoying. Hungry?”
“Starving. Is that chili I smell?”
She stood and took the crutches from him. “It is. I’m just glad you’re back safe and sound.”
“So am I. You have no idea.” He followed her and did his usual with getting the bowls and carrying them to the table. “What time is your appointment tomorrow?” he asked between bites.
“Ten.” She blew on her spoon. Why the thought of some strange but beautiful woman throwing herself at Hayden drove her nuts she had no clue. Pictured some blonde bombshell all damsel in distress act, hoping a hunk of a man like Hayden would stop. In all the years she’d been living here, she’d never gotten stuck in a ditch. Not once. Ridiculous.
“Earth to Aubrey,” he said, snapping his fingers. “Come back to me.”
“Sorry, did you say something?”
“I said we could leave around 9:30 so I have enough time, or 9:00 if that’s easier.”
“It’s close, so 9:30 is fine.”
“This was delicious. Thank you so much for making it. I’ll make dinner next time.”
“You cook?”
He chuckled. “I forgot where we were. I barbecue, but I can also make steak and potatoes. Do you need me to go to the store after the
doctor’s tomorrow?”
She nodded. “I didn’t order steak, so that’d be good.”
He stood and carried their empty bowls to the sink and turned on the water. “You really need to get a dishwasher in here.”
“I only rent, so I can’t. Besides, it’s usually only me so a few dishes don’t take too much time, you know?” She grinned.
He laughed. “I hate doing dishes. Makes my hands all soft. I’m used to them rough.”
Oh, how she remembered them on her feet. Felt good, like a real man’s hands. Joel’s was baby soft and manicured. Never did a day’s hard work in his life. “Mind if I go take a bath?”
“How do you get your foot in there?”
“I balance it on the tub ledge.” She gave a shy smile. “I love baths more than showers, so I manage.”
The color in his face drained. “I see. I mean, I don’t see. Oh, boy. Again, bad with words. Ignore me.” He wiped the bowls with a hand towel and placed them in the rack.
She snickered. “It’s just a bath, Hayden. Nothing to get embarrassed over.” She spun around and hobbled toward the stairs.
“Right. I know. Hey, what about that fire? Want me to build one or are you going to bed after?”
Speaking over her shoulder, she said, “I already did hours ago, but it died. We can tomorrow. I’m tired. Goodnight, Hayden.” She started hopping again.
“Goodnight, Aubrey. I’ll lock up and turn everything off. See you in the morning. Sweet dreams.”
She waved her hand in the air. “Thanks. And sweet dreams to you, too.”
“Hang on. Let me hold your crutches. I keep forgetting.” He ran to meet her and grabbed them while walking her up.
Laughing, she held onto his shoulder. “I keep forgetting also.” As she hopped to the top of the landing, she turned and kissed his cheek. “Thanks again.”
“If you need anything, just holler. I’ll be right there.”
After she opened her door, she turned and smiled. Mutual smiles that faded and gazes that locked before he nodded and turned to run back downstairs.
***
As she finished up in the bathroom and brushing her hair out, she heard Hayden knock at her bedroom door. “Hang on.” She grabbed her crutches and opened the door.
“I thought you might like some tea after your bath. It’s an herbal tea and will relax you.”
“How sweet of you.” She took the teacup and sipped. “It’s good. Did you get this today?”
He nodded. “I see you’re listening to your oldies again,” he said, smiling.
“Again?”
“You had it on last night.”
“Was it that loud? Sorry about that. I’ll turn it down.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s fine.” He smiled and headed for the hall. “If there’s anything else you need, just let me know. Need another foot massage?” He grinned, glancing at her feet.
Laughing, she shook her head. “I’m good, thanks. Think I’ll just read and turn in. Probably get up early to start some writing and be ready to go.”
“Right—9:30?”
“Yep. Can you do me a favor and set my cup down, so I can get over there.”
“Sure can.” He took the cup.” Here, slip your arm around my waist. I’ll be your crutch.” He winked, drawing her arm around him.
Her crutch. She liked the sound of that. Better than those hard wooden ones…cuter anyway. She squeezed his side after he took the crutches, holding them in one grip while steadying her. He seemed to enjoy this—helping her. Who was she to deny him that? “Thanks, I got it from here.” She sank to the bed and slid under the blankets.
He tucked them around her and handed her the cup. “Drink up so it’ll help with the pain.”
“You’d make a great nurse. You know that?”
He chuckled. “Thanks, but I couldn’t do this for everyone, especially strangers.”
“But I am a stranger to you, Hayden.”
Sitting on the edge near her legs, he shook his head. “No, you’re not. I’ve known you for years. You just didn’t know it.” He gazed at the floor. “I used to ask Danny if you’d sent anymore news of your life, any updates, any pictures. He used to smirk and say, “off limits, Sergeant.” He laughed at the memory. “But he would share them with me when they came, any e-mail you sent. You were always funny and cheerful, even living with that…man. You inspired me to be better, even if you didn’t know it.”
