Both men were sweating by the time they wrestled him out of the trailer and shoved him into the corral. The bull bucked and kicked, denting a fence post before running off to the far side of the enclosure.
His father tilted back his hat and ran a hand beneath the brim. The smile on his face split his weathered skin. “He’s a mean son of a bitch.”
Slapping his hand against his thigh, Chase let out a hoot. “I’ll say. Looks like we’re in business.”
“You didn’t have any trouble on the drive home?”
A vision of Honor Jackson with her wary blue eyes and long tanned legs flashed through his mind. A smile curved his lips. “Not with the bull. I had a run in with a little filly, though.”
“Christ, Son, you weren’t gone more than twenty-four hours. How did you manage—”
“Not that kind of run in. I picked up a stranded woman outside the Lonesome Steer.” He gave a snort. “Let’s just say she had a few doubts about my character.”
“Smart girl.”
He ignored the gibe. “Gus Rankin vouched for me. Turns out she’s an old friend of Andee Matheson. Down on her luck, I’m guessing.”
Roy rolled his eyes. “I’ve heard enough about women and their problems to last a lifetime.”
“Why, what happened?”
“Talk to your sister. She’s beside herself over that infernal wedding. I’m beginning to wish she and Troy would run off to Las Vegas and be done with it.”
His father stomped back to the barn. Chase frowned, wondering what Jenna’s latest wedding crisis involved. The last one had cost them a couple hundred bucks in dress alterations because his sister lost two pounds worrying herself to a frazzle.
He’d no doubt find out at dinner. Grabbing his bag out of the truck, he headed toward the house. Until then, he had plenty of work to do.
****
Honor dropped onto the daybed, wondering how Andee managed the café in her condition. Waitressing was hard work, maybe not as mentally exhausting as caring for her grandfather had been, but tiring. Her arms ached from lifting and carrying, not to mention scrubbing and scouring. After the lunch crowd thinned, they spent the afternoon cleaning the kitchen. Why Andee felt she had to leave the place shinier than a spit polished boot before giving birth was a mystery only a pregnant mind could unravel. Thank God the café wasn’t open for dinner, or Honor would have collapsed from sheer exhaustion.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a decent night’s sleep. Certainly not during the months her senses had been on high alert, listening for the slightest sound from her grandfather’s room. And not afterward, wondering how she was going to scrape together enough cash to pay for a funeral once the bank foreclosed on the house.
Rising, Honor headed for the bathroom, shedding her clothes along the way. The miserable months in Atlanta were over. She would remember her grandfather as the sturdy, laughing man who’d taught her to fish and throw a baseball, not the vague, wandering shell who’d called her by his mother’s name.
Turning on the shower spray, she stepped into the tub, and stood with her head hanging, letting the hot water wash away more than the dust of her journey.
After shutting off the water, Honor wrapped herself in one of the big green towels her friend had thoughtfully provided and rubbed her hair to a semi-dry state. Leaving the steamy room, she sat on the edge of the daybed and stared at the duffle bag. She should unpack her meager belongings and get dressed for dinner with Andee and Davis. Curling her legs under her, she lay back against the nest of pillows.
Soon. Unpacking could wait a few minutes more...
Incessant knocking penetrated her sleep fogged brain. Slowly, she opened her eyes and stared at the illuminated face of the clock sitting on the desk a couple yards away. Nine fifty-two. Dim light from the street outside filtered through the window blinds.
Honor sat up, clutching the still damp towel around her. Holy crap. No wonder Andee was beating down her door. They’d made dinner plans for hours ago. Running across the room, she stubbed her toe on the duffle bag and swore. Hopping on one foot, she hit the light switch and threw open the door.
Chase Paladin stood on the other side. His gaze wandered from the hair straggling around her face downward, pausing at the towel’s edge clutched tightly over her breasts, and continuing to the terrycloth hem that hit her at mid thigh. She watched him swallow, open his mouth, then swallow again.
