“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Adam narrowed his gaze. The two men were very similar in looks, but Arc had a few more strands of gray and creases around his eyes.
“Do I really need to elaborate?” He slammed his hat back down on his head.
“Yeah, I think you should.” Adam’s jaw tightened.
“The bug caught you too. Don’t tell me that you’re going to be walking around here like a lost puppy like Ash and Brennan. I get enough of it from them. She’s going to get sick of you Colt boys and quit coming, and then what?”
“It ain’t like that, Bro. I just respect how smart and—”
“Beautiful?”
“Yes…I mean, no. I was going to say how smart and knowledgeable about horses.” He shoved his fists into his front pockets and kicked up dirt with the toe of one boot, just like he did when he was a kid and was caught lying.
“Yeah, how smart and knowledgeable she is. I’ll give her that. She’s the best damn vet I’ve met. However, she’s also the prettiest one I’ve met too. You haven’t noticed that detail, Bro?” Arc couldn’t deny that he was enjoying teasing his brother. Since they were kids, Adam had been the quiet, more reserved one. The one who had his head together. He didn’t seem so collected right now. It was about time someone came along and knocked him off his well-built ship.
“Don’t you worry about me. You worry about yourself.” He stomped off.
Arc laughed. Yeah, his brother was definitely infatuated with the vet.
Ash or Brennan would be pissed, for a minute, anyway. Arc knew Ash well enough, and if he truly had interest in CC, he’d have made a move long ago. He wasn’t a shy guy, never had been, and never would be. Arc didn’t know Brennan well, but it didn’t take a genius to understand that when a man liked a woman, he didn’t sit back and twiddle his thumbs like a jackass. That’s why Arc suspected the two men were having an invisible pissing contest.
Oh well. The three of them would work it out, even if it eventually came to blows. Arc had enough of his own issues to think about. Like getting hitched before the six months was up.
His mind naturally created an image of Alaska.
Damn mistake. She wasn’t his type.
She wasn’t even that pretty. Her eyes were too big and bright. Her hair was too shiny. She was too skinny.
Yet, why did he feel a rousing below his belt every time he thought of her?
He needed to eradicate those thoughts from his brain. He’d just steer clear of her.
Big problem. He had her car in the barn and her roof needed fixed.
Arc marched up the path toward the house, scowling.
How the hell did a woman he didn’t know turn him inside out?
He rounded the corner of the house and came to a sudden stop.
“Mr. Colt?” The man on the porch greeted him.
Arc sighed. Had he forgotten an appointment? Did he know the man? These days he couldn’t even remember what he ate for dinner the day before.
The man met Arc halfway, holding out his hand. “I’m Gary Wright. You ordered a car part from my shop.”
“Okay. I’m Arc.” He shook the tall, lanky man’s hand.
“I wanted to drop by, introduce myself, and let you know that we had a problem finding the part and luckily found one this morning.”
“Great news.”
“Well, I don’t know how fast you’re needing it, but it won’t be available until the end of the week.”
Just what he needed. More bad news. Without the part, he couldn’t get Alaska’s car fixed, which meant she would be in Tarnation a while longer. Where was the disappointment he expected? Instead the feeling in his chest felt more like relief. “That’s fine. By the way, I need to get a hitch put on the back of one of the trucks. Would you have some time to help with that?”
“Sure. Why don’t you bring it by the shop this afternoon?”
Arc shook his hand again. “Sounds great, man. I’ll be there later.”
CHAPTER 7
RIVER SPEARED SOME of the lasagna from the pan and chewed. “It’s good.” His eyes lit up.
“Lasagna is always better the next day, even better than cereal.” Surprisingly, she’d slept well last night and didn’t feel as overwhelmed. “How did you sleep?”
“Good! Are we going with Cory today?” His eyes were bright, brighter than she’d seen in a long time and his color was good. In fact, his allergies seemed better too, and after all the dust they’d cleaned yesterday she would have expected differently.
“Yes, if you’d like to. You and Cory got along very well, didn’t you?”
He nodded anxiously. “We had lots of fun. Can he come over later?”
“We’ll see.” She forked a noodle and chewed. “River, you do understand that we might not stay here in Tarnation for a long time.”
“I want to stay here. I like it here.” His shoulders slumped some.
She patted his hand. “I know. The people are nice. This house, it’s beautiful, but I have to think about what’s best for us.”
“Staying here is what’s best.” He put down his fork.
The familiar feelings of wanting to plant roots for her son overcame her. Roe had told her this was an opportunity, and it could be possible, but what was keeping Alaska from believing? She’d been hurt too often, held promises from others that didn’t come through. Each time the caseworker had dropped her off at a new home, held her hand as they walked up another broken sidewalk paved with promises, and then just as soon as the worker left, the gold turned to brass. If the foster parents had children of their own, then she was treated secondary. If there were other foster kids, then they were treated like money makers. It was a vicious cycle.
She could barely remember her mother. The few memories that remained were of a sick woman.
