by Alison Bliss
“No, I’m serious. I’m just going to concentrate on raising my child in a healthy environment while I turn this place into our dream home. Speaking of which, after today, I won’t be in the house alone anymore, which is going to severely hamper my dating life, anyway.”
“You mean because Austin is coming back from his grandma’s house?”
I shook my head. “No. I mean, yes, Austin is coming home today. But that’s not what I was talking about. I haven’t told anyone this yet, but I’m going to have a house guest for the summer.”
“Who?”
“I’m not sure,” I said with a shrug. “I made a deal with the devil.”
Her eyes widened. “Okay, now you’re seriously scaring me. What the hell are you talking about? Who exactly did you make a deal with?”
I laughed. “Okay, well, not the devil exactly. Junior, more specifically.”
That was about as close to the devil as one could get in Liberty, Texas. As the only local Comanche tracker in these parts, Junior somehow knew things that’d never been spoken out loud. Like the man could see into your very soul and understand exactly what your weaknesses were in just one glance.
Then again, he was my boss. It was a lot harder to keep things from him when I worked in his diner as a waitress and talked to him almost daily. The moment Junior realized that I was restoring the farmhouse all by myself in my spare time, he’d offered to come over and finish the repairs himself. But I’d told him I didn’t want his help. Yet leave it to Junior to find a loophole. The evil genius.
Emily breathed out a sigh of relief. “Junior? What kind of deal did you make with him?”
“He called last week and said that his nephew would be coming into town today. He’s visiting for the summer. I didn’t know why Junior was telling me that until he got to the part where his nephew needed a place to stay. He planned to lodge with his uncle, of course, but Junior’s house was right in the middle of all of that flooding that happened last month, and the water still hasn’t gone down. Even when it does recede, the house won’t be livable for a few months until Junior takes care of all the water damage.”
“Yes, I heard about that. Junior’s been staying with Hank and Floss, since it’s not far from his place and he could keep his horses there. But that little cottage he’s sleeping in on their property is way too small for two grown men. When Jake and I stayed there, we were practically on top of each other all the time.”
I grinned. “Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it.”
Emily shrugged. “Well, yeah. Being stuck in close quarters with Jake was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But I have a feeling Junior and his nephew wouldn’t feel the same way. Especially for an entire summer.”
“That’s what Junior said. That’s also why he asked if his nephew could stay here. But I don’t really like the idea of his nephew staying with me and my son. I like my privacy. Besides that, I don’t really want to have to wash some stranger’s underwear.”
Emily leaned back in her chair and laughed. “Why on Earth would you have to wash his underwear? It’s not like you’re a couple or something. He’s just a guest. He can wash his own damn underwear.”
“Well, that’s where the deal I made comes in.”
Her eyes widened. “You agreed to let him stay here and wash his underwear? Bobbie Jo, I hate to tell you this, but you got the shitty end of that deal.”
I shook my head. “No, that wasn’t it. Well, not specifically.” I motioned to the house. “You know I’ve been trying to fix up the farmhouse and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Well, apparently Junior’s nephew has some handyman skills that would come in…well, handy. So it was a fair trade. I agreed to give his nephew free room and board in exchange for him doing odd chores and repairs around the farm. Stuff I don’t really know how to do or can’t do by myself.”
Emily frowned. “Bobbie Jo, if you needed help, why didn’t you say something? Jake and I would’ve been happy to come over and give you a hand. I’ve told you this a thousand times. In fact, all of us have.”
“If I had wanted anyone’s help, I would’ve called. I know my friends are just a handshake away and that you guys would drop what you’re doing to make yourselves available to me. That’s what makes you all such great friends. But when it comes to the bed and breakfast, I just really want to stand on my own two feet. If I’m not doing the work on the farm myself, then I want to at least pay the person who is doing it…even if that payment is in the form of a hot meal and a roof over his head.”