He cleared his throat. “You aren’t dressed.”
“I fell asleep.” Stepping back, her retreat carried her across the room. She bumped up against the daybed and stopped. “I thought you were Andee.”
His lips quirked in a smile, and he dragged his gaze up to meet hers. “I’m taller, and not as round.”
Her breath caught at his smoldering glance. Fear set her heart racing, but not of him. Heat warmed her blood and ignited her senses. Realizing she was tempted to drop the towel and watch his reaction scared the beegeesus out of her. “Very funny. Please go away.”
“I came to tell you Andee’s in labor. She thought you’d worry about where she was, and since you don’t have a phone—”
“Oh my God! Where is she?”
“The hospital in Amarillo.”
She bit her lip, wanting more than anything to see her friend, but hating to ask Chase for another favor.
“If you get dressed, I’ll drive you there.”
She clutched the towel higher. “You’d do that?”
“Sure.” He stepped backward through the doorway. “Uh, maybe I should wait in the truck.”
“Chase, thank you.”
His eyes dropped, and he swallowed again. “I’m out of here before I do something I know I won’t regret. But you might.”
Honor glanced down at the towel as his boots thumped on the stairs, closed her eyes, and moaned. The towel had crept up, barely covering the juncture of her thighs. He probably thinks I’m the biggest tease in Texas.
She crossed the room, slammed the door, and dropped the towel. Digging through her bag, she pulled out fresh underwear, jeans, and a T-shirt and dressed in record time. It took three more minutes to comb the knots out of her hair, slap on a dash of mascara, and grab her wallet and the key to the apartment Andee had given her.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Honor rounded the side of the restaurant and slowed. Chase’s pickup idled next to the curb, its headlight beams slicing through the darkness. She squared her shoulders, determined not to mention her near nudity. With any luck, he wouldn’t either.
The interior light flashed on when the door opened. He turned to face her as she slid onto the seat. Catching a glimpse of the heat still smoldering in his eyes, her feminine parts clenched in response.
“I wasn’t trying to be provocative.” So much for least said soonest mended.
He pulled a Uey in the middle of the street and headed east out of town. “I know that, but I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t unbelievably turned on.”
Staring into the darkness, she let out a long, shaky breath. “I wonder if anyone has ever actually died of embarrassment?”
His laughter filled the cab, deep and rich. “I wouldn’t want you to be the first, so let’s talk about something else.”
“Gladly.” She turned in the seat and studied the clean line of his profile in the glow of the dashboard light. “Why did Andee ask you to give me her news? Believe me; I never mentioned our previous encounter.”
“Darlin’ I’m crushed,” he drawled.
“I bet.”
He grinned. “Actually, Davis called me. He was scheduled to vaccinate our calves in the morning and said he’d have to postpone. When he told me why, I mentioned meeting you.”
“Oh.”
“He said Andee was worrying about standing you up for dinner, so I volunteered to put your mind at ease.”
“I can’t believe she spared me two thoughts in the middle of her labor. It was kind of you to drive into town to tell me.”
“Ki
nd nothing, it was pure selfishness. If I’d had to listen to Jenna rant about her wedding caterer for a minute longer, I might have teased Muffin into kicking me in the head and ending my misery.”
“Jenna’s your sister?”
“After twenty-five years, I suppose it’s too late to deny it.”
His disgruntled tone reminded her of a whiny ten-year-old. She settled more comfortably into the corner of the seat, prepared to be entertained. “What happened with the caterer?”
“Apparently, the board of health found a mouse nest in their kitchen and closed them down.”
“Eww, gross!”
“A few mouse dropping is nothing compared to the wrath of a bride left without food for her wedding. According to Jenna, every last caterer in Amarillo is booked for that day. She’s freaking out.”
“I can imagine. You should have a little more sympathy for her.”
“Hey, I’m sympathetic.”
The whine in his voice escalated, and it was all she could do not to laugh.
