“Drive safe,” Lizzie called.
Jumping into my truck, I waved at her and started the engine while Chance climbed inside. As I pulled away, I pounded the wheel.
Why couldn’t life cut me a break?
Chapter 61
Liz
“Thanks for the ice cream…and talking.”
I almost laughed as the tough seventeen-year-old blushed. With his piercings and tattoos, Chaz came across as a scary gang banger; yet as I’d gotten to know him during the last three SADD meetings, I’d come to discover a vulnerable boy who desperately wanted attention. Not receiving any in his dysfunctional home, he sought it from a gang until the Sheriff busted him for theft and a judge ordered him to attend Garret’s class.
I wrapped my arms around the gangly youth. “You’re awesome, Chaz. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I expect you to ace that math test tomorrow. Text me when you find out your score.”
He squeezed me. “I will.”
“And if you need to talk, I always have my cell.” I wanted to do all I could to support him. The kid had the odds stacked against him.
Chaz pulled back with a crooked smile. “You’re the best, Lizzie.”
“That she is.” Garret sent me a wink as he clapped Chaz’s shoulder and walked him to the exit. “Now remember what we talked about. Start being a leader. See if you can bring a friend or two to our next meeting.”
I smiled. Garret never took off his recruiting hat.
After saying goodbye, Garret helped me into his truck and shivered. “Brrrr. It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table.”
I laughed.
He took hold of the steering wheel. “I have high hopes for that kid, and it’s all because of you.”
“You’re his mentor.”
“I’ve done my best, but guys are guys, and a pretty girl always motivates more than good will. Chaz is halfway in love and would do anything for you, darlin’.”
“Whatever.”
Snowflakes fell against the windshield, melting and being swiped away by the rhythmic beat of wiper blades. I stared out the window, hypnotized by the swirling white vortex. It reminded me of hyperdrive on Star Wars…which made me think of Rawson. Five weeks had passed since I’d technically become his girl. Thinking of him made my body buzz.
“You’re smiling like a goat in a briar patch.”
Garret’s teasing pulled me from La-la land. I hugged myself.
“Please tell me you’re not thinking of that no-good account that thinks he’s your boyfriend.”
“He is my boyfriend,” I said defensively.
“He’s more slippery than snot on a glass doorknob.”
“I wish you two would try to get along. Rawson’s a great guy.”
He clenched his jaw. “I can’t tolerate how he’s using you.”
“He’s not using me.”
“Yes, he is, and all the hands know it. You’re just too blinded by his pretty face to see the truth.”
I scowled.
“Believe me, darlin,’ the last thing I want to do is hurt you, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen if you keep being that man’s ranch fling.”
His words unlocked a vault of doubts.
“I ran into him last Saturday in town,” he said quietly. “He was with his friend. Did you know that?”
No. Rawson had told me he was going with Chance to help Abe. Recalling how he’d rebuffed each of my attempts to join him made moisture sting the back of my eyelids. I blinked hard, not wanting to reveal my spiraling emotions to Garret.
“Yeah, he told me,” I lied.
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I’m not about to smother him, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m confident enough in our relationship to allow him time with the guys.”
“And does time with the guys include flirting with other women?”
He might as well have punched me in the gut. My eyes widened.
Garret’s expression turned smug. “I didn’t think so. Be careful with your heart, darlin’. Guys like Rawson Law will shred it like pork at a barbecue.”
He didn’t say anymore. He didn’t need to. My mind chided me more than all my nosy aunts put together, and I wondered if maybe I was too naive and gullible when it came to my boyfriend.
Chapter 62
Bentley
My bowl of popcorn tipped precariously on my lap as the movie played, but I didn’t dare stabilize it or I might alert Rawson and Liz that I’d awakened. Rawson’s eyes were closed; he’d dozed like me. Didn’t blame him. Working cattle was rough. When his eyes fluttered open, he yawned and stretched.
