by Sable Hunter
“Not long,” she called from the kitchen. “Going on four weeks, I think.”
“Did you know Isaac is one of the Tebow McCoys? Tebow is the ranch where I work,” he reminded her.
“I did know that. Did you know Isaac’s wife, Avery, writes erotic romance novels?”
Canyon got hung up on the word ‘erotic’ for a few tantalizing seconds. Images of his body entwined with a dark-haired goddess haunted him. Where these fantasies were coming from was a mystery to him. They couldn’t be memories. They felt too real to be just dreams. “Uh, no. I did not know that. I don’t read too many romance novels.”
The sound of Seren’s melodious laughter floated to him, making his cock hard. “She gave me a couple. I must say…” She cleared her throat. “They were eye opening.”
“I bet.” Canyon pulled on the back of his collar, letting a little cool air touch his too warm skin. “You’ll have to let me borrow one.”
“Really?” As she waited for the coffee to perk, she moved a few feet nearer to where he was sitting. The idea of Canyon reading such a book flabbergasted her. He owned quite a collection of nonfiction, especially books on history. None of them could be considered light reading. Of course, she’d been surprised that Avery’s books consisted of more than sex, they also managed to work in an intriguing plot, life lessons, as well as folklore and local interest. “I think you’ll like them, actually. I did.” Of course, the love scenes were her favorite part. She’d immersed herself in each word, stepping into the role of the heroine, while the identity of the hero was never in question – Canyon.
“Well, I definitely want to read one.” Anything that would give him insight into what made Seren tick. “As soon as I finish this latest art project, I’ll tackle one of those books.”
Returning to the kitchen for a few minutes, Seren came back bearing a tray. “Here’s the coffee and a few cookies Emma made.”
Canyon jumped up to help her. “Here. Let me get that.” She relinquished her burden to Canyon, then joined him on the couch. Without asking, she prepared his coffee and handed it to him. One of Canyon’s eyebrows rose. He was very particular about his coffee and she prepared it just right. Two slightly piling teaspoons of creamer and three very flat teaspoons of sugar. “Thank you.” Very interesting. He didn’t ask how she knew, there was really no rational explanation. “So, what should be our first friendly endeavor?”
Seren didn’t know what to say. This was beyond strange. She kept wondering if Gregori was engineering this whole thing as another test. Deception wasn’t his usual modus operandi. After all, he was subject to oversight himself. “I don’t know. I’ve never really had a friend before.”
This revelation sobered Canyon. “What do you mean?” The thought was inconceivable for someone like Seren. He didn’t know what he’d do without Bull, which reminded Canyon that he hadn’t heard from the big lug today. Surely, he would’ve called if he found the package on his porch. “Everyone has friends. What about this guy you’re in love with? Isn’t he your friend?”
Had Canyon ever been her friend? She didn’t really know. “Maybe. Our relationship is complicated.” She almost laughed at the absurdity of the whole situation.
Complicated, my ass, he scoffed to himself. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll be your friend.” He sipped at the coffee. “Good. Just right.” Canyon gave her a smile. “Do you work every day next week?”
“I’m usually off on Wednesdays and Sundays.” She shared with him as she lifted her own cup to her lips. After taking a quick sip, she scowled. “I’m not really fond of coffee.” Good thing, her hand was shaking so hard it was hard to hold the cup steady.
“Why don’t we do something on Wednesday?” Canyon paused to think. He wasn’t used to coming up with ways to entertain a woman.
“I was about to say that I have to work this Wednesday, it’s Halloween. So, I’m off on Thursday instead.” Seren felt like she was blithering, not making sense. Any minute now Canyon would change his mind about having anything to do with her.
“Thursday’s just as good.” Canyon wasn’t about to give her a chance to back out. “We could take in a matinee or go on a hike…or I could cook some burgers at my place and we could veg out in front of the television.”
