Savage in a Stetson (Crossroads Book 4)

by Em Petrova

  She chuckled. “You’re in luck. I have both, but I know you’re nursing the baby and need decaf. How you live on that stuff is beyond me.”

  “You get used to it,” Joss said.

  She unlocked her front door, and Joss swept in. “I’ll make the coffee while you change.” She walked to the sofa and laid the baby down, arranging pillows like a fortress around him so he’d be safe while she started the coffee.

  Helpless against her whirlwind sister’s demands, Jada went to her room and changed into clean jeans and a T-shirt. She brushed her hair and applied moisturizer to her face and hands and when she entered the kitchen, the coffee was just finishing its drip and Joss leaned against the counter, staring at her as she walked in.

  “Where’s CT?” She looked around the kitchen.

  “He fell asleep on your sofa. We can have a quiet cup of coffee.”

  “You mean a nosy chat.”

  “That too.”

  Jada went to retrieve milk for their coffee and set the jug on the counter. Joss poured a healthy amount into hers and stirred. As she took a sip, she moaned. “I needed that,” she told Jada.

  She didn’t tell her that Dom woke her this morning with a mug in bed—and then went down between her legs and licked her pussy until she screamed his name.

  Her thighs squeezed together without her willing them.

  “So tell me about this engagement rumor.” Joss was as direct as always.

  “It was an accident. I was visiting Dom’s grandpa at Crossroads Manor, and Dom showed up. Grandpa got it into his head that we were engaged, and next thing we knew, he had patients flooding into the room and snacks and old Lester had his ukulele out… It was a party in our honor, and neither of us had the heart to set him straight. You know he has Alzheimer’s.”

  Joss arched a blonde brow. “Or he’s a sneaky matchmaker.”

  “I don’t think that’s the case.”

  “So Dom didn’t ask you to marry him?”

  She shook her head. “We’re not there yet.”

  “But you did spend the night with him.”

  Jada set aside her coffee and gave a reluctant nod.

  “You still love him.”

  She nodded again. “And he loves me too.”

  “He told you?” Her voice pitched higher in excitement.

  “Yes.” She couldn’t stop the smile from crossing her face.

  Joss threw her arms around her. “That’s so fantastic! Mom and Dad will be happy to hear that even if you’re not engaged that you’re in love!”

  She squeezed her sister and then set her back from her. “Mom and Dad heard about the engagement?”

  “Well, their old neighbor from Crossroads called them with the news.”

  She groaned. “Who else knows?”

  “Just me. And Cort. And maybe—”

  “The church ladies,” they said together.

  Jada giggled. “You know how this town is. One person hears a juicy tidbit and has to pass it on.”

  “You’re saying all of Crossroads thinks we’re engaged.”

  “It saves time, doesn’t it? Now you don’t have to send engagement announcements. Think of the money you’ll save.”

  “But Dom hasn’t asked me to marry him!”

  “He will. It’s only a matter of time. Besides, when did you ever give a damn what people in this town think of you? I’m just so happy to see you smiling again. I knew you didn’t really hate him for putting his business across the road from yours.”

  She sighed. “I’ve disliked him plenty for it.”

  “But you’re falling in love with him. Or you did a long time ago and never stopped.”

  “Maybe.” She bit her lip to keep her grin from spreading, but hiding anything from her little sister was impossible since the time the girl could walk.

  “I really am happy for you both!” Joss pulled her into her embrace, and Jada hugged her back. She held her at arms’ length and looked into her eyes. “Promise me something.”

  “What’s that?” Jada asked, catching her contagious excitement.

  “You’ll let me and Cort throw y’all a proper engagement party when the time comes.”

  She raised her hands and let them drop. “As if I could stop you. Yes, absolutely, Joss. I promise you’ll be the first to know.”

  Chapter Ten

  Dom looked up from his grill and grinned at the sight of the stunning woman crossing the road. Jada’s hips swayed with each step, and damn if that didn’t wake up his body with memories of their night and morning together.

