by Debra Holt
Even with her hair drawn up onto the top of her head in soft, loose curls, she still felt stifled in the rooms with the crowd of artsy types and deep-pocketed patrons. The food was gourmet and the champagne and wine flowed freely. Sal had made certain Annie was introduced to each person in attendance all the while announcing the fact Annie was the impetus behind the successful evening and the opening of The Gallery with its amazing new works. Annie managed an escape, yet she felt the need for more air than she found in the alcove. Just a few more minutes wouldn’t matter, she told herself. Stepping to the side door, she pushed through it and out into the night air. The slight early fall chill felt welcome on her skin and she took a deep, calming breath.
“The lady of the hour.” The deep voice broke the silence of the night.
Annie’s startled gaze fell on the tall figure as he slowly moved from his relaxed stance against the stone pillar in the corner of the patio. Truitt seemed a foreign apparition. Gone were the usual jeans and work shirts, dusty hat, and work boots. In their place were an expensive-cut black tuxedo, bright white dress shirt, bow tie and black dress boots. The sum total of the man took her breath away. No man had any right to be so devastating and so totally unaware of it.
“This is your aunt’s evening, not mine.”
“You’re far too modest. This was your design and your expertise in planning. My aunt has been singing your praises to anyone who stands still long enough. I hear you just might have some clients wanting to hire your services in the city.” That deep blue gaze slid from her face downward, and Annie felt as if he were actually touching her as they moved slowly over her body until she wanted to run back into The Gallery and hide in the ladies’ room. Her defenses were shaky at best.
“Your aunt is too kind. But I do appreciate what she’s doing in getting my name out to potential clients.”
“I just might have to have a party at the ranch and hire you to be my event planner. Of course, it might mean you would have to stay around these parts a while longer,” he added. “What would you think of that?”
With a nervous, unconscious movement, she ran the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip, her mind a jumble thanks to the way his voice and his eyes were working their dark magic on her weak resolve to not allow him to have any effect on her at all. What brought about the change in the man before her? He was openly flirting with her.
“I didn’t know you liked to throw parties. Is there a special occasion?”
“Could be. But can’t people throw parties for no special reason?”
“Of course they can.”
“But you don’t think I’m one of those?”
Was he baiting her? If so, why? She should turn and walk away? Now. She didn’t listen to her common sense.
“No, you don’t strike me as the sort of person to give a party for no reason.”
“Maybe I plan on changing? People seem to think I should be more sociable…particularly my aunt. Maybe I need to start working on finding that wife and children you asked me about…begin working on my legacy. Guess it would be your fault I would be giving the party. Maybe you might help me find the lucky lady.”
“The way you say ‘lucky’ doesn’t sound like you think she would be.”
“Guess that would be her call. What type of woman should I invite to this party?”
Truitt slowly came to stand a lot closer to her than when their conversation had begun. He was close enough that she had to lift her chin quite a bit to look at him. Although, she found it much safer to concentrate on the strong chin and not venture toward those soul-searching eyes of his. She caught the enticing scent of expensive cologne mixed with his male scent, and the combination was working much the same as a drug on her good senses. His warm breath drifted across the tender skin of her forehead, gently lifting the soft curls out of the way. Stand your ground…or not. He was confusing her too much.
Annie fought hard to concentrate on his question and a safe response. Except there was nothing safe about being alone in the darkness of the secluded patio with Truitt and his lethal brand of male potency. “That’s up to you. It’s your party and your choice.”
“Hmmm. Let’s see…” The words dropped to a murmur that drew her closer. Two fingertips reached out and lazily captured a silken strand of hair between them, examining the texture. “She should be soft in all the right places. Strong in others, like in here.” One long finger tapped on the soft skin over the center of her chest, at the deep vee of skin between the slope of her breasts. The touch was like a live wire where it touched her skin, and she caught her breath in a soft gasp. The reaction brought a fire to the depths of his gaze and it captured her startled one and held it.