“Okay, so you’re wanting to prove that you’re independent and can handle things yourself. Fine. But just keep in mind that no one is going to think lesser of you if you ask for a little help. We’re here for you. Always.”
I offered her a sincere smile. “I know that.” But I hadn’t asked any of them for help and never would if I had my way about it. Unlike them, Junior had just somehow known that I’d needed it and made me a deal I couldn’t refuse.
I was no match for Junior or his diabolical plan to make sure I got the assistance I so desperately needed. Even though it wasn’t possible to incorporate an actual flood into his plan, it hasn’t stopped him from using it to his full advantage. Because when Junior set his mind to something, nothing stood in his way. Damn that sweet man.
I didn’t want to accept his help. If I couldn’t handle issues in my own life, in my own way, then who was going to teach my son how to problem-solve?
Jeremy? Ha. Not hardly.
No, I needed to be a good role model for my son. Let him see what a strong, capable mother he had. The last thing I wanted was for my child to believe that I needed a man to take care of me. Hell no. I could damn well take care of myself. No matter what, I was determined to prove that I could make it on my own as a single mom, as well as a home and business owner. And I was going to do it my way.
Jake stepped outside as another truck pulled into the driveway. “There’s Junior. What’s he doing here—dropping off your squatter?”
Emily gave him a stern look. “God, Jake. Did you listen to everything we said?”
“Hey, it wasn’t my fault I could hear you. The front door was open and you two talk loud.”
“It’s fine,” I said, waving my hand through the air. Then I gazed out at Junior’s truck as it made its way slowly up the road, the tires dipping into the large potholes in the driveway. There was someone in the passenger seat, but from this distance, the glare from the morning sun wouldn’t allow me to see his face. “I’m sure he’s dropping off his nephew. I just didn’t realize they would be here so early.”
Both doors had opened at the same time, but his nephew must’ve been grabbing his luggage from the back seat because Junior walked over and met us halfway by himself.
As usual, the big, burly man wore black western clothes, all the way down to his long-sleeve shirt, shiny boots, and Stetson hat. A leather sheath attached to his hip held a large buck knife that Junior had handcrafted himself, and his bottom lip poked out, filled with the sweet-smelling wintergreen tobacco that he loved so much.
I smiled at him. “You’re here earlier than I expected.”
“Bobbie Jo.” He tipped his hat. “I have to run into Houston to pick up a horse, so I figured I’d drop off my nephew and let him get settled in while I’m gone. Hope that’s okay.”
“Sure, I don’t see why not.”
The sound of the back passenger door shutting reached our ears, and we all turned toward the noise. A figure moved out from between the two trucks just as Junior said, “Bobbie Jo, this is my nephew, Seth Landry.”
I started forward to shake his hand, but the moment my eyes landed on his face, my feet stalled beneath me. No! It can’t be.
I blinked rapidly, hoping like hell my imagination was playing some cruel trick on me. But when Emily’s raucous laughter sounded behind me, I knew that I wasn’t seeing things. The mystery man who had practically knocked my panties off with one devastating kiss during the previous ni
ght’s event also happened to be Junior’s nephew.
And he was staying with me for the entire summer.
Shit.
Chapter Three
Unable to speak, I stood there staring at him like an idiot as he set a large military-style duffle bag down on the ground next to him. He straightened and ran his hand over the back of his neck as he blinked back at me. He was just as surprised as I was.
But he must’ve recovered from the shock before I did because his piercing gaze roamed over my body as an obnoxious smirk lifted the corner of his mouth. “Bobbie,” he said with a slight nod.
I didn’t know what to say, but I needed to do some damage control to keep from making this situation any more awkward than it already was. So I smiled politely and forced myself to speak. “Seth,” I said, testing out his name and letting it roll off my tongue. “It’s, um…nice to meet you.”