  She reached him and waved at the grill. “Why are you using that? Are you out of power? Mine’s on.”

  “Thought it’d be fun to do some grillin’ for the afternoon rush.”

  “Do you ever stop besting me?”

  He chuckled. “Just doing my thing over here. That reminds me. Grandpa said you told him that my brisket’s no good compared to yours.”

  She blinked at him. “I never said that to your grandpa.”

  “Huh. Maybe he was a bit confused. Sometimes I do wonder if he’s playing me. Anyway…” he waggled his brows at her, “Couldn’t stay away from me, huh?”

  “Actually, I have a favor to ask.”

  He pitched his voice low. “If it involves taking off your clothes and having a replay of our coffee this morning, that’s a yes.”

  Giving a little shiver, she slowly closed her eyes and then reopened them. “That isn’t the request.”

  “Too bad. What is it?” He flipped the pork on the grill to give it good grill marks on both sides.

  “I’m out of brisket, and my delivery truck doesn’t come until tomorrow. I wondered if you have extra I can buy off you.”

  “Hm. If I sell you some of mine, then I might run out.”

  She tapped her cute little booted foot.

  “But I guess I can spare a box or two.”

  “Good! How much?”

  He named a price just over the cost of the prepared price he sold it to customers for.

  Her brows drew together over her brown eyes. “I can’t afford that! I won’t make any profit.”

  “You’d better take it off your menu then.” He went back to flipping his pork.

  “Why are you giving me such a hard time?”

  He caught her gaze. “Guess we could make a trade.”

  “What kind of trade?”

  “A case of onions.”

  “Don’t tell me you actually need onions.”

  He didn’t, but he knew she’d have plenty to spare. “And one orgasm.”

  Her jaw dropped. “A case of onions and an orgasm?”

  “That’s the price. Is it too steep for you?” He glanced out of the corner of his eye at her.

  Her mouth twisted up in a smile she tried to keep from appearing. “Whose orgasm? Yours or mine?”

  “Both. Meet me here after close.” He set the pork aside on a platter and closed the grill. “C’mon, I’ll get you that brisket.”

  He did better than make the trade with her—he carried the boxes across the street and into her walk-in cooler for her. Then he stole a kiss before he walked out of the cooler, leaving her speechless. As he sauntered out, he drew a point in the air and heard her grumble behind him.

  He wore a smile and a spring in his step. He stopped to talk to one of her customers who was seated at a picnic table, but then his phone buzzed and he had to excuse himself to take the call.

  The instant he saw Crossroads Manor flash on his caller ID, his heart plunged. He brought the device to his ear. “This is Dominick Cole.”

  “Oh Dom, I’m so glad I reached you. This is Jodi calling from the Manor.”

  “Is everything all right with my grandpa?”

  “That’s why I’m calling. He had a fall this morning and has just been taken by ambulance to the hospital.”

  He tore the hat off his head, staring into space but not seeing anything but his grandpa injured. “I’m on my way.” He started across the ro
ad and car tires shrieked. His pulse spiked, and he waved a hand at the driver. “Sorry!”

  “Dom! Dom, are you okay?” Jada’s frantic voice followed him into his parking lot, and she sprinted up and grabbed his forearm.

  Seeing he was on a call, she searched his gaze with concern in her warm brown eyes.

  “I’ll head to the hospital now,” he said to Jodi over the phone and then ended the call.

  “What happened?” Jada demanded.

  “Grandpa fell. They took him by ambulance.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  They rushed across the lot to his truck and both jumped in.

  “I’m going to call and get the report.” Jada pulled out her phone. “Who called you? Was it Jodi?”

  “Yes.” He carefully checked for traffic before pulling out onto the road this time.

  She made the call and he listened to her say, “Yes. I see. I understand. Okay. Yes,” before she hung up.

  He threw her a sharp look. “What happened?”

  “He fell getting out of the shower. I guess the bath mat was rolled up and he tripped.”

