An Heir for the Texan

by Kristi Gold

  “Don’t be a stranger,” Dallas added as he patted her back like the brother he’d always been to her.

  Worth stepped forward, kissed her hand and grinned. “Call me sometime and we’ll hang out.”

  “When he’s not hanging ten on a surfboard,” Jenny said.

  “Or hanging out in town, trying to pick up women,” Dallas remarked.

  “Yeah, all three of them,” Worth said.

  The comment earned some laughter from everyone but the man leaning back against the railing, arms folded across his chest, his blue eyes boring into Georgie. She waited until the crowd reentered the house before she moved forward, seeking a quick getaway.

  Unfortunately Austin had other ideas, she realized when he clasped her arm before she made it down the first step. “Where are you going so fast?”

  She turned a serious gaze on him and he relinquished his grasp on her. “I’m heading home. It’s getting late.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to hang around a little longer and tell me what’s going on with you?”

  Hey, I had a baby over five years ago and he happens to be yours. Just thought you might like to know. “Nothing’s going on, Austin, other than I’m tired. As I said earlier, I have to be up at dawn.”

  He pushed off the rail and moved close enough to almost shatter her composure. “You’re as nervous as a colt in a corral full of cows. I can’t help but think it has something to do with me.”

  He would be right. “Check your ego at the door, Austin. Not everything has to do with you. Now if you don’t mind, I’m leaving.”

  She sprinted down the remaining steps and quickened her pace as she headed down the walkway without looking back. When she reached her silver truck, she grasped the handle only to have a large hand prevent her from opening the door.

  Frustrated, she turned around and practically bumped into Austin’s chest. “What is it now?”

  “Before you run off, I wanted to ask you something.”

  “Okay, but make it quick.”

  “We’re having a party here this weekend and—”

  “Paris invited me.”

  “Are you going to come?”

  With the cowboy in such close proximity, his palm planted above her head on the door, she could barely think, much less make a decision. “I’m not sure. It depends on my schedule.”

  His grin arrived as slow as honey and just as sweet, with a hint of deviousness. “It’s been a long time since we’ve danced together.”

  “True, and I’ve probably forgotten how.”

  He took a lock of her hair and began to slowly twist it around his finger, as he had done so many times before. “Do you remember that barn dance back when we were in high school? Specifically, what happened afterward?”

  Here we go again... “I recall several dances back in the day.”

  “The one right before my graduation, when we fogged up all the windows in my truck while we were parked down by the creek.”

  He seemed determined to yank her back down memory mile. “It wasn’t all that monumental, Austin. Only some minor teenage petting.”

  “Minor? You were so hot you took my hand and put it right between your legs.”

  “I don’t exactly remember it that way.” One whopper of a lie.

  “Do you remember that you didn’t stop me from undoing your pants and slipping my hand inside? I sure as hell haven’t forgotten, even if you have.”

  A woman never forgot her first climax. “Your point?”

  “I definitely had a point below my belt buckle,” he said, his voice low and grainy. “I went home with it that night, and several times after that until the night before I left for college.”

  Ah, yes, another enchanted evening...and one colossal mistake. “That should never have happened, Austin. I didn’t plan to give you my virginity as a high school graduation gift.”

  “But what a gift it was.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I liked the sports socks, but not as much.”

  “Not funny,” she said as she unsuccessfully tried to repress a smile.

  “Seriously, Georgie girl, don’t you ever believe I didn’t appreciate what that night meant to you, and me. I’ve never wanted you to think I took it for granted.”

  Over the past few years, she’d managed to suppress those particular recollections. But now, they came rushing back on a tide of unforgettable moments. “I know you didn’t, Austin. You apologized to me a million times, not to mention you were so gentle. When it comes right down to it, I’m glad it was you, and not some jerk bent on bragging to all his friends that he nailed the school wallflower.”

  “Wallflower?” He released a low, rough laugh. “Georgie, you were anything but a wallflower. Every girl wanted to be just like you, every guy in high school lusted after you and because you wouldn’t give those guys the time of day, that made you all the more attractive.”

  Like she really believed that. “I highly doubt anyone was lusting after me, and even if they did, I was too busy maintaining a secret relationship with you.”

  “We still had some good times, didn’t we?”

  “Yes, we did.” Something suddenly occurred to her. “Did you ever tell anyone about us?”

  He glanced away before returning his gaze to her. “Dallas knew. He told me several times we were playing with fire and we were going to get burned if either of our dads found out. Did you tell anyone?”

  She shook her head. “No.” Not until she’d found out she was pregnant, and then she’d only revealed the secret to her mother. “I didn’t dare.”

  Georgie’s cell phone began to vibrate and after she fished it from her pocket, she discovered Lila on the line, as if she’d channeled her mom. “I need to take this, so I better go.”

  Austin pushed away from the truck but didn’t budge. “I’ll wait.”

  She couldn’t have a conversation with her son while Austin stood by, staring at her. That became a moot point when she noticed the call had already ended. “It’s just my mom checking in from Florida. I’ll get back to her when I’m home.”

