by Tina Leonard
“Yes, although not one to build a relationship on.”
“No.” Navarro pointed to a spot on the map. “That’s where we’re headed.”
“I’ve never heard of that town,” Nina said.
“Most people haven’t, especially Dannonians. That’s why you’re going to enjoy a long truck ride through Texas. There’s more to these dusty yellow plains than you could ever imagine. Fold the map nicely, please, or don’t fold it at all.”
“I’m so excited,” Nina said, trying not to annoy Navarro’s peculiar gene by folding his map on the wrong creases. “After we find him, I’m going back home.”
“I know,” Navarro said. “And you’ll have plenty of stories to tell your friends about all the wild fun you enjoyed here in Texas.” He glanced at her. “You never mention your girlfriends. Or boyfriends. How come you don’t talk much about your life in Dannon?”
“Because you’re always talking.” Nina laid her head against the window and closed her eyes. “Turn on that sax jazz you were talking about,” she said. “All this craziness has made me tired.”
“Sexual attraction will do that to you,” Navarro said. “Just wear you out until you finally give in to it.”
Nina laughed. “I’ll be fine, cowboy. Just drive, okay? Let’s find your brother, because I’ve got to get home someday.”
Navarro glanced over at Nina as she closed her eyes, a slight smile on her face as she got comfortable.
Not if I have anything to do with it, he thought.
You’re a keeper.
THEY FOUND LAST in Golden, Texas, hanging around the chutes, watching cowboys watch each other. He didn’t seem to be interacting with anybody, and suddenly, Navarro was struck by an uneasy realization that Nina was right: Last needed him.
“Bro,” he said, going to stand beside him while Nina hung back at the concession booth. She’d already said she didn’t think she should be part of their reunion, and now he appreciated her sensitivity. “What are you doing here, man?”
Last shook his head sadly. “Just wandering around. What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you. Why didn’t you let someone know where you were going?”
“I didn’t know where I was going. I just needed to be gone.” Last’s face was a picture of misery. “The family’s let me know clearly how much I’ve let them down. I can’t take it anymore. I know I messed up. But it’s real hard living with the daily reminder of how much I’ve sunk in everybody’s opinion.”
Navarro nodded. “I bet it is. But you can’t roam around forever. Eventually, you gotta go back home.”
Last shrugged. “Seems to be a pattern in our house. Anybody heard from Mason?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s time for him to get back and face his mess, too. I’m not the only brother that left, Navarro. You left. Everybody’s left.”
It was true. Now that he thought about it, if they didn’t start pulling together as a family, they were going to have to hire outside help with the ranch, which they’d always agreed wasn’t the best solution for Malfunction Junction. They had their own ways of doing things—and those ways had always worked.
“Let me drive you home,” Navarro said. “That’ll at least get one brother back where he belongs. And I’ll pound the boys while I’m at it, and tell them to shut their yaps where you’re concerned.”
Last nodded. “Deal. I’ve had a bellyful of it. It’s not like I know what I’m doing with this baby stuff. Valentine gets lots of support and attention because she’s having the baby, but I get the black looks and the disgust. It’s scary enough to be a father without everybody gunning for me.”
“All right,” Navarro said quietly. “I’ll have a chat with the boys. You’ve been punished enough.”
“Thanks.”
“Last.”
“What?” His brother looked at him uneasily.
“Did you put something in my truck engine?”
Last recoiled. “Hell, no. Why would I?”
“I don’t know.” Navarro stared at him, thinking. “Did you look under my truck hood for something before you left town?”
“Yeah. But only because I saw some people hanging around it. I shooed them away from your truck and then checked under the hood.”
“General bystanders looking at a truck in excellent condition,” Navarro mused. “What do you know about Marvella’s secret sauce?”
Last shook his hands at him. “Never to touch it again. Ever. That stuff is firewater. Don’t do it,” he said, “if you’re thinking about it. It’s not worth the trip.”
“Whatever she’s bottling, it’s strong enough to kill a truck engine.” Navarro glanced at Nina one last time, his gaze thoughtful. “Who would do that?”
“Who knows?” Last asked. “You may never know the answer. So many people were in town for the rodeo that it could have been anyone who thought it was funny to get their kicks that way. Wait a minute,” Last said slowly. “Did she say I did it? Is that why you’re here?”
“Nina suggested you needed help,” Navarro said smoothly, in the interest of future family relations. “She said you’d seemed sad. And that she was afraid it had to do with her sister.”
“Yeah, well.” Last relaxed a little. “I wish it hadn’t happened, but Valentine’s pretty cool. We’re going to work things out somehow.”
“Good. Come home now.”
“All right.” Last waved goodbye to someone in the stands, then followed his brother out.
“Who was that?” Navarro asked.
“Some friendly cowboy whose been trying to win something for his girlfriend so she’ll marry him. I wouldn’t have a woman I felt I had to impress all the time.”
Navarro watched Nina walk toward the truck in front of them, her fanny swaying just the way he liked it. “I could watch that woman all day. She impresses me constantly.”
Last laughed. “Have you ever considered dating around to get her out of your bloodstream?”