Living with Aunt Delcie had been nice. She’d been nurturing and fun—and a great cook. Alaska had been treated like a daughter, until Delcie had lost her baby. While Alaska cleaned house, cooked dinner and took care of the household so Delcie could sleep, Steve would come home drunk and angry. Eventually, when Alaska heard his car pull into the driveway, she’d hide in her room. This didn’t last long because he’d barge in, barely standing on his feet in a drunken stupor, as he demanded that she get up and make him food.
Scared and uncertain where his temper would lead, she’d jump up and rush to the kitchen.
One night he was drunker and angrier than usual. Delcie hadn’t gone to the grocery in a while so Alaska had nothing to fix. Steve had screamed at her, caging her against the counter and kissing her. She bit his tongue, pushed him away and ran and hid.
A caseworker showed up the next day and took Alaska.
“Mom? You okay?” River’s voice pulled her from the past.
“Yes, I’m fine. Are you finished?”
“Yep.”
“Then go get changed then brush your teeth.”
Inside her bedroom, she folded a blanket and spread it on the floor. During her pregnancy, the doctor recommended yoga to help with back pain and stress. Starting an exercise regimen had immediately helped and each morning she followed a routine.
She sat crisscross, relaxed her hands palms up on her thighs and closed her eyes, focusing on the quiet. Back in Chicago she used a noise machine to block out the noise from outside, but here she didn’t need the sound.
Assuming the position of downward dog, she heard a buzzing sound near her right ear.
Slitting one eye, she saw the fly. “What is it with the flies in the area?” she grumbled.
Blowing the pest away, she changed poses into upward dog then fluidly turned onto her back to stretch her arms high above her head. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on her breathing.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
What in the world?
Ignoring the noise, she inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Pound. Pound. Pound.
Jerking her eyes open, she looked toward
the window.
The noise came from somewhere.
Pushing up from the blanket, she stamped to the window, drawing back the curtain to look out. Her breath caught and her stomach rolled. There was a horse hooked to the fence out front. A horse? Really? Wasn’t a goat enough?
But that wouldn’t explain the noise on her roof.
Stomping down the hallway, she pushed through the screen door, forgetting that it still needed fixed and it fell. Stepping over the heap, she crossed the porch and looked all the way up to the roof. All she could see was a large silhouette backlit by the sun. “Hello? Who’s up there?”
“Good morning, ma’am.”
“Arc?” She’d know that low, husky drawl anywhere. Marching around the other side of the house so she could see better, she choked on the constriction in her throat. He was standing up, and his shirt was missing. She skimmed her gaze down the toned valleys of his torso that were slick with sweat. She wanted to speak…needed to speak, but her voice wouldn’t work.
“Sleep well?” His smile made her dizzy.
“What are you doing up there?”
“Sunbathing,” he teased as he pulled his shirt from his belt, where it had been hooked, and used it to wipe the moisture from his forehead.
Crossing her arms over her waist, she shook her head in irritation. “Can you be serious for a second?”
“I’m fixing the roof.” He seemed so coolheaded although it was already a hundred degrees outside with the sun burning a hole through her clothes.
“Come down from there.” She motioned at the ladder.
“I’ll be down in a minute.”
She heard him gather his tools, take the rungs of the ladder down and when he finally faced her, she wished she could send him back up on the roof for her own good. “You can’t be fixing my roof.”
“Technically, it’s my roof until you sign the papers. If something bad happens to this roof it’ll be my responsibility.”
“It didn’t seem to worry you before I arrived,” she snapped.
He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his thick, damp hair. The sunlight caught his eyes making them almost cerulean. “Touché.”
“Whether it’s your roof or my roof, you shouldn’t be fixing it.”
“Why?”
“I will hire someone to fix it.” Does that mean I want to stay?
“You’re missing the point. I should have done this a long time ago. We don’t want to take any risks.”
What could she say? “You’re a stubborn man.”
“I’ve been told that a few times.” He laughed.
Turning on her barefoot, she retraced her steps back to the door when he stopped her with a question.
“Aren’t you going to ask?”
Although she wanted to ignore him, she was curious. She dared a look at him, and the combination of that smile and those bare abs made her think she needed a cold shower. “About what?”
“Your car.”
That cocky grin made her want to slap his face. “Okay. I’ll bite. What’s going on with my car?” She’d been so livid with him that she’d forgotten all about her car—even forgotten how to breathe.
“I ordered the part.”
“Great news. What do I owe you?”
“Not so fast. It’s not in yet. It should be in at the end of the week.”
She dropped her arms at her sides. This meant several things. She was stuck in Tarnation. And she didn’t have transportation. The B&B was too far to walk into town. What would she do? “Okay.”
“If you need any—”
“We’ll be fine.” She couldn’t depend upon his generosity, and she most definitely couldn’t trust her body not to react.
“Come on. Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face.”
She narrowed her gaze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s an expression that means one is acting in a way that’ll damage oneself—”
“I know what the expression means, and you know that.”
His smile deepened to dangerous limits. “It’s okay to accept some help.”
“Oh, really? Are you sure you want to help someone who convinces sick men to hand over cash and houses?” She targeted him with all her anger. Saying the words out loud drove through her like hot lava. When she met Buzz, she had no idea that he had money, or that he would walk away from his medical trial and quit all treatment. Whether he was rich or poor, none of that mattered to her.