“My life made sense before you came along one stormy night, Annie Sims. Or so I thought. You saw through some of my defenses and you challenged me on them. Maybe you opened my mind a bit. But the more I try to figure you out, the more mystified I become. You guard your secrets well. Who are you really and what are you up to? One moment you react to my touches, like now, in a way that makes me hopeful for all sorts of pure and impure thoughts. Yet, you’ll turn in a heartbeat and skitter away like a frightened kitten. I admit you are a mystery that I can’t turn away from.”
“I’m not a mystery. I’m just a woman trying to take care of my sister and do the best I can for her.” She fought back the desire to come clean with the cowboy…to lay all her fears and emotions before him.
“I loved once in my life. She was a good person. She was taken too soon. I felt I didn’t do enough to take care of her. And I buried a lot of me alongside of her. But you came along and saw through me…and my scars. I thought I wouldn’t feel again, at least not the way I once had about life. But maybe you pushed open a few closed doors in my brain. I told myself to keep you at arm’s length, but that is not a possibility. Not after the kisses we shared. I think you feel something, too, but you have your own reasons that are holding you back. Maybe you do find my scars off-putting after all. I can give you that. Maybe you’d just rather move on and forget you ever spent time in a small town like Faris. But until you tell me otherwise, I’m going on gut instinct…and I’ll keep trying to figure you out. That means, I’ll keep kissing you until you tell me to stop.”
Truitt’s lips feathered along her cheek and then dipped to her mouth.
Her fingers rose, not to stop him, but to grip his jacket front, to steady herself on legs that were none too steady. Annie’s brain knew there was a very good reason she should stop the mind-drugging kiss as all the while her body arched into his. Another moan was wrenched from her, and through a fog, she heard his words whispered against her skin.
“You make me forget all reason and believe in all sorts of possibilities.” His lips claimed hers again as his arms encircled her, drawing her against his hard length. Her arms moved upward and over his shoulders in the most natural of needs. He had become the drug that she thirsted to ingest, all sane thoughts pushed far away.
The brittle creaking of the door opening at the far side of the patio sounded in the night air and their bodies stilled immediately.
Truitt placed a finger against his lips as he lifted his head and looked in the direction of the noise, indicating she should remain quiet. The sound of voices drifted over to them as another couple had stepped outside for some air. It was soon evident they were sharing some kisses of their own in the moonlight.
“This would be laughable in another lifetime,” Truitt whispered, his lips next to Annie’s ear.
Annie didn’t reply. Her mind had come crashing back to earthly reality in the last few minutes after the interruption of the other couple. What was she thinking? What was she doing? The very thing she told herself over and over not to do and she had easily succumbed in a heartbeat.
Truitt sensed her withdrawal and did not stop her from moving away from him, her hands falling to her sides. “Discretion is the better part of valor, I hear. Right now, I hate valor. But we best continue this later in a mo
re discreet place. But at least you know I don’t intend to give up until I know your secrets.”
*
Until I know your secrets. Annie knew it would be her undoing if Truitt kissed her again. He had danger written all over him from the moment he appeared in the storm at her car’s window. His dangerousness to her mind and heart only intensified with each passing moment in his presence. That was why she fled as quickly as she could from the patio without speaking a word.
That was also the reason she was up before everyone and out of the house so early the next morning. She had spoken briefly to Sal upon leaving The Gallery last night and informed her she wanted to rearrange one of the displays before The Gallery opened the next day.
“The Gallery opens later tomorrow. Take some time and enjoy the festivities. The music festival kicks off tomorrow,” Sal had said.
“I’m here to work, first and foremost. After I finish the rearranging, I’ll see about checking it out.”
Sal said no more on the subject. She just gave Annie another grateful hug and eyed her with one of her silent looks that often had the same ability as an X-ray machine to Annie’s way of thinking. Annie beat a hasty retreat before she saw too much.
