by Laura Drake
“Does Mama know?”
Lizzy shook her head. “No, but she will in a few minutes. I might as well ’fess up because it will be all over town by bedtime.”
“Why don’t you stay home with Granny tomorrow and I’ll work the store for you?” Allie said. “That way you can put at least one day between you and the gossip.”
“You’d do that for me?”
Allie laid a hand over Lizzy’s. “That’s what sisters are for.”
Blake had awoken in a black mood on Wednesday morning. When Deke called to ask for help, he’d agreed gladly, hoping that being around cattle and new baby calves would get him out of the funk.
It did not!
Thursday at noon, when he went to the house for dinner, leaving two big piles of mesquite with three inches of snow on top of them, he finally got a handle on his problem.
It was Allie! And he fully intended to straighten it out that night when they were on their first and maybe last date. He pushed back his half-eaten roast beef sandwich, laced his hands behind his neck, and looked up at the kitchen ceiling with all its rusty brown circles. If she quit, he and Toby would have to finish putting up new drywall and they’d have to learn to texture the living room and hall.
“And insulation.” The minute the words were out of his mouth his arms began to itch.
That afternoon Herman and Deke showed up to cut firewood. There was at least a days’ worth out there piled up and Blake planned on clearing more land that day. Snow on the ground wouldn’t keep him from working. Sleet falling out of the sky was a different thing.
The dashboard clock said it was five o’clock when Blake parked the dozer. In another two weeks if this damn weather would cooperate, he’d begin to till the ground, then put in a crop of wheat and one of alfalfa. Not long after that, Toby would arrive with cows and there wouldn’t be many days that they’d have the luxury of stopping before dark.
Deke waved and crossed the field. “Hey, the calves are doing fine. Looks like that little bull might be breeder stock. I’ll have to decide later, but he’s got some fine shoulders and good markings.”
“Good. Never knew how much I missed working with cattle until yesterday. I can’t wait until the Lucky Penny is in full swing.” Blake fell in beside him and together they walked back to the house with Shooter dashing on ahead of them.
“So you and Allie got a date tonight to celebrate your bedroom getting finished. Where are you taking her? Dinner and a movie?”
Blake shook his head. “We do that all the time right there at the house. I’m thinking about a honky-tonk where we can have a drink and dance.”
“Then let me suggest Cowboy Heaven. It’s this side of Wichita Falls and it’s got a nice dance floor and it’s not too loud. I take the women I really want to impress up there,” Deke said.
“Directions?” Blake asked.
“You’ll see the signs for it soon as you cross the county line. It’s right on the highway to the right. Big parking lot and a sign that stands tall. Can’t miss it,” Deke said. “Have a good time. I’ll expect a full report tomorrow. No, don’t tell me a thing. If Allie’s able to come to work, I’ll know by lookin’ at her face if she enjoyed the evening. See you tomorrow, but it won’t be until midmorning. With this weather, I’m throwing out a lot of hay.”
Deke veered off toward his truck and Blake went on to the house, through the back door, and straight to the bathroom. He shucked out of his clothes while the shower water heated and then stood under it for a long time trying to figure out exactly how to approach Allie. He liked her. Hell, he might even be in love with her, but he was a man and he did not stand behind a woman’s apron strings for protection.
He dressed in a fresh pair of starched jeans, straight from the cleaners back in Muenster, a plaid western shirt, and his most comfortable black boots. He had already picked up a western cut leather jacket when Shooter whined.
“Fine friend I am. You need to be fed, and I need to stoke up the fire before I leave so you don’t freeze,” Blake said.
Shooter wagged his tail and headed off toward the kitchen where his food bowl and water dish stood empty. Blake took care of both containers, then filled a third one with dry food. “That should hold you until I get home and then I’ll get out the treats.”
The big yellow dog was too busy gulping down the food to even wag his tail.
Allie opened the door at the same time Blake raised his hand to knock and motioned him inside. “I have to get my coat and purse and I’m ready.”
He took the dark brown suede jacket from her hands and held it for her. “You look absolutely beautiful tonight. Deke says that we should try out Cowboy Heaven. That sound good to you?”
“I love that place. They make the best cheeseburgers in the state and the dance floor is great,” she said. “And you look pretty sexy, yourself, cowboy.”
She leaned in for a kiss, expecting something that would knock her socks off, but all she got was a quick brush across her lips and then there was nothing but quietness. For a man who could talk the horns off an Angus bull when they hadn’t been together in a couple of days, Blake was too damn quiet. He kept his eyes on the road and his thumbs weren’t even keeping time to the music.
Something wasn’t right.
For the first time since she met him, she wasn’t comfortable. Forget the old proverbial elephant in the room. There was an angry Angus bull standing between them that evening. What had she done wrong? No, she wasn’t going there. She’d always figured she’d done something wrong with Riley and then did her damnedest to fix it. She went over the past couple of days and she hadn’t done or said anything. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked out the side window. He could open up and talk or it would be one hell of a long evening.