Okay, yeah. So I pretended not to recognize him. It was a last second decision, and the only thing I had to go with. Sue me. His brow rose, but I ignored it and continued with my act by thrusting my hand toward him. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Yeah right. That wasn’t true at all. I didn’t know diddly-squat about this man who I had agreed to let stay at my place. But at the very least, I trusted Junior enough not to drop a psychopath off at my home without at least giving me a heads-up. So there was that.
Seth moved toward me and accepted my hand, sliding his palm over mine slowly in a way that reminded me of two hot bodies rubbing against each…
Ah hell. Who was I kidding? This guy could’ve dropped his pants and mooned me, and I would’ve thought about having sex. With him, specifically.
The battery to my libido might have been dead for the past five years, but the stellar kiss Seth had planted on me last night had somehow charged it to max capacity. Now my sexual frustration was running at full throttle, and I couldn’t seem to idle it down.
I gave his hand a firm shake and then removed mine from his as quickly as possible. While introductions were being made to Jake and Emily, I glanced repeatedly back and forth between Junior and his nephew.
God, I’m an idiot. How did I not figure this out sooner?
Genetically speaking, Seth looked like a younger-looking version of his uncle. Sure, they had some differences. But beyond the age gap and the different lengths of their hair, the resemblance was uncanny. Courtesy of Comanche heritage, both men had jet-black hair and tanned skin. But Junior’s long strands hung down his back in a thick braid while Seth had a much shorter cut with tufts of his dark hair hanging over his forehead.
But those deep-set golden-brown eyes? Yeah, those were definitely the same. And that should’ve been something I’d picked up on immediately. I’d never before seen anyone with such light eyes. Keen, hawk-like eyes that seemed to penetrate my very soul.
“Well,” Junior said, fiddling with the truck keys in his hand, “I guess I better get going if I’m going to get that horse back here sometime today. I still have to go pick up the trailer before I leave. But if any of you need anything, let me know.”
I needed something, all right. I needed him to stuff his nephew back into his truck and drive him far away from me. Because there was no way I could sleep under the same roof with this guy down the hall from me. Not after I’d had Seth’s lips on mine and knew firsthand what a great kisser he was. And definitely not with me being this sexually frustrated. I may be a lot of things, but a glutton for punishment wasn’t one of them.
That alone was reason enough to back out of this arrangement, but anxiety rose inside of me. I didn’t know how I could get out of it without having to explain why I wanted out of it. Didn’t matter, though. All I knew was that there was no way Seth could stay with me. “Junior, I…uh…” Damn. How was I going to tell him?
Junior stepped over to me and put one large hand on my shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze. “Thanks for doing this for me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Seth didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
Oh man. Guilt coursed through me, and I began to perspire. It was too late to call the whole thing off. I’d already agreed to the living arrangement, and I had always been someone who stood by my word. Especially when it came to my family and friends.
Maybe I wasn’t keen on the idea of letting Seth stay with me, but Junior had always been there for me when I’d needed him. It was about time I finally returned the favor. Whether I liked it or not.
I plastered on a pretend smile. “No problem,” I lied, cringing internally.
Jake gazed at his watch. “Emily and I should get going, too.”
“Uh, you’re leaving?” I asked, trying to keep from sounding horrified.
Emily sighed. “Unfortunately, yes. We have to pick up Lily.” She reached for me and hugged me tight. At first, I thought it was sweet that she was trying to comfort me in my time of need. But then she whispered in my ear, “I can’t believe I’m going to miss this shit. You have to call me later with all the details. And this time, don’t forget.”
I should’ve known. Leave it to Emily to have an underlying motive.
As the three of them climbed into their vehicles to leave, my queasy stomach tightened into a knot. This whole live-in situation was going to be a complete disaster. But as Seth and I watched the others drive away, I smiled and waved at them, hoping that no one—including him—could sense that I was nearing full panic mode at the thought of being alone with him again.
