Pour me a Drink (Tarnation, Texas Book 3)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “You’re putting up those walls again and using River as an excuse to run. I’m not the enemy. I’m not like all those people who dropped the ball in protecting you and loving you. See that I’m different.”

  “You don’t understand, Arc. You have no clue what it’s like to have a child. If the tables were turned, you might feel differently.” She planted her hands against the counter, gripping it for good measure.

  “No, I certainly don’t have a child, but I know a smokescreen when I see it. Stop using River as an excuse to not allow yourself to find love. One day your son will be able to take care of himself and then what? What will be your excuse?”

  “I don’t owe you, or anyone, an explanation.”

  He blew out a long breath. “No, you’re right, you don’t owe me one, but River deserves one.” He started for the hallway but turned back. “I realize you’ve become a pro at building walls, Alaska, but when will you become just as skilled at seeing when someone cares for you?” Then he left.

  Gathering her emotions, she went to River’s room and found him lying in bed, but he was awake. Sitting next to him, she touched his arm. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “River?”

  He turned his face away, staring at the wall. “It’s okay, mom.”

  “Apparently it’s not. I guess I overreacted, didn’t I?” The last thing she wanted was to suffocate her son. For nine years she’d protected him…protecting him from the experiences of her own past.

  “I hate having asthma,” he grumbled.

  “I know it’s not easy.”

  “You don’t understand, mom. I can’t play soccer or football. I can’t even spend the night with a buddy. I was having fun and we were going to build a fort in the morning.”

  Arc’s words played on a reel inside her head. “When I received the call from Cariss I jumped the gun. I heard that you had an attack and before I even asked if things were under control I raced over there. Big mistake.”

  His crystal blue eyes seemed wider. “I like it here. I want to be like the rest of the kids. I don’t want to go back to my old school. I didn’t like it.”

  She patted his head. “So, you really like it here. I can tell. Cory is very nice, and his parents too. This place still needs some work, but…”

  “It’s okay. I like it the way it is.” He yawned.

  “You’re tired. Let me tuck you in, unless you’re getting too old for that, too.”

  “Probably, but I still like when you do.” He smiled.

  “Thank goodness because this getting all grown up thing is hard for a parent.” She pulled the blanket up to his chin. “There. All warm and cozy? Do you want me to grab Walter?” She referred to his stuffed raccoon.

  “No. I am too old for sleeping with toys.”

  She gave him a kiss and stood. “Sleep tight. Door open or closed?”

  “Open.”

  Leaving him, she made her way through the dim hallway and came to a sudden halt, jumping in alarm. Lowe was standing at the end of the hall. She had forgotten all about him. “Lowe, I didn’t know you were here.” She uncomfortably tugged the hem of her shirt down on her hips. Had he heard the argument between her and Arc?

  “Sorry, ma’am.” He scooped his hat off his head and pressed it against his chest. “I know it’s late, but I had some business to take care of and I’m just getting back.”

  “Yes, I understand. Is there something I can get you?”

  “Could I bug you for something to drink?”

  She motioned for him to follow her into the kitchen. “Would you like water? Iced tea? I could make some lemonade.”

  “Don’t go out of your way. Would you happen to have anything a little stronger?”

  “You’re in luck. I found a bottle of whiskey in the cabinet. You’re more than welcome to it.” She grabbed the dusty bottle and a small glass, setting them on the counter. “Are you hungry? I could whip up some eggs.”

  “No, thank you. I ate dinner over at the diner earlier.” He uncapped the whiskey, poured the glass half full and swallowed most of it, only to pour more. “So, tell me, ma’am—”

  “Alaska, please.”

  “Alaska, I’m curious, what makes a woman from the big city want to come all the way here to Tarnation, Texas and open a bed and breakfast?”

  “Good question. It’s one I don’t have the answer for yet.” Her gaze naturally flitted toward River’s bedroom down the hall.