All of those things sounded good, but Seren didn’t know if she could be alone with him just yet. Besides…she’d never been to a movie. Not really. Remaining near Canyon when he was on a date with another woman didn’t really count. “The matinee sounds fun. Could I have popcorn?”
“Yep. With extra butter.” He tried one of Emma’s cookies. “Delicious,” he muttered around the bite of chocolate chip goodness. “What kind of movie do you want to see?”
No question. “A spooky one.”
“Excellent.” He grinned, planning on being ready to hold her when she became scared. “Give me your number and I’ll tell you what time I’ll be by to pick you up.”
Seren’s expression grew blank. “I don’t have a phone.” She thought a moment. “You can leave a message at the club. Someone will pass it on.”
Canyon didn’t like the idea of her not having a phone. “Every woman needs to be able to call for help.”
Seren shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I rarely leave the place. I went out today to buy some shoes. Standing on my feet all day gets painful.”
He nodded. “I can commiserate.” After taking another bite of cookie, he drained his cup.
“Want some more?”
“No. I’m good.” He felt his cell buzz. “Hold on a second.”
Lifting his phone from his back pocket, he stared at the display screen. “Damn.” After clicking the button, he answered, “Isabella? What’s wrong?”
“Bull’s in the hospital. Can you come?”
Worry ripped through him. “Where are you?”
“Seton off 183 in Austin. Hurry, Canyon.”
The panic in Isabella’s voice scared him. “I’m on my way.”
“What’s wrong?” Seren asked, standing as he did.
“My friend Bull is in the hospital. He has cancer.”
This was news to Seren. “Oh, God. I’m sorry. Bull is such a good man.”
In Canyon’s panic, he didn’t comprehend her last sentence. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“Certainly.” She started toward the door with him – just about the time tires screeched outside of Seren’s trailer.
As Canyon passed by her front window, he saw a green pick-up a few yards away. Whoever was driving revved the engine, making the old truck shudder and jerk forward. His first impression was a memory from an old Stephen King movie about a driverless truck come to life to terrorize people. But this truck wasn’t driverless. Peering out the window, Canyon recognized Diego Valencia. “Fuck me,” he grumbled. “Get your purse, Seren. You’re coming with me.”
“What?” Seren didn’t understand what was going on. “Why?”
“That asshole is out there and I’m not leaving you here alone.”
Boldly, he stepped out on the front stoop, glaring toward the truck. A few seconds later, Diego threw the vehicle in reverse and left the way he had come.
“See, he’s gone, Canyon. I’m sure he won’t be back. I’ll be okay.” She wasn’t sure, but…
“No argument. I’m not willing to take the risk.” The day was dying in the west as he took Seren’s arm. “I have to go and I don’t intend to leave you unprotected.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Speeding down the road in the growing twilight, Canyon’s head was full of worry. “I don’t know what happened. I thought everything was under control.”
“What kind of cancer does he have?” Seren asked softly, wishing she could comfort Canyon. She could feel worry coming off of him in waves.
“Prostate,” he spoke evenly, belying the gravity of the word.
“Oh, I’m sorry. There is a good survival rate, though isn’t there? I know other forms of cancer like pancreatic are far more lethal.” Seren was try
ing to be supportive, but feared she wasn’t being successful.”
“True.” He kept his eyes on the road as the ribbon of highway kept manifesting in the high beams of his truck. “It’s just different for a man, I guess. Even if a man survives, prostate cancer can steal his manhood. Make him impotent. I can only imagine how Bull must be feeling.”
“He and Isabella haven’t been married too long,” Seren added absently.
“True.” Canyon cut Seren a glance. “I didn’t know you knew them.”
Seren shrugged, hiding her unease. “I heard it somewhere.”
“Yea.” His mind was too full to question her farther. “He was taking treatments. I don’t know what went wrong.”
“You’ll be there shortly. You can offer them your full support.” And I’ll support you, Seren added silently.