  “How bad is it?” Dom hated that his once strong grandfather was in this stage of life where a fall could put him down so easily.

  “They suspected broken bones and he should just now be arriving at the hospital for x-rays.” She touched his arm. “I’m so sorry, Dom.”

  He nodded.

  “You walked right out in front of that car and I knew something was terribly wrong. You’re never so distracted.”

  “Stupid,” he said absently.

  She squeezed his arm. “It’s going to be all right. They didn’t tell me he hit his head or anything like that. At the worst, he’s in a cast or has a broken pelvis and returns to the Manor for rehab.”

  “Bad enough.” He compressed his lips and shook his head.

  “Don’t buy trouble. We’ll face it head on together.”

  The rest of their drive he made in silence, and as soon as they entered the hospital, Jada took the lead by asking the status of his grandpa and when they could see him.

  “As soon as the x-rays are completed and we have him more comfortable,” the nurse told them. “The waiting room is through that door. Have a seat and I’ll be in shortly.”

  Dom’s stomach churned with worry. Jada led him to a chair and sat holding his hand tightly while he worried through several scenarios.

  “Jada, I didn’t tell you, but I entered the barbecue competition. I don’t think I can go.”

  She blinked at him. “Dom, that’s weeks away.”

  “I know, but I can’t even think about leaving town. What if something happens while I’m not around? I’d have to rush back, and it would take me hours of driving.”

  “You don’t need to make this choice right now.”

  “It’s more than the distance. I need to spend more time with Grandpa. I know how he gets when he’s injured or ill—he’ll fight the doctors and nurses. I’ll need to put more energy and time into him and I won’t have time to plan my strategy at the competition.”

  She rubbed his hand with her fingertips. “You have some time to decide, Dom. But…I have an idea. What if I do all the planning, and we go in as a team. Team Crossroads. Not Mortimer’s or Savage’s.”

  “No way. I can’t let you make all the plans.”

  “It will be equal partners. You can be in charge of hauling all the food there, and we’ll both cook. But instead of balls-to-the-wall, anything-goes-in-competition, we will work together. Let’s put Crossroads on the map for barbecue, Dom.”

  He studied her heart-stoppingly beautiful face for a moment. “God, you’re incredible. Do you know that?”

  She cupped his jaw and then sucked in a sharp breath. “I just realized that you shaved.”

  He cleared his throat. “Yeah, about that. Grandpa told me that I needed to let my past go.” He rubbed at his smooth jaw and the scar there. “What happened to Jackson was tragic, but I did my best to save him. I thought coming home and starting my business would be enough for me to turn the page in that sad book. But it isn’t. You’re what I needed, Jada.”

  “Oh Dom. I didn’t totally understand until now.”

  “I didn’t realize that he was right. That the minute I shaved away my sad memories and devoted myself to what matters…that I’d have you by my side as a true partner in all things. Jada…” The proposal lay on the tip of his tongue. This was as far from romantic as settings went, and the timing was terrible. But her willingness to throw away a personal win at the competition in order for him to compete with her showed him that everything would really work out in the end.

  They’d do it together.

  She leaned against him, and he pressed a kiss between her eyes.

  “I love you, woman. I’m never going to let you go.”

  “Good.” She cuddled as close as possible in the hard waiting room chairs.

  “Mr. Cole.”

  They jerked apart, and Dom shot to his feet at the nurse’s appearance. She waved for them to follow. “Your grandpa is still waiting on tests, but you can visit with him.”

  They followed the nurse to one of the small emergency room cubicles separated by curtains. There, his grandpa lay on the pristine white bed, looking older, tired and pretty banged up.

  “Dom. You shouldn’t have come,” he grumbled.

  He stood at the edge of the bed. A heavy bruise was rising on his grandpa’s wrinkled cheek. “What in the world did you do to yourself?”

  “Beat some hooligans up in the alley behind the Manor.”

  At that, Jada burst out laughing. “You know, I heard about those hooligans trying to break into the Manor.” She wasn’t afraid to grab his hand and squeeze it. “You look terrible, but at least you saved the day.”