“You’re awake,” Liz said.
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m exhausted.”
She pursed her lips.
“What’s that look for?”
“I didn’t give you a look.”
He reached up to caress her face, but she jerked away and eyed me. I feigned sleep.
Rawson chuckled. “Don’t worry about Benny. The kid’s out. Besides, even if he wasn’t, it’s not like we’re making out…although I’m totally open to changing that.”
“Shush. I’m not kissing you.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” he muttered.
When they didn’t speak, I peeked. Liz appeared upset as she stared at the television. Rawson didn’t seem much happier. I shut my eyes and wondered why grown-ups made things so difficult. They should be happy as clams, but they’d acted stiff with each other during supper, and now they were with each other, but not really with each other, if that made sense.
Lizzie broke the silence. “Rawson?”
“Yeah, babe.”
“Are you tired of me yet?”
Through sliver vision, I saw him turn to her with his mouth open. “Never.”
“Even though I won’t kiss you.”
“I won’t lie and say that doesn’t matter, because truthfully, it’s all I can think about, but I’m willing to wait until you’re ready. You’re my world, Lizzie.”
His words were smooth as a chocolate silk pie, even if they came off sounding sappy like syrup. Lizzie’s worried expression didn’t melt into a clear smile as I expected though. She frowned.
“Maybe we should take a break from each other.”
“That’s the stupidest idea ever.”
“It’s just that you’re with the cows—I mean cattle—so often that being a couple seems senseless. This is only the second time we’ve been together in the last twenty-six days.”
“Mmmm. The fact that you’re counting proves you want me.”
“Serious.” She straightened and gave him an icy look. “I know you get into town between seeing me and probably meet girls.”
My brother scowled. “I thought I made it clear that I wasn’t interested in dating anyone but you. Is this about you wanting to date Garret?”
“No,” she practically hissed. She released a heavy sigh and shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
Her expression clearly showed distaste, but Rawson didn’t catch that facial revelation since he scowled at the ceiling.
“What do you want, Liz?”
She kneaded her forehead. “Some of the hands saw you in town with another woman. They’re calling me your ranch fling now.”
“Who’s calling you that?”
She frowned. “I know I’ve made life difficult by not kissing you, but if you say we’re exclusive, that’s what I expect. I don’t want to hear from others that you’re messing around with a bar maid behind my back.”
A tear worked its way out of her eye. Rawson gently caught it as he took her face in his hands.
“Sweetheart, someone’s twisted the truth to hurt you. I did go to town. Damon took off and Chance and I found him at a bar. I tried hooking him up with a chick there to get his mind off drugs, and her pushy friend got handsy with me. If someone saw that, they could have misconstrued the whole scene. I swear though…nothing happened.”
Mor
e tears fell.
From the tortured expression on my brother’s face, those killed him. He wrapped an arm around her. “Please, believe me. I only like you. Hell, I think I love you.”
Her eyes widened. So did mine. Thankfully, they were too involved in their conversation to notice.
“I mean heck, dammmnang it.”
My lips twitched. That he even tried to control his language around Liz proved he really liked her.
She laughed. “Dammmnang it is right.”
He rubbed noses like an Eskimo. “I do, you know?”
She pushed him away. “Let’s not go there.”
“If you’d let me kiss you, you’d never doubt me again.” He pulled her onto his lap. “I’m serious as a heart attack, Lizzie. You’re the only girl for me.”
She pushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “I don’t like you going to bars. Could you not go there anymore? For me?”
His brow furrowed, but he shrugged and pinched her chin. “If you’ll kiss me, I’ll promise anything.” When she didn’t respond, he prodded her. “Well?”
I didn’t dare move as she glanced my way. Hopefully, shadows made it hard to discern my slivered eyes.
“I guess.”
He traced the contours of her face. “Don’t sound so excited.”
She played with his hair. “But not tonight. Your father’s worked you to the bone and you need your sleep.”