  “Good. I’ve enjoyed talking to you again, just like old times.”

  Fortunately talking hadn’t turned into something more, just like old times. “I’ve enjoyed it, too, but I really do need to go.”

  “Before you go, there’s something I just have to do.”

  She pointed at him. “Don’t even think about it.”

  He had the nerve to look innocent. “Think about what?”

  “You know what.”

  “No, I don’t. I was going to give you my cell number, in case you need anything.”

  Feeling a little foolish, she opened the contacts list and handed him her phone. “Fine. Plug it in there. But hurry.”

  He typed in his number, then handed the cell back. She laughed when she noticed he’d labeled himself “Studly,” the name she jokingly used to call him. “Very clever.”

  “Can I have your number?”

  “I’ll text it to you.”

  “Can I have one more thing?”

  She released a weary sigh. “What now?”

  “This.”

  He framed her face in his palms and covered her mouth with his before she had time to issue a protest. She knew she should pull away, but as it had always been, she was completely captive to the softness of his lips, the gentle stroke of his tongue, his absolute skill. No one had ever measured up to him when it came to kissing. She suspected no one ever would.

  Once they parted, Austin tipped his forehead against hers. “Man, I’ve missed this.”

  Sadly so had she. “We’re not children anymore, Austin. We can’t go back to the way it was.”

  He took an abrupt step back. “I’m not suggesting we do that
. But we can go forward, see where it goes.”

  “It won’t go anywhere because you’ll never be able to give me what I want.”

  “What do you want, Georgie?”

  “More.”

  “How much more?”

  “I want it all. Marriage, a home and family.”

  “I’ve gone the marriage route, and I blew it. I don’t want to travel that path again.”

  She turned and opened her truck door. “Then it’s probably best that we stay away from each other.”

  “Is that what you really want?”

  Her head said yes, while her heart said no. “Right now I want to go to bed.”

  He grinned like the cad he could be. “Mine’s just down the road a bit. A big king-size bed with a top-grade mattress made of memory foam. A good place to make a few more memories.”

  She tossed her phone on the passenger seat, withdrew the key from her pocket and started the truck. “Good night, Austin.”

  “Night, Georgie. And if you change your mind about us exploring our options, just let me know.”

  “Don’t count on it.”

  When she tried to close the door, he stopped her again. “Just one more question. Are you still worried about what your folks would think if they knew we were together?”

  In many ways, she was. “If we started seeing each other again, and I’m not saying that will happen, I’m sure my father would go ballistic. I’m fairly certain my mother wouldn’t care what we do together.”

  * * *

  “Georgia May, have you taken leave of your senses?”

  Georgie collapsed onto the bed and sighed. “I went there to see the family, Mom. Just because you’ve never cared for the Calloways because of that stupid dispute between J.D. and Dad, doesn’t mean I don’t like them. They’ve always been nice to me.”

  “I assume Austin was there.”

  “Yes, he was.”

  “You didn’t tell him about Chance, did you?”

  The panic in her mother’s voice wasn’t lost on Georgie. “No, not yet.”

  “I don’t think you should tell him.”

  Georgie couldn’t be more confused. “But you told me right before the trip that you thought I should tell him.”

  “I’ve changed my mind. Your father agrees with me.”

  A strong sense of trepidation passed through her. “Dad knows Austin is Chance’s father?”

  “Not exactly, but he has his suspicions. Regardless, we think it’s better if you remain silent to avoid any disappointment for both you and Chance.”

  They’d been having this back-and-forth conversation since she’d told her mother about the baby. “Mom, we’ve been through this a thousand times. I’m going to do what’s best for my child, not to mention Dad has no say-so in the decision. He refuses to even acknowledge he has a grandson. He’s barely spoken to me for the past six years.”

  “I know, sweetie, but—”

  “Where are you now?” she said in an effort to move off the subject.

  “Alabama for the night. We’ll be in Florida tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Is Chance doing okay?”

  “He’s been an angel. Right now he’s outside with Ben and Deb hooking up the RV. He’s so inquisitive.”

  Georgie wouldn’t debate that, and her son’s curiosity about his father had begun to increase by leaps and bounds with every passing year. “Do you mind putting him on the phone? It’s getting late.”

  “All right. Hold on a minute.”

  “Mom, before you go, I just wanted to say how much I’ve appreciated your support. I couldn’t have raised my baby boy without your guidance. I love you for it.”

  “I love you, too, dear, and I only want what’s best for you and Chance. If that means you decide that telling Austin he’s a father is best, then so be it.”

  She was simply too befuddled to make any serious decisions right now.

  A few moments later, she heard the muffled patter of footsteps, followed by, “Hi, Mom. I have my own bed and we have a kitchen. Uncle Ben showed me how to plug in the ’lectricity and roll down that big thing over the door so we don’t get sunburned. It’s so cool.”