“I never knew that, Hayden. I mean, Danny talked about you every so often. Now I wish he would have done it more. I would have written to you, too. I know how lonely it can be. This actually makes me sad.”
“Don’t be. But you’re right. I would have loved that. My family wrote me as well as the person I was dating at the time, but I really looked forward to yours. You’d send him cards, candy, pictures for his walls. I guess you could say I had a little crush on you. But you were…”
“Off limits.” She laughed. “I’m glad you got to enjoy some of those things, too.” She rubbed his arm and squeezed his hand, still holding it.
He swallowed hard and stared at her hand before he cleared his throat. “I’ll let you get some sleep…or reading. What are you reading?”
She reached over to her top drawer in her stand and pulled out a book. “Now don’t laugh, but it’s a cowboy romance. I swear I had it before I knew you were coming. I like to call it homework. Helps me with my own writing.”
Smirking, he grabbed the book and laughed at the cover. “Nice.” He gave it back. “I don’t judge. I’m sure that guy has a family to feed, so I respect him in his eye-candy glory.”
She laughed. “Exactly! I’d like to believe that. This was actually recommended to me, so don’t think I got it for that reason.”
He feigned a serious look. “Sure, sure.”
She slapped his thigh. “Seriously. I mean he’s nice to look at, but I want there to be more depth. If his looks are as good as it gets, then no thanks.”
“Good. I like to hear that.”
“Hayden, I don’t mean to offend you, but you could be on this cover and look even hotter. You know that, right?”
“Like I said, there’s more to this man than his looks. People age and looks fade, so if you don’t have more than that, you’ve wasted your whole life.”
“Well, you definitely have more than that. I’m sure when you go back to Texas there’ll be women standing in line, probably are now knowing you’re coming home.” Her chest tightened, knowing their time would end eventually. Lucky women.
He gave a lopsided grin. “I doubt it, but thanks. I like knowing you feel that way. I have a lot of respect for you, Aubrey.”
A heat radiated to her face, cracking a small smile.
He laughed. “You’re blushing. I love it. I made you blush.”
“No one’s ever said that to me before outside of my family. Means a lot, so thank you. I have great respect for you, too, Master Sergeant Hayden Brock.”
“I like the way you say my name. I sound important coming from you.”
“You must know you are, right?”
A smile crept across his lips. “Get some sleep, Aubrey O’Dell. Don’t stay up too late reading about Mr. Eye Candy.”
“Is there something written here about you?” She grinned, tilting her head.
His eyes widened before he shook his head. “You’re bad. I’m going before I say or do something I’ll regret.” He stood and took her empty teacup, placing it on the table.
“Oh, really?” What was wrong with her? She needed to end this now. “I agree. You better leave before that happens.” She pulled her legs up to balance her book on her knees and opened to where she’d left off.
With a fading smile, he nodded. “Right. Goodnight, Aubrey. See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight. Sweet dreams.” Her eyes stayed glued to the book, rocking her legs back and forth. Her eyes drifted up to watch him walk away, wishing it could be different. But life had a way of taking that de
cision and making its own up. She sucked on her lips and stuck her thumbnail between her teeth.
The door closed before he glanced at her once more, giving a small smile and said, “Just so you know, I’d never regret anything with you, but I have to honor my promise I made to Danny. It was the only way he’d allow me to help you. I owed him, so I felt I had no other choice to make…and keep that promise. I will have sweet dreams, but that’s all they’ll ever be. Goodnight.”
After he closed the door, she stared at it as if he were still there, saying those heartbreaking words. But that should be fine with her. She never had any plans of even having him out here, was actually angry at Danny for sending him.
But Danny knew why. Danny knew her little secret that would disgust most men and keep them far away. Even the perfect Hayden who deserved a whole woman, not a broken one.
She was an honor of duty to the sergeant—a job, a returned favor from one Marine brother to another, and she’d make sure he’d keep it.
Chapter Five
As Hayden caught up with her, he roped an arm around her shoulder and smiled. “At least you got that cast off, right?” What he really wanted to do was pull her close and press his lips to her forehead. But he knew that’d be too much.
She shrugged. “I guess.” She limped to the truck and jumped in as he helped her up and closed the door.
Jumping in on his side, he fixed his hat and turned the key. “And, no more crutches. Pretty soon you won’t need me anymore.” A thought that stirred an unease in his bones.
Nodding, she said, “You can finally get back to your Texan home living.” She cleared her throat and stared out the window.
He gazed at her profile, aching to reach out and touch her cheek. Her beauty impaled him every time he looked her way. It was a quiet beauty that promised sensuality with every twitch of her lip and swivel of her hip. Her snow-white skin with pink cheeks and cat-green eyes stole his breath. And that thick mane of hair dark against her skin—a perfect contrast. He turned down a street at the directions of the GPS. “You’re not getting rid of me that fast. I still want to build a snowman.”