“I don’t want to leave. You’re all I think about when I’m with the stinkin’ cattle.” He pulled her on top of him. “Let’s sleep here, babe.”
She jumped off him like a Jack-in-the-box. “Rawson, I can’t sleep with you.”
My brother’s deep chuckle rumbled across the room. “Not like that. I doubt I have the energy to ravish you even if I wanted…which I do. I just want to hold you. Jedi’s honor. You are my girl.”
“You can hold my hand in an upright position. Another day.” She leaned down and pecked his forehead. “Right now you need your sleep.”
Rawson grinned up at her. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. So are you serious? You’ll kiss me if I avoid bars?”
She tossed him a smile. “I’m serious, Kermie. Goodnight.”
After she left, Rawson yawned. As he staggered past me, he jabbed my side. “Don’t speak a word of what you just heard, punk.”
I kept my eyes closed, hoping he’d think I was asleep. After several seconds passed, I peeked.
“Ah-hah,” he crowed, still towering over me. “Got ya.”
A grin tugged at my lips. “Yo dawg. Don’t go all cray-cray ’cause you’ve lost your touch with the ladies. Ain’t my fault she won’t kiss you.”
He laughed and tousled my hair. Maybe I should let Mom cut it so he’d stop messing it up.
“Let’s hit the sack.”
“You don’t want to snuggle with me on the couch?”
He raised a brow. “Shut it, dude.”
When he headed to his bedroom, I made kissing noises. A dirty sock hit me in the back of my head before his door shut.
Chapter 63
Liz
This time as I made my way to the arena to muck stalls at four-freaking-forty-five in the morning, I knew what the sliver of light under the door meant. Rawson was waiting. Staring at the closed doors, I mustered courage. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to worry about kissing him for at least another week. I should’ve known better. Pushing the door open, I entered.
Rawson peeked over the first stall and smiled when he saw me. My instantaneous reaction made me know this wasn’t good…not at all. I experienced flu-like symptoms—flushed skin, skyrocketing temperature, a heartbeat that resembled the fluttering of hummingbird wings.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
“Why aren’t you on your way out to the cattle?” Though the cogs in my brain turned sluggishly, I was proud that I’d remembered the proper terminology.
“I will just as soon as I make good on last night’s agreement.”
Averting my gaze, I picked up a rake. “What agreement?” Playing dumb would get me nowhere. This was Rawson Law—the most single-minded man I knew when it came to kissing.
“Nice try, babe.” He propped his shovel against the side and walked over to trap me against the wall.
I gulped. “How do I know you won’t just kiss me and toss me aside like a ripe banana before going back to your stupid bars anyway?”
He grinned, and dang…just Dang! That smile could melt Antarctica. It definitely melted my insides and short-circuited all rational thought.
“You’re adorable when you try to stall.”
“Uh…speaking of stalls, we should clean these.”
He chuckled. “Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie. I promised I wouldn’t go to bars, and I won’t. And I swear on my grandma’s grave that I won’t kiss and toss you aside like a ripe banana. I might devour you like a banana cream pie though.”
That frightened me even more.
“Ready to pay up?”
I squirmed under his gaze. “I look terrible, and didn’t brush my teeth.” It was a bald-faced lie, but maybe it’d gross him out.
He tipped my chin. “How about you skedaddle so you can spruce up a bit? Smear some toothpaste on your teeth. I’ll finish mucking.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
He led me to the Dutch doors. “I’m fine kissing you just how you are, nuclear breath and all. If you don’t want that, I suggest you hightail it out of here and meet me for breakfast because you look like a delectable banana cream pie right now…and I’m starving.”
As he leaned down with a smirk, my eyes widened and I practically sprinted from the stable. When he put it that way, what else could I do? The man made me feel as mushy as a banana cream pie.