  “I guess it’d be a decent place to raise a child.” He emptied the glass.

  “Do you have children?”

  “No. Never even thought of having them. I’m on the go too often. Texas today. Arizona next week.” He sniffed loudly.

  “Oh, I thought you lived in San Antonio.”

  “No, I was just visiting. Guess I should hit the sack. Thanks for the whiskey and the conversation. You have a good night, ma’am—I mean, Alaska.”

  Putting the bottle away and cleaning the glass, she turned off the lights and headed down the hall, peeking in on River who was breathing evenly, thank goodness. She continued into the bathroom and undressed.

  The master bedroom was right above her and she heard Lowe talking. He must have been on the phone and arguing with someone by the muffled curses. She wasn’t a snoop, so she ran the water in the tub, and when it was half full, she climbed in. Easing into the warmth, she laid her head back and closed her eyes, then her mind filled with images of Arc and their lovemaking. He’d held her in such a way…a way that made her feel wanted and cared for. He’d said himself that he cared for her. She cared for him too.

  Who was she kidding? Of course she cared for him. Otherwise she would have never slept with him. Yet, there was more than a feeling of two people wanting to release a need or desire. They’d connected. Found each other on an amazing level of emotion. And she’d ran away from him…

  He’d been right. She’d used River as an excuse not to follow her feelings. The sudden overwhelming emotions of what they’d shared, and what she’d divulged to him, had scared her. Any other time she’d probably want to grab her things and head back into the city.

  The city!

  Popping open her eyes, she sat up in the water, realizing what Lowe had asked her. Why had she left the city? How did he know she had lived in the city? They’d barely exchanged ten words since he’d arrived, and she was certain she hadn’t told him where she lived before coming there.

  Maybe she was overreacting because, apparently, that was her thing. It was possible someone in town had told him. A simple misunderstanding.

  Sure, that was it…

  Chastising herself for exaggerating, just as she did with River tonight, she eased back down into the tub, but didn’t close her eyes. Instead, she stared up at the swirled pattern on the ceiling. What if this—whatever this was between her and Arc—could grow? What if they could be a family? Wilder things had happened in life. After all, she’d never believed that she would wind up in a small town with a B&B and money, more money she’d ever made in all her adult life.

  Now was the time to make her own path. She could never rewrite her history or change the bad things, but she could make things brighter for River, and for her. She could learn to loosen up the “mommy” rope and allow River to experience the things in life most nine-year-olds should be doing. It wouldn’t be easy, not when she’d held the reins so tight for so long, afraid something bad would happen, but she had to try. Had to if she wanted for her relationship to stay close with him.

  As for Arc, she had no clue where they’d go from here.

  Or maybe she did. Maybe it was overdue for her to, for once, just follow the flow and see where it led her.

  CHAPTER 21

  “YOU’RE REALLY GOING to do this?”

  Arc glanced at Baxter who was leaning over the top rail around the fairground’s arena. “Yeah, I’m going to ride for the charity. It’s for a good cause.”

  “I guess if you’re going to come out
of retirement, this is where you’d want to do it.” Baxter patted Arc’s shoulder. “Hey, this might not be any of my damn business, but what’s going on with you?”

  “What do you mean?” Arc scratched his jaw.

  “Come on. I know we don’t know each other that well, but you seem different. You can tell me it ain’t any of my business, but just curious.”

  He hadn’t seen Alaska in days. “I guess I’ve fallen for someone I might not deserve.”

  Baxter, as tough as he was, looked a little sheepish. “Is it the woman who showed up at the house the other day?”

  “Yes.”

  “You might want to say hello.”

  Following Baxter’s stare, Arc’s breath came out in a hiss. He hadn’t seen Alaska since their argument, and it had been a helluva week. She looked mighty well. Her hair hung in long, silken waves down her bare shoulders exposed in the off the shoulder blue shirt. The tight jeans—God’s gift to men—looked amazing on her figure, and the new boots and hat tied everything together. He’d never seen a prettier cowgirl.