“I plan to.”
They sat in silence, cocooned in darkness, the only illumination was the instrumentation on the dash and the truck’s headlights lying down a path before them. Suddenly, a sparkling light flashed across the sky, causing Seren to gasp with wonder. “Look, Canyon!
“A falling star! Make a wish. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?” His eyes followed the shining arc with the gleaming tail.
“I’m not sure a chunk of meteorite can grant a wish, but I’ll give it a shot.” She closed her eyes and wished for the impossible. I wish Canyon and I could be together forever as friends, lovers, and as husband and wife.
“What did you wish for?” he asked, grateful for the brief respite from his worry.
“I think the common mythology is that the wish won’t come true if you share. Did you make a wish?”
“Hell, I made three.” One for Bull’s health. One for Seren’s safety. And one that would take them from friends to lovers.
Seren giggled. “I think you get three wishes from genies.”
“What’s another belief about falling stars? Something about an angel losing their wings?”
A pang of sorrow hit Seren in her middle. “Never heard that. I believe you’re thinking of that Christmas movie you love to watch, It’s A Wonderful Life. Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.”
Canyon frowned and glanced over at Seren. “How do you know I watch It’s A Wonderful Life?”
Oops. “Doesn’t everyone?” she asked as they sped north.
“Yea, I guess.” He looked at the clock on the dash. “Damn, we’re still a half hour out of Austin.”
“Why didn’t he go to a closer hospital?”
“His treatments were there, maybe. I’m not sure. I guess we’ll soon find out.”
Seren could tell by the tenseness in his body, the tight grip he kept on the wheel, and the way he chewed on his lower lip that Canyon was very worried. She wished she could tell him everything was going to be all right, but…she didn’t have any way to gain that assurance. “Tell me about Bull. When did you meet? What do you like about him?”
Canyon barked a laugh and started talking. “I’d just moved to Central Texas and didn’t really have a plan. I was drifting, not really sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Anyway, I went to this tractor pull to see if I could hook up with anyone from a local ranch and I ran into Bull – literally. I was pulling into a parking spot and he was backing out. Crash!” He laughed again. “We both jumped out of our trucks ready to rumble, took one look, and recognized each other. We went to school together from first grade through twelfth.” He smiled at Seren. “You should have seen the people gawking as these two big old men ran toward one another and ended in a bear hug.”
“Awww. I love it.” The incident took place exactly as he recounted it – she’d been there that day.
“As for what I like about him?” Canyon paused, deep in thought. “I can be myself with Bull. No pretense. We can be silent with one another. He’s experienced his own form of loss. His wife left him and he found out the little boy he loves as much as I love Matty – isn’t his biological son at all.” Cutting a glance at Seren, he gave her another smile, this time sad and wry. “And he loves that boy just the same.” Canyon’s voice cracked. “I can depend on Bull. He’s steady. Solid. That’s why it just kills me for him to be sick.”
Seren couldn’t resist, she reached out to touch him. “We’ll be there soon. You can be solid and steady for him.”
“I’m glad you’re here with me,” Canyon confessed. Odd. “I brought you along to insure your safety and you end up making me feel better.”
“It’s the least I can do,” Seren muttered, much more comfortable in the role of keeper. “Have you eaten?”
“No, I intended to eat before I came to see you,” he said off-handedly.
“We’ll get you something at the hospital,” she assured him, knowing he would get headaches if he didn’t eat regularly.
“Fine.”
Gradually, their conversation became non-existent and they rode in companionable silence for the last half hour. When they saw the lights of the city ahead, Canyon breathed an audible sigh of relief. Once they found the hospital and parked, Canyon called Isabella to find out their location.
“Oh, thank God, you’re here. He’s in surgery.” She told him which floor and how to get to the waiting room where she was pacing the floor.