The morning light was peeking over the rooftops of the buildings along the main street, and the congested sidewalks of the previous day were empty save for a couple of locals walking their dogs. Annie was about to insert her key into the front door when a movement behind her made her drop the key ring in startled confusion.
“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you.” The man quickly bent and retrieved the keys before she could.
Her heart tried to steady itself when she recognized the uniformed, smiling figure of the sheriff holding the keys out to her, like an olive branch with his apology. Annie took a calming breath and issued a smile in return as she reclaimed the key ring. “It’s fine. I just didn’t expect too many people would be about at such an early hour. My mind was elsewhere.”
“It may be a bit early, but I had to stop for coffee and the requisite donut before I start my day. Of course, it isn’t a donut I’m after, but one of Melba’s apple fritters. It really is the best way to begin a day. How about letting me buy you a cup of coffee and introduce you to the best fritters in all of Texas?”
She hesitated and saw he noted the fact. He was someone she didn’t need to have wondering about her. Giving him a bright smile, she nodded. “How can I refuse to check out that claim?”
“Right this way.” His arm was presented with a megawatt grin, and if she were in the market, this tall officer of the law would be mighty hard to resist. But she wasn’t in the market. He paled in comparison to someone else that she tried desperately to keep in the far reaches of her mind. Laying her hand in the crook of his arm, she allowed herself to be escorted a few steps down the block to the brightly lit bakery. As they stepped through the doorway, nods and smiles of the handful of customers in the establishment greeted them along with a heavenly mixture of smells of baked goods and freshly brewed coffee.
“Miss Melba, I have brought you a soon-to-be convert here. Miss Sims has agreed to try one of your famous apple fritters.”
“I’m honored. You two have a seat and I’ll bring two of them right out of the oven. Coffee?”
Annie nodded in response to Gray’s questioning glance, and he held up two fingers to their hostess, before holding a chair for Annie to be seated at the table in front of the large window overlooking the street. It wasn’t long before two steaming mugs and plates with the fresh confections were placed in front of them. Gray watched as she took her first bite.
She gave him a thumbs-up as she swallowed the first bite and went after the second one. “You weren’t exaggerating. This is truly delicious.”
Her pronouncement obviously pleased him, and he cut into his own. “The day wouldn’t begin right without one. I’m glad you’re impressed.”
“I’ve had one of her donuts, thanks to Tori. And I had a bite of croissant thanks to Aunt Sal. But this is my first foray into the actual bakery. I have to say, that Melba’s is indeed a town treasure.”
Annie relaxed just a bit as they concentrated on their food. She relaxed even more over a second cup of coffee. Gray Dalton was an easy conversationalist.
“You’ve made quite an impression on people around here in a short amount of time,” he observed over the rim of his mug just before he took another sip.
“I hope a positive one.” She had no idea how to respond, so she kept it short.
“Yes indeed, very positive. The Tremaynes can’t say enough positive things about you and Jessie, and believe me, being in their good graces goes far in these parts, and beyond. I haven’t seen my buddy Truitt being so sociable in a long, long time. I know you’re responsible for that…you and your sister both. I’ve been hoping you might be giving some thought to staying longer in our community. You won’t find a better one. It’s a great place to establish roots. We look out for each other here.”
Was there another meaning underlying his words? She searched his eyes, but they gave no indication of what else he might be saying…or asking. Annie realized the man was indeed quite good at his job. He had drawn her into an easy conversation and made her feel trusting in answering what appeared to be harmless questions. Her guard went back into place.
“I realize that.” She replaced her empty mug on the table and hoped she could convey the sincerity she felt. “Everyone has made Jessie and me feel very welcome. The Tremaynes have shown us warmth and generosity that we can never repay. It means more to us than anyone can ever know. And speaking of repaying, I need to get to the work waiting for me at The Gallery.” She rose, and he did the same. “Please finish your coffee. Thank you again for the amazing introduction to the best fritters I’ve ever tasted in my life.”