  He wanted to go to her and talk, but they hadn’t parted on such great circumstances. He’d said some things he shouldn’t have—or maybe he should have, but not at a time when she was reeling from fear for her son. That was one of the things he respected most about her. She had a deep love for her son.

  “It ain’t none of my business but she did look over here. Maybe she’d like to come and see you ride?” Baxter pushed off the rail and headed for the lemonade shack.

  Arc left the arena and followed Alaska and Cariss toward the Ferris wheel. They stepped in the line to ride. Cariss left her place to step over to the cotton candy booth and when she started back to rejoin Alaska, Arc caught her attention and waved her over next to the ring toss tent.

  “Hello, Arc.” She smiled.

  “How are you, Cariss?”

  “All day morning sickness sucks. Sugar helps.” She pulled off a piece of the pink fluff and popped it into her mouth. “Are you going to say hello to Alaska?”

  “That’s what my plan is.”

  “Well, Hell. How about you take my ticket. I’d probably get up there and vomit anyway. I’d rather not be the talk of the town for the next year.” She winked and handed over the ticket.

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  When he made it back to the Ferris wheel, Alaska was next in line. She handed her ticket to the carney as she looked around for Cariss. He slipped up, handed over his ticket and climbed into the cart with her.

  “Arc? What are you doing?” She looked beyond him. “What is Cariss doing?”

  “She gave me her ticket because she was feeling queasy.”

  “I bet she was.” Alaska rolled her eyes.

  “I hope you’ll forgive me, honey,” Cariss said from the line and gave her a thumbs up.

  The carney latched the door. “Wait, I’m getting out.” She started to move.

  “Give me one ride. That’s all,” Arc pleaded.

  She didn’t say a word, just held onto the stuffed teddy bear she must have won. “You didn’t have to hijack the ride. I would have spoken to you.”

  The cart jerked and move backward, stopping for the next riders to get on.

  “I didn’t think you’d want to see me.”

  “Arc, I—”

  “Wait. I need to tell you everything about me. If I don’t hurry, I might lose my bravery.” He inhaled deeply. “I want you to trust me and for that to happen I want to reveal everything. I’m not innocent. Not by a long shot. I’ve spent the majority of my adulthood enjoying women. I’m grouchy. I’ve been told that often. I don’t have a mental dictionary of all the right words, which makes me a lousy communicator. I like to spend lots of time on the land, getting my hands dirty, but if I had someone at home, I’d see how that could change. I can go days without sitting down to eat a meal, which isn’t healthy.”

  She laughed. “We all have flaws, Arc.”

  “But that’s not all. My brothers and I aren’t in Tarnation because we choose to be.”

  “I know. You told me you have to earn the deed to your ranch.”

  The cart jerked. The ride moved. More people got on.

  “That’s only part of it.”

  “Okay?” She turned so that they were facing one another.

  Kids above them were laughing as they made their cart move back and forth. They were loud, making Arc raise his voice as he spoke to her.

  “I have to get married in six months—actually more like five months now.”

  “What?”

  “Married,” he yelled and at that moment the kids quieted. Everyone on the ride looked at him with narrowed gazes. He heard whispers of, “Did he just ask her to marry him?” “Are they getting married?” They even received a few claps from riders.

  Alaska looked mortified.

  “Shit!” He pushed through tight lips. “The stipulation in Buzz’s will is that we have to get married, all of us brothers, before the six months is up.”

  “Is this a joke?”

  He shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t lie about something like this.”

  Several uncomfortable seconds floated by. The Ferris wheel moved. The wind was strong. She gripped the bar tight. “You have to get married?”

  “God, I know it sounds crazy. I know you probably want to run as fast as your feet will carry you, but at least you can’t right now.”

  “I-I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything.”

  “But what you’re telling me…it’s crazy.”

  “I needed to. I want you to trust me. I want you to realize that I’m not a bad guy.”