“I even offered to get a couple of my buddies to step in and man the grill. It’s not like we don’t have steak on the hoof all over the freaking ranch.”
“That sounds like a good place to start, but what about hors d’oeuvres and side dishes?” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Please tell me they weren’t making her wedding cake, too.”
He grunted. “One of her bridesmaids is baking it, so the cake is under control.”
“I’m sure that’s a relief to your sister.” He didn’t answer, but she felt his gaze on her. The unwavering stare made her squirm. “What?”
“Didn’t you say something this morning about prize winning quiche?”
Her uneasiness increased. “I might have.”
“Well, there’s the solution.” He slapped his hand on his thigh. “God, I’m brilliant. Jenna is going to owe me for life!”
Her brows drew together. “I’m afraid you lost me.”
“Quiche is right up Jenna’s alley. She likes her food fancy and exotic. You can make a bunch of them to serve with the steak.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re an idiot. I truly feel for your sister.”
“Hey.” He took his gaze off the road again.
She ticked off points on her fingers. “First of all, quiche isn’t exotic. Secondly, there’s a big difference between making a quiche, award winning or not, and catering a wedding, and thirdly, she’d want to serve more than just quiche!”
He deflated like a punctured ball, wilting into the seat. “I don’t suppose you can cook anything else that’s fancy.”
She hesitated. “I might be able to.”
Reaching across the console, he grabbed her hand. One long finger stroked her palm, sending shivers down her spine.
“You could be the superhero in this story, swooping in to save the day.”
“The Caped Caterer?” Her words came out in a breathless gasp when his finger trailed across the sensitive skin of her wrist.
“She cooks and she’s witty.”
“I don’t know, Chase. A wedding is a huge undertaking. I’m sure Jenna will find another caterer.”
“Can you at least talk to her?”
His voice clouded her senses like too much wine. “I suppose so.”
“That’s my girl.”
She pulled her hand away. “I’m not your girl.”
His gaze rested on her, long and penetrating. “Not yet.”
Chapter Three
Chase parked in the visitors’ lot near the front of the hospital. After locking the truck doors with the remote key, he lengthened his stride to catch up with Honor. “Where’s the fire?”
She shot him a quick glance and looked away. “I’m dying to see Andee.”
When they entered the big tan building, he took her elbow and guided her across the tile floor to the elevator. The feel of her soft skin against his fingers sent a jolt straight through him. He stroked down the inside of her arm with his thumb before reluctantly releasing her when the polished doors swished open. Inside, she crossed her arms over her chest.
Clearing his throat, he searched for a conversational topic that didn’t involve bare skin, preferably hers. “Davis mentioned Andee has a private suite.”
“Are they expecting us?”
“I promised to bring you by for a visit, but I didn’t say when.”
She stared up at the flashing numbers above the door, and her face softened. “I wonder if she’s still in labor. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the actual birth?”
The elevator tinged, and the door opened. Chase eyed the comfortable looking couches in the waiting area of the maternity ward with longing. He’d watched hundreds of cows give birth. The idea of Andee bellowing in pain like a prize Hereford...
He shuddered. “We can ask about her status at the nurses’ station.”
Their footsteps echoed on the tile floor as they approached a circular desk occupied by a dark-haired girl wearing blue scrubs. She glanced up from her computer and smiled.
“We’re here to see Andee Matheson. Can you tell us if she’s had her baby yet?”
The smile morphed into a frown. “No, not yet. You should probably come back in the morning. It’s after visiting hours, and she’s pretty worn out.”
He felt more than saw Honor’s disappointment. The excitement radiating from her fizzled. He leaned across the counter and touched the young nurse’s hand. “Maybe you could make an exception.”
She hesitated, and a pink tide of color washed across her cheeks. “Are you relatives?”
“Would it help our cause if I said yes?”
She giggled and bit her lip. “I suppose I could check with her.”