  That brought a smile to his lips, one Dom welcomed seeing. He took Grandpa’s other hand.

  The older man turned his attention on Dom. Then a huge smile spread over his black and blue face. “You shaved. ’Bout time.”

  Dom and Jada’s stares met across the bed from each other, and they shared a private smile.

  * * * * *

  “Okay, everyone, on three! Raise the tent! One, two, three!” Jada called out to the friends and family who’d come to the fairgrounds to help them set up their barbecue pop-up.

  The red, white and blue striped tent lifted into the air, and men ran around to secure the pole structure underneath it. A hoot rang out into the air, and Jada actually shivered with emotion and excitement. She wrapped her arms around her middle and watched as the guys finished securing the tent that would house both their kitchen and a small dining area for the competition.

  Beside her, Joss clapped her hands and bounced up and down. “This is great! I can’t believe it came together so easily!”

  Jada reached out and hugged her sister, their cheeks pressed together. “I can’t believe it either. I never thought I could buy a tent so large for what we needed let alone get it erected.”

  “And look at your sign! Crossroads Barbecue.”

  Jada and Dom had agreed to meld efforts and come out swinging for their hometown. After a blindfolded taste test involving secret sauces and smoking techniques, Cort, Kaoz and Aidan Bellamy had all agreed that Jada’s sauce with her blend of spices coupled with Dom’s smoked brisket was the prize-winning combo.

  So Crossroads Barbecue was born.

  She beamed at the tent that went up far easier than she ever imagined and the wide sign with a pig wearing a red and blue striped neckerchief.

  What really made her emotions burn in the backs of her eyes, though, was that she and Dom were doing this together.

  Weeks of planning meant they worked closer than ever. And they also got Grandpa through the worst of his rehab for a broken pelvis and wrist. Somehow, summitting these two mountains made her feel they could do anything as a team.

  He ran at her from the side, grabbed her around the hips and lifted her off her feet, whirling an
d shouting in victory. She squealed and held onto his shoulders, looking down into his handsome face.

  “Do you love it, sweetheart?” His eyes blazed into hers.

  “I love it! It’s perfect.”

  “You did such a good job. And you’re perfect.” He planted a solid kiss on her lips, which set off the people helping.

  “None of that! We have work to do!” Theo called out.

  Dom set Jada on her feet and kissed her again, this time softer and more lingering. “We have a lot of work ahead of us. If I forget to tell you sometime today, I love you and I’m so proud of you.”

  Now those tears did surface, and she swiped one away from the corner of her eye. She nudged him. “Get to work. We need that smoker out first and then all the coolers so we can start making batches of brisket.”

  “On it, sweetheart.” He flashed her a broad grin and then strode away to the back of one of the trucks that hauled the huge smoker here as well as coolers stuffed with enough food to feed a tri-county fair at the kickoff of summer and everything they’d need to keep the pop-up restaurant running.

  Jada gave directions while the team of cooks compiled from both of their restaurants back in Crossroads set up their temporary kitchen with prep stations, wash stations for safety and so much more. From what she learned after speaking with one of their competitors who attended the fair every year, they could expect to serve thirty thousand meals over the course of several days. At the end of the fair, the title of best barbecue would go to one competitor after a panel of judges sampled their food.

  She’d bitten off all her fingernails the week before, and after hearing their meat wouldn’t be delivered on time, she flat out had a meltdown in the middle of her kitchen. But Dom had been there to soothe her and talk her through it. And in the end, things had worked out by Dom sending two drivers to collect the meat from the warehouse.

  Hours of work later, she fired up the grills Dom bought that day of the power outage and grilled the entire crew hot dogs and hamburgers, to be served with Dom’s potato salad and her cornbread.

  When everybody sat at the picnic tables hauled here from her own restaurant, she and Dom stood in front of them and raised paper cups full of sweet tea. “To Crossroads Barbecue! We couldn’t have done any of this without y’all,” Jada said to the group.