When he entered the dining room later, I hardly tasted Charity’s award-winning sausage gravy. Of course, Rawson seemed unaffected, besides having an extreme case of irritating grinning.
“You look divine this morning, Lizzie.” He winked as he took a bite. “How do you muck stalls at five a.m. and manage to look so tempting?”
I scowled, making him chuckle.
He took my hand. “Thanks for breakfast, Mom. I’m heading out after I drop Lizzie off at the stable.”
Charity rushed over to kiss him. I smiled as he blushed. “Drive safe…and call me when you get there so I know you made it.”
“Mom,” he groaned.
She swatted his backside. “Don’t ‘Mom’ me. Just do it. You know how I worry about you in this weather.” It’d started snowing earlier.
He helped me into his truck and drove to the indoor stable. With the storm picking up, I knew he wouldn’t torment me long. He had to hit the road. When he pulled up to my domain, he wrapped an arm around me and gazed into my eyes.
It was totally one of those heart-pounding moments. Desire scorched my skin, making me breathless. His gaze flickered down to my mouth and back up, making my insides puddle in pleasure. He traced my top lip slowly before dropping his finger to my bottom lip and smiling as goosebumps erupted along the length of my arms.
“You’re so beautiful.”
My gaze flickered between his luscious lips and searching eyes, aching to partake of what he dangled before me. “You are too.” My breathy words made me blush.
He closed his eyes and leaned closer, and I knew the moment I had dreamed about for months would become a reality. I’d held him off as long as possible, but was helpless to stop him from taking the rest of my heart.
Just as the minty coolness of his breath teased my lips, loud rapping on the window made us both jump.
“Lizzie.” Garret opened my door and raised both brows. “Sorry if I interrupted.” He didn’t sound very apologetic. “Mr. Law needs you.”
Flustered, I started to pull away, but Rawson stopped me. Narrowing his eyes at Garret, he growled, “She’ll be there in a minute. Now scram.”
Garret grimaced. “I’ll meet you in Bart’s office, darlin’.”
“She�
��s not your darling,” Rawson shouted.
I hit his shoulder. “Knock it off.”
He squeezed me. “You still owe me a kiss.”
“I do, but your dad needs me. Can you take a rain-check?”
His dark eyebrows lifted as I slipped from his grip. “With interest?”
I jumped out and shrugged.
“I have to go, but when I see you next, make sure you have lots of Chapstick. I plan to put your lips through Basic Training.”
Incapable of coming up with a witty response, I closed the door and patted my burning cheeks. I didn’t know whether he’d just promised me a great gift or threatened me.
Chapter 64
Rawson
Putting my phone on speaker as I drove over the pass, I waited for Lizzie’s phone to ring. It had almost slipped my mind that today was Friday and she might head to town with Ferret. I didn’t dare risk missing her. After the week I’d endured, I needed to hang out with my girl.
“Hey,” she answered out of breath. “What’s up?”
Just hearing her voice made my aching muscles relax. “Can you ditch out on your SAPP meeting tonight? I’m on my way to see you as we speak.”
“It’s SADD,” she corrected.
“That it is,” I agreed. “I’ll be there in half an hour. Please say you’ll be there to greet me, sweetheart. You wouldn’t believe the week I’ve had.”
“Oh, all right,” she sighed. “I better go finish up then.”
“Can’t wait to see you, babe.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said before hanging up.
I punched the gas. Thinking of spending the evening with Liz and collecting on that kiss made my blood turn to fiery lava. I was honor bound to show my girl what heaven tasted like.
The sun was just setting as I pulled up to the stable. As I hopped out of my truck, Lizzie walked out to greet me.
“Hey, gorgeous.” I spun her around. “Is Ferret gone?”
She gave me one of her Watch It looks. “Yes. Garret,” she emphasized his name, “left about ten minutes ago.” She reached up to stroke my jaw. “So, rough week?”
“I’m working with cattle. Need I say more?”
Between Hope & the Highway Page 26