“So, you’re admitting my suspicions?” He cocked a brow.
“Have you ever been told that you’re insufferable?”
“A few times.”
“I think you like to rub people the wrong way. Stay off my roof!” she mumbled.
“Good thing I finished already. There was only minor damage.”
“Whatever!” She turned and fumed her way inside the house.
Giving up on yoga for the day, she instead dressed, pulled her hair into a topknot, and by the time she was finished, Cariss was knocking on the door.
“Are you ready?” She wore a garish-looking Hawaiian top with matching bright blue shorts.
“We’re ready to go.” Alaska tried to calm her nerves and guessed she didn’t have to worry about low blood pressure today.
As they walked down the sidewalk, Cariss leaned in. “Psst. Was that a Colt that I saw leaving here?”
Alaska bit her tongue to keep from saying something she might regret. “Yes. That was Arc. He worked on the roof.”
“You had a Colt fixing your roof? I hope you didn’t hurry him along for my benefit?” Cariss wagged her brows.
Feeling her cheeks warm, she investigated the distance, hiding her emotions from the woman. “No,” she said a little too quickly and climbed into the passenger seat. “Would it be too much to ask if while we’re in town you let me run into the hardware store? There are a few things I need for the house.” It was best to sidetrack things to a safer conversation.
“Sure. I’ll help anyway I can. In fact, I wanted to ask if River would like to attend basketball camp with Cory this week?”
“I’m afraid he’s never played.”
Cariss waved a hand. “None of them have, at least not much. This is practice showing them the basics. This is the perfect time for him to learn if he likes the sport. Each day will be dedicated to a new drill.”
Looking at her son in the backseat who was joyfully laughing with Cory over what DVD they’d watch on their way into town, she hesitated. “I don’t know.”
As if Cariss understood her hesitation, she said, “I know you don’t know me or anyone in town, but if it helps, I’m staying and volunteering. You’re more than welcome to stop in as often as you like.”
To hold River back would be selfish. “I’ll speak to him tonight. If he’d like to go I can’t see why he shouldn’t.”
The SUV bounced over the gravel road and Alaska was jostled in her seat.
“Oh, hold on. I’m slowing down.” Cariss brought the SUV to a crawl. “Horses have the right of way around here.”
Alaska’s mouth fell open. Arc and his horse were riding along the side of the road. He turned in the saddle and dipped his hat in greeting. At least he had put his shirt back on. When his gaze met hers, she turned away. Keep going! Keep going! Please keep going!
Cariss brought the Escalade to a complete stop.
Alaska lowered slightly in the leather seat.
Realizing that Cariss was motioning for her to roll down the window, Alaska pressed the button. She refused to make eye contact with the cowboy.
“Hello, ladies,” he said in his unique husky tone. He pushed his Stetson up on his forehead and one eyebrow quirked as he surveyed her from atop his horse. Lord help her, she couldn’t resist the need to look at him. He gave a small tilt of his chiseled jaw and a mind-consuming smile of those lush lips, just as he had numerous times yesterday while she bandaged him. She turned her attention to the front window.
“Hi, Arc. I
t’s me,” River said eagerly.
“Hi there, young man. How are you?”
“I’m good. We’re going to town to make shirts.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Alaska could feel Arc’s gaze on her again. Don’t look! Don’t look!
“How are you doing?” Cariss lowered down some so she could speak to Arc over Alaska. She couldn’t help herself, but she had to look at him. She couldn’t breathe without inhaling his scent, guessing it was more from memory than his closeness.
“I’m doing fine. It’s a beautiful day.” He touched the brim of his hat.
She knew men like Arc. They thought they could say or do anything, and women would flock to them. Well, Alaska wasn’t like all women and she’d prove she wasn’t interested.
“You ladies have a safe day. Come on, beautiful.”
Alaska’s breath caught and she jerked her head up, meeting his humorous expression. He was talking to the horse. He clicked his tongue and the horse continued at a slow trot.
Once they passed him, Cariss stared at Arc and his horse through the rearview mirror. “What a gentleman.”
“Don’t you think he might be a little cocky?” Alaska asked.
Cariss’s laughter bounced around the SUV’s interior. “I think he’s confident.”
She realized she and her new friend weren’t on the same age when it came to the cowboy. “I guess you could call it that too.”
Arc led the horse into the woods.
“We’re coming up on the renowned view of Tarnation.” Cariss drew Alaska’s attention to her right.
“The view?”
“There’s a history here at this overlook. A romantic legend of sorts. In early eighteen hundred, it’s said that a heartbroken young woman came here to jump off the cliff, but a handsome farmer happened along. At the time he didn’t realize he had saved her life, but tale says that they talked for hours and as the sun started to set she told him she needed to get home. He was so enthralled by her beauty that he kissed her on the lips, and, at that very moment, they fell in love. They were together for the next fifty years. It’s said this place holds a magical power over couples. Many have come up here to see if the story is true. They all say it is.”
Pour me a Drink (Tarnation, Texas Book 3) Page 8