“My pleasure. I look forward to having you join me again for our early morning rendezvous.”
His words and broad smile brought a bit of confusion as she watched his gaze fall behind her. She turned and came up short. The tall figure stood less than a foot away, arms folded across a broad chest, legs slightly apart and braced in a solid stance. A narrow-eyed scowl creased his face.
“Good morning, Truitt.” Gray smiled at his friend. “You’re in town awfully early today. Although, you look like you might have got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Have one of Melba’s fritters. It’ll fix whatever ails you.”
“I don’t want a fritter. I do want a few words when you can spare the time. But don’t let me interrupt your rendezvous.” The last word was fairly spat out as if it was something akin to illicit.
Annie felt her hackles immediately rise at his uncivil attitude, and she didn’t care for the innuendo apparent in his look and tone. However, it struck her at that moment this might be an answer to offsetting what happened between them at their last heated meeting.
She quelled the thought of lashing out at Truitt, and instead, she half turned toward Gray, with a warm smile on her face. Placing her fingers lightly on the arm of the still-standing law officer, she flashed him a wider smile along with a toss of her head.
“I look forward to that next breakfast.” Turning on her heel, she threw a brief wave and “thanks” in the direction of Melba behind the counter and was aware that several pairs of eyes followed her exit until the door shut behind her.
*
One of the pair of eyes was dark as thunder clouds in a Texas spring sky, and the sparks were banked by sheer willpower as evidenced by the twitching of muscles above the taut jawline. They stayed on the woman until the door clicked behind her.
That was enough time for Gray to quietly and quickly slip her empty mug from the table and into the open plastic bag inside the deep side pocket of his jacket. No one in the room was any wiser.
“Sit down and take a load off while I finish my coffee,” he said to the man still standing across from him. As he resumed his own seat, he smiled toward the woman at the counter. “I t
hink Truitt here needs something hot and strong, and maybe even a fritter to sweeten up his disposition.”
“I told you I don’t need a damn fritter,” Truitt ground out as he took the empty seat at the table. Fairly yanking the hat off his head, he sat it on the edge of the table.
“Then I’ll eat it. What’s up?”
“That’s what I want to know. Since when have you and Annie Sims been rendezvousing?”
“That word certainly seems to have gotten you stirred up,” Gray commented drily, reaching for another napkin from the holder on the table, a slow smile creasing his face. “You wouldn’t expect me to be one of those fellows…the ones who kiss and tell, would you? My private affairs are just that. Private. What about you?”
“So, you two are having an affair? That’s fast work.”
“Now I don’t recall saying anything about an affair. You did.”
“Here you go, boys.” Melba smiled as she set the plate and coffeepot on the table, and then lowered her voice when she spoke next. “If you two knot heads want to duke this out, take it out to the alley. Otherwise, remember you have an audience in here, and Annie Sims doesn’t need to be the subject of any untoward gossip. Got it?”
Both men looked up at her. Immediate contrition crossed their faces in varying degrees.
“Sorry. Thanks, Mel.” Gray was duly chastened.
Truitt muttered something resembling an apology under his breath and took a swallow of his coffee. It was hot and burned his tongue, making him grimace at his own stupidity.
“Careful. Hot coffee is generally just that.” The sheriff offered the pearl of wisdom.
“Did anyone tell you that you’re infuriating too much of the time?”
“Watch it. Ladies are present.” Gray tossed a smile at the watchful hostess now returned to her usual spot behind the counter.
“I have to go.” Truitt reached for his hat.
“Thought you needed to talk to me.”
Truitt paused before retrieving his hat. “Right. We found a section of fence that was cut. It borders the Keyhole section off Ryland Road. Didn’t you see any tire tracks or anything remotely resembling rustling tactics. Just wanted to give you a heads-up in case you hear anything similar from others in the county.”