They went from Dry Creek through Elbert and up to Olney with neither of them saying anything except a few comments about the songs on the radio. Allie looked up and saw the Archer County sign and then all chaos broke loose as blizzard-like conditions complete with high winds and near zero visibility hit them head on.
The radio emitted one of those long bleeping noises and then an announcer said that the bad weather had taken a turn and now Highway 79 was now closed at the line between Archer and Young Counties. People were advised to only get out on the roads in case of emergencies.
“How far over that line do you think we are?” Blake asked.
“Five miles, maybe. Sign right there says it’s twelve more to Archer City,” Allie answered. “I can’t even see the white lines on the road.”
“Neither can I, but I think we might be the only vehicle out here. Is there a motel in Archer City?” he asked.
“A small one. Not fancy. Not a chain.” She gripped the armrest so tight that her fingers ached.
“We don’t need fancy. We have to find a place to hole up until this passes through and they clean off the roads.”
The radio emitted another bleeping noise and the newest flash was that the storm was heading straight for Throckmorton County. All schools had been closed and again people were urged to stay inside.
“I hope there’s a room at that motel,” Blake said.
“I hope we make it there without bogging down in this stuff. I’ve never seen a storm like this before,” she whispered. “I feel like I’m in an igloo.”
Blake kept both hands on the steering wheel and his eyes straight ahead, even though the headlights created a kaleidoscope that was constantly moving and came close to blinding him.
“I’ve been in a pissy mood for two days,” he said.
“Me, too. What’s your problem?”
“I want to know if you’re just using me to get Grady out of your life and off your back until Lizzy’s wedding and then planning to end this relationship.”
“No, I’m not using you, Blake. And why would you think that?”
“It’s doubt creeping in because I’m falling in love with you.” He eased up on the gas.
She turned arou
nd in the seat as far as she could without undoing the seat belt. “This is one hell of a time to tell me this.”
“Why, because we might slide off in a ditch and die?” he asked.
“Exactly.”
He turned to face her and his foot leaned too heavy on the gas. The truck slipped from one side of the road to the other before he got it under control and moving forward again at a trusty fifteen miles an hour.
She folded her arms over her chest and said breathlessly, “Let’s wait to talk about this until we are stopped at the motel.”
Blake glanced over at her. “I wanted you to know in case we do wind up in a ditch and freeze to death in each other’s arms.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve flat out fallen in love with you. I think it was love at first sight and I’ve been fighting it like hell, but it’s the way it is and I want you to know.”
For a few seconds she wasn’t sure that she would ever breathe again. Then she inhaled deeply and said, “Were you going to tell me before we got in this situation?”
One of his shoulders jacked up an inch or two. “I don’t know, Allie. I only figured it out tonight and hell, I’m tired of fighting with myself. I know it’s only been a few weeks but my mama said that I’d know when the right woman came into my life. And I know so I have to spit it out and say it.”
“That’s not so romantic for a man who’s got the reputation you do,” she said. “Look, that sign we just passed said it was only two more miles. We could walk that far.”
“Not without frost bite. And my reputation is what scares me, Allie. What if you have second thoughts about someone like me?”
“I won’t. I promise,” she whispered.
She loved him, too, but she couldn’t say the words. They were there but they wouldn’t come out of her mouth.
Ten minutes later she pointed to a flashing vacancy sign above a motel and he eased off the road into a parking lot so deep with snow that his front fender pushed it out of the way like a plow. He brought the truck to a long greasy sliding stop in front of the motel and waded to the office where the lady told him that they had three rooms left. One was a king-size, non-smoking room. The other two were double queens. He opted for the king-size bed and asked if there was a pizza hut that might make deliveries in the bad weather.
“A lot of the town is without power so we filled up real quick. Those that do have electricity are takin’ in their relatives and all the businesses are shut down,” she said as she ran a key card through the machine. “Here are your keys and, honey, right not far from your room is the ice machine and vending machines. Soda pop, juice, bottled water in one. Candy, chips, and those cute little energy bars in the other. That’s the best I can do for you tonight.”
“Does it take credit cards?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Only takes coins. Need change?”
He flipped a twenty-dollar bill onto the counter. “Turn it all into whatever I need.”
She counted out fifteen single bills, then picked up a plastic cup with the motel logo on the side and filled the thing with five dollars in quarters. “That should do it.”
He picked up the cup. “Thank you. Do you have complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste? We were traveling to Wichita Falls when this thing hit us. We don’t have anything but what we are wearing.”
“Right here, and here’s a customer packet with shaving equipment, deodorant, toothbrushes, and such. Holler right loud if you need anything else.” She handed him two bubble packs, each containing a toothbrush and a tiny tube of toothpaste. “Oh, and we do doughnuts, bagels, and coffee for breakfast from six to nine in the morning if my husband can get out to the pastry shop to get them and if it’s open.”
Blake started toward the truck to open the door for Allie, but she pushed her way out of it, stepped out into knee-deep snow, and yelled above the howling wind, “Which way?”
He pointed and bent against the swirling cold chilling him to the bone. He found the room, only a couple of doors down from the office, and slipped the key card into the slot, hoping the whole time that the damn thing worked. He could have shouted when the little green light popped on and Allie hurried into the room.