  “I never thought you were.” She placed the teddy between them. “You were right the other night when you said I use River as an excuse to not let people in. To move forward in life.”

  “I’m sorry, Alaska—” He reached for her hand, holding it between his fingers. “It wasn’t my place to say what I did, at least not at that moment.”

  “It’s okay. I needed to hear it. For River’s sake if anything. It’s a work in progress, but I need to give him a future where he can be like other kids his age. He loves it here. I’m starting to grow fond of it too.”

  They were going round and round now. The wind slapped them in their faces. Arc felt a little sick. He never liked rides like this.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I’m okay.” He wasn’t about to admit that he was a wussy when it came to heights.

  “Thank you for telling me. I know that can’t be easy.”

  He stayed quiet until the ride slowed then finally stopped. Thankfully they were the first to get off.

  Arc took her hand and led her away from the crowd. “Maybe we could talk some more.”

  “I’d like that—” Her smile melted his heart.

  “Well, well…looky, looky. It’s nice to see you again.”

  They both looked up and over to the man who’d rudely invaded their conversation.

  CHAPTER 22

  ALASKA COULDN’T BELIEVE what she was seeing. Or rather, who she was seeing. “John? What are you doing here?” The landlord had a white bandage wrapped around his head.

  “You know him?” Arc asked.

  She looked from Arc back to the cocky man she’d last seen passed out on the floor of the kitchen in the house she’d been renting. “I have nothing to say to you, John.”

  The landlord smiled, running his eyes down her in a slow crawl that made her feel like she needed a shower. “No, that’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart. We have a lot to talk about.”

  Arc growled then stepped between her and John. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  He stuck his hand out, but Arc ignored it, which caused the landlord to cackle and shrug. “I’m going to guess that little miss Alaska pie didn’t tell you that she skimmed me for a thousand bucks. Did she?”

  Arc remained quiet.

  �
��H-how did you find me?”

  “It wasn’t cheap. PI’s aren’t inexpensive these days, but it didn’t take Lowe too long to find you.”

  “Lowe?” The name dropped off her lips.

  “You hired Lowe to find Alaska?” Arc bit through tight lips, his hands clenching into fists. Alaska had never seen him lose his temper.

  “Like I said, pretty boy. She owes me money. I’ve come to collect.” He used his pinky nail to pick between his front teeth then he spit on the dirt beside Arc’s boot.

  “That’s not true.” She touched Arc’s sleeve. “He took my necklace for what I owed him.”

  “That piece of shit fake necklace wasn’t worth five dollars, bitch. You can have it back.” He reached into the front pocket of his grimy T-shirt and tossed the piece of jewelry at her feet.

  Arc took a step, but she grabbed his arm. “He’s not worth it,” she said.

  Picking up the discarded necklace, she held it tight. It could be worth less than five dollars and she’d still think it was worth a million in sentimental value.

  “I think your time is done here,” Arc growled, then he took Alaska’s hand, but only made it a few feet before John said, “Not so fast. You’re bitch here also knocked me over the head and left me for dead. I had to get stitches in my head. I made a police report. Sheriff, over here.” John waved to someone in the crowd that had started to gather to see what was happening.

  Alaska saw Sheriff Bash step out of the circle of people. “Arc. Alaska.” He dipped his hat in greeting. “It seems we have an issue here.”

  Arc took a step forward “The problem, Sheriff, is that this man is harassing Alaska.”

  “Mr. Bruce showed up in my office with a police report he’d filed. I’m afraid to tell you this, Ms. Kellington, but you have a warrant out for your arrest.”

  “What?” Her knees weakened and her vision blurred. In all the places she’d been, she’d never been arrested.

  “For assault, ma’am. I’m going to have to take you in.” Bash didn’t look too enthused.

  “See there, Alaska pie. You thought you could come all the way here in this shithole and not face what you’ve done.” The landlord grinned.