  She could imagine her son rocking back and forth on his heels, his hazel eyes wide with wonderment. “It sounds great, baby. It’s way past your bedtime. You must be tired.”

  “Nope. We’re gonna roast marshmallows.”

  Lovely. Her child was being exposed to electricity and fire. “Be very careful, Chance. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

  “Aw, Mom, I’m not a baby.”

  No, he wasn’t. “You’re still my baby. I love you, ya know.”

  “Love ya, too, you know. Gotta go now.”

  “Don’t stay up too late and—”

  When the call cut off, Georgie’s heart sank. How would she survive the next two weeks without him? By keeping herself occupied with work. By having lunch with Paris. Maybe she would even attend the Calloways’ party.

  And perhaps she would finally get off the fence and tell Austin he had a son. She worried he already suspected something was up.

  * * *

  As sure as the sun would rise in the east, Austin sensed Georgie was hiding something. Then again, she’d always been one to hold back.

  He strode into the den, grabbed the remote and started to watch a replay of his last national championship roping. But the thought of revisiting that part of his past didn’t seem all that appealing. He’d rather relive another part.

  On that thought, he pulled down the yearbook, dropped into the brown leather chair by the fireplace and flipped through the pages until he reached the class photo of Georgie. She’d been a junior, he’d been a senior, and they’d been secretly hot and heavy that whole year.

  Funny, she hadn’t changed all that much. Her hair was still as long, her face still as beautiful, her brown eyes still as enticing. She could never see what everyone had seen in her—a perfect blend of her Spanish/Scottish heritage.

  She hadn’t been a cheerleader or a drill team member. She’d been a rodeo girl through and through, friends with many, and more popular than she’d realized until she’d been elected homecoming queen her senior year. And class president. And eventually, prom queen. During all those milestone moments, he’d been away at college, never serving as her escort, never revealing they had been an item in high school. He should’ve been horsewhipped for not standing and shouting it from the rooftop when he’d had the chance, their fathers and distance be damned. He should have been there for her.

  Too late now, he thought as he closed the book and set it aside on the mahogany end table. He couldn’t help but think his life might have been different if he’d stayed home six years ago instead of moving back to Vegas.

  He recalled that last night with Georgie, when her touch had temporarily eased his anger over learning about his father’s deceit. They’d made love until dawn, then parted ways. And then he’d met Abby, married in a matter of months and ended it without much thought. Not that it could have been any other way. Not when Georgia May Romero still weighed on his mind on a regular basis. Abby hadn’t known about her, but she’d always claimed she’d never had all of his heart. She would have been right.

  Now he found himself reunited with Georgie. Together again, to quote an old country song. Nope, not exactly together. If Georgie had her way, he’d fall off the face of the earth, or go back to Nevada. But damn, she had kissed him back. And damn, he wanted to kiss her again. Maybe that wouldn’t be fair in light of their opposing goals—he wanted to stay single, she wanted to be a wife.

  If he had any sense, he’d grow up, get with the program and open himself to all the possibilities. But the thought of failing Georgie, not being the man she needed, battered him with doubts.

&nbs
p; But the thought of having her so close, and not being with her again, didn’t sit well with him. He would just keep his options open whenever he saw her again. And he damn sure planned to see her again.

  Four

  When she maneuvered through the D Bar C’s iron gate, Georgie pulled behind several slow-moving, white limos as they traveled down the lane leading to the party site. She marveled at the complete transformation of the Calloway ranch.

  The lawn of the main house to her left had been laden with various decorations depicting holidays from around the world. Every tree and hedgerow had been draped with twinkling lights, and laser beams in rotating colors sparkled across its facade. Several cartoon characters and giant candy canes lined the curbs on either side of the street, enhancing the fairy-tale quality.

  Georgie passed by three more massive houses set back from the road, all adorned like the first, and she wondered if one of the cedar-and-rock houses belonged to Austin. She hadn’t bothered to ask him the other night for fear he might get the wrong idea, but she couldn’t deny her curiosity.

  She also couldn’t deny her building excitement as the caravan turned to the right to reveal a large silvery tent set out at the end of the road, a two-story residence, bigger than any she’d seen to this point, serving as its backdrop.

  Georgie came to a complete stop when a parking attendant, dressed in a tuxedo and cowboy hat, approached her. She shut off the ignition, grabbed her silver clutch that complemented her sleeveless black dress, draped her silk wrap around her shoulders and slid out of the cab.

  The valet offered her a long once-over and a somewhat lecherous grin. “What’s a beautiful little thing like you driving a big ol’ truck like this? You belong in a limo.”

  You belong back at college, frat boy. “My big ol’ boyfriend owns this big ol’ truck.”

  He looked unfazed by the threatening lie. “He’s an idiot for letting you attend this little get-together all by your lonesome.”

  “He had to work.”

  “Oh, yeah? What does he do?”

  She handed him her keys, a ten-dollar tip and another tall tale. “He’s a professional wrestler. Take good care of his truck.”