“No,” Navarro said definitively. “I’d be bored. Be nice to her. She’s the reason we came to get you. She could be home among her books and periodicals by now.”
“No, she couldn’t,” Last said with a grin. “You won’t let her go.”
“It’s a struggle,” Navarro admitted. “And I think she’s not ready to settle down.”
“Who is?” Last sighed. “It should be settle up. Then everybody might think hitching is a positive thing. Who wants to settle down? Doesn’t that have kind of a depressing ring to it? What we’re really doing is settling for the future, anyway. It’s all so stupid.”
Navarro got into the truck. Last got in the back. Nina wore her headphones and read her romance novel, ignoring them both for the moment.
“Wanna settle up?” Navarro asked her.
She held one earphone away from her ear. “What?”
“Nothing,” Navarro said. “Nothing at all.”
Last laughed. “Pathetic. Don’t buy the ring just yet.”
“THAT WAS FAST,” Valentine said when they pulled up to the house.
“They’re pretty predictable men, actually,” Nina said, “once you get to know them.” She waved to the brothers and went inside with her sister.
“Well, I’m glad you’re back.” Valentine hugged her. “It’s lonely without you. Although I did find a job.”
“That’s great. Where?”
“At the bakery. Mmm. I’m going to love working there,” Valentine said, her eyes sparkling.
“Why are you so happy?” Nina asked. “You’re glowing.”
“I’m having a baby. I live at a wonderful ranch. I have a new family and a job I’m going to love. What’s wrong with my world?”
“True.” Nina tossed her things onto the bed. “One thing about riding around with Navarro is you learn to appreciate the comforts of home. Look at how beautiful this bed is.”
“Nina,” Valentine said with a laugh, “you might as well just give up and stay here forever.�
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“No,” Nina said. “Never. I’m not as brave as you are. I miss my library. I miss my apartment.”
“You’d miss all that,” Valentine said, taking her hand, “but you’d have a man.”
“A man?” Nina looked at her sister. “That sounds so archaic.”
Valentine winked. “You just have one too many feminist genes. Set one of those little genes free and give Navarro a break.”
“We have no connection,” Nina said. “We have nothing in common.”
Her sister laughed. “He’d make a great husband. And he’s clearly mad for you. Just as you’re wild for him. All this pride stuff just gets in the way, Nina. You should eat some humble pie and win yourself a cowboy with a heart of gold.”
“It’s not that easy,” Nina said. “I hate that get-yourself-a-man thing. Men are not free-range chickens to be caught and tamed.”
“Believe it or not, that’s exactly what Navarro wants,” Valentine said. “You have the fun part. I’ve got the brother who wants nothing to do with me. Oh, we’re fine. We’re going to raise a baby together, but that’s all we’re ever going to have. I know that because Last doesn’t look at me the way Navarro looks at you.”
“How?”
“Like you’re the free-range chicken and he hasn’t quite figured out how to get you in the box. Nina, when you walked up the porch a minute ago, he didn’t take his eyes off you. Last was waving to the air, but Navarro’s focus was all on you.” Valentine smiled. “It’s so sweet.”
“It would never last.” Which was not the happiest thought in the world. “I’m cautious by nature, you know, and my caution bells are ringing like mad.”
“I know. I figured. So, now what?”
“Now that I have everybody where they belong,” Nina said, “I’m going home. And do me a favor, okay? This time don’t rat me out to Navarro. One thing I have learned—he’s not going to let me go.” She looked at her sister. “And to be honest, Valentine, I really need to get away from him. His intense focus is starting to make me forget I have a life that doesn’t include Malfunction Junction.”
Valentine looked at her sadly. “Come on. I’ll drive you to the airport. Crockett gave me keys so I wouldn’t feel penned. He said a woman ought to be able to hit the grocery and the hairdresser when she needed to. You didn’t even notice I finally got my hair cut.”
“You look fabulous. When I came down here to rescue you, I’ll admit I was worried. But now I see you’re going to make it just fine.”
“Yes, I am,” Valentine said. “Thanks for noticing. Can I make one tiny suggestion, from little sister to big sister?”
“Of course.” Nina pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
“Tell Navarro goodbye. If you don’t, he’s going to come after you. State why you need to leave him.”
Nina considered that. “He does say that it’s my ways that are foreplay for him. He says I challenge him.” She put the brush down on the dresser. “You’re right. If I tell him I am returning home, without him, so I can get back to my life, he will understand that I’m saying goodbye.”
“Exactly,” Valentine said. “And then he won’t feel compelled to drag you back.”
“I hate to hurt his feelings.”
“He’ll survive,” Valentine said cheerfully. “These men have boatloads of women waiting to embark.”
Nina wasn’t sure that made her feel better. “All right. I’ll do it in the morning.”
“But you have to admit you like him,” Valentine said. “That much anyone can see.”
“I like him,” Nina agreed. “In fact, I’m in love with Navarro. That’s the major reason I’m determined to leave. Somewhere between his pursuit of me, his kindness to you and his devotion to his family, I fell head over heels in love. But it will never last, not even with the help of our charmed heirloom bed.”