Once the two trucks were out of sight, I turned my full attention onto him, and something dawned on me. Last night, he had resembled a stalking predator outside the bar with his black shirt and menacing smile. Today, however, he wore a plain white T-shirt, a pair of faded jeans, and an impish smile that lent him a much more innocent appearance. Almost as if he was more of the boy-next-door type.
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. I could put on a stoic face and find some middle ground that made this temporary living arrangement doable. Right?
But an unholy grin lifted the corners of Seth’s mouth. “So I guess this answers the whole ‘your place or mine’ question.”
My heart stopped. Jesus. I was wrong. This would never work. Nothing about this man was innocent.
Last night, I’d seen exactly what kind of man Seth Landry was—one who enjoyed toying with a woman’s body and emotions. Outside the rodeo, he had focused on me with the intensity of a hungry panther before he’d slid his tongue into my mouth and taken what he wanted. Then he’d turned and walked away without giving it a second thought and leaving me wanting more.
Who does that?
No reason. No explanation. He just left with a simple good night.
But I was determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing how irritated I was over him kissing me senseless and leaving me wanting more. So I plastered a look of confusion onto my face and said, “Excuse me?” As if I didn’t have a clue as to what he was talking about. The big jerk.
“Oh, come on. You aren’t really going to stick with the whole you-don’t-remember-me bit, are you?”
Wanna bet? “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Hmm. In that case, maybe I should refresh your memory.”
My body tensed, and I took a step back to put some distance between us. “Um, okay, so maybe you do look a little familiar.”
His brow rose. “I had a feeling you might say that.”
“How could I forget? You were the guy I ran into with my grocery cart yesterday, right? It’s nice to see you again.” Without waiting for his response, I turned and lit out for the house, walking at a brisk pace.
He must’ve grabbed his duffel bag from the ground before jogging to catch up to me because when he appeared at my side, it was slung over his shoulder. “It’s okay if you don’t want to admit it, sweetheart. Just keep in mind that first impressions swing both ways.”
I came to an immediate halt and glared at him incredulously. “What? I didn’t do anything last night to make a bad first impressi
on.”
An amused grin settled on his face. “Looks like someone got her memory back.”
Damn it. I walked right into that one. But I didn’t want to remember last night. Or talk about it. So I turned and headed for the house once again. He followed behind me, whistling an upbeat tune I didn’t recognize.
As I started up the stairs, the rotting planks creaked and bowed beneath my feet as they usually did, but Seth grasped my arm and hauled me back. “Hey!”
“Don’t move,” he ordered, turning his attention onto the sagging front porch.
He leaned down and peered beneath the stairs before straightening and cautiously moving up them one at a time. With each step, he bounced a little, as if he was testing the durability of the weathered wood. Then he even shook the hand railing to see how loose it was.
Once his preliminary review of the porch was completed, he turned back to me. “Your porch needs some work.”
“No kidding,” I said, crossing my arms. “What tipped you off—the fact that it’s old and dilapidated?”
His brows lowered over his eyes, and his mouth held a grim line. “That’s nothing to joke about, ya know? This structure is hazardous, and you could’ve hurt yourself by falling through.”
“Well, that’s what you’re here for. Can’t you fix it?”
He gazed back at the porch. “Um, yeah.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound too reassuring. Junior said you were good with your hands.”
His head snapped back to me. “You really needed someone to tell you that?”
Frustration swept over me. How the hell was I supposed to forget about last night when the arrogant ass kept reminding me? I thrust my fists onto my hips and firmed my tone. “Can you fix the damn porch or not?”
He nodded. “I can, but I think the entire porch should just be demolished and rebuilt. It’s structurally intact right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way. I could shore it up for stability, but honestly, it would be a waste of time.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“Wanna bet?” Seth shook his head. “Look, if you want me to just repair it, I will. But in my professional opinion, it’s dangerous and you’re asking for a problem later on. Junior told me that you’re turning this place into a bed and breakfast. The last thing you need is for a guest to fall through the boards and sue you.”