“Be right there, honey. Hold on,” Canyon assured her as he took Seren by the hand and made for the elevator. After disconnecting the call, they ran the last few yards, and Canyon punched the button a dozen times until the doors slowly glided apart. Once the opening was large enough for him to squeeze through, Canyon pushed his way in. Seren followed, her heart going out to him. She’d seen him this way before, when Matty was sick. He was feeling desperate. Helpless. Vulnerable. When he leaned on the back wall and slumped, his big shoulders bending under the unbearable burden of worry, Seren couldn’t help it – she went to him.
“Come here.” Moving close, she went on tiptoe to wrap her arms around him. “It’s going to be okay.” Seren knew she couldn’t assure this with a hundred percent guarantee, but if she had any points left in heaven, she was ready to expend them to take away his pain. When Matty had been sick and dying, she’d done this very same thing, enfolding him in the shelter of her wings. “I’ll be with you the whole time. I’ll hold your hand.”
Canyon chuckled, clearing his throat to control the knot of emotion threatening to cut off his wind. He did more than accept her comfort, he hugged her close – taking full advantage of the situation to bring her luscious curves in full contact with his needy body. “Ah…much better.” He’d been wanting to do this since the first moment he saw her standing over his table at Isaac’s club. Burying his face in her hair, he inhaled her sweet scent, wondering how the amazing miracle of holding her in his arms for the first time could feel so familiar.
Like coming home.
But it did. So, when the elevator doors opened to their destination, Canyon was reluctant to let her go. Only when they started to close again, did he move them forward. “This hug to be continued later.”
Seren didn’t comment, she just went with him, holding his hand tightly as they moved into the waiting room. Isabella, Bull’s beautiful Hispanic wife, came rushing to Canyon. He let Seren’s hand go to pick her up in a big bear hug. “We’re here now. We’re here.”
“Oh, thank you. I am so scared.”
Canyon held Isabella until her crying eased. When she noticed Seren, she backed up and wiped her eyes. “Oh, I’m so sorry. How rude of me.”
“Not at all,” Seren assured her.
Canyon put a steadying hand on Isabella’s arm and a protective one at the small of Seren’s back. “Isabella, this is my friend, Seren Whitewing. Seren, this is Bull’s wife, Isabella.”
“I’m pleased to meet you.” Isabella hugged Seren. “Thanks for coming with Canyon.”
“You’re welcome.” There was no need to explain the extenuating circumstances, Seren was glad she was here for him.
“Okay, come sit down. Tell me
what’s going on.” Canyon led both women to a secluded row of chairs near a window. “What happened?”
Isabella took a tissue from her pocket to wipe her eyes. “We were here for the treatments.” She looked at Seren. “Benedict was diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
“Benedict is Bull’s real name,” Canyon explained to Seren quietly, who nodded her understanding.
“Yes. My Benedict.” Isabella bowed her head. “He was in the treatment room…when something went wrong. The doctors came rushing out saying that he had to have surgery immediately…or he would die.” She broke down again and Canyon comforted her.
“Is that all we know?” he asked, a worried look on his face.
“Yes. I am waiting. I have been waiting for nearly two hours.”
Canyon didn’t figure two hours was long for a surgery, but he intended to find out. “Wait here.” Rising from his chair, he gave both women an even look. “Let me go see what I can find out. I’ll be right back.”
Unwilling to wait and needing some good news, he left to find the nearest nurse’s station. Knowing they wouldn’t give detailed info to a non-relative, he aimed to use his considerable charms – no matter how rusty. After spotting a couple of ladies behind a circular counter, Canyon put his best smile on his face. “Hello. May I ask if there’s any word on Benedict Redford?”
“Are you…” One nurse began to ask the routine question, then she looked up and saw Canyon. “Well, hello.”
“Hello, ma’am, I’m sitting with Mr. Redford’s worried wife and I wondered if you could give me any news I could share with her?”
The nurses looked at one another, glancing down at the computer screen that sat between them. “You’re not family.”