Chapter Fourteen
In the middle of the night, Nina awakened, realizing she wasn’t sleeping very well. She dreaded having to say goodbye to Navarro, and the thought preyed on her mind. There was no scenario she could imagine where he would just stick out his hand and say, “Happy trails. Been nice knowing you.”
For two people who had no common connections they’d spent a lot of time together. Truthfully, her heart was going to be broken. How did you say goodbye to a man who was far from perfect but yet tried so hard to please?
It was no different from the taxi driver putting his wife first, just for the pleasure of always being with her. He’d made a lot of sense.
Unfortunately, Nina couldn’t see long-term happiness in their picture. They were from two different worlds, with two different sets of needs. Sighing, she forced her eyes shut.
Until the window slid up. Gasping, she sat straight up in bed.
“It’s just me,” Navarro said.
Nina threw a pillow at him. “Have you ever thought about using the front door? Calling first?”
“Can’t use the front door,” he said, jumping from the sill to the floor. He sat next to her on the bed. “It’s Valentine’s house until she figures out where she wants to be. Can’t phone because it’s 2:00 a.m. and I don’t want to wake her. Besides, I love coming in the window. It feels very Romeo and Juliet to me, and you know I love the classics.”
“What if I don’t like you coming in my room?”
“Then you’ll say so. But you never do.”
“I’d feel kind of strange, since it’s your room,” Nina said. “But I guess you’re not coming to do your laundry at this hour.”
“Oh, no. That’s not what’s on my mind.”
She could see him grinning at her in the soft moonlight streaming in the window. “So what is on your mind?”
“You. Always you.” He sighed. “It’s like a disease, only better, because I will never find the cure. And it makes me feel awesome.” He touched her hair, stroking it gently.
“Navarro, I have to leave tomorrow.”
He sighed. “I know. I won’t have this permanently. But it was fun while it lasted.”
“Fun?”
He touched her lips with one finger. “We had some laughs, didn’t we?”
She wouldn’t exactly call it fun. “I guess so.”
“Well, then.” He patted her rump under the covers and stood. “Is Valentine taking you to the airport?”
How did he seem to know so much about her? “Yes,” she said, frowning at him.
“Well, thanks for helping me find my brother. You were right. He did need his family. We’ll take good care of Valentine, by the way.” He tipped his hat to her and hopped onto the windowsill. “I could use the front door, but this is the last time I’ll have a reason to do this, so for the sake of memories, au revoir.”
And then he was gone. Nina heard him mount up, then the sound of horse hooves pounding away. She blinked, listening. “Blast him,” she said. “Now I’ll never get to sleep!”
Because now her mind was going insane. She’d fallen in love with him, but he certainly didn’t seem in love with her. Obviously he’d just ridden away without even fighting about taking her to the airport. Without fighting at all.
He hadn’t even tried to make love to her. Hadn’t even kissed her.
Navarro had always been huge on kissing.
Something was wrong with this picture, but she couldn’t figure out what. “Ar-rgh,” she said, flipping her pillow over to the cooler side. “No wonder they call this place Malfunction Junction!”
AT THE AIRPORT Nina kept looking, waiting, for a huge, handsome cowboy to come sweep her off her feet.
There was no one but other passengers. Even so, her eyes couldn’t seem to stop searching for him.
“Are you all right?” Valentine asked. “You don’t seem quite yourself. You have no focus.”
“I’m fine,” Nina said, wondering why she suddenly wasn’t. She and Navarro had said their goodbyes last night. So why did leaving now seem so traumatic?
“Having second thoughts?” Valentine loo
ked at her curiously.
“No. I know it’s the right thing to do. I’ll feel better when I get back home into my own world, librarian mode. You know,” she said, “the strange thing about being here is that the outside world sort of ceases to matter. It would be painful to live at that ranch if one wasn’t happy.”
“I’m staying. I like it. And I can’t wait to start my new job. I’m going to figure out baking. They say that the shop will probably have to change hands in a few years. Maybe if I work real hard…”
Nina smiled, listening to her sister’s dreams.
“Everything turned out for the best,” Nina told her, giving her sister one last hug before she walked through the security check.
“YOU LET HER GO?” Crockett asked. “What are you smoking? You love that gal!”
“Yeah,” Navarro said, “but I was just an affair for her. She’ll probably go back home and find her an academic sort with glasses and a navy blazer to make her life complete. In that stupid bed, which probably doesn’t work worth a flip anyway.”
“Not by the time Bloodthirsty got through with it.” Crockett shook his head. “Well, if Valentine is in her first trimester, you might see Nina again in, oh, the fall, I suppose.”
“Maybe.” He didn’t care to think about it. Once Nina had told him last night that she was leaving, he’d given up the chase. If she wanted to go that badly, then that’s what she needed to do.
He was all for the chase, but it needed to be mutual or then it was just a hunt.
“Hunts are no fun,” he told Crockett.
“Depends on what you’re bagging.”
“Unwilling female.”
“Nope,” Crockett said. “Unwilling female would not be worth bagging. The very thought gives me shivers.”
“Exactly.” Navarro turned away and went to ride fence. He wasn’t going to think about what could have been, and what turned out to be nothing at all.
Chapter Fifteen
Four months later