It wasn’t the worst room he’d ever rented, but it lacked the luxury of where he would have taken Allie if he’d had a choice. It was warm, had a television and a big comfortable-looking bed. The warmth and bed were more inviting than anything after hunching over that damn steering wheel for what seemed like hours.
“I’ll take that trash can and go get supper,” he said. “I’m going to fill it up so if you’ve got a preference, holler right now.”
“Vending machine?” She removed her gloves and warmed her hands over the wall heater.
“That’s right, darlin’. Big juicy hamburger will have to wait until another night. This date has changed course,” he said.
“I don’t care. Bring me some of all of it and I’ll be happy. I’m so glad that we’re safe in a room. Oh, I’ve got to call Mama. I didn’t even tell her which way we were going,” she said all in a rush.
“You call. I’ll be back soon as I spend all my money.” He grinned.
Katy answered on the third ring and started talking before Allie could say a single word. “Where are you? If you went north, then find a place and hole up until this horrible storm passes. I swear to God, I’ve never seen anything like this in our part of the world. It’s so bad out there I can’t even see the edge of the porch from the window.”
“I’m in Archer City and we’ve gotten a motel room. It took forever to get this far, but I’m safe and warm and Blake has gone to buy out everything in the vending machine so I’m not going to starve,” she said.
“Stay put and…” The line went completely dead.
When Allie looked at her phone all she got was a no service signal. Evidently, the wind had played havoc with the towers between Archer City and Dry Creek. She laid the phone on the nightstand, removed her coat, and hung it in the closet. An extra blanket, tucked away inside a zippered bag, rested on a fold-up luggage rack. She removed it and tossed it on the bed. Then she kicked off her boots and wet socks and set them under the desk.
A shiver running from her backbone to her toes let her know that the legs of her jeans were every bit as wet as her socks. She undid her belt buckle and shimmied out of the jeans, hung them in the closet, and caught her reflection in the mirror across the room. White cotton bikini underpants when she knew she was going on a real date; she slapped her forehead with her palm.
“Allie, open up, my hands are full and I can’t knock,” Blake called out.
She did double time from heater to door and slung it open to find the abominable snowman on the other side. The wet snow had stuck to Blake’s eyelashes and his black cowboy hat had an inch lying on the brim. She grabbed his arm, pulled him inside, and slammed the door shut, but not before a gust of wind blasted her with a face full of cold white snow.
She took the trash can full of vending machine goodies from his arms and set it on the desk. “Get undressed. Hang everything in the closet. I’ll put a towel on the floor to catch the drip. Then get under the covers, Blake. You have to be chilled to the bone. Even your jeans are soaked.”
His teeth chattered as he reached inside the closet and brought out the rest of the hangers. “I’ve got a better idea. I’ll get undressed in the bathroom and hang all my wet things in the shower, but I will take your advice and get under the covers. I don’t think I’ve ever been this cold and I’ve ranched through cold winters my whole life. But I do like that outfit. Did you bring it special in your purse in case we had to stay in a motel tonight? This is some first date, Allie.”
“I bet we don’t ever forget it.” She smiled.
The black hat came off first and he hung it on the showerhead. Allie fought the urge to hum the stripper song as he removed one article of clothing at a time. When he pushed his jeans down over a bright pink ass, she gasped and he laughed.
“Didn’t want a
nything to slow us down in case I got lucky on our first real date so I came commando,” he explained.
“How did the butt of your jeans get wet?”
He talked on his way to the bed where he threw back the covers and crawled in between them. “It’s slippery out there and the soles of my boots don’t have the traction that my old work ones do. When I was going to the vending machine, I fell twice.”
“Are you okay?” Dammit! What if he’d cracked his head on something and died out there in the snow and she’d been too stubborn to tell him that she was in love with him? He would have died without knowing and she would have never forgiven herself.
“Nothing hurt that a sexy woman cuddled up next to me in this big bed wouldn’t heal.” One hand came out from under the covers to pat the place beside him. “I need body heat so you really should take off those cute little panties and that sweater and the bra.”
“Who says I’m wearing a bra?” she asked. “Maybe I’m going commando in case I get lucky on this first real date.”
“I can see the line of a bra under that sweater, but the picture in my mind is damn sure warmin’ me up,” Blake said.
In seconds the rest of her clothing was tossed toward the desk and she was shivering in his arms. “You could have told me the sheets had been stored in the freezer.”
“My love will warm things up real fast,” he said.
She looked up into his green eyes. “About that? Are you sure that what you said wasn’t…”
He put a finger over her lips. “You know my reputation, Allie. You know what kind of cowboy I’ve been. But what you don’t know is that I’ve never, ever said those words to a woman before. Not even the girl I married while on a drunken binge after we’d graduated from high school. I stood there and promised to love, honor, and respect her until death parted us, but I couldn’t make myself say those three words.”
“But you were pissed at me,” she said.
“I was.” He yawned. “But it was male pride getting in the way and doubts that I could ever deserve a woman like you.”