Glancing at the girl’s name tag, he gave her a high wattage smile. “Thanks, Shannon, you’re a doll. Tell her Honey and Chase are here to cheer her on.”
“I’ll be right back.” She stepped around the desk, hurried down the hall, and disappeared through a doorway.
“That’s an amazing talent.”
Swinging around on the heel of his boot, he faced Honor. “What is?”
“The way you seduce women into granting your every wish, using that sexy smile of yours.”
“It hasn’t worked with you.”
“Maybe I’m the exception to the rule.”
He eyed her from her shining hair downward. “You’re exceptional. No doubt about it.”
Her blue eyes heated, and she scowled. “Do you ever turn off the charm?”
Taking a deep breath, he counted to ten. Then to twenty. “Would you prefer surly and rude?”
“At least I’d know you weren’t putting on an act.”
Is she trying to pick a fight?
He opened his mouth and closed it when he saw the nurse returning with Davis at her heels. The father-to-be’s dark hair was standing on end, and his deep brown eyes were glazed.
He grabbed Honor in a bear hug before reaching out to clasp Chase’s hand. “Thanks for coming. Please, please, go talk to her, Honey. I’m not her favorite person right now.”
At the nurse’s nod, she raced down the hall. Andee’s cry of greeting was audible from where they were standing. Studying his friend’s woe-be-gone expression, Chase slapped him on the back.
“Has it been rough?”
“You have no idea.” He heaved a long, shuddering sigh. “She told me if I ever touch her with that thing again, she’ll yank it out by the roots.”
“Ouch! Why don’t we go sit down? You look ready to collapse.”
Feet dragging, Davis followed him to the waiting area and dropped onto a couch. He clutched his head in his hands. “She’s in so much pain. I want her to have an epidural, but she screamed she’d do it the old fashioned way or die trying.”
“Jesus, I’d demand they knock me out until it was all over.”
“After watching Andee suffer, I’m pretty certain this baby will be our one and only.”
Chase grinned. “Maybe Honor will be able to distr
act her. At least she doesn’t have to look at your ugly mug, knowing you’re the cause of her agony.”
His friend leaned back against the couch and rubbed his temples. “I just hope it’s over soon.”
The minutes ticked by, dragging into hours. Midnight came and went. Davis paced the waiting room with quick forays in to see his wife. On one trip he stood leaning in the doorway for so long Chase followed, praying there wasn’t a problem.
Davis nudged him with his elbow. “Look at Honey. See how she calms Andee.” His lips tightened. “I was so wound up, I was worse than useless in there.”
Listening to the low drone of Honor’s voice, watching the rhythmic way she stroked Andee’s arm, was mesmerizing. He could almost see the tension drain out of the suffering woman between each contraction.
“I wouldn’t have expected it. She’s full of spit and vinegar around me.”
Backing away from the room, Davis gave him a cool stare. “Don’t mess with Honey. She went through the wringer, caring for her grandfather before he died. She doesn’t need any more grief.”
Chase scowled. “Do you think I’m that big of a jerk?”
“Not intentionally, but you have to admit you’re hard on women.”
“I always make my intentions, or lack there of, perfectly clear right from the start.” His voice rose. “Is it my fault they don’t believe me?”
“Probably.”
The humor in his friend’s tone dissolved Chase’s anger. “You don’t have to worry about Honor. Her armor is so thick I can’t even dent it.”
“Like I said, she’d been through a lot.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “Tell me about her.”
“She had a rough go of it in Atlanta. Her grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a year or so ago and deteriorated rapidly. Anyone else would have moved him into a care center, but not Honey. She stuck it out to the end.” He frowned. “I think something else was going on, but Andee hasn’t said much about it. A couple of months back, she was steaming every time she got off the phone with Honey.”
“Maybe I’ll ask her—”
The nurse popped her head through the doorway. “Davis, hurry. The baby’s coming.”
Honky Tonk Hearts Volume 2 Page 3