“You didn’t get to answer. You knew who I was when I told you where I was headed, didn’t you?”
“Roe Robins had told my brothers and me about you. Looks like it’s stopped bleeding. What do you think?” His gaze held her hostage.
She pushed her hair off her shoulder and offered him a smile, hoping she did a good job at hiding the fact that she had a tsunami going on inside of her. She’d make sure he never knew. “I think you look good. I mean, the cut. Now that the debris is out it doesn’t look as bad.”
“I’m glad you say so,” he said in a voice as smooth as aged whiskey.
She’d handled men like him before, but what she didn’t like was the fluttering in her stomach and the quivering in her inner thighs. Alaska needed to get something straight. Arc was an Adonis of men. Point blank. From his thick mass of dark hair peppered with silver and high cheekbones that belonged on a dangerous Viking, to his wide, whiskered broad jaw, but all this didn’t mean she could be influenced to want to know him.
Her tongue came out to sweep across her bottom lip and his thick brows lifted while a smirk covered his lush lips, making her knees weaken. Oh, he knew exactly how dangerous he was, and she guessed his effort was a honed skill that he had enjoyed using on a long line of women before her.
“You said Mr. Robins informed you that I would be coming. Did he explain the circumstances?”
“That you’ve been handed money and a house? Yeah, he did. You must have magical hands to sway Buzz to give you as much.”
So, Arc Colt was not only handsome, but he was cocky too.
Discarding the annoying awareness in her nipples, which was nearly impossible with him watching her with those pale blues that seemed to be reading her, she bent to look at the wound closer. Her nostrils filled with a scent—musk combined with the tangy trace of sweat. She couldn’t ever remember liking a man’s natural smell more. Yet, she couldn’t deny the sarcasm in his tone.
“When was the last time you saw your father, Arc?”
One thick brow curved above his guarded eyes. “He didn’t tell you he left us when we were kids?”
A stabbing sensation struck her in the center of her chest. “No, he didn’t.”
He shrugged his shoulder, brushing against her arm, sending a wave of delightful warmth to her limbs. “Not surprising.”
The antiseptic bottle slipped from her fingers, hitting the floor. She bent to pick it up, noticing that his eyes were on her hands. Did he see the shaking that she had no control over?
“You okay?” His liquid gold voice brought her up too fast, causing her to get woozy and losing her balance. His callused fingers scraped her elbow as he steadied her. Although he kept her from falling, she couldn’t ignore the invisible cliff from which she was dangling.
“The heat. It must be getting to me.”
“It is a little hot in here.”
“I’ll go open a window.” She stepped away, needing a moment to gather her senses.
“Where are you from?” he asked when she came back.
“Chicago. It’s not as humid there.”
“You’ll adapt. The afternoons are usually hotter and then the evenings are nice.”
Did he have any clue how nervous she was? She sure hoped not. The last thing she needed was to add humiliation to the situation. She soaked a cotton ball in antiseptic. “This will sting.”
“I can handle it.” His gaze met hers and he smiled—a grin bracketed by the deepest, waterhole dimples. Was he trying to unsettle her? If so, he was wasting that charm on the wrong person. She didn’t come to Tarnation to get to know a cowboy.
Pressing the cotton against his skin her knuckles brushed him lightly. She jerked slightly, feeling like a ten-year-old at a teen party. She wasn’t naïve or innocent, but she hadn’t been with a man in so long. Being a mom had left her no time for dating, or exploring a possible love match.
“You must have gotten to know Buzz well.”
“Some.” Pulling back somewhat, she scanned his gaze. “You look like him. I thought I recognized you at the diner.”
He scraped his thumbnail down his jaw. “I’ve heard that once or twice.”
She understood that he’d be curious about the last days of his father. Placing the bloody cotton aside, she grabbed a clean one and soaked it in the antiseptic. “You have four brothers, right?”
He tensed. “Buzz talked to you about his sons?”
Pausing mid-swipe of the cotton ball, she caught the surprise in his tone. Though Buzz hadn’t told her everything about his relationship with his sons, she’d sensed there had been some deeper, unresolved issues. “During Buzz’s time at the medical clinic he was taking an assortment of heavy medications. Patients tend to reflect on the past and want to talk during their treatments.” Pressing the soaked cotton against his wound, he squinted and jerked as the antiseptic seeped into the wound. Without thinking, she blew on his skin. His gaze caressed her profile. “I’m sorry. Habit. With River, not my adult patients.”
“I don’t mind.”
Was he flirting?
Thinking of her friend, Rebecca, she’d know how to handle a situation like this with a smooth attitude. The woman had a way with men that Alaska had always appreciated, if not admired. Tall, blonde and beautiful, Rebecca had every reason to be confident in her skin. Growing up with five brothers, she’d learned a valuable lesson—at least what she called valuable. She told Alaska that women needed to know how to be friends with men because that’s what attracted them. Rebecca had no problem interacting with men and having a one-night stand, if that’s where the flow led her, which it was after most dates. If Alaska had a sliver of her friend’s confidence right now, she wouldn’t be standing there acting like a wet behind the ears, immature schoolgirl.
His head tilted slightly. “You’re a long way from home.”
She almost told him that Chicago never felt like home, but she caught herself. “I’m used to all the noise of traffic, and I don’t think I’ve heard one car outside since we’ve been here.”
“You won’t. Especially not back here off the road. Texans like their privacy, as I’m sure Buzz already told you.”
Catching the lilt to his tone, she asked, “Would you like to talk about Buzz and what his last days at the clinic were like?”
He shrugged a broad shoulder and the area between his brows creased. “To be perfectly frank, I don’t give a damn how Buzz felt or what he talked about while he was there.”
Dragging herself from the initial shock at his words, she reminded herself that she couldn’t get caught up in an emotional roller coaster. It didn’t matter what the story was here because it had nothing to do with her. And yet, she asked, “Is there something bothering you?”
“Why are you here?” The new harshness to his tone sent her back a few paces.
“Roe Robins asked me—”
“Let’s be real. What did Buzz want in return for his money?”
“Are you suggesting that I influenced your father in some way?”
“I hadn’t talked to him since I was a kid, so I’m the last person who can guess what was going through his head. If he was on strong medication, maybe he was out of his head. Or maybe you were about the only person who found his heart beneath steel, brick, and barbed wire.”
His sharp gaze drilled through her and suddenly she felt like she had taken a seat in a courtroom and was on trial. Slamming her fists to her hips, she reflected some of the tension in his glare. “There was a lot about your father that people didn’t understand.” The second the last word left her lips she knew it had struck a chord with him.
“I think his actions spoke loud and clear.”
“He was at a more vulnerable spot in his life when I met him.”
“I get that, and apparently you benefited from meeting him during that time.”
Had she heard him right? She tossed the cotton ball and pierced him with her anger. “I don’t know where this is headed—”
; “You don’t?”
“No, I don’t.” With a quick snap of her wrist she tore the wrapper off the bandage, slapped it onto his wound, causing him to grunt, and she took a step back. How had her first impression of him been so wrong? Now she realized he had made his mind up about her before he even had the chance to meet her. “You’re done.” Why did it bother her so much that his perception of her was so off path? She didn’t know him, didn’t need to know him, and she shouldn’t worry about his thoughts.
He stood. “Look I should—”
“I said you’re done. This evening, you should clean the cut with antiseptic and then put on a new bandage.” She forced a smile to her face, but she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass cabinet door and knew it was as plastic as it felt. All her life she’d worried about what people thought of her, wanting to please those around her, but she’d always somehow managed to disappoint others. Whether she wasn’t good enough. Too short. Too heavy. Too smart or too dumb. When would she leave the old feelings behind her? The ones embedded in her by foster parents and long-distance family.
As a child, she’d lacked the nurturing that she’d craved. She’d wanted so badly to be loved. With each door she walked through, she’d kept her anticipation hidden, hoping that, for once, she’d find her forever family. Only to have her hopes dashed months later when the caseworker came knocking to take her away. There came a point when she no longer wished, but instead decided to run as far away from the revolving door of foster homes and caseworkers as she could. She swore she wouldn’t blame her childhood for her hiccups. A strong woman could warrior through, and by golly she was strong because she had to be in life.
Stiffening her shoulders and cocking her chin, she said, “I have a lot to do. Thank you for all your help.” She busied herself in putting everything back into the kit, and when she turned around, Arc was gone. He’d left quietly.
River came bounding into the house, happy as always. Her son could easily make everything better. “Help me put away the groceries and then we’ll pick out a bedroom for you.”
In the kitchen, she handed River the milk and eggs, and he placed them in the refrigerator.
Next came a box of cereal and a small bag of cookies.
“Can I have a cookie?”
She tousled her son’s thick hair. “Not until after lunch.” There were certain times he looked just like his dad, but his eyes were identical to hers. “How about, after we find your room, we make you something to eat?”
“Sounds great.” He skipped ahead.
Alaska had to keep in mind that this could be their home, for at least six months. So, in the end, she chose the two bedrooms side by side downstairs.
“This is my room?” River bounced on the twin size bed.
“For now.”
“I love it here!”
Hearing a knock on the front door, her stomach tightened. Could it be Arc Colt again? Did he come to show off his slick abs once more? “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Jerking open the door, expecting to see the cocky cowboy with the amazing smile, her eyes widened as she saw a pretty brunette holding a casserole dish against her waist and a wildflower bouquet in the other. “Hi there!” she said in an accent that wasn’t quite Texan. “I hope it’s okay that we just stopped by. I’m Cariss, and this, Cory come over here…” She motioned for the boy in the blue striped shirt playing with a worm in the flower bed. “This is my boy. We live up the road a few miles and when we heard we had new neighbors we wanted to come on by and welcome you to Tarnation. I sure hope you like lasagna.” She tapped the lid to the casserole with a short pink nail.
Taken off guard for a moment because in all the numerous places she’d lived, not once had a neighbor stopped to welcome her. “Hi…I’m Alaska.”
“I don’t want to overwhelm you. I guess we just got a little slappy because the townsfolk said you have a little one.”
“Slappy?”
“Slap happy.” She laughed.
“Come in.” Alaska stepped aside.
“Come on, Cory.” Cariss pushed him through door and then she followed. Her short bob bounced around her chin. She wore a bright pink shirt and matching pants that Alaska guessed reflected her bubbly personality. Her green tassel earrings were bigger than her ears. “News travels fast around these parts. Especially when it involves new people. These are for you.” She handed over the flower arrangement. “Is it true you’re planning on making this place into a B&B again?” She scanned the surroundings with interest.
“Wow. News does travel fast. I haven’t decided what I’m doing yet.” Alaska felt a little exposed, but she couldn’t let her steel walls come up so fast. If she wanted change then she’d have to be willing to change.
Cariss laughed. “I’ve never been inside before but I did see pictures taken years ago.”
“And what do you think?”
“Oh, honey, if we could all live up to our profile picture.” She winked. “When Fancy Grace passed away this place closed overnight. Of course, that’s a rumor because I never knew her. From what I’ve heard, she’d walk around town wearing hats with colorful feathers sticking out and fancy dresses that looked like she’d walked straight out of a time machine. I imagine that’s where she got her name Fancy. Anyway, you know how rumors are, but folks say she had her heart broken and never got over it. Oh, there’s the kitchen!” Cariss scooted down the hallway.
By the time Alaska had made it there the other woman had deposited the casserole dish on the counter and was examining the kitchen with obvious concentration. “I’ll put these in water. I’m sure there must be a vase somewhere.” Alaska went about opening cabinets, finally finding a vase and stuck the flowers inside.
“Did all the furniture belong to Fancy?”
Alaska shrugged. “I’m guessing so.”
River popped around the corner and came to a stop, his eyes wide. He dropped his toy car at his feet and hurried to pick it up.
“River, this is Cory. They’ve come to welcome us into town. Would you both like to go outside and play? If that’s okay with you.” She directed her question to Cariss.
“Yes, please. Go outside and have fun.” She shooed them out the door. When they were alone, she said to Alaska, “That’s all my kid talked about on the way here.” Cariss climbed up on the stool where Arc had been sitting earlier. “He had the hardest time making friends, once upon a time. I’m happy to see that he is very social now.”
Alaska caught a glance of the boys through the window. They had found an old ball and were tossing it back and forth. They were laughing and River looked so happy.
“So, tell me, do you have any experience running a B&B?”
Placing the vase in the sink, she turned on the faucet and rusty water shot out, splashing her face and shirt. She blindly shut it back off, spurting water out of her mouth. “None. Is it that obvious?” She tore some paper towel from the roll and used it to dry off.
“If you really want to do this I’m sure you’ll find someone in Tarnation who’ll help. Wouldn’t it be fun to see this place remodeled back to its original condition?”
Alaska looked at the woman incredulously. “I’m all for that. I just don’t think I’m the one for the job.” Thankfully, she’d thought ahead and bought two jugs of fresh water. Pouring some into the vase, she arranged the flowers. “I think these belong right here.” She put them on the cutting board island. “If this coffee maker works, would you like a cup?”
“I’d love one. If it makes you feel any better this place isn’t in too bad of condition. A little TLC, some new paint, a woman’s decorative touch, and you could have it up and running in no time,” Cariss said with encouragement.
“How long do you think it’d take, exactly? Six months?” Alaska muttered.
“Huh?”
“Nothing.” She went about scrubbing the carafe clean. She couldn’t tell the other woman that she had six months to make the house into a place where people would want t
o stay. “I guess it isn’t too bad, considering a goat was calling it home for who knows how long.”
“A goat?” Cariss’s laughter made her earrings bauble. Only someone with a big personality could wear something so kitschy. Alaska found that she instantly liked the woman, who reminded her a lot of Rebecca. “Did you evict him?”
“With a little help from Arc Colt.”
At the mention of the man’s name, Cariss’s eyes lit up. “Arc Colt? Do you know him?”
“Not at all. My car broke down on the way here and he just happened to come along and offered River and me a ride.” Not wanting to give away any of her emotions, she lifted the lid to the casserole and sniffed. “This smells so good, and is very thoughtful of you.” Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten anything all day.
“I’m not the greatest cook but move in day is never fun for anyone. Heck, when I moved here, I brought everything I owned in the back of a Dodge truck.”
“You’re not from Tarnation?”
“Nope. I met Gary online, and a two months later, I moved here. I know, it’s crazy, by most people’s standards, but when you know something is right, why fight it? We’ve been happily in love for five years now.”
Just as Alaska suspected, Cariss was a go-getter, and Alaska appreciated anyone who didn’t let fear keep them grounded. “I have some milk. Would you care for some in your coffee?”
“Just a smidgeon.”
There was an instant connection between River and Cory, and Alaska and Cariss, and by the time they were on their second cup of coffee, they could call each other friends.
“So, earlier, you mentioned one of the Colt cowboys.” Cariss’s eyes dazzled as the corners of her lips played with a smile. “Care to elaborate?”
“There’s not much to say.” Alaska rolled her finger around the rim of her cup hoping she didn’t give away anything through her expression. She was still frazzled over the conversation between them.
“Did he happen to have his shirt off while he was here?” Cariss wagged her brows.
Pour me a Drink (Tarnation, Texas